The General Assembly of New York, commonly known internationally as the New York General Assembly, and domestically simply as General Assembly, was the supreme legislative body of the Province of New York during its period of proprietal colonialship and the legislative body of the Province during its period as a crown colony. It was the representative governing body in New York until April 3, 1775, when the Assembly disbanded after the outbreak of the Revolutionary War.

Background

The New York General Assembly was first convened on October 17, 1683, during the governorship of Thomas Dongan, 2nd Earl of Limerick, which passed an act entitled "A Charter of Liberties" that decreed that the supreme legislative power under the Duke of York (later King James II) shall reside in a governor, council, and the people convened in general assembly; conferred upon the members of the assembly rights and privileges making them a body coequal to and independent of the English Parliament; established town, county, and general courts of justice; solemnly proclaimed the right of religious liberty; and passed acts enunciating certain constitutional liberties, e.g. taxes could be levied only by the people met in general assembly; right of suffrage; and no martial law or quartering of the soldiers without the consent of the inhabitants.

The Assembly grew to twenty-seven members, elected by voice vote by the people once every seven years and the districts they represented. The representatives terms were originally at the will of the governor and new elections were ordered as it suited his interests. A law was passed that limited member's terms to three years, but it was annulled by King George III. The Septennial Act was passed in 1743, and remained in force till the revolution.

The highly contested election for an open seat in the General Assembly held on October 29, 1733, in Eastchester is one of the better known political events in colonial America. The first issue of John Peter Zenger's New York Weekly Journal carried a lengthy report on the famous election, producing one of the few complete accounts of a colonial election available to historians. Zenger's acquittal in a seditious libel case in 1735 is seen as a foundation of the free press in America.

The General Assembly elected a speaker from their own ranks, chose their own clerk, and published their own journal. The Assembly had the sole right of originating all laws granting appropriations of money, and, during Governor William Cosby's administration, which was defined by political struggles and is known as one of the most oppressive royal placeholders, they withheld his compensation in an attempt to bring him closer to their desires. Reportedly, "these quarrels had considerably subsided before the revolution; but they doubtless had an influence beneficial to liberty, by introducing political discussions, and imparting a knowledge of the tendencies of irresponsible power."

The General Assembly continued until May 1775. Among its last acts was the adoption of petitions to the king and Parliament of Great Britain, in which, while they "professed a warm attachment to the royal person and government, they solemnly protested against the aggressions that had for years been gaining upon the rights of the people, and expressed, quite as strongly as was then avowed by the patriots of the day, the sentiments advocated in the revolution."

General Assembly

Districts

Representatives

The following were elected as members of the General Assembly.

