USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. I > Part 16
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 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
189
Biographical Notes.
he was told that Bewick's pictures were engraved on boxwood. Hle immediately procured some pieces of that wood from a rule- maker's shop, invented proper tools, experimented, and to his great joy he found the material much more agreeable to work upon and more easily managed than type metal. Two of these wood blocks are still in existence. In the first year of his praetiee of medicine Dr. Anderson drew and engraved on wood in an admirable manner, even when compared with the art at the pres- ent day, a full-length human skeleton, from Albinus's Anatomy, which he enlarged to the length of three feet. This, it is believed. is the largest fine and carefully elaborated engraving on wood ever attempted, and has never been excelled in accuracy of drawing and characteristie execution. When Dr. Anderson was at the age of twenty-three his family all died of the yellow fever. He was attacked while in attendance upon the physician with whom he had studied. and who had been prostrated by it. Both recovered. and Anderson made a voyage to the West Indies to visit a paternal unele, Alexander Anderson, who was the King's botanist at St. Vincent. On his return he resolved to abandon the practice of the medical profession and devote himself to engraving. for which he had conceived an irrepressible passion. At that time John Roberts, an eccentrie Scotchman and friend of Anderson's de- ceased father, who painted miniatures. etched and engraved on copper. was a clever musician and mathematician. and a compe- tent draughtsman. became his instructor. Anderson preferred wood engraving, but the demand for it being small he practiced on copper, and under Roberts's instruction gained great proficiency. Ilis skill was well attested by the frontispiece to Robertson'. Ifi- tory of Charles the Fifth, and a portrait of Francis the First. These he engraved in the year 1800 for an edition published in New York by Hopkins. But Roberts's habit- were so irregular that Anderson did not remain with him long, and finally his master's intemperance compelled him to give up the advantages which he might have derived from that artist's practical sugge- tions. Anderson established himself as an engraver soon after leaving Roberts, and up to the year 1820 he used both wood and metal. as occasion required. He illustrated the earliest editions of Webster's Spelling Book, which for many years has been a
190
Biographical Notes.
leading elementary book in the schools of the United States. In 1857 a new and more fully illustrated edition of that work was published, the engravings executed by Anderson from drawings by Morgan, who was about eight years his junior. During his long and busy life. Dr. Anderson engraved many thousands of subjects. Ilis last engraving on copper was made about the year 1812 to illustrate a quarto Bible. The subject was the " Last Supper." from an English design. From that time he engraved on wood exclusively, and found continnal employment until called upon to lay aside every implement of labor forever. In the Spring of 1839 he removed from where he had lived for over thirty years, going to Jersey City, where he dwelt with a married daughter. He was then eighty-five years of age. At that time he issued a new business card, drawn and engraved by himself. with the appropriate motto-Fleeus non Tractus-" Bent, not broken." lle died on the 17th of January, 1870. the birthday of Franklin, whom he might have seen. Their two lives extended over one hundred and sixty-four years. Dr. Anderson's age at the time of hi- death being ninety-five. He was extremely regular in his habits. and would not sit up after ten o'clock at night. he used to declare. " to see an angel." His remini-cences of the past were extremely vivid. He was acquainted with most of the literary and professional men of the early part of this century, and had been intimate, with Irving from a boy. From him Irving learned to play the flageolet. In person he was a little below the medium height. rather thick set. and presented a countenance always beaming with benevolent and kindly feeling.
ANDROS SIR EDMUND, Governor of New York, was born in London. December 6th, 1637. His family was one of considera- tion upon the island of Guernsey, his father being at the time of the son's birth master of ceremonies at the Court of King Charles the First. He was brought up in the royal palace, and after the downfall of the monarchy. his family having gone into exile, he began the profession of arms in Holland, under the Prince of Nassau. Upon the restoration of Charles the Second. in 1660. the inhabitants of Guernsey thought it right to petition for pardon for having submitted to Cromwell. This was granted them, but it was recited that Edmund Andros and his father and
.
