Duane, James, 1733-1797

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James Duane (February 6, 1733 – February 1, 1797) was an American Founding Father, attorney, jurist, and American Revolutionary leader from New York. He served as a delegate to the First Continental Congress, Second Continental Congress and the Congress of the Confederation, a New York state senator, the 44th Mayor of New York City, the 1st post-colonial Mayor of New York City and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New York. Duane was a signatory of the Continental Association and the Articles of Confederation.

Born in New York City, Duane completed preparatory studies before reading law and being admitted to the bar. He maintained a private practice in New York City from 1754 to 1762, when he became a clerk of the Chancery Court of New York. Duane was acting attorney general of the Province of New York in 1767 and a boundary commissioner in 1768 (and again in 1784), before returning to private practice in New York City in 1774 and 1775. Duane was a delegate to the First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia during the autumn of 1774 in reaction to the British Navy's blockade of Boston Harbor and the passage of the Intolerable Acts by Parliament in response to the December 1773 Boston Tea Party. He was a delegate to the Provincial Convention held in New York City on April 20, 1775, where delegates were elected to the Second Continental Congress. In July 1778 he signed the Articles of Confederation in Philadelphia. Duane was a member of the Congress of the Confederation from 1781 to 1783.

Duane was a member of the New York State Senate from 1782 to 1785, and from 1788 to 1790. In 1785, Duane was one of 32 prominent New Yorkers who met to create the New York Manumission Society, intended to put pressure on the state of New York to abolish slavery, as every state in the north had done except New York and New Jersey. He was Mayor of New York City from 1784 to 1789, appointed by the Council of Appointment. During his time in office, he strove to help the city revive itself after the damage done by the war and the British occupation, but he was unable to maintain the city's status as the capital of the United States. Duane was nominated by President George Washington on September 25, 1789, to the United States District Court for the District of New York. Confirmed the same day as his nomination, Duane received his commission the next day. He resigned on March 17, 1794, because of ill health.

