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Gc 974.702 N422vas 1939875
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALCSY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 2023
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/newyorkersofxixc00vanr
a
4
NEW
YORKERS
OF THE
XIX.
CENTURY.
دماء إ ريتوات
BY MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER Author of "Crochet Lace and How to Make It" " The Devil's Picture Books," "The Good'e Vrouw of Mana-hz-ta."
NEW
YORKERS
OF THE
XIX.
CENTURY.
1939875
BY MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER Author of "Crochet Lace and How to Make It," "The Devil's Picture Books," "The Goode Vrouw of Mans-ha-ta."
From the Publishing House of F. Tennyson Neely, of number one hundred and fourteen Fifth Avenue, New York, and ninety-six Queen Street, London.
Rech abr 20-1999
£
MAND ZONDER
MM OMNIBUS
EFFULGI
NEW YORKERS OF THE XIX CENTURY.
COPYRIGHT, 1897, by MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER.
COPYRIGHT, 1897.
by MRS. JOHN KING VAN RENSSELAER.
УНАЈТЕЗИЗЯ РАТ ЗИЯ ИНОГЕЯМ
TO MY
MOTHER.
OT Y M
ЯЗНТОМ
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Forewords,
Brief Notes Concerning the Families Enumerated,
ix-X
Bard,
2-3
Barclay,
6-7
Bronson,
10
Buchanan,
12
Delafield,
3
14
Duer,
3
3
3
16, 17, 18
Emmet,
20
Fish,
3
3
3
22
Glover,
3
24
Hoffman,
26
Jay,
$
+
3
28
King,
30-31
Lynch,
3
34
McVickar,
36
Morton,
3
38
Renwick,
40
Rutherfurd,
42
Schuyler,
se
44
Stuyvesant,
3
₹
46
Van Rensselaer,
₹
48
Index,
3
50
.
3
3
+
3
3
3
3
+
3
₹
FOREWORDS.
N a secret drawer of an old Japan writing desk was found, several years ago, a crumpled sheet of paper, on which was written in faded ink a number of names. It was identified as a Visiting List, which had been compiled about 1830 by my Grandmother, whose husband was at the time the President of Columbia College, and as both the President and Mrs. Duer were descended from the earliest settlers of Mana-ha-ta, and were closely connected with the chief families of the city of New York, the list contained the names of nearly all of the prominent people of the place.
It interested me to trace the descendants of my Grandparents' relatives and friends, and to do this I have sought the assistance of the different mem- bers of each family, and by their aid have compiled the charts covering the period of the nineteenth century on the Island of Mana-ha-ta. Where there have been mistakes or omissions, it has been due to the oversight of some member of the family, as of course I was not personally acquainted with all its branches.
But although most kindly helped in the arrangement and compilation of the data, I have not relied solely on these contributions, but have compared them with the dates of marriages and deaths that have been published not only in the daily papers, but in the New York Genealogical Record, various historical publications, and other such authentic sources, and reference to them will at all times show the authority for the data.
It would have been impossible for me to have done the work at all without the assistance of my Mother, whose wonderful memory has supplied all the principal details. It is due to her energy. that the marriages of her friends and relations were cut daily from the newspapers and regularly pasted in note books, and it is to this record, so faithfully kept by her for so long a period of years, that the compiling of these charts has been possible.
It has been difficult to select from the mass of material at hand the charts that should be published at this time, since such choice would almost appear invidious. The charts of the twenty families, now issued, were taken at random, and when a couple who had been married during the last decade of the eighteenth century possessed a very large family of sons and daughters, it has been sometimes found desirable to follow the male line only, and reserve the female line by classifying it under the lady's married name.
M. K. VAN RENSSELAER.
BRIEF NOTES CONCERNING THE FAMILIES ENUMERATED.
DARCLAY.
The Reverend Thomas Barclay was the Sest Rector of St. Peter's Church, Albany. Na married the daughter of Andrew Drasver, or Drauver, a Dutch Admiral who settled In Albany and became one of its Erst Aldermen. The Reverend Henry Barclay, the youngest son, received bis education in that town, and after serving as a missionary among the savages, he was called to New York as Rector of Trinity Church, October 17. 1746. Three years afterwards he married Mary Rutgers, and by her had five children. Thele eldrit son, Thomas Barclay, entered Kings College, New York, when not quite fifteen years old, studied law and was admitted to the bar about tn)- Col. Thomas Barclay was a typical New Yorker of the pre-revolutionary and loyal type. On the breaking out of the war with England, he remained loyal to his King, and was afterwards honored with many positions of trust, being appoint. d one of His Majesty's Commissioners for the American boundary between Canais And the United States, where his knowledge of the country enabled him to gain material advantages for his royal mastar, He became the representa- ase of the English government in New York, where he died lo 18ju, universally respected and lamented.
