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{{short description|American politician}}

{{for|his contemporary, a mayor of Philadelphia|Matthew Clarkson (mayor)}}
{{for|his contemporary, a mayor of Philadelphia|Matthew Clarkson (mayor)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1825|04|25|1758|10|17}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1825|04|25|1758|10|17}}
| death_place = New York City, [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| death_place = New York City, [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| party = [[Federalist party|Federalist]]
| party = [[Federalist Party|Federalist]]
| parents = David Clarkson<br>Elisabeth French Clarkson
| parents = David Clarkson<br>Elisabeth French Clarkson
| spouse = {{marriage|Mary Rutherfurd<br>|May 24, 1785|July 2, 1786|reason=her death}}<br>{{marriage|Sally Cornell<br>|February 14, 1792|1803|reason=her death}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Mary Rutherfurd<br>|May 24, 1785|July 2, 1786|reason=her death}}
* {{marriage|Sally Cornell<br>|February 14, 1792|1803|reason=her death}}
}}
| children = 8
| children = 8
| relations = [[John Clarkson Jay]] (grandson)
| relations = [[John Clarkson Jay]] (grandson)
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| battles = [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]:<br>{{*}}[[Battle of Long Island]]<br>{{*}}[[Battles of Saratoga]]
| battles = [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]]:<br>{{*}}[[Battle of Long Island]]<br>{{*}}[[Battles of Saratoga]]
}}
}}
'''Matthew Clarkson''' (October 17, 1758 – April 25, 1825) was a colonial soldier and politician. Clarkson Street in [[Greenwich Village]] and the town of [[Clarkson, New York|Clarkson]] in [[Western New York]] were both named after him.<ref name="nnyln">{{cite web|title=General Matthew Clarkson :: Clarkson University|url=https://history.nnyln.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/clarkson&CISOPTR=10&REC=9|website=history.nnyln.org|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47de-851d-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 | title= (still image) Matthew Clarkson. |author=[[New York Public Library|Digital Collections, The New York Public Library]] |accessdate=January 18, 2016 |publisher=The New York Public Library, Astor, Lennox, and Tilden Foundation}}</ref>
'''Matthew Clarkson''' (October 17, 1758 – April 25, 1825) was a colonial soldier and politician. Clarkson Street in [[Greenwich Village]] and the town of [[Clarkson, New York|Clarkson]] in [[Western New York]] were both named after him.<ref name="nnyln">{{cite web|title=General Matthew Clarkson :: Clarkson University|url=https://history.nnyln.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/clarkson&CISOPTR=10&REC=9|website=history.nnyln.org|accessdate=13 November 2017|archive-date=26 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226140157/http://history.nnyln.org/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/clarkson&CISOPTR=10&REC=9|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47de-851d-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 | title= (still image) Matthew Clarkson. |author=Digital Collections, The New York Public Library |author-link=New York Public Library |accessdate=January 18, 2016 |publisher=The New York Public Library, Astor, Lennox, and Tilden Foundation}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Clarkson was born on October 17, 1758 at his father's residence on [[Whitehall Street]] in [[New York City]] in the [[Province of New York]] in what was then [[British America]].<ref name="NHS1921"/><ref name="Clarksons1876"/> He was the son of David Clarkson (1726–1782) and Elisabeth ([[née]] French) Clarkson (1724–1808). His brother, Thomas Streatfeild Clarkson, was the grandfather of [[Thomas S. Clarkson]], the namesake of [[Clarkson University]].
Clarkson was born on October 17, 1758, at his father's residence on [[Whitehall Street]] in [[New York City]] in the [[Province of New York]] in what was then [[British America]].<ref name="NHS1921"/><ref name="Clarksons1876"/> He was the son of David Clarkson (1726–1782) and Elisabeth ([[née]] French) Clarkson (1724–1808). His brother, Thomas Streatfeild Clarkson, was the grandfather of [[Thomas S. Clarkson]], the namesake of [[Clarkson University]].


