S.R. Durand: "I have in my home an oil portrait painted on wood of my great-grandfather, Samuel Relf. this portrait was painted by the noted American artist Rembrandt Peale in Philadelphia, in about the year 1820. My ancestor is a jolly-looking man with a full face, somewhat ruddy complexion, dark eyes, and curly dark hair. The portrait is only seven inches by nine. Samuel Relf was born in Philadelphia on March 22, 1776. I have no record that he had a college education; his mother could most likely not afford it. However, he must have become interested in writing as a very young man, for in 1797 he was the author of a novel that was published with the title 'Infidelity, or the Victims of Sentiment.' I once tried to locate a copy of this novel at the Philadelphia Public Library, but I doubt that a copy exists today. The Federal Gazette was founded and first published in Philadelphia by Andrew Brown in 1788. In 1793, its name was changed to the Philadelphia Gazette. Mr. Brown, his wife, and their three children perished in a fire in 1801, and Samuel Relf became the owner and editor of the Philadelphia Gazette at the age of 25. He had been married on October 9, 1800 in St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia to Sarah Poyntell, whose father William Poyntell had made a great fortune and was retired. I surmise that William Poyntell helped his son-in-law financially in acquiring the newspaper. Thereafter, Samuel Relf became one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Philadelphia during the next twenty-two years of his life. It seems tragic that only one of the seven sons, Charles Poyntell Relf, survived to marry and have children. None of his three sons left descendants. My great-grandfather, Samuel Relf, died at the age of 46 on February 14, 1823. An account in the Tuesday morning, February 18, 1823 issue of Poulson's American Daily Advertiser of Philadelphia reads: 'Died on Friday afternoon, 14th inst. in the 47th year of his age, Mr. Samuel Relf, late editor of the Philadelphia Gazette. On his way home from the office early on Saturday evening, 8th inst., he had a severe fall on the ice, on the foot pavement near North and Chestnut, which, breaking his right arm above the elbow, and considerably injuring his body, in a few days terminated his earthly career. Mr. Relf was a uniform Federalist of the Washington school - frank, liberal and generous, his pen, his purse and his press was always devoted to the cause of charity and goodwill toward men. In temper he was so mild that it has often been remarked by those who knew him for thirty years that they never saw him angry. He has left, to regret his departure, a most affectionate wife, daughter, four sons, a worthy brother, and a large circle of sympathizing friends and acquaintances.'"

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Record Change December 23, 1999