Thomas Addis Emmet (1818-1880)
Civil Engineer & Surveyor, of New York City & Carmel, Putnam Co., N.Y.
He was born in New York City and after graduating from Columbia College, he studied engineering and left school to accept a position on the Erie Railroad. He was Assistant Engineer in the Department of Public Works, his sphere of duty being Boyd's Corners where he attended to the erection of the Reservoir for several years. He was afterwards (1872) in charge of the important surveys of the Bronx River which was made under the authority of Commissioner Allan Campbell, for the purpose of procuring a better supply of water for New York City. He died in the midst of his labors. In 1847, he was one of the original 100-invitees (of whom only 42 are known) invited to found the Century Association in New York. He was described as, "genial, unostentatious, charitable - and was beloved not only by those related to him by blood, but by all his associates."
Gifted to him by his father who received it from his father, he was in the possession of a large emerald ring which was used as a seal by the United Irishmen in 1798. A lapidary had engraved on it the secret arms of the rebels - a harp and clasped hands, and it was used on the wax that sealed the letters of the leaders to their associates. At one time, the English Government offered a reward of $500 for its possession, but they failed to obtain even a clue to its owner. After his death, he bequeathed the ring to his nephew, Robert Emmet.
Gifted to him by his father who received it from his father, he was in the possession of a large emerald ring which was used as a seal by the United Irishmen in 1798. A lapidary had engraved on it the secret arms of the rebels - a harp and clasped hands, and it was used on the wax that sealed the letters of the leaders to their associates. At one time, the English Government offered a reward of $500 for its possession, but they failed to obtain even a clue to its owner. After his death, he bequeathed the ring to his nephew, Robert Emmet.
