Family-histories and genealogies : containing a series of ...

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Kotefii on tJje iFawUp of mt miolt
respect of all who came in contact with him. Over six feet in height, he
was called one of the finest-looking of a community celebrated for fine-
appearing men. I can, however, only recollect him as an old man, broken
by age and trouble, just before he died. Most unfortunately, his literary
productions and correspondence with the eminent men of his time have
been lost, with the exception of two letters from President Jefferson.
"The Hon. James (130) De Wolf, who was so noted for his success
in commerce, and fitting out privateers, was elected United States Senator,
but, thinking himself out of place (in which he differed from his constit-
uents), he shortly resigned his seat.
" The members of the family, up to this generation, have always been
prominent in local affairs ;
but, though they almost owned their own town,
both in a literal and in a metaphorical sense, they were too much self-
contained to be what is generally called distinguished. If you wanted
romantic or tragical events, I could fill a volume. The women of the
family have always been distinguished for their beauty, the men for gallantry
and generosity ; and both for hospitality—usually having the means to
gratify their tastes. The record is one long tale of romantic adventures in
all parts of the world. The voyages to Russia, India, Alaska and Africa,
the attack and conquest of French and Spanish American towns by small
vessels, the capture of ship after ship, belonging to the English and
French, during the old wars, and the return of the little Bristol privateers,
literally loaded down with treasures, are all most interesting subjects
to me. . . .
"CAPT. JOHN De'WOLF, son of Simon (123) and great grandson
of Charles and Margaret (Potter) De Wolf, was called ' Nor' west John'
from the wonderful voyage he made many years ago to Alaska, in the ship
'Juno,' and thence across the straits, and his still more remarkable journey
overland, through Siberia, to St. Petersburg. Being the first American
who ever crossed Asia, his little book describing the journey has been in
great demand lately, since investigations into the history of Alaska have
begun. I think he must have gone over nearly the same ground as the
survivors from the ' Jeannette.' He died within fifteen years or so, at the
age of ninety-two years. He married a daughter of Major Melville of
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