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 AUTOBIOGRAPHY 
 
 1ST. T. HUBBAKD 
 
 PERSONAL REMINISCENCES 
 
 NEW YORK CITY 
 
 From 1798 to 1875. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 JOHN F. TROW & SON, 
 
 205-213 EAST TWELFTH STREET. 
 
 1875.
 
 COPYRIGHT. 
 
 H. GRANT, SUPERINTENDENT. 
 
 1875. 
 
 JOHN F. TROW & SON, 
 
 PRINTERS AND BOOKBINDERS, 
 
 206 to 213 Kaat Twetflli Mi-eet, 
 NEW YORK.
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 To COL. ISAAC H. REED. 
 MY DEAR, SIR: 
 
 It is with unfeigned pleasure I dedicate (with your per- 
 mission) this little work to you, Sir, with whom I have 
 been so long and so pleasantly associated, with so many 
 pleasing incidents occurring in our intercourse, that it is in- 
 deed a pleasure and a pride to me to dedicate to you my 
 book ; and if it will while away a leisure hour, and call to 
 your remembrance one who has the highest esteem and re- 
 gard for you, it will indeed repay me. 
 
 Wishing you, my dear friend, many and prosperous days, 
 I am 
 Truly and faithfully yours, 
 
 N. T. HUBBARD.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 HAVING had^ for several months past much 
 leisure time on my hands, the thought occurred to 
 me, early last Spring, that I could not improve 
 my leisure hours better or to more advantage 
 than to jot down a few reminiscences and recol- 
 lections of the time, long gone by, in connection 
 with a brief history of my early life. In these 
 papers I have alluded quite often to my pro- 
 genitors and many of my relatives, and I beg here 
 to say the remarks which I have made concern- 
 ing them, were intended more particularly for 
 them alone, than for the public generally. I 
 have several times, during the writing of these 
 papers, threatened to destroy what I had written, 
 feeling as I frequently have, that I could not 
 give that expression to my thoughts in language 
 that altogether pleased me ; but I was prevailed 
 upon to go on, and I now present to my relatives 
 and friends a little work which has taken me 
 many months to complete, and which I sincerely 
 trust may prove of some interest to my readers.
 
 VI PEEFACE. 
 
 At my time of life (I am now in my ninetieth 
 year) it can hardly be expected that I should 
 possess the qualifications necessary to give to these 
 papers anything approaching literary merit. 
 This I certainly have not aspired to, but simply 
 to relate in my own language and in my own 
 way, some of the events which have occurred in 
 this city during the past seventy-five or eighty 
 years, and if I have contributed even in a small 
 degree, any gratification or amusement to my 
 readers, I shall be satisfied. Having lived far 
 beyond the time allotted to man, and with a due 
 sense of His great mercies to me sparing me in 
 my old age, and placing my trust still in Him, 
 I await His summons, and may His blessings 
 descend upon one and all of you. 
 
 K T. HUBBABD.
 
 INTERLUDE. 
 
 I AM scribbling out in my old age (nearly ninety) 
 some reminiscences of my own life, together with 
 some historic facts of New York City, in which I 
 have now resided seventy-six years ; my memory 
 at times is at fault and not so good as it was fifty 
 years ago, so when a circumstance or an idea 
 flashes on my mind of earlier recollections, I note 
 it down, without regard to what I have previously 
 written, therefore many of these pages will be 
 somewhat disjointed. I have no apology to make 
 on this account, as my own relatives and friends 
 will not criticise the many inaccuracies these 
 sketches contain. I have never traveled abroad, 
 and know nothing of the great European cities 
 beyond what I have read ; but I feel myself 
 pretty well posted, probably as much so as 
 many tourists who have, from time to time, 
 visited the European capitals. I have read for 
 many years historic accounts from every portion 
 of the globe. My travels in my own country 
 have also been very limited.
 
 Vlll INTERLUDE. 
 
 The main portion of my life I have devoted to 
 business in New York, and this, together with the 
 superintendence of my large family, and the 
 education of my children, in which I spared no 
 expense, has occupied most of my time.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 MY EARLY LIFE GABRIEL HAVENS . 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 MY FIRST SCHOOL, SIMONY, AND TRAINING DAY 18 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 TUB FISHERIES OP LONG ISLAND... 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 THE LONG ISLAND AND THE HUDSON R. R. R 28 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 MY TRIP To NIAGARA AND THE INAUGURATION OP 
 
 HARRISON 37 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 THE OLD MAYORS, ETC 43 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 LITERARY 57 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 MY BIRTHDAY . . .61
 
 CONTENTS. 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE OLD HOTELS. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 THE CHOLERA OP 1832 AND TRIP TO PATERSON. . . 74 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 THE MILITARY. . . 
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 THE OPERA AND THE MUSICAL CELEBRITIES OF THE 
 
 PAST 93 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 MEMBERS OP THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE, THE CHAM- 
 BER OP COMMERCE, AND PROMINENT MER- 
 CHANTS OP FIFTY YEARS AGO 130 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 THE GREAT FIRE OP 1835. THE INTRODUCTION OF 
 
 THE CROTON WATER. OUR MARKETS 138 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 POLITICAL 146 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 MY OLD CLERKS 150 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 CENTRAL PARK 154 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 THE OLD ARISTOCRACY. PETER COOPER, MK. Jonx 
 
 J. ASTOR, AND COL. RUTGERS 1GO
 
 CONTENTS. XI 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 OUR CHURCHES AND CLERGYMEN. . . . . 169 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 WM. B. COZZENS AND MR. NiBLO 185 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 MY PERSONAL FRIENDS 192 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 OLD LANDMARKS 202 
 
 CHAPTER XXIH. 
 BROOKLYN AND HOBOKEN 210 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 THE PAPERS I SUBSCRIBE TO 213 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 THE THEATRE AND RECREATION 218 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 MY BUST ON THE EXCHANGE 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 MY GOLDEN WEDDING 224 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 PARSON GREENE. . . . . 228
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 MY EARLY LIFE. 
 
 I WAS born at Mattituck, Suffolk County, 
 Long Island, on the 29th of May, 1785. 
 I mo\ r ed to New York with my father's 
 family in 1708, and have resided here ever 
 since. In very early life I was taken by 
 a maiden aunt to my grandfather's, who 
 lived adjacent to my father's. She had 
 been betrothed, in early life, to a very ex- 
 cellent young man, who suddenly died; 
 and my Aunt Mary would never after lis- 
 ten to any proposal of marriage. So she 
 
 took me, a baby, for her idol ; for she al- 
 i
 
 2 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ways loved and worshipped me to idolatry. 
 A few years later, my father removed with 
 his family to Blooming Grove, Orange 
 County, leaving me with my aunt and grand- 
 father's family. Some eight or nine years 
 after, both of my grandparents died ; then 
 my father returned to Long Island and 
 made arrangements to take me home with 
 him ; but my Aunt Mary insisted upon 
 accompanying me, to which my father 
 readily assented. She remained at my 
 father's until the following spring, when she 
 returned to Long Island, with a promise 
 from him that I should be permitted to visit 
 her once a year as long as she lived. He 
 kept this promise for two years he then 
 sold out his property in Orange County 
 and removed to New York in the fall of 
 1 798 after this she visited my father's 
 family in New York, and I regularly visit- 
 ed her every year to the end of her life. No 
 son ever loved or worshipped his mother 
 more sincerely than I did this excellent
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 3 
 
 and devoted aunt, and after her death 
 I caused a marble headstone to be placed 
 at her grave at Mattituck, Long Island, 
 where she was born and died. I was 
 employed for several years in the winter 
 with my uncle, Daniel Hubbard, who was 
 an inspector of provisions. During the 
 spring and summer I was frequently out of 
 employment, but having attained to my 
 majority (twenty-one years), I felt myself 
 capable of filling most any position that 
 might offer. At this time a proposal was 
 made (which I accepted), to take charge 
 of a school at East Hempstead, Long Island. 
 I remained there six months at the end of 
 that time I returned to the city, and ob- 
 tained employment for a year in the office 
 of James Roosevelt, sugar baker, in Pearl 
 Street, at a salary of $400 a year. I spent 
 the following summer with my uncle, Au- 
 gustus Griffin, who kept a retail store at 
 Oysterponds (now called Orient), on Long 
 Island. I was employed by him in writ-
 
 4 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ing tip Ms books, and otherwise assisting 
 him in the store. In the fall I returned to 
 the City, and was book-keeper for my uncle, 
 Daniel Hubbard. 
 
 Shortly after I formed a copartnership 
 with Mr. Samuel Fanning, who was also 
 born on Long Island, under the firm name 
 of Fanning and Hubbard, and we opened a 
 grocery store in Catherine Street, opposite 
 the market, between Cherry and Water 
 Streets. At the end of a year we dissolved 
 partnership. I continued in the grocery 
 business for ten years, having removed to 
 other locations in the meantime. The last 
 two years I was in this business I did not 
 make my expenses by $1,500. Business at 
 this time not looking very bright, I called 
 in an auctioneer, sold out my stock of goods, 
 and (as previously arranged) I went down 
 town and hired an office in Water Street, 
 engaged a clerk at $30 per month, and enter- 
 ed into the produce brokerage business, and 
 soon procured a good set of customers, and
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 
 
 in six mouths I earned sufficient to pay 
 off the $1,500 I was in debt, besides sup- 
 porting ray growing family. From this 
 time forward fortune favored me, and in 
 the course of ten years I did a large com- 
 mission business, and could advance from 
 850,000 to 8100,000 in cash if required. 
 
 I was married in 1811 to Susan Logan, 
 daughter of Major Samuel Logan, of Rev- 
 olutionary memory, at New Windsor, Or- 
 ange County. We lived together fifty-six 
 years in perfect peace and harmony, she a 
 true and devoted wife and mother the idol 
 of my younger days, and the prop and stay 
 of my declining years. She died February 
 4th, 1867, in the eighty-second year of her 
 age. We had five sons and five daughters, 
 who lived to be over twenty-one years of 
 age before I lost any of them by death. I 
 have now four daughters and two sons 
 living. 
 
 It may be of some interest to those who 
 may read my little book to know some-
 
 6 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 tiling of the early history of New York. 
 In 1798 the population of the city was about 
 seventy thousand. At this time there were 
 no buildings in Broadway above Chambers 
 Street, except scattering ones, and there 
 were not sixty houses in all Brooklyn, 
 from the Navy Yard to the South Ferry. 
 We then crossed to Brooklyn in small- 
 boats. The fare was 6d. Some years 
 after, a horse-boat conveyed passengers 
 across the river. 
 
 The first steamboat was built by a Mr. 
 Brown, on the East River, some five or six 
 blocks above Rutgers Street, under the di- 
 rection and supervision of Robert Fulton, 
 some sixty-five or seventy years ago. I 
 was then a clerk with my uncle at Corlear's 
 Hook, and passed the yard in which it was 
 being built twice a day. My father then 
 resided in Henry Street. I frequently 
 stopped and went on board of her while in 
 progress of building. I likewise saw her 
 start on her first and trial trip to Albany.
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 7 
 
 In speaking of New York, I would here 
 remark that the old inhabitants have all 
 passed away, but I well remember many of 
 the prominent merchants of sixty-five and 
 seventy years ago. Daniel Lydig, John 
 E. Cole, Suydam & Wykoff, and John 
 Townsend. Among the largest shipping 
 merchants were Leroy, Bayard & McEvers, 
 Archibald Gracie, Eobert Lenox, Minturn 
 <fe Champlin, and many others whom I 
 have forgotten. At a later date Isaac 
 Wright & Son established the first regular 
 line of packets between this port and 
 Liverpool, "known as the Black Ball line. 
 This house was among the first to pat- 
 ronize me. When I first commenced the 
 produce brokerage business I received re- 
 gular orders from them to purchase from 
 three hundred to five hundred bushels of 
 rye, and supplied the beef and pork for 
 stores for their ships. Jeremiah Thompson 
 was also connected with them in this line of 
 packets. For several years I monopolized
 
 8 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the rye flour market, and bought up three- 
 fourths of all that arrived here, and sup- 
 plied all the jobbing flour dealers, together 
 with the shippers. The old firm of Hay & 
 Wood were the largest shippers of rye 
 flour at this period. 
 
 I had a contract for one year, in connec- 
 tion with a reliable person who resided at 
 Sing Sing, to supply the inmates of the 
 prison, being the lowest bidder. I took 
 the contract at nine cents per day for each 
 prisoner. The prison fare consisted of rye 
 flour, Indian meal, prime beef, prime pork, 
 molasses, vinegar, salt, and dry codfish, rye 
 for coffee, and occasionally beans and peas, 
 together with potatoes. Of this latter 
 article I purchased one day at New Slip 
 fifteen hundred bushels at ten cents a 
 bushel. At the termination of the con- 
 tract we had made a little over $1,500. 
 
 Among the old prominent wholesale 
 grocers of sixty years ago were Eld ad 
 Holmes, Stebbins & Couch, Peter G. Hart,
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 9 
 
 Stevens & Lippincott, Wardle & Wood, J. 
 Johnson & Sons, Hopkins & Hawley, 
 and many others too numerous to mention. 
 The wholesale iron dealers were Pierson & 
 Co., Francis Saltus .<fe Co., and Blackwell 
 & Co. Among the dry goods merchants I 
 had little or no communication. I recol- 
 lect the old silk house of Vandevoort & 
 Flanden, in Broadway, and Lewis Tappan, 
 in Pearl Street. We had no A. T. Stewart 
 in those days ; hut, digressing a moment, I 
 will here relate a little occurrence that 
 took place in Tappan's store, shortly after 
 Stewart opened his store on Broadway. 
 
 Tappan had just received a small in- 
 voice of silks, which he had imported. 
 Among his other customers Mr. Stewart 
 called and found a case of silk that 
 pleased him, but he had not sufficient 
 means on hand to pay for it. He bought 
 the case, however, and paid down one-half 
 the cost of it, and agreed to pay the 
 balance in a day or two. He took from
 
 10 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 the Case what he had paid for on account, 
 and, agreeably to his engagement, called in 
 a day or two and paid the balance due 
 and took the remainder of the silk. This 
 fact was related to me by Mr. Cyrus 
 Chenery, my son-in-law. 
 
 MY ANCESTKY. 
 
 My mother's family was large. I was 
 the eldest son, and the only one now liv 
 ing. My sisters and brothers all had 
 families, so I must necessarily have many 
 relatives scattered around the country, 
 aside from my grandchildren and great 
 grandchildren ; and of those whom I have 
 never seen I may only hope that their 
 future in life may be attended with every 
 success ; and may that Almighty Power so 
 guide and guard them that this result may 
 be obtained. 
 
 In my prolonged life I necessarily have 
 had great experience, and were it now in 
 my power to speak to one and all of you
 
 N. T. HtTBBAED. 11 
 
 I should say, be honest and just to your 
 fellow-men; never forgetting the great 
 blessings your Heavenly Father has be- 
 stowed upon you ; resign yourselves to 
 His care, and He will never desert you. 
 
 In 1783 my father married Mary Tuthill, 
 at Rocky Point, Long Island. Her father's 
 name was Nathaniel Tuthill, by which 
 name I was christened. He left very large 
 landed estates to his widow, and it was 
 currently reported and generally believed 
 that she was the richest widow on Long 
 Island. Her income was some $1,200 a 
 year, which at that early period was equal 
 to $12,000 a year at the present time. It 
 was further reported of him that he was 
 one of the best men that ever lived; he 
 died early in life, mourned and regretted 
 by every one who knew him. I have great 
 reason to be proud and thankful that I 
 sprung from such noble ancestry, who were 
 so universally admired and loved to the close 
 of their lives.
 
 12 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 A STEOLL IN CENTRAL PARK. 
 
 May llth, yesterday, Sunday, I attended 
 church on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 
 Twenty-ninth Street the Dutch Reformed. 
 The Rev. Dr. Ormiston gave one of his 
 most thrilling discourses on the subject of 
 death. He stated in the course of his re- 
 marks that he had attended four funerals 
 of his congregation during the week. H<; 
 is a man of superior talent, and is a strik 
 ing light among his brother-clergymen. 
 From the church I took the cars and rode 
 to Central Park; it was decidedly the 
 warmest day we had yet had. After a 
 short ramble in the Park I returned and 
 made one or two visits. One to my old 
 friend, Dr. Robinson, who has resided many 
 years on the south side of Washington 
 Square, whose age is within about four 
 months of my own; he has been totally 
 blind for several years past. 
 
 Dr. Robinson was born in this city, in
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 13 
 
 South Street, between Peck Slip and Roose- 
 velt Street. He married a Miss Bull, who 
 resided in Rutgers Street with her father, 
 while my father's family resided two doors 
 below. One of my sisters was very inti- 
 mate with this lady. She died some twelve 
 or thirteen years ago, and I was one of the 
 pall-bearers at her funeral. She was a 
 splendid and most accomplished lady. 
 Captain Bull, the father of the Doctor's 
 wife, was formerly an old sea-captain, but 
 had retired from the service and had opened 
 a lumber yard in Cherry just above Rut- 
 gers Street. 
 
 One day, during the war with Great 
 Britain in 1812, Captain Bull had an ap- 
 plication from one of our oldest and larg- 
 est shipping-houses to make the voyage to 
 China in one of their vessels, as both cap- 
 tain and supercargo, for which he was 
 promptly offered $10,000 for the round 
 voyage. After two or three days' reflec- 
 tion he accepted the offer, and the ship
 
 14 AUTOBIOGKAPIIY OF 
 
 was immediately loaded and shortly after 
 sailed. She made a prosperous voyage, 
 and returned, about fifteen or sixteen 
 months afterwards, safe and sound, escap- 
 ing the numerous privateers scouring the 
 ocean at that time. 
 
 During the war I was drafted for mili- 
 tary duty in one of the forts in our harbor. 
 I had been married the year previous, and 
 besides I had my store to look after, and I 
 felt very unwilling to leave both my family 
 and business, so I applied to my only 
 brother offering him my outfit and thirty 
 dollars a month to go as my substitute, 
 which he promptly accepted. I was then 
 a member of a uniformed company of light 
 artillery, composed of the most respectable 
 young men of the city. Our captain was 
 Henry Morgan, a wholesale grocer, then 
 doing business corner of Peck Slip and 
 Front Street. I never had any taste for 
 military life, and invariably objected being 
 elected from the ranks to any office, al-
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 15 
 
 tliougli repeatedly solicited, but I would 
 nominate some one of my friends for the 
 office intended for me, and of those very 
 men I first nominated for a subordinate 
 office was Colonel Hopkins, afterwards of 
 the old firm of Hopkins & Hawley. He 
 was shortly after elected General of the 
 Brigade ; he has been dead several years. 
 
 Among the more prominent shipping 
 merchants whose acquaintance I made 
 were Robert Lenox, who imported from 
 Jamaica large quantities of rum, sugar and 
 molasses; N. L. <fe G. Griswold, Boorman 
 & Johnston, Joseph Foulk & Sons, G. G. & 
 S. Howland, afterwards Howland & Aspin- 
 wall, Peter Stagg & Co., Alsop & Chauncey, 
 David Lydig, Peter I. Nevius, Grinnell <fe 
 Minturn, and many others whom I cannot 
 at this moment call to mind. 
 
 GABRIEL HAVEISTS. 
 
 In some portion of these papers I have 
 already spoken of the Havens family, but I
 
 16 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 find it necessary to enlarge on it in connec- 
 tion with others of my paternal ancestry, 
 viz., Havens, Hallock, Hubbard and Tut- 
 hill. Gabriel Havens was own cousin to 
 my grandmother, Mary Tuthill, whose 
 maiden name was Havens. My grand- 
 father married a Miss Hallock, while Mr. 
 Hallock married a sister of grandfather 
 Hubbard the above formed my ancestry. 
 All these families were from the most re- 
 spectable citizens of Long Island, and their 
 descendants to-day in point of respectability 
 and influence will compare most favorably 
 with those of any other in this country, as 
 there is no blot or stain upon their names. 
 Gabriel and his brother Philetus were 
 shipping merchants in this city seventy 
 years ago. Gabriel Havens, at a later 
 period of his life, was Harbor Master in 
 this city for several years. Mr. Havens 
 and wife were at my eldest daughter's wed- 
 ding, as were also Mr. and Mrs. Crary. Mr. 
 Crary married the youngest sister of Mr.
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 17 
 
 Havens, and there may be some of our 
 older citizens now living who may remem- 
 ber the old firm of Peter and John Crary ; 
 the latter lived for many years opposite St. 
 John's Park. Mr. Gabriel Havens died in 
 this city some forty-five years ago. Mr. 
 Chenery, my son-in-law, was a watcher at 
 his bedside the night he died. There was a 
 strong intimacy existing between the Rev. 
 Dr. Spring and Mr. Havens' family, the 
 latter having attended the church of Dr. 
 Spring for many years. After the death 
 of Mr. Havens, his body was removed by 
 packet to Sag Harbor, and from thence to 
 his father's private burying-ground. Dr. 
 Spring accompanied the remains to their 
 last resting-place, and performed all the 
 services for his departed friend.
 
 18 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 MY FIKST SCHOOL. 
 
 AT about the age of five years I was 
 first sent to school. A widow lady by the 
 name of Chase presided over this institu- 
 tion. She resided within a half mile of my 
 grandparents, and being of a kind, moth- 
 erly disposition, she very soon ingratiated 
 herself into the good graces of all her 
 scholars. I have but little to say regard- 
 ing our mental improvement ; suffice it to 
 say, she was not exactly educated for a 
 schoolmistress, but notwithstanding this 
 she could repeat the alphabet, and this at 
 times with some effect. I am joking over 
 my old schoolmistress, but it was she who 
 first taught me my ABC. Those happy 
 schoolboy days !
 
 N T. HUBBARD. 19 
 
 At about this time we had " our clergy- 
 man" at Mattituck, who gloried in the 
 name of Goldsmith. He was a farmer. I 
 never knew who his spiritual teachers were ; 
 possibly he may have been his own tutor. 
 He was at best a prosy old crone, and had 
 a disagreeable way of see-sawing his body 
 in the pulpit while speaking. Our little 
 church was located in the immediate vicin- 
 ity of a tavern, and before our learned 
 friend ascended his pulpit he invariably 
 partook at this tavern of his favorite bever- 
 age, which consisted of a mixture of sugar 
 and gin. My recollections of this individual 
 are somewhat vague, but there is a charac- 
 ter in one of Dickens's works, a lawyer (if 
 I mistake not, in "Oliver Twist"), who is 
 the counterpart of what this learned divine 
 once was. 
 
 SIMONY, OUR SLAVE. 
 
 My grandmother Tuthill owned a slave 
 named Simony, which she gave to my
 
 20 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 mother shortly after her marriage. This 
 slave girl was a great favorite in my 
 father's family. She was an uncommonly 
 good-looking girl of the mulatto type. She 
 was particularly fond of dress, and my 
 mother humored her somewhat in this re- 
 gard. We all became very much attached 
 to her. My mother sent her to school as 
 regularly, during the summer as she did her 
 own children. When my father concluded 
 to remove to New York, she became very 
 uneasy and discontented, and begged that 
 my mother would find a new master for 
 her and sell her, as she did not wish to go 
 to New York. My mother knew the reason 
 why Simony was so opposed to going with 
 us to the city. 
 
 Previous to our removal to Orange 
 County, she had formed an intimate ac- 
 quaintance with a young colored man, on 
 Long Island, of excellent character (a slave 
 also), who, after my father's removal to 
 Orange County, persuaded his master to
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 21 
 
 sell him to a rich farmer, who lived near 
 Gosheu, Orange County, and the sale was 
 soon after effected hence the reason why 
 Simony was so opposed to going with the 
 family to New York. When the young 
 man was installed in his new master's em- 
 ploy, he frequently visited Simony at our 
 home. Just previous to our leaving for 
 the city, my mother one morning ordered 
 her horse saddled, and told the family she 
 was going to Goshen on some important 
 business ; and when she returned, in the 
 afternoon, she told the family that she had 
 sold Simony to the master of her lover, and 
 that she would go to her new home in the 
 course of a week. There was crying and 
 rejoicing at the same time, for all the 
 children were devotedly attached to her. 
 In a short time after her advent in her new 
 home, Simony and her lover were married. 
 She did not live many years to enjoy her 
 married life, for she fell into a decline and 
 died within three years afterwards.
 
 22 AUTOBIOGEAPHT OF 
 
 DAT. 
 
 While yet a lad residing at my native 
 place I remember the most prominent holi- 
 day of the year was the general training 
 day, which usually occurred in May and 
 invariably took place at Mattituck, my na- 
 tive place, where the men subject to mili- 
 tary duty assembled from thirty miles dis- 
 tant. It was the custom in those early 
 days for the women and girls to accom- 
 pany the male members of the household 
 on these occasions; in short, making it a 
 general holiday for all. The whole scene 
 was an enlivening one, and the grown por- 
 tion of the company enjoyed themselves to 
 the full. All kinds of sports were in- 
 dulged in, and one happy day, at least, was 
 passed amid enjoyments and in social inter- 
 course. Old associations were renewed 
 and new friendships formed. In fact, the 
 day of all others in the year was Training 
 Day.
 
 T. IIUBBAED. 23 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE FISHERIES OF LONG ISLAND. 
 
 IN my very early youth, I remember, 
 in the spring of each year, the inhabitants 
 of Long Island, from River Head to Oys- 
 terpond Point, engaged from four to six 
 weeks in fishing for moss bunkers for the 
 express purpose of manuring their lands. 
 A number of the farmers would unite to- 
 gether and have a large seine manufac- 
 tured, in which they all took shares, and 
 when the fishing season arrived they would 
 employ a number of men to man and man- 
 nage one of these immense seines, which 
 were placed on the beach and inlets in the 
 bays between River Head and Oyster- 
 pond. Immense windlasses were erected 
 on the beach to draw the seine when a
 
 24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 school of fisli was discovered by the men. 
 These seines, on an average, would com- 
 pass a circle of two miles. There have 
 been numerous instances in which the 
 fishermen would watch day and night for 
 a week together without seeing a school ; 
 then again they would come in with a per- 
 fect rush. 
 
 I recollect one day, with my father, 
 visiting my uncle Halleck, whose large 
 farm was about a mile south of Southold 
 Town, and where a large inlet extended 
 some three or four miles. On the beach 
 the fishermen had erected their shanties 
 and the large windlasses. On going down 
 to the beach that morning I beheld a sight 
 I can never forget the whole beach for a 
 mile or more was literally covered with 
 the fish. It was estimated the haul of that 
 morning would reach two and a half 
 millions of moss bunkers. On this par- 
 ticular occasion many of the large land- 
 owners, who were shareholders, could not
 
 N. T. HITBBAED. 25 
 
 find vehicles sufficient to remove their pro- 
 portion of the haul. The lands in this 
 neighborhood have been made rich by 
 these fish productions, and I believe the 
 same fisheries that prevailed eighty years 
 ago are still carried on in a greater or less 
 degree. 
 
 It is well known that Long Island 
 Sound has long been noted in connection 
 with fisheries for the immense number of 
 porpoises it contains. I remember, when 
 a boy, that some of our fishermen clubbed 
 together and manufactured a seine for por- 
 poise fishing, for the express purpose of 
 obtaining the oil; it proved, however, a 
 failure, and was abandoned after two or 
 three years. 
 
 WHALE SHIPS. 
 
