USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume II > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
82
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
10. James, born March 5, 1732, married Jane Keteltas, October 8, 1752.
11. Adrian, born July 30, 1734, died September 24, 1747.
James Beekman, son of Dr. William Beekman, son of Dr. Gerardus, married Jane, daughter of Abraham and Jane Ketel- tas, October 8, 1752. She was born October 8, 1734, died Feb- ruary 7, 1817. James Beekman died April 9, 1807, aged seventy- five. Their children were: 1. William, born July 12, 1754, died August 8, 1808. 2. Abraham Keteltas, born February 29. 1756, died November 15, 1816. 3. James, born April 16, 1758, died April 8, 1837. 4. Jane, born April 16, 1760, married Stephen Van Cortlandt. 5. Catharine, born May 30, 1762, mar- ried Elisha Boudinot. 6. Mary, born September 6, 1765, mar- ried Stephen N. Bayard. 7. John, born March 2, 1767, died May 4, 1767. 8. John, born April 29, 1768, died December 8, 1843. 9. Cornelia, born August 8, 1770, married Isaac B. Cox. 10. Elizabeth, born January 2, 1773, died September 5, 1773. 11. Gerard, born December 17, 1774, died July 15, 1833. 12. Samuel, born September 18, 1776, died April, 1816.
Of the above family, John Beekman married Mary E. G. Bedlow, and had children: 1. John C. (who died at his resi- dence, Rural Cove, East River, April 17, 1863). 2. Mary, mar- ried William Axtell De Peyster. 3. Catharine, wife of A. K. Fish. 4. Jane, wife of Dr. J. H. Borrows. 5. Lydia, wife of Joseph Foulke, Jr. 6. William F., married Catharine A. Neil- son, June 1, 1841, and has children: William B., John N., Henry R., James H., Neilson Herman and Fanny.
Gerard Beekman (son of James, above) married Catharine Sanders, of Schenectady, April, 1810. She was born October 10, 1785, and died October 15, 1835. They had a son, James William Beekman, born November 22, 1815, died June 15, 1877. He married Abian S. Milledoller, March 8, 1840. She was
83
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
born August 19, 1819. Their children were: Catharine, born March 10, 1841; Gerard, born Angust 27, 1842; Philip M., born June 12, 1845; died August 15, 1846; James William, born No- vember 4, 1847; and Cornelia, born November 24, 1849.
Dr. Gerard William Beekman, son of Dr. William Beekman, was born December 13, 1718, and died in Philadelphia. October G, 1781. He married Mary Duyckinck, 1751. She died June 4, 1791, aged sixty-three. Their children were: Catharine, who married Isaac Cox, of Philadelphia, February 28, 1781; Johanna, who married Abraham K. Beekman, son of James Beekman; Margaret, Magdalene and Elizabeth. The residence of Dr. Gerard William Beekman was the east corner of Pearl street and Sloat Lane, now Hanover street, New York.
It may be mentioned here as an historical fact that the name of Mauntins Beekman appears as a member of the government of Ghent, in 1300. Johan Beekman was alderman of the "second bench" at Ghent, in 1352.
On September 24, 1670, "Anna Hall, widow of Thomas Hall, by virtue of a deed dated August 27, 1654, and confirmation of Governor Richard Nicolls, April 15, 1667, sells to William Beekman a parcel of land with a house, brew house, brew kettle and other brewing instruments, and a mill house with a horse mill and other buildings, together with an orchard lying at the eastermost end of the Smiths Valley. Bounded west southwest by land heretofore of Cornelius Van Tienhoven, east southeast by David Provoost. Stretching in length from the land of said Tienhoven to Bestaver's Swamp, forty rods at twelve feet a rod. In length along the strand, west southwest, and east northeast, sixty-eight rods. Northwest and southeast to the land of said Provoost. In length along the strand on the Smiths Valley to the fence of the said David Provoost, forty-eight rods, deduct- ing out of said land for the use of the said Anna Hall, for her Vol. II-6
84
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
life, one half of the orchard, the eastermost part thereof, as also three hundred and seventy-five rods more for the highway, and for a lot of ground which is sold out of said lot unto Isaac Allerton."
