Moss Kent

Moss Kent, New York Congressman and Judge

Moss Kent (April 3, 1766 – May 30, 1838) was a United States Representative from New York. Born in Kent's Parish, part of Croton-on-Hudson, New York, he completed preparatory studies, studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced there. He moved to Cooperstown, New York, and was a member of the New York State Senate from 1799 to 1803 and the New York State Assembly in 1807 and 1810.

He moved to Champion, and was appointed judge of Jefferson County on February 26, 1810. In 1812, he was elected to Congress as a Federalist. He was reelected in 1814, and served in the 13th and 14th Congresses (March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1817) as the representative of the newly-created 18th District.

He pursued the daughter of friend and business associate William Cooper, Hannah Cooper. She died at age 23, and Kent never married.

After leaving Congress he resumed the practice of law, and later moved to Plattsburgh. He died in Plattsburgh on May 30, 1838, and was interred in Plattsburgh's Riverside Cemetery.

His father was Moss Kent, Sr., a New York lawyer and judge. His brother was James Kent, another prominent jurist and legal scholar.