Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844

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Porter was a member of the New York State Legislature, a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York State, a major general in the War of 1812, and United States Secretary of War from 1828 to 1829. He was a strong supporter of the Whig Party.

From the description of Letter, 1839 February 16. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145407205

Congressman, general of New York State Militia during the War of 1812, and partner in Porter, Barton & Company.

From the description of Letters recieved, 1827 July 31-1839 July 19. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 33113448

From the description of Letters received, 1815 Nov. 15-1844 Feb. 20. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 33113433

Congressman, Secretary of War.

From the description of Letter, 1839 August 14. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122629407

U.S. secretary of war, U.S. representative, lawyer, and army officer of New York

From the description of Papers of Peter B. Porter, 1813-1841. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79449415

Peter Porter is a British poet and reviewer.

From the description of Peter Porter letters to John R. Kaiser, published poems and reviews, 1960-1990. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 41021199

U.S. congressman, major general of militia in War of 1812, Secretary of State of New York; involved in commercial ventures with brother Augustus in the early transportation industry of the northwest frontier.

From the description of Letter : Black Rock, to Honbl. Samuel M. Hopkins, 1822 Sept. 12. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 33428734

Congressman, general of New York State militia during the War of 1812, and partner in Porter, Barton & Company.

From the description of Letter : Niagara Falls, to H.J. Stow, 1844 Jan. 6. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 33484441

From the description of Letter : Black Rock, to G.A. Worth, 1816 May 25. (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 33484425

U.S. Congressman, major general of militia in the War of 1812, Secretary of State of New York, American Commisisoner of survey party for Treaty of Ghent to determine international boundary from St. Lawrence River to Lake of the Woods, Secretary of War under John Quincy Adams, early organizer of the Whig party. Was also involved in commercial ventures (with brother Augustus and others) in the early transportation industry of the northwest frontier.

Peter A. Porter, grandson of Peter B. Porter, was president of the village of Niagara Falls, N.Y. State Assemblyman and U.S. Congressman, a leader in regional history and the Niagara Frontier Landmarks Association, author of many articles on regional history and a longtime custodian of Peter B. Porter's papers.

From the description of Papers, 1810-1939 (bulk 1810-1844). (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 34567481

U.S. Congressman, major general of militia in the War of 1812, Secretary of State of New York, American Commissioner of survey party for Treaty of Ghent to determine international boundary from St. Lawrence River to Lake of the Woods, Secretary of War under John Quincy Adams, early organizer of the Whig Party. Was also involved in commercial ventures (with brother Augustus and others) in the early transportation industry of the northwest frontier.

Peter A. Porter, grandson of Peter B. Porter, was president of the village of Niagara Falls, N.Y., State Assemblyman and U.S. Congressman; a leader in the Niagara Frontier Landmarks Association; author of many articles on regional history; and a longtime custodian of Peter B. Porter's papers.

From the description of Papers (microfilm edition), 1810-1939 (bulk 1810-1844). (Buffalo History Museum). WorldCat record id: 34555658

Peter Buell Porter was born on August 14, 1773 at Salisbury, Conn., the son of Col. Joshua Porter and Abigail Buell. He graduated from Yale College in 1794, and in 1795 became a resident of Canandaigua, Ontario County, New York. That same year, his brother, Judge Augustus Porter, paid his first visit to Niagara Falls.

Porter was appointed county clerk of Ontairo County from 1797 to 1805, and in 1801, he was elected to the New York State Assembly from the same county. By 1810, Peter B. Porter had moved to Black Rock on the Niagara River, and was subsequently associated with the development of that area. He became a member of the firm of Porter, Barton and Company which developed a monopoly of the transportation business on the portage between Lewiston below the falls and above Schlosser. As a Congressman from 1809 to 1813, he was an unsuccessful advocate of grants of public land in aid of roads and canals. In 1810 Porter assisted DeWitt Clinton in the selection of the route of the Erie Canal.

During the War of 1812, he was a leading factor in military operations. By 1814, he was made a brigadier-general of volunteers by Governor Daniel D. Tompkins of New York, and was brevetted a major-general after the battle of Lundy's Lane which was fought on July 25, 1814. President James Madison appointed him a major-general in the U.S. Army.

