1844–45 Boston mayoral election

Election in Massachusetts, United States January 2025 September 2023 1844–45 Boston mayoral election Presidential no 1843 Boston mayoral election 1843 December 9, 1844February 21, 1845 December 1845 Boston mayoral election 1845 File:Thomas A . Davis 1 5210004 015 010 (3x4a) (cropped).jpg Thomas Aspinwall Davis Know Nothing 4,865 50.93% 3x4.svg William Parker Whig Party (United States) 4,336 45.70% Mayor Martin Brimmer Whig Party (United States) Thomas Aspinwall Davis Know Nothing Boston The 1844–45 Boston mayoral election was held in eight rounds from December 9, 1844 through February 21, 1845. The eight ballot saw the election of Native American Party nominee Thomas Aspinwall Davis as mayor of Boston. Incumbent Whig Party mayor Martin Brimmer was not a candidate for reelection. The election took eight votes, as no candidate secured the needed majority in the first seven attempts.A Catalogue of the City Councils of Boston, 1822-1908, Roxbury, 1846-1867, Charlestown, 1847-1873 and of the Selectmen of Boston, 1634-1822: Also of Various Other Town and Municipal Officers 1909 City of Boston Printing Department 50–51 https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=n_BMAAAAMAAJ&pg=GBS.PA50 7 April 2023 en Background The election marked the rise of the city's newly founded Native American Party (Know Nothing) organization.The "Native" Party—It's Past, Present, and Future https://www.newspapers.com/image/329323857 subscription Newspapers.com New York Daily Herald 17 April 2023 en February 5, 1845 The election was characterized in part as a race between Presbyterians, largely regarded as backing the Native American Party cause, and the Unitarians, who were seen as backing the Whig Party. It was alternatively described as reflecting dividing lines between party-line Whigs, locofocos, nativists, and abolitionists.The Times https://www.newspapers.com/image/49678413 subscription Newspapers.com Boon's Lick Times 17 April 2023 en February 1, 1845 First vote The first vote was held as scheduled on December 9. Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)The Boston Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/32122559 subscription Newspapers.com The Evening Post en December 11, 1844Mayor of Boston https://www.newspapers.com/image/325526785 subscription Newspapers.com Baltimore Daily Commercial 17 April 2023 en December 19, 1844 Adam W. Thaxter Jr.,Boston Municipal Election. https://www.newspapers.com/image/78685818 subscription Newspapers.com New-York Tribune en December 11, 1844 merchantO'Brien Megan Luxury Home of the Week: For $7.35m, a 22-room Beacon Hill home https://www.boston.com/real-estate/home-buying/2021/02/23/luxury-home-of-week-adam-thaxter-house/ www.boston.com 9 April 2023 February 23, 2021 (Democratic and Locofoco) Josiah Quincy Jr., former president of the Boston Common Council (Whig) Results The Boston Post noted that the results did not reflect the typical party-alignment in elections held in Boston. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote, there was no winner. Boston mayoral election first vote (December 9, 1844) Whig Party (United States) Josiah Quincy Jr. 4,457 41.19 Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 4,017 37.12 Democratic Party (United States) Adam W. Thaxter Jr. 2,115 19.55 Scattering Other 232 21.44 10,821 100 Second vote The second ballot was held December 23. Coinciding with the second vote was a similar second vote for five seats on the Boston Board of Aldermen.Boston Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/264184760 subscription Newspapers.com The Buffalo Commercial 17 April 2023 en December 27, 1844 Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)Baltimore Daily Commercial 19 Dec 1844, page 1 https://www.newspapers.com/image/325526785 subscription Newspapers.com Baltimore Daily Commercial 17 April 2023 en December 19, 1844Boston Municipal Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/329294430 subscription Newspapers.com New York Daily Herald 17 April 2023 en December 25, 1844 Charles Gordon Greene, editor of The Boston Post (Democratic and Locofoco) Thomas Wetmore (Whig) The Whig Party parted with Quincy as their nominee and instead nominated Thomas Wetmore for the second vote of the election. With Thaxter declining the Democratic Party's nomination, Charles Gordon Greene was nominated in his place.Mr. Thaxter... https://www.newspapers.com/image/25553972 subscription Newspapers.com The Times-Picayune en December 31, 1844 Results Boston mayoral election second vote (December 23, 1844) Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 3,907 38.89 Whig Party (United States) Thomas Wetmore 3,767 37.56 Democratic Party (United States) Charles Gordon Greene 2,282 22.75 Scattering Other 90 0.90 10,030 100 Third vote The third ballot was held December 30. Coinciding with the third vote was a similar third vote for five seats on the Boston Board of Aldermen. Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)No Mayor Yet. https://www.newspapers.com/image/50304843 subscription Newspapers.com The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 17 April 2023 en January 2, 1845 Charles Gordon Greene, editor of The Boston Post (Democratic and Locofoco) Thomas Wetmore (Whig) Results Boston mayoral election third vote (December 30, 1844) Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 4,031 40.19 Whig Party (United States) Thomas Wetmore 3,456 34.46 Democratic Party (United States) Charles Gordon Greene 2,419 24.12 Scattering Other 124 1.24 10,046 100 Fourth vote The fourth vote was held January 13, 1845. Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)Boston Mayoralty https://www.newspapers.com/image/118733438 subscription Newspapers.com The Louisville Daily Courier 17 April 2023 en January 25, 1845Boston Municipal Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/853387932 subscription Newspapers.com Weekly Columbus Enquirer 17 April 2023 en January 29, 1845 Samuel Atkins Eliot, former mayor (Whig) Charles Gordon Greene, editor of The Boston Post (Democratic and Locofoco) Wetmore declined to run again and the Whig Party instead nominated former mayor Samuel Atkins Eliot. Results Boston mayoral election fourth vote (January 13, 1845) Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 3,993 40.65 Whig Party (United States) Samuel Atkins Eliot 3,712 37.79 Democratic Party (United States) Charles Gordon Greene 2,056 20.93 Scattering Other 63 0.64 9,824 100 Fifth vote (January 20, 1845) The fifth vote was held January. A coinciding fifth vote was also held for the final two aldermanic seats, which saw victors emerge. Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican) William T. Eustis (Whig Young Men's) Peter T. Homer (Democratic and Locofoco) William Parker (Whig) The previous round's Whig nominee, Eliot, declined to run again. In their place, the party nominated William Parker. Greene also declined to run again. He was replaced by Peter T. Homer.Boston City Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/369013380 subscription Newspapers.com Hartford Courant 17 April 2023 en January 22, 1845 A meeting was held at which the Whig Young Men's nominated William T. Eustis. It was speculatedJanuary 2025 this was done with hopes of having him be a spoiler candidate and split the Know Nothing vote to prevent a Davis victory. Results Boston mayoral election fifth vote (January 20, 1845) Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 4,289 46.39 Democratic Party (United States) Peter T. Homer 1,855 20.06 Whig Young Men's William T. Eustis 1,503 16.26 Whig Party (United States) William Parker 1,499 16.21 Scattering Other 99 9,245 100 Sixth vote (January 30, 1845) The sixth vote was held January 30. Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)Boston https://www.newspapers.com/image/117449137 subscription Newspapers.com Brooklyn Evening Star 17 April 2023 en February 1, 1845 Peter T. Homer (Democratic and Locofoco) William Parker (Whig) Results Boston mayoral election sixth vote (January 30, 1845) Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 4,436 45.10 Whig Party (United States) William Parker 3,851 39.15 Democratic Party (United States) Peter T. Homer 1,513 15.38 Scattering Other 37 0.38 9,837 100 Seventh vote The seventh vote was held February 12. By the time of the seventh vote, the Boston Tribune, a Whig newspaper, was conceding that they did not believe that their party did not stand a chance of ultimately prevailing in the mayor's race.Boston Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/118733609 subscription Newspapers.com The Louisville Daily Courier 17 April 2023 en February 3, 1845 Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)Seventh Failure https://www.newspapers.com/image/531882166 subscription Newspapers.com The Pittsfield Sun 17 April 2023 en February 20, 1845 Peter T. Homer (Democratic and Locofoco) William Parker (Whig) Results Boston mayoral election seventh vote (February 12, 1845) Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 4,343 47.57 Whig Party (United States) William Parker 3,341 36.59 Democratic Party (United States) Peter T. Homer 1,430 15.66 Scattering Other 16 0.18 9,130 100 After the vote, a reporter wrote, It is evident to close observers here, that the subject of religious opinion has much to do in the matter, or other word, that it is a contest in part between Orthodox and Unitarian sects. The former set have thrown their influence for the Natives and the latter for the regular Whig candidate. But for this unhappy division, the regular Whig ticket would have succeeded at the first trial. It is now confidently anticipated by all that the native candidate will be elected.Boston City Election https://www.newspapers.com/image/40293334 subscription Newspapers.com Public Ledger 17 April 2023 en February 13, 1845 Eighth vote The eighth vote was held February 21. The Democratic Party opted not to contest the eighth vote, leaving the vote to be a two-way race.Election in Boston-A Choice at Last https://www.newspapers.com/image/40293435 subscription Newspapers.com Public Ledger en February 24, 1845 Davis won and was elected mayor. He took the oath of office on February 27, 1845.Mayor of Boston https://www.newspapers.com/image/329325842 subscription Newspapers.com New York Daily Herald 17 April 2023 en February 28, 1845 Candidates Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican) William Parker (Whig) Results Boston mayoral election eighth vote (February 21, 1845)Votes for Mayor of Boston, from 1841 to 1849 https://www.newspapers.com/image/734737746 subscription Newspapers.com Boston Evening Transcript 17 April 2023 en November 23, 1849 Know Nothing Thomas Aspinwall Davis 4,865 50.93 Whig Party (United States) William Parker 4,366 45.70 Scattering Other 322 3.37 9,553 100 Summary table of all votes + 1844–1845 Boston mayoral election results Vote round Whig Party Know Nothing Democratic Party Other candidates Nominee % Nominee % Nominee % Candidate % 1st Josiah Quincy Jr. 41.19 Thomas Aspinwall Davis 37.12 Adam W. Thaxter Jr. 19.55 rowspan=4 rowspan=4 2nd Thomas Wetmore 37.50 38.89 Charles Gordon Greene 22.72 3rd 34.46 40.19 24.12 4th Samuel Atkins Eliot 37.79 40.65 20.93 5th William Parker 16.21 46.39 Peter T. Homer 20.06 William T. Eustis 16.26 6th 39.15 45.10 15.38 rowspan=3 rowspan=3 7th 36.59 47.57 15.66 8th 45.70 50.93 See also List of mayors of Boston, Massachusetts References 30em 1844-1845 Boston Boston Boston mayoral Boston mayoral Boston mayoral election Boston mayoral election Boston mayoral election Category:19th century in Boston