Uriah Tracy
Encyclopedia
Uriah Tracy was an American
politician
from Connecticut
who served in both the House of Representatives
and the Senate
.
Tracy was born in Franklin, Connecticut
. In his youth he received a liberal education. His name is listed as amongst those in a company
from Roxbury
responding to the Lexington Alarm at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War
. He later served in the Roxbury Company as a clerk
Uriah subsequently graduated from Yale University
(where his contemporaries included Noah Webster
) in 1778. He was admitted to the bar in 1781 after which he practiced law in Litchfield
for many years. He served in the state legislature in 1788–1793, and in the United States House of Representatives
from April 8, 1793– October 13, 1796, having been chosen as a Federalist
.
He resigned his seat when he was elected to the United States Senate in place of Jonathan Trumbull
, who had resigned. Tracy served until the time of his death in Washington, D. C.. He has the distinction of being the first member of Congress interred in the Congressional Cemetery
.
His descendants include the mathematician Curtis Tracy McMullen.
In 1803, he and several other New England politicians proposed secession of New England from the union due to growing influence of
Jeffersonian democrats and the Louisiana Purchase which they felt would further diminish Northern influence.
His portrait, painted by Ralph Earl, is in the collection of the Litchfield Historical Society in Litchfield, Connecticut.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
from Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
who served in both the 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...
and the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Tracy was born in Franklin, Connecticut
Franklin, Connecticut
Franklin is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,835 at the 2000 census. The town also includes the village of North Franklin.-Geography:...
. In his youth he received a liberal education. His name is listed as amongst those in a company
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
from Roxbury
Roxbury, Connecticut
Roxbury is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 2,136 at the 2000 census.-History:Roxbury, whose Indian name was "Shepaug", a Mahican name signifiying "rocky water", was settled about the year 1713...
responding to the Lexington Alarm at the beginning of the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
. He later served in the Roxbury Company as a clerk
Uriah subsequently graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
(where his contemporaries included Noah Webster
Noah Webster
Noah Webster was an American educator, lexicographer, textbook pioneer, English spelling reformer, political writer, editor, and prolific author...
) in 1778. He was admitted to the bar in 1781 after which he practiced law in Litchfield
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a town in and former county seat of Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is known as an affluent summer resort. The population was 8,316 at the 2000 census. The boroughs of Bantam and Litchfield are located within the town...
for many years. He served in the state legislature in 1788–1793, and in 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 April 8, 1793– October 13, 1796, having been chosen as a Federalist
Federalism (United States)
Federalism in the United States is the evolving relationship between U.S. state governments and the federal government of the United States. Since the founding of the country, and particularly with the end of the American Civil War, power shifted away from the states and towards the national...
.
He resigned his seat when he was elected to the United States Senate in place of Jonathan Trumbull
Jonathan Trumbull
Jonathan Trumbull, Sr. was one of the few Americans who served as governor in both a pre-Revolutionary colony and a post-Revolutionary state...
, who had resigned. Tracy served until the time of his death in Washington, D. C.. He has the distinction of being the first member of Congress interred in the Congressional Cemetery
Congressional Cemetery
The Congressional Cemetery is a historic cemetery located at 1801 E Street, SE, in Washington, D.C., on the west bank of the Anacostia River. It is the final resting place of thousands of individuals who helped form the nation and the city of Washington in the early 19th century. Many members of...
.
His descendants include the mathematician Curtis Tracy McMullen.
In 1803, he and several other New England politicians proposed secession of New England from the union due to growing influence of
Jeffersonian democrats and the Louisiana Purchase which they felt would further diminish Northern influence.
His portrait, painted by Ralph Earl, is in the collection of the Litchfield Historical Society in Litchfield, Connecticut.