Francis B. Cutting

Francis Brockholst Cutting (August 6, 1804 – June 26, 1870) was an American lawyer and businessman who served one term as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1853 to 1855.

Early life Cutting was born in New York City to William Cutting (1773–1820) and Gertrude Cutting (née Livingston; 1778–1864).

He was a nephew of U.S. Representative Henry Walter Livingston, and the grandson of Walter Livingston (the first Speaker of the New York State Assembly) and Cornelia Livingston (née Schuyler).

Education Cutting attended Bensel School and was also tutored privately. He attended Columbia College

Career He was admitted to the bar in 1827 and commenced practice in New York City. He later attended Webster's memorial.

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co.) in 1836 and 1837. He served as member of the board of aldermen in 1843.

U.S. House of Representatives Cutting was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855). He sat on the House Committee on the Judiciary.

In 1853, President Pierce gave copies of his inaugural address to Cutting, rather than the Postmaster, fearing the latter and trusting the former. In March 1854, during debate over the Kansas–Nebraska Act, John C. Breckinridge, also a U.S. Representative, made a statement that incensed Cutting, Cutting demanded that he explain or retract it. Breckinridge interpreted Cutting's demand as a challenge to duel. Under code duello, the individual being challenged retained the right to name the weapons used and the distance between the combatants; Breckinridge chose rifles at 60 paces. He also specified that the duel should be held at Silver Spring, the home of his friend Francis Preston Blair. Breckinridge later was selected as the nominee for Vice President of the United States, and the duel was the only memorable thing he had done up that point. He served in that role under President James Buchanan from March 4, 1857 to March 4, 1861.

Later career Afterwards he resumed the practice of law. Upon the nomination of Abraham Lincoln, Cutting aided in his election campaign, and was active in supporting the Union.

Cutting invested in Railways, shipping, and real estate, amassing a fortune. They were the parents of:

Elizabeth Cutting (1828–1831) William Cutting (1832–1897), a Harvard graduate who was a Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General and aide-de-Camp to General Burnside and the founder of the Knickerbocker Club Francis Brockholst Cutting Jr. (1834–1869), who married Marion Ramsay (1834–1912). Marion outlived her husband and son. who married Lydia S. Mason (b. 1831). Upon hearing the news, court was adjourned for the day and he was honored by the New York Bar Association. After a funeral at Grace Church in New York, he was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn. and around $1,300,000 in bonds for Wabash Railroad. his son was excused as executor, and his estate was finally settled.

Descendants Through his son Francis Brockholst Cutting Jr., who prematurely predeceased him, he was the grandfather of William Cutting Jr. and F. Brockholst Cutting (1861–1896), one of the best-known clubmen and one of the most popular bachelors in society. His grandson, who died at the age of thirty-five without having married, was heavily mourned upon his death.

Through his youngest son, he was the grandfather of Anna Cutting who married Baron Raoul de Vriere (1865–1929), and Henry Mason Cutting (1865–1892), who married Angela Mills (1869–1956).

Legacy A room was named for him at the Sea Breeze Hospital in New York City. Funds were also given to honor him at the hospital in Newport, Rhode Island.