USA > New York > Long Island historic homes, ancient and modern : including a history of their founders and builders > Part 10
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The children of Samuel were all by his first wife, Peggy Thissell.
1. Mary Ann, born July 12; 1805,
II. Augusta, born November 16, 1807,
III. Elizabeth, born April 3, 1810,
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IV. Samuel, born August 24, 1814, died soon,
V. Joseph T., born Sept. 15, 1816,
VI. Samuel Haskell, born July 13, 1818,
VII. John Thissell, born March 5, 1820,
VIII. Mary Ann, born October 25, 1822.
Samuel Haskell, son of Capt. Samuel and Peggy (Thissell) Has- kell, was born in Beverly, Mass., July 13, 1818. He married Mary Frances Amory, daughter of Jonathan-1802-1885-son of Jona- than-1770-1828-son of Thomas Fisher Amory-1722-1789- son of Thomas, died in Boston 1728, son of Jonathan of S. C., died 1 699.
This family, though not numerous as compared with some others, has been conspicuous in the history of both the Northern and Southern states. It is supposed to be a branch of the Montfort l'Amaury family of France. Dr. Robert Amory, in a notice of his father, published in one of the London newspapers in 1788, says: "We are lineally descended from Amory de Montfort, brother-in-law of King Henry III."
Some of the name were summoned as peers to Parliament, and their barony is stated by Burke to be still extant in abeyance in the family of Sir Walter Raleigh. Sir Roger d'Amory married the grand- daughter of Edward I. Sir Roger was long leader in the wars of Edward III. Sir Robert fought at Crecy, and the exploits of Sir John occupy some interesting pages of Froissant.
Jonathan Amory, the American ancestor, was born in Somerset- shire, England. There is believed to exist in the Ulster Herald office a pedigree carrying the line of his ancestors back through many cen- turies. His father died about 1650, leaving six sons and two
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daughters. Thomas, the eldest, married the daughter of 19th Lord Kerry, ancestor of the Marquis of Landsdown. In consequence, probably of this connection, he removed to Ireland, and purchased estates in Kerry worth £600 a year.
Jonathan Amory, the youngest of the six sons, was brought up under the care of his elder brother. He was at one time a merchant in Dublin. He married Rebecca Houston, who died in 1685, in the West Indies, where he, as also her elder brother Robert, were then residing. Soon after the latter's death, he went to Charleston, S. C., married again, invested largely in lands and houses, was elected speaker of the Colonial legislature, and subsequently treasurer of the province, the first treasurer of the proprietors. He died in the fall of 1699, of yellow fever, and his widow, Martha Amory, died three months afterward. Their children were Thomas, Robert, who died young; a daughter who married Joseph Croskeys; Ann, wife of James Ramsey and Sarah, wife of Governor Arthur Meridith.
Thomas Amory, the eldest child, was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1682, and accompanied his father to Carolina. In the year 1696 he was sent with his sister Ann, to their relations in England to be educated. He was placed under the care of his cousin, Counsellor Amory, and sent to the Westminster school. After his father's death he entered the counting house of Ozell & Frinds, merchants in Lon- don, who in the year 1709 sent him to the Azores, as super-cargo. He established himself there as a merchant, was appointed Dutch and English consul, and making only an occasional visit to Europe, remained many years on the island. He resigned his office June 17, 1719, and embarked for Boston, arriving there July 13th, following. He bought lands at the south end of Boston, built a house and wharves, hired a counting house of his friend Governor Belcher, on
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Long Wharf, and engaged in commerce with England, the Azores and Carolinas. He died in Boston in 1728. He married in 1721, Rebecca Holmes, daughter of Francis Holmes, of Boston, Mass., and Charleston, S. C., a merchant who settled in Charleston, S. C., in 1702; bought land there in 1713; was a delegate from the assembly to New England to ask aid against the Tennessee Indians, 1715. He bought eleven hundred acres of land in Granville county, S. C. By his wife Rebecca, he had six children, of whom Rebecca, the fifth, was married to Thomas Amory, as stated above. Thomas Amory, by his wife, Rebecca (Holmes) Amory, had Thomas (2), born 1722; Mary, born 1723; Rebecca, born 1725 and John, born 1728.
Thomas Fisher Amory (2), son of Thomas (1) and Mary (Holmes) Amory, was born April 22, 1722, graduated at Harvard 1741. He studied divinity, but never took orders. As eldest son, he inherited a double share of his father's estate. He engaged in commerce, and had it not been for the embarrassments to trade, consequent on the Revolution, would have left a large property. In 1776, at the request of the selectmen of Boston, one of whom was his brother-in-law, Timothy Newell, he went with his brother Jona- than, to Dorchester Heights, to request General Washington to permit the British troops to return from the place unobstructed on condition that it should be left by them uninjured. This was with the full sanction of General Howe, but as it was not avowed, no agreement could be entered into, though the understanding was respected on both sides.
Mr. Amory married Elizabeth, daughter of William Coffin, and purchased the house built by Governor Belcher at the corner of Harvard and Washington streets, the gardens of which extended to the water. He resided there until his death, August 18, 1784.
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The children of Thomas Fisher Amory and Elizabeth Coffin, his wife, were Rebecca, born 1766; Thomas C., born 1767; Elizabeth, born 1768; Jonathan (1), born 1770; John, born 1771; Mary, born 1773; William, born 1774; the latter was a midshipman in the English navy, and afterwards in the American navy; Nathaniel, the youngest, born 1777.
Jonathan Amory (1) fourth child of Thomas F. and Elizabeth (Coffin) Amory, was born in 1770 and died in 1828; graduated at Harvard in 1787, and entered the counting house of his uncles J. & J. Amory, and afterward engaged in business with James Cutler. He married first, Ann Wyer, who died in 1795, and after Mr. Cutler's death he married his widow, Mehetable Sullivan, who was the daugh- ter of Governor James Sullivan and niece of General John Sullivan. Their children were Jonathan, 1802-1885; Elizabeth, 1805-1859; James S., 1809-1884; Francis M., 1807-1886; Rebecca A., 1811- 1894; Thomas C., 1812-1889; and Isabella L., 1815-1888.
Jonathan Amory born 1802, died 1885, married Letitia Austin, born 1806, died 1875.
Mary Frances Amory, who was married to Samuel Haskell.
Samuel Haskell, by his wife Mary Frances ( Amory) Haskell, had issue.
1. Samuel (3), born August 16, 1857, died April 20, 1867.
II. Jonathan Amory Haskell, born July 7, 1861.
III. Harry Garner Haskell, born September 30, 1870.
Jonathan Amory Haskell, second child of Samuel and Mary Frances (Amory) Haskell, was born in New York City. His know- ledge of the elementary branches was obtained in the public schools, and he afterward attended the Military Institute at Sing Sing, where
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he not only acquired a thorough classical, but a military education, which fitted him for any military position to which he might be called. His first business experience was with a firm of brokers on Wall street, where he remained from 1879 to 1883, and then accepted a position with the Rochester and Pittsburg Coal & Iron company. He served this firm for some years until 1890, filling responsible positions and adding to his stock of business experience. From 1890 to 1892 he was general manager of the Helvetia mines, and in 1892 he was made president of the Repauno Chemical Company, of Wilming- ton, Delaware. In 1895 he became financially interested in the Lafin & Rand Powder Co., one of the oldest and largest concerns of the kind in the United States. He was elected president of the company, and still holds that position. Mr. Haskell's able manage- ment of this company is shown in the constantly increasing amount of business, and the confidence reposed in him by its directors and his associates. He is a member of the Metropolitan Club, the New York Riding and Driving Club, and the Down Town Association. He is interested in historical matters, generally, and is a member of the New York Historical society.
The children of Mr. and Mrs Haskell are
1. Mary Riker Haskell, born November 25, 1892,
II. Amorv Lawrence Haskell, born October 23, 1893,
III. Margaret Riker Haskell, born November 26, 1899.
Martha Jackson Riker, seventh child of John Lawrence Riker and his wife Mary ( Jackson) Riker, was born in New York City, March 4, 1870. She married April 28, 1897, James Howe Proctor, son of Thos. E. Johnson, son of John (4) son of John (3) son of John (2) son of John Proctor, one of the founders of Salem, Mass. They have three children.
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Samuel Riker, sixth child of John Lawrence and second child of his second wife, Lavinia (Smith) Riker, was born at the homestead at Bowery Bay, April 10, 1832. After completing his general educa- tion he read law in the office of the family firm of J. H. & H. L. Riker, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1853, and at once ad- mitted to partnership in the law firm, which then consisted of his father, brother and cousin John H. Riker; the first two died in 1861, and the latter retired in 1884.
