Jean Frederic La Farge (1790-1858)

He was born in the Charente, France, and at the age of sixteen joined the French Navy and was posted to San Domingo to suppress the Slave Uprising. Transferring into the military, he was captured and was the only man in his unit not to be killed after General Guerrier took a liking to him and La Farge taught him to read. Escaping to Europe, he joined the West Indian trade with the help of sailing master and ship-owner Peter Penet and anglicized his name in 1832. He built a mansion at LaFargeville in Jefferson County, New York, that he sold to a Catholic Bishop in 1837 and moved to New York City. He died at his summer home at Glen Cove, Long Island (pictured). He married Louisa, daughter of Dr. Binsse de St. Victor, and they had 9-children including the internationally acclaimed stained-glass artist John La Farge.