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Weeks, John, 1749-1818

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1749-02-14 - 1818-09-10

Biography

John Wingate Weeks was born and raised in Lancaster, New Hampshire. He received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1881, and served two years in the United States Navy. He married Martha Aroline Sinclair on 7 October 1885. Former Washington, D.C. residence of John W. Weeks

Weeks made a fortune in banking during the 1890s, after co-founding the Boston financial firm Hornblower and Weeks in 1888. With his financial well-being assured, Weeks became active in politics, first at a local level in his then-home of Newton, Massachusetts, serving as alderman in 1899–1902 and as mayor in 1903–04. He then moved on to the national scene in 1905, when he was elected to serve the 12th Congressional District of Massachusetts in United States Congress.

As a member of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate, Weeks made various contributions to important banking and conservation legislation. His most notable accomplishment as Congressman was the passage of the Weeks Act in 1911, his name-sake bill that enabled the creation of national forests in the eastern United States.

Despite his defeat for re-election to the Senate in 1918, Weeks remained an active and influential participant in the national Republican Party. He was an early supporter of the nomination of Warren G. Harding for President in 1920, and when Harding became President, he named Weeks to his cabinet.

As Secretary of War, Weeks was a competent, honest, and respected administrator and adviser, who guided the Department of War through its post-World War I downsizing. Weeks's hard work and long hours led to a stroke in April 1925, which led in turn to his resignation as Secretary in October of that year. Weeks's grave in Arlington National Cemetery

Weeks died several months later, at his summer home on Prospect Mountain in Lancaster, New Hampshire. His ashes were buried in Arlington National Cemetery near what is now known as Weeks Drive.

Weeks's son, Charles Sinclair Weeks, was briefly a United States senator from Massachusetts, and was later Secretary of Commerce during the Eisenhower administration.

Weeks's cousin, Edgar Weeks, was a congressman from Michigan. His granduncle, also named John Wingate Weeks (1781–1853), was a major in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812 and a congressman from New Hampshire.

Other family members: Son of Dr. John Weeks and Martha Weeks Husband of Deborah Weeks Father of Martha Spaulding; Elizabeth Webb; Deborah Weeks; Major John W. Weeks; James Brackett Weeks and 2 others Brother of Rev. Joshua W. Weeks; Comfort Weeks; Martha Randall; Sally (Sarah) Sally Bailey; Mary Wiggin Brackett and 4 others

Found in 69 Collections and/or Records:

Abijah Darby letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 793652
Mss 793652
Date(s): 1793-12-02
Scope and Contents

Agreement from Abijah Darby of Lancaster [N.H.] to John Weeks to complete a house frame.

Daniel Jewel et.al affidavit

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 818218.1
Mss 818218.1
Date(s): 1818-03-18
Abstract

In English.

David Burley receipt

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 782157
Mss 782157
Date(s): 1782-02-07
Abstract

In English.

David Hopkins receipt

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 787503
Mss 787503
Date(s): 1787-09-03
Abstract

In English.

Eben Brewster receipt

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 784470.1
Mss 784470.1
Date(s): 1784-08-20
Abstract

In English.

Edwards Bucknam letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 788540
Mss 788540
Date(s): 1788-09
Abstract

In English.

Edwards Bucknam letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 787660
Mss 787660
Date(s): 1787-12-10
Abstract

In English.

Edwards Bucknam letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 792220
Mss 792220
Date(s): 1792-03-20
Scope and Contents

Edwards Bucknam of Lancaster N.H. to John Weeks giving Weeks power of attorney for the special purpose of appearing in any proprietors meeting in the town of Lunenburg, Vt.

George T. Parrote letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 813374
Mss 813374
Date(s): 1813-06-24
Scope and Contents

Two-page letter from George T. Parrote in Concord to John Weeks, expressing sympathy over two deaths in the family, telling news of his children and commenting on the war with England.

J. Whipple letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 793165
Mss 793165
Date(s): 1793-02-15
Scope and Contents

Letter from J. Whipple of Portsmouth, [N.H.] to John Weeks with news of John Landon's decision to run for Governor.

J. Whipple letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 792663
Mss 792663
Date(s): 1792-12-13
Scope and Contents

Letter from J. Whipple of Portsmouth, N.H. to John Weeks concerning a proposal to sell land and put the proceeds into construction of a road through Crawford Notch.

James Marden receipt

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 789213
Mss 789213
Date(s): 1789-03-13
Abstract

In English.

Jeremiah Wilcox receipt

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 793425
Mss 793425
Date(s): 1793-07-25
Scope and Contents

Receipt from Jeremiah Wilcox of Lancaster, [N.H.] to John Weeks of payment for "a good substantial ferry boat."

John [?han] letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 799120
Mss 799120
Date(s): 1799-01-20
Scope and Contents

Courtesy letter from John [?han] of Candia [N.H.] to John Weeks.

John Weeks bills

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 782190
Mss 782190
Date(s): 1782-02 to 1785
Abstract

In English.

John Weeks bills

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 771353
Mss 771353
Date(s): 1771-06-03
Scope and Contents

John Weeks bills from various creditors, dated 1771-1785.

John Weeks bills

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 775140.3
Mss 775140.3
Date(s): 1775 to 1785
Scope and Contents

John Weeks' bills to various debtors.

John Weeks bills

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 772900.4
Mss 772900.4
Date(s): 1772
Scope and Contents

John Weeks bills from various debtors, dated 1772-1785.

John Weeks bills and receipts

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 783590
Mss 783590
Date(s): 1783-10
Abstract

In English.

John Weeks bills of sale

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 775615.1
Mss 775615.1
Date(s): 1775 to 1785
Scope and Contents

Bills of sale for purchases made by John Weeks.

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