John Van Ness Yates

John Van Ness Yates
Secretary of State of New York
In office
April 24, 1818 – February 14, 1826
GovernorJoseph C. Yates
DeWitt Clinton
Preceded byCharles D. Cooper
Succeeded byAzariah Cutting Flagg
Personal details
Born(1779-12-18)December 18, 1779
Albany, New York, U.S.
DiedJanuary 10, 1839(1839-01-10) (aged 59)
Albany, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic-Republican
SpouseEliza Ross Cunningham
Parent(s)Robert Yates
Jane Van Ness Yates

John Van Ness Yates (December 18, 1779 – January 10, 1839) was a New York lawyer, Democratic-Republican politician, and Secretary of State from 1818 to 1826.

Early life

He was born in Albany on December 18, 1779.[1] He was one of six children born to Jannette "Jane" Van Ness (1741–1818) and Robert Yates, a prominent Anti-Federalist attorney and jurist.[2] His maternal uncle was Judge Peter Van Ness of Kinderhook and his cousins included John Peter Van Ness, William P. Van Ness, and Cornelius P. Van Ness.[3]

Career

He became a lawyer after clerking in the office of John Vernon Henry.[2] He held a number of offices in Albany, and was one of the first trustees of the Albany United Presbyterian Church. He was a captain of a light infantry company in 1806, master in chancery in 1808, recorder of the city 1809–1816, and New York Secretary of State 1818–1826.[2]

He co-authored History of the State of New-York: Including Its Aboriginal and Colonial Annals (1826).[2] This book features a vision of the Erie Canal, then under construction, in a ruined state in some distant, postapocalyptic future.

Personal life

Yates was married to Eliza Ross Cunningham (1789–1847), who was from Kilbarchan, Scotland. Together, they were the parents of John Van Ness Yates Jr. (1834–1837). After his death on January 10, 1839, in Albany, he was buried in Albany Rural Cemetery.[4]

References

  1. ^ "John Van Ness Yates 1779-1839". www.nycourts.gov. New York Supreme Court. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Bielinski, Stefan. "John Van Ness Yates". Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  3. ^ Bielinski, Stefan. "Robert Yates". exhibitions.nysm.nysed.gov. New York State Museum. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Public Officials interred at Albany Rural Cemetery". Archived from the original on 2012-02-04.
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of New York
1818 - 1826 		Succeeded by


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