Person:Abraham Markoe (1)

I have said when he came to America he was a widower [see Ryberg Inhabitants St Croix Listings for conflicting info) and the father of two sons. I never heard anything of his first wife but believe she was a relation. His sons Abraham JR and Peter were soon after his second marriage brought to this country where they received the best education the country afforded. They were then sent to Dublin and finished there in the college which was then so celebrated... Abraham Markoe JR was always considered a very extravagant man and incurred his fathers displeasure by building a very fine house for the Island, on the Spanish town Estate to replace the old one which the hurricane had whirled over the lagoon into the sea. The house consisted of a very long hall terminated by an octagon room at the end. The hall of entrance with small rooms on each side led into the larger which was the living room of the house, the floor was painted and furnished with sofas and chairs as hard as the floor on which they stood. The upper floor was the same arrangement. My uncle accupying the chamber over the octagon and of the same shape. We had the use of a small one which was always arranged for us. Anything more simple than the furniture or less of it, it is difficult to imagine but all was clean and it was always with pleasure that we turned down the lane bordered with Tamerinds trees to find uncle standing at the door to give us a hospitable reception. Uncle Abraham was very gay and held some appointment under the Danish Government. What it was I know not, but his picture, which always hung in my fathers back parlour, was in the Danish uniform and covered with medals and other decorations. After a short married life his wife died without children. He then returned to the United States and for some years spent his time between St. Croix and Philadelphia. My Grandfather having given him his portion was extremely desirous to impress upon his younger children that their brother had nothing to expect from his death. I have heard my mother say, "Abraham is paid off. He has nothing to expect". Still like many superstitious people he never would make a will and thus at his fathers death (his brother being dead) he put in a claim for a third of the estate. The claim was resisted for some time but his threats were so violent and his brother and sisters fear of him so great that they were induced to consent, receiving his solemn promise that, at his death it should revert back to them. [webmaster's note: in May of 1826 Abraham Jr's 1/3 share of Spanish Town estate was put up for auction. Junior had died 1824 in Denmark but left children in Denmark. The 2/3 share was possibly owned by the sole surviving children of the Captain by his second wife: John born 1776 and Elizabeth born 1778. In the 1826 document Abraham Jr. is described as "General Commisary of War" ]With expressions of undying affection he left my mothers house and returned to St. Croix where he soon after embarked with his illegitimate children for Copenhagen where he spent the remnant of his life. He legitimatized and educated his children and his eldest daughter Jane married Dr. Brandis, the physician to the King... He also said that at a late ball Mr. Markoe, although 60 years of age, had danced a minuet to the delight of the court circle. This is the last we ever heard of him. He must have died many years since but all we know of him is that he never remembered his solemn promise to his young relative trustees. - Reminiscences of Mary Hazlehurst Ashhurst (1806-1890)

1. ↑ Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source)
   Ancestry Family Trees.