He remained only a short time in the military service, having been appointed by Kieft in 1639 "Commissary of Cargoes,'' or customs officer, and in 1643, Keeper of the Public Stores, of the West India Company, a responsible position under the provisions of the Charters of Freedoms and Exemptions, being the Superintendent of the collection of the Company's Revenue in New Amsterdam, most of which was paid in furs. In 1648 he resigned from this ofiicial position, was made a freeman of the City, and entered upon the business of a merchant and brewer, in which he was eminently successful, becoming one of the richest men in New Amsterdam. In 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 a 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 appointed by Director Stuyvesant to negotiate the terms of Surrender, was prominent in their settlement, and the document bears his signature with those of the other Commissioners. He was also engaged in several temporary public matters as a Councillor and Commissioner during the administration of Director Stuyvesant, notably in the Connecticut boundary matter in 1663, and the settlement of Capt. John Scotfs claim to Long Island in 1664. He acted in similar capacities under the first English Governors, Nicolls, Lovelace, and Dongan, and was chosen the Trustee of Lovelace's estate to settle it up in 1673. He married on the 26th of February, 1642, Annetje Lockermans ofTurnhout, near Antwerp, a sister of Govert Lockermans, who came out with Director von Twiller, in 1633, and was so prominent afterward in New Netherland affairs.