Chapter XXXVII

So many importers of brandy, wines, and other choice fluids, are now in existence, that it is hardly possible to realize so far back as when the business was confined to a very few persons.

Mr. Kennedy, of the firm of Barre & Kennedy, was a nephew of Robert Lenox, and was named James Lenox Kennedy. As before stated, he resided at Jalapa, Mexico. An anecdote is told of him in connection with the American army during the war with Mexico. When it was approaching Jalapa, under General Scott, with the evident design of capturing that ill-fated city, a deputation of the citizens was sent to Scott to beg off. At the head of the delegation was J. L. Kennedy. Scott had known him from the time of boyhood. They asked the great American commander to make a detour, and pass Jalapa harmlessly. The General, probably out of good feeling to an old New Yorker, as much as from any other cause, granted their request.

When this determination became known in Jalapa, the inhabitants loaded every animal they could find with the most luscious fruits, and everything eatable or drinkable, and dispatched the caravan to the troops.

Two of the principal importers, in the early part of this century, were two Frenchmen. One was named Stephen Jumel. He came out from France in 1798, and for many years kept a store at 39 Stone street, where he did a heavy business. He kept the same 15 years. He was afterward, for a long time, at No. 69 Liberty street near Broadway; and, still later, in Pearl street, corner of Whitehall. He coined money. He was twice married. For his second wife he married his housekeeper, and when he died–as he had no children by either wife–he left the last all his money and real estate.

His country mansion is still standing out of town, near the High Bridge. Madam Jumel sold three acres of it for bridge purposes at a high figure.

Madam Jumel, since her first husband's death, has been twice married. Once to the celebrated Aaron Burr. The latter kept his law office at the time, and up to 1836, at 23 Nassau street, where he practiced law.

Dr. J. Xavier Chabert, the Fire King, once so celebrated, and who was a benefactor to the city in the sad times of 1832, also married a wealthy lady. Dr. Chabert was a very remarkable man. His profession was botanic physician. I do not know when the Doctor came here. I think he was a brother or son of Etienne Chabert, a tailor who kept at 103 Chambers street, about forty-six years ago. The Doctor exhibited himself up to the year 1831. After the cholera he opened a regular shop at 322 Broadway, next to corner of Pearl, and where Bowen, McNamee & Co. have their marble palace dry goods store. After Dr. Chabert's death, his wife remained a widow.

Stephen Jumel was a fine, noble-hearted old Frenchman as ever lived. As I have said before, his great rival in the brandy and wine trade was another Frenchman named John Juhel. He was almost the same name as Jumel—an h instead of an m made the only difference. Mr. Juhel came over before 1800, and kept his store at 160 Greenwich, next to Courtlandt street. He afterward moved up to 42 Warren street, in the war time, and there kept until he died. He left no children.

For the information of my readers, I here insert a catalogue of the articles sold in the war time (1813) in the liquor line:

WINES:—Maderia, Sherry, Teneriffe, Lisbon, Malaga, Fayal, Port, Claret. No Champagne was ever advertised.

BRANDY:—Cognac, Spanish, Cette, Peach, Country.

CORDIALS:—York Rum, All Fours, Stoughton Bitters, Metheglin, Cherry Bounce, Cherry Brandy, Raspberry, Liquor d'Or, Creme de Caffe, Anizette, Pennyroyal, Baum, Wintergreen, Mint, Aqua Mirables, No yeau, Rosa Solis, Mount Pelieur, Rattifia, Citron, Cinnamon, Ladies Comfort, Usquebaugh, Orange, Life of Man, double distilled, Life of Man, single distilled, Peppermint, double and single distilled.

SPIRITS:—Jamaica, Antigua, St. Croix, W. I. Island, N. England.

GIN:—Holland, York Anchor, Country, Old Irish Whisky, Old Shrub, Cider Spirits, Alcohol, Highwines, Spirits of Wine.

And iron liquor for leather dressers' use.

