George Briggs (New York politician)

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George Briggs (May 6, 1805 – June 30, 1869) was an American businessman and politician. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1837 to 1838, and as a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York from 1849 to 1853, and 1859 to 1861.

George Briggs
Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York
In office
March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861
Preceded byElijah Ward
Succeeded byElijah Ward
Constituency7th district
In office
March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853
Preceded byFrederick A. Tallmadge
Succeeded byWilliam M. Tweed
Constituency5th district
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Bennington
In office
1837–1838
Preceded byStephen Dewey
Succeeded bySamuel H. Blackmer
Personal details
BornMay 6, 1805 (1805-05-06)
Broadalbin, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 30, 1869 (1869-07-01) (aged 64)
Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
Resting placeGreen-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Political partyWhig
Republican
Constitutional Union
OccupationHardware dealer

Biography

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Briggs was born near Broadalbin, New York, where he lived until 1812, when his family relocated to Bennington. He attended the public schools of Broadalbin and Bennington.

Career

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Briggs engaged in business as a hardware dealer and was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1837 to 1838. He moved to New York City in 1838, where he continued in the hardware business.

Elected as a Whig to the 31st and 32nd United States Congresses, Briggs was United States Representative for the fifth district of New York from March 4, 1849, to March 3, 1853. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1852.

Briggs was then elected as a Republican to the 36th United States Congress, and was United States Representative for the seventh district of New York from March 4, 1859, to March 3, 1861. During the thirty-sixth Congress, he was Chairman of the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1860 and retired. In 1866 he was a delegate to the National Union Convention at Philadelphia.

Death

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Briggs died at his summer home, "Woodlawn," in Saratoga Springs, New York, on June 30, 1869.[1] He was buried at Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ "Death of Hon. Mr. Briggs". The Times Record. Brunswick, ME. July 3, 1869. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Rules and Regulations of the Green-Wood Cemetery With A Catalogue of Proprietors. Brooklyn, NY: Green-Wood Cemetery. 1854. p. 9 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Publishing. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0 – via Google Books.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 5th congressional district

March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 7th congressional district

March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861
Succeeded by