Trumbull Cary

Trumbull Cary (August 11, 1787 Mansfield, Connecticut – June 20, 1869 Batavia, New York) was an American banker, lawyer,[1] and politician from New York.

Hon. Trumbull Cary
New York State Bank Commissioner
In office 1840–1843
Preceded by	Hiram Denio
Member of the New York State Senate from the 8th District
In office January 1, 1831 – December 31, 1834
Preceded by	George H. Boughton
Succeeded by	Isaac Lacey
Member of the New York State Assembly from the District of Genesee County
In office January 1, 1828 – December 31, 1828
Preceded by	Shubeal Dunham
Succeeded by	John Hascall
Personal details
Born	August 11, 1787 Mansfield, Connecticut, US
Died	June 20, 1869 (aged 81) Batavia, New York, US
Resting place	Batavia Cemetery
Political party	Anti-Mason[1]
Spouse(s)	Margaret Elinor Brisbane
Relations	George Cary (grandson) Albert Brisbane (nephew) Charles Cary Rumsey (great-grandson)
Children	Walter Cary
Parents	Ebenezer Cary Sarah Trumbull
Profession	Politician, Banker

Early life

Trumbull Cary was born in Mansfield, Connecticut on August 11, 1787. He was the son of Ebenezer Cary (1732–1816) and Sarah Cary (née Trumbull) (1741–1830). In 1805, aged 18, he moved to Batavia, New York with his parents. In 1808, his father was one of two merchants operating in Batavia at the time.[2]

Career

After moving to Batavia, Cary served as the Postmaster of the town for more than twenty years.[1] In 1822, Cary, along with two other citizens, petitioned New York State to incorporate the village of Batavia. The measure failed, but they tried again the following year, and the State approved the incorporation of the village of Batavia on April 23, 1823.[2]

Government service

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Genesee Co.) in 1828.[3] From 1831 to 1834, he was a member of the New York State Senate (8th D.), sitting in the 54th (serving alongside future U.S. President Millard Fillmore), 55th, 56th and 57th New York State Legislatures.[3] At the time, the Eighth District consisted of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans counties. While serving in the Senate, he met William H. Seward, who later became the Governor of New York, a United States Senator, and the U.S. Secretary of State from 1861 to 1869. Seward and Cary maintained a close personal and political friendship for the rest of Cary's life.[1] In 1840, Cary became the New York State Bank Commissioner, a role in which he served until 1843.[3]

Bank of Genesee

In the early 19th century, Batavia was the headquarters of the Holland Land Company, owners of the Holland Purchase that became Western New York. As the largest settlement in the region at the time, it was an ideal place for a bank, and thus the Bank of Genesee was established in the city in 1829, with Cary as one of the incorporators and its first president. For the bank's first year, it operated out of his mansion in Batavia.[4][5] Cary served as president of the bank for over twenty years, and was a director of the bank until his death in 1869.[1]

Personal life

In 1817, he erected the Cary Mansion in Batavia, a 24-room Greek revival structure. It was said that the home was erected as a condition for his eventual bride, Margaret Elinor Brisbane, to marry Cary.[2] Brisbane was the sister of utopian socialist Albert Brisbane and the aunt of Arthur Brisbane, one of the best known newspaper editors of the 20th century.[2] Trumbull married Margaret on June 2, 1817. Together they had one son:

• Dr. Walter Cary (1818–1881), who married Julia Love (niece of Brig.-Gen. George Maltby Love); parents of seven, including architect George Cary, who married Allithea Birge.[6]

For nearly 50 years, he was a vestryman at St. James Church in Batavia.[1] Cary died on June 20, 1869 in Batavia, New York and was interred at Batavia Cemetery.[1][6]

References

1. Staff (June 26, 1869). "OBITUARY. Death of Hon. Trumbull Cary, of Batavia". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
2. Barnes, Larry Dana (2015). History of Batavia 1801-2015 (PDF). City of Batavia. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
3. Hough, Franklin Benjamin (1858). The New York civil list: containing the names and origin of the civil divisions, and the names and dates of election or appointment of the principal state and county officers from the Revolution to the present time. Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons and Co. pp. 39, 129f, 1 206 and 263. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
4. Cornelia E. Brooke (April 1973). "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Batavia Club". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2009-06-14.See also: "Accompanying two photos".
5. Barnes, Larry D. (2011). Batavia revisited. Charleston, S.C.: Arcadia Pub. ISBN 978-0738574042.
6. LaChiusa, Chuck. "Cary Family / Love Family of Buffalo, NY". buffaloah.com. Buffalo Architecture and History. Retrieved 4 April 2016.

External links

• Portrait, and a picture of his house, in Batavia Revisited by Larry D. Barnes (Images of America series; Arcadia Publishing, Charleston SC, 2011; ISBN 978-0-7385-7404-2 ; pg. 119)
• Bronze relief of Dr. Walter Cary, by Augustus Saint-Gaudens, in The Work of Augustus Saint-Gaudens by John H. Dryfhout (University Press of New England, reprinted 2008; ISBN 978-1-58465-709-5 ; pg. 96)
• The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 39, 129f, 139, 206 and 263; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858) [gives surname as "Carey", except pg. 39]