Paolo Busti

Paolo Busti, or Paul Busti (17 October 1749 – 23 July 1824), was the principal agent of the Holland Land Company from 1800 until his death.

Paolo Busti
Born17 October 1749
Milan, Italy
Died23 July 1824
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spouse(s)Elizabeth May
Paul Busti, Saint-Mémin Collection of Portraits, Group 36, 1801-1807

Early life
Plaque to honor Paolo Busti at the Holland Land Office Museum, Batavia, New York. Placed in his honor by Batavia's Italian-American citizens.

Busti was born in Milan, Italy on 17 October 1749 and received his education in Italy.[1]

Career

He spent his early years working in the banking industry in Amsterdam, in his uncle's counting house, and moved to the United States in 1799.[1]

Busti succeeded the first company agent, Theophilus Cazenove, who returned to Europe in 1799. He established the Holland Land Company Office in Batavia, New York,[2] and hired his friend, Joseph Ellicott as one of his land agents and surveyors.[3] Busti, whose office was in Philadelphia, visited Western New York twice during his twenty-four years as leadership.[4]

Personal life

Busti was married to Elizabeth May, the daughter of an English captain and the sister of one of the syndicate members.[5] They had no children.[2]

Busti, who was predeceased by his wife in 1822,[6] died on 23 July 1824 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[7]

Legacy

The Town of Busti, New York in Chautauqua County is named after him.[2]

References
  1. Committee, Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation Executive (1992). The Legacy of Italian-Americans in Genesee County, New York. Heart of Lakes Publishing. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  2. Toal, Barbara Ann (2000). Batavia. Arcadia Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 9780738504674. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  3. LaChiusa, Chuck. "Paolo Busti". buffaloah.com. Buffalo Architecture and History. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  4. N.Y.), Buffalo Historical Society (Buffalo (1922). Publications of the Buffalo Historical Society. Bigelow Brothers. p. 39. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. Meade, Michael. Empty Contract Promises Will Be Without Guarantee In Heaven. p. 116. ISBN 9780981474427. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  6. "Elizabeth May Busti". www.nga.gov. National Gallery of Art. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  7. Juliani, Richard N. (2010). Building Little Italy: Philadelphia's Italians Before Mass Migration. Penn State Press. p. 337. ISBN 9780271042480. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
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