Aug 9, 2014
For two years I've been driving past this statue in New Rochelle assuming it's of Thomas Paine. It's on the corner near the historic Thomas Paine cottage. I finally saw it up close and found out it is actually Jacob Leisler (ca. 1640 – May 16, 1691) a German born American colonist. He helped create the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle in 1688 and later served as the acting Lieutenant Governor of New York. It didn't end well for him, being executed for treason by King William and Queen Mary, but I guess you could say he had a good run. You learn all kinds if things out in a long run. #newrochelle #huguenot #jacobleisler http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Leisler (at Thomas Paine Cottage Museum)