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THE OLD MERCHANTS OF NEW YORK CITY Second Series By Walter Barrett, Clerk 1863 MERCHANT DESCRIPTIONS CHAPTER 24
There are many things that I forget at the moment I am writing a sketch about a particular person, firm, or matter, and that properly belong to it. For instance when I was writing about Mr. Samuel G. Ogden and the expedition of General Miranda in the "Leander," to the Spanish main, I ought to have mentioned the fate of two of those New Yorkers who went out in it. I knew both personally. John M. Elliott and Thomas Gill were sentenced to ten years' labor at Omoa. They were imprisoned at Carthagena. I do not know how they made their escape, or whether they served out the ten years to which they were sentenced. THOMAS GILL Thomas Gill, after his return, was connected with the Evening Post. He managed the business of that concern, and he was considered to be quite as important a personage as the editor. That was thirty years ago, when the Evening Post office was in William street, No. 49. Mr. Coleman, the editor was lame. At precisely 3 o'clock he would come out and get in a carriage, and drive off to 61 Hudson street, where he lived. Mr. Gill was regarded as so important a part of a well regulated newspaper establishment, he being a methodical business man, that Major Noah, when he started the Daily Evening Star, secured the services of Mr. Gill, by giving him a half interest in the new enterprise, and it was owned by "Noah & Gill." MR. ELLIOTT Mr. Elliott, after his return from campaigning in South America, went back to the printing business again, I think it must be as early as 1817. In 1827, he formed a partnership with John W. Palmer, another printer, and the firm was Elliott & Palmer, at No. 7 Wall street, corner of New. Afterward they moved to No. 20 William street, where they opened a moderate sized "stationery store," and kept all kinds of books and blanks, such as are used by merchants. Mr. Palmer used to attend in the store, and Mr. Elliott on the upper floor, where the printing office and presses were stationed. In that store I used to meet Samuel Woodworth, the poet, author of the "Old Oaken Bucket." There was nothing poetical about the looks of Mr. W. Elliott & Palmer were getting out a book of poems for the poet. I was presented with a copy, and kept it many years. The firm published many books and pamphlets for some years. In their time, the pamphlet was a common resort. "Effects of establishing a reciprocal exchange with Europe, by Publican;" "Dissertation on Political Equality, by J.C.;" "Vindication of Andrew Jackson, by Grotius;" "Dissertation on the French claims, by Lucius Junius Brutus," and such sort of stuff. Some of these bear the imprint of "Elliott & Palmer, 20 William Street, New York. "What ever become of Nick Palmer?" I asked the other day, of a person who knew both of us a third of a century ago. "Nick?____why he is cashier of the Leather Manufacturers' Bank," was the reply. I missed Mr. Elliott many years, and naturally supposed he had gone to a better world, until last week, when I was told that an old printer named Elliott, the oldest printer in New York, could probably set up the fac simile of the old Corporation money (published in last chapter) in the same quaint style. I went to Old Slip, No. 12, and there found out that the old printer was still living, now eighty years old, in Jersey City, but did not attend to business any more, having resigned it to John M. Davis. ABRAHAM VANNEST Abraham Vannest is yet alive, and I should think must be among the oldest of the Old Merchants now alive. His father, William Vannest, was in the same business at 17 Hanover square (111 Pearl,) soon after the peace of 1782. He died about 1794, and then his widow Deborah continued the business for a short time. About 1796, Abraham put up his own sign, and he kept it up many years. As he was in business sixty-six years ago, and did not publicly engage in it until he saw twenty-one, he must be eighty-six or eighty-seven years of age now. The house has continued down to this day, and is now Abraham R. Vannest & Co., "Saddlery, Hardware and Carriage goods," at No. 50 Warren and 150 Chamber streets, store extending through the block. MISCELLANEOUS MERCHANTS A) John Haggerty is still alive, and a very aged man, but he did not go into business under his own name until 1800. B) George B. Rapelje is an old merchant, is still alive, but he did not go into business until after 1802. I have his bold signature before me, signed December, 1804. C) John Robbins is yet hale and hearty, as when I wrote about him in last edition. He commenced about 1800 to do business on his own account. D) The first ship ever sent to Canton from this city was sent by the old firm of Franklin, Robinson & Co. Their counting-house was at No. 279 Pearl street. The partners were Abraham and Samuel Franklin, and William T. Robinson. They did a heavy East India business. I think the founder of the house was Walter Franklin, who died in 1780. He lived at No. 1 Cherry street. General Washington occupied his house afterwards. His daughter married De Witt Clinton. The ship that was sent by the house of Franklin, Robinson & Co., was one of the largest that had then been built in the city. E) The supercargo was William Bell. During the later years of his life, any one passing down Wall street would see him, in the middle of the day, sitting upon the stoop of Mr. McCormick, No. 57 Wall street. Mr. Bell was a Scotchman, and a tall, fine-looking man. He was often seen in company with Captain Frederick Phillips. The latter was a half pay British officer, who lived in the splendid mansion corner of Pine and William streets. After his death, Niblo took it as his Bank Coffee