Pierrepont, Hezekiah Beer, 1768-1838

Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont (November 3, 1768 – August 11, 1838) was a merchant, farmer, landowner and land developer in Brooklyn and New York state. He settled in Brooklyn in 1802. He bought 60 acres on what was then called "Clover Hill", now Brooklyn Heights, and built a mansion there. Pierrepont purchased and expanded Philip Livingston's gin distillery on the East River where he produced Anchor Gin; he left the business in 1819. By 1823, Pierrepoint was advertising and selling lots to New York City merchant and bankers, lauding the ease of transportation by ferry. Brooklyn Heights soon became the first commuter suburb, and Pierrepont the first important suburban developer.