Main content
David Gelston Family Correspondence
Notifications
Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
A merchant, who was born in Suffolk County, Long Island, David Gelston (1744-1828) served as Collector for the Port of New York from his appointment by President Thomas Jefferson in July 1801 through 1820. Previous to this position, Gelston served in the New York provincial congress from 1775 to 1777; was a member of the New York state constitutional convention in 1777; and held other positions in state government, including speaker of the assembly in 1784 and 1785. Three years after moving to New York City in 1786, he became a member of the last Confederation Congress; and represented the Southern District in the state senate for several terms between 1791 and 1802. An Anti-Federalist who became an ardent Republican, Gelston succeeded James Nicholson as president of New York City's Democratic Society in 1794; and was among the political associates whom Burr recommended for office in 1801.
Upon his retirement until his death eight years later, Gelston battled with the Treasury Department over claims that he owed the U.S. government tens of thousands in unsettled accounts. His estate continued to confront the situation more than a decade after his death.
Gelston married Phoebe Mitchell (1753-1836). Their daughter, Phoebe Gelston (1771–1836), married Nicoll Floyd (1762-1851), the son of William Floyd (1734-1821) and Hannah Jones.
This collection primarily includes correspondence kept by David Gelston during his tenure as Collector of Customs for the Port of New York, which coincided with the passing of several embargo acts along with other trade and tariff legislation passed by the Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe administrations. A good deal of correspondence relates to these embargoes and other customs violations. Correspondents include Treasury Secretaries and Comptrollers, including a significant number of letters from Albert Gallatin, Richard Rush, and Joseph Anderson. Also included are outgoing drafts from Gelston to various Secretaries of State, primarily James Monroe, James Madison, and John Quincy Adams; a letter from Vice President Aaron Burr; and a few receipts, shipping orders, and legal documentation.
Some correspondence of related Floyd and Delafield family members is also included. Those represented include William Floyd (1734-1821), Mary Floyd, likely the sister of William Floyd, and Augustus Floyd (1795-1878) and U.S. Representative John Gelston Floyd (1806-1881), sons of Nicoll Floyd (1762-1851) and Phoebe M. Gelston (1770-1836). Richard Delafield (1798-1873), who is also represented, was the brother of Edward Delafield (1794-1875) who married Julia Floyd (1808-1879), the daughter of Nicoll Floyd and Phoebe M. Gelston.
Purchase, 2016 (AM 2017-84).
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in February 2017, with assistance from Sophia Alvarez '18, Fiona Bell '18, and Rachel Dubin (GS). Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in February 2017.
Published materials, including books, pamphlets, newspapers, and disparate New York legislative imprints and New York Assembly journals, were transferred to Rare Books during 2017 processing.
People
- Floyd family
- Gelston family
- Anderson, Joseph, 1757-1837
- Gallatin, A.E. (Albert Eugene), 1881-1952
- Rush, Richard, 1780-1859
Organization
- Alexander Hamilton United States Custom House (New York, N.Y.)
- United States. Department of State
- United States. Department of the Treasury
Subject
- Customhouses--New York (State)--New York--History--19th century--Sources
- Customs administration--United States--History--19th century--Sources
- Customs administration--United States--Officials and employees--Correspondence
- Embargo, 1807-1809--Sources
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Faith Charlton
- Finding Aid Date
- 2017
- Access Restrictions
-
Open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
4 boxes
Consists primarily of incoming correspondence from Treasuries of the Secretary and Comptrollers.
Physical Description3 boxes
2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
A few receipts are also included.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
Includes a copy of a letter to Gallatin regarding the case of the ship Eliza Ann, belonging to Ezekiel Hubbell (July 29, 1809).
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Official document remitting payment to merchants who, two years prior, had been penalized under the Enemy Trade Act of 1812
Physical Description1 folder
2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists primarily of outgoing drafts from Gelston to Secretaries of State.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
2 boxes
1 folder
Includes a copy of a letter from Abraham Besent, collector of the Port of the District of St. Mary's (SC) related to the Ship Cotton Planter which was seized and libelled in the port of New York for violating the 1807 Embargo Act (1808)
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes letter from Richard Rush.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Pursuing losses incurred at Port of New York under Gelston
Physical Description1 folder
Notebook kept by David Gelston and others.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Annotated wooden markers Gelston used to organize his correspondence.
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder