Augustus Hasbrouck Bruyn was born in Kinston, NY on August 21, 1817 to Severyn and Catharine (Hasbrouck) Bruyn. Augustus was a student at Kingston Academy before attending Rutgers College. He earned his A.B. from Rutgers in 1836, and received an A.M. from the college in 1839. Known as "Major" Bruyn because of his connection with the early militia of Kingston, Augustus became a prominent lawyer and the Vice President of the National Ulster County Bank and Trust. He also served as president of the Ulster County Savings Insition. Augustus died in Kingston on October 24, 1904.
George Henry Sharpe, the author of the bulk of the letters in folder IV, was the ward of Severyn Bruyn. After graduating from Rutgers College with first honor in 1847, Sharpe became the son-in-law of Rutgers President Abraham Bruyn Hasbrouck. He entered the military in 1861 as a captain, eventaully attaining the rank of major general in 1865. He was later active in political life and held important offices.
Abraham Bruyn Hasbrouck was a trustee of Rutgers College from 1837-1879, and later served as president of the college from 1840-1850.
From the description of Letters of Augustus Hasbrouck Bruyn, 1832-1848. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 56412818
Augustus Hasbrouck Bruyn was born in Kingston, Ulster County, N.Y. on August 21, 1817. Son of Severyn Bruyn, grandson of Col. Jacobus L. Bruyn, who served with distinction in Canada in 1775 and was taken prisoner, Bruyn's ancestors came from Norway in the middle of the 17th Century.
Bruyn spent nearly his entire life in the "spacious and beautiful" home where he died. He attended Kingston Academy and became known as "Major" Bruyn from his connection with the early militia of the old village of Kingston. He went on to become a prominent lawyer and conducted a tanning business in Kingston. Bruyn served as Vice President of the National Ulster County Bank and Trust Company, as well as President of the Ulster County Savings Institution, both of Kingston, N.Y. He was also Vice President of the Holland Society of Ulster County, 1895-1898 and was a member of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Kingston. Bruyn maintained a lifelong affection for "Old Rutgers," from where he graduated in 1836. Died at his home in Kingston on October 24, 1904.
From the guide to the Guide to the Augustus Hasbrouck Bruyn Letters, 1832-1848, (Rutgers University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives.)
