Silas Condit

Silas Condit (August 18, 1778 – November 29, 1861) was a U.S. Representative from New Jersey, serving one term from 1831 to 1833. He was born in Orange, New Jersey, on August 18, 1778, the son of John Condit, who himself was a prominent public figure and later a member of Congress. Growing up in a family engaged in public affairs in Essex County, he was exposed early to the civic and political life of his community.

Condit pursued a formal education at Princeton College, from which he graduated in 1795. His education at one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the early United States provided him with a classical foundation that would support his later work in business, law-related county offices, and legislative service. Following his graduation, he returned to his native Essex County to begin his professional career.

After completing his studies, Condit engaged in mercantile pursuits in Orange, New Jersey, entering the commercial life that was central to the region’s growing economy in the early nineteenth century. Seeking broader opportunities, he subsequently moved to Newark, New Jersey, which was emerging as an important urban and commercial center in the state. His involvement in business and local affairs in Newark helped establish his reputation and laid the groundwork for his entry into public office.

Condit’s public career began at the county level. He served as clerk of Essex County from 1804 to 1811, an administrative position that placed him at the center of local record-keeping and county governance. He then served as Sheriff of Essex County from 1813 to 1816, a role that combined law enforcement responsibilities with important administrative and judicial functions in the county. These positions reflected the trust placed in him by his community and provided him with practical experience in public administration.

In addition to his county offices, Condit was active in state politics. He served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly in 1812, 1813, and 1816, participating in the legislative process during a period marked by the War of 1812 and its aftermath. He later served in the New Jersey Legislative Council, the upper house of the state legislature, from 1819 to 1822. Through these legislative roles, he contributed to the shaping of state policy and gained further prominence in New Jersey political life.

Alongside his political and administrative work, Condit pursued a significant career in finance. He served as president of the Newark Banking Co. from 1820 to 1842, overseeing the institution during a formative period in American banking history. His long tenure as president reflected both his business acumen and his standing in the Newark community. More broadly, he engaged in banking as a principal professional pursuit, integrating his financial experience with his public responsibilities.

Condit was elected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-second Congress, representing New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives from March 4, 1831, to March 3, 1833. As a member of the Anti-Jacksonian Party, he aligned with those who opposed the policies of President Andrew Jackson, particularly on issues such as federal power, internal improvements, and the national banking system. During his single term in Congress, he contributed to the legislative process at a time of significant national debate over economic policy and the scope of executive authority, participating in the democratic process and representing the interests of his New Jersey constituents.

After leaving Congress, Condit continued his involvement in public affairs while maintaining his engagement in banking. He remained a leading figure in Newark’s financial community through his ongoing role with the Newark Banking Co. His experience in both state and national government made him a respected voice in New Jersey’s political life. In 1844, he served as a delegate to the New Jersey state constitutional convention, contributing to the revision of the state’s fundamental law and helping to shape the framework of government under which New Jersey would operate in the mid-nineteenth century.

Silas Condit spent his later years in Newark, where he had long been a central figure in civic, political, and financial circles. He died in Newark, New Jersey, on November 29, 1861. He was interred in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Newark, reflecting his deep and enduring ties to the city and to Essex County, where he had spent his life in public service and business.