Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886

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Samuel Jones Tilden (February 9, 1814 – August 4, 1886) was the 25th Governor of New York and the Democratic candidate for president in the disputed election of 1876. Tilden is the only individual to win an outright majority of the popular vote in a United States presidential election but lose the election.

Tilden was born into a wealthy family in New Lebanon, New York. Attracted to politics at a young age, he became a protégé of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States. After studying at Yale University and New York University School of Law, Tilden began a legal career in New York City, becoming a noted corporate lawyer. He served in the New York State Assembly and helped launch Van Buren's third party, anti-slavery candidacy in the 1848 presidential election. Though he opposed the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, Tilden supported the Union during the American Civil War. After the Civil War, Tilden was selected as the chairman of the New York State Democratic Committee, and he managed Democratic nominee Horatio Seymour's campaign in the 1868 presidential election.

Tilden initially cooperated with the state party's Tammany Hall faction, but he broke with them in 1871 due to boss William M. Tweed's rampant corruption. Tilden won election as Governor of New York in 1874, and in that office he helped break up the "Canal Ring". Tilden's battle against public corruption, along with his personal fortune and electoral success in the country's most populous state, made him the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in 1876. Tilden was selected as the nominee on the second ballot of the 1876 Democratic National Convention. In the general election, Tilden faced Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes, another governor with reform credentials. Tilden focused his campaign on civil service reform, support for the gold standard, and opposition to high taxes, but many of his supporters were more concerned with ending Reconstruction in the South.