Most of these articles were imported, although cordial making had been carried on some time by Michael Miller, who married the sister of John Jacob Astor, and who came out with the latter. Miller went first into the tailor business, in Elizabeth street, Bowery in 1792. Afterward, about twelve years, he went into the business of distilling cordials at 11 Barley street. It ran from Broadway to Church street (now Duane.) Some years later he removed to 80 Duane street, where he kept within the recollection of many of my readers, and lived next door. After his death, his son carried on the cordial distillery until he died, in 1846. Michael Miller left tailoring to get into the distillery business in a singular manner. J. J. Astor's sister married in Germany, before she came out here, a Mr. George Ehninger, who was a cordial distiller. He was about the first to commence that kind of business in the United States, and was extremely clever. He died from the effects of an accident caused while burning spirits. After his death, his widow married Michael Miller, taught him the secrets of the business, and carried it on with him for years. I have said part of this before.

Still, the real French cordials were so far superior to those manufactured here, that the sale of the latter was very limited. I presume both Jumel and Juhel kept them.

One cold winter afternoon, a cart was passing the store of old Mr. Jumel, when he kept corner of Pearl and Whitehall. It was very slippery. The horse slipped, fell, and broke his leg. The cart contained a pipe of brandy, belonging to Mr. Juhel. The pipe rolled off, and was smashed. This was worth a great deal of money in those days. Juhel's cartman was hurt himself, and had lost a horse worth $150. Old Jumel came out of his store and joined the crowd, who were expressing their sympathy and regrets. "Poor fellow!" said one. "What a pity!" exclaimed another. Old Jumel pulled off his hat, and exclaimed, "Aha! You all pitty, eh! —how much you pitty?—I pitty ten dollar!" and he put that amount in the hat. Then he passed it around among the crowd. His generous sympathy was extensively imitated, and he collected in his hat over $150. He gave it to the worthy cartman of his rival, Mr. Juhel.

I am not aware that either of these French worthies and merchants of the olden time have left any descendants. I think not.

As we are on the eve of a war that will try the resources of the kings of commerce before it is through with, it is curious to look back and remember the names of the great commercial firms who survived the war of 1812. That war tried the merchants of this city. Many survived it, with unimpaired credit, if not cash. Goodhue & Co., were among that lot; so were Archibald Gracie & Sons. N. & D. Talcott, large cotton merchants—sons brokers in these days. There was Cambreling & Pearson, a great house. C. C. Cambreling was of that firm,—still alive, and many years a democratic member of Congress from this city, in times when it was an honor to be a member from commercial New York. Pearson was Isaac G.—a great real estate operator in later years, and president of the Relief Insurance Company.

Andrew Foster, an old merchant, who was in business in 1800, in Greenwich street—afterward moved to 65 South street, where he was during the war, and long years after. The firm was afterward Foster & Giraud, and still later, Andrew Foster & Sons. Mr. Giraud was once a cooper. His father was a cooper before him, and several of his brothers were hard working coopers, and a credit to the city.

Another great house that stood through the war, and exists at this day, is De Rham & Moore. Henry C. De Rham was Swiss born. When he came to this country, I do not exactly know, but it was about 1806 to 1808. He started business at 79 Washington street, a few doors from Le Roy, Bayard & McEvers. His residence was at 60 Greenwich street. In youth or in a venerable old age, there probably never was a finer looking man than Henry C. De Rham. He is one of those men that the perfect stranger to him may meet, and will look around after he has passed, and wonder what celebrated man he is. After moving from Greenwich street, Mr De Rham lived many years in that aristocratic quarten known as Park place.

After the war, Mr. De Rham formed a partnership with Mr. I. Iselin, who had been a partner in the house of Le Roy, Bayard & Co. Mr. Iselin was another fine man, and an old school merchant. When De Rham & Iselin kept at 44 Broad street, Mr. Iselin lived at No. 36 Laight street, on the north side of St. John's Park. His fate was a melancholy one. He was drowned in a Swiss lake near Geneva, about the time of the great financial panic in 1837. He had several sons, and fine young men they are. Two sons are of the firm of Iselin & Co. (formerly Mauran & Iselin.) They gave $3,000 to the war fund a few days ago, as their father, Le Roy, Bayard & Co., gave $20,000 in 1812. Another son is a broker in Wall street.

