Richard B. Connolly facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard B. Connolly
New York City Comptroller
In office 1867–1871

Richard Barrett Connolly was a politician from New York. He was born in 1810 in Dunmanway, Ireland, and passed away on May 30, 1880, in Marseille, France.

Early Life and Career

Richard B. Connolly moved to New York City in 1826 when he was about 16 years old. He started working for a company that helped sell things at auctions. Later, he worked for a merchant named Simeon Draper.

In 1837, Richard married Maria S. Townsend, and they had four children together. He then got a job as a clerk in the customs house, which is where goods coming into the country are checked. After that, he worked at the Bank of North America.

A Career in Politics

Richard B. Connolly was a member of the Democratic Party and was involved with a political group called Tammany Hall in New York City. Tammany Hall was a powerful political organization that played a big role in the city's government.

He held several important positions:

• From 1853 to 1858, he was the Clerk of New York County. This job involved keeping official records for the county.
• From 1860 to 1863, he served as a member of the New York State Senate. This meant he helped make laws for the state of New York.

After his time in the State Senate, he worked as a clerk at the Central National Bank.

City Comptroller

In 1867, Richard B. Connolly was elected as the New York City Comptroller. The Comptroller is like the chief financial officer for the city, managing its money and making sure everything is handled correctly.

He was part of a political group known as the "Tweed Ring," which was a powerful group in New York City politics during that time. He was re-appointed to his role as City Comptroller by Mayor A. Oakey Hall and continued in the position until he resigned on November 18, 1871.

After leaving office, Richard B. Connolly went abroad and did not return to the United States. He passed away in Marseille, France, in 1880.