Most observers initially believed that Tilden had won the election, but disputes in four states left both Tilden and Hayes without a majority of the electoral vote. As Tilden had won 184 electoral votes, one vote shy of a majority, a Hayes victory required that he sweep all of the disputed electoral votes. Against Tilden's wishes, Congress appointed the bipartisan Electoral Commission to settle the controversy. Republicans had a one-seat advantage on the Electoral Commission, and in a series of party-line rulings, ruled that Hayes had won all of the disputed electoral votes. In the Compromise of 1877, Democratic leaders agreed to accept Hayes as the victor in return for the end of Reconstruction. Tilden was a major contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1880 and 1884 presidential elections, but declined to run.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Crane, Morton Eddy, 1857-1912. Letters, 1868-1912. Massachusetts Historical Society
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referencedIn Smith, Welcome. Letter, 1876 April 11. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Millard Fillmore letters and documents, 1840-1869 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Bigelow, John, 1817-1911. Letters, 1880-1906. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
referencedIn Reid Family Fapers, 1795-1970, (bulk 1869-1970) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Evarts family papers, 1753-1960 (bulk 1798-1901) Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Rice, William Gorham, 1856-1945. Papers, 1841-1937. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Childs, George William, 1829-1894. George William Childs papers [manuscript], 1882-1892. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984. Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 National Archives Library, National Archives Records Administration
referencedIn Meserole, B. R. Map no. 2 of property in the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, lately belonging to Samuel J. Tilden, now deceased, & filed in the Kings County Register's Office, 1899, and surveyed July 1897 / by B.R. Meserole, city surveyor. Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Hill, David B. (David Bennett), 1843-1910. Papers, 1872-1920. American Periodical Series I
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referencedIn Viking (Yacht). Logbook, 1883 Aug.-1887 Aug. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Stuart, H. L. ALS : New York to Gov. [Samuel J.] Tilden, 1875 July 12. Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
referencedIn Flick, Alexander Clarence, 1869-1942. Alexander Clarence Flick papers, ca. 1830-1938, bulk (1928-1938). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn David Ames Wells Papers, 1795-1898, (bulk 1860-1886) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Sumner, Charles, 1811-1874. Correspondence, 1829-1874 Houghton Library
referencedIn Montgomery Queen scrapbook, 1874-1897 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1818-1893. To the people of the United States. Colby College, Miller Library
creatorOf John Bigelow papers, 1839-1912. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Samuel J. Tilden papers, 1794-1886, bulk (1835-1876) New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Benton, Joel, 1832-1911. Letter, 1876 March 8. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Bocock, Thomas S., 1815-1891. Papers of Bocock and of the Bocock, Thornhill Christian, Stephens, Flood, Patteson, and Diuguid families of Buckingham and Appomattox counties, 1760-1897. University of Virginia. Library
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referencedIn New York City Council of Political Reform. [A collection of material pertaining to the New York City Council of Political Reform]. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Foote family. Foote family added papers, 1809-1956. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Springer, William M. Letter : Washington, D.C., to John A. McClernand, Springfield, Ill., 1876 June 19. University of Chicago Library
referencedIn George W. Patterson collection 1841-1878 Patterson, George W. collection William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Wall and Machir Families. Letters 1 January 1865 to 27 October 1898. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Letter, 1865 February 12. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Bancroft, George, 1800-1891. George Bancroft papers, 1823-1890. New York Public Library System, NYPL
Bulkley, John McClelland, 1840-1914. John McClelland Bulkley papers, 1874-1884. Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Burns, Charles DeF. Letter to Charles F. Gunther [manuscript], 1885 June 22. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Henry Watterson Papers, 1863-1920, (bulk 1906-1920) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Springer, William M. Letter : Washington, D.C., to John A. McClernand, Springfield, Ill., 1876 June 19. Texas Christian University
referencedIn Harrison, Carter H. (Carter Henry), 1860-1953. Carter H. Harrison IV papers, 1637-1953, (bulk 1840-1950). Newberry Library
referencedIn Parris, Edward Louden, 1837-1921. Papers, 1876-1879. Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center, Hayes Presidential Center
referencedIn Miller, Samuel Freeman, 1816-1890. Papers, 1854-1887. Library of Congress
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Samuel J. Tilden letters to Catherine Peirson, 1848-1880 (bulk 1848-1863) New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Meserole, B. R. Map no. 1 of property in the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings, lately belonging to Samuel J. Tilden, now deceased, and filed in the Kings County Register's Office, 1899, and surveyed July 1897 / by B.R. Meserole, city surveyor. Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Bulkley, John McClelland, 1840-1914. John McClelland Bulkley papers, 1874-1884. Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Fish, Hamilton, 1808-1893. Letter, 1875 September 21. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Chase, G. K. G.K. Chase letter, 1876 Nov. 20. Louisiana State University, LSU Libraries
referencedIn Sumner, William Graham, 1840-1910. William Graham Sumner papers, 1863-1946 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Stephens, Alexander Hamilton, 1812-1883. Alexander H. Stephens papers, 1844-1882. Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Local history documents and ephemera, 1807-1968. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Randolph, L. V. F. (Lewis Van Syckel Fitz), 1838-1920. L.V.F. Randolph papers, 1895-1919. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Records of the National Park Service, 1785 - 2006. National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 - 2017 National Archives Library, National Archives Records Administration
