Nathan Augustus Chedsey 137

Mr Nathan Augustus Chedsey, one of the well known members of the New York bar has the unique distinction of continuing in active practice of his profession for the longest terms of any lawyer now living in the metropolis. For forty-five years he has practiced continuously, and throughout this period in the identical office where he is still to be found diligently conducting the legal business of a wealthy and select clientage.

Mr. Chedsey descended from several old Puritan Families of New England. His direct ancestor, the first of the name in this country, John Chedsey, was one of the original pioneers of the New Haven Colony, Connecticut. He came from England and joined the famous Dr. Davenport, in whose church he held the responsible office of Deacon, through but twenty-seven years of age. He was present, in this capacity, when Dr. Davenport preached his first sermon in the new plantation, in the open air, under the famous oak on the present site of the campus of Yale College. Deacon Chedsey was a tanner by trade, and conducted his business successfully in New Haven, until, by invitation of the trustees of East Haven, he removed to that then newer settlement, receiving, in return for the advantages imparted to the community by his establishment, and allotment of land, known to this day as the " Chedsey Field ".He remained until his death in East Haven, a successful business man and influential in local affairs. Some of his descendants removed to Old Guilford, and later on were among the pioneers who hewed their houses out of the forest, founding the settlement of North Guilford. Here they remained for several generations.

The father of Mr. Chedsey [like his own father and grandfather before him] was a well-to-do farmer of North Guilford. Mr. Chedsey's grandmother, on the paternal side, was a niece of Lot Benton, of North Guilford. the rugged old farmer and philanthropist mentioned in Dr. Lyman Beecher's Autobiography. Benton was prominent in church and State in those days, and a patron of education, assisting the poor, perceiving the genius of young Lyman Beecher, through a theological discussion with him carried on while plowing a field, he put the boy [who lived with him] through Yale College, thus curiously opening up the career of that famous divine and his distinguished descendants.

Mr. Chedsey was born September 10, 1821, in the town of Durham, adjoining North Guilford, on the inheritance of his mother, Mary Coe, which had been in her family since the remotest settlement of Durham. The old homestead was built in 1760 and is still standing, and owned by Mr. Chedsey. His mother was born in this house, where she resided until her death at the ripe age of ninety-five. Mr. Chedsey's ancestors went from that house as in the war of the revolution, one of whom at the age of sixteen was in the battle of White Plains under Washington's command.

Mr. Chedsey's early boyhood was passed on the farm, assisting his father, who was an engineer and surveyor, as well as farmer. The boy studied under his father, and was subsequently educated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut. In 1844 he went west, and for two years was principal of the academy at Marshall, Michigan. Returning to Connecticut at the end of this period, he entered Law School of Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1848, and received his diploma. He was at once admitted to the bar in the same class with Hon. Henry Harrison, ex-governor of Connecticut.

In 1849 Mr. Chedsey came to New York City, where he hired the offices which he still occupies. Despite his phenomenal career in active practice of nearly half a century, Mr. Chedsey's faculties seem as vigorous as in the prime of his life, with the mellowing advantage of long experience. He enjoys uninterrupted health, which is attributable to his temperate, regular habits and life-long industry. Formerly engaged in active daily practice in the courts, where he handled many notable cases, of late years he has devoted himself especially to real estate and probate business. He enjoys a large and desirable practice in these departments and as executor has handled many large estates. Notable among these is the estate of Miss Sarah L. Cook, the philanthropist, who receiving large inheritances from her father and uncles, after providing liberally for her relatives, and giving large amounts to her most intimate friends [including behests of $100,000. to St Mary's Free Hospital for poor children and $50,000. to her rector] left the residuary estate, amounting to $700,000. to the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, of which she was a member and to which she was greatly devoted.

Mr. Chedsey drew her will; she wrote him a letter, which he holds, requesting him to insert in her will a legacy to himself of $10,000, which he declined. He has always opposed the practice of lawyers inserting legacies to themselves when drawing up wills for their clients as it naturally raises the presumption of undue influence and intrigue, of which no honorable lawyer would for a moment consent to be accused.

In the course of his long practice, Mr. Chedsey has accumulated a comfortable fortune, yet, as already said continues his active hold on business at the request of his clients who desire his services. He presents one of the most noteworthy figures in the legal profession in New York City.

Will of Nathan A. Chedsey

Born in Durham, Conn. Sept.10, 1821

Died New York City, August 20, 1895

Thirteenth, I also give and bequeath to the Deacons or Trustees of the said Church, the sum of One thousand dollars to be held by them and their successors in trust, they to invest the same on bond and mortgage at interest upon lands in said town of Durham, worth double the amount so invested, and keep the same invested in perpetuity, and expend the annual income thereof in keeping the grounds and tombstones where my mother, Mary Coe Chedsey, and my sister Helen Chedsey are buried in the burial ground near the south Green in Durham Centre. And also the tombstones and grounds where my Grandfather, Charles Coe and my Grandmother, Hannah Coe, are buried in the same cemetery. And also the group and tombstones where my sister, Maria Chedsey Wadsworth, and her husband John W.Wadsworth and their daughter, Alice Colden Wadsworth, are buried in the same cemetery. And also the tombstones and grounds where my eldest sister, Helen Chedsey is buried in the old cemetery in Durham. Also for the purpose of keeping the monument erected to my grandfather Nathan Chedsey, at Bluff Head in North Guilford in the State of Connecticut; also to keep the fence around the said last mentioned cemetery in good order and repair, which said cemetery given to the people of the Bluff Head by my father, Joseph Chedsey for burial purposes.

And I also give and bequeath to the said Deacons or Trustees of said Church the sum of One Thousand Dollars to be held by them and their successors in trust, that is to say; In trust to invest the same on bond and mortgage at interest on lands in said town of Durham, worth double the amount of the said invested in perpertuity, and receive the interest thereof and expend the sums in keeping other portions of said cemeteries in repair.