The 20th mayor of New York City from 1691 to 1694, and served as Governor of New York, 1700–1701.
The de Puysters were a wealthy merchant family which had also moved into politics. In October 1691, Abraham was appointed mayor by Governor Henry Sloughter. Through his suggestion, the city started providing public support to the poor.
Abraham also reportedly served in a number of other public roles during his life, including stints as alderman, Associate Judge and later Chief Justice on the province's Supreme Court, president of the King's Council, and as treasurer for New York and New Jersey provinces.
Around 1699, de Peyster donated part of his garden for the construction of a new city hall. That building was later renamed Federal Hall, which briefly served as the first capitol of the United States, and the site of the first inauguration of George Washington as president.
