Simone Lawson
John Langdon (1741–1819) was a state legislator, governor, and U.S. senator during the Revolutionary and early national period (1775–1812). He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and was one of the signatories of the U.S. Constitution. He also served as President of New Hampshire (1785–1789), a role equivalent to the Governor of New Hampshire today, and as Governor of New Hampshire (1805–1809, 1810–1812). Langdon was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution of the United States in New Hampshire, which was ratified by a vote of 57-47 on June 21, 1788.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Langdon |
| Birth Date | June 26, 1741 |
| Death Date | September 18, 1819 |
| Birthplace | Portsmouth, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Death Place | Portsmouth |
| Occupation | Merchant, Sailor, Politician |
| Significance | Signed the United States Constitution; served as President of New Hampshire; served as United States Senator from New Hampshire; served as Governor of New Hampshire |
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What You'll Learn
John Langdon's career before signing the Constitution
John Langdon was born on June 26, 1741, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and died on September 18, 1819, in the same city. Before signing the Constitution, Langdon had a notable career as a politician and military leader.
Langdon came from a prosperous background; his father was a successful farmer and local shipbuilder. However, Langdon and his brother, Woodbury Langdon, chose to pursue a different path and apprenticed themselves to local naval merchants. By the age of 22, Langdon had already become a captain of the cargo ship Andromache, sailing to the West Indies. He quickly established himself in the maritime trade, acquiring a small fleet of vessels and engaging in the triangle trade between Portsmouth, the Caribbean, and London.
In addition to his business ventures, Langdon also had a growing interest in politics. He served as a member delegate of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776 and was a member of its Marine Committee, which oversaw the beginnings of the Continental Navy. During this period, he also actively supported the American Revolution. In 1777, he organized and financed John Stark's expedition against British General John Burgoyne. He resigned from the Continental Congress in June 1776 to become an agent for the Continental naval forces against the British, playing a crucial role in the construction of several American warships, including the Raleigh, the America, and the Ranger.
Langdon's military leadership was not limited to naval affairs. In 1777, he participated in the Battle of Bennington in Vermont, commanding Langdon's Company of Light Horse Volunteers at the Battles of Saratoga and Rhode Island. His dedication to the American cause and his leadership skills were evident in these early years of his career.
Langdon's political career continued to flourish after the war. He served in the New Hampshire Legislature from 1777 to 1782 and again from 1801 to 1805, with his last two terms as speaker. He also served as governor of New Hampshire for several terms between 1785 and 1812, except for a brief period between 1809 and 1810 when he lost to Jeremiah Smith.
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The Continental Congress
John Langdon was a member of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776, serving as a member of its Marine Committee, which oversaw the beginnings of the Continental Navy. He resigned from the Continental Congress in June 1776 to become an agent for the Continental naval forces against the British, supervising the construction of several new American warships, including the Raleigh, the America, and the Ranger. The following year, in 1777, he equipped an expedition against the British, participating in the Battle of Bennington in Vermont and commanding Langdon's Company of Light Horse Volunteers at the Battles of Saratoga and Rhode Island.
After the Revolutionary War, Langdon was twice elected President of New Hampshire between 1785 and 1789, an equivalent position to the Governor of New Hampshire today. In 1783, the war finally came to an end, and in 1784, Langdon built a mansion in Portsmouth known as the Governor John Langdon House. In 1787, Langdon returned to the Continental Congress and became a representative to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he represented New Hampshire and helped to debate, draft, and sign the United States Constitution.
Langdon was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution of the United States in New Hampshire, and on June 21, 1788, it was ratified by a vote of 57-47. He immediately wrote to George Washington, informing him that New Hampshire had become the ninth state, which he described as the "Key Stone in the Great Arch." After the newly ratified U.S. Constitution was adopted, Langdon was elected to the United States Senate to represent New Hampshire in 1789, serving until 1801. During this time, from 1792 to 1793, he served as the first President Pro Tempore of the United States Senate.
Back in New Hampshire, Langdon served in the state legislature from 1801 to 1805, with his last two terms as speaker. He then served as Governor of New Hampshire from 1805 to 1812, except for a year between 1809 and 1810 when he lost to Jeremiah Smith. In 1812, Langdon declined the nomination to be a vice-presidential candidate with James Madison and chose to retire instead. He died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in 1819 and was interred at the Langdon Tomb in the North Cemetery. The town of Langdon, New Hampshire, and Langdon Street in Madison, Wisconsin, are named after him.
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The Constitutional Convention
John Langdon was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787. He was a member of the New Hampshire Legislature from 1777 to 1805, serving as speaker during his last two terms. He also served as governor of New Hampshire from 1805 to 1812, except for a year between 1809 and 1810 when he lost to Jeremiah Smith.
