GALLAUDET - THE SECOND GENERATION
1.1 JOHN GALLAUDET. Born 3 Jul 1720,
New Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Christened 17 Aug 1720, French Reformed Church, New York City, New York, New York. Died abt. 1794, New York City, New York, New York. John was a peruke (or wig) maker. He was later a “freeman” in New York City. He was christened with the French form of his name, “Jean.” Married 5 Apr 1748, Trinity Church, Newport, Newport, Rhode Island 1) HANNAH WHITEHORNE, daughter of John and Hannah (Kettle) Whitehorne. Born abt. 1722. Widow of John Rouse whom she had married in 1743. John appeared in the records of Newport, Rhode Island as a “barber.” Had child:
1.1.1 ELIZABETH GALLAUDET, b. abt. 1753.
Married 7 Aug 1760, New York City, New York, New York 2) CHARITY RICHARDS. John and Charity witnessed the christening of Elizabeth Richards, a daughter of her apparent brother and sister-in-law, George and Elizabeth Richards on May 30, 1779 at Trinity Church. This family appears to have been Anglican (later Episcopal) as all of their church appearances in New York were at Trinity. Had child:
1.1.2 GEORGE GALLAUDET, b. abt. 1761.
Married 22 Jul 1783, Trinity Church, New York City, New York, New York 3) MARY WILLIAMS. No doubt because of the year, Wilson reasonably states that this was a “(supposed)” son of John Gallaudet. Unfortunately there are no other records that can help us detect with certainty whether this was John, or a son of John. John’s son, George, (above) christened a child, John, in 1783, and named himself and “John Gallaudet” as godparents. But since he was naming himself a godfather, it doesn’t seem unreasonable that he might also name his own father. Additionally, neither the record of the marriage to Mary Williams nor the christening record of 1783 refers to “John Gallaudet, Jr.,” an expected designation when a father of the same name is still living. (“John Gallaudet, peruke maker,” appears in the New York City directories from 1789 to 1794. No other “John Gallaudet” appears in the 18th Century. This was, of course, the profession of John Gallaudet (1.1). The “Minutes of Common Council, New York City,” of November 1790, noted the following: “Ordered that Mr. Mayor issue his warrant on the Treasurer to pay etc. ---- To John Gaulaudet, a pauper, two pounds.”) It might be asked, was Charity (Richards) Gallaudet deceased by this time? It’s not known. However, the last record we have of her is at a christening in 1781, two years before the marriage of “John Gallaudet” to Mary Williams. So, while Wilson may well be correct, I lean, reluctantly, toward the third marriage theory. No children.
1.2 SUSANNA GALLAUDET. Born 2 Sep 1721,
New Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Christened 1 Jan 1722, French Reformed Church, New York City, New York, New York. No further record.
1.3 MARIA GALLAUDET. Born abt. 1723,
New Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Died after 1747, probably Port Richmond, Staten Island, Richmond, New York. Maria’s birth date is very tentative. Her name appears in the records of New York for the only time on 22 Apr 1747, when she witnessed the christening of Antye, daughter of Jacus Egberts and Catrina Backers in the Dutch Reformed Church of Staten Island. With no other record of Susanna ever appearing, it would seem that she died young, leaving Maria as the most likely (and apparently only) candidate to be the family’s long sought-after connection to the Wilmots. Timelines and the process of elimination suggests a strong possibility that Maria was the wife of James Wilmot. James’ signature appears on the 1769 document supporting the character of Paul Gallaudet, who had been charged with perjury. It was there stated that all signers were Paul’s relatives. James was also named an executor in the will of Thomas Gallaudet, written in 1765. He is mentioned in the published wedding announcement of his daughter Frances to Peter Allaire on November 15, 1780, and shows up in unrelated documents as late as 1788. Since Frances’ birthdate is given by descendants as 12 May 1753, it’s clear that James Wilmot was of the generation of the children of Pierre Elisee Gallaudet. The appearance of his name in both the 1769 document, and the will of Thomas Gallaudet is strongly suggestive of a sibling-type relationship, ie: brother-in-law. In the early 1780s, a woman named Blanche Beau made reference in her will to her “worthy friend” Mary, wife of James Wilmot. Could this have been Maria’s nickname or a misinterpretation? Or might this have been a second wife? This issue requires further research. No further record.
