History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I, Part 191

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1354

USA > New York > Westchester County > History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I > Part 191

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DESCENDANTS OF HENRY WHITE.

The ancestors of Henry White were said to be of Welsh origin, but the earliest records locate thein at Denham, near Uxbridge, Buckinghamshire, England. The father of Henry White was a colonel in the British army, and settled in Maryland in 1712, where his son was born. The latter received his education in England, but returned to this country, became a inerchant in New York, and inherited a large prop- erty from his relations in Maryland. He seems to have been actively engaged iu business, and his name appears in a petition, dated May 8, 1756, for leave to ship bread to South Carolina for the use of the uavy.

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KING'S BRIDGE.

He was afterwards engaged in the importation of English goods from London and Bristol, his store be- ing in King Street, New York. On the 13th of May, 1761, he married Eva, daughter of Frederiek Van Cortlandt and Franeina Jay, an alliance which added greatly to his wealth and position. In 1769 lie was appointed one of His Majesty's Council for the prov- inee of New York, and retained that honorable posi- tion till the Revolution closed the English rule. During his life he was one of the foremost merchants in New York, and his residenee was a large house on Queen (uow Pearl) Street, between the Fly Market, which was at the foot of the present Maiden Lane, and the Coffee-House, which stood on the corner of Wall aud Water Streets. This house had been the residence of Abrahamu De Peyster, the treasurer of the colony, and was one of the most important buildings in the city. In 1772 Mr. White became president of the Chamber of Commerce, and a fine portrait of him is in the possession of that corporation. In 1776 he went to England, but returued in the fall of the same year, and was au adherent of the royal eause. On the 9th of October, 1780, he was oue of the witnesses who appeared before the surrogate to prove the will of Major Andre, but returned to England before the evaluation of New York, in 1783. He died in Golden Square, Londou, December 23, 1786, and was buried in the church-yard at St. James, Westminster, in Piccadilly. He was esteemed by his contemporaries as a gentle- man of respectability and integrity. His estate was confiseated by the aet of 1779, and his house in New York was sold in May, 1786. The children of Henry White and Eva Van Cortlaudt were Henry, Ad- miral Sir John Chambers, General Frederiek Van Cortlandt, Wm. Tryon, Ann (wife of Sir John Mae- namara Hayes), Margaret (wife of Peter Jay Munro) and Franees (wife of Archibald Bruee, M.D.)

Henry White was the oldest and the only son who remained iu America. He married Ann Van Cort- laudt, daughter of Augustus Van Cortlandt and Cathariue Barclay. Their children were Augustus ; Henry; Catharine, wife of Richard Bayley; Helen, wife of Abraham Schermerhorn; Augusta, wife of E. N. Bibby, M.D .; Harriet, and Fraueina, wife of Dr. Groshon.

The will of Augustus Van Cortlandt, dated Deeem- ber, 1823, contains the following elause : " Whereas, the greatest part of the lands and real estate which I occupy and hold in the town of Yonkers was derived to me by inheritance from my ancestors; and Where- as, I have purchased some tracts of land, also lying in the town of Yonkers, which I at present possess, it is my desire that the same remain entire and pass to one of muy surname and family ; Wherefore, I do here- by give and devise all my lands, and real estate, dwelling-house, mills and other buildings, unto my affectionate relatives, John Jay and Peter Augustus Jay, and to their heirs forever; except a certain dwelling-house and farm in the said town of Yonkers,

and a lot of ground near my mill pond, which be- longed to my late brother, Frederick Van Cortlandt, in trust for the following uses,-First, To hold the same for my son-in-law, Henry White, late the hus- band of muy deceased daughter, Anna White, during the term of his natural life; Second, After the de- eease of my son-in-law, Henry White, and in ease Augustus, the son of said Henry White, shall survive him, then to hold the same for the use of the said Augustus, and his heirs and assigns, on condition that from and after my decease lie do take and constantly and exelusively use the name of Van Cortlandt."

In accordance with this, Augustus White assumed the name of Augustus Van Cortlandt, and at the time of his death, which occurred April 1, 1839, he left the estate to his brother Henry for life, and to his brother's eldest son in fee, provided they take and constantly use the name of Van Cortlandt ; and upon the failure of male heirs, it was provided that the property should pass to his uephew, Augustus Van Cortlandt Bibby, the son of his sister Augusta.

