Benjamin Woolsey Rogers (1775-1859)

He was born in New York City and educated entirely in England. On returning to America he took a degree at Yale under the auspices of his uncle, President Timothy Dwight. He joined his family's iron importing firm, Rogers & Woolsey, and became a senior partner when his father retired in his favor in 1798. Benjamin was the Governor of the New York Hospital for 38-years, "often risking his life there in seasons of malignant and contagious diseases". He also founded the Bloomingdale Hospital for the Insane along with the "Society Library" and the "Academy of Fine Arts" among others. He owned much property in west New York. He was married twice and had five children. His first wife (the mother of his four eldest children) died at sea while travelling to the South of France for her health. He lived at 5 State Street, and 7 State Street.