Johannes Cuyler (1661-1740) [Section 49 Lot 1 Church-grounds]
14th mayor of Albany, Alderman, Deacon, Elder in the Dutch Church, Indian Commissioner.
Johannes Cuyler was born in 1661 in New Amsterdam (New York City). He was the eldest son of Hendrick Cuyler, a tailor by trade who was born in Hasset, Holland, emigrating to America, and entering the fur trade. His Mother Annatje Schepmoes was born in Albany to Dutch immigrants. His father was a supporter of Jacob Leisler who led an insurrection and was executed in New York City for treason. The family formally moved to Albany in 1664 where they purchased a lot in Albany, later setting up home on the south side of upper State Street. Johannes was one of 8 surviving children composed of 5 sisters and 3 brothers.
In November 2, 1684, Johannus married Elsje Ten Broeck, the daughter of Albany Mayor Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck. Together, Johannes and Elsje were the parents of twelve children.
Following in his father business, he became a merchant in the fur trade, between Albany and New York City where he prospered. His success was aided by family and marriage connections back to New York City, as well as his willingness to serve the Albany government and the Dutch church. By the 1690s, he had taken over for his recently deceased father in the Cuyler house on the east side of Pearl Street. At the same time, he also remained close to his mother who had returned to Manhattan.
Before the establishment of Albany's government in 1686, Cuyler had already been a witness, plaintiff, and an attorney at the Albany court. In 1687, he was elected assistant Alderman for the Second Ward beginning a long connection with Albany's government. He was an assistant Alderman until 1698 when he was elected Alderman and served in that role until 1710.
While a member of Albany’s city council, he focused on relations with the Native Americans, and ensuring real estate development continued in the city and beyond. In 1710, he was appointed Recorder (Deputy Mayor) of the Albany.
In October 1683, colonial Assembly was created with New York being the last of the English colonies to have an assembly. The assembly passed the Province of New York constitution on October 30, the first of its kind in the colonies. This constitution gave New Yorkers more rights than any other group of colonists including the protection from taxation without representation. In 1705, Johannes was elected to represent Albany in the New York Provincial Assembly. Notwithstanding two brief breaks, he was elected to five terms, serving from 1705 to 1727.
In 1725, he was appointed Mayor of Albany, succeeding Myndert Schuyler. He served for a year until 1726 when Rutger Bleecker replaced him. For a total of twenty-two years, he served as a Commissioner of Indian Affairs for the Province of New York, appointed first in 1706. Over a forty-year career, Johannes held virtually every public office, some of them concurrently.
Johannes Cuyler filed his will on November 1, 1736. Making his wife Elsie heir for her lifetime, and then provided for his two sons and six daughters. His property included the house and lots on Pearl Street where he lived for fifty years. He died on July 20, 1740 - almost living to his eightieth birthday.