Jacob Leisler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jacob Leisler
The statue of Jacob Leisler (1913) on North Avenue in New Rochelle, New York
8th Colonial Governor of New York
In office 1689 – 1691 in rebellion
Monarch	William III and Mary II
Preceded by	Francis Nicholson
Succeeded by	Henry Sloughter
Personal details
Born	c. 1640 Bockenheim, Hanau-Münzenberg, Holy Roman Empire
Died	(1691-05-16)May 16, 1691 New York City, Province of New York, English America
Profession	Merchant, Lieutenant governor of New York
Signature

Jacob Leisler (born around 1640 – died May 16, 1691) was an important person in the early history of the Province of New York. He was born in Germany and became very rich in New Amsterdam (which is now New York City). He made his money in the fur trade and by selling tobacco.

Leisler became famous for leading a big event called Leisler's Rebellion. This happened after a major change in England's government, known as the Glorious Revolution. Leisler took control of New York City and then the whole province. He did this in the name of the new Protestant rulers of England, King William III and Queen Mary II.

From 1689, Leisler led a revolt and took over Fort Amsterdam (later called Fort James) in Manhattan. He became the acting leader, or Lieutenant Governor, of New York. He stayed in charge until March 1691. Leisler said he was supporting the new Protestant rulers. However, he was arrested by the new governor of New York in March 1691.

Leisler was accused of serious crimes against the new English monarchs. He was found guilty and put to death in New York City. His property was taken by the Crown. During his time in power, Leisler helped buy land for a group of French refugees called Huguenots. This land later became the city of New Rochelle, New York.

Leisler's son and his supporters believed that his trial was unfair. They worked hard to clear his name and get his family's property back. In 1695, the English Parliament agreed with them. Leisler and his son-in-law, Jacob Milborne, were later reburied with honors.

Early Life and Success

Jacob Leisler was born in March 1640 in a village called Bockenheim, which is now part of Frankfurt am Main, Germany. His father was a minister who followed the Calvinist faith. After his father passed away in 1651, Leisler went to a military school.

In 1660, Leisler came to New Amsterdam (now New York) as a soldier. He worked for the Dutch West India Company. But he soon left the army and started his own business. He became very successful in the fur trade and tobacco business.

Leisler became a very wealthy man. In 1676, tax records in New York showed that he was the third richest person in the city. In 1678, while sailing to Europe, pirates captured him. He had to pay a large sum of money, about 2,050 pieces of eight (an old Spanish coin), to be set free.

Leisler was well-liked by many ordinary people. He helped a family of French Huguenots who arrived in Manhattan. They were so poor that they were almost sold into slavery to pay for their ship journey. Leisler stepped in and bought the freedom of the mother and son. These Huguenots were refugees escaping religious persecution in France.

In 1683, Leisler was given important jobs by the government. He became a judge for shipping cases and a justice of the peace for New York City. He was also made a captain in the local militia.

The Leisler Rebellion

The Glorious Revolution in England in 1688 caused big changes in New York too. People in New York were divided into two main groups. One group included small shopkeepers, farmers, sailors, and artisans. The other group had rich landowners (called patroons), wealthy fur traders, merchants, and government officials.

Jacob Leisler, even though he was rich, led the first group. The second group was led by powerful families from the Hudson Valley. Leisler's supporters said they were more loyal to the new Protestant rulers in England.

In 1688, the leader of New York, Governor Dongan, was replaced by Lieutenant-Governor Francis Nicholson. In 1689, Leisler was a captain in the New York City militia. He was popular with his soldiers and with the common Dutch people. These people were upset because officials who supported the old King James II were trying to stay in power.

News arrived that Governor Edmund Andros had been arrested in Boston. On May 31, 1689, Leisler's supporters took over Fort Amsterdam in Manhattan. They renamed it Fort William. They said they would hold the fort until a new governor sent by the new King and Queen arrived.

On June 2, 1689, a large crowd gathered. They heard a rumor that King James II's supporters were going to take the fort and harm Dutch settlers. The crowd shouted Leisler's name and went to his house. At first, he didn't want to lead them, but he agreed when they insisted. Within an hour, he had the keys to the fort. The rebels also took control of all the public money inside the fort.

Four hundred people signed an agreement to hold the fort for the "Protestant power that reigns in England." A group of ten citizens formed a temporary government and chose Jacob Leisler as their leader. They made him "captain of the fort." Leisler started fixing up the fort and added new cannons. This area is now a public park called the Battery in Lower Manhattan. This was the start of Leisler's Rebellion.

Leisler as Acting Leader

The rich families also wanted to remove King James II. But they preferred to keep the existing government in New York. They didn't want a time when no one was in charge. Lieutenant-Governor Nicholson and other officials tried to stop the uprising, but they failed. Nicholson became worried for his safety and sailed to England on June 24. The mayor of New York City and other officials moved to Albany.

