Richard Cutts | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Gilbert Stuart | |
| Second Comptroller of theUnited States Treasury | |
| In office March 6, 1817 – March 21, 1829 | |
| Preceded by | None (position created) |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Hill |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts's14th district | |
| In office March 4, 1801 – March 3, 1813 | |
| Preceded by | George Thatcher |
| Succeeded by | Cyrus King |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1771-06-28)June 28, 1771 |
| Died | April 7, 1845(1845-04-07) (aged 73) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Anna Payne (m. 1804-1832, her death) |
| Relations | James Madison (brother-in-law) Dolley Madison (sister-in-law) James M. Cutts (grandson) Adèle Cutts Douglas (granddaughter) |
| Children | 7 (includingMary Cutts) |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Merchant |
| Signature | .png) |
Richard Cutts (June 28, 1771 – April 7, 1845) was an American merchant and politician. ADemocratic-Republican, he was most notable for his service as Second Comptroller of theUnited States Treasury from 1817 to 1829 and aUnited States representative fromMassachusetts from 1801 to 1813.
Cutts was born Cutts Island on June 28, 1771.[1] The island was near the town of Pepperellborough inMassachusetts Bay'sProvince of Maine (modern-daySaco, Maine).[1] The fifth of eight children born to Thomas Cutts and Elizabeth Scammon Cutts,[2] he attended the rural schools of Maine andPhillips Academy, Andover.[3] He graduated fromHarvard University in 1790, then traveled extensively in Europe.[1] Cutts' father was a shipbuilder and merchant who traded in lumber and other cargoes at ports in several Caribbean islands.[4] Cuttsstudied law, but rather than pursuing a legal career, he also became a successful trader and merchant.[5]
ADemocratic-Republican, Cutts served in theMassachusetts House of Representatives in 1799 and 1800.[1] In 1800 he was elected to the Seventh U.S. Congress.[1] He was reelected five times and served from March 4, 1801, to March 3, 1813.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1812 to the Thirteenth Congress.[1]
During theWar of 1812, Cutts was appointed as the federal superintendent general of military supplies, and he served from 1813 to 1817.[1] In 1817, he was appointed SecondComptroller of the Treasury, the first individual to hold this post.[6] He served until March 21, 1829, and was succeeded byIsaac Hill.[6]
In retirement, Cutts was a resident ofWashington, D.C.[7] He died in Washington on April 7, 1845.[7] Cutts was buried at St. John's Graveyard, and in 1857 he was reinterred atOak Hill Cemetery.[7]
In 1804, Cutts married Anna Payne, whose sisterDolley Madison was the wife ofSecretary of State (and later,President)James Madison.[1] They were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters:[8]
Cutts' daughter Mary was close to Dolley Madison and wrote two memoirs about her.[9] Cutts' grandsonJames M. Cutts was a member of theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War and a recipient of theMedal of Honor.[10] His granddaughter Adèle Cutts Douglas was the second wife of SenatorStephen A. Douglas.[11]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives fromMassachusetts's 14th congressional district 1801–1813 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
| Other | |
