David S. Kennedy

David Sproat Kennedy (1791 – February 2, 1853) was a Scottish-American merchant and banker who served as the 23rd president of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.[1]

David Sproat Kennedy
23rd President of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York
In office
1840–1842
Preceded byDavid Hadden
Succeeded byRichard Irvin
Personal details
Born1791
Kirkcudbright, Scotland
DiedFebruary 2, 1853(1853-02-02) (aged 61–62)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Spouse
Rachel Carmer Lenox
​
​
(after 1822)​
RelationsRobert Lenox (uncle)
James Lenox (cousin)
Children4

Early life

Kennedy was born in 1791 in the seaport town of Kirkcudbright on the southwest border of Scotland and named after his great-uncle, David Sproat.[2] He was the son of Capt. John Kennedy and Mary (née Lenox) Kennedy.[3]

His maternal grandparents were James Lenox and Elizabeth (née Sproat) Lenox and his uncle was merchant Robert Lenox and he was educated at the parish school in Kirkcudbright.[3]

Career

In 1807, he sailed to New York and accepted a clerkship in the merchant house set up by his uncle James Lenox in 1796 with his partner, Robert Maitland, known as Jas. Lenox & Wm. Maitland. Kennedy became partner in 1812 when the firm was known as Lenox, Maitland & Company, but in 1818, the name was changed to Kennedy & Maitland when James Lenox retired and returned to Scotland. Kennedy & Maitland was known as one of the "greatest commercial houses in the United States," and Kennedy "held a commanding position in the financial and social community."[3]

After his father-in-law's death in 1839, Kennedy succeeded to the management of part of the large estate as well as inheriting substantial property from his uncle, James Lenox, who died unmarried, also in 1839.[3] Kennedy also became an agent for the Bank of Montreal and several others in Canada.

Kennedy joined the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York in 1817, serving as Manager from 1823 to 1824 and from 1825 to 1826, second vice-president from 1827 to 1828 and president from 1840 to 1842.[3]

Personal life

On May 22, 1822, Kennedy was married to his first cousin, Rachel Carmer Lenox (1792–1875).[4] Rachel was the sister of philanthropist James Lenox. Together, they were the parents of:

Between 1840 and 1845, he was painted by the American portrait artist Henry Inman, which today is owned by the New-York Historical Society.[2]

Kennedy died at his residence on Fifth Avenue in New York City on February 2, 1853.

Descendants

Through his son James, he was the grandfather of Henry Van Rensselaer Kennedy (1863–1912), who married Marian Robbins (1862–1946).[13][14]

References
  1. Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York (1911). Roster of Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York with Biographical Data. D. Taylor. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. "David Sproat Kennedy (1791-1853)". www.nyhistory.org. New-York Historical Society. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  3. Morrison, George Austin (1906). History of Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York, 1756-1906. New York: Saint Andrew's Society of the State of NY. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  4. Reynolds, Cuyler (1914). Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Building of a Nation. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 1294. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  5. "Robert L. Kennedy's Funeral" (PDF). The New York Times. 20 September 1887. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  6. "Kennedy, Robert Lenox, 1822-1887". research.frick.org. Frick Art Reference Library. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  7. "DIED" (PDF). The New York Times. December 19, 1864. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  8. "Died" (PDF). The New York Times. 3 August 1898. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  9. "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form - Presbyterian Rest for Convalescents" (PDF). doi.gov. United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  10. "RACHEL KENNEDY'S WILL; Proceedings to Establish Her Last Testament Begun. PAPERS LOST OR DESTROYED If the Document Is Proved, Churches and Charity Will Get a Big Part of the Estate" (PDF). The New York Times. 25 April 1899. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  11. "RACHEL L. KENNEDY WILL CASE; Surrogate's Decree, Dismissing Petition for Probate, Sustained" (PDF). The New York Times. 18 July 1900. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  12. "Died" (PDF). The New York Times. 20 April 1922. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  13. History of the Yale University Class of 1905. Yale University. 1908. p. 229. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  14. "Platter". www.nyhistory.org. New-York Historical Society. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
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