Biographical Register of Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.
Vol. I, 1756-1806
By William M. MacBean
Printed for the Society - 1922

Pg. 164
DAVID GALBREATH
David Galbreath was the son of Thomas Galbreath, who in June, 1771, arrived from Scotland in the Frienship, and engaged in the haberdashery, millinery, hosiery and men's furnishing trade, but so far as our records show did not join the Society. On his departure for Scotland, in November, 1779, Thomas turned over the care of the business to his son David. In November, 1780, after winding up his father's business, David entered into partnership with one Thomson under the name of Galbreath & Thomson, at 219 Queen Street. This partnership was quickly dissolved and on April 1st, 1781, David sailed for Europe. The date of his return has not been noted, but in 1784 the same firm was engaged in the dry goods business at 228 Queen Street, near the Fly Market, and notified the public that the copartnership had expired. On September 1st, 1784, David Galbreath & Co. were doing business at the same store. On October 12th, 1785, David married Cornelia, third daughter of John Stites, a New York merchant. He continued in business at the same stand until 1789 when the premises were advertised "To Let". On July 3rd, 1791, he, with his wife and family, sailed from New York for Bristol, on the ship Bristol, Captain Robert Adamson. In 1793 Galbreath was in partnership with one Thomas Elmes, as Galbreath & Elmes, at 30 Queen Street. The firm dissolved September 1st, 1802, and Alexander MacGregor was appointed to make a settlement with debtors and creditors. Thereafter nothing is known until April 10th, 1811, when David and his eldest son Thomas, came to New York on the ship Hercules from Liverpool on their way to New Orleans, probably on business. While returning from New Orleans on the brig Canon the son died, September 8th, 1811, in his 22nd year. The notice of death stated that David was then "of London". David died at Gibraltar, February 6th, 1812. - The Press.

My acknowledgements to the New York Historical Society for providing the above article.

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Notes :-

• The notation about David being on the trip when his son Thomas died is incorrect, as in David's letter to John in 1812, written in Gibraltar,
  David writes :-
  "I received your letter of 18th November last by the packet, with enclosure and annexing the copy of a letter from Mr Andrew Mitchell dated at New York 8th October confirming the death of my late dear son Thomas!"
     
  David either did not travel further than New York before returning to Europe, or he had returned from New Orleans before his son's trip.
  

• Most of the above seems to be gleaned from New York newspaper, as much of this information is to be found on my page of newspaper articles referring to David.
   
  
• It would appear that the business "Galbreath & Elmes" was conducted in New York by Thomas Elmes. David is listed in a London Directory in 1794, and is in the Highbury, London rate books from 1797. David presumably the London end of the business.
  However there is the possibility that David's brother ( 1/2 brother?), was the New York connection for the business. A James Galbreath is also listed in the records of the St. Andrew's Society :-
  "James Galbreath was no doubt a relative of David Galbreath (member 1784) who left for Europe in July, 1791. In 1792 a partnership was formed between James Galbreath and Thomas Elmes under the firm name of Galbreath & Elmes. Their first place of business was at 30 Queen Street. In 1794 they removed to 234 Pearl Street and in 1799 to Slote Lane. In 1801 and 1802 they were located at 133 Pearl Street. After that time neither the firm's name nor that of Galbreath appears in the City directory and it is surmised that in the eleven years in which he was engaged in business in New York he realized sufficient to enable him to return to Scotland with a competence."
  [Biographical Register of Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York.]
  
  The last sentence appears to be speculation. It is not known where James went, or if indeed he did leave New York. The writer is also assuming that in the business Galbreath & Elmes, the Galbreath was James. As can be seen from Court  and  Land  and newspaper  records, David was still involved in business with Thomas Elmes after he had left New York for London in 1791, in fact until at least 1802 - "The Copartnership of David Galbreath & Thomas Elmes, under the firm of Galbreath & Elmes, is this day dissolved by mutual consent." [29 Oct 1802 - The Daily Advertiser (New York)], and at least one Court case in London as late as 1811. So whether James was in fact David's brother is uncertain, as is his involvement in the business of Galbreath & Elmes.
  

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