Clarkson was the great-grandson of Matthew Clarkson, who emigrated to New York and served as a patent official in the 1690s.<ref name="nysoclib"/> His father, Clarkson's great-great grandfather, was Rev. [[David Clarkson (minister)|David Clarkson]] (1622-1686),<ref name="Reynolds">{{cite book|last1=Reynolds|first1=Cuyler|title=Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Building of a Nation|date=1914|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|pages=1023-1029|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iNIUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1331&lpg=PA1331#v=onepage&q=clarkson&f=false|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> the English born [[Puritan]] clergyman whose sermons included "''The Doctrine of Justification is Dangerously Corrupted by the Roman Church''."<ref name="nysoclib"/> Through his mother, he was descended from [[Phillip French]], the 27th [[Mayor of New York City]].<ref name="Caliendo2010">{{cite book|last1=Caliendo|first1=Ralph J.|title=New York City Mayors|date=2010|isbn=9781450088145|page=63|url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=mNe7Sph7lJ8C&pg=PA63|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
Clarkson was the great-grandson of Matthew Clarkson, who emigrated to New York and served as a patent official in the 1690s.<ref name="nysoclib"/> His father, Clarkson's great-great grandfather, was Rev. [[David Clarkson (minister)|David Clarkson]] (1622-1686),<ref name="Reynolds">{{cite book|last1=Reynolds|first1=Cuyler|title=Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Building of a Nation|date=1914|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|pages=[https://archive.org/details/genealogicalfami00reyn/page/1023 1023]-1029|url=https://archive.org/details/genealogicalfami00reyn|quote=clarkson.|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> the English born [[Puritan]] clergyman whose sermons included "''The Doctrine of Justification is Dangerously Corrupted by the Roman Church''."<ref name="nysoclib"/> Through his mother, he was descended from [[Phillip French]], the 27th [[Mayor of New York City]].<ref name="Caliendo2010">{{cite book|last1=Caliendo|first1=Ralph J.|title=New York City Mayors|date=2010|isbn=9781450088145|page=63|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mNe7Sph7lJ8C&pg=PA63|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
At the age of 17, he entered the Army to serve in the Revolutionary War, first on Long Island, subsequently under [[Benedict Arnold]].<ref name="NHS1921"/> He was at [[Battles of Saratoga|Saratoga]] and, later, on the staff of General [[Benjamin Lincoln]], was present at the surrender of [[John Burgoyne|Burgoyne]], at [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] (1779) and at the defense of [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] (1780). He was also present at the surrender of [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|Cornwallis]].<ref name="Clarksons1876">{{cite book|title=The Clarksons of New York: A Sketch|date=1876|publisher=Bradstreet Press|location=New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qoQ7AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA49&lpg=PA49|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
At the age of 17, he entered the Army to serve in the Revolutionary War, first on Long Island, subsequently under [[Benedict Arnold]].<ref name="NHS1921"/> He was at [[Battles of Saratoga|Saratoga]] and, later, on the staff of General [[Benjamin Lincoln]], was present at the surrender of [[John Burgoyne|Burgoyne]], at [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] (1779) and at the defense of [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] (1780). He was also present at the surrender of [[Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis|Cornwallis]].<ref name="Clarksons1876">{{cite book|title=The Clarksons of New York: A Sketch|date=1876|publisher=Bradstreet Press|location=New York|url=https://archive.org/details/clarksonsnewyor01unkngoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/clarksonsnewyor01unkngoog/page/n62 49]|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


After the war, Clarkson was commissioned brigadier general of militia of Kings and Queens Counties in June 1786 and Major General of the Southern District of New York in March 1798.<ref name="nysoclib">{{cite web|title=Who Are Those People in the Stairwells?|url=https://www.nysoclib.org/about/who-are-those-people-stairwells|website=www.nysoclib.org|publisher=[[New York Society Library]]|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref> For a time, he was engaged in merchant business with John Vanderbilt under the company Vanderbilt & Clarkson.<ref name="McMaster1915">{{cite book|last1=McMaster|first1=James Smith|title=McMaster's Commercial Decisions Affecting the Banker and Merchant: From the Decisions of the Highest Courts of the Several States|date=1915|publisher=Commercial book Company|page=578|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1PkrAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA578|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> The firm was later closed and he worked with his brother at the firm S. & L. Clarkson & Co.<ref name="NHS1921"/>
After the war, Clarkson was commissioned brigadier general of militia of Kings and Queens Counties in June 1786 and Major General of the Southern District of New York in March 1798.<ref name="nysoclib">{{cite web|title=Who Are Those People in the Stairwells?|url=https://www.nysoclib.org/about/who-are-those-people-stairwells|website=www.nysoclib.org|publisher=[[New York Society Library]]|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref> For a time, he was engaged in merchant business with John Vanderbilt under the company Vanderbilt & Clarkson.<ref name="McMaster1915">{{cite book|last1=McMaster|first1=James Smith|title=McMaster's Commercial Decisions Affecting the Banker and Merchant: From the Decisions of the Highest Courts of the Several States|date=1915|publisher=Commercial book Company|page=578|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1PkrAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA578|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> The firm was later closed and he worked with his brother at the firm S. & L. Clarkson & Co.<ref name="NHS1921"/>


===Political service===
===Political service===
⚫
When the war ended, Lincoln became [[Secretary of War]] and Clarkson became his assistant. He served as a [[Federalist Party|Federalist]] member of the [[13th New York State Legislature]] in the [[New York State Assembly]] for one term from 1789 to 1790, where he introduced a bill for the gradual [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolition of slavery]] in the State.
[[File:matthewclarkson-npl.jpg|thumb|Matthew Clarkson]]
⚫
When the war ended, Lincoln became [[Secretary of War]] and Clarkson became his assistant. He served as a [[Federalist party|Federalist]] member of the [[13th New York State Legislature]] in the [[New York State Assembly]] for one term from 1789 to 1790, where he introduced a bill for the gradual [[Abolitionism in the United States|abolition of slavery]] in the State.


