BIOGRAPHY: the Barclay family; New York State
surname: Barclay, Drauyer, Rutgers, De Lancey, Robinson, Lent, Stuyvesant,
Parsons, Fraser, Watts, Aufree, Livingston, Waldburg, Moore, Johnson, Cochran,
Alburtis, Marshall, Collet, Oldfield, Douglass, Schieffelin, Carrick, McGee,
Wright, Bell, Dixon, Sloane, Moore, Rives, Burgwm, Constable

submitted by W. David Samuelsen 
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Famous Families of New York, published 1917. Expired copyright

     To the Barclay family of Scotland, New York and the Middle States owe
many of their most valued citizens. The name is a Gaelic variant of Berkeley,
and the family has contributed many incidents, and even chapters, to the
annals of the Scotch kingdom from the time of William the Lion, A.D. 1220.
They were proud and warlike nobles, fierce in their likes and dislikes, and
enthusiastic in their religious convictions. They were noted for their beauty,
the sons being successful in love, and the daughters winning the hearts and
hands of the great nobles in each generation.

     The progenitor of the American branch was Colonel David of Ury [1610],
whose adventurous life was a romance which compares well with the works of the
most thrilling masters of fiction. He was well educated at home and started
life a fine scholar, a bon vivant, a good swordsman, and, oddly enough, a man
of almost austere piety. When scarcely out of his teens, he visited Germany,
where, after learning German and Swedish, he joined the Swedish army under
Gustavus Adolphus. He rose rapidly in his martial calling, becoming in quick
succession sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and major. His career on the
Continent was cut short by the civil conflict at home, and in spite of the
entreaties of the famous Swedish King, he threw up his commission and returned
to Scotland, where he plunged into the turmoil of the time. His career here
was more brilliant than under his former commander. He became major and
colonel of cavalry on the Parliamentary side, and soon made his name feared by
the opposition. He defeated the Earl of Crawford at Banff and in 1646, with
Major-General Middleton, relieved Inverness and dislodged Montrose and
Seaforth, driving them into the mountain fastnesses.

     Honors came upon him thick and fast. He was made Governor of
Strathbogie, Military Commander of Sutherland, Caithness, and Ross, and
general of cavalry. He indignantly relinquished his career upon the execution
of the Duke of Hamilton. He and the Duke had been more like brothers than
friends, and the injustice of the latter's fate changed completely the tenor
of Barclay's life. Although he retired from the army, his active temperament
had to have relief in some arena. He entered politics, and was elected to
Parliament for Sutherlandshire, and at the following Parliament for the shires
of Angus and Mearns. Here he made himself the most talked-about man in the
kingdom by opposing and voting against Cromwell. The audacity of the act
astonished the nation, and every one expected his arrest and prosecution. The
great Protector was so pleased with Barclay's intrepidity that he took no
notice of what was regarded as treason by some and an insult by all.
Cromwell's magnanimity was not shared by his time-serving followers. Upon
several occasions Barclay was arrested without warrant and thrown into prison
without a hearing; but in each case his friends succeeded in obtaining his
release. In those days of gloom and persecution, his mind turned from material
to spiritual subjects, and, when fifty-six years of age, he created amazement,
especially among his intimate friends, by becoming a Quaker.

     His conversion was accompanied with characteristic zeal. The sect which
was harassed by the intolerance of the time soon began to thrive under his
fearless leadership. It aroused the antipathy of the churches, which began to
take action against the humble followers of George Fox. These culminated in
1676 Barclay's arrest, on what now seems the incredible charge of "worshipping
his Maker contrary to civil law." He was found guilty, fined, and imprisoned.
Through the influence of his son and friends, he was released, then
reimprisoned, but finally liberated by order of the court. This incident in
his life is of interest to Americans, because it was instrumental, if not
causative, in making his son, Robert, a Quaker, and bringing him into intimate
relations with George Fox and William Penn, which eventuated in the departure
of Penn for the New World and the establishment of Pennsylvania.

     Of the children of Colonel David, Robert, the Governor of East Jersey
[1648], played an influential part in the destinies of New York. He was
educated at home and in Paris, and when nineteen became a member of the
Society of Friends. The mantle of Colonel David fell upon the shoulders of his
son. When twenty-seven years old he wrote An Apology for the Quakers, which
was presented to Charles II, on behalf of that denomination. It was published
in Latin, English, Dutch, German, French, and Spanish, and is a classic in
Quaker literature. So well written was the apology that it won the respect of
its enemies. In France it was highly praised by the arch-cynic, Voltaire, who
in his comments upon the pamphlet, said: "It is surprising how an apology
written by a private gentleman should have such an effect as to procure almost
a general release to the whole sect from the sufferings they then underwent."

