Joseph Davis Beers (1780-1863)

He was born at Newtown, Connecticut, and came to New York City in 1815 where he became head of the banking firm of J.D. Beers & Co. whose offices were on the southwest corner Wall and Broad Streets. He financed the building of the Southern New Jersey Railroad. He was married three times: (1) In 1803, to Mary Chapman, the aunt of William Chapman who built Whitby Castle at Rye, New York (2) In 1852, to Janet Browing Phelps (3) In 1859, to Sarah Turrell. He died at his townhouse in New York City, 11 East 14th Street, and was survived by at least one daughter by his first marriage, Mary Elizabeth Beers, who married Lewis Curtis.