Elias Desbrosses (1718-1778)

He owned a distillery and became one of New York's leading import-export merchants. He co-founded the New York Chamber of Commerce and was its first Treasurer, before being appointed President. He acquired the Hardenburgh Patent in New York of some 60,000 acres that he bequeathed to his brother, James Sr. He was Governor of the New York Hospital and a generous philanthropist. He died unmarried.