James Muhlenberg Bailey (1839-1897)

He was born "to a large fortune" and grew up on Laight Street in New York City. He studied at Columbia College but finished his education in Europe where he developed his tastes for art and literature and spent many years in Sicily studying its ancient history. In New York, he belonged to the Geographical, Numismatic and Historical Societies, as well as genealogical societies. He belonged to the Union Club, Union League, St. Nicholas and other clubs but preferred the quiet of his extensive library. He was devoted to the studies of literature, art, coins and autographs, and his collections of paintings, rare engravings, old bibles, books etc., were well-known and extremely valuable. He was related by birth or marriage to nearly all the old Knickerbocker families. He married Alletta, daughter of Edward Livingston Lynch and had one daughter.