Background
Silsbee, Nathaniel was born on January 14, 1773 in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Becket) Silsbee.
merchant politician representative senator
Silsbee, Nathaniel was born on January 14, 1773 in Salem, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Becket) Silsbee.
Silsbee was the eldest child of Captain Nathaniel and Sarah (Becket) Silsbee. Silsbee continued commanding Derby vessels and had many interesting adventures and exploits with privateers, French Consuls, and such.
In 1795 he became part owner of the Schooner "Betsy" and continued to prosper and master his own vessels.
Nathaniel continued owning vessels in partnerships until the 1840s, but he actively retired from shipping when he commenced his political career. Nathaniel married Mary Crowninshield, the daughter of one of Salem"s wealthiest merchants, on December 12, 1802.
Their son Nathaniel (1804-1881) was mayor of Salem from 1849-1850 and 1858-1859. United States House of Representatives
Silsbee was elected to the United States House of Representatives (March 4, 1817 – March 3, 1821).
He was chairman of the United States. House Committee on Military Pensions in the Twenty-first Congress.
He declined to be a candidate for renomination in 1820. Massachusetts government
He was a presidential elector in 1824. United States Senate
He was elected to the United States Senate in 1826 to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1829, caused by the resignation of James Lloyd.
He was re-elected in 1829 and served from May 31, 1826 to March 3, 1835.
He was chairman of the United States. Senate Committee on Commerce in the Twenty-third Congress. He was a Whig presidential elector in 1836.
Silsbee resumed mercantile pursuits in Salem, where he died. Interment in The Burying Point, the second oldest cemetery in the United States.
The town of Silsbee, Texas is named for him.
The Nathaniel Silsbee House is a historic building in Salem, Master of Arts maintained by the Knights of Columbus.
Member United States House of Representatives from Massachusetts, 15th, 16th congresses, December, 1817-1821. Member Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1821-1822. Member United States Senate from Massachusetts, December 4, 1826-1835, chairman commerce committee, 1833-1835.
Married Mary Crowninshield, December 12, 1802, at least 4 children including Nathaniel.