USA > New York > Colonial records of the New York Chamber of Commerce, 1768-1784 : with historical and biographical sketches > Part 47
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Correspondence chosen in May, 1774, to concert measures of union with the other Colonies, but was not present during the struggles which ensued between the two wings of the body. He had already discontinued attend- ance on the meetings of the Committee, but as his name does not appear among those who withdrew, it seems probable that he was absent from the city. He was a member of the General Committee of One Hundred chosen in May, 1775, to take control of the city. He withdrew from the city on the British occupation, but returned after the War. He died before 1788.
VERPLANCK SAMUEL .- The eldest of this name was the eldest son of Gulian Verplanck, merchant, of the City of New York, and his wife Mary, a daughter of Charles Crommelin, also of New York. By the father's side he was descended from an old Dutch race, the ancestors of which came from Holland to this country in the time of Governor Stuyvesant; by his mother he was of French Huguenot extraction, her father having been born in France. Their eldest son inherited many characteristics of both races.
He was born in the City of New York, 13th of September, 1739-was educated there, and was among the earliest students and graduates of King's (now Columbia) College. Hugh Gaine's Universal Register for 1779 calls this institution "The New York College," and among its Govern- ors records the name of SAMUEL VERPLANCK. It had been founded under royal charter in the year 1754. Among the fellow students of SAMUEL VERPLANCK were John Jay, Peter Van Schaick, and Egbert Benson. With the two last especially he kept up an unbroken intimacy, and they were ac- customed to pay him frequent visits to the last years of his long life.
His father died before he arrived at years of manhood. After his college course he went to Holland, and was for some years in the counting-house of his maternal uncle, Daniel Crommelin, of Amsterdam, who was then at the head of one of the great banking and commercial houses of Holland. At Amsterdam, in 1761, he married his cousin Judith Crommelin, a daughter of Daniel Crommelin. Gulian Verplanck, who was also a distinguished merchant in New York, was his younger brother, to whom he was most tenderly attached. He carefully superintended his education, and after a collegiate course at King's College sent him to Europe to be trained com- mercially in the counting-house of David Crommelin.
The only child of SAMUEL VERPLANCK who reached maturity was Daniel Crommelin Verplanck, of Fishkill, Dutchess County, who was a Represen- tative in Congress from this State from 1803 to 1809, and who filled other honorable public stations. His only living descendants are Gulian C. Ver- planck, William Walton Verplanck, M. D., James DeLancey Verplanck, Mrs. Elizabeth V. Knevels, and their children and grandchildren. His other descendants died without issue.
SAMUEL VERPLANCK, after extensive travel in Europe, returned in 1763 and established himself in business in the City of New York, as an importing wholesale merchant, and, so far as the limited business of the city allowed, as a banker. The style of the house was SAMUEL VER- PLANCK. Under this name he advertised to be sold "the new Brigantine Three Sisters," in Holt's N. Y. Journal, on the 23d of December, 1767. His residence was in Wall Street, on the site of the building formerly owned by the Bank of Commerce, and since sold to the United States. His counting- room was adjoining. In 1768 he was one of the twenty-four founders of the Chamber of Commerce, although then but a young man. He was success- ful in business, and at the beginning of the troubles in 1774 was a marked man. His name is to be found among those of the Committee of One
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Hundred who were chosen to take charge of the City Government upon the seizure of the public buildings in May, 1775. His impaired health and the disturbed state of the country induced his withdrawal from business, and about this period he removed to Fishkill, Dutchess county, where he was a large landholder, being one of the three original patentees of the Rumbout patent, which included the tract between the Matteawan and Wappingin Creek and some lands north and south of each. He resided first at Fish- kill Plains, in what is now the township of East Fishkill, and afterwards, until his death, at Mount Gulian, on the banks of the Hudson, which had been a country residence of his father. He recovered his health with his change of life. Though never leaving his immediate neighborhood, except on indispensable business, he had much regular exercise in walking, and enjoyed good health to old age.
He died 27th of January, 1820, and is buried in the burying-ground of the Episcopal Church in the village of Fishkill.
There is an excellent half-length portrait of him by Copley, taken shortly before that eminent artist removed to England, where he soon became cele- brated. He was intimate with Copley, who also painted for him a full-length portrait, size of life, of his son, still a boy, playing with a squirrel. This is probably a variation of the portrait of "a boy and a squirrel," which was exhibited about that time in London, and led to Copley's celebrity and fortune.
Both of these fine portraits are now at Mount Gulian on the Hudson, in the possession of Dr. W. W. Verplanck.
With many characteristics of his Dutch ancestry and of Holland, to whose institutions, habits, and principles he cherished a warm attachment, he yet manifested clearly his French descent by his excitability, his gesticulation, and his general manners, which were those of the old-fashioned French gentleman.
