Matthias Ogden (October 22, 1754 – March 31, 1791) was the son of Robert Ogden II, who was a central character in my book Honest Ogden. Matthias was also a part of the story in the book.
Matthias had many qualities, good qualities that might be emulated to help humankind be better. I consider him thus an example of a Profile in Character in this Inspiring History episode.
Matthias attended what is now Princeton University along with his childhood friend Aaron Burr. During the early part of the Revolutionary War, Matthias was a member of Benedict Arnold’s march to and attack on Quebec. As the war progressed he became a colonel. He conceived of a plan to capture the King of England’s son, Prince William, who at the time was in Manhattan, a plan approved of by General Washington, although the venture was later abandoned. He was breveted as a brigadier general and described as a "brave and gallant soldier."
He went to produce business relations with the French, awarded the honor le droit du tabouret by King Louis XVI, brought back news of the 1783 Treaty of Paris as he sailed back to America.
Matthias was active in the New Jersey legislative process and was part of producing the NJ “horse head and plow” signifying an image of the state’s nature.
Ogden died of yellow fever at the age of 36.
Qualities to be emulated could be the desire to help, discipline in service (as in the long and arduous Quebec campaign), and lifelong teaming to make his home state successful.
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*Detail Of Matthias Ogden in a painting by John Trumbull. Ogden in red uniform and Gen. Richard Montgomery during the attack on Quebec December 31, 1775.
*Silhouette of Matthias Ogden from the Society of Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey
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