William Paterson

William Paterson was an accomplished American statesman who served in Congress, on the Supreme Court and as governor of New Jersey.

Synopsis

Born in Ireland in 1745, William Paterson was a delegate to the New Jersey Constitutional Convention of 1776, and from 1776 to 1783, he served as the state's attorney general. In 1787, Paterson headed the New Jersey delegation to the federal Constitutional Convention, and in 1789, was elected one of the state's first two U.S. senators. He served as governor of New Jersey until 1793, when he was named an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Paterson died in New York in 1806.

Early Life

Born on December 24, 1745, in County Antrim, Ireland, William Paterson was an influential political and judicial figure in American history. He moved to America as a toddler. Around 1750, Paterson and his family settled in Princeton, New Jersey. There, his father found success as a merchant.

Growing up in an affluent family, Paterson was educated in private schools. He earned his bachelor's degree from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1763. Three years later, Paterson earned a master's degree from the same institution. He remained in Princeton to study law with Richard Stockton.

American Revolutionary

During the American Revolutionary War, Paterson was one of New Jersey's leading patriots. He was a member of the provincial congress from 1775 to 1776, and was part of the New Jersey Constitutional Convention of 1776. From 1776 to 1783, he served as New Jersey's attorney general.

In 1787, Paterson again worked on behalf of New Jersey as a representative to the federal Constitutional Convention. He proposed what became known as the "Paterson Plan," or the "New Jersey Plan," which sought to balance power between the larger and smaller states. Two years later, Paterson became one of the state's first senators. In 1790, he became the state's governor—a post that he would hold until he was called for national service in 1793.

Supreme Court Justice

President George Washington appointed Paterson to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1793. During his time with the court, he oversaw the trials of those involved in the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794. Paterson hoped to become the court's chief justice in 1800, after Oliver Ellsworth stepped down, but President John Adams appointed John Marshall instead.

In 1803, Paterson was hurt in a carriage accident. He was never the same after the incident, but he didn't let his physical problems distract him from his judicial duty. Paterson remained on the Supreme Court until his death, on September 9, 1806, in Albany, New York.

Personal Life

Paterson was married twice during his lifetime. He had three children with his first wife, Cornelia Bell. The couple married in 1779 and remained together until her death in 1783. In 1785, Paterson married his second wife, Euphemia White.

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