As a Regent of the [[University of the State of New York]] he was presented at the court of [[France|French]] King [[Louis XVI]]. From 1791 to 1792, he served as U.S. Marshal. In 1793, he was elected to fill the vacancy, in place of [[Philip Van Cortlandt]], as State Senator in the [[17th New York State Legislature]] representing the Southern District, which consisted of [[Brooklyn|Kings]], [[Manhattan|New York]], [[Queens]], [[Staten Island|Richmond]], [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk]] and [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]] counties. He served until 1795 after being reelected to the [[18th New York State Legislature|18th Legislature]], and resigning before he completed his full four year term.<ref name="Hough1858">{{cite book|last1=Hough|first1=Franklin Benjamin|title=The New York civil list: containing the names and origin of the civil divisions, and the names and dates of election or appointment of the principal state and county officers from the Revolution to the present time|date=1858|publisher=Weed, Parsons and Co.|page=115|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3sFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA115#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> He was also a member of the commission to build a new prison 1796-1797 and President of the New York (City) Hospital (1799).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bankers Magazine|date=1847|page=714|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fZ40AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA714|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
As a Regent of the [[University of the State of New York]] he was presented at the court of [[France|French]] King [[Louis XVI]]. From 1791 to 1792, he served as U.S. Marshal. In 1793, he was elected to fill the vacancy, in place of [[Philip Van Cortlandt]], as State Senator in the [[17th New York State Legislature]] representing the Southern District, which consisted of [[Brooklyn|Kings]], [[Manhattan|New York]], [[Queens]], [[Staten Island|Richmond]], [[Suffolk County, New York|Suffolk]] and [[Westchester County, New York|Westchester]] counties. He served until 1795 after being reelected to the [[18th New York State Legislature|18th Legislature]], and resigning before he completed his full four year term.<ref name="Hough1858">{{cite book|last1=Hough|first1=Franklin Benjamin|title=The New York civil list: containing the names and origin of the civil divisions, and the names and dates of election or appointment of the principal state and county officers from the Revolution to the present time|date=1858|publisher=Weed, Parsons and Co.|page=[https://archive.org/details/newyorkcivillis00houggoog/page/n141 115]|url=https://archive.org/details/newyorkcivillis00houggoog|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> He was also a member of the commission to build a new prison 1796-1797 and President of the New York (City) Hospital (1799).<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bankers Magazine|date=1847|page=714|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fZ40AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA714|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


In [[United States Senate special election in New York, 1802|1802]], Clarkson was the [[Federalist Party|Federalist]] candidate for [[U.S. Senator from New York]] but was defeated by [[DeWitt Clinton]]. He was President of the [[Bank of New York]] from 1804, succeeding [[Le Roy, New York|Herman Le Roy]], and serving until his death in 1825.<ref name="Goodrich1967">{{cite book|last1=Goodrich|first1=Laurence B.|title=Ralph Earl, Recorder for an Era|date=1967|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|isbn=9780873950206|page=50|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzaW2SWHjrgC&pg=PA50|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name="NHS1921">{{cite book|title=The Journal of American History {{!}} Volumes 15-16|date=1921|publisher=National Historical Society|page=181|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N2sKAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA181&lpg=RA1-PA181|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> He was succeeded by Charles Wilkes.<ref name="Domett1884">{{cite book|last1=Domett|first1=Henry Williams|title=A History of the Bank of New York, 1784-1884: Comp. from Official Records and Other Sources at the Request of Directors|date=1884|publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons|page=77|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thcpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA77|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
In [[United States Senate special election in New York, 1802|1802]], Clarkson was the [[Federalist Party]] candidate for [[U.S. Senator from New York]] but was defeated by [[DeWitt Clinton]]. He was President of the [[Bank of New York]] from 1804, succeeding [[Le Roy, New York|Herman Le Roy]], and serving until his death in 1825.<ref name="Goodrich1967">{{cite book|last1=Goodrich|first1=Laurence B.|title=Ralph Earl, Recorder for an Era|date=1967|publisher=[[SUNY Press]]|isbn=9780873950206|page=50|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nzaW2SWHjrgC&pg=PA50|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref name="NHS1921">{{cite book|title=The Journal of American History {{!}} Volumes 15-16|date=1921|publisher=National Historical Society|page=181|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N2sKAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA181|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref> He was succeeded by Charles Wilkes.<ref name="Domett1884">{{cite book|last1=Domett|first1=Henry Williams|title=A History of the Bank of New York, 1784-1884: Comp. from Official Records and Other Sources at the Request of Directors|date=1884|publisher=G.P. Putnam's Sons|page=77|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=thcpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA77|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


