In accordance with this, Augustus White assumed the name of Augustus Van Cortlandt, and at the time of his death, which occurred April 1, 1839, he left the estate to his brother Henry for life, and to his brother's eldest son in fee, provided they take and constantly use the name of Van Cortlandt ; and upon the failure of male heirs, it was provided that the property should pass to his nephew, Augustus Van Cortlandt Bibby, the son of his sister Augusta.

Henry White, the above devisee, assumed the name of Van Cortlandt, and took possession of the estate upon the death of his brother. He survived him but a few months, and died in October, 1839, without children, and the estate then descended to his nephew, Augustus Van Cortlandt Bibby, who, by an act of the Legislature, assumed the name of Augustus Van Cortlandt.

Mr. Van Cortlandt, whose portrait is presented, was born in New York July 31, 1826. His father. Dr. Edmund N. Bibby, a physician of eminence, was the son of Captain Bibby, an aid to General Fraser, who was killed at the battle of Saratoga. Dr. Bibby married Augusta, daughter of Henry White (second) and Anna Van Cortlandt, and their children were Augustus Van Cortlandt (the subject of this sketch), Henry W. Bibby (now living in New York), Frances (wife of John W. Munro, of Pelham) and Ann W. (wife of Robert Ogden Glover, of Mt. Vernon).

The early education of Mr. Van Cortlandt was obtained at the collegiate school of Rev. R. T. Huddart, in New York ; later at a school in Bloomingdale ; and subsequently at the celebrated school of the Brothers Pugnet, on Bank Street. He left school in 1842, and a year later entered the counting-room of Garner & Co., at 33 Pine Street, where he remained till 1847.