DistrictRepresentativesYearsNotes
AlbanyJacob Coenraedt Ten Eyck1747/8-50Also served as mayor of Albany from 1748 to 1750.
Dirck Ten Broeck1728Also served as mayor of Albany from 1746 to 1748.
Dirck Wessels1691–98, 1701Also served as mayor of Albany from 1696 to 1698.
Evert Bancker1702-5Also served as mayor of Albany from 1695 to 1696 and 1707 to 1709.
Hans Hansen1750-52Also served as mayor of Albany from 1731 to 1732 and 1754 to 1756.
Hendrick Hansen1699–1702, 1708–9, 1715–24Also served as mayor of Albany from 1698 to 1699.
Jacob H. Ten Eyck1759-77Albany merchant who served as assistant alderman in the second ward from 1739 to 1743 and 1746 to 1748.
Jan Jansen Bleecker1698-1701Also served as mayor of Albany from 1700 to 1701.
Johannes Cuyler1705–13, 1715–26, 1727–28Also served as mayor of Albany from 1725 to 1726.
Johannes Schuyler1710-13Also served as mayor of Albany from 1703 to 1706.
John Abeel1695–98, 1701-5Also served as mayor of Albany from 1694 to 1695 and 1709 to 1710.
Johannes Bleecker Jr.1701-6Also served as recorder and mayor of Albany from 1701 to 1702. Son of Jan Jansen Bleecker.
Karl Hansen1715-26
Levinus Van Schaick1691-93A merchant who returned to Amsterdam and traded with Robert Livingston.
Myndert Schuyler1701–10, 1713–15, 1724–37Also served as mayor of Albany from 1719 to 1720 and 1723 to 1725.
Peter Douw1747/8-50, 1752–59
Peter Van Brugh1713–15, 1727–28Also served as mayor of Albany from 1699 to 1700 and 1721 to 1723.
Peter Van Bruggen1705-8
Peter Winne1737–47, 1752–61Winne ran a skipper along the Hudson River and was a partner in the Sacandaga Patent of 1741.
Philip Schuyler1728–47, 1750–52
Philip Schuyler1768-77A Revolutionary War general and, later, a U.S. senator and father-in-law of Alexander Hamilton.
Robert Livingston the Elder1709-15The 1st Lord of Livingston Manor.
Ryer Garretson1726-27
Ryer Jacobse Schermerhorn1683-1702The sole trustee of the Schenectady Patent.
Volkert P. Douw1761-8?Later served in the New York State Senate from 1785 to 1793. Son of Peter Douw.
Cortlandt ManorPhilip Verplanck1737-64Verplanck married into the Van Cortlandt family.
Pierre Van Cortlandt1768-77Also served as lieutenant governor of New York from 1777 to 1795.
DutchessBaltus Van Kleeck1715-16
Dirck Brinckerhoff1768-77Later served in the 2nd New York State Legislature.
Henry Beekman1725-59A grandson of acting New York City mayor Wilhelmus Beekman.
Henry Filkin1752-58
Henry Gilbert Livingston1754-68Father of Henry Livingston Jr., Gilbert Livingston, and John Henry Livingston.
Jacobus Tur Boss1737-43
Johannes Tappen1743-51
Johannes Turbosch1716-25
Johannes Van Kleeck1726-37
Leonard Van Kleeck1768-77
Leonard Lewis1713-16
Robert R. Livingston1759-68Known as "The Judge", only child of Robert Livingston of Clermont
KingsAbraham Lott1737-60
Abraham Schenck1759-68
Coert Stuyvesant1693-94Likely a descendant of the last Dutch director of New Netherland, Peter Stuyvesant.
Cornelius Lott1750-52
Cornelius Sebring1695–98, 1698-1726
Cornelius Van Brunt1698-1716
D. Vander Vier1750-59
Gerardus Beekman1698Also served as acting governor of the Province of New York in 1710.
Henry Filkin1693/4-95One of the Great Nine Partners Patent.
Johannes Lott1727–47, 1750–61
Johannes Van Ecklen1693-98
John Poland1691-93
John Rapalje1768-77
Joseph Hagenan1716
Myndert Coerton1698
Nicholas Stillwell1691-93
Richard Stillwell1725-27
Samuel Garretson1716-37
Simon Boerum1761-77He represented New York in the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1775.
Livingston Manor
Robert Livingston the Elder1716-26The 1st Lord of Livingston Manor (he previously represented Albany from 1709 to 1715).
Robert Livingston1726-28Also known as "Robert of Clermont", second son of Robert Livingston the Elder and father of Robert Livingston.
Gilbert Livingston1728-37Fourth son of Robert Livingston the Elder who married Cornelia Beekman, granddaughter of Wilhelmus Beekman.
Robert Livingston1737-59The 3rd Lord of Livingston Manor; grandson of Robert Livingston the Elder and son of Philip Livingston.