 What marvellous changes have occurred 
 within the past sixty years ! Thousands 
 upon thousands have been born, and thou- 
 sands upon thousands have died in that
 
 26 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 period of time ; thousands of wealthy and 
 influential families have become impover- 
 ished, and thousands of poor have become 
 wealthy; business has increased beyond 
 all calculation from a dozen brokers in 
 produce fifty years ago, they can now be 
 numbered by regiments, and still they 
 come. During the early days of my 
 brokerage life, I did a large business in 
 supplying our fleet of whaling ships with 
 beef and pork for their voyages out and 
 home. In several of them I had an inter- 
 est. When a new whaler was being built, 
 the cost w^as put into shares of $250 each, 
 to which, when requested by the agents, 
 I subscribed from one to five shares. 
 Some of them paid good dividends, while 
 others were not so fortunate. 
 
 The fleet of whalers at present is 
 reduced to a very small number; this 
 fact is principally owing to the great in- 
 crease of the petroleum productions of 
 later years, which has proved a substitute
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 27 
 
 for whale oil, and is sold at such low 
 prices that the whaling interest is nearly 
 banished from the ocean. Twenty or 
 thirty years ago, on visiting the large 
 whaling ports down east, viz. : New Bed- 
 ford, New London, Nantucket, Sag Har- 
 bor, and Greenport, the wharves were liter- 
 ally alive with business in discharging the 
 arrivals of whale ships, and the prepara- 
 tions in fitting-out and loading others for 
 their long voyages. Visit those places 
 now and you will find them almost utterly 
 deserted ; instead of their former activity, 
 you will find their wharves fast going to 
 decay, and scarcely anything doing on 
 their former busy wharves. The few 
 whalers now on the ocean are on the track 
 for sperm whales, for a good cargo of 
 sperm oil would still pay a good profit 
 over the cost of obtaining it.
 
 28 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 LONG ISLAND EAILKOAD. 
 
 THE opening of the Long Island Rail- 
 road from Brooklyn to Greenpoint, many 
 years ago, was quite an exciting affair. 
 The president and directors of the com- 
 pany had invited their friends and the most 
 prominent men of the island to meet the 
 train at the different stations, and pro- 
 ceed on to the end of the road ; hence our 
 train was well packed by the time we 
 reached Greenpoint, the end of our jour- 
 ney. I was one of the invited guests. The 
 directors of the company had made ample 
 provision to entertain all their guests, to- 
 gether with the numerous collection of peo- 
 ple for miles around who had assembled 
 to witness the arrival of the first train at
 
 ST. T. IIUBBAED. 29 
 
 Greenpoint. Tae day was fine, and in a 
 field near the depot a sumptuous repast was 
 spread. It was truly an interesting occa- 
 sion, for I then met many old acquantainces 
 whom I had not sean for years. My old 
 uncle Griffin was there to meet me, and 
 after the close of the entertainment I re- 
 turned with him to his home in Orient, 
 some six miles east of Greenpoint, and spent 
 the night with him, and returned to New 
 York the following day. 
 
 I will here give a little history of Mr. 
 Griffin. He married my mother's sister, and 
 was altogether one of the most agreeable 
 and pleasant men I ever knew ; he was 
 most excellent company for either young 
 or old. He died a few months before he 
 completed his hundredth year. In early 
 life he was a school teacher, after relin- 
 quishing which he opened a country store 
 in Orient (then called Oysterponds), which 
 he continued for many years. During 
 a 1'ong period of his life he kept a diary,
 
 30 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 in which lie collected and recorded many 
 interesting incidents, but more partic- 
 ularly the history of all the earlier set- 
 tlers on the eastern shores of Long Isl 
 and. When about ninety years of age, 
 agreeably to his previous intention, he, with 
 his only son, a lawyer by profession, took 
 up his old diary and collected therefrom all 
 the most important incidents it contained, 
 and prepared the same for publication, 
 which was duly printed in 1857, under the 
 title of " Griffin's Journal." It covers a lit- 
 tle over three hundred pages. I subscribed 
 for twenty -five copies, and the only copy 
 remaining in my possession is now before 
 me ; the remainder I have given away to my 
 friends as they wanted them, and during 
 the past two or three years I have receiv- 
 ed several letters from parties residing in 
 the West, requesting me to advise them if 
 I knew where copies could be obtained. 
 My impression is, the edition is entirely ex- 
 hausted. The dedication of this book was,
 
 N. T. IIUBBAKD. 31 
 
 " To my son, Sidney L. Griffin, and good friend, 
 Nathaniel T. Hubbard, Esq." 
 
 I herewith copy one extract of his life, 
 as given by himself in his own brief history 
 as follows : " It truly requires wisdom 
 and prudence to tell our own history in 
 pleasing colors to all ; yet a brief notice of 
 my morning and noon of life will be of 
 interest to my children and descendants. 
 I was the second child of James and 
 Deziah Griffin, their second son, born in 
 the second month of the year, on the se- 
 cond day of the month, and the second day 
 of the week, and who knows but the second 
 day or week of the moon." These pecu- 
 liar circumstances attending his birth are 
 both curious and. interesting. 
 
 I will now make a few remarks on the 
 two great commercial panics of 1837 and 
 1857, which proved so disastrous to many 
 merchants of this city. I was doing a
 
 32 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 large b isiness in provisions during both of 
 these panics, and was fully prepared to 
 meet all iny engagements without assistance 
 from any of my friends, or even the banks 
 where I then kept my accounts. It was in 
 one of these panics, having plenty of money 
 on hand, I went to all the banks I knew of 
 that held my acceptances, and offered to re- 
 tire them on the spot, they allowing me sim- 
 ple interest at seven per cent, for the time 
 they had to mature. The banks accepted 
 my proposition, and I that day paid up all 
 my acceptances but two which I could not 
 find. Without any vain-boasting (for that 
 I despise) I saved several influential firms 
 from suspending payment by the loan of 
 money j in fact I was very easy in money 
 through both of these panics, notwithstand- 
 ing through one of them I paid five thousand 
 dollars a day for three months together. 
 
 I will now relate two instances of re- 
 lief I afforded during the last panic. One 
 of our large lines of canal boats was
 
 W. T. IIUBBAKD. 33 
 
 in the habit, during the dull season of 
 freights for this city, of purchasing some 
 five or six canal boat-loads of corn, to make 
 freight for their boats, for which they gave 
 the company's note for thirty days, payable 
 in New York. This company had five boat- 
 loads of corn arrive here during the last 
 panic. They tried in vain to sell their 
 corn in order to meet their note, then about 
 falling due ; they applied to several of the 
 large dealers in grain for a loan on it, but 
 they all had obligations of their own, and 
 as much as they could stagger under at the 
 time. At length a deputation of gentlemen 
 applied to me, representing the difficulty 
 of this canal line, with a capital of one 
 million of dollars, and still unable to meet 
 their note, then maturing, unless they could 
 raise the amount on the corn. They offered 
 three per cent, a month for the use of the 
 money (the then current rate for loans), or 
 they would pay still more if required. I 
 finally consented to the arrangement, and
 
 34 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 gave them a check for the amount of their 
 note. On the thirty-seventh day after, they 
 sold the corn, and returned me the advance, 
 including the interest of three per cent, a 
 month, with their grateful acknowledg- 
 ments for the favor conferred. 
 
 The second case was with a commission 
 merchant in my neighborhood, with whom 
 I was intimately acquainted. He came one 
 evening to my house on Washington Square 
 to see me, as he said, on important business ; 
 he finally told me that he would be compel- 
 led to stop payment on the morrow unless 
 he could raise a certain amount of money to 
 meet his note or acceptance due the next 
 day. He further stated that he had spent 
 the greater part of that day in calling on 
 his friends for assistance, but without 
 avail ; that his store was packed with goods 
 from cellar to garret, but he could find 
 no purchasers who had money. I said tc 
 him : " My friend, go home and calm your- 
 self and sleep soundly, and in the morning
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 35 
 
 call at my office, and I will loan you the 
 amount you require." His face brightened 
 and he went home a happy man. A few 
 days after he returned the loan. That man 
 has ever been a faithful and sincere friend 
 to me, for he has never forgotten the kind- 
 ness I rendered him in his financial trou- 
 bles. 
 
 HUDSON EIVER EAILEOAD. 
 
 When it was contemplated to build this 
 road much opposition was manifested in 
 obtaining subscriptions to the undertaking 
 by our wealthy men generally, although 
 it was conceded that it would greatly 
 advance the interests of this State if it 
 could be accomplished; but moneyed 
 men were in doubt whether it would not 
 be a losing game in the end. At length 
 Messrs. James Boorman and Thomas Suf- 
 fern (both wealthy men) put their shoul- 
 ders to the wheel, and pressed their friends 
 to lend a helping hand. They applied to
 
 36 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 me, and I subscribed for twenty shares, Re- 
 lieving at the same time it would not pay 
 a dividend for many years to come, but I 
 was interested to have this road built ; for 
 at that time I was doing a prosperous 
 commission business in provisions, and I 
 made up my mind that, if this road could 
 be finished, I should not be a loser in the 
 end, if I should never get a dividend on 
 the stock. The road was at length com- 
 pleted. I never regretted my subscription 
 to the stock. I derived great advantage 
 from it. I sold my stock many years ago 
 at a loss.
 
 T. HUBBARD. 37 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 TRIP TO NIAGARA. 
 
 DURING- my residence in Cortlandt 
 Street, some forty-five years ago, I con- 
 sulted with my wife in relation to our 
 making a trip to Niagara Falls with three 
 of our eldest children. My two eldest 
 sons had just returned home from their 
 boarding-school in the country, to spend 
 their summer vacation ; my eldest daugh- 
 ter, also, being at home on her school vaca- 
 tion. It was soon decided to make the 
 tour, and we at once began making prepa- 
 rations for the journey. At that time a 
 trip to Niagara would occupy about the 
 same time that it would now take to visit 
 Europe and return. At the appointed time 
 we started for Albany, having previously
 
 38 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 made up our minds to travel from Albany 
 by stage and canal alternately, as circum- 
 stances might require. At this time there 
 were regular lines of passenger-boats on 
 the canal, and we found the accommoda- 
 tions quite satisfactory. Besides, we found 
 the change from boat to stage, and vice 
 versa, very pleasant and refreshing. After 
 arriving at Buffalo, we spent two days in 
 visiting the place and seeing its surround- 
 ings the place .was then comparatively 
 small. On our travels from Albany to 
 Buffalo we passed through many interest- 
 ing scenes along the road. Rochester we 
 found a very desolate-looking place, the 
 streets being full of large and small 
 stumps of trees, which had been removed 
 for the construction of the canal. On 
 other portions of the route we encountered 
 swamps and forests through which the 
 canal had been built. The country in 
 those places looked desolate indeed, but as 
 time has worn on these scenes have been
 
 yr. T. HUBBAED. 39 
 
 changed from their then desolate-looking 
 wastes into rural culture and beauty. 
 
 T beg here to say that my recollections 
 of events that occurred forty -five years ago 
 are much more indistinct to my mind now 
 than those that occurred seventy -five or 
 eighty years ago, for my memory is as 
 fresh now of the scenes and recollections 
 of my youthful days say from ten years 
 of age as if they had occurred a montli 
 ago, and I believe this fact is generally 
 shared by a great majority of the old men 
 of the present day. With this digression 
 I will proceed with my trip to Niagara. 
 
 After leaving Buffalo we reached the 
 Falls in due time. The first view of the 
 cataract, in all the splendor of its magni- 
 ficence, was, indeed, a sight to fill us witli 
 awe and astonishment. Were I capable 
 of giving a description, it would be labor 
 lost, for have they not been described a 
 thousand times by writers and painters of 
 known celebritv ? So here I pause. We
 
 40 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 remained at the Falls two days. On the 
 third day we started for home, stopping on 
 the way to visit Brock's monument, which 
 to me was of little account. Our return 
 was varied, as in going, by stage and canal. 
 If my memory is not at fault we were be- 
 tween three and four weeks in completing 
 the journey. We arrived home in good 
 health and spirits, without accident, well 
 pleased with our trip. 
 
 THE INAUGURATION OF GENERAL HARRISON. 
 
 At the Inauguration of General Harrison 
 we made up a small party here to pro- 
 ceed to Washington to attend the cere- 
 monies. Mr. N. H. Wolfe, Mr. Philetus 
 Holt, Mr. Sherry of New Bedford, myself, 
 and two or three others (whose names I 
 have forgotten), constituted our party. 
 We left for Washington the previous day 
 and arrived there in the evening. All the 
 hotels were filled to their utmost, and at
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 41 
 
 first we had some difficulty in securing lodg- 
 ings, but through the kindness of a friend 
 we were recommended to a house (a private 
 boarding-house) kept by a very gentlemanly 
 Irishman and his wife, where we succeeded 
 in securing very comfortable quarters. 
 The cuisine of the establishment, somewhat 
 to our surprise, compared favorably with 
 that of many of the prominent hotels. 
 The landlord and his wife exerted them- 
 selves to make us as comfortable a,s possi- 
 ble. Our supper table was spread with 
 all the delicacies of the season, and served 
 to our entire satisfaction. In the morning 
 after breakfast we repaired to the Capitol, 
 to witness the Inauguration Ceremonies, 
 after which we returned to our hotel, 
 where we found our landlord and wife 
 had prepared for us a splendid dinner, 
 which would have done honor to any hotel 
 in Washington. lu the evening a few of 
 our party attended the ball, the others 
 remaining at home. On the following
 
 42 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 morning we left for home, after compli- 
 menting our landlord and lady on the 
 elegant manner we had been entertained. 
 We all arrived in safety, highly pleased 
 with our trip to Washington. 
 
 In connection with the above, I wish to 
 say that I visited Washington, many years 
 previous to the visit just spoken of, to 
 settle some business matters with a resi- 
 dent of that city. This visit occurred 
 during the administration of General Jack- 
 son. While there I concluded to call and 
 pay my respects to the President. He 
 received me very graciously, and after a 
 few remarks I retired.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE OLD MAYOES. 
 
 I WILL now refer to some of our leading 
 public men and politicians of earlier days. 
 Cadwallader D. Golden was mayor of this 
 city in the earlier part of this century. 
 His residence at the time was on the cor- 
 ner of William and Stone Streets. He 
 was esteemed as a very polished gentle- 
 man, and gave frequent entertainments at 
 his house. He was universally beloved 
 by all who knew him. Richard Varick, a 
 gentleman of the old school, was also 
 mayor of this city for a time. His resi- 
 dence at that time was on the corner of 
 Broadway and Pine Street. He was very 
 aristocratic in his general appearance and 
 dress. He invariably wore smallclothes,
 
 44 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 with silk stockings and silver buckles, in 
 the summer season. He was much 
 esteemed by all who knew him. He was 
 a man of fortune, and passed on through 
 life as a gentleman of leisure. 
 
 Walter Bowne, a gentleman of fortune, 
 was another of our early mayors. I can 
 speak of him more definitely, for I was 
 personally acquainted with him, as I have 
 before remarked. I was a tenant six years 
 in one of his houses, and he was, without 
 exception, the best and most accommodat- 
 ing landlord I ever lived under. When I 
 first rented his house he handed me his 
 card with the names of his different 
 mechanics, with directions to call on them 
 for any repairs I might require on the 
 premises, and charge the bills to him. He 
 was one of the most pleasant and agreeable 
 gentlemen I ever knew. 
 
 Stephen ' Allen was mayor of this city 
 for one or two terms. With him and his 
 family I was very early acquainted. He
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 45 
 
 formerly lived in the Bowery, but after- 
 wards removed to the corner of Washing- 
 ton Square and University Place, where 
 he had built, in connection with several of 
 our wealthy citizens, the noble block of 
 buildings fronting the park. I resided 
 twenty-nine years on the block below, run- 
 ning from Fifth Avenue to Macdougal 
 Street. My family, particularly the 
 younger female portion of them, were 
 almost in daily communication with the 
 younger branches of his family, by his 
 second wife, while my own sisters were 
 more intimately associated with his daugh- 
 ters by his first wife. Mr. Allen, for many 
 years, kept a large " duck store ;" was suc- 
 cessful in business, and at the same time 
 an active politician of the Democratic 
 school, and was for many years one of the 
 sachems of Tammany Hall, Avith Benjamin 
 Bailey and John Targee, who were the 
 then principal leaders of that day in the 
 Democratic camp. And here permit me
 
 46 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 to copy, from my favorite poet, Halleck, 
 a few lines from his address to Rich- 
 ard Hiker (formerly Recorder of this city 
 for many years), they being so applicable 
 to the three gentlemen above named : 
 
 And Halleck, who has made thy roof, 
 
 Saint Tammany, oblivion proof, 
 
 Thy years illustrious, and thee 
 
 A belted knight of chivalry, 
 
 And changed thy dome of painted bricks, 
 
 And porter casks and politics, 
 
 Into a green Arcadian vale, 
 
 With Stephen Allen for its lark, 
 
 Ben Bailey's voice its watchdog's bark, 
 
 And John Targee its nightingale. 
 
 Halleck was a great satirist, as his poem 
 to Fanny will fully testify, for in it he 
 had a hit at all the principal prominent 
 characters of the day. But to return to 
 Mr. Allen. He made a most excellent 
 mayor, and was withal a very honest man. 
 He was self-educated, and a man of strong 
 common sense, with strong prejudices
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 47 
 
 whenever lie took a dislike to any one. He 
 was kind and good-hearted to all his 
 friends. Thus much I knew of Stephen 
 Allen, and now I have a melancholy duty 
 to perform ; that is, the recital of the sad 
 ending of his life. I was on my way home 
 from Saratoga, travelling by the Hudson 
 River Railroad, and when within some 
 twelve or fifteen miles of the city we dis- 
 covered a steamer on fire a few miles 
 ahead of us, which proved to be the Henry 
 Clay, with her bows turned to the beach, 
 all in flames from stem to stern. Most of 
 the passengers who were near the bows 
 when she struck the beach jumped into the 
 comparatively shoal water and thus saved 
 themselves, while others miserably per- 
 ished. Mr. Allen was found among the 
 drowned. Our train remained by the scene 
 for three-quarters of an hour, and brought 
 many of the rescued to the city. When 
 the train left the appalling scene Mr. 
 Allen's body had not been recovered, but
 
 48 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 it was found shortly after. Thus ended a 
 busy and useful life. 
 
 Philip Hone was mayor of this city for 
 one term, and decidedly one of the most 
 popular mayors this city ever had. Mr. 
 Hone had retired from business some time 
 previous, with an ample fortune. The old 
 firm of John &, Philip Hone, auctioneers, 
 were widely known throughout this city 
 for their honesty, industry, and integrity, 
 which gave them unlimited credit, which 
 enabled them to do a large and successful 
 business for many years. Mr. Hone lived 
 during his mayoralty in Broadway, next 
 door to the corner of College Place. It was 
 then esteemed the most beautiful residence 
 in the city. He was mayor when Lafay- 
 ette arrived here on a visit to this country, 
 and speaking of this great man I would 
 remark, that the enthusiasm throughout 
 the whole country was manifested in a 
 thousand different ways to do honor to 
 him who rendered such important services
 
 IT. T. HUBBAKD. 49 
 
 during our Revolutionary struggle. A 
 magnificent entertainVneut was given him 
 here at Castle Garden ; it^ook several 
 days to complete the arrangements for this 
 grand fete. Myself, wife, and eldest 
 daughter were present on this occasion. 
 It was a scene always to be remembered, 
 and although fifty years have passed away 
 since then, the scene is as vivid and fresh 
 to my mind now as it was on the night of 
 its celebration. In the morning Lafay- 
 ette was to leave for Boston. Mayor 
 Hone had prepared at his palatial resi- 
 dence a magnificent breakfast in his honor, 
 to which were invited, with his own pri- 
 vate friends, all the officers of the regiment 
 detailed to accompany him from this city. 
 It was a costly and splendid entertain- 
 ment, and I cannot forb.ear at the moment 
 again quoting from my old friend Halleck, 
 for the lines are so very appropriate and 
 applicable to Mr. Hone :
 
 50 ATITOBIOGEAPHY OP 
 
 Oh ! hone a' rie ! oh ! hone a' rie ! 
 
 The hymn o'er hsjppy days departed ; 
 The hope that such again may be, 
 
 When power was large and liberal-hearted, 
 And wealth was hospitality. 
 
 Mr. Andrew H. Mickle was elected 
 mayor after the retirement of Mr. Hone. 
 This election was bought of the sachems 
 of Tammany Hall by Mrs. Russell, the to- 
 bacconist and the mother-in-law of the in- 
 cumbent. She sent a letter to the rulers 
 of Tammany with a pledge to give them 
 $5,000 on condition they would nominate 
 and elect her son-in-law to the office of 
 mayor of this city. The bait was accepted 
 and he was accordingly put in nomination 
 and elected, and the 85,000 promptly paid. 
 He was a man utterly disqualified for the 
 office of mayor, having been brought up 
 behind the tobacco-counter of Mrs. Russell, 
 who then kept in Water near Wall Street. 
 Mrs. Russell was a strong Democrat, and 
 on election days always gave to her work-
 
 N. T. HTJBBARD. 51 
 
 men (of whom she employed a large num- 
 ber) a holiday for electioneering purposes. 
 Her death was caused by an accident hap- 
 pening in her own store. As I have said 
 before, Mr. Mickle was entirely disquali- 
 fied for the duties of the office, for he was 
 an uneducated man, and his natural abili- 
 ties of a very common order, but he was 
 fortunate in the selection of a young man 
 of very fair talents (Mr. Ming) to admin- 
 ister the duties of the office, and matters 
 proceeded on in a comparatively quiet man- 
 ner. The father of Mr. Ming was an old 
 and intimate acquaintance of mine. His 
 profession was a printer, and for many 
 years he published the only almanac then 
 current in this city. He had some peculia- 
 rities, one of which was that he never wore 
 a necktie either in summer or winter 
 his throat was always bare. I have little 
 or nothing to add to Mr. Mickle's adminis- 
 tration of the office of mayor, more than 
 to say that he passed through his duties,
 
 52 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 with the aid and assistance of Mr. Ming, 
 quite satisfactorily to the political party 
 which elected him. 
 
 Mr. Havemeyer, our late mayor, was 
 elected to the same office some twenty 
 years ago. I knew him personally for 
 many years and, always esteemed him a 
 straightforward and honest man. He was 
 originally a Democrat, and I have reason 
 to believe his bias continued that way. 
 
 I now come to my old friend, Mayor 
 Kingsland, of the old firm of D. & A. 
 Kingsland. I have been personally ac- 
 quainted with this gentleman for many 
 years, and frequently visited his house on 
 Fifth Avenue, where he still resides. .1 
 had been in the habit, for years, of supply- 
 ing their vessels with provisions until they 
 abandoned that branch of their business. 
 Mr. Kingsland, when mayor, gave general 
 satisfaction in his administration of the 
 office, and was universally esteemed as an 
 honest public servant.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 53 
 
 With the politicians of the present day 
 I never intermeddle, but I always vote at 
 every election. I have always been a Whig 
 and Republican. I never sought for office, 
 for the simple reason I never wanted one. 
 The life of a professional politician is, at 
 the best, a roving one, and subject to many 
 changes in the political turn of the wheel. 
 Of the later incumbents of the mayor's office 
 I know but little, and the present genera- 
 tion of politicians are much better posted 
 in regard to their merits and demerits than 
 I am. Therefore I have no more to say 
 on this subject. 
 
 The most celebrated surgeons and physi- 
 cians of the olden time, some fifty or sixty 
 years ago, were Hosack, Post, Stevens, 
 Mott, and Cheesnian, and many others 
 whose names I do not recollect. In di- 
 vinity we had Dr. Wainwright, Dr. Potts, 
 Dr. Mason, who stood at the head of the
 
 54 AUTOUIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 profession, Dr. Milledoler, Dr. Livingston, 
 Dr. Hobart, Dr. Spring, Dr. Hawks, Dr. 
 Adams, and several others of equal cele- 
 brity. Dr. Adams is the only one now 
 living ; the remainder have all gone to reap 
 their reward. At this present time we have 
 many clergymen of equal power and abil- 
 ity, who compare most favorably with 
 their predecessors. 
 
 In looking back, some seventy or eighty 
 years, my mind becomes confused in bring- 
 ing to my memory a thousand little inci- 
 dents that have occurred in this city, which 
 might prove somewhat interesting to- the 
 present generation if I had the memory 
 and skill to relate them. But if any of 
 them should flash on my mind during the 
 recital of this short history, I will add 
 them to these pages before they are closed. 
 
 And here I have a word or two to say 
 on my own account. It strikes me very
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. OO 
 
 forcibly that the inflation of the currency, 
 which bill has been so long the leading 
 topic of discussion in Congress, and which 
 has been passed by both houses in direct 
 opposition to all our leading mercantile 
 men of the country, is a strong evidence to 
 me that one-half its members are totally 
 unfit for the stations they occupy. We 
 want experienced merchants and bankers 
 in place of lawyers and professional poli- 
 ticians to legislate on financial subjects, so 
 vital to the credit, and honor, and future 
 welfare of our country. We unfortunately 
 have in our legislative halls many unprin- 
 cipled men, who only desire to carry out 
 their own views. 
 
 April 24, 1874. My evening paper, " The 
 Commercial Advertiser," of yesterday 
 gave me the pleasing and gratifying intel- 
 ligence of the veto of the Expansion Cur- 
 rency Bill. I rejoice that President Grant 
 had the firmness and conviction of his duty 
 to himself as well as to the citizens gener-
 
 56 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ally, to crush out a bill so evidently injuri- 
 ous to the credit and honor of our country, 
 as well as to a great majority of our fel- 
 low-citizens ; for, in the event of its having 
 been sustained, it might have enriched a 
 few and caused ruin to many. These are 
 my views on this subject, and may be taken 
 for what they are worth, but if I mistake 
 not the majority will coincide with my 
 opinion.
 
 T. HUBBAKD. 57 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 TKEKE are so many circumstances, and 
 such a variety of incidents that have oc- 
 curred during my morning, noon, and de- 
 cline in life, that my memory fails me, 
 and I am unable to grasp many important 
 events that should be contained in this 
 history, as well as many events of minor 
 importance that would not particularly 
 interest my friends or readers. Hence 
 when a flash of some important incident 
 crosses my mind I at once note it down, 
 however inapplicable it may be to my pre- 
 vious observations. There are many bril- 
 liant and beautiful writers in the present 
 day, but, as I have before remarked, the 
 names of Irving and Cooper will live when
 
 58 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the great mass of the present writers will 
 be forgotten. 
 
 I wish again to pay a slight tribute to 
 one of my favorites, Mr. John G. Saxe. I 
 have always admired this man ; his poetry 
 has an expression that will convey to the 
 most uncultivated mind the ideas he por- 
 trays; 
 
 The literary productions of years ago, 
 compared with the present time, were very 
 meagre. I am of course only alluding to 
 our own country. There have sprung into 
 existence so many that gain a livelihood 
 by writing that their name is legion. 
 Some good, many worthless. But in look- 
 ing back and remembering, as I well do, the 
 beautiful stories of Irving and Cooper, and 
 making comparison with the writers of the 
 present day, I fail to find their equals, and 
 I fear it will yet be long before they are 
 matched. I read and have read to me so 
 much, that I feel competent to judge of this 
 question without any egotism on my part.
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 59 
 
 When I first thought of writing these 
 papers, I proclaimed that, in the event of 
 my doing so, I would not have them pub- 
 lished until after my death ; but after 
 having commenced them, several of my 
 friends insisted on having them published 
 during my lifetime. After reflecting on 
 the subject, I finally made up my mind to 
 do so, in case I completed them before that 
 event took place. In contemplating my 
 own dissolution at no distant day, I feel 
 perfectly reconciled to the will of my 
 Heavenly Father. He has already prolong- 
 ed my life far beyond the ordinary age of 
 man. He has blest me in giving me liber- 
 ally of the good things of this world, but 
 in my later years He has seen fit to with- 
 draw from me the greater portion of that 
 independence" I once possessed. 
 