     Robert possessed rare tact and shrewdness. Through skilful management he
largely increased his patrimony and engaged in many profitable enterprises. He
was one of the twenty-four proprietors of East Jersey, a quasi-corporation
formed to take over a part of the vast landed estates of Sir George Carteret
and Lord Berkeley, which lay westward of New York harbor. The proprietors
elected him Governor of East Jersey, and in order to induce him to accept the
position they ceded five thousand acres to him in addition to his own share of
the territory. This made him at a single step one of the largest landowners
within the boundaries of New York and New Jersey. He does not seem to have
crossed the Atlantic to enter into his new possessions, but contented himself
with sending his brothers, David and John. The former died upon the voyage;
the latter arrived safely, settled upon the estate, and married Cornelia Van
Schaick, thus becoming the genealogical head of the family in the United
States. For many years Robert was indefatigable in developing his lands beyond
the ocean. The records show that he shipped supplies, money, medicines, and
immigrants from both Scotland and England.

     John, the founder, was an industrious and devout man, of marked
executive skill. He passed most of his life at his countryseat, but visited
New York with great regularity. As a house at the time in New York was known
as the Barclay House, it is fair to infer that he had a residence in what even
then was regarded as a metropolis.

     In the third generation but one name claims attention, the Rev. Thomas
[1713], son of John the founder. He was a studious and pious character, who,
after receiving the best education the colony afforded, took orders and
entered the Church. He became the first rector of St. Peter's, Albany, and in
that city met and married Anna Dorothea Drauyer, daughter of Admiral Andrew
Drauyer of the Dutch navy. He was well off, having received considerable
property by both inheritance and marriage.

     The Rev. Dr. Henry, son of the Rev. Thomas, was the chief personage in
the fourth generation. He studied in Albany, went to Yale, where he was
graduated in 1734, thence to England, where he took orders. He inherited the
piety and fearlessness of his forebears, and upon his return took up the
hazardous calling of a missionary among the Indians of northern New York. He
spent several years in the Mohawk country, and learned the language of that
tribe. No sooner had he mastered the tongue than he translated the liturgy
from English, with the aid of two other scholars, the Rev. W. Andrews and the
Rev. J. Ogilvie. He visited Albany at intervals, where his eloquence and
fervor produced a deep impression. His fame travelled to New York, and
resulted in a call from the trustees of Trinity. This he accepted, and in 1746
became the rector of New York's famous church.

     His ministration was marked by rare tact and thoughtfulness. He did
everything within his power to increase the social influence of his pulpit and
to identify it with the best interests of the community. He enlarged the
parish school and extended the facilities for the education of poor scholars
and for a higher training than was given in educational institutions of the
province. As early as  he took part in the agitation for the establishment of
a Royal College in New York. In the beginning, these efforts met with but a
feeble response. Indifference and religious prejudice were obstacles which
might have daunted a less determined character; but he kept on undiscouraged.
Shortly after this he was the chief organizer of the meeting of the officers
of Trinity Church, which discussed the advisability of action in the premises.
He almost certainly was one of the committee which drafted the papers on which
the charter was obtained.

     In the meantime, such a sentiment had been built up in favor of the new
institution of learning that the promoters formed a temporary organization and
engaged the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson as President. This was done in the spring,
although the charter was not secured until the autumn, of 1754. Eight scholars
were enrolled, and it became necessary to establish temporary quarters. The
rector came to the front and had Trinity offer the use of its own schoolhouse
to King's College until the latter had built its own halls of learning. The
offer was accepted and the first class assembled on July 17th of that year in
this schoolhouse. Some fifty years before, Lewis Morris, who became Governor
of New Jersey, had recommended the establishment of a college in New York and
had counselled the British Government to set aside for that purpose a tract of
land belonging to the Crown, known as the Queen's or the King's Farm, which
lay to the north of Trinity Church. In the course of the years, Trinity had
acquired title to this farm and had added it to its handsome estate. Now that
the college was started and the scholars were meeting in the Trinity
schoolhouse, the words of the old patriot were brought up and promptly acted
upon. The rector and the churchwardens deeded to the college governors a
portion of the farm, lying west of Broadway, between Barclay and Murray
streets, and extending down to the Hudson River. Here in 1756 the corner-stone
was laid, and four years afterwards the buildings were enough advanced for use
by officers and students.

     Although a majority of the governors of the college were members of the
Church of England, and the Presbyterians and Dutch Reformed people had
predicted a sectarian management on the part of the college administration,
Dr. Barclay, with extraordinary wisdom, was a warm supporter of the broad and
liberal policy which was adopted for King's, afterwards Columbia College. The
result was that the former opposition died away and all denominations united
in supporting their new seat of learning. A pleasant evidence of his
liberality is found in the fact that he approved the additional charter passed
the following year, at the request of non-Episcopalians, providing for the
appointment of a "professor of divinity of the Reformed Protestant Dutch
Church."

     The passage of the supplemental charter allayed all fear of sectarian
oppression, as doubtless the worthy rector had foreseen. The chair, however,
it is said, was never filled. In 1758, the first Commencement was held in St.
George's Chapel, with the rector of Trinity in full canonicals upon the
platform. Diplomas were granted to seven graduates.

