Garret Joris Rapalje was born in New York in 1730 to a prominent Dutch-American family. Descended from the first European child born in New Netherland, Garret Rapalje (sometimes "Gerrit Rappelje") followed in his ancestors' footsteps as he built multiple businesses in New York and New Jersey. He was an active importer, primarily in New York City, and he purchased and ran an iron foundry on the shores of Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey. Garret married a woman who, like he, was of Dutch heritage, and had a number of children. He was also a Loyalist during the Revolutionary War, and was even briefly imprisoned for his political views.
During his relatively long life (Garret died sometime around the end of 1796), Garret produced many records that have survived to the present day. He, with his family and slave, appears on the 1790 US Census. His name appears in the records of the Dutch Reformed Church, when each of his children were christened. His portrait and that of four of his children survive in the collection of the New-York Historical Society. Many of Garret's documents that are naturally created as part of doing business have also survived, a sample of which can be found here.
Come explore a bit of the world inhabited by an 18th-century businessman in New York City and New Jersey.
During his relatively long life (Garret died sometime around the end of 1796), Garret produced many records that have survived to the present day. He, with his family and slave, appears on the 1790 US Census. His name appears in the records of the Dutch Reformed Church, when each of his children were christened. His portrait and that of four of his children survive in the collection of the New-York Historical Society. Many of Garret's documents that are naturally created as part of doing business have also survived, a sample of which can be found here.
Come explore a bit of the world inhabited by an 18th-century businessman in New York City and New Jersey.