USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume III > Part 17
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Rev. Jacobson is a native of Sweden, born in Yllestad, March 17, 1863. He came to this country in 1869 with his parents, locating in Rockford, Illinois. He obtained his primary
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education in that city, and then took a classical and theological course in the Augustana College at Rock Island, Illinois, enter- ing in 1878; he completed his classical and scientific course in 1885, receiving his degree of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. He' then spent one year at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, preparatory for the university work at Yale, which he entered in the autumn of 1886, pursuing studies which led to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, which was awarded him June 26, 1889. His first pastorate was the Swedish Lutheran (Bethesda) church of New Haven, Connecticut; he also during that time held the position of lecturer on the history of philos- ophy in Yale graduate department. After two years thus busily engaged he came to Brooklyn, October, 1892.
The former pastors of the church have been: Rev. Dr. P. J. Sward, succeeded by Rev. E. A. Fogelstrom, and he by Rev. Albert Rodell. Assistant pastors : Rev. C. M. Esbjorn and C. M. Englund. The organist, Professor A. W. Anderson, is a grad- uate of Boston Conservatory of Music, and the private graduate student of Mr. Felix Fox, Boston, Massachusetts.
HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
This parish was first organized in 1893, in a church building in West Fifty-third street, by Theodore and Antony Ralli (the latter now deceased), and services were held in this building until 1898, when the congregation removed to a church which they had rented on East Twenty-seventh street, and this was used as a place of worship until May 2, 1904, when the present church property at Nos. 151 and 153 East Seventy-second street was purchased for the sum of sixty-five thousand dollars. This was bought from Frederick N. Gilbert, and was originally used for a Protestant church. The parishioners of Holy Trinity
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have expended about twenty-five thousand dollars in remodeling it to present an appearance like the Acropolis at Athens, Greece. When completed it will be one of the finest church edifices in the city of New York. The altars are entirely of marble, imported especially from the Penteli mountains of Greece; all the work is in the hands of Greek artisans, the carving of the interior be- ing done on the premises; this is said to be of a most imposing character, nothing of a similar kind existing in the United States. It has a seating capacity of about three thousand people, and is the only Greek Orthodox church in the city.
The first rector was Rev. Paysios Ferentinos, who was fol- lowed in succession by Rev. Kalinikos Dervey; Rev. Agatheo- doro Papageorgopulo; Rev. Rafael Joannides; Rev. Zissinos Typaldos. The last named was succeeded by Rev. Methodios Kourkoulis, who took charge of the parish November 1, 1904, and under his able ministration its membership is increasing and it is in a flourishing condition.
Rev. Methodios Kourkoulis was born in Metilin, Turkey, Asia Minor, October, 1864, and studied theology in Athens and in Germany. He was ordained priest at Lesbos in 1892, and for twelve years was engaged in missionary work in Asia Minor, Egypt, the Soudan, Smyrna, and the Holy Land. He was sent to America in 1904 to take charge of the spiritual welfare of the Orthodox Greeks in the city of New York. This work he has taken up with heart and soul, and is deservedly looked up to and his opinions regarded by his parishioners.
HENRY ELSWORTH MURGATROYD.
Henry E. Murgatroyd, a civil engineer and city surveyor, was born in New York city, September 19, 1859, son of William James and Esther (Middleton) Murgatroyd. He was educated in the public schools and completed a course in the University
Fannie Aymar (Moffitt) Child
Abram Delano Child
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of New York city, graduating in 1886 with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts and Civil Engineer. After his graduation he worked with the Dutch, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad Com- pany; also in Michigan. Since 1888 he has been engaged in business for himself. He has come to be known as an expert in his profession, and is a highly esteemed citizen. Mr. Murga- troyd is one of the deacons in the Ascension Baptist church and has served several years as Sunday school superintendent.
June 2, 1892, he was united in marriage to Sameletta L. Richards, daughter of Joseph and Nancy L. Richards. Two children have been the fruit of this union: Ruth and Elsworth.
DAYTON FAMILY.
This ancient family, the members of which, on both sides of the sea, have rendered distinguished service to the state, both as citizens and soldiers, numbered among its representatives Charles Willoughby Dayton, of New York, who has for many years borne a conspicuous part at the bar and in the political history of the city and state of New York.
The original home of the Daytons was the village of Deigh- ton, in the parish of Deighton, in the east riding of Yorkshire, England, about four and a half miles southeast from the city of York. The name of the family, apparently derived from the place where they lived, was spelled in various ways, as Deigh- ton, Dyghton or Deyson, but before they came to America had become stereotyped in its present form of Dayton.
