William Denning


William Denning was a merchant and United States Representative from New York.

Early life

Denning was likely born in St. John's, Newfoundland in April 1740. As a youth, he moved to New York City in early youth and engaged in mercantile pursuits.

Career

He was a member of the Committee of One Hundred in 1775, was a delegate to the New York Provincial Congress from 1775 to 1777 and was a member of the convention of State representatives in 1776 and 1777. He served in the New York State Assembly from 1784 to 1787 and in the New York State Senate from 1798 to 1808. He was a member of the Council of Appointment in 1799.
Denning was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 11th United States Congress, beginning on March 4, 1809, but never took his seat, and eventually resigned in 1810.

Personal life

On June 28, 1765, Denning was married to Sarah Hawxhurst. Together, they were the parents of:
After his first wife's death, the next year he married Amy McIntosh, the younger sister of his first wife and the widow of Phineas McIntosh, a merchant. Together, they were the parents of:
He died in New York City in 1819; interment was in St. Paul's Churchyard.

Descendants

Through his son William, he was a grandfather of Emily Denning, who married Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer, the son of Cornelia De Peyster and Jacob Rutsen Van Rensselaer.
Through his daughter Hannah, he was a grandfather of Denning Duer, who married Caroline King and Elizabeth Denning Duer, who married Archibald Gracie King, her elder brother’s brother-in-law.