8th New York State Legislature
Encyclopedia
The 8th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate
and the New York State Assembly
, met from October 12, 1784, to April 27, 1785, during the eighth year of George Clinton
's governorship
, at New York City
.
, Ezra L'Hommedieu
, Alexander McDougall
(all Southern D.), and Arthur Parks (Middle D.) were re-elected; and Assemblyman Peter Van Ness (Western D.) was elected to the Senate.
, the Assembly on October 12, the Senate on October 18, 1784; and both Houses adjourned on November 29. In January 1785, the Congress of the Confederation
met at the Old City Hall, New York City thus becoming the federal capital of the United States. When the Legislature met again, it moved to the Exchange on the corner of Broad
and Water streets in New York City; the Senate met on January 24, the Assembly on January 27, 1785; and both Houses adjourned on April 27.
Note: There are now 62 counties in the State of New York
. The counties which are not mentioned in this list had not yet been established, or sufficiently organized, the area being included in one or more of the abovementioned counties.
Note: There are now 62 counties in the State of New York
. The counties which are not mentioned in this list had not yet been established, or sufficiently organized, the area being included in one or more of the abovementioned counties.
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
and the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
, met from October 12, 1784, to April 27, 1785, during the eighth year of George Clinton
George Clinton (vice president)
George Clinton was an American soldier and politician, considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was the first Governor of New York, and then the fourth Vice President of the United States , serving under Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. He and John C...
's governorship
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
, at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Background
Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1777, the State Senators were elected on general tickets in the senatorial districts, and were then divided into four classes. Six senators each drew lots for a term of 1, 2, 3 or 4 years and, beginning at the election in April 1778, every year six Senate seats came up for election to a four-year term. Assemblymen were elected countywide on general tickets to a one-year term, the whole assembly being renewed annually.Elections
The State election was held from April 27 to 29, 1784. Senators William FloydWilliam Floyd
William Floyd was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a U.S. Representative from New York.-Biography:...
, Ezra L'Hommedieu
Ezra L'Hommedieu
Ezra L'Hommedieu was an American lawyer and statesman from Southold, New York. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1779 to 1783 and again in 1788...
, Alexander McDougall
Alexander McDougall
Alexander McDougall was an American seaman, merchant, a Sons of Liberty leader from New York City before and during the American Revolution, and a military leader during the Revolutionary War. He served as a major general in the Continental Army, and as a delegate to the Continental Congress...
(all Southern D.), and Arthur Parks (Middle D.) were re-elected; and Assemblyman Peter Van Ness (Western D.) was elected to the Senate.
Sessions
The State Legislature first met at the Old City Hall in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the Assembly on October 12, the Senate on October 18, 1784; and both Houses adjourned on November 29. In January 1785, the Congress of the Confederation
Congress of the Confederation
The Congress of the Confederation or the United States in Congress Assembled was the governing body of the United States of America that existed from March 1, 1781, to March 4, 1789. It comprised delegates appointed by the legislatures of the states. It was the immediate successor to the Second...
met at the Old City Hall, New York City thus becoming the federal capital of the United States. When the Legislature met again, it moved to the Exchange on the corner of Broad
Broad Street (Manhattan)
Broad Street is located in the Financial District in the New York City borough of Manhattan, stretching from South Street to Wall Street.- History :...
and Water streets in New York City; the Senate met on January 24, the Assembly on January 27, 1785; and both Houses adjourned on April 27.
Districts
- The Southern District (9 seats) consisted of KingsBrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New YorkManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, QueensQueensQueens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, RichmondStaten IslandStaten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
, SuffolkSuffolk County, New YorkSuffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
and WestchesterWestchester County, New YorkWestchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
counties. - The Middle District (6 seats) consisted of DutchessDutchess County, New YorkDutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
, OrangeOrange County, New YorkOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
and UlsterUlster County, New YorkUlster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
counties. - The Eastern District (3 seats) consisted of WashingtonWashington County, New YorkWashington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
, CumberlandCumberland County, New YorkCumberland County, New York was a county in the Province of New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was divided out of Albany County in New York in 1766, but eventually became part of Vermont in 1777...
and GloucesterGloucester County, New YorkGloucester County, New York is a former county in New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was a part of Albany County in the Province of New York until 1770 and was lost to Vermont in 1777. At that time, Vermont was holding itself out as the Republic of Vermont and did not become a...
counties. - The Western District (6 seats) consisted of AlbanyAlbany County, New YorkAlbany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
and MontgomeryMontgomery County, New YorkAs of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
counties.
Note: There are now 62 counties in the State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The counties which are not mentioned in this list had not yet been established, or sufficiently organized, the area being included in one or more of the abovementioned counties.
