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Henry Meigs

1782 – 1861

American politician

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About Henry Meigs

Lived 1782 – 1861 (aged 78). Henry Meigs was an American politician, judge and lawyer.

Henry Meigs (October 28, 1782 – May 20, 1861) was a U.S. Representative from New York.

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, the son of Josiah Meigs and Clara (Benjamin) Meigs, Meigs attended the common schools. He was graduated from Yale College in 1799. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in New York City. He served in the War of 1812 with the rank of adjutant. He served as member of the state assembly in 1818.

Meigs was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Sixteenth Congress (March 4, 1819 – March 3, 1821). He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures on Public Buildings (Sixteenth Congress). He served as president of the board of aldermen of New York City in 1832 and 1833. He served as judge of one of the city courts and afterward clerk of the court of general sessions.

Meigs was elected recording secretary of the American Institute of the City of New York in 1845, and retained this position in connection with the secretaryship of the Farmers' Club until his death. He died in New York City on May 20, 1861. According to Congressional records, he was interred in St. Ann's Churchyard, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, but church records record that he was originally buried in St. Luke's in New York City and later moved to St. Peter's Churchyard in Perth Amboy.

His son, Henry Meigs Jr. was the first mayor of Bayonne, New Jersey, and the president of the New York Stock Exchange.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
Yale College
Positions held
United States representative

People in Henry Meigs's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Henry Meigs's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Henry Meigs?

American politician (1782-1861)

When was Henry Meigs born?

Henry Meigs was born on 28 October 1782 in New Haven.

When did Henry Meigs die?

Henry Meigs died on 20 May 1861 in New York City.

What was Henry Meigs's occupation?

Henry Meigs was a politician, judge and lawyer.

What nationality was Henry Meigs?

Henry Meigs was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Henry Meigs

· Wikidata: Q168610

· DBpedia: Henry Meigs

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henry Meigs. https://biography.guide/henry-meigs/

MLA: "Henry Meigs." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henry-meigs/.

Chicago: "Henry Meigs." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henry-meigs/.

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