Abram Gouverneur (1671-1740)
Merchant & Speaker of the New York General Assembly
He was born in Amsterdam Holland, and although often misspelt "Abraham" his name was spelt "Abram". He came to New York as a merchant (in partnership with his brother, Isaac) and for his role in reorganizing Harlem in Upper Manhattan he was granted the "Abraham Gouverneur Patent" in 1713. Gouverneur Street, Gouverneur Lane, and Gouverneur Slip were all named for him. From 1699, he was a Member of the New York General Assembly, representing Orange County and later New York County (modern day Manhattan). He was Speaker of the Assembly (1699-1702) and Recorder (Deputy-Mayor) of New York City (1701-1703). He married the daughter of Jacob Leisler, the rabid anti-Catholic Governor of New York who was hanged following Lesiler's Rebellion in 1691. During the unrest, Gouverneur shot and killed the parish clerk.