Henry White, the above devisee, assumed the name of Van Cortlandt, and took possession of the estate upon the death of his brother. He survived him but a few months, and died in October, 1839, without ehildren, and the estate then deseeuded to his nephew, Angustus Van Cortlandt Bibby, who, by an aet of the Legisla- ture, assumed the name of Augustus Van Cortlandt.

Mr. Van Cortlandt, whose portrait is presented, was born in New York July 31, 1826. His father, Dr. Edmund N. Bibby, a physician of eminence, was the son of Captain Bibby, an aid to General Fraser, who was killed at the battle of Saratoga. Dr. Bibby mar- ried Augusta, daughter of Henry White (second) and Anna Van Cortlandt, aud their children were Augus- tus Van Cortlandt (the subject of this sketeh), Henry W. Bibby (now living in New York), Franees (wife of John W. Munro, of Pelham) and Ann W. (wife of Robert Ogden Glover, of Mt. Vernon).

The early education of Mr. Van Cortlandt was ob- tained at the collegiate school of Rer. R. T. Huddart, in New York; later at a school iu Bloomingdale ; and subsequently at the celebrated school of the Brothers Pugnet, on Bank Street. He left school in 1842, and a year later entered the counting-room of Garner & Co., at 33 Pine Street, where he remained till 1847. He then established himself as a banker in Wall Street, where he continued till 1853, when he came to re- side upon his estate at Lower Yonkers, to which he had succeeded after the death of his unele, Henry Van Cortlandt.

He married Charlotte Amelia, daughter of the late Robert Bunch, of Nassau, New Providence, and sister of the British minister to Venezuela, and on the maternal side granddaughter of Dr. Richard Bayley, who was the first health oflieer of New York, an in- timate friend of Sir Guy Carleton, and who died of yellow fever contracted while he was discharging his duties as officer of quarantine. Their children are

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

Augustus, Henry W., Robert B., Edward N., Oloff De- laucey and Mary B., all of whom are now living on the family estate.

The Van Cortlandt mansion at Lower Yonkers, a relic of colonial times, stauds in solitary state on an eminence about one mile north of King's Bridge, and on the east side of the old Albany post road. It is a large edifice of stone and was built by Fred- erick Van Cortlandt in 1748. A more ancient structure stood on the banks of the mill pond, a little north of the mill. This was the residence of the earliest generations of Van Cortlandt, and was taken down in 1825. The date of the building of the present mansion is seen in figures upon the massive southern wall, and the interior is ornamented with carvings in wood of the greatest elegance, while portraits of

THE VAN CORTLANDT MANOR HOUSE, KING'S BRIDGE.

Augustus Van Cortlandt, Henry White, the first, and his son, and others of a long past time, grace the walls of this historic place. The eye of the visitor to the grounds cannot fail to be attracted by two eagles which surmount the posts of the old gateway. These are said to have been taken from a Spanish privateer and presented to Augustus Van Cortlandt by Rear Admiral Robert Digby, of the British navy. It is a source of no small satisfaction to the lovers of the picturesque and the beautiful that the grounds sur- rounding the place are to be preserved in their native beauty as a portion of the new Van Cort- landt Park, which will be one of the finest features of the northern portion of New York City.

When Mr. Van Cortlandt came to reside on this estate he became interested in local politics, and was

elected to the offices of assessor and justice of the peace. In 1858 he was the supervisor of Yonkers, and was re-elected in 1859. He was elected member of Assembly in 1859. Prominent in business and social life, he is one of the trustees of the Metropolitan Savings Bank, president of St. Nicholas Club, mem- bor of the New York Historical Society and a member of the Rising Star Lodge of Free and Ac- cepted Masons. He has ever been prompt and in- fluential in advancing all public improvements, tak- ing a lively and active interest in passing events, while leading the quiet life of a country gentleman.

DYCKMAN FAMILY.

The ancestor of this family was William Dyckman, who came from Holland in the early days of New Amsterdam. Jacobus Dyck- man, who was his grandson, married Maria Kesur, and left two sons, Jacob and William.

Jacob, the elder, married Tryntje Benson, and left nine children, as follows,-Jacob, Samson, Benjamin, John, Gar- ret, William N .; Maria, wife of John Clark ; Jane, wife of John Van Vredenburgh; and Catha- rine, wife of Daniel Hale.

Of these children, Garret, the fifth son, married Joanna, daughter of Jonathan Odell, of Greenburgh. Their children were William N. and Jacob G. The family of the latter are now living at Morristown, N. J.

