Dominick Lynch (wine merchant)

Dominick Lynch (1754 in Galway, Ireland – 5 June 1825) was an Irish born American general merchant and wine merchant who made his fortune in Bruges, Belgium and then New York City, founding what is today Rome, New York originally referred to as Lynchville.

Coat of Arms of Dominick Lynch

Lynch was a member of the Lynch family, one of the Tribes of Galway with his descendants including many Mayors of Galway. He was born to a catholic family the son of James Lynch and Anastatia Joyce and was said to have received an excellent education.[1] He married his cousin Jane Lynch of Dublin on the 31st of August 1780. She was the daughter of Anthony Lynch and Margaret Power.

Shortly after marrying he went to reside at Bruges and opened a commercial house and branch of his father's business there. The business was successful while mainly being engaged in purchasing and selling flax seed to Ireland.

He had thirteen children, all of whom he named streets after in Lynchville. His first three children including his eldest son James were born in Bruges, Belgium. His other children included Anastatia, Anthony, Dominick, Alexander, Margaret, Jasper, Jane, Henry, Harriet, Louisa, Edward and William.

Lynch and his family lived for a number of years in London before ultimately coming to reside in New York City from 1785. In his first year in New York Lynch was instrumental in raising and donating funds for the construction of the first iteration of St. Peter's Church.

Lynch was one of some three hundred people to attend George Washington's inauguration as the first President of the United States in 1789.

He was for a period a partner in the firm of Lynch and Stoughton but the firm was ultimately dissolved in July 1795 due to disagreements between the partners with both partners later suing each other. Lynch was later represented by Thomas Addis Emmet.[2]

He purchased a large estate in Westchester County, New York in 1797 and later built a large stone house in the Flemish style there. It later became a school ran by the Christian Brothers.

Lynch's son, Dominic Lynch II, often noted as his fourth and favourite child, was instrumental in introducing Bordeaux wine from the Château Margaux to the United States market and is also credited with having brought Grand Opera to the nation. He was said to be a gifted vocalist and a well-known socialite but ultimately failed in his father's footsteps as a merchant.

His eldest son James represented Oneida County, New York in the New York legislature for a number of years.

Dominick Lynch and several members of his family (including Dominic II) are buried in the catacombs at the Old St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan in New York City. [3][4][5][6]

He died at his mansion in Westchester County on 5 June 1825 with his widow Jane long surviving him and dying on the 2nd of July 1849.