Benjamin Babock THURSTON, Congress, RI (1804-1886)

THURSTON Benjamin Babock , a Representative from Rhode Island; born in Hopkinton, R.I., June 29, 1804; attended the common schools; engaged in mercantile pursuits; member of the State house of representatives 1831-1837; Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island in 1838; elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress (March 4, 1847-March 3, 1849); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1848 to the Thirty-first Congress; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses and as a candidate of the American Party to the Thirty-fourth Congress (March 4, 1851-March 3, 1857); chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Treasury (Thirty-second Congress), Committee on Patents (Thirty-third Congress), Committee on Accounts (Thirty-fourth Congress); was not a candidate for renomination in 1856; after leaving Congress moved to New London, Conn.; member of the board of aldermen in 1862 and 1863; member of the State house of representatives in 1869 and 1870; resumed mercantile pursuits; died in New London, Conn., May 17, 1886; interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present