William N. Dyckman was born at Verplanck's Point, May 17, 1787. His parents removed to Greenburgh during his in- fancy, and at the age of ten years he went with them to New York, and lived with his parents in Duane Street till his father's death. When a young man he entered the law-office of Peter J. Monroe as a student, and was admitted to the bar at the same time with General Sandford, who was his life-long friend. During the War of 1812 he served as captain of a militia company. His entire life was passed in the city of New York, in the practice of his profession, in which he held an honorable position. In politics he was in early life a Whig, but at the formation of the Republican party he became one of its supporters, but his distaste for political life led him to take little part in public affairs.

Mr. Dyckman married Eliza A., daughter of John and Jane Honeywell, of Greenburgh. Their only child, Miss Susan Dyckman, is now residing in New York. His country residence was on the east side of

John Il. Dyckman

т.

Jaac M. Tyckman

RESIDENCE OF ISAAC M. DYCKMAN, NEW YORK.

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KING'S BRIDGE.

the old Albany post road, below Hastings, and is now in possession of his daughter. He died September 12, 1871, soon after the decease of his wife, which oc- curred in April of the same year, and both rest in the cemetery at Yonkers.

William Dyckman, the second son of Jacobus, was born August 23, 1725, and died August 10, 1787. He married Mary Turner, who was born February 4, 1728, and died February 14, 1802. They were the parents of nine children,-Jacobus, Abraham, Michael, Wil- liam, John; Maritje, wife of Jacob Vermilyea ; Jane, Joanna, wife of Evert Brown; and Charity, wife of Benjamin Lent.

The oldest son, Jacobus, was born September 13, 174S. His children were William, Frederick, who married Eva Myers, John, Abraham, Jacob, James, Isaae, Michael, Hannah, who married Caleb Smith, and Maria.1

Of these children, Abraham married Margaret, daughter of John and Jane Honeywell. and sister of Jane, wife of William N. Dyckman. His son, John H. Dyckman, was born May 5, 1813, on the family estate, below King's Bridge, and lived for the greater part of his life in the old "Century House," which is still standing, a relic of the ancient time. Here he pas-ed a quiet and uneventful life, as a gentleman of lei- sure and a worthy representative of an historie race. He died unmarried, April 6, 1879. His only sister, Jane, also died unmarried, February 1, 1840.

Isaac MI. Dyckman was born in Yonkers, January 1, 1813. His father was Caleb Smith, who married Hannah, daughter of Jacobus Dyckman, who was a representative of the Dutch family of that name, and owned a large landed estate south of Harlem River. While a boy he went to live with his maternal grand- father, and was adopted by him, and assuming the family name, has ever since borne the name of Isaac M. Dyckman. Two of his grandfather's brothers, Abraham and Michael, were soldiers in the Revolu- tion and one of them was killed in the war. Their perfect knowledge of the localities on both sides of Harlem River rendered them especially valuable as guides, and their services were in frequent demand.

Jacobus Dyckman died in August, 1832, and his estate descended to his two sons, Michael and Isaac, both of whom died unmarried, and a large portion of the property came into the possession of their nephi- cw. The ancient Dyckman homestead, which ex- isted before the Revolution, stood near Harlem River, close by the foot of Two Hundred and Ninth Street. This was burned during the Revolution, and another (now called the Century House) was built on the west side of the King's Bridge road, or Broadway, near the twelfth mile stone. It was here that Jacobus Dyckman lived and died. The house is still stand- ing, and is now owned by Benjamin P. Fairchild. It is at the northwest corner of King's Bridge road and

Hawthorn Street. On a portion of this estate Mr. Dyékman has ever made his home, and built his pres- ent elegant residence in 1874. During the early part of his life, before the growth of New York City had reached the vicinity of Harlem River, he cultivated this tract as a farin, but the advancement of the city has made it far too valuable for that purpose, and he finds his time fully occupied in looking after his extensive real estate. In polities he has always been identified with the Democratic party, as were his ancestors ; and in religion he is connected with the Presbyterian Church. He married Fannie B., the daughter of Benjamin Browne, of Yonkers, and has two daughters, Mary A. and Fannie F.

Jacobus Dyckman, mentioned above, was the son of William Dyekman, and besides the brothers Abra- ham and Michael, he had three sisters,-Charity, wife of Benjamin Lent ; Joanna, wife of Evart Browne; and Maritje, wife of Jacob Vermilyea.

Jacobus Dyckman left children,-William Frederick, Abraham (who married Margaret Honiwell), and left two children, Jane and John H., both of whom died unmarried. Jacob who was a prominent phy- sieian in New York, James who died young, Maria, Hannah who married Caleb Smith, as mentioned above, Michael and Isaac (who survived the rest.) All of these except Hannah died unmarried.