==Philanthropy==
==Philanthropy==
Clarkson was one of the first trustees of New York's earliest savings bank established to serve laborers and the poor, [[The Bank for Savings in the City of New-York]].<ref> Knowles, Charles, "History of the Bank for Savings in the City of New York," 1936. </ref> His son-in-law [[Peter Augustus Jay (lawyer)|Peter Augustus Jay]] was one of the bank's founders.
Clarkson was one of the first trustees of New York's earliest savings bank established to serve laborers and the poor, [[The Bank for Savings in the City of New-York]].<ref>Knowles, Charles, "History of the Bank for Savings in the City of New York," 1936.</ref> His son-in-law [[Peter Augustus Jay (lawyer)|Peter Augustus Jay]] was one of the bank's founders.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
[[File:Coat of Arms of William Clarkson.svg|175px|thumb|left|Coat of Arms of Matthew Clarkson]]
On May 24, 1785, Clarkson was married to Mary Rutherfurd (1761–1786), the daughter of Walter Rutherfurd and Catherine (née Alexander) Rutherfurd and the sister of Senator [[John Rutherfurd]].<ref name="Reynolds"/> Through her mother, she was the niece of [[William Alexander, Lord Stirling]], and the granddaughter of [[James Alexander (lawyer)|James Alexander]] and [[Mary Alexander|Mary Alexander Provoost]]. Before her death in 1786, they were the parents of one child together:<ref name="Reynolds"/>
On May 24, 1785, Clarkson was married to Mary Rutherfurd (1761–1786), the daughter of [[Walter Rutherfurd]] and Catherine (née Alexander) Rutherfurd and the sister of [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Rutherfurd]].<ref name="Reynolds"/> Through her mother, she was the niece of [[William Alexander, Lord Stirling]], and the granddaughter of [[James Alexander (lawyer)|James Alexander]] and [[Mary Alexander|Mary Alexander Provoost]]. Before her death in 1786, they were the parents of one child together:<ref name="Reynolds"/>


* Mary Rutherfurd Clarkson (1786–1838), who married her cousin [[Peter Augustus Jay (lawyer)|Peter Augustus Jay]] (1776–1843), the eldest son of [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] [[John Jay]] and Sarah Van Brugh (née [[Livingston family|Livingston]]) Jay,<ref name="Reynolds"/> in 1807.<ref name="sothebys"/>
* Mary Rutherfurd Clarkson (1786–1838), who married her cousin [[Peter Augustus Jay (lawyer)|Peter Augustus Jay]] (1776–1843), the eldest son of [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] [[John Jay]] and Sarah Van Brugh (née [[Livingston family|Livingston]]) Jay,<ref name="Reynolds"/> in 1807.<ref name="sothebys"/>


His second marriage was on February 14, 1792 to Sally Cornell (1762–1803), the daughter of Samuel Cornell (1731–1781) and Susan (née Mabson) Cornell (1732–1778).<ref name="sothebys"/> Together they had eight children, including:<ref name="brooklynhistory">{{cite web|title=Emma « Clarkson family papers, 1793 – 1869|url=https://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/clarkson-family-papers-1793-1869/|website=brooklynhistory.org|publisher=[[Brooklyn Historical Society]]|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
His second marriage was on February 14, 1792, to Sally Cornell (1762–1803), the daughter of Samuel Cornell (1731–1781) and Susan (née Mabson) Cornell (1732–1778).<ref name="sothebys"/> Together they had eight children, including:<ref name="brooklynhistory">{{cite web|title=Emma « Clarkson family papers, 1793 – 1869|url=https://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/clarkson-family-papers-1793-1869/|website=brooklynhistory.org|publisher=[[Brooklyn Historical Society]]|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


