Leendert Phillipse Conyn

Leendert Phillipse Conyn was born at Ghent in the Netherlands which he left as a 25 year-old determined to succeed in America. Upon arrival he setted in Beverwyck, Dutch colonial Albany where he became known as a tailor, brewer and one of the principal fur traders. Therefore, Leendert is considered a founder of the famous Conyn (Conine) family of colonial New York. Before his death he moved to Manhattan where he died in his eighties.

Leendert Phillipse Conyn is the 4th great-grandfather of famous American author Herman Melville, who is best known for the novel Moby Dick.