George Clinton
George Clinton
Epitaph
George Clinton
Born July 26, 1739, Little Britain, N.Y.
Married February 7, 1770, Cornelia Tappen.
Died April 20, 1812, Buried Washington, D.C.
Ulster County Clerk. 1759-1812
Brigadier General, Revolutionary War
First Governor of New York State, 1777-1795; 1801-1804
Vice President of the United States under Jefferson and Madison 1804-1812.
Body and monument brought to this site May 30, 1908
To the memory of George Clinton
He was born in the State of New York on the 26th of July, 1739, and died at the City of Washington of the 20th April, 1812, in the 73rd Year of his age.
He was a soldier and statesman of the Revolution, eminent in council, distinguished in war. He filled with unexampled usefulness, purity and ability, among many other high offices, those of Governor of his native state, and Vice President of the United States.
While he lived, his virtue, wisdom and valor were the pride, the ornament and security of his country, and when he died, he left an illustrious example of a well spent life, worthy of all imitation.
This monument is affectionately dedicated by his children.
Military Service
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Life Story
George Clinton (July 26, 1739 – April 20, 1812) was an American soldier and statesman, considered one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A prominent Democratic-Republican, Clinton served as the fourth vice president of the United States from 1805 until his death in 1812. He also served as governor of New York from 1777 to 1795 and from 1801 to 1804. Along with John C. Calhoun, he is the first of two vice presidents to hold office under two consecutive presidents.
Clinton served in the French and Indian War, rising to the rank of lieutenant in the colonial militia. He began a legal practice after the war and served as a district attorney for New York City. He became Governor of New York in 1777 and remained in that office until 1795. Clinton supported the cause of independence during the American Revolutionary War and served in the Continental Army despite his gubernatorial position. During and after the war, Clinton was a major opponent of Vermont's entrance into the Union due to disputes over land claims.
Opposed to the ratification of the United States Constitution, Clinton became a prominent Anti-Federalist and advocated for the addition of the United States Bill of Rights. In the early 1790s, he emerged as a leader of the incipient Democratic-Republican Party, and Clinton served as the party's vice presidential candidate in the 1792 presidential election. Clinton received the third most electoral votes in the election, as President George Washington and Vice President John Adams both won re-election. Clinton did not seek re-election in 1795, but served as governor again from 1801 to 1804. He was the longest-serving governor in U.S. history until Terry Branstad surpassed his record in 2015.
Clinton was again tapped as the Democratic-Republican vice presidential nominee in the 1804 election, as President Thomas Jefferson dumped Aaron Burr from the ticket. Clinton sought his party's presidential nomination in the 1808 election, but the party's congressional nominating caucus instead nominated James Madison. Despite his opposition to Madison, Clinton was re-elected as vice president. Clinton died in 1812, leaving the office of vice president vacant for the first time in U.S. history. Clinton's nephew, DeWitt Clinton, continued the Clinton New York political dynasty after his uncle's death. This family is not related to President Bill Clinton.