Peter Silvester
Encyclopedia
Peter Silvester was an American
politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives
from New York
. He is also the grandfather of New York Representative Peter Henry Silvester.
Born at Shelter Island, New York
on Long Island
, Silvester completed preparatory studies, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1763, and practiced in Albany, New York
.
Silvester held a variety of positions in New York including: member of the Albany Common Council in 1772, member of the Committee of Safety in 1774, served in the First and Second Provincial Congresses in 1775 and 1776, moved to Kinderhook, New York and practiced law, appointed judge
of the court of common pleas of Columbia County, New York
in 1786, and regent of the University of the State of New York
1787-1808.
Silvester was elected to the First and Second United States Congresses (4 March 1789 – 3 March 1793). After his time in Congress, he served in the New York State Assembly
in 1788 and as a member of the New York State Senate
1796-1800. Again served in the State assembly 1803-1806 and then retired from public life. Silvester died in Kinderhook, on 15 October 1808 and is interred in Old Van Schaack Cemetery, over which a Reformed Dutch Church was built in 1814.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He is also the grandfather of New York Representative Peter Henry Silvester.
Born at Shelter Island, New York
Shelter Island (town), New York
Shelter Island is a town and island at the eastern end of Long Island in the U.S. state of New York. It forms the tip of Suffolk County and is separated from the rest of the county by water. The population was 2,228 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, Silvester completed preparatory studies, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1763, and practiced in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
Silvester held a variety of positions in New York including: member of the Albany Common Council in 1772, member of the Committee of Safety in 1774, served in the First and Second Provincial Congresses in 1775 and 1776, moved to Kinderhook, New York and practiced law, appointed judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
of the court of common pleas of Columbia County, New York
Columbia County, New York
Columbia County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,096. The county seat is Hudson. The name comes from the Latin feminine form of the name of Christopher Columbus, which was at the time of the formation of the county a popular proposal...
in 1786, and regent of the University of the State of New York
University of the State of New York
The University of the State of New York is the State of New York's governmental umbrella organization responsible for most institutions and people in any way connected with formal educational functions, public and private, in New York State...
1787-1808.
Silvester was elected to the First and Second United States Congresses (4 March 1789 – 3 March 1793). After his time in Congress, he served in 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...
in 1788 and as a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
1796-1800. Again served in the State assembly 1803-1806 and then retired from public life. Silvester died in Kinderhook, on 15 October 1808 and is interred in Old Van Schaack Cemetery, over which a Reformed Dutch Church was built in 1814.