David Gelston
Encyclopedia
David Gelston was an American
merchant and politician.
.
As the American Revolution
approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the articles of association in 1774, agreeing to avoid British
imports, even though this hurt his own business. He represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress
of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 New York State Constitutional Convention that debated and enacted the first constitution of the State of New York.
He was a member from Suffolk County of the New York State Assembly
from 1777 to 1785. During his last term, he was Speaker
. As speaker, he took a leading role in reconciling the differences between Tory and Whig factions. He oversaw the repeal of all the laws that had imposed civil and legal penalties on Tories.
In 1787, he removed to New York City, and from 1787 to 1801, was Surrogate of New York County. In 1789, the State Assembly appointed him a delegate to the last session of the Continental Congress
. He was a member of the New York State Senate
from 1791 to 1794, and from 1798 to 1802.
Gelston was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson
Collector of the Port of New York
in 1801, and held that post until 1821 when he retired.
He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in New York.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
merchant and politician.
Life
He married Phebe Mitchell and their daughter, Phebe Gelston (1771–1836) later married Nicoll Floyd, the son of William FloydWilliam Floyd
William Floyd was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a U.S. Representative from New York.-Biography:...
.
As the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the articles of association in 1774, agreeing to avoid British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
imports, even though this hurt his own business. He represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress
New York Provincial Congress
The New York Provincial Congress was an organization formed by rebels in 1775, during the American Revolution, as a pro-rebellion alternative to the more conservative Province of New York Assembly, and as a replacement for the Committee of One Hundred.A Provincial Convention assembled in New York...
of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 New York State Constitutional Convention that debated and enacted the first constitution of the State of New York.
He was a member from Suffolk County of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from 1777 to 1785. During his last term, he was Speaker
Speaker of the New York State Assembly
The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party....
. As speaker, he took a leading role in reconciling the differences between Tory and Whig factions. He oversaw the repeal of all the laws that had imposed civil and legal penalties on Tories.
In 1787, he removed to New York City, and from 1787 to 1801, was Surrogate of New York County. In 1789, the State Assembly appointed him a delegate to the last session of the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
. He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1791 to 1794, and from 1798 to 1802.
Gelston was appointed by President Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
Collector of the Port of New York
Collector of the Port of New York
The Collector of Customs at the Port of New York, most often referred to as Collector of the Port of New York, sometimes also as Collector of Customs for the Port of New York or Collector of Customs for the District of New York, was a federal officer who was in charge of the collection of import...
in 1801, and held that post until 1821 when he retired.
He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in New York.
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 114f, 117f, 141, 275 and 415; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)