James Hillhouse

James Hillhouse

James Hillhouse (born October 20, 1754 in Montville , Colony of Connecticut , †  December 29, 1832 in New Haven , Connecticut) was an American politician ( Federalist Party ) who represented the state of Connecticut in both chambers of Congress .

James Hillhouse grew up with his uncle and aunt, who had no children and adopted him. He graduated from Yale College in 1773 and was admitted to the bar in 1775 after successfully completing his law degree. He had to interrupt his work as a lawyer in New Haven due to the War of Independence . Hillhouse fought with the rank of captain in the militia Governor's Foot Guards when New Haven was occupied by the British .

After the end of his military service, Hillhouse embarked on a political career. From 1780 to 1785 he was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives . In 1786 and 1788 he was appointed a delegate at the Continental Congress , but refused each time. On March 4, 1791 he moved to the United States House of Representatives as a Connecticut MP , where he would originally have remained until 1797 after two re-elections; however, he resigned his mandate in the fall of 1796 to move to the US Senate . There Hillhouse took the place of the resigned Oliver Ellsworth . He was confirmed in office three times before he left Congress on June 10, 1810 at his own request. During his time in the Senate, he was also temporarily its President pro tempore .

Hillhouse wasn't just politically active. So he held the office of Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer) at Yale College from 1782 to 1832 . He was also involved in urban development and was responsible for planting the elms in New Haven that gave the city its nickname Elm City (city of elms). In this city, where he died in 1832, a street ( Hillhouse Avenue ) and James Hillhouse High School were named after him in his honor.

Web links

• James Hillhouse in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)