Peter Silvester (1734–1808)

Peter Silvester
Member of the New York State Assembly from Columbia County
In office July 1, 1802 – June 30, 1806
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	John Kortz
Member of the New York Senate from the Middle District district
In office July 1, 1796 – June 30, 1800
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 5th district
In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	Theodorus Bailey
Member of the New York State Assembly from Columbia County
In office July 1, 1787 – June 30, 1788
Preceded by	District Created
Succeeded by	John Kortz
Personal details
Born	1734 Shelter Island, New York
Died	October 15, 1808 (aged 74) Kinderhook, New York
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Jane Van Schaack
Children	Francis Silvester
Profession	Lawyer, Politician
Religion	Episcopalian
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Battles/wars	Revolutionary War

Peter Silvester (1734 – October 15, 1808) was an American politician who was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York, and a prominent Federalist attorney in Kinderhook. He was a mentor to Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States and was the grandfather of New York Representative Peter Henry Silvester.

Peter Silvester was born at Shelter Island, New York on Long Island in 1734. Silvester is probably descended from Nathaniel Sylvester (1610-1680), an Anglo-Dutch sugar merchant and the first European settler of Shelter Island.

Silvester completed preparatory studies, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1763, and practiced in Albany, New York.

In 1763, he began employment as the attorney for Sir William Johnson (1715–1774) in Albany. Johnson had commanded the Iroquois and colonial militia forces during the French and Indian War, the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War (1754–1763) in Europe. Johnson's role in the British victory at the Battle of Lake George in 1755 earned him a baronetcy; his capture of Fort Niagara from the French in 1759 brought him additional renown. Johnson served as the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the northern district from 1756 until his death in 1774, working to keep American Indians attached to the British interest. In letters to Johnson, Silvester writes that he met with Witham Marsh concerning the wrongs of Indians. Silvester was subsequently appointed "clerk of the peace."

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