Jonathan Dayton

This article is about the early American politician. For the film and music video director, see Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.
Jonathan Dayton
3rd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
In office
December 7, 1795 – March 4, 1799
President George Washington
John Adams
Preceded by Frederick Muhlenberg
Succeeded by Theodore Sedgwick
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's At-large district
In office
March 4, 1791 – March 4, 1799
Preceded by James Schureman
Elias Boudinot
Succeeded by Mark Thomson
John Condit
United States Senator
from New Jersey
In office
March 4, 1799 – March 4, 1805
Preceded by Richard Stockton
Succeeded by Aaron Kitchell
Member of the New Jersey General Assembly
In office
1786–1787
1790
Member of the New Jersey Senate
In office
1789
Personal details
Born (1760-10-16)October 16, 1760
Elizabethtown, New Jersey
Died October 9, 1824(1824-10-09) (aged 63)
Elizabethtown, New Jersey
Political party Pro-Administration
Federalist
Spouse(s) Susan Williamson
Alma mater College of New Jersey
Profession Law
Religion Episcopalian

Jonathan Dayton (October 16, 1760 – October 9, 1824) was an American politician from the U.S. state of New Jersey. He was the youngest person to sign the United States Constitution and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as the third Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and later in the U.S. Senate. Dayton was arrested in 1807 for treason in connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy; Dayton was never tried, but his national political career never recovered.

Biography

Early life

Dayton was born in Elizabethtown (now known as Elizabeth) in New Jersey. He was the son of Elias Dayton, a merchant who was prominent in local politics and had served as a militia officer in the French and Indian War. He graduated from the local academy, run by Tapping Reeve and Francis Barber, where he was classmates with Alexander Hamilton. He then attended the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University). He left the College of New Jersey in 1775 to fight in the Revolution, though he would later receive an honorary degree in 1776.[1]

Soldier

Dayton was 15 at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775 and served under his father (Elias ) in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment as an ensign. On January 1, 1777, he was commissioned a lieutenant and served as paymaster. He saw service under Washington, fighting in the battles of Brandywine Creek and Germantown. He remained with Washington at Valley Forge and helped push the British from their position in New Jersey into the safety of New York City.[1] In October 1780, Dayton and an uncle were captured by loyalists, who held them captive for the winter before releasing them in the following year. Dayton again served under his father in the New Jersey Brigade. On March 30, 1780, at age 19, he was promoted to rank of captain and transferred to the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, where he took part in the Battle of Yorktown.[1] The Revolutionary War pension records indicate that he served as Aid-de-Camp to General Sullivan on his expedition against the Indians from May 1 – November 30, 1779. On July 19, 1799, Dayton was offered a commission as Major General in the Provisional United States Army, but declined.

Career

After the war, Dayton studied law and created a practice, dividing his time between land speculation, law, and politics. After serving as a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention (which he was the youngest member of, at the age of 26[2]), he became a prominent Federalist legislator. He was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 1786–1787, and again in 1790, and served in the New Jersey Legislative Council (now the New Jersey Senate) in 1789.[1]

Dayton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1789, but he did not take his seat until he was chosen again in 1791. He served as speaker for the Fourth and Fifth Congress. Like most Federalists, he supported the fiscal policies of Alexander Hamilton, and helped organize the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion. He supported the Louisiana Purchase and opposed the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801.[1]

Wealthy from his heavy investments in Ohio, where the city of Dayton would later be named after him, Dayton lent money to Aaron Burr, becoming involved by association in the alleged conspiracy in which Burr was accused of intending to conquer parts of what is now the Southwestern United States. Dayton was exonerated, but his association with Burr effectively ended his political career.[1]

Late life and family

Dayton married Susan Williamson and had two daughters. Susan's Revolutionary War Pension Application W.6994 states that the marriage occurred on March 28, 1779. A supporting letter, written by Aaron Ogden, a captain in the New Jersey Brigade, states that he "was present at the marriage of the said Jonathan Dayton and Susan his wife; which marriage ceremony was performed by the Reverent Mr. Hoyt, a Presbyterian Clergyman... in the fore part of spring of the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine (1779) while the New Jersey Brigade lay at Elizabethtown in the Borough of Elizabeth and state of new Jersey."

After resuming his political career in New Jersey, Dayton died on October 9, 1824, in his hometown. He was interred in an unmarked grave that is now under the St. John's Episcopal Church in Elizabeth, which replaced an original church in 1860. Shortly before Dayton's death, Lafayette visited him, as reported in an obituary in the Columbian Centinel on October 20, 1824: "In New-Jersey, Hon. JONATHAN DAYTON, formerly Speaker of the House of Representatives of Congress, and a Hero of the Revolution. When the Nation's Guest lately passed New-Jersey, he passed the night with General Dayton, and such were the exertions of this aged and distinguished federalist, to honor the Guest, and gratify the wishes of his fellow citizens to see, that he sunk under them ; and expired, without regret, a few days after."[3]

Dayton, Ohio

The city of Dayton, Ohio, was named after Jonathan Dayton. While he never set foot in the area, he was a signatory to the Constitution and, at the time the city of Dayton was established in 1796, he owned (in partnership with Arthur St. Clair, James Wilkinson and Israel Ludlow) 250,000 acres (1,011 km²) in the Great Miami River basin.[4][5]

Legacy

The Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey, the Dayton neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey, Dayton Street[6] in Madison, Wisconsin, and Dayton, Ohio, are named in his honor.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wright, Jr., Robert K.; MacGregor Jr., Morris J. "David Brearly". Soldier-Statesmen of the Constitution. Washington D.C: United States Army Center of Military History. CMH Pub 71-25.
  2. ↑ Abeka United States History: Heritage of Freedom, page 126
  3. ↑ "Columbian Centinel". October 20, 1824.
  4. ↑ Brief History of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio. Accessed January 13, 2010.
  5. ↑ Important Daytonians, Preservation Dayton. Accessed January 13, 2010.
  6. ↑ http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/odd/archives/002071.asp
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Elias Boudinot		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's at-large congressional district
March 4, 1791 – March 3, 1799 		Succeeded by
William Helms
United States Senate
Preceded by
Richard Stockton		 U.S. Senator from New Jersey
1799–1805 		Succeeded by
Aaron Kitchell
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