Background
His father, Captain Olof Stevense Van Cortlandt (b Wijk bij Duurstede, Netherlands, d 1684), arrived 1637 in New Amsterdam.
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Stephanus Van Cortlandt
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Career
He was the patroon of Van Cortlandt Manor and was on the governor"s executive council from 1691 to 1700. He was the first resident of Sagtikos Manor in West Bay Shore on Long Island, which was built around 1697. Originally a soldier and bookkeeper, he rose to high colonial ranks in service of the Dutch West India Company, serving many terms as burgomaster and alderman. on citizens councils Eight Men and Nine Men
His mother was Annetje "Anna" Loockermans Van Cortlandt (b Turnhout March 17, 1618) who may have been the person to start the custom of Santa Claus in America.
They were the parents of New York Governor James DeLancey and Oliver De Lancey Senior and the ancestors of the Kennedy family members holding the title of Marquess of Ailsa.
A number of their descendants were Loyalists who relocated to England. One granddaughter Margaret Kemble was the wife of Thomas Gage, General of the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Descendants of this union are found in England, including amongst the Viscount Gages and the noble Bertie family in England (including those holding the title of Earls of Abingdon). One grandson was Pierre Van Cortlandt, married to Joanna Livingston.
Stephanus Van Cortland was the first mayor New York City who had been born in America, the date of his birth being 7 May 1643.
His first role in public life occurred in 1668, when he was appointed ensign of one of the militia companies of the city. His appointment as mayor, in 1677, at the age of thirty-four years, was a high compliment to his intelligence, and social position in the community, coming, as it did, from the English Governor. This favor, however, he returned, by remaining an adherent of the aristocratic party, in the time of the Leisler affair.
When Delanoy, the Leisler candidate, was elected to the mayoralty, in place of Van Cortland, the latter refused to deliver up the city seal.
