Major David Lenox papers

Major David Lenox (1753-1828) served in the Revolutionary War and later became a successful merchant, Federal marshal, diplomat, and banker in Philadelphia.

Born October 3, 1753 in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, David Lenox emigrated with his brother Robert to Philadelphia sometime before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. On January 5, 1776, Lenox was commissioned Captain of the 3rd Battalion of the Pennsylvania Militia. Lenox was serving at Fort Washington on the northern edge of Manhattan when it was captured by the British on November 16, 1776. He was wounded and taken prisoner, and held at Flatbush on Long Island until his release in May 1778. From 1779 to 1781, Lenox served in the Philadelphia City Troop. On October 4, 1779, James Wilson and his colleagues barricaded themselves in Wilson's home, or Fort Wilson, during a riot following Wilson's successful defense of 23 people from property seizure and exile by the radical government of Pennsylvania. Lenox was a member of the Philadelphia City Troop who participated in ending the riot.

Following the Revolutionary War, Lenox entered mercantile life in Philadelphia and became very prominent in business. Appointed on September 26, 1793, Lenox served as a Federal marshal of the district of Pennsylvania until May 18, 1795. During his service as marshal, he participated in the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion. From 1799 to 1801, Lenox served as Agent for the United States to the Court of St. James, during which he worked to exchange American sailors who were captured by the British and French during the Quasi-War.

In 1812, Lenox was appointed a trustee of the Girard Bank, a position in which he served until his death. In 1813, he became president of the Philadelphia Bank, serving until 1818.

On August 26, 1779, Lenox married Tacy Lukens, the granddaughter of John Lukens (circa 1720-1789) who served as Surveyor General of Pennsylvania and Delaware. From 1818 until his death on April 10, 1828, Lenox lived in retirement in Philadelphia.