Frederick Philipse

Frederick Philipse, Lord of Philipse Manor, was a Dutch of Bohemian heritage who immigrated to North America and became a wealthy entrepreneur and one of the greatest landholders in the New Netherlands.

Frederick Philipse came to America in 1647 as a carpenter with the Dutch West India Company. Aware of opportunities that the New World offered, Philipse soon turned to trade. He dealt in furs and tobacco, speculated in wampum, imported goods from Europe which he resold to the West Indies and became involved in slave trade. Instead of buying slaves from the Royal African Company, Philipse sent his own ships to exchange rum and gunpowder for slaves directly with pirates from Madagascar. All these ventures brought him a substantial profit and by 1674 Philipse became one of the wealthiest men in province.

His business success opened him a way to prominent positions in politics and government. He also profits from commerce to acquire land in Manhattan, New Jersey and Hudson Valley and elsewhere. In 1693 his estate was given a royal charter as the Manor of Philipsburg, with Frederic as lord of the manor.