* Elizabeth Clarkson (1793–1820),<ref name="nysoclib"/> who died unmarried.<ref name="sothebys">{{cite web|title=A RARE PAIR OF AMERICAN SILVER BOTTLE STANDS, MYER MYERS, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1765|url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/nutt-silver-n09304/lot.581.html|website=sothebys.com|publisher=[[Sotheby's]]|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref>
* Elizabeth Clarkson (1793–1820),<ref name="nysoclib"/> who died unmarried.<ref name="sothebys">{{cite web|title=A RARE PAIR OF AMERICAN SILVER BOTTLE STANDS, MYER MYERS, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1765|url=https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/nutt-silver-n09304/lot.581.html|website=sothebys.com|publisher=[[Sotheby's]]|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref>
* Catherine Rutherfurd Clarkson (1794–1861), who married Jonathan Goodhue, son of [[U.S. Senate|U.S. Senator]] [[Benjamin Goodhue]].
* Catherine Rutherfurd Clarkson (1794–1861), who married Jonathan Goodhue, son of [[U.S. Senate|U.S. Senator]] [[Benjamin Goodhue]].
* [[David Clarkson (NYSE)|David Clarkson]] (1795–1867), who was [[List of presidents of the New York Stock Exchange|President of the New York Stock Exchange]], from 1837 to 1851, who married his cousin, Elizabeth Streatfield Clarkson, in 1822.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* [[David Clarkson (NYSE)|David Clarkson]] (1795–1867), who was [[List of presidents of the New York Stock Exchange|President of the New York Stock Exchange]], from 1837 to 1851, who married his cousin, Elizabeth Streatfield Clarkson, in 1822.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* Matthew Clarkson, Jr. (1796–1883), who married Catherine Elizabeth Clarkson in 1821.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* Matthew Clarkson, Jr. (1796–1883),<ref name="1883Obit">{{cite news |title=Matthew Clarkson |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47314379/matthew-clarkson/ |accessdate=25 March 2020 |work=[[Brooklyn Times-Union|The Brooklyn Union]] |date=8 March 1883 |pages=4}}</ref> who married Catherine Elizabeth Clarkson in 1821.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* William Bayard Clarkson (1798–1875), who married Adelaide Margaret Livingston (1806–1885), daughter of Robert L. Livingston and granddaughter of [[New York Court of Chancery|Chancellor]] [[Robert R. Livingston (chancellor)|Robert R. Livingston]], in 1826.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* William Bayard Clarkson (1798–1875), who married Adelaide Margaret Livingston (1806–1885), daughter of Robert L. Livingston and granddaughter of [[New York Court of Chancery|Chancellor]] [[Robert R. Livingston (chancellor)|Robert R. Livingston]], in 1826.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* Susan Maria Clarkson (1800–1823), who married James Ferguson de Peyster, brother of [[Frederic de Peyster]], in 1822.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
* Susan Maria Clarkson (1800–1823), who married James Ferguson de Peyster, brother of [[Frederic de Peyster]], in 1822.<ref name="Reynolds"/>
Line 72: Line 77:


===Legacy===
===Legacy===
On April 2, 1819, the town of [[Clarkson, New York|Clarkson]] was established by the [[New York State Legislature]] and named in honor of General Clarkson. Although there is no evidence that he ever lived in Western New York, he reportedly owned a sizable amount of land there, and he gave 100 acres (405,000 m²) to the town,<ref name="clarksonny">{{cite web|title=Clarkson, NY Online - The Town of Clarkson|url=http://www.clarksonny.org/html/historian.html|website=www.clarksonny.org|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref> the rest of his interest was placed in trust for his children.<ref name="Andrews2002">{{cite book|last1=Andrews|first1=William G.|title=Around Brockport|date=2002|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9781439611418|page=37|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hg77uB4NNBwC&pg=PT37&lpg=PT37|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>
On April 2, 1819, the town of [[Clarkson, New York|Clarkson]] was established by the [[New York State Legislature]] and named in honor of General Clarkson. Although there is no evidence that he ever lived in Western New York, he reportedly owned a sizable amount of land there, and he gave 100 acres (405,000 m²) to the town,<ref name="clarksonny">{{cite web|title=Clarkson, NY Online - The Town of Clarkson|url=http://www.clarksonny.org/html/historian.html|website=www.clarksonny.org|accessdate=13 November 2017}}</ref> the rest of his interest was placed in trust for his children.<ref name="Andrews2002">{{cite book|last1=Andrews|first1=William G.|title=Around Brockport|date=2002|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=9781439611418|page=37|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hg77uB4NNBwC&pg=PT37|accessdate=13 November 2017|language=en}}</ref>


