Richard Riker
Encyclopedia
Richard Riker was an American lawyer and politician from New York
.
and Anna (Lawrence) Riker (niece of Jonathan Lawrence
). He was admitted to the Bar in 1795.
In 1801, he was appointed District Attorney of the First District
which included New York, Queens, Kings, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester counties. He was the first District Attorney to act in New York County where until 1801 the New York State Attorney General
had prosecuted personally.
He was a second to DeWitt Clinton
in a duel with John Swartwout on July 30, 1802 at the Weehawken Dueling Grounds in Weehawken, New Jersey
. Clinton was a supporter of Alexander Hamilton
and Swartwout was a supporter of Aaron Burr
. Swartwout was wounded in the leg. On November 14, 1803 Riker was shot in the leg by John Swartwout's brother, Robert Swartwout, in a duel in Weehawken at which Pierre C. Van Wyck
acted as Riker's second.
Riker was a member from New York City
of the New York State Assembly
in 1806.
In March 1807, Riker married Janette Phoenix, daughter of Daniel Phoenix (ca. 1740-1812, New York City Treasurer 1784-1809), and they had six children.
Riker remained in office until 1810, and was District Attorney again from 1811 to 1813.
He was Recorder of New York City
from 1815 to 1819, from 1821 to 1822, and from 1825 to 1838.
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...
.
Life
He was the son of Congressman Samuel RikerSamuel Riker
Samuel Riker was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York. He was born on April 8, 1743 in Newtown, Long Island, New York into a family of Dutch origin. His great-grandfather Abraham Ryker was born in the Netherlands and settled in New...
and Anna (Lawrence) Riker (niece of Jonathan Lawrence
Jonathan Lawrence
Jonathan Lawrence was an American merchant and politician from New York.-Life:...
). He was admitted to the Bar in 1795.
In 1801, he was appointed District Attorney of the First District
New York County District Attorney
The New York County District Attorney is the elected district attorney for New York County , New York. The office is responsible for the prosecution of violations of New York state laws....
which included New York, Queens, Kings, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester counties. He was the first District Attorney to act in New York County where until 1801 the New York State Attorney General
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
had prosecuted personally.
He was a second to DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton
DeWitt Clinton was an early American politician and naturalist who served as United States Senator and the sixth Governor of New York. In this last capacity he was largely responsible for the construction of the Erie Canal...
in a duel with John Swartwout on July 30, 1802 at the Weehawken Dueling Grounds in Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken, New Jersey
Weehawken is a township in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 12,554.-Geography:Weehawken is part of the New York metropolitan area...
. Clinton was a supporter of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, soldier, economist, political philosopher, one of America's first constitutional lawyers and the first United States Secretary of the Treasury...
and Swartwout was a supporter of Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr, Jr. was an important political figure in the early history of the United States of America. After serving as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War, Burr became a successful lawyer and politician...
. Swartwout was wounded in the leg. On November 14, 1803 Riker was shot in the leg by John Swartwout's brother, Robert Swartwout, in a duel in Weehawken at which Pierre C. Van Wyck
Pierre C. Van Wyck
Pierre Van Cortlandt Van Wyck was an American lawyer and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Abraham Van Wyck and Catherine Van Wyck...
acted as Riker's second.
Riker was a member from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
of 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 1806.
In March 1807, Riker married Janette Phoenix, daughter of Daniel Phoenix (ca. 1740-1812, New York City Treasurer 1784-1809), and they had six children.
Riker remained in office until 1810, and was District Attorney again from 1811 to 1813.
He was Recorder of New York City
Recorder of New York City
The Recorder of New York City was a municipal officer of New York City from 1683 until the early 20th century. He was at times a judge of the Court of General Sessions, of the Court of Special Sessions, and the New York Court of Common Pleas; Vice-President of the Board of Supervisors of New York...
from 1815 to 1819, from 1821 to 1822, and from 1825 to 1838.