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THE OLD MERCHANTS OF NEW YORK CITY Second Series By Walter Barrett, Clerk 1863 MERCHANT DESCRIPTIONS CHAPTER 12
While I take pleasure in writing a chapter about an ordinary old merchant, who has merely his individuality to distinguish him, I take a double pleasure, when I can strike out with one who not only represents one of a class, but who is a type of a grand old race. I have had the New England class, such as Jonathan Goodhue represented, or G.G. Howland; the old English race, represented by Thomas Buchanan; the Scotch by Archibald Gracie. Noble old Francis Lewis, who was a merchant, and signed the Declaration of Independence, was afterwards an insurance broker, was of the Welsh class. I have yet to write his history. I have had the old Dutch merchant and his descendants, and their characteristics. I now take up one of a more ancient class, who, in all ages,and in all nations have seemed to have had a double nationality___their own, and that of the country in which they lived. BERNARD HART I have now before me the venerable form of Bernard Hart, who died about six years ago, at the advanced age of ninety-one. At all times, and in all countries, the Israelites have been the leading merchants, traders and bankers of the world. Mr. Hart was born in England in 1764. He came to this country in 1777, during the war, and was then thirteen years old. He made a visit to a relative in Canada for three years, and then, in 1780, settled down for a life in this city, and that life was prolonged seventy-five years more! From 1780 until 1786, Mr. Hart, although quite young, was making purchases and sending goods to Canada, for the establishment of his relative, and this he continued to do until he made a commercial house for himself. Towering aloft among the magnates of the city of the last and present century is Bernard Hart. In 1795 he resided and did business at No. 100 Water street. That was the year the yellow fever raged so fearfully; 732 died. Although 2,086 died in 1798____ yet it was not so horribly fearful to the citizens as in 1795, for then they had got used to it. It was not a new pestilence. Mr. Hart and Mr. Pell, of the firm of Pell & Ferris, who kept store at 108 Water street, a few doors from Mr. Hart, were unceasing in their exertion___night and day, hardly giving themselves time to sleep and eat; they were among the sick and dying, and relieving their wants, and were angels of mercy in those awful days of the first great pestilence. Two years before, in 1792, Mr. Hart had become a member of the St. George's Society, re-established in 1786, and he was a constant watcher on the health of the few members of that society in the sickly season of 1795. Mr. Bernard Hart was also a great military man in his early years. In 1797, although New York was exceedingly small, she could sport a brigade of militia, of which James M. Hughes was brigadier general. Jacob Morton was lieutenant colonel commandant of the third regiment. Isaac Heyer, Henry J. Wyckoff, John Elting, Nathaniel Bloodgood and John Graham were captains. William Hosack, Edward W. Laight, Henry Sands, Peter A. Jay, Henry Cruger Jr., and such old names were lieutenants. Bernard Hart was quartermaster, and John Neilson was surgeon mate. What a party! The last was the celebrated Dr. Neilson, who for many years was one of the most prominent physicians in this city! His house at the northwest corner of Greenwich street and Liberty is still standing, as also a magnificent palace that he built in Chambers street near Greenwich, that was afterwards purchased and is now occupied by the famous Madam Restell. I am not positive, but I think Bernard Hart was a mason, and belonged to Holland Lodge No. 8, of which John Jacob Astor was Master in 1798, and they met at 66 Liberty street. In 1802, Mr. Hart formed a partnership with Leonard Lispenard, under the firm of Lispenard & Hart. At this time or from 1790 there were two prominent Lispenards. They owned breweries on what was then called the Greenwich road. One was named Anthony, the other Leonard. There were the founders of the celebrated Lispenard estates. Lispenard & Hart first started in business at 89 Water street. At one time, they did a large auctioneer business, but always did a general commission business. In 1806, they moved to 141 Pearl street, and continued there as late as 1812. During this