Benjamin Swift (April 3, 1781 – November 11, 1847) was a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator and lawyer from Vermont.
Swift was born in Amenia, New York. He moved with his father to Bennington, Vermont at the age of 5. In 1809 he moved to St. Albans, Vermont and became an important lawyer, banker and farmer in that area. He immediately became active in politics, serving in the Vermont House of Representatives during 1813. He again served in the ...
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Benjamin Swift (April 3, 1781 – November 11, 1847) was a U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator and lawyer from Vermont.
Swift was born in Amenia, New York. He moved with his father to Bennington, Vermont at the age of 5. In 1809 he moved to St. Albans, Vermont and became an important lawyer, banker and farmer in that area. He immediately became active in politics, serving in the Vermont House of Representatives during 1813. He again served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1825 to 1827. He then served in the United States House of Representatives from Vermont from 1827 to 1831 and as a member of the United States Senate from Vermont from 1833 to 1839. Swift was not renominated for a second term in the Senate and returned to St. Albans, where he continued to work as a lawyer and farmer until his death. While in Congress, Swift was a strong opponent of President Andrew Jackson and helped found the Whig Party.
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