===Descendants===
===Descendants===
Through his eldest daughter Mary, he was the grandfather of:<ref name="Bergen1915">{{cite book|last1=Bergen|first1=Tunis Garret|title=Genealogies of the State of New York: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation|date=1915|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|page=768|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wekpAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA768&lpg=PA768|accessdate=14 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> [[John Clarkson Jay]] (1808–1891), a physician and noted [[conchologist]],<ref name="JCJObit1891">{{cite news|title=OBITUARY.|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9F04E0DF133AE533A25754C1A9679D94609ED7CF&legacy=true|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 November 1891}}</ref> Catherine Helena Jay (1815–1889), who married [[Henry Augustus DuBois]] (1808–1884),<ref name="Genea1880">{{cite book|title=The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record|date=1880|publisher=New York Genealogical and Biographical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtMUAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA170&lpg=RA1-PA170|accessdate=14 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> in 1835.<ref name="Bergen1915"/> Anna Maria Jay (1819–1902),<ref name="AMJPObit1902">{{cite news|title=MRS. A. M. PIERREPONT DEAD.; Was a Granddaughter of John Jay, First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/01/03/archives/mrs-a-m-pierrepont-dead-was-a-granddaughter-of-john-jay-first-chief.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 January 1902}}</ref> who married Henry Evelyn Pierrepont (1808–1888),<ref name="HEPFuneral1888">{{cite news|title=H.E. PIERREPONT'S FUNERAL.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1888/04/01/archives/he-pierreponts-funeral.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1 April 1888}}</ref><ref name="HEPJrObit1911">{{cite news|title=HENRY E. PIERREPONT DEAD.; Retired Merchant Was One of the Brooklyn Family of Pierreponts.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1911/11/05/archives/henry-e-pierrepont-dead-retired-merchant-was-one-of-the-brooklyn.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=5 November 1911}}</ref> in 1841,<ref name="Bergen1915"/> and Susan Matilda Jay (1827–1910),<ref name="SMJCObit1910">{{cite news|title=Obituary -- CLARKSON|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/06/30/archives/obituary-1-no-title.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=30 June 1910}}</ref> who married another of his grandchildren, Matthew Clarkson (1823–1913), the son of David Clarkson,<ref name="MCObit1913">{{cite news|title=Obituary -- CLARKSON|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/03/13/archives/obituary-1-no-title.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=13 March 1913}}</ref> in 1852.<ref name="Bergen1915"/>
Through his eldest daughter Mary, he was the grandfather of:<ref name="Bergen1915">{{cite book|last1=Bergen|first1=Tunis Garret|title=Genealogies of the State of New York: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation|date=1915|publisher=Lewis Historical Publishing Company|page=768|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wekpAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA768|accessdate=14 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> [[John Clarkson Jay]] (1808–1891), a physician and noted [[conchologist]],<ref name="JCJObit1891">{{cite news|title=OBITUARY.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1891/11/17/archives/obituary.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=17 November 1891}}</ref> Catherine Helena Jay (1815–1889), who married [[Henry Augustus DuBois]] (1808–1884),<ref name="Genea1880">{{cite book|title=The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record|date=1880|publisher=New York Genealogical and Biographical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EtMUAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA170|accessdate=14 July 2017|language=en}}</ref> in 1835.<ref name="Bergen1915"/> Anna Maria Jay (1819–1902),<ref name="AMJPObit1902">{{cite news|title=MRS. A. M. PIERREPONT DEAD.; Was a Granddaughter of John Jay, First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1902/01/03/archives/mrs-a-m-pierrepont-dead-was-a-granddaughter-of-john-jay-first-chief.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 January 1902}}</ref> who married Henry Evelyn Pierrepont (1808–1888),<ref name="HEPFuneral1888">{{cite news|title=H.E. PIERREPONT'S FUNERAL.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1888/04/01/archives/he-pierreponts-funeral.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=1 April 1888}}</ref><ref name="HEPJrObit1911">{{cite news|title=HENRY E. PIERREPONT DEAD.; Retired Merchant Was One of the Brooklyn Family of Pierreponts.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1911/11/05/archives/henry-e-pierrepont-dead-retired-merchant-was-one-of-the-brooklyn.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=5 November 1911}}</ref> in 1841,<ref name="Bergen1915"/> and Susan Matilda Jay (1827–1910),<ref name="SMJCObit1910">{{cite news|title=Obituary -- CLARKSON|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/06/30/archives/obituary-1-no-title.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=30 June 1910}}</ref> who married another of his grandchildren, Matthew Clarkson (1823–1913), the son of David Clarkson,<ref name="MCObit1913">{{cite news|title=Obituary -- CLARKSON|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1913/03/13/archives/obituary-1-no-title.html|accessdate=14 July 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=13 March 1913}}</ref> in 1852.<ref name="Bergen1915"/>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Continental Army officers from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Continental Army officers from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Members of the New York State Assembly]]
[[Category:Members of the New York State Assembly]]
[[Category:New York State Senators]]
[[Category:New York (state) state senators]]
[[Category:Politicians from New York City]]
[[Category:Politicians from New York City]]
[[Category:American bankers]]
[[Category:American bankers]]
[[Category:Abolitionists from New York City]]

