David Provost

David Provost
24th Mayor of New York City
In office 1699–1700
Preceded by	Johannes de Peyster
Succeeded by	Isaac De Reimer
Personal details
Born	c 1672

David Provost (or David Provoost) was the 24th Mayor of New York City from 1699 to 1700.

David Provost was born at his family's Pearl Street home, near Fulton Street, in New York, New York, on January 16, 1670, to David Provost, Sr., one of New Amsterdam's Dutch burghers, and Tryntje (Catherine) Laurens Provost. He died in 1724 and his will probated on January 27, 1724. David Provost married, June 1, 1691, Helena Byvanck of Albany; married 2d, January 28, 1699, Maria De Peyster (sister of his predecessor as Mayor, Johannes De Peyster), widow of John Spratt; married 3d, May 15, 1708, Elizabeth Wakeman, widow of Albert Dinny, of Fairfield, Connecticut. ^{[1] [2][3]}

In 1699, David Provost was appointed Mayor.^[4] During his administration, two new market houses were erected, one at Coenties Slip 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.^[4]

The ferry to Long Island 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.^[5]

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.^[5]

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.^[5]

Provost was succeeded in office by Isaac De Reimer in 1700. After his tenure as Mayor, Provost served for a time as alderman^[6]

References

1. Provost, Andrew J. (1895). Biographical and Genealogical Notes of the Provost Family from 1545 to 1895. New York. pp. 24–27.
2. Purple, Edwin R. (1878). Genealogical Notes of the Provoost Family of New York. New York. pp. 9–10.
3. Reynolds, Cuyler (1914). Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley. New York. pp. Vol 3, p1402.
4. Booth, Mary Louise (1859). History of the City of New York. W.R.C. Clark. p. 262.
5. Booth, Mary Louise (1859). History of the City of New York. W.R.C. Clark. p. 263.
6. Booth, Mary Louise (1859). History of the City of New York. W.R.C. Clark. p. 266.