David Lydig (1764-1840)

He was described as, "a man of good education, carefully brought up, handsome in person, of good sense and judgment, refined and courteous in manner." He began his career as a merchant trading from No. 21 Peck Slip and living above the store as was the custom of the day. He removed to 55 Beckman Street and in 1818 he paid $25,250 for his new home at 225 Broadway, the second house from Barclay Street. In 1831, he sold that property on which part of the Astor House was built for $32,500. He then moved to his final city address, 34 Leight Street. He was a leading member of "The Club" that consisted of about thirty prominent New Yorkers and met at the members' houses in succession. He was a director of the Merchants' Bank and the owner of West Farms in the Bronx where Philip Hone among others dined in 1839: "the beautiful grounds on Bronx river are in fine order, and such a profusion of roses and other flowers I have scarcely ever seen. We had an excellent dinner, Lydig's fine old wines, and abundance of delicious strawberries, and a welcome hearty as the one and unstinted as the other".