After the war, in 1815, he became Secretary of State of New York. He served on the International Boundary Commission in 1819, and in 1828 was appointed Secretary of War by President John Quincy Adams.

General Porter later became a resident of Niagara Falls where he had extensive business interests with his brother. In 1825, both men issued an invitation to develop Niagara Power through the location of manufactories and towns at the falls. These companies could then utilize the power of the rapids some 60 feet above the falls. Unfortunately, they were ahead of their time and their plan had to be modified to include construction of a harbor, with a wharf opposite Grass Island, near the end of river naviagation, and a canal, a 'hydraulic canal' or large raceway. The Porter brothers were the power pioneers of Niagara; unfortunately, they did not live to see the accomplishment of their undertaking.

General Porter married Mrs. Letitia Grayson, they had one son, Peter A. Porter, and one daughter, Elizabeth Porter. He died in Niagara Falls on March 20, 1844.

From the description of Papers, 1802-1868. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145406473

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Fillmore, Millard, President of United States, 1800-1874. Autograph letter signed : Buffalo, to Lewis J. Cist, 1866 Nov. 23. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Wheeler, Frank S. (Frank St.torer), 1876-1940. Frank Storer Wheeler letter and memoranda regarding Niagara River lands, 1923 Jan 31. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Great Britain. 1814 Dec. 24. Records, 1814-1827. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Copies of Henry du Pont's U.S. Military Academy records, 1828-1890 [photocopies]. Hagley Museum & Library
referencedIn Hobsbaum, Philip. Philip Hobsbaum collection. [1955-1972]. University of Victoria Libraries, UVic
referencedIn New York (State). Canal Commissioners. Minutes, 1811 May-1812 Mar. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Ambit (Firm). Ambit poetry magazine records, 1959-2009. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Boudinot, Elias, 1740-1821. Papers of the Nourse family [manuscript], 1760-1862. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Phelps and Gorham Company. Records, 1776-1892. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Lewis Cass papers (1774-1924) William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Burr family. Burr family papers, 1750-1890? (inclusive). Yale University Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letter : Niagara Falls, to H.J. Stow, 1844 Jan. 6. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letters received, 1815 Nov. 15-1844 Feb. 20. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Papers of Henry Clay [manuscript], 1798-1934. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Wheeler, Frank S. (Frank Storer), 1876-1940. Some incidents in the War of 1812 : according to the Tuscarora Indians, [between 1920 and 1940]. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letter : Black Rock, to G.A. Worth, 1816 May 25. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Douglass, David Bates, 1790-1849. Papers, 1814-1847. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Papers, 1802-1868. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Edwards, Ogden, 1781-1862. Papers of Ogden Edwards, 1753-1876. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
creatorOf Merritt, William Hamilton, 1793-1862. Letter : St. Catharines, to Peter B. Porter, Black Rock, 1828 Nov. 1. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Ogden family. Correspondence, [ca. 1803-1844] Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Papers (microfilm edition), 1810-1939 (bulk 1810-1844). Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Goodyear, A. Conger (Anson Conger), 1877-1964,. War of 1812 manuscripts, 1779-1862 [microform]. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Fuller, B. A. G., 1879-1956. Autograph collection, 1620-1920 Houghton Library
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Letter to General Peter B. Porter, 1822 April 14. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Autograph letter signed : Black Rock, N.Y., to Virgil David, n.p., 1838 July 14. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter. Peter Porter letters to John R. Kaiser, published poems and reviews, 1960-1990. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844. Letters : to Peter B. Porter and Samuel Jaudon, 1827, 1830. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Holley, John Milton, 1777-1836. Papers, 1786-1837. Connecticut Historical Society
