Matthew Clarkson (1758-1825) was a prominent New York City citizen and statesman, born on Whitehall Street. He served as an aide-de-camp to General Benedict Arnold, prior to Arnold's becoming a turncoat, and also served under Major General Benjamin Lincoln. He worked his way up through the ranks, attaining the rank of general. Following the war, he served as Major-General of the New York State militia. Clarkson was also a state assemblyman from the City of New York, a director of the New York Manufacturing Society, a member of the Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York, a vestryman for Trinity Church, a president of the Society of the New York Hospital and a vice-president of the American Bible Society. He was chosen as a regent for the State University of New York and was a president of the Bank of New York, founded by Alexander Hamilton. Clarkson was married first to Mary Rutherfurd, daughter of Walter Rutherfurd, and then to Sarah Cornell, fathering seven children.