Robert Lenox Explained

Robert Lenox
Office:15th President of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York
Term Start:1798
Term End:1814
Predecessor:Walter Rutherfurd
Successor:James Tillary
Birth Date:31 December 1759
Birth Place:Kirkcudbright, Scotland
Death Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Children:12, including James Lenox

Robert Lenox (December 31, 1759 – December 13, 1839) was a Scottish-American merchant who served as the 15th president of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.[1]

Early life

Lenox was born on December 31, 1759, in the seaport town of Kirkcudbright on the southwest border of Scotland. He was one of eleven children born to James Lenox and Elizabeth (née Sproat) Lenox.

His paternal grandfather was William Lennox and his maternal grandfather was David Sproat, both from the parish of Kirkcudbright in Scotland.

Career

Just before the Revolutionary War, he emigrated to America with his brothers David and William. They first went to their uncle, David Sproat, a merchant in Philadelphia, who had come to America in 1760. His uncle joined the British Army at New York, and was appointed Commissary-General of Naval Prisoners in North America in the Autumn of 1779. His brother William was appointed British Commissary of Naval Prisoners in the South, based in Charleston, where he died in 1781. After schooling in Burlington, New Jersey, Robert joined his uncle and brother William in New York in 1783 where he was employed as clerk, and became "director of Flags of Truce."[2] [3]

His other brother David joined the Continental Army and was a major by the end of the war. After the War, David became a merchant in Philadelphia, where he died in 1828.

Shortly after the end of the War, Robert was joined by James Lenox, his youngest brother who came from Scotland, and established the merchant house of Jas. Lenox & Wm. Maitland in 1796. James retired from the firm in 1818 and returned to Scotland, where he died in 1839. The firm later became known as Kennedy & Maitland, Maitland, Phelps & Co., and later Maitland, Coppell & Co.[4]

Personal life

On September 1, 1783, Lenox was married to Rachel Carmer (1763–1843). Rachel was the daughter of Nicholas Carmer, a New York cabinet maker. Together, they were the parents of twelve children, but only six, five girls and one boy, lived to maturity:[4]

Lenox died at his residence, 59 Broadway in New York City on December 13, 1839. Upon his death, he left a fortune of over one million dollars and 30 acres of land between Fourth and Fifth Avenues to his only son,[9] who by 1855 was the third richest man in New York.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York . Roster of Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York with Biographical Data . 1911 . D. Taylor . 26 July 2019 . en. Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York .
  2. Web site: Dinner plates (12) . www.nyhistory.org . . 15 February 2019.
  3. Web site: Lenox family papers. archives.nypl.org. New York Public Library. 15 October 2017. en.
  4. Book: Morrison . George Austin . History of Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York, 1756-1906 . 1906 . . New York . 26 July 2019.
  5. Book: Reynolds . Cuyler . Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Building of a Nation . 1914 . Lewis Historical Publishing Company . 1294 . 15 February 2019 . en.
  6. News: DEATH OF JAMES LENOX; THE END OF A PHILANTHROPIC LIFE. THE RECORD OF HIS GENEROUS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CHARITIES--THE LENOX LIBRARY--A MAN WHO LOVED HIS FELLOWMEN.. 15 October 2017. The New York Times. 19 February 1880.
  7. News: MISCELLANEOUS CITY NEWS; THE WILL OF JAMES LENOX. A PHILANTHROPIC PROVISION MADE FOR THE LIBRARY BEARING HIS NAME.. 15 October 2017. The New York Times. 25 March 1880.
  8. Web site: Alethea Lenox (1807-1878) . www.nyhistory.org . . 30 July 2019.
  9. Web site: Miller. Tom. Daytonian in Manhattan: The Lost Lenox Mansion -- No. 53 5th Avenue. Daytonian in Manhattan. 15 October 2017. 12 August 2013.
  10. Book: Bancroft. Hubert Howe. The Book of Wealth: A Study of the Achievements of Civilization. 2015. Achievements of Civilization. 745. 15 October 2017. en.