USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume III > Part 18
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
245
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
mounting four hundred and twenty-two guns, but only six of these vessels were built for war purposes. After Fort Mifflin fell into the hands of the British the "Wasp," Captain Alex- ander, had a well contested struggle in company with other boats, with the British frigate "Roebuck," of forty-four guns, and the "Liverpool," of twenty guns; this was about May 1st. This encounter resulted in driving the enemy from the river. During this affair the ". Wasp," Captain Alexander, was active and conspicuous in cutting out a tender of the English ships from under their guns.
Captain Charles Alexander, whose exploits have been nar- raied, was the father of William JJoseph Alexander, who was a merchant in New York. his place of business being where the "World Building" now stands on Park Row. He had a son, William Alexander. born in 1802. He married Lucinda, daugh- ter of Joseph Sarles, of an old New York family, and they were the parents of Charles C. and William J. Alexander, who are the present representatives of the family. Their father, after a useful life, died in 1862. He had several brothers and sisters, but they separated and went to distant portions of the country and cannot now be traced.
The two sons, Charles C. and William J. Alexander, were horn at their father's residence, No. 551 Broome street, New York. At a later date he removed to No. 16 Watts street, where he made his home during the remainder of his life. The boys first attended a "dames school," kept by a French lady named C'hadeauine, in Varick street, and here they learned "the seeds of learning, A, B, C." They next attended a private school kept by a man named Lawson, who was a Scotchman, "a short, bald- headed, lame man." His school was in the basement of the Scotch Presbyterian church on the corner of Grand and Mercer streets. Among the pupils was a boy named Clarke, afterwards Vol. III-16
246
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
a famous actor, as was his father before him. Others, John and David Duncan, who in later years were the proprietors of a fine grocery at Fourteenth street and Union Square. Also three sons of Joshua Brown, the largest dealer in wall paper of his time. His house in Canal street, near Broadway, cost him $12,000, and was afterwards sold for $50,000 to the American Express Company. With these were the sons of William Hicks, a jeweler in Maiden Lane, who made silver pencils. After leav- ing school the two sons of William Alexander learned the trade of iron manufacturing with their father, and were instructed in all the details of the business, at No. 98 Grand street. At that time almost everything was done by hand, and they made all the various kinds of iron work that was then used in buildings. The business was extensive and gave employment to a large number of men. The establishment to which they succeeded was originally carried on by Mr. Paulus Hedl, a monument of whose skill may be seen in the iron stairs and railing in the City Hall. The material made by the Alexanders entered a great many buildings in the lower part of the city. At that time there was but few other establishments of the kind. When Mr. William Alexander learned his trade there were with him as fellow apprentices J. B. and W. W. Cornell, George R. Jackson and Michael Gross, all of whom have made large fortunes from establishments of their own. The two sons still continue the business, are extensively known, and hold an honorable position among the iron manufacturing interests of the city. But the day of hand labor has passed away, and steel frames, beams and girders are made by processes then utterly unknown.
William Joseph Alexander, eldest son of William and Lucinda (Sarles) Alexander. was born at the family home, No. 551 Broome street, New York, July 5, 1841. His education was acquired in the schools of his native city, and later he entered
247
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
the employ of his father as an apprentice, and in due course of time became proficient in the iron working business. Upon the death of his father he entered into partnership with his brother, Charles C. Alexander, and together they have successfully con- tinued this business for forty-four years. The business is one of the oldest in the city of New York, it having been established by his father, William Alexander, in 1836. William J. Alexander is a highly respected citizen, and the firm, of which he is the senior member, is well and favorably known for their strict integrity in all business matters. He has served as a school commissioner, discharging his duties creditably and efficiently He is a member of Bethel Lodge, No. 733, Free and Accepted Masons, and Zerubable Chapter, No. 157, Royal Arch Masons.
Mr. Alexander was married in New York, July 24, 1881, to Hattie A. Connor, and to them have been born four children : William C., Grace Vera, Milton Joseph and Larine B. In re- ligious views the family affiliates with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, Mr. Alex- ander being one of its trustees.
Charles Curtis Alexander, second son of William and Lucinda (Sarles) Alexander, was born at the family home, No. 551 Broome street, New York, December 25, 1842. After com- pleting his education in the schools of New York he engaged in the iron working business with his father, becoming thoroughly proficient therein, and continued in his father's employ up to the time of his death, when, in connection with his brother Will- iam J., they assumed control of the business and are still conduct- ing it successfully. Mr. Alexander is a popular and progressive citizen, aiding to the best of his ability all measures which tend to better humanity. He has been connected with the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen for eighteen years, and is chairman of the purchasing committee for that library.