Langdon was a prominent patriot in New Hampshire and a successful merchant and shipowner. He was nominated to represent New Hampshire at the Second Continental Congress and helped construct ships for American forces. He resigned from the Continental Congress in June 1776 to become an agent for the Continental naval forces against the British, supervising the construction of several new American warships.
During the Constitutional Convention, Langdon represented New Hampshire and actively participated in the debates, drafting, and signing of the United States Constitution. He was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution and played a significant role in its adoption. After the ratification, Langdon was elected to the United States Senate in 1789 to represent New Hampshire, holding his seat until 1801. He also served as the first president pro tempore of the United States Senate from 1789 to 1793.
John Langdon's contributions to the Constitutional Convention and his subsequent political career in New Hampshire and the United States Senate solidified his place as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. His efforts helped shape the country's early history and laid the foundation for its governance. Langdon's political career and dedication to his state and country have left a lasting legacy, with several places in New Hampshire and elsewhere named in his honour.
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John Langdon's political career after signing the Constitution
John Langdon was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 and a signatory of the U.S. Constitution. After signing the Constitution, Langdon continued his political career in various positions.
In 1788, Langdon was elected president of the Constitutional Convention and served as a member of the New Hampshire delegation. He was an ardent supporter of the drive to ratify the Constitution in New Hampshire, which was achieved on June 21, 1788, by a vote of 57-47. Langdon then served as president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate in 1789, prior to John Adams' election as vice president. During this time, he counted the votes of the electoral college in the first presidential election.
Langdon remained active in politics, serving in the New Hampshire Legislature from 1801 to 1805, with his last two terms as speaker. He also served as governor of New Hampshire from 1805 to 1812, except for a one-year hiatus between 1809 and 1810 when he lost to Jeremiah Smith. Prior to his successful election as governor, Langdon had unsuccessfully run for the position in 1802, 1803, and 1804, losing to John Taylor Gilman each time.
In addition to his state-level positions, Langdon was also involved in national politics. He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1775-1776 and 1783-1784, and he served in the U.S. Senate from 1789 to 1801. During his time in the Senate, he associated himself with the followers of Thomas Jefferson but declined any national office. In 1812, he refused the Democratic-Republican vice-presidential nomination due to his age and health.
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John Langdon's legacy
John Langdon was a prominent figure in the early political history of the United States, serving in various positions of significance. Born in 1741 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Langdon had a notable career as a politician, sailor, and merchant. He is recognized as one of the Founding Fathers of the nation.
Langdon's political career began with his election to the Continental Congress in 1775, where he served until 1776. During this time, he also actively supported the Continental naval forces in their battles against the British, utilizing his expertise as a merchant and sailor. He supervised the construction of several American warships, including the Raleigh, the America, and the Ranger. In 1777, he further demonstrated his leadership by equipping and commanding an expedition against the British at the Battle of Bennington in Vermont and the Battles of Saratoga and Rhode Island.
Langdon's political career progressed, and he became a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. This role is a pivotal part of his legacy as he actively participated in debating, drafting, and ultimately signing the United States Constitution. This act cemented his place in history as one of the key figures in establishing the nation's foundational document.
Following the adoption of the Constitution, Langdon continued to serve in various political roles. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1789, representing New Hampshire until 1801. During his time in the Senate, he aligned himself with the followers of Thomas Jefferson. Notably, Langdon served as the first president pro tempore of the Senate from 1792 to 1793, further highlighting his importance in the nation's early governance.
In addition to his federal roles, Langdon also held significant state-level positions. He served as President of New Hampshire, an equivalent position to the Governor at the time, from 1785 to 1789. After his time in the Senate, he returned to state politics and was elected to the New Hampshire Legislature, serving from 1801 to 1805. He then became the Governor of New Hampshire in 1805, a position he held until 1809, and again from 1810 to 1812. Langdon's dedication to public service and his contributions to the formation and early years of the United States have left an indelible mark on the country's history.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, John Langdon was a signatory of the U.S. Constitution.
John Langdon (1741-1819) was a state legislator, governor, and U.S. senator during the Revolutionary and early national period (1775-1812). He is considered one of America's Founding Fathers.
John Langdon served as a member delegate of the Second Continental Congress from 1775 to 1776. He resigned from his position in 1776 to become an agent for the Continental naval forces against the British, supervising the construction of several new American warships.
In the Senate, Langdon identified himself with the followers of Thomas Jefferson. He declined any national office and turned down the nomination to be a vice-presidential candidate in 1812.
John Langdon is remembered as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The town of Langdon, New Hampshire, and Langdon Street in Madison, Wisconsin, are named after him.
