Chapter XIII

About eleven months ago, the author of these chapters received a note and a ticket from Daniel Lynch, James Swords, Daniel F. Sullivan, John White, Daniel Lucy and Peter Brady, inviting him to attend a grand soiree of the Walton club, to take place at the old Walton House, 326 Pearl street, on Thursday evening, March 14, 1861. The writer could not go, and from then until now has heard no more of the matter; but he supposes it is a club got up to do honor to an honored old merchant name, for such were the "Waltons." So believing, he at the time determined to recognise the intended kindness, by giving one chapter at least to those "Waltons." I have frequently said something about them; in this chapter I will say more, and if the club is in existence yet, I hope they will take it as a sort of acknowledgement of past favors, and if I throw any more light upon the Waltons, I shall be glad of it.

There seems to have been a family of William Waltons flourishing in London, as well as New York, for two hundred years back, and mixed up, too, with South American affairs. One wrote a "History of South America" many years ago; and one William Walton, as late as the regency of George IV. of England, wrote an "Appeal"—quite a book, showing how beneficial it would be to Great Britain if she would aid the South American republics in getting rid of the wretched Spanish authority. I dare say, these London Waltons, who must have resided long in South America, to be able to write so learnedly about those matters, were nearly related to our New York family. They were merchants as well as statesmen. So, too, in New York city. Among our great merchants of the olden time we have numbered several Waltons. The first of the name was Robert Walton, a counsellor to the Earl of Belmont. He had his ship-yards then and as late as 1728. The "Walton" house, now 328 Pearl (formerly 68 Queen,) had a garden that reached the river. At that time the river came up to where Water street now is, and all along from Peck slip to what is now Roosevelt street, were ship-yards. In 1728, the first ship-yard was Mr. Roosevelt's—the next, Mr. Walton's—the next Van Horn's. Walton's grounds extended up on Peck's hill, which was thirty feet higher than Franklin square now is, where he built in 1764. Benjamin Peck's wharf was on the south side of the slip, and at that time there was but one house (Peck's) on the south side of the slip. In 1800, it was called Walton wharf. There were four houses on Pearl between Peck slip and Beekman, and but one on the block where the Walton house now is. The ship-builder Walton, was the father of William Walton, who built the house in 1757, after the English model, and avoided the Dutch style. In 1762, it was illuminated in celebration of the Stamp Act repeal. It has five windows in front, is constructed of yellow Holland brick, has a double pitched roof covered with tiles, and a double row of balustrades thereon. Its garden extended to the river. William Walton was a merchant descendant from the ship-builder. He was one of the Council, and made his wealth by trading among the Spaniards of South America and Cuba.

Old William Walton was one of the first trustees of the New York Society Library, in 1754, and was associated with John Watts, Hon. Joseph Murray, Peter Van Brugh Livingston and Peter Ketteltas, merchants. He was then one of His Majesty's council. His famous "Walton House" is even yet the pride of old New York. The entrance hall is in the centre of the building, and has large, old fashioned parlors. The portico is supported by two fluted columns, and surmounted with the armorial bearings of the Walton family. It is fifty feet in front, three stories high, the brick relieved by brown stone water tables, lintels and jams. The old man was a bachelor. He left it to his nephew, the late Hon. William Walton, in 1846.

The first William was called "Boss" Walton. The word Bos had a meaning in Dutch, in 1754, not since as well understood. It was originally Baas, and means master—a name repugnant to democrats, although few object to recognize a Boss.

William Walton, the nephew of old Boss William Walton, lived at No. 67 Queen street, in 1792, and his brother Gerard at No. 68 Queen. The elder William, in 1745 resided in Hanover square. He in that locality made a contract with Spaniards in St. Augustine, and made a large fortune. He built his house out of town. The reason of his choice was that he owned the land, it being the ship-yard of the Waltons. The elder Walton was a prince of a merchant. He was very hospitable, and he gave the most splendid entertainments, even for the bountiful age in which he lived.

In 1759 the city had over 10,000 inhabitants. That year the old French war terminated, and Canada was conquered for the British, and the province of New York relieved from all danger of any more French or Indian incursions and massacres. Of course the city of New York was joyful, and celebrated the event. The British army came from Canada to New York, and all were received as heroes. "Boss" Walton opened his house, and gave the most costly entertainments. His table was spread with a feast of decanters filled with the choicest liquors and wines. The sideboard groaned with its weight of brilliant, massive silver.

Afterwards, when the Bank of New York was chartered, and when it began business in June 9, 1784, it opened in one of the parlors of the Walton House. A. McDougal was the President, and William Seton the cashier. William Walton No. 2 was a director.

I believe the name of the ship-yard owner Walton was Robert. He was, as I have stated, a member of the Council when the Earl of Belmont was the Governor, and then attended the Council meetings that were held at Fort William Henry.