 There are such an infinitude of sub- 
 jects connected with the history of a long, 
 active business life, that it requires much 
 time and thought to get at the more salient
 
 60 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 points of interest, and communicate the 
 same in pleasing and glowing colors to 
 your friends ; there are such a great variety 
 of subjects treated on at the present day 
 by writers of known ability and influence, 
 many of them professional writers, that I 
 am almost constrained at times to lay aside 
 my pen and consign to the waste-basket 
 what little I have written, as of little or 
 no use to my fellow-beings. But if happily 
 there should be a few passages worth pre- 
 serving by my friends, I shall be satisfied. 
 There are various systematic writers who 
 acquire for themselves and families a fine 
 support, and many of them become inde- 
 pendent.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 61 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 MY BIRTHDAY. 
 
 MAY 29, 1874. This is my eighty-ninth 
 birthday. I now enter on my ninetieth 
 year. When I look back on my past life 
 it simply appears as a dream. I have 
 lived nineteen years longer than the time 
 allotted to man, through the interposition 
 of a Divine Providence, but for what cause 
 or end I know not. Were a man to live a 
 thousand years it would be but a very 
 short period of time when compared with 
 the eternity that follows. Eternity ! that 
 dreadful thought of untried beings. Some 
 fifty years ago I heard a sermon preached 
 by the Rev. Hooper Gumming, son of Gen- 
 eral Gumming, then of Newark, New Jer- 
 sey, in which he said : " With the dead
 
 62 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 time ceases to be, till the resurrection of 
 the body, whether that event occurs in a 
 thousand or tens of thousands of years; 
 hence its identity and freshness will be like 
 a morning dream." Before Adam was cre- 
 ated by the fiat of Almighty God millions 
 of ages had rolled on, and will continue to 
 roll on through the ceaseless ages of eter- 
 nity. Philosophers tell us there are 
 planets so remote in space that there has 
 not been time for their light to reach our 
 globe since its creation. The thoughts of 
 man cannot grasp the boundless creations 
 of Almighty God, and not until the resur- 
 rection of our mortal bodies into spiritual 
 existence, may we begin to learn the 
 heights and depths of the wonder-working 
 powers of the Godhead. 
 
 There has been for many years a fixed 
 principle of belief in my mind (although I 
 have not met with the idea in any writings 
 that have come under my observation), 
 that every intelligent being born into this
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 63 
 
 world has born within him a little world 
 of his own, which is as distinct from that of 
 any other being as the features of one face 
 differ from another. There is a mystery 
 in relation to this within us that we 
 cannot communicate to our best and dearest 
 friends the subtle influences that govern 
 this inner life, however liberally endowed 
 with talents of the most brilliant order ; 
 there is no language in which we can begin 
 to convey, or even describe, the workings 
 of this little world within us. It may be 
 called by many one of the thousand Isms 
 that abound with our theologians, but for 
 myself I know it to be a truth with me 
 as sure as I know I am a live and moral 
 being. 
 
 I must avail myself once more of a 
 quotation from my favorite poet Halleck ; 
 it so fully illustrates my. present age and 
 condition; with the exception of the last 
 six lines, which I cannot appropriate to 
 myself, but which are necessary to fill out
 
 64 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 the beautiful poetic inspiration of the 
 author : 
 
 But many are my years, and few 
 
 Are left me ere night's holy dews 
 
 And sorrow's holier tears will keep 
 
 The grass green, when in Death I sleep. 
 
 And when that grass is green above me, 
 
 And those that bless me now, and love me, 
 
 Are sleeping by my side, 
 
 Will it avail me aught that men 
 
 Tell to the world with lip and pen 
 
 That once I lived and died? 
 
 No ! If a garland for my brow 
 
 Is growing, let me have it now, 
 
 While I'm alive to wear it; 
 
 And if in whispering my name 
 
 There's music in the voice of fame, 
 
 Like Garcia's, let me hear it. 
 
 As previously observed, the last six lines 
 I disclaim all appropriation of to myself, 
 for the reason I never had the vanity to 
 believe that any public or private act of 
 mine ever entitled me to a "garland for 
 my brow," or to any fame beyond what
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 
 
 any of my fellow-citizens are entitled, who 
 pass through life with the reputation of 
 honest industry and integrity of character.
 
 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE OLD CITY HOTEL. 
 
 THIS old building was demolished many 
 years ago. In 1800 it was one of the most 
 prominent landmarks in the lower part of 
 this city, and it appeared almost a sacri- 
 lege to blot it out of existence.* When I 
 recur back to the many happy hours I have 
 spent under its roof, and bring to my me- 
 mory those (all dead and gone) who were 
 my contemporaries, it makes me sad indeed. 
 
 * There are many interesting associations connected with 
 the old City Hotel, that will remain with me through life. 
 During my residence in Cortlandt Street I was a frequent 
 visitor there. Mr. Charruaud, so well known to all old New 
 Yorkers, had his dancing-school there, and those of my 
 children who were old enough, attended it. It became a 
 general rendezvous for the meeting of friends on their re- 
 turn from business to their homes.
 
 M". T. HUBBARD. (\7 
 
 It was in this hotel that our musical enter- 
 tainments were given. In this hotel as- 
 sembled the beauty and fashion of the 
 city, but it has vanished from the scene. 
 But what a history it might tell of lives 
 made miserable, and of those made happy ! 
 In recording these recollections of the old 
 landmarks of this city, and remembering, 
 as I well do, the social hours passed among 
 them, it is a pleasure to look back, and 
 again, in imagination, visit the scenes of so 
 much pleasure and enjoyment. 
 
 THE ASTOR HOUSE. 
 
 This house has become one of the old 
 landmarks of our city, and its proprietors, 
 the Messrs. Stetson, deserve the praise of 
 all. It has been conducted in such a way 
 that it has drawn within its portals the 
 greatest statesmen of the country. It has 
 for many years been the rendezvous of the 
 chiefs of the Republican party. The Hon.
 
 68 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Daniel Webster had his rooms at this 
 house whenever he visited the city. I 
 have but few associations connected with 
 this hotel beyond those Republican leaders. 
 In fact, the Astor House has always been 
 considered one of the best conducted hotels 
 in this country. 
 
 THE NEW YORK HOTEL. 
 
 This hotel was built many years ago. 
 It occupies one entire block. There was 
 formerly on this ground a large double 
 frame building occupied for many years 
 as a public-house. I distinctly recollect, 
 some forty or more years ago, of being 
 invited by a number of acquaintances to 
 join them in patronizing a once prominent 
 broker, who became unfortunate, and who 
 was at that time the proprietor of the 
 above-named premises. I joined the party, 
 consisting of some thjrty or forty, and pro- 
 ceeded on a Saturday afternoon to a dinner
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 69 
 
 of green turtle at one dollar a head. At 
 that time we had no public stages, so we 
 concluded to walk there and back instead 
 of hiring coaches for this purpose. Suffice 
 it to say we had a very pleasant entertain- 
 ment, and returned home in good condition 
 by bedtime. During the Yellow Fever 
 Year those of us who were members of the 
 Exchange arranged with the landlord of 
 this house to meet there daily from twelve 
 to two o'clock, and thus we held* our re- 
 gular meetings until the abatement of the 
 fever and our return down-town. 
 
 There are many pleasing associations con- 
 nected with the New York Hotel. Living 
 for so many years adjacent to it, I was 
 in the habit of visiting there very often, 
 and being intimate with the landlords I 
 was almost as much at home as at my 
 own house. The associations and new ac- 
 quaintances formed there have left a 
 pleasing recollection on my mind that I 
 can never forget. At that time I was very
 
 70 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 fond of the game of billiards, and often 
 joined in the amusement. Although I was 
 far from being a skilful player, there were, 
 however, many others no better than my- 
 self, and hence I as often won as lost a 
 game. For many years past there has been 
 wonderful improvement in this scientific 
 game, and the skill exercised in the great 
 matches, now often played, draw together 
 hundreds of persons to witness them. But 
 it is now a number of years since my fail- 
 ing eyesight has prevented me from wit- 
 nessing any of these great matches, were I 
 disposed so to do. My friend, Colonel 
 Isaac H. Reed, an old boarder at this hotel, 
 was very fond of this game ; he was a 
 bold, dashing player he understood the 
 game perfectly. 
 
 Previous to our civil war this hotel was 
 the favorite resort of most of our Southern 
 visitors ; it still continues to receive their 
 patronage. Since its erection it has had 
 several landlords, but I have always under-
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 71 
 
 stood that they were well patronized and 
 retired with ample means. May success 
 attend the present occupants ! 
 
 WASHINGTON HALL. 
 
 This building was erected some fifty or 
 sixty years ago, on the site of Stewart's 
 wholesale dry-goods store, by the then po- 
 litical party called Federalists, of which 
 Isaac Seabring was president at that time. 
 It was a large hotel, and kept by a Captain 
 Croker for many years. At the close of 
 our war of 1812 there was a splendid ban- 
 quet given in honor of the occasion in this 
 hotel by the aristocracy of our city, in 
 which the renowned Dominick Lynch pre- 
 sided. I was told by two or three of my 
 personal friends who were present on that 
 occasion, that it was certainly the most 
 spendid and brilliant display of beauty and 
 fashion that had ever before been seen in 
 this city. The great majority of the par- 
 ticipants are now in their graves.
 
 72 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Louis Napoleon during his visit to this 
 country made this hotel his headquarters. 
 There is one fact well authenticated that 
 for several years previous to its demolition 
 there was a large club of our most influen- 
 tial merchants who met there nightly for 
 the express purpose of gambling ; and more 
 than a dozen names (now in their graves) I 
 am familiar with to this day, but both honor 
 and delicacy forbid my using them. Un- 
 fortunately one respectable blackleg got an 
 introduction to this club, and was elected a 
 member; soon after he displayed his cloven 
 foot by secreting in his coatsleeve some im- 
 portant cards, and was at length detected 
 in using one of them to great advantage. 
 This created a great row, and he was ex- 
 pelled from the club on the spot ; by some 
 means the news got out the next day, and 
 created much excitement at the time. 
 
 The Federalists, who erected Washing- 
 ton Hall, did not flourish many years, and 
 eventually disbanded altogether. Their
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 73 
 
 members finally united themselves with 
 the Democratic or Whig organizations. 
 
 There was a book published here many 
 years ago called "The Federalist." The 
 articles it contained were contributed by 
 the ablest writers of the day, and had an 
 extensive circulation. There may be copies 
 of the work still on hand in some of the 
 leading bookstores, or they may be extinct. 
 Washington Hall was finally purchased by 
 Mr. Stewart, and on its site is erected the 
 stately store, sacred to dry-goods and Mr. 
 Stewart.
 
 74 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE CHOLERA OF 1832. 
 
 THERE are many thrilling incidents that 
 have occurred in this city within the past 
 forty or fifty years. The cholera, which 
 broke out here in 1832, raged fearfully, 
 and a large proportion of the citizens left 
 the city for different parts of the country. 
 I then resided with my family in Cortlandt 
 Street, and, singular as it- may appeal', 
 every family in this street, but my own 
 and one other, between Broadway and 
 Greenwich Street, left the city. I re- 
 mained with my family throughout the 
 epidemic. My store at this time was in 
 Broad Street, near Front. I had a colored 
 servant living with me at this time. He 
 and myself were the only two persons who
 
 JT. T. HUBBARD. 75 
 
 left the door of my house for six weeks. 
 "We adopted regular rules of government 
 in my family, under the advice of my 
 family physician, Dr. Stephen Brown. I 
 always had in my house the usual reme- 
 dies then in use. I went regularly to 
 Washington Market every morning after 
 breakfast. I bought the best fresh beef 
 and steaks for one day, and young chickens 
 to roast or broil the next. On my return 
 from market I went to my store, and there 
 was scarcely a morning, for two months, 
 that I did not meet on Broadway from 
 three to six ambulances, with cholera 
 patients on their way to the hospital in 
 the Park, formerly the old jail, but now 
 the Hall of Records. I became so famil- 
 iar with these scenes daily in going to 
 my office and returning home, that they 
 did not seem to affect my usual nervous 
 temperament. I left my store at four 
 o'clock, and remained home until the next 
 morning. My family escaped this epi-
 
 76 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 demic, with one exception. One of my 
 daughters, twelve or thirteen years of age, 
 was suddenly taken with all the symptoms. 
 We administered at once the remedies pre- 
 scribed, and dispatched my servant with 
 all haste for our physician, who fortu- 
 nately was at home, and they returned to- 
 gether. The doctor was with her for six 
 hours, when he pronounced her in safety 
 and left for home. In many cases the pa- 
 tients died in six hours from the first 
 attack. It was very malignant and fatal. 
 
 Some -few years earlier we were visited 
 with the yellow fever, which spread death 
 and destruction throughout the city. A 
 large proportion of the inhabitants re- 
 moved from the city. My family then re- 
 sided in Frankfort Street, near Pearl and 
 Franklin Square. I removed my family 
 to New Windsor, Orange County, closing 
 my house, with hundreds of other families. 
 Several of my friends and neighbors re- 
 moved above Spring Street, on the North
 
 N. T. IIUBBAKD. 77 
 
 River, erected shanties, and removed a 
 portion of their goods from their stores 
 down town, and continued their business ; 
 for at that time a greater portion of the 
 property between Spring Street and the 
 old State Prison was vacant lots, and that 
 portion of the city was entirely free from 
 the. fever, being nearly two miles distant 
 from the infected district. A fence had 
 also been erected across the city from the 
 North to the East River, somewhere above 
 Canal Street, and it was considered dan- 
 gerous to go below those limits. I pro- 
 cured room for a desk in Mr. Charles 
 Dennison's shanty, which he had erected 
 for the purpose of his grocery business, 
 and several merchants procured board and 
 lodging with a Mr. John Montaigne, who 
 kept a small house in Greenwich Street. 
 I boarded with him, but slept nightly on 
 board one of the Newburg or New Wind- 
 sor packets (which lay in the immediate 
 neighborhood), for I was intimately ac-
 
 78 AUTOBIOGEAPHT OF 
 
 quainted with all the captains. On every 
 Saturday I left the city to visit my family, 
 and returned on Monday morning. If my 
 memory serves me, I think they were ab- 
 sent about two months, and glad indeed 
 was I to have them once more around me. 
 Soon after this I removed with my fami- 
 ly to Cortlandt Street, paying a rental of 
 $700 a year for the house I occupied. I had 
 a lease of this house for six years. At the 
 expiration of this lease I removed to the 
 house of Philip Hone, Esq., a few doors 
 "below, at a rental of $1,000 a year. This 
 house was built by Mr. Hone for his own 
 residence, where he resided for a number 
 of years. I had a lease of this house for 
 five years. I remained in it but foui 
 years, having bought a house on Washing 
 ton Square, but I had no difficulty in 
 covering the last year of my lease at the 
 same rental. So on the 1st of May, 1837, 
 I removed to my new house on Washington 
 Square, where I resided twenty-nine years
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 
 
 twenty-five years in great prosperity, 
 after which my fortunes began to wane. 
 
 As I have already related in other por 
 tions of these sketches many pleasing inci- 
 dents of my life, I am not now inclined to 
 dwell on the sad and shady side of my later 
 days ; but I must here remark, that I have 
 believed for many years that great wealth 
 does not constitute great happiness. There 
 are many other qualities in man's nature 
 that contribute more pleasure and happi- 
 ness than mere riches, however much their 
 possessor may prize them. I have been in 
 affluence ; but the natural cheerfulness of 
 my nature, with my usually good health, 
 renders my declining years peaceful and 
 quiet, with very moderate means. 
 
 I am now living with my daughter at 
 the Washington Hotel, No. 1 Broadway. 
 We have very comfortable quarters on the 
 first floor, overlooking the Battery. We 
 have our private table served to us in my 
 parlor. The table is excellent in every re-
 
 80 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 spect, but as for myself I have been in the 
 habit for the past thirty years of taking 
 but two meals a day my breakfast at 
 eight to half-past eight and my dinner at 
 six o'clock ; and I consider that this mode 
 of living, with my well-known temperance 
 habits, has been largely conducive to my 
 present length of years. 
 
 This day, April 6, 1874, I am eighty 
 eight years, ten months and nine days old, 
 and in excellent health. I spend from two 
 to two and a half hours each day on our 
 Produce Exchange, of which I am an hon- 
 orary member. My present business is very 
 limited, but I have a few old customers 
 who invariably come or send to me to sup- 
 ply their vessels with beef and pork for 
 stores. I have been in active business so 
 long (sixty-five years) that I should be 
 very unhappy if I could not get on 'Change 
 daily, and meet my old friends and ac- 
 quaintances. I have been so long a time 
 in harness that I love it, and it fits me so
 
 N. T. IIUBBAKD. 81 
 
 well I am determined to live and die in it. 
 I have always taken great pleasure in do- 
 ing business, and allow me here to remark, 
 for it is well known that many merchants, 
 when the day is over, carry to their homes 
 the cares and anxieties relating to their 
 business; and these cares so often afflict 
 and distress them, that they do not enjoy 
 the pleasant associations and intercourse 
 with their families with which they are 
 pleasantly surrounded, but it has not been 
 so with me. When the day was over I re- 
 turned home free from, these anxieties, and 
 enjoyed myself in the companionship of 
 my family. 
 
 There is one suggestion which I wish to 
 impress upon the rising young merchants 
 of this city. I have observed in many in- 
 stances merchants retiring from business 
 in middle life, after procuring a sufficiency 
 to satisfy them, and I have noticed that 
 after a year or t\vo they usually become 
 discontented and unhappy, anxiously wish-
 
 82 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ing themselves back again to their old 
 haunts of business. Many of them die 
 within six or eight years after their retire- 
 ment, while some, after seeking happiness 
 for two or three years (which they cannot 
 find), again return to their old occupations, 
 either as active or special partners. My 
 recommendation to young merchants, when 
 once established in a good and thriving 
 business, is to hold to it as long as their 
 health and mental capacity qualify them 
 for it; and I am bold to say that this course 
 will not only add to their length of days, 
 but to their happiness through life. 
 
 Many years ago, while doing a prosper 
 ous business, I was asked by several of my 
 acquaintances why I did not retire. My 
 reply was : " If I knew for a certainty that 
 by continuing in business I should actually 
 lose $5,000 a year during my life, I should 
 continue as long as I had the $5,000 a 
 year to lose, for nothing would render me 
 more unhappy than to have nothing to
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 8 
 
 employ my mind." It must not be sup- 
 posed, however, that during my long busi- 
 ness life I had no relaxation from busi- 
 ness. For thirty years of my life my 
 family and myself were in the habit of 
 visiting the Springs and other watering- 
 places. Among our favorite resorts were 
 Saratoga, West Point, and Newport. 
 These were the three principal watering 
 resorts thirty years ago. For twenty-five 
 years in succession I visited Saratoga 
 Springs (with one exception). My family 
 usually remained at one of these places 
 during most of the summer. The United 
 States Hotel at Saratoga was my favorite 
 resort. We generally ended the summer 
 at Cozzens' Hotel, West Point. It was my 
 custom to return home once a week while 
 my family remained at either of the afore- 
 said places, returning to them in the course 
 of two or three days. These excursions I 
 enjoyed very much, and when we all 
 finally returned home from our summer
 
 84 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 pleasures and amusements, it gave a new 
 zest and pleasure to our own home com- 
 forts and enjoyments. 
 
 TRIP TO PATERSOJS". 
 
 On the 4th of July, 183?, Mr. Charles 
 Denison, Henry Wykoff, Benjamin Stagg 
 and myself (by invitation of Mr. Denison) 
 visited Paterson to pass the day in social 
 enjoyment. After visiting the different 
 factories and partaking of a substantial 
 meal, we returned. On our way to the 
 city we heard there had been several cases 
 of cholera reported. We hesitated to rely 
 upon these reports, but it was soon an 
 established fact. I have alluded in these 
 pages to the dreadful havoc existing during 
 the prevalence of this fearful scourge. 
 
 The three gentlemen above-named were 
 associated so intimately with me, that, 
 when I recur back and think of the pleasant 
 reminiscences connected in our intercourse 
 with each other, I can remember nothing
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 85 
 
 but pleasure. But still in looking back 
 and knowing, as I well do, that I am almost 
 alone on the scene, melancholy reflections 
 will arise. In paying this small tribute to 
 my departed friends a few lines have oc- 
 curred to me, which I quote : 
 
 Eternal Hope, when yonder spheres sublime 
 Pealed their first notes to sound the march of time, 
 Thy joyous youth began, but not to fade. 
 When all the sister-planets have decayed, 
 When, wrapped in flames,- the realms of ether glow 
 And heaven's last thunder shakes the world below, 
 Thou undismayed shalt o'er the ruins smile, 
 And light thy torch at Nature's funeral pile. 
 
 This quotation is from Campbell's Plea- 
 sures of Hope, and is completely entwined 
 around my very being. I repeat these 
 lines with many favorite ones almost night- 
 ly on my retiring to bed. They calm the 
 tumults that often oppress me.
 
 86 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 MILITARY. 
 
 I PURPOSE now to make a few remarks 
 upon a few of my old military friends. I 
 was intimately acquainted with Major-Gen- 
 eral Scott for many years. He became 
 very distinguished with his countrymen, and 
 very justly so. I distinctly recollect when 
 he first came to this city, and was stationed 
 at the old Fort now called Castle Garden 
 on the Battery. It was at West Point 
 where I became more intimately acquainted 
 with him, for I had been in the habit, for 
 many years, of spending several weeks 
 there with my family during the summer, 
 and the General, during that -season, always 
 made this place his headquarters. I al- 
 ways found him a very agreeable com-
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 87 
 
 panion. He was extravagantly fond of 
 playing whist, and would frequently send 
 for me to make up the match when one or 
 two were wanted to complete it. I was, 
 comparatively speaking, a poor player in 
 comparison with many others then, who 
 were highly skilful in the game in which 
 the General stood prominent. He always 
 preferred playing dummy, and would al- 
 ways give two points to his opponents 
 when so playing. I shall never forget the 
 observation he once made while he and my- 
 self were partners in a game in which we 
 were beaten. Nothing vexed him more 
 than to be beaten at cards or chess. His 
 remark was, that'" Mr. Hubbard is the poor- 
 est player I ever met with." I was by no 
 means a good player, as I did not take 
 sufficient interest in it to keep my mind 
 accurately informed of the cards previously 
 played, hence I was frequently at fault in 
 my play. The General was also a skilful 
 chess-player, of which game I was totally
 
 88 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 ignorant. We occasionally played billiards 
 together, and although I was not a skilful 
 player, I could beat the General very easily, 
 but he never took much interest in bil- 
 liards: chess and whist were his favorite 
 amusements. The General was a universal 
 favorite with all who knew him ; he was 
 very companionable and easy in his man- 
 ners and address, and the cadets almost 
 worshipped him. He was well deserving 
 the grateful homage of Ms countrymen ; he 
 has passed away peace to his ashes. 
 
 When I was a young man, twenty-five 
 or thirty years of age, I was well ac- 
 quainted with General Stevens ; he was an 
 old Knickerbocker, sixty or seventy years 
 ago. His residence was in Beekman Street, 
 and his store in South Street, between 
 Beekman and Peck Slip. He had a large 
 family of sons, but no daughters. One of 
 his sons was president of the Bank of Com- 
 merce for many years, which he conducted 
 with ability and success, and from which
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 89 
 
 lie retired, a few years since, from the in- 
 firmities of old age. Another of General 
 Stevens' sons was a celebrated surgeon and 
 physician. General Stevens was a large 
 importer of French brandies and other 
 merchandise. He has been dead for many 
 years. 
 
 General Morton was Commander-in-Chief 
 for many years of the military of this city, 
 and also for many years secretary of the 
 Board of Aldermen through all its poli- 
 tical changes. He was always nominated 
 by every new board without regard to 
 politics. In fact, he had become so fami- 
 liar with the duties of the office, that each 
 new board applied to him for information 
 on various matters which they knew he 
 perfectly understood. The General was 
 highly respected by all classes of his fel- 
 low-citizens. 
 
 General Hopkins, of the old firm of 
 Hopkins & Hawley, was a fellow-soldier 
 with me in the regiment and company I
 
 90 AITTOBIOGEAPHT OF 
 
 joined in 1809. Our company was com- 
 posed of the best class of young men in the 
 city, and we took rank as and were pro- 
 nounced, the best drilled company in the 
 regiment. Our drill-room was at Wil- 
 liams' Hotel in the Bowery, a short dis- 
 tance above Chatham Street. One even- 
 ing we had an election for sergeant. I was 
 nominated for the office, which I very 
 promptly declined, and I forthwith nomi- 
 nated Mr. Hopkins, and he was elected. 
 Mr. Hopkins was a younger member than 
 I by a few months only, and at the end of 
 my seven years service Mr. Hopkins was 
 Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment, and 
 was afterwards appointed General of the 
 Division. Our company usually gave one 
 ball during the winter, and I was invaria- 
 bly appointed one of the managers as well 
 as one of the supper-committee. These 
 entertainments were very pleasant and 
 agreeable, and many lasting friendships 
 grew out of these - yearly reunions. Gen-
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 91 
 
 eral Hopkins died several years ago, both 
 honored and respected by all who knew 
 him. 
 
 General Hall, who died the latter part 
 of May last, I had been very intimately 
 acquainted with during the past fifty years. 
 He formerly kept his music store opposite 
 Franklin Square, at the intersection of 
 Pearl and Cherry Streets ; from thence he 
 removed to Broadway many years ago. I 
 first became more particularly acquainted 
 with him during the existence of the old 
 Sacred Musical Society of this city, in 
 which he took a great and lively interest. 
 It was the General who was the cause of 
 my election to the presidency of that so- 
 ciety, without my knowledge or consent. I 
 have before alluded to this fact. The 
 General took great pride in his military 
 duties. He was a mild, quiet, and amiable 
 gentleman. I frequently patronized his 
 music store during my musical mania, 
 which absorbed most of my leisure hours
 
 92 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 for many years. But my age as well as 
 my sight and hearing prevent me from 
 participating any longer in the pleasure of 
 the Opera, and hence I must content my- 
 self with the retrospect of the pleasures I 
 once enjoyed, and live them over again in 
 imagination. And here I honestly admit I 
 derive much pleasure from this indulgence.
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD 03 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 THE OPERA AND MUSICAL CELEBRITIES OF 
 THE PAST. 
 