Latest revision as of 11:05, 22 January 2024

For his contemporary, a mayor of Philadelphia, see Matthew Clarkson (mayor).
Matthew Clarkson
Portrait of Clarkson by Gilbert Stuart (ca. 1794)
6th President of the Bank of New York
In office
1804–1825
Preceded byHerman Le Roy
Succeeded byCharles Wilkes
Member of the New York State Senate for the Southern District
In office
July 1, 1793 – June 30, 1795
Preceded byPhilip Van Cortlandt
Succeeded byPhilip Livingston
Member of the New York State Assembly for New York County
In office
July 1, 1789 – June 30, 1790
Personal details
Born(1758-10-17)October 17, 1758
New York City, Province of New York, British America
DiedApril 25, 1825(1825-04-25) (aged 66)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyFederalist
Spouses
Mary Rutherfurd
​
​
(m. 1785; died 1786)​
Sally Cornell
​
​
(m. 1792; died 1803)​
RelationsJohn Clarkson Jay (grandson)
Children8
Parent(s)David Clarkson
Elisabeth French Clarkson
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
 New York
Branch/serviceNew York (state) New York State Militia
RankBrigadier general
Battles/warsRevolutionary War:
 • Battle of Long Island
 • Battles of Saratoga

Matthew Clarkson (October 17, 1758 – April 25, 1825) was a colonial soldier and politician. Clarkson Street in Greenwich Village and the town of Clarkson in Western New York were both named after him.[1][2]

Early life

[edit]

Clarkson was born on October 17, 1758, at his father's residence on Whitehall Street in New York City in the Province of New York in what was then British America.[3][4] He was the son of David Clarkson (1726–1782) and Elisabeth (née French) Clarkson (1724–1808). His brother, Thomas Streatfeild Clarkson, was the grandfather of Thomas S. Clarkson, the namesake of Clarkson University.

Clarkson was the great-grandson of Matthew Clarkson, who emigrated to New York and served as a patent official in the 1690s.[5] His father, Clarkson's great-great grandfather, was Rev. David Clarkson (1622-1686),[6] the English born Puritan clergyman whose sermons included "The Doctrine of Justification is Dangerously Corrupted by the Roman Church."[5] Through his mother, he was descended from Phillip French, the 27th Mayor of New York City.[7]

Career

[edit]

At the age of 17, he entered the Army to serve in the Revolutionary War, first on Long Island, subsequently under Benedict Arnold.[3] He was at Saratoga and, later, on the staff of General Benjamin Lincoln, was present at the surrender of Burgoyne, at Savannah (1779) and at the defense of Charleston (1780). He was also present at the surrender of Cornwallis.[4]

After the war, Clarkson was commissioned brigadier general of militia of Kings and Queens Counties in June 1786 and Major General of the Southern District of New York in March 1798.[5] For a time, he was engaged in merchant business with John Vanderbilt under the company Vanderbilt & Clarkson.[8] The firm was later closed and he worked with his brother at the firm S. & L. Clarkson & Co.[3]

Political service

[edit]

When the war ended, Lincoln became Secretary of War and Clarkson became his assistant. He served as a Federalist member of the 13th New York State Legislature in the New York State Assembly for one term from 1789 to 1790, where he introduced a bill for the gradual abolition of slavery in the State.

As a Regent of the University of the State of New York he was presented at the court of French King Louis XVI. From 1791 to 1792, he served as U.S. Marshal. In 1793, he was elected to fill the vacancy, in place of Philip Van Cortlandt, as State Senator in the 17th New York State Legislature representing the Southern District, which consisted of Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester counties. He served until 1795 after being reelected to the 18th Legislature, and resigning before he completed his full four year term.[9] He was also a member of the commission to build a new prison 1796-1797 and President of the New York (City) Hospital (1799).[10]

In 1802, Clarkson was the Federalist Party candidate for U.S. Senator from New York but was defeated by DeWitt Clinton. He was President of the Bank of New York from 1804, succeeding Herman Le Roy, and serving until his death in 1825.[11][3] He was succeeded by Charles Wilkes.[12]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Clarkson was one of the first trustees of New York's earliest savings bank established to serve laborers and the poor, The Bank for Savings in the City of New-York.[13] His son-in-law Peter Augustus Jay was one of the bank's founders.

Personal life

[edit]
Coat of Arms of Matthew Clarkson

On May 24, 1785, Clarkson was married to Mary Rutherfurd (1761–1786), the daughter of Walter Rutherfurd and Catherine (née Alexander) Rutherfurd and the sister of U.S. Senator John Rutherfurd.[6] Through her mother, she was the niece of William Alexander, Lord Stirling, and the granddaughter of James Alexander and Mary Alexander Provoost. Before her death in 1786, they were the parents of one child together:[6]

His second marriage was on February 14, 1792, to Sally Cornell (1762–1803), the daughter of Samuel Cornell (1731–1781) and Susan (née Mabson) Cornell (1732–1778).[14] Together they had eight children, including:[15]

