Pierpont Edwards

Born on April 8, 1750, in Northampton, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America,[1] Edwards graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1768.[1] He entered private practice in New Haven, Connecticut Colony, British America (State of Connecticut, United States from July 4, 1776) starting in 1771.[1] He served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.[1] He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1777, from 1784 to 1785, and from 1787 to 1790,[1] serving as Speaker during his last two years.[2] He was a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation (Continental Congress) from 1787 to 1788.[1] He was a member of the Connecticut convention to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788.[2] He resumed private practice in New Haven from 1790 to 1806.[1]

Edwards was nominated by President Thomas Jefferson on February 21, 1806, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut vacated by Judge Richard Law.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 24, 1806, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on April 5, 1826, due to his death in Bridgeport, Connecticut.[1] He was interred at Grove Street Cemetery in New Haven.[2][3]

Pierpont Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio is named for him.[4]

Edwards was the youngest child of theologian Jonathan Edwards.[3] His son was Governor of Connecticut Henry W. Edwards.[3]

• Pierpont Edwards at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Gilman, D. C.; Peck, H. T.; Colby, F. M., eds. (1905). "Pierpont Edwards". New International Encyclopedia (1st ed.). New York: Dodd, Mead.

• United States Congress. "Pierpont Edwards (id: E000079)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Pierpont Edwards at Find a Grave