David Lydig (1764-1840)
of New York City & West Farms, Bronx Park; Flour Dealer, of Lydig & Son
He was described as, "a man of good education, carefully brought up, handsome in person, of good sense and judgment, refined and courteous in manner." He began his career as a merchant trading from No. 21 Peck Slip and living above the store as was the custom of the day. He removed to 55 Beckman Street and in 1818 he paid $25,250 for his new home at 225 Broadway, the second house from Barclay Street. In 1831, he sold that property on which part of the Astor House was built for $32,500. He then moved to his final city address, 34 Leight Street. He was a leading member of "The Club" that consisted of about thirty prominent New Yorkers and met at the members' houses in succession. He was a director of the Merchants' Bank and the owner of West Farms in the Bronx where Philip Hone among others dined in 1839: "the beautiful grounds on Bronx river are in fine order, and such a profusion of roses and other flowers I have scarcely ever seen. We had an excellent dinner, Lydig's fine old wines, and abundance of delicious strawberries, and a welcome hearty as the one and unstinted as the other".