Allan Melvill (1823 - 1872)

Born 7 Apr 1823 in Albany, Albany, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Feb 1872 at age 48 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States

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Biography

Allan was an attorney and the brother of the author Herman Melville.

Allan "spent his adolescence working in his Uncle Peter Gansevoort's law office in Albany. Allan continued advancing his own legal career and on May 23, 1844 was admitted as a solicitor in the Court of Chancery in New York City; this designation, [.....] permitted Allan to represent clients in Chancery proceedings. County court officials for the years 1845 and 1846 also list Allan as an "Examiner in Chancery.""^[1]

Allan was born in 1823. He was the son of Allan Melvill and Maria Gansevoort. He was baptized 16 May 1823 at the Garden St. Dutch Reformed Church in Manhattan.^[2]

He married Sophia Eliza Thurston 22 September 1847 in New York City.^[3]

"Allan and Sophia (Thurston) were married in September of 1847 when the newlyweds Herman and Lizzie secured a residence at 103 Fourth Avenue in New York City, thanks largely to Allan's assistance. Therefore, Herman, Allan, and their new families resided in that Fourth Avenue house until 1850."^[4]

He married Jane Louisa Dempsey 18 April 1860 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Their marriage was announced in the New York Times 30 April 1860:^[5]

Married. Melville-Dempsey--At Philadelphia on Wednesday, April 18, in the Walnut St. Presbyterian Church, by Rev. Dr. Boardman. Allan Melville, of this City, to Jane Louise Dempsey, of the former place.

He passed away 9 February 1872 in Manhattan at the age of 48.^[6] His remains were buried at the Trinity Church Cemetery and Mausoleum in Manhattan.^[7]

New York Bar Association and Vestry of Zion Church Resolutions^[8]

"The Late Allan Melville, Esq.--At a meeting of the New York Bar Association, Feb. 23th, the following resolutions were passed:

"Whereas Allan Melville, an early member, and one who at all times during his life was interested in the objects of this Association has by an unexpected stroke of Divine Providence, been removed from our midst." [....] "testify our appreciation of his pure life, his upright character, his sense of justice, and his earnest and active cooperation in whatever concerned the honor and usefulness of this Association."

At a special meeting of the Vestry of Zion Church of New York, held at the Rectory, on Feb. 11th, the following resolutions were adopted:

"the high regard that it entertained of his Christian character, his earnest interest in everything that respected the welfare of this parish, his wise and delicate counsel in our assemblies; and his genial and courteous disposition; cherishing his memory as one well worthy of our esteem."

Sources

1. ↑ “Bartleby,” Allan Melville, and the Court of Chancery, WARREN BRODERICK, New York State Archives, Emeritus, published in Leviathan.
2. ↑ "New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FDY3-999 : 14 February 2020), Allan Melvill, 1823.
3. ↑ New York City, Compiled Marriage Index, 1600s-1800s.
4. ↑ “Bartleby,” Allan Melville, and the Court of Chancery, WARREN BRODERICK, New York State Archives, Emeritus, published in Leviathan.
5. ↑ Marriage Announcement. The new York Times, Monday, April 30, 1860, page 5.
6. ↑ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WJH-T41 : 3 June 2020), Allan Melville, 9 Feb 1872; citing Death, Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,324,569.
7. ↑ Find a Grave Memorial for Allan Melville.
8. ↑ The Late Allan Mellville, Esq Pittsfield Sun Thursday, Feb 29, 1872 Pittsfield, MA Vol: LXXII Issue: 3728 Page: 3.

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85723051/allan-melville