Oloff Stevense Van Cortlandt came to New Netherland as an officer in the service of the West India company, arriving there in the ship "Haring" (The Herring), with Director Kieft, on 28 March, 1638. Of the origin of his family nothing is definitely known. He had a good education, and the offices he subsequently held, his seal with the Van Cortlandt arms, still in the possession of his descendants, as well as articles of Dutch plate bearing the same arms, show that his position was good, and that of a gentleman. He remained only a short time in the military service, having been appointed customs officer in 1639 and in 1643 keeper of the public stores. of the West India company. In 1648 he resigned from this office, was made a freeman of the city, and entered upon the business of a merchant and brewer, in which he was very successful becoming one of the richest men in New Amsterdam. 1649 he was chosen colonel of the burgher guard, or city train bands, and also appointed one of the "Nine Men." a temporary representative board elected by the citizens. In 1654 he was elected schepen, or alderman, and the next year, 1655 appointed burgomaster, or mayor, of New Amsterdam. This office he filled nearly uninterruptedly till the capture by the English in 1664, at which he was one of the commissioners that were appointed by Director Stuyvesant to negotiate the terms of surrender, and was active in their settlement, the document bearing his signature with those of the other commissioners. He was active in the settlement of the boundary of Connecticut in 1663, and the settlement of Capt. John Scott's claim to Long Island in 1664.
