Galveston Co., TX - Obits: Capt. William Hendley
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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by:
June Tuck <juneet@verizon.net>

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From the files of June E. Tuck

HENDLEY, WM. CAPT. - Death occurred yesterday at the residence of his sister,
Mrs. Sears, in Middleton, Connecticut. He was an old and prominent merchant of
Galveston. He was the head of the large commercial house of Wm. Hendley & Co.,
of this city, which was established some 35 years ago.

Capt. Hendley was born in Middletown Connecticut, in 1797, and was 76 years
old at his death. He adopted the sea as a profession, and in connection with
his brother, Capt. Joseph J. Hendley, built and run the first line of packet
ships that ever were put on between New York and Galveston. In 1844 the
commercial house of Wm. Hendley & Co. was established in this city. Capt.
Hendley never married, and by will, which was made several years ago, his
large estate will pass to his brother and life-long partner, Capt. J. J.
Hendley, who has had the general management of the business of the house since
its establishment.

The deceased has been afflicted for the past 7 years, and spent most of his
time with his sister, at whose house he died.
   (Galveston Weekly News, Sept. 22, 1873)

Also reported - Wm. Hendley died at the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr.
Elisha Sears, at South Farms the 19th inst. (ult.)

He was the son of Henry Hendley, a mariner, who was lost at sea in the brig
Marlborough, of Glastonbury, was born at South Farms in 1798. He began the
battle of life as clerk with Mr. Elisha Ferree, at Pameacha, and afterwards
was in the employ of the Pameacha Manufacturing Company. After serving his
employers for several years, he commenced business at Middletown for his own
account, which he continued until 1839, when he joined his brother, Capt.
Joseph J. Hendley, in the coasting trade between New Orleans and Texas. This
connection was continued until 1844, when they, together with Messrs. John L.
Sleight and Philip Gildersleeve, established the mercantile house of William
Hendley & Co., in Galveston, Texas. The establishment of this house was one of
the first fruits of the annexation of Texas to the United States.

As a man he was kind, amiable, always greeted his friends with welcome, always
looked closely to his own business, always enjoyed good health until, far
advanced in life, a paralytic shock closed his career of active usefulness -
brought him back to the home of his birth, the couch of his death and the
grave of his rest.

The Galveston partnership of which I have spoken, was composed of William
Hendley, Joseph J. Hendley, John L. Sleight, and Philip Gildersleeve. Mr.
Gildersleeve, a native of Portland, Connecticut, was a young gentleman of
sterling character; the office work of the house devolved on him, and could
not have been confided to abler or worthier hands. His death at an early
period, was a real loss to the city of his adoption; while at the home of his
family the sweets of memory continue to pay their tributes of affections. Mr.
Sleight died in the city of New York a few months since, his remains repose in
his native soil at Sag Harbor, L.I. Capt. Joseph J. Hendley is the only
survivor of the original partnership.

The writer of this brief notice had been in constant correspondence with Mr.
Hendley's house, except when interrupted by war. (Not signed.)