Members
The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Ebenezer Russell and Peter Van Ness changed from the Assembly to the Senate.| District | Senators | Term left | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern | James Duane James Duane James Duane was an American lawyer, jurist, and Revolutionary leader from New York. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, New York state senator, Mayor of New York, and a U.S... * |
1 year | also Mayor of New York City Mayor of New York City The Mayor of the City of New York is head of the executive branch of New York City's government. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property, police and fire protection, most public agencies, and enforces all city and state laws within New York City.The budget overseen by the... |
| Lewis Morris Lewis Morris Lewis Morris was an American landowner and developer from Morrisania, New York. He signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence as a delegate to the Continental Congress for New York.... * |
2 years | ||
| Isaac Roosevelt Isaac Roosevelt (politician) Isaac Roosevelt was an American merchant and Federalist politician. He served in the New York State Assembly and the state Constitutional Convention and achieved the most political success of any Roosevelt before Theodore Roosevelt. He was the great-great-grandfather of U.S... * |
2 years | elected to the Council of Appointment Council of Appointment The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:... |
|
| Isaac Stoutenburgh* | 3 years | ||
| Samuel Townsend* | 3 years | ||
| Stephen Ward* | 3 years | ||
| William Floyd William Floyd William Floyd was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a U.S. Representative from New York.-Biography:... * |
4 years | ||
| Ezra L'Hommedieu Ezra L'Hommedieu Ezra L'Hommedieu was an American lawyer and statesman from Southold, New York. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress from 1779 to 1783 and again in 1788... * |
4 years | ||
| Alexander McDougall Alexander McDougall Alexander McDougall was an American seaman, merchant, a Sons of Liberty leader from New York City before and during the American Revolution, and a military leader during the Revolutionary War. He served as a major general in the Continental Army, and as a delegate to the Continental Congress... * |
4 years | ||
| Middle | John Haring John Haring John Haring was an American lawyer from New York City. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress.... * |
1 year | |
| Ephraim Paine Ephraim Paine Ephraim Paine was an American physician and politician from New York. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1784.-Biography:... * |
1 year | ||
| William Allison* | 2 years | ||
| Joseph Gasherie* | 3 years | elected to the Council of Appointment Council of Appointment The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:... |
|
| Jacobus Swartwout* | 3 years | ||
| Arthur Parks* | 4 years | ||
| Eastern | Alexander Webster* | 1 year | |
| John Williams* | 2 years | ||
| Ebenezer Russell* | 4 years | elected to the Council of Appointment Council of Appointment The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:... |
|
| Western | (Henry Oothoudt)* | 1 year | did not attend |
| William B. Whiting* | 1 years | elected to the Council of Appointment Council of Appointment The Council of Appointment was a body of the Government of New York that existed from 1777 to 1822.-History:... |
|
| Jacob G. Klock* | 2 years | ||
| Abraham Yates Jr.* | 2 years | ||
| Andrew Finck* | 3 years | ||
| (Peter Van Ness)* | 4 years | did not attend | |
Districts
- The CityAlbany, New YorkAlbany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and CountyAlbany County, New YorkAlbany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
of Albany (10 seats) - Cumberland CountyCumberland County, New YorkCumberland County, New York was a county in the Province of New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was divided out of Albany County in New York in 1766, but eventually became part of Vermont in 1777...
(3 seats) - Dutchess CountyDutchess County, New YorkDutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
(7 seats) - Gloucester CountyGloucester County, New YorkGloucester County, New York is a former county in New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was a part of Albany County in the Province of New York until 1770 and was lost to Vermont in 1777. At that time, Vermont was holding itself out as the Republic of Vermont and did not become a...
(2 seats) - Kings CountyBrooklynBrooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
(2 seats) - Montgomery CountyMontgomery County, New YorkAs of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile...
) (6 seats) - The City and County of New YorkManhattanManhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
(9 seats) - Orange CountyOrange County, New YorkOrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
(4 seats) - Queens CountyQueensQueens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
(4 seats) - Richmond CountyStaten IslandStaten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
(2 seats) - Suffolk CountySuffolk County, New YorkSuffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
(5 seats) - Ulster CountyUlster County, New YorkUlster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
(6 seats) - Washington CountyWashington County, New YorkWashington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
(4 seats) - Westchester CountyWestchester County, New YorkWestchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
(6 seats)
Note: There are now 62 counties in the State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. The counties which are not mentioned in this list had not yet been established, or sufficiently organized, the area being included in one or more of the abovementioned counties.
