Peter Dumont Vroom

Who was Peter Dumont Vroom?

Peter Dumont Vroom, an American Democratic Party politician, served as the ninth Governor of New Jersey and as a member of the United States House of Representatives for a single term, from 1839–1841.

He was born in Hillsborough Township, New Jersey the son of Col. Peter Dumont Vroom who represented Somerset County as an Assemblyman and in the Legislative Council from 1798 to 1804 as a Federalist. The younger Vroom graduated from Columbia College, New York in 1808. After studying law at Somerville Academy he was admitted to the bar in 1813.

Vroom was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1826 to 1829. He then served as governor of New Jersey from 1829 to 1832 and 1833 to 1836. As governor, Vroom supported the establishment of the Camden and Amboy Railroad and the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

In 1838, Vroom was one of five Democratic candidates for Congress to become involved in the Broad Seal War controversy. Disputed election results caused the U.S. House of Representatives to challenge the Whig candidates certified by Governor William Pennington. After a lengthy fight, Vroom and the four other Democrats were seated in place of the Whigs.