James Roosevelt (1760-1847)
Encyclopedia
Jacobus Roosevelt, known as James, (January 10, 1760 – 1847) was an American
businessman and politician
from New York City
and a member of the Roosevelt family
.
Born on January 10, 1760 and baptized on January 23 that same year, in New York City
, he was the son of Isaac Roosevelt
and Cornelia Hoffman, and the great-great-grandson of the first Roosevelt in America, Claes Martenzsen Van Rosenvelt. He graduated from Princeton in 1780.
James was a sugar-refiner (his father's trade) and banker in post-revolutionary New York, and amassed a large fortune in addition to his inheritance. An active Federalist
, he served in the New York State Assembly
in 1796 and 1797 and was an alderman in the New York City Council
for the Fourth Ward in 1809. However, his interest in politics was less than previous Roosevelts, especially his father, and he was the last of his branch of the family to engage in politics until Franklin D. Roosevelt
. He engaged in some philanthropy with the large fortune he acquired through business. He was also involved in the Bank of New York
like his father, but was never its president.
At one point he owned stony farmland at Harlem
now occupied by 120 city blocks, between 110th and 125th streets and Fifth Avenue and the East River
. Lacking long range vision, he sold it for $25,000, partly to John Jacob Astor
. In 1819, late in life, he removed to Poughkeepsie
and bought a large tract of land on the Hudson River
, called Mount Hope. He died in 1847.
He married three times and had thirteen children, several of whom died young. He was the father of Isaac Roosevelt
, grandfather of James Roosevelt, Sr.
, and great-grandfather of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessman and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from 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...
and a member of the Roosevelt family
Roosevelt family
In heraldry, canting arms are a visual or pictorial play on a surname, and were and still are a popular practice. It would be common to find roses, then, in arms of many Roosevelt families, even unrelated ones...
.
Born on January 10, 1760 and baptized on January 23 that same year, in 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...
, he was the son of 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...
and Cornelia Hoffman, and the great-great-grandson of the first Roosevelt in America, Claes Martenzsen Van Rosenvelt. He graduated from Princeton in 1780.
James was a sugar-refiner (his father's trade) and banker in post-revolutionary New York, and amassed a large fortune in addition to his inheritance. An active Federalist
Federalist
The term federalist describes several political beliefs around the world. Also, it may refer to the concept of federalism or the type of government called a federation...
, he served in 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...
in 1796 and 1797 and was an alderman in the New York City Council
New York City Council
The New York City Council is the lawmaking body of the City of New York. It has 51 members from 51 council districts throughout the five boroughs. The Council serves as a check against the mayor in a "strong" mayor-council government model. The council monitors performance of city agencies and...
for the Fourth Ward in 1809. However, his interest in politics was less than previous Roosevelts, especially his father, and he was the last of his branch of the family to engage in politics until Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. He engaged in some philanthropy with the large fortune he acquired through business. He was also involved in the Bank of New York
Bank of New York
The Bank of New York was a global financial services company established in 1784 by the American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. It existed until its merger with the Mellon Financial Corporation on July 2, 2007...
like his father, but was never its president.
At one point he owned stony farmland at Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
now occupied by 120 city blocks, between 110th and 125th streets and Fifth Avenue and the East River
East River
The East River is a tidal strait in New York City. It connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates Long Island from the island of Manhattan and the Bronx on the North American mainland...
. Lacking long range vision, he sold it for $25,000, partly to John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor
John Jacob Astor , born Johann Jakob Astor, was a German-American business magnate and investor who was the first prominent member of the Astor family and the first multi-millionaire in the United States...
. In 1819, late in life, he removed to Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
and bought a large tract of land on the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, called Mount Hope. He died in 1847.
He married three times and had thirteen children, several of whom died young. He was the father of Isaac Roosevelt
Isaac Roosevelt (businessman)
Isaac Roosevelt was an American businessman, and the grandfather of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.-Biography:...
, grandfather of James Roosevelt, Sr.
James Roosevelt, Sr.
James Roosevelt, Sr. was a businessman and father of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States...
, and great-grandfather of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
.