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Simon Boerum Biography |
Simon Boerum (1724-1775) was a farmer, miller, and political leader from Brooklyn, New York. He represented New York in the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1775.
Boernum's family settled on Long Island when it was a part of the Dutch Colony of New Netherland. His parents were William Jacob Boerum (1687-1766) and Rachel (Bloom) Boerum (1690-1738). who farmed in the town of Flatbush, in Kings County, New York, which is now part of Brooklyn. Simon was born there on February 29, 1724. and was baptized in the Dutch Reformed Church on March 8. He attended and graduated from the Dutch school at Flatbush.
Simon farmed and operated a mill in Flatbush. Then in 1748 he also bought a home and garden in New Lots. This house stood on what today is the southwest corner of Fulton and Hoyt streets in Brooklyn. On September 30th of that year he married Maria Schenck (1726-1771) and the house became their home for the rest of their lives.
In 1750, Govermor Clinton appointed Simon Boerum the County Clerk for Kings County. He would hold that office for the rest of his life, as well as a seat in the Colony's Assembly after 1761.
In 1774 the Assembly couldn't reach agreement about the Continental Congress. The meeting of Kings County selected him to represent them, and on October 1, 1774 the Congress added him to the New York delegation. In the congress he supported the non-importation agreement, and the more radical members in general. He helped to defeat the Galloway Plan for union and reconciliation with England.
Early in 1775, the Colony's Assembly rejected the work of the first Congress, and was hurriedly adjourned to prevent further measures from consideration. In April, Boernum was elected to the revolutionary Provincial Congress of New York. That body in turn named him once again to the Continental Congress, but illness soon forced his return from Philadelphia.
Simon died at home on July 11, 1775, and was originally buried in the Dutch Burying Ground in New Lots. In 1848 he and his wife, Maria, were re-interred in the Green-Wood cemetery in Brooklyn. |
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