He worked as a shipping merchant and real estate auctioneer in New York City, eventually becoming one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in 18th century New York. Bleecker was also involved in New York's historic
Trinity Episcopal Church, situated across from
Wall Street. He became a vestryman there in 1785. He served until 1807 when he became a warden for five years. He purchased the family vault in its churchyard in 1790 where Bleecker family burials took place well into the 20th century. He was by far the most powerful Bleecker in New York City history.
Property He owned the farm where the present-day
Bleecker Street in Manhattan lies. His residence was 74 Broadway, across from
Rector Street, where the Bleecker family lived for many years.
The New York Times obituary of his grandson, Anthony J. Bleecker, (d. 1884) recalled the story of Bleecker coming into his house one day to announce he had bought 160 acres "out in the country" and that his friends laughed at him for wasting his money. That land would eventually become the present day
Greenwich Village where Bleecker Street runs today. The size of his land, and his political and business influence is well documented. However, it is probably the quality of his descendants in the 19th century, and the families they married into, which shows the respect he had. Among the names: Roosevelt, Neilson and Harriman. ==Personal life==