Huguenot immigrants to the American territories had in 1678 founded New Paltz, New York, where is now located the oldest street in the current United States of America with the original stone houses.

German immigrant Jacob Leisler, who had arrived as a mercenary in the English army and risen to become one of the colony's wealthiest merchants, acts as an agent for a group of Huguenots in New York, purchasing the land upon which they will settle.

John Pell, lord of Pelham Manor—a feudal domain with its own civil and criminal courts—officially deeds to Leisler sixty-one hundred acres (twenty-five square kilometers) under warrant from William III.

In addition to the purchase money, Leisler and his heirs and assigns are to yield and pay unto John Pell and his heirs and assigns (Lords of the Pelham Manor) one 'Fat Calf' yearly as acknowledgment of their feudal obligation to the Manor.

In 1689, a particularly large group of Huguenot manufacturers, artisans, and craftsmen, comprising some thirty-three families, name this settlement Nouvelle-Rochelle, after La Rochelle, France, the homeland of many of the settlers.

A number of uprisings in the American colonies against royal officials suspected of being Catholics occur after William and Mary ascend the English throne in the Glorious Revolution.

Discontented artisans and small traders led by the prominent Calvinist merchant Jacob Leisler rebel against the crown's agent in New York, Lieutenant Governor Francis Nicholson.

Nicholson flees to England on May 3 when his fort is seized by Leisler's rebellious force.

Supported by small farmers, city workers, and the militia, Leisler sets himself up as head of a revolutionary government that subsequently appoints him commander in chief.

He acknowledges the sovereignty of William and Mary and rules southern New York in their name.

He assumes the title of lieutenant governor in December, and, appointing a council, takes charge of the entire province.

Leaders in Albany, New York, do not recognize Leisler until 1690, when they need his militia to protect them from a feared attack by the French and their native allies.

Leisler also summons the first intercolonial congress in North America, which meets in New York on May 1, 1690, to plan concerted action against the French and their native allies.

Major Richard Ingoldesby arrives from England in January 1691 with troops and demands that the fort be surrendered to him, which Leisler refuses to do—and act that will be subsequently construed as treason.

Fighting breaks out in March, shortly before the arrival of Colonel Henry Sloughter, who has been commissioned governor of the province.

Leisler, after surrendering the fort reluctantly, is on March 30 seized and tried as a traitor.

Leisler, convicted of treason, is hanged, together with his son-in-law, Jacob Milborne, in New York City on May 16, 1691. (Parliament will reverse the attainder in 1695 and restore the confiscated estates to the family heirs.)