From The Peopling of New York City
David Provost (Provoost?) was a well-off Dutch immigrant, with 150 pounds wealth to his (ambiguous) name. It is now wonder he made so much money, he worked as a merchant and a slave trader, a huge market in the 18th century. He belonged to the Court Party, and served on the jury during the 1741 "slave conspiracy" trials. He was suspected of being an informant to the defenders, corresponding through letters under the alias "Brother Lucas." Nothing was ever proved, however. Provost lived in the East Ward, and may have gotten married in 1729. His slave Lowe was first jailed, then transported.
While searching the NYPL vast databases with the name "David Provost," many items popped up. Some had his last name spelled "Provoost." The following are articles which include David Provost's name, in chronological order:
1- New-York Gazette, revived in the Weekly Post-Boy; Article Type: Legislative Acts or Legal Proceeding. Issue 418, January 21st, 1751.
"By Order of the General Assembly of the Province of New-Jersey, there is now ready for the Press, and speedily will be published, in one Volume in Folio, the Laws of the Province of New-Jersey; from the time of the surrender of the Government, in the year 1702, to the present year 1750*.
The Body of the Book will contain all the Acts and Laws now in force in the said Province...Subscriptions will be taken in, and the Books delivered to the subscribers, by the following Persons, viz. Middlefex County, James Smith and John Wetherill, Esq...Bergen County, Lawrence Vanbuskirk and Derick Dey, Esqrs, and DAVID PROVOST, Esq, at Hackinsack..."
- I am puzzled by this year, as the newspaper is dated as 1751. It is possible the article's content was spoken towards the end of the year 1750, and by the time the newspaper printed in January, the year was 1751.
Note: the above article was again found in the February 4th and February 18th issues of the New-York Gazette. I guess the editors of that Folio was persistent in acquiring subscribers for the Book.
2- New-York Mercury; Article Type: Advertisement. Issue 218, October 11th, 1756.
"List of Letters in the Post Office, New York, 1756...Thomas Phillips, Jeremiah Pratt, DAVID PROVOST, Richard Petit, Elizabeth Payton, and Miss Sarah Potter, all in New York."
I am still trying to decipher this "ad" and determine its significance.
3- New-York Mercury; Article Type: Advertisement. Issue 371, September 24th, 1759.
"To be sold at the house wherein Mr. DAVID PROVOST lived, in the back Store facing the Old-Slip, By Abraham Sarzedas, Jamaica Spirits and West-India Rum..."
The above provides a clue, however slight, as to David Provost's residence. Furthermore, now we know that by 1759, he moved elsewhere. I would even venture to hypothesize his death, but the next couple of articles disprove that guess.
4- New-York Journal; Article Type: Advertisement. Issue 1259, October 19th, 1767.
"To be let (lent?), A convenient brick house, of two stories, with shop adjoining, and a large yard, at the corner of William and Fair-street, next door to Mr. Steven Dewight's, carver, near the Moraviah meeting, and horse and cart-street; now occupied by doctor Lintner--Inquire of Andrew Gautier, in prince's-street, opposite to Mr. DAVID PROVOST's."
Again, a window into Provost's lodgings and surrounding area.
5- New-York Gazette and Weekly Mercury; Article Type: Advertisement. Issue 1119, April 5th, 1773.
"To be sold at public Vendue, at the merchant;s Coffee-House, on Tuesday the first Day of June, The house and lot of ground belonging to the estate of Cornelius C. Van Horne, situated in Little Dock-street, now tenanted by Mr. Speaight, chymist; also the house in the rear of the same, tenanted by Mr. Myers, carpenter, between the houses and ground of Co. William Bayard and Mr. DAVID PROVOST...The house of Mr. Provost is rented at thirty two pounds a year..."
The last advertisement I found that related to Mr. David Provost. Judging from most of the ad's content, Provost must have lived in several locations, and prominent ones at that. The advertisement's name many good points about the area near Mr. Provost's home, ranging from popular streets to horse carts. One likely conclusion is that like Provost spent his wealth on real estate. What foresight the man had!
