Caleb Tompkins (December 22, 1759 – January 1, 1846) was a U.S. Representative from New York, and the brother of Vice President Daniel D. Tompkins.
Caleb Tompkins
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd district | |
| In office 1817–1821 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Ward |
| Succeeded by | Jeremiah H. Pierson |
| Member of the New York State Assembly for Westchester County | |
| In office 1804–1806 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1759-12-22)December 22, 1759 Scarsdale, Province of New York, British America |
| Died | January 1, 1846(1846-01-01) (aged 86) Scarsdale, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, White Plains, New York, United States |
| Political party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations |
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| Relatives | Daniel D. Tompkins (brother) |
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Caleb Tompkins was born on the Fox Meadows estate near Scarsdale in the Province of New York on December 22, 1759, and was the eldest son of Jonathan G. Tompkins, a prominent judge and landowner. He was educated locally, and trained for a legal career.[1][2]
Tompkins served as a Private in the 2nd Regiment of Westchester County Militia (Thomas's Regiment) during the American Revolution.[3][4] In October 1776 he fled his home to escape British troops, successfully evading capture by submerging himself in a nearby swamp.[5] This incident was known to James Fenimore Cooper, who used a fictionalized version of it in his 1821 novel The Spy.[6][7]
Tompkins remained in the militia after the war, and was a Captain when he resigned in 1797.[8][9]
Tompkins studied law, attained admission to the bar, and practiced in Westchester County. He also inherited Fox Meadows, where he resided throughout his life.[10]
AnAnti-Federalist who became a member of the Democratic-Republican Party and later a Democrat who identified with the Bucktails and Jacksonians, he was Scarsdale's first Town Clerk, and held other local offices including Town Supervisor.[11][12][13]
Tompkins was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1804 to 1806.[14] He served as Judge of the Westchester County Court from 1807 to 1820.[15]
Tompkins was elected to the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Congresses, and served from March 4, 1817, to March 3, 1821.[16]
In 1823 Tompkins returned to the position of Westchester County Judge, and he remained on the bench until his death.[17] In 1828 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress, losing a narrow contest to Henry B. Cowles.
Tompkins died in Scarsdale on January 1, 1846.[18][19] He was interred in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in White Plains.[20]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 3rd congressional district 1817–1821 |
Succeeded by |