 IT is said every man lias Ms hobby. I 
 was always passionately fond of music. 
 Thirty years ago I was a member of every 
 musical society in this city. I was elected 
 one year, without my knowledge or con- 
 sent, president of the Sacred Musical So- 
 ciety. I was absent from the meeting at 
 the time of the election, never having 
 aspired to any official office, social or poli- 
 tical. I tendered, at the next meeting, my 
 resignation, which they declined to accept, 
 therefore I served the society for one year 
 to the best of my ability. Philip Hone 
 and Dr. Rockwell were previous presi-
 
 94 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 dents. This society numbered about three 
 hundred active members. 
 
 During the year I was president we 
 gave four concerts. At one of these we 
 had engaged Mr. and Mrs. Wood (of Eng- 
 lish fame), and also Mr. Montressor, of the 
 Italian Opera, a splendid tenor. The 
 house was packed from dome to pit. Mr. 
 Wood was the first to appear. He sang a 
 favorite song, and was much applauded. 
 The next on the programme was the Italian 
 tenor. He sang his solo magnificently, and 
 at the close the whole house thundered 
 forth their applause in repeated shouts of 
 praise. Mrs. Wood was next on the pro- 
 gramme, and the time of her appearance 
 having been delayed (from some cause un- 
 known to the audience, or even to myself 
 who presided), I was sent for to come to her 
 room under the stage, the messenger tell- 
 ing me she was in great distress. I hurried 
 down and found her in tears, and ap- 
 parently suffering. I asked, "Are you
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 95 
 
 ill? If so I will call in a physician, for 
 there are a half, dozen or more in the 
 house." She said, "No, no; I will be bet- 
 ter soon." I then entreated her to tell me 
 the cause of her apparent suffering, and she 
 finally told me the cause of her distress. 
 It was that the Italian tenor had received all 
 the applause, and her husband but very lit- 
 tle. I laughed and soon talked her into good 
 humor ; the audience, in the meantime were 
 clamorous and noisy, having waited at least 
 fifteen minutes for her appearance. I at 
 length led her up to the platform, and she 
 was received with shouts of applause. 
 
 Mrs. Wood had at this time no equal or 
 rival on the English or American stage. 
 On this occasion she sang with more energy 
 and spirit than I had ever heard her. She 
 absolutely appeared inspired, and com- 
 municated that inspiration to the audience. 
 I never witnessed a greater outburst of ap- 
 plause. Cheer followed cheer, the audi- 
 ence rising, and it was "encore, encore,"
 
 96 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 from two thousand voices. At length 
 order was restored, and she again repeated 
 her song with marvellous effect. The 
 audience would not then be satisfied, but 
 kept up the applause till she came again 
 to the front and gave them a new song be- 
 fore the audience would release her. Dur- 
 ing the remainder of the evening I never saw 
 a being more perfectly happy and joyful. 
 
 It was on the advent of Malibran and 
 Sontag that the popularity of Mrs. Wood 
 began to wane. It was related to me by 
 Mr. Charles E. Horn (an English tenor 
 and pianist, who resided in this city many 
 years, and sung in English Opera at the old 
 Park Theatre for several years), that on 
 Malibran's first appearance on the English 
 stage he had taken an early seat in the pit 
 of Covent Garden Theatre. A role in the 
 opera had been assigned her, against which 
 she vehemently protested with the mana- 
 ger, but in vain. " You," she said, " are 
 master to-night, but in the future I shall
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 97 
 
 be your master and choose my own roles." 
 The fact was, Mrs. Wood took the first 
 role and Malibran was assigned the second. 
 "The house," said Horn, "was packed 
 from dome to pit. On singing her aria 
 she absolutely electrified the audience, and 
 they all arose with shouts of delight. She 
 repeated her aria, but at its close the 
 storm of applause was as great as ever. 
 She came forward and sang an aria from 
 another opera, with the same results. She 
 then ordered a piano that stood at the 
 back of the stage, and sang an English 
 song to her own accompaniment. She 
 then retired behind the scenes, and was 
 careful in doing so to pass the manager, 
 who had been listening to her throughout 
 this wonderful scene. As she passed him, 
 he lifted his hat and said, ' You have con- 
 quered and you are my master now.' Dur- 
 ing this wonderful performance of Mali- 
 bran Mrs. Wood was in her dressing-room, 
 crying like a child."
 
 98 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 When the Garcia company first arrived 
 .in this country they came under the en- 
 gagement and auspices of Dominick Lynch, 
 "Esq., who, while visiting Europe, came in 
 contact with this troupe. Mr. Lynch was 
 considered one of our most fashionable citi- 
 zens. He engaged the company, consisting 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Garcia, son and daughter, 
 for the Park Theatre, then under the man- 
 agement of Mr. Simpson. Their first ap- 
 pearance was in the opera of the " Barber 
 of Seville." They came here unheralded 
 by fame, but with the influence of Mr. 
 Lynch all the lower tier of boxes were 
 taken by our then fashionable and aristo- 
 cratic citizens. The opera was a great suc- 
 cess. The daughter was quite young, be- 
 ing but seventeen years of age. The Bar- 
 ber was sung three times with increased 
 enthusiasm, after which several other 
 operas were placed upon the stage. They 
 continued to increase in popularity. Old 
 Garcia was a splendid tenor, but he was a
 
 N. T. IIUBBARD. 99 
 
 great tyrant, and compelled his daughter 
 to study eight hours each day. It was 
 during her engagement here that a Mr. 
 Malibran fell desperately in love with her, 
 and offered her father $20,000 if he would 
 consent to allow his daughter to become 
 his wife. Mr. Malibran was a merchant in 
 South Street. The bargain was finally 
 consummated ; she, it was said, to release 
 herself from the tyranny of her father, for 
 Malibran was old enough to be her father. 
 Within sixty days after their marriage 
 Malibran failed in business, and she soon 
 after cut loose from him ; and on her own 
 responsibility made an engagement with 
 the manager of the Bowery Theatre to sing 
 there. I attended all her performances in 
 this city. 
 
 Shortly after the close of her engage- 
 ment at the Bowery Theatre she left for 
 Europe, under the protection of Peter Har- 
 mony, Esq., and Malibran soon after fol- 
 lowed her to France, but she would have
 
 100 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 nothing to do or say to him. She soon ob- 
 tained a divorce from him, and shortly 
 after married De Beriot, at this time one 
 of the most celebrated violinists in France. 
 She soon after made an engagement to sing 
 at the Italian Opera in Paris, where she 
 won fresh laurels. Her fame soon reached 
 St. Petersburg, and an agent was dis- 
 patched from that capital to Paris to se- 
 cure an engagement from her to sing in 
 that city. She accepted the very liberal 
 offers made her, and soon she and her hus- 
 band started by stage-coach for their desti- 
 nation. There were no railroads then. In 
 many parts of the country through which 
 they passed her fame had preceded her, 
 and had reached many of the inhabitants 
 along the route they were travelling ; and 
 at one hotel where it was known the 
 stage would stop for change of horses 
 and refreshments, the country people for 
 some twenty miles around assembled, de- 
 termined to hear her sing. When they
 
 1ST. T. HUBBARD. 101 
 
 arrived at the hotel they found it sur- 
 rounded by a small army of people, and 
 when it was made known to her that the 
 gathering had assembled to hear her sing, 
 she kindly said to the landlord to an- 
 nounce to the people assembled that as 
 soon as she rested from the fatigue of her 
 journey, she would willingly comply with 
 their request. In a short time De Beriot, 
 with his wife and his violin, advanced to 
 the verandah that surrounded the hotel, and 
 she sang three or four songs, which per- 
 fectly astonished them with wonder and 
 delight. Her hearers then made up a 
 purse of gold of Si 00, and deputed one of 
 their number to present it to her ; but she 
 politely refused it, saying she had been 
 as much pleased and delighted in convey- 
 ing pleasure to them as they had been in 
 listening to her songs. 
 
 Shortly after they resumed their jour- 
 ney, arriving at length at St. Petersburg. 
 Soon after their arrival they were called
 
 102 ATJTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 upon by the Chamberlain of the Emperor, 
 who communicated to them the usages and 
 the etiquette of the court in relation to the 
 Opera. In the first place she was directed 
 to write a polite note to the Emperor and 
 his family, requesting them to graciously 
 attend the opera on her first performance. 
 She was also further told that the custom 
 was that no prinia donna was permitted to 
 be applauded in the presence of the royal 
 family until she was first heard to sing. 
 This last prohibition she at once protested 
 against, and she directed a note to the 
 Emperor and his family not to attend her 
 first performance at the opera, in conse- 
 quence of her not being permitted to be ap- 
 plauded on her first entrance on the stage, 
 for with that prohibition she could not 
 sing at all. The Emperor read her note, 
 and was so much pleased with it that he 
 forthwith directed his Chamberlain to call 
 on Malibran and inform her that he and 
 his family would honor the opera on her
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 103 
 
 first appearance, and would see to it that 
 she got the applause she required on her 
 first entrance upon the stage. It was a 
 perfect triumph; her fame resounded 
 throughout the empire, and agents came 
 from every quarter to secure her at the 
 close of her engagement at St. Petersburg. 
 She received from the royal family many 
 valuable presents, and from the nobility 
 gifts without number. She was the idol 
 of their idolatry, and had free access to 
 the palace. Her whole soul was full, for 
 she lived and breathed in the applause of 
 the world. She had no rivals,, and was 
 happy. 
 
 She died young in London, where she 
 had gone to attend a celebrated musical 
 festival many years ago. The writer has 
 heard all the celebrated musical celebrities 
 that have visited this city from Europe, 
 but he has never heard but one Malibran. 
 Peace to her ashes. My next great fa- 
 vorite was Alboni, the most splendid con-
 
 104 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 tralto of -this or any former age, as far as 
 we have any account. She came to New 
 York about the same time that the cele- 
 brated Sontag arrived here, who was in- 
 deed a splendid actress as well as singer ; 
 but she had seen her best days, while Al- 
 boni was in the zenith of her wonderful 
 powers. I have not language to describe 
 her. She sang without any apparent ef- 
 fort, and a flood of surpassing melody 
 flowed forth like the joyous singing of the 
 nightingale. I was early introduced to her, 
 and we became very intimate friends. Her 
 husband, who was a Count, was a very 
 pleasant and agreeable person. They had 
 rooms at the New York Hotel, and as my 
 family resided on Washington Square I 
 called at their rooms quite frequently, and 
 she would always sit at the piano and sing 
 for me when I requested the favor of her. 
 She and her husband visited Saratoga 
 Springs during the summer, and several 
 members of my own family spent several
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 105 
 
 weeks there. During their stay at Saratoga 
 she gave several concerts, to the delight and 
 gratification of its numerous visitors. After 
 their return to this city she gave three or 
 four concerts at Tripler Hall in Broadway. 
 [ never missed hearing her sing while in 
 this city. At her last concert, previous to 
 her leaving for her home in Paris, I called 
 on her, during the interval of the concert, 
 to say good-bye. She gave me a most, press- 
 ing invitation to visit her at her home in 
 Paris, if I ever came there. She still re- 
 mains (I am told) at the head of her pro- 
 fession. Several of our Americans who 
 had seen her in Paris told me she invari- 
 ably inquired of them if I was still living 
 and well. 
 
 A number of years previous to Alboni's 
 visit to this country another celebrated 
 singer arrived here Caradori Allan -well 
 
 O 
 
 known and highly respected by our old 
 Knickerbockers. She gave her concerts at 
 
 the old City Hotel. I was shortly after 
 5*
 
 106 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 introduced to her and to her husband ; they 
 then boarded in Murray Street. I became 
 very much attached to her, for she was not 
 only a perfect lady but a most superb 
 vocalist, and I never missed one of her 
 concerts. During her stay here she was 
 prevailed upon by her husband to accept 
 a short engagement to sing at the Park 
 Theatre. Her husband was a Scotchman by 
 birth, and very much of a gentleman, and 
 very fond of money, it was said. She was 
 no actress, but made up for that defect in 
 the beauty and splendor of her voice. I en- 
 gaged five seats in the boxes for her whole 
 engageemnt, which proved a great success, 
 both to her and the manager, Mr. Simpson. 
 I gave a musical entertainment at my house 
 on Washington Square in her honor. Dur- 
 ing the evening she sang three or four of 
 her English songs, A few days after they 
 left for their home in England, and the 
 day previous to their departure they called 
 at my house and left their farewell cards.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 107 
 
 These musical recollections have afforded 
 me much pleasure in the retrospect, for 
 there has scarcely been a day, during the 
 past sixty years, that I have not thought 
 and reflected on the pleasure they gave 
 me. In regard to my own family I had 
 but one real musical child. I discovered 
 at an early age, while she was taking les- 
 sons of Mr. Charles E. Horn on the piano, 
 that she had a very sweet musical voice. 
 One afternoon on entering my house, on 
 my return from my office, I heard from my 
 parlor a voice singing a simple melody that 
 I had never heard before. I was enchanted 
 with the voice, and remained listening in 
 the hall until it ceased. I then rushed 
 into the parlor, placed my arms about my 
 daughter's neck and kissed her, expressing 
 the great pleasure and delight at her beau- 
 tiful voice, for I had never before heard 
 her sing. She was then twelve years old, 
 and, as before stated, she was taking piano 
 lessons of Mr. Horn, who was a most ac-
 
 108 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 coinplished singer, and he had that day 
 given her a simple little ballad, having dis- 
 covered, she had a very beautiful voice. It 
 was after her teacher had gone that she 
 was rehearsing the lesson he had given her. 
 The next time I saw Mr. Horn he' compli- 
 mented me on the beautiful voice of his 
 pupil. From that time forward, until her 
 nineteenth year, I employed the best musi- 
 cal talent to instruct her, that could be 
 obtained in this city. 
 
 Rapetti, the celebrated violinist and con- 
 ductor of the Italian Opera in this city, 
 gave her two or three lessons a week for 
 three years, until he met me one day and 
 said, " I have instructed your daughter 
 until I am unable to teach her any more 
 than she knows herself, and I honestly 
 tell you that it is only throwing away the 
 money you pay me to continue me any 
 longer in your employ." She had acquired 
 under his teaching a very perfect knowl- 
 edge of the Italian language, which she
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 109 
 
 preferred in singing to the English. Her 
 voice was a mezzo-soprano of superior 
 quality, and one of the most sympathetic 
 I ever heard. They called her a Mali- 
 bran. 
 
 For two winters I gave musical enter- 
 tainments at rny house on Washington 
 Square, once every fortnight, to which 
 cards were sent out for the course to my 
 musical friends, and I undertake to say 
 they were the most celebrated ever given 
 in this city twenty-seven or twenty-eight 
 years ago. All the best musical talent at- 
 tended. Solos, duets, trios, quartets, and 
 choruses were performed with great per- 
 fection ; in addition, two glee clubs were 
 usually in attendance. I instituted these 
 entertainments for the more particular pur- 
 pose of "accustoming my daughter to sing 
 before large and appreciating audiences. 
 
 I cannot forbear mentioning an incident 
 that occurred one evening at the close of 
 one of these entertainments. A deputation
 
 110 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OP 
 
 of six musical gentlemen waited upon me 
 and said, "It is a great pity and almost a 
 sin that the lovers of music generally could 
 not hear your daughter sing. Now, if you 
 and your daughter will consent to five pub- 
 lic concerts, we will engage to pay her 
 $500 a night for five songs or duets each 
 night." I replied, "I had not educated my 
 daughter for the stage, and further I was 
 then in a position that neither of us were 
 necessitated to accept the pecuniary offer." 
 She sang for me almost every evening 
 when at home, and when our windows 
 were open in summer, there would gather 
 in the park and street in front of my house 
 hundreds of people to listen and enjoy her 
 magic voice. 
 
 In the month of June, while the Astor 
 Place Opera-house was still open, Badialli, 
 the most accomplished baritone that was 
 ever in this country (and at this time a 
 member of the Opera troupe), said to me, 
 one evening, that he would be much pleased
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. Ill 
 
 to hear my daughter sing, as he had heard 
 from several of his friends that she pos- 
 sessed a very fine voice. I told him to 
 name any afternoon or evening to call at 
 my house, and she would sing for him with 
 pleasure, for she had been more than de- 
 lighted in hearing his performances at the 
 opera for the past three or four months. 
 He made the appointment to call the next 
 day, and, according to promise, he pre- 
 sented himself in company with the con- 
 ductor of the opera. They had never 
 been introduced until now, but knew 
 each other perfectly well, as they saw 
 each other nightly. She told him at 
 once that she would sing for him with 
 great pleasure. She regretted that her 
 old accompanist on the piano was not pre- 
 sent, as it distracted her mind somewhat to 
 accompany herself. She then took her seat 
 at the piano (I will here remark by-the-by 
 that she never sang to the wall, but had the 
 instrument so placed as to face her listen-
 
 112 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ers). She now asked Badialli from what 
 opera she should sing, as she was well 
 versed in most of the modern operas. He 
 had no choice, she must choose for herself. 
 She then commenced an aria from the opera 
 of " Romeo and Juliet." She had not sung 
 a dozen notes before he sprang to his feet, 
 his eyes rolling like fireballs, he crossed the 
 room to her and almost embraced her, and 
 then paid her this compliment: "I have 
 heard all the best and finest voices in Eu- 
 rope for thirty-five years, but never heard 
 one to excel yours. Were you my daughter 
 I would take you to London and Paris, and 
 realize out of your voice $100,000 every 
 six months." He appeared wild with de- 
 light, and said, "I will sing for you all 
 night." In the course of further conversa- 
 tion he remarked to my daughter : " You 
 know we played the opera of l Ernani ' last 
 night, and I want you to sing with me the 
 duet in the first act which I sing with the 
 prima donna." She replied, " I know the
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 113 
 
 music, but never had any one to sing it 
 with." He replied, " You can sing any- 
 thing." They commenced the duet and 
 sang it through with as much apparent 
 ease as if they had each been accustomed 
 to sing it together for years. He then sang, 
 as if with a spirit inspired, some of his 
 gems from the different operas, and thus 
 passed a most delightful and pleasant after- 
 noon. In less than three months from the 
 day of the occurrence I have just narrated, 
 I conveyed her to my vault in Greemvood 
 Cemetery. 
 
 She died very suddenly at Cozzen's 
 Hotel, West Point, on the 31st of August, 
 1851, of congestion of the brain, sur- 
 rounded, in her last hours, by other mem- 
 bers of my family who had been spend- 
 ing the summer there. Although dead 
 twenty-three years I mourn her loss to 
 this day, for she contributed so much to 
 my happiness, during her short life of 
 twenty-one years.
 
 114 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 The advent of Jenny Lind, many years 
 ago, on the concert stage created here a 
 very great sensation, as she came heralded 
 by a great European reputation. She and 
 her company had been engaged by Bar- 
 num, the great showman. She possessed a 
 magnificent musical organ, soprano in qual- 
 ity, with which she delighted her audi- 
 ences. I attended all the concerts she gave 
 in this city. It was truly delightful to 
 hear her sing, and I listened to her as to 
 the warbling of a beautiful bird, but she 
 never reached my heart and soul ; to me 
 she did not possess that magic quality of 
 sympathy that diffuses itself throughout 
 the very soul and body ; in short, she was 
 not a Malibran. I had many disputes, and 
 almost quarrels, with some of my musical 
 friends on this very subject, but at length 
 they partly yielded to my opinions and 
 said I was probably right. 
 
 Some few years after Jenny Lind's ap- 
 pearance here, the world -renowned artists,
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 115 
 
 * 
 
 Grisi and Mario arrived. Grisi bad been 
 for a number of years the acknowledged 
 star of the lyric stage, and Mario had no 
 rival as a tenor in the European capitals ; 
 consequently their arrival here created 
 great pleasure among our music-loving 
 citizens. Grisi had passed her most bril- 
 liant days, and was rather passe ; but she 
 was a magnificent artist, both in singing 
 and acting; you lost her identity in the 
 character she represented. Mario was in 
 the noontide of his musical powers; as 
 an actor he was tame, but his splendid 
 voice fully overcame his deficiency in that 
 respect. They had a splendid success. I 
 attended every one of their performances 
 in this city. 
 
 I have omitted to give my recollections 
 of the second Italian opera company that 
 arrived in this city. The then principal 
 performers were Montressor, tenor; Toni- 
 sario, basso-baritone ; and Pedotte, soprano. 
 The three constituted a splendid trio.
 
 116 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 * 
 
 Rapetti, the celebrated violinist, was 
 the leader of the orchestra. They opened 
 at the Richmond Hill Theatre, corner 
 of Charlton and Varick Streets (the 
 ground upon which this theatre stood 
 was formerly the country seat of Aaron 
 Burr). They performed with great suc- 
 cess to full houses for two or three months, 
 and were liberally rewarded. The popu- 
 larity of this company was the cause of 
 the erection of a new opera-house on the 
 corner of Church and Leonard Streets. In 
 the meantime an agent was dispatched to 
 Europe to engage an Italian company for 
 the new house. 
 
 In due time the house was finished, and 
 the new Italian company arrived, and soon 
 after commenced their performances. They 
 all, with one exception, the priina donna 
 soprano, were second-rate performers, and 
 it was not possible for one fine voice alone 
 to sustain the company for any length of 
 time, and it was finally disbanded.
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 117 
 
 Some time later we had an English 
 opera company arrive here, consisting of 
 Mr. and Mrs. Seguin, Mr. Wilson, Miss 
 Sheriff, and Miss Poole, which formed the 
 best English troupe that had ever been in 
 this country before or since. They per- 
 formed to delighted audiences for a long 
 time, and the writer, with his daughters, 
 was present at most of the performances. 
 
 Many years after the Astor Place Opera- 
 house was erected by Mr. Morgan, by sub- 
 scription for five years, each subscriber 
 paying $300 a year in advance, which en- 
 titled him to three seats for the season. 
 When the house was finished the seats 
 were distributed by lot to the subscribers. 
 When my name was drawn I chose the 
 second sofa in the stage-box, which con- 
 tained four seats, which added one more 
 to my annual subscription, but which I re- 
 tained for the five years. During those 
 five years of Italian opera the managers 
 had varied successes and drawbacks, and
 
 118 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 frequently the five-year subscribers were 
 called upon to advance means to pay the 
 salaries of the performers, when the treas- 
 ury was empty; for it depended on the 
 subscribers, under adverse circumstances, 
 whether the house should be closed and 
 the opera suspended. In one of these di- 
 lemmas a meeting of the subscribers was 
 called, and it was voted that money enough 
 should be subscribed, and the number of 
 operas advertised to be given for the sea- 
 son should all be performed. This was 
 done, and, if ray memory serves me cor- 
 rectly, I think I paid about 8250 extra, 
 during the five years, to keep the opera 
 going. 
 
 During a greater portion of the time we 
 had a splendid collection of artists and 
 stars of the first magnitude, that from time 
 to time graced the stage. We had Salvi, 
 a tenor, one of the finest voices I ever 
 heard, besides he was a splendid actor, 
 and his voice very sympathetic; we had
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 119 
 
 Badialli (of whom I have before spoken), 
 the best baritone I ever heard ; we had 
 also Tedesco and Bosio for sopranos, a por- 
 tion of the time, each of them elegant vo- 
 calists, who performed to full and delighted 
 audiences for two or three months; we had 
 Marino, a basso, with great power as well 
 as a splendid performer ; also Beneventano, 
 a very good baritone; and we had numer- 
 ous other artists of greater or less cele- 
 brity. Madame Patti and her husband, 
 the parents of the celebrated Patti, who 
 has been abroad so many years, the bril- 
 liant and universally admired prima donna, 
 in all the capitals of Europe. She is said 
 to have no rivals in her own roles. Her 
 mother had a very high soprano voice of 
 fine quality, and I distinctly recollect her as 
 Juliet, in the opera of " Romeo and Juliet," 
 in which character she was very celebrated. 
 Her husband was stage-manager, and oc- 
 casionally took second-rate characters in 
 the opera. The chorus were well drilled,
 
 120 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 and gave universal satisfaction. The au- 
 thors of the leading operas performed were 
 Rossini, Donizetti, and Bettini. Rossini's 
 opera of the " Barber of Seville," I have 
 heard sung over one hundred times. It 
 was always a great favorite with the lovers 
 of music. As I have said before, it was 
 the first opera performed by the Garcia 
 troupe, at the old Park Theatre, and I can 
 almost listen even now, in imagination, to 
 that magnificent voice of the daughter 
 (afterwards Malibran), although forty 
 years have passed away. 
 
 In- this connection I will relate a little 
 anecdote of Son tag and Malibran, those 
 two great artists. This was related to me 
 by Mr. Charles E. Horn, the English tenor, 
 some thirty years ago. " They were both 
 engaged at the London Italian opera. 
 'Norma' was performed one evening, in 
 which each had a role, the one in the char- 
 acter of * Norma,' and the other as l Adel- 
 gisa.' There is in that opera one of the
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 121 
 
 most beautiful duets ever written by man, 
 and sung by these two great artists ; there 
 was a magic inspiration that seemed to per- 
 vade each of them in the execution of this 
 beautiful duet. At its close they involun- 
 tarily threw themselves into each other's 
 arms and embraced each other, apparently 
 ignoring the presence of the audience ; each 
 had imparted to the other the magic influ- 
 ence of their mutual glorious execution, 
 and the sympathetic influence of each filled 
 their own souls with joy and delight. They 
 imparted to their audience the same elec- 
 tric thrill that agitated their own souls, 
 and it is needless to say that (when free 
 breathing was restored) the audience de- 
 manded the duet to be repeated." 
 
 Song, in its legitimate sense, is an attri- 
 bute of the Deity, for we read in the Scrip- 
 tures of the songs of the Heavenly Hosts, 
 and I doubt not that the music of the 
 upper sanctuary will form a portion of the 
 ecstatic joys of Heaven.
 
 122 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 I had forgotten to mention the first regu- 
 lar Italian opera company that ever sung 
 in this city. Palmo, an Italian, who had 
 been a long resident here, and who kept 
 a very respectable restaurant in Broadwaj 
 (just below the old City Hospital), had a 
 great taste for the music of his native 
 country, and with the assistance of a few 
 of his countrymen succeeded in obtaining 
 a lease of the small theatre in Chambers 
 Street, then directly opposite the site 
 where the new Court-House now stands, 
 and shortly after opened it with Italian 
 opera. The company selected were very 
 good artists, but not of the highest rank. 
 I only recollect the names of some three or 
 four of the principal artists. Benedetti, 
 the tenor; Beneventano, the baritone; and 
 Barilla, soprano. It was a very respectable 
 company, and was well equipped with a 
 good orchestra and chorus. It was very 
 well supported for some time, but at 
 length the expenses of the establishment
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 123 
 
 overbalanced the receipts, and poor Palrno 
 had finally to give up the house and dis- 
 band his company; and it was currently 
 reported that he lost all his previous sav- 
 ings in this enterprise. I was a regular at- 
 tendant at this house, from its commence- 
 ment to its close. 
 
