David Gelston

David Gelston (July 4, 1744 – August 21, 1828) was an American merchant and politician.

David Gelston
Gelston, by John Wesley Jarvis, c. 1810-1815
Collector of the Port of New York
In office
1801–1820
Appointed byThomas Jefferson
Preceded byJoshua Sands
Succeeded byJonathan Thompson
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
In office
1784–1785
Preceded byJohn Hathorn
Succeeded byJohn Lansing Jr.
Personal details
Born(1744-07-04)July 4, 1744
Bridgehampton, Province of New York, British America
DiedAugust 21, 1828(1828-08-21) (aged 84)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
Spouse(s)Pheobe Mitchell
ChildrenPheobe Gelston Floyd
Maltby Gelston

Early life

Gelston was born on July 4, 1744 in Bridgehampton in Suffolk County on Long Island in what was then the Province of New York.[1] He was a son of Deacon Maltby Gelston and Mary (née Jones) Gelston.[2] His maternal grandparents were Dr. Thomas Jones and Margaret (née Livingston) Jones (a daughter of Philip Livingston).[2][3]

Career

As the American Revolution approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the articles of association in 1774, agreeing to avoid British imports, even though this hurt his own business. He represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 New York State Constitutional Convention that debated and enacted the first constitution of the State of New York. He was a Democratic-Republican and he worked closely with Aaron Burr.[4][5]

He was a member from Suffolk County of the New York State Assembly from 1777 to 1785. During his last term, he was Speaker. As speaker, he took a leading role in reconciling the differences between Tory and Whig factions. He oversaw the repeal of all the laws that had imposed civil and legal penalties on Tories.[4]

In 1787, he removed to New York City, and from 1787 to 1801, was Surrogate of New York County. In 1789, the State Assembly appointed him a delegate to the last session of the Continental Congress. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1791 to 1794, and from 1798 to 1802.[4]

In 1801, Gelston was appointed Collector of the Port of New York by President Thomas Jefferson, and held that post until 1821 when he retired.[4]

Personal life

Gelston was married to Pheobe Mitchell (1753–1836). Together, they were the parents of:[1]

It was during 1792, that Charles Willson Peale was commissioned by Gelston, a notable American during the time, to paint a "head size" portrait of Gelston as well as a companion piece of his wife and daughter.[7] This painting is currently displayed at the La Salle Art Museum.[8][9]

Gelston died on August 21, 1828 in New York City. He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in New York.[10]

References
  1. "David Gelston Family Correspondence". dla.library.upenn.edu. University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  2. Dwight, Benjamin Woodbridge (1874). The History of the Descendants of John Dwight, of Dedham, Mass. J. F. Trow & son, printers and bookbinders. p. 1067. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  3. The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. 1908. p. 112. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  4. Hough, Franklin Benjamin (1858). The New York Civil List: Containing the names and origin of the civil divisions, and the names and dates of election or appointment of the principal state and county officers from the Revolution to the present time. Weed, Parsons and Co. pp. 114f, 117f, 141, 275 and 415. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  5. Jefferson, Thomas; Oberg, Barbara B. (1950). The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: 1 July to 12 November 1802. Princeton University Press. p. 677. ISBN 9780691153230. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  6. "Died". The New York Times. 4 December 1860. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  7. Sellers, Charles (1962). . Portraits and Miniatures by Charles Willson Peale. Barnes Foundation. pp. 85, 264.
  8. "David Gelston (1744-1828)". www.nyhistory.org. New-York Historical Society. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  9. Scarborough, Klare; Dixon, Susan (2015). Art and Social Change. p. 80. ISBN 9780988999961. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
  10. "GELSTON, David - Biographical Information". bioguide.congress.gov. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
John Hathorn		 Speaker of the New York State Assembly
1784–1785		 Succeeded by
John Lansing Jr.
Government offices
Preceded by
Joshua Sands		 Collector of the Port of New York
1801–1820		 Succeeded by
Jonathan Thompson
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