William Livingston1759-61Later served as the 1st governor of New Jersey.
Peter R. Livingston1761-69Son of Robert Livingston, 3rd Lord of Livingston Manor.
Philip Livingston1769-77A merchant who was a delegate to the Continental Congress, and signed the Declaration of Independence.
New York
Johannes Hardenbroek1709-10A merchant.
Abraham Gouverneur1701-2Speaker of the Assembly from 1699 to 1702.
Adolph Philipse1726-45The second son of Frederick Philipse, the 1st Lord of the Philipsburg Manor.
Anthony Rutgers1726-37Related to Henry Rutgers.
Brandt Schuyler1695-98Brother of Pieter Schuyler and Arent Schuyler
Capt. Wilson1709-10
Cornelius Van Horne1743-59
David Clarkson1739, 1745–52
David Provost1699–1702, 1711–13, 1716–25Also served as 24th mayor of New York City from 1699 to 1700.
Garret Van Horne1716-37
Henry Cruger1745-59Eldest son of 38th mayor of New York City John Cruger and brother of Speaker John Cruger Jr.
Isaac De Rimier1668-77
Jacobus Van Cortlandt1691–93, 1698–99, 1702–16Also served as 30th and 33rd mayor of New York City from 1710 to 1711 and 1719–1720.
Jacob Walton1768-77
Jacobus Kipp1716-26
James Alexander1737-39Also served as 4th New Jersey attorney general from 1723 to 1728. Father of William Alexander, Lord Stirling.
James De Lancey1768-77Son of James De Lancey, governor of the Province of New York from 1753 to 1755.
James Graham1691–93, 1695-1701
James Jauncey1768-77
Johannes Jansen1709–11, 1716–26Also served as 35th mayor of New York City from 1725 to 1726.
Johannes Kipp1691–93, 1698–99
John Cruger1759-73Also served as 41st mayor of New York City from 1757 to 1766. Son of 38th mayor of New York City John Cruger.
Johannes de Peyster1699-1702Also served as 23rd mayor of New York City from 1698 to 1699.
John Kerfbyl1699
John Moore1789-45
John Reade1715-16
John Spratt1693/4-95Glasgow, Scotland born merchant who was the father of Mary Alexander and son-in-law of Johannes de Peyster Sr.
John Van Home1709-10
John Walter1737-39
John Watts1752-59A Scottish immigrant. Father of U.S. Representative John Watts and son-in-law of Stephen Delancey.
Lawrence Reade1695–98, 1708–9, 1711–15
Leonard Lewis1699-1701
Leonard Lispenard1759-68
Oliver De Lancey1756-61Merchant and Loyalist.
Paul Richards1743-56
Peter De Lanoy1693/4-95Also served as 18th mayor of New York City from 1689 to 1691.
Philip French1698–99, 1702-8Also served as the 27th mayor of New York City from 1702 to 1703.[self-published source]
Philip Livingston1759-69
Robert Blackwell1693/4-95
Samuel Bayard1713-16Also served as a judge.
Samuel Staats1693/4-95Son of Abraham Staats.
Simon Johnson1737-39
Stephen De Lanoy1702–16, 1725–27
Thomas Coddrington1702-9
Thomas Wenham1698-99
Tunis De Key1695-98
William Bayard1761-68Father of William Bayard Jr.
William Merrett1691-98
William Roome1739-43
OrangeAbraham Gouverneur1699-1702Speaker of the Assembly from 1699 to 1702.
Abraham Haring1745-47Father of lawyer and Continental Congressman John Haring.
Cornelius Cuyler1716-26
Cornelius Haring1715–16, 1726–37
Floris Crum1702-8
Gabriel Ludlow1739-45
Hendrick Ten Eyck1710-15One of the Great Nine Partners Patent.
Henry Wisner1759-69
John De Noyellis1769-77
Lancaster Symes1726-37
Michael Hawdin1708-9
Peter Haring1701–2, 1709–10, 1716–26
Samuel Gale1750–59, 1769–77
Selah Strong1768-69
Theodorus Snediker1747/8-59
Thomas Gale1739-50
Vincent Matthews1787-89
Cornelius Cuyper1787-89
QueensBenjamin Hicks1725-37Relation of Federalist Assemblyman Benjamin Hicks.
Daniel Whitehead1691–1701, 1702-4
Daniel Кissam1768?-77
David Jones1737-59
David Thomas1761
Isaac Hicks1716-39
John Bound1691
John Jackson1693–1701, 1702–16
John Robinson1691
John Talman1701, 1709–10
John Townsend1709-10
John Treadwell1691
Jonathan Smith Sr.1701-2
Jonathan Whitehead1704-9
Nathaniel Pearsall1691
Thomas Cornell1739-59
Thomas Hicks1701-2
Thomas Hicks1759-61
Thomas Willet1701, 1710–25
Zebulon Seaman1759–61, 1763–77
Rensselaer ManorAbraham Ten Broeck1761-77
