Seth M. Gates

Seth Merrill Gates (October 16, 1800 – August 24, 1877) was an American merchant, attorney and politician. He served as a member of the New York State Assembly and as a United States representative from the U.S. state of New York. Early life Gates was born in Winfield, New York, the son of Seth Gates and Abigail (Merrill) Gates. In 1806, he moved to Sheldon, New York, with his family. He attended the common schools and Middlebury Academy located in the village of Wyoming, New York, before working as a teacher. Career He became inspector of the common schools, and in 1825, he served as the deputy sheriff of Le Roy, New York. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1827. He began the practice of law in Le Roy and served as supervisor of Le Roy in 1830. In 1832, he served as a Whig member of the New York State Assembly. He declined to be a candidate for renomination. He was elected as an antislavery member of the twenty-sixth and twenty seventh U.S. Congresses, serving from March 4, 1839, to March 3, 1843. While in Congress, he drafted the protest signed by the Whigs in Congress against the Texas annexation. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.