Two days later we find William Beekman "inhabitant of the village of Kingstown in the Esopus," giving a mortgage to the widow Anna Hall for the same lands to secure the sum of fifteen thousand guilders. This was paid in 1683. The de- scription of this farm as given above might be an enigma to one not acquainted with geography of the early city. The south bounds was the road along the side of the river, and now Pearl street. The east line was a few feet west of the present Ferry street; on the west it was bounded by the middle line of the block between Fulton and Ann streets. The "Bestaver's Swamp," still called "the swamp," was divided among its owners in later years, and Jacob street (named from Jacobus Roosevelt) runs through it. The southeast corner of the farm is at the junction of Pearl and Fulton streets. A person stand- ing at Fulton street and looking east will perceive a slight ele- vation of land. This is all that now remains of what was called in ancient deeds "The Hill by William Beekmans." The whole of it was known as "Beekman's Orchard and Pasture."
The previous owner of the Beekman farm was Philip de Truy, who sold to Isaac Allerton a lot on the river side, in April, 1647. This lot is between Fulton street and Peck Slip, and upon it Allerton erected a warehouse and dock, which was the first dock on the East river, north of the "Great Dock" at what is now Moore street. Where Isaac Allerton's boats lay at anchor is now the block between Water and Front streets. At that point was the ferry to Long Island. At No. 8 Peck Slip is a tablet erected by the "Society of Mayflower Descendants" to the memory of Isaac Allerton.
James W. Beckman
85
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
About 1710 the heirs of William Beekman decided to lay out this farm "in streets and blocks for the enlargement of the city."
Nearly a hundred years later a descendant of William Beek- man purchased a tract then far out of the city and was for long years the country seat of the Beekmans. Governor Ed- mond Andross, in 1676, granted a patent to Jacobus Fabritius "a tract of land on the Island Manhattan, bounded east by the river, northeast by land of Cornelius Mattys, southwest by a certain Lot No. 4 and north by Commons." It was eighty rods wide and one hundred and twenty rods long, and contained sixty acres. Jacobus Fabritius sold it on July 10, 1677, to William Wouterse, who sold the west half to Peter Buckhart, February 28, 1687, and he conveyed it to Jan Van Leur. He left it to his daughter, Annake, who married Nicholas Dyckman. They sold to David De Vore, Jr., and he and his wife Maritie sold the same to William Beekman, Jr., and Abraham Beekman, April 30, 1760, for £820. This was for long years the country seat of the Beekman family. It was near the "5 mile stone" from New York, and was at first called "Rural Cove" and after- wards "Mount Pleasant." It had a frontage on East river extending from Sixty-first street to Sixty-third street and went back to Fourth Avenue.
BEEKMAN FAMILY.
The name of this distinguished family has ever been con- nected with public and official affairs of New York.
The ancestor, William Beekman, was "Schepen" (an office corresponding to our sheriff) in 1654, orphan master in 1653, one of the "Nine Men" to regulate public affairs in 1652, burgo- master in 1674, delegate in 1653 and member of Leisler's As-
86
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
sembly in 1690. He was lieutenant-governor of Dutch terri- tories on the South River, 1658.
Gerardus Beekman was captain of militia at Flatbush, 1681; major of all the "horse and foot," 1689; member of Governor Leisler's Council, 1690; lieutenant-colonel Kings County, 1698- 1700; Colonel, 1701; Member of Council, 1702-1723; President of Council, 1709-10; Acting Governor from September 17, 1709, to June 14, 1710; Justice of Kings County, 1685; and Judge of County, 1700.
Colonel Henry Beekman was Judge of Ulster County, 1695. and Sheriff in 1728.
John Beekman was Commissioner of Indian Affairs, 1752.
