Lester, at the suggestion of his brother-in-law, moved with his family from Norwich to New Rochelle, where he purchased the extensive farm, upon which he now resides. The place has become famous as the previous home and property of Thomas Paine, it having been presented to him by the United States government. His grave, the house in which he lived, and the monument raised to his memory are still standing upon it, and have not only, not been mutilated by Mr. Lester, as
NEW ROCHELLE.
was charged by the daily papers, but have been preserved by him with special care.
When Mr. Lester took possession of the property it was merely a rolling plain, thickly strewn with boulders. By unremitting toil he converted it into the highly fertile and splendidly improved property, whose appearance enchants the eye of the sj)ectator. For many years Mr. Lester was obliged to rise from his bed at midnight, collect the produce which he had forced the stony soil to yield and depart by one o'clock in the morning for No. 22 Bowery, and other stands in Xew York City, where he would await purchasers.
It was his habit of industry and perseverance which made Mr. Lester the successful man he is, and now that he has attained financial prosperity, he rests in the consciousness of a life well spent. In 1825, upon his removal to New Rochelle, he presented his letter of membership, and was admitted to the Presbyterian Church, of which he has been an elder for sixty years, and superintendent of the Sabbath-school for thirty years. He has deeply interested himself in young men, and several who have attained sucess in business life attribute the habits which have gained it for them to the educating influence of their old friend. His only surviving child, David Brainard Lester, of the firm of Joseph Lester & Co., hatters at No.