Mr. Riker took up a special line of practice-the law of real property, the investigation of titles to lands, drawing of wills, marriage settlements, trust deeds, etc. He came into general prominence in 1859 in connection with his construction of the will of William Jay (a son of the eminent John Jay), who had drawn his own will. This will involved some intricate and novel points of law, but through the efforts of Mr. Riker, an understanding was arrived at without resort to litigation. It may be added here that Mr. Riker never advised a client to carry a matter into court when it could be avoided. The will referred to involved extensive research in the special line of Mr. Riker's experience and knowledge. During his long term of practice of nearly forty years, Mr. Riker not only occu- pied a leading position at the New York bar, but he was recognized as an authority on the special line he had chosen, in which he had few if any, equals. He possesed many of the qualifications as well as the characteristics of the eminent founder of the firm, Hon. Richard Riker, notably the suavity and kindliness of manner that drew men to him, and at once inspired confidence. He became the friend and adviser of his clients, independent of the legal aspects, and never hesitated to give his honest, unbiased opinion, whether for or against his own or his clients interest. To his client's he occupied the same
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relations as that of a beloved family physician to his patients. The unswerving honesty, integrity and courage that were notable traits in his ancestors, have been exhibited by him throughout his professional career.
Besides his list of well known individual clients and estates, Mr. Riker has acted for large and well known institutions. He was attorney and counsel for the Sailors' Snug Harbor for upwards of thirty years, preparing all instruments relating to their large landed estate in the city of New York and on Staten Island. He acted as executor of the wills of Sarah Burr and her sisters, and distributed several millions of dollars among a large number of charitable insti- tutions in New York City.
Mr. Riker retired from active practice in 1893, and with him the old Riker law firm, which had been in existence for nearly a century, ended.
Mr. Riker married in 1865, Mary Anna daughter of Jacob P. and Mary R. Stryker, of Newtown.
William James Riker, youngest son of John Lawrence (1) and Lavinia (Smith) Riker, was born at Bowery Bay, in the town of New- town. He inherits all the leading traits that have distinguished this notable family-sterling honesty, inflexible integrity and a frankness and suavity of disposition that inspires confidence in all with whom he meets. He received his knowledge of the elementary branches at the private schools of Astoria and was graduated at Flushing Institute in 1858. And not long after entered the house of Benjamin H. Field in the same line of business which he has since followed. He re- mained there until 1861 and then joined his brothers in the same business, becoming a partner in the firm in 1866. He has contri-
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buted in no small degree to the unprecedented success which has fol- lowed this long established house from the beginning. He is a man of fine executive ability and business capacity. With the natural fondness for military affairs that distinguished his ancestors he joined the Twenty-Second Regiment, N. Y. S. V., at its inception, but owing to pressing matters that called him abroad he severed his connection with the regiment and has since been too much absorbed in the busi- ness of his firm to give the requisite attention to military affairs. He is a member of several societies and clubs in some of which he takes an active interest. Among these are the St. Nicholas Society, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Geographical Society, Am- erican Museum of Natural History, New York Yacht Club, New York Athletic Club, Down Town Association, etc. He is a trustee in the Bank for Savings in New York, the oldest institution of the kind in the city.
He married in 1865, Charlotte Lawrence Stryker, daughter of Dr. J. P. Stryker, son of Garret Stryker; and Anne Polhemus, a direct descendant of Rev. Johannus Theodorus Polhemus, a minister of the Reformed Church of Holland, who came to New Amsterdam in 1654 and became the pastor of the Flatbush church. The decendants through this line include some of the oldest and most distinguished families on Long Island. The issue of the above marriage is:
Andrew Lawrence Riker, born Oct. 22, 1868. He is an elec- trical engineer. He married Edith Whiting, daughter of James R. and grand-daughter of Judge James R. Whiting.
They have: Edith Whiting, Charlotte Lawrence and Andrew Lawrence Riker.
Jennie Riker, died 30th Nov., 1886.
DANIEL DODGE WRIGHT
THE WRIGHT, MOTT AND ALLIED FAMILIES
OF QUEENS ( NOW NASSAU) COUNTY, L. I.
THE WRIGHT family of Oyster Bay, L. I., is one of the few fami- lies in this country whose lineage connects in an unbroken line with their English ancestors.
"The Wrights of Kilverlstones," says Burke, "one of the oldest families in Norfolk, and contemporaneous with the Bedingfields, Jer- ninghams, Pastons and Woodhouses, have been seated in that county from time immemorial. Owing, however, to the destruction of deeds and other documents which were lost, with a great portion of the ancient property, by the negligence and dishonesty of guardians in long minorities, their descent can only now be authentically traced to the time of Henry VII.
