Grubb Family Tree

From Schermerhorn Genealogy and Family Chronicles, pages 159-160

Peter Schermerhorn adopted the calling of his father and grandfather, for in his marriage certificate (dated in his 22nd year), he is styled "Captain" Schermerhorn. Like his ancestors, he was doubtless commander and owner of vessels trading between New York and Charleston, his relations with the latter city often appearing incidentally.

During the troubles in New York in 1776, after the "Asia fired upon the town" and before the British took possession, he removed with his family to the neighborhood of Hyde Park, Dutchess County, on the Hudson, and there remained until after the peace of 1783, some of his children having been born there. Hyde Park is about six miles north of Poughkeepsie, and about 10 miles south of Rhinebeck. The family bible states that the son Peter was born at Stoutenburgh's. His baptism at Poughkeepsie led to the conclusion that the family lived in the neighborhood of what is now Hyde Park, where a family of Stoutenburghs had large holdings. A Jacobus T. Stoutenburgh was closely connected by marriage with Peter Schermerhorn, the Elder.

The motives of this removal were mostly political, but it is possible that so much of his property as consisted of vessels was, by the same means, saved from seizure. Many, if not all the members of his father's family withdrew from New York at the same time.

After his return to New York, he established himself in business as a ship chandler, admitting 1802, his second son, Peter, and in 1808, his third son Abraham, the styles of the firms' names having been successively "Peter Schermerhorn & Son" and "Peter Schermerhorn & Sons." In 1791, his place of business and his residence were at 71 and 73 Water St., respectively; in 1794, at 220 and 224 Water St., respectively; while in 1799, they were transferred, the former to 243 Water Street and the latter to 68 Broadway and they remained unchanged until his death.

In 1795, he, with his brother, Simon, purchased, probably from the Executors of Jacob Bennet, about 160 acres at Gowanus (Brooklyn), which they made their summer residence. In 1816, having acquired his brother's interest, he conveyed the whole to his son Abraham. A part of it is now comprised in Greenwood Cemetery.

On Jan. 28, 1806, he purchased from Thomas Marston, about 4 1/2 acres on the East River, at the foot of 82nd Street, New York City, which he occupied in summer until his death.

On Jan. 31, 1809, with Mathew Clarkson, Herman LeRoy, Henry Rogers and Guilian Ludlow, he conveyed to the "Rector, &c., of Grace Church" property on the corner of Rector Street and Broadway, upon which the old German Lutheran Church formerly stood and upon which Grace Church had then just been erected, such property having been conveyed to the grantors by the Trustees of said Lutheran Church, in trust, to convey the same to Grace Church as soon as it should have been incorporated.

In 1796 he was elected a Director of the Bank of New York, organized in 1784. He died at his residence No. 68 Broadway, and is buried in the family vault at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn.