Stephanus Van Cortlandt

Who was Stephanus Van Cortlandt?

Stephanus van Cortlandt was the first native-born mayor of New York City, a position which he held from 1677 to 1678 and from 1686 to 1688. He was the patroon of Van Cortlandt Manor and was on the governor's executive council from 1691 to 1700. His brother, Jacobus Van Cortlandt also served as mayor of New York City. His wife, Gertruj Van Schuyler, was the sister of Pieter Schuyler, a colonial governor of New York and mayor of Albany.