JAMES F. WENMAN - Notable NY'er - 1917 Letter at age 93 - Green-Wood Cemetery

Description

3 pg. letter, approx. 8-1/2" x 11", dated at
New York City, April 13, 1917
, on illustrated stationery of
"The Old Guard, Veteran Battalion of New York"
, from James F. Wenman, to James Elmer Christie at Nyack, N.Y.
A scarce autograph letter signed (ALS), of
93 year old JAMES FOWLER WENMAN
, (1824-1919), founder of the New York Cotton Exchange, a long term active and notable member of the New York Fire Department; a Captain in the famed NY 7th Regiment of the National Guard, (1856-1861),
In the late 1860's he was shortstop on the Knickerbocker team, the first baseball club organized by Alexander Cartwright
,  In 1876, Mayor William H. Wickham appointed him to be a Parks Commissioner, and Wenman is credited with bringing "Cleopatra's Needle" to Central Park, having wrestled it away from Philadelphia, who wanted it placed in their city. He died at age 96, and is buried in Brooklyn's famed Green-Wood Cemetery.
Superb content
, writing of his service in the Fire Department, noting that he first commenced active Fire duty at the great fire of 1835; of his military duty in the various militia units he belonged to; the Masonic Veterans, and of his plans for his 100th Birthday, where he has "an engagement to dance the Congo with a Daughter of an Ex-Major of the 7th Regt. and the Virginia Reel, with the Wife of one of present members".
The letter reads:
"My dear Brother,
I owe you an apology, for neglecting to reply to your very kind favor of March 7th, but illness and an unusual press of business has prevented.
I thank you sincerely for your kind congratulations on my 93rd Birth Day & want you to keep in good shape for my 100th, as I have an engagement to dance the Congo with a Daughter of an Ex-Major of the 7th regt. and the Virginia Reel, with the Wife of one of the present members.
We certainly know each other, but if we have not, we certainly must. I commenced Active Fire Duty at the Big Fire Decr. 16th, 1835 & was on duty all night until 9 o'clock next morning, and have been doing duty ever since. I commenced Military in 1843, when I joined the old Gulick Guard, afterward the State Guard, then the 2nd Co. 7th Regt., Capt. Shaler, & finally the Old Guard, where I still am Capt. I was raised in Amity Lodge in 1845 and now a member of Chancelle Walworth, & the Masonic Veterans. By the way, if you have not joined the Veterans, you should do so and I would be pleased to propose (I enclose a copy of By-Laws). I also enclose a photo of a young man who was Grand Marshal of the Division of Firemen, at the Centennial Parade of 1889, which you will no doubt recollect, and our Division was considered the finest in the line, and General Butterfield gave me the rank of General, in honor of which I am very proud.
Another photo is of the Old Guard in which I hold the rank of Capt.
I feel that we are old friends, & when you visit this little Village, I will esteem it a great pleasure & favor if you will favor me with a visit at my office, 12 Old Slip, & the sooner the better.
With kindest regards and best wishes,
I am
Fraternally & Sincerely yours,
James F. Wenman"
Normal folds, crease at top left corner of first page. Fine.
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