Ransom H. Gillet

Ransom H. Gillet
From 1878's History of Columbia County, New York
Member of the United States House of Representatives from New York's 14th congressional district
In office March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837
Preceded by	Samuel Beardsley
Succeeded by	James B. Spencer
Solicitor of the United States Court of Claims
In office April 26, 1858 – April 2, 1861
Preceded by	Montgomery Blair
Succeeded by	Charles Gibson
Assistant United States Attorney General
In office 1855–1858
Preceded by	George M. Bibb
Succeeded by	Alfred B. McCalmont
Solicitor of the United States Treasury
In office May 27, 1847 – October 30, 1849
Preceded by	Seth Barton
Succeeded by	John C. Clark
Register of the United States Treasury
In office April 1, 1845 – June 3, 1847
Preceded by	Thomas L. Smith
Succeeded by	Daniel Graham
Personal details
Born	Ransom Hooker Gillet (1800-01-27)January 27, 1800 New Lebanon, New York, U.S.
Died	October 24, 1876(1876-10-24) (aged 76) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Glenwood Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Political party	Jacksonian (before 1832) Democratic (from 1832)
Spouse	Eleanor C. Barhydt (m. 1825-1876, his death)
Profession	Attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States New York
Branch/service	New York State Militia
Years of service	1827-1837
Rank	Major
Unit	49th Brigade

Ransom Hooker Gillet (January 27, 1800 – October 24, 1876) was an attorney and politician from New York. A Jacksonian and later a Democrat, he was most notable for his service in the United States House of Representatives from 1833 to 1837.

Biography

Gillet was born in New Lebanon, New York on January 27, 1800, the son of John and Lucy Gillet. He pursued an academic course, then studied law with Silas Wright in Canton, New York.

He was admitted to the bar in 1822 and commenced practice in Ogdensburg, New York. Active in the New York State Militia from 1827 to 1837, Gillet attained the rank major as inspector of the 49th Brigade. From 1830 to 1833 Gillet served as Ogdensburg's postmaster. He was a delegate to the 1832 Democratic National Convention.

Congress

Gillet was elected as a Jacksonian to the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837). He was not a candidate for re-nomination in 1836.

Federal appointments

Gillet served as a federal commissioner to negotiate with New York's Indian tribes from 1837 to 1839. He was a delegate to the 1840 Democratic National Convention.

On April 1, 1845 Gillet was appointed Register of the United States Treasury and he served until May 27, 1847, when he was appointed Solicitor of the United States Treasury. He continued as solicitor until October 31, 1849. In 1855, Gillet was appointed Assistant United States Attorney General and he served from 1855 to 1858. In 1858, he was appointed Solicitor of the U.S. Court of Claims, and he served until 1861.

Retirement and death

Gillet retired from public life in 1867 and authored several books, including a two-volume biography of Silas Wright. He died in Washington, D.C., October 24, 1876. He was interred in Glenwood Cemetery.

Family

In 1825, Gillet he married Eleanor C. Barhydt (1806-1881). They were married until his death and were the parents of a son, Silas Wright Gillet (1829-1878). Silas W. Gillet was a graduate of Georgetown University and served in the United States Marine Corps during the American Civil War. He later resided in New Lebanon, where he served in local offices including town justice and school board member.

External links

Media related to Ransom H. Gillet at Wikimedia Commons

• United States Congress. "Ransom H. Gillet (id: G000200)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Works by or about Ransom H. Gillet at the Internet Archive