Robert Lenox

Robert Lenox (December 31, 1759 – December 13, 1839) was a Scottish-American merchant who served as the 15th president of the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.

Early life Lenox was born on December 31, 1759, in the seaport town of Kirkcudbright on the southwest border of Scotland. He was one of eleven children born to James Lenox and Elizabeth (née Sproat) Lenox.

His other brother David joined the Continental Army and was a major by the end of the war. After the War, David became a merchant in Philadelphia, where he died in 1828.

By 1795 Lenox life had become a member of the New York City Board of Aldermen, served as a magistrate judge, and was a director of the New York branch of the First Bank of the United States.

Personal life On September 1, 1783, Lenox was married to Rachel Carmer. Rachel was the daughter of Nicholas Carmer, a New York cabinet maker. Together, they were the parents of twelve children, but only six, five girls and one boy, lived to maturity: Charlotte Murdoch Lenox (1794–1807), who died in childhood. Mary Lenox (1803–1886), who married John Fisher Sheafe. Alethea Lenox (1807–1878), who married James Donaldson, brother of banker Robert Donaldson Jr.

Lenox died at his residence, 59 Broadway in New York City on December 13, 1839. Upon his death, he left a fortune of over one million dollars and 30 acres of land between Fourth and Fifth Avenues to his only son, who by 1855 was the third richest man in New York.