Jonah Patel
Jonathan Dayton, an American Founding Father and politician from New Jersey, was the youngest person to sign the Constitution of the United States at the age of 26. Dayton played a significant role in the new federal government, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and later as a U.S. Senator. He was a prominent Federalist legislator who supported Alexander Hamilton's fiscal policies and helped suppress the Whiskey Rebellion. Despite his political achievements, Dayton's career was marred by his association with Aaron Burr's conspiracy, for which he was arrested for treason in 1807 but never tried.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 16, 1760 |
| Place of Birth | Elizabethtown, New Jersey |
| Father's Name | Elias Dayton |
| Occupation | Soldier, Politician |
| U.S. Constitutional Convention Member | Youngest member at 26 |
| U.S. House Speaker | Third Speaker |
| Signatory to the Constitution | Youngest signatory |
| Owner | 248,540 acres of land in Ohio |
| City Named After Him | Dayton, Ohio |
| Death | October 9, 1824 |
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What You'll Learn
Jonathan Dayton's role in the Continental Congress
Jonathan Dayton was a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, of which he was the youngest member at age 26. He served as a New Jersey delegate and was a prominent Federalist legislator.
Dayton's role in the Continental Congress began with his election to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1786, where he served until 1787. He was elected again to the Assembly in 1790. In 1789, he served in the New Jersey Legislative Council, now the New Jersey Senate.
Dayton was initially elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1789 but did not take his seat until he was re-elected in 1791. He served as Speaker of the House for the Fourth and Fifth Congresses. As a congressman, he supported Alexander Hamilton's financial program, helped suppress the Whiskey Rebellion, and backed the Jay Treaty with Great Britain. During his last two terms, he served as Speaker of the House.
Dayton's military career and political connections facilitated his transition into public office. He fought in the Revolutionary War, participating in the battles of Brandywine Creek and Germantown and serving under General George Washington at Valley Forge. He rose to the rank of captain and fought in the Battle of Yorktown. After the war, he studied law and practised as an attorney before entering politics.
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Dayton's military career
Jonathan Dayton was born on October 16, 1760, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey. His father, Elias Dayton, was a prominent merchant and militia officer in the French and Indian War, and was also active in local politics. Jonathan attended the local "Reeves" school, where his classmates included Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. After graduating, Dayton attended the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University).
When the Revolutionary War broke out, Dayton enlisted and served under his father, who commanded the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. On January 1, 1777, he was commissioned a lieutenant and served as paymaster. Dayton saw service under General George 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. In October 1780, Dayton and an uncle were captured by Loyalists, who held them captive for the winter before releasing them the following year. Dayton then served under his father again in the New Jersey Brigade. On March 30, 1780, at age 19, he was promoted to the rank of captain and transferred to the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, where he took part in the Battle of Yorktown. The Revolutionary War pension records indicate that he served as aide-de-camp to General John Sullivan on his expedition against the Indians from May 1 to November 30, 1779.
After the war, Dayton studied law and opened a practice, dividing his time between land speculation, law, and politics. He became a prominent Federalist legislator, serving in various political roles, including as a delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, and as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly and Legislative Council. He was also elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served as Speaker of the House.
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Dayton's arrest and its impact on his career
Jonathan Dayton, the youngest person to sign the US Constitution, was arrested in 1807 for alleged treason in connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy to establish an independent country in the Southwestern US and parts of Mexico. Although he was exonerated by a grand jury, the arrest marked a turning point in his political career, from which he was never able to recover.
Dayton's career before his arrest was illustrious, having served in the military during the Revolutionary War, fighting in the battles of Brandywine Creek and Germantown, and remaining with General George Washington at Valley Forge. After the war, he studied law and opened a practice, dividing his time between land speculation, law, and politics. He served as a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, and later became a prominent Federalist legislator, serving in the New Jersey General Assembly and the New Jersey Legislative Council. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1791 and served as its third speaker from 1795 to 1799. He was then elected to the US Senate, where he served one term from 1799 to 1805.
However, Dayton's arrest in 1807 changed the trajectory of his career. He was accused of being involved in Aaron Burr's conspiracy, later known as the Burr Conspiracy, to establish an independent country in the Southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. This was a serious charge of treason against the United States. Although he was exonerated by a grand jury, the accusation had a detrimental effect on his reputation and national political career.
After his arrest and exoneration, Dayton held public office only once more in his life, serving a term in the New Jersey legislature from 1814 to 1815. He spent most of his remaining years devoted to developing his large landholdings in Ohio. The city of Dayton, Ohio, was named after him, although he never visited the area.
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Dayton's political affiliations
Jonathan Dayton was a member of the Federalist Party. He served as a delegate from New Jersey to the Congress of the Confederation from 1787 to 1788. As a member of the committee that created a federal approach to national government, Dayton helped establish the Electoral College and a bicameral legislature.
Dayton was a prominent Federalist legislator. Like most Federalists, he supported the fiscal policies of his former classmate, Alexander Hamilton. He also helped suppress the Whiskey Rebellion and supported the Jay Treaty with Great Britain in 1794. Additionally, he backed the Louisiana Purchase and opposed the repeal of the Judiciary Act of 1801 and the Twelfth Amendment.
Dayton was a member of the New Jersey General Assembly in 1786–1787 and again in 1790. He served in the New Jersey Legislative Council (now the New Jersey Senate) in 1789. In 1791, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served four terms, becoming the third Speaker of the House in 1795. He left the House in 1799 after being elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served one term from 1799 to 1805.
Dayton was a wealthy man due to his heavy investments in Ohio, where he owned large tracts of land. He lent money to Aaron Burr and became entangled in the latter's conspiracy to establish an independent country in the Southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. Although he was exonerated by a grand jury, his political career never recovered. After leaving the Senate in 1805, Dayton held public office only once more, serving a term in the New Jersey legislature from 1814 to 1815.
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Dayton's legacy
Jonathan Dayton was an American Founding Father and politician from New Jersey. He was born on October 16, 1760, in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, and died on October 9, 1824, in his hometown. He was the son of Elias Dayton, a prominent merchant and local politician who had served as a militia officer in the French and Indian War.
Dayton attended the local academy and, after graduating, enlisted in the New Jersey militia at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775. He fought in the battles of Brandywine Creek and Germantown and served under General George Washington at Valley Forge. He rose to the rank of captain and took part in the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. After the war, Dayton studied law and opened a legal practice, while also pursuing a career in politics.
Dayton served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was the youngest member of the U.S. Constitutional Convention at age 26 when he signed the Constitution. He went on to serve in various political roles, including as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the U.S. Senate. He was a prominent Federalist legislator and supported the fiscal policies of Alexander Hamilton. However, his career was impacted by his association with Aaron Burr's conspiracy, for which he was arrested for treason but later exonerated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Jonathan Dayton signed the US Constitution.
Jonathan Dayton was 26 years old when he signed the US Constitution, making him the youngest delegate to do so.
Jonathan Dayton was a member of the US House of Representatives from 1791 to 1799 and served as its third Speaker from 1795 to 1799. He was also a US Senator from 1799 to 1805.
Dayton was a Founding Father, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and a developer of large tracts of land in what became the state of Ohio. The city of Dayton, Ohio, is named after him.
Dayton's career was affected by his association with Aaron Burr and his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to establish an independent country in the Southwestern US. He was arrested for treason in 1807 but was never tried or convicted.
