Jacob J. Cuyler

Jacob J. Cuyler was born in September 1741. He was the son of Johannes and Catharina Glen Cuyler.

In March 1764, he married Lydia Van Vechten at the Albany Dutch church. By 1780, seven children had been christened in Albany where he was a pewholder and baptism sponsor.

These Cuylers lived on Pearl Street and were Albany mainstays for several decades. During that time, assessment rolls accorded his holdings a value comparable to other successful merchants. He served his community as firemaster, contractor, and was manager of the lottery during the early 1770s.

In 1767, he was left a share of the estate of his mother's brother.

In 1766, he joined his neighbors in signing the constitution of the Albany Sons of Liberty. In 1767, he was identified as an officer in an Albany militia company. Although he later was a member of the Albany committee, as an active businessman and sloop owner it is not surprising that he might be suspected of illegal trading. He posted bonds and also acted as bailsman for a number of acquaintances. After the war, he was accorded a land bounty right in conjunction with the Albany militia regiment.

For the duration of that body's lifetime, Jacob Cuyler was a stalwart member of the Albany Committee of Correspondence - representing the second ward and being re-elected year after year. He served in virtually all areas but was particularly identified with procuring and delivering supplies to bolster the American war effort. In 1778, he joined a number of middle-aged patriots in signing an Association to serve on active duty in the event of invasion. Earlier, he served as a delegate from Albany to the New York Provincial Congress. He also served in the Continental Commissary General's office. In May 1780, Colonel Jacob Cuyler applied to the governor for exemptions from field duty for himself and members of his staff.

After the war, his life assumed a lower public profile. Jacob J. Cuyler died in June 1804. His wife died four years later. He had lived sixty-two years.

Sources: The life of Jacob J. Cuyler is CAP biography number 539. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.

Likeness of a promissory note for two shillings issued by the Albany Committee and dated February 17, 1776. Signed on behalf of the committee by member Jacob Cuyler. Payable in Continental currency. Copied from the Internet, June 8, 2006 and of otherwise unknown provenance.