Churchill Caldom Cambreleng (October 24, 1786 – April 30, 1862) was an American businessman and politician from New York. He is notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1821 to 1839, including terms as chairman of several high-profile committees. In addition, he served as U.S. Minister to Russia from 1840 to 1841.
Churchill C. Cambreleng | |
|---|---|
 | |
| United States Minister to Russia | |
| In office September 21, 1840 – July 13, 1841 | |
| President | Martin Van Buren William Henry Harrison John Tyler |
| Preceded by | George M. Dallas |
| Succeeded by | Charles S. Todd |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York | |
| In office December 3, 1821 – March 3, 1839 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Meigs Peter H. Wendover |
| Succeeded by | Moses H. Grinnell Edward Curtis James Monroe Ogden Hoffman |
| Constituency | 2nd district (1821–23) 3rd district (1823–39) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Churchill Caldom Cambreleng October 24, 1786 Washington, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 1862 (aged 75) West Neck, New York |
| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican Crawford Republican Jacksonian Democratic Barnburner Free Soil Party |
| Spouse | Phebe Glover (m. 1835-1862, his death) |
| Profession | Businessman |
Life
edit
C. C. Cambreleng was born in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina on October 24, 1786, the son of Stephen Cambreleng and Ann (Patten) Cambreleng.[1] He attended school in New Bern, North Carolina, and moved to New York City in 1802.[1]
Early career
editIntending to begin a career as a businessman, Cambreleng worked as a clerk in a mercantile counting room.[2] In 1806 he moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where he was the chief clerk for a merchant with interests in the Pacific Northwest.[2] After the death of his employer, Cambreleng intended to pursue a business opportunity in New Orleans, but was unable to remain there because of ongoing combat during the War of 1812.[3]
He then returned to New York City, where he was employed by John Jacob Astor.[2] Cambreleng traveled throughout Europe and Asia while handling commercial opportunities for himself and Astor, and he eventually became wealthy as a result of his business success.[2]
Congress
editCambreleng was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 17th, and was re-elected as a Crawford Democratic-Republican to the 18th, as a Jacksonian to the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th, and as a Democrat to the 25th United States Congress, holding office from December 3, 1821 to March 3, 1839.[1] He was Chairman of the Commerce Committee (20th to 22nd Congresses), Foreign Affairs Committee (23rd Congress) and Ways and Means Committee (24th and 25th Congresses).[2]
During the 22nd United States Congress, Cambreleng was critical of Louis McLane's report regarding the Second Bank of the United States, writing "The Treasury report is as bad as it can possibly be—a new version of Alexander Hamilton's reports on a National Bank and manufacturers, and totally unsuited to this age of democracy and reform."[4]
Later career
editUpon its incorporation in 1831, he became the first President of the Saratoga and Schenectady Railroad.[1]
President Martin Van Buren appointed him United States Minister to Russia in 1840 and he served until 1841.[2] He was a delegate from Suffolk County to the New York State Constitutional Convention of 1846.[1]
He attended the 1848 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore as a Barnburner but withdrew with his faction, and participated in the nomination of Van Buren as the candidate of the Free Soil Party.[1] Later he rejoined the Democrats and supported Franklin Pierce for president in 1852.[1]
Death and burial
editCambreleng died in West Neck, Suffolk County, New York on April 30, 1862.[2] He was buried at Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery, Section 73, Lot 4150.[5]
Family
editIn 1835, Cambreleng married Phebe Glover, the daughter of New York City merchant John J. Glover.[6] They remained married until Cambreleng's death, and had no children.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Dictionary of North Carolina Biography.
- ^ a b c d e f g Biographical Annals, p. 66.
- ^ "Political Portraits: Churchill Caldom Cambreleng", pp. 146–147.
- ^ Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom, p. 340.
- ^ Where They're Buried, p. 234.
- ^ 10,000 Vital Records of Central New York, 1813-1850, p. 40.
- ^ The Old Merchants of New York City, p. 116.
Sources
editBooks
edit- Barrett, Walter (1865). The Old Merchants of New York City. New York, NY: Carleton.
- Bowman, Fred Q. (1986). 10,000 Vital Records of Central New York, 1813-1850. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co. ISBN 978-0-8063-1149-4.
- Lanman, Charles (1876). Biographical Annals of the Civil Government of the United States: During Its First Century. Washington, DC: James Anglim. p. 66.
- Remini, Robert V. (1981). Andrew Jackson and the Course of American Freedom, 1822–1832. New York, NY: Harper & Row Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-0-8018-5913-7.
- Spencer, Thomas E. (1998). Where They're Buried. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Company. p. 234. ISBN 978-0-8063-4823-0.
Internet
edit- Chesnut, Paul I. (January 1, 1979). "Dictionary of North Carolina Biography: Cambreleng, Churchill Caldom". ncpedia.org. State Library of North Carolina. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
Magazines
edit- "Political Portraits: Churchill Caldom Cambreleng". The U.S. Democratic Review. Vol. VI, no. XX. Washington, DC: Langtree and O'Sullivan. August 1839.
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Churchill C. Cambreleng (id: C000061)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Churchill C. Cambreleng at Find a Grave
- House Ways and Means Committee
- Biography at NC Gen Web