Background
Francis Bloodgood was born on 12 June 1775 in Albany, the son of James and Lydia Van Valkenburgh Bloodgood. His father was a merchant who was involved in the West Indian trade.
Francis Bloodgood was born on 12 June 1775 in Albany, the son of James and Lydia Van Valkenburgh Bloodgood. His father was a merchant who was involved in the West Indian trade.
He studied law at Yale University.
His great-grandfather was Francis Bloetgoet of Flushing, Long Island. Bloodgood established a law firm in Albany in the State Hall on State Street. He became Director and President of the State Bank and President of the Albany Insurance Company.
Bloodgood married Elizabeth Cobham in 1792.
In 1800 his household had seven family members and four slaves. From 1797 to 1825 he was clerk of the New York Supreme Court.
Bloodgood was involved in a street brawl in April 1807 over a political dispute. After Elisha Jenkins had passed a resolution questioning Solomon Van Rensselaer"s honesty, the two men came to blows.
Witnesses said that Bloodgood then struck Van Rensselaer on the head with a large cane.
He later paid damages to Solomon Van Rensselaer for injuries received in the brawl. He may have then married Caroline Whistler. In December 1830 he was elected mayor of Albany.
Francis Bloodgood entered office in 1831 and paid all the debts of those in debtors" prison on the occasion of his swearing in.
A City Hall was erected on Eagle Street, between Maiden Lane and Pine Street, the location of the current City Hall, made of marble and capped by a gilded dome. John Townsend returned as mayor in 1832.
In 1833 Francis Bloodgood became mayor for the second time. Francis Bloodgood died on 5 March 1840, aged 71.