1844–45 Boston mayoral election

The 1844–45 Boston mayoral election was held in eight rounds from December 9, 1844 through February 21, 1845. The eight ballot saw the election of Native American Party nominee Thomas Aspinwall Davis as mayor of Boston. Incumbent Whig Party mayor Martin Brimmer was not a candidate for reelection. The election took eight votes, as no candidate secured the needed majority in the first seven attempts.

Background

The election marked the rise of the city's newly founded Native American Party (Know Nothing) organization. The election was characterized in part as a race between Presbyterians, largely regarded as backing the Native American Party cause, and the Unitarians, who were seen as backing the Whig Party. It was alternatively described as reflecting dividing lines between party-line Whigs, locofocos, nativists, and abolitionists.

First vote

The first vote was held as scheduled on December 9.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• Adam W. Thaxter Jr., merchant (Democratic and Locofoco)
• Josiah Quincy Jr., former president of the Boston Common Council (Whig)

Results

The Boston Post noted that the results did not reflect the typical party-alignment in elections held in Boston. Since no candidate received a majority of the vote, there was no winner.

Second vote

The second ballot was held December 23.

Coinciding with the second vote was a similar second vote for five seats on the Boston Board of Aldermen.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• Charles Gordon Greene, editor of The Boston Post (Democratic and Locofoco)
• Thomas Wetmore (Whig)

The Whig Party parted with Quincy as their nominee and instead nominated Thomas Wetmore for the second vote of the election. With Thaxter declining the Democratic Party's nomination, Charles Gordon Greene was nominated in his place.

Results

Third vote

The third ballot was held December 30.

Coinciding with the third vote was a similar third vote for five seats on the Boston Board of Aldermen.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• Charles Gordon Greene, editor of The Boston Post (Democratic and Locofoco)
• Thomas Wetmore (Whig)

Results

Fourth vote

The fourth vote was held January 13, 1845.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• Samuel Atkins Eliot, former mayor (Whig)
• Charles Gordon Greene, editor of The Boston Post (Democratic and Locofoco)

Wetmore declined to run again and the Whig Party instead nominated former mayor Samuel Atkins Eliot.

Results

Fifth vote (January 20, 1845)

The fifth vote was held January.

A coinciding fifth vote was also held for the final two aldermanic seats, which saw victors emerge.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• William T. Eustis (Whig Young Men's)
• Peter T. Homer (Democratic and Locofoco)
• William Parker (Whig)

The previous round's Whig nominee, Eliot, declined to run again. In their place, the party nominated William Parker. Greene also declined to run again. He was replaced by Peter T. Homer. A meeting was held at which the Whig Young Men's nominated William T. Eustis. It was speculated this was done with hopes of having him be a spoiler candidate and split the Know Nothing vote to prevent a Davis victory.

Results

Sixth vote (January 30, 1845)

The sixth vote was held January 30.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• Peter T. Homer (Democratic and Locofoco)
• William Parker (Whig)

Results

Seventh vote

The seventh vote was held February 12.

By the time of the seventh vote, the Boston Tribune, a Whig newspaper, was conceding that they did not believe that their party did not stand a chance of ultimately prevailing in the mayor's race.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• Peter T. Homer (Democratic and Locofoco)
• William Parker (Whig)

Results

After the vote, a reporter wrote,

It is evident to close observers here, that the subject of religious opinion has much to do in the matter, or other word, that it is a contest in part between Orthodox and Unitarian sects. The former set have thrown their influence for the Natives and the latter for the regular Whig candidate. But for this unhappy division, the regular Whig ticket would have succeeded at the first trial. It is now confidently anticipated by all that the native candidate will be elected.

Eighth vote

The eighth vote was held February 21.

The Democratic Party opted not to contest the eighth vote, leaving the vote to be a two-way race. Davis won and was elected mayor. He took the oath of office on February 27, 1845.

Candidates

• Thomas Aspinwall Davis, businessman (Native American and American Republican)
• William Parker (Whig)

Results

Summary table of all votes

See also

• List of mayors of Boston, Massachusetts

References