Andrew Foster (1772-1849)
"Rio" or Coffee Merchant, of Foster & Giraud; of 5 Bowling Green, New York City
He was said to have come from Scotland to New York in one of his own ships and started life as an auctioneer. The commission business he established in New York with his brother-in-law - Foster & Giraud, of 65 South Street - dealt in North American cotton, sugar, and tobacco along with Caribbean and South American commodities, principally coffee, shipping southern bulk commodities to Liverpool. After the death of Jacob Post Giraud (who started out in life as a cooper), the firm became Andrew Foster & Sons. Among their more unusual imports offered for sale was half a tonne of elephant's teeth. After Andrew Foster died, the firm continued as Foster, Elliot & Co. His personal fortune was estimated at $150,000 in 1845.