House. His only child, a daughter, married Samuel Gouverneur. His son Samuel L. Gouverneur yet lives in this city, and he married Miss Monroe, a daughter of James Monroe, who was president of the United States. F) This Captain Phillips was one of the most popular men of the town. He remained here after the war, and I think died about 1813. He was tall, stood as straight as an arrow; he carried under his arm a short cane, and when he appeared in Wall street, with his head flung back, any one could discover that he had received a military education. He was a thorough Englishmen. He joined the St. George's Society in this city in 1788; he was a long time vice-president of it. This daughter I have alluded to, who married Samuel Gouverneur, was a favored belle in her day, said to have been a most charming as well as beautiful girl. The Gouverneur family was then in its prime, and Sam was a great match. He was one of the firm of Gouverneur & Kemble. The eldest son of this marriage took the name of the superb old Captain "Frederick Phillips," his grandfather, and dropped that of Gouverneur. The captain was a very rich man when he died. DANIEL McCORMICK What talking times those old jokers (young once) used to have on stoop No. 57 Wall street. The house stood below the present Merchants' Exchange, on the south side, three doors this side of Pearl street, until the great fire. It was forty feet wide. It was built of brick___plastered over to represent stone, and was painted blue. Daniel McCormick bought the property about 1790, built that house, and moved into it about 1792. He was a bachelor. I am not aware that he had any near connection, but one. That one came out from Ireland, and it was the intention of his uncle to make him his heir, but they did not agree. One was raw and uncouth, and the other (old Daniel) was one of the most polished gentleman in the city. The raw one went back to the old country, and strange to say, rose to high rank in the legal profession. I think he became "Lord Advocate," or something of the sort. Before the war Daniel had been in the auction business I think. He was an Irishman by birth, came to this country poor, but amassed a large fortune and retired. He was president of the St. Patrick Society for many years, and I believe a member all his life. When the Bank of New York was started, Daniel McCormick was among the first directors; Samuel Franklin, of the firm of Franklin, Robinson & Co., was another. Isaac Roosevelt was the president. Mr. McCormick continued in the board of directors Twenty years. His house as I have said before, was the resort of several of the leading men. On his stoop, in the middle of the day, could be seen Captain Phillips, who was the acknowledged authority in war matters, as was Supercargo Bell about Chinese matters, he having been the first supercargo out there. In another chair could be seen Colonel William Steuben Smith, surveyor of the port, that President Jefferson afterward removed for supposed complicity with the General Miranda expedition. Two doors above Mr. McCormick, at No. 53, lived Mrs. Mary Daubeney, the wife of Captain Daubeney. At 43 lived Thomas Pearsall, and at 41, Thomas Buchanan. Next door below Mr. McCormick at 59, was the Eagle Insurance Company. He himself was a director in the United Insurance Company at 49 Wall, and so were his neighbors, Buchanan and Pearsall. At the time Mr. McCormick left the board of directors of the Bank of New York, his friend, Nicholas Gouverneur, was president of it. Mr. McCormick was a glorious sample of the old New Yorker. He stuck to Wall street to the last. Death alone could get him out of it. He died in 1834, and from 1792 until that date he never budged an inch out of the honored old street. He witnessed the removal of his neighbors one by one, year after year, until all had gone. He saw offices and business crowding into the cellar and floors and garrets of the vacated buildings: he saw new buildings put up for offices; but he was firm, and finally was left alone, the only gentleman who continued to reside in his own house, in the good old fashioned style. He never changed his habits. He stuck to short breeches and white stockings and buckles to the last. He wore hair-powder as long as he lived, and believed in curls. He was without a stain upon his character. He was fond of his friends, and they loved him, although he saw nearly all of them enter the grave. He gave good dinner parties, and had old choice wines upon the table. In his invitations for dinner he invited three, or five, or seven persons to dine with him, but never an even number; and he was always anxious to have those come that he invited, so that ill-luck might not chance by one not coming, thus giving the unlucky even number of persons to entertain. After dinner came a good old game of whist for one or two tables, according as he invited more or less. He was fond of the game, and his friends also were good whist player. He owned a large landed property, and when he died was very rich. On those days, and for years, the great topic of conversation was Bonaparte. OTHER LEADING IRISHMEN OF THE CITY AND OFFICERS OF ST. PATRICK SOCIETY: A) JOHN CHARLETON It is curious to look back and see who were the leading Irishmen in this city, and officers of the St. Patrick Society, from 1790-1804. John Charleton was one. He was physician at No. 110 Broadway as early as 1786. B) THOMAS ROACH He was president in 1792. He was a wine merchant in Water Street. C) WILLIAM EDGAR He was vice president. He was the founder of the Edgar family, in this city. The white marble palace of Mr. Edgar is still standing at 7 Greenwich street. In 1797 he lived at No. 7 Wall street. He was treasurer of the first insurance company started in 1793, "Mutual". He was director