USA > New York > Staten Island > History of Richmond County (Staten Island), New York : from its discovery to the present time > Part 53
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Paul, son of Joshua and Maria Corsen, married Elizabeth Barnes, born April 21, 1751, died May 26, 1833. Their children were: Joshua, boru February 7, 1773, died March 7, 1847; Nancy, born April 4, 1775, died November 30, 1851; Mary, born February 2, 1777, died June 6, 1858; Elizabeth, born June 20, 1779, died May 8, 1855; Rachel, born June 30, 1781, died February 23, 1863; Paul, born March 14, 1784, died July 21, 1856; Margaret, born March 27, 1787; Gertrude, born November 30, 1789.
Joshua, son of Paul and Elizabeth, married Deborah Britton, January 7, 1801. She was born Angust 4, 1782, and died March 26, 1840. Their children were : Nathaniel, born October 18, 1802, died in infancy; Paul, born September 20, 1804; Mary, born January 29, 1807; - twins, born January 19, 1810; Cornelius, born May 12, 1811; Joshua, born January 28, 1814; Elsey, born August 30, 1817, deceased; Elizabeth, born May 5, 1820, deceased; Debora, born April 7, 1823; John, born May 28, 1826, died in infancy, and Margaret.
Thus far we have traced but one branch of the family; what notices we have found in the public records, of other branches, we give indiscriminately.
There was a John mentioned in the county records in 1730;
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he was probably the same with Jean, whose wife's name was Craage; they had a son Joshua baptized February, 1731, and subsequently a son Daniel. This Daniel married Cornelia Van- derbilt, and had a son John, baptized March 4. 1859. Etienne (Stephen) and Ann Mitchell had a son Daniel baptized, no date; a daughter January 1, 1735, and a son named Richard, May, 1740. There was a Joshua who had a son Harmanns baptized June 8, 1788. There was a Paul here as early as 1728, sponsor at a baptism. Peter and Rebecca his wife had the following children: Sarah, born March 23, 1769; Daniel, born August 27, 1771, died July 16, 1855, and John, baptized November, 1775. Peter died June 16, 1803, born 1734. There was a John born December, 1737, died July 30, 1811. John and Charity had a son John born April 13, 1757; son Lawrence March 28, 1761. Paul and Frances had a son John born May 2, 1759. Stephen and Lydia had the following children: Sarah, born September 8, 1766; Daniel, born December 6, 1768, and Stephen, born February 14, 1774. Joshua and Mary had: Stephen, born May 5, 1770; and Joshua, baptized September 6, 1772. Daniel and Susan had a danghter Ann baptized Jnly 6, 1789. Daniel and Ann had a daughter Cornelia baptized June 26, 1791. Henry and Eliza La- forge were married September 6, 1790. Jacob and Mary Croch- eron were married September 5, 1798. Daniel and Alida Lake were married October 6, 1798. Daniel and Eliza Winant were married February 8, 1800. Stephen and Lanah (Helen) Winant were married November 21, 1802. John and Ann Parlee were married December 31, 1803. Joshua and Susannah Story were married December 10, 1805. Peter Mersereau made his will May 6, 1800 (proved July 25, 1803) in which he alludes to his wife without naming her, and mentions his children Elizabeth, Rebecca, Catharine, Ann, Sarah, Daniel and William.
Among the prominent citizens of Staten Island of the past, 'may be mentioned the late David Mersereau, Esq. He was born about the year 1769, and died in April, 1835, aged sixty-six years. His remains lie in the burial ground of the Reformed church at Port Richmond Early in life he married Cornelia, the daughter of Abraham Rolf, who owned property in New Brighton, through the middle of which the public road called Burger avenue now runs. Shortly after his marriage he re- moved to Currituck, Virginia, where he opened a store, which, under the management of his wife. proved a success, Mr. Mer-
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sereau himself being occupied with other pursuits. He re- mained at the South several years. On his return north, he and his family embarked on a small schooner, encountered a violent storm, which capsized the vessel, and all except Mr. Mersereau were drowned. For forty-eight hours he clung to his precarious support on the keel of the capsized vessel, until a passing Philadelphia vessel rescued him.
In November, 1779, he purchased of his father-in-law Rolf the property above mentioned, containing one hundred and forty acres. The farm house, built by the father of Mr. Rolf, stood near the site of the present mansion house of Mrs. Be- ment, and after the fashion of the day was constructed of stone, long and low.
