Jonathan Sturges

For his grandson, the American businessman and arts patron, see Jonathan Sturges (businessman).

Jonathan Sturges
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's at-large district
In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793
Preceded by	Roger Sherman
Succeeded by	Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.
Personal details
Born	(1740-08-23)August 23, 1740 Fairfield, Connecticut Colony, British America
Died	October 4, 1819(1819-10-04) (aged 79) Fairfield, Connecticut, U.S.
Party	Pro-Administration Party
Spouse	Deborah Lewis Sturges
Children	Lewis Burr Sturges, Jonathan Sturges, Barnabas Lothrop Sturges and Priscilla Sturges
Alma mater	Yale College
Occupation	Lawyer, Jurist, Politician

Jonathan Sturges (August 23, 1740 – October 4, 1819) was an American lawyer, jurist and politician from Fairfield, Connecticut. He represented Connecticut as a delegate to the Continental Congress and in the United States House of Representatives.

Early life

Sturges was born in Fairfield in the Connecticut Colony where his father, Samuel (1712–1771) was a surveyor. His mother, Ann (Burr) Sturges was Samuel's second wife. His great-great-grandfather, also Jonathan Sturges (1624–1700), was one of the original settlers of the town.

Sturges graduated from Yale in 1759. He earned his master's degree from Yale in 1761, and his Doctor of Laws degree from Yale in 1806. He read law, and was admitted to the bar in May 1772. He began the practice of law in Fairfield.

Career

Sturges' entry into public service came when his neighbors in Fairfield sent him to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1772. He was returned every year until 1784. In 1773 he served Fairfield County as a justice of the peace, and in 1775 he served as the judge of probate court. Connecticut sent him as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1786. He served as a member of the Connecticut Council of Assistants from 1786 to 1788, and simultaneously served as a judge of the Connecticut Supreme Court of Errors from 1786 to 1789.

When the new United States government was formed, the voters elected him to the U.S. House as a Pro-Administration Party candidate. He served two terms in Congress from March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1793. Sturges was one of seven representatives to vote against the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.

Upon returning home, he was appointed an Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, serving from 1793 until 1805. He was a presidential elector in 1797 and 1805.

Sturges died at his home in Fairfield on October 4, 1819.

Personal life

In 1760 Sturges married Deborah Lewis. They had four children together.

Their son, Lewis Burr Sturges, would follow his father in the U.S. Congress.

Jonathan Sturges, an important arts patron in New York City, was his grandson.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress: STURGES, Jonathan, (1740 - 1819)
• Jonathan Sturges at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard: Sturges, Jonathan (1740-1819)
• Govtrack.us: Rep. Jonathan Sturges