referencedIn Barlow, Samuel L. M. (Samuel Latham Mitchill), 1826-1889. Papers of Samuel L. M. Barlow, 1776-1905 (bulk 1885-1889). Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Autograph signature : Cleveland, Ohio, undated. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Henry Adams papers, 1871-1938 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Coffin, James H. (James Henry), 1806-1873. James Henry Coffin Papers, 1848-1884 Smithsonian Institution Archives
referencedIn Burns, Charles DeF.?. Letter to unidentified recipient, 1885 June 22. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Robertson, Wyndham. Papers, 1768-1925 Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library,
creatorOf Davis, David, 1815-1886. David Davis papers, 1815-1964 (bulk 1815-1886). Chicago History Museum
referencedIn Andrew Johnson correspondence, 1851-1866 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Pasko, W. W. (Wesley Washington), 1840-1897. Letters received by W.W. Pasko in reply to invitations extended to attend the unveiling of a bust of Horace Greeley, 1876. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Willers family papers, 1820-1908. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Kelly, John, 1821-1886. John Kelly papers, 1879-1885. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Notes on investigation into finances of Samuel J. Tilden, [between 1876 and 1880]. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Shelby, William R. William R. Shelby papers, 1885-1907 Detroit Public Library, Detroit Main Library
referencedIn Charles C. P. Clark letter to Samuel Tilden, 1899 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Autograph File, T, 1580-1975. Houghton Library
referencedIn Stoughton, E. W. (Edwin Wallace), 1818-1882. E.W. Stoughton correspondence, 1876 November 22. Library of Congress
referencedIn George Bancroft papers, 1823-1890 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn William L. Marcy papers, 1806-1930 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Butler, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1795-1858. Papers, 1815-1857. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn McCormick, Cyrus Hall, 1809-1884. Correspondence and subject file, 1788-1939. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Tilden Trust. Tilden Trust records, 1878-1938. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn William E. Chandler Papers, 1863-1917 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Letter to Horatio Seymour, 1864 November 2. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Samuel J. Tilden papers, 1794-1886, 1835-1876 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Samuel J. Tilden papers, 1876-1880. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Manning, Henry Swan, b. 1844. Papers, 1863-1879. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Bryant-Godwin papers, 1804-1913, bulk (1820-1898). New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Parris, Edward Louden, 1837-1921. Papers, 1876-1879. University of Oslo Medical Library
referencedIn Watterson, Henry, 1840-1921. ALS [signed with initials] [n.d., but written on verso of Hotel Brunswick letterhead printed "188-"] : [New York] to readers of the Courier-Journal. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Papers, 1855-1962 New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Autograph File, T, 1580-1975. Houghton Library
referencedIn William Maxwell Evarts Papers, 1667-1918, (bulk 1877-1891) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Lindley, Harlow, b. 1875. Illinois in the Hayes-Tilden contest / by Harlow Lindley. Rutherford B Hayes Presidential Center, Hayes Presidential Center
referencedIn Thomas F. Bayard Papers, 1780-1899, (bulk 1860-1889) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn John Bigelow papers, 1839-1912 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Thomas F. Bayard Papers, 1780-1899, (bulk 1860-1889) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Records of U.S. Attorneys. 1821 - 1994. Letters Received National Archives at New York
referencedIn Duane Family Collection, 1764-1933 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn David B. Hill Papers, 1885-1910 Syracuse University. Library. Special Collections Research Center
referencedIn The cipher dispatches : scrapbook, 1876-1879. UC Berkeley Libraries
referencedIn Charles O'Conor letters and documents, 1853-1878 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Samuel J. Tilden letters to Catherine Peirson, 1848-1880, 1848-1863 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Tilden Trust records, 1878-1938 The New York Public Library. New York Public Library Archives.
referencedIn Alexander Clarence Flick papers, ca. 1830-1938, 1928-1938 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Meserole, J. V. Map of property situated in the Seventeenth Ward of the city of Brooklyn belonging to Samuel J. Tilden / J.V. Meserole, city surveyor. Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
referencedIn Finger, Glenn, Mrs. Tilden School golden jubilee : November 10th, 1939, St. Paul, Minn. : [typescript]. Minnesota Historical Society Library
referencedIn Records of the Office of Speechwriting (Clinton Administration), 1993 - 2001. David Kusnet's Files, 1993 - 1994 William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
referencedIn Tilden Estate and Trust records, 1886-1930, 1890-1915 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886. Samuel J. Tilden correspondence, 1870 April 15. Library of Congress
referencedIn Stevenson, J. W. (John White), 1812-1886. John White Stevenson papers, 1869-1885, 1877-1885 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Porter, James D. (James Davis), 1828-1912. Letter, 1876 July 25, Nashville, Tennessee [to] S.J. Tilden, Albany, New York. Tennessee State Library & Archives, TSLA
referencedIn Davis, John Givan, 1810-1866. Papers, 1800-1889. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Samuel Freeman Miller Correspondence, 1854-1887 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Tilden Trust. Tilden Trust records, 1886-1930, bulk (1890-1915). New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn L.V.F. Randolph papers, 1895-1919 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Manton Marble Papers, 1838-1916, (bulk 1864-1898) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Seymour, Horatio, 1810-1886. Papers, 1764-1886. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn White, John. Letter, 1876 March 20. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Duane family. Papers, 1770-1933. American Philosophical Society Library
creatorOf Barr family. Papers 1850-1912. Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Heinz History Center Detre Library and Archives
referencedIn Historic documents, 1752-[ca.1861] New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Robertson, Wyndham, 1803-1888. Family papers, 1768-1925 (inclusive). University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Burrows family. Burrows family papers, 1760-1916. Bentley Historical Library
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Place Name Admin Code Country
New Lebanon NY US
New York City NY US
Yonkers NY US
Albany NY US
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Birth 1814-02-09

Death 1886-08-04

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