BARD.
Dr. John Bard was the foremost physician In the city of New York during the last decade of the eighteenth century His sympathies had been with England during the war of the revolution, but as soon as the colonial cause triumphed, De. Bars throw all his energies into promoting the welfare of the city of his adoptinn. It was due to his charitable exertions among the poor that a dispeo. mary was founded next to the simshouse which at that time adjoined the City Hall. The New York Medica! Society, founded in z788, chose De Bars for its Erst President, and he with Dr. Peter Middleton, De. John Jones, and Dr. Samuel Bard (his son) reorganized the New York Hospital. which was chartered in 1971. The ciJest son of Dr Bari was brought up under his personal direc- don, and the " old Doctor and the young." as they were affectionately colled by their patteors, wers loved and revered by all classes of society. The daughters of Dr. Bard were aoled for their charming and courteous manners. Miss Susannah Bard became the wife of Nathaniel Pendleton. end Nanny, the second daughter, has a fashionabla wedding In Trinity Church, which was chronicled as a ooteble event in the days when marriages were usually celebrated at the bome at the bride. Nalther she Dor her youngest uster, Mrs. Pierce, left desceodsors.
BRONSON.
Colonet famac Bronson was descended from one of the first settlers of Waterbury. Connecticut He studied medicine and entered the army as e juntor surgeon in the Revolutionary War Novente: 4. 170. to the Second Regiment Light Dragons, Connecticut Line. It unfortunately fall to the lot to have the charge of Major Andre during the latter s capovity. itis a matter of history that the English officer when acknowledging his Isenuty requested that an express should be sent to New York for his valet and valise, and that In the Interin he tiquested Colonel Bronson to load alte "a change of itnen." which was done, and in his official capacity, Colonel Bronson was present at the asecution of Major Andre In after years, Colonel Bronson could never bear the slightest allusion ta this painful episode of his life. Alter peace was concluded Colonel Bronson aben- somed mediclos and made a voyage to India, and on hia rerum started In business as . Banker. He founded the bank at Bridgeport, Connecticut, May at. 1807, and settled In New York after his marriage with the daughter of Thomas Olcutt. The young couple selected for their country home a must beautiful spot on Greenbeid Hill, Connecticut, and bought It In 1706 The house has been owned by De. Dwight who wruta many odes and sonnets ia praise of his rural retreat.
BUCHANAN.
Thomas Buchanan was married March 17. 1966, in the Second Presbyterian Church of New York by the Rev. Dr. Rogers to Miss Almy Townsend. It was a noteworthy event at the time, as the brise belonged to one of the stalwart Quaker families of Long Island, but the influence of her Dostand caused her to become a firm member of the church of her adopdon, and the births of thett children are all duly entered in the books of the church Martha, who was born October 16, 1777, married Thomas Hicks, whose father, Waltehead Hicks, was a celebrated judge.
DELAFIELD,
Mr. John Delafield was born In London and emigrated tu New York In 1789. where he married Mias Ann Nallett the following year. They bullt a beautiful country house of Astoria, which they named " Sunswick," and some of the delightful entertainments given at this home are mentioned by Mrs. Walter Bowne, the writer of the letters called . A Girl s Life Eighty Years Ago." Wanh- tonton Irving founded one of his tales on the romanwe love story of Mr. John Delafeld a eldest so0. It was called " The Wite " Colonel Richard De afield was twice Superinterdeot of West Point It will be remembered that during his term of office the govsmment ordered whita marble cenotaphi to be placed in the chapel at the post, commemorative of the memory of the generals who has served in the war of the Revolution, and on sachs stons was carved somo eulogistic de- scription of the warrior whose name it Immortalized, and a discussion arose as to what should be done lo the case of the traitor, Bencilct Amold. Many officer voted ro omit the cenotaph en- drely, but Colonel Delafield persuaded them to place ofie to his memory that should be Inscribed with his name only and a blank left under It instead of putting " TRAITOR " 11 some wished to have Gone. " For when our descendants question the reason for this, sald Colonel Delafield, " nona will have forgotten that the once trusted general was e tributor ig his country, so it is useless to re- cord It." The granddaughter of Arnold lately visited West Point and al once noticed the omission wod laquired the reason. She had never heard the true story, having been educated la England. and was immeasurably shocked on learning IL Messrs. Henry and William Desfield were twins and calabralad beaux in their day De. Edward Delafield was one of the best known and beloved of New York's physicians
DUER.
