The family story continues … a woman, who ran a boarding house, came to Ellis Island to hire maids. Anne got the job...
As we know, Anne was robbed and lost both her money and the address of her Aunt Anne in New Orleans; the family story says she found a job in a boarding house
I wanted to find Anne- so I turned to the easiest source- the Census. The 1850 U.S. Census lists Anne as a servant in the home of Rufus Davenport, age 74, and his son, George, his wife, Harriet Cable (46) and extended family members - Harriet and Caroline Webb (60 and 36 respectively).
- The New York City Directory provides Davenport’s home address- 8 Macdougal (today MacDougal Alley - in Hell’s Kitchen!
- The New York City Directory also lists Mr. Davenport’s place of business at 35 Peck Slip (walking distance from South Street Port).
As we know, Ellis Island was not open when Anne arrived. Anne disembarked and was on her own in New York. Given that Mr. Davenport (Anne's employer in 1850) worked down the street from Anne's arrival point, perhaps someone from Davenport’s household came down to the dock looking to hire a maid; it is also possible that Anne found her way to Davenport's place of business seeking work.
Peck Slip
Peck Slip, located in Lower Manhattan between Water and South Streets, has a rich history spanning from its initial use as a docking place for boats to its later development as a market and transportation hub. Originally an open slip used for ferry traffic, it transitioned to a filled-in area used for commercial activities, including a fish market.
Davenport's Place of business was in the building at 35 Peck Slip (
BIN:1078984) - if I have found the correct one - is 217 years old; built sometime in 1808. It's a significant example of early 19th-century commercial architecture in the area.
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| 1850 view of Peck Slip area |
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| Current view of Peck Slip area |
Greenwich Village
Greenwich Village, a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, has a rich history as a hub for art, literature, and counterculture. Its origins date back to the 16th century as a Dutch settlement and evolved into a rural escape before becoming a vibrant artistic and bohemian center.
Davenport's home
MacDougal Alley (
BIN: 1077821) is listed as a Landmark building but I am not certain if it is the building in which Anne lived.
1850 U.S. Census entry for Rufus Davenport, listing Anne (age 19) Hoy /Hoey a servant from Ireland.
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| Current view of 8 Mac Dougal Alley |
Rufus Davenport
Anne's employer, Mr. Davenport, was born in Stamford, CT in 1775, was active supporter of seamen and engaged in many charitable organization. He was a founder of the New York Port Society, and was chosen on its first Board of Directors for about thirty years. He was vital to the construction of first Mariner's Church in Roosevelt street and was a Board member of the American Seaman's Friend Society.
The
Davenport family has a genealogy documented back to 1136 England!!!! Rufus lived at MacDougal Street with his son and a cousin. He was an assemblyman in New York City and was a founding member of a Presbyterian church on Fifth Avenue.
Alexander McDougall came to the U.S. from a small island off the coast of Scotland when he was just six years old. Without much formal education but with lots of smarts, he became a successful New York merchant, an outspoken patriot and a fierce defender of freedom of speech as one of the founders of the underground Sons of Liberty. McDougall was a good friend of Alexander Hamilton, served valiantly under George Washington, replaced Benedict Arnold as commander of the troops at West Point, was a delegate to the Continental Congress, a member of the New York Senate and the first President of Hamilton’s Bank of New York.
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