Serving America Through Politics and the Military

Everyone of us has a viewpoint on politics.  While I don't always agree with all of my kin on their thoughts, I find it interesting to go back in time to see how my family has been involved in politics in one way or another throughout America's history.

The first mayor of New York on land that was American, not English, was installed at the Wall Street tavern of my grandpa.

"...The little two-story affair on the west corner of Nassau Street deserves more extended notice than its size would seem to justify. It was John Simmons' tavern, where, in February, 1784, the common council met and with appropriate ceremonies installed the newly appointed Mayor, James Duane, in the presence of the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor. It is said that Simmons weighed more than four hundred pounds, and was of such bulk that at the time of his funeral the doorway of the tavern had to be enlarged to admit the coffin. His widow continued the business for several years, and among its later proprietors were David King and Samuel Randolph. After it ceased to be a tavern it was occupied by T. & W. Benton, bootmakers ; Thomas L. Rich, merchant tailor ; John N. Baur, watchmaker, and others.

In historic interest the site on the east corner of Nassau Street is the most important in New York. Here stood the second city hall, built in 1699-1700. In 1789, having been made over into the most elegant building in America and renamed Federal Hall, it became the first capitol of the United States, and on its balcony General Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the Republic...."  (Source:  file:///Users/username/Desktop/newSimmons2009:10/New%20York%20City%20-%20Wall%20Street%20Ninety%20Years%20Ago.webarchive)

It's not hard to imagine my grandpa and his family leaning out of the windows to see General Washington become the first president of the United States.  After all, history books have documented that Washington had eaten at the family tavern back in 1784, and had hired a distant family member on his staff.

History books have also shown an uncle as being the first keeper of the door when Congress first met in NY.

Fast forward in time and see who else in the family has served America in elected office.

Uncle Samuel Smith HENRY (1786-1853)- Ohio State Representative
Cousin Ashmen Cooke HENRY (1828-1907) -  Mayor of Oakland, CA
Couisn James BUCHANAN - President of the United States
My dad-  City Council Member

While this is not a complete list, it serves to show my family has always been interested in serving America.  Not everyone has an elected office.  Many chose to serve America in the military- starting with the American Revolution.

So, elections.  Yep, they are important.  They were important to my ancestors. 

Ahh, genealogy.  My ancestors fought so I could vote.  What a gift.


©2010 AS Eldredge

And the Gift Keeps On Coming

I sort of fell into genealogy about 15 years ago and admittedly have a strong addiction. Just ask my family- close or distant blood!

I've been working with a gent for about four years now on my blood. He's been a real gem in my quest to learn, and to learn more about my blood. Click here to read a previous post on my buddy.

Well, today, he offered another gift. Oops, I should back up a few months.

My buddy and I have been searching for the proof that his blood runs in my veins. Finally, we found a living breathing male with the correct surname in both our families who were willing to take the DNA test. This would tell the tale.

The tale, or rather fact, of the matter is to our knowledge we share not one itty bitty drop of blood.

He has finally decided he didn't need to run the online tree of the family, so today, he offered it to me. I accepted. In a day or so, the newly owned tree will be available on ancestry for all to see. Of course, it's been there the whole time. It's just now going to be updated by a common gene seeker.

As for my buddy? He's gained a place in my heart and I will continue to refer to him as my "kinda cousin." After all, he's the one who was able to lead me in the right direction in my personal quest of Wall Street John.

Thanks, Bill, for the gifts of knowledge, time, and friendship. I look forward to continuing our "kinda cousin" relationship.

Wordless Wednesday: Wall Street in 1784

This illustration is from the 1908 book authored by Frederick Trevor Hill on the early history of Wall St. The tavern in the picture is that of my 5g grandfather, John Simmons, and is the site of the 1784 inauguration of the first American Mayor of New York, James Duane.

A previous illustration was posted of the tavern as it appeared about 1825 in a New York Tourist Guide.

A special thanks goes to my cousin who found this, and who noted---
"See the pigs feeding on Wall Street. Not much has changed in 225 years!"

Genealogy. Ain't it grand!

Why is My Tavern Not Listed?