James Beekman was member of Provincial Congress, 1775-76.
David Beekman was member of the Committee of One Hun- dred at the beginning of the Revolution.
James W. Beekman was member of Assembly, 1849, and State Senator, 1852-53.
James Beekman, who is worthy of an extended notice, was a member of the General Committee of One Hundred, chosen to take control of the city until a Provincial Congress shall be chosen. When the British took possession of New York, he retired to Esopus, where he hired a farm and devoted much of his time to the education of his children. His country seat in New York was occupied by the officers of the Royal army. From an account kept by his gardener it appears that General Howe was there for seven months. General Clinton for three years six months. General Robertson occupied it in 1782, and Gen- eral Carleton was there for five months. The Baroness Reidesel made it her home in the summer of 1780, and while there was visited by General Clinton and the ill-fated Major John Andre, who the next day began the fatal journey which ended on the
87
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
hillside at Tappan. In September, 1776, in the greenhouse of the estate, then emptied of its flowers, sat the court martial of officers which tried and condemned Nathan Hale, who died lamenting that he had but one life to give for his country.
On April 20, 1777, James Beekman was a member of the convention at Kingston which framed the Constitution of the State of New York. After the war he returned to New York and engaged in commerce, ably assisted by his wife. His place of business was on Hanover Square, at what was then No. 241 Queen street. From this place he frequently walked to "Mount Pleasant," his country seat.
James William Beekman was born in the house built by his father, Gerard Beekman, No. 553 Broadway. He graduated from Columbia College, and studied law, but did not practice. He was elected member of assembly, and state senate. He was not engaged in business, and his life was principally devoted to charitable and philanthropic work. He was president of Women's Hospital, governor of New York Hospital, vice-presi- dent of New York Dispensary, vice-president of New York His- torical Society, trustee of Columbia College, president of St. Nicholas Society. He was connected with the Dutch Reformed Church of his ancestors at Fifth avenue and Twenty-ninth street.
His son, Gerard Beekman, was born at the country seat "Mount Pleasant." Graduated from Columbia College, 1864, and from the Law School, 1867. After an extended tour in Europe he began the practice of law, but most of his time is de- voted to care of the ancestral estate. He is trustee of Columbia University, elder of Collegiate Church at Fifth avenue and Twenty-ninth street, trustee of Bible Society, member of Cen- tury Club, University Club, New York Yacht Club, Seawanhaka Yacht Club, and member of New York Historical Society.
88
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
James William Beekman was born at No. 553 Broadway. The first school he attended was at Vevay, Switzerland, while his parents were in Europe. Upon returning to America he at- tended the Grammar School, kept by the famous Professor Charles Anthon, at Fourth avenue and Twenty-sixth street. He entered the scientific department of Columbia College, and also law department, graduating in 1871. He is well known and prominent in the social life of New York, and is president of St. Nicholas Society, and of the Holland Society. He received from the Queen Regent of Holland the decoration of Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau. He is governor of Society of Colonial Wars, governor of Union Club, member of Knicker- bocker Club, Metropolitan and Country Clubs. Also a member of New York Historical Society, Genealogical Society, governor of New York Hospital, and member of Metropolitan Museum of Art, and is also a member of New York Yacht Club and Sea- wanhaka Yacht Club.
An elegant portrait of his honored father, James William Beekman, presented by him, graces the walls of the New York Historical Society.
John Beekman, who married Elizabeth Goad Bedlow, had, among other children, a son William Fenwick Beekman, born August 4, 1809, died December 17, 1872. He married Catharine Alexander Neilson, born December 31, 1814, died 1892. He had the following issue: William Bedlow, John N., Henry R., James Hude, Neilson, died young; Herman, and also a daughter, Fanny Neilson Beekman.
All of these children of William F. Beekman are now de- ceased, with the exception of Dr. John N. Beekman, who was born at Oyster Bay, August 29, 1843, and who married Annie L. Dawson, daughter of Benjamin F. Dawson, and who is with- out issue. Dr. Beekman graduated from Columbia College in
89
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
the class of 1864, and from the College of Physicians and Sur- geons in 1868. After practicing his profession for several years, he retired from active practice.
