Joseph Henry Appelgate[1, 2, 3]

Male 1849 - 1920  (71 years)


Personal Information    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Joseph Henry Appelgate 
    Born 23 Feb 1849  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1850  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [12
    Residence 1855  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [13
    Occupation 1870  [14
    • Bookkeeper for Works
    Residence 1870  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [14
    • in the household of his father in law Herman De Wolfe
    Occupation 1875  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [15
    • Bookkeeper in New York
    Occupation 1875  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [16
    • Bookkeeper
    Residence 1875  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [15
    • 212 Walnut Street
    Occupation 1878  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [17
    Residence 1878  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [17
    Occupation 1892  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [18
    • Fish Dealer
    Residence 1892  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [19
    Occupation 1897  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [20
    • Fish
      931 Fulton
    Residence 1897  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [20
    • 216 Lexington Ave.
    Occupation 1900  [1
    • Sea Food
    Residence 1900  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1
    • 216 Lexington Ave
    Occupation 1905  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [21
    • Fish
    Voress Number 5D4C7A3 
    Residence 1905  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [21
    • 16 Slocum Place
    Residence 1920  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [22
    • 817 Ditmas Ave.
    Died 06 Jul 1920  Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [11, 22
    Notes 
    • 5D4C7A3 BR1A3 Joseph Henry Appelgate, b. February 1849 in NY (1850 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 11th Ward, 116/217 [age 1, birthplace NY]; 1870 US Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 7th Ward, p. 198, 1065/1840 [age 21, birthplace NY]; 1875 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 21, Elec. Dist. 4, p. 18, 110/157 [age 26, birthplace Kings Co., NY]; 1900 US Census, NY, Kings Co., New York, Brooklyn Bor., Dist. 2/387, Sheet 8A, 122/163 [February 1849, birthplace NY]; 1905 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn Bor. ED 25, AD 18, Block X-W, p. 38 [age 55]), d. July 6, 1920, at his home at 817 Ditmas Ave., Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 7, 1920, p 3). He married 23 Feb 1870 (1870 US Census, supra [married February of that year]; 1900 US Census, supra [married 30 years]; Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb 23, 1920, p. 21 [article on 5th wedding anniversary]) Susan Jane DeWolfe, b. December 1849, in Kings Co., NY (1870 US Census, supra [age 20, birthplace NY]; 1875 NY State Census, supra [age 25, birthplace Kings Co., NY]; 1900 US Census, supra [December 1849, birthplace NY]; d. 6 April 1937 at the home of her daughter in Baltimore, MD (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Apr 8, 1937, p. 17). Susan was the daughter of Herman DeWolfe, b. abt 1821 in NY (1870 US Census, supra [age 49, birthplace NY]), d. _____ and Eliza ____, b. abt. 1822 in NY (Id. [age 46, birthplace NY]).

      Joseph was enumerated in the household of his father Edward in 1850, just one year old. By 1870, he had married and was living with his new wife Susan with his in-laws, the DeWolfes. His father-in-law Herman owned a turning business and it appears Joseph was the bookkeeper for the business. (1870 US Census, supra).

      By 1875, Joseph and Susan were living on their own at 212 Walnut Street in Brooklyn. Joseph was 26, and a bookkeeper in New York (meaning at that time, New York City). Susan was 25, and children Herlin M and Isabella were 4 and 2. All were born in Kings Co., NY. (1875 NY State Census, supra).

      In 1878, Joseph was still a bookkeeper, but the family had moved to 372 Van Buren in Brooklyn. (1878 Brooklyn City Directory, p. 16)

      In 1879, the family had moved again—this time to 81 Irving Place in Brooklyn. Joseph H Applegate’s business had changed to “fish”. According to articles about Joseph in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle—his obituary and a description of his wedding anniversary—he had been a cotton broker who lost his fortune in a market crash in 1873 and had to take up work as a fishmonger. Curiously, a “S. J. Appelgate” is also listed as doing business as “fish” with the same home address, but with a business address of 876 Fulton (Note this is not the Fulton Street Fish Market. That market was located on a different Fulton Street in Manhattan). The most likely candidate for “S. J.” is Joseph’s wife, Susan J. Apparently, at that time they were business partners as well as life partners. (1879-80 Lain Brooklyn City Directory).

