US Congressman, Diplomat. The grandson of Continental Congressman Charles De Witt, he was born in Greenhill, Ulster County, New York. He was a practicing attorney and newspaper editor (the Ulster Sentinel) when he was elected as a Jacksonian to represent New York's 7th District in the Twenty-first US Congress, serving from 1829 to 1831. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1830, but President Jackson kept him in mind and in 1833 he was appointed Chargé d'Affaires to Central America. The last year of his mission saw the Central American Republic dissolve into civil war, and he formally resigned on New Years' Day 1839. De Witt fell ill on the return voyage and died aboard a Hudson River steamer near Newburgh, New York, just hours before reaching his home in Kingston. He was 49.
US Congressman, Diplomat. The grandson of Continental Congressman Charles De Witt, he was born in Greenhill, Ulster County, New York. He was a practicing attorney and newspaper editor (the Ulster Sentinel) when he was elected as a Jacksonian to represent New York's 7th District in the Twenty-first US Congress, serving from 1829 to 1831. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1830, but President Jackson kept him in mind and in 1833 he was appointed Chargé d'Affaires to Central America. The last year of his mission saw the Central American Republic dissolve into civil war, and he formally resigned on New Years' Day 1839. De Witt fell ill on the return voyage and died aboard a Hudson River steamer near Newburgh, New York, just hours before reaching his home in Kingston. He was 49.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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