Henry Packer Dering (1763–1822)

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Date

ca. 1794

Description

Watercolor on ivory. Attributed to William Verstille (1757–1803). In order for the new United States government to work, it needed to raise revenue. The challenge was collecting taxes from a people who had just revolted against an imperial system of taxation. During its first session in 1789, Congress established custom houses and duties, designating Sag Harbor as one of 59 federal ports of entry. Henry Packer Dering, a well-connected merchant from a prominent local family, was appointed customs collector by President Washington. Among Dering’s duties were weighing and gauging cargoes that came into Sag Harbor, assessing and collecting duties, acting as a notary public, and hearing oaths of citizenship. Dering’s home and office, located today on the corner of Main and Garden Streets in Sag Harbor, is now owned and operated by Preservation Long Island and seasonally open for tours. This item was featured in the Voices and Votes: Democracy in America Exhibition.

Type

Image

Region

Long Island, New York State, United States

Era

Revolution and New Nation

Topic

American Revolution, Community, Industry, Transportation

Repository

Preservation Long Island

Identifier

1970.31.8b

Source

Preservation Long Island

Rights

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