The old merchants of New York City / by Walter Barrett.

OF JNE W YORK CITY.

179

it was fortunate for the country that he held such an
important position. He could get credit and obtain
what was wanted on his own means, when the young
nation could not. In this way he advanced large sums
to the army and to the Continental Congress. At one
time matters were so bad that the resources of Congress
had entirely failed, and yet a supply of clothing and
shoes, &c., for a destitute army, was an absolute necessity. It was then our New York merchant showed the
stuff he was made of. He sold his own store, " Golden Anvil," corner of Broadway and Liberty street, for
cash, and of the amount he received he spent ~1,600
for the relief of the army.
All that he ever received from this outlay was the
amount, at the close of the war, in worthless continental money. He never woul( wear any article of foreign manufacture. His wedding suit, even as early as
when he married Miss Goelet, was of domestic stuff.
April 8, 1782, he was appointed State Auditor, and
held the office until 1797, when it was changed to
Comptroller. He lived at 217 Water street. In 1789
he was Assistant Alderman of the Dock Ward.
In 1798 this old hero merchant died of yellow fever.
He was buried in the vault of the Middle Dutch Church,
where the Post Office now is.
His remains were removed from there in 1817, and
transferred to Beechwood Cemetery in New Rochelle,
and deposited with the remains of his daughter, Mrs.
Jane Roosevelt. She was the wife of Elbert Roosevelt, of Pelham.. His residence was pleasantly situated
on the side of the Sound, and has fine views of Long
Island and the surrounding shore. I have had considerable to say about the New York City Roosevelts.
This branch claim 1 ' *:! friom Claes Marteneze Van