H. C. De Rham married Maria Teresa Moore. Her brother Benjamin was his clerk a long while, and afterward one of the firm of De Rham, Iselin & Moore. He died some years ago. Another brother, William, was taken into the firm, which is now called De Rham & Moore. These Moores are of a very ancient stock. They boast direct descent from Thomas De Moore, a Norman, who went skylarking with William the Conqueror into England, in 1066. John Moore came to this country in 1657. Among his descendants were two very celebrated persons. The great Bishop Samuel Moore, who died in 1816, and the eminent Dr. William Moore, father of Benjamin and William, and of Mrs. De Rham.

Mr. De Rham's commercial house has been in existence over half a century. He has done an enormous business, but in a quiet, unobtrusive way, not making half the noise created by a Canal street shopkeeper every spring. He had been the Swiss Consul many years.

The concern has ever imported largely in dry goods, principally from France, Switzerland and Germany. But they have also done a very large commission business, and sold cargoes of all kinds of merchandise.

They have been for many years the heaviest buyers of "bills" in the market. Always buying exchanges to remit to their correspondents in Europe. Recently they have done a large and profitable banking business. During the most prosperous time of the French packet-ships, the owner, old Francis Depau, built and named one of his crack packet-ships the "De Rham," after his friend, H. C. De Rham. She was commanded by Captain De Peyster, the superintendent of the Sailors' Snug Harbor, at Staten Island.

God seems to bless and prosper patriots, and especially patriotic merchants.

There were hard times in the war with England, in 1812 to 1814. It was with the greatest difficulty money could be had. Mr. Madison was President, and George W. Campbell was Secretary of Treasury. On some occasions, the Government was very glad to borrow small sums from different individuals in this city.

On the 8th of February, 1813, Congress passed an act authorizing the borrowing of $16,000,000. Proposals were advertised, but it proved a lamentable failure. Only $3,965,400 was offered.

Finally a few merchants, headed by the celebrated Jacob Barker, opened a subscription list, and among them Henry C. De Rham subscribed $32,300.

Many of the names mentioned in these chapters took part in this loan.

Harman Hendricks took $42,000. He died leaving a large property. The loan prospered him. His sons continue business.

Boorman & Johnson took $10,000. That firm still exists.

John F. Delaplaine took $10,000. He is dead, but his son Isaac lives-is very rich, and a member of Congress from this city.

Stephen Whitney took $10,000. He is dead. Henry A. and John G. Coster took $100,000. Both of them are dead.

Bradhurst & Field took $5,000. One was John M. Bradhurst, who died rich. Mr. Field was father of the Fields. B. & F. were wholesale druggists.

Jacob M. & John M. Hicks took $2,000. They died rich. They were Quakers.

W. H. Ireland took $2,000. He is rich and prosperous.

Majahre & Tardy was an old and wealthy French house. John G. Tardy was the partner. He was father to the present John A. Tardy, noticed in a former chapter.

James McBride took $10,000. He was an importer of Irish linens. Lived in College place many years. His daughter married Judge Vanderpoel.

Peter Crary took $10,000. He was one of the great dry goods house of P. & I. S. Crary & Co., in Pearl street.

Peter H. Schenck took $10,000. I wrote much about him in a former chapter. So also of Thomas H. Smith, the old tea merchant, who took $10,000, and died owing the Government $3,000,000.

Thaddeus Phelps took $10,000. He was a great merchant, but awfully profane. He lived in Park place many years. Was a great Democrat in Jackson's time. A daughter married Governor Mason, of Michigan.

Smith & Nicoll, great tea merchants, took $100,000. They failed in after years, but died rich. Their commercial career is all narrated in a previous chapter of the "Old Merchants."

We cannot give anything more agreeable this week, than a list of our patriot citizens forty-eight years ago. Many of them are alive now. Of those dead, their descendants will be proud to read the patriot names.

