USA > New York > Famous families of New York; historical and biographical sketches of families which in successive generations have been identified with the development of the nation, Vol. II > Part 11
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pany had come to neglect the colony, and, in spite of his re- peated appeals for arms, munitions of war, and soldiers, had done nothing. He was not on friendly terms with the great patroons, whose estates lay between New Amsterdam and Fort Orange, and could not summon levies of men from their tenantry. New England was growing rapidly, and there was strong jealousy be- tween the English settlers of Connecticut and Long Island and his own government. When, therefore, four English war-ships, with four hundred and fifty soldiers, arrived in the harbor, Stuy- vesant had scarcely a hundred men and only a few small cannon to oppose them.
The English commander sent a summons to surrender- promising life, liberty, and property to all who submitted to the royal authority. Stuyvesant read the letter, tore it to pieces, and set about making the best defence he could. Nicholas Bay- ard, his nephew, picked up the pieces of the letter and put them together. An anxious crowd had collected outside of the Council chamber, to whom the letter was read. Its tone was so kind and moderate that the people declared themselves in favor of surrender. A petition to that effect, signed by nearly all the leading citizens, was given to Stuyvesant, who, nevertheless, kept on preparing for battle. Everything was ready for action - the English fleet and soldiers, reinforced by Connecticut and Long Island troops, on the one side, Stuyvesant and a handful of men upon the other - when his favorite clergyman intervened, pointing out the folly and hopelessness of so unequal a struggle. Then, and not till then, did Stuyvesant yield.
His after-life was uneventful. He devoted himself to his cattle and farm, the latter running along what is now the Bowery well up to Harlem. His home was near what is now Eighth Street. A pear tree which he brought from Holland in 1647 was planted near the road, and lived and bore fruit until 1867. Its site at that time was the corner of Thirteenth Street and Third Avenue.
On the outer wall of St. Mark's Church is the tablet record- ing his death. He left two sons, Balthazar [1647] and Nicholas William [1648].
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Balthazar Balthazar was a stanch Dutch patriot, and after New Netherlands became English he moved to the West Indies.
Nicholas William was a prominent citizen of early New York, who took a lively interest in church work and philan- Nicholas thropy. His first wife was Marie, only daughter of
William William Beekman, who died childless. His second was Elizabeth, daughter of Commander Slechtenhorst of Rens- selaerwyck, by whom he had three children, Peter, Anna, and Gerardus or Gerard.
Of this generation Peter died unmarried, Anna espoused the Rev. Dr. Pritchard, a popular Episcopal clergyman of the period,
Peter and Gerard, his second cousin, Judith Bayard. They
had four sons, of whom only one, Peter [1727], left issue.
The latter married Margaret, the daughter of Gilbert Living- ston. He occupied a leading place in New York society, his wealth being great from the growth in value of the Stuyvesant estate. He had six children, two sons and four daughters. This generation was probably the most important, socially, in the family career, both sons and daughters occupying eminent po- sitions in the colonial world. Judith married Benjamin Winthrop; Cornelia, Dirck Ten Broeck; and Elizabeth, Colonel Nicholas Fish; while Margaret died unmarried.
Peter Gerard [1778], was graduated from King's College (1794), was admitted to the bar, and practised law a short time.
Peter He gave up the profession in order to devote himself
Gerard to the care of his large estate. He was twice married, but had no children by either wife. His first wife was Susan Barclay, and his second Helen Rutherfurd. He founded the New York Historical Society, of which he was President from 1836 to 1840.
Nicholas William 11. married Catherine Livingston Reade, daughter of John Reade and Catherine Livingston, by whom Nicholas he had nine children, six sons and three daughters. William II. Peter, the oldest, married Julia Martin.
The Residence of Nicholas W. Stuyvesant
Which stood in 8th Street, between First and Second Avenues. From a print in Valentine's Manual, 1857
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Nicholas William III. married Catherine A. Cheeseborough; John Reade married, first, Catherine Ackerley, and secondly, Mary A. Yates. Gerard married Susan Rivington Van Horne, Robert Reade married Margaret A. Mildeberger, Joseph Reade married Jane Ann Browning; Catherine Ann, the oldest daughter, married John Mortimer Catlin; Helen C. married, first, Henry Dudley, secondly, Francis Olmsted, and thirdly, William S. Mayo. Margaret Livingston married Robert Van Rensselaer. This was a generation of scholarly, well-to-do men, who devoted them- selves to their estates, to study, and to social relations, but who took little part in the great world of affairs.
