David Pingree (merchant)

David Pingree (December 31, 1795 – March 31, 1863) was a merchant from Georgetown, Massachusetts whose wealth later formed the Seven Islands Land Company in 1964. In 2018, his heirs are the 10th largest landowners in the United States. He was Mayor of Salem, Massachusetts from March 1851 to March 1852.[1]

This article is about the merchant and landowner. For the professor who taught at Brown University, see David Pingree.
David Pingree
Born(1795-12-31)December 31, 1795
Georgetown, Massachusetts
DiedMarch 31, 1863(1863-03-31) (aged 67)
NationalityAmerican
OccupationMerchant
RelativesThomas Perkins (uncle)

Life

Pingree was born in Georgetown, Massachusetts and later moved to Bridgton, Maine. After graduating from school he joined his uncle, Thomas Perkins in Salem, Massachusetts. Perkins owned a successful shipping firm, Peabody & Perkins. Pingree also worked closely with, Edward D. Kimball, another merchant and ship owner. After Perkin's death in 1830 Pingree inherited his uncle's wealth and continued to ship merchandise across the world through his many vessels and ships. His trade focused on East and West India as well as Africa. He became among the first to import gum copal from West Africa which is used to manufacture varnish for marine use.[2]

Pingree's family holdings date back to 1820. Throughout his life, Pingree was interested in purchasing Eastern lands in New Hampshire and Mount Washington. He built a carriage road to the summit of Mount Washington. His business in Salem was so large he was nicknamed the "Merchant Prince of Salem".[3]

In 1831, Pingree became president of Naumkeag Bank. He became president of Naumkeag Cotton Company in 1845 and held the position until his death.[2]

In March 1851, he became Mayor of Salem, a position he would hold for one year.[4][2]

Death

Pingree died on March 31, 1863 at the age of 67.

Legacy

Pingree family

Pingree's family inherited his wealth and is currently the tenth largest landowners in the United States, owning 830,000 acres across Maine under the Seven Islands Land Company.[1][5]

References
  1. Mark, Michelle (18 August 2017). "Meet America's top 10 land barons, who collectively own more than 13 million acres across the country". Business Insider. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  2. Duane Hamilton Hurd (1888). History of Essex County, Massachusetts: With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men. J.W. Lewis. pp. 225–.
  3. McNulty, John (2017-06-01). "For the Trees: A history of Maine's forestland". The Maine Mag. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
  4. William Lowell Putnam (1 June 1991). The Worst Weather on Earth: A History of the Mount Washington Observatory. Light Technology Publishing. pp. 20–. ISBN 978-1-62233-701-9.
  5. "Land Report 100 – Largest Landowners In The U.S." The Land Report. 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2018.
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