 Malibran possessed an indomitable will, 
 and was very self-reliant, and knowing full 
 well her powers to command, she never 
 failed to put them into practice, when the 
 occasion occurred, which very often hap- 
 pened, and she invariably came forth vic- 
 torious. I had forgotten to mention that 
 during her residence in this city, she was 
 invited by the Rev. Dr. Wainwright, of 
 Grace Church (then on the corner of 
 Broadway and Rector Street), to sing one 
 Sunday morning in connection with the 
 choir attached to his church. (I would here 
 remark that Dr. Wainwright was, some 
 years later, made Bishop of this diocese.) 
 Malibran kindly accepted the doctor's invi-
 
 1 24 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 tation. Dr. Wainwright was a great lover 
 of music, and he frequently attended the 
 musical entertainments I so often gave at 
 my own house on Washington Square, con- 
 sequently I became quite intimately ac- 
 quainted with him. I was duly informed 
 by the doctor, and some other of my musi- 
 cal friends, of the day she was to sing at 
 Grace Church, and it is needless to say 
 that I repaired to the church at an early 
 hour of the morning, flushed with high ex- 
 pectations of enjoying a great musical 
 treat, Nor was I disappointed. In the 
 course of the morning service she sang 
 from the sublime oratorio of Handel, the 
 solo, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." 
 There was a hushed and solemn awe that 
 seemed to pervade the whole congregation 
 during the exquisite and masterly execution 
 of that glorious gem of music. It was a 
 day long to be remembered by the true 
 lovers of music Avho were present on that 
 occasion. I had repeatedly heard the
 
 N. T. IIUBBARD. 125 
 
 same solo sung by many superior artists, 
 but Malibran far excelled them all. 
 
 THE ETTTERPIAlSr SOCIETY. 
 
 I will now say a few words regarding 
 one of our old musical societies the Euter- 
 pian. It was purely instrumental. It has 
 for many years ceased to exist. I believe 
 every member is now dead, except Mr. 
 Contoit and myself. It met once a month, 
 fifty years ago, on the corner of Fulton and 
 Nassau Streets, and twenty years later at 
 Riley's Tavern, in West Broadway. The 
 society gave a public concert once a year 
 at the old City Hotel, and after the con- 
 cert a ball ; and while this was in progress 
 the old" members had a supper below. It 
 was one of the events of the season, and 
 the assembly-room was always crowded 
 on the occasion. Samuel B. Romaine, Esq., 
 was one of its last presidents. I can now 
 recollect only a few of its prominent mem- 
 bers John McKay, J. Westervelt, and Mr.
 
 126 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Earl, the former the organist, and the lat- 
 ter the leader of the choir in the old Dutch 
 Church in Nassau Street, now occupied as 
 the New York Post-office. Mr. Lamaire, 
 Mr. Kyle, Mr. Contoit, of ice-cream mem- 
 ory, and many others whose names I have 
 forgotten. 
 
 TEDESCO. 
 
 It was quite early in the history of the 
 introduction of Italian opera into this city 
 that a vessel arrived here from Havana, 
 consigned to the old firm of Spofford, Tile- 
 ston <fe Co., which had on board an Italian 
 company of artists, who had been singing 
 there to the close of their engagement. 
 This company came consigned, in some 
 measure, to the above firm, for an intro- 
 duction to some- of our music-loving peo- 
 ple. In the afternoon of the day on which 
 they arrived, young Mr. SpofFord called at 
 my office and requested the privilege of in- 
 troducing me to the prima donna of the 
 company, knowing me to take great inter-
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 127 
 
 est in all musical matters. I accepted liis 
 invitation, and proposed meeting him at 
 the Astor House, where the troupe were 
 stopping, at five o'clock that afternoon. 
 
 We met accordingly, and he soon dis- 
 patched a servant to advise the lady that 
 he had a musical friend with him, whom 
 he wished to introduce. A few moments 
 later a reply came that she was sick and in 
 her bed. I then said I would call in the 
 morning at ten o'clock, and was about 
 leaving when another message came saying 
 the lady would receive us. Without more 
 ado Mr. Spofford and myself were con- 
 ducted to her chamber. An elderly lady 
 was standing beside the bed, who was in- 
 troduced as the mother of the prima donna, 
 while the young lady made an apology, 
 saying she had taken cold and had con- 
 cluded to nurse herself well of it. This 
 was my introduction to Tedesco. We 
 spent a short time in a pleasant and agree- 
 able conversation, in which she told me
 
 128 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 she had letters of introduction to Mr. Simp- 
 son, then manager of the Park Theatre, 
 whom she would see in the morning, and 
 hoped to arrange with him for a short en- 
 gagement. I promised to call on her the 
 next day, and that she could command my 
 services to assist her, as far as it was in my 
 power to do so. I called on her the follow- 
 ing day, and was most graciously received^ 
 when she informed me that she had seen 
 Mr. Simpson, and had arranged for a short 
 season of opera, to commence the following 
 week. I expressed my pleasure at this 
 good news, and told her I should go at 
 once and secure five seats for each night of 
 her performances. 
 
 The opening night at length came, the 
 theatre was well filled, and the opera was 
 "Ernani." The cavatina in the first act 
 was her opening song. Her appearance on 
 the stage created a sensation throughout 
 the house, for she had a most commanding 
 presence, and was withal a very handsome
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 129 
 
 woman. When her first beautiful notes 
 were heard there were such thunders of 
 applause that her fame as a vocalist was 
 as firmly established as the ground we 
 tread upon, and she continued to gain fresh 
 laurels from all her future performances. 
 
 At the close of the engagement here, the 
 troupe went- to Boston, where she received 
 the same admiration and applause that was 
 bestowed upon her here. During her en- 
 gagement there I visited Boston with some 
 members of my family, and we attended 
 the opera every evening during our stay 
 there. It might almost be supposed that 
 the magnet of attraction was the opera that 
 drew me there ; be it so, but I associated 
 with it a little business transaction that 
 could have been postponed to a later period 
 without suffering loss by the delay. 
 6*
 
 130 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE PRODUCE EXCHANGE. 
 
 THE first idea that now occurs to me are 
 the most prominent merchants of our Pro- 
 duce Exchange. I am the oldest member, 
 and when I first went on 'Change, some 
 fifty -five years ago, our meeting was at the 
 old Tontine building, corner of Wall and 
 Water Streets. There were, comparatively, 
 few brokers in the produce line in those 
 days, and the floor of that Exchange was 
 mostly devoted to many of our principal 
 shipping merchants ; and the few produce 
 brokers, who attended regularly, had the 
 opportunity of making the acquaintance of 
 those merchants, and the more industrious 
 of us soon acquired a thriving business, 
 from them.
 
 N. T. IIUBBAIID. 131 
 
 Some years later the Exchange on Wall 
 Street was built, and we removed to more 
 commodious quarters in that building ; in 
 the meantime our numbers were largely 
 increased, and we remained there until the 
 great fire that burned the lower part of 
 our city, including our Exchange. From 
 thence we removed to the lofts of two 
 large buildings in Broad Street, procured 
 for that purpose by a committee of our 
 Board, and remained there until the en- 
 larged Exchange on Wall Street was re- 
 built. Here we remained until the Govern- 
 ment purchased the building for the Cus- 
 tom House ; we then procured the building 
 corner of Broad and South Streets, with the 
 two adjoining ones on South and Broad 
 Streets, and, with some alterations, it made 
 rather a convenient place for the meeting 
 of our members. 
 
 Some two or three years later the prop- 
 erty on which stands our present Exchange 
 was purchased, and as soon as the present
 
 132 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 building was erected, we removed to it and 
 still remain there. It is now proposed, 
 however, by some of our members that 
 some other location further up-town be 
 procured for the erection of a still larger 
 building, as many complain that the pre- 
 sent one is overcrowded. Whether this 
 project will be put in execution at an 
 early day is to my mind very uncertain. 
 
 The most prominent members of our 
 Exchange at the present time are David 
 Dows & Co., Jesse Hoyt & Co., Armour, 
 Plankinton & Co., Cragin & Co., Kent & 
 Co., Isaac H. Reed & Co., Jewell, Harrison 
 & Co., "Ward, Foster & Co., Brush & Co., 
 Sawyer, Wallace & Co., J. M. Requa & Co., 
 Cooper & Co., Colgate & Co., B. W. Floyd, 
 William Moses, Tompkins & Co., Work, 
 Pennell & Foster, J. W. McCulloh, Wood- 
 ruff & Robinson, Gould, H. Thorp, and over 
 two thousand other subscribers, with the 
 larger proportion of whom I am totally 
 unacquainted; but besides the twenty
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 133 
 
 firms above-named there are doubtless hun- 
 dreds of others equally prominent and as 
 highly respected as those I have mentioned. 
 I beg here to remark that the two first 
 named are said to be the wealthiest mem- 
 bers of the Exchange. 
 
 The largest importers of teas, raw silks, 
 etc., for many years past, is the old house 
 of A. A. Low & Brothers. Some few 
 years ago they had ten or eleven vessels in 
 the China trade, now they have but three 
 or four. The importation of teas, for two 
 or three years past, has been unprofitable. 
 In fact, Mr. Lyman, for many years a pro- 
 minent member of this house, told me, some 
 time ago, that they were then selling teas 
 at a loss of ten cents a pound, and hence 
 the sale of their vessels. 
 
 The Suez Canal, since its opening to na- 
 vigation, has been one of the principal 
 sources through which teas have been im- 
 ported to this country. The time between 
 the shipment at the Chinese ports to this
 
 134 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 country does not average one-half as much 
 as compared with the old route. For many 
 years I have been intimately acquainted 
 with Mr. Lyman, and have had large trans- 
 actions with the house in supplying their 
 vessels with stores and cargo. This firm 
 has a reputation for integrity, honesty, and 
 liberality in all their transactions that will 
 favorably compare with any other large 
 house -in this country. It always gives me 
 pleasure to testify to the worth of a house 
 so universally respected. 
 
 In this connection I must say a few 
 words in relation to the old firm of Suydam, 
 Sage & Co., who did a very large commis- 
 sion business in this city for a number of 
 years, and with whom I had large business 
 transactions. Mr. Suydam died many years 
 ago, but the business of the old firm con- 
 tinued with Mr. Sage and one or two of 
 Mr. Suydam's sons. Mr. Sage died seve- 
 ral years ago, leaving a family of sons and 
 daughters and his widowed wife.
 
 K. T. HUBBAED. 133 
 
 May 15, 1874. There was a banquet 
 given at Delmonico's last evening by a 
 number of the younger members of the 
 Exchange. I was specially invited to at- 
 tend. I was compelled to decline the kind 
 invitation for the following reasons : For 
 the past six months I have not left my 
 lodgings after dark; besides, my age ad- 
 monishes me that if I wish to retain my 
 present good health, I must avoid all 
 crowded assemblies, where mirth, merri- 
 ment, and the flowing bowl circulate freely. 
 Thus I -am often compelled to deny myself 
 the pleasures of an hour, lest that hour 
 might be the cause of days, and perhaps 
 weeks, of regret and suffering. I was 
 pleased to hear on 'Change to-day from 
 several of the members, who attended the 
 festival last evening, that everything passed 
 off very pleasantly and agreeably to the 
 company present.
 
 136 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OLD 
 MERCHANTS. 
 
 I have just returned to my office from 
 the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, 
 it being their monthly meeting for the 
 transaction of business, as also the day for 
 the election of officers for the ensuing year. 
 This day is the hundredth year of its first 
 organization, and is to be celebrated this 
 evening with a banquet at Delmonico's. I 
 am the oldest living member on its rolls. 
 
 There were several important old firms 
 in this city, now extinct, with whom I had 
 large business transactions. N. L. & G. 
 Griswold, G. G. & S. Howland (after- 
 wards Howland & Aspinwall) ; the younger 
 branches of this house still remain under 
 the last-named firm. Spofford & Tileston ? 
 a most enterprising firm, established them- 
 selves many years ago and were wonder- 
 fully successful, and they certainly merited 
 the wealth they acquired. In the mercan
 
 N. T. HUBBATCD. 137 
 
 tile community no name stood higher than 
 theirs. Mr. Tileston was, for many years, 
 president of the Phoenix Bank.
 
 138 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE GREAT FIRE OF 1835. 
 
 RESIDED in Cortlandt Street at the 
 time of tlie occurrence of this dreadful 
 calamity. During the evening I had been 
 attending a lecture at the Mercantile Lib- 
 rary, then located in Beekman Street, oppo 
 site the Old Brick Church. I was, at this 
 time, a stockholder in this institution. If 
 my memory is not at fault, it was shortly 
 before nine o'clock when the fire-alarm first 
 sounded. It was a bitter cold night. Very 
 great was my surprise the next morning in 
 going to my store, to discover the awful 
 ravages it had made from Wall Street to 
 Coenties Slip. All the principal buildings 
 within this space on Wall, South, Front, 
 Water, and Pearl Streets had been destroy-
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 139 
 
 ed. It was a smouldering mass of ruins. 
 When I reached my store I found the fire 
 had not crossed Coenties Slip on the lower 
 side, but it was believed by many that it 
 would, and I at once made arrangements to 
 remove my stock of goods to the Battery, 
 and had all my cartmen and workmen 
 ready on the spot for that purpose, but 
 fortunately I was not molested by it. 
 
 The greater portion of that day I spent 
 in v.isiting the ruin and havoc it had made. 
 The scene was most truly a melancholy 
 one, but in a comparatively short time the 
 debris of the burnt district was removed, 
 and new stores immediately erected ; and in 
 many locations property advanced more 
 than to cover the cost of erecting new 
 buildings. In fact, the losses sustained by 
 our merchants was in the loss of their 
 destroyed goods, which in many instances 
 would have amounted to nothing had not 
 most of our insurance companies become 
 so crippled that they were unable to pay.
 
 140 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 It is truly a matter of wonder and surprise 
 to see how soon after great fires have de- 
 vastated our large cities, how they spring, 
 like the fabled phoenix, from their ashes ! 
 It truly may be said we are a go-ahead 
 people. We do our business rapidly and 
 quickly, without any loss of time. 
 
 There are but few of the old landmarks 
 remaining to tell the present generation 
 what New York was seventy- six years ago. 
 No. 1 Broadway is said to have been built 
 one hundred and seventeen years ago. The 
 brick was imported from Holland, and the 
 building was probably looked upon, in 
 those early days, as a model of everything 
 desirable in the way of architecture and 
 comfort ; but the building has been almost 
 entirely remodelled. The old building on 
 the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets is 
 another old-time association of this city ; 
 it has been kept for several years as a 
 public house. The next old landmark is 
 the Walton House, in Pearl Street, oppo-
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 141 
 
 site Harper <fe Brothers' publishing house. 
 There may be a few other old landmarks 
 about the city, but I doubt if any can. claim 
 the same age as those I have mentioned. 
 The city of New York has been built over 
 two or three times during the past eighty 
 or ninety years. And the immense rise in 
 real estate, during the past twenty-five 
 years, warrants all the improvements that 
 have taken place in that period. 
 
 CEOTON WATEE INTEODUCTION TO NEW 
 
 YOEK. 
 
 The celebration on the occasion of the 
 introduction of the Croton- water into our 
 city, many years ago, will long be remem- 
 bered. The procession on this occasion 
 was the most imposing and magnificent I 
 ever beheld. All the mechanical arts were 
 represented the different trades, and, 
 taken altogether, it was an outburst of joy 
 at the completion of this great work ; and
 
 142 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 liow thankful we should be for the great 
 benefits we have derived from it, but the 
 great majority do not think of the inestim- 
 able blessing it has conferred. The day 
 was observed throughout the city as a gen- 
 eral holiday, business was almost entirely 
 suspended, and every one seemed to rejoice 
 that this great work was finished. It re- 
 quires a pen greatly superior to mine to 
 paint and portray the glowing scenes of 
 that day ; but the present generation can- 
 not fully appreciate the joy and gladness 
 that thrilled our souls at the prospect here-- 
 after of drinking from God's pure foun- 
 tain the pure water of life. 
 
 To Mr. Van Schaick, more than any other 
 man, was this city indebted for the early in- 
 troduction of the Croton water. He was one 
 of its directors and president of the board, 
 and exerted all his powers, and gave all 
 his time, to the task that devolved upon 
 him. I was personally acquainted with 
 Mr. Van Schaick (formerly one of the part-
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 143 
 
 ners of the Louse of John & Philip Hone), 
 and although we differed in politics I al- 
 ways gave him my vote whenever he was 
 a candidate for any municipal office, for I 
 esteemed him highly, and knew him to be 
 a strictly honest man. 
 
 OUK MARKETS. 
 
 In regard to the early markets of this 
 city there was one in Broad Street in 1800, 
 between Water and South Streets, but my 
 memory is at fault when it was demolished. 
 It remained only a few years. There was 
 another one in Maiden Lane at the same 
 time, in 1800, commencing at Broadway 
 and running down some distance ; but 
 again I am at a loss to know when this 
 was demolished. The old Fly Market, in 
 Maiden Lane, ran from Pearl Street to the 
 East River. This was one of the largest 
 and most prominent of any in the city. It 
 remained a number of years on that site, 
 and was finally demolished, and the present
 
 144 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 Fulton Market erected in its stead. The 
 present Washington Market was first 
 erected in Greenwich Street, and some 
 years after re-built on its present site, and 
 enlarged from time to time. The Cathar- 
 ine Street Market was built previous to my 
 residence in the city, in 1798, and it still 
 remains, with some additions. The next 
 in importance was the Canal Street Mar- 
 ket, foot of Spring and Canal Streets, but 
 I cannot give the date when it was erected. 
 There are many others in the upper por- 
 tion of the city that I have never seen, but 
 I did not purpose when I commenced these 
 papers to give any description of the rapid 
 growth and extension of the city for the 
 past thirty -five years, with the exception of 
 a few of the more important erections of 
 mammoth structures of recent dates, well 
 knowing that the present generation are 
 better posted than myself in regard to the 
 rapid growth of our city. There are nu- 
 merous portions of it I have never seen, and
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 145 
 
 there are hundreds of extensive manufac- 
 tories whose doors I have never entered. 
 The Jefferson Market, on Sixth Avenue, 
 between Eighth and Ninth Streets, I pat- 
 ronized during my residence on Washing- 
 ton Square (twenty-nine years). I am not 
 posted when that market was built. 
 7
 
 146 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 PUBLIC MEN. 
 
 I HAVE always considered Clay and 
 Webster the two great intellectual giants 
 in the Senate of the United States, and, in 
 my opinion, we have had nothing to equal 
 them since their day. When Mr. Clay was 
 running for President, in opposition to Polk, 
 I gave the old Whig committee $200 to add 
 to the fund for the support of Mr. Clay ; 
 but he was defeated by jugglery and cor- 
 ruption, la my early manhood I resided 
 for many years in the Seventh Ward, and 
 regularly attended the Whig ward meet- 
 ings, and for three or four years was regu- 
 larly nominated the secretary of these 
 meetings. At this period we had no 
 printed ballots ; they were all written, and 
 for two or three days previous to the elec-
 
 N. T. HUBBATCD. 147 
 
 tion I employed most of my time in writ- 
 ing out ballots for distribution ; but I beg 
 here to say that I never applied for any 
 political office in my life. My business 
 absorbed all my time, as I have said be- 
 fore. I have been a regular business mer- 
 chant for over sixty years, and during that 
 period, say from thirty to thirty-five years, 
 my average income was more than the 
 salary of the President of the United 
 States. I have always paid one hundred 
 cents on the dollar for every purchase I 
 ever made, which has amounted to many 
 millions ^during my lifetime. This fact 
 gives me more comfort and pleasure in my 
 old age than all the gold in Wall Street, 
 particularly as no portion of it was ob- 
 tained by fraud or dishonesty. I never 
 was a worshipper of the almighty dollar, 
 but I took much pleasure in making it 
 honestly. 
 
 During the period of my prosperity in 
 business I kept horses and carriages, more
 
 148 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 particularly for the benefit and pleasure of 
 my family, for I cared but little for riding, 
 and did not drive out of the city for pleas- 
 ure three times a year. I had my wagon, 
 which was always ordered to be at my door 
 every morning, and after taking breakfast 
 I would call on my mimerous customers 
 around the city, and drive from thence to my 
 store on Front Street, where I discharged 
 my coachman, with orders to wait on my 
 family for the remainder of the day. Dur- 
 ing the time of my large and prosperous 
 business I was in the habit of returning 
 home at from four to five o'clock, and dining 
 at six o'clock, with my mind freed from 
 all business cares, and devoted my even- 
 ings, four or five of them weekly, to the 
 Opera and other musical entertainments, 
 in which I so much delighted. 
 
 GENERAL JACKSON. 
 
 After the close of the war of 1812 Gen- 
 eral Jackson visited this city, and in his
 
 N. T. IIUBBARD. 149 
 
 honor a public dinner was given at Tam- 
 many Hall. I was one of the many who 
 attended it. The tickets were $5. At 
 this time there was a great division in the 
 Democratic ranks between De Witt Clin- 
 ton and Daniel D. Tompkins, the greater 
 portion favoring the latter.. When the 
 General was called on for his toast, he 
 gave " De Witt Clinton, Governor of the 
 State of New York." At this announce- 
 ment a large portion of the guests dropped 
 their heads as if thunderstruck. The even- 
 ing passed away, however, very pleasantly, 
 with music, songs, and wine, and at a some- 
 what late hour we all retired, well pleased 
 with the evening's entertainment. As I 
 have before said, I will here again remark, 
 that I was never a Democrat, but always 
 a Whig in those days of the Clay and 
 Webster school. I always voted against 
 every Democratic candidate for the Presi- 
 dencv, Andrew Jackson included.
 
 150 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE YOUNG MEN FORMERLY IN MY EMPLOY. 
 
 I NOW propose to speak of .the young 
 men who were in my employ many years 
 ago, and it gives me great pleasure to record 
 the many sterling qualities they possessed, 
 without arrogating to myself any credit for 
 the instructions given to these boys. I re- 
 fer to them as men and merchants, whether 
 I ever failed by example or precept from 
 giving them aught but good advice. I en- 
 deavored to instil into their minds that 
 honesty was the true policy ; and, all other 
 considerations aside, this noble truth will 
 abide all consequences and will remain for- 
 ever that an honest man is the noblest 
 work of God. 
 
 My first clerk was William C. Dougherty,
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 151 
 
 who remained with me spme fifteen years, 
 and the latter portion of his time I gave 
 him an interest in my business ; he was a 
 man of strict integrity. He left my con- 
 cern many years ago, and established him- 
 self in business on his own account, in 
 which he has prospered, and has taken 
 rank on 'Change, for his honesty and in- 
 dustry, with the most prominent members 
 of that institution. 
 
 Charles Fordham was the second boy I 
 took into my office. With his father's fam- 
 ily I was intimately acquainted. Some years 
 ago he left me to seek his fortune in Cali- 
 fornia. He was taken sick in San Francisco 
 and died ; he was a most excellent young- 
 man. 
 
 Theodore Johnson was the third young 
 man I took in my employ; he remained 
 with me a number of years. He was 
 strictly honest and attentive to business, 
 and commanded the universal respect of 
 all who knew him.
 
 152 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 Mr. Charles H. Johnson, brother of the 
 former, was my fourth clerk, who remained 
 in my office for many years. He was, like 
 his brother, honest, industrious and inte- 
 ligent, and respected by all who knew him. 
 He attends our Produce Exchange daily, 
 and is a highly respectable member. 
 
 John Dougherty, my fifth clerk, who is 
 a nephew of William C. Dougherty, my 
 first, came into my office at the age of 
 seventeen years and remained until he was 
 twenty one. He was, like my other clerks, 
 honest, industrious, and attentive to busi- 
 ness ; he also is a daily attendant on the 
 Exchange, and occupies there a highly re- 
 spectable position. 
 
 My sixth clerk was a brother of my 
 two former clerks named Johnson. I can 
 scarcely recollect him, for shortly after he 
 came with me he was taken ill and died 
 suddenly. 
 
 In referring to the clerks I have brought 
 up in my office I am not unmindful of the
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 153 
 
 services of gentlemen who rendered m*; 
 great service during my business career. 
 I allude to the different bookkeepers I have 
 had in my employ. There must necessarily 
 be a distinction between the young men I 
 took in my employ and those who came 
 with me as accomplished accountants. I 
 never had cause to find the first fault with 
 any of them. 
 
 In the past forty years, five have been 
 in my employ, and, with the exception of 
 Mr. Pollock, who was the last I employed, 
 they are all dead. But J desire here to 
 say of this gentleman, that no one in my 
 employ gave me greater satisfaction. 
 
 I allude to them all, with that certain 
 knowledge I possess, that they were gen- 
 tlemen of integrity and character ; and in 
 paying this little tribute of regard to my. 
 old bookkeepers, I have felt it a duty to 
 connect, their names with the other clerks 
 I employed. 
 7*
 
 154 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 CENTRAL PARK. 
 
 THERE have never been two acts of incor- 
 poration for our city of which I am .so 
 proud, and for which I used all the influ- 
 ence I possessed so perseveringly, as for the 
 Croton water and the Central Park. Of 
 the former, it was almost my daily advo- 
 cacy for two or three years before the final 
 act of incorporation. The cost was the 
 great bugbear with many of our citizens, 
 while I scouted the cost at any figures, 
 however large, declaring I was willing to 
 pay $500 a year for its use sooner than not 
 obtain it. Croton water has been my con- 
 stant and daily beverage since its introduc- 
 tion, and I have no doubt it has been the 
 cause of adding many years to my pro- 
 longed life. Previous to its introduction I
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 155 
 
 bought water for drinking purposes, and 
 used my well water for other domestic 
 uses, and for my stable. I have ever 
 esteemed it one of the greatest blessings 
 ever conferred on this city ; but the present 
 generation cannot fully appreciate its 
 worth, for they never knew its loss. 
 
 Central Park was the next great blessing 
 to our city, for which I was a strenuous 
 advocate. I have watched its incipient 
 beginning up to the present day, and feel 
 proud of its advancement to its present 
 condition. Its drives and walks are unsur- 
 passed ; its bridges and ornamentations are 
 substantial and beautiful; its lakes, with 
 the surrounding scenery, are very interest- 
 ing ; the shady walks in the Ramble are 
 delightful, while the general outline of the 
 Park is ornamented with numerous rustic 
 bowers. In addition to all these attrac- 
 tions, there are vastly more important facts 
 relating to the influence the Park presents 
 to the poorer classes of our citizens, many
 
 156 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 of whom were in the habit of spending their 
 Sundays in dram-shops before the opening 
 of this magnificent work, and who now go 
 regularly with their families, providing 
 themselves with the necessaries to spend the 
 greater portion of the day ; hence they com- 
 mingle with the more respectable classes of 
 society, and this, no doubt, has had a great 
 influence on many who had been (as before 
 said) in the habit of passing the day so 
 very differently. 
 
