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William Henry Seward


W

illiam H. Seward is known best for negotiating the purchase of Alaska in March 1867, known at the time as “Seward’s Folly.” Seward was also a devoted father of five children, a loyal husband, an ethical lawyer, a dedicated abolitionist, and Secretary of State for two presidents: Lincoln and Johnson. His name is often overlooked, but Seward did many notable acts in his life. He assisted Harriet Tubman by selling land to her in Auburn, New York, for her home. His house served as a post for the Underground Railroad. He believed in freedom and the Northern cause during the Civil War. Seward was almost killed on the night Lincoln was assassinated, as he was stabbed several times by Booth’s co-conspirator, Lewis Powell. Seward dedicated his life to the United States, and the people and causes he believed in.

Timeline

Birth- May 16, 1801
Florida, Orange County, New York

1 Source·1 other

Marriage- Oct 20, 1824-Age: 23 years
Frances Miller
Auburn, New York
Governor: To
Dec 31, 1842
Governor: Place
Albany, NY
Governor: From
Jan 1, 1839
Gender
Male
United States Senator: Representing
New Work
United States Senator: Place
Washington DC
United States Senator: From
Mar 4, 1849
United States Senator: To
Mar 3, 1861
Purchase of Alaska: Date
Mar 30, 1867
Secretary of State: From
Mar 5, 1861
Secretary of State: To
Mar 4, 1869
Secretary of State: Place
Washington DC

2 Source·2 other

Elected the first Whig Party governor of New York
1838
Delivers the “Higher Law” speech
1850
Elected to four-year term in New York State Senate
1830
Retires from the State Department
1869
Visits Europe with his father
1833
Serves as land agent for the Holland Land Company
1836
Sells 7 acres of land in Auburn to Harriet Tubman
1859
Travels around the world
Jul 1870
Teaches for six months in Georgia
1819
Attacked in his bed by Lewis Powell
Apr 14, 1865
Becomes U.S. Senator for New York
1849
Becomes a junior partner in Miller law firm
1823
Negotiates the purchase of Alaska from Russia
Mar 30, 1867
Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
1854
Becomes Lincoln’s Secretary of State
1861
Graduates from Union College, trains for law
1820
Defends William Freeman using the insanity plea
1846
Accepted to the New York State Bar
1821
Joins sophomore class at Union College
1816

2 Source·2 other

Death- Oct 10, 1872-Age: 71 years
Auburn, New York

1 Source·1 other

Other Facts

Mother
Mary Jennings Seward
Father
Samuel Sweezy Seward

1 Source·1 other

Augustus Henry Seward
1826-1876
Cornelia Seward
1836-1837
Frederick William Seward
1830-1915
Frances Adeline "Fanny" Seward
1844-1866
William Henry Seward, Jr.
1839-1920

1 Source·1 other

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Created:Mar 2, 2009

Modified: Apr 8, 2015

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Fold3, William Henry Seward (https://www.fold3.com/memorial/92827102/william-henry-seward : accessed Jul 16, 2024), database and images,


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