Stephen Ward (1730-1797)
Ward's record during the American Revolution reveals the connection between military and political service that was characteristic of many state-level leaders during the war. In 1777, he was appointed Commissary in charge of obtaining supplies for the Patriot army. Ward also was appointed Commissioner of Sequestration, empowered to seize and sell at public auction the personal property of those who sided with the British. This included the 300-acre estate of his brother Edmund Ward, who was a Loyalist and who is also buried in St. Paul's cemetery. Even during the war, Stephen Ward was emerging as a political leader, serving in the Provincial Congress that governed New York in the Revolutionary period as Royal authority broke down. Additionally, he was a member of the first session of the New York State Assembly in 1778, and served in the State Senate from 1780-83. After the war, Ward, whose political friends included the first Chief Justice John Jay, held such posts as Eastchester Town Supervisor, County Judge, State Senator, Presidential Elector, and member of Congress. He died in 1797, at age 68. |
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