191
Biographical Notes.
uncle stood in no need of a pardon, having all been faithful. To reward his loyalty he was made Gentleman in Ordinary to Eliza- beth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia, the King's aunt. He subse- quently distinguished himself in the war waged by Charles the Second against the Dutch, which ended in 1667. In 1671 he married Mary, daughter of Sir Thomas Craven, of Yorkshire. In 1672 Major Andros was promoted to a regiment armed with the bayonet. which was the first introduction of that arm in the British service, and the four Barbadoes companies under his command were advanced to be troops of horse in it. In the same year the Palatine and proprietors of the province of Caro- lina, making allusion to his service and merits, conferred on him and his heirs the title of Landgrave. with four baronies contain- ing forty-eight thousand acres of land. The distinction bestowed by the proprietors, honorable as it was to him, does not appear to have been otherwise beneficial; neither he nor his heirs, it is believed, at any time derived advantage from the land attached to the dignity. In 1674. on the death of his father, he became seigneur of the tiefs. and succeeded to the office of the bailiff of Guernsey, the reversion to which had been granted to him in hi- father's lifetime, and in the same year he was commissioned to receive the surrender of the province of New York. in accordance with the terms of the treaty between England and Ilolland, made on the cessation of the war between the two nations. This treaty provided that all captured places should be restored, and among these New York, which had been taken by the Dutch under Colve. was included. Governor Andros, accompanied by his wife, arrived in the City of New York in October, 1674. and entered at once upon the government. Ile found the inhabitants disposed to acquiesce in the measures of his government under the same system that had been allowed under the previous admin- istration of the English, but he imposed more stringent condi- tions npon them, and subjected them, among other things, to the laws of impressment. from which they had formerly been exempted. Heavy rates were at the same time imposed. on the sole anthority of the Duke of York. No representative assembly existed. Their religious freedom was also somewhat eurtailed, so that many of the leading citizens were disposed to
192
Biographical Notes.
give up their residence here and return to Holland. At an early period of his administration Andros exhibited his intention of furthering the canse of the Church of England. Considerable uneasiness existed in regard to the Indians, and it was believed in New England that recent difficulties there had been fomented by persons in New York. He tendered arms and ammunition to them, which were refused, proceeded through Long Island and disarmed the Indians there, and made new treaties with the New Jersey Indians. From this city he went up to Esopus and Albany, calling together the chiefs and brightening anew the chain of friendship. In 1677 Andros requested permission to visit England on private matters. which was granted. This was his representation, but it is believed his object really was to obtain further instructions from the Duke, so that new measures might be concerted for increasing the revenue. On this visit he was knighted. He returned in May. 1678, accompanied by his chaplain, the Rev. Charles Wolley, and by several gentlemen who afterwards beeamne prominent in New York. including William Pinhorne. afterwards Mayor : James Graham. afterwards Attorney-General : John West. afterwards City Clerk, and others. who gave an English tone to the society of New York it had not previously possessed. The ship arrived in New York after a passage of nine weeks, and Governor Andros again assumed control. It was found, after his return, that the Duke had determined to enforce the obnoxious rates for three years longer. which occasioned much discontent. The next year an ediet announced an increase of the tax on the importation of liquors. Disapproval of this was so marked and so many letters of complaint were sent to England that the Duke, in much surprise. recalled his Governor to give an account of an administration that plainly appeared to be universally odious. It was stated that this was that he might " also have the satisfaction to obviate such matters as if unanswered. might leave some blemish" ou him. how little soever deserved. " The Duke was determined that his subjects should be enslaved, and at the same time was very desirons they should be happy : and seeing no incompati- bility between these firemustances he supposed the more readily that Andros might have committed some enormities unconnected
193
Biographical Notes.