Colonel Will!at Duec emigrated to America 's trol after having served with Lors Clive In India. The young Englishman bought property on the Hudson River and was one of the Indian Commis- sioners just before the outbreak of the war with the mother country. Colonel Duet fell In love with the younger daughter of Major Willlam Alexander, King s Councillor fur the Colony of New York and also for the Colony of New Jersey, and afterwards Major-General of the American Army. Colonel Duec was Commissary for New York and also one of the Committee of Safety. His duties separated him from his fiancee for long periods at a time. so II was decided that the young couple should be married at the country seat of the bride y tather without waiting for ine termination of the war. The wedding accordingly took place at Baskingridre. New Jersey, and in the abs-pcs of the bride's father, who could not leave h's command. His Excellency, General Washington, gave eway the bride, and the ceremony was performed by his own Chaplain. the Rev. Mr Armstrong. after which, at the request of the troops stationed In the vicinity, the couple stepped out on the town In front of the house, where they were received with cheery. The brother-in law of Colone! Duer was the Honorable George Rome, thy friend and corripondent of Pope, The oldest son of George Row was one uf the heroes of the Crimean war, and Is best known by the tide bestowed on him for his bravery as Lord Strathnelm. Colonel Duer a eldest son Willam was one of the first midshipmen of the United States Navy, but he left the sea and studied low. Ha assisted ESwand Livingzion to frame the famous Siste constitution known as the Louisiana Code, which has bees ever since the frame and standard fur each State as it entered the
Union. William Duer was appointed Judge of the Third Circuit Court of New York and to il je was elected President of Columbia College. John Duer, the second son of Colonel William Duer, mas an eminent Jurist and was raised to the Bench, and his works on the laws of this State are even to-day recognized as standard text-books
EMMET.
The name of Thomas Emmet will forever thrill the hearts of all hero-worshippers. The reasons for his emigradon to this country are too well known to need recapitulation. His children became patriotic citizens of his adopted country and are as distinguished as was thele father for their talent and genius One of them served his country in the Spanish-American War, two of them ars celebrated physicians lo New York, and one of our favorite and well-known ards's, Mrs. Arthur Murray Sherwood, made her fame while sul Miss Rusina Emmet. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Emeet Uved at the comer of Warren and Cisurch streets until they moved to the then fashionable quarter of the city, which was considered " out of town." No. so Varick Street, close to Mr. Thomas Addle Emnet, who Lived at No. a. Hudson Street. Those old-fashioned houses were the centre of hos- pitality, and the large family connections mos friends delighted in the fraquant laformal gethar- tega heid at tham.
FISH.
Ona of the bernes of the Revolution and a founder of the celebrated Society of the Cincinnati was Nicholas Fish. He was a member of a family that had early settled on Long Island, and he married the daughter of Peter Stuyvesant, the great grandson of the celebrated colonial governor of New Amsterdam, Petrus Stuyvesant. The only son of Colonet Fish was named after the great statescan, Alexander Hamilton, The Hororatie Hamilton Fish was Governor of the State of New York, Secretary of State under President Grant ard held matty Important positions of trust. He was a kind and genial friand, and his memory is green in the hearts of those who knew and loved him as I dis. His son who bears his honores rame has been called to the Leg siature se vecel dmas and beld other high officet. Nicholas Fish, tha e.Jest son of Hamlitoa Fish, devoted ble only tos to the service of his country, and " voung Hamilton Fish " enlisted as a private on the breaking out of the Spanlad-American War and was the first man killed at La Quanima. Cube June as, I83. A gallant soldier emuteung tha heroic deeds of his forefathers.
GLOVER.
The Glover family of New York ere descended from two Englishman, who, Ilke many others of their country, men, docked to the United States at soun as the young nation was created. John Glover, the elfest son of the elder brother, married a des endnot of ons of the frat Prohsylvania Couarillors. One daughter married Stephen Cambrelling who may well be tamembered as having assisted to lay out the upper part of the City of New York In regular streets and avenues. Robert Ogden Glover was the eller son of the younger brother who ate grated, and he married the daughter of a well-known physictan. De Edward Newenham Bibby whom wife weee descendant of the White and Van Cortlandt familles, early settlers of Mana-Da-te.