In the seventh generation Julia Helen married Rudolph C. Winterhoff; Catherine S., Edward M. Neill; Rosalie, Aristede Pillot; and Gertrude, Raymond P. Rogers, U. S. N .; Caroline Augusta, Benjamin A. Onderdonk; Margaret L. J., Howard Wain- wright; Helen Mary, Robert Sandford; Catherine L., Francis R. Butler. Of the male members, Van Rensselaer Stuyvesant did not marry; Henry married Caroline Hoppock; Robert, Fanny J. Gibson; John Reade, Elizabeth T. Kendall; Robert R., Amelia Schuchardt; A. Van Horne, Harriet Le Roy Steward.
To this generation, on the maternal side, belongs Lewis Morris Rutherfurd, a great scientist. He was a grandson of Judith Stuyvesant, who married Benjamin Winthrop. Born Lewis Morris in Morrisania [1816], graduated from Williams College Rutherfurd (1834), admitted to the bar (1837), in 1849 he gave up law for science. Perceiving the importance of specialization in astro- nomical research, he took up astronomical photography, spectro- scopy, and spectrologic analysis. With an intellect of extraordinary power, and with enough wealth to experiment upon a lavish scale, he made remarkable progress. In 1863, he started a series of papers on spectroscopic astronomy in the American Journal of Science which attracted great attention. His greatest work was the construction of differential gratings and of machines for ruling lines upon glass. So delicate were these instruments that they are said to have ruled ten and even fifteen thousand parallel lines to the inch. He succeeded in dividing space with the same
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accuracy as the most modern balance divides and weighs matter. Honors came upon him thick and fast both at home and abroad.
For more than a quarter of a century he was a trustee of Columbia College and a member of scientific associations. He was an Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society, and the recipient of more than a hundred medals, titles, degrees, resolu- tions, and other marks of esteem from the governments, colleges, and scientific institutions of the world. As physicist and astrono- mer, he held high rank. He died in 1892, at the age of seventy-six. His wife was Margaret Stuyvesant Chanler, and his oldest son, Stuyvesant Rutherfurd, who, by act of Legislature, transposed his two names.
Genealogically, the latter is now the most notable member of his race, being descended from Governor Stuyvesant of New Am-
Rutherfurd sterdam, Governor Winthrop, of Massachusetts, Gov- ernor Dudley, of Connecticut, Governor Morris, of New Jersey, Robert Livingston, Balthazar Bayard, Walter Rutherfurd, and Lewis Morris, the signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was graduated from Columbia in 1863, and is a prominent mem- ber of the American Geographical Society, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Academy of Design, and a trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The other male members of the generation are the children of Robert R. Stuyvesant, F. Schuchardt Stuyvesant, who married Cornelia U. Bergen; Gerard, who married Mildred N. Floyd, and Van Horne, the son of A. Van Horne Stuyvesant.
The career of the Stuyvesant family, since the time of Peter the Governor, has been marked by scholarship and social prestige rather than by political, military, or commercial genius. It has been wealthy from the first generation, and has used its wealth wisely and well. Its members have been religious, and identified with charitable, educational, and other public-spirited movements. They have attended to all social duties, and from the landing of the bluff Governor to the present time have dispensed hospitality to all who came within their circle. Through marriage they have be- come related with many colonial families, but these relations have
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been mainly local, so that the name is essentially a New York name. Upon the metropolis their name is stamped indelibly; Bowling Green, Whitehall, and the Battery are mute witnesses of the old Governor, and Stuyvesant Square of his ancient country- seat.
Tappen
VOL. 11 .- II.
