History of New York City (prehistory–1664) as a city and to incidentally allow New York to celebrate its 350th anniversary just 11 years after its 300th. The English renamed the colony New York, after the king's brother James, Duke of York and on June 12, 1665, appointed Thomas Willett the first of the mayors of New York. The city grew northward, remaining the largest and most important city in the colony of New York. History of New York City (prehistory–1664) The history of New York City has been influenced by the prehistoric geological formation during the last glacial period of the territory that is today New
Thomas Curtis (Lord Mayor) one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. He was sent to Newgate Prison and fined for his refusal to comply, after which he became a fishmonger. He was elected mayor of London in 1556. The only other pewterer to become mayor of London, John Fryer, likewise became a fishmonger. Curtis died on 27 November 1559. His son predeceased him, leaving a granddaughter, Anne, as heir. She married the mercenary Thomas Stukley; her inheritance launched Stukley's public life. Curtis was buried at St Dionis Backchurch on 6 December 1559. Thomas Curtis (Lord Mayor) Sir Thomas Curtis (sometimes Thomas Curteys; d.