Maria Cuyler Cruger

Family-based records tell us that Maria Cuyler was born in New York City in March 1678. She was the sixth child of New Netherland emigrés Hendrick and Anna Schepmoes who had temporarily moved upriver to Albany.

The will of her father filed in 1690 (after he had removed his family to New York) provided for his wife and children. Widow Anna Cuyler filed her own will in July 1702 leaving bequests to her still unmarried daughter, Maria.

In March 1703, Maria Cuyler married "Jan Kruger" (Cruger) at the Dutch church in New York. Over the next two decades, the union would produce at least seven children.

These Crugers made their home in New York where immigrant John Cruger became a successful overseas trader and prominent office holder.

Childhood Albany resident and sister of future Albany mayor Johannes Cuyler, Maria Cuyler Cruger died in September 1724 and was buried in the church graveyard in New York City. Her husband survived for twenty more years and was appointed mayor of New York in 1741.

Sources: The life of Maria Cuyler Cruger is CAP biography number 595. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.