This link about early American inns really provides a great look into early America. I have yet to read it all, so I don't know if they will mention any of my family inns or not.

But what I did notice was the glaring omission of a tavern owned by my 5g-grandfather. The location of the inn was on Wall St and it is well documented in other books, records of New York City and old tourist guides. Why was it not mentioned in this book? Was it because the children pretty much left the city after the death of their father in 1795?

The tavern was the old Brock Tavern, which my grandpa renamed the "Sir Peter Warren" in 1770. Sir Peter Warren was a British Naval Hero who resided in New York City from 1730-1747. My grandpa did have to leave New York for a time when the British occupied during the Revolution as he was a staunch supporter of the American Patriots. The address for his inn was 63 Wall St and was next to the Presbyterian Church. The inn was also close to Federal Hall which is where the Declaration of Independence was read publicly on July 18, 1776. My grandpa was also given permission to try and negotiate with the British regarding removing canons from the ships overlooking New York and he supplied food to the American prisoners of war. In addition, city council records show many payments to my grandpa for food and drinks over the years.

So why isn't it mentioned? My guess is it burned c. 1850 and none of the family remained in New York City to rebuild it. By then, they had moved on. Some were in the government in DC, some were in Pennsylvania, Ohio and beyond.

Just another one of those interesting stories in American history that we genealogy buffs like.

Go and read this book. It is entertaining and chock full of Colonial life tidbits.

http://www.archive.org/stream/earlyamericaninn007043mbp/earlyamericaninn007043mbp_djvu.txt

Happy 400th Anniversary to New York!

Hudson, Hudson, hmmm....

Back in 1609, Henry Hudson, an English sea explorer, took a trip down the river now known as the Hudson River in an effort to find a quicker route to the Orient. Well, he may not have found that route on this adventure, but we in America can now celebrate the area in New York he explored 400 years ago.

To help celebrate 400 years, ancestry.com has gathered its databases on NY on a special New York Anniversary page.

The majority of the databases there at this time are from the mid 1800s on. So, it most likely won't be a jump for joy moment for genealogists who are always searching for those elusive New York roots from the 1700s.

Me? My quest in genealogy certainly has taken me back to the mid 1700s in New York. I have been fortunate to find some records on my family as they owned a tavern on Wall St before and after the American Revolution. Now, if I could just find the place of burial for "Big John" when he died in 1795. The papers at the time named him the largest man in New York. He was also a member of the Trinity Anglican Church in New York City, but we family genealogy types have not uncovered any evidence of him being buried there or in the other really old New York Cemetery.

So, enjoy the databases on New York. Perhaps, Ancestry will release more that really date back in time. Perhaps, someone, somewhere will point me in the direction so I can finally put "Big John" to rest.

Wordless Wednesday: Wall St of 1825

The two story building on the right front is the site of my family tavern. If only the family had known!

Generations of American Patriots

As I reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day, I remember those American Patriots in my family. The respect I have for these men and their willingness to fight for or to preserve the freedom, which we have today, is immense. Their courage and belief in God and their country led each of them to serve America.

My family has long served America. We came from Ireland and England early in the 1700s. It must have been heart wrenching on the families as they left their homeland for a new one. It must have been difficult to decide to rebel against the King. But, rebel they did.

From an innkeeper on Wall St in New York City to a learned man in Lancaster Co, PA, to a Irishman in Washington Co, PA, they decided to fight for this new land. They decided to pursue freedom and their dreams of a free America.

Not only did these early men fight for America, they also had personal ties with George Washington. Washington ate at the tavern during Evacuation Day in NYC (yes, it's documented), and an uncle worked for him in the War Department.

Let's see. We fought in the War of 1812, the Civil War, World War I, and World War II.

Not only have we fought for America on the battlefields, we have also served in public office. From city council members to mayors to senators to a President of the United States, my family history is fascinating. It's one I never tire of as I seek to learn more.

As I listen to Taps this weekend, I will remember. Remember the men and women who have faithfully served America. Remember the fallen. Remember the living.

Someone recently said that it was because of the brave that we are free. Amen.