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Erastus Root (March 16, 1773 – December 24, 1846) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He is most notable for serving four separate non-consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the early 19th century.
Erastus Root
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Portrait of General Root by Rembrandt Peale
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| Lieutenant Governor of New York | |
| In office January 1, 1823 – December 31, 1824 | |
| Governor | Joseph C. Yates |
| Preceded by | John Tayler |
| Succeeded by | James Tallmadge Jr. |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
| In office 1831–1833 | |
| Preceded by | Perkins King |
| Succeeded by | John Cramer |
| Constituency | 11th district |
| In office 1815–1817 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel Sherwood |
| Succeeded by | Dorrance Kirtland |
| Constituency | 8th district |
| In office 1809–1811 | |
| Preceded by | Nathan Wilson |
| Succeeded by | Arunah Metcalf |
| Constituency | 12th district |
| In office 1803–1805 | |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | John Russell |
| Constituency | 14th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1773-03-16)March 16, 1773 Hebron, Connecticut Colony, British America |
| Died | December 24, 1846(1846-12-24) (aged 73) New York City, US |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican (Before 1831)
Jacksonian (1831–1838) Whig (1838–1846) |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth Stockton (m. 1806) |
| Parent(s) | William Root Zeruiah Baldwin Root |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | New York State Militia |
| Rank | Major General |
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Root was born on March 16, 1773, in Hebron in the Connecticut Colony. He was a son of William Root (1731–1790) and Zeruiah (née Baldwin) Root (1729–1792).[1]
He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1793 and became a teacher. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1796, and commenced practice in Delhi, New York.
Erastus Root was a member of the New York State Assembly (Delaware Co.) in 1798–99, 1800–01, and 1802. Root was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 8th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1803, to March 3, 1805. Afterwards he resumed his law practice. He was then elected to the 11th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1809, to March 3, 1811, and was Chairman of the Committee on Claims. Root was a member of the New York State Senate (Middle D.) from 1812 to 1815, sitting in the 35th, 36th, 37th, and 38th New York State Legislatures.[2]
In 1815, Root contested successfully the election of John Adams to the 14th United States Congress arguing that ballots that were cast for "Erastus Rott" should be counted for him, and took his seat on December 26, 1815, served until March 3, 1817, and was Chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the War Department.
He was again a member of the State Assembly (Delaware Co.) in 1818, 1819, 1820, and 1820–21; and was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1821. He was Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1823 to 1824, but was defeated when running for re-election on the ticket with Samuel Young in 1824. However, in March–April 1824, Erastus Root was honored with two votes at the Democratic-Republican Party Caucus to be the party's candidate for U.S. Vice President at the election later that year.[3][4]
He was again a member of the State Assembly (Delaware Co.) in 1826, 1827, 1828, and 1830; and was Speaker in 1827, 1828, and 1830.[5]
He was elected as a Jacksonian to the 22nd United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1831, to March 3, 1833, and was Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. In 1838, this time as a Whig, he ran again for the House but was defeated.
He was again a member of the State Senate (3rd D.) from 1840 to 1843, sitting in the 63rd, 64th, 65th, and 66th New York State Legislatures.[6]
Root also served as Major-General of the New York State Militia.[7]
On October 4, 1806, Root was married to Elizabeth Stockton (1788–1871), a daughter of Charles W. Stockton and Elizabeth (née North) Stockton. Together, they were the parents of five children, three girls and two boys, including:[1]
Root died in New York City on December 24, 1846. He was originally buried at the Old Cemetery, but later re-interred at Woodland Cemetery, both in Delhi.
The Town of RootinMontgomery County, New York is named for him.[8]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| New district | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 14th congressional district 1803–1805 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 12th congressional district 1809–1811 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 8th congressional district 1815–1817 |
Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of New York 1823–1824 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Speaker of the New York State Assembly 1827–1828 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Speaker of the New York State Assembly 1830 |
Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 11th congressional district 1831–1833 |
Succeeded by |
| New York State Senate | ||
| Preceded by | New York State Senate Third District (Class 1) 1840–1843 |
Succeeded by |
