Gelston, David, 1744-1828

<p>David Gelston (July 4, 1744 – August 21, 1828) was an American merchant and politician.</p>

<p>Gelston was born on July 4, 1744, in Bridgehampton in Suffolk County on Long Island in what was then the Province of New York. He was a son of Deacon Maltby Gelston and Mary (née Jones) Gelston. His maternal grandparents were Dr. Thomas Jones and Margaret (née Livingston) Jones (a daughter of Philip Livingston).</p>

<p>As the American Revolution approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the articles of association in 1774, agreeing to avoid British imports, even though this hurt his own business. He represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 New York State Constitutional Convention that debated and enacted the first constitution of the State of New York. He was a Democratic-Republican and he worked closely with Aaron Burr.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1788 NY Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

GELSTON, David, a Delegate from New York; born in Bridgehampton, Suffolk County, N.Y., July 4, 1744; signed the articles of association in 1775; delegate to the Second, Third, and Fourth Provincial Congresses of New York 1775-1777; member of the State constitutional convention in 1777; elected a member of the State assembly under the constitution of 1777, and served from 1777 to 1785; was speaker in 1784 and 1785; appointed one of the commissioners on specie in 1780; Member of the last Continental Congress in 1789; member of the council of appointment in 1792 and 1793; served in the State senate 1791-1794, 1798, and 1802; canal commissioner in 1792; surrogate of the county of New York 1787-1801; collector of the port of New York 1801-1820; engaged in mercantile pursuits in New York City, where he died August 21, 1828; interment in First Presbyterian Church Cemetery.