 The largest and most substantial work 
 in the Park is the Terrace, at the head of 
 the Mall, near the large fountain and the 
 lake. It is the decided gern of the Park, 
 most elaborately adorned with carvings by 
 the best artists in this country, and is actu- 
 ally a study and delight to those who have 
 a taste for sculpture to critically examine 
 it. This work is said to have cost half 
 a million of dollars. The interior, dur- 
 ing the spring and summer, is used as a 
 restaurant, the ceiling of which is a per-
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 157 
 
 feet gem of art, and cannot fail of strik 
 ing the most indifferent visitor with won- 
 der and delight. I have examined it 
 time and again with renewed pleasure. 
 There is another building on the north 
 side of the Park, erected for soda-water 
 fountains, very unique in its architecture 
 and proportions, and highly ornamented. 
 The old Arsenal appears of late to be 
 the great centre of attraction for a large 
 proportion of the visitors, many of them 
 thinking this more interesting than any 
 other portion of the Park, with its mu- 
 seum of wild animals, birds and a thou- 
 sand other curiosities too numerous to men- 
 tion. When I go to the Park I always 
 stop at the Casino, where I usually take an 
 ice-cream and a lemonade. The proprie- 
 tors of the Casino I have been personally 
 acquainted with for many years. They 
 are both highly respectable gentlemen. 
 The two largest reservoirs of the Croton 
 are, in this Park, while the distributing res-
 
 158 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 ervoir is on Murray Hill, which supplies 
 all the lower portion of the city. There 
 are many interesting points in the upper 
 portion of the Park which I have not vis- 
 ited for two years past, and during that 
 time further improvements have doubtless 
 been made in beautifying the grounds in 
 that portion. What would our citizens do 
 in their leisure hours without the pleasures 
 arising from their drives, or rambles on foot, 
 through Central Park ? There is one im- 
 portant carving (I forgot to mention) near 
 the Casino, of two figures carved in stone, 
 illustrating a social scene in the life of 
 Robert Burns the poet, which thousands of 
 our citizens stop to admire; it illustrates 
 a scene from his " Tarn o' Shanter and 
 Souter Johnny," and was executed by one 
 of the workmen employed on the Park, 
 who also executed a portion of the carv- 
 ings on the Terrace. 
 
 The new Post-Office, now in course of 
 completion in the City Hall Park, is a mag-
 
 N. T. IIUBBARD. 159 
 
 nificent building, as well as an ornament to 
 our city. I well recollect, fifty-five years 
 ago, when our city Post-Office was on the 
 corner of William and Garden Streets, now 
 Exchange Place. Mr. Bailey was then 
 Postmaster. At that period I paid $3 a 
 year for my private box. I now pay $16, 
 but the increase in this particular is not 
 more than the increase for other neces- 
 saries.
 
 160 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE OLD ARISTOCRACY. 
 
 SEVENTY years ago there were many 
 more aristocratic families in this city than 
 there are at the present time. There were 
 then quite a large number of the old 
 Knickerbockers who have passed away 
 during the past two generations. I can 
 distinctly remember the names of many of 
 them the Livingstons, the Bayards, the 
 Kings, the Gracies, the Varicks, the Os- 
 goods, the McEvers, the Van Rensselaers, 
 the Primes, and many others I cannot call 
 to mind. They were in the habit of giving, 
 two or three times a year, dancing assem- 
 blies at the old City Hotel. The company 
 was very exclusive, and it was difficult for 
 an outsider to gain admittance, except
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 161 
 
 highly recommended by some of the mana- 
 gers. There was much etiquette observed 
 at their assemblies, particularly so when any 
 new members were first introduced. That 
 generation has mostly passed away, and 
 two new generations have succeeded them, 
 who have principally been the architects 
 of their own fortunes, and many of them 
 have attained to great wealth some of 
 them, whose ancestors were from the low- 
 est grades of society ; but great credit is 
 due to those who sprung from poverty to 
 independence. The present test of society 
 is he who can wield the largest purse. At 
 this time the almighty dollar covers a mul 
 titude of sins, and is the idol which thou- 
 sands worship. 
 
 It may appear somewhat invidious, in 
 writing my own biography in connection 
 with incidents appertaining to this city 
 seventy years ago, to speak in praise of my 
 own ancestry, but when given strictly in 
 truth and sincerity, without any prevarica
 
 162 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 tion whatever, I feel certainly justified in 
 so doing, and, as before observed, of my 
 ancestry both on my father's and mother's 
 side I feel very proud, and would to God I 
 had inherited all their virtues. 
 
 PETER COOPER, ETC. 
 
 There is a name that will go down to 
 posterity ranking with the greatest philan- 
 thropists of the age. I allude to Mr. Peter 
 Cooper. Perhaps there is no one man in 
 this city who has so largely contributed, by 
 his acts of benevolence, to ameliorate the 
 condition of our worthy poor by providing 
 instruction in various branches of knowl- 
 edge, particularly scientific, by which they 
 will be enabled to earn a respectable liv- 
 ing. Mr. Cooper is entitled to the thanks 
 of every citizen of this city, and I would 
 rather be the wearer of the garland that is 
 gathering upon his brow than the crown of 
 any monarch upon earth ; for the latter will 
 soon perish with its using, while the gar-
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 1(>3 
 
 land will grow more and more beautiful 
 for ages to come. And may the Cooper 
 Institute continue to nourish and commu- 
 nicate instruction to thousands of the pre- 
 sent and rising generations, and may its 
 name live for generations to come in the 
 grateful recollection of their friend and 
 benefactor. 
 
 The present century has been one in 
 which science has reached the most bril- 
 liant results. The application of steam to 
 all the industries in mechanical operations 
 of the day, but more particularly to the 
 propelling power of our marine, is unpre- 
 cedented in any former age of the world. 
 The ocean is now literally covered with 
 thousands of steamers which navigate every 
 portion of our globe, and we have been so 
 accustomed to see them arrive and depart, 
 that we hardly realize the inestimable bene- 
 fits arising from this great invention. 
 
 In my estimation, the electric telegraph 
 far surpasses any former achievement of
 
 164 AUTOBIOGEAPHT OF 
 
 man in the sciences. The utmost stretch 
 of the powers of man cannot describe or 
 tell us the causes, why or wherefore, a mes- 
 sage sent over the electric wire three thou- 
 sand miles, either under water or overland, 
 will reach its destination in two or three 
 minutes. It is altogether incomprehen- 
 sible, it cannot be explained ; although the 
 facts are plain and positive, it is mira- 
 culous and almost strikes me as being a 
 spark from the Divinity itself, and guided 
 by the same Divine power. " There is a 
 limit across which man cannot carry any 
 one of its conceptions, and from the ulterior 
 of which he cannot gather a single ray of 
 light to guide or inform him." The above 
 quotation in some measure illustrates the 
 workings of that mysterious power con- 
 nected with the electric telegraph which 
 defies both time and space. Suffice it to 
 say, the names of Fulton and Morse will 
 go down to posterity with accumulated 
 blessings and honor for all time to come.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 165" 
 
 JOHN JACOB ASTOR. 
 
 John Jacob Astor occupied a high posi- 
 tion for wealth during the early part of 
 my business career. He then resided in 
 Broadway, on the site of the present Astor 
 House, in a large fifty- f e,et front house, 
 while his business office was in the rear, 
 on Vesey Street, where he sold his furs. I 
 believe the present generation are fully 
 aware that from "his extensive dealings in 
 furs he laid the foundation of his enor- 
 mous fortune. He was the owner of the 
 Park Theatre, and I occasionally went 
 there in my younger days, and I always 
 saw the old gentleman there in his private 
 box, which was located at the end of the 
 orchestra through the pit entrance. One 
 might moralize on the life and death of such 
 a man ; his accumulation of millions upon 
 millions are of no more avail to him now 
 than to the poorest who sleep near his 
 grave in this one respect they are equal.
 
 166 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Mr. Astor entered largely into real estate 
 at an early day, and his heirs are undoubt- 
 edly the largest real estate owners in this 
 country. 
 
 COLONEL HENRY RUTGERS. 
 
 When my father first removed to this 
 city in 1798, he located his family in the 
 Seventh Ward, first in Cheapside Street, 
 then in Henry, and at length in Rutgers 
 Street. Colonel Rutgers lived three or 
 four blocks above Rutgers Street; the 
 grounds about his house occupied an entire 
 block. He was then one of the most pro- 
 minent men of the day. He possessed an 
 immense landed estate of several thousands 
 of lots in the immediate neighborhood of 
 his private dwelling. He was never mar- 
 ried ; he was most highly respected by all 
 who knew him. He was a quiet and un- 
 ostentatious man. In addition to these 
 qualities he was very charitable, and distri- 
 buted his large wealth with a liberal hand.
 
 N. T. HTJBBARD. 167 
 
 He gave the ground on which the Rutgers 
 Street Presbyterian Church now stands, 
 and contributed largely to the means for 
 the erection of the church. His nephew, 
 Mr. William B. Crosby, was his sole agent 
 in superintending his large estate, renting 
 and collecting his revenues. Mr. Crosby 
 was the father of the Rev. Dr. Howard 
 Crosby, and the present Chancellor of the 
 New York University. Colonel Rutgers 
 left to his nephew a large property. 
 
 My removal so many years ago from 
 that portion of the city has left me totally 
 ignorant of the then rising population, and 
 the Crosbys, as well as many other families 
 with whom I was formerly acquainted, 
 have passed from my memory like a morn- 
 ing dream. After the death of Colonel 
 Rutgers, Mr. Crosby and family occupied 
 the premises for many years, until the 
 growth and extension of business com- 
 pelled him to dispose of his property for 
 business purposes, and the entire grounds
 
 168 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 were converted into stores, where the busy 
 population of to-day are applying their vo- 
 cation in the once peaceful and quiet home 
 of its former occupants. 
 
 My sister (Mrs. Wilkie) resided oppo- 
 site Colonel Rutgers for many years, and 
 their families were intimately acquainted.
 
 N. T. HUBBAIID. 169 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 IN 1798 tliere were but three Presby- 
 terian Churches in this city, namely the 
 Wall Street Church, the Brick Church, and 
 the Rutgers Street Church. The officiating 
 clergymen were the Rev. Dr. Rodgers, Rev. 
 Dr. McKnight, and the Rev. Dr. Samuel 
 Miller. They alternated weekly between 
 the three. My father's family attended 
 the Rutgers Street Church, and my father 
 was for several years a ruling member or 
 deacon. I heard the Rev. Dr. Miller 
 preach the centennial sermon in 1800. I 
 was then fifteen years of age. What vast 
 changes since then ! The number of Pres- 
 byterian Churches scattered throughout 
 the city is almost incredible. During my
 
 170 AUTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 residence in Cortlandt Street I attended 
 the Murray Street Church, the Rev. Dr. 
 McAuley was then its pastor. In later 
 years this church was sold and carefully 
 taken down, and removed to Eighth Street, 
 Dr. McAuley still retaining the pastorship. 
 This church finally got into financial diffi- 
 culties and was re-sold to Mr. A. T. Stew- 
 art. It still remains standing, and is now 
 known as St. Ann's Catholic. 
 
 The clergymen who occupied the pulpits 
 of the different churches named in this 
 paper were men of mark. Of the three 
 first named, Dr. Samuel Miller occupied the 
 first rank in my opinion. During my resi- 
 dence on Washington Square I attended 
 the Rev. Dr. Potts' church, who was a man 
 of very superior talents, and gave univer- 
 sal satisfaction to his congregation. This 
 church was located on the corner of Ninth 
 Street and University Place.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 171 
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, TRINITY, AND ST. JOHN'S. 
 
 St. Paul's Church is the oldest Episcopal 
 edifice in this city. I distinctly recollect, 
 on my first visit to New York, when I was 
 not more than eight years of age, I was so 
 fascinated (as young as I was) with the 
 beautiful structure and its surroundings, 
 that I often stopped and gazed on it with 
 childish admiration and delight, for, of 
 course, it was a perfect wonder to me, and 
 I could scarcely believe that such immense 
 buildings could be erected for church pur- 
 poses, drawing the comparison between it 
 and our plain meeting-houses in Orange 
 County. Within a year or so this church 
 has been entirely renovated in the interior, 
 and it now presents itself, with its beauti- 
 ful stained glass and many other improve- 
 ments, as second to no church in this city, 
 notwithstanding iihe many elegant ones 
 that have been erected in the last few 
 years in the upper part of the city.
 
 172 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 George Washington worshipped in this 
 church in his day, and I am told his 
 initials were on one of the pews when 
 it was renovated a few years ago. Old 
 Trinity was demolished a great many years 
 ago, and the present structure erected in 
 its stead. It is useless to say that this 
 building is simply magnificent. St. John's 
 is the third which constituted what was 
 then Trinity Parish. This church was 
 erected many years after the two above- 
 mentioned, and is a model of elegance and 
 beauty ; and may they all stand for ages 
 to come to dispense those glorious truths, 
 which, if practised and believed, will lead 
 us all to immortality. 
 
 CLERGYMEN, ETC. 
 
 I am now going to allude to some of 
 my favorite clergymen, and I will here re- 
 mark, in this connection, that the Bible is 
 my usual daily companion. In its teach- 
 ings and inspirations I am a firm believer.
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 173 
 
 At the Presbyterian churches I attend 
 regularly. Yesterday, March 22d, 1874, I 
 heard Dr. Taylor in the morning. He took 
 his text from Daniel, on the downfall and 
 death of Belshazzar, at the great feast he 
 gave his nobles at Babylon, when he or- 
 dered the sacred vessels of Jerusalem to be 
 brought to him to add to the orgies and 
 blasphemies of their drunken revels. Dr. 
 Taylor drew many very interesting illus- 
 trations from his subject in relation to 
 the temperance movements now pervading 
 many portions of our country, and many 
 of his remarks were not only sublime and 
 thrilling, but withal very dramatic ; in fact 
 it was a regular temperance sermon, and 
 most admirably delivered. In the after- 
 noon I went to hear Dr. Booth, who de- 
 livered a very able discourse from St. 
 John's gospel, on the Buffering, death, and 
 resurrection of our Saviour. May 17th, 
 1874. Yesterday I again heard Dr. Tay- 
 lor, who, to my mind, is one of the most
 
 174 ATJTOBIOGEAPHY OF 
 
 interesting and eloquent of our divines. 
 His text was, " What think ye of Christ? " 
 After a few preliminary remarks he di- 
 vided his discourse into four divisions 
 First, those who believe Christ to be an 
 impostor ; second, those who believe Him 
 to be a harmless, zealous individual ; third, 
 those who believe Him inspired with mir- 
 aculous powers of doing good to his fel- 
 low-men, wlio disbelieve in His divine at- 
 tributes with the Deity as being the Son 
 of God; fourth, His logical and eloquent 
 interpretation of the Scriptures, in which 
 he proves conclusively the Trinity of the 
 God-head Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 
 It was truly a splendid exposition of Bible 
 history, and must have carried conviction 
 to every hearer. In the afternoon I at- 
 tended my old Church, corner of Tenth 
 Street and University Place, again to hear 
 Dr. Booth, who gave his congregation a 
 very interesting discourse, in which he re- 
 marked that that day twenty years ago he
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 175 
 
 preached his first sermon in Auburn State 
 Prison to a very different audience from 
 the one he was then addressing. 
 
 May 24, 1874. Since making a few re- 
 marks upon Mr. Beecher I have heard him 
 preach. I went to his church yesterday. 
 He took for his text the eighth verse of the 
 second chapter of Paul's epistle to the Ephe- 
 sians: "By grace are ye saved, through 
 faith ; and that not of yourselves, it is the 
 gift of God." It was certainly the most logi- 
 cal sermon I ever heard, and many portions 
 of it were beautifully illustrated. He has a 
 very fine voice and distinct delivery, for 
 there was scarcely a word I did not hear. 
 To say I was pleased would scarcely con- 
 vey my impressions ; I was delighted. But, 
 notwithstanding the pleasure derived from 
 his discourse, honest opinion compels me 
 to say that there are several clergymen of 
 this city whose ministrations I should pre 
 fer to attend regularly than those of Mr. 
 Beecher.
 
 176 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 In this connection it has this moment 
 occurred to me to speak of a celebrated di- 
 vine, Rev. Dr. Learned, who visited this city 
 some fifty years ago. He was from New 
 Orleans, where he was settled over a Pres- 
 byterian church, and was idolized by his 
 congregation. He was a young man of 
 some twenty-six or twenty-eight years of 
 age. During his visit here I heard him 
 preach twice, once in Rutgers Street Church 
 and again in Garden Street Church. In 
 the latter his discourse was on the death 
 and sufferings of our Saviour. It was, 
 without any exception, the most brilliant 
 piece of oratory I ever heard from mortal 
 lips. He actually seemed inspired with a 
 prophetic magical influence that caused the 
 tears to flow " from eyes unused to weep." 
 His glowing and beautiful description of 
 the sufferings and death of our Saviour, in 
 language unsurpassed by its diction and 
 beauty, together with the magical tone of 
 his voice, conspired to render it the most
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 177 
 
 beautiful display of pulpit oratory I ever 
 heard. His next discourse was in Rutgers 
 Street Church, directed more particularly 
 to the younger portion of the congregation. 
 I have had the four last words of that ser- 
 mon impressed on my memory ever since, 
 namely, " Go if you dare." There is a vol- 
 ume of meaning in those words as con- 
 nected with his discourse. He possessed 
 another remarkable trait ; his memory was 
 wonderful. The moment he took his text 
 he closed the book, with no scrap of paper 
 to indicate even the heads of his discourse. 
 I will relate the following anecdote in illus- 
 tration of these facts, as well as the won- 
 derful influence he possessed in his delivery. 
 While visiting some portion of the South, 
 he was invited to preach for one of his 
 clerical friends. On their way to the 
 church his friend handed him a note which 
 he asked him to read to the congregation 
 at the close of the service. He ran his 
 eyes over the note, and placed it in his
 
 178 AUTOBIOGKAPIIY OF 
 
 pocket. At the close of the service he re- 
 peated the contents of the note to the con- 
 gregation. On his return home with his 
 friend after church he said to him, "I must 
 compliment you on the beautiful manner 
 and style in which you announced the prin- 
 cipal contents of the note I gave you. I 
 should feel very proud could I have dic- 
 tated so beautiful an address as you substi- 
 tuted for mine." At these remarks Dr. 
 Learned turned to his friend and said, " In 
 giving out your notice to your congregation 
 I neither added to, nor subtracted a single 
 word from the original you gave me." His 
 friend could scarcely believe the fact. This 
 goes to prove the wonderful power a culti- 
 vated and beautiful voice may have over 
 an ordinary communication. This young 
 clergyman died in New Orleans, two years 
 after his return, of yellow fever. 
 
 In connection with the above little his- 
 tory there was another young clergyman 
 of the Methodist denomination who visited
 
 N. T. IIUBBAED. 179 
 
 this country from England shortly before, 
 or a year or two later, named Somerville, 
 scarcely twenty -one years of age, who cre- 
 ated a great sensation. He was a fluent 
 and beautiful speaker, with a countenance 
 more like that of a girl than a man. He at- 
 tracted large audiences from every denomi- 
 nation, and was constantly invited to preach 
 in their different pulpits. He delivered one 
 sermon in the Old North Dutch Church 
 (now used for our Post-Office) on a week 
 day. I went there to hear him and found the 
 church so crowded that I could not obtain 
 even standing-room. His popularity wag 
 immense, and he created a great reforma- 
 tion in the Methodist churches, particu- 
 larly with some of his fellow-clergymen, 
 who, previous to his advent here, had been 
 in the habit of exciting themselves in the 
 pulpit and fairly screaming to their hearers 
 and exciting them also to loud Amens, etc., 
 and even disturbing the more quiet portion 
 of the congregation. Those sensational
 
 180 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 preachers, who bellowed from their pulpits, 
 miscalled it conversion-preaching; but the 
 calm and beautiful discourses from the 
 pure lips of Soinerville soon had the de- 
 sired effect of banishing from the Method- 
 ist pulpit the noisy preachers of that day. 
 My memory does not serve me to say how 
 long he remained in this city, but I believe 
 about two years, and since his return to 
 England I have no recollections of his 
 after-life to record. 
 
 DRS. WAINWRIGHT AND POTTS. 
 
 In my previous remarks I have men- 
 tioned the names of Bishop Wainwright and 
 the Rev. Dr. Potts. It may be remembered 
 by some of our citizens that these two dis- 
 tinguished clergymen had a spirited news- 
 paper discussion many years ago, Bishop 
 Wainwright maintaining " that there could 
 not be a church without a bishop," and Dr. 
 Potts arguing in opposition. I have said 
 that Dr. Wainwright was an enthusiastic ad-
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 181 
 
 mirer of music ; Dr. Potts Avas equally so. 
 He invariably sang with the choir of his 
 church, and had a very fine tenor voice. It 
 was on his ministrations that myself and 
 family attended during my residence on 
 Washington Square. He married two of my 
 youngest daughters, and he occasionally 
 dropped in at my musical entertainments. 
 In short, he was a most agreeable compan- 
 ion. My family and his were quite inti- 
 mate. 
 
 REV. DR. HALL. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Hall has been with us so 
 long that we may claim him as one of our 
 own people. His name and fame have be- 
 come household words with us. Probably 
 no clergyman who ever visited this country 
 from the Old World has acquired so great 
 a popularity in so short a period of time as 
 Dr. Hall has. He appears to have identified 
 himself with every good work. At all the 
 charitable gatherings he has been a prompt 
 and willing advocate, and his addresses
 
 182 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 before the different charitable societies 
 of this city have had a great effect. There 
 are few men who can give a telling speech 
 on charity, but Dr. Hall appears to me to 
 be most thoroughly qualified. May he long 
 continue to be a blessing, not only to his 
 large and devoted congregation, but also to 
 the cause of charity and benevolence, as 
 well as an illustration of all the Christian 
 graces that adorn our humanity. 
 
 I often think of the thousands and tens 
 of -thousands who daily pass the grounds 
 of Trinity and St. Paul's, if they ever give 
 a thought to the thousands that lie beneath 
 the sod. I fear not. The great mass, in 
 passing and repassing, have their minds too 
 much occupied with their different avoca- 
 tions to think, for a moment, that in a lit- 
 tle while they must lay their bodies down 
 to sleep, the same as those who now sleep 
 there. Most of the old influential citizens 
 of this city, fifty or sixty years ago, are 
 there ; a vast number of my old personal
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 183 
 
 friends lie there the young and the old. 
 Here rest the remains of some of our great 
 heroes Decatur, Lawrence, Kearney, and 
 others and at the end may they all awake 
 to a bright resurrection beyond the grave, 
 to meet the heavenly hosts in everlasting 
 glory ! 
 
 HEXRY WARD BEECIIER. 
 
 September 21st. While on 'Change to- 
 day I was called upon by one of our old and 
 respected merchants to sign a document 
 signifying our belief as to the purity and 
 innocence of Mr. Beecher. The scandalous 
 charges that have been circulated against 
 this eminent man have filled niy heart with 
 sorrow. I signed the paper cheerfully, for 
 I most honestly believe him guiltless of 
 the foul charges preferred against him. 
 The conspiracy to ruin him has been con- 
 cocted by a set of villains as base as ever 
 trod this footstool of God, and they richly 
 deserve the execrations of all mankind. I
 
 184 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 am not personally acquainted with Mr. 
 Beecher, but he has been so long in this 
 community that his name has become a 
 household word. His brilliant and beauti- 
 ful discourses, with that ready display of 
 oratory that he commands, will live in the 
 hearts of many when he is gone.
 
 X. T. HUBBARD. 185 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 WILLIAM B. COZZENS. 
 
 THERE never was in this country a more 
 popular landlord than Mr. William B. Coz- 
 zens. He was admired and respected 
 throughout our whole country, for every- 
 body knew him. His elegant hotel at 
 West Point is a model of everything that 
 is beautiful. His tables were loaded with 
 every delicacy known; and probably no 
 hotel in this country was as much noted 
 for its wines and liquors as his. He was 
 particularly celebrated in his choice selec- 
 tion of wines, and he was considered a su- 
 perior judge. I never spent my time more 
 pleasantly than when at West Point. Mr.
 
 186 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 Cozzens,* for many years, was the proprie- 
 tor of the American Hotel, on the corner 
 of Broadway and Barclay Street, and his 
 house ranked as high as any in the city. 
 And I beg here to remark that, during the 
 time Mr. Cozzens kept the American Hotel, 
 a few musical gentlemen formed a club 
 composed mainly of amateurs, but includ- 
 ing a few professional gentlemen, promi- 
 nent among whom were Charles E. Horn 
 and son. This society was formed from 
 three or four of our old Glee Club, and 
 
 * I became acquainted with Mr. Cozzens early in the begin- 
 ning of the present century, and our mutual friendship con- 
 tinued to the end of his life. I was about two years the 
 senior of Mr. Cozzens. In his earlier days he was a clerk in 
 his uncle's employ. His uncle, Mr. Martlin, kept the Tam- 
 inany Wigwam (then so called), on the corner of Frankfort 
 and Spruce Streets. It was a public-house, and became 
 prominent as being the headquarters of the Tammany So- 
 ciety. It was there I became intimately acquainted with 
 him. After the death of Mr. Martlin, Mr. Cozzens succeeded 
 to the management of the establishment. He afterwards 
 became the proprietor of Tammany Hall, which was erected 
 on the corner of Chatham and Frankfort Streets.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 187 
 
 called "The Beefsteak Club." We as- 
 sembled once a mouth, partaking of a sup- 
 per in Cozzens' best style, and spending the 
 evening in listening to songs and glees, in- 
 terrupted with recitations and stories, form- 
 ing altogether a most delightful evening's 
 entertainment. We frequently had the 
 company of the Rev. Dr. Wainwright at 
 these sociables. I scarcely ever knew a 
 man more extravagantly fond of music 
 than the Doctor. If my memory serves 
 me, these musical entertainments continued 
 for about three years. 
 
 While at West Point, Mr. Cozzens was 
 in the habit of visiting the city twice in the 
 week to procure for his tables the best and 
 greatest delicacies that our markets af- 
 forded, and it was on one of these visits 
 that he was suddenly stricken down with 
 apoplexy and died. Since that time his 
 sons have continued the house, with credit 
 to themselves and satisfaction to all their 
 visitors.
 
 188 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 But now comes an episode in my life, 
 which happened at this hotel, that brings 
 the tears to my eyes. The joy, the pride, 
 the life and light of my heart, died there. 
 I cannot enter into the details of her death. 
 When I remember her, with that gentle- 
 ness of character and purity of mind, (I 
 am so sad) I feel myself unprepared to 
 speak of her splendid qualities and attain- 
 ments. I can, at times, hear her voice ring- 
 ing in my ears with those melodious notes 
 that will last with me while I exist 
 
 The good die first, 
 
 But those whose hearts are like the summer dust 
 
 Burn to the socket. 
 
 WILLIAM B. NIBLO. 
 
 Many years ago Mr. William B. Niblo 
 kept a public-house on the corner of Pine 
 and William Streets, where he did a profit- 
 able business. He eventually removed, and 
 leased the property on the corner of Broad- 
 way and Prince Street for a number of
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 189 
 
 years. He erected a very pretty theatre 
 on these grounds, and, in connection with 
 the garden he had established there, ren- 
 dered it the most pleasant resort in the 
 city. Mr. Niblo, in connection with the 
 Ravel family, will long be remembered. 
 This troupe drew nightly to the theatre 
 immense audiences, and Mr. Niblo made a 
 fortune from their engagement. This cele- 
 brated company of artistes were known 
 throughout the length and breadth of the 
 land. Scarcely a stranger visited the city 
 but went to Niblo's to witness their won- 
 derful performances. Their pantomime 
 plays were innocent, and not only delighted 
 and pleased the child, but the gray -headed 
 veteran of fourscore sat entranced at their 
 magical power. And for myself, I must 
 say I never retired from one of their per- 
 formances without having enjoyed the ut- 
 most pleasure and delight. 
 