HOFFMAN.
Nicholas Hoffman was the grandson of Col. Martinus Hoffman, who came to America le tit9 and bought e beautiful point of land on the Hudson River opposite the Catskill Mountains The marriages of bis descer.dants allles ther with the Brinckerhoff, Ten Broeck, Livingston. Rutgers, Bayard, and other we'l-imown funilles of t'yis colony. Of the generetion that lived during the irat part of this century, one of the best remembered is Charles Fanno Hodoan, & poet of no seu Bert. whose half-sister ass affianced to Washington Irving, and whose early death threw such a cloud over the life of that talented man, one from which he never enbraty recovered. The miniature of M &d Hodman was always carried neat his heart, and on his death was sent to heronly surviving mierer, and is now In the possession of her great-nisce, the daughter of the President of the New York Historical Society.
JAY.
The name of Jay Is linked with alf that Is honoreble and esteemsed In the Stats of New York Descended from a long line of Huguenot ancestors who had come to America sure of protection under the benlanant rule of the Dutch Lowemment, John Hav, Chief justice of the United States. Governor of New York, etc., married Sara, the youngest daughter of William Livingston, dret United States Governor of New Jersey, Governor Jav served his country during tha war x England with her re'allows colonies as one of the Committee of Safety, and one of his colleagues was Col. Will'am Duer. They comm.istoned a young countryman by the name of Eroch Crosby to act as spy on the Brit in, a mission that was successfully accomplished under the disguise of a peddler. The story of his siventures was related to Ferimore Cooper by the surviving commis. sionst, and was woven by Cooper Into the story of " The Spy." which novel tanks as a classic la American literature. The Hon. John Jay was appointed to negotiate the treaty of $104 with Eng- land, and when tenderas the post, he replied, " If my country demands the sacrifice, I am ready." There was at the time so much hosulity towards England that Me. Jay was an object of public ez- «ctation. "And." suvs the " Boston True Flag." June 24, 19-6, " Me. Jay w's for years after- watds an object of strong popular host. Ilty " Judge Willlam Jay was a graduate of "ale College and for years une of the Judges of the Court of Common P zas for Weilchester County. He wa. the second son of the Chief Justice, whose elder son, Peter Augustus Jay, was a member of the State Assembly In r313 and held other public offices. The Hon. John Jay, grandson of tha Chle? Justico, was Minister to Garmany, were one of his daughters married so officer of distinction in the German Army,
KING.
The forefathers of Rufus King originally settled In Massachusetts, and moved to Maine walle that settlement was only sparsely Inhabited by the aborigines. His father and uncle served with distinction at the battle of Louisburg, when the former acted at Commissary, and the letter bad command of a sloop of war, Richard King, the father of Rufus, held the post of " Ranger of the Forestot Maine," which office if at all corresponding with that of Ranger of the Forest of Windsor and other royal reserves, positions that are generally held by members of the Royal family must have been a post of considerable honor as well as emolument. Rufus King graduated at Harvard. 1917. and was made L.L. D. lo 1306. He first served his country in 1718 as Aide with the rank of Major Ia General Sullivan. Ho representad New Yorkc In 1779, was delegate ta Congress 1984 nns of tha committee appointed la draft the Constitution, was United States Senator, and twice Minister to the Court of St James The marriage of Rufus King with the only daughter and heirest of Joho Alsop caused him to settle In New York and leave the District of Mana to be Incorporated as a Stala by other members of the family, his uncle, William King, being Its first goverror. The sons of Rufus King were a'l distinguished men. John Alsop K'ing was the Governor of the State of New York at the brealung out of the Civil War Charles King was Preside: tof Columbia Col- lege. Jatras Gore King, a prosperous banker; Frederick King, . well-known doctor. Mr Philip Cona states in his diaty that " General Edward King was a fine manly fellow like all the rest of them. "White quite young he seried in the dourishing Capital of Ohio, and married a daughter of Governor Worthington and practised law. He rose rapidly in public esummation ard soon became ona of the most distinguished men In the State." The celebrated author and brave officer, General Charlas King. Is a grandsao of Rufus King Hie tather (the oldest son of Charles King) was al ane das Minister tu Roms
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BRIEF NOTES CONCERNING THE FAMILIES ENUMERATED .- Continued.
LYNCR.