      In 1897, Joseph was still in the fish business (although there is no sign of Susan). His business address was 931 Fulton and his home address was 216 Lexington. (1897 Lain Brooklyn City Directory).

      In 1900, Joseph and family were enumerated at 216 Lexington living next to Joseph’s son Herlin. Joseph was born in February 1849, in NY and his occupation was “sea food”. Wife Susan was born in December 1849, in NY; son Jessie (listed as “Dau Son”—the enumerator had problems with the name) was born in January 1879, in NY and was a clerk/broker; daughter Bessie B was born in March 1888; and son Joseph, Jr., was born in February 1890. Also living in the household was Joseph’s mother-in-law Elsie DeWolfe, born August 1823, in NY. (1900 US Census, supra).

      In 1905, Joseph and family were enumerated at 16 Slocum Place in Brooklyn. Herlin (listed as “Herbert”) had moved back home. Joseph H was 55, and his occupation was still “fish”. Wife Susan J was 54; son Herbert [sic—should be Herlin] was 34 and his occupation was “electric”; son Jesse L was 26 and his occupation was “inspector”; daughter Bessie B was 19; son Joseph H, Jr., was 15; and daughter Dorothy was 5. (1905 NY State Census, supra).

      Joseph made his will on December 12, 1911 in Brooklyn. A transcript is attached as an appendix. In the will, he uses the name Joseph Henry Appelgate. It is a simple will that leaves his entire estate to his wife Susan Jane and names her executrix.

      Joseph died at his last home, 817 Ditmars Avenue, Brooklyn NY on July 6, 1920. His will was admitted to probate on July 23, 1920. The application for probate made by Susan Jane contains a list of living heirs (herself and the children) and a waiver of service of citation signed by all of them. They all spelled their last name “Appelgate”. (Kings County Probate File, Joseph Henry Appelgate, L 516, P. 156).

      APPENDIX

      Will of Joseph Henry APPELGATE
      King’s County (NY) Surrogate’s Court
      L. 516, P. 156

      IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN:

      I, JOSEPH HENRY APPELGATE, of the Borough of Brooklyn, in the City of New York, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament, as follows:

      FIRST: I order and direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid, as soon as they conveniently may be paid after my decease.

      SECOND: All the rest, residue and remainder of my property, both real and personal whosesoever situated, I give, devise and bequeath to my wife SUSAN JANE APPELGATE, and to her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns forever.

      THIRD: I hereby appoint my wife SUSAN JANE APPELGATE Executrix of this my last Will and Testament, and I order and direct that my executrix shall not be required to give a bond for the faithful performance of her duties.

      FOURTH: I hereby revoke all other wills and codicils by my heretofore made.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal this 12th day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and eleven.

      WITNESS: s/ Joseph Henry APPELGATE [seal]

      Subscribed at the end and sealed by the said JOSEPH HENRY APPELGATE, the Testator named in the foregoing Will, in the presence of us and of each of us, and at the time of making and subscription the above instrument was declared by the said Testator to be his last Will and Testament; and then we and each of in his presence and in the presence of one another, did sign our names as witnesses thereto at the end of the Will.

      s/ George Frederick Kaiser Residing at 26 Rugby Road, Brooklyn, NY
      s/ James Jardine Conroy Residing at 277 Stratford Road, City.

      Article Noting the 50th Wedding Anniversary of Joseph Henry and Susan
      Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb. 15, 1920, p. 58

      Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Henry Appelgate, members of St. Mark’s Methodist Episcopal Church, Veverly rd. and Ocean ave., Flatbush, old Brooklynies who have been residents in Flatbush almost a score of years, will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary Feb. 23 with a dinner and reception in the afternoon of that date at the Ormonde, Fulton st. and Nostrand ave. Mr. Appelgate is one year beyond the Biblical allotted time; his wife is just over the mark. Both are in the best of health, although Mr. Appelgate lost a leg through amputation three years ago, following a stroke of apoplexy. But, despite his handicaps of age and amputation, he gets about as lively as a cricket.