I61
Frederick D. Tappen From a photograph
XXXV
TAPPEN
MONG the families of the Empire State the Tappens or Tappans, as the name is also spelled, hold a curious position. Their renown rests upon achieve- ment, probity, and public perform- ance, but it has been largely increased by the attainments of another family of the same name. It is probable that the Tappans and Tappens of Massachusetts and of New York are of the same race. From the time of Henry VIII. up to Charles I., there was a small but constant migration of sturdy Hollanders into Eng- land. The superiority of the Dutch in spinning, weaving, bleach- ing, dyeing, and other industrial arts made them desirable acquisitions to any country; and in spite of the jealousy of fellow- craftsmen in Great Britain, they received in the main a hearty welcome from the English Government and people.
The New York Tappens, at least, were artisans of great ability. In the old records they are referred to as weavers, glaze- makers, shipsmiths, and builders. The records of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries are incomplete and oftentimes untrust- worthy. Of their origin nothing is known. The name has been derived from the Dutch and also from the old English patronymic of Topham. It is, however, more probable that the English
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family of Tappan brought its name from the Netherlands rather than that it changed the good Saxon patronymic of Topham into Tappan. No other branch of the Tophams is known to have made such an alteration, and it is difficult to conceive of an English family discarding or modifying their own name to "Dutchify " it. To complicate the problem still further, there was in the New Netherlands a Flemish family from Luxembourg which spelled its name Tapin, Tappin, or Tappen, and pronounced it Tappan, and in later years one of the offshoots spelled it to conform to the pronunciation.
The Massachusetts race has been pre-eminent for intellectual- ity, philanthropy, and practical Christianity; the Luxembourg for professional attainments; while the Knickerbocker stock has gained renown by its sturdy manhood, its high character, public spirit, and mental attainments. The distinction of each branch has been shed upon the other two. The New York family of Tappen came to the New World about 1630, and, after remaining a brief time in New Amsterdam, went to Fort Orange, where it settled and remained for two generations. It then broke asun- der, the main line removing to Kingston, where it became distin- guished in matters of the State and nation. The junior line remained in the neighborhood of Albany and sent out shoots to the West, which took root and grew into stately growths in the course of the years.
The founder was Jurian Teunisse, who married a daughter of Wybrecht Jacobse. Jurian must have brought considerable prop- Jurian erty with him from the Old World, as he appears to the Founder have been in easy circumstances, if not affluence, from the first. He was popular with the people and on terms of warm friendship with the patroons and leading merchants. He was a devout member of the Dutch Church and during the inclement winters devoted a certain number of hours every week to visiting and caring for the sick poor. The same kindly spirit actuated him in his dealings with the Indians, who called him "The Good Chief." His married life was happy and uneventful. In the latter part of his life (1654-1677) he seems to have operated largely in
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real estate, buying, selling, and exchanging upon a scale indi- cating the possession of large means.
In the second generation the leading figures were Tunis and Jurian II. They were well-to-do farmers and traders, Tunis seem- ing to have had the larger mercantile talent. He carried on commerce with New Amsterdam and afterwards New Tunis York; and on several occasions seems to have done business directly with Holland. At that time most of this trade was in the hands of the Dutch West India Company, the patroons, and the high officials. The few private citizens who en- Jurian II. gaged in it were men of means, prominent position, or of influence with the authorities. During the Indian troubles, the two brothers were enrolled in the militia, and probably took part in the fighting which occurred at that time. Like their father, they were devout and charitable, and were active members of the group which made Albany at that time the rival, if not the superior, of New York.
The wife of Tunis was Sarah Schepmoes, a Dutch belle of the time. The wedding, which occurred in 1695, was one of the most notable social events of the year. The wealth and social position of the parties, the beauty of the bride, and the popularity of the groom brought together a very distinguished assemblage from all the settlements, even from Breuckelen and Staten Island. The wedding-feast, tradition says, was a seven days' talk. Be- side the luxuries in food and drink imported from the old coun- try, there was an unusual supply of game, which had been purchased from the Indians, or had been contributed by the redmen and hunters. It lasted two days, during which time every friend and neighbor was expected to come and help him- self. In middle age, Tunis removed to Kingston, which he made his permanent home.