(I) Robert de Deighton, with whom the authentic family record commences, was admitted as freeman in 1305. He was a yeoman, a title given to "gentlemen of small estate," and had four sons : Robert, of whom later; William, Nicholas and John.
(II) Robert de Deighton, eldest son of Robert de Deighton
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(I), is known to have been a freeman in 1329. His sons were: John, of whom later; Walter, Golfudis and William.
(III) John de Deighton, son of Robert de Deighton (2), was a freeman in 1349, and held the office of "collector of tolls or taxes." He had two sons: William, and Robert, of whom later.
(IV) Robert de Deighton, son of John de Deighton (3), was a freeman in 1372. He was the father of two sons: Willard, and John, of whom later.
(V) John de Deighton, son of Robert de Deighton (+), was a freeman in 1389. He held the honorable position of "Mar- shal," defined as "an officer standing highest in arms," "an officer who regulates combats in the lists," and "an officer who regulates ranks and order at a feast." He married Isabel, daughter of John de Duffield, a silk merchant of York, and his sons were: Golen, William, of whom later, and John.
(VI) William de Deighton, son of John de Deighton (5), was a freeman in 1419, and Drake's History of York shows that he was a man of wealth. His wife was Joan, daughter of Robert de Morton, a merchant. He died September 14, 1456, and was buried beside his wife, on the south side of York minster. He had one son, William de Deighton.
(VII) William de Deighton was the father of a son, Jolin de Deighton.
(VIII) John de Deighton was the father of a son, Henry de Deighton.
(IX) Henry de Deighton, son of John de Deighton (8), was a freeman in 1504, and in 1522 was made city chamberlain of York. In 1524 he became sheriff, served as alderman from 1525 to 1531, and in the latter year was made lord mayor of York. His second wife was Alice, widow of Robert Petty. He died in
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September, 1540, and in his will directed that "he should be buried in All Saints, on North State Street."
(X) Robert Deighton, son of Henry de Deighton (9), was the first of the line to drop the de, which shows the race to be of Norman origin. He was born in 1525, and was freeman in 1557. In 1550 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Copeley and Margaret, his wife, daughter of Sir John S. Stapleton, of Wighill, York. Their son was William, of whom later.
(XI) William Deighton, son of Robert (10) and Elizabeth (Copeleyand) Deighton, was born in 1551, and was the first to leave the family seat, going to London, where he lived at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields. He married, August 9, 1584, Agnes, daughter of Ralph Green, and his sons were: William, Thomas, Ralph, of whom later; and Nicholas.
(XII) Ralph Dayton( as the name was then spelled), son of William (11) and Agnes (Green) Deighton, was born in 1598, at St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, London. In 1629 he married Agnes, daughter of Henry Pool. In 1636 he emigrated to Bos- ton, thus becoming the founder of the American branch of the family. With him came his brothers, Thomas and Nicholas, and his two sons, Samnel and Robert. In 1639 he removed to New Haven, being one of the original settlers, and about 1648 he and his sons settled in Southampton, Long Island, the oldest English town in the state of New York. Ralph Dayton was among the company of Southampton men who settled the town of East Hampton, and on March 7, 1650, "it is ordered that Ralph Day- ton is to go to Keniticutt, for to proenre the evidence of our lands and for a boddie of our laws."
On December 1, 1657, we find "An Action of Trespass upon the Case, by Ralph Dayton, against John Cooper, defendant." The case was decided in favor of Jolin Cooper, and "Samuel
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Dayton, of ye North Sea, and Robert Dayton, of East Hampton," give bonds to prosecute the appeal to the court at Hartford.
Ralph Dayton, on coming to America, was a widower, and about 1649 he married Dorothy Brewster, by whom he had a son, Brewster Dayton. He was married for a third time to Mary, widow of James Haynes. His death is thus noticed :
"Sept. 22, 1650. At a Quarter Court the will of the deceased Ralph Dayton was brought into the Court, and approved of by ye Magistrates, and ye ten pounds that Robert Dayton owed to his father hee hath put into the estate."
This gives the approximate time of the death of founder of the Dayton family in America.
