William Bedlow Crosby (1786-1865)
Realty Owner, of Rutgers Place, New York City
He was born in New York City and lost both his parents by the age of three. He was adopted and raised by his mother's uncle, Col. Henry Rutgers. When Rutgers died in 1830 he left Crosby an estate worth a million dollars comprised of most of what is today the seventh ward of New York City. He never engaged in business, but instead devoted his time and attention to the care of his property and to charity. By 1845, his fortune had grown to $1.5-million, but by 1855 it had dropped to $600,000. He was connected with many societies, and spent a large part of his income on private charities. By virtue of his father's military service in the American Revolution, he was made a Member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
