John Watts (New York politician)
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John Watts (August 27, 1749 New York City – September 3, 1836) was an American lawyer and politician from New York City who represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Life
John Watts was born on August 27, 1749 in New York City, the son of John Watts (1715–1789) and Ann DeLancey (d. 1784), a descendant of the Schuyler family and Van Cortlandt family. His maternal grandfather was the French born Etienne de Lancy (1663–1741), a minor member of the French nobility.[1] He completed preparatory studies and studied law.
His sister, Anne Watts (1744-1783), married Archibald Kennedy, 11th Earl of Cassilis and Archibald Kennedy, 1st Marquess of Ailsa was his nephew.[1]
Career
He was the last Recorder of New York City under the English Crown, appointed in 1774.[2]
Watts was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1791 to 1793, serving as Speaker during these three terms. He was a member of the commission to build Newgate Prison in New York City (1796–1799).
Watts was elected as a Federalist to the 3rd United States Congress, and served from March 4, 1793, to March 3, 1795. He was defeated in his run for re-election by Edward Livingston.
He was a judge of Westchester County, New York from 1802 to 1807.
Personal life
Watts married his cousin Jane DeLancey. Their only son was:
- Robert J. Watts, to whom John G. Leake, a distant wealthy relative who died childless, left his extensive properties. Robert inherited Leake's personal property (the real estate was escheated to the State because of technical problems of the "will") but died very soon. The grieving father then founded and endowed the Leake and Watts Orphan House with the Leake inheritance.
John Watts died in New York City and was laid to rest in a vault in Trinity Churchyard.
Descendants
Watts was the grandfather of Philip Kearny, who was interred in Watts's vault until being removed to Arlington National Cemetery.
References
- 1 2 Stevens, Walter Barlow (1921). Centennial History of Missouri, Vol. 2, 1921. Chicago : S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. p. 76.
- ↑ Richard M. Ketchum, Divided Loyalties: How the American Revolution Came to New York, 2003, page 385
External links
- United States Congress. "John Watts (id: W000211)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- John Watts at Find a Grave
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robert R. Livingston |
Recorder of New York City 1774–1784 |
Succeeded by Richard Varick |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Gulian Verplanck |
Speaker of the New York State Assembly 1791–1793 |
Succeeded by James Watson |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by John Laurance |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 2nd congressional district 1793–1795 |
Succeeded by Edward Livingston |