He was a good Latin scholar, and kept up his familiarity with the best Latin Classics. He spoke Dutch and French with fluency. His English had nothing, either in pronunciation or idiom, of the peculiarities which designate foreign origin.
From the ease and fluency with which he spoke French, and his living hospitably, he became acquainted with many Frenchmen of note who visited this country, some before and during the War, and others as emigrants during the revolution which succeeded it. He is mentioned by more than one of them in the published accounts of their travels.
St. Jean de Crèvecoeur was often his guest. St. Jean's letters from America were first published in English, and long a popular book upon this country. In the large edition in French, Paris, 1801, he gives in a couple of pages a story of M. S. Verplanck de Fishkill, who used the Bald Eagle and the Fish-Hawk to catch large fish for his table. The story is a whim- sically exaggerated version of an accidental fact. A copy of the book is to be found in the Astor Library .- Contributed by Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck.
[The following is the story above alluded to.]
Note .- " I was visiting MR. S. VERPLANCK, whose mansion was but a short distance from Fishkill, when he said to me, 'Come with me ; I wish to show you with what skill my purveyors will take the fish we shall have for dinner to-day.' Walking in profound silence to the east bank of the shore, and hidden under thick bushes, we watched with attention the river in sight, until, at a short distance astern of a vessel which was coming up the stream in full sail, I saw a considerable undulation in the middle of the channel, as though a large stone had been thrown into it ; out from which soon after a
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fish-hawk rose with difficulty from the midst of the water, holding in its claws a large fish, whose length and tortuous motions seemed to impede its flight. By turns he rose into the air, seemed as though about to fail in the effort, rose again ; at last after many efforts, taking advantage of a puff of favorable wind, he was flying towards his eyrie, not far from where we were hidden, when MR. VERPLANCK called my attention to a bald-headed eagle, his fierce antagonist, right above our heads, who, to judge from the flap- ping of his wings, and his fierce look, was preparing for a combat, or rather to claim the right of the strongest.
" The fish-hawk, too heavy laden to make any resistance, dropped his prey, which was about to escape the eagerness of its enemy, when the bald eagle, with a skillful turn and an incredible increase of velocity, seized it at the very moment it was about to fall into the river. He in turn was ap- proaching his nest when, surprised and frightened by the cries of MR. VER- PLANCK, he dropped the fish. It was a sea-bass weighing 21 pounds. 'It is thus,' said my friend, 'that the prey of the weak often become that of the strong. However (he continued), I rarely disturb these birds, whose flights, skill and combats, are so interesting, for fear of driving them from the neighborhood. I have been indiscreet to-day in order to show you one of the most curious spectacles of natural history which this fine stream affords.
""'Just as the corsair (he continued), whose prey an enemy carries off from his clutches in sight of port, cruises anew in the hope of better fortune, so the fish-hawk soars anew high up in air, and darting again with the speed of lightning beneath the waves, reappears holding in his claws a new prey, which he succeeds in saving from his fierce rival more easily if it be lighter than to-day. These birds remain here until the bass returns to the sea. Then the bald-headed eagle wings his way to the mountains and the fish-hawk flies to the sea-shore, where he pays tribute no more.' "
This scene, which, if the weight of the fish be taken with allowance, is not an uncommon one in northern streams, is illustrated by a curious plate, in which the sloops, the village of Fishkill, the contending birds, and the luckless fish, are all represented .- Editor.
WADDELL ROBERT ROSS .- He was connected for many years with the great shipping house of Greg, Cunningham & Co., and, together with Hamilton Young, advertised the closing of their business in August, 1775. He was one of the addressers of Lord Howe in 1776. In 1778 his store was in King Street, and he was engaged in the sale of groceries, chiefly teas, sugar, and claret. He remained in the city after the War. His store was in 1790 at 61 King Street.
WALLACE ALEXANDER .- Of the house of HUGH & ALEXANDER WALLACE, merchants, extensively engaged in the Irish trade. The two brothers married sisters, the daughters of Cornelius Low, of Raritan, New Jersey. Born in Ireland, he was a thorough loyalist. He was one of the Committee of Correspondence of Fifty-one. He lived at Jamaica during the War. Captain Graydon dined with him during his captivity, and testi- fies to his good cheer and hospitality. His property was confiscated. A letter written by him to Governor Morris, in 1776, preserved in the cor- respondence of the Provincial Congress, speaks of a son Hugh.
WALLACE HUGH .- Second President of the Chamber of Commerce. For a sketch of his life see page 19, ante.
