Robert Richard Randall

Robert Richard Randall was a sea captain in life, and, after his death in New York City on June 5, 1801, an important philanthropist, caring for thousands of retired seafarers.

He was also a shareholder in the Tontine Coffee House, was one of the original 12 members of the New York Chamber of Commerce, and served as Vice Counsel to China.

[3] Captain Randall served as coxswain for the boat that carried George Washington from Elizabethtown, New Jersey to Lower Manhattan for his first inauguration.

[9][10] According to Randall's will, this “snug harbor” was to be a marine hospital for “the purpose of maintaining aged, decrepit, and worn-out sailors.” The lawyer responsible for drawing up the will was Alexander Hamilton.

The sole requirement for residency at Sailor's Snug Harbor was five years sailing under a United States Flagged Shipped (Military or civilian).

He was initially buried in a plot in the cemetery at St. Mark's Church, but was subsequently moved into a vault as the extension of 8th Street per the Commissioners' Plan of 1811 would have run through his grave.