Isaac Roosevelt (politician)

Isaac Roosevelt ( born December 19, 1726 New York City; † October 1794 ) was an American merchant and politician ( Federalist Party). He was the great-grandfather of the future U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Career

Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1726 and then baptized in the Reformed Dutch Church of New York. He was one of the first large-scale sugar refinery business in New York City. Roosevelt built one of his first sugar refineries in the city and his business was originally on Wall Street, but was later moved to the St. George's Square.

Roosevelt was active in the community. He was one of the first members of the Chamber of Commerce of New York City, which was built in 1768. Then he was in 1770 one of the founders of the first public hospital in New York and in 1784 a co-founder of the Bank of New York. He was the second president of this bank, a post which he held 1786-1791.

He decided to pursue a career in politics when he was elected to the Provincial Congress of New York on April 22, 1775. He also belonged to the Committee of One Hundred, that in May 1775 took over control of the State Government. Although he felt no loyalty to England, he was at first moderate, hoping to prevent a conflict. When the British occupied New York City, he withdrew from the city and spent the occupation time in the home of his wife in Dutchess County. During this time he served in the 6th Regiment of Dutchess County Militia.

Roosevelt served from 1777 to 1786 and again from 1788 to 1792 in the Senate from New York. During this time he participated in the June 18, 1788 participate in the New York State Convention, where it came to the adoption of the American Declaration of Independence. He was one of ten members of New York City. Other well-known deputies were John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and Robert R. Livingston. He also was a member of a committee who could decide on several formal defects in the gubernatorial election of 1792. The decision was made in favor of George Clinton.

Family

Isaac Roosevelt was the son of Jacobus Roosevelt, grandson of Nicholas Roosevelt and great-grandson of the immigrant Claes Van Martenzsen Rosenvelt. He married on September 22, 1752 Cornelia Hoffman, the daughter of a major landowner of Dutchess County. The couple had ten children together, including Jacobus (James), great-grandfather of Franklin D. Roosevelt.