Leffert Lefferts facts for kids

Leffert Lefferts (born April 12, 1774 – died March 22, 1847) was an important person in early Brooklyn, New York. He is best known as the first president of the Long Island Bank, which was the very first bank in Brooklyn. He also served as a judge and came from a well-known family in the area.

Early Life and Family

Leffert Lefferts was born on April 12, 1774, at his family's home in Bedford, a part of Brooklyn. His parents were Leffert Lefferts (1727–1804) and Dorothy Couwenhoven Lefferts (1738–1816). The Lefferts family was very important in the history of Brooklyn and helped fund the State of New York.

He went to Columbia College in 1794, which was a big achievement for his time.

Career and Public Service

Leffert Lefferts was involved in politics as a member of the Federalist Party. He ran for the U.S. Congress twice but did not win. Interestingly, he lost to his own cousin, John Lefferts, who belonged to a different political party, the Democratic-Republicans.

He also became the first judge of Kings County, which is where Brooklyn is located. This shows he was a respected figure in the community.

In 1824, Lefferts helped start the Long Island Bank along with a few other people like Jehiel Jagger and Jacob Hicks. This bank was the first one ever in Brooklyn, and Leffert Lefferts became its first president.

Lefferts owned a lot of land, and his son-in-law, James Carson Brevoort, helped manage it. It's important to know that while some members of his family, like his cousin John Lefferts, owned enslaved people, Leffert Lefferts himself did not. Records from 1830 show that three free people of color lived with members of his family.

Family Life

Leffert Lefferts was married to Maria Benson (1793–1875). Maria's father, Robert Benson, was a clerk for the New York State Senate. Maria was also the sister of New York City Alderman Egbert Benson and niece of U.S. Representative Egbert Benson.

Leffert and Maria had two children:

• Elizabeth Dorothea Lefferts (1824–1896): She married James Carson Brevoort in 1845. James was known for collecting rare books and coins.
• Leffert Lefferts (1826–1827): He passed away when he was very young.

Leffert Lefferts died on March 22, 1847. He is buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, a famous and historic cemetery.

His Grandchildren

Through his daughter Elizabeth, Leffert Lefferts had a grandson named Henry Lefferts Brevoort (1849–1895). Henry married Elizabeth Schermerhorn (1852–1928).