John Frelinghuysen
Encyclopedia
John Frederick Frelinghuysen (March 21, 1776 – April 10, 1833) was an American
general and lawyer
.
on March 21, 1776 to Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen
and Gertrude Schenck. He had four siblings: Catharine, Maria, Theodore
, and Frederick
. John graduated from Queen's College (now Rutgers University
) in 1792 after studying law, and he was admitted to the bar in the state of New Jersey in 1797. He was a member representing Somerset County, New Jersey
in the New Jersey Legislative Council
(now the New Jersey Senate
) from 1805 to 1814 and 1815 to 1820, and served three consecutive five-year terms on the Surrogate Court
for Somerset County, New Jersey
. During the War of 1812
, he joined the military, and commanded the New Jersey State Militia
at Sandy Hook, where his assignment was to prevent ships from attacking New York City
. At the close of the war he was promoted to brigadier general
.
John Frelinghuysen married Louisa Mercer in 1797, and they had two daughters: Gertrude and Mary Ann. Louisa died around 1809 and John married Elizabeth Mercereau Van Vechten on November 13, 1811. They had eight children: Louisa, Theodore, Frederick J., Catharine, Sallie, Sophia, and Elizabeth LaGrange Frelinghuysen.
John Frelinghuysen died in Millstone, New Jersey
on April 10, 1833, and was buried in the Old Somerville Cemetery in Somerville, New Jersey
. His tombstone reads: "Sacred to the memory of General John Frelinghuysen who died on the 10th day of April A.D. 1833 in the fifty eighth [sic] year of his age ..."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
general and lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
.
Biography
John Frelinghuysen was born in Millstone, New JerseyMillstone, New Jersey
Millstone is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 418.Millstone was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 14, 1894, from portions of Hillsborough Township, based on the results of...
on March 21, 1776 to Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen
Frederick Frelinghuysen (1753–1804)
Frederick Frelinghuysen was an American lawyer, soldier, and senator from New Jersey. A graduate of the College of New Jersey , Frederick went on to become an officer during the American Revolutionary War. In addition, he was and served as a delegate to the Continental Congress...
and Gertrude Schenck. He had four siblings: Catharine, Maria, Theodore
Theodore Frelinghuysen
Theodore Frelinghuysen was an American politician, serving as New Jersey Attorney General, United States Senator, and Mayor of Newark, New Jersey before running as a candidate for Vice President with Henry Clay on the Whig ticket in the election of 1844...
, and Frederick
Frederick Frelinghuysen (1788–1820)
Frederick Frelinghuysen was a New Jersey attorney.-Biography:Frederick Frelinghuysen was born in 1788 in New Jersey to Major General Frederick Frelinghuysen and Gertrude Schenck . His sibling was Theodore Frelinghuysen .He attended Princeton University...
. John graduated from Queen's College (now Rutgers University
Rutgers University
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey , is the largest institution for higher education in New Jersey, United States. It was originally chartered as Queen's College in 1766. It is the eighth-oldest college in the United States and one of the nine Colonial colleges founded before the American...
) in 1792 after studying law, and he was admitted to the bar in the state of New Jersey in 1797. He was a member representing Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
in the New Jersey Legislative Council
New Jersey Legislative Council
The New Jersey Legislative Council was the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature under the New Jersey Constitution of 1776 until it was replaced by the New Jersey Senate under the Constitution of 1844.-History:...
(now the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
) from 1805 to 1814 and 1815 to 1820, and served three consecutive five-year terms on the Surrogate Court
Surrogate Court
A probate court is a specialized court that deals with matters of probate and the administration of estates....
for Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County, New Jersey
Somerset County is a county located in the U.S. state of New Jersey. In 2010, the population was 323,444. It is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. Its county seat is Somerville....
. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he joined the military, and commanded the New Jersey State Militia
New Jersey National Guard
The New Jersey Army National Guard consists of over 9000 Guardsmen. The Guard is currently engaged in several worldwide and homeland missions. Units have deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Germany and Egypt...
at Sandy Hook, where his assignment was to prevent ships from attacking New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. At the close of the war he was promoted to brigadier general
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
.
John Frelinghuysen married Louisa Mercer in 1797, and they had two daughters: Gertrude and Mary Ann. Louisa died around 1809 and John married Elizabeth Mercereau Van Vechten on November 13, 1811. They had eight children: Louisa, Theodore, Frederick J., Catharine, Sallie, Sophia, and Elizabeth LaGrange Frelinghuysen.
John Frelinghuysen died in Millstone, New Jersey
Millstone, New Jersey
Millstone is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 418.Millstone was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on May 14, 1894, from portions of Hillsborough Township, based on the results of...
on April 10, 1833, and was buried in the Old Somerville Cemetery in Somerville, New Jersey
Somerville, New Jersey
Somerville is a borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 12,098. It is the county seat of Somerset County....
. His tombstone reads: "Sacred to the memory of General John Frelinghuysen who died on the 10th day of April A.D. 1833 in the fifty eighth [sic] year of his age ..."