- Pickering, Timothy
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died Jan. 29, 1829, Salem, Mass., U.S.U.S. politician.He joined the militia in 1766 and served in the American Revolution under George Washington, becoming adjutant general (1777–78) and quartermaster general (1780–85). He later served as U.S. postmaster general (1791–95), secretary of war (1795), and secretary of state (1795–1800). He served in the U.S. Senate from 1803 to 1811 and in the House of Representatives from 1813 to 1817. A leader of the Federalist Party, he was a member of the Essex Junto, and he opposed the War of 1812. After retiring from politics, he turned to experimental farming and education.
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▪ American politicianborn July 17, 1745, Salem, Massachusetts [U.S.]died January 29, 1829, SalemAmerican Revolutionary officer and Federalist politician who served (1795–1800) with distinction in the first two U.S. cabinets.During the American Revolution, Pickering served in several capacities under General George Washington (Washington, George), among them quartermaster general (1780–85). In 1786, after taking up residence in Philadelphia, he helped resolve the dispute with Connecticut settlers over claims to Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley and helped develop the town of Wilkes-Barre. Pickering served as Indian commissioner (1790–95), postmaster general (1791–95), secretary of war (1795), and secretary of state (1795–1800). He was dismissed from office by President John Adams (Adams, John) after a policy dispute.During the administrations of Jefferson and Madison, Pickering led the Federalist opposition in Congress, serving as senator from Massachusetts (1803–11) and as a member of the House of Representatives (1813–17). Remaining friendly to England and fearing the power of Napoleon, he bitterly opposed the War of 1812 (1812, War of). After his retirement from Congress, he devoted himself to agricultural experimentation and education.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