Of his two sons, Samuel and Robert, the latter belonged to the line now under consideration. Concerning Samuel the fol- lowing details are recorded :
In 1653 Samuel Dayton was the owner of a lot in the "Sag- gaponack Division," and in 1654 he drew a lot in the Seaponack Division. In March, 1653, he was one of the members of a whaling squadron, and in September, 1653, he was engaged in a controversy with Thomas Vayle. On June 20, 1657, he pur- chased from Edward Joanes (Johns) "three acres of land that was formerly Mr. Stanborough, with a house upon it," and on December 12, 1656, "John Howell hath bought of Medlin (Mad- eline) Dayton, ye wife of Samuel Dayton with his consent, 4 acres of ground in ye great plains, being next to ye four acres commonly called by the name of Hareres lot."
He was one of the nine men who, with their families, settled North Sea, a village about four miles north of the village of Southampton, and situated on Peconic bay, which in the earliest times was called "the North Sea" to distinguish it from the Atlantic ocean or "the South Sea."
(XIII) Robert Dayton, son of Ralph (12) and Agnes (Pool)
Cornelia Laura (Adams) Tomlinson
Charles Willoughby Dayton
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Dayton, was born in England in 1630, and was a resident of East Hampton. In 1652 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John Woodruff, of Southampton, the ancestor of many families of the name in New Jersey and elsewhere. Robert Dayton died in East Hampton, October 16, 1712, aged eighty-four.
(XIV) Samuel Dayton, son of Robert (13) and Elizabeth (Woodruff) Dayton, was born in 1653, and was an extensive owner of real estate in Long Island and Connecticut. His wife was Wilhelmina and they were the parents of five sons, the youngest, Isaac, of whom later. Some of these remained in East Hampton, while others settled in the town of Brookhaven.
(XV) Isaac Dayton, son of Samuel (14) and Wilhelmina Dayton, was born in 1698, and leaving Long Island settled in Connecticut. He married Sarah, daughter of Daniel Brewster, of Brookhaven, Long Island, and granddaughter of the Rev. Nathaniel Brewster, of honored memory.
(XVI) Brewster Dayton, son of Isaac (15) and Sarah (Brewster) Dayton, was born on Long Island, at the home of his maternal grandfather, where much of his boyhood was passed. In 1755 he removed to Connectient and settled at Stratford, where he married Ruth Judson, in 1777. In the war of the Revolution he took an active and honorable part, serving in 1778 as a member of the coast guard and a private in the com- pany of Captain Yates, in the regiment commanded by Colonel Enos, which was stationed on the Hudson river. His wife hav- ing died, he returned home at the expiration of his term of en- listment, and on December 25 married Elizabeth Willoughby, of England. By this marriage he became the father of two children: Elizabeth (or Pollie) ; and Charles Willoughby, of whom later. The third wife of Brewster Dayton was Pollie Gary.
(XVII) Charles Willoughby Dayton, son of Brewster (16)
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and Elizabeth (Willoughby) Dayton, was born in 1795, in Strat- ford. His mother died at the time of his birth. The boy was brought up in the household of the Rev. Nathan Birdsey, and was given an opportunity for a college education, but when prepared to enter Yale he expressed a preference for a business career, whereupon he was supplied with money to establish him- self as an importer of woolens in New York. His business ability enabled him to amass a handsome competence, and his residence in New York was in Washington square, one of the most exclusive sections of the city. There he entertained Presi- dent Van Buren, Captain Maryatt, the famous novelist, and many other distinguished personages. In social life he held a high position. His horses and equipages were a feature in the world of fashion, and his appearance on horseback, often accompanied by his son Abram, attracted much admiration. Much of his time was spent in England. He is described as "nnusually handsome, had a perfect English complexion, dark blue eyes, brown curly hair, a beautiful mouth and perfect teeth." He had literary talent, and verses written by him show poetic fire and spirit.
Mr. Dayton married, at the age of nineteen, in New York city, Jane Raveau, daughter of Abram and Frances (Moffitt) Child, the Childs being one of the well-known families of the metropolis. Mrs. Dayton died in the early years of their mar- riage, and her husband remained a widower. He died suddenly, January 30, 1861, leaving a pleasant and honorable memory, cherished by many friends.
(XVIII) Abram Child Dayton, son of Charles Willoughby (17) and Jane Raveau (Child) Dayton, was born March 2, 1818, in Dey street, New York, baptized in the Middle Dutch church on Nassau street, and at the age of seven sent to a school kept by Monsieur Coudert, one of Napoleon's officers. This school was situated near the Tombs building, and among his school-
L
Maria Annis (Tomlinson) Dayton
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mates was the late Rev. Robert Howland, of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, and a boy nicknamed "Teuton," afterward the Confederate General Beauregard. A few years later he was sent to school in Dresden, Germany, and he afterward went to Ber- lin, but before leaving presented to the Museum at Dresden a complete set of American coins. He was well versed in the ancient and modern languages.