245
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Mr. Alexander was married at No. 215 Thompson street, New York, September 8. 1870, to Mary Louise Bloodgood, daugh- ter of Freeman and Matilda W. (Raynor) Bloodgood, and their children are as follows: Florence M., Marion B., died in child- hood; Helen G., Lonise B., Alice, deceased; and Dorothy, deceased.
It remains to add a brief notice of the maternal ancestry of the Messrs. Alexander. Mr. Kearney, the great-grandfather, was a member of an ancient family living in Bedford, West- chester county. He was an officer in the American army under Washington during the Revolutionary war. While George Washington was president of the United States, on October 15, 1789, he left New York city, accompanied by his two secretaries and six servants, and visited the New England states, journey- ing on horseback and in coach, both he and his companions having very beautiful horses. During the progress of this journey he stayed over night at the home of Mrs. Haviland, who kept an inn at Rye, and after the evening meal he took Eleanor Kearney, grandmother of the Alexander brothers, then only four years of age, on his knee and talked to her, saying, among other things, that she would be able to tell her children that she sat on the knee of General George Washington. The following morning, as he was preparing to continue his journey, his silver garter buckle came off and was sewn on by the mother of Eleanor Kearney. After the war Mr. Kearney engaged in farming in Rye, and the products of his farm were taken by him to New York, the market most frequented being the Old Bull's Head, situated at what is now Third avenue and Twenty-sixth street. The road was a very dangerous one, as during the entire Revolu- tionary war it was the debatable land separating the English army in the city and the Patriot army which was in Westchester
249
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
county. The main road crossed the Harlem river where the present Farmers' Bridge is, and the bridge was called by that name long before the Revolutionary war. There was a dense wood on the top of quite a hill on the Westchester side of the bridge approach, and it was near this spot that Mr. Kearney was last seen alive. He had sold his farm products in the city and was returning alone through the wooded place, when he was spoken to by a neighbor who was going in the opposite direction. Never was anything further learned about him. A neighboring farmer on his return journey through the same piece of woods was fired upon by some one in ambush and the bullet went through the man's hat, but by whipping up his horses into a gallop, he succeeded in escaping.
Mrs. Kearney was a very pious woman and constantly prayed the Lord to reveal to her what had become of her hus- band. Quite a long time afterward she had a dream that seemed to her to be more than a dream, and in this dream she saw her husband lying dead in the bottom of a farm wagon, with a great gash across his throat. This dream was considered by Mrs. Kearney as a direct answer to her prayer.
Eleanor Kearney, danghter of Mr. Kearney, was born in Cherry street. old Bedford village, Angust 23, 1785. In her seventeenth year (1802) she married Joseph Sarles (or Searles, as the name is sometimes spelled, and is presumably the correct form). They were the parents of Lucinda and Chlorinda Sarles (twins), born in 1813. They were born in the old house just north of what is now Katonah, and in the graveyard attached to the old Quaker meeting house, but a short distance away, Mr. Sarles was buried. All that land is now under the surface of the Croton Reservoir caused by the building of the Cornell dams.
Lucinda Sarles came to New York and lived in Canal street,
250
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
nearly opposite Wooster street, and the house is standing there at the present time, and here on the 2nd of August, 1840, she was married to William Alexander.
THE FAMILY OF PHILLIPS, AND THE HEBREW COLONY.
The earliest arrivals of any of the Hebrew race in New Amsterdam were Jacob Aboof and Jacob Barsimson, who came in the ship "Pear Tree," July 8, 1654. They were soon followed by a larger party from Brazil, their object being to escape the persecutions of the Inquisition, which some Catholic writers of the present day attempt to delude themselves and the world with the belief that it was a mild and beneficent institution.
