David Provost or David Provoost (January 16, 1670 – 1724) was the 24th

Mayor of New York City The mayor of New York City, officially Mayor of the City of New York, is head of the executive branch of the government of New York City and the chief executive of New York City. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property ...

, serving his appointment to the position from 1699 to 1700.

Early life

David Provost was born at his family's Pearl Street home, near Fulton Street, in

New York, New York New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Uni ...

, on January 16, 1670, to David Provost Sr. (1642-1720), one of New Amsterdam's Dutch burghers, and Tryntje "Catherine" (née) Laurens) Provost (1650–1707).

Career

In 1699, David Provost was appointed Mayor. During his administration, two new market houses were erected, one at

Coenties Slip Coenties Slip is a street in the Financial District of Manhattan in New York City. It runs southeast for two blocks in Lower Manhattan from Pearl Street to South Street. A walkway runs an additional block north from Pearl Street to Stone St ...

and the other at the foot of Broad Street. A hospital-home for the poor was established. Public street cleaners were hired, and homeowners were directed to pave in front of their houses or face fine of twenty shillings. The ferry to

Long Island Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United Sta ...

was contracted out for a term of seven years at a rent of one hundred and sixty-five pounds sterling per year. By the conditions of lease, the lessee was required to keep two large boats for corn and cattle, and two smaller boats for passengers. The city engaged to build a ferry-house on Nassau or Long Island, which the ferry operator was required to keep in repair. In 1699, the firing of guns within New York City was strictly forbidden. A powder-house was ordered to be built for public use, and all persons were prohibited from keeping more than fifty pounds of powder in their house. A tax was levied on all flour and bread brought into the city. This tax, however, proved unpopular, and was annulled a few weeks later. Provost was succeeded in office by Isaac De Reimer in 1700. After his tenure as Mayor, Provost served for a time as

alderman An alderman is a member of a Municipal government, municipal assembly or council in many Jurisdiction, jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council membe ...

Personal life

On June 1, 1691, Provost married Helena Byvanck (d. 1698) of Albany. Together, they were the parents of: * Belitje Provost (b. 1692), who married Henry Coens * Catharina Provost (b. 1694), who married Abraham Van Wyck (1695–1756) * David Provost III (b. 1695), who married Johanna Rynders. * Helena Provost (b. 1698), who married Cornelius Santvoort (b. 1692) After her death, married Maria De Peyster (1659–1700) on January 28, 1699, the sister of his predecessor as Mayor,

Johannes de Peyster Johannes de Peyster or Johannes de Peyster II (September 21, 1666 – September 25, 1711) was the 23rd Mayor of New York City between 1698 and 1699.Wilson, James Grant (ed.The memorial history of the City of New-York, Vol. II p. 54 (1892)Allaben, ...

, widow of John Spratt. Her daughter, Maria Spratt (1693–1760) was married to James Alexander (1691–1756),

Attorney General of New Jersey The attorney general of New Jersey is a member of the executive cabinet of the state and oversees the Department of Law and Public Safety. The office is appointed by the governor of New Jersey, confirmed by the New Jersey Senate, and term limited. ...

. After her death, he married for the third time on May 15, 1708, to Elizabeth Wakeman (b. 1657), widow of Albert Dinny, of

Fairfield, Connecticut Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It borders the city of Bridgeport and towns of Trumbull, Easton, Weston, and Westport along the Gold Coast of Connecticut. Located within the New York metropolitan area ...

. He died in 1724 and his will was probated on January 27, 1724.

Legacy

Provost Avenue in

The Bronx, New York The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New York ...

is named for him.

References

1670 births 1724 deaths Mayors of New York City People of the Province of New York Members of the New York General Assembly De Peyster family {{NewYork-mayor-stub