John Cruger (1678/1680 – August 13, 1744)[1] was an immigrant to colonial New York with an uncertain place of birth, but his family was originally Danish.

[2] Cruger was likely born in early 1678 in Germany,[3] although the family is supposed to be of Danish origin[4] (or German).

[5] In 1698, Cruger came to America from Bristol, England, when New York was officially an English colony,[3] but still very much marked by the remains of the Dutch influence of New Netherland.

In 1712, he was elected Alderman for the Dock Ward, a post he would hold until 1735, when he became assistant to the Mayor Paul Richard.

[3] He had sent his older sons overseas to run parts of the business; Tileman to the West Indies, and Henry to Bristol in England, while he kept John at home to take charge in New York.