High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Jacob Leisler (ca. 1640 – May 16, 1691) was a German-born American colonist. He helped create the Huguenot settlement of New Rochelle in 1688 and later served as the acting Lieutenant Governor of New York. Beginning in 1689, he led an insurrection dubbed Leisler`s Rebellion in colonial New York, seizing control of the colony until he was captured and executed in New York City for treason against William and Mary.