with his official functions, and called him home to ascertain if he had really so discredited legitimate tyranny." The examination by the Duke showed that he had only done what was required of him, and he was honorably acquitted. He was not sent back, however, but was succeeded by Colonel Dongan, afterwards Earl of Limerick. On the return of Governor Andros to England he was sworn Gentleman of the King's Privy Chamber. and thus again brought into close connection with the royal household. In 1684 the island of Alderney was granted to him and Lady Andros for ninety-nine years at a nominal rent, and in 1685 he was made Colonel in her Royal Highness Princess Anne's Regiment of Horse. In 1686 James the Second appointed him Governor of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, New Plymouth, and afterwards of Rhode Island and Connectient, to which, in 1688, New York and New Jersey were added, so that the extent of authority bestowed upon him comprehended a vast increase of dignity. and the Governor entered upon the functions of his vice-regal office with a paraphernalia of ceremonies and state which were conformable to the importance of his condition. but not very palatable to the people under his jurisdiction. Ile was received. however, in Boston with great acclamations, and entered upon his government of the New England colonies in 1686. In 1689 he had the misfortune to lose his wife. who died . at Boston. The corpse was carried by torchlight from the Governor's residence to the South Church in a hearse drawn by six horses. The administration of Governor Andros was highly unpopular. While his instructions contained nothing injurious to the liberties of Englishmen, excepting the clause forbidding the existence of a printing press. he began to exercise his admin- istrative powers to the utmost. Quo warranto writs were issued against the patents of the colonies : the local governments were dissolved : the marriage laws were altered. and the celebration of the rites was confined to clergymen of the Church of England. there being at that time but one in Massachusetts; and the fasts and thanksgivings of the churches were arbitrarily suppressed. Two of the best known citizens of New England were sent over to petition the King against these changes, but their efforts amounted to nothing. Some of the colonies saved their charters
194
Biographical Notes.
by hiding them, but it was impossible to say that this would be of any avail. The opposition to him was active and bitter, and when news at last came by way of Virginia that James the Second had been dethroned, and that the Prince of Orange was at the head of affairs in England, endurance ceased and a storm broke forth. An insurrection immediately took place in Boston ; the drums beat to arms; people came together from all parts of the province, and the energy displayed was so great that all thoughts of resistance were at once abandoned by the Govern- ment. Andros and about fifty of the most obnoxious characters were seized and imprisoned. Bradstreet, who had so often served the commonwealth of Massachusetts, was chosen in his stead. A committee of safety was appointed. and on the reas- sembling of the Legislature shortly after. it was declared that the old charter was resumed, and it reappointed all the other magis- trates who had been in office in 1686. Agents were sent to England with charges against Andros and his counsellors. They were coldly received, however, and they had the mortification to see him turn their accuser, and afterwards to know that he had been appointed Governor of Virginia. Previously to going to England he had been some months in confinement. When he assumed the government of Virginia in 1692 he brought over the charter of William and Mary College, the first in the Southern States. His administration proved highly beneficial to Virginia, and he gained the consideration of the people. His term of office closed in 1698. when he returned to England. In 1704 the government of Guernsey was bestowed upon him, holding it for two years. He continued Bailiff till his death. which took place in the parish of St. Anne, Westminster, in February, 1713, in his seventy-sixth year. Sir Edmund Andros was married three times, and died without issue. A favorable account of him, de- fending his actions, may be found in Leslie Stephen's Dictionary of National Biography.
AMEL JouN. a loval addresser of Lord and General Howe in 1776. was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was in the grocery trade. He married Elizabeth Farquharson in 1770. In the Volunteer Corps raised by General Robertson in 1750 he was major.
195
Biographical Notes.
ANTHONY ALLARD, a prominent citizen of New Amsterdam, was a merchant, living in Pearl, near Broad street. He was fre- quently the consignee of ships from Holland, and was besides engaged in retail trade. He had a farm near the city. No men- tion of his name is found in the records before 1652, and he was still active in 1677. He was Schepen in 1653, Bnrgomaster from 1655 to 1637, and again in 1660 and 1661. and Sheriff in 1663, 1665, 1666, and from 1671 to 1673. IIe is believed to have been wealthy.
APTHORPE CHARLES WARD, a gentleman of English birth, was resident at Bloomingdale for some years previous to the Revolu- tionary war. He was appointed a member of the Governor's Coun- cil in 1763, and held this office till the British evacuation. Ile was a loyalist, and for that reason a considerable property which he held in Massachusetts was confiscated. His name, however, does not appear in the New York Statute of Confiscation of 1779.