1.4 THOMAS GALLAUDET. Born abt. 1725,
New Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Died 1773, New York City, New York, New York. Buried at Old Brick Presbyterian Church Yard on Beeckman Street, New York City, New York, New York. Married 18 Aug 1752, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elizabeth, Essex, New Jersey, CATHARINE EDGAR. Born 1725. Died Dec 1774. Buried at the Edgar family lot, Presbyterian Church Yard, Woodbridge, New Jersey. Like John, Thomas was also a peruke maker. He is the forefather of the most famous branch of the family, the founders of the American School for the Deaf, Hartford, Connecticut, and Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Will proved in New York City, 16 Dec 1773. According to Wilson he died at age 48, placing his birth most likely in 1725. Rivington’s New York newspaper ran this ad on June 23, 1774: “Gallaudet, Thomas, dec’d--- house and lot in the street leading from the Shipyards to the Fresh-Water, late his property, are to be sold at auction by Sheriff J. Roberts.” Thomas left a family Bible that gave us a definitive record of his offspring. Had children:
1.4.1 EDGAR GALLAUDET, b. 1753.
1.4.2 PETER WALLACE GALLAUDET, b. 1756.
1.4.3 THOMAS GALLAUDET, b. 1758.
1.4.4 DAVID GALLAUDET, b. 1760.
1.4.5 THOMAS GALLAUDET, b. 1762.
1.4.6 CATHERINE GALLAUDET, b. 1766.
1.5 ELISHA GALLAUDET. Born abt. 1728,
New
Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Died
Mar 1779, Freehold, Monmouth, New Jersey. Administration
29 Mar 1779, Monmouth County, New Jersey. Married
abt. 1755, New York City, New York, New York 1) JEANNE
DUBOIS, daughter of Paul and Judith (Sicard) Dubois. Born
abt. 1732. Died abt. 1769, New York
City, New York, New York. Elisha
Gallaudet was a noted engraver and artist.
He likely first established a high-profile reputation in 1767, when a man
from North Carolina approached him to create plates with which to forge North
Carolina notes. Elisha turned the
man over to local magistrates who punished the perpetrator by having him
pilloried and lashed 39 times. Elisha’s
works include the first bookplate created for the New York Society Library in
1758. He also created medallions for Columbia University, which
were presented in 1767 to student Benjamin Moore in honor of his improvement in
the arts. Moore later became
President of the University, and second Protestant Episcopal Bishop of New York,
and was among those at the bedside of Alexander Hamilton when he died in 1804
following his famous duel with Aaron Burr.
Most notable is Elisha’s work in colonial and, later, “American”
currency. Elisha was selected to do
the engraving for the 1771 New York State currency, the New York City “Water
Works” notes of 1774 to 1776, as well as the “fractional notes” authorized
by the Continental Congress on February 17, 1776.
His most lasting work, however, is the so-called “1776 Continental
Dollar.” Named for its size as
its true denomination likely was never established, the coin was apparently
created as a demonstration for the Continental Congress.
When Congress, as well as the State of New York, stopped issuing
one-dollar paper notes, it is believed that Elisha’s coins were meant to take
their place. The silver that was to
be used to make these coins was expected to come as a loan to the “United
Colonies” from France, but the deal was never completed.
Elisha’s work on the coin was based on sketches apparently provided to
him by Benjamin Franklin, who worked with others.
Several varieties of the coin were made, with Elisha leaving his mark on
one of them, noting “EG FECIT,” meaning “Elisha Gallaudet made it.”
Today the “1776 Continental Dollar” is considered the pinnacle of any
collection of American coinage. Authentic
pieces typically sell for over $25,000. Elisha
and his family moved to Freehold, New Jersey sometime in the summer of 1776, to
escape the anticipated British occupation of New York City, and possible
bombardment by British naval forces. Had
children:
1.5.1
JEANNE
CHARLOTTE GALLAUDET, b. 1756.
