Commissioners for Indian Affairs

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The Commissioners for Indian Affairs were a group of officials of colonial Albany, New York charged with regulating the fur trade and dealing with the Iroquois. [1]

Contents

History

Originally the local magistrates, functioning informally, performed these tasks as part of their official duties. [2] In 1685, Governor Andros organized a board of commissioners, the same officials who had previously performed those duties. [3]

This system was affirmed by charter granted to the City of Albany by Governor Thomas Dongan in 1686. In 1696, Governor Benjamin Fletcher appointed an independent board of four members to take over from the magistrates: Pieter Schuyler, Dirck Wesselse Ten Broeck, Domine Godfrey Dellius, and Evert Bancker. In 1698, Governor Bellomont dissolved the independent group and restored the functions to the city government. After this, however, the commissioners received a special commission from the governor. During King George's War (1744–1748), Governor Clinton preempted the authority of the Commissioners and appointed Sir William Johnson to deal with the Iroquois. [2]

The Commissioners were headed by the Secretary for Indian Affairs. Until 1686, the office of Secretary was filled the Secretary of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck. Robert Livingston was appointed to this post in 1675. Robert Livingston the Younger took over from his uncle in 1710, followed by Philip Livingston from 1725 to 1749. Peter Wraxall was secretary from 1750 to 1759. Witham Marshe was secretary from 1759.

During the American Revolution the British Government took over management of Indian affairs from the colonists, and the commissioners ceased to function.

List of commissioners

No.Named individualBirth yearDeath yearTotal service
(years)
Dates of commissions [1]
1 Evert Bancker 16651734201696, 1706, 1710, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1729, 1732
2 John Beeckman 31752, 1754
3 Hendrick Bleecker 21752
4 Johannes Bleecker Jr. 1668173841720
5 Nicholas Bleecker 141728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1742, 1745
6 Rutger Bleecker 16751756171728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745
7 Arent Bradt 31739
8 Edward Clarke 11738
9 Edward Collins 17041753111734, 1739, 1742, 1745
10 John Collins 1670172881720, 1724, 1726
11 Capt. Cornwell 21726
12 Abraham Cuyler 16631747141728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1742, 1745
13 Cornelis Cuyler 16971765141734, 1739, 1742, 1745, 1752, 1754
14 Johannes Cuyler 16611740221706, 1710, 1715, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1732
15 Johannes De Peyster III 111734, 1739, 1742, 1742, 1745
16 William Dick 41734
17 Ryer Gerritse 16751752101728, 1729, 1732, 1742, 1745
18 Jacob Glen 71734, 1739
19 Peter Groenendyck 21752
20 Stephanus Groesbeck 16621744171728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745
21 Hendrick Hansen 16651724141710, 1712, 1715, 1720
22 Johannes Hansen 1695175621754
23 Edward Holland 1702175661734, 1738, 1739
24 Henry Holland 16611736161706, 1720, 1724, 1728, 1729, 1732
25 Johannes Lansing 41728, 1729
26 John Lansing Jr. 16871742141734, 1739, 1742, 1745, 1752
27 John Lindsey 175111738
28 Philip Livingston 231720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1738, 1742, 1745
29 Capt. Norris 21726
30 John Rennselaer 21754
31 Johannes Roseboom 1661174581710. 1728, 1729, 1732
32 John Rutherford 41742, 1745
33 Barent Sanders 1678175761728, 1729, 1732
34 Robert Sanders 1705176521752
35 Johannes Schuyler 16681747161715, 1729, 1734, 1739
36 Johannes Schuyler Jr. 1697174681734, 1739
37 Myndert Schuyler 16721755351706, 1710, 1712, 1715, 1728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, 1745, 1752, 1754
38 Peter Schuyler 16571724201691, 1696, 1706, 1715, 1720
39 Philip Schuyler 16951745101728, 1729, 1732, 1734
40 Dirck Ten Broeck 16861751161729, 1732, 1734, 1738, 1739, 1742, 1745
41 Hendrick Ten Eyck 71739, 1742, 1745
42 Jacob Coenraedt Ten Eyck 1705179331752, 1754
43 Pieter Van Brugh 16661740281706, 1710, 1712, 1715, 1720, 1724, 1726, 1728, 1729, 1732
44 David Van Duyck 21724
45 Hendrick van Rensselaer 16671740171706, 1724, 1726, 1729, 1732, 1734
46 Jeremiah Van Rensselaer 131728, 1729, 1732, 1734, 1734
47 Stephen Van Rensselaer II 21745
48 Sybrant G. Van Schaick 1708177431752, 1754
49 Evert Wendell 81724, 1728, 1728, 1732
50 Hermanus Wendell 61728, 1729, 1732
51 Johannes Wendell 61720, 1724
52 Pieter Winne 1690175941739, 1754
53Albany Commandant61738, 1739, 1752
54Assembly member for Albany31738, 1752
55Assembly member for Livingston Manor 21752
56Assembly member for Rensselaerswyck 31738, 1752
57Assembly member for Schenectady 31738, 1752
58New York councillors51739, 1752

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Rhoden, Nancy L. (2014). English Atlantics Revisited: Essays Honouring Ian K. Steele. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. pp. 240–243. ISBN   9780773560406 . Retrieved 7 September 2017.
  2. 1 2 Sturtevant, William C. (1988). Handbook of North American Indians: History of Indian-white relations. United States Government Printing Office. ISBN   9780160045837.
  3. Trelease, Allen W. (1997). Indian Affairs in Colonial New York: The Seventeenth Century. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN   080329431X.