In the third generation, the great personality was Christoffel, who was born in Albany, but whose life is identified with King- ston, the whilom capital of the Empire State. He re- ceived an excellent education as well as a handsome
Christoffel patrimony from his father, Tunis, and on the latter's death
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inherited the larger part of the paternal estate. He married Cor- nelia Vas or Vos, a handsome heiress, by whom he had a large family of vigorous and able children. Upon his farm he built a fine homestead, where he entertained generously. He held many minor offices, both in the public service and church administration.
In the fourth generation, Christopher the patriot was the leading figure. A man of marked ability, he became prominent Christopher
in early life, and during a long career held many offices
the Patriot of honor and importance. Chief of these was mem- bership in the First, Third, and Fourth Provincial Congresses, where he took strong grounds in favor of colonial liberty and independence. He was a trustee of Kingston, speaker of the Board, a magistrate, and President of the Board of Magistrates. He was deputy county clerk from 1759 to 1812 and county clerk from 1812 to 1821. His home was destroyed on the burning of Kingston by the British. At this juncture he displayed a gal- lantry and patriotism worthy of notice. When the attack began it was evident that there was no hope of successful resistance and there was barely enough time for the citizens to save their private property. Christopher had before him the alternative of preserv- ing either the public records or his own personal belongings, in- cluding family heirlooms, deeds, and other evidences of wealth. He did not hesitate a second, but took his own horses and wagons to the court-house and removed the public records in safety, leaving his home to the torch of the foe. After the evacu- ation he rebuilt the family home, constructing it of stone and brick, and making it as fire-proof as the resources of that century would permit. Here he kept open house, as had been the habit of his father and grandfather. The mansion was the favorite resting-place of Governor George Clinton, who was Christopher's brother-in-law, as well as of the State and national leaders. Catey, a sister of Christopher, married Gilbert Livingston. Dr.
Dr. Peter Peter, a younger brother, was a distinguished physi-
cian, whose courtesy and attainments made him be- loved in private life, and whose bravery and patriotism during the Revolution made him an idol of the public. A letter is preserved
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from Gilbert Livingston to Dr. Peter, which gives in pleasant fashion an account of the year 1775:
"NEW YORK, June 29, 1775.
" DEAR BROTHER-You will see by the warrants who are nomi- nated officers for your County; it is very likely we shall raise an additional number of troops beside the three thousand now raised. We expect all diligence will be used in Recruiting, that the regi- ments may be formed immediately. Last saturday about two o'clock the Gens. Washington, Lee and Schuyler arrived here; they crossed the North River at Hoback and landed at Col. Lispenards. There were eight or ten companies under arms all in uniforms who marched out to Lispenards, the procession began from there thus, the Companies first, Congress next, two of Con- tinental Congress next, general officers next and a company of horse from Philadelphia who came with the General brought up the rear : there were innumerable Company of people, Men, Wo- men and Children present. In the evening Gov. Tryon landed as in the newspapers. I walked with my friend George Clinton, all the way to Lispenards, who is now gone home. I am very well, hope all friends so. The Tories Catey writes are as violent as ever, poor insignificant souls, who think themselves of great importance. The Times will soon show I fancy that they must quit their Wicked tenets at least in pretense and show fair, Let their hearts be black as Hell. Go on, be spirited and I doubt not success will crown our Honest endeavors for the support of our just rights and privileges."
Cornelia, another sister of Christopher, married Governor George Clinton, so that the family in this generation became allied with the two houses of Livingston and Clinton, then the great war leaders of the State.
Two sons in the fifth generation continued the prestige of their name. Christopher, Jr., the lawyer, was a man Christopher, of marked ability and oratorical and literary power. Junior He married Cornelia Kiersted.
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More conspicuous was John [1766]. He received a good education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. His tastes John were literary and journalistic, rather than forensic, and the Editor he began contributing to the press even before he at- tained his majority. He entered journalism, and became a popular and influential editor. His best-remembered work was done while he was editor and proprietor of the Plebeian, which afterwards became the Ulster Gazette. The paper was, anti-Federalist, and through its epigrammatic and argumentative power exerted great influence upon the political arena in the early part of the nine- teenth century.
