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Washington Hunt
GovWashingtonHunt.png
17th Governor of New York
In office
January 1, 1851 – December 31, 1852
Lieutenant Sanford E. Church
Preceded by Hamilton Fish
Succeeded by Horatio Seymour
14th New York State Comptroller
In office
February 20, 1849 – December 18, 1850
Governor Hamilton Fish
Preceded by Millard Fillmore
Succeeded by Philo C. Fuller
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 34th district
In office
March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1849
Preceded by District created
Succeeded by Lorenzo Burrows
Personal details
Born (1811-08-05)August 5, 1811
Windham, New York, U.S
Died February 2, 1867(1867-02-02) (aged 55)
New York City, New York, US
Political party Whig
Profession Politician, Lawyer, Judge

Washington Hunt (born August 5, 1811 – died February 2, 1867) was an important American lawyer and politician. He served as the 17th Governor of New York from 1851 to 1852. He was also a U.S. Congressman and the New York State Comptroller.

Washington Hunt's Life and Career

WashingtonHunt
A portrait of Washington Hunt during his time as Governor.

Washington Hunt was born in Windham, New York. When he was 17, in 1828, he moved to Lockport, New York. There, he began studying law.

Early Law Career

Hunt became a lawyer in 1834. The next year, in 1835, he opened his own law office on Market Street. From 1836 to 1841, he served as the First Judge of the Niagara County Court. This was an important role in the local legal system.

Becoming a Politician

Hunt was a member of the Whig Party. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives three times. He served in Congress from March 4, 1843, to March 3, 1849.

After his time in Congress, he was chosen to be the New York State Comptroller. He took this job after Millard Fillmore resigned to become the U.S. Vice President. Hunt was re-elected as Comptroller in November 1849. However, he resigned from this role when he was elected Governor of New York the following year.

Governor of New York

Washington Hunt served as the Governor of New York from 1851 to 1852. He tried to be re-elected for a second term, but he lost to Horatio Seymour.

Later Political Life

After the Whig Party broke apart, Hunt did not join the new Republican Party. He was a more traditional Whig. In 1856, he led the Whig National Convention. He supported former President Millard Fillmore for president that year.

In 1860, Hunt joined the Constitutional Union Party. He supported their candidate for president, John Bell. When it seemed Bell could not win in New York, Hunt helped form a combined ticket with supporters of Democrat Stephen A. Douglas.

In his final years, Hunt moved closer to the Democratic Party. He supported his former opponent, Horatio Seymour, for Governor of New York in 1862. He also supported George B. McClellan for president in 1864.

After the Civil War, Hunt supported President Andrew Johnson. He was part of Johnson's "National Union" movement. This movement tried to bring Democrats and conservative Republicans together into a new party. Hunt attended the 1866 National Union Convention in 1866.

Family and Legacy

Washington Hunt's brother was Major Edward B. Hunt. Edward was a graduate of West Point. Sadly, he died in October 1863 while working with a new experimental weapon.

Washington Hunt was buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Lockport. His old home in Lockport, at 363 Market Street, is now part of the Lowertown Historic District.

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