Statue of Jacob Leisler | |
---|---|
Artist | Solon Borglum |
Year | 1913 |
Medium | Bronze |
Subject | Jacob Leisler |
Dimensions | 2.7 m× 1.5 m× 0.91 m(9 ft× 5 ft× 3 ft) |
Location | New Rochelle, New York |
40°55′59″N73°47′28″W / 40.93296°N 73.79103°W |
The Jacob Leisler Monument is a bronze sculpture created by American artist Solon Borglum and located in the city of New Rochelle, in Westchester County, New York. The monument was erected by the Huguenot Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Huguenot Association of New Rochelle [1] to the memory of Jacob Leisler, 17th-century advocate of the Huguenot settlers and said to be the first chief executive of the province of New York to draw his power directly from the people. [2] The unveiling of the statue on June 24, 1913, was the principal event in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of New Rochelle. [3] The monument, cast by the Roman Bronze Works, is the only existing statue of Leisler.
Jacob Leisler was German-born and came to North America in 1660 as a soldier in the Dutch West India Company's service. Settling in New Amsterdam (New York), he left the company and prospered in the tobacco and fur trades, becoming a wealthy merchant and being appointed to several public offices in the city, such as justice of the peace and judge. [4] Beginning in 1689, following the English Revolution in 1688 and accession of the Protestant rulers William III and Mary II, he led an insurrection dubbed Leisler's Rebellion, with popular support among the common people, ultimately seizing control of the city and colony from Jacobite officials previously appointed under the deposed King James. [4] He appointed himself as acting Lieutenant Governor of the Province until the governor appointed by William and Mary finally reached New York in March 1691. During this period, he had purchased land from Pelham Manor, reserving a portion to help create the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle in 1689. He refused to turn over power to a newly appointed lieutenant governor in 1690. [5]
Leisler in 1691 was arrested and tried by his personal and political enemies on charges of felony and treason to William III and Mary II, for refusing to give up power to their appointed Lieutenant Governor before the full governor arrived several months later. He and his son-in-law were both executed. Many thought the trial was unjust. Four years later, Parliament reversed the conviction, clearing Leisler's name and restoring his estate to his heirs. They exonerated the late friend of the Huguenots. [6]
Due to the fact that no portrait is known to exist of Jacob Leisler, the sculpture depicts a generic male figure of his "type" dressed in period clothing. This includes a long cape, knee breeches, boots, and a hat. In his right hand the figure holds a walking stick and his left arm rests along the top of the stick. The sculpture is installed on a square stone base resting on a circular concrete foundation. [7] The sculpture measures approximately 9 x 5 x 3 feet, with a base of 4 feet 30 inches x 4 feet 30 inches. The foundation is approximately 1 foot in height by 10 feet in diameter.
The inscription reads:
HUGUENOT CHAPTER, DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION, STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE HUGUENOT ASSOCIATION OF NEW ROCHELLE
DEDICATED JUNE 25, 1913The same month that the monument was dedicated, a play by William O. Bates was published: Jacob Leisler: A Play of Old New York, portraying the leader in his heroic mode. [4]
John Gutzon de la Mothe Borglum was an American sculptor best known for his work on Mount Rushmore. He is also associated with various other public works of art across the U.S., including Stone Mountain in Georgia, statues of Union General Philip Sheridan in Washington D.C. and in Chicago, as well as a bust of Abraham Lincoln exhibited in the White House by Theodore Roosevelt and now held in the United States Capitol crypt in Washington, D.C.
Jacob Leisler was a German-born colonist who served as a politician in the Province of New York. He gained wealth in New Amsterdam in the fur trade and tobacco business. In what became known as Leisler's Rebellion following the English Revolution of 1688, he took control of the city, and ultimately the entire province, from appointees of deposed King James II, in the name of the Protestant accession of William III and Mary II.
Leisler's Rebellion was an uprising in late-17th century colonial New York in which German American merchant and militia captain Jacob Leisler seized control of the southern portion of the colony and ruled it from 1689 to 1691. The uprising took place in the aftermath of England's Glorious Revolution and the 1689 Boston revolt in the Dominion of New England, which had included New York. The rebellion reflected colonial resentment against the policies of deposed King James II.
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The main U.S. Post Office in New Rochelle is located at 255 North Avenue, at the intersection of North Avenue and Huguenot St., in the city of New Rochelle in Westchester County, New York. The facility currently serves the 10801, 10803 and 10805 ZIP Codes, covering portions of New Rochelle and neighboring Pelham and Pelham Manor.
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state. The town was settled by Huguenots in 1688 who fled France following their failed rebellions. Many of the settlers were wealthy merchants, artisans and craftsmen from the city of La Rochelle, France, thus influencing the choice of the name of "New Rochelle".
The 1689 Boston revolt was a popular uprising on April 18, 1689, against the rule of Sir Edmund Andros, the governor of the Dominion of New England. A well-organized "mob" of provincial militia and citizens formed in the town of Boston, the capital of the dominion, and arrested dominion officials. Members of the Church of England were also taken into custody if they were believed to sympathize with the administration of the dominion. Neither faction sustained casualties during the revolt. Leaders of the former Massachusetts Bay Colony then reclaimed control of the government. In other colonies, members of governments displaced by the dominion were returned to power.
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Abraham de Peyster was the 20th mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, and served as Governor of New York, 1700–1701.
Peter Delanoy, who served from 1689 to 1691, was the first and only directly elected Mayor of New York City until 1834. Appointed mayors resumed in the wake of Leisler's Rebellion. He was succeeded by former Mayor John Lawrence.
The Thomas Paine Monument located in New Rochelle, New York is dedicated to the memory of Founding Father Thomas Paine. The monument stands on North Avenue at the entrance to Paine Avenue. This is the oldest extant memorial to Thomas Paine. The original monument erected in 1839 consisted of just the tapered marble pedestal and capital. A bronze bust of Paine was later added in 1899.
Titus Mill Pond & New York State Tidal Wetlands is located at the northeastern end of New Rochelle Harbor in the city of New Rochelle in Westchester, New York. The waters in the harbor and pond flow from Long Island Sound, with tides up to eight feet in the inlet and with no fresh water stream entering into it.
Davenport Neck is a peninsula in New Rochelle, New York, extending southwesterly from the mainland into Long Island Sound, and running parallel to the main shore. It divides the city's waterfront into two, with New Rochelle Harbor to the south and southwest, and Echo Bay, to the north and northeast. Glen Island and Neptune Island lie just to the west of the Neck, and Davids and Huckleberry islands lie to the south.
William Pinhorne was an American colonial politician and jurist, who served in various capacities in both New York and New Jersey.
Jacob Milborne was an American clerk living in the Province of New York who was an ally, secretary and son-in-law of the rebel Jacob Leisler, served briefly as Attorney General of the province, and was executed for his part in Leisler's Rebellion.
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