      The couple were married Washing’s birthday, 1870, in the DeKalb Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, in which they were active workers. At that time Mr. Appelgate Mr. Appelgate was a junior partner in a cotton brokerage firm at 17 William st., Manhattan. In the “wildcat panic” of ’73 he went to the wall with many others, and failing to make connections, opened a fish market at the corner of Fulton st. and Waverly ave. That was 47 years ago, and on the same corner, but across from the first market, the market is still doing business, the oldest established in the boro.

      The couple have five children and 14 grandchildren, who will help celebrate the epoch in their lives. Two of them, Mrs. Howard Kenneth Jones, wife of the president of the Rotagraph Company of Manhattan and Joseph H. Appelgate, Jr., well known in Brooklyn as a newspaperman, now reside in Glen Rock, N.J.. Herlin Manly Appelgate of this boro and Harry Clifford Appelgate of Baldwin, L.I. are conducting the business since their father’s forced retirement. Jesse Lamberson Appelgate, the other son, a Custom House broker, resides at Rockvill Centre. Herlin is a widower with a daughter in her twenties.

      OBITUARY
      Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 7, 1920, p. 3

      J.H. APPELGATE DIES; OLD FISH MERCHANT

      WAS IN BUSINESS NEARLY HALF A CENTURY AT FULTON ST. AND WAVERLY AVE.

      While chatting with his wife and brother on the porch of his wife and brother on the porch of his residence at 817 Ditmas ave., Flatbush, last evening, Joseph Henry Appelgate, who, until his retirement from the business three years ago following illness, was probably the best-known fish dealer in Brooklyn, died suddenly of a stroke of apoplexy. His funeral service will be held on Friday evening at 8 o’clock, at his late residence, and the interment will be in Cypress Hills Cemetery.

      Mr. Applegate [sic] a native Brooklynite, lived his whole lifetime here, where he was born on Feb. 23, 1849. He descended from a long line of natives, his paternal ancestors settling here with the Dutch in 1664. His maternal forebears antedated the Revolution. His grandfather, William E. Sheffield, was the first Naval constructor of the United States Navy. A very wealthy man, Mr. Sheffield gave to the United States Government, for the consideration of $1, the property now used as the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

      Mr. Applegate [sic] started his career in a cotton broker’s office and, having risen to the position of junior partner married Susan Jane De Wolfe on Washington’s Birthday in 1870. Later, he became a victim of the “wildcat panic”. He then turned to the fish business and in this humble occupation established a name that meant fresh sea food to his customers, may of who traveled far to buy their fish at the corner of Fulton st. and Waverly av., where for almost half a century, Mr. Applegate [sic] was in business. Two sons now manage it.

      Mr. Applegate [sic] celebrated his gold wedding last Washington’s Birthday with a supper at the Ormonde on Fulton st., and at that time bid fair to live many years. Three years ago apoplexy caused the loss of his right leg, which had to be amputated, but despite this serious surgical operation, he lived on in apparently good health until apoplexy caused his almost instant death last night.

      Mr. Applegate [sic] is survived by wife, three brothers, Charles N., George and Edward; a daughter, Mrs. Howard Kenneth Jones of Glen Rock, N.J., and four sons, Merlin [sic] Manly and Harry Clifford, who manage the fish business; Jesse Lamberson, a custom house broker, and Joseph Jr., a member of the Brooklyn Eagle’s news staff.

