Peter W. Yates - After War Years

After War Years

When the active fighting in the revolution ended, Yates again entered politics. A long-time Freemason, he became an officer in the Albany lodge and was the Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York in 1784-1788. In 1784 he ran for the state assembly. He represented Albany there in 1784 and 1785. In 1786 they sent him to New York City as a delegate in the Continental Congress. This would be his last major office. During the debate over ratification of the United States Constitution, Yates was an active Anti-Federalist.

When removed from politics, his practice and investments thrived, and he became one of the most prosperous men in Albany. In 1794 his wife died, and in 1798 he re-married, this time to Mary Terbush (Ter Boss). He would have three more children with Mary, bringing his large family up to eleven children. He built a mansion on the south side of town, and only the Philip Schuyler house was more impressive.

In 1808 he was made a state judge for the western district of New York. In 1810 he moved to Montgomery County, New York, living on another property that he owned. He died there in Caughnawaga (now Fonda, New York) on March 9, 1826.