time Mr. Hart had made another partnership. In 1806 he married Miss Rebecca Seixas, a daughter of Benjamin Seixas, all of whose daughters were famous for their wonderful beauty and exceeding loveliness, both in person and character. Mrs. Hart was not an exception. There was another famous society to which Mr. Hart belonged, and I do not think any one of the members of it can be alive. They called themselves the "House of Lords," and also "Under the Rose." The society held their meetings at Baker's city tavern, No. 4 Wall street, corner of New. In 1813, Bernard Hart left the Lispenard, and went into business under his own name, at No. 86 Water street and lived at No. 24 Cedar street. In 1818, he went into Wall street. I think about this time the Board of Brokers must have been founded, for Mr. Hart was elected its secretary, without salary, and he continued its secretary until he died in 1855. Bernard Hart was much respected, and was one of those men that ought not to perish from the records. When he died, his was the peaceful death of the just man. He was 91 years of age. What an eventful life was his! He left several children, and he lived long enough to see them occupy positions of usefulness and high honor. A) EMANUEL B. HART He was one of the sons of this old merchant. He has been a merchant and a broker, following in the footsteps of his father. This son was alderman of the Fifth Ward in 1845 and 1846. He represented the city in Congress from December, 1851, to March, 1853. He was appointed Surveyor of the Port in 1859, and left it in 1861. B) BENJAMIN I. HART He is also a broker, and married Miss Hendricks, a daughter of old Mr. Hendricks, of whom I gave a lengthy sketch a year ago. C) DAVID HART He is another son. He was and is a teller in the Pacific Bank___went to the war, and fought galantly at Bull Run, but was badly wounded. D) THEODORE AND DANIEL HART Another son, Theodore, is in business in this city. So also is Daniel Hart, another son. OLD NEW YORK CITY (circa 1786) At that time, 1786, this city had 23,614 population of which 2,103 were blacks, and the taxes L6,100____or about $15,250. If Mr. Hart had lived a few years longer he would have seen them as many millions as they were thousands when he started business. The city had been incorporated just ninety years. Since 1696. Its outskirts were Chambers street, although there were some scattering farm-houses____among them was that of Mr. Lispenard, who afterwards became a partner of Mr. Hart, under the firm of Lispenard & Hart. Standing where the northwest corner of the Park now is, you could see the chimneys of the dwelling of Mr. Lispenard among the trees, over towards the North river, where Desbrosses street now enters Hudson. Broadway ended where the Park now ends. To get off the Island north, you had to take the road outside of what is now the Park, pass up the Bowery, and wind around to where Madison square now is. There Kings road separated; and old trees in Madison square yet mark the Boston road. Broadway commanded an uninterrupted view of the Hudson river, and the promenaders up it could look down at the sail boats and ships. Wall street was then quite a wide street, and filled with costly edifices. Hanover square and Dock street (Pearl street between Hanover square and Broad street,) was the great place for business, and had many handsome houses___the families of the great merchants living over head, and the stores beneath. William street was a good street, and it was the place for retail dry goods stores. There were other streets, but they were narrow and irregular. The City Hall, an old brick building, stood in Wall, overlooking Broad street. The Battery had pleasant walks. The old city was the gayest place in America in 1786. Water was much needed in those days, and there were very few wells in the city. There was a pump near the head of Queen street (Chatham and Pearl,) which received water from a spring about a mile from the city. Carts conveyed water to the doors of people in casks filled from the pump. At the time too, the Israelites had a synagogue in the city, and the minister was the Reverend Gershon Mendes Seixas, who officiated half a century, and lived until 1816. Among the early settlers of New York City, there were some families of Israelites. As late as 1686, they were not allowed to have a place of worship. They were allowed a burial place on the west side of