The aforesaid William Bedlow Beekman, son of William F. Beekman, was born February 4, 1842, and died March 8, 1898. He was engaged in the banking and brokerage business, and was a member of the New York Stock Exchange at the time of his death. His first wife was Alice Keller, daughter of Charles M. Keller, of New York. She died in 1873. Their children were: Charles Keller, born September 23, 1868 (unmarried). Catharine Alexander, born December 18, 1870, married John W. Huger. The said Charles K. Beekman graduated from Co- himbia College in 1889, was admitted to the bar in 1891, gradu- ated from Columbia College Law School in 1892, and has since then been practicing law in the city of New York. He is a mem- ber of the New York Bar Association, Union and other well known clubs.
The said William Bedlow Beekman's second wife was Katherine Morris Parker, who survives him. There was the following issue of this marriage: Heloise, born July 18, 1879, married D. Leavitt Hough. Fenwick, born June 1, 1882. Cort- landt, born March 31, 1886. Gertruydt Van Cortlandt, born July, 1890. Margaretta Rutgers, born February 11, 1892.
The above mentioned Henry R. Beekman died December 17, 1900. He married Isabella Lawrence, who survives him. He had the following issue, who are also now surviving: Josephine L., born April 8, 1872. William Fenwick, born July 2, 1873. Mary E., born August 10, 1877. Henry Rutgers, born Novem- ber 18, 1880.
Fanny Neilson Beekman married Robert Adrain, and left her surviving a daughter, Fanny Neilson Beekman Adrain.
90
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
None of the other children of said William Fenwick Beekman left issue.
James Hude Beekman married Florence Delaplaine; died February 22, 1902. No issue.
Herman Beekman, unmarried, died August 10, 1897.
BAYLIES AND RAY FAMILIES.
Thomas Baylies, the ancestor of the family in America, came from Worcester, England, in the early part of the eigh- teenth century.
He was the son of Nicholas Baylies, of the parish of Alve Church, county of Worcester. He married, June 5, 1706, Esther Sargent, daughter of Thomas Sargent, of Flullford Heath, in the parish of Soly Hull, in the county of Warwick, at that place. They were Quakers. There were eight children of this mar- riage. Of them, the following came to America: Thomas, born 1715, died 1756; Esther, born 1716, married Robert Holmes; Nicholas, born May 19, 1719 (O. S.) ; Mary, married Ezra Rich- mond, of Dighton. Massachusetts; Sally, married Matthew Baker, of Poughkeepsie; Helen, married (first) Peter Walker, of Taunton, Massachusetts, and (second) Rev. John Lyon, of Maryland.
Thomas Baylies, with his son Nicholas and daughter Esther, arrived in Boston in 1737. He returned to England, and in 1738 came back with his wife Esther and daughters Mary and Helen. His son Thomas came over later.
Nicholas Baylies married Elizabeth Parks, of Newton, Massachusetts, in 1738. He died July 26, 1807. Their children were : Nicholas, born November 15, 1739, died January 19, 1831; Frederick, born July 19, 1741; William, born November 24, 1743, died June 17, 1826; Adolphus, born March, 1745, Thomas Sargent, born October 16, 1748, died October 30, 1835;
91
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Gustavus, born June 20, 1752; and Hodijah, born September 17, 1756, died April 26, 1842.
Hodijah Baylies married Elizabeth, daughter of Gen. Ben- jamin Lincoln, famous in the War of the Revolution. She was born December 6, 1759, and died July 17, 1823. Their children were: William, who died unmarried; Amelia, who married Dr. Alfred Wood (no descendants) ; Benjamin Lincoln, who died unmarried; and Edmund.
