US Senator from New York. He graduated from Yale College in 1776 and joined the Continental Army for the Revolutionary War, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in a Connecticut regiment and serving until his 1777 resignation. Watson then studied law, attained admission to the bar and practiced until 1780, when he accepted an appointment from the Connecticut Assembly as a military commissary Agent. In 1786 he moved to New York City, where he became a successful and wealthy merchant. Watson became a Federalist and was a member of the New York Assembly in 1791 and again from 1794 to 1796, serving as Speaker in 1794. From 1795 until his death he was a Regent of New York University, and from 1796 to 1798 Watson served in the New York Senate. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and was an organizer and the first President of the New England Society. In 1798 he was elected to the US Senate to fill the vacancy caused when John Sloss Hobart resigned. Watson served from August, 1798 until March, 1800, when he resigned to accept the position of US Naval Officer for the Port of New York, one of numerous appointments of Federalists made by President John Adams as his term was ending. In 1801 Watson was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor. His New York City mansion still stands and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the residence of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and is today part of her shrine.
US Senator from New York. He graduated from Yale College in 1776 and joined the Continental Army for the Revolutionary War, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant in a Connecticut regiment and serving until his 1777 resignation. Watson then studied law, attained admission to the bar and practiced until 1780, when he accepted an appointment from the Connecticut Assembly as a military commissary Agent. In 1786 he moved to New York City, where he became a successful and wealthy merchant. Watson became a Federalist and was a member of the New York Assembly in 1791 and again from 1794 to 1796, serving as Speaker in 1794. From 1795 until his death he was a Regent of New York University, and from 1796 to 1798 Watson served in the New York Senate. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and was an organizer and the first President of the New England Society. In 1798 he was elected to the US Senate to fill the vacancy caused when John Sloss Hobart resigned. Watson served from August, 1798 until March, 1800, when he resigned to accept the position of US Naval Officer for the Port of New York, one of numerous appointments of Federalists made by President John Adams as his term was ending. In 1801 Watson was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieutenant Governor. His New York City mansion still stands and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the residence of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, and is today part of her shrine.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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