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Up for sale a RARE! “Vermont Treasurer” Benjamin Swan Hand Signed Court Document Dated 1811.
ES-842A
Benjamin Swan (November
12, 1762 – April 11, 1839) was an American merchant, banker and
politician. He was an important political figure in Vermont and served as State Treasurer. Swan was
born in Worcester, Massachusetts on
November 12, 1762. the son of William Swan and Lavina (Keyes) Swan. He trained as a merchant in Worcester, Boston, and Montreal before moving to Woodstock, Vermont in
1791. Swan continued his mercantile career and was also successful as a banker,
including serving on the board of directors of the Vermont State Bank. He was
also an owner or partner in several ventures, including a pearl ash factory. A Federalist, Swan served in local offices including Postmaster. He served as Justice of the Peace when
holders of that office still heard court cases. He was also active in the militia, and
achieved the rank of Major In 1796 Swan was
appointed County Clerk, an office in
which he served until his death. Swan was elected Vermont State Treasurer in
1800. He served until 1833, and is the state's longest-tenured Treasurer. After
years of running virtually unopposed, even after the demise of the Federalist
Party, in 1833 Swan narrowly lost his offer for reelection to Augustine Clarke,
19,661 (50.8%) to 19,056 (49.2%). Swan was a Mason, and Clarke was the candidate of the Anti-Masonic Party, so his
win demonstrated the strength of that third party movement. Swan died in
Woodstock on April 11, 1839. He is buried at River Street Cemetery in
Woodstock.