On this farm Mr. Mersereau built a tannery, which he placed under the superintendency of Stephen Wood. The tanner's house stood on, or very near the site of the residence of A. W. Sexton, and the remains of the vats were visible until recently. Mr. Merserean's second wife was Maria Bennett of Long Island, a sister of the wife of the late Rev. P. I. Van Pelt, D. D. By her he had but one child, a daughter, who married Henry F. Heberton, Esq., of Philadelphia, and they were the parents of Mrs. C. J. Good and her sister, Mrs. Curry, of Port Richi- mond.
Besides the farm already mentioned, Mr. Mersereau was the owner of several large and valuable parcels of real estate. At one time he owned all those lots lying between .the Mill road and the pond, and extending from the Shore road to the Post farın. He also owned the mill afterward known as Bodine's mill, and the property adjacent; he built another mill at the termination of the Old Place road; the two brick houses on the Shore road, Port Richmond, were built by In'd Ryers for his two daughters and subsequently bought by Mr. Mersereau, who lived and died in one and sold the other to Dr. Van Pelt. They are now owned by Owen and Edward McSorley, who occupy them. In connection with this house he owned thirty acres of land which his executors sold to Peter N. and Eder V. Haughwout, and which now constitutes an important and bean - tifnl portion of the village of Port Richmond. The large building usually known as the Port Richmond or Continental hotel, at one time belonged to him; it is still in the family, being now owned by Mrs. C. J. Good. From the wharf in front of this hotel,
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John Ryers ran a ferry boat to New York, fare 25 cents. John Hilleker, who built the house next east of the brick house oc- cupied by Mr. Mersereau, built a wharf nearly opposite his residence, the remains of which are still to be seen, from which he ran an opposition ferry, fare eighteen cents. Mr. Mer- sereau bought both of these ferries, and ran his boats from the old wharf. At the time Ryers ran his ferry, the place was known as " Ryers' Ferry;" after the change of owners it was called "Merserean's Ferry," by which name it was known until that of Port Richmond supplanted it.
Mr. Mersereau was member of assembly from this county in 1807, 1808 and 1809, supervisor of Northfield in 1815, and for many years one of the judges of the court of common pleas.
METCALFE .- Though not among the oldest, this family is among the most prominent ones of the county. Simon, the progenitor of the family on Staten Island, came from England in 1765, and settled in New York city, and was subsequently appointed deputy surveyor of the colony. He left his son George in England to be educated, until he was 17 years of age, when he joined his father in this country. After studying law, George resided at Albany for a time, then went to Johnstown, Fulton county, N. Y. He married the daughter of Commodore Silas Talbot. In 1796 Gov. John Jay appointed him assistant attorney-general, which office he held until 1811. He then re- moved to New York, where he practiced law until 1816, when he removed to Staten Island, and in 1818, when the office of district attorney was made a county office, he was appointed to perform its dnties. He died in 1826. His children were Maria, who married William S. Root, of Tompkinsville; Silas Talbot; Simon; Catharine, who was the first wife of Jolin B. Simonson; Henry Bleecker; Georgiana, who married Daniel Fenn, of Mas- sachusetts, and Louisa, twins, and George.
Henry Bleecker was born January 20, 1805, studied law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1826. The same year he was appointed district attorney for Richmond county, which office he held until 1833. In 1840 he was appointed a county judge, and the same year United States boarding officer at quar- antine, in the revenue department, which place he occupied un- til 1843. In 1847 he was elected county judge and surrogate, the two offices having been united, and re-elected from time to
APTOTYPY, E VIERSTADT, & Y.
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time until near the close of 1875, at the end of which year he would have been legally disqualified by age, but he resigned to take his seat as member of congress, to which he had been elected as representative of the First congressional district. He died at his home on Staten Island, February 7, 1881.
NICHOLAS C. MILLER .- Prominent among the aggressive cit- izens of the village of Port Richmond is Nicholas C. Miller, who was born in New York city November 9, 1838. His ancestors were among the original Dutch settlers of Manhattan island and the places in its vicinity. After receiving a good education Mr. Miller began business in the dry goods trade, entering first the employ of Burr, Griffith & White, at 61 Cedar street, and after- ward that of Spaulding, Vail & Fuller and their successors. In January, 1864, he began his career as an insurance man by ac- cepting the cashiership of the International Insurance Company. During the same year he assisted in the organization of the Star Fire Insurance Company, becoming its secretary, and after- ward, from 1868, till the present time, its president.
