18 Facts About Jacob Leisler

Jacob Leisler gained wealth in New Amsterdam in the North American fur trade and tobacco business.

Jacob Leisler went to New Amsterdam in 1660 as a soldier in the service of the Dutch West India Company.

In 1674, Jacob Leisler was one of the administrators of a forced loan imposed by Anthony Colve.

Jacob Leisler was forced to pay a ransom of 2,050 pieces of eight to obtain his freedom.

Jacob Leisler had endeared himself to the common people by befriending a family of French Huguenots who had been landed on Manhattan island.

Jacob Leisler prevented the sale by purchasing the freedom of the widowed mother and son before the sale could be held.

Under Thomas Dongan's administration in 1683, Jacob Leisler was appointed one of the judges, or "commissioners," of the court of admiralty in New York, a justice of the peace for New York City and County, and a militia captain.

Jacob Leisler was popular with the men and was probably the only wealthy resident in the province who sympathized with the Dutch lower classes, who were agitated by the attempts of the Jacobite officeholders to retain power in spite of the revolution in England and the accession of William III and Mary II to the throne.

The cry of "Jacob Leisler" was raised, and the crowd rushed to his house.

Four hundred of the new party signed an agreement to hold the fort "for the present Protestant power that reigns in England," and a committee of safety of ten of the city freeholders assumed the powers of a provisional government of which they declared Jacob Leisler to be the head.

Milborne was directed to withhold aid unless Jacob Leisler's authority was recognized.

Jacob Leisler dissolved the committee of safety, appointed a council, and took charge of the government of the entire province.

Jacob Leisler appointed Jacob Milborne as Clerk to the Council, Attorney-General, Advocate General and his Secretary.

Jacob Leisler refused to surrender the fort without an order from the king or the governor.

Jacob Leisler refused to surrender the fort until he was convinced of Sloughter's identity, and the governor had sworn in his council.

Jacob Leisler was said to have finally signed the warrants under the influence of wine.

Three years later the Earl of Bellomont, who had been one of the most influential supporters of Jacob Leisler's son, was appointed as governor of New York.

Jacob Leisler married Elsie Tymens, the widow of Pieter Cornelisz van der Veen, in 1663.