Richard Varick
Encyclopedia
Richard Varick was an American lawyer and politician. He was born on 15 March 1753 at Hackensack
in Bergen County, New Jersey
, and he died on 30 July 1831 at Jersey City
in Hudson County, New Jersey
.
, he was studying law at King's College (the former name of Columbia University
) in New York City
. He suspended his studies and became a captain in the militia. On 28 June 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
when he was 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. They were 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.
Varick was Recorder of New York from 1784 to 1789, and New York State Attorney General
from 1788 to 1789. He was Mayor of New York City
from 1789 to 1801. Along with Samuel Jones
, Varick revised and standardized 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 he was Speaker
during the sessions of 1787 and 1788. Meanwhile, he served as a colonel in the state militia.
) of the American Bible Society
, as well as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
and president of the New York chapter until his death. He was a member of, 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
.
and Varick Street (where he once owned property) in Manhattan
in the City of New York bear his name.
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
in Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County, New Jersey
Bergen County is the most populous county of the state of New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, its population was 905,116. The county is part of the New York City Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Hackensack...
, and he died on 30 July 1831 at Jersey City
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
in Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County, New Jersey
Hudson County is the smallest county in New Jersey and one of the most densely populated in United States. It takes its name from the Hudson River, which creates part of its eastern border. Part of the New York metropolitan area, its county seat and largest city is Jersey City.- Municipalities...
.
American Revolutionary War
At the outset of the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, he was studying law at King's College (the former name of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
) 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 suspended his studies and became a captain in the militia. On 28 June 1775, he was appointed captain of the 1st New York Regiment
1st New York Regiment
The 1st New York Regiment was authorized on 25 May 1775 and organized at New York City from 28 June to 4 August, for service with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel Alexander McDougall...
. He served under General Philip Schuyler
Philip Schuyler
Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:...
in various posts until after the Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
when he was appointed inspector-general of West Point
West Point, New York
West Point is a federal military reservation established by President of the United States Thomas Jefferson in 1802. It is a census-designated place located in Town of Highlands in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was 7,138 at the 2000 census...
.
At West Point, he became an aide to General Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
. Although he was no longer serving in this capacity when Arnold defected to the British, Varick, along with David Franks
David Franks
David Salisbury Franks was aide-de-camp for General Benedict Arnold during the American War of Independence.He was living in Quebec with his parents when the American Revolution broke out...
was arrested. They were subsequently cleared by a court of inquiry. After the West Point incident, Varick served under General George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
as private secretary until the end of the war.
After the war
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
from 1788 to 1789. He was 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...
from 1789 to 1801. Along with Samuel Jones
Samuel Jones (NY comptroller)
Samuel Jones was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He was the son of William Jones and Phoebe Jones ....
, Varick revised and standardized the statutes of New York (1788). He was a member of 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...
from New York County
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...
from 1786 to 1788, and he was 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....
during the sessions of 1787 and 1788. Meanwhile, he served as a colonel in the state militia.
Later life
Varick also served as a bank officer. He was a founder and later president (succeeding John JayJohn Jay
John Jay was an American politician, statesman, revolutionary, diplomat, a Founding Father of the United States, and the first Chief Justice of the United States ....
) of the American Bible Society
American Bible Society
The American Bible Society is an interconfessional, non-denominational, nonprofit organization, founded in 1816 in New York City, which publishes, distributes and translates the Bible and provides study aids and other tools to help people engage with the Bible.It is probably best known for its...
, as well as a member of the Society of the Cincinnati
Society of the Cincinnati
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organization with branches in the United States and France founded in 1783 to preserve the ideals and fellowship of the American Revolutionary War officers and to pressure the government to honor pledges it had made to officers who fought for American...
and president of the New York chapter until his death. He was a member of, 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
Hackensack, New Jersey
Hackensack is a city in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States and the county seat of Bergen County. Although informally called Hackensack, it was officially named New Barbadoes Township until 1921. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 43,010....
.
Legacy
The Town of Varick, New YorkVarick, New York
Varick is a town in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 1,729 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Richard Varick, an officer in the American Revolution, mayor of New York City, and uncle of the first Town Supervisor, Anthony Dey.The Town of Varick is located in the...
and Varick Street (where he once owned property) in Manhattan
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...
in the City of New York bear his name.
External links
- Richard Varick Papers,1743-1871 New-York Historical SocietyNew-York Historical SocietyThe New-York Historical Society is an American history museum and library located in New York City at the corner of 77th Street and Central Park West in Manhattan. Founded in 1804 as New York's first museum, the New-York Historical Society presents exhibitions, public programs and research that...