Assemblymen
The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued as members of this Legislature.| County | Assemblymen | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Albany Albany County, New York Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204... |
Matthew Adgate* | |
| Abraham Becker* | ||
| Jacob Ford* | ||
| Walter Livingston Walter Livingston Walter Livingston was an American merchant, lawyer and politician.-Family:... |
||
| Dirck Swart* | ||
| Israel Thompson | ||
| Matthew Visscher | ||
| Christopher Yates* | ||
| Peter W. Yates Peter W. Yates Peter Waldron Yates was a lawyer and statesman from Albany, New York. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1786.... |
||
| John Younglove | ||
| Cumberland Cumberland County, New York Cumberland County, New York was a county in the Province of New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was divided out of Albany County in New York in 1766, but eventually became part of Vermont in 1777... |
none | No election returns from these counties |
| Gloucester Gloucester County, New York Gloucester County, New York is a former county in New York that became part of the state of Vermont. It was a part of Albany County in the Province of New York until 1770 and was lost to Vermont in 1777. At that time, Vermont was holding itself out as the Republic of Vermont and did not become a... |
||
| Dutchess Dutchess County, New York Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488... |
Abraham Brinckerhoff | |
| Dirck Brinckerhoff* | ||
| Ebenezer Cary | ||
| Cornelius Humfrey* | ||
| Brinton Paine | ||
| Matthew Patterson* | ||
| James Tallmadge | ||
| Kings Brooklyn Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated... |
Charles Doughty | |
| John Vanderbilt | ||
| Montgomery Montgomery County, New York As of the census of 2000, there were 49,708 people, 20,038 households, and 13,104 families residing in the county. The population density was 123 people per square mile . There were 22,522 housing units at an average density of 56 per square mile... |
Frederick C. Fox | |
| William Harper* | ||
| James Livingston James Livingston (American Revolution) Colonel James Livingston was born in the French province of Canada to New York-born parents. He was living in Quebec when the American Revolutionary War broke out... * |
||
| Isaac Paris* | ||
| Volkert Veeder* | ||
| Christopher P. Yates* | ||
| New York Manhattan Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York... |
Aaron Burr Aaron Burr Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician... |
|
| William Denning William Denning William Denning was a United States Representative from New York. Born probably in St. John's, Newfoundland in April 1740, he moved to New York City in early youth and engaged in mercantile pursuits... |
||
| Daniel Dunscomb | ||
| William Goforth | ||
| John Laurance John Laurance John Laurance was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:He emigrated to the United States in 1767 and settled in New York City where he read law and entered private practice in 1772. At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War, he was a warm adherent of the revolutionaries... |
previously a member from Westchester Co. | |
| Peter Van Brugh Livingston Peter Van Brugh Livingston Peter Van Brugh Livingston was a Patriot during the American Revolution.-Life:... |
||
| Thomas Randall | ||
| Henry Remsen | ||
| Comfort Sands Comfort Sands Comfort Sands was an American merchant, banker and politician.-Life:Sands was a member of the New York Provincial Congress, the body which appointed him the first New York State Auditor-General in 1776. He resigned the office in 1782. In 1784, he became one of the first directors of the Bank of... |
||
| Orange Orange County, New York Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley... |
Jeremiah Clark* | |
| Gilbert Cooper* | ||
| John Hathorn John Hathorn John Hathorn was an American politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.-Life:... * |
||
| William Sickles* | ||
| Queens Queens Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States.... |
Joseph Lawrence | |
| John Sands | ||
| Abraham Skinner | ||
| James Townsend James Townsend (New York) James Townsend was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Jacob Townsend and Phebe Townsend... * |
||
| Richmond Staten Island Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay... |
Cornelius Corsen | |
| Joshua Mersereau | ||
| Suffolk Suffolk County, New York Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came... |
David Gelston David Gelston David Gelston was an American merchant and politician.-Life:... * |
elected Speaker Speaker of the New York State Assembly The Speaker of the New York State Assembly is the highest official in the New York State Assembly, customarily elected from the ranks of the majority party.... |
| Ebenezer Platt* | ||
| Jeffrey Smith* | ||
| John Smith John Smith (New York) John Smith was an American politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Rev. Caleb Smith, a minister at Orange, New Jersey... |
||
| Thomas Youngs* | ||
| Ulster Ulster County, New York Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at... |
John Cantine John Cantine John Cantine Born in Marbletown, New York, Cantine served in both houses of the New York Legislature. Cantine also served in the New York state convention concerning the ratification of the United States Constitution... * |
|
| Charles DeWitt Charles DeWitt Charles DeWitt was an American miller and statesman from Kingston, New York. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress.... * |
||
| Johannes G. Hardenbergh | ||
| John Nicholson* | ||
| Cornelius C. Schoonmaker Cornelius C. Schoonmaker Cornelius Corneliusen Schoonmaker was a United States Representative from New York. Born in Shawangunk , Ulster County, New York), he received a limited schooling, became a surveyor and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the American Revolutionary War, he was a member of the committees... * |
||
| Nathan Smith* | ||
| Washington Washington County, New York Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington... |
Albert Baker | |
| David Hopkins* | ||
| Edward Savage* | ||
| Abiel Sherwood | ||
| Westchester Westchester County, New York Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities... |
Ebenezer S. Burling | |
| Abijah Gilbert* | ||
| Ebenezer Lockwood | ||
| Philip Pell Jr. Philip Pell Philip Pell was an American politician and lawyer from Pelham Manor, New York. He was a delegate for New York to the Continental Congress in 1788 and 1789.... * |
||
| Ebenezer Purdy* | ||
| Thomas Thomas* | ||
Sources
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858) [see pg. 108 for Senate districts; pg. 112f for senators; pg. 148f for Assembly districts; pg. 162 for assemblymen]