Mayor Abraham De Peyster (1657–1728) was born in New Amsterdam, now known as Manhattan. De Peyster came from a prosperous mercantile family. He was influential in the young city; he had many positions, including alderman, mayor, member of the king’s council, and acting governor. By the end of his life, De Peyster was allegedly one of the city’s wealthiest inhabitants. The sculpture was removed and put into storage in 2003 to make room for the British Memorial Garden.