Rapidly familiarizing himself with the technical management of fire underwriting, Mr. Miller acquired ere long a broad and practical knowledge of its principles. He was made secretary of the committee on rates and surveys of the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, and in that capacity rendered important services previous to and during the trying times of the great Chicago and Boston fires. For two years he was the efficient president of the board. On retiring from that position in 1886, Mr. Miller was tendered by his associates in the board of underwriters a highly complimentary testimonial to his value as an officer and the esteem with which he was regarded as a man.
In June, 1885, Mr. Miller was elected a trustee of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York city, and has since that time constantly taken an active part in promoting its interests. He is also connected as a director with several corporate enter- prises in New York, Staten Island and Chicago, among them the North River Bank of New York city and the First National Bank of Staten Island. He is business-like by habit and cour- teous in manner, familiar with the progress of the country both east and west, and cultured by travel abroad. He possesses an experience in affairs and a knowledge of men most valuable to an enterprising American.
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HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Since 1865 Mr. Miller has been a resident of Richmond county, in the affairs of which he has been deeply interested. He is a member of the Reformed church of Port Richmond and is well known in the social life of Staten Island. He married Miss Emma Cropsey, daughter of Jacob R. Cropsey, and they have four children, three of whom reside with their parents.
MORGAN .- This family was on Staten Island at an early date, but the notices of them in the records are very few. Thomas Morgan was a member of the colonial assembly from this county in 1692. This is the first occurrence of the name in the county records. His name occurs again in the Dutch church records as having a son Abraham, baptized May 5, 1696, and a daugh- ter Martha, September 7, 1698.
Thomas (probably a son of the former) and Magdalena Staats, his wife, had the following children : Elisabet, baptized Febru- ary 7, 1725; Magdalena, baptized February 12, 1727; Pieter, baptized March 9, 1729; Thomas, baptized October 10, 1731; and Sarah, baptized September 16, 1739.
The name does not again appear until December 16, 1754, when William Morgan and Elizabeth Winter were married. It is probable that William was the son of Pieter mentioned above, though not certain. William had a son John, who lived and died in the vicinity of New Springville. Among his children was a son Charles, who married a Vroom, and they were the parents of Mr. Henry C., of Travisville, and his brother, the late John Vroom, of Mariners' Harbor.
CHAPTER XII.
OLD FAMILIES AND PROMINENT INDIVIDUALS (Concluded).
Perine. - Poillon. - Post .- Prall .- Aquila Rich. - Alfred Z. Ross. - Ryerss .- Seguine .- John G. Seguine .- Henry S. Seguiue .- Sharrott .- Francis G. Shaw .- Simonson .- Stilwell .- Sprague .- Taylor .- Totten .- Epraim J. Tot- ten .- Tyson .- Van Buskirk, Van Duzer .- John H. Van Clief .- The Vander- bilts .- The Van Name Family .- Van Pelt .- Wandel .- Albert Ward .- Stephen Whitman .- Winant .- Garrett Ellis Winants .- Woglom .- Wood .- Abraham C. Wood .- Jacob B. Wood .- Abraham J. Wood .- Other Families. -Eminent Men and Women of Staten Island.
PERINE .- The original orthography of the name was Perrin. Count Perrin was a Huguenot refugee from Nouere; the Ameri - can family are not descended from him, but the original emi- grant was akin to him. The first occurrence of the name in this county was in 1687, when Daniel Perine sold land, and he was probably the progenitor of the Perines of the present day. Like many other old families in the county they have a family record, but very imperfect, except, perhaps, for the last two or three generations. The branch which we are able to trace, lived for a century and a half, or more, in the same house, which is still standing, and occupied by them, on the Richmond road, a short distance north of Garrison's station, on the Staten Island railroad. It is probably the oldest dwelling house in the county occupied by the family who built it.
Cornelius S. and Joseph E. are the sons of Simon S., who was the son of Joseph, born June 4, 1759, died April 16th, 1814. Joseph's brothers were Edward, born July 6, 1766, and Henry, born November 29, 1768, and married Mary Winant, June 21, 1795 ; they were the parents of Mrs. Elizabeth, relict of the late Richard Tysen, Esq. Joseph's parents were Edward and Ann ; Edward died during the revolution. We are unable to trace the pedigree of any branch of the family beyond Ed- ward, with any degree of certainty. Probably Edward was the son, possibly the grandson of Daniel, whom we suppose to be the original.
