Walter Booth

For the American football coach, see Walter C. Booth. For the British magician and film pioneer, see Walter R. Booth.

Major-General Walter Booth (8 December 1791 – 30 April 1870), was a manufacturing entrepreneur, banker and United States representative for Connecticut.

The Hon. Walter Booth
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 2nd district
In office March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851
Preceded by	Samuel D. Hubbard
Succeeded by	Colin M. Ingersoll
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
In office 1838
Personal details
Born	(1791-12-08)December 8, 1791 Woodbridge, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	April 30, 1870(1870-04-30) (aged 78) Meriden, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	U.S. Free Soil Party
Spouses	Laura née Mitchell ​ ​ (m. 1810; died 1841)​ Sarah née Holkins ​ ​ (m. 1842)​
Occupation	Politician, manufacturer
Military service
Allegiance	Connecticut United States
Branch/service	Union Army
Rank	Major-General
Unit	Connecticut State Militia
Commands	10th Regiment (Col.) 1st Division (Maj-Gen.)

Early life and background

Born at Woodbridge, Connecticut, the son of Walter Booth (1760–1825) by his wife Mary née Newton, he was educated at New Haven Common School.^[1]

Booth joined the Connecticut Militia, becoming Colonel of the 10th Regiment, Second Battalion of Militia in 1825. Promoted Brigadier-General in the Union Army in 1827, he then served as Major-General of the 1st Division until 1834.

Public life

In 1833, Booth co-founded the Meriden National Bank with Silas Mix, Samuel Yale, brother of William Yale, Elisha Cowles, Stephen Taylor, Ashabel Griswold, James S. Brooks, Noah Pomeroy and John D. Reynolds, forming its Board of Directors.^[2]

Appointed a Judge of New Haven County Court in 1834, Booth became President of the Meriden National Bank in 1836,^[3] then a member of the Connecticut State House of Representatives in 1838.

Booth was elected as a Free-Soiler to the 31st United States Congress (March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1851), unsuccessfully seeking re-election in 1850.^[4]

Family and personal life

Booth arms

Intermarrying with many early colonial families,^[5] the Booths became established in New Haven County at Woodbridge then Meriden, Connecticut. Among his kinsmen was President Ulysses S. Grant.^[6]

A great-great-great-great-grandson of Colonel Sir John Booth (1610–1678), he was in remainder to the Booth baronetcy (cr. 1611). He married firstly in 1810 Laura Mitchell (died 1841), leaving issue. He married secondly in 1842 Sarah Holkins (died 1874).^[7]

Having resumed his former manufacturing enterprises, Booth died in 1870 being buried at the East Cemetery, Meriden.^[8]

Ancestors of Walter Booth[9]

16. Charles Booth 8. Elisha Booth 17. Abigail Mepham 4. Alexander Booth 18. Alexander Wilmot 9. Hannah Wilmot 19. Mary Norris 2. Walter Booth 20. Samuel Newton 10. Samuel Baldwin 21. Rebecca Wilkinson 5. Sybil Baldwin 22. Henry Allen 11. Mercy Allen 23. Mercy Tibbals 1. Hon. Walter Booth 24. Samuel Newton 12. Samuel Newton 25. Phoebe Platt 6. Samuel Newton 26. Thomas Baldwin 13. Deborah Baldwin 27. Jerusha Clark 3. Mary Newton 28. John Camp 14. Nathaniel Camp 29. Mary Northrup 7. Mary Camp 30. Enos van de Kamp 15. Martha Kamp 31. Martha Baldwin

See also

• Booth baronets