David Brearley

David Brearley

David Brearley , also David Brearly , (born June 11, 1745 in Trenton , Province of New Jersey , † August 16, 1790 ibid) was an American lawyer . He was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention and a signatory of the United States Constitution for the state of New Jersey .

Career

The spelling of the surname varies between Brearley and Brearly. He grew up during the British colonial era. After studying law and becoming a lawyer, he began to work in this profession. In the 1770s he joined the revolutionary movement. He was arrested by the British and charged with high treason. But he was able to escape from captivity. In 1776 he was a member of the New Jersey Constituent Assembly. Then he joined the state militia and took part in the ensuing War of Independence . He rose to lieutenant colonel. In 1779 he was appointed Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court . He held this office for ten years.

In 1787 he was sent to the United States Constituent Congress in Philadelphia as one of the representatives of his state . There he campaigned, among other things, to anchor the rights of the smaller states. He was also a member of the committee that determined the term and position of the future US president. In addition, he was chairman of the Committee on Postponed Parts , which played an important role in the creation of the final text of the constitution. In 1789, Brearley was appointed judge in the federal district court for the district of New Jersey. He held this office until his death on August 16, 1790.

Honors

The David Brearley High School in Kenilworth was named after him.

See also

• List of signatories to the United States Constitution

Web links

• David Brearley in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• David Brearley in the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges