Richard Varick
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Richard Varick (March 15, 1753 Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey - July 30, 1831 Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey) was an American lawyer and politician.
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[edit] American Revolutionary War
At the outset of the American Revolution he was studying law at King's College (predecessor to Columbia University) in New York City 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 and was then 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, but 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.
[edit] After War Years
Varick was a Recorder of New York from 1783 to 1789, and New York State Attorney General from 1788 to 1789. He was Mayor of New York City from 1791 to 1801. Along with Samuel Jones, Varick revised 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 was Speaker in 1787 and 1788. He served as a colonel in the state militia.
Varick also served as a bank officer. He was a founder and later President (succeeding John Jay) of the American Bible Society. Richard Varick was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and president of the New York chapter until his death. He was a member and generous contributor to many charitable organizations in New York City.
Having no children, he was survived by his wife Maria. He left his estate to his wife and relatives. Varick was interred at the First Reformed Dutch Church Cemetery in Hackensack, New Jersey.[1]
The Town of Varick, New York and Varick Street (where he once owned property) in Manhattan in the City of New York bear his name.[2]
[edit] 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."
[edit] Sources
- Photographs of gravesite
- [1] Political Graveyard
| Preceded by John Lansing, Jr. |
Speaker of the New York State Assembly 1787 - 1788 |
Succeeded by John Lansing, Jr. |
| Preceded by Egbert Benson |
New York State Attorney General 1788–1789 |
Succeeded by Aaron Burr |
| Preceded by James Duane |
Mayor of New York City 1789–1801 |
Succeeded by Edward Livingston |
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