Having in his early days enjoyed all the advantages of wealth, adversity found him unprepared, but not unwilling to meet the struggle for existence. For several years he was en- gaged in literary work, and was for some time editor of "Por- ter's Spirit of the Times." Subsequently he became a mem- ber of the New York stock exchange. His best work was his book, "The Last Day of Knickerbocker Life in New York." This was published in 1896 by G. P. Putnam's Sons, and is a vivid, truthful and charming portraiture of a period of the city's life-from 1837 to 1876-which will always have historical and literary valne. A monument worthy the man.
Mr. Dayton married, shortly after his return to the United States, Maria A., daughter of David Tomlinson, M. D., and Cor- nelia L. Adams, and their children were: Charles Willoughby, of whom later; William Adams, M. D .; Harold Child, in railway supply business; and Laura Canfield Spencer, wife of Benjamin . A. Fessenden. Mr. Dayton "was one of the last gentlemen of the old school," and died August 3, 1877.
(XIX) Charles Willoughby Dayton, son of Abram Child (18) and Maria A. (Tomlinson) Dayton, was born October 3, 1846, in the present borough of Brooklyn, New York city, and shortly thereafter his parents removed to the present borough of Manhattan, where he was educated in the public schools and in 1861 entered the College of the City of New York. Owing to the necessity of earning his living before completing his col-
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lege course. he entered a law office and Columbia Law School, graduating in 1868, and at once commenced the practice of his profession. He organized and was counsel for the Twelfth Ward Bank and the Empire City Savings Bank, and was direc- tor of the Seventh National Bank, the United States Life In- surance Company and the Fort Lee Ferry Company. He was a trustee of the Harlem Library, the Church of the Puritans, and one of the incorporators of the Post-Graduate Medical School.
Throughout his life, from early manhood, he has been ac- tive in politics, holding a high position in the councils of the Democratic party. In 1864 he supported the candidacy of Gen- eral George B. McClellan for the presidency, and has been a consistent party man since that time. In 1881 he was elected to the legislature, serving on the judiciary committee, and has been identified with measures for municipal reform. He has served as delegate to several state Democratic conventions, and in 1884 was presidential elector and a secretary of the college, which cast the vote of New York state for Cleveland and Hen- dricks. In 1888 he made a speech at Burlington, Iowa, which was printed and circulated by the National Democratic com- mittee in the campaign of that year. In 1892 he was president of the board for improvement of Park avenue, and in 1893 was delegate to the constitutional convention of the state of New York. On June 3, 1893, he was, without application or solicita- tion on his part, appointed by President Cleveland postmaster at New York city, the first Democrat to hold that office since John A. Mix, in 1860. The "Springfield ( Massachusetts) Re- publican," an opposition paper, said: "President Cleveland seems to have made a hit in his appointment of Charles W. Day- ton as postmaster." Indeed, the entire press of the city of New York and the country was unanimous in its approval of
Laura Augusta (Newman) Dayton
Chaleco Dayton
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Mr. Dayton's selection, and the senate confirmed it promptly and unanimously. In 1894 he visited London and Paris to study the postal system in those cities. He introduced many improve- ments at the New York office, and upon his resignation, in 1897, was honored with a banquet given by fifteen hundred letter carriers, also receiving from President Cleveland the following letter :
"Westland, Princeton, New Jersey. "May 24, 1897. "Hon. Charles W. Dayton. "My Dear Sir :-
"In reply to your letter written upon your retirement from the Postmastership of the City of New York, and ex- pressing your appreciation of the honor conferred by your ap- pointment, I beg to assure you that the faithful and efficient service you have rendered the Government and your fellow citizens during your term of office, entitles you to an acknowl- edgment of my personal obligation for the credit thus reflected upon the appointing power.
"Hoping that prosperity and contentment await you in all your future undertakings, I am,
"Very truly yours, "GROVER CLEVELAND."
In the Postmaster's reception room there has been placed a bronze bust of Mr. Dayton. paid for by the postal employes in subscriptions not exceeding fifty cents each. Below the bust is the following inscription :
CHARLES WILLOUGHBY DAYTON, Postmaster At New York, N. Y. Appointed by President Cleveland June 3, 1893, Erected February 1897 By the Employes of the New York Post Office, who desire to per- petuate Mr. Dayton's record for Efficiency, Discipline, Justice Courtesy and Kindness.
