John Alsop facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Alsop
Etching of John Alsop by Max Rosenthal
Member of the 2nd Continental Congress from New York
In office May 10, 1775 – March 1, 1781
Member of the 1st Continental Congress from New York
In office September 14, 1774 – October 26, 1774
Personal details
Born	1724 New Windsor, Province of New York
Died	November 22, 1794 Newtown, Queens County, New York, United States
Resting place	Trinity Church Cemetery, New York City
Spouses	Mary Frogat ​ ​ (m. 1766; her death 1772)​
Children	Mary Alsop
Parents	John Alsop, Sr. Abigail Sackett
Relatives	Rufus King (son-in-law) John Alsop King (grandson) Charles King (grandson) James Gore King (grandson) Edward King (grandson) Richard Alsop (nephew)
Profession	Politician, Merchant

John Alsop Jr. (born 1724, died 1794) was an important American businessman and politician from New York City. He represented New York in the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776. He also signed an important agreement called the Continental Association in 1774.

Early Life and Business Beginnings

John Alsop Jr. was born in 1724 in New Windsor, which was part of the British Province of New York. His parents were John Alsop Sr. and Abigail Sackett. His father was a lawyer who also worked with real estate in New York City.

When John Jr. was young, he moved to New York City. There, he and his brother Richard started a business together. They became importers and merchants, selling cloth and other dry goods. Their business did very well, and the Alsop family became known as one of the city's major merchant families for many years.

John Alsop Jr. also became interested in helping his community. He was one of the leaders who helped create the New York Hospital Association. He served as its first leader from 1770 to 1784.

Role in the American Revolution

As the American Revolution began, the government in New York couldn't agree on what to do about the Continental Congress. So, different groups in each county chose their own representatives. In 1774, John Alsop was chosen as a delegate for New York. He traveled to Philadelphia to join the Congress.

Supporting the Revolution

In 1775, Alsop became a leader of the Committee of Sixty. This group acted as the temporary government in New York City. He strongly supported agreements to stop importing goods from Britain. This was difficult for his own business, but he believed it was important.

He also helped recruit soldiers and get them ready for battle. Since the official New York government still wouldn't recognize the national Congress, Alsop was elected to a new, revolutionary group called the New York Provincial Congress. This group then sent him back to the Second Continental Congress.

A Difficult Choice

John Alsop wanted to find a peaceful solution with Great Britain. Because of this, he chose to resign from the Congress. He did not want to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Helping the Continental Army

The year 1776 was very important for New York during the war. Alsop spent time in Philadelphia at Congress meetings. He often traveled between Philadelphia and New York. He used his business connections to help Congress get supplies, especially gunpowder, for the Continental Army.

In June, he returned to New York with General Washington. He helped find places for 8,000 Continental Army soldiers to live. When the British took over his home in Newtown in August, he continued his work from Manhattan. By September, the British had also taken Manhattan. This made it impossible for him to continue his work for the revolution. He escaped to Middletown, Connecticut, and stayed there until the British left in 1783.

Life After the War

After the war ended, John Alsop worked hard to rebuild his family's business. He also became an active community leader again. He served as the president of New York City's Chamber of Commerce in 1784 and 1785.

Family Life

Alsop's daughter, Mary Alsop, who married Rufus King.

On June 6, 1766, John Alsop married Mary Frogat in New York City. They had one daughter named Mary Alsop (1769–1819). Mary later married Rufus King, who was a well-known American politician.

John Alsop died at his home in Newtown, Queens County, New York, on November 22, 1794. He was buried in Trinity Church Cemetery in Manhattan. His large fortune was passed down to his daughter and son-in-law.

Notable Relatives

John Alsop had many notable relatives, including:

• His nephew, Richard Alsop (1761–1815), was a writer. He was part of a group called "The Hartford Wits."
• His grandson, John Alsop King, served as the governor of New York.
• His grandson, Charles King, was the ninth president of Columbia University.
• His grandson, James G. King, was a businessman and politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives.
• His son-in-law, Rufus King, was a U.S. diplomat and a general in the American Civil War.
• Joseph Wright Alsop V and Stewart Alsop were famous American newspaper journalists.
• David Crosby was a well-known American guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
• Jane Wyatt was an American actress, famous for her roles in Father Knows Best and Star Trek.