John Cruger facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Cruger
38th Mayor of New York City
In office October 1739 – August 1744
Preceded by	Paul Richard
Succeeded by	Stephen Bayard
Personal details
Born	1678 Germany
Died	August 13, 1744 (aged 65–66) New York City, Province of New York, British America
Spouses	Maria Cuyler ​ ​ (m. 1703; her death 1724)​
Children	7, including John Cruger Jr.

John Cruger (born around 1678 – died August 13, 1744) was an important person in early New York City. He moved to colonial New York and became a very successful businessman. His family originally came from Denmark.

John Cruger was a merchant, meaning he bought and sold goods. He also served the public for many years. He was an alderman for 22 years. An alderman is like a city council member today. Later, he became the 38th Mayor of New York City. He served as mayor from 1739 until he passed away in 1744.

John Cruger's Early Life

John Cruger was probably born in Germany in early 1678. His family is thought to be from Denmark or Germany. In 1698, he traveled to America from Bristol, England. At that time, New York was an English colony. However, it still had many influences from its earlier Dutch history.

Cruger's Business and Public Career

After arriving in New York, John Cruger started working in a trading company. He began as a shipmaster and factor. By 1702, he became a junior partner in the business. He even owned his own ships.

The next year, in 1703, he became a citizen. He was recognized as a Freeholder of the Province. This meant he owned land and had certain rights.

Serving as Alderman and Mayor

In 1712, John Cruger was elected as an alderman for the Dock Ward. He held this position for a long time, until 1735. After that, he became an assistant to the Mayor, Paul Richard.

He sent his older sons to manage parts of his business overseas. Tileman went to the West Indies, and Henry went to Bristol in England. John Jr. stayed in New York to help run things there.

By 1739, John Cruger and his family joined the Anglican Communion at Trinity Church. This church was very important politically. In October 1739, he was appointed as Mayor of New York. He served five one-year terms as mayor. During his time as mayor, Daniel Horsmanden was the Recorder of New York City, who was like a deputy mayor.

John Cruger's Family Life

On March 5, 1703, John Cruger married Maria Cuyler. She was from New York and had inherited a lot of money. Maria (1678–1724) was the sister of Albany Mayor Johannes Cuyler. Johannes was also the father of another mayor, Cornelis Cuyler.

John and Maria had seven children who lived past infancy. They had three sons and four daughters. Their children included:

• Anna Cruger (1704–1744)
• Tileman Cruger (1705–1730), who passed away in New York.
• Henry Cruger (1707–1780), who served in the New York Assembly. He married Hannah Slaughter in 1734. After she died, he married Elizabeth Harris in 1736.
• John Cruger Jr. (1710–1791), who also became a mayor and a leader in the Provincial Assembly.
• Sarah Cruger (1714–1766), who married Nicholas Gouverneur in 1745.
• Maria Cruger (1715–1787)
• Rachel Cruger (1721–1775).

John Cruger died in New York City on August 13, 1744. In his will, he left his successful businesses to his sons, John and Henry. He was buried in the churchyard of the Low Dutch Reformed Church in Harlem. The graveyard is no longer there, but the church is now called the Elmendorf Reformed Church.

Notable Descendants

Through his son Henry, John Cruger was the grandfather of Henry Cruger Jr. (1739–1827). Henry Cruger Jr. became a Member of Parliament in Great Britain. He later served as a New York State senator.