Rutger Jansen Bleecker or Rutger Bleecker (May 13, 1675 — August 4, 1756) was a colonial era merchant and political figure who served as
Mayor of Albany, New York from 1726 to 1729.[1]
Early life
Bleecker was born in Albany in on May 13, 1675. He was the second son of Dutch born mayor
Jan Jansen Bleecker (1641–1732)[2] and Grietje "Margaret" Rutse van Schoenderwoert (1647–1733).[3][4][5] His siblings included
Johannes Bleecker, Jr. (1668–1738)[6] Caajte Grietje Bleecker (1670–1734), who married Abraham Cuyler (1665–1747), a brother of Mayor
Johannes Cuyler,[7] Jannetje Janse Bleecker (1673–1755), who married Johannes Jacobse Glen (1675–1706),[7] Margarita Bleecker (1680–1773), who married Hendrick Ten Eyck (1680–1772),[7] Hendrick Bleecker (1686–1767)[7] and Rachael Bleecker (1688–1766).[7][8]
His maternal grandparents were Rutger Jacobson van Schoenderwoert (1615–1665) and Tryntje Jansen (
née Van Breestede) (1625–1711).[7]
Career
Following after his father and older brother, Bleecker was a fur
merchant.[9][10] In 1725, he became Recorder (Deputy Mayor) of the City.[3]
In 1726, Bleecker was appointed Mayor on behalf of the English crown by Governor,
William Burnet, succeeding
Johannes Cuyler and commencing on November 8, 1726. He served until November 10, 1729v,[11] when he was succeeded by
Johannes de Peyster III.[12] Also in 1701, he was elected to serve for one year as a member of the
New York Provincial Assembly, until 1702.[3]
In 1728, he was first appointed to the
Commissioners of Indian Affairs, serving for a total of seventeen years with additional appointments in 1729, 1732, 1734, 1739, 1742, and 1745.[13]
Johannes "John" Rutger Bleecker (1713–1800),[16] who married Elizabeth Staats (1725–1811), daughter of Barent and Neetltje Gerritse (née Van den Berg) Staats, in 1743.[3]
Margarita "Margaret" Bleecker (1714–1760),[17] who married Edward Collins (1704–1753),[18] son of Lt. John Collins and Margaret (née
Schuyler) Ver Planck Collins, a widow of Jacobus "James" Ver Planck, in 1733.[3]
Jacobus "James" Bleecker (b. 1716), who married Abigail Lispenard (1718–1807), daughter of
Anthony Lispenard and granddaughter of Antoine L'Espinard, in 1740.[3]