He left to his descendants not only the wealth which was the result of his commercial ability and energy, but the still richer legacy of an unblemished reputation ; and all who knew him were willing to unite in the testimony that he was a man of upright life and free from guile. Like his father before him, he was a devoted member of the Baptist Church, and deeply interested in all that could increase its welfare and advance its usefulness. He married Mary, daughter of Edward Gilbert. Their children were Robert, Gilbert, Sarah (who died unmarried), James B. (of the well-known banking company of James B. Colgate & Co.), Joseph (who died in Berlin, Prussia, in 1864), Samuel (of Orange, N. J.), William (who died unmarried in 1838) and Mary (wife of Robert Colby).

Robert Colgate, the oldest of his family, and the subject of this sketch, was born in the city of New Y''ork, January 29, 1812. In his early youth he attended school at Rhinebeck during two years, and then went to Hamilton, Madison County, N. Y., where he attended an academy under the care of

Zenas Morse, who held a high reputation as an instructor. Upon his return to New York, he attended the high school under the care of Daniel H. Barnes, a well-known teacher. His introduction to business was as clerk in the employ of Samuel Hicks & Sons. One of the most important episodes of this period of his life was his experience during the cholera of 1832, when he was the only one of the employees who remained at his post during that fatal time. Upon one occasion he, in company with a carman in the employ of the firm, left the building at the same time. Within four hours his companion was dead and buried; Mr.