Francis Brockholst Cutting (August 6, 1804 – June 26, 1870) was an American lawyer and businessman who served one term as a
U.S. Representative from New York from 1853 to 1855.[1]
Early life
Cutting was born in New York City to William Cutting (1773–1820) and Gertrude Cutting (née
Livingston; 1778–1864).[2] He was the brother of William Leonard Cutting, Henry Livingston Cutting, Charles Grenville Cutting, Julia Gertrude Cutting, Robert Livingston Cutting, Anne Frances Cutting (who married Baron Alfred Ruebell), Robert Fulton Cutting (who married
Elise Justine Bayard), and Walter Livingston Cutting.[3][4]
He was
admitted to the bar in 1827 and commenced practice in New York City.[1] As a lawyer, he argued on behalf of Horace Day against
Daniel Webster, for
Charles Goodyear, in The Great India Rubber Case in 1852.[8] He later attended Webster's memorial.[9]
In 1853,
President Pierce gave copies of his inaugural address to Cutting, rather than the Postmaster, fearing the latter and trusting the former.[16] In March 1854, during debate over the
Kansas–Nebraska Act,
John C. Breckinridge, also a U.S. Representative,[14] made a statement that incensed Cutting, Cutting demanded that he explain or retract it. Breckinridge interpreted Cutting's demand as a challenge to duel. Under
code duello, the individual being challenged retained the right to name the weapons used and the distance between the combatants; Breckinridge chose rifles at 60 paces.[17] He also specified that the duel should be held at
Silver Spring, the home of his friend
Francis Preston Blair.[18] Cutting, who had not intended his initial remark as a challenge, believed that Breckinridge's naming of terms constituted a challenge; he chose to use pistols at a distance of 10 paces. While the two men attempted to clarify who had issued the challenge and who reserved the right to choose the terms, mutual friends resolved the issue, preventing the duel.[17] However, the event was said to inspire a new generation of gentlemen to engage in honor duels.[19] Breckinridge later was selected as the nominee for
Vice President of the United States,[20] and the duel was the only memorable thing he had done up that point.[21] He served in that role under President
James Buchanan from March 4, 1857 to March 4, 1861.[18]
Later career
Afterwards he resumed the practice of law.[1][22] Upon the nomination of
Abraham Lincoln, Cutting aided in his election campaign, and was active in supporting the Union.[7]
On May 28, 1861, Cutting wrote to then President Lincoln advising him that "impressions beneficial to our country will be produced by continuing to communicate with Europe, thro' the medium of the Mssrs. Rothschild."[23] Cutting revealed to Lincoln that in order to assist the North in winning the Civil War, they needed the help, and money, from Europe and couldn't ignore the British and French, who were reliant on Southern Cotton. Through social connections, Cutting knew that the elder Baron
James Mayer de Rothschild supported the Union over the financial objections of his younger son,
Salomon James de Rothschild, who favored the South and disliked Lincoln.[23]
Cutting invested in Railways, shipping, and real estate, amassing a fortune.[24][25][26][27]
Personal life
Cutting was married to Anne Markoe Heyward (1807–1885) of South Carolina. She was the daughter of William Heyward (1779–1846) and Sarah Cruger (1787–1868).[28] They were the parents of:[2][29]
Francis Brockholst Cutting Jr. (1834–1869),[34] who married
Marion Ramsay (1834–1912).[35] Marion outlived her husband and son.[36]
Heyward Cutting (1837–1876),[37] who married Lydia S. Mason (b. 1831).[26]
He died at his residence in New York City June 26, 1870.[6] Upon hearing the news, court was adjourned for the day[38] and he was honored by the
New York Bar Association.[39] After a funeral at
Grace Church in New York,[40] he was buried at the
Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.[1] His estate was worth over $4,000,000 upon his death, with personal property totaling $1,230,767.96,[26] and around $1,300,000 in bonds for
Wabash Railroad.[27] According to his will, his estate was split up amongst his sons, Gen. William Cutting, Hayward Cutting, his two surviving sons, and Mrs. Cutting, the widow of his son Francis who predeceased him.[26] After allegations of misdeeds,[41][42][43] his son was excused as executor,[44] and his estate was finally settled.[27]
Descendants
Through his son Francis Brockholst Cutting Jr., who prematurely predeceased him, he was the grandfather of William Cutting Jr. and F. Brockholst Cutting (1861–1896),[45] one of the best-known clubmen and one of the most popular bachelors in society.[46] His grandson, who died at the age of thirty-five without having married,[47] was heavily mourned upon his death.[36]
Through his youngest son, he was the grandfather of Anna Cutting who married Baron Raoul de Vriere (1865–1929),[48][49] and Henry Mason Cutting (1865–1892),[50] who married Angela Mills (1869–1956).[51]
^Thayer, William Roscoe; Howe, Mark Antony De Wolfe; Voto, Bernard Augustine De; Morrison, Theodore (1897).
The Harvard Graduates' Magazine. Harvard Graduates' Magazine Association. Retrieved 30 April 2017.