David Gelston (1744-1828) was an American merchant and statesman from New York City. He served as a delegate for the state of New York in the Continental Congress of 1789.

David was born in Suffolk County, New York on July 4, 1744. He married Phebe Mitchell and their daughter, Phebe Gelston (1771-1836) later maried Nicoll Floyd, the son of William Floyd.

As the American Revolution approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the articlers of association in 1774, agreeing to aviod British imports, even though this hurt his own business. He represented Suffolk County in the revoltutionary New York provincial congresses of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 Conventiion that drafted a new constitution for New York.

Once the new constitution took effect he served as a member of the State Assembly, and was elected annually from 1777 to 1785. Diring his last two years, he was the Speaker of the Assembly. As speaker, he took a leading role in reconciling the differences between Tory and Whig factions. He oversaw the repeal of all the laws that had imposed civil and legal penalties on Tories.

From 1787 to 1801 Gelston was surrogate (state’s attorney) for New York County. In 1789 the state assembly named him to the last session of the Continental Congress. He served several terms in the New York state Senate, incluuding 1791-1793, 1798, and 1802.

Gelston was appointed to the post of Customs Collector for New York City in 1802 and held that post until 1821, when he retired. He died in New York on August 21, 1828 and is buried in the First Presnyterian Church Cemetery there.

External link

• Gelston’s biography on the U.S. Congress website