PETER GOELET, was one of eleven (according to Baptism records) siblings and the fourth son John & Jannetje Cannon Goelet. He was born on 5 January 1727. It is said that he was married four times and had a large family. He died on 25 October 1811 at the age of 84 and was buried in the Goelet Vault in Trinity Churchyard, New York.

First Marriage to Elizabeth Ratsey On April 27, 1755, the daughter of another prominent New York merchant.

1) Alice Goelet 1758-1800

2) John Goelet 1759-1853 moved to Buncombe Hall, N.C.

3) Jennette Goelet 1760-1833

4) Peter P. Goelet 1764-1828 married sister of Robert R.

5) Elizabeth Howler 1767-1833

6) Robert Ratsey Goelet 1769-1824 married sister Of Peter

Second marriage Mary Ludlow (1770) in NY

Third Wife, Elizabeth Billop Farmar (marriage Oct. 26, 1775) In NJ

7) Thomas Farmar Goelet 1778-1832-

8) Mary Goelet 1780-

9) Catherine Goelet 1782-1814

10) Christopher Billop Goelet 1786- 1833

Fourth Wife, Rachel Farmer ( Elizabeth's Younger Sister)

Francis Goelet, Huguenot Flees Religious Persecution

Imagine Francis Goelet, a daring soul of Huguenot heritage, feeling the heat of persecution in New Amsterdam, Holland, and deciding to shake things up a bit. With a swashbuckling spirit, he sails away to Holland, seeking refuge and adventure. But wait, there's more! In 1676, he sets sail again, this time to the wild lands of New Netherlands, known today as New York. And guess who's tagging along? None other than his ten-year-old son, Jacobus, ready to embrace the thrill of the unknown.

Jacobus Goelet, The Orphaned Son

Not long after their arrival, tragedy struck when Francois vanished at sea during his return voyage to Holland. Jacobus, left without a father, found himself under the care of Frederick Philipse, the esteemed Lord of Philipse Manor, nestled in what is now Westchester County. Despite his tumultuous start, Jacobus held onto the surname Goelet, albeit with a touch of English flair.

Skipping ahead, Jacobus, a dashing figure in his own right, finds himself smitten with a captivating Dutch beauty whose eyes shimmer like sapphires in the sun. They exchange vows, plant roots, and nurture a family, including a noteworthy son named John G. Goelet unbeknownst to them, their family lineage would blossom into a towering tree of prosperity and renown.

Under The Golden Key

Peter Goelet, the fourth son of John Goelet, alongside his partner Peter Theobold Curtenius, a son of the Rev. Antonius Corteniug of the Dutch Church of Kings county, managed a thriving hardware business situated in a modest wooden structure beneath the emblem of the Golden Key at 48 Hanover Square.

In the year 1763, a spirited young Peter Goelet, made a bold move, bidding adieu to his partnership with his brother-in-law, and venturing solo into the world of hardware trade. With a head full of ideas and a heart brimming with ambition, Peter was determined to put his theories of business conduct to the test.

In 1799 Peter's house and lot moved located at 113-115 Pearl Street appraised for 2,500 pounds of British money. His eclectic collection knew no bounds, boasting everything from guitars to fiddles, flutes, and beyond. The shelves groaned under the weight of tools, hardware, cutlery, pewter, and an array of keys in all shapes and sizes. And citizens enjoyed seeing the musical instruments in the window. Before long, word spread like wildfire, and the good folk of the neighborhood flocked for their every need, be it a humble cooking pot or a silver-toned flute.

With his trusty apron and a smile as bright as a sack of golden ducats (European gold coins), Peter is dishing out cutlery with a side of charm. The cash register sings with the joy of a till bursting with riches, for young Peter owned one of the fastest-growing and most prosperous hardware stores in the expanding city of New Netherlands.

Quick Sales, Small Profits

As the coins threatened to spill from the brim of his till, Peter Goelet found himself pondering their fate with a keen eye for opportunity. A man of integrity and thrift, he couldn't help but see the allure of his land idea. With land prices still relatively modest compared to the city's inevitable growth, Peter saw a golden opportunity to capitalize on what he called the "unearned increment," a concept he might not have heard of formally but had certainly internalized.

