Johannes Bruyn

For a long time he was a judge of Ulster County and "enjoyed the esteem and confidence of the community; was a man of sound judgment, sterling integrity, and unwavering in his principles."^[3]

In April 1781, Bruyn was elected as a New York Assemblymen representing from Ulster County in the 5th and 6th New York State Legislatures and serving from July 1, 1781, until June 30, 1783. After two years, he was succeeded by John Cantine. He was a presidential elector for New York in 1792. In April 1796, he was again elected to the Assembly, this time as a Democratic-Republican, and served in the 20th New York State Legislature from July 1, 1796, to June 30, 1797, when he was replaced by his brother Jacobus. Two years later, Johannes replaced Jacobus in the Assembly. Johannes served in the 23rd New York State Legislature from July 1, 1799, to June 30, 1800.^[4]

In April 1809, he was elected as a Democratic-Republican to a four-year term in the New York State Senate for the 33rd New York State Legislature, and by virtue of that office a member of the Court of Errors. His seat was one of the 7 representing the Middle District which then consisted of Dutchess, Orange, Ulster, Columbia, Delaware, Rockland, Greene and Sullivan counties. Bruyn served in the 34th, 35th, 36th New York State Legislatures until June 30, 1813.^[4] In 1812, he was chosen as a member of the Council of Appointment.^[3]

On April 10, 1783, Bruyn was married to Margaret DeWitt (1758–1827), a daughter of Blandina (née DuBois) DeWitt and Col. Charles DeWitt, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Margaret's brother Gerrit was the father of Charles G. DeWitt, a U.S. Representative who was appointed the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Guatemala by Andrew Jackson. Her sister Maria "Polly" DeWitt, was the wife of Jacobus "James" Hasbrouck, a prominent Kingston merchant. In addition, Margaret was a niece of Andries DeWitt and a first cousin of Jenneke DeWitt (the wife of Johannes' brother Jacobus).^[5] Together, they were the parents of:

• Charles DeWitt Bruyn (1784–1849), a New York Assemblyman who married his cousin, Maria Hasbrouck (1793–1851), a daughter of James Hasbrouck and Polly (née DeWitt) Hasbrouck.^[5]
• Cornelius Bruyn (1789–1873), the president of the Ulster County Bank who married Sarah Amelia Bevier, one of seven daughters of Capt. Philip DuBois Bevier and Ann (née DeWitt) Bevier.^[6] After her death in 1861 from stomach cancer, he married Catherine Van Vleck, a daughter of James Van Vleck of Shawangunk.^[3]

Bruyn died in Shawangunk, New York, on February 10, 1814.^[3]