Peter Goelet

Peter Goelet
Born 1727
Died 1811
Occupation Merchant, real estate developer
Spouse(s) Elizabeth Ratse
Children Peter P. Goelet
Robert R. Goelet
Relatives See Goelet family

Peter Goelet (1727 - 1811) was a merchant and real estate entrepreneur of New York City.

Early life

Peter Goelet was descended from a family of Huguenots of La Rochelle in France who escaped to Amsterdam.[1] Francois Goelet, a widower with a ten year old son, Jacobus, arrived in New York in 1676. Returning to Amsterdam on business, he left the boy in the care of Frederick Philipse, but was apparently lost at sea. His son, John G. Goelet married Jannetie Cannon, daughter of merchant Jan Cannon.[2] Peter Goelet was born in January 5, 1727.[1]

Career

Peter Goelet was at first in partnership with his brother-in-law, Peter T. Curtenius, but from 1763 his place of business was Hanover Square, at the sign of the Golden Key.[1] In May 1775, he was elected a member of the Committee of One Hundred and the Committee of Correspondence in support of the American patriots. He used his profits from the Revolutionary War to buy real estate in Manhattan. He later acquired a wharf and yard on Exchange Slip.

Personal life

In 1755, he married Elizabeth Ratse, the daughter of another prominent New York merchant.[1] Elizabeth inherited extensive lands around 14th Street. They had two sons:

Both sons married daughters of Scottish merchant Thomas Buchanan, at one time a director of the United States Bank.

Descendants

Main article: Goelet family

His son, Peter P. Goelet, added to his real estate holdings and had four children, Peter (1800—1879), Jean Buchanan (1802— ), Hannah Green (1804–1845), who married Capt. Thomas R. Gerry (1794–1848), USN, son of Elbridge Gerry, and Robert.[1] Peter and for a time, his sister Hannah lived in a mansion on the northeast corner of Broadway and 19th Street, which grounds were known for peacocks, storks, and other exotic birds.[2]

Death and legacy

He died in 1811. Correspondence of Peter Goelet is located at the Peter Goelet Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Lyman Horace Weeks, Prominent Families of New York: Being an Account in Biographical Form of Individuals and Families Distinguished as Representatives of the Social, Professional and Civic Life of New York City, New York: The Historical Company, 1897
  2. 1 2 "An Eccentric Man Gone", The New York Times', November 22, 1879
  3. ↑ The Peter Goelet Papers, Special Collections, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
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