Peter Stuyvesant was born in the Netherlands, and after studying languages and philosophy in Franeker, he joined the Dutch West India Company in 1635. Within a few years, he was made director of the company’s colony of Curaco, serving until 1644. Then, in that year, he attacked the Spanish island Saint Martin, where he lost part of his right leg to a cannonball and was forced to return to the Netherlands. Back at home, his leg was amputated and replaced with a wooden peg decorated with silver bands, earning him the nickname “Old Silver Leg.”
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Stuyvesant was not a religiously tolerant man, and on one occasion he ordered the public torture of Robert Hodgson, an influential Quaker preacher. The action raised protest from the citizens of Flushing, Queens, who convened to carry out the famous Flushing Remonstrance, perhaps a precursor to the freedom of religion bill within the Constitution. Stuyvesant also barred Brazilian Jews from settling in New Amsterdam; this decision was overruled by the West India Company, but the immigrants were not allowed to build a synagogue.
In 1664, James II succeeded his brother to the throne, and he immediately sent out men to take control of the land that had been ceded him, including New Amsterdam. Stuyvesant surrendered his land as requested, and the region was soon renamed New York. Peter, meanwhile, retired to a farm outside the city, where he remained until his death in 1672.
Born. | |
Joined the Dutch West India Company. | |
Served as director of the colony of Curaco. | |
Attacked Saint Martin and lost his leg, which was later replaced with a prosthetic limb. | |
Selected by the West India COmpany to become governor of New Amsterdam. | |
Married Judith Bayard. | |
Arrived in America. | |
Engaged in conflicts with Theophilius Eaton and Brant van Slechtenhorst. | |
New Amsterdam was officially established as a settlement. | |
Took possession of New Sweden. | |
Ordered the public torture of Robert Hodgson. | |
The Flushing Remonstrance. | |
Surrendered to English king James II. | |
Died. |
Old Silver Leg in | America First—100 Stories from Our History by Lawton B. Evans |
The Beginning of New York in | Story of the Thirteen Colonies by H. A. Guerber |
How New Amsterdam Became New York in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
Dutch in America in | American History Stories, Volume I by Mara L. Pratt |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Peter Stuyvesant in Indian History for Young Folks |
![]() Stuyvesant wanted the people to resist in Story of the Thirteen Colonies |
![]() Peter Stuyvesant opposes the surrender of New Amersterdam to the British in |
![]() Peter Stuyvesant in Builders of Our Country: Book I |
![]() Peter Stuyvesant tearing up the English letter in Builders of Our Country: Book I |