John Ferguson (New York politician)

John Ferguson
From Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York for 1864, by D. T. Valentine.
52nd Mayor of New York City
In office March, 1815 – June, 1815
Preceded by	DeWitt Clinton
Succeeded by	Jacob Radcliff
Personal details
Died	September 5, 1832 New York City, New York
Political party	Democratic-Republican Democratic

John Ferguson (c. 1777—September 5, 1832) was the 52nd Mayor of New York City from March to June 1815. He was also Grand Sachem of Tammany Hall.

Biography

Ferguson graduated from Columbia University in 1795, studied law, and became an attorney. He was active in politics as a Democratic-Republican, and became a political opponent of Dewitt Clinton.

He worked his way through the ranks to become leader, or Grand Sachem, of Tammany Hall.

In March, 1815 he was appointed mayor of New York City. He received the appointment with the understanding that he would resign in favor of Jacob Radcliff, and in return was appointed as Naval Officer of the Port of New York, a much more lucrative federal position, in which he served until his death.

From 1830 to 1832 he was a trustee of Columbia University.

Ferguson died in New York City on September 5, 1832.

Family

Ferguson's daughter Louisa (1807-1845) was the wife of Robert Walter Weir. He was the grandfather of John Ferguson Weir, son of Robert and Louisa (Ferguson) Weir.

References

• James Grant Wilson, The Memorial History of the City of New-York: From Its First Settlement to the Year 1892, New York History Co., 1893 (Google Books), from Stanford University Library, p. 208 and p. 298 (footnote)