      Mr. Applegate [sic] was a member of St. Mark’s Methodist Episcopal Church, Ocean ave. and Beverly rd., where he was an active worker until the time of his infirmity. He was one of those who founded the church when it was established in 1904 in a dwelling next door to the present edifice. He was for years an active worker in the old Norstrand Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church on Quincy st.
    Person ID I14102  Applegate Main
    Last Modified 11 Oct 2018 

    Father Edward N Applegate,   b. Abt 1818, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 05 Jan 1905, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 87 years) 
    Mother Cordelia Sheffield,   b. 1821, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Mar 1889, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years) 
    Family ID F5808  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Susan Jane De Wolfe,   b. Dec 1849, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 06 Apr 1937, Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 87 years) 
    Married 23 Feb 1870  [23
    Children 
     1. Herlin Manley Appelgate,   b. Feb 1871, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Dec 1958, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 87 years)
     2. Isabella "Bella" Appelgate,   b. 13 Feb 1873, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Jun 1877, Kings County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 4 years)
     3. Harry Clifford Appelgate,   b. 12 Nov 1875, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Apr 1944, Oceanside, Nassau County, New Yokrk, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 68 years)
     4. Jesse Lamberson Appelgate,   b. Jan 1879, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Nov 1935  (Age ~ 56 years)
     5. Ethel Appelgate,   b. 06 Mar 1885,   d. 07 Jan 1886, New York City, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 0 years)
     6. Bessie Belle Applegate,   b. Mar 1888, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location
     7. Joseph Henry Appelgate,   b. 26 Feb 1890, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Jun 1953, Suffern, Rockland County, New York, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 63 years)
    Last Modified 11 Oct 2018 
    Family ID F187501  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 23 Feb 1849 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1850 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1855 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1870 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - 1875 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - 1875 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1875 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - 1878 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1878 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - 1892 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1892 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - 1897 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1897 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1900 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - 1905 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1905 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1920 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 06 Jul 1920 - Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Sources 
    1. [S84] 1900 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., New York, Brooklyn Bor., Dist. 2/387, Sheet 8A, 122/163.

    2. [S801] 1897 Brooklyn City Directory (Lain).
      gives name Jos. H. Applegate

    3. [S804] Probate File of Joseph Henry Appelgate, 1920-07-23, Kings Co. (NY) L 516, P. 156.
      gives name Joseph Henry Appelgate

    4. [S86] 1850 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 11th Ward, 116/217.
      age 1, birthplace NY

    5. [S85] 1870 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 7th Ward, p. 198, 1065/1840.
      age 21, birthplace NY

    6. [S84] 1900 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., New York, Brooklyn Bor., Dist. 2/387, Sheet 8A, 122/163.
      February 1849, birthplace NY

    7. [S793] 1875 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 21, Elec. Dist. 4, p. 18, 110/157.
      age 26, birthplace Kings Co., NY

    8. [S660] 1905 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn Bor. ED 25, AD 18, Block X-W, p. 38.
      age 55, birthplace NY

    9. [S679] 1892 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 23, ED 11, p. 6.
      age 43

    10. [S1082] 1855 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 11, ED 1, 59/136.
      age 7, birthplace Kings Co.

    11. [S678] Brooklyn Eagle, Jul 7, 1920, p. 3.

    12. [S86] 1850 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 11th Ward, 116/217.

    13. [S1082] 1855 NY State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 11, ED 1, 59/136.

    14. [S85] 1870 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., Brooklyn, 7th Ward, p. 198, 1065/1840.

    15. [S793] 1875 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 21, Elec. Dist. 4, p. 18, 110/157.

    16. [S799] 1879-80 Brooklyn City Directory (Lain).

    17. [S800] 1878 Brooklyn City Directory, 16.

    18. [S679] 1892 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 23, ED 11, p. 6.
      Fish Dealer

    19. [S679] 1892 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn, Ward 23, ED 11, p. 6.

    20. [S801] 1897 Brooklyn City Directory (Lain).

    21. [S660] 1905 New York State Census, Kings Co., Brooklyn Bor. ED 25, AD 18, Block X-W, p. 38.

    22. [S804] Probate File of Joseph Henry Appelgate, 1920-07-23, Kings Co. (NY) L 516, P. 156.

    23. [S84] 1900 United States Census, NY, Kings Co., New York, Brooklyn Bor., Dist. 2/387, Sheet 8A, 122/163.
      married 30 years


Home Page |  What's New |  Most Wanted |  Surnames |  Photos |  Histories |  Documents |  Cemeteries |  Places |  Dates |  Reports |  Sources