James De Lancey

Who was James De Lancey?

Captain James De Lancey was born in New York City, the eldest son of New York Lt. Gov. James De Lancey and grandson of Etienne de Lancey. The De Lancey family was of Huguenot origin. James was educated in England at Eton and the University of Cambridge, then became a commissioned officer in the British Army.

On his return to New York in 1755, Captain De Lancey served as aide-de-camp to General James Abercrombie during the French and Indian War. He served with distinction in the Niagara Campaign of 1759, playing a central role in the French surrender of Fort Niagara. On 24 July 1759, De Lancey led a bayonet charge that routed the French forces from their defensive positions within the fort. With their defeat at Fort Niagara, the French lost their foothold in New England, and within a year the fighting was over.

On the death of his father in August 1760, Captain De Lancey resigned his commission in the British Army and returned to New York City to maintain his family's lucrative dry goods business. He established his residence at the sprawling estate built by his father at the foot of Bowery Lane, and built a full-sized racetrack and stables for the breeding of racehorses.