Lancey, James De (1732-1800)
James De Lancey (1732-1800)
New york landowner
Family Responsibility. Like William Byrd II, James De Lancey was the English-educated son of a prominent colonist. His father, James De Lancey, was arguably the most important political figure in mid-eighteenth century New York. Son James was educated at Eton and Cambridge, after which he joined the British army. Also like William Byrd II, he was called home upon the death of his father to take responsibility for the family estates. In 1760 De Lancey moved back to America and brought with him a profound love of sports.
“Sportsman.” De Lancey came as close as one could to being a sportsman in the years before the American Revolution. Shortly after his return he brought the first thoroughbreds to New York and established one of the finest stud farms and stables in the colonies. His horses raced not only in New York but also Philadelphia, Annapolis, and Virginia. De Lancey owned not only fine horses but fighting cocks as well. On 6 March 1770 “the most famous main of the period” pitted the cocks of James De Lancey against those of Timothy Matlack of Philadelphia, at Richardson’s Tavern on the Germantown Road outside of Philadelphia. De Lancey’s role in sports ended with the American Revolution. He and his family were Loyalists. Unable to take up arms against the Crown, De Lancey sold his horses, farms, and stables and left America when war seemed imminent. He died in England.
Source
Carl Bridenbaugh, Cities in Revolt: Urban Life in America 1743–1776 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1955).