Mordecai Myers

Mordecai Myers (May 31, 1776 – January 20, 1871) was a Jewish-American merchant, army officer, and politician from New York. Life Myers was born on May 31, 1776, in Newport, Rhode Island. His father died that year, and in 1780 he moved to New York City, New York, with his family following the British evacuation from Newport. When the British acknowledged American independence in 1783, the family followed the Tories to Nova Scotia, Canada and lived there for a few years. He returned to New York City in 1787, and in 1789 he witnessed the first inauguration of George Washington. Myers entered business as a young man and spent some time storekeeping with a partner in Richmond, Virginia. While there, he joined a military command under future Chief Justice of the United States John Marshall and had a hand in building the Kahal Kadosh Beth Shalome. Finding scant success in business, he returned to New York City. While there, he became a member of the New York Manumission Society and Tammany Hall. Following the advice of future Governor Daniel D. Tompkins, he began receiving military training under General De La Croix, one of Napoleon's generals. He was shortly afterwards commissioned a lieutenant, then a captain, of the first company of Col. Beekman's infantry regiment, the Seventh Regiment. He also did duty as major when the previous major died. Shortly afterwards, he became a captain in the 13th Infantry. He was twice wounded while fighting in the War of 1812, and while leading his men at the Battle of Crysler's Farm he was so badly wounded at the shoulder that 30 splinters had to be removed and he gave instruction for his interment and the disposal of his body. Myers served in the New York State Assembly, representing New York County in 1829, 1831, 1832, 1833, and 1834. While in the Assembly, he served as Chairman of the Committee on Militia and Public Defense and secured the right for Quakers to decline military service (which until then was compulsory for all citizens regardless of religion). In 1836, he moved to Kinderhook and lived there for the next eight years. He returned to New York City due to financial reverses and spent some time in Chelsea. While living in Kinderhook, he was elected village president and, in that capacity, received and addressed Martin Van Buren upon his return to the village at the end of his term as President of the United States. He moved to Schenectady in 1848 and lived there for the rest of his life.