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In addition to the above, the following are found on the county and church records, on tombstones, etc. Henry and Susannah his wife had a son Edward, born February 19, 1758 ; a son Peter, born May 22, 1764. Henry made his will April 10, 1788, which was proved June 7, 1788, in which he mentions his wife Susannah and his children, David and Cornelius, then minors, and his other children, Edward, Margaret and Susan- nah, Abraham, Henry, Nancy and Mary. This younger Henry was a weaver, and made his will October 29, 1792, which was proved April 2, 1793, in which he speaks of his brothers, David, Cornelius and Edward, but alludes to no wife nor children. Henry and Ann his wife had a son Abraham, born February 1, . 1766. Henry and Hannah his wife had a son Henry born June 5, 1767. James and Nannie had a daughter Sophia, born July 17, 1767. William and Miranda his wife had a son Peter, bap- tized Jnne 27, 1790. Edward and Patience Mersereau were mar- ried June 7, 1790, and liad a daughter Mary, born October 9, 1790. Abraham and Sarah Rezeau were married August 24, 1790, and had a son Peter Rezeau, born September 20, 1791. Peter and Mary Bedell were married December 31, 1788. Ed- ward and Adriar Guyon were married January 20, 1791. Henry and Magdelena Simonson were married June 19, 1800 .. Corne- lius and Mary McLean were married March 31, 1804. Edward, born in 1745, died November 22, 1818. James G., born August 29, 1796, died September 17, 1833. There was a Peter, living in 1766, and a Henry in 1767, who were interested in the purchase or sale of land.
POILLON .- The first mention of the name found was in connec- tion with Staten Island when Jaques Poullion was appointed a justice for Richmond county, December 14, 1689, by Leisler. The family were very numerous. Jaques is frequently men- tioned as buying or selling land prior to 1703. After him we have no notice of any member of the family for half a century; then Jolin and Margaret, his wife, had sons: John, born June 6, 1753; Peter, born January 27, 1763, and James, baptized No- vember 3, 1772. James and Frances, his wife, had a son John, baptized November 14, 1762. Peter and Margaret, his wife, had a son John, born October 28, 1770, and a son Peter, born March 6, 1772. This Peter was a communicant in St. Andrew's church, 1792, after his father's death. Abraham and Susan Cole mar- ried June 17, 1790; he died young. John and Elizabeth Seguine
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married July 5, 1792. Abraham made his will July 20, 1791, proved August 8, 1791, in which he mentions his wife Susan, and his son Peter, a minor. John, named above, made his will March 16, 1802, proved February 18, 1803; mentions his wife Margaret, his daughters Mary, Margaret, Ann, Sarah and Catharine, and his sons Peter, John and James, deceased. There were three or four Johns, but they had all disappeared many years ago.
POST .- Adrian Post, who was, without doubt, the progenitor of the family on Staten Island, was commander of a ship which brought emigrants to the colony before 1650. He was subse- quently the superintendent of Baron Van de Cappelan's planta- tion on the island. The Indian massacre of 1655 drove him temporarily from the island, but he soon returned, and resumed his residence there. His family consisted of his wife, five chil- dren and two servants. John, who was probably a grandson of Adrian, married Anna Housman, and they had the following sons baptized: Abraham, April 19, 1743, and Adrian, April 26, 1748. Garret and Sarah Ellis had the following sons baptized: Garret, August 7, 1754, and Abraham, March 12, 1758. Abra- ham had a daughter Miriam, born July 31, 1790. There was another Garret, born in 1720 and died March 31, 1797.
PRALL .- The later representatives of the family are Hon. Benjamin P. Prall, of Huguenot, Westfield, and his brother Captain Arthur Prall, of New Springville, Northfield. Their father was Peter Prall, born 1763 and died November 1, 1822; his father was Benjamin Prall, born 1733 and died 1796; his father was Abraham Prall, born 1706 and died September 28, 1775; his father was Peter Prall, whose name we find recorded as a witness or sponsor at a baptism in 1708; he had an older son than Abraham, viz .: Arent, born 1698, and a younger, Isaac, born 1710. This brings us very near or quite to the original of the family. There was, however, an Arent Prall, who probably was either father or brother of the last mentioned Peter. We find his (Arent's) name on record as owning one hundred and twenty acres of land on Long Neck in 1694.
Other members of the family, not in the above line, were Peter, born April 9, 1735, and died February 28, 1822, and his brother Abraham, born 1740, died May 6, 1820. He had two sons, viz .: Daniel, drowned October 10, 1817, and Ichabod, a merchant
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in New York; Daniel married Ann Merserean January 22, 1794.
