The son of German immigrants, Jacob Eppley and Rosina Heppie, he started out modestly as a butcher with a stall at the Oswego Market in lower Manhattan. He was reputed to have cornered the mutton market and made a fortune. He wisely invested his capital in real estate and built up a large portfolio of houses around the lower east side. He bequeathed his estate in trust (one of the first trust documents) for his only son Jacob Alexander Appley. Young Jacob A. enjoyed a large income for life but was barred from selling any of the properties. They were intended for Jacob A.'s children. Old Jacob provided for the estate to revert to his sister Barbara (Shrady) and her heirs in case young Jacob died without 'issue'. Jacob had more than 15 children with three different women, but none while he was legally married. That led to a legal challenge by the Shrady family, who included several prominent lawyers, that lasted for 50 years and led to a new state law. Jacob Married Sarah VanWinkle at the Trinity Church. She failed to produce any children but she helped to raise Jacob Alexander, who was born to her housemaid. After Sarah's death, Jacob married Maria Ford who lived to be 105. He built own vaults at St. Marks. Remains moved to vault #60, still incorrectly listed as vault #77 on register.
Both wives and several grandchildren are also included.
Both wives and several grandchildren are also included.
The son of German immigrants, Jacob Eppley and Rosina Heppie, he started out modestly as a butcher with a stall at the Oswego Market in lower Manhattan. He was reputed to have cornered the mutton market and made a fortune. He wisely invested his capital in real estate and built up a large portfolio of houses around the lower east side. He bequeathed his estate in trust (one of the first trust documents) for his only son Jacob Alexander Appley. Young Jacob A. enjoyed a large income for life but was barred from selling any of the properties. They were intended for Jacob A.'s children. Old Jacob provided for the estate to revert to his sister Barbara (Shrady) and her heirs in case young Jacob died without 'issue'. Jacob had more than 15 children with three different women, but none while he was legally married. That led to a legal challenge by the Shrady family, who included several prominent lawyers, that lasted for 50 years and led to a new state law. Jacob Married Sarah VanWinkle at the Trinity Church. She failed to produce any children but she helped to raise Jacob Alexander, who was born to her housemaid. After Sarah's death, Jacob married Maria Ford who lived to be 105. He built own vaults at St. Marks. Remains moved to vault #60, still incorrectly listed as vault #77 on register.
Both wives and several grandchildren are also included.
Both wives and several grandchildren are also included.