It was while the same Robert Walton was mayor, from 1720 to 1724, that the first regular duties on imported European goods were laid. It was but two per cent., but it was the first tariff in this city.

To be sure, his ship-yard in 1796 must have been in striking contrast with one of the present day. Yet, I dare say, he made as much money then as a ship-builder does now. The whole tonnage that came into New York in those years was about one hundred, of which forty were square-rigged, and sixty sloops. Boats were extensively used in those years, and of course were all built here. The square-rigged vessels did not probably average over 110 tons each, and not over one quarter were built or owned in New York. Most of the ships were built at Walton's and other ship-yards. From 1720 to 1724 Robert Walton was mayor of the city of New York. Abraham Walton, who figured in the Revolution, and who was one of the committee of safety for the city and county of New York in 1775, was a brother of William Walton, who was also a member of that committee, and both were nephews of Boss Walton. Abraham was a vestryman of Trinity church from 1782 to 1784. He was also in the first Provincial Congress in 1775, from New York city.

Gefard Walton was a brother of William, also. He was governor of the New York Hospital from 1789 to 1799—ten years. He was Vice-President and also President of the board of governors. During a portion of that time, Jacob was also a governor until 1777. William was a life member, but now a governor.

All the Waltons were connected with the chamber of commerce. William was treasurer from 1771 to 1772. He was Vice-President from 1772 to 1774, and again from 1783 to 1784. He was President from 1774 to 1785. Gerard was Vice-President from 1783 to 1785. Jacob was Vice-President from 1781 to 1783.

Gerard Walton stood six feet two inches high. He attended Trinity church, and sat in the family pew.

I am inclined to think that during the Revolution the Waltons—William, Gerard, and Abraham—sided with the English; for, as soon as it was over, they all joined the St. George's Society, in 1786. Jacob had died, or he would have joined it too.

Abraham, after the war, did merchandizing at 137 Water street. His son, Abraham M., was a lawyer, and lived with his father, afterwards, for many years—1796 to 1801—at 59 Wall street. He died wealthy. Old Abraham died in 1794, but his widow lived in that house, which would now be 269 Water street, being a part of the old Walton ship-yard property; as it was, of course, a water front, they continued to own as it was filled up.

About the time Abraham died, in 1795, old William Walton, who has figured so extensively, and who was in so many grand institutions, and who was nephew to the "Boss," moved to 220 William street, and resided there for two years.

Gerard Walton, in 1796, was Vice-President of the New York Western and Northern Canal Company.

In 1806, William Walton died, and the old mansion came into the possession of his heir, James De Lancey Walton, who lived in No. 326 until 1835, where, I believe, he died. He was morose, and no one ever was intimate with or knew aught about him.

Admiral Gerard Walton died in 1821. Among many curious things is the receipt book of William Walton.

This William Walton, who died in 1806, was one of the original founders of the Marine Society of New York. He is named as one of the original incorporators by George the Third, in 1770. His funeral was a grand affair. It took place at the old mansion, and from thence where the body had lain in state for several days. All the rooms were flung open in that house, and also in the adjoining house, occupied by the Admiral. Refreshments of cakes and meats were served, and the choicest wines, for the Waltons were celebrated for their old wines. There was no religious service at the house, but the body was conveyed to St. George's Church in Beekman street, where a public funeral service was performed. I think the body was buried there in one of the vaults. William Walton was a vestryman in the church. He was a short, thick-set man. Neighbors used to designate them as the "short" and the "long" Waltons. He was a single man. James De Lancey was a nephew of this William Walton. James, a son of old Isaac Roosevelt, who was President of the Bank of New York, when it was in the Walton mansion, married a Miss Walton. I think she was a niece of this William, and a daughter of the Admiral Gerard.

The Rev. Dr. William Walton, who married the daughter of Dr. Seabury, is a son of this Gerard Walton, who was a half-pay Admiral in the British Navy. His widow still lives with her son at 39 West Twenty-second street.

After the death of William Walton there was a grand sale of choice wines at the old mansion, such as was never before or since.

The Waltons were a singular, proud race. They had their dignified style of amusement, but the mass of the community knew no more about them than if they had lived in London.

The last of the Waltons who used to dwell in the old mansion, used frequently to visit and make purchases at the store of the celebrated Bonafanti, now nearly forgotten. Excellent Bonafanti, favorite child of the Muses! Those chaps, Smith Brothers, who keep a poet, did not originate poetical ideas in partnership with trade. Bonafanti kept everything in the fancy line. His was the original variety store. So remarkable was he is this regard, on one occasion he was made the subject of a bet.

"You cannot name an article," said an enthusiastic New Yorker, "that our Joe Bonafanti don't keep."

