H.G. — Art and book collector

This is the latest in an occasional series of posts about the 19th century politics of Henry G. Burleigh of Ticonderoga and Whitehall.

Henry G. Burleigh’s business assets in 1877 had an estimated value of $3 million — the equivalent of about $73 million in 2020 dollars.

He collected art and literature.

“Mr. Burleigh is a man of taste. The pictures on his wall are the best in Whitehall,” The Granville Sentinel reported on January 5, 1877. “His library includes some of the finest works of the day. And that he uses it anyone who has heard him make a speech can testify. History is not a closed book to him.”

Editor J. L. McArthur was disappointed that Burleigh did not seek re-election to the state Assembly in 1876.

“It is disappointing that he has dropped active participation in local politics,” McArthur editorialized on Jan. 5.

“He is a far sighted and enthusiastic Republican, too frank, perhaps, for policy in denouncing corruption, but so much more the friend of the people,” McArthur editorialized on Jan. 19.

H.G. had other irons in the fire.

“Hon. H.G. Burleigh has been building a fine hotel at Ticonderoga for about $40,000,” The Granville Sentinel reported on Dec. 22, 1876. “Mr. Burleigh is also to build a splendid house on the lake shore at Ticonderoga, at a cost of about $25,000.”

Burleigh also was a main investor in the new Brattleboro & Whitehall Railroad Co.

Editor McAthur predicted correctly that Burleigh, at some future point, would return to politics.

“Judging by the past, he will not be invisible when wanted to retrieve the fortunes of his country, his town, or his school district.”

Click here to read the most recent previous post in the series.