BIOGRAPHY: Garret Sarvent; Upper Nyack, Rockland co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

***********************************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm

http://www.usgwarchives.org/ny/nyfiles.htm
***********************************************************************

Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

GARRET SARVENT. On land that he now owns, and in a house situated but a few
rods from his present residence, the subject of this notice was born March 19,
1812. When he was six years old, his father built a substantial stone house in
what is now Broadway, Upper Nyack, and here he still makes his home, having
made no alterations in the old place besides the erection of a piazza and
bay-window.

In 1747 Philip Sarvent, our subject's grandfather, came from Holland to
America, and bought fifty-five acres on the Hudson, for which he paid $350.
His son Garret, our subject's father, was the youngest of three sons, his
brothers being Philip, who lived about half-way between the family homestead
and Piermont; and Adrian, who lived in the rear of the mountains. He married
Polly Corwin, who survived him eleven years, dying when almost seventy years
old. In 1818 he built the house which stands to-day, a landmark in this
locality and a monument to his thrift. The stone used in its construction was
quarried on his land. Prior to 1820 he owned a couple of slaves. He died at
his old home, when seventy-one years old. His brother Adrian, who spent his
last years with him, also died here.

The parental family consisted of nine children, namely: Garret; Catherine,
widow of Charles A. Fellows, and who lives near the old homestead; Harriet,
Mrs. John R. Demarest, who resides in Jersey City; Eliza, Mrs. John Gurdenier,
whose son, John T., is a machinist and lives in this locality; and Maria,
Eliza, Elsie, Sallie and Philip. The last-named was crippled for life by a
fall from an apple tree, resulting in a broken hip. Garret cared for him until
he died, and in return for this he bequeathed him all his property. The will
was contested, but finally the case was decided in Garret's favor.

In 1838 the subject of this sketch married Sarah, daughter of Garret Snedeker.
She was born near Nyack, a short distance up the Hudson, June 18, 1819, and
for fifty-seven years has been the devoted helpmate and counselor of her
husband. Some years ago they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their
marriage, on which happy occasion they were the recipients of congratulations
from hosts of friends. Of their family we note the following: Cecilia Armenia
died May 3o, 1881, at the age of forty-one; Garret Gilbert died at the age of
forty-two; Mary Alice is the wife of W. H. Henry, of New York; Ella Frances is
the wife of George Coverseer, of Long Island; Erastus died February 12, 1888,
at the age of thirty-five years; Charles A. is living at the old homestead. He
married Carrie Seaberger and they have five children, Sarah, Charles A.,
Harry, William and James G. B.

Of the property originally purchased by his grandfather, Mr. Sarvent has sold
about one-half, and still retains twenty-seven acres of valuable land. In
early life he served as Assessor for two terms, and later, at the urgent
request of the people, he filled the position for eighteen years. He also
served as President of the village of Up-per Nyack seventeen years.
Politically he has always been a Democrat. It was largely due to his efforts
that the village of Upper Nyack was incorporated as a village distinct from
Nyack. The two places lie in different towns, but the boundaries adjoin. It
was the desire of the people of Nyack to include Upper Nyack in their,
corporation, and for this they made several determined efforts, but they were
forestalled by Mr. Sarvent, who secured the incorporation of the latter place
and defeated their attempts. In 1874 the Union Steamboat Company located their
office in Upper Nyack, and in 1880 the Pacific Mail Steamship Company also
located here, both having a capital of $1,000,000. These concerns were brought
here principally through the influence of Mr. Sarvent. He has always been
noted for firm will and decision of purpose. On one occasion, when the member
in the Assembly refused, without compensating advantage, to work for the
defeat of an unnecessary road project that would entail great expense, he was
so disgusted with his action that he determined to secure his defeat at the
next election. He secured the nomination by the Republicans of a first class
man, and prevailed upon a sufficient number of Democrats to vote for him, to
overwhelmingly defeat the former member.

In earlier life Mr. Sarvent devoted his attention to the growing of small
fruits and made a specialty of grapes, but the decrease of prices caused him
to abandon the occupation. By trade he is a ship-carpenter, which occupation
he once followed. It is said of him that, in many respects, both physically
and mentally, he resembles his former acquaintance, Horace Greeley, whom he
honored and respected, but with whom he seldom agreed. In the home where he
has resided for three-fourths of a century he expects to spend his remaining
days. The associations of a life-time are dear to him, and he has always
refused to replace the old-fashioned structure by a modern residence, though
amply able to do so, should he desire.