Among the prominent in the new arrivals were the descend- ants of Dr. Samuel Nunez, a court physician, and eminent in his profession in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. He was im- prisoned by the Inquisition, but was released when his medical skill was required, but upon condition that two of the spies of the Inquisition should live in his house. Under these galling circumstances he resolved to escape to a land of greater freedom. Being a man of wealth, he had an elegant mansion on the shore of the Tagus, and made an agreement with the captain of a British brigantine, who was invited with a party to dine at the house. The whole family, including the spies and invited guests, went on board the vessel, and while they were being regaled in the cabin the captain spread sail and escaped to open sea and thence to England. The members of the family had concealed on their persons all their gold and valuables, but the property left behind was confiscated. Among them was David Mendez Machado, a relative, whose elder brother had been burned by the Inquisition as a relapsed heretic. From England they came to America, and went to Georgia in 1733. David Mendez Machado
Synagogue, Nineteenth Street, New York.
253
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
married Zipporah, daughter of Dr. Samuel Nunez, and came to New York, where he acted as "reader" in the synagogue, and was also licensed to slaughter cattle after the Jewish method. Among the more prominent at that time were David Gomez, born August 14, 1697, and died July 16, 1769, and Benjamin Pereira Mendez, who as "reader" was the successor of Machado.
David Mendez Machado and his wife Zipporah were the parents of two children : Sarah, who married Raphael J. Moses, of Charleston; and Rebecca, born in Stone street, New York, November 17, 1746. She was married in Philadelphia, Novem- ber 16. 1762, to Jonas Phillips, and the event was duly entered upon the records of Shearith Israel in New York city.
Jonas Phillips was born in Germany, 1736, his native place being Busiek, or, according to some accounts, Frankfort-on-the- Main. He was son of Aaron Phillips, and came to America, No- vember, 1756. He settled first at Charleston, but came to New York, bringing a good recommendation from the former place. He was a freeman, and in business was a retailer and auctioneer, or "vendue master," as it was then termed. During the Revolu- tion he with most of the congregation joined the patriot cause. The result was that they found themselves compelled to place the scrolls of the law and the valuable portable property of the synagogue in a locked chest in the care of the rabbi, Rev. Ger- shom Mendez Seixas, and carried to Philadelphia. Jonas Phil- lips, who removed to that city, was licensed to trade there in 1778. He enlisted in Captain John Linton's company of militia, Colonel William Bradford's battalion, and was mustered into the service of the United States. After the war he returned to New York and engaged in business, but in 1789 went again to Philadelphia, and died there Shabat 6, 5663 (January 29, 1803). His remains were brought to New York and laid to rest in the Jewish cemetery on Oliver street. His widow survived for many
254
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
years, and died in Philadelphia in 1831. They are the parents of twenty-one children, some of whom died young. Of the rest were Sarah, who married Michael Levy, father of Commodore Urich P. Levy, United States navy; Benjamin I., whose son, James B. Phillips, was assistant district attorney of New York; Manuel, a prominent physician and assistant surgeon United States navy, 1809 to 1824; Joseph, a soldier in the War of 1812; Aaron J., famed as an actor; Zipporah, who married Manuel Noah, and was the mother of Mordecai M. Noah, famous as an author, politician and editor; and Naphtali.
Naphtali Phillips was the father of Isaac Phillips, who was at one time appraiser of the port of New York. He was born at his father's residence, corner of Rivington street and Bowery, June 16, 1812, and died August 4, 1889. In 1856 he married Miriam Trimble, a native of St. Johns, New Brunswick, Can- ada. She was born April 25, 1830, and died January 9, 1882. Her parents were Matthew and Jane (Crowe) Trimble. Isaac Phillips was also commissioner of education, grand master of the Masonic Order, editor of the Union and other papers in New York, one of the incorporators of Mount Sinai Hospital, and a well known member of the New York bar from 1870 to 1889.
Naplıtali Phillips, the father, was born in 1773, and in 1797 he married, at Newport, Rhode Island, Rachel, daughter of Jochebed Levy and Moses Mendez Seixas.
A mention of a Jewish synagogue in New York is contained in a deed dated October 30, 1700, by which Jacob Melyn sells to Katharine Kerfbyl a house and lot bounded "south by Mill street, and east by the house and lot of John Harperdingh, now commonly called the Jews' Synagogue." How long it had been used for this purpose we do not know, but it was long enough
255
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
to be well known as a synagogue, and is mentioned in Dutch church records, 1682.
On December 14, 1728, Cornelius Clopper sold to three or four prominent Jews a lot on the north side of the same street (now No. 24-26 South William street), and upon this a syna- gogue was erected. In 1758 they purchased from Cornelius Clopper, Jr., a lot next east, and this with a small subsequent purchase extended their lot to what is now known as the "Goelet Lot" (No. 18). Upon this place they worshipped the God of their father for a hundred years. In the rear of the synagogue was in later years a school house. The increasing numbers rendered a change necessary, and in 1833 the lot and buildings were sold for $40,000, and in the great fire of 1835 the Jewish synagogue disappeared. The congregation, which had always borne the name of Shearith Israel, or the Remnant of Israel, then erected a new synagogue at No. 58 Crosby street. On Feb- ruary 11, 1859, they purchased a lot on the north side of Nine- teenth street, one hundred feet west of Fifth avenue, and upon it they erected the finest synagogue in the United States. The corner stone was laid on the 9th of Tamooz, 5619 (July 11, 1859), and the building was consecrated with imposing ceremonies on the 25th of Elool, 5620 (September 12, 1860). On May 26, 1898, the whole was sold for $135.000, and the congregation, after an existence of more than two hundred years, now worship in a still more elegant edifice on Central Park West.
Foremost among the officers of this synagogue is the name of N. Taylor Phillips (son of Isaac and Miriam Trimble Phil- lips), who was born at No. 324 West Twenty-second street, New York, December 5, 1868. He attended Columbia Grammar School, and entering Columbia University, graduated in 1886 with the degree of LL. B. At the age of twenty-one he was ad- mitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of New York, and three
256
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
years later was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States. He was at first connected with the law firm of Stanley, Clarke & Smith, and afterwards by himself until January 1, 1902, when he became deputy comptroller of New York city. In 1897 he was elected member of the legislature, and re-elected in 1898-1899 by the largest majorities ever received
Hon. N. Taylor Phillips.
by a candidate from the Ninth (New York city) district. While a member he served on committees on the judiciary, banks, public health, canals, labor and industries. In 1900 he was appointed member of the joint statutory revision commission of legislature to revise the statutes of the state. and which made report in 1901. On January 1, 1902, he was appointed first deputy comp-
257
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
troller of Greater New York by Comptroller Edward M. Grout, and reappointed in 1904. He was continued in office by Herman A. Metz, when he assumed the office of comptroller in 1906, and still retains the position. As acting comptroller he is a member of the board of revision of assessments, and since January, 1904, has presided as chairman of that board. Under his direction the law division of the department of finance was organized, and of that department he is still the leading head.
From 1889 to 1901 Mr. Phillips was a member of the Gen- eral Committee of Tammany Hall, but resigned to assist in the organization of the Greater New York Democracy, of which he was one of the founders, and delivered an address at a mass meeting in Carnegie Hall, April, 1901, when it was organized. This organization was one of the principal elements in the "Fusion movement" which elected Seth Low to the mayorality on the Reform ticket.
The military services of his ancestors have been mentioned, and it remains to add that Reuben Phillips (grandson of Jonas) served in the Civil war, and several grandsons were in the Spanish-American war.
Since 1889 Mr. Phillips has been clerk to the Synagogue of Shearith Israel. In this position he succeeded his father, Isaac Phillips, who in turn was the successor of his father, Naphtali Phillips, who served as trustee, clerk and president from 1803 to 1870. This position of clerk has now been held by the family for nearly a century.
Mr. Phillips is treasurer of the American Jewish Historical Society, also of the societies: Hebra Hased Va Amet of Congre- gation Shearith Israel, Columbia Industrial and Religious School for Jewish Girls. He is also director of the Federation of Amer- ican Zionists, and is a member of all the Jewish charitable and educational institutions of New York, and of many nonsectarian
258
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
institutions. He is chairman of the Tammany Hall General Committee of the Fifteenth Assembly District, New York city. He is also a member of the Bar Association, Democratic Club, chairman Board of Governors, Amsterdam Democratic Club, New York Historical Society, treasurer of American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, of which Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan is honorary president; trustee of Hudson Fulton Commission, and member of executive committee. He is also member of Sons of the American Revolution, Kings County Democratic Club, Royal Arcanum, Loyal Association, Albion Lodge of Free Masons, University Settlement, honorary member of Hebrew Veterans War with Spain, Washington Continental Guard, Masonic Historical Society, and Brooklyn Yacht Club.
Mr. Phillips married, at Washington, D. C., March 9, 1892, Rosalie Solomons, daughter of Adolphus S. Solomon and Rachel Mendez Seixas Phillips, his wife, of the same ancestry as his own.
