John Bird (New York politician)

John Bird (November 22, 1768 – February 2, 1806) was an American slave owner,^[1] politician, and a United States representative from New York.

John Bird
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 6th district
In office March 4, 1799 (1799-03-04) – July 25, 1801 (1801-07-25)
Preceded by	Hezekiah L. Hosmer
Succeeded by	John P. Van Ness
Personal details
Born	(1768-11-22)November 22, 1768 Litchfield, Connecticut
Died	February 2, 1806(1806-02-02) (aged 37) Troy, New York
Political party	Federalist
Spouses	Eunice Porter Bird Sally Buel Bird
Alma mater	Yale College
Profession	Lawyer Politician

Biography

Born in Litchfield, Connecticut, Bird was the son of Dr. Seth and Hanna Sheldon Bird and pursued classical studies; graduated from Yale College in 1786, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Litchfield. He married Eunice Porter on October 4, 1789. The marriage ended in 1797 divorce, which was granted to Eunice from the Connecticut General Assembly on the grounds of ill treatment by her husband. His second marriage was to Sally Buel on March 29, 1799.^[2]

Career

Bird moved to Troy, New York in 1793 and engaged in the practice of law. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1796 to 1798, and a member of the Freemasons.^[3]

Elected as a Federalist to the Sixth and Seventh Congresses as U. S. Representative for the sixth District of New York, Bird served from March 4, 1799 to July 25, 1801,^[4] when he resigned, and resumed the practice of his profession.

Death

Bird died in Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, February 2, 1806 (age 37 years, 72 days). He is interred at Mt. Ida Cemetery, Troy, New York.^[5]

References

1. "Congress slaveowners", The Washington Post, January 27, 2022, retrieved January 31, 2022
2. "John Bird". Litchfield Historical Society. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
3. "John Bird". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
4. "John Bird". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
5. Treese, Joel D.; Countryman, Dorothy J., eds. (1997). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774–2005. Alexandria, VA: CQ Staff Directories, Inc. p. 664. ISBN 978-0-87289-124-1.

External links

• United States Congress. "John Bird (id: B000477)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Hezekiah L. Hosmer	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 6th congressional district March 4, 1799 – July 25, 1801	Succeeded by John P. Van Ness