ASTOR JOUS JACOB, a great capitalist, was born in the village of Waldorf, near the ancient city of Heidelberg, in Germany, July 17, 1763. His father was a butcher. The son earned enough money to take him to England about the elose of our Revolutionary war, and was there employed in a piano factory. In 1784 he came to this country, landing at Baltimore, but shortly after arriving here he learned the furrier's trade, and as soon as he had a little capi- tal began buying and selling furs. While the State of New York was a wilderness he frequently made trips into the interior to trade with the Indians. He formed connections with houses in London in the same line that he was, and speedily became a rich man. As his wealth increased he enlarged his business nntil, by the formation of the American Fur Company, he was a com- petitor with the great capitalists of Enrope, the proprietors of the Northwestern and Canadian Fur Companies. Such was his en- terprise that he extended his business to the month of the Col- umbia River, and formed the first establishment there, known as Astoria. The war of 1812 interfered with this and compelled its abandonment. He also traded by sea to many countries, particularly cultivating the China trade. On these investments he reaped very largely. He bought United States securities at a time when they were distrusted by others, finding afterwards
196
Biographical Notes.
that his judgment was correct as to their great value. But his chief gains were made in lands. He had the gift to see that property on the island of New York must continually increase in value, and he therefore purchased as largely as possible. This policy has been followed by his son and grandsons. Shortly before his death he matured plans for a free public library, which went into operation in 1853, and is one of the chief ornaments of this city. Ile was married to Sarah Todd, who proved a great acqui- sition, early in life. His death happened March 29th. 1848. The fortune he left, which went mainly to his son William B. Astor, was estimated at twenty-five millions of dollars.
AUCHMUTY SAMUEL. D. D., rector of Trinity Church at the time of the American Revolution, was a son of Robert Auchimity, an eminent lawyer of Boston, born in Scotland. Robert left two sons. one being named Robert after him, also an excellent lawyer. Sammel Anchmuty was born in Boston, January 16th, 1722, and was graduated at Harvard University in 1742. Hle then went to England to study for holy orders. On being ordained he was appointed by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel an assistant minister of Trinity Church in this city. and in 1764, upon the death of the rector, he succeeded to him. At the time of the Revolution he had made arrangements again to visit England, in expectation of being consecrated Bishop of New York, but the perilous condition of affairs rendered it necessary he should stay at home. Ile continued his ministrations in the church, and suc- ceeded in keeping his flock together. Dr. Auchmuty being opposed to the Revolution, and adhering to the cause of the mother country, continued. in the public services of the church. to read prayers for the King. When the Americans took posses- sion of New York, this practice being offensive to them. Lord Stirling sent him a message that if he continued to do so he would on the following Sunday send a file of soldiers and take him from the desk. But the Doctor, thinking he could not omit these prayers without violating hi- ordination vows, began the reading of them as usual: upon which Lord Stirling marched into the church with a company of soldiers. the band playing Yankee Doodle. The Doctor's voice never faltered, but he went on and finished the prayers: and the soldiers marched up one aisle
-
197
Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
and down another, and went out again without any violence. After church, he sent for the keys of Trinity and its chapels, and took them to New Jersey, ordering that they should not again be opened until the liturgy could be performed without interruption. When the British were again in possession of the city, as hap- pened in September, 1776, he resolved at once to return to his beloved parish, and applied for leave to pass the American lines. This was refused, but with the unfailing energy which charac- terized his whole career, he determined to return on foot by a cir- cuitous route to avoid being stopped. After undergoing great hardships, sleeping in the woods, and heedless of exposure, he reached the city. During his absence, Trinity Church and his parsonage had been burned to the ground. The Sunday follow- ing he preached in St. Paul's for the last time. The hardships he had undergone brought on an illness, which terminated his life in a few days, March 4th. 1777. in the 52d year of his age.
DIARY OF DR. ALEXANDER ANDERSON.
MARCH.
Ist. Sunday. Fore-noon-went to St. Paul's & partook of the Sacrament. After-noon-at the Doctor's-Read Zimmerman on Solitude. came home before tea-time-went about i to Trinity Church & heard part of Mr. Bisset's Lecture .-
2d. Morning-Engrav'd 2 of Carey's cuts .- Attended Chem. Lecture .- Spent 5d for Figs .- Afternoon-began to work at Birdsall's copper-plate. Return'd Zimmerman & got a vol. of Rollin from Fellows's .- came home before S, in the evening & cast type metal.
