John Tayler (July 4, 1742 - March 19, 1829) was an American businessman and politician. He served a long term as lieutenant governor, with a brief stint as acting governor, of New York State, as well as serving in the state assembly and senate.

He was born in New York City and spent his young manhood as a trader among British forts and later as a farmer and shopkeeper in northern New York State. He married Margarita Van Valkenburgh in 1764, and was very successful in business, building or acquiring several different enterprises and a great deal of real estate.

Tayler was soon caught up in the hostilities that would become the Revolutionary War. His farm was near the site of the Battle of Saratoga. Gradually he was drawn into public service for the new United States, in addition to using his businesses to supply meat and clothing for the American armies.

By the time his political beliefs had developed, he identified himself as a Democratic-Republican and an Antifederalist.

He represented Albany County in the brand new New York State Assembly three times (1777-1779, 1780-1781, and 1785-1787). He was appointed City Recorder (Deputy Mayor) of Albany in 1793, and a justice of the Court of Common Pleas in 1797. He served in the New York state senate from 1802 to 1813 (and as president of the Senate in 1811).

Tayler was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York in 1811 and again in 1813; he served continuously in this post until 1822, first under Daniel D. Tompkins and then under De Witt Clinton. He served as Acting Governor of New York from February 24 to July 1, 1817 (although he was never sworn in), after Tompkins resigned to assume the Vice Presidency of the United States under President James Monroe.

The mortal duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804 began with ill words spoken at Tayler's home in Albany.

John Tayler died on March 19, 1829 in Albany, New York. He is buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, New York.

External links

• The People of Colonial Albany - John Tayler
• The Political Graveyard