Joseph Christopher Yates (November 9, 1768–March 19, 1837), born in Schenectady, New York, was an American lawyer, statesman and politician. Yates catapulted himself up the ranks of his day, becoming first the mayor of Schenectady (1798), then a state Senator (1805), followed by a State Supreme Court Justice (1808) and finally the fourth Governor of New York (1823–1824).

Family

Joseph was born to Christopher "Colonel Stoeffel" Yates and his wife Jannetje Bradt in the autumn of 1768. He began his long public career as an attorney-at-law, of extensive practice, and ended up a Democratic-Republican Governor.

He took three wives. The first was for love: Ann, widow of James Ellice. The second was for money: Maria, daughter of John Kane. The last was for clout, as he required the support of the public to further his ambitious political career. Her name was Elizabeth De Lancey, a daughter of John De Lancey , Esq., of Westchester County, New York.

Yates had three children, all daughters: Helen Maria, Anna Alida and Jane Jesepha. Helen, the oldest, was born on September 28th, 1797. She was married to Colonel John K. Paige and died January 25th, 1829, eight years before her father. Anna, the second oldest, was born September 14th 1806, married to John D. Watkins, a citizen of Georgia. Jane, the last child, was born November 6th, 1811, married to Samuel Niel of New York.

History

It has been written that he was painted by John Vanderlyn in (or around) 1815 when Vanderlyn returned from Paris to paint many now historial figures. Some of which include George Washington, James Monroe, George Clinton, Andrew Jackson, and Zachary Taylor. This supposed painting of Yates, at this time, cannot be verifed though it is strongly believed that it exists. At either the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., somewhere in Kingston New York , or at the Schenectady County Historical Society.

One of the first Governors Mansions of the State of New York still exists on Front Street in the Historic Stockade District of Schenectady, New York.

Death

Joseph C. Yates died on March 19th, 1837 at the age of 69.

His exact burial location in Schenectady, New York, or even in the whole of New York State, remains unknown to this day. It is rumored that he was buried either in Vale Cemetery or one of the the many plots that surround Saint Georges Chruch in the Stockade. Since Vale Cemetery was created after his death it is unlikely that he is buried there. Saint Georges Chruch was often considered the meeting place for secret fraternal societies. It is very possible that Yates, being a man of prominence in his area he would have attended such meetings. But, alas, what remains of the gravestones at the church are so time-worn that no human eye could ever hope to read them.

More Information

More information can be found at the Schenectady County Historial Society.

Yates County, New York and the Town of Yates are named after Yates, who approved the act that formed the county. He was also a founder of Union College in Schenectady, New York.