Thomas Wright, living in that reign, was the father of
John Wright, who died, seized of the manors of Tindalls and Rowses in East Laxham, Norfolk, 32 Henry VIII. He married and had two sons, Edmund his heir, and Nicholas, who married Anne, daughter and co-heir of Edmund Beaupre of Beaupre Hall. This Nicholas was the grandfather of Nicholas Wright, one of the original settlers of Oyster Bay, L. I. The coat armour of this branch of the Wright family is described as
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Arms-A chevron engrailed argent between three fleur-de-lis, or, on a chief of the third three spear heads azure.
Crest-A dragon's head, crased, argent pellete. Motto-Verdas Vidient-Truth Conquers. Seat-Kilverstone Hall, near Thetford in Norfolk.
Those of the Beaupre family were
Arms-Vert, a lion rampant, double queued or, a baton gules.
NICHOLAS WRIGHT, fifth in descent from Thomas Wright of county Norfolk, England, was born there in 1609; came to New England with his brothers Peter and Anthony, and settled first in Saugus (now Lynn) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636, and the following year removed to Sandwich, Cape Cod, of which Nich- olas was an active leader, acquiring lands and holding offices of civil trust while following his vocation as survevor. In 1653 he, with his two brothers, Peter and Anthony, joined the company led by Rev. William Leveridge who came to the north shore of Long Island, and with others purchased a tract of land from the Matinecock tribe of Indians, which included the site of the present village of Oyster Bay, and Nicholas became one of the founders of this early settlement. The Indian deed signed by Asseapum or Moheness as sachem of the tribe, still in existence, shows the consideration to have been "six Indian coats, six kettles, six fathoms of wampum, six hoes, six hatch- ets, three pairs of stockings, thirty awl-blades or muxes, twenty knives, three shirts and as much Peague as would amount to four pounds sterling." This purchase was confirmed in 1677 by Royal patent, granted by Governor Andross. A portion of this land has been owned and occupied by the family ever since, its title passing by descent.
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Nicholas Wright took a leading part in the affairs of the town from the beginning of the settlement. He with Henry Townsend, surveyed most of the property laid out for the proprietors. The Town Records of Oyster Bay show that
" In ye year 1674 there laid out by Henry Townsend and Nich- olas Wright, Surveyors of ye town unto Josiah Latting, Caleb Wright, John Wright and Edmund Wright four score acres of land at Sack Scokes Wigwam to be equally divided by Lot, Twenty Acres to a Man."
Nicholas and Anthony Wright, his brother, were among the petitioners Sept. 16, 1661, requesting that Henry Townsend do build such a mill at Norwork on the Main as an English mill in our town called - on the mill River at the end of our Town, &c."
On March 10, 1678, "Tackapowsher, Sachem and Chepego, conveyed certain lands upon ye south side of this Island known as Unkawago Neck." This is referred to as "A True Record out of ve Towne List of Every freeholder that hath a Right in Unkaway Neck by virtue of ve Indian Gift. Thomas Townsend one Shear; John Underhill one Shear." Of the sixty-six proprietors who shared in this Gift were Nicholas, Anthony, Edmund, John, Adam, Gideon, Caleb and Job Wright.
Nicholas Wright was frequently in public office. He was elected town schepen (magistrate) in 1673 and held other offices. Anthony, his brother, appears to have been one of the largest landholders in the town, next to the Townsends, as shown by the frequent convey- ances made by him. Of the three brothers, Anthony was the most active in the Society of Friends. His house for many years was the place for both worship and business. On the " fifteenth of the eighth month, 1672," Anthony conveyed a portion of his land for a " burial
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place and meeting house." The "meeting house" was erected on the ground and paid for in "wheat, pease, Indian corn and porke."
The burial ground where Nicholas, Anthony and their descend- ants are buried, is a little southwest of the present railroad depot, and a few rods south of the present homestead of John Wright. Many of the inscriptions are still legible.
The first instrument of conveyance of land as shown by the Town Records of Oyster Bay, was as follows:
"This writing witnesseth that I, Assapum, alias Moheness, have sold unto Peter Wright, Samuel Mayo and William Leveridge, their heirs, administrators and assigns, all the land lying and situate upon Oyster Bay river to the east side, and Papoqutunck on the west side, with all ye woods, rivers, marshes, uplands, ponds, and all other ap- purtenances, lying between ye bounds afore named, with all ye islands to the southward excepting one island commonly called Hog Island, and bounded near southerly by a point of trees called Can- teaque, in consideration of which bargain and sale he is to receive as full satisfaction, six Indian coats, six kettles, six fathoms of wampum, six hoes, six hatchets, three pair of stockings, thirty awl blades or muxes, thirty knives, three shirts, and so much peague as will amount to four pounds sterling. In witness whereof he hath set his mark in the presence of William Washburn, Anthony Wright, Robert Williams.