Oliver street, opposite the Baptist meeting house, the gift of a few gentlemen. It is hemmed in with buildings, but monuments were there bearing date 1652. Forty years later, however, things changed, and a modern synagogue was built in Mill Street. In 1729 it was rebuilt of stone, and there the congregation worshipped until 1818. But at the close of the last century, the Israelites were not powerful or prominent. There were a few strong names, and among them were Mr. Bernard Hart, Benjamin Seixas, T. and M. Seixas, Isaac Moses and Son, Simon and Joseph Nathan, Benjamin S. Judah, and Bernard S. Judah, Uriah and Harmon Hendricks, and a few others. What a contrast between the commencement of this century, 1800, and 1863? The Israelite merchants were few then, but now? they have increased in this city beyond any comparison. I speak of them as a nation, not as a religion. There are 80,000 Israelites in the city, and it is the high standard of excellence of the old Israelite merchants of 1800 that has made the race occupy the proud position it does now in this city and nation. MISCELLANEOUS TID-BITS In these days, too, they were famed for their sociability. There were all sorts of societies and clubs. There were in 1797 the "Harmonica Society," the "Urania Musical society," the "Columbian Anacreonic society, the "St. Cecelia Society," and the "Friary." Bernard Hart was "Father" of the "Friary," Charles Buxton was Chancellor, Baltus P. Melick was Secretary. This B.P. Melick was founder of the great commercial house of Molick & Burger. They kept at 76 Washington street, and did a heavy St. Croix business. They owned the ship "Chase" in the trade. She was commanded by David rogers, and I think that in after years David Rogers founded the great sugar house of David Rogers & Son. Thirty years ago I visited his sugar plantation in Santa Cruz, an island belonging to Denmark. Dr. Buxton was a physician, and lived at 216 Broadway. John Marschalk was treasurer. He lived at 3 Wall street, and was an old-fashioned book-keeper. Of this "Friary" Walter Bowne, Jacob Bradford, and John Motley were "Priors." Walter Bowne was a merchant in Pearl street. We knew all about him in after years. Bradford was a merchant, and lived with his sister, Catherine, at 38 Courtlandt street. John Motley was a merchant, too, and lived at 30 Beekman street, and his store was 188 Front. The " Friary " men had a standing committee of such names William Hartshorn. He was a large merchant, of the firm of Hartshorn & Lindley. Andrew Smyth lived at 53 Beekman street, and was of the firm of Smyth & Moore, iron merchants. Robert Murray was of the firm of John Murray & Son, in Burling slip, that I have written much about. He lived at 31 Warren street. Anthony Pell was an insurance broker, and so was Bernard Hart. In 1798 he lived at 12 Broad street. Nicholas G. Carmer kept a hat store in Pearl street, and was of the firm of N.G. & H. Carmer. William Parker was a grocer up in Augusta street (now City Hall place). John Banks had been a merchant, but from some cause, did not succeed. He was personally acquainted with General Washington, and the latter ordered the Collector to appoint him in the Custom House. Isaac L. Kip was a notary public and a clerk in the Chancery Court. He lived at 4 Nassau street. These gay gents met every first and third Sunday in the month, at No. 56 Pine street. MR. BENJAMIN SEIXAS Mr. Benjamin Seixas was a merchant, and did a large business in Hanover square as early as 1780. In 1792 he moved to Broad street, No. 76. He bought the ground and built a large double house on it in 1791. At that time he had a country seat up in Greenwich village. It was adjoining that of Isaac Moses. The house at No. 76 Broad street was for many years the residence of Harmon Hendricks, also Mrs. Gilles. After the great fire in 1835, that swept Delmonico off, he opened 76, as Delmonico's Hotel. Mr. B. Seixas in 1800 moved to 321 Greenwich street. He had several sons as well as daughters; and when he died, in 1816, he left sixteen children living, eight sons and eight daughters. I have already alluded to their extraordinary beauty. Men talked of it half a century afterward. BENJAMIN SEIXAS'S CHILDREN Their destiny is worth noting. Rebecca, as I have said, married Mr. Bernard Hart. She was born in 1782 and is still alive, 79 years of age. Leah is yet living, having never married. Hester married Napthali