3d. Attended Chemical Lecture .- saw Dr. Johnson# on the
* Dr. William Samuel Johnson, then President of Columbia College, was born in Connecticut in 1727. He was sent to Yale, and there graduated in 1744. He afterwards became a Jowyver. In 1766 he was the agent of Connecticut in Fng- Jand. While there he formed the acquaintance of Dr. Samuel Johnson, the lexicographer, and corresponded with him until his death. He returned in
198
Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
subject of the copperplate for the College Library .-- stopp'd in and saw Mr. Youle .- This morning Dr. Davidson left town for Bethlehem .- Capt. Rogers & his wife call'd in at my Father's in the evening-I was busy filing off type-metal cuts .-
4th. Morning assisted Mama in some important alterations- namely removing a Closet, &e .- receiv'd ib} of Raisins for a compensation .- Attended Chem. Lecture .- got further directions for the copperplate from Mr. Rattoon. Return'd Rollin & got Smith's Letters from Fellows's, paid 10d .- Evening-Mr. Fuller came and gave me directions for an engraving of window-blinds which he wants done for the New's-paper .- I went to see Mr. Bailey's negro boy, who thought fit to be sick-he had been to Dr. Smith who gave him some lumps of Assafetidia to take .- I got Bell's Surgery from Durell. at 20/ .- On offering to take back the cut- from Buds he delivered me 8 of them. the remainder were in the form .-
5th. Morning-Engrav'd Fuller's ent .- Attended Chem. Lee- ture .- After-noon. part of it spent in etching .- Mama and John were preparing to visit Miss Buchanan. Evening-read Smith's letters & wrote from the Amanitat. Academica .- AAfter & came home and fil'd type-metal. Mr. Fuller came for the cut & paid me 4/. Mama read part of Capt. Fanning'st manuscript Journal to its. - an account of Paul Jones's Engagement with the Serapis .- 6th. Attended Chem. Lecture .- Spent 6d for Raisins .- I Went to the Hospital --- but came away without seeing Dr. Smith .- Busy etching almost all the afternoon. Mr. White. the little neat Batchelor and Miss S. Graham drank tea with us .-
1771, and in 1972 was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Connecticut, which he resigned three years after. In 1755 he was a delegate to Congress, and in 1757 was a member of the Convention which framed the Constitution of the United States. He was subsequently a Senator from Connecticut. In 1792 he was chosen President of Columbia College, and held this position for eight years. He was an ardent Episcopalian, and the son of Dr. Samuel John- son. the first President of King's, now Columbia College, who did much to or- ganize the American Church. William Samuel Johnson died in 1819 in Con nectient, being then ninety-two years okl.
* John Buel, printer, corner of Water and Market streets.
+ Captain Edmund Fanning, a shipmaster, whose residence in New York was at 35 Cheapside, now Hamilton street.
199
Diary of Dr. Alexander Anderson.
when I returned to the Dr's, they were all out-I play'd on the violin-took out medicines .- Got the copper-plate from Myer's" -. paid 13/ and left a piece of copper to be planish'd for the Col- lege plate .- After S in the Evening I came home and cast the metal for another cut which Fuller wishes to have done-
7th. Rose about 5, this morning .- at 9 attended Chem. Lecture. -directly after which I came home and went to Brooklyn-a long passage. saw Aunt Carpender-& received 3/ for Lockwood's medicine .- Din'd at my Father's .- came home again in the after- noon and staid to tea .- Spent 3d for Raisins .- Evening-call'd at Dr. Graham's & eat a piece of green currant pyc .- sat awhile with the Dr. Read till S when I came home in a storm of rain.
Sth. Sunday .- I took a walk along the wharves to view the damage done by last night's storm, I was awaken'd in a fright, last night. with the crashing of the vessels and rattling of the rain on the roof. My confusion was not a little enereas'd by a flash of lightning in my face. I ran down stairs for a pail to catch the water, and emptied a dish out of one into the yard. Fore-noon. -At Trinity Church, Luke ii, 12. After-noon-read the 1st number of the Life of Christ. Went to see several patients. Call'd at Dr. Smith's, who was taken ill yesterday and has kept house to-day. His wife is troubled with a Fistula Lochry- malis.
9th. Engraving the copperplate. After-noon, went to Brook- lyn & saw Aunt. Dug some dock root out of the frozen ground. Fuller paid me 4/ for the 2d cut. Read Bell's Surgery. Paid Shoemaker 2/ for mending shoes, and spent 6d for shoe-ribbon.
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.