Scattered through various records we find the following, whom we are unable to place, viz .: Aron, Jr., and his wife Antye Staats, had a daughter born Mav 21, 1715; a son Aron in 1717; a daughter in 1719, and a son Peter in 1724. Aron, or Arent (not Jr.) and his wife Maritje Bowman had a son William Joris, born 1730, and a son Hendrick born 1735. Isaac (prob- ably the son of Abraham above mentioned) and his wife Maria Debaa or Dubois, had a daughter born in 1746, and another in 1748; a son Peter in 1744, and a son Lewis in 1751. Benjamin and his wife Sarah Swaim had a son Abraham born in 1752, and a son John in 1766. John (wife's name not given) had a daughter born in 1719. Abraham and Sarah Cannon were married in August, 1776. John and Martha Latourette were married January 14, 1802. There was a Wolford Praule, who was a freeholder as early as 1695, but he was not probably connected with this family, as his name was spelled differently, and there is no further notice of him.
AQUILA RICH .- Prominent among New York business men residing on Staten Island is Mr. Aquila Rich, of the well known firm of C. T Raynolds & Co. Mr. Rich's ancestors were among the first New England settlers, and many interesting facts con- cerning them are contained in the "History of Cape Cod." The family coat of arms is still preserved and a copy is now in Mr. Rich's possession. His grandfather, after whom he is named, was a sea captain and ship owner, and twice suffered im prisonment for his loyalty to the American cause. During the revolutionary war he was captured by the British and confined in Dartmore prison, England, for three years, and in the war of 1812 both himself and his ship were taken while in the act of running the blockade. He was retained in Halifax as a prisoner of war and died there on the day upon which he was to have been exchanged. Mr. Rich's father, who is still living, and who resides at Waltham, Mass., was for many years an active New England merchant and manufacturer, and it is from him that Mr. Rich inherits his energetic and persevering quali- ties. In youth he was apprenticed to a silversmith, became a manufacturing chemist at Boston, Mass., and finally a glue manufacturer at Woburn in the same state. It has been his misfortune to suffer from blindness during the past few years.
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aquila Rich
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HISTORY OF RICHMOND COUNTY.
Aquila, of whom we write, was born in Boston, March 23, 1835. He attended the " Hawes " public school in South Boston, from which he graduated in 1850. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed in the old English style to the wholesale drug house of Brewers, Stevens & Cushing, sign of the good samaritan, Washington street, Boston, where he remained four years. At the expiration of that period he received a flattering offer from a cousin doing business in New York city and came thither, but the unsuccessful termination of his cousin's enterprise a year later left him without a position, and his tastes leading him in that direction he decided to follow the sea, which he did in sev- eral capacities till 1859. He then entered the employ of Ray - nolds, Devoe & Pratt, dealers in paints, oils and artists' ma- terials at Nos. 106 and 108 Fulton street, New York city. Here he remained as a clerk for twelve years, after which he became a member of the firm, much of its subsequent success being due to his clear head and business ability. Since he entered the house in 1859 the firm name has twice changed; first to Ray- nolds, Pratt & Co. and later to C. T. Raynolds & Co., as it is at present known. . The influence of the house in the business world is far-reaching and powerful, and its policy is character- ized by careful integrity and honorable dealing in all its vast transactions.
Ing 1871 Mr. Rich removed to Staten Island, where he par- chased his present residence and where he has since acquired other property. He early connected himself with Christ church, in which he has served for many years as vestryman and of which for the last three years he has been treasurer. He is a life member of Beacon Light Lodge No. 701, F. & A. M., of New Brighton. In 1885 he was appointed Deputy Grand Master of the order for Richmond county and was reappointed the following year. He is also a life member of the "Staten Island Athletic Club." For several years he has been a trustee of the Smith Infirmary, and has served for five years as treasurer of the committee and manager of the annual charity ball held in aid of that institution. He is also a member of the building com - mittee.
Though in no sense of the word a politician he has been a strong republican, and as such twice elected to the county con- vention, on both of which occasions Mr. George William Curtis was chosen as delegate to the national convention. Both of
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these elections were simple tributes to the trustworthiness which is his prevailing characteristic, and were not brought about either directly or indirectly through his instrumentality.
Mr. Rich is whole souled and cordial. The varied travels and adventures, together with the extended business relations which have diversified his career, lend to his conversation a charm and vivacity which places all who are brought into con- tact with him, of whatever station in life, at their ease, and make their possessor a favorite in social circles. His simple but comfortable home partakes of a warmth which is the result of family love, jealously guarded by parents who understand the value both of religious and social training to their children.
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