Phillips. They are both living___both blind. He is over eighty-five years old. I remember him well many years ago, when Gen. Jackson was President. He was then in the Custom House. They have a numerous family of children and grandchildren. I have before me writing of his when he was a boy. Grace married Jacob I. Cohen, of Charleston, S.C. She is, I think, the mother of Gershon Cohen, a successful politician of the Eighth Ward. She is living. Rachel married Dr. D.M.L. Peixotto, once President of the Medical College of this city. He is dead, but she is still living. Sarah married Seixas Nathan. She is dead, and so is Abigail, who married Benjamin Phillips, of Philadelphia. Miriam married David Moses of Charleston, S.C. The sons that I remember are Daniel, who is in business in Wall street, and has been many years. The eldest son was named Moses. He married Miss Levy, a daughter of Jacob Levy of this city. He is dead, but his children are doing business in this city. Isaac was minister of the Congregation Shearith Israel, in Crosby street. He is dead, but his widow is alive, and his sons are in business in this city. Hayman L. Seixas, named after his grandfather, H. Levy, is married, has a family, and is, I believe, in a department of the custom house. Aaron died in 185I knew him well, and a better hearted man never lived than he was. Solomon is dead. He was a colonel in the war of 1812. His widow is alive, and so are two sons. Abraham died in Charleston, where he had married Rachel Cardoza. Madison is in New Orleans, and a partner of the large house of Gladden & Seixas. BENJAMIN HENDRICKS Benjamin Hendricks was a wonderful old man. He was born in this city in 1746. In 1779, he married Ziproah Levy, daughter of old Hayman Levy. The latter was once in the fur business, and in his account books are many records of money paid John Jacob Astor for day's work in beating furs, at the rate of one dollar a day. Miss Levy was a beautiful girl, and was born in 1760; she lived until 1832; and when she died, fifteen children were present, and she left seventy grandchildren. His relative, the old clergyman, the Rev. Gershon Seixas, lived at 11 Mill street. JOSEPH BAKER Joseph Baker was originally a brass founder, at No. 4 Wall street, and he pursued his work from 1800 up to 1804, when it was put into his head that he could do better by adding a porter-house to his business. In 1805, the public house became so profitable that he dropped the brass business, and became a publican. His place became famous as the old city tavern, and it was frequented by the best men in the city. William Niblo, or "Billy," as the merchants called him then was with old Joe some time. Joe Baker kept that city tavern as late as 1822, when he moved to No. 1 Nassau street, and started a boardinghouse. He continued there as late as 1831. Then he moved off, and I have lost his track. There was a Joe, Jr. In the days of the great glory of Baker's city tavern, the "House of Lords" met at his house every week-day night. Bernard Hart was president. It met at half-past seven, and adjourned at ten o'clock. Each member was allowed a limited quantity of liquor, and no more. The merchants discussed business, and important commercial negotiations were made. In these days, all the prominent men lived down town. Among the members most prominent were Robert Maitland, Thomas H. Smith, Preserved Fish, Captain Thomas Carberry, who lived at No. 79 Greenwich street, old Gulian Verplanck, Peter Harmony, Robert Lenox, William Bayard, Thaddeus Phelps, Samuel Gouverneur, Solomon Saltus, and Jarvis, the painter. This was a lively crowd of our prominent citizens of the olden time. BROKERS OF THE NEW YORK EXCHANGE BOARD(1817) The title was "Brokers of the New York Exchange Board." In 1817 there were only twenty-eight members; and, as it is in curious contrast to the legion in 1861, I give the list: Leonard Bleecker, Benjamin Butler, Leonard A. Bleecker, Wm. G. Bucknor, Jas. W. & J. Bleecker, Bleecker & Lefferts, Samuel J. Beebe, Davenport & Tracy, A.N. Gifford & Co., Bernard Hart, Gurdon S. Mumford, R. H. Nevins, Seixas, Nathan, Isaac G. Ogden & Co., Prime, Ward & Sands, Andrew Stockholm, John Roe, Fred. A. Tracy, John G. Warren, W. H. Robinson, Benjamin Huntington, Israel Foote, Philip Kearney, A. H. Lawrence & Co., W. I. Robinson, Smith & Lawton, H. Post, Jr., Henry Ward 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