1. Richard Riker was an American lawyer and politician from New York, who served as the first district attorney of what is New York County, and as recorder of New York City.
10 Facts About Richard Riker
1. 2.
Richard Riker remained in office until 1810, and then served as district attorney again from 1811 to 1813.
3.
Richard Riker served three non-consecutive terms as the Recorder of New York City between 1815 and 1838.
4.
Richard Riker was a close friend of DeWitt Clinton, and both were supporters of Alexander Hamilton, leading to duels with supporters of Hamilton's rival Aaron Burr.
5.
Richard Riker served as Clinton's second in a duel with John Swartwout on July 30,1802 at the dueling grounds in Weehawken, New Jersey, where Swartwout was wounded in the leg.
6.
On November 21,1803, Richard Riker dueled with John Swartwout's brother, Brigadier General Robert Swartwout, at Weehawken in defense of Clinton's honor.
7.
Richard Riker was shot in the leg at this duel, giving him a permanent limp.
8.
Richard Riker was born in Newtown, Queens County, New York, the son of Congressman Samuel Riker and Anna Lawrence Riker, niece of Jonathan Lawrence.
9.
Richard Riker was a member of the prominent and wealthy Riker family, which owned Rikers Island, now New York City's primary jail complex, until 1884.
10.
In 1813, Richard Riker became one of the six founding members of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, a branch of Freemasonry.