ROBERT COLGATE.

The family of which Mr. Colgate is a representative has been traced back to a very remote ancestry in England. They appear to have been settled in the county of Kent at an early date. The immediate aneestor of the branch of the family that settled in America was Robert Colgate, a native of the village of Seven Oaks, in Kent, a man of note and influence and a prominent agriculturist of his native county. In political affairs he was a most determined Radical, and so plainly outspoken of his opinions as to render him obnoxious to the government. His known sym- pathy with the Radicals and the assistance he ren- dered to some who were confined in the Tower of London caused an order for his arrest and imprison- ment to be issued. In his younger days he had been a schoolmate of William Pitt, and that statesman, moved by remembrance of early friendship, sent him a timely warning, with the intimation that if he should leave for America within a limited time, an opportunity would be given. Acting upon this sug- gestion, he hired a vessel and, with his family, sailed for the New World, and landed at Baltimore in 1795. Under the protection of a free government, the fiery Radieal soon became the peaceful citizen, and, pur- chasing a farm near Baltimore, he made agriculture the business of his life. Upon this farm he remained for several years, then removed to the State of New York and took charge of the farm of Peter J. Mon- roe, Esq., of Westchester County. Some years later his son William, having been successful in business,

1 See sketch of Isaac MI. Dyckman.

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HISTORY OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

purchased a farm in Andes, Delaware County, N. Y., and placed his father npon it. Here he lived a life of quiet usefulness till 1826, when, walking to church one Sabbatlı morning, he suddenly dropped dead, having reached the age of sixty-four.

Mr. Colgate was married in England to Miss Sarah Bowles. Their children were William, Bowles, John, George, Charles, Charlotte (wife of Dr. William B. Selden, of Norfolk, Va.), Esther (wife of Jacob Klein, of New Orleans), Lydia and Maria (both of whom died unmarried).

William Colgate, the oldest son, was born in Kent, England, in 1783, and came to this country with his father. At the age of twelve he was apprenticed to John Slidell, who, at that time, was doing business at Bowling Green, in the city of New York. In after- years Mr. Slidell failed in business, and, through the influence of Mr. Colgate, he obtained the position of president of the Mechanics' Bank, and was subse- quently president of the Traders' Insurance Con- pany. He died very suddenly of cholera in 1832. His son, John Slidell, lived in Virginia, and gained, at a later day, a very undesirable notoriety as the ambassador of the Confederate States to France. After remaining a while in the cmploy of Mr. Slidell, Mr. Colgate commenced business for himself in 1806 as a manufacturer of soap and candles, in partner- ship with Francis Smith. Their place of business was No. 6 Dutch Street, New York. During the War of 1812 the firm carried on an extensive and prosperous trade, and he found himself on the road to fortune. Mr. Smith having retired from the firm, Mr. Colgate conducted the business, which is still continued at the old place under the well-known firin name of Colgate & Co. After a life of successful business enterprise, Mr. Colgate died in 1857, and was laid to his last repose in Greenwood Cemetery. He left to his descendants not only the wealth which was the result of his commercial ability and energy, but the still richer legacy of an unblemished reputa- tion ; and all who knew him were willing to unite in the testimony that he was a man of upright life and free from guile. Like his father before him, he was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and deeply interested in all that could increase its welfare and advance its usefulness. He married Mary, daughter of Edward Gilbert. Their children were Robert, Gilbert, Sarah (who died unmarried), James B. (of the well-known banking company of James B. Col- gate & Co.), Joseph (who died in Berlin, Prussia, in 1864), Samnel (of Orange, N. J.), William (who died unmarried in 1838) and Mary (wife of Robert Colby).

Robert Colgate, the oldest of his family, aud the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of New York, Jannary 29, 1812. In his early youth he at- tended school at Rhinebeck during two years, and then went to Hamilton, Madison County, N. Y., where he attended an academy under the care of

Zenas Morse, who held a high reputation as an in- structor. Upon his return to New York, he attended the high school under the care of Daniel H. Barnes, a well-known teacher. His introduction to business was as clerk in the employ of Samnel Hicks & Sons. One of the most important episodes of this period of his life was his experience during the cholera of 1832, when he was the only one of the employees who remained at his post during that fatal time. Upon one occasion he, in company with a carman in the employ of the firm, left the building at the same time. Within four hours his companion was dead and buried; Mr. Colgate himself was seized with the disease, but fortunately survived the attack.