His plan was simple: buy land, hold onto it tightly, and only sell when the profits beckoned with irresistible charm. It was, in his eyes, a path to riches without breaking a sweat. And so, with the precision of a master chess player, Peter made his move. He set his sights on a humble parcel by the river, a tiny triangle hidden from the eyes of most. But to Peter, this overlooked gem held the key to his grand scheme. With the cunning of a Dutch trader and the foresight of a seasoned visionary, he knew that this modest triangle could serve as the cornerstone of his ambitions.

Revolutionary War

On April 23, 1775, a horseback messenger dashed into town and excitedly told of the battle of Lexington. Immediate steps were by a Committee of One Hundred rose to protect American rights. And who should stand at the forefront of this noble cause but Peter Goelet, his name etched boldly at the top of the list. Ever the stalwart defender of liberty, he lent his hand to aid in the reconstruction efforts after the British evacuation.

Reconstruction od N.Y.

As the dust settled and the chaos of the times faded into memory, business resumed its natural rhythm, and Peter Goelet found himself ascending the ranks of prominence and respectability in the town. A humble ironmonger by trade, Peter leveraged his profits from the Revolutionary War to invest in Manhattan real estate. During this era, the city controller, a figure named Romaine, played a pivotal role in assisting Goelet in his quest to acquire the coveted parcels of land. Through various means, Romaine facilitated the transfer of municipally-owned lots and grants of land into the hands of Goelet. From water grants ( land slightly below water), to piers essential for vessel docking, and even franchises for construction, Romaine's influence was instrumental in expanding the Goelet property empire. With each transaction brokered through Romaine's agency, the Goelet possessions continued to flourish and multiply.

Peter's Hardware Store Prospers More

Consequently, his hardware enterprise thrived even further, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the community's economic landscape. Sensing an opportunity for growth, he expanded his business offerings to include dry goods and groceries, upgrading to larger and more convenient premises and hiring additional staff to enhance his reputation.

With every ship that docked at the port, his store received consignments of merchandise, further bolstering his reputation as a vital figure in the town. People began to regard him as one of the town's pillars, and trading at the Goelet Store became a favored pastime for many.

1799 Several newspaper clips revealed the consignment order to be the exact same each month that were delivered on Water Street No. 65. 400 Boxes of Tin Plates, Sheet Iron, Bristol Window glass, Variety of English nails, a Variety of Spikes, Iron Wire, Rod Wire for lightening rods, assorted fancy fashionable chip, paper, willow, cane, and straw hats. Bonnets, taffles, bands, rossetts, and c. for women and children. Also, red, green, blue, yellow and black Morroco skins- plain and printed, green, blue, yellow, white and pink kid and lamb skins for ladies shoes. A general assortment of saddlery, ironmongery, cutlery, pewter, brass, copper, Japanned, hardware-smiths, carpenters, joiners, tools, & c & c.

Founder Of Chemical National Bank

As his ventures expanded, Peter's interests naturally extended into the realm of banking. Recognizing the symbiotic relationship between banking and merchandising, he delved into the intricacies of the banking industry, ultimately emerging as one of the founding figures behind the establishment of the Chemical National Bank.

Peter laid the groundwork for what would become one of the most influential financial institutions in the country—the Chemical Bank. He played a pivotal role in the bank's inception, cementing his place as a key figure in New York's financial landscape.

Foundation Laid for Forty Million

Gradually, the revenue generated from his land holdings swelled, laying a robust foundation for the future fortune of forty million dollars that awaited. He died at his home deceived as " the mansion on 113 and 115 Pearl Street".

As he passed away, Peter felt content knowing that his sons would adeptly continue the task of expanding their wealth.

However, life has a way of throwing unexpected twists. Peter II could never have anticipated that Peter III would become a bachelor-misor, adopt a life of frugality to the extreme, residing in a stately brick mansion on Broadway and Nineteenth Street. With a penchant for thriftiness bordering on eccentricity, Peter III detested spending money to such an extent that he personally stitched up his own coats, scribbled letters on the backs of used envelopes, and even tended to his own cow. Yet, despite his peculiar lifestyle, he managed to amass a staggering six million dollars to bolster the family's estate.

Source:

"THE FOUNDATIONS OF GREAT AMERICAN FORTUNES." The piece delves into the origins of wealth in the Goelet family, particularly highlighting the journey of Peter Goelet in amassing his fortune, published in the Buffalo Times, 1913.