A 'Forgotten Founding Father' Richard Varick (1753 - 1831)

Richard Varick painted c.1787 by Ralph Earl. The portrait shows Varick in his Continental Army officers uniform although he retired his commission in 1783. The blue decoration is that of the Society of the Cincinnati. (Wikipedia)

The Journal of the American Revolution is featuring the biography Richard Varick in History and Memory: Colonial Lawyer, Continental Officer, Mayor of New York City by Keith Muchowski and I encourage you to read it in its entirety as this is the story of a man who served our country well and one who might not be known by many in today's United States. From all accounts he was a man of integrity and one who had the trust of General George Washington.

Let's take a look at this patriotic man who helped secure our freedom at such a pivotal moment in history:

Richard Varick was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on March 25, 1753, and was of Dutch ancestry. He began his military career in June of 1775, and was soon commissioned as a captain in the Continental Army. 

Wikipedia tells us: 

"...he was appointed captain of the 1st New York Regiment and after only three days as field officer, was appointed military secretary under General Philip Schuyler who was in command of the Northern Army ... Varick departed New York City with Schuyler on July 4, 1775, to head north to Fort Ticonderoga and launch the campaign to drive the British out of Canada. En route, the traveling party stopped in Albany briefly where Varick would first meet General Benedict Arnold, who would become a good friend, also played a significant role in Varick's life until Arnold's treason in 1780."

Varick briefly joined Benedict Arnold's staff at West Point until Arnold's treason was discovered which greatly shocked Varick who was physically ill at the time. Once he recovered from his illness and could travel, he was found not guilty by a court of investigation: 

That Lieutenant Colonel Varick’s conduct with respect to the base Peculations and Treasonable Practices of the late General Arnold is not only unimpeachable but think him entitled (throughout every part of his conduct) to a degree of Merit that does him great honor as an Officer and particularly distinguishes him as a sincere Friend to his Country… 

George Washington's Mount Vernon tells us Richard went on to become George Washington's recording secretary:

"Service to his new country, however, was not over for Richard Varick. A by-product of the many years of war was a mountain of 'valuable documents' and the headquarters staff had long struggled to maintain and protect the papers. In the spring of 1781, the Commander-in-Chief proposed engaging a 'set of writers… for the sole purpose of recording' his papers under the supervision 'of a Man of character in whom entire confidence can be placed' to the Continental Congress. Congress promptly assented and George Washington chose Richard Varick as his 'recording secretary,” on May 25, 1781, providing detailed instructions for arranging his official letters, orders, and instructions. Varick accepted and selected Poughkeepsie, New York, 'as a place of safety'. For the next two and a half years, he and a small team of clerks, classified, sorted and copied the papers of the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army neatly into forty-four volumes. After resigning his commission and returning to Mount Vernon, George Washington commended Varick for his industry: 'I take this first opportunity of signifying my entire approbation of the manner in which you have executed the important duties of recording Secretary, and the satisfaction I feel in having my Papers so properly arranged, & so correctly recorded - and beg you will accept my thanks for the care and attention which you have given to this business.'

"With his martial duties concluded, Richard Varick 'bid a happy Adieu to public Service' and returned to New York City to resume his legal practice. Within a year, he was tapped for the position of 'recorder' - or the chief legal officer - for the City of New York. He subsequently represented New York City in the lower house of the state assembly in 1787, and was chosen as speaker of the house the following year. However, the pinnacle of his political career came on October 12, 1789 when he was commissioned the Mayor of New York City. Remembered by a younger jurist as 'an able but severe magistrate,' Richard Varick held the office for almost twelve years before the Jeffersonian Revolution turned him out on August 24, 1801. He continued his practice in law, but also engaged in banking and land speculation, before retiring and devoting himself to philanthropic causes. He died at his home in Jersey City, New Jersey, on July 30, 1831."

Find a Grave reports that Richard Varick is buried at the historical First Dutch Reformed Church in Hackensack, New Jersey.

First Reformed Church 

Photographed by Bill Coughlin

RevWarTalk tells us that later in life, Richard Varick became one of the founders and president of the American Bible Society after John Jay until his death. 

I have hope that Richard Varick knew our Lord and his strength, integrity and dedication to righteous causes came from Jesus Christ. Amen.

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 Dear Father in Heaven,

As we look back to the men of character who helped found our nation, I cannot help but pray that our nation will once more be a shining light pointing others to You. 

Thank You for men like Richard Varick who lived a life of integrity and who also remembered to serve You by investing himself in promoting Your Word through the American Bible Society. Thank You for the example he set for us to follow.

In Lord Jesus Name I pray, amen.

Mercy Adams

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Additional Resources:

• Richard Varick of Hackensack | Passaic County Historical Society
• Jersey City History - Prospect Hall
• Richard Varick Papers: NYU Special Collections Finding Aids