Archibald Gracie

Background

Gracie was the son of a weaver named William Gracie, of Dumfries, Scotland.

Career

In 1776, he moved to Liverpool and clerked for a London shipping firm. He used his earnings to purchase a part interest in a merchant ship. In April 1784, he sailed to America with a cargo of goods that were his own profit stock.

He used the proceedings to invest in a mercantile company in New York City.

He later moved to St. Petersburg, Virginia, and engaged in the export of tobacco to Great Britain. Gracie expanded his interests and became active in the banking and insurance industries.

He was an incorporator of the Eagle Fire Insurance Company and vice president of the New York Insurance Company, a director of the United States Bank and of the Bank of America, and Vice-President of the New York Chamber of Commerce from 1800 to 1825. His two marriages yielded ten children.

Gracie was the 18th president of the Saint Andrews" Society of New York, serving from 1818-1823.

In 1798, Gracie purchased a large tract of land on Horn"s Hook near the East River, where the following year he constructed a large two-story wooden mansion on the crest of a hill. Used primarily as his country home, the mansion quickly became a hub of the New York city social scene. Gracie"s distinguished guests included future United States president John Quincy Adams and future French king Louis Phillippe.

Gracie sold the estate in 1823 to pay off debts.

lieutenant was acquired by New York City in 1891 and serves as the residency of the Mayor of New York City.

Membership

Gracie was a member of the Tontine Association, which supervised the trading of stocks.

Connections

Partner:

Gracie Mansion

Friend:

Alexander Hamilton