Daniel Ludlow (August 2, 1750 – September 26, 1814) was an American merchant and banker who served as the first president of the Manhattan Company, which, after a series of mergers became JPMorgan Chase.
[6][7] He obtained a patent from King George II for a tract of 4,000 acres of land in what became Orange County, New York, on the west bank of the Hudson River.
[8] The wealth and status of the Ludlow family gave Daniel and his elder half-brothers "several advantages, including education in a private school.
Regarded as "arch-tory to the core," his older brothers apparently "had no choice but to leave New York when the revolution was over," though Daniel, remained and become a successful businessman.
In their first advertisement, a circular letter, they were vague about their line of business, but promised "to contribute to the Success of whatever Concerns may be entrusted to our Charge."
It suffered significant underwriting losses during the Quasi-War with France in 1798, but recovered with the assistance from the bank of the Manhattan Company.
[10] In 1810, Ludlow moved to Skaneateles, New York, when he purchased an extensive estate from Jacobus Annis (later known as the Anson Lapham place).
[12] Through his eldest daughter Harriet, he was a grandfather of Henry Allen Wright, who married his cousin Louisa Ludlow Auchmuty (1805–1896), a resident of Newport, Rhode Island, for fifty years.