"I'll bet you ten dollars that I can," said a southerner from Charleston, to whom the boast was made.

"Done!" said the New Yorker. "Now let us go up to Bonafanti's."

Up they went. Mr. Bonafanti was, as usual, all smiles. He handed to each a new poem on a sheet just printed that day.

"Vat kan I do for you, sair?"

"Mr. Bonafanti, I wish to purchase a second-hand pulpit; can you supply me?"

"Segond-hand pulpit. Oh, yees sir. Sammee," (calling out to some one up stairs,) "get out a segond hand pulpit for de gentleman to see."

"Yes, sir; all ready," replied Sam.

"Here, Bob, take this ten," said South Carolina. "I've lost. Now, Mr. Bonafanti, I will buy some goods of you, but not pulpits."

The joke was told Bonafanti, who was quite delighted. Bonafanti and his splendid stock and harmonious poetry made him a great favorite with the fashionable dames of New York. A fan, or opera gloves, card case, pocket-book, purse, eye-glass must be purchased of Bonafanti. Lucky was this for the young beginner. It brought grist to his mill. That poetry was deemed wonderful, and it would have been had it been written by Bonafanti. But it was not. The mad poet. McDonald Clark, wrote it, or Woodworth, the poet. The author of "The Old Oaken Bucket" was alive and poor at that time, and I think he was one of Bonafanti's poets, for in after years the sons of the poet Woodworth succeeded to the business of Bonafanti. I could write a book about Bonafanti, but it would be a "sealed book" to all but old time New Yorkers.

The Waltons, as well as all of the very old merchants in this city, were extremely methodical. It was much more so one hundred years ago than is the case now. I speak of merchants in this city. Every young man or boy in those days, who wished to become a merchant, was obliged to go through a few years of preparatory education as he would have to do if intended for what is called a learned profession. The system of the colleges are not as strict as was the discipline of an old New York merchant. The lad was practiced in writing month after month, until he was capable of writing rapidly and correctly that grand old round commercial handwriting we see among ancient bocks or documents; such as John Hancock used when he signed the Declaration of Independence, for he was a merchant, and had been regularly brought up to business.

I presume that the habit of thoroughly educating young clerks was copied from the customs in the counting houses of the old merchants, in Amsterdam or London. In fact, many of our leading merchants, sixty or eighty years ago had received their education abroad. Compared with those years, there is scarcely any pains taken now to make a merchant of the old school. In former years a clerk took his regular degrees. He was first set to delivering goods from the store—taking accounts of the marks and the number of the packages. He was also obliged to deliver goods and to keep correct accounts of such as he received in store or delivered to purchasers. In doors he was obliged to copy letters; when the clerk could do that correctly and neatly without making an error or a blot, then he was promoted to making duplicates of letters to go by the packet ships. Then he was promoted to copying accounts. Next, he was trusted with the responsible duty of making these accounts. All was a perfect system. One clerk instructed and one inspected the work of another. It was impossible to make mistakes. The book-keeper too was an institution in the olden time. He was more important than he is now, as the older a commercial firm is even now, the greater is the consideration with which they treat the book-keeper.

In other years the retail business was nothing to what it is now. Those who did that kind of business were not regarded as merchants. They were called shop-keepers, or in some cases "mongers." Of course there were not any such immense retail stores as Stewart's. Our ancestors could hardly have conceived of such an establishment as Stewart & Co.'s, that employs 200 to 300 clerks. I do not suppose that up to 1780, there were three retail stores in New York, that employed over three clerks to wait upon their customers.

Ireland has been the birthplace of many remarkable men, but never has she sent from her shore a more sagacious one than A. T. Stewart. Our land has fostered the Frenchman Girard, of Philadelphia, and the German Astor, and they died worth millions; but they never, even at a great age, reached the wealth of the Merchant Stewart. He is yet in the gristle of his success, and not hardened into the bone of mammoth, overgrown wealth. Stewart is this day worth fourteen to twenty millions of dollars. He owns more reap estate than Astor, and if he lives ten years longer, Mr. Stewart will probably be worth from twenty to thirty millions of dollars.

In 1848 he moved to his present marble palace. He had bought Washington Hall of young John Coster for $60,000, and for a, few thousand dollars more two additional buildings and lots on Broadway, corner of Chambers street. Upon this magnificent site he erected the present store. The whole cost of the ground and the palace erected did not reach $300,000. To-day it would sell at auction for from $800,000 to 1,000,000.

He paid patroon Van Rensselaer $530,000 for the Metropolitan Hotel and out-buildings. It is now worth and pays an interest of ten. per cent, on $1,000,000, and would bring at auction $800,000. He owns nearly all of Bleecker street, between Broadway and his present residence, and in fact owns more real estate than any other man in New York, except it may be Mr. Wm. B. Astor.