Mayor William Dervall (Darvall or Der Val), Mayor 1675-1676: Dervall (c.1642-1712) was named mayor of New York City by Governor Edmond Andros. He was a merchant and his father, Cornelius, facilitated trade with Dover and Amsterdam. William traded with the West Indies and built a trading network with Boston merchants. He married Rebecca Delavall, the daughter of Mayor Thomas Delavall.[1] Dervall had an indentured servant, John Williams.[2]

There is a runaway warrant for Dervall’s enslaved man, Mingo, on October 19, 1675. It was issued by the governor, Edmund Andros. It states:

These are in his Majesties Name to require you to make a diligent Search and Enquiry after a Negroe-Man-Servant, runn away the last Night or this Morning from his Master Mr. Wm. Darvall of this City: And if hee shall bee found within your Towne or precincts, himn to sieze upon and safely to convey into the Sheriffs hands of this City; for your trouble wherein Satisfaction shall bee given; And for you soe doing, This shall bee your Warrant…The Negro is called by the Name of Mingo, cloathed with a redd paire of Drawers, a redd Westcoate, and Upper Coate of Stip[]d Linnen, with a Slitt in one of his Eares. [3]

[1] “Commerce and Community: Manhattan Merchants in the Seventeenth Century,” Dennis J. Maika, 1995

[2] Court files: Maine. Court Records 1679–1680 | Massachusetts. Court Records 1679–1680 | Suffolk. Court Records 1679–1680, view page 422, FamilySearch, link

[3] New York Historical Manuscripts Books of General Entries, Vol. II, p.80

Copyright 2025 Paul Hortenstine