Benjamin B. Mott is one of the oldest residents of Far Rockaway as well as one of its most influential business men. He is well known throughout the country as public-spirited citizen who has been variously identified with it interest for many years. By his energetic and resolute force of character and talent for affairs, he has given an impetus to the growth of this section of country, and is still actively forwarding its advancement in important directions.

The father of our subject, John Mott, a native of Long Island, was a man of prominence in local affairs, and held office of justice of the peace for thirty years. His judgment and advice were sought by people, who reposed the greatest confidence in his sagacity as a justice and his honesty as a man. His landed possessions were very large, aggregating at one time more than a thousand acres in this locality. He married Lucy Nicols, whose great-grandfather, Admiral Nicols, too North Amsterdam from the Dutch. Her father, William Nicols, formerly resided in Smithtown L.I., but died in the village of Hempstead, being the owner of a portion of the old Nicols patent, which originally comprised the present towns of Bay Shore and Islip.

*The history of the Mott family is clearly traced back to a very early date in the settlement of America, when three brothers from England landed on these shores in company with a large party of French Huguenots. Henry Mott, one of the brothers, settled on Long Island and became the progenitor of this branch of the family. (*sic) He was twice married and had sixteen children. In religious faith he was a Quaker, but aside from these few facts nothing can be gleaned from the records concerning his life and character.

John Mott passed his entire life on Long Island, and here he died in 1828, aged eighty-one years. Of his marriage eight children were born, namely: William, who is eighty-seven years old and resides in Inwood, L.I.; Richard, living at Bayswater; Calvin, Elizabeth, and John, deceased; Benjamin Birdsall, the subject of this sketch; Lucinda and Samuel deceased. Our subject, who was the sixth in order of birth, was born in Far Rockaway February 19, 1820, and was reared to manhood on a farm. Early in life he became familiar with the duties incident to that occupation, for, although his father was well-to-do, the children were brought up to habits of diligent industry, idleness being shunned as a sine. The best educational advantages of the locality were given him, and while working on the farm he accumulated a large fund of general information, becoming well posted on most subjects. He was a natural mechanic and could construct houses or build boats, turning his hand to almost any kind of work. This last trait-mechanical ability-is a family characteristic, and without learning a trade, they have become experts in it.

Inheriting a considerable portion of the old farm, Mr. Mott platted it into town lots, which he has since sold as a favorable opportunity was presented, and which now comprises some of the most valuable property in Far Rockaway. His affairs he has always managed with judgment, leading in most cases to flattering success. He was instrumental in securing the money to build the railroad from Valley Stream to Far Rockaway, and gave the company seven acres of land, besides the right of way through his land. He has assisted largely in building up the village by furnishing the means to build and still holds mortgages on a large amount of Far Rockaway real estate. The advance in prices of property is due not a little to his constant efforts. Land which thirty years ago was worth but $40 per acre is now worth thousands of dollars an acre, and this satisfactory result may be attributed to the labors of such men as he.

The lady who became the wife of Mr. Mott was born at Hewlett, this country, and bore the maiden name of Theodora Pearsall, being a daughter of Colonel Pearsall, formerly a prominent citizen of Hewlett. She has one brother, Edwin F., living in Brooklyn, and a sister, Emma, wife of Robert Crocker also of Brooklyn. Mr. and Mrs. Mott are the parents of three children: Lillian M., wife of S. S. Guy, a dentist of Far Rockaway, and the mother of one son, Harold; Eveline Cole, who married Samuel Althouse, Jr.; and Guy Carlton, who is at home. Politically Mr. Mott is a Jeffersonian Democrat, free trade and equal rights being his platform. He was reared in the Quaker faith, but is liberal in religious matters, and usually attends the Episcopal Church, to which his wife belongs.

Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York"
(Copyright 1896 by Chapman Publishing Company)

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