Edmund Baylies was born at Hingham, Massachusetts, September 22, 1787. He married Elizabeth Ann Payson, of Boston, and died at Taunton, May 16, 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-one. Their children were: Elizabeth, who married Wickham Hoffman; Ruth, wife of Maturin Livingston; and Edmund Lincoln.
Edmund Lincoln Baylies was born in Boston, May 18, 1829, and died in Geneva, Switzerland, November 28, 1869. He mar- ried Nathalie Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Ray, November 27, 1856. Their children were: Edmund Lincoln, born December 2, 1857; Cornelia Prime, who married Judge Francis C. Lowell, of Boston; and Walter Cabot, who married Charlotte Upham of Boston.
Edmund Lincoln Baylies married Louisa, daughter of Alex- ander Van Rensselaer.
Thomas Baylies, the American ancestor, settled in Ux- bridge, Massachusetts, and established iron works. This busi- ness he had formerly conducted in England, at Colebrookdale. The enterprise at Uxbridge was not successful. His son Nich- olas was interested in the same business at Taunton, to which place he removed from Uxbridge, probably about 1756. During the Revolution, Nicholas Baylies was a noted patriot. His two sons, William and Hodijah, were educated at Harvard, the former graduating in 1760, the latter in 1777. William Baylies
92
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
was distinguished for eminent talent, not only as a physician, but in other departments of learning.
Upon leaving college, Hodijah Baylies obtained a commis- sion as lieutenant of infantry, and enlisted a company in 1777. When General Lincoln was appointed to the command of the Southern Department, Lieutenant Baylies was selected by him as one of his aides. In the campaigns that followed he took part in much hard fighting at Savannah, Charleston and else- where, acquitting himself creditably in whatever situation he was placed. He was in the city of Charleston during the mem- orable siege by the British, and when Lincoln finally surrendered to Clinton, on May 12, 1780, he was included among the prison- ers of war. He rejoined the army as soon as his exchange was effected; was present at the surrender of Cornwallis at York- town; and, having been selected by Washington as one of his aides, remained in that position until the end of the war. He stayed for some time with Washington at Mount Vernon after peace was concluded, receiving a brevet as major in the army. He returned to the north in 1784, and married Elizabeth Lin- coln, daughter of General Lincoln, who resided in Hingham. After residing for a time in Hingham he removed to Taunton and engaged in the manufacture of iron. The anchors of the frigate "Constitution" were made at the Baylies forge. As soon as the Constitution of the United States had been ratified in 1789, he was appointed Collector of Customs at Dighton, and at once removed to that town with his family. He held this of- fice until 1809. In 1810 he was appointed Judge of Probate for Bristol county, and held that office until 1834. During the latter part of his life he was known as Judge Baylies. He occupied a fine farm.
His son Edmund, as a young man, was engaged in trade with Russia, and made one or more voyages to Archangel as
93
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
supercargo. After spending some years in business in Boston, he purchased a considerable tract of land at Taunton, and there established his permanent home, where he resided until his death.
Edmund Lincoln Baylies (son of Edmund) was engaged in the Russia and Manila trade. After his marriage he took up his residence in New York. In 1868 he went with his family to Europe for his health. He died at Geneva, Switzerland, No- vember 28, 1869.
His son, Edmund L. Baylies, was born at the family resi- dence, No. 32 West Twenty-fourth street, New York. He re- ceived his early education at Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, graduating in 1875. He then entered Harvard Uni- versity and was graduated in 1879. In 1882 he attended the lectures at Columbia Law School, New York, taking the degree of LL. B., and was a student in the law office of Benjamin D. Silliman. Returning to Harvard, he was graduated from its Law School in 1883, and was admitted to the bar. He then took an extended trip around the world, visiting Japan, China, Java, India, Egypt, Palestine, and the various countries of Europe, returning to New York in September, 1883. Thereupon he en- tered the law office of Scudder and Carter, at No. 66 Wall street, New York. Later the firm name became Carter & Ledyard, and he was admitted as a partner. At the present time the firm name is Carter, Ledyard & Milburn. His law practice is chiefly devoted to admiralty cases, real estate, and the management of estates. He was secretary to the special embassy sent to the Court of St. James in 1902, upon the coronation of King Ed- ward VII.
By his descent from General Benjamin Lincoln, Mr. Bay- Ties is justly entitled to his membership in the Order of the Cincinnati. He is also a member of the Knickerbocker Club,
94
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
the New York Historical Society, the University Club, and the New York Yacht Club. He is one of the trustees of Greenwood Cemetery.
Mr. Baylies was married, at St. Thomas Church, New York, January 18, 1886, to Louisa, daughter of Alexander Van Rensse- laer, who was the son of the last Patroon of the Manor of Rens- selaer Wyck.
RAY FAMILY.
John Ray, the ancestor of this family, came from Exeter, England, to New York, in the seventeenth century. His son, Richard Ray, married Elsey Saunders, March 22, 1705. Their children were: Elsey, born February 17, 1708, died June 1, 1798, at the age of ninety years and three months; John, born August 13, 1710; Robert, born March 26, 1713, died August 9, 1788, and was buried in the family vault in the New Dutch churchyard on Nassau street; Nicholas, born June 2, 1716, died in Chelsea, England, September 22, 1788, and was buried in the church there; Richard, born January 12, 1717, died March 21, 1763, and was buried in New Dutch churchyard. Richard Ray. the father, died August 16, 1737, aged fifty-two. His wife, Elsey Ray, died July 13, 1746, aged sixty.
Richard Ray, the youngest son, married Sarah, daughter of Cornelius Bogart, April 24, 1748. She was born June 10, 1728, and died September 12, 1781. Their children were: Elsey, born January 14, 1750, died October 25, 1752; Richard, born January 15, 1753, died October 25, 1783; Cornelius, born April 25, 1755, died January 18, 1827; Cornelia, born August 1, 1857 ; died January 24, 1834; Robert, born September 18, 1759, died May 28, 1782. The greater number of the family died in Albany, and at a later date their remains were brought to New York and buried in the family vault in the New Dutch churchyard on Nassau street.
Robert Ray.
Cornelius Ray.
97
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Cornelius Ray, the third child, married, July 29, 1784, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Edmund Elmendorph, of Kings- ton, Ulster county, a representative of one of the oldest Dutch families of that region. They were married in Albany by Rev. Dr. Westerlo. She was born January 24, 1757, and died March 7, 1823, aged sixty-six. By this marriage there were nine chil- dren, but only three arrived at maturity, viz .: 1. Mary, born September 17, 1790, died at Jamaica, Long Island, August, 1873; she married John Alsop King (son of Hon. Rufus King), who died July 7, 1867, at the age of eighty. 2. Richard, born June 17, 1792, died March 21, 1836. 3. Robert, born July 14, 1794, died March 11, 1879.
Richard Ray died in Paris, March 21, 1836. His remains were brought to his native land and laid to rest in Greenwood. He married, October 17, 1832, Mary Rebecca Lloyd, daughter of James Boggs.
Robert Ray married, November 25, 1819, Cornelia, daugh- ter of Nathaniel and Cornelia Prime. She was born January 4, 1800. Their children were: Robert (died unmarried) ; Nathalie Elizabeth, wife of Edmund L. Baylies; Richard C. (died unmarried) ; and Cornelia, wife of Schuyler Hamilton.
For long years the Ray family was most prominently con- nected with business and social life. Nathaniel Prime presented to his daughter, Cornelia Ray, the three-story house, with the lot then No. 3 Marketfield street, and this was their home for some years. Their house has long since disappeared, and with several others was "swallowed up" in the great Washington building. In 1829 Robert Ray purchased from Dr. Alexander H. Stevens the house and lot No. 17-19 Broadway, the price being $19,500. This in earlier days had been the house and office of John Chambers, a noted lawyer in his day, and Judge of the Supreme Court. Upon these lots Robert Ray erected a mansion,
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.