William Gray (Massachusetts politician)
William Gray | |
|---|---|
 portrait by Gilbert Stuart | |
| 9th Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts | |
| In office 1810–1812 | |
| Governor | Elbridge Gerry |
| Preceded by | David Cobb |
| Succeeded by | William Phillips, Jr. |
| Member of the Massachusetts State Senate for Suffolk County | |
| In office January 12, 1812 – March 1813 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Gorham |
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives for Essex County | |
| In office 1785–1785 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 27, 1750 (old style; July 8, 1750 new style) Lynn, Massachusetts |
| Died | November 4, 1825 (aged 75) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Resting place | Mount Auburn Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Chipman |
| Profession | Merchant |
| Signature |  |
William Gray (June 27, 1750 (old style; July 8, 1750 new style)– November 4, 1825) was a Massachusetts merchant and politician. Born into a lower-class family in Lynn, Massachusetts, he managed to build his own business and rise through the state's political ranks, becoming the richest man in New England, and in the eyes of many the richest man in all of America. Prior to the War of 1812, William Gray had the largest private fleet in the United States with 60 square-rigged vessels.[1]
Gray first served as a state senator, before becoming the ninth lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, serving from 1810 to 1812. He married Elizabeth Chipman (May, 1756 - September 24, 1823) in 1782. Elizabeth was a pioneer in philanthropy, volunteering a significant portion of her time to helping the poorest citizens of Boston.
In 1820, he was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society[2]
He owned Gray's Wharf in Charlestown.[3] In Boston "he lived on Summer Street, in the mansion previously occupied by Governor Sullivan."[4] For a time, Nathaniel Prime served as his coachman.[5]
_by_Gilbert_Stuart,_c._1800,_oil_on_canvas_-_Peabody_Essex_Museum_-_DSC06984.jpg)
Elizabeth and William had five sons and one daughter:
- William Rufus Gray (1783-1831), a merchant.
- Henry Gray, a merchant. (1784-1854)
- Lucia Gray Swett (1788-1844)
- Francis Calley Gray (1790–1856), a politician, writer, orator, art collector.
- John Chipman Gray, (1793-1881) a politician
- Horace (1801–1873), father of Supreme Court of the United States associate justice, Horace Gray, and of Harvard Law School professor, John Chipman Gray
References
[edit]- ^ Horace Gray: Father of the Boston Public Garden
- ^ American Antiquarian Society Members Directory
- ^ Timothy Thompson Sawyer. Old Charlestown: historical, biographical, reminiscent. J.H. West Co., 1902
- ^ Drake. Old landmarks and historic personages of Boston. 1872. ; p.201
- ^ Barrett, Walter. The Old Merchants of New York City, New York. Carleton, 1864, p. 11
Further reading
[edit]- Gray, Edward.: William Gray, of Salem, merchant: a biographical sketch (.1914)
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