THE TOWN OF MAMARONECK. 



485 



30th of July, 1760, was an event which had a great influence in the 

 affairs of the Province. He was found expiring upon that morning, 

 seated in his chair in his library, too late for medical aid. His funeral 

 took place on the evening of the 31st of July, 1760. The body was 

 deposited in his family vault, in the middle aisle of Trinity church, the 

 funeral service being performed by the Rev. Mr. Barclay, in great mag- 

 nificence ; the building was splendidly illuminated. The accounts of the 

 funeral and the procession from his house in the Bowery to the church, 

 filled columns of the papers of the day. a 



Seal and Signature of the Hon. James de Lancey. 



The following particulars are copied from a memorandum written by 

 the elder John Watts, of New York, in 1787 : 



" James de Lancey was a man of uncommon abilities in every view, from 

 the law to agriculture, and an elegant, pleasant companion— what rarely unites 

 in one person ; it seemed doubtful which excelled, his quick penetration or his 

 sound judgment ; the first seemed an instant guide to the last. No man in either 

 office, (Chief Justice or Lieut. Governor,) had more the love and confidence of 

 the people ; nor any man, before or since, half the influence. He was unfortun- 

 ately taken from us in July, 1760, so suddenly that his very family suspected no 

 danger. We had spent, very agreeably, the day before on Staten Island ; after 

 ten at night he left my house perfectly well, in the morning he was as usual, but 

 about nine a servant was dispatched to tell me his master was very ill. I mount- 

 ed instantly and hurried to his house in Bowery Lane, but on the way was 

 alarmed by a call 'that all was over,' and too true I found it; he sat reclined 

 in his chair, one leg drawn in, the other extended, his arms over the elbows, so 

 naturally, that had 1 not been apprized of it, I certainly should have spoken as 



a Parker's Post Bros., and MSS. papers. 