Duane died on February 1, 1797, in Duanesburg, Schenectady County, New York. He was interred under Christ Church there.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Duanesburg patent land papers, 1734-1835. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Duane Family Collection, 1764-1933 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Autograph File, B, ca.1500-1982 Houghton Library
creatorOf Francis, Turbot. Speeches at a meeting with the sachems of the Six Nations, 1775. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Jay, John, 1745-1829. John Jay papers, 1668-[ca. 1862]. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Autograph note signed : to Gerard Banker, undated. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Parker family (Perth Amboy, N.J.). Parker family papers, 1676-1946 1760-1820. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Papers [microform], ca. 1680-ca. 1853, ca. 1750-ca. 1795 (bulk dates). Winterthur Library
referencedIn Van Schaack, Peter, 1747-1832. Peter Van Schaack papers, 1776-1841. Library of Congress
referencedIn John Jay Papers, 1668-[ca. 1862] Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn New-York Manumission Society Records, 1785-1849 New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Autograph letter signed : Manor Livingston, to the Hon. Pierce Van Cortlandt, Esq. Pres. of the Senate, and to the Hon. Evert Bancker, Esq. Speaker of the Assembly, 1779 Aug. 29. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Moot Club (New York, N.Y.). Minutes, 1770-1774. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Philip Schuyler papers, 1684-1851 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794. Letters of Richard Henry Lee [manuscript] 1777-1791. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf James Duane papers, 1750-1867 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Autograph letter signed, 1772 Jan. 14. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Papers of James Duane, 1752-1786. Library of Congress
referencedIn Yates family. Yates family papers, 1678-1923 (inclusive), 1714-1868 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn North, William, 1755-1836. Papers, 1763-1820. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Affidavits by George Bond and James Duane, 1787 April 7. Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf Jay, John, 1745-1829. LS, 1785 October 12, New York, to Samuel Johnson. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Jay, John, 1745-1829. Letter to Hugh Henry Brackenridge, 5 August 1779. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. New York City tavern licenses, 1784-1796. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821. Elias Boudinot papers, 1773-1812. Library of Congress
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Collection of documents concerning the American Revolution, 1740-1866 Houghton Library
referencedIn New York (State). Commissioners to Collect Evidence on the Boundaries and Jurisdiction of the State. Collection of evidence in vindication of the territorial rights and jurisdiction of the State of New York against the claims of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and New Hampshire and the people of the grants who are commonly called Vermonters : transcript, [18--]. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn John Jay publication project. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn W. B. O. Field portrait collection, ca. 1600-1900. Houghton Library
referencedIn Williams, John, 1752-1806. Papers, 1767-1841. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Autograph File, D, 1586-1975. Houghton Library
referencedIn Ramage family. Ramage family papers, 1766-1856 (bulk 1780-1830). New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Cushing family. Papers II, 1773-1857. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn New-York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, and Protecting Such of Them as Have Been, or May Be Liberated. Records, 1785-1849. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Marian S. Carson collection of manuscripts, 1656-1995 Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Van Schaack family. Papers, 1686-1887. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Banyar, Goldsbrow. Land papers, 1728-1868. Churchill County Museum
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Letter to M. Brashier, 1781 August 24. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Sam Schaefler historical and literary letters and documents, 1674-1970s Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. The Papers of James Duane, 1789. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn New York (State). Supreme Court. Account book, 1784-1789. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Letter : Philadelphia, [Pa.], to His Excellency Governor [George] Clinton, 1779 June 30. Newberry Library
creatorOf Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804. ALS, 1780 October 18, [s.l.], to Judge James Duane, Philadelphia. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Parker, James, 1725-1797. New Jersey manuscripts, 1669-1840. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Johnson, William Samuel, 1727-1819. Papers, 1753-1802. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Smith, Melancton, 1744-1798. Papers, 1786-1792. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. The James Duane Papers [microform]. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
referencedIn Palfrey family papers, 1713-1915 Houghton Library
creatorOf New York (N.Y.). Common Council. Voucher, 1789. Municipal Reference & Res Center/Doris
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. ALS, 1778 Mar. 13, Manor Livingston, N.Y., to George Clinton. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Kissam, Benjamin, 1728-1782. Ledger and "Supream Court Register" [docket book], 1755-1776. University of Virginia, Arthur J. Morris Law Library
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Duane and Featherstonhaugh family papers, 1666-1900 (bulk 1756-1900). Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Clinton, George, 1739-1812. DS, 1782 October 25, Poughkeepsie, New York. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
creatorOf James Duane papers, 1750-1867. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Montgomery, Richard, 1738-1775. ALS, 1775 July 21 : Philadelphia, to James Duane. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. Letter, [1790]. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn New York State miscellany, 1779-1965. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. A map of the north part of Butler's Purchase / by William Cockburn and Christ. Yates ; copied from the original in the hands of John Watts Esquire by me Jas. Duane. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Duane, James, 1733-1797. State of the evidence and argument in support of the territorial rights and jurisdiction of New York against the government of New Hampshire and the claiments under it and against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts / by James Duane one of the agents and commissrs. appointed by the legislature to manage those controversies, [1785], 1870. Churchill County Museum