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At the city convention of October 1, 1897, Mr. Dayton's name for mayor of Greater New York swept the delegation. The press of the day fully described the remarkable demon- stration. Mr. Dayton was not acceptable to the "machine," and the preference of the convention was stifled by the nomi- nation of Robert A. Van Wyck. This led to the nomination of Henry George for mayor by the "Jefferson Democracy." Mr. Dayton was urged by Mr. George and others to accept the nomination for comptroller as a protest against "boss rule," without endorsing the philosophical doctrines of Mr. George. Mr. Dayton consented, and with Mr. George made a whirlwind campaign in which he supported the Democratic state ticket. The effort proved too great for Mr. George, who was pros- trated and died one week before the election. Mr. Dayton insisted upon keeping up the fight, though it had become hope- less of success. Henry George, Jr., was substituted in his father's place. Probably in no similar circumstances did such a significant result follow. Mr. George, Jr., polled about twenty- five thousand votes, while Mr. Dayton polled about forty thou- sand.
In 1901 Mr. Dayton was nominated for justice of the su- preme court. The entire ticket was defeated by reason of attacks upon Robert A. Van Wyck and others upon it, although Mr. Dayton ran well ahead of his fellow candidates for that office, and the small difference of about three thousand votes would have elected him. In 1904 he was a delegate to the Na- tional Democratic convention at St. Louis.
In all these varied and responsible positions Mr. Dayton has commanded the respect and esteem, not only of his own party, but also of his political opponents and the public. Not- withstanding Mr. Dayton's political activity, he steadily main- tained his professional career, as the records and reports of
C. C. alexander
alexander 8
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the courts will show, and in 1906 was again a candidate and was elected justice of the supreme court, his vote leading that of seven other candidates who were elected with him on that judicial ticket.
He is a member of the American Society of International Law, the New York City and State Bar Association, and was one of the vice-presidents of the New York State Bar Asso- ciation. He belongs to the New England Society, the New York Historical Society, the Sons of the Revolution and the Masonic Order. He is connected with the National Democratie Chib, the Harlem Democratic (which he organized), Players', and is one of the governors of the Manhattan Club.
Mr. Dayton married, in 1874, Laura A., only daughter of the late John B. Newman, M. D., and Rebecca Sanford. They have three children: Charles Willonghby, John Newman and Laura Adams. Mr. Dayton resides at No. 13 Mount Morris Park West, having a farm at Jefferson Heights, West Somers, Westchester county, New York.
THE FAMILY OF ALEXANDER.
The Greek title of Alexander, the "Helper of Men," has long since become a family name, with many branches and very numerous representatives.
Among the families of that name in this country are the descendants of John Alexander, who was born in Scotland abont 1700, and settled in Pennsylvania with his three sons, Hugh, James and John. The various branches of this family are the most numerous of the name in America. The race in Scotland are very closely connected with the earls of Stirling. Among them may be mentioned William Alexander, who made an un- successful effort to establish his legal title to the earlship, but
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who distinguished himself in a far greater manner as one of the bravest generals in the war of the Revolution.
From Hugh Alexander, mentioned above, was descended Captain Charles Alexander, one of the earliest officers in the American navy. At the very beginning of the Revolution the marine committee in the city of Baltimore in the month of No- vember, 1775, equipped and sent from Baltimore two vessels- the sloop "Hornet" of ten guns and the schooner "Wasp" of eight guns-the latter boat commanded by Captain Charles Alexander. These two boats were ordered to join the fleet that was being assembled in the Delaware river under the command of Esic Hopkins. They were the first vessels that ever put out to sea as regular cruisers under the new government.
The united ficet of Hopkins, in February, 1776, reached Abaco in the Bahamas and from there a descent was made on New Providence; the "Wasp" was prominent in the attack and the place was taken with large stores of powder and war ma- terial. In this fleet was John Paul Jones as first lieutenant. The captured war material, including more than one hundred cannon, was used by Washington in his battles near Trenton. On the 9th of May the "Wasp," while cruising under com- mand of Captain Charles Alexander, captured the enemy's bark "Betsey," a very valuable vessel, and it was a hotly contested fight. On October 10, 1776, congress, by resolution, declared that the number of captains in the navy should be twenty-four, and Captain Charles Alexander was No. 10 and John Paul Jones No. 18 in that list. On July 4, 1776, the English had formally in commission one hundred and twelve vessels of war, mount- ing three thousand seven hundred and fourteen guns, and of this force seventy-eight men of war, mounting two thousand and seventy-eight guns, were stationed on the American coast. The Americans on the same date had twenty-five cruisers,
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