In 1833 he went into business on his own account, in company with his Uncle Charles and George P. Pollen, under the firm-name of Colgate, Pollen & Colgate, manufacturers and dealers in dye-stuffs and paints, their place of business being at 177 Water Street. In 1845 he built the Atlantic White Lead Works in Brooklyn, having previously purchased tlie store property at 287 Pearl Street, New York, which, at that time, was surrounded by the private residences of many wealthy and prominent citizens. To the works in Brooklyn he added the manufacture of lin- seed oil, and the firm, which is now known by the name of Robert Colgate & Co., are among the most extensive dealers in paint and oil in the country, and bear a high reputation in the commercial world. They have stood unshaken through all the financial reverses which have visited the city, and never failed to meet all obligations with promptness. It has always been the policy of the firm to secure the ser- vices of trusty and faithful employees and to retain them as long as they are willing to remain. As an illustration, it may be mentioned that the book- keeper, James B. Carr, has been in the employ of the firm for fifty years, and the cashier for thirty years. By a failure of health Mr. Colgate was com- pelled to retire from active labor many years since, but still remains at the head of the firm which has so long and so honorable a record.

Abont twenty-five years since, he purchased an estate in Westchester County, at Riverdale, which he has greatly improved, and under his care Stonehurst has been made one of the finest residences on the Hudson. Its elevated position commands one of the most extended views on the river, while the resources of wealth and refined taste have been joined to make it a thing of beauty.

Mr. Colgate married Cornelia F., daughter of Abner Weyman. They were the parents of two children,- Abner W. and Georgiana. Mrs. Colgate died in 1842, and Mr. Colgate subsequently married Mary E., daughter of Romulus Riggs, of Philadelphia. She died in 1865, leaving four children,-Samnel J., Alice R. (wife of John D. Wood), Robert, Jr., and Romulus R.

"STONEHURST," RESIDENCE OF ROBERT COLGATE,

RIVERDALE-ON-THE-HUDSON, N. Y.

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KING'S BRIDGE.

GENERAL JOHN EWEN.

General Ewen was a native of New York. He was educated for the profession of civil engineer, and be- gan practice in that city before attaining his majority. At this period he surveyed and laid out, under the di- rection of his brother, Daniel Ewen, what was then the village of Williamsburgh, now a part of the city of Brooklyn.

Afterward he was appointed resident engincer of the New Castle and Frenchtown (Delaware) Railroad and held that position until the completion of the work, when he returned to New York and succeeded Judge Wright as chief engineer of the New York and Harlem Railroad. During his occupation of this office, which he held for several years and until the completion of the road to Harlem, Mr. Ewen was ap- pointed by the Common Council to fill the office of street commissioner. The arduous duties of this posi- tion were so well discharged by him that he retained it for eight years-from 1836 to 1844-under succes- sive Democratic and Whig administrations. Removed in 1844, with many other officers, by the incoming Native American Common Council, he was appointed comptroller on a change of administration in the spring of 1845, hy a unanimous vote, and held that office under Democratic and Whig rule more than three years, when he resigned to accept the vice- presidency of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Com- pany. After one year he withdrew to accept a simi- lar position in the Pennsylvania Coal Company, of which he soon after became president. To the inter- ests of this corporation he devoted the best qualitics of his head and heart, and in its service he sacrificed his health and possibly his life.

In conducting the successful defense of his com- pany against adverse litigation, begun in 1853, con- tinued during a period of about seventeen years and involving claims amounting to millions of dollars, Mr. Ewen displayed great ability and wonderful capacity for work. At the beginning of the litigation, perceiving that his efficiency in directing the defense would be greatly increased by his admission to the bar, he unhesitatingly undertook the study of law, which he prosecuted in season and out of season, so that in a few months he was regularly admitted to practice in the courts of this State. Availing himself of this privilege, he took testimony covering thou- sands of pages and made at the close an able argu- ment, filling a large volume in itself, covering all that part of the case involving, especially, questions of civil engineering, with which he had been familiar from boy hood.

In the course of this litigation he called to his aid many distinguished lawyers, among whom may be named Messrs. Francis B. Cutting, Samuel J. Tilden, Charles F. Southmayd, John K. Porter and Lyman Tremain.

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History of Westchester county : New York, including Morrisania, Kings Bridge, and West Farms, which have been annexed to New York City, Vol. I, Part 191

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co. Number of Pages: 1354

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898, ed
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : L.E. Preston & Co.
Number of Pages: 1354