Cornelius Steenwyck[2] (born Cornelis Jacobsz Steenwijck; March 16, 1626 – November 21, 1684) served two terms as Mayor of New York City, the first from 1668 to 1672 (or 1670,[3]) and the second from 1682 to 1684 (or 1683[3]).

Cornelius Van Steenwyk
4th and 14th Mayor of New York City
In office
1668–1671
Preceded byThomas Willett
Succeeded byThomas Delavall
In office
1682–1684
Preceded byWilliam Dyre
Succeeded byGabriel Minvielle
Personal details
Born(1626-03-16)March 16, 1626
Haarlem, Dutch Republic
DiedNovember 21, 1684(1684-11-21) (aged 58)
New York City[1]
Coat of Arms of Cornelius Steenwyk

Other spellings of his name include Cornelis Steenwijck,[4] Cornelius Steenwyk,[5] and Van Steenwyk.[6]

Nominal governor of Acadia edit

He also briefly served as governor of the Dutch West India Company's paper claim over New Holland (Acadia) in 1676,[7] although his only attempt to actually assert Dutch control over the territory was rebuffed at Fort Pentagouet by three war ships from Boston. The Dutch colonial claim over Acadia was surrendered in 1678 by the Treaties of Nijmegen.

Inventory of his estate edit

An inventory of his estate ordered July 20, 1686 ran 14 pages[2] and totaled £4,382 (New York pounds), while a list of his debts ran 16 pages, and totaled £1,588, showing that Cornelis Steenwyck was one of the richest men in New York of his time.[2]

Legacy edit

Steenwick Avenue in The Bronx is named after him.

References edit

  1. ^ Descendants of Meijndert Jacobsz[permanent dead link] at ancestry.com, created 27 Feb 2008
  2. ^ a b c Inventory of estate of CORNELIUS STEENWYCK Long Island Wills and Death Notes, 1708-1728.
  3. ^ a b Mayors of U.S. Cities M-W
  4. ^ New Netherland: A Dutch Colony in Seventeenth-century America page 186
  5. ^ Annals of Albany Convention on the State of the Province, page 175
  6. ^ Bentley's Miscellany page 148
  7. ^ Capt. Francis Champernowne "The Dutch Conquest of Acadia" pg. 153