Captain Leonard L. Seeley.
Captain Leonard L. Seeley, who for half a century ran a produce schooner between Red Bank and New York, died last Wednesday afternoon. He would have been eighty years old next July. On the Thursday previous to his death he came down town in the storm. He started home about noon. When he was on Riverside avenue he was overcome by exposure and fell against the fence. Some passers-by hurried to his assistance and took him to his home on Riverside avenue. When he got there he refused to take off his wet clothing and lay on the floor. Some neighbors built a fire and made him comfortable for the night. On Friday his daughter, Mrs. Amanda Wilson of Keansburg, was telegraphed for. She came and on Saturday Mrs. Seeley, from whom he separated years ago, came from Keansburg and was with him up to his death. On Tuesday he lost his power of speech and did not again regain it.
Over fifty years ago, Captain Seeley built a schooner and carried produce between Red Bank and New York. At that time about thirty vessels were engaged in the business and it was very profitable. Since the steamboats were built the bulk of the produce was shipped by them. Gradually the owners of the schooners dropped out of the business and engaged in other occupations. Captain Seeley continued running his schooner until the fall of 1894. Part of the time he carried produce and he also freighted coal and other goods. In the fall of 1894 he went to Perth Amboy for a load of coal for William N. Worthley. While his vessel was at the coal docks a storm came up and the vessel sprang a leak and sank. Several years previous to this Captain Seeley had had the boat repaired by some boat builders at Perth Amboy and had not paid for the repairs. While the vessel was sunk it was seized and was sold for the debt.
During the years he was in engaged in the business Captain Seeley made considerable money and at one time was worth about $30,000. In subsequent years he lost most of this money in lawsuits. Among his many suits was an attempt to secure a divorce from his wife. While the suit was in progress, his son, Wilson Seeley, took sides with his mother and attempted to shoot his father. Captain Seeley was in a small room when his son appeared at a window and pointed a shot gun at him. Just before he pulled the trigger, Captain Seeley dropped to the floor, the charge going into the wall about a foot above his head.
About a year ago he stated that he had a claim on a tract of land containing 250 acres at Keansburg. He claimed that the property was owned by his father and that it had been given in security for the payment of a note of $30, which his father borrowed from the late George Crawford Hendrickson. A proviso was made when the land was conveyed that in case the note and interest was ever paid by any of the Seeley children the property would revert to them. This condition was written on the note and it was recorded at Freehold in lieu of a deed. Captain Seeley said that he intended paying the principal and interest, which amounted at that time to $138, but he did not succeed in getting the property. He was one of the first persons to build a house in West Red Bank, where he owned a large tract of land some years ago.
Captain Seeley was the son of Hannah and John Seeley and was the youngest child of a large family. His father at one time lived on Long Island, but moved from there to Keansburg, where Captain Seeley was born. He married Miss Lavinia Morris, daughter of Ezekiel Morris of Keansburg. Besides his wife he leaves five children. They are Charles Leonard Seeley of Brooklyn, who is employed by the Merritt wrecking company; George and Wilson Seeley, Mrs. Isabella Rose and Mrs. Amanda Wilson of Keansburg. He also leaves one sister, Mrs. Sally Truex of Belford, who is now 82 years old. The widow of his brother, James Seeley, died at Belford last Thursday morning.
Published in the Red Bank Register, April 1, 1896
|
