The New York herald., 1869-11-30
LIFE OF A MILLIONAIRE mIsER.

>>~~~~~~~~<>>>~>~~~>>~~~~~ t
Lyman Allyn the Eccles Of America-His Early
Iife-scrupulous Honesty-HorrOr Of Debt
Anchorite Tastes and Habits-vanitas vani-
tatum. "
The death Of an old gentleman named Lyman
Allyn at Tayors HOTEL Jersey City, whose reputation
for avarce and economy OF living recalls the stories
OF Dancer and Eccles the millionaire misers of Eng
land In the last century, deserves word or two OF
notice as bearing the life and fortunes Of Of
those singular beings who, without any financial
ability and almost ridiculous honesty Of dealing, sue
ceed by lifetime Of PERSISTENT grubbing aud self
abnegation In amassing fabulous fortunes Allyn
died worth nearly two millions OF property.
He was an exaggerated specimen OF the lower
grade OF moneyseeking natives Of C0nnecti-
cut. He could pass through the cold and gloom
Of winter without fire, when to do so was economy
OF cash. and he could live for forty years on nothing
more luxurious than coffee and hard crusts OF bread.
All this sef-denlal was done to make money! but
the ability to increase his store OF capital OF the
most limited kind. He invested In real estate; but
would never sell, in fear that some hidden claims on
the property would be presented him for settlement
He allowed splendid property to pass into the hands
OF the Sheriff for public sale rather than pay the
taxes thereon. He was at once sharp and short
sighted, passi0nately fond OF money and honest to
degree calculated to provoke a smile. He achieved
the purpose OF his liie-the mere accumulation OF
no @ page 81 10 numnn ms M mined
and soul and the functions OF his being
were petrlhed by mammon His example Is
none we should care TO see initiated. Were all men
OF wealth like Lyman Allyn the world would stand
still. the fountains OF charity and 0enevolence
would dry up, the resources and greatness OF
country such as this would remain IN abeyance and
human nature would no longer be the gOd-lmpressed
element 81 life which @ It Is lyman Allyn win have
hid away in two old trunks might have given
employment to thousand hands aud made q thou
money FOR the general good can 1t ever be said to
confer blessing; In the hoadng Of 1t 1t is little less
than curse to the p0Ssessor.
the following facts Of AIyns antecedents and
early life are interesting from their exactness and
Captain Israel Allyn, a sea captain, lived and died
at Allyns Point lying on the east side OF the Thames
river between New London and Norwich, in New
fifty years ago leaving four children, viZ.:-Lyman,
Christopher. Henry p. and one daughter VINO mar
living In New London, Conn. Henry r. ALVIN. the
youngest son, settled In the western part OF Con-
necticut, and was man Of considerable wealth.
Captain Christopher Ally has made several voyages
out OF the port OF New London. He lives on the
soil where he and Lyman went to school together
when boys. He is worth about $4,000. Lyman
Allyn the subject OF this notice, when o boy
went to New London into the grocery store
OF Joseph Manier on Water street. lie, being very
honest boy, left, went home, telling his father he
could not remain at the business account of the
cheats and profits In favor OF the owner. HIS father
on Water street. He remained until twenty lone
years old, his father taking his earnings; he haa
honest young man ana lent him s., 900, taking his
own note. He went into business on the corner OF
Bank and State street, east side where he remained
until the year 1927, closed up his accounts paid
note ana had $1,000 over ana then started for New
York city. When Lyman was in business In New
London he slept IN his store, taking two meals each
day at what was then called the Merchants Colree
House, kept by Mr.. DAVID Funk, who left sons that
have Deen successful whaling merchants Lyman
w 500. flcf .i9tnA nf
coffee and bread; at night he always eat bread and
milk or some light food. lie lived so from boy TO
ardent spirits OF the fathers OF temperance
was member OF the old Presby terian church and q
teacher In the sunday schools he was strictly honest
IN all bis dealings, never would allow himself to owe
anything; expended no money but that for
which ne had full value received; he did mill
tary duty In an independent company. was one
OF its officers, and wore handsome uniform
at his own expense. Like many others, he fell In
love; his choice was one OF the finest girls in
Allyn then left for New York, and opened O
commission once at "a South street, wnere he
ping business slept In his ONCE, and Kept but little
nre during the winter. When he found any real
BROOKLYN or Jersey city ne was always ready with
MS money to purchase. He never sold for fear that
warrantee deed would come back upon HIM. lie
purchased thousands OF dollars worth Of real estate
at auction which the collector sold to pay taxes.
Many buildings now stand on Mr.. Allyn's lots that
VIII nave TO be settled by some OF the judges OF the
courts In New York. Lyman Allyn never gave bonds
nor endorsed any papers-not even for his own
brother lie mad the most influential bankers, who
would always.aid him in any sum OF money he
might ask for, knowing his strict integrity. Tne last
few years OF his life he had room In the fourth
story OF Tayors Hotel Jersey Cty, living In ms
frugal manner still having IN his possession the
same two old trunks In his room, with old clothes
amount OF 5000, 0O0 Ills real estate is valued at
~, 500 000 He died on the 25th OF November, A. ID.
1859. with no one near him In his last hours, but all
know ne was just man, VINO wronged no one In
thought, word deed. He made o Will fifteen
years ago, giving his estate to his relatives In Con-
necticut. His remans will be taken TO Connecticut
and placed by the side OF his father, his spirit hav
ing gone TO mingle with those whom he loved, but
who nave gone before; SO let his spirit rest Lyman
Allyn was born May l3 1897. Died November 25,