Elmer, Jonathan, 1745-1817

Jonathan Elmer (November 29, 1745 – September 3, 1817) was an American physician and politician. A three-time delegate to the Continental Congress, he went on to serve as one of the first United States Senators from New Jersey.

Born in Cedarville in the Province of New Jersey, Elmer was privately tutored until 1765, when he began attendance in the first class of medical students at the University of Pennsylvania. He received the degree of bachelor of medicine in 1768, and 1771 he received his doctor of medicine degree, the first awarded by an American university. Elmer practiced medicine in Bridgeton and became active in government and politics. From 1772 to 1775, he served as sheriff of Cumberland County. During the American Revolutionary War he was a militia officer and attained the rank of captain as commander of a company.

Elmer was a delegate to the Continental Congress three times: 1777 to 1778, 1781 to 1783, and 1787 to 1788. In 1780 and 1784 he represented Cumberland County in the New Jersey Legislative Council. The College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University) made Elmer a trustee in 1782. He served in that position until 1795. The New Jersey Legislature appointed Elmer to the United States Senate for the term of March 4, 1789 to March 3, 1791. He was appointed presiding judge of the county court of common pleas in 1802 and served until his resignation in 1804; Elmer was appointed to the same office in the winter of 1813, but, in February 1814, declined to serve further because of impaired health.

Elmer died in Bridgeton, New Jersey and was interred in Old Broad Street Presbyterian Church Cemetery there.