John Broome

John Broome (July 19, 1738 – August 8, 1810) was an American merchant and politician who was Lieutenant Governor of New York, from 1804 to 1810.

John Broome
John Broome as depicted in 1895's Makers of New York.
Lieutenant Governor of New York
In office July 1804 – August 8, 1810
Governor	Morgan Lewis (1804–1807) Daniel D. Tompkins (1807–1810)
Preceded by	Jeremiah Van Rensselaer
Succeeded by	John Tayler
Member of the New York Provincial Congress
In office 1775–1777
Personal details
Born	July 19, 1738 Staten Island, Province of New York, British America
Died	August 8, 1810 Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Rebecca Lloyd ​ ​ (m. 1769; died 1800)​ Ruth Hunter ​ ​ (m. 1806⁠–⁠1810)​
Relations	John L. Broome (grandson)
Parents	Samuel Broome Marie LaTourette
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thirteen Colonies
Branch/service	New York State Militia
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Battles/wars	Revolutionary War

Early life

Broome was born on Staten Island in the Province of New York on July 19, 1738. He was the youngest of four children born to Samuel Broome (1685/93–1771), a staunch Presbyterian, and Marie (née LaTourette) Broome (1693–1774). His maternal grandparents were Jean LaTourette and Marie Mercereau, who were French Huguenots Broome studied law with William Livingston, but about 1762 abandoned a legal career to join his brother Samuel in a partnership to import British goods.

Career

In 1775, Broome joined the military for the American Revolution when he was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Second New York City Regiment of Militia, which was commanded by John Jay.

He was a member of the New York Provincial Congress from 1775 to 1777, and a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention in 1777.

He was an Alderman in 1783-84 and 1785–86, and New York City Treasurer in 1784. He was the president of the New York City Chamber of Commerce from 1785 to 1794 and was engaged in trade with India and China at that time. He is said to have launched the importation of tea from China with an initial shipment of 2 million pounds.

Broome twice ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Congress; first in March 1789 against Federalist candidate John Laurance, and then again in April 1802 against Federalist candidate Joshua Sands. Broome was a member of New York County of the New York State Assembly in 1800-01 and 1802, and a member of the New York State Senate in 1804.

Lieutenant Governor of New York

Broome was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York three times, serving from July 1804 until he died in office in August 1810. He initially defeated Oliver Phelps in 1804 and then won re-election over Thomas Storm in 1807 and Nicholas Fish in 1810. He served under two Governors of New York—first under Morgan Lewis (1804–1807), and then under Daniel D. Tompkins (1807–1810). Broome's death occurred a month into his third term, so that at first the President pro tempore of the State Senate John Tayler became acting lieutenant governor, and in April 1811 DeWitt Clinton won a special election to serve for the remainder of the term.

Descendants

Through his son John, he was the grandfather of Marine Corps officer John Lloyd Broome (1824–1898).

Legacy

Broome County, New York, and the Town of Broome in Schoharie County, New York are named after him, as well as Broome Street in Manhattan in New York City.