John Rathbone & Son, $20,000; Jacob Barker, $100,000; Harman Hendricks, $40,000; Gabriel Havens, $10,000; John Bullus, $10,000; Brockholt Livings ton, $20,000; John Mason, $5,000; Stephen Whitney, $10,000; Freeman Allen, $25,000; Thaddeus Phelps, $10,000; John L. Brown, $20,000; Smith & Nicoll, $100,000; Walsh & Gallagher, $10,000; Post & Min turn, $50,000; John Howland, $50,000; Benjamin Huntington, $10,000; Wright & Allen, $30,000; Ayer Bremner, $30,000; George W. Murray, $10,000; Robert Chesebrough, $10,000; Jonas S. Roulet, $10,000; John Colvill & Son, $20,000; Norwood & Austin, $10,000; H. C. De Rham, $32,300; Samuel Tooker, $20,000; W. & S. Vandervoort, $10,000; Robert Ainslow, $10,000; Joseph Icard, $20,000; Boorman & Johnson, $10,000; L. Bleecker, $30,000; T. H. Smith, $10,000; J. F. Delaplaine & Co., $10,000; John Taylor, $150,000; Isaac Clason, $500,000; Lawrence & Van Buren, $10,000; Theodore Fowler, $150,000; Philip Brasher, $50,000; Kelly & Morrison, $20,000; Mollan & Rankin, $20,000; Tetere1 & Williams, $20,000; Gurdon S. Mumford, $20,000; Benjamin Bailey, $10,000; Peter H. Schenck, $10,000; I. Prall, $10,000; Abraham Riker & Co., $10,000; John Clendening, $20,000; Thomas & Peter Stagg, 25,000; Joseph Dederic, $10,000; Rensselaer Havens, $20,000; James McBride, $10,000; Peter Murphy, $10,000; Walter Morton, $10,000; John Grant, $10,000; James Thompson, $20,000; Thompson & Edgar, $10,000; Peter Crary, Jr., $10,000; Louis Larue, $25,000; Majahre & Tardy, $10,000; Irving & Smith, $50,000; F. & E. Irving & Co., $20,000; James C. Flack, $10,000; James Kelso, $10,000; Kelso & Cromp, $10,000; Bernard Keenan, $4,000; Garrit Storm, $10,000; Jose & W. Dunlap, $10,000; Austin & Andrews, $20,000; Jonathan Lawrence, $23,000; Alanson Douglas, $50,000; Isaac Jones, $4,000; Jeremiah F. Randolph, $10,000; G. B. Vroom, $500,000; Samuel Stillwell, $10,000; David Dunham, $10,000; Van Horn & Morris, $5,000; Isaac Lawrence, $25,000; James Lovett, $5,000; Nicolo Senchich, $40,000; Leonard Bleecker, $20,000; H. A. & J. G. Costar, $100,000; John Grant, $20,000; Peter Feviere, $10,000; Joseph Burr, $6,000; Bradhurst & Field, $5,000; F. Wildman, $4,000; Samuel Flewelling, $257,800; James Van Dyke, $5,000; S. M. Thomp- son, $10,000; P. & S. Wildman, $6,000; John & Jacob Drake, $10,000; John H. Douglas, $4,000; Philip S. Lebreton, $6,000; Mehitabel Hunting, $4,000; Samuel Watkins, $5,000; W. Holly, $5,000; Jacob & J. M. Hicks, $2,000; James Townsend, B. T. U., $2,000; B. T. Underhill, $2,000; John Lefferty, $2,500; B. Andariese, $2,000; Titus & Avery, $6,000; John Russ, $4,000; Irving & Smith, $5,000; John Shute, $10,000; Henry W. Bool, $6,000; Jeremiah Akerley, Jr., $12,000; James Weeks, $6,000; W. H. Ireland, $2,000; H. Ischer, $5,000; Abraham Bishop $25,000; Luther Loomis, $5,000; Whitehead Fish, $250,000; Fred DePeyster, $25,000; Francis Depau, $20,000; Edmund Elmendorf, $5,000; W. P. Van Ness, $25,000; Walter Bowen, $20,000; William Van Ness, $20,000; Alexander Ferguson, $200; David De la Pierre, $3,000; Federick Brune, $15,000; James R. Wilson, $30,000; Earl De Pearce, $5,000.

The foregoing list should be preserved. The descendants of those old true New York merchants may well be proud of them. Money was not so plenty in 1813 as now, and in those days the merchant who was worth $100,000 was considered well off.

Government could not raise money except at a discount of fifteen per cent.

If the merchants and capitalists of 1861 were to offer a loan to Government as liberally as the list above, it would be one hundred millions, for ten millions loan in 1813 was a far greater affair than a hundred millions would be in 1861.