BLOODGOOD FAMILY.
The ancestor of this ancient family was Captain Frans Janson Bloetgoet, who was born in Holland in 1635, and died at Flushing, Long Island, November 29, 1676; his will was pro- bated December 27, same year. He came to New Amsterdam in 1658, and settled at Flushing in January the following year. From the very beginning he held a prominent position. He was secretary of the Colonies on the Delaware, Schepen of Flushing in 1673, and military officer in 1674. He died of wounds re- ceived in a skirmish with the Indians. He married Lysbeth Jans, of Gouda, Holland. Their children were: Geerthe, wife of John Marstern; Ariantie, wife of Hendrick Hageman; Isa- bella, wife of Ide Van Schaack; Judith, wife of Johanes Wyn- koop; William, born 1667, married Mary Brinkerhoff; Neeltie, wife of Samuel Waldron; John, born 1672, married Mary Van
ஜெனிக்
Припини Ной
259
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
Valkersburgh; Lysbeth, who died unmarried. From these are descended all the families of Bloodgood so far as can be traced.
The family of John Bloodgood, the second son of Captain Frans Jansen, removed to the region of the Upper Hudson, and representatives of them are to be found in Catskill, Greene county, New York, and in many other places.
William Bloodgood, eldest son of Captain Frans J. Bloet- goet, born 1667, left Flushing, Long Island, and went to Perth Amboy, Middlesex county, New Jersey. He was a tanner by trade, and he must have been the owner of considerable real estate, as there is a record of four pieces of property he pur- chased. In March, 1726, he married for his second wife Mary Gach, of Woodbridge, and their children were: Elizabeth, born February 12, 1728; Mary, born January 17, 1730; Moses, born July 24, 1734; Gage, born September 4, 1736; Aaron, born Jan- uary 24, 1738, mentioned hereinafter; Joshua, born July 20, 1743, died April 10, 1811.
Aaron Bloodgood, second son of William Bloodgood, born January 24, 1738, followed the sea for a number of years, and finally settled at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he followed farming. He married, March 31, 1763, Abigail Carman, born June 14, 1741, and their children were: Margaret, born No- vember 2, 1764, married Jonathan Freeman, and died December 11, 1806. Mary, born June 6, 1766. Samuel, born February 20, 1768, died April 16, 1854; William, born March 12, 1770, men- tioned hereinafter; Joshua, born July 26, 1773; Aaron, born September 15, 1776. Aaron Bloodgood, father of these chil- dren, died February 26, 1813.
William Bloodgood, second son of Aaron Bloodgood, born March 12, 1770, died Angust 7, 1842. He settled on his father's farm at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, whereon he was born, and throughout his active years devoted his time and attention to
260
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY
the cultivation and improvement of the same. He was a manly man, aetnated in all he did by the highest principles and a broad humanitarian spirit, and his memory is hallowed by the love and regard which he engendered in the hearts of all who knew him. He married Doziah Freeman. of Metuchen, New Jersey, born December 2, 1779, died February 5, 1880, who bore him the following children : Margaret, born June 21, 1800, married Elias Tirrell, no issue, died February 11, 1883. Matthias, born March 12, 1802, married Maria Ackerman, has three living children, died January 5, 1890. Aaron, born April 7, 1804. married Janane Harnard, and they have three living children; he died October 15, 1877. Martha, born December 11, 1805, died unmarried January 15, 1894. Catharine, born July 26, 1809, married Obadiah Avers, no issne, died December 20, 1902. Elizabeth, born April 10, 1812, died unmarried April 3, 1893. William, born March 17, 1815, married Susan Kinbridge, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, and they have one living daughter; he died October 1, 1873. Rebecca, born December 11, 1817, became the wife of Nathan Tyrell; she died March 26, 1843. Freeman, born June 4, 1820, mentioned hereinafter.
The old homestead of this honored family, and on which William Bloodgood lived and died, consisted of one hundred and five acres of land which had been purchased by their ances- tor. The ancient house, which was the home of all these gener- ations, still stands, although in a dilapidated condition, and not likely to remain long as an human habitation. This house, an interesting relic of the past, stands on an old road that runs west from the Woodbridge road, and is about three-quarters of a mile from the junction. After the death of William Blood- good this farm was divided into nine parts, the widow having the house with land adjoining. About a quarter of a mile east
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.