Archibald Gracie Historical Documents and Silver

"Archibald Gracie (1755-1829) was a prominent New York merchant, best known as the original owner of the 1799 Gracie Mansion, which today serves as the city's official mayoral residence. Offered here are a small group of papers relating to Gracie, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his grand-daughter. The earliest piece in the collection is a 3-page Autograph letter signed by Archibald Gracie to his wife Esther "Hetty" Rogers Gracie in New York, dated Petersburg, VA, 13th July 1788. During this period, Gracie was building his fortune through the tobacco exports from Petersburg. Having just re-installed his wife with her brother Moses Rogers in New York, he assures her that he has been working hard in her absence: "I apply very close to my business in the store, where although there is little present business going on, yet I have with the part full employment. I shall go out the latter end of this week to No. Carolina and expect to be gone about 14 days…Keep yourself easy on my account." With the summer weather came fear of contagion: "You ought not to postpone getting the dear boy inoculated, least he should take the smallpox." He expresses concern about a friend in Virginia "and the danger of continuing here during the sickly months." On his wife's life in New York, "If your brother has got a music master to attend Betsey, I wish you to take as many lessons as possible, and as soon as time mend I will buy you an instrument."

Also included In this lot are: Letter to Archibald's son William Gracie (1787-1842) of New York from cousin John B. Gracie in Edinburgh, Scotland, 18 June 1829, concerning the death and estate of his Aunt Morrison in Portobello, Scotland.

Two juvenile manuscript essays by William's daughter Mary Fleming Gracie Tuckerman (1837-1901) titled "New England Philosophy" (3 November 1852) and "The Sabbath" (20 January 1852). Carte-de-visite of a bearded civilian holding a top hat, caption on the verso "Archie Gracie" possibly William's nephew Archibald Gracie III (1832-1864), who died as a general in the Confederate Army.

Pair of cartes-de-visite of William's second wife Cornelia Ann Fleming Gracie (1809-1891) printed in Europe, 1868 and undated, plus one of her sister. Recipe book kept by Cornelia Ann Fleming before her marriage to William Gracie.

Please note that the larger image of Mrs. Gracie is no longer available. Price for the letters and collection of photos is: $1,250.00.

A rare mid-19th century family cook book kept by Cornelia Ann Fleming before her marriage to William Gracie: 48 manuscript pages plus 11 inserted items. 8vo original calf, worn. Includes distinctively American dished such as Washington Cake and Albany Cake. An interesting assortment from a significant New York family. This cook book is on hold and is not available for sale.

Notes on the Gracie Family: Archibald Gracie came from Scotland to America soon after the Revolutionary War was ended. He settled in New York and soon became one of the 'heaviest' merchants New York had seen up to that time. His company imported wines, etc., from all parts of the world. These commodities were stored in enormous stores and ware houses. He also owned many ships for trading including The Breganze and The Elize Gracie. He married Esther Rogers and had a most successful life living in great style and is said to have had one of the finest carriages in New York. He talked to distinguished foreigners among them Lafayette on one of his later visits to America. We have a letter from Lafayette to one of out family and most of the Gracie silver and imported china was used then. It is now stored in Washington. Archibald Gracie had 3 sons and several daughters all of whom married other distinguished New York families. Sarah married James G. King-Eliza married Charles King, President of Columbia and Hetty married William Black Lawrence. The Gracie House was situated in a park by the East River, was then called Gracie Point at one time it was used for a museum and is now in 1943 occupied by Mayor La Guardia.

The Gracies and other New York traders suffered severe losses in the war with England in 1812 as they owned their own ships; the 'Berlin', relating to cargoes in war time affected them severely; their losses were tremendous in claims against foreign governments for confiscation of goods. The French government was forced to pay the claims against it but only after Archibald Gracie's death in 1829. Archibald Gracie is buried in a vault in St. Thomas church yard in New York. William Gracie oldest son of Archibald Gracie married for his first wife the daughter of Oliver Wolcott a Governor of Connecticut. She died suddenly at at party on her wedding day of a ruptured blood vessel. This wedding party was at the bride grooms William Gracies fathers house Gracie Point, all the bridesmaids were still present when the bride died.

Twenty years afterward William Gracie married again a very beautiful girl Cornelia Fleming descended from a noble society family. Cornelia had one child named Mary Fleming Gracie who married Charles K. Tuckerman and who was Arthur's grand mother.

#GS1. Pictured is a set of 12 teaspoons. Silver from the workshop of John Vernon (NYC). The family at one time owned Vernon House in Newport, Rhode Island. The monogram on this set is AEG for Archibald Gracie. This set is descended from through the Gracie family. Each spoon is 6.75" long and the set weighs app. 12.8 oz. Condition: one spoon shows a little 'abuse'. Fully hallmarked for John Vernon - 1789. . .We will be offering several sets of "Gracie" silver. Price for the 12 is $2,000.00.

Other Gracie Silver can be found on these pages

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