Ebenezer Hazard (1744-1817)
of Philadelphia; 3rd U.S. Postmaster-General
He was born in Philadelphia and was educated at Nottingham Academy, Maryland, before graduating from Princeton (1762). He began his career as an apprenticed to "the first bookseller in New York City" Garrat Noel and in 1770 they went into partnership together as Noel & Hazard, Publishers, of New York City. As Revolution approached Noel moved to New Jersey and the firm was disbanded in 1775. In the same year, the Continental Congress appointed him the 1st Postmaster of the City of New York. In 1782, he succeeded Richard Bache as U.S. Postmaster-General but by 1789 he ha fallen out of favor with Washington and he was replaced by Samuel Osgood.
Returning to Philadelphia in 1791, he engaged in business and was one of the founders of the North American Insurance Company of Philadelphia. He was a trustee of the Presbyterian General Assembly and was active in his attempts to integrate the Indians into society. Having always been interested in history, he helped write Gordon's "History of the American War," Belknap's "History of New Hampshire," and Thompson's translation of the Bible. He authored and published "Historical Collections" (2 vols., 1792-94) and "Remarks on a Report concerning Western Indians." An extensive collection of his letters are kept in library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. In 1783, he married Abigail, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Chevalier) Arthur of Nantucket. They lived in the house he built at 145 Arch Street and had four children, three of whom (listed) lived to adulthood.
Returning to Philadelphia in 1791, he engaged in business and was one of the founders of the North American Insurance Company of Philadelphia. He was a trustee of the Presbyterian General Assembly and was active in his attempts to integrate the Indians into society. Having always been interested in history, he helped write Gordon's "History of the American War," Belknap's "History of New Hampshire," and Thompson's translation of the Bible. He authored and published "Historical Collections" (2 vols., 1792-94) and "Remarks on a Report concerning Western Indians." An extensive collection of his letters are kept in library of the Massachusetts Historical Society. In 1783, he married Abigail, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Chevalier) Arthur of Nantucket. They lived in the house he built at 145 Arch Street and had four children, three of whom (listed) lived to adulthood.
