Capt David Clark Montgomery, Sr

At eight years old he was bound out to a blacksmith. Two years of hard work at the forge was enough for him, and he took French leave, obtaining work on a farm, but he did not like that either. Later he went to Philadelphia and shipped out to sea on a small schooner while still a young boy.

David became a sea Captain at the age of 19, and thus began a life at sea which lasted 30 years, during which period he sailed the seven seas, circled the world in the days when this feat was a rare occurrence, and traded in African and South American ports where few white men had preceded him.

He was the pioneer oysterman in the State of Delaware having planted the first bed of oysters in Delaware Bay in the year 1865. This marked the beginning of Delaware's great oyster industry.

When he died at her home he was living with his daughter, Ida Hobson Montgomery Pleasanton, in Pitman, New Jersey. He died of myocarditis.

He was the son of William Montgomery and Susan Clark Montgomery. William was 69 and Susan 17 when they married. David was said to be the only living son of a Revolutionary War fighter, being his father William.

David and Mary had two children that died very young: David Clark 1859 Harriet age 4 1868

Mary and David celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary at the home of Mr & Mrs. C. H. Sullivan in Camden, N.J. on September 22, 1911. (bio by: [fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47279595" target="_blank Joan Martindale Roth)] Inscription: husband of Mary E. Montgomery

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jun 17 2018, 10:49:06 UTC