     Dr. Barclay was one of the organizers and first trustees of the New York
Society Library, to which he contributed books from his own private
collection. He secured the building of St. George's Chapel on Beekman Street,
upon land now occupied by the J. L. Mott Company, and was remarkably efficient
in organizing church work and church workers. His popularity was evinced by
the bestowal of his name upon Barclay Street, which was an appropriate
compliment when it is remembered that this thoroughfare was the southern
boundary of the King's College grounds. He married Mary Rutgers, daughter of
Colonel Anthony Rutgers, by whom he had four children, all of whom grew up,
married, and had issue.

     In the fifth generation, the two daughters married men who were to
attain high distinction, Cornelia wedding Stephen De Lancey, and Anna
Dorothea, Beverly Robinson (II.,) from whom have descended the Beverly
Robinson family, with its many offshoots.

     The two sons, Colonel Thomas and Anthony, figured very prominently in
the latter part of the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth centuries.
They mark a turning-point in the history of the family. Theretofore the male
members had been landed gentry, courtiers, and clergymen; from now on they
become largely identified with the commercial world.

     Col. Thomas [1753] was graduated from Columbia in 1772. He was a strong
Tory, and upon the breaking out of the Revolution took up arms for the King.
He was a good soldier, and in 1777 was made major, and afterwards colonel. At
the close of the war, he was so indignant at the result of the contest that he
left New York and went to Nova Scotia. Here he entered political life, and was
elected to the Assembly, where he became Speaker. He was adjutant-general of
the militia and British Commissioner under the Treaty of Ghent, commonly known
as Jay's Treaty. As the years rolled by he became dissatisfied with the narrow
life in the northern province, and yearned to rejoin his former friends in New
York. He yielded at last to this desire and came to the metropolis, where he
was appointed British Consul-General. He held this position until his death in
1830. In both New York and Nova Scotia, he was interested in commercial
enterprises, showing ability, which he transmitted to his children. He married
Susan De Lancey, by whom he had six sons and four daughters.

     His brother, Anthony [1762], was a merchant in the latter part of the
eighteenth century, who married Dientie Lent, the beautiful and wealthy
daughter of Abraham Lent. Both men excelled in the social graces. The official
position and brilliant record of Col. Thomas gave him much prestige, while the
sterling qualities and winning nature of Anthony made him equally popular.
Their children, especially the daughters, were social leaders both before and
after marriage. All were happy in their unions. The weddings united the
Barclays with the influential families of Stuyvesant, Parsons, Fraser, Watts,
Aufree, Livingston, Waldburg, Moore, Johnson, De Lancey, and Beverly Robinson.
The social registers of that period are little beside repetitions of these
names.

     The sons of Col. Thomas entered business, in which they proved
successful. Two of them founded the house of "Henry & George Barclay," about
1814. Afterwards they admitted their brother Anthony, and still later, their
brother-in-law, Schuyler Livingston, who married their sister Elizabeth. This
firm was noted for its enterprise and did much to develop the commerce of New
York. In 1834, the name was changed to Barclay & Livingston, under which title
it became even more famous than before. One of the members of this generation,
Thomas (II.), kept up his father's anti-Revolutionary prejudices, and
entered the British navy, where he rose to be captain. A notable feature of
this generation was physical vigor. There were thirteen representatives, all
of whom grew to maturity and married, and nine of whom had large families in
turn.

     The seventh generation carried to a higher development the tendencies of
the sixth. It displayed great activity in both the mercantile and social
world. Its numbers and connections by marriage made it a dominant force in
Gotham life. Of the children of Anthony, Henry A. W. married Cornelia Cochran;
Frederick W., Louisa C. Alburtis; Adelbert E. E. W., Margaret Marshall; John
O'Connor, Ann Wilkes Collet; J. Searle, Lilie Oldfield; Walter C., Grace
Douglass; the Rev. Cuthbent, rector of All Souls' Church, New York, Sarah
Sophia Schieffelin; Thomas (III.), Lavinia Carrick, and afterwards Fanny
McGee; Henry A., Clara Wright; James Lent, Olivia Mott Bell, and afterwards
Priscilla Dixon Sloane; and Sackett Moore, Catharine Cochran Barclay. On the
female side of this generation, Matilda Antonia married Francis R. Rives; Anna
Matilda, J. Pollock Burgwm and Fanny, William Constable. In the eighth
generation, six male descendants preserve the family name. These are:
Henry; J. Searle; Henry, son of Henry A.; Wright, Harold, and Robert Cochran.

     The career of the family may be divided into three epochs. They were
first pioneers and organizers, and contributed largely to the early settlement
and development of New York. In the second epoch they were clergymen of talent
and wide influence. In the third they were merchants, scholars, and society
leaders. Those of the first epoch planted the seed, the second cultivated it,
and the third reaped the harvest.