Jonathan Thompson (collector)
Jonathan Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Sagtikos Manor, Islip, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 30, 1846 (aged 73) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, banker, public official |
| Known for | President of the Bank of the Manhattan Company; Collector of the Port of New York |
Jonathan Thompson (born December 7, 1773 – died December 30, 1846) was a prominent American businessman, banker, and public official.
Early life
Born at Sagtikos Manor in Islip, Thompson was the son of Isaac Thompson (1743–1816), who served as a Suffolk County judge and was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1795, and Mary (née Gardiner) Thompson. His father's parents were Jonathan Thompson, who held the position of Justice of the Peace for many years, and Mary Woodhull Thompson, a relative of General Nathaniel Woodhull. On his mother's side, his grandfather was Colonel Abraham Gardiner from East Hampton, descending from the proprietor of Gardiners Island.
Career
Thompson entered into business with his brother and Nathaniel Gardiner through Gardiner & Thompson, an import company based in New York City that specialized in trade with the West Indies. Beginning in 1813, he joined the board of directors at the Bank of the Manhattan Company and was elevated to president in March 1840, a post he retained until his passing.
The transatlantic packet shipping line known as the Black Ball Line, established by Jeremia Thompson, Francis Thompson, and others, initiated regular scheduled voyages in 1820. Among its fleet was a ship named James Monroe to honor President James Monroe.
Political career
For a decade, he led the Democratic-Republican general committee as chairman. In 1813, President James Madison appointed him as collector of direct taxes and duties, a position he fulfilled until its termination in 1819. Subsequently, in 1820, President James Monroe designated him as Collector of the Port of New York, a role he occupied until 1829 when President Andrew Jackson replaced him with Samuel Swartwout, who later became infamous due to the Swartwout-Hoyt scandal.
Personal life
On June 4, 1796, he wed Elizabeth Havens (1773–1868), daughter of James Havens from Shelter Island. Together they had seven children, among them:
- David Thompson (1798–1871), who served as President of the New York Life Insurance and Trust Company, marrying Sarah Diodati Gardiner, daughter of John Lion Gardiner, the seventh Lord of the Manor of Gardiner's Island.
- Junius Thompson, who died during childhood.
- George W. Thompson (1805–1884), husband to Eliza Ann Prall.
- Mary Gardiner Thompson (1807–1887), married to Hon. Samuel B. Gardiner (1815–1882), recognized as the tenth Lord of the Manor of Gardiner's Island.
- Elizabeth Thompson, spouse of Alonzo Brown, Esq.
- Dr. Abraham Gardiner Thompson (born 1816).
He passed away in New York City on December 30, 1846.
Descendants
Through his daughter Mary, he was grandfather to Sarah Griswold Gardiner (1848–1927), who became the wife of John Alexander Tyler (1848–1883), the second son of President John Tyler and his second spouse, Julia Gardiner Tyler.