Richard Varick

Richard Varick


45th Mayor of New York City
In office 1789–1801
Preceded by	James Duane
Succeeded by	Edward Livingston
New York State Attorney General
In office May 14, 1788 – September 29, 1789
Preceded by	Egbert Benson
Succeeded by	Aaron Burr
Personal details
Born	March 15, 1753 Hackensack, Bergen County, Province of New Jersey
Died	July 30, 1831 (aged 78) Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey
Nationality	American
Political party	Federalist

Richard Varick was an American lawyer and politician. He was born on March 15, 1753 at Hackensack in Bergen County, New Jersey, and he died on July 30, 1831 at Jersey City in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Biography

American Revolutionary War

At the outset of the American Revolution, he was studying law at King's College (the former name of Columbia University) in New York City. He suspended his studies and became a captain in the militia. On June 28, 1775, he was appointed captain of the 1st New York Regiment. He served under General Philip Schuyler in various posts until after the Battle of Saratoga when he was appointed inspector-general of West Point.

At West Point, he became an aide to General Benedict Arnold. Although he was no longer serving in this capacity when Arnold defected to the British, Varick, along with David Franks, was arrested. The two were subsequently cleared by a court of inquiry. After the West Point incident, Varick served under General George Washington as private secretary until the end of the war.

After the war

Signature of Richard Varick while Mayor of New York (1798)

Varick was Recorder of New York from 1784 to 1789, and New York State Attorney General from 1788 to 1789. He was Mayor of New York City from 1789 to 1801. While Mayor, he focused on the yellow fever epidemics which struck repeatedly. Along with Samuel Jones, Varick revised and standardized the statutes of New York (1788). He was a member of the New York State Assembly from New York County from 1786 to 1788, and he was Speaker during the sessions of 1787 and 1788. Meanwhile, he served as a colonel in the state militia.

Later life

Varick also served as a bank officer. He was a founder and later president (succeeding John Jay) of the American Bible Society, as well as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and president of the New York chapter until his death. As such, he was responsible for maintaining the legacy of George Washington. From 1790 to 1836, celebrations of Washington's birthday in the City included Tammany Hall dinners, Washington Benevolent Society parades and an intimate open house held each February 22 by Mary Simpson (c. 1752-March 18, 1836), at her John Street grocery. Varick was a member of, and generous contributor to, many charitable organizations in New York City.

Having no children, he was survived by his wife Maria Roosevelt. He left his estate to his wife and relatives. Varick was interred at the First Reformed Dutch Church Cemetery in Hackensack, New Jersey.^[1]

Legacy

The Town of Varick, New York, Varick Street in Jersey City and Varick Street (where he once owned property) in Manhattan in the City of New York bear his name.^[2]

References

↑ Richard Varick, Find A Grave. Accessed August 7, 2006.
↑ Downtown Street Names and the Stories They Tell, LowerManhattan.info. Accessed August 22, 2007. "An extension of Seventh Avenue leading south from Clarkson Street, Varick Street got its name from Richard Varick, who served as the mayor of the city from 1791 to 1801."

Photographs of gravesite
Political Graveyard

External links

Richard Varick Papers,1743-1871 New-York Historical Society

Political offices
Preceded by John Lansing, Jr.	Speaker of the New York State Assembly 1787–1788	Succeeded by John Lansing, Jr.
Preceded by James Duane	Mayor of New York City 1789–1801	Succeeded by Edward Livingston
Legal offices
Preceded by John Watts	Recorder of New York City 1784–1789	Succeeded by Samuel Jones
Preceded by Egbert Benson	New York State Attorney General 1788–1789	Succeeded by Aaron Burr

Speakers of the New York State Assembly

Attorneys General of New York

Mayors of New York City from inception to consolidation (June 12, 1665 – December 31, 1897)

T. Willett Delavall T. Willett Van Steenwyk Delavall Nicoll J. Lawrence Dervall De Mayer S. Van Cortlandt Delavall Rombouts Dyre Van Steenwyk Minvielle N. Bayard S. Van Cortlandt Delanoy J. Lawrence A. de Peyster Lodwik Merritt J. de Peyster Provost De Reimer Noell French Peartree Wilson J. Van Cortlandt Heathcote Johnstone J. Van Cortlandt Walters Jansen Lurting Richard Cruger S. Bayard Holland Cruger, Jr Hicks Mathews Duane Varick Livingston Clinton M. Willett Clinton Radcliff Clinton Ferguson Radcliff Colden Allen Paulding Hone Paulding Bowne Lee C. Lawrence Clark Varian Morris Harper Havemeyer Mickle Brady Havemeyer Woodhull Kingsland Westervelt Wood Tiemann Wood Opdyke Gunther Hoffman Coman Hall Havemeyer Vance Wickham Ely Cooper Grace Edson Grace Hewitt Grant Gilroy Strong

Recorders of New York City

Authority control	WorldCat VIAF: 4076076 LCCN: n89622997 ISNI: 0000 0001 2020 0286 GND: 1012534847 SUDOC: 177215410

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