History of New York City (1665–1783) History of New York City (1665–1783) The history of New York City (1665–1783) began with the establishment of English rule over Dutch New Amsterdam and New Netherland. As the newly renamed City of New York and surrounding areas developed, there was a growing independent feeling among some, but the area was decidedly split in its loyalties. The site of modern New York City was the theater of the New York Campaign, a series of major battles in the early American Revolutionary War. After that, the city was under British occupation until the end of the war and was the last
John Willett Adye John Willett Adye John Willett Adye (1745–1815), in later life John Willett Willett, was an English plantation owner and politician. He was the second son of Stephen Adye of St Kitts and his wife Clara Payne, born 1 January 1745. He was adopted while still young by Ralph Willett, a first cousin of his mother. After education at Lincoln's Inn, he took to the gentlemanly life of a collector, following the example of his adoptive father Willett. Willett died in 1795. Adye was his principal heir, to plantations in St Kitts, and under a condition of the will took Willett