[7] In 1760, Douw was appointed as mayor of Albany, New York, serving from 1761 to 1770, following Sybrant Gozen Van Schaick.

He retired from the Senate on June 30, 1793, after representing one of five seats for the Western District which consisted of Albany, Montgomery, Herkimer, Ontario, Otsego, Saratoga and Tioga counties.

They built a home in the country known as Wolvenhook,[13] located on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about a mile below Albany.

[1] Together, they were the parents of nine children, including:[2][12] He was a lifelong friend of General Philip Schuyler,[16] and after his death it was said of him that he was "a true patriot; in civil and domestic relations, he was considered a pattern, and no man in Albany died more regretted.

He usually wore a longwaisted coat, the skirts reaching nearly to his ankles, which was adorned with large silver buttons made from Spanish coins.

Knee breeches, silk stockings, and shoes with silver buckles shining, these set with rhinestones, heightened the general effect; but more prominent than these was his cocked hat.

He carried a silver-headed cane, and bore a turnipshaped, silver watch, from which hung a heavy seal, while his tobacco or snuff-box was engraved with initials and coat-of-arms.