creatorOf Lumsdaine, David. Cantata No. 3 : story from a time of disturbance [music] / David Lumsdaine. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Niagara River Steam Boat Company. Articles of association and minutes, 1824 Dec. 9-1835 Sept. 15. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Autograph letter signed : Black Rock, N.Y., to Virgil David, n.p., 1838 July 14. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Burns, Benjamin. Receipted bill for Peter B. Porter, 1811 Nov. 9-1812 Feb. 26. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Smyth, Alexander, 1765-1830. War of 1812 communications, 1812 Nov. 10-29. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Coombs, Leslie. Letter : Lexington, To Genl. Peter B. Porter, Blackrock [sic], New York, 1832 Nov. 6. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Sprague, John S. N. (John Sedgewick Noyes), 1892 or 3-1965. Papers, 1856-1964 (bulk 1920-1964). Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Lossing, Benson John, 1813-1891. Letters and biography, 1860-1881. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn War of 1812 mss., 1776-1879 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Goodyear, A. Conger (Anson Conger), 1877-1964,. War of 1812 manuscripts, 1779-1862. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Lewis Cass papers (1774-1924) William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letter, 1839 February 16. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Church, Angelica Schuyler, 1756-1815. Correspondence of Angelica Schuyler Church and other family members [manuscript], 1716-1865. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Talk given to Seneca chiefs, 1823 Mar. 14. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letters recieved, 1827 July 31-1839 July 19. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter A. (Peter Augustus), 1853-1925. Research on Peter B. Porter, 1827-1912 (bulk 1907-1912). Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Papers of Peter B. Porter, 1813-1841. Library of Congress
referencedIn Scorpion Press. Requests for publication data on Peter Porter's books, and letter, 1985 June 15. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Hobsbaum, Philip. Philip Hobsbaum Collection of Correspondence and Manuscripts of The Group, ca. 1955-1968. Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center
referencedIn James Freeman Clarke family papers, 1777-1914. Houghton Library
referencedIn Siege of Fort Erie by the British under Genl. Drmd. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. Letters, 1838-1851. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Edwards, Eliza Mary Hatch. Extracts from letters by Mary M. Beebe McKay, [ca. 1888]. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Bell, Martín. Martin Bell papers, 1958-1967. The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library
creatorOf Ambit (Firm). Ambit poetry magazine records, 1961-[ongoing]. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
creatorOf Porter, Augustus, 1769-1849. Mortgage, 1814 Aug. 25. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Phelps, Oliver, 1749-1809. Account, 1809 Jan. Newberry Library
referencedIn Burr family papers, 1750-1890 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Henry Clay Family Papers, 1732-1927, (bulk 1814-1852) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letter : Black Rock, to Honbl. Samuel M. Hopkins, 1822 Sept. 12. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letter, 1828 December 10 [to] Col. Charles Gratiot, Chief of the Corps of Engineers. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
creatorOf Poetry Book Society. Poetry Book Society records, 1962-1970 (majority 1966-1970) University of Maryland (College Park, Md.). Libraries
referencedIn Tupper, Charles C. Papers, 1815-1855. New York State Library
creatorOf Porter, Augustus, 1769-1849. Letter : Niagara Falls, to Peter B. Porter, 1821 Dec. 8. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn New York State Library. Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit. Autographs of American authors and statesmen collection, ca.1770-1865. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf Black Rock Glass Company (N.Y.). Legal and financial records, 1834-1837. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Brown, Jacob, 1775-1828. Letters of Jacob and Joseph W. Brown, 1814-1871. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Niagara City Association. Real estate partition records, 1836-1850 (bulk 1836-1850). Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Papers, 1810-1939 (bulk 1810-1844). Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. James Monroe letter and Peter A. Porter article, 1815 Jan. 16 and [ca. 1920]. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
creatorOf Porter, Peter B. (Peter Buell), 1773-1844. Letter, 1839 August 14. American Periodical Series I
