During our stay in the city we found many statues and monuments to the people we didn't know about and therefore had no idea why. This statue was one of them so as usually we turned to internet to find some information.Abraham De Peyster was 21st mayor at the end of 17th century. Through his suggestion, the city started providing public support to the poor - isn't that amazing. He was also the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in what was then the colony of New York and a treasurer for New York and New Jersey provinces.He 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.