New York. British forces ended up capturing Hubbard's boat. In late 1820, Hubbard petitioned Congress to cover the loss of his boat valued between $650–800. Hubbard argued that the government agreed to reimburse Foster for any losses, which should also cover him. Unfortunately, on December 22, 1820, the Committee of Claims in the House of Representatives disagreed that any contractual protections for Foster would implicitly extend to Hubbard. In 1813, Foster became a judge in the Court of Common Pleas for Jefferson County, while Hungerford decided to focus on expanding his commercial interests rather than reading law. He set up his own store, eventually partnering with Foster's son-in-law Adriel Ely, only withdrawing his interest upon entering Congress. Orville had his children work in the family store. For example, his son Richard Esselstyne Hungerford served as a clerk in the store before heading off to Hamilton College in Clinton, New York (Class of 1844). There Richard joined his cousin, John N. Hungerford, who also worked in his older brother's store, Hungerford & Miner, before going to Hamilton College and then becoming a banker and finally a U.S. Congressman. Hungerford made frequent trips to New York City to sell potash from his ashery in Watertown and purchase wares to bring back to his store. On October 6, 1840, the New York Herald newspaper announced that Orville Hungerford arrived the previous day at the Franklin House hotel, located at the northwest corner of Broadway and Dey Street in New York City. Orville Hungerford endorsed modern conveniences. For example, he helped fellow merchants promote the "Air-Tight Rotary Cook Stove", which used one third less wood, as advertised in local newspapers such as the Northern State Journal. On May 13, 1849 a great fire swept through Watertown, N.Y., burning down 100 buildings valued at $125,000. A large portion of the downtown business district was destroyed. Only four dry goods stores survived including one owned by Orville Hungerford and another by his former business partner Adriel Ely. Family On October 13, 1813, Orville Hungerford married Elizabeth Porter Stanley, known as Betsey or sometimes spelled Betsy, whose family was originally from Wethersfield, Connecticut. Betsey was the daughter of George and Hannah (Porter) Stanley. She was 5 years older than her husband when they met in the midst of the War of 1812. The couple had the following children: Mary Stanley (May 6, 1815 – Mar. 13, 1893),