in the Bank of New York. He was a merchant, and prominent in everything that was going on for many years. D) JOHN SHAW John Shaw was a merchant in Water street. E) CARLISLE POLLOCK Carlisle Pollock was a merchant, and lived in Whitehall street, but had his store on Gouverneur wharf. F) JAMES CONSTABLE He was one of St. Patrick's "Council," a merchant and one of the firm of William and James Constable. They lived corner of Wall and William streets. G) JOHN McVICKER John McVicker was a merchant, and had his store and dwelling house at 27 Queen (would be about half way between Pine and Wall in Pearl.) He was an Irishman, and head of the great McVicker family of the city. He was father of Professor McVicker of Columbia College. A grandson of his, Bard McVicker, was one of the cleverest young man that every graduated at Columbia College. He died, I believe, of consumption about twenty-five years ago. He was a vestryman of Trinity church from 1801 to 1812. H ) WILLIAM WADE William Wade was a grocer in Water street, only a few doors from Whitehall. I ) HUGH GAINE "Hugh Gaine" was the treasurer of the St. Patrick's Society. He was a printer, and a wonderful person. In 1752, 110 years ago, he started the New York Mercury, a weekly. During the Revolution, he was regarded as rather unsound upon the "goose question" of that day, but after the war was over, he became all right and was a great favorite. In 1787 he got out a Universal Register, and in it he gives the population of New York at 30,000 inhabitants and 4,200 houses. About that time he was a bookseller and stationer, at 25 Hanovover Square. What is also very curious, he was a vestryman of Trinity church from 1792 to 1808. J) WILLIAM HILL William Hill was vestryman of Trinity Church from 1812 to 1818. He was a merchant in Broad and lived in Courtlandt street. He was treasurer of the society for some years. K) DOMINICK LYNCH Dominick Lynch was for a long time a counsellor of St. Patrick. He was of the firm of Lynch & Stoughton, merchants at 41 and 42 Little Dock street (Water street, from Whitehall to Old slip.) Mr. Lynch lived at No. 16 Broadway. Don Thomas Stoughton, his partner, was the Spanish Consul General. I have a chapter written about this firm, and it will be one of the most interesting of any I have written, when published. So that I will say no more about it now. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: These Irish families are the cream of the cream of the old families here. George Barnewell was an importing mercchant, and had his counting-room at No. 21 Wall, in the rear of No. 19, with such vice presidents and other officers as William W. Wallace, Robert R. Wadell, William Hill, Hugh Gaine, George Barnewall, John Caldwell, Cornelius Heeney, and they were all leading Irishmen seventy-five years ago. Irishmen used to be aldermen in those days, too, for Daniel McCormick was alderman of the East Ward in 1789 and 1790. It is curious, too, that John Pintard, of whom I wrote, should have been his assistant. In those two years James Duane and Richard Varick were mayors. GOUVERNEUR & KEMBLE In a former chapter, I alluded to that great old firm of Gouverneur & Kemble. He was the one that gave the name to Gouverneur's lane, back or near his house. That house was quite a remarkable one in its day. It was destroyed in the great fire in 1835. Many people used to visit it to see the paper hangings on the walls, paper imported from Canton, having been used by Mr. Gouverneur. The counting house of Gouverneur & Kemble was up on Gouverneur's wharf, which was at the bottom of Gouverneur alley, at the second wharf east of Old Slip. About 1798, Isaac commenced building his grand house on the corner of Sloate lane (now the end of Hanover) and Hanover square; it was No. 121 Pearl street. That house was a great affair, and what added to its wonder was that it had a drain to Old Slip, independent of any other drain. He could not have enjoyed his new house very long, for he died about the commencement of the century. His widow resided in it until 1803. It was afterwards rented to the celebrated General Moreau, of whom I have spoken in former chapter. Here Moreau lived in grand style, entertaining like a Prince, until he went back to Europe to join the allies against Napoleon, and lose his life at Dresden. The firm had an immense law suit with a Frenchman, involving over a hundred thousand dollars. It was taken up to Albany. Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton were counsel for the Frenchman Le Guin, and all the celebrated lawyers of the state were engaged upon it. It was decided against Gouverneur & Kemble and it killed Isaac Gouverneur. He died at Albany shortly after the result of this suit was known. His brother Nicholas married a Miss Kortwright. They lived at 23 Beaver street for many years. He died in that house in 1807. Samuel L. Gouverneur who was postmaster, was a son of this Nicholas. A daughter of Nicholas married Johnson Verplanck, who was a son of Gulian Verplanck, an eminent citizen, who was as early as 1790 and for many years after, president of the Bank of New York, and who is uncle to our Gulian C. Verplanck. Johnson Verplanck at one time was the editor of the celebrated New York American, with which Mr. Charles King was so long connected. It was the organ of the Federalists in its day, as the Evening Post was of the Republican. Source: The Old Merchants of New York City Author: Walter Barrett, Clerk Second series Publisher: Carleton, Publisher, 413 Broadway Entered according to the Act of Congress 1863 _____________________________________ Researched, Prepared and Contributed by Miriam Medina For the Brooklyn Information Page Back To The OLd Merchants of NYC 1863 Back To BUSINESS Main Return to BROOKLYN Info Main Page