Tappan, Benjamin, 1773-1857

Jurist, lawyer, and U.S. senator of Ohio.

From the description of Papers of Benjamin Tappan, 1799-1852. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71068238

American Senator, lawyer and anti-slavery leader.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : Washington, D.C., to William Cullen Bryant, 1839 Dec. 18. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270579143

Jurist and U.S. senator from Ohio.

From the description of Benjamin Tappan papers, 1795-1900 (bulk 1795-1866). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 71061671

Biographical Note

• 1773, May 23: Born, Northampton, Mass.
• circa 1779 - 1799 : Educated in public schools Apprenticed to a copperplate printer and engraver Made a voyage to the West Indies Studied portrait painting briefly under Gilbert Stuart Studied law under Gideon Granger Admitted to