"The family was an ancient one, the first of whom there is authoritative mention having been a master of the Mint under Richard II." His father, Gilbert, was a Roundhead and stanch adherent of the Parliament in the civil Avars, serving creditably in the Parliamentary army. He held the office of mayor of Chesterfield. All of the seven sons became successful merchants. The eldest, Sir Gilbert, was " Lord Mayor of London, member of Parliament, one of the founders and the first governor of the Bank of England, knighted by Queen Anne, and created a baronet

COLONEL

CALEB

HEATHCOTE

in 1732 by George II." His descendants have ever since belonged to the British aristocracy, and his grandson, the third Sir Gilbert, was raised to the peerage as Baron Aveland. Another son, Samuel, was the progenitor of the Baronets Heathcote, of Harsley Park, County of Hampshire. Caleb came to America about 1691, making his home in New York and pursuing trade there. It is said that his removal to this country was occasioned by an unfortunate love affair, his brideelect having broken off her engagement with him to marry his brother Gilbert. He immediately became a prominent man in the city and province, and served at various times in a number of important offices, among them being those of surveyor-general of His Majesty's customs for the eastern district of North America, judge of the Court of Admiralty for the provinces of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, member of the governor's council, mayor of New York City, judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Westchester County, colonel of the Westchester County militia, and mayor of the borough Town of Westchester. It was from his connection witli tin military that he obtained his title of " Colonel," by which he was always known.