 Some years since the Italian opera was 
 given at Niblo's with great success by the
 
 190 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Sontag troupe during their visit to this 
 city many years ago. Sontag was an artiste 
 of the first grade, but she had seen her 
 best days as a vocalist. This lady was 
 celebrated for the magnificent manner in 
 which she dressed for the stage. I recol- 
 lect attending one evening at Niblo's to 
 hear " Norma " sung by Sontag, but 
 was somewhat disappointed. It is well 
 known to professional artistes that the 
 role of Norma requires a mezzo-sopra- 
 no voice to do justice to it, whereas it 
 was well known that Madame Sontag's 
 voice was in the highest register of a 
 soprano ; hence she totally failed in at- 
 tempting the role of Norma. Sontag was 
 well qualified to sing in light opera, and 
 give perfect satisfaction; and it is truly 
 wonderful to my mind that a good artiste 
 with an established reputation should be 
 willing to run the risk of losing it by 
 undertaking a role so much above her 
 powers to perform.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 191 
 
 Mr. Niblo retired many years ago with 
 a large fortune. Since then he has spent 
 much of his time and money in collecting 
 a gallery of paintings which is said to be 
 one of the finest in the city. With Mr. 
 ISTiblo I have had a life-long acquaintance, 
 and a more estimable gentleman I never 
 knew.
 
 192 ' AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XXI 
 
 MY PERSONAL FRIEND, N. H. WOLFE. 
 
 MY dear friend, Mr. Nathaniel H. Wolfe, 
 was a man with whom I was intimately 
 acquainted, although in our business rela- 
 tions we were virtually separated, his busi- 
 ness being in the grain trade, while mine 
 was principally in provisions. Mr. Wolfe 
 was a gentleman whom everybody esteemed. 
 His nature was so genial and so social that, 
 indeed, no one could but admire him. He 
 had some peculiarities in his intercourse 
 with his friends that rather enhanced than 
 deteriorated from the pleasure of his con- 
 versation. He rationally enjoyed life, and 
 was popular with every one. He was, like 
 myself, very fond of the opera, and was a 
 regular attendant at the performances. He
 
 1ST. T. HUBBARD. 193 
 
 had one of the large stage-boxes at the 
 Academy of Music, and was treasurer of 
 that concern for several years. In later 
 years, when I attended the opera, I took 
 my seat in his box, when alone, by his 
 special invitation. Mr. Wolfe was usually 
 successful in his business transactions, and 
 left his family in very affluent circum- 
 stances. At the time of his decease I was 
 confined to my house by a painful disease, 
 and was unable to attend the funeral of 
 my departed friend. He died regretted by 
 all who knew him. 
 
 SUYDAM, SAGE & CO. 
 
 With the old firm of Suydam, Sage &> 
 Co. T was on the most intimate terms, and 
 with Mr. Suydam my relations were of 
 the most sacred and confidential nature. 
 This house was our backer for any amount 
 of money we might occasionally require in 
 our large business operations, and, in re- 
 turn, we were their endorsers for any amount
 
 194 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 
 
 they might require from time to time. 
 The Wall Street banks required no better 
 paper, for it was well known to the mer- 
 cantile \vorld generally, that the former 
 house was wealthy, and that my own had 
 established a credit scarcely inferior to 
 other houses of established means. This 
 confidence in each other was never betrayed 
 by either of our houses, which continued 
 until the withdrawal of Mr. Ferdinand 
 Suydam from the old house of which he 
 was the head. Our mutual friendship con- 
 tinued to the end of his life. 
 
 CLAGHORN & CUNNINGHAM, OF SAVANNAH. 
 
 These gentlemen, with whom I have been 
 so long associated, deserve more than a pass- 
 ing notice, they being the oldest living 
 firm on my books ; and our constant inter- 
 course has been of the most pleasant and 
 agreeable character, which has ripened into 
 a mutual friendship that can only cease 
 when I am gone. The old firm was Claghorn
 
 N. T. HUBBARB. 195 
 
 & Wood ; they are both dead, and the son 
 of Mr. Claghorn associated with him Mr. 
 Cunningham. The standing and character 
 of this firm, in its mercantile relations, 
 ranks as high in the estimation of their 
 fellow-citizens, for probity, honesty, and in- 
 dustry, as that of any house in this country. 
 
 WILLIAM P. WINCHESTER. 
 
 I cannot omit in this little history to 
 make- mention of those personal friends 
 with whom I have been so long associated, 
 socially as well as in mercantile transac- 
 tions. 
 
 In speaking of William P. Winchester, 
 of Boston, I am at a loss for words to con- 
 vey the regard I had for him. If ever a 
 man lived who deserved the title of "na- 
 ture's nobleman " it was William P. Win- 
 chester. My relations with him in busi- 
 ness affairs, as well as socially, leave upon 
 my mind recollections that never can be 
 obliterated while I exist. During our in-
 
 196 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 tercourse we had large transactions in busi- 
 ness matters, and when I recall him, even 
 now, to my memory, I often wish that 
 many others had possessed his noble and 
 elegant character. It was a pleasure to 
 transact business with him, and during our 
 large transactions, nothing ever occurred to 
 mar the friendship and regard we mutually 
 entertained for each other. I was fre- 
 quently called to Boston on business, and 
 although the Tremont House was my home 
 while there, I was invariably the recipi- 
 ent of his hospitality. Mr. Winchester's 
 country seat was a short distance from 
 Boston, on the Charles River, and, truly, a 
 princely place it was. I attended, many 
 years ago, on the 4th of July, a fete-cliam- 
 petre given by him at this place, and the en- 
 tertainment was in keeping with the man. 
 I never attended so elegant an affair. In 
 less than a month after this fete was given 
 he was carried to his vault at Mount Au- 
 burn.
 
 N. T. IIUBBAED. * 197 
 
 ' ( He was a man. 
 Take him for all in all 
 I ne'er shall look upon his like again." 
 
 JOIIJST S1MOXDS. 
 
 With this gentleman I had large busi- 
 ness transactions, and a more agreeable 
 and pleasant gentleman to transact busi- 
 ness with I never met. Our intercourse 
 lasted for many years, and nothing ever 
 happened to mar the feelings we mutually 
 entertained for each other. Mr. Simonds 
 was largely engaged in the packing of 
 beef; his large establishment was on Lake 
 Chaniplain. Our business connection lasted 
 many years, and was profitable to both of 
 us ; and during this long connection, as be- 
 fore mentioned, not a jar ever disturbed 
 the even tenor of our ways. Mr. Simonds 
 was, in every sense, a gentleman, kind and 
 benevolent in his nature, and a trusty friend 
 to all who knew him. The more I became 
 acquainted with him, the more I admired
 
 198 ^AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 his character. Mr. Simonds died many 
 years ago. It gives me pleasure to pay 
 this brief tribute to his memory. 
 
 S. DAVIS, JR., & CO., OF CINCINNATI. 
 
 With this highly respectable concern, for 
 many years past, I have done an extensive 
 business. I was the first person who intro- 
 duced their celebrated "diamond hams" 
 into this market. I have sold many thou- 
 sand tierces of them. This firm is one of 
 the most respectable and wealthy in that 
 city. They have done a large business with 
 the principal dealers in the United States, 
 I owe them many obligations for favors 
 they have conferred on me, for which I 
 return them my most grateful thanks. 
 
 ISAAC H. REED. 
 
 Of this gentleman, to whom I have dedi- 
 cated my book, I have more than a passing 
 word to say. I became acquainted with 
 Mr. Reed many years ago, and our inter-
 
 N. T. HITBBABD. * 190 
 
 course has been such that warrants me in 
 saying I have never met a more perfect 
 and dignified gentleman. 
 
 I have watched the career of this gen- 
 tleman almost from his boyhood, and the 
 character and culture he possesses entitle 
 him to the respect of every one. 
 
 I have dedicated this book to him. (with 
 his permission), appreciating as I do the 
 high sense of his character. 
 
 DR. ANDREWS. 
 
 Since my residing at the Washington 
 Hotel, I have become intimately acquainted 
 with Dr. Andrews, who has been a boarder 
 at this hotel for twenty -five years, and dur- 
 ing my sickness of the last few mouths he 
 has been my daily attending physician, and 
 a more agreeable and courteous gentleman 
 I have never met; in short, we have be- 
 come most intimate friends. The doctor is 
 rated among our ablest physicians. He 
 has an established reputation, and I esteem
 
 200 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 it a privilege to have made liis acquaint 
 ance. I have every faith in his skill, and 
 trust he may long live to be a benefit and 
 blessing to his fellow-men. 
 
 JAMES LENOX. 
 
 I now wish to speak of one of the 
 greatest philanthropists of the age. I 
 allude to Mr. James Lenox, the only son of 
 Robert Lenox, deceased. I was intimately 
 acquainted with Mr. Robert Lenox, and had 
 business transactions with him for a number 
 of years, but I have never met his son. Not- 
 withstanding that I never had the pleasure 
 of his acquaintance, his wide-world reputa- 
 tion as a Christian philanthropist has been 
 as familiar to my ears as if I had person- 
 ally known him for years. I have been 
 told that for many years past he has given 
 away his annual income from his large 
 estate, principally to the Presbyterian 
 Church, of which he is a member, and to 
 the charitable institutions connected there-
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 201 
 
 with, as well as to other objects of charity. 
 He is at tlie present time president of the 
 American Bible Society, and has been for 
 many years the ruling elder in the Presby- 
 terian Church, corner of Twelfth Street 
 and Fifth Avenue, of which the Rev. Dr. 
 Paxon is pastor, formerly the Rev. Dr. 
 Phillips. Mr. Lenox is now completing a 
 splendid monument to his own memory, 
 namely the Lenox Library. It is situated 
 on Fifth Avenue, opposite Central Park, 
 and occupies the entire front of one block, 
 and is the most massive built building in 
 this city, being entirely fire-proof. This 
 building will carry his name and Christian 
 liberality down to many future generations. 
 He has been for many years accumulating 
 a large library, and it is said he has now 
 more editions of the Bible, in different lan- 
 guages, than any other library in this coun- 
 try ; and there is no doubt, when his library 
 is opened to the public, it will be found to 
 contain many of the most celebrated pro- 
 ductions of the world. 
 9*
 
 202 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 IN the olden times Burnham's was the 
 celebrated stopping-place when driving out 
 on the old Bloomingdale Road. Of a fine 
 afternoon in summer or winter, his horse- 
 sheds surrounding the house were filled 
 with the fashionable equipages of the day. 
 In the rear grounds there were magnificent 
 views of the river. As a general rule, 
 Burnham's was considered the end of a 
 drive out of the city. But what has time 
 done? This very spot that was devoted, 
 in years gone by, to those social enjoy- 
 ments, exists no longer. The rapid strides 
 our city has made within the past twenty- 
 five years, has broken the charms of these 
 old landmarks. This very spot (Burn-
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 203 
 
 haul's) that had attractions in iny middle 
 life, is now no more. Brick and brown- 
 stone have taken the place it once occupied. 
 
 AN EXPLANATION. 
 
 September 4th. In casting over the 
 various subjects treated on in these papers, 
 including something of my history, in con- 
 nection with recollections and events that 
 have transpired in this city from 1798 to 
 1832, I am well aware there are many 
 events that have occurred during this 
 period that have escaped my recollection; 
 but what I have written are truthful 
 statements, and what I have said has been 
 done to the best of my ability, and in lan- 
 guage so plain that a child can read it. 
 Be this as it may, I have no apology to 
 offer for its composition, for in the very 
 commencement of these papers I positively 
 disclaimed any pretension to literary merit, 
 but it is just what I intended it to be a 
 plain statement of plain facts. I have
 
 204 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 many and long-tried friends in this city 
 who will overlook the many faults which 
 this book contains. These papers were 
 commenced the first of last March, (1874,) 
 and have been continued from day to day, 
 with the exception only when I felt unwell 
 and disqualified to proceed with them ; for 
 there are times when the mind wanders 
 from its subject, in which case it is impos- 
 sible to write satisfactorily. Then, again, 
 an inspiration will flash across the mind, 
 and you can then convey your thoughts 
 with ease and pleasure, without racking the 
 brain to convey it in language just suited 
 to the occasion. I beg here to remark that, 
 previous to my commencing these papers, 
 all my previous writings were with my 
 business correspondents, and private let- 
 ters to my relatives and friends. I had 
 neither time nor disposition for any other 
 writing. It only occurred to me seven 
 months ago of writing a short history, and 
 that idea was only thought of as giving my
 
 N. T. IIUBBARD. 205 
 
 mind employment, for my business had 
 nearly left me nothing to do, and I must 
 be busy about something. 
 
 I beg here to remark that I have been 
 very much afflicted with a most pain- 
 ful complaint during the writing of these 
 papers, not debarring me from visiting the 
 Exchange and my office, but rendering 
 me unable to attend church on Sundays, 
 which is a great misfortune for me, having 
 been brought up from my early boyhood 
 in its teachings. I became very much at- 
 tached to its Christian institutions, and a 
 firm believer in its doctrines ; but my Sun- 
 days now are all passed at home. In several 
 of my earlier papers I gave some interesting 
 accounts of the Italian Opera in this city, 
 for I was a most enthusiastic admirer and 
 supporter of that favorite amusement, 
 which I always considered a moral one ; but 
 my present age and infirmities prevent me 
 from attending any more on its fascinat- 
 ing enjoyments.
 
 206 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 BROADWAY AND GRAND STREET. 
 
 On the north-east corner of Broadway 
 and Grand Street, where now stands the im- 
 mense store formerly occupied by Brooks 
 Brothers, stood a large-sized wooden build- 
 ing, some seventy years ago, occupied as 
 a house of entertainment, and in the rear 
 was a high hill or sand-bank that extended 
 to the East River. Immediately in the 
 rear of the house, and on this hill, was an 
 enclosure fitted with seats and boxes for 
 the accommodation of the patrons of the 
 house. This place was called u Bunker 
 Hill," as it was on a level with the second 
 or third story of the house. On a Sunday 
 afternoon or a holiday, a set of boys, or 
 half -grown men, myself among the number, 
 would resort there to drink " Mead." The 
 house became very celebrated for this 
 delightful beverage. I have frequently 
 thought that this simple drink has been 
 the cause of saving many men from de-
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 207 
 
 struction. I have not seen a bottle of this 
 " mead " for many years, and have often 
 wondered at its banishment from general 
 use. The old Broadway House was used, 
 in former years, as a gathering-place for 
 the politicians of our city, and when nomi- 
 nations were made for future elections. 
 There are many associations connected with 
 this house as a rendezvous for other pur- 
 poses than politics. There were frequent 
 advertisements in the daily papers for 
 meetings there for various objects, which 
 my memory of fifty or sixty years ago fails 
 me to particularize. 
 
 WASHINGTON HOTEL, NO. 1 BROADWAY. 
 
 Myself and daughter are now boarders 
 at this hotel, where we have been, at the 
 present writing, some fourteen months ; and 
 I shall probably remain here during the 
 remainder of my life, for I am better suited 
 and accommodated than I have been at 
 any time since I broke up housekeeping.
 
 208 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 My landlord, Mr. Dingley, is a very pleas- 
 ant and agreeable gentleman, and does 
 all in his power to please his boarders. 
 His tables are well supplied with all the 
 varieties of the season, hence I am per- 
 fectly satisfied. Mr. Dingley is an Eastern 
 man, and has a large number of friends 
 who patronize his house. He is doing a 
 prosperous business, and I consider him 
 justly entitled to success by his prompt at- 
 tention to his business, as well as promoting 
 the comfort of his guests. The main house, 
 on the corner, was the private residence of 
 Mr. Nathaniel Prime, the senior partner of 
 the old firm of Prime, Ward, King <fe Co. 
 This building when erected, over one hun- 
 dred years ago, was the most noted private 
 dwelling in this city. The ceilings in the 
 parlors are as lofty as those of many of the 
 most fashionable houses of the present day. 
 The marble mantels were imported from Eu- 
 rope, and the large mirrors in the parlors are 
 as large and lofty as those we meet with in
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 209 
 
 our first-class residences. The location of 
 this house is certainly very beautiful, tak- 
 ing in the whole range of the Battery and 
 the harbor. A more delightful spot cannot 
 be found in this city. 
 
 TRINITY CHIMES. 
 
 July 13th. The Trinity chimes this 
 morning advise me this is Sunday. These 
 chimes I have been in the habit of listening 
 to for the past seventy -five years. They are 
 doubtless the best bells in this country, and 
 are usually played by first-class artistes ; 
 but it is melancholy to reflect on the num- 
 ber of death-knells they have sounded 
 during the past seventy-five years. A few 
 more short years or days of pleasure or 
 pain will consign the present generation to 
 their final resting-place, and God grant it 
 may prove to be to a blessed immortality 
 beyond the grave !
 
 210 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 BROOKLYN. 
 
 AUGUST 31, 1874. It was not until this 
 morning, in casting my mind over for a 
 subject to note down in this history, that I 
 observed Brooklyn had escaped my recol- 
 lection, and strange to say, Brooklyn, in 
 1798, did not contain one hundred houses 
 from the Navy Yard to the South Ferry. It 
 has now a population of over half a million 
 of souls ; and, in honesty, I feel bound to 
 acknowledge my almost utter ignorance of 
 its history, almost as much so as if I should 
 undertake to give a history of London or 
 Liverpool, which I never saw. Brooklyn 
 is located on the Island of my birth, but 
 I undertake to say that the farthest I 
 have travelled back in Brooklyn during
 
 N. T. HUBBAED. 211 
 
 the past twenty-five years was to Green- 
 wood Cemetery. In my youthful days, 
 when I was, say from seventeen to twenty 
 years of age, I was in the habit, with com- 
 panions of my own age, of occasionally 
 visiting Brooklyn of a Sunday afternoon, 
 and walking up from the ferry, about a 
 mile and a half, to the sign of "the "Black 
 Horse," a house of entertainment for man 
 and beast, for the sole purpose of partak- 
 ing of my favorite beverage " mead." 
 
 HOBOKEJST. 
 
 It is at least twenty-five years since I have 
 visited Hoboken. In former days I was a 
 frequent visitor there, and there are many 
 pleasing recollections associated with the 
 place that render it interesting to me. The 
 Elysian Fields and surroundings was a spot 
 made classic by Halleck the poet. It was, 
 in former days, selected by the duellists as 
 the ground on which to settle their quarrels. 
 It was the spot where Aaron Burr shot
 
 212 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 Hamilton; it was on these grounds that 
 the son of the latter was killed by hin an- 
 tagonist ; the name of the latter I disre- 
 m ember, but with whom I was previously 
 acquainted. To return to more pleasing 
 recollections, it was the ground on which 
 the old Green Turtle Club held their semi- 
 annual gatherings, which Mr. Talman pre- 
 sided over, and superintended the prepara- 
 tions of the feast. It was pleasant to 
 wander among these delightful walks ; in 
 fact, Hoboken as it was some thirty years 
 ago, was one of the most pleasant rambling 
 places in the vicinity of our city.
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 213 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 THE PAPERS I SUBSCRIBE TO. 
 
 I HAVE been, for a very long time, a sub- 
 scriber to' the New York Observer and the 
 Home Journal, both weekly papers, also to 
 the evening Commercial Advertiser. This 
 paper I have taken for over fifty years. My 
 old friend, Colonel Stone, was the senior 
 editor many years ago. I have always 
 esteemed the Commercial as the most reli- 
 able of all our evening papers; I take 
 great pleasure in having it read to me. 
 The Observer is another one of my life-long 
 papers ; as a religious sheet there is noth- 
 ing in this countiy that can approach it. 
 It is conducted by gentlemen of marked 
 ability, and has had an immense circula- 
 tion throughout the country for years.
 
 214 AUTOmOGKAPHY OF 
 
 The letters of "Irenseus" are perfect 
 models in their way, and to me it is a per- 
 fect delight to read them. As before re- 
 marked, I have taken the Home Journal 
 since it was first established. It is a de- 
 lightful paper for light reading ; it gives 
 its readers all the fashionable news of the 
 day, and, taken altogether, is a very enjoy- 
 able and interesting journal. 
 
 THE "LEDGER." 
 
 In regard to my early education, I Avould 
 here remark that the schools of eighty years 
 ago were very inferior. The common rou- 
 tine of studies were reading, spelling, writ- 
 ing and arithmetic, and even these were 
 very imperfectly taught. I lay no claim 
 to literary merit, but I was always very 
 fond of reading, and that fondness still 
 absorbs my leisure hours ; and, as my eye- 
 sight fails me in my old age, one of my 
 daughters reads to me nightly. My favor- 
 ite poetic authors are Fitz-Greene Halleck,
 
 IT. T. HUBBAKD. 215 
 
 Sir Walter Scott, "Wordsworth, Pope, and 
 Cowper, and many others I might mention, 
 that I am not so familiar with. In these 
 rambling sketches I nse the best and 
 plainest language I am capable of, and 
 although my diction is at fault in many 
 instances, I know my old friends and ac- 
 quaintances will relish their perusal, not- 
 withstanding that Avant of polish and dic- 
 tion which so charms the reader. 
 
 I have taken the New York Ledger since 
 its first introduction, and I esteem it one of 
 the best literary papers published in this 
 country that I have any knowledge of. The 
 writers and correspondents of this paper are 
 of the highest order, and Mr. Bonner, the 
 editor, is doubtless very proud of them, al- 
 though, it is said, he pays them more money 
 for their productions than any other weekly 
 paper in the United States. Of course I 
 have my own favorites ; John G. Saxe, the 
 poetical contributor, is a great favorite of 
 mine. Sylvanus Cobb, Mrs. Southworth,
 
 216 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 and Mrs. Harriet Lewis are my especial 
 favorites in the long continued stories. In 
 the single articles, the Rev. Henry Ward 
 Beecher, Rev. Dr. Hall, Judge Clark, 
 and James Parton. All these correspon- 
 dents are very able writers, and three or 
 four of them stand decidedly at the head 
 of their profession. The lady writers of 
 single articles are usually very good and 
 interesting; but the Ledger lost a great 
 favorite in Fanny Fern. Her articles were 
 so terse and witty they commanded the uni- 
 versal admiration of all its readers. I will 
 now allude to Professor Leon Lewis. His 
 stories are so fiendishly tragic, as a general 
 thing, that I cannot fail to believe but that 
 they are manufactured out of a feverish 
 brain. The characters he portrays are 
 totally inconsistent with the general rules 
 that govern even outlaws and bravados; 
 in a word, his characters are overdrawn, 
 and I am free to confess I take very little 
 pleasure in their perusal. Far be it from
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 217 
 
 ine to deteriorate from his literary acquire- 
 ments and character as a writer, for those 
 are of the first order ; and were he to deal 
 with less brutal and inhuman characters he 
 would be generally read with much more 
 pleasure and satisfaction. There are many 
 beautiful and even brilliant passages in 
 many of his stories that atone, in some 
 measure, for the other characters which he 
 represents. I have no pretension as a critic, 
 and the observations I have made on the 
 writers of the Ledger are my own, and may 
 be taken by the public for what they are 
 worth.
 
 218 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XXV 
 
 THE THEATRE. 
 
 IN 1798, when my father removed to this 
 city, there was but one theatre the old 
 Park. Mr. Simpson was for a long time 
 the manager, and was, by the by, a very 
 excellent and popular comedian. And 
 while on this subject I desire to say that I 
 have not seen or attended a play for the 
 past thirty-five years of my life, with the 
 exception of once. Some years ago I was 
 prevailed upon by an old friend who was 
 visiting me, to accompany him to Wai- 
 lack's, to witness a celebrated comedy. I 
 did so, and w r as delighted. 
 
 In my early days I frequently visited 
 the theatre, and saw all the celebrated 
 actors and actresses of the day. Fanny
 
 N. T. JTUBBARD. 219 
 
 Kemble probably created as great an en- 
 thusiasm as any actress of those days. It 
 was not until the advent of Malibran, in 
 Italian opera, that I lost all taste for 
 plays -for my very soul was wrapped in 
 music and all theatrical performances 
 were of but little interest to me. 
 
 Alas ! Alas ! old age, with some of its in- 
 firmities, are crowding on me, and the^ecol- 
 lections of the pleasures and enjoyments of 
 niy earlier years are passing swiftly away, 
 and it is now only in the dim retrospect of 
 the past that I can now and then discover 
 a bright star of hope that points to a blessed 
 immortality beyond the grave. 
 
 RECREATION. 
 
 July 14th. We are now in the middle 
 of summer, when it is generally supposed 
 the more fashionable portion of our citizens 
 are on the wing visiting the various fashion- 
 able resorts for recreation and pleasure; 
 and, indeed, they must be fastidious if they
 
 220 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 cannot find some spot for enjoyment. As 
 I have before remarked, for thirty-five 
 years of my life I was in the habit of visit- 
 ing, with my family, all the principal re 
 sorts that abound at the north, and I can 
 say, with truth, that it was always a 
 season of pleasure and enjoyment both to 
 myself and family, and better prepared me 
 for my active business in the future. But 
 my time for those pleasures have passed 
 away forever. Ninety years now confine 
 me at home, and increasing debility in- 
 clines me to quiet and repose.
 
 T. HUBBARD. 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 MY BUST ON THE EXCHANGE. 
 
 MAISTY years ago a few of my old friends 
 waited upon me, arid requested me (if I 
 had no objections) to sit for my "bust," to 
 be placed on the Exchange, in Wall Street. 
 I assented to their wishes, and the " bust " 
 was executed by a Mr. Jones, who, as I un- 
 derstand, is now dead. The following cor- 
 respondence will explain itself : 
 
 To ABRAM S. JEWELL, ESQ., 
 
 President of the New York Produce 
 
 Exchange. 
 
 Dear Sir, About twenty years ago I was waited 
 upon by several of my friends in the produce busi- 
 ness, requesting me to " sit " to a sculptor to have my 
 " bust " modeled in clay, to which I consented. After 
 it was finished there were some twenty or thirty 
 " caots " of it modeled in plaster of Paris, which the
 
 222 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 sculptor sold for his own benefit at ten dollars each. 
 My friends then concluded to have one executed in 
 marble, which was accordingly done. The cost of the 
 original in clay was one hundred dollars, and the 
 marble one four hundred dollars. The marble "bust" 
 was on exhibition at the Exchange (now the Custom 
 House) about one year. The Exchange removed to 
 the corner of Broad and South Streets, where it re- 
 mained another year, when a committee of three of 
 the subscribers came and presented it to me for my 
 own personal use. I then took it to my residence, 
 where it has remained until the present time. And 
 here I beg leave to say that I am to this day ignorant 
 lf the names of many of those who subscribed towards 
 the payment of this "bust." To them I tender my 
 warm and heartfelt thanks, and fully appreciate ,the 
 honor conferred upon me. In my will, made many 
 years ago, I bequeathed this " bust " to the President 
 and Directors of the New York Produce Exchange ; 
 but I have recently made up my mind, in consequence 
 of my removal shortly from my present abode, to 
 send my " bust " to yoxir Produce Exchange while I 
 am still alive, provided you deem it worthy of a niche 
 in some corner of your Exchange. 
 
 Truly yours, 
 
 (Signed) N. T. HUBBABD. 
 
 NEW YORK, July 30, 1872.
 
 N. T. IIUBBARD. 223 
 
 NEW YORK PRODUCE EXCHANGE, 
 NEW YORK, August 2, 1872. 
 
 N. T. HUBBARD, ESQ. 
 
 Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt 
 of yours of the 30th ultimo, addressed to the Presi- 
 dent of the New York Produce Exchange, kindly 
 offering to anticipate a bequest made by you, many 
 years ago, of your marble bust, to the President and 
 Directors of the New York Produce Exchange. 
 
