William Duer US Congressman

William Duer was an American Whig politician and lawyer. He represented New York in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1851. He was a member of a family long prominent in New York politics and government. After leaving Congress, Duer served as U.T. Consul in Valparaíso, Chile. He died in Staten Island in 1879 and was buried at Silver Mount Cemetery. He is buried with his wife, Agnes. He had two sons and one daughter. His son-in-law was George Paine. He fought against slavery in Congress and opposed secession. He served as a U.U.S.-appointed U.N. ambassador to Chile. His grandson, James J. Duer, served as an assistant secretary of state under President Jimmy Carter.