William Duer

DUER, William, (grandfather of William Duer [1805-1879]), a Delegate from New York; born in Devonshire, England, March 18, 1747; completed preparatory studies and attended Eton College (England); in 1765 became aide-de-camp to Lord Clive, Governor General of India; immigrated to America in 1768 and settled in Fort Miller, N.Y.; appointed justice of the peace on July 1, 1773; first judge of Charlotte (now Washington) County; built the first saw and grist mills at Fort Miller, and later erected a snuff mill and a powder mill; was prominent in the Revolutionary movement; member of the Provincial Congress in 1776 and 1777; served in the State senate in 1777; appointed judge of the court of common pleas in 1777 and reappointed in 1778; moved to Fishkill, N.Y., and later to what is now Paterson, N.J., where he erected the first cotton mill; Member of the Continental Congress in 1777 and 1778; moved to New York City in 1783; served as a member of the State assembly in 1786; assistant secretary of the treasury department 1789-1790; died in New York City April 18, 1799; interment in the family vault under the old church of St. Thomas; reinterment in Jamaica, Long Island, N.Y. - - Biographical Data courtesy of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.