This family originated in England, and the present line is descended from a branch planted in Connecticut in colonial times.
Seymour LeGrand Husted, son of Platt and Fanny (Barnum) Husted, was born in Danbury, Connecticut, September 10, 1810, died June 13, 1886, in Brooklyn, New York. He went to New York City when a young man and became very prominent in business life. He engaged in the fur trade, principally in such skins and furs as were largely used in the hat trade. He at first operated in New York City, but, needing more commodious quarters for his increasing trade, transferred his business to Brooklyn. He became wealthy and employed his energy in other lines. He established and owned a stage line running from the upper part of Brooklyn to Fulton Ferry, then the principal means of communication between the two cities. He was one of the organizers and the first president of the first street railroad in Brooklyn, the forerunner of the present immense system. He was an incorporator and first president of the Brooklyn Dime Savings Bank, and one of the early trustees of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. He married, March 8, 1832, Mary Jane Kendall, born February 20, 1811, in New York City, died February 22, 1901. Children:
- William Henry, of whom further.
- Mary Louisa, born January 15, 1835; married January 8, 1857, Edwin Beers; children:
- Edwin LeGrand, married May Louise Muller;
- Mary Elizabeth; and
- Louise.
- Charles Seymour, born September 15, 1844, died March 29, 1908.
- Esther W., born June 2, 1846; married, January 8, 1868, Frederick Cromwell; children:
- Seymour LeGrand, married Agnes Whitney, and had Frederick, Seymour LeGrand and Whitney;
- Mary Rebecca;
- Gladys Louise;
- Dorothy Katherine.
- Dorothy Katherine, born March 28, 1848; resides in Brooklyn, New York, at 157 Clinton avenue, in the old family mansion built in 1856; New York City home at 140 West 57th street.
- Seymour LeGrand (2), born June 8, 1848, married Edith Bird.
William Henry, son of Seymour Le Grand and Mary Jane (Kendall) Husted, was born in Brooklyn, New York, October 17, 1832, and died July 24, 1890. He was educated in private schools. After receiving his education he travelled extensively all of his life, not being in the best of health. It was while in quest of a better climate that in 1884 he visited Broadalbin, Fulton county, New York, and was so charmed with the natural beauties of the neighborhood that he purchased land and began a series of improvements that have made the village famous. Near the mansion is a private chapel (Episcopalian), and the conservatories and green houses are filled with choicest plants and flowers collected from all over the world. A lake was constructed and a bridge of beautiful design, and an Italian garden modeled from the finest in the old world is a prominent and attractive feature of this most beautiful estate. This was designed and carried out by Charles Husted after plans he had carefully studied while abroad. In the midst of the fulfillment of his plans Mr. Husted died. His intentions, however, have been carried to completion by his family, his brother Charles traveling over the world in search of the rare and beautiful in nature that could be transplanted to the Broadalbin estate.
William Henry Husted married, in 1873, Lillias Littlejohn. Child:
- Herbert Seymour, married Marguerite Blythe, and has Katherine Doreen and Violet.