Manhattan

While Joseph Miniere’s time in Manhattan was brief, there are two important records of his time there.  A 1799 city directory reveals his hardware store was at 295 Greenwich.  The 1800 Census shows that Miniere was living next door to the recently widowed Catherine Duer; her late husband, William Duer, died the year before in debtor’s prison. 

Duer instigated the financial panic of 1792 by attempting to manipulate the market through various land acquisition schemes.  Despite his shortcomings as a land speculator, Duer was a good Patriot.  He sided with the Americans during the Revolutionary War (Duer was British) and served in the New York State Senate in 1777-1778.  He was one of the first signers of Articles of Confederation and launched George Washington’s espionage program against the British in 1777.

Miniere’s residence in Manhattan was apparently on Chambers Street.  Bankrupt, Lady Catherine had relocated there following her husband’s death. 

New Orleans

Joseph Miniere’s time in Manhattan was juxtaposed by his lengthy stay in New Orleans.  He first appears in the Crescent City in 1808, where he sells two slaves to Charles St. Medard.  He then appears on the 1810 Census in New Orleans.  An 1811 city directory reveals his address as “the sixth house from Fort St. Charles” which is present-day 400 Esplanade Avenue.  The directory also reveals Edward Livingston’s law office being at 24 St. Pierre.  Livingston, Lady Catherine Alexander’s nephew, had relocated from New York to New Orleans a few years before to start a law practice with his partner William Alexander Duer, who was Lady Catherine’s eldest son.