Lawrence Brainerd

Lawrence Brainerd
Born	Template:Birth date East Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	May 9, 1870(1870-05-09) (aged 76) St. Albans, Vermont, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, abolitionist, politician
Years active	1816–1870
Known for	Abolitionism; U.S. Senator from Vermont; founding Vermont Republican Party chairman

Lawrence Brainerd (March 16, 1794 – May 9, 1870) was a prominent American entrepreneur, abolitionist, and United States Senator representing Vermont. A steadfast opponent of slavery, Brainerd transitioned politically from the Jacksonian movement in the 1830s to affiliations with the Whig, Liberty, and Free Soil parties. He played a significant role in establishing the Republican Party as the preeminent anti-slavery political force during the mid-1850s. His dedication to abolition earned him a brief five-month tenure in the United States Senate, appointed by the anti-slavery majority within the Vermont General Assembly in 1854.

Born in East Hartford, Connecticut, Brainerd was raised by an uncle and spent his formative years in both Troy, New York and St. Albans, Vermont. Launching his commercial pursuits as a teenager, he successfully operated a retail store before diversifying into agriculture, banking, railroad development, and steamship enterprises on Lake Champlain. His extensive real estate portfolio included farms dedicated to horse breeding. In 1856, he held the presidency of the Vermont Agricultural Society. Additionally, Brainerd was deeply involved in the Congregational church and was a vocal advocate for temperance.

Brainerd's political journey began with his alignment to the Jacksonian faction and service in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1834 to 1835. Due to his strong anti-slavery convictions, he departed from the Whigs over their moderate abolition stance and subsequently joined the Liberty and then Free Soil parties. Between 1846 and 1854, he campaigned unsuccessfully for the office of governor of Vermont on five occasions, using these platforms to promote abolitionist principles. In October 1854, a coalition of anti-slavery legislators selected him to fill a temporary vacancy in the U.S. Senate; he served until March 1855 before being succeeded by Jacob Collamer.

In 1855, Brainerd contributed to founding the Republican Party and became its inaugural Vermont chairman. He was also among state leaders who advocated for convening its first national convention in 1856, where he served as temporary chairman and delegate.

Brainerd passed away in St. Albans on May 9, 1870, and was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

Early life

Born on March 16, 1794, in East Hartford, Connecticut, Lawrence Brainerd was the fifth child among thirteen siblings born to Ezra and Mabel (Porter) Brainerd. In 1803, he relocated to Troy, New York to reside with his uncle Joseph S. Brainerd before moving again in 1808 to St. Albans, Vermont. His education took place in both Troy and St. Albans, where he attended St. Albans Academy. After two years spent teaching school, he embarked on a business career starting as a clerk in St. Albans.

During the War of 1812, Brainerd served as a sergeant within Colonel Luther Dixon's Regiment of the Vermont Militia. The area experienced significant conflict during this period, marked by cross-border smuggling activities and raids involving British and American forces. Following the war's conclusion, he continued his militia service and attained commissions up to captain in the 1st Artillery Company.

In 1816, Brainerd established his own retail business which flourished. He expanded his ventures by acquiring approximately 1,200 acres of swampy land near Lake Champlain, transforming it into a thriving sheep farm. Frequently collaborating with partners such as John Smith and J. Gregory Smith, he invested in projects including railroads that later became part of the Central Vermont Railway. His investments also encompassed multiple banking institutions and ownership of steamboats operating on Lake Champlain. Among his real estate assets in St. Albans were farms used specifically for horse breeding.

A committed abolitionist, Brainerd utilized his properties as stations on the Underground Railroad to shelter escaped slaves seeking freedom. In 1839, he gained local renown for tracking down a large gray wolf that had been menacing farms in Franklin County; this event is commemorated by a monument near Aldis Hill in St. Albans.

In 1856, Brainerd was chosen president of the Vermont Agricultural Society. He actively participated in Congregationalist activities and was an ardent temperance supporter as well as a leader within the American Missionary Association, serving one term as its president.

Political career

Brainerd began his involvement in local government as deputy sheriff in Franklin County, Vermont. In 1834, he secured a seat in the Vermont House of Representatives representing the Jacksonian faction, serving through 1835. His increasing opposition to slavery prompted him to abandon the Jacksonians in favor of the Whigs. However, dissatisfied with the Whigs’ conciliatory approach to slavery, he transitioned to the abolitionist Liberty Party and subsequently joined the Free Soil Party. Brainerd ran unsuccessfully as the Free Soil candidate for governor of Vermont in 1846, 1847, 1852, 1853, and 1854.

United States Senator

In September 1854, Brainerd was narrowly defeated in a Vermont Senate race as the Free Soil candidate. Nevertheless, the following month, the Vermont General Assembly appointed him to fill a U.S. Senate vacancy left by Senator William Upham, who passed away in January 1853. After the legislature initially failed to elect a replacement, the Governor appointed former Senator Samuel S. Phelps, who served until March 1854 when the Senate invalidated his appointment. In October 1854, anti-slavery legislators recognized Brainerd’s dedication by selecting him to replace Phelps. Brainerd’s tenure spanned from October 14, 1854, to March 3, 1855; during this period, he participated in one Congressional session and served on the Committee on Claims. He chose not to pursue a full term and was succeeded by Jacob Collamer, thereafter returning to his banking and commercial enterprises.

Later life

In 1855, Brainerd played a key role in founding the Republican Party, which emerged as the principal anti-slavery political organization. He became the inaugural chairman of the Vermont Republican Party and was one of five state leaders who called for the first 1856 Republican National Convention. Acting as a delegate and temporary chairman, he opened the convention and was subsequently appointed vice chairman and member of the Republican National Committee. Following the 1856 presidential election, Brainerd served as one of Vermont’s electors and presided over their vote casting for the Republican nominees John C. Frémont and William L. Dayton, who carried Vermont but were defeated nationally.

Brainerd led Vermont’s delegation at the 1860 Republican National Convention. Initially supporting favorite son Jacob Collamer, he and his delegation shifted allegiance to Abraham Lincoln, who secured the nomination on the third ballot. In 1864, Brainerd was succeeded on the Republican National Committee by Abraham B. Gardner.

Death and burial

Brainerd remained engaged in his business pursuits until his passing in St. Albans on May 9, 1870. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery located in St. Albans.

Family

In 1819, Brainerd married Fidelia B. Gadcomb, who was both stepdaughter to Asa Aldis and granddaughter of Daniel Owen. Together they had twelve children:

• Ann Eliza (1819–1905)
• Laura Aldis (1821)
• Lawrence H. (1822–1904)
• Aldis Owen (1824–1906)
• Fidelia Gadcomb (1825–1827)
• Frederic Porter (1827–1828)
• William Gadcomb (1829–1830)
• Erastus Porter (1830–1907)
• Edward Gadcomb (1833–1835)
• Charles Herbert (1835–1837)
• Herbert (1837–1900)
• Miranda Aldis (1841–1909)

Their daughter Ann Eliza Brainerd Smith gained recognition as an author and married Vermont Governor J. Gregory Smith. Another daughter, Miranda, wed F. Stewart Stranahan. During the Civil War, Herbert Brainerd served as quartermaster for the 1st Vermont Cavalry Regiment.

External links

• Wolf Monument - Aldis Hill Saint Albans, Vermont. Old Wooden Trunk Adventures. Published May 31, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
• Lawrence Brainerd Wolf Monument. St. Albans Messenger. Dated December 28, 2018. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
• Find a Grave