Albany did not want to accept Leisler's authority at first. In November, Leisler sent his son-in-law, Jacob Milborne, with soldiers to Albany. Milborne was supposed to help defend Albany from Native American attacks. But he was told not to help unless Albany recognized Leisler's power. Albany refused, and Milborne returned. However, after the Schenectady massacre on February 19, 1690, Albany finally accepted Leisler's authority.

In December 1689, Leisler received a letter from England. It was addressed to Nicholson or "whoever is taking care of peace and laws." Leisler used this letter to claim the title of Lieutenant-Governor. He ended the temporary safety committee and formed his own council. He took charge of the entire province. He made Jacob Milborne his main assistant and secretary. Milborne was married to Leisler's daughter, Mary.

Leisler organized the first meeting of leaders from different American colonies. This meeting happened in New York on May 1, 1690. They planned to work together against the French and their Native American allies in a war called King William's War. They planned an attack on Canada. Leisler sent the first fleet of warships ever from the Port of New York to attack Quebec. But the attack was not successful.

Meanwhile, a new governor for New York, Colonel Henry Sloughter, was chosen by King William and Queen Mary on September 3, 1689. But he did not arrive in New York until March 19, 1691.

Helping Huguenot Settlers

Jacob Leisler helped a group of Huguenots in New York find a place to live. In 1689, John Pell, the Lord of Pelham Manor, officially gave 6,100 acres of land to Leisler. This land was meant for a Huguenot community north of Manhattan. On September 20, 1689, Leisler gave a third of this land to the Huguenot refugees.

Besides the money paid for the land, Leisler and future owners had to give John Pell a "Fat Calf" every year. This was a traditional payment to show their connection to Pelham Manor. This settlement grew into the city of New Rochelle, New York.

The End of the Rebellion

On January 28, 1691, an English army officer named Richard Ingoldesby arrived in Manhattan. He had two companies of soldiers and demanded control of Fort James. Leisler refused to give up the fort without an order from the king or the new governor. After some arguments, Ingoldesby attacked the fort on March 17. During this fight, Leisler's men killed two of Ingoldesby's soldiers and wounded several others.

When Governor Sloughter finally arrived in New York in March, he immediately demanded that Leisler surrender. Leisler refused to give up the fort until he was sure it was really Governor Sloughter. He also wanted to make sure the governor had officially sworn in his council. Once these things happened, Leisler wrote a letter to the governor, giving up his command.

Governor Sloughter then arrested Leisler and nine of his helpers, including his son-in-law Jacob Milborne. All but Milborne were later released after a trial. Leisler was put in prison and accused of very serious crimes against the English rulers. Soon after, he was tried and sentenced to death. His son-in-law, Milborne, was also found guilty of the same charges.

Leisler's son and his other supporters were very upset by the trials. They felt the trials were unfair. The judges were known enemies of Leisler, and his supporters called their actions "gross." Governor Sloughter was said to have hesitated to sign the death warrants. But he was trying to bring peace to the colony and felt pressure from powerful people in New York City.

On May 16, 1691, Leisler and Milborne were put to death. As was the custom for such serious crimes, their property was taken by the Crown. Leisler's son and his supporters asked for justice from the King's advisors. The advisors said that the trial followed the law. However, they still suggested that the property should be given back to Leisler's family.

Clearing His Name

In 1695, the English Parliament passed a law. This law, achieved by the hard work of Leisler's son and supporters, cleared the names of Jacob Leisler and Milborne. Leisler's property was given back to his family.

Three years later, the Earl of Bellomont became the governor of New York. He had been a strong supporter of Leisler's son. Because of his influence, the assembly voted to pay money to Leisler's family as a form of apology.

Family Life

Jacob Leisler married Elsie Tymens in 1663. She was a widow.

Leisler had several children:

• Catharine Leisler, who married Robert Walters in 1685. He later became the mayor of New York City.
• Susannah Leisler, who married Michael Vaughton in 1687.
• Mary Leisler, who married Jacob Milborne in 1691. Milborne was put to death on the same day as Leisler.

Some of Leisler's descendants use his last name as a middle name. A famous one was Walther Leisler Kiep, a German politician.

Remembering Leisler

• Governor Bellomont allowed Leisler and his son-in-law to be honorably reburied. This happened at the Dutch Reformed Church in New York City.
• In June 1913, a monument to Jacob Leisler was put up in New Rochelle, New York. This was done by local historical groups to celebrate the city's 250th anniversary. It honored Leisler's role in its founding. Leisler has been called the "first Governor of Colonial New York to owe his position to the popular suffrage." This means he was the first leader chosen by the people's vote.
• In June 1913, a play about Leisler's life, called Jacob Leisler: A Play of Old New York, was published by William O. Bates.

Images for kids

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  The statue of Jacob Leisler (1913) in New Rochelle, New York.

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  Jacob Leisler's signature.

See also

In Spanish: Jacob Leisler para niños