Colonel Charles Barclay [1796] represented the sixth genera- tion. He was a son of John, the editor, and was an artist by taste
Colonel and an architect by profession. Intensely patriotic, he Charles B. volunteered in the War of 1812, and served with great gallantry throughout the conflict. After the war his military in- stinct kept him in touch with the militia, and in 1833 he was made Colonel of the Two Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of the National Guard of New York State. He was deeply interested in the development of New York City, of which many of the finest buildings were the products of his brain. From 1835 to 1838 he was the City Superintendent of Repairs, a post equivalent to a modern municipal department of public works. He was happily married and had a numerous family. He lived to the extraordi- nary age of ninety-seven, and left behind him eleven children and more than thirty grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Here belongs the famous educator, Rev. Henry Philip [1805]. Graduated from Union (1825), he entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he took orders in 1827. Five years later, he ac- cepted the chair of moral philosophy in the University of New York City. In 1852, he was elected the first chancellor of the Uni- versity of Michigan, which he held for eleven years, during which he made that institution famous for its efficiency and excellence. He was a strong and fluent writer, contributing to the periodical press and publishing at least seven books of more than ephemeral value.
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Of the seventh generation, Frederick D. 1 [1829] is the head. He was educated at the Columbia Grammar School and the New York University (1849). Attracted by financial science, Frederick D. he began his career in the National Bank of New York, the Financier which afterwards became the Gallatin National Bank. In 1857, he rose to be cashier, and in 1868 president, which position he has held ever since, being probably the oldest of the great bankers of the nation. He is one of the few Americans who, beside mastering ordinary banking, have attained renown in the fields of high finance. His ability in this direction has given him national and international fame. In times of commercial panic or general depression, he has been instrumental in steering the ship of credit through the shoals of adversity.
In the panics of 1873, 1884, 1890, 1893, and 1901 he was a leader in the movement of the great banks which checked the headlong fall of prices in Wall Street, and prevented the forced insolvency of hundreds and even thousands of responsible busi- ness concerns. He has the confidence of the banking world and of the vast business community which depends upon banks for the transaction of the enormous trade of the United States. In honor of his services in this field the great banks of New York presented to him, as a token of affection and esteem, a silver tankard which in itself was an epitome of financial history. It was made more than two hundred years ago, and was first presented to Sir John Houblon, Lord Mayor of London, and first Governor of the Bank of England, who, in a monetary crisis in 1693, took such prompt and decisive measures as to restore confidence to the business world and end disasters which were
1 Frederick D. Tappen passed away in March, 1902. In his death the banking world lost one of its leading figures. His funeral was attended by representatives of nearly all of the financial interests of the metropolis and a public meeting of the bankers of the city was held at the clearing-house on Cedar Street to honor his memory.
Addresses, describing and commending his life-long services, were delivered by George G. Wil- liams, president of the Chemical National Bank, J. Edward Simmons, president of the Fourth National Bank, Joseph C. Hendrix, president of the National Bank of Commerce, Thomas L. James, president of the Lincoln National Bank, Alexander Gilbert, president of the Market and Fulton banks, and Vice-President Hepburn of the Chase National Bank.
Nearly all of the banks of the city half-masted their flags, and similar action was taken by bankers in other cities of the Union.
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threatening British credit, both public and private. Upon it is an inscription which tells in quaint language the story of that famous year. In the course of the centuries this tankard passed from the hands of the family, which is now believed to be extinct, and came into the possession of a New York collector of antiques. From him it was secured by Mr. Tappen's colleagues and pre- sented to him just two hundred years after its first presentation for exactly similar reasons.
Mr. Tappen has been President of the Clearing-house Associ- ation twice, Vice-President of the Metropolitan Trust Company, a director of the Astor National Bank and Queen Insurance Com- pany, and a trustee of the Royal Insurance Company. He married Sarah A. B. Littell.
The Tappens of New York have been characterized from the first by vigor, executive ability, and conservative patriotism. The founder was one of the greatest real-estate operators of his period, and the present head, seven generations afterwards, is one of the leaders of the financial world. The intervening links have been men of similar tastes and tendencies. They have cared little for the pomp and glory of life, but have possessed a deep faith in the great gospel of work, and the fruits of their labor have usually been dispensed in the forms of hospitality, philanthropy, and charity.
Van Buren
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Martin Van Buren From a sleel engraving
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