David Gelston

David Gelston ( born July 4, 1744 Bridgehampton, Suffolk County, New York; † August 21, 1828 in New York City ) was an American merchant and politician.

Career

David Gelston was 1775-1777 as a delegate in the Provincial Congress of New York. During this time he signed in 1775 the Articles of Association. Then he represented his country at the 1777 Constituent Assembly. He was elected to the New York State Assembly then, where he fell here from 1777 to 1785. In the last two years of his tenure, he held the post of Speaker. Gelston was appointed in 1780 one of the Commissioners on Specie. Later he represented his state in 1789 in the Continental Congress. After that, he was a member of the 1792-1793 Council of Appointments. In addition, he served from 1791 to 1794 and in 1798 and 1802 in the Senate from New York. During this time he was in 1792 working as a channel representative. He also held 1787-1801 the post of Surrogate of New York. Last year, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him tax collector of the New York harbor, a position which he held until 1820. In addition, he worked as a merchant in New York City, where he died in 1828. He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Family

David Gelston married on August 24, 1769 Phebe Mitchel. Their daughter, Phebe Gelston (1771-1836), was married to Nicoll Floyd, the son of William Floyd. The couple had eight children together.