Royal Phelps (1809-1884)

He was born in New York and in early adulthood went to St. Croix, Wisconsin, where he worked as a clerk in a mercantile house. He started up in business on his own account in 1840 and established branches in Puerto Cabello and Laguayra in Venezuela before settling in New York City from 1847 as a partner in the firm of Maitland, Phelps & Co., acquiring a large fortune. He was a member of the New York State Assembly (1862-63); Vice-President of the New York Chamber of Commerce (1855-59); and President of the New York Society for the Protection of Game (1867-77). He gave his support financially and administratively to the erection of Washington's statue on Wall street. He married Anita, daughter of José Ignacio Maitín Laredo and they had one daughter who married John Lee Carroll, of Doughoregan Manor, Governor of Maryland.