 By action of the Board, the generous offer made by 
 you was accepted, and the Secretary was instructed to 
 return to you the thanks of the Board for the same, 
 with their hearty wishes for the extension and happi- 
 ness of your already long and eventful life. In be- 
 half of the President and Board of Managers, 
 
 I am, very respectfully, &c., 
 (Signed) J. E. HULSHIZER, Secretary.
 
 224 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 MY GOLDEN WEDDING. 
 
 NOVEMBER 9th, 1861, we celebrated our 
 golden wedding at my old residence on 
 Washington Square, surrounded by all my 
 children and a large number of grand-chil- 
 dren. What a pleasant reminiscence to 
 recur to, that I should have celebrated this 
 great event, for how few ever attain to it ! 
 It was my pleasure and pride, on that even- 
 ing, to stand beside one, after fifty years 
 of married life of uninterrupted happiness 
 and prosperity, and to look upon her with 
 the same love and affection that bound us 
 together for that great length of time. It 
 was certainly a delightful occasion, and a 
 pleasant reunion of dear relatives and 
 friends, several of whom were present at
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 225 
 
 our first wedding. It seemed almost like 
 a dream to realize tliat those fifty years 
 had flown so quickly by ; but many who 
 were then present have since passed away, 
 both old and young, while I, the oldest of 
 the assemblage, still linger on the earth. 
 But great changes have come over my life 
 since then the loss of dear loved ones 
 and loss of property ; but as Grod has willed 
 it so let me be resigned. My Heavenly 
 Father knows what is best for us all. My 
 children and friends were lavish in their 
 tokens of love and affection, and I shall 
 ever remember the kindly regards that 
 were shown on that occasion. May the 
 noble virtues of that loved w^ife and mother 
 be instilled into the minds of those children 
 still living, and their end shall be peace. 
 
 My dear wife died seven years after 
 this event, on the 4th of February, 1868, 
 mourned and regretted by all who knew 
 her.
 
 26 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 In Memoriam. 
 
 JULIA AUGUSTA. 
 
 August 31st, 1874. This is the anniver- 
 sary of the death of my beloved daughter 
 the musical bird of my family. She 
 died suddenly, of congestion of the brain, 
 at Cozzens's Hotel, West Point, where my 
 family had been stopping for some five or 
 six weeks. We were preparing to leave 
 for home the day she died. The loss of 
 this daughter, at so early an age (she was 
 but twenty-one), with that magnificent 
 voice, combined with a disposition that lent 
 all the graces and virtues to womanhood, 
 causes me to mourn to this day her loss. 
 
 " None knew her but to love her, 
 None named her but to praise." 
 
 My daughter left an infant son (nine 
 months old) at her death, Francis H. Sal- 
 tus, Jr. He is now grown to manhood,
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD. 227 
 
 ind is a young man of superior talents, has 
 been educated mostly in Europe, is a great 
 linguist, speaking five or six different lan- 
 guages, and inherits, in a degree, the musi- 
 cal talent of his mother. He has composed 
 several very beautiful pieces of music, and 
 it has often given me great pleasure to 
 listen to his performances.
 
 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 CHAPTEK XXVIII. 
 
 PAKSON GEEENE. 
 
 BEFORE closing these papers I cannot re 
 frain from quoting, from my "Uncle Grif 
 fin's Biographical Sketches," a most inter- 
 esting account of Zachariah Greene, then 
 known on Long Island as " Parson Greene." 
 He took an important part in our Revolu- 
 tionary struggle, and the character of the 
 man (as told by Mr. Griffin) has so often 
 struck me that I deem it not improper to 
 repeat it in these papers. 
 
 " ' Parson Greene ' is the familiar name by 
 which our hero is known and distinguished 
 from all other men throughout the length 
 and breadth of Long Island. He is the
 
 N. T. HUBBABD. 229 
 
 only parson in Hempstead, at least; all 
 the other parsons are only ministers. In 
 many respects Goldsmith's description of 
 the ' Vicar of Wakefield ' portrays the per- 
 son and accomplishments of Parson Greene. 
 Perhaps the Vicar's habits of contentment 
 never reached the same happy summit as is 
 realized in our own parson. The parson is 
 the more interesting, as he is a living book 
 all fact and no fiction : he can be read 
 in conversation. He speaks of sermons in 
 the pulpit, and battles in the Revolution- 
 ary struggle, with like affability and ease. 
 He listens with his left ear, but looks pene- 
 tratingly with both eyes, while he speaks 
 fluently, with the affectionate authority of 
 a father, and commends everything he says 
 to the sons, and particularly to the daugh- 
 ters of his hearers. He looks hale, plump 
 and hearty, and always says he is well. 
 He is the happiest man on Long Island. 
 He entertains the prospect of death with 
 the same pleasure as the reception of a
 
 230 AUTOBIOGEAPIIY OF 
 
 friend. In short, he is the gentleman, the 
 scholar, the patriot, and the Christian. 
 
 " At the age of sixteen years, just at the 
 time of his leaving school, the cause of his 
 country called him from private life, and 
 with a beloved brother he entered the 
 army under Captain Amos Walbridge, in 
 Colonel Reed's regiment, Brigadier Glov- 
 er's brigade, and joined it at Roxbury. 
 General Washington was Commander-in- 
 Chief, and headed an army of men who 
 were soldiers from patriotic motives men 
 determined to have a place in national re- 
 presentation as well as national taxation 
 men whose souls had been tried by the 
 tyranny of kings and the petty despotism 
 of kings' courtiers. It was under these cir- 
 cumstances that Zachariah -Greene entered 
 the ranks of the Revolutionary army under 
 Washington, and for these reasons he 
 fought in its battles. 
 
 "He aided in the erection of the fort 
 at Dorchester, which was commenced one
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 231 
 
 evening at sundown, and at sunrise next 
 morning his party had cannon playing 
 upon Boston, and succeeded in driving 
 the British out of Boston, from whence 
 they sailed down the bay to Castle Wil- 
 liam. Here they run ashore and burned all 
 the buildings on Dorchester Neck. They 
 cannonaded the Neck the whole night, w r ith 
 grapeshot and chainshot, firing over the 
 American troops, ultimately succeeding in 
 destroying a poor man's orchard. He 
 moved, with the army under Washington, 
 from Roxbury to New York, and landed 
 there in April, where he aided in the erec- 
 tion of the fort on Brooklyn Heights. He 
 left New York with the army when it 
 evacuated, and went above Kingsbridge. 
 
 " When the British arrived at Throgg's 
 Point the battle commenced, and lasted till 
 the armies were separated by the messenger 
 of the great arbiter Darkness. Soon 
 after this he was in the battle of White 
 Plains, in 1776. In 1777 the same com-
 
 232 AUTOBIOGKAPHY OF 
 
 pany was joined to Captain Webb's com- 
 pany in Connecticut. He was with the 
 party which was sent to take the fort at 
 Brookhaven, which was built round the 
 Presbyterian church, of which, twenty-one 
 years after, he was installed pastor. He 
 was in the body of men who marched 
 into the region of Philadelphia, and was at 
 the battle of White Marsh. During the 
 engagement he received a wound in the 
 left shoulder, on the 7th of September, 
 1777, his shoulder-blade being shattered. 
 It was three days before he had any atten- 
 tion paid to his wound ; at the end of which 
 time he applied to Dr. Robinson, a surgeon, 
 who had been taken prisoner, to attend to 
 his wants. He told Dr. R. that he would 
 compensate him. Dr. R. asked him if he 
 was not afraid to trust an enemy. He re- 
 plied, ' I can trust a gentleman.' Dr. R. 
 attended to his case, and succeeded in heal- 
 ing up the wound. Mr. Greene put his 
 right- hand, containing the compensation,
 
 N. T. HUBBARD. 233 
 
 behind his back, and told the doctor to 
 shake hands with him in that attitude. 
 The doctor thanked him, and expressed a 
 great desire to have his wife and children 
 on this side of the Atlantic, saying if they 
 were here he should stay altogether. 
 
 " The above is the result of Mr. Greene's 
 experience as stated by himself. Being of 
 little more service in the army, as he was 
 no longer ab]e to bear arms, at the request 
 of his father, and by order of General 
 Washington, he was discharged from the 
 army, having, with a good patriotic heart 
 and manly soul aided the cause of his 
 country in several of its hardest battles. 
 
 "During the winter of 1780, in the 
 month of January, he walked sixteen miles 
 on a pair of snow-shoes for the purpose of 
 securing a small Latin book, which he re- 
 quired to aid him in his preparation for 
 college. He had now entered, according 
 to his own words, ' an army in which he 
 was determined to fight for a better De-
 
 234 AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
 
 claration of Independence than the last/ 
 He resolved to be a soldier of Christ. 
 
 " In the year 1782 he entered Dartmouth 
 College, but had been engaged in study but 
 .a short time when, owing to bad health, 
 he was compelled, for a season, to with- 
 draw. After a considerable recess, he as- 
 sumed the cares of a student once more. 
 He subsequently studied theology with 
 Amzi Lewis, of Orange County, New 
 York. 
 
 " Having passed through all the prelimi- 
 nary and initiatory steps necessary to pre- 
 pare him for the ministry, he was duly 
 licensed to preach on the first day of Febru- 
 ary, 1785. In the year 1800 he visited the 
 scene of his collegiate experience at Dart- 
 mouth, and upon his return the faculty of 
 that institution honored him with a diploma, 
 which he has prized very highly through 
 life. From the time of his ordination, till 
 within the last few years, he has labored 
 ' in season and out of season ' in the minis-
 
 F. T. HUBBAKD. 235 
 
 try, pursuing an even course, and doing 
 much good to his fellow-men in all the re- 
 alities of life. During this period of ser- 
 vice he endeavored to increase the happi- 
 ness of two thousand individuals, by unit- 
 ing them (one thousand couples) in the 
 * holy bands of matrimony.' " 
 
 In connection with the foregoing extract, 
 I desire to say that, when quite a lad, I 
 frequently heard Parson Greene preach at 
 the church at Catchogue, where he was set- 
 tled on the 27th of September, 1797.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 [ALLUSION has been made by Mr. Hubbard in the fore- 
 going narrative to some of the circumstances attending 
 the execution of the marble bust of himself which now 
 occupies a prominent place in the Produce Exchange, but 
 the following additional facts, kindly contributed by one 
 of the original subscribers to that fine work of art, will 
 have especial interest as the voluntary testimony of one 
 who has long enjoyed a familiar acquaintance with the 
 subject of this memoir.] 
 
 NEW YORK, March 18, 1875. 
 
 IT is seldom that the active life of a busy 
 merchant is prolonged to the extent of that 
 of our friend and neighbor, Mr. NATHANIEL 
 T. HUBBAKD. Having been personally ac- 
 quainted with him, and intimate in his 
 family, since 1824 (now fifty-one ye^s), it 
 seems proper that I should, as an appen- 
 dage to this book containing the reminis- 
 cences of a man who has for so long a 
 period maintained an unblemished charac- 
 ter for mercantile probity and honor, give
 
 238 APPENDIX. 
 
 a history of the maMe lust which now 
 adorns the rooms of the Produce Exchange. 
 In 1855, through the exertions of Mr. 
 Theodore Johnson, of the firm of Seguine <fe 
 Johnsons (who had formerly been a clerk 
 with Mr. Hubbard), assisted by myself, we 
 secured the services of T. D. Jones, the 
 sculptor, and procured a subscription of 
 fifty names, at ten dollars each, myself and 
 Mr. Todd, the salt merchant, being the only 
 persons outside of the regular provision 
 business. In behalf of the subscribers, I 
 was deputed to present the bust, which 
 service I performed on New Year's day, 
 1856. It was not given to a Hero, Politi- 
 cian, or Author, but was the spontaneous 
 offering of friends to a man who had, in his 
 endeavors to maintain the highest standard 
 of mercantile integrity, become entitled to 
 their respect and honor. The following 
 correspondence took place on the occasion. 
 
 E. BILL.
 
 APPENDIX. 239 
 
 NEW YORK, January 1, 1856. 
 N. T. HTJBBARD, Esq. : 
 
 Dear Sir A few of your personal friends, appreciating 
 your character, and feeling disposed to present you "with 
 some solid testimonial thereof, secured the sendees of 
 T. D. Jones, an eminent American sculptor, for the pur- 
 pose of procuring your bust in marble. That artist has 
 faithfully performed his task, and given us a most truth- 
 ful representation of one whom we take pleasure in thus 
 honoring. ,Our object has been, not only to hand down to 
 posterity the features of an old friend, but to evince our 
 appreciation of that character for sterling honesty which 
 has always characterized your dealings, and made the 
 adage so applicable to yourself, " His word is as good as 
 his bond.' 1 ' 1 In asking your acceptance of this testimonial, 
 which we now do, we beg to convey with it our best 
 wishes for your health and happiness. 
 
 In behalf of the subscribers, and with many good wishes 
 personally, 
 
 I am truly yours, 
 
 EDWARD BILL. 
 
 NEW YORK, January 7, 1856. 
 EDWARD BILL, Esq., 
 
 on behalf of the subscribers, etc. : 
 
 Dear Sir Your communication of the 1st inst. was duly 
 received, accompanied by the presentation of a marble 
 bust, executed by T. D. Jones. Esq., of this city. For this 
 testimonial of your esteem I tender those who have pro- 
 cured its execution my most heartfelt thanks, and I assure 
 you that it is the richest gift you could bestow, as it is the 
 most valuable legacy my children can receive. 
 
 This compliment is doubly enhanced from the circum-
 
 240 APPENDIX. 
 
 stance that it is received from gentlemen who, for a long 
 time, have been engaged in the same branch of business as 
 myself; and to have secured the respect of those with whom 
 I have had almost daily intercourse for years is a gratifica- 
 tion and pleasure which I have not words to express. 
 
 With sentiments of esteem and respect, please accept my 
 best wishes for your future prosperity and happiness. 
 
 N. T. HUBBAKD.
 
 SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. 
 
 IT having become known to some of Mr. 
 Hubbard's intimate friends on the New 
 York Produce Exchange that he had pre- 
 pared a sketch of his life, with a view to 
 publication, they organized a committee, 
 consisting of Messrs. Abraham S. Jewell, 
 Charles H. Johnson, J. E. Hulshizer, 
 Charles W. Strachan, James R. Turner, 
 Archibald Harris, and Frank Kimball, to 
 take charge of the publication, and relieve 
 Mr. Hubbard from all care and risk in 
 the matter, which they were enabled to do 
 through the following subscribers. 
 
 The work of carrying the volume thro ugh 
 the press was entrusted to Mr. Grant, Su- 
 perintendent of the Exchange, who kindly 
 gave the matter his personal supervision. 
 
 NEW YORK, March 31, 1875.
 
 242 
 
 SUBSCRIBERS 7 NAMES. 
 
 ABBOTT, J. H. 
 
 CRAMER, L. V. 
 
 ACKEHMAN, C. T. 
 
 CLOSE, JOHN W. 
 
 ATWATER, T. S. 
 
 COLGATE, SAMUEL. 
 
 ALLEN, F. H. 
 
 CHAMBERS, H. F. S. 
 
 AMELUNG, HENRY. 
 
 CHAMBERLIN, ROE & Co. 
 
 ANDERSON, J. 
 
 CHAMBERS, G. F. 
 
 ALEXANDER, JAS. A. 
 
 COOPER, JOHN B. 
 
 ANNAN, E. 
 
 CLARK, M. E. 
 
 ALBERT, F. P. 
 
 CARLL, S. S. 
 
 ARMOUR, PLANKIVTON & Co. 
 
 CECIL, Jr., GEO. 
 
 ARCHER, Jr., D. O. 
 
 COLEMAK & CO., E. W. 
 
 ARCIIBOLD, J. D. 
 
 CONKLIN, JOHN S. 
 
 
 CHURCHMAN, ALFRED. 
 
 BAXTER & Co., ARCHIBALD. 
 
 COLE, W. A. 
 
 BILL, EDWARD. 
 
 COBB, E. H. & SON. 
 
 BENSON, R. H. 
 BALDWIN. JAS. L. 
 
 CRANE, MUNROE. 
 COOK BROS. & McCoRD. 
 
 BOGERT, B. C. 
 
 CAMERDEN, JNO. 
 
 BURKHOLDER & McCuTCUEN. 
 
 
 BOND, JNO. H. 
 
 Dows & Co. , DAVID. 
 
 BURT, HAYES & Co. 
 
 DALLY, SAMUEL. 
 
 BOSTWICK, J. B. 
 
 DANIELS, H. !. 
 
 BOUCK, JAS. B. 
 
 DOYLE, JAMES. 
 
 BECHTEL, Jr., G. J. 
 
 DAVIS, L. 
 
 BREWSTER, J. L. 
 
 DOUGLASS, R. J. 
 
 BARTLETT, G. A. 
 
 DOUGHERTY, JOHN. 
 
 BRUSH, W. F. 
 
 DECKER, S. C. 
 
 BliEWSTER, A. H. 
 
 DOUGHERTY, E. H. 
 
 BAKKETTO, G. M. 
 
 DUNN, SAMUEL P. 
 
 BARBER, W. B. 
 
 DUSENBERY, HENRY. 
 
 BUTLER, E. M. 
 
 DEWOLF, D. R 
 
 BURT, J. M. 
 
 DENSLOW & BUSH. 
 
 BINGIIAM, DAVID. 
 
 
 BONNELL, A. 
 
 ELLSWORTH, J. W. 
 
 BEYER, JOHN A. 
 
 EDSON, FRANKLIN. 
 
 BROOKER, J. P. 
 
 ELLIS, THOMAS. 
 
 BOWLER, GEO. T. 
 
 ELLIOTT, A. W. 
 
 BAXTER, WARREN C. 
 
 EMMENS, G. W. 
 
 BLOOM, W. J. 
 
 
 BOWNES, Jos. W. 
 
 FACKINER, JNO. 
 
 BURGESS, E. G 
 
 FOWLER BROS. 
 
 BARKLEY, JOHN F. 
 
 FULLER, WM. H. 
 
 BENNETT, C. E 
 
 FLOYD, BENJ. W. 
 
 BESTER, R S. 
 
 FINK, VALENTINE. 
 
 BOSTWICK, J. A. 
 
 FROST, I. T. 
 
 BUSHNELL, Tuos. C. 
 
 FISKE & Co., J. M. 
 
 
 Fox, W. H. 
 
 CHAMBERLIN, J. M. 
 
 FEKKIS & Co., GEO. B. 
 
 CHASE, THEO. B. 
 
 FLINT, JAS. L. 
 
 CHAMKR, J. L. 
 
 FOSTER, C. G. 
 
 COBB, S. R. 
 
 FORD, S. R. 
 
 CONNELL, D. 
 
 FERRIS, J. J.
 
 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 243 
 
 FREDERICK, If, 
 
 JOHNSON, C. EL 
 
 FENBY, Jos. B. 
 
 JONES, GEO. L 
 
 FEIGELSTOCK, A. 
 
 JEWELL, JOHN V. 
 
 FLEISCHMANN, MAX. 
 
 JEFFREY, G. M 
 
 FOKCE, S. C. 
 
 JEWELL, EDWARD M. 
 
 
 JARVIS, JAS. L. 
 
 GORMAN & Co. 
 
 
 GBIGHS, D. A. 
 
 KELLER, FRED. 
 
 GARDNER, A. V. 
 
 KNOWLES, S. W. 
 
 GILLETT, M. H. 
 
 KINGA.V & Co. 
 
 GOODEVE, JAS. 
 
 KKNT, E. A. 
 
 GOULAKD, Tnos. 
 
 KNAPP, MILTON. 
 
 GOPSILL, Tnos. M. 
 
 KNAPP, GEO. C, 
 
 GODWIN, Jos. 
 
 KEENEY, GEO. M. 
 
 GKANT, S. H. 
 
 KIMBALL, C. A. 
 
 
 KENDALL, WM. 
 
 HULSHIZER, J. E. 
 
 
 HOLMAN, L. F. 
 
 LAIMBEER, R. H. 
 
 HAZELTINE, L. 
 
 LOCKWOOD, C. B. 
 
 HAZELTINE,,J. M. 
 
 LOGAN, JAMES. 
 
 HEUBERER, C. E. 
 
 LEGGETT, R. L. 
 
 HARRIS, W. H. 
 
 LEWIS, EDW'D J. 
 
 HEBEUT, HENRY B. 
 
 LEA, RICHARD M. 
 
 HEBERT, JOHN H. 
 
 LAMSON, E. O. 
 
 HARRISON, S. D. 
 
 LOSEE, FRANCIS. 
 
 HOWE, B. T. 
 
 LOWE, JOHN 
 
 HARRISON, THOS. D. 
 
 LoUNSBEiiY, JAS. H. 
 
 HALSTEAD, P. S. 
 
 
 HIBBARD, L. D. 
 
 McEwAN, JAS. W. 
 
 HIGGINS, W. B. 
 
 MACFARLANE, V. W. 
 
 HAUCK, J. 
 
 MOSES, A. 
 
 HARRIS, T. R. 
 
 MlLLSPAUGH, P. M. 
 
 HICKS, H. E. 
 
 MEDAY, C. H. 
 
 HYATT & MOUNT. 
 
 MARVIN, W. T. 
 
 HAKKIS, ARGIL 
 
 MclLVAINE, A. E. 
 
 HENEY, A. T. 
 
 HINCKEN, EDW. 
 
 MOSES, WM. 
 MONTGOMERY, ARCH. 
 
 HOLT & Co. 
 
 MEDAY, GEO. K. 
 
 HOLMES, A. L. 
 
 MANWARINU, WM. M. 
 
 HEYE, GUSTAV. 
 
 MILLER, HIRAM. 
 
 
 McEwEN, GEO. C. 
 
 IVES, EDWARD. 
 
 MANWARING, Jr., D. W. 
 
 INGEBSOLL, HORACE. 
 
 MANGAM, D. D. 
 
 
 McCoRD, H. D. 
 
 JONES, JACOB. 
 
 MYERS, M. C. 
 
 JEWELL, H. S. 
 
 METTLER, Jr., S. 
 
 JACOBY, S. 
 
 MANGAM, E. B. 
 
 JOHNSON, G. F. & Co. 
 
 McTAVisn, D. A. 
 
 JEWELL, A. S. 
 
 MOORE, EDW'D A. 
 
 JEWELL, EBENM. 
 
 MANWARING, D. W 
 
 JOHNSON, E. A. 
 
 MYERS, MASON 
 
 JONES, A. A. 
 
 MILLER, J. T.
 
 244 
 
 SUBSCELBEKS 7 NAMES. 
 
 MACT, Jr., JOSIAH. 1 STRUBLE, ISAAC J. 
 
 McGEE, JAS. 1 SINCLAIR A. 
 
 MEISSNER, FRED. 
 
 STRACHAN, CHAS. W. 
 
 
 STEVENS, ASA. 
 
 K Y. PRODUCE EXCHANGE. 
 
 STUTZEK, HERMAN. 
 
 NASH, THOS. C. 
 
 SMITH, W. J. 
 
 NEWLIN, EDW'D. 
 
 SPEAR, CHARLES. 
 
 
 SMITH, H. W. 
 
 PARKER, C. 
 
 STEAHS, W. L. B. 
 
 PARKEK, F. H. 
 
 SMITH & Co., F. E. 
 
 PATRICK, ROBT. 
 PRESTON, WM. I. 
 
 SPAULDING, A. S. 
 SANFORD, CARL. 
 
 POWER, WM. H. 
 
 SIMONS, A. H. 
 
 PAXSON, WM. 
 
 SMITH, CORNELIUS. 
 
 PHILLIPS & Co. 
 
 SQUIRES, A. L. 
 
 POPHAM, WM. H. 
 
 SCHOONMAKER, L. H. 
 
 PARTRICK, GEO. F. 
 
 STONE, GEO. C. 
 
 POWELL, Jr., WM. 
 
 SMITH & Co., GEO. 
 
 PAULES, JOHN H. 
 
 SKIDMORE, C. H. 
 
 PARKER, CHAS. F. 
 PATNE, WM. H. 
 
 SlLBEKHORN, W. H. 
 
 STORY, W. H. 
 
 PEEK, P. F. 
 
 SHOTWELL, H. W. 
 
 POTTER, J. W. 
 
 SHOTWELL, THEO. 
 
 PATTERSON, CLAPP & Co. 
 
 SERGEANT. A. J. 
 
 PHINNEY, E. S. 
 
 SUYDAM, WALTER L, 
 
 PARKINSON, ROBERT. 
 
 STENSON, SAMUEL. 
 
 POUCH, A. J. 
 
 SHAFER, N. B. 
 
 
 STEPHENSON, FRED. 
 
 ROBERTS, WM. P. 
 
 SCHEDLER&CO., F. X. 
 
 RICE, L. J. 
 
 SEAGER, J. C. 
 
 RANDOLPH, T. E. F. 
 
 
 ROBBINS, S. T. 
 
 TRAVIS, W. S. 
 
 ROGERS, G. 
 
 TEFFT, P. C. 
 
 ROMER, ALFRED. 
 RICH, C. E. 
 
 TALLMAN, J. H. 
 TRIPP & KETCHAM. 
 
 ROUNDEY, B. R 
 
 TOBEY, JNO. A. 
 
 ROUSE, MARTIN. 
 
 TRIGG, GEO P. 
 
 REED, HORATIO. 
 
 TURNER, JAS. R. 
 
 REED, H. M. 
 
 THOMAS, W. W. 
 
 ROOD, L. W. 
 
 TOMPKINS, H. W. 
 
 ROHE, CHAS. 
 
 TONJES, CHAS. F. 
 
 REED & Co., I. H. 
 
 THOMAS, EVAN. 
 
 ROBERTS, A. F. 
 
 THORNE, J. W. 
 
 RICE, E. C. 
 
 TOBEY & BOOTH. 
 
 ROBERSON, S. 
 
 TITUS, EDMUND. 
 
 RYDER, S. O. 
 
 TRENCH, JOHN. 
 
 ROBB, J. W. 
 
 THALLON, ROBT. 
 
 ROGERS, H. C. 
 
 
 ROCKEFELLER, WM. 
 
 VAN WAGONER, P. H. 
 
 
 VAN TASSEL, E. M. 
 
 SPRING, A. 
 
 VOORHEES, W. K 
 
 SINCLAIR & Co., JNO. 
 
 VAIL, D. S.
 
 SUBSCRIBERS NAMES. 
 
 245 
 
 VAN WAGENEN, C. D. 
 VAN TASSEL, J. A. 
 VATABLE, H. A. 
 VALENTINE, STEPHEN. 
 
 WORK, W. A. 
 WATTS & MATTTEWS. 
 WooDBiniY, F. P. 
 WALKER, JAMES. 
 WEBB, HENRY. 
 WOOLSEY, T. B. 
 WRIGHT & BYRNE. 
 WHITMAN, E. S. 
 WOLFE, N. H. 
 WILCOX & Co., W. J. 
 WARD, J. S. 
 
 WILLIAMS & Co., H. 
 WILLIAMS, W. 
 WELCH, P. A. 
 WARD, H. C. 
 WYNKOOP, JAS. D. 
 WILLIAMSON, WM. 
 WHITLOCK, GEO. 
 WALKER, E. H. 
 WARNER, A. 
 WEEKS, FORSTER J. 
 
 YELLOWLEE, B. A. 
 YOUKQ, J. S. 
 YALE, AMERTON. 
 YEOMANS, S. A.
 
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