referencedIn Parker family. Papers, 1680-1936. New Jersey Historical Society Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adelphi University. Library. Special Collections. corporateBody
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associatedWith Bloomer, Joshua. person
correspondedWith Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821. person
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associatedWith Butler, Walter N., d.1781. person
associatedWith Carson, Marian S., person
associatedWith Chalmers, James, of London. person
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associatedWith Clinton, George, 1739-1812. person
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associatedWith Colden, Alexander. person
associatedWith Colden, Cadwallader, 1688-1776. person
associatedWith Cortlandt, Pierce Van, fl. 1779, person
associatedWith Cosby, William, 1690-1736. person
associatedWith Cushing family. family
associatedWith Cuyler, Jacob. person
associatedWith Dean, James, 1748-1823. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Downes, James. person
associatedWith Duane, Abraham. person
associatedWith Duane, A. D., Mrs. person
childOf Duane, Anthony. person
associatedWith Duane, Cornelius. person
memberOf Duane family family
parentOf Duane, James Chatham, 1770-1842. person
associatedWith Duane, Mary. person
associatedWith Duane, William North. person
associatedWith DuBois, Peter. person
associatedWith Edsal, Philip. person
associatedWith Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Elam, John. person
associatedWith Emmet, Thomas Addis person
associatedWith Featherstonhaugh family. family
associatedWith Featherstonhaugh, George William, 1780-1866. person
associatedWith Featherstonhaugh, James D. person
associatedWith Field, William B. Osgood, collector. person
associatedWith Fisher, Adam. person
associatedWith Fonda, Jacob. person
associatedWith Francis, Turbot. person
associatedWith Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806. person
associatedWith Glen, John. person
associatedWith Graham, Isabella, 1742-1814. person
associatedWith Griffin, Ezekiel. person
associatedWith Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804. person
associatedWith Hampton, Wade, 1752-1835. person
associatedWith Hardenbergh, Johannes. person
associatedWith Harrison, George. person
associatedWith Herring, John Frederick. person
associatedWith Hinckman, Robert. person
associatedWith Horsmanden, Daniel, 1694-1778. person
associatedWith Jackson, James. person
associatedWith Janeway, George. person
associatedWith Janeway, William. person
associatedWith Jay, John, 1745-1829. person
associatedWith Johnson, William Samuel, 1727-1819. person
associatedWith Kissam, Benjamin, 1728-1782. person
associatedWith Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834. person
associatedWith La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de, 1741-1791. person
associatedWith Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794. person
associatedWith Livingston family. family
associatedWith Livingston, Robert, 1688-1775. person
child-in-law of Livingston, Robert, 1708-1790. person
associatedWith Livingston, Robert R., 1746-1813. person
associatedWith Livingston, Walter, 1740-1797. person
associatedWith McCullen, Mary. person
associatedWith McFarland, John. person
associatedWith Montgomery, Richard, 1738-1775. person
associatedWith Moot Club (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Munro, John. person
associatedWith Myers, John. person
associatedWith Newberry Library. corporateBody
associatedWith New-York Historical Society. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (N.Y.). Common Council. corporateBody
associatedWith New-York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves, and Protecting Such of Them as Have Been, or May Be Liberated. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (State). Commissioners to Collect Evidence on the Boundaries and Jurisdiction of the State. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (State). Commissioners to Collect Evidence on the Boundaries and Jurisdiction of the State. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (State). Supreme Court. corporateBody
associatedWith North, Hannah E. person
associatedWith North, William, 1755-1836. person
correspondedWith Palfrey family. family
associatedWith Parker family. family
associatedWith Parker family (Perth Amboy, N.J.) family
associatedWith Patterson, John. person
associatedWith Ramage family. family
associatedWith Schaefler, Sam, 1920-, person
associatedWith Schermerhorn, Ryer. person
associatedWith Schuyler, Philip John, 1733-1804. person
associatedWith Scott, John Morin, 1730-1784. person
associatedWith Smith, Melancton, 1744-1798. person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Terboss, Daniel. person
associatedWith Trinity Church (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Tryon, William, 1729-1788. person
associatedWith United States. Congress. corporateBody
memberOf United States. Continental Congress. corporateBody
memberOf United States. District Court (New York) corporateBody
associatedWith Van Rensselaer, John. person
associatedWith Van Schaack family. family
associatedWith Van Schaack, Peter, 1747-1832. person
associatedWith Varick, Richard, 1753-1831. person
associatedWith Verplanck, Philip. person
associatedWith Vrooman, Isaac. person
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
associatedWith Watts, John, 1749-1836. person
associatedWith Williams, John, 1752-1806. person
associatedWith Woodward, John. person
associatedWith Yates, Christ. person
associatedWith Yates family. family
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Pittsford VT US
Duanesburg NY US
Rutland VT US
Subject
Agriculture
American loyalists
Bars (Drinking establishments)
Hotels
Indian agents
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Indians of North America
Iroquois Indians
Iroquois Indians
Janus (Horse)
Land grants
Land owners
Land titles
Leases
Manuscripts, American
Mayor
Practice of law
Real property
Real property
Real property
Real property
Real property
Real property
Rent
Rent
Streams
Occupation
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Judges
Jurists
Lawyers
Mayor
Mayors
Statesmen
Surveyors
Activity

Person

Birth 1733-02-06

Death 1797-02-01

Male

Britons,

Americans

English

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