Andries Coejemans1791
Andries Coejemans1715-26
Andries Douw1708-5Douw lived in Rensselaerswyck, where his family held extensive lands.
Hendrick van Rensselaer1705-15
Jeremias van Rensselaer1726-43
J.B. Van Rensselaer1743-61
Kiliaen van Rensselaer1691–1701, 1702-3
RichmondAbraham Lakerman1702-16
Adam Mott1737-39
Benjamin Seaman1759-77
Christopher Billop1769-77Later a United Empire Loyalist who served in the 1st New Brunswick Legislative Assembly.
Elias Duksberry1691, 1695–98
Garret Veghte1699-1702
Henry Holland1761-69
John Dally1691
John La Count1726-59
John Shadwell1691-3/4
John Stillwell1702-16
John Tennisen1698
John Tennisen1763/4-95
John Woglem1698-99
Lambert Dorland1691
Paul Micheaux1750-52
Richard Merril1725-37
Richard Stillwell1739-50
Thomas Morgan1698-1702
Thomas Stillwell1691-98
William Walton1752-61A merchant who was one of the founders of the New York Society Library.
SuffolkDavid Pierson1737-45
Eleazer Miller1750-69
Epenetus Platt1723-37
Henry Pierson1691-95Speaker of the Assembly from 1694 to 1695.
John Tuthill1693-3/4, 1695–98
Matthew Howell1691-1705
Nathaniel Woodhull1769-77Also a brigadier general of the New York Militia during the American Revolution.
Samuel Hutchinson1721-23
Samuel Mulford1705-20
William Nicoll1701-23A son of 6th New York City mayor Matthias Nicoll.
William Nicoll1739-77
SchenectadyAbraham Glen1743
Arent Bradt1737–48, 1745–47
Isaac Vrooman1759-61
Jacob Glen1726–37, 1747/8-50Namesake of Glen, New York.
Jacob Van Slyck1750-52
Jacobus Mynderse1752–59, 1768–79
Nicholas Groot1761
Nicholas Schuyler1727-28
Ryer Schermerhorn1761Grandson and principal heir of Ryer Jacobse Schermerhorn.
UlsterAbraham G. Chambers1716-39
Abraham Hasbrouck1698-1701One of twelve patent holders to the 40,000 acre New Paltz Patent.
Abraham Hasbrouck1739–45, 1747/8-50, 1759–68Son of Abraham Hasbrouck.
Adrien Garretson1701-2
Albert Pawlding1726–37, 1745
Charles DeWitt1668-77Also served as a delegate to the New York Provincial and Continental Congresses.
Gaasbeck Chambers1745-48
George Clinton1768-77He later served as the 1st governor of the State of New York and the 4th vice president of the United States.
Hendrick Beekman1691–93, 1695–98, 1702–16Represented Westchester and Dutchess from 1691 to 1693. A son of acting New York City mayor Wilhelmus Beekman.
Jacob Rutsen1693/4-95, 1699–1702, 1713–26Represented Ulster and Dutchess from 1693/4-95.
Jacobus Bruyn1759-68Father of New York Assemblymen Jacobus S. Bruyn, Severyn Tenhout Bruyn, Johannes Bruyn, and Cornelius Bruyn.
Johannes Hardenbergh1737-43Owner of the Hardenbergh patent of land in the Catskill Mountains.
Johannes Jansen1747/8-59
Moses De Pue Jr.1752-59
Thomas Garton1691, 1693/4-95, 1698–99, 1702-18Represented Westchester and Dutchess in 1691 and 1693/4-95.
William Demire1691–93, 1695–98
WestchesterAdolph Philipse1722-26The second son of Frederick Philipse, the 1st Lord of the Philipsburg Manor, uncle to Frederick Philipse II.
Caleb Heathcote1701-2Also served as 31st mayor of New York City from 1711 to 1713.
Daniel Purdy1739-43
Edmund Ward1710-12
Frederick Philipse II1726-50The 2nd Lord of Philipsburg Manor, part of the Philipse Patent (today's Putnam County).
Frederick Philipse III1751-77The 3rd (and last) Lord of Philipsburg Manor.
Gilbert Willet1728-32
Henry Fowler1701
Humphrey Underhill1693/4-97
John De Lancey1764?-77
John Drake1698–1701, 1709–10, 1713–15
John Haite1712-13
John Hunt1699-1701
John Pell1691-95The 2nd Lord of Pelham Manor.
John Thomas1743-77
Jonathan Odall1715-16
Joseph Budd1716-22
Joseph Purdy1695–99, 1701–2, 1709–10
Joseph Theall1691–95, 1697
Josiah Hunt1702–10, 1715–16
Lewis Morris1710-28Uncle to Lewis Morris.
Lewis Morris1733-38Governor of New Jersey
Lewis Morris Jr.1732-50Also served as speaker of the Assembly
Lewis Morris1769Also served as a delegate to the New York Provincial and Continental Congresses.
Peter De Lancey1750-68Son of Stephen Delancey.
William Willet1701, 1702–9, 1710–15, 1716-33

Notes

Sources