Dominick Lynch, son of James and Anastasia (Joyce) Lunch, was born In Gaiway. Ha married bis cousin, who was the daughter of Anthony Lynch, and by her hai twelve children. The young couple started housekeeping in Bruges, Har ders, but thinking that the new world afforded many attractions they emigrated to New York arriving June so. 1784. The following notice is copied from the newspapers of the day. which records the marriage of the eldest son: "At Albany. February as, zbog. by the Rev. Mr. Barclay, Mr. James Lynch of the city of New York, to Miss Janet Tillot- son, daughter of Thomas Tillutson, Esq , Secretary of this State." Another son married the daughter of John L. Morten, and Mr. Hone in his diary deplores the " death of Mrs. Henry Lynch, September #s, tago." and says " she was one of the most beautiful women in New York." Ner daughter who married Commodore Wilkes was also celebrated for her beauty. The fourth child of Mr. Lynch, and the first one boro In this country. is still well remembered by his contemporarias an " . great wit and gourmand." His alster, Mrs. Pringle, wrote what was known as the ~Peter Green letters " These epistles were frequently left mysteriously at the house of President Duer In Columbia College, and they were devoted to amusing anecdotes and descriptions of well-known people of the day It was many years before the author of these entertaining lettery was dis- covered
McVICKAR.
Mr. John McVickar married the only daughter of John Moore, a descendant of one of the first settlers of Long Island, or as it was called by the Indians. Sewan-ha-ka, the Island of Shells, and as all the currency of the savages was these same shells, those who lived near the seashore ware the wealthy tribes of the country and respected accordingly. The cousin of Mrs. Mc Vickar was the well-known divine. Benjamin Moore, Bishop of New York, who married. in 1775. Miss Charity Clarke. "The Royal Gazarte," New York, May 17. 1795. celebretes the wedding by the following ROUCIC
" The good Parson deserved a good Clark, Such happloest fate had in store, 'Twas Charity blew up the Spark And fixed the bright flame jo one Moore."
The Reverend Dr and Professor McVicar was one of the foremost men of his day In New York. His onerous duties as Professor of Columbia College were always discharged with conscientious Adellty. Ry his marriage with Miss Eliza Bird he became connected with one of the prominent Tory families of the place, and his gentle disposition and kind-hearted courtesy, did much toward closing the breach that had been made by the rebellion of the Colonles. when familien tonk oppo- ute ades and rencorous feelinge broke out, that it took years to heal. The descendants of Professor McVickar will be found quietly filing positions af trust and honor In the city of New York, always highly estremed by their friends and associates, and identibed with the beet lotereste of the place of their birth.
MORTON.
" Handsome Johanle Morton." il be was always known, was a conspicuous figure in New York during the last years of its Colonial existenre and the dawning of the saw nation. He was · gallant o'Scin lo the Revolutionary war and atier itt termination wal closely Identbed with the welfare of his betovri native place Ha married tte descendant of an old New York family. M. Maria Sophia Kemper, whose mai ien name has faded from the annals of the city, her grandfather having left no male heirs. Among the most distinguished descendants of " handsome Johnnie" are General Jacob Marion, who fought gallantly for his country, and whose later days were anddanad by the terrible loss of his wife whose clothes having caught fire was burned to death. " The General." as he was usually affectionately cated was a conspicuous figure on til public or- casions, as he had inherited the manly figure and good looks of his father The Rov Henry Jackson Mortos was one of the celebrated divinas of the Episcopal Church and father of the pres- est President of the Stevens Institute at Hoboken. It is due to the pen of Mr Jowish Quiocy that one of the best chronicles of the daily lives of the women of the Revolunon Is placed on record. with their wants, privations, and herolc courage, self-sacrifice and endurance.
RENWICK.
Mr. Jamas Renunich was a distinguished Professor of Columbia College who married Mito Margaret Anna Brevout, the descendait of ane of the first arttlere of the Island of Mana.ha- ta. One of the most distinguished members of the family, where many are noteworthy. 11 Mr James Renwirk, whose fame as an architect Is well known, and to whois genius we owe many of the beautiful bundirgi tha' nuw som our city Ii is impossi le to overestimate the quiet Influence that is wielded by this family. who, without seeking notoriety are always foremost In all the charita- ble enterprises that are necessary for the welfare of their beloved country. To their generosity many are Indebted who would be surprised If they knew to whom their thanks were dus. since the family seck always to " do good by stewith, and blush to bnd )1 fame."
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