History
John George Leake (1752–1827) was a New York lawyer who had no children or siblings. He died on June 2, 1827 at his home on Park Row in Manhattan. His estate had personal property valued at about $300,000 and real estate worth an additional $86,000. In his legal papers was an unsigned and undated draft of a will in his handwriting. He left money in that will to create a home for orphaned children, and assigned his friend, John Watts, to administer the home. John Watts is sometimes referred to as John's "brother-in-law." The Public Administrator of New York took charge of the estate, ruling that Leake had died intestate. After a court decision the cash was released to the orphanage but his real estate was kept by New York State.
The 1843 building was designed by Ithiel Town and constructed by Samuel Thomson in the Greek revival style. As the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine neared completion, the orphanage was to be torn down. Instead, a renovation of the orphanage was completed in 2006.
Read more about this topic: Leake And Watts Children's Home
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