Ezra Weeks
Encyclopedia
Ezra Weeks, was a successful builder who served as a witness in a sensationalized murder trial.
Ezra Weeks had allied himself with the mercantile elite and had made powerful connections. His brother, Levi Weeks
, was a carpenter by trade who worked closely with Ezra. The Weeks brothers’ main building project at the time was Hamilton Grange, a country house in Harlem Heights
in Upper Manhattan. Alexander Hamilton
was having a country seat built to rival Richmond Hill
, the country home of his nemesis Aaron Burr
. John McComb, the architect of Hamilton Grange, and Ezra Weeks would both be key defense witnesses for Ezra Weeks' brother, Levi in one of the most sensational murder trials of the turn of the 18th century.
Ezra Weeks was an object of curiosity within New York City society circles. Only a few years prior to being commissioned by Hamilton, he and his brother Levi lived at the corner of Greenwich and Harrison streets. On the March 1, 1800, Levi was tried for the murder of the Gulielma Sands. Ezra was the principal witness for Hamilton's defense.
Ezra Weeks was also involved in the design and construction of Gracie Mansion
.
Ezra Weeks had allied himself with the mercantile elite and had made powerful connections. His brother, Levi Weeks
Levi Weeks
Levi Weeks was the accused in the infamous Manhattan Well Murder trial of 1800, the first recorded murder trial in the United States. At the time of the murder, Weeks was a young carpenter in New York City...
, was a carpenter by trade who worked closely with Ezra. The Weeks brothers’ main building project at the time was Hamilton Grange, a country house in Harlem Heights
Harlem Heights
Harlem Heights may refer to:*Harlem Heights, Florida*Morningside Heights, New York City*Harlem Heights , reality docu-drama series on BET...
in Upper Manhattan. Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
was having a country seat built to rival Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill (Manhattan)
Richmond Hill was a colonial estate in Manhattan, New York City, that was built on a parcel of the "King's Farm" obtained on a 99-year lease in 1767 from Trinity Church by Major Abraham Mortier, paymaster of the British army in the colony...
, the country home of his nemesis Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
. John McComb, the architect of Hamilton Grange, and Ezra Weeks would both be key defense witnesses for Ezra Weeks' brother, Levi in one of the most sensational murder trials of the turn of the 18th century.
Ezra Weeks was an object of curiosity within New York City society circles. Only a few years prior to being commissioned by Hamilton, he and his brother Levi lived at the corner of Greenwich and Harrison streets. On the March 1, 1800, Levi was tried for the murder of the Gulielma Sands. Ezra was the principal witness for Hamilton's defense.
Ezra Weeks was also involved in the design and construction of Gracie Mansion
Gracie Mansion
thumb|250px|Western sideGracie Mansion is the official residence of the mayor of the City of New York. Built in 1799, it is located in Carl Schurz Park, at East End Avenue and Eighty-eighth Street in Manhattan...
.