Josiah Ogden Hoffman, Sr.

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Josiah Ogden Hoffman (April 14, 1766 Newark, Essex County, New Jersey - January 24, 1837 New York City) was an American lawyer and politician.

[edit] Life

He was the son of Nicholas Hoffman (1736-1800) and Sarah Ogden Hoffman (1742-1821). He was a Federalist member from New York County of the New York State Assembly in 1790-91. He was New York State Attorney General from 1795 to 1802. In 1828, he became one of the original justices (with Samuel Jones and Thomas J. Oakley) of the then established New York City Superior Court.

[edit] Family

He married Mary Colden, and their son was Ogden Hoffman (1794-1856, NY Attorney General 1854-1855). On August 7, 1802, he married his second wife, Maria Fenno (1781-1823, daughter of John Fenno), their son was Charles Fenno Hoffman (1806-1884).

Washington Irving studied law at Hoffman's law office and became engaged to his daughter Matilda (1791-1809) who died before the marriage could take place.

[edit] Sources

[1] Hoffman genealogy, at the William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan
[2] Fenno-Hoffman bio info, at the William L. Clements Library of the University of Michigan
[3] Political Graveyard
[4] List of NY State Attorneys General, at Office of the Att. Gal. of NY
[5] History of the City Superior Court, in NYT on August 13, 1890