  • Elizabeth Clarkson (1793–1820),[5] who died unmarried.[14]
  • Catherine Rutherfurd Clarkson (1794–1861), who married Jonathan Goodhue, son of U.S. Senator Benjamin Goodhue.
  • David Clarkson (1795–1867), who was President of the New York Stock Exchange, from 1837 to 1851, who married his cousin, Elizabeth Streatfield Clarkson, in 1822.[6]
  • Matthew Clarkson, Jr. (1796–1883),[16] who married Catherine Elizabeth Clarkson in 1821.[6]
  • William Bayard Clarkson (1798–1875), who married Adelaide Margaret Livingston (1806–1885), daughter of Robert L. Livingston and granddaughter of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston, in 1826.[6]
  • Susan Maria Clarkson (1800–1823), who married James Ferguson de Peyster, brother of Frederic de Peyster, in 1822.[6]
  • Sarah Cornell Clarkson (1802–1849), who married Rev. William Richmond in 1826.[6]

Legacy

[edit]

On April 2, 1819, the town of Clarkson was established by the New York State Legislature and named in honor of General Clarkson. Although there is no evidence that he ever lived in Western New York, he reportedly owned a sizable amount of land there, and he gave 100 acres (405,000 m²) to the town,[17] the rest of his interest was placed in trust for his children.[18]

Descendants

[edit]

Through his eldest daughter Mary, he was the grandfather of:[19] John Clarkson Jay (1808–1891), a physician and noted conchologist,[20] Catherine Helena Jay (1815–1889), who married Henry Augustus DuBois (1808–1884),[21] in 1835.[19] Anna Maria Jay (1819–1902),[22] who married Henry Evelyn Pierrepont (1808–1888),[23][24] in 1841,[19] and Susan Matilda Jay (1827–1910),[25] who married another of his grandchildren, Matthew Clarkson (1823–1913), the son of David Clarkson,[26] in 1852.[19]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "General Matthew Clarkson :: Clarkson University". history.nnyln.org. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  2. ^ Digital Collections, The New York Public Library. "(still image) Matthew Clarkson". The New York Public Library, Astor, Lennox, and Tilden Foundation. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d The Journal of American History | Volumes 15-16. National Historical Society. 1921. p. 181. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b The Clarksons of New York: A Sketch. New York: Bradstreet Press. 1876. p. 49. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d "Who Are Those People in the Stairwells?". www.nysoclib.org. New York Society Library. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Reynolds, Cuyler (1914). Genealogical and Family History of Southern New York and the Hudson River Valley: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Building of a Nation. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. pp. 1023-1029. Retrieved 13 November 2017. clarkson.
  7. ^ Caliendo, Ralph J. (2010). New York City Mayors. p. 63. ISBN 9781450088145. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  8. ^ McMaster, James Smith (1915). McMaster's Commercial Decisions Affecting the Banker and Merchant: From the Decisions of the Highest Courts of the Several States. Commercial book Company. p. 578. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  9. ^ Hough, Franklin Benjamin (1858). The New York civil list: containing the names and origin of the civil divisions, and the names and dates of election or appointment of the principal state and county officers from the Revolution to the present time. Weed, Parsons and Co. p. 115. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  10. ^ The Bankers Magazine. 1847. p. 714. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  11. ^ Goodrich, Laurence B. (1967). Ralph Earl, Recorder for an Era. SUNY Press. p. 50. ISBN 9780873950206. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  12. ^ Domett, Henry Williams (1884). A History of the Bank of New York, 1784-1884: Comp. from Official Records and Other Sources at the Request of Directors. G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 77. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  13. ^ Knowles, Charles, "History of the Bank for Savings in the City of New York," 1936.
  14. ^ a b c "A RARE PAIR OF AMERICAN SILVER BOTTLE STANDS, MYER MYERS, NEW YORK, CIRCA 1765". sothebys.com. Sotheby's. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  15. ^ "Emma « Clarkson family papers, 1793 – 1869". brooklynhistory.org. Brooklyn Historical Society. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  16. ^ "Matthew Clarkson". The Brooklyn Union. 8 March 1883. p. 4. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  17. ^ "Clarkson, NY Online - The Town of Clarkson". www.clarksonny.org. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  18. ^ Andrews, William G. (2002). Around Brockport. Arcadia Publishing. p. 37. ISBN 9781439611418. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  19. ^ a b c d Bergen, Tunis Garret (1915). Genealogies of the State of New York: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding of a Nation. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 768. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  20. ^ "OBITUARY". The New York Times. 17 November 1891. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  21. ^ The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. 1880. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  22. ^ "MRS. A. M. PIERREPONT DEAD.; Was a Granddaughter of John Jay, First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court". The New York Times. 3 January 1902. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  23. ^ "H.E. PIERREPONT'S FUNERAL". The New York Times. 1 April 1888. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  24. ^ "HENRY E. PIERREPONT DEAD.; Retired Merchant Was One of the Brooklyn Family of Pierreponts". The New York Times. 5 November 1911. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  25. ^ "Obituary -- CLARKSON". The New York Times. 30 June 1910. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  26. ^ "Obituary -- CLARKSON". The New York Times. 13 March 1913. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
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