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WALTON ABRAHAM .- He was a son of Jacob Walton and Maria Beekman. He married Grace Williams, in 1766 (the date of the bond is given as of August 6th). In May, 1772, he was engaged in brewing, carrying on the brewery of Mrs. Elizabeth Rutgers. In the beginning of the Revolution his sympathies were with the patriots ; he was one of the Committee of One Hundred who were chosen to take charge of the city government in 1775, and one of the delegates to the Provincial Congress the same year. His residence was at Pembroke, Musquito Cove, Long Island. As the struggle progressed he withdrew from the position he had taken. His house was sacked in 1779, by the Whigs, and he lost largely in plate and money. He was taken out of his bed and carried into Connecti- cut. After the War he resided in New York, at 137 Water Street. He died in 1796.
WALTON GERARD .- A son of Jacob Walton and Maria Beekman. He was sent prisoner to Middletown, Connecticut, by the patriots, in 1776. He remained in the city during the War. In 1790 he resided at 68 Queen Street. He died at 328 Pearl Street, in the year 1821, in the eightieth year of his age. His will, proved May 21 of this year, names his brothers and sisters (Mary, the wife of General Lewis Morris, is spoken of as deceased), and, after sundry bequests, makes particular disposition of his guns, swords, fishing tackle, &c. He was a sportsman as well as a distinguished mer- chant. He never married.
WALTON JACOB .- One of the firm of WILLIAM AND JACOB WAL- TON & Co. He was a son of Jacob Walton and Maria Beekman. On the death of his uncle, William Walton, he received a share of his landed estate. On the 17th March, 1760, he married Miss Polly Cruger, the daughter of Henry Cruger, Esq., afterwards member of the King's Council. In 1769 he was elected to the General Assembly. A piece of verse in the Poet's Corner of Holt's New York Journal of January 26, 1769, says of him :
" For worth and for truth and good nature renowned, Let the name and applauses of WALTON go round. His Prudence attracts-but his free honest Soul Gives a Grace to the Rest and enlivens the whole."
He signed the address to General Gage, issued by some of the members of the Assembly, entreating him to send no troops into this Province. In 1776 he was residing at Horne's Hook, when General Lee ordered him to leave the house for the accommodation of the Whig troops. He was loyal to the crown, and one of the addressers of Lord and General Howe in 1776. His wife died at Flatbush, August 1, 1782, in the 38th year of her age, and MR. WALTON followed her in eight days. His death occurred also at Flatbush, on the 9th August, 1782.
WALTON THOMAS .- The son of Jacob Walton and Maria Beek- man. He does not appear to have married. His will, proved on the 14th June, 1773, names his brothers William, Jacob, Abraham, Gerard (all of whom were members of the Chamber of Commerce) ; his sisters, Mrs. Mary, wife of Lewis Morris, Magdalene, wife of David Johnston, and Catharine, wife of James Thompson. He was a leading member of the Non-importa- tion Association from 1765 to 1770.
WALTON WILLIAM .- Sixth President of the New York Chamber of Commerce. For a sketch of his life see page 55, ante.
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WATSON JACOB .- A general importer, chiefly of dry goods. In 1776 he carried on a trade in barter with the river counties. His letters, pre- served in the correspondence of the Provincial Congress, show him to have been a Quaker. He remained in New York during the War, and was one of the loyal addressers of Lord Howe. When in 1777 the Quakers of New York set on foot a subscription for the relief of their distressed fellow subjects, he and William Backhouse were appointed a committee to receive the funds. In 1781 he was an agent for the sale of the sugar of Cuyler's Sugar House. In 1790 he was in business at 72 Cherry Street.
WATSON JOSHUA .- What was his business does not appear. A Joshua Watson married Sarah Pell in 1780: the Book of New York mar- riages gives the date of the bond as 28th September.
WATTS ROBERT .- He is presumed to have been the oldest son of John Watts and Anne De Lancey. He was born August 23, 1743, in the City of New York, and graduated at King's College in May, 1760. He married Lady Mary, daughter of Lord Stirling, the Revolutionary General. MR. WATTS remained loyal to the crown. "His residence was at Rose Hill, near Fordham, Westchester County, now the grounds of the Roman Catholic Seminary of St. Johns." He appears in the Directory of 1790 as living in Great Dock Street. He died in Philadelphia.
WETHERHEAD JOHN .- He was a merchant in large general busi- ness in King Street. He was one of the addressers of Lord Howe in 1776. His property was confiscated. His name does not appear after the peace.
WHITE HENRY .- Fourth President of the Chamber of Commerce. For a sketch of his life see page 35, ante.