1.5.2 PAUL GALLAUDET, b. 1757.
1.5.3 JUDITH GALLAUDET, b. 1758.
1.5.4 MARIE GALLAUDET, b. 1760.
1.5.5 SARA/SARAH GALLAUDET, b. abt. 1761.
1.5.6 JOSEPH GALLAUDET, b. 1763.
1.5.7 FRANCES GALLAUDET, b. abt. 1767.
Married 24 Nov 1770, New York City, New York, New York 2) NAOMI READE. Born Apr 1729. Died 13 Apr 1809. Naomi was the administratrix at Elisha’s passing in 1779. Naomi was 41 at the time of her marriage to Elisha, suggesting that this may have been a second marriage for her as well, and that Reade may not have been her maiden name. Had child:
1.5.8 ELISHA GALLAUDET, JR., b. abt. 1772.
1.6 ELIZABETH GALLAUDET. Born abt. 1730,
New Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Married 2 Nov 1752, Trinity Church, New York City, New York, New York, GILBERT BEESLEY. Elizabeth’s estimated birthdate is tentative, and based on her marriage date. No further record.
1.7 LEAH GALLAUDET. Born 19 Nov 1736,
Probably Staten Island, Richland, New York. Died 8 Feb 1811, Granville, Annapolis, Nova Scotia. Married 11 Feb 1759, Trinity Church, New York City, New York, New York, JOSHUA DE ST. CROIX, son of Moses and Marie (Gaure) de St. Croix. Born abt. 1733. Died 13 Mar 1805, Annapolis, Nova Scotia. Joshua and Leah were among the signers of the petition on behalf of her brother, Paul, in 1769. As Loyalists during the Revolution, Joshua, Leah, and family moved to Nova Scotia. Had children:
1.7.1 THOMAS DE ST. CROIX, b. 1760.
1.7.2 MARY (MARIE) DE ST. CROIX, b. 1762.
1.7.3 JOSHUA DE ST. CROIX, b. 1764.
1.7.4 PETER DE ST. CROIX, b. 1766.
1.7.5 LEAH DE ST. CROIX, b. 1769.
1.7.6 MADELINE DE ST. CROIX, b. 1770.
1.7.7 MADELINE DE ST. CROIX, b. 1772.
1.7.8 BENJAMIN DE ST. CROIX, b. 1776.
1.8 ESTHER / HESTER GALLAUDET. Christened 5 Nov 1738,
Reformed Dutch Church, Port Richmond, Staten Island, Richland, New York. Died 1775, New Rochelle, Westchester, New York. Married 1756, REUBEN OLIVER. Born abt. 1730. Died 1774. Administration of Reuben’s estate was assigned to Hester in Kent County, Delaware on 10 Dec 1774. Reuben Oliver was a tailor. Moved from New York to Delaware. After Reuben’s death, Hester returned to New York where she died the following year in New Rochelle. According to the Kent Co., Delaware Gazeteer, following Esther’s death, “her brother-in-law Joseph Oliver took her younger children to Delaware and reared them at Milford.” Reuben and Hester Oliver became the ancestors of a noted military family. Best known among their descendants is Brigadier General Paul Ambrose Oliver, who distinguished himself fighting to preserve the Union in the Civil War. General Oliver was a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. Had children:
1.8.1 SAMUEL OLIVER, b. 1757.
1.8.2 GALLAUDET OLIVER, b. 1759.
1.8.3 ELISHA OLIVER, b. 1762.
1.8.4 MARY OLIVER, b. 1765.
1.8.5 DEBORAH OLIVER, b. 1767.
1.8.6 THOMAS OLIVER, b. 1770.
1.8.7 LEVI OLIVER.
1.8.8 ELIZABETH OLIVER.
1.9 PAUL GALLAUDET. Born abt. 1742,
Probably Staten Island, Richmond, New York. Married 21 Jan 1765, New York City, New York, New York, ANNA HAZARD. Like his brothers, Paul was a wig or “peruke” maker. He was indicted for perjury in 1769. His family came to his rescue, signing a petition testifying to his character, leaving us with what amounts to an inventory of family members living in New York at the time. Had child:
1.9.1 ELIZABETH GALLAUDET, b. abt. 1782.