Question: who was the first govenor of new york
Answer: Democratic - Republican ( 9 ) Federalist ( 1 ) Democratic ( 26 ) Whig ( 5 ) Republican ( 18 ) Governor Term of office Party Home county Term Lieutenant Governor George Clinton July 26 , 1739 -- April 20 , 1812 ( aged 72 ) July 30 , 1777 -- June 30 , 1795 Democratic -- Republican Ulster Pierre Van Cortlandt 5 6 John Jay December 12 , 1745 -- May 17 , 1829 ( aged 83 ) July 1 , 1795 -- June 30 , 1801 Federalist Westchester 7 Stephen Van Rensselaer 8 George Clinton July 26 , 1739 -- April 20 , 1812 ( aged 72 ) July 1 , 1801 -- June 30 , 1804 Democratic - Republican Ulster 9 Jeremiah Van Rensselaer Morgan Lewis October 16 , 1754 -- April 7 , 1844 ( aged 89 ) July 1 , 1804 -- June 30 ,