Peter Gansevoort

Peter Gansevoort
Portrait of Gansevoort by Gilbert Stuart, 1794
Sheriff of Albany County
In office
1790
Personal details
Born(1749-07-17)July 17, 1749
Albany, New York, British America
DiedJuly 2, 1812(1812-07-02) (aged 62)
Albany, New York, U.S.
Resting placeAlbany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York
Spouse
Catherine Van Schaick
(m. 1778)
RelationsLeonard Gansevoort (brother)
Children6, including Peter
Parent(s)Harman Gansevoort
Magdalena Douw
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/serviceAlbany County militia
Continental Army
United States Army
Years of service1775-1809
RankMajor general (Militia)
Colonel (Continental Army)
Brigadier general (US Army)
Commands2nd New York Regiment
3rd New York Regiment
Battles/wars

Peter Gansevoort (July 17, 1749 – July 2, 1812) was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for leading the resistance to Barry St. Leger's Siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. Gansevoort was also the maternal grandfather of Moby-Dick author Herman Melville.[1]

  1. ^ Danneil, Karl (1997). "Gansevoort". www.genpetergansevoort.org. Daughters of the American Revolution. Retrieved 6 September 2017.