Birth Name: Herman Melvill
Date of Birth: August 1, 1819
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Death: September 28, 1891
Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity:
*father – English
*mother – Dutch
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet. Most famous for his novel Moby-Dick (1851), he also wrote Typee, Omoo, and Billy Budd, Sailor. An author of the American Renaissance, his works were rediscovered beginning on the 100th year anniversary of his death, 1919.
Herman was the son of Maria (Gansevoort) and Allan Melvill, a wealthy merchant who died when Herman was a child. The family added an “e” to the surname beginning in 1832, evidently at the request of Herman’s brother Gansevoort. Herman began sailing at the age of twenty. He was married to Elizabeth Knapp Shaw, until his death, with whom he had four children.
Herman’s paternal grandfather was Thomas Melville (the son of Allan Melville and Jean Cargill). Thomas was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Allan was the son of Thomas Melville.
Herman’s paternal grandmother was Priscilla Scollay (the daughter of John Scollay and Mercy Greenleaf). Priscilla was born in Boston, Massachusetts. John was the son of James Scollay and Deborah Bligh. Marcy was born in Yarmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, the daughter of The Rev. Daniel Greenleaf and Elizabeth Gookin.
Herman’s maternal grandfather was Brig. General Peter Gansevoort (the son of Harmen/Harme Gansevoort and Magdalena Petruse Douw). Peter was born in Albany, Albany Co., New York. Harmen was the son of Leendert Harmense Gansevoort and Catarina Janse de Wandelaer. Magdalena was the daughter of Petrus/Pieter Jonase Douw and Anna Hendrikse Van Rensselaer.
Herman’s maternal grandmother was Catherina Wessellse “Katy” Van Schaick (the daughter of Wessel Van Schaick and Maria Gerritsen/Gerritse). Catherina was born in Albany, New York. Wessel was the son of Anthony Sybrantse Van Schaick and Anna Catherina/Catharina Ten Broeck.
Sources: Genealogies of Herman Melville – https://famouskin.com
https://www.geni.com
https://www.findagrave.com
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