WHITE THOMAS .- What was the business of THOMAS WHITE at the period of his connection with the Chamber does not appear. In 1750 he was a large importer of European and East India goods, and nis place of business was "at the Dwelling House of Mr. Daniel Shatford, in Smith's Street near Hanover Square." He was one of the loyal addressers of Lord Howe in 1776, and in 1777 was appointed one of the committee to receive subscriptions for the raising of loyal Provincial Regiments. His residence was then in Wall Street. In 1760 (the date of the bond was May 7), he married Anne Hinson. He died in New York on the 6th August, 1781, in the 57th year of his age. An obituary in Gaine's New York Gazette of the 20th says of him, that he was "a gentleman of great respectability, benevo- lence and humanity ; he was a tender husband, an indulgent parent, a good master and a most steady and uniform friend ; in short, he possessed those sympathetic feelings in an eminent degree which characterize good men." On the 12th November of the same year, Ann, his widow and executrix, advertised her desire to close up his estate. His property was confiscated in 1779.
WILLIAMS THOMAS CHARLES .- He was a large importer of Linens and East India goods. In 1774 he had a house under the name of THOMAS CHARLES WILLIAMS & Co., of Annapolis, Maryland. Some tea being consigned to this house, it was destroyed by the people, and informa- tion was sent to New York on the 20th October, and MR. WILLIAMS, who arrived on the 26th in the ship Samson from London, found himself com-
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pelled to issue a card, assuring the citizens that the report that "he had shipped the tea was groundless."
He returned to the city during the British occupation, and continued his business from his store in Great Dock Street. He died on board a flag of truce from the Chesapeake in June, 1782. "He had been to settle accounts of a very considerable amount in Virginia, and on his return was seized with a bilious disorder, which in a very short time carried him off, to the extreme regret of a most valuable wife and a numerous circle of sympathiz- ing friends." He is described as a "respectable and universally beloved merchant of this city."
YATES RICHARD .- Of the firm of READE & YATES. On the death of his partner, Laurence Reade, in 1774, he continued the business, which was chiefly carried on between St. Kitts and the Windward Islands, in his own name. He was one of the Committee of One Hundred chosen to take control of the city in 1775. Taking sides with the British in 1776, he went into New Jersey, but returned when Lord Howe took possession in the fall. He was one of the vestry to oversee the poor in 1778. After the War he remained in the city and carried on his business in 1786 from No. 28 Maiden Lane, and in 1787 and afterwards from No. 9 Princess Street.
YOUNG HAMILTON .- In 1768 he was engaged in a small general business in Little Dock Street, between the Coffee House and Old Slip. He was connected at a later period with the great shipping house of Greg, Cunningham & Co., and, with Robert Ross Waddell, wound up their business from "the house of MR. YOUNG, late Herman Gouverneur's," on Hunter's Quay, in August, 1775. He was one of the Committee of Correspondence of 1774, and of the General Committee of One Hundred in 1775. He re- mained in the city during the War, and was one of the loyal addressers of Gen. Howe in 1776. In 1778 he was one of the vestry appointed by Gen. Robertson to oversee the poor. He does not appear in New York after the War.
THE END.
Correction of Page 341.
NOTE 121. The presumption that the Chamber of Commerce continued to hold its meetings at the Merchants' Coffee House until 1804, is an error as may be seen by reference to Note 80, Page 332. The correction was inadvertently omitted. Mitchell's Picture of New York, printed in 1807, states that the Chamber had its rooms in the Tontine Coffee House. Its sessions were then discontinued.
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pelled to issue a card, assuring the citizens that the report that "he had shipped the tea was groundless."
He returned to the city during the British occupation, and continued his business from his store in Great Dock Street. He died on board a flag of truce from the Chesapeake in June, 1782. "He had been to settle accounts of a very considerable amount in Virginia, and on his return was seized with a bilious disorder, which in a very short time carried him off, to the extreme regret of a most valuable wife and a numerous circle of sympathiz- ing friends." He is described as a "respectable and universally beloved merchant of this city."
YATES RICHARD .- Of the firm of READE & YATES. On the death of his partner, Laurence Reade, in 1774, he continued the business, which was chiefly carried on between St. Kitts and the Windward Islands, in his own name. He was one of the Committee of One Hundred chosen to take control of the city in 1775. Taking sides with the British in 1776, he went into New Jersey, but returned when Lord Howe took possession in the fall. He was one of the vestry to oversee the poor in 1778. After the War he remained in the city and carried on his business in 1786 from No. 28 Maiden Lane, and in 1787 and afterwards from No. 9 Princess Street.
YOUNG HAMILTON .- In 1768 he was engaged in a small general business in Little Dock Street, between the Coffee House and Old Slip. He was connected at a later period with the great shipping house of Greg, Cunningham & Co., and, with Robert Ross Waddell, wound up their business from "the house of MR. YOUNG, late Herman Gouverneur's," on Hunter's Quay, in August, 1775. He was one of the Committee of Correspondence
THE END.
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