25 Facts About John Pintard

John Pintard cofounded the Massachusetts Historical Society and the New York Historical Society, and served as Secretary of the New York Chamber of Commerce.

John Pintard was a descendant of Antoine Pintard, a Huguenot from La Rochelle, France.

John Pintard was orphaned when his mother died when he was "a fortnight old" and his father died when he was about eighteen months old.

John Pintard's father, John, was a seagoing merchant, and his mother was Mary Cannon.

John Pintard attended the College at New Jersey, but left school to join the patriot forces when the British arrived at New York.

John Pintard went on various expeditions to harass the enemy.

John Pintard served as deputy commissary of prisoners at New York under his uncle Lewis.

John Pintard's duties were to examine and relieve the wants of the prisoners.

John Pintard drafted the constitution of the Tammany Society, developed the titles of the members, and urged the canonization of Christopher Columbus within the society.

John Pintard was rated as one of New York's most successful and prosperous merchants when in 1792 he lost his fortune by engaging with William Duer in a scheme to fund the national debt.

John Pintard had personally endorsed notes for over a million dollars and was imprisoned for the debt.

John Pintard resided in Newark, New Jersey for eight years and declared bankruptcy in New York.

John Pintard never recovered his old fortune, but his position and respect in the community enabled him to contribute generously to the projects he sponsored.

In 1803, John Pintard went to New Orleans to seek his fortune but decided not to settle there.

John Pintard filed a very favorable report of the French colony to Albert Gallatin, secretary of the treasury, and minister to France James Monroe, a relative by marriage to his wife's aunt.

John Pintard's report was instrumental in convincing Thomas Jefferson to purchase the Louisiana Territory.

John Pintard served as first city inspector of New York City for many years after 1804, and was authorized by the corporation of New York to issue fractional notes during the War of 1812.

John Pintard was secretary of the Mutual Assurance Company from 1809 to 1829.

John Pintard served as treasurer of the Sailor's Snug Harbor from 1819 to 1823 and was instrumental in the purchase of the property on Staten Island where the home is located.

John Pintard was a founder of the New York Historical Society and the Massachusetts Historical Society.

John Pintard served as manager of the state lotteries and was first sagamore of the Tammany Society.

John Pintard was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1814.

John Pintard was active in the movement that resulted in the building and completion of the Erie Canal.

John Pintard surveyed the plans for the streets and avenues in upper New York City.

John Pintard was an active Freemason, serving as Master for his Lodge in New York.