Peter Gansevoort
Peter Gansevoort was a Colonel in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He is best known for leading the resistance to Barry St. Legers Siege of Fort Stanwix in 1777. Gansevoort was also the maternal grandfather of MobyDick author Herman Melville.
Peter Gansevoort was born into the Dutch aristocracy of Albany, New York. His father Harman was of his familys third generation in America. His mother, Magdalena Douw was related to New Yorks Van Rensselaer family .
Source: Wikipedia