Leonard Lispenard


Col. Leonard Lispenard was a New York City merchant, politician, and landowner.

Early life

Lispenard was born on December 14, 1714 in the City of New York. He was the eldest son of six children born to Anthony Lispenard and Elizabeth Huygens De Kleyn. He was the grandson of Antoine L'Espinard and Abeltje. His sister, Abigail Lispenard was married to Jacobus Rutger Bleecker, and was the mother of Anthony Lispenard Bleecker the prominent banker and merchant.

Career

From 1750 to 1755, he was assistant alderman of the North Ward of New York, followed by alderman of the same ward from 1756 until 1762.
From 1759 until 1768, he served in the provincial New York General Assembly, He served as one of the first governors of the Society of the New York Hospital from 1770 to 1777.
In 1765, he was a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress. He was a member of New York City's revolutionary committees that seized control of the city after the American Revolutionary War broke out, and he led a small contingent of militia that seized a British supply ship in the harbor.
He entertained George Washington when he was en route toward Boston to take command of the Continental Army in June 1775.

Personal life

Lispenard was married to Elsie Rutgers, the daughter of Anthony Rutgers. Together, they were the parents of three children:
After the death of his father-in-law, Anthony Rutgers, he was the owner of his estate, thereafter known as "Lispenard Meadow." Lispenard died on February 20, 1790.