Hiram Barney (1811-1895) The impact of Barney’s appointment was felt immediately. “The New York custom-house had long played an important part in national and state politics. The patronage under Barney’s control was very large,” wrote historian Sidney David Brummer. “He was for days deluged with…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

New York Republicans Republicans in New York were growing but they were also growing into factions. For two decades, William H. Seward and his political lieutenant, Thurlow Weed dominated first the Whig and then the Republican Party in New York State. For years, they had… Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Archbishop John J. Hughes (1797-1863) President Lincoln wrote that “having formed the Archbishop’s acquaintance in the earliest days of our country’s present troubles, his counsel and advice were gladly sought and continually received by the Government on those points which his…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) Olmsted was completely dedicated to the war and the work. “I am well convinced that it is necessary to the safety of the country that the war should be popularized that I can hardly be loyal to the Commission, and the government, while it is required of us to let our […]

George Templeton Strong (1820-1875) Strong was immediately caught up in the martial spirit and charitable causes of the Civil War. He became dedicated to the work of the United States Sanitary Commission. He wrote in August 1862: “Busy days. Sanitary Commission work, of course. Everything else is thrown…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Moses H. Grinnell (1803-1877) When President-elect Lincoln visited New York City on his way to Washington in February 1860, he breakfasted at the home of Moses Grinnell’s daughter — along with many of New York City’s most prominent businessmen. Grinnell subsequently wrote President Lincoln… Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Henry W. Bellows (1814-1882) Bellows’ work was great in scope and impact. “In April 1861 he unified a number of women’s organizations as the Women’s Central Association of Relief, which, when it was organized on a national basis, was known as the…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) Beecher had a strong independent streak and a strong commitment to political and social reform. Like his novelist sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Beecher had a dramatic flair. “In 1848 Henry Ward Beecher began the practice of selling slaves for…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Ministers The Civil War brought out a powerful combination of leadership from businessmen and clergy in New York. They joined journalists and politicians in giving New York City politics a special civic flavor. The lines among these occupations were… Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Benjamin Wood (1820-1900) Benjamin Wood was the brother of prominent New York politician Fernando Wood and was Fernando’s sometime partner in the shipping business. Wood bought the New York Daily News in 1861 and immediately turned it into the newspaper voice of… Abraham Lincoln and New York >