HIS
"ASSEAPUM OF MOHENESS, X " MARK.
The author of the Townsend Memorial says of the Wrights: Peter and his brother Nicholas Wright left large fortunes and for many years they were in point of ability and influence and fortune among the leading men of the time. Peter Wright's homestead was next to John Dickinson's. He may be called the founder of Oyster Bay.
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"Opposite Peter Wright's from the corner, half way down to South street, was the homestead of Nicholas Wright." Nicholas left a handsome estate, which he divided among his three sons, but made no disposition in his will of his personal estate or mention of his daughters. An amicable agreement was entered into by the sons for the division of all personal property, of which the following is a copy:
" Whereas, our father and mother, Nicholas Wright and Ann Wright, deceased, Lefft a Considerable Estate amongst their children Under written, and for a True Settlement of ye Said Estate and pre- vention of further Contests or Troubles that may Arise thereby, we do joyntly and Unanimously Agree and freely condescend to Each other that our father's will for ye Division and Stating of his Lands upon his sons according to his will shall stand good to them and their heirs forever, and In as Much as there was certain order in ye Said will or at ye death of our Mother for ve Division of ve Moveable Estate as left by our Deceased Father and Mother we do Unani- mously agree that all ye Said Moveable Estate shall be for our Sisters' portions. Is all ye Service Horse flesh, Brass, Pewter, Tin, Iron, Wooden Ware, Woolen, Lining, Silver, Gold, Earthen ware or what else belongs to ye said Estate Whatsoever only what is above Ex- cepted, and to ye true performance of this our agreement we have Interchangeably Subscribed our Hands to Each other in Oyster Bay, June ye 4th, 1682.
Presence of
RICHARD HARCUTT, Constable. THOMAS TOWNSEND, Recorder. JOHN WEEKES, Overseer.
HIS CALEB X WRIGHT, MARK. JOHN WRIGHT, EDMUND WRIGHT, HIS ISRAEL X LATTING, MARK. NATHANIEL COLES, ROBERT COLES.
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Nicholas Wright by his wife Ann Wright had issue:
I. Caleb Wright, born 1645, married Elizabeth.
Il. John Wright, married Mary Townsend, daughter of Henry.
III. Sarah Wright, married Jonah Latting.
IV. EDWARD WRIGHT (1), married Sarah, daughter of Peter and Alice Wright.
V. Mary, married Robert Coles.
VI. Rebecca, married ist Eleazer Smith; she married 2nd in 1672, William Frost.
EDMUND WRIGHT ( 1) fourth child of Nicholas and Ann Wright, was born about 1640. He evidently adhered to the tenets of the Church of England, and became one of the founders of the first Episcopal Church established in Hempstead and Oyster Bay. The Hempstead Town Records show that :
"As early as 1693 a law was passed during the administration of Gov. Fletcher by which Hempstead and Oyster Bay were made a pre- cinct or parish for settling and maintaining a minister. The first meeting of the Society was held in the library of Arch Tenneson in 1701." "
In vol. II, p. 232, Hempstead Town Records, is the following:
"At a meeting held in Hempstead, January ye 12, 1702-3, John Pine was chosen Churchwarden, Jonathan Smith, Samuel Dentin, Daniel Cessam. John Carland was chosen vestryman att ve said meet- ing for ve town of Oyster Bay. Mr. Thomas Jones was chosen Churchwarden. EDMUND WRIGHT, Isaac Doghty, Samuel Desson, Richard Willets and Nathaniel Coles was chosen vestrymen."
Edmund Wright was a quiet, industrious, upright man and a large property holder, part of which he inherited from his father. He
Stephen m Wright
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subsequently added largely to his holdings. A description of the various localities published in the Townsend Memorial states that:
" Next south, Isaac Latting, son-in-law of Nicholas Wright, had a lot of land laid out to him, and built upon it. South of his, Ed- mund, son of Nicholas, and son-in-law of Peter Wright, lived. Israel Latting sold to William Butler, whose son Richard sold to the heirs of Edmund Wright. From the latter both places united passed to his son-in-law, John Townsend."
Edmund Wright married Sarah, daughter of Peter Wright (bro- ther of Nicholas and Anthony), and his descendants can thus claim the honor of descent from the real founder of Oyster Bay, which, in view of the fact that it has since become the home of the President of the United States, is an honor of which one may justly feel proud. Anthony Wright having left no issue, Nicholas and Peter became the founders of the Oyster Bay branch of the Wright family.
Edmund Wright by his wife Sarah Wright had issue:
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