creatorOf United States. War Dept. Letters sent by the Secretary of War relating to military affairs, 1808-1830 [microform]. Minnesota Historical Society Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Allen and Bivel. corporateBody
associatedWith Ambit (Firm) corporateBody
associatedWith Barton, Benjamin, b. 1771. person
correspondedWith Bell, Martín. person
associatedWith Biddle, Nicholas, 1786-1844. person
associatedWith Black Rock Glass Company (N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Brown, Jacob, 1775-1828. person
associatedWith Bull, Absalom. person
associatedWith Burns, Benjamin. person
associatedWith Burr family. family
associatedWith Burr family. family
associatedWith Calhoun, John C. (John Caldwell), 1782-1850. person
associatedWith Church, Angelica Schuyler, 1756-1815. person
correspondedWith Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888 person
associatedWith Clay, Henry, 1777-1852. person
associatedWith Clinton, Thomas. person
associatedWith Coombs, Leslie. person
associatedWith David, Virgil. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Douglass, David Bates, 1790-1849. person
associatedWith Edwards, Eliza Mary Hatch. person
associatedWith Edwards, Ogden, 1781-1862. person
associatedWith Fillmore, Millard, President of United States, 1800-1874. person
associatedWith Fuller, B. A. G. (Benjamin Apthorp Gould), 1879-1956 person
associatedWith Gibson, Grayson and Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Gibson, Johnson and Ehle. corporateBody
associatedWith Goodyear, A. Conger (Anson Conger), 1877-1964, person
associatedWith Gratiot, Charles, 1788-1855. person
associatedWith Great Britain. 1814 Dec. 24. corporateBody
associatedWith Hall, Willis. person
associatedWith Hobsbaum, Philip. person
associatedWith Holland Land Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Holley, John Milton, 1777-1836. person
associatedWith Hopkins, Samuel M. (Samuel Miles), 1772-1837. person
associatedWith Kaiser, John R. (John Robert), person
associatedWith Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834. person
associatedWith Lossing, Benson John, 1813-1891. person
associatedWith Lumsdaine, David. person
associatedWith McCollum, Joseph. person
associatedWith Merritt, William Hamilton, 1793-1862. person
associatedWith New York (State). Canal Commissioners. corporateBody
associatedWith New York State Library. Manuscripts and Special Collections Unit. corporateBody
associatedWith Niagara City Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Niagara River Steam Boat Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Ogden family. family
associatedWith Phelps and Gorham Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Phelps, Oliver, 1749-1809. person
associatedWith Poetry Book Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Porter, Augustus, 1769-1849. person
associatedWith Porter, Augustus S., 1798-1872. person
associatedWith Porter, Peter A. (Peter Augustus), 1853-1925. person
associatedWith Porter, Peter Augustus. person
associatedWith Scorpion Press. corporateBody
associatedWith Smyth, Alexander, 1765-1830. person
associatedWith Sprague, John S. N. (John Sedgewick Noyes), 1892 or 3-1965. person
associatedWith Stow, Horatio J., d. 1859. person
associatedWith Thompson, David, 1770-1857. person
associatedWith Tupper, Charles C. person
associatedWith United States. War Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Chicago. Library. corporateBody
associatedWith University of Chicago. Library. Special Collections Research Center. corporateBody
associatedWith Weed, Thurlow, 1797-1882. person
associatedWith Wheeler, Frank S. (Frank Storer), 1876-1940. person
associatedWith Wheeler, Frank S. (Frank St.torer), 1876-1940 person
associatedWith William L. Clements Library. corporateBody
associatedWith Worth, G. A. person
associatedWith Worth, William Jenkins, 1794-1849. person
associatedWith Yale University corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)
New York (State)--Niagara County
Albany (N.Y.)
United States
New York (State)--Niagara Falls
Canada
Niagara Falls (N.Y. and Ont.)
New York (State)--Niagara Falls
Black Rock Harbor (N.Y.)
New York (State)--Erie County
New York (State)
Niagara Falls (N.Y.)
New York (State)
Black Rock Harbor (N.Y.)
Black Rock (N.Y.)
New York (State)
New York (State)
Canada
Buffalo Harobr (N.Y.)
Niagara Falls (N.Y.)
New York (State)--Niagara Falls
New York (State)
United States
United States
New York (State)
New York (State)--Black Rock
Subject
Canals
Civil service positions
Debtor and creditor
Poets, English
Geographers
Indian reservations
Land settlement
Land titles
Manuscripts, American
Political parties
Presidents
Real property
Real estate investment
Rent
Water-power
Occupation
Army officers
Cabinet officers
Lawyers
Representatives, U.S. Congress
Activity

Person

Birth 1773-08-14

Death 1844-03-20

Information

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SNAC ID: 65975789