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Peter D. Vroom

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Not to be confused with the actor who plays Lance Smart.
Peter Dumont Vroom
9th Governor of New Jersey
In office
November 6, 1829 – October 26, 1832
Preceded byIsaac Halstead Williamson
Succeeded bySamuel L. Southard
In office
October 25, 1833 – October 28, 1836
Preceded byElias P. Seeley
Succeeded byPhilemon Dickerson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's At-large district
In office
March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841
Preceded byThomas J. Yorke
Succeeded byThomas J. Yorke
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
1826–1829
Personal details
Born(1791-12-12)December 12, 1791
Hillsborough Township, New Jersey
DiedNovember 18, 1873(1873-11-18) (aged 81)
Trenton, New Jersey
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Anna Dumont
Maria Matilda Wall
Children11 (including Peter D. Vroom)

Peter Dumont Vroom (December 12, 1791 – November 18, 1873), an American Democratic Party politician, served as the ninth governor of New Jersey (serving two terms in office; from 1829–1832 and 1833–1836) and as a member of the United States House of Representatives for a single term, from 1839 to 1841.

Early life

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He was born in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey, the son of Col. Peter Dumont Vroom (1745-1831) who represented Somerset County as an Assemblyman (1790–91, 1794–96, and 1811–13) and in the Legislative Council from 1798 to 1804 as a Federalist. The younger Vroom graduated from Columbia College, New York in 1808. After studying law at Somerville Academy he was admitted to the bar in 1813.

Politics

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Governorship of New Jersey

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Vroom was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1826 to 1829. He then served as governor of New Jersey from 1829 to 1832 and 1833 to 1836. As governor, Vroom supported the establishment of the Camden and Amboy Railroad and the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

Congress

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In 1838, Vroom was one of five Democratic candidates for Congress to become involved in the Broad Seal War controversy. Disputed election results caused the U.S. House of Representatives to challenge the Whig candidates certified by Governor William Pennington. After a lengthy fight, Vroom and the four other Democrats were seated in place of the Whigs. Vroom lost his bid for reelection in 1840.

Ministership

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He then served as a delegate to the New Jersey State Constitutional Convention in 1844. He was appointed by President Franklin Pierce as United States Minister to Prussia from November 4, 1853, through August 10, 1857.

Death and legacy

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Vroom died in Trenton, New Jersey, and was buried in the Dumont Burying Ground off River Road in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey.[1] Vroom Street in Trenton is named in his honor.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Honeyman, A. Van Doren, ed. (1914). "Dumont Burying Ground". Somerset County Historical Quarterly. Vol. III. pp. 54–56.
  2. ^ "Trenton Historical Society, New Jersey".
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Political offices
Preceded by Governor of New Jersey
November 6, 1829 – October 26, 1832 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of New Jersey
October 25, 1833 – October 28, 1836 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's at-large congressional district
March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841
Served alongside: William Raworth Cooper, Philemon Dickerson, Joseph Kille, Joseph Fitz Randolph, Daniel Bailey Ryall 		Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Envoy to Prussia
November 4, 1853 – August 10, 1857 		Succeeded by
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