John Alsop - Early Life and Career

Early Life and Career

John Alsop, born in 1724 in New Windsor, Orange County, New York. He was the son of John Alsop, Sr., a lawyer first of New Windsor, New York, where he was largely interested in real estate. A few years later he removed to New York City and there practiced his profession for many years. He was a son of Capt. Richard Alsop and Hannah Underhill (December 2, 1666 – August 23, 1757) the daughter of Captain John Underhill (c. 1609 – September 21, 1672) and Elizabeth Feake, who was the daughter of Lt. Robert Feake and Elizabeth Fones.

Captain Richard Alsop first settled in New York during the 1650s. He had served as a major in Oliver Cromwell's army, but after a disagreement with the Lord Protector, he fled to the obscurity of colonial life.

John's mother was Abigail Sackett, 1695–1752, the daughter of Captain Joseph Sackett and Elizabeth Betts, the daughter of Capt. Richard Betts and Joanna Chamberlayne She married John Alsop, Sr. in 1718 and they were the parents of four children.

As a young man he moved to New York City and entered the mercantile world with his brother Richard. The brothers became importers and merchants in cloth and dry goods. Their enterprise prospered, and the Alsops, for several generations, became one of the great merchant houses of the city. With the business secure, John became interested in civic and political activities. He was elected by New York County to serve in the Province of New York Assembly. He was one of the civic leaders that incorporated the New York Hospital Association, and served as its first governor from 1770 to 1784.