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

OF.N'EW YORK CITY.

205

$28,000, was sold to Jonathan Ogden - I think for
about $9,500. Everything was very much depressed at
that period. Mr. Ogden, was a vestryman of Trinity
Church for many years.
In 1826, Mr. Ogden was an immense shipper of cotton or flour. He lost very heavily, but did not fail; he
reduced his expenses, and remained in the old house,
No. 4 State street.
In 1825, the house of Ogden, Day & Co., in New
York, was changed to Ogden, Ferguson & Co. John
Ferguson, of this firm, married a daughter of the
Morewoods. He was an Englishman also. So, too,
was John Day, of this firm. Curious enough, there
was a large house of Ferguson & Day, that existed in
this city as early as 1803. It lasted until after the war
in 1814. They were " color merchants," alias paint
store.
Ogden, Ferguson & Co. continued until 1833, when
Jonathan Ogden died, and his son became the Ogden
of the firm. Old Mr. Ogden died in harness. He
never gave up business, but was at it steadily over forty
years. He was buried fi-om his house, No. 4 State
street; it is still standing. He was for many years a
prominent and influential member of the Chamber of
Commerce. He was Director in Banks, Insurance and
Benevolent Societies. He had several young men in
his employ as clerks, who afterwards became eminent as
merchai:ts. A. B. Lyde clerked it with him in 1803
went into business a year later. He was a relative of
the Hyde who a arried Miss Walton.
George Hunter, in 1804, was his clerk. He was a
son of a grocer. George, Junior, became in after years
a celebrated grocery merchant.
Another clerk, in 1805, was Henry Kermit. Ie