John Cruger

John Cruger (1678/1680 – August 13, 1744) was an immigrant to colonial New York with an uncertain place of birth, but his family was originally Danish. In New York from at least 1696, he became a prosperous merchant and established a successful family. He served as an alderman for twenty-two years and as 39th Mayor of New York City from 1739 until his death in 1744.

Early life Cruger was likely born in early 1678 in Germany, although the family is supposed to be of Danish origin In 1698, Cruger came to America from Bristol, England, when New York was officially an English colony, Cruger gained citizenship shortly afterwards, being recognized as a Freeholder of the Province on March 2, 1703.

In 1712, he was elected Alderman for the Dock Ward, a post he would hold until 1735, when he became assistant to the Mayor Paul Richard.

By 1739, he and his family had even abandoned his Dutch Reformed Church, becoming members of the Anglican Communion at the politically important Trinity Church. As mayor, he is remembered for the ruthless suppression of what became known as the Negro Plot of 1741. In October of that year, he was appointed as Mayor of New York, serving five one year terms.

Personal life On March 5, 1703, he married heiress Maria Cuyler (1678–1724) of New York. Maria was the sister of Albany Mayor Johannes Cuyler (himself the father of mayor Cornelis Cuyler and uncle of mayor Dirck Ten Broeck), who married Elsje Ten Broeck, and Sarah Cuyler, who married Albany Mayor Pieter Van Brugh. The family would eventually include three sons and four daughters who survived infancy. Their children included: Sarah Cruger (1714–1766), who married Nicholas Gouverneur (grandparents of Samuel Gouverneur) Maria Cruger (1715–1787) Rachel Cruger (1721–1775).

Cruger died in New York City on August 13, 1744. Henry Cruger Sr. was also the father of Nicholas Cruger whose Beekman and Cruger was the employer of Alexander Hamilton as a young teen in Saint Croix, Danish West Indies.