Azariah Flagg Papers

Collection — Container: 1

Identifier: 2026-004

Content Description

This collection contains a series of letters and bonds to and from Comptroller Azarah Flagg between 1835 to 1860

Dates

Creation: 1835 - 1860

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of the collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use in any current or future manifestations must be obtained in writing from the Rochester Public Library Local History and Genealogy Division.

Biographical / Historical

Azariah was born in Orwell Vermont in 1790 to Ebenezer and Elizabeth Flagg. By the age of 11 he took on an apprenticeship as a printer with his uncle in Burlington, Vermont. Azariah pursued a career in printing and moved to Plattsburgh New York in 1811 where he founded his own weekly newspaper- The Plattsburgh Republican. Afterwards Azariah would fight in the War of 1812 where he served in the 36th Regiment of the New York Militia of the Major General Benjamin Mooers' militia division. After the war Azariah continued with his publishing company until he was elected into the New York State Assembly in 1826, and then as Secretary of State in 1829. In 1834 Azariah was elected as State Comptroller, and in 1853 he became NYC Comptroller. He resigned in 1859 due to worsening blindness. During his final years Azariah continued to publish newspapers with the help of his family. Azariah would pass away in November of 1873.

Full Extent

.05 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection consists of 1 box.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Strong Museum, 2025

Bibliography

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44273422/azariah_cutting-flagg: accessed January 20, 2026), memorial page for Azariah Cutting Flagg (28 Nov 1790–24 Nov 1873), Find a Grave Memorial ID 44273422, citing Green-Wood Cemetery, Greenwood Heights, Kings County, New York, USA; Maintained by BKGeni (contributor 46895980).

“Office History.” Office of the New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. Accessed January 20, 2026. https://comptroller.nyc.gov/about/office-history/#:~:text=Flagg%20was%20a%20part%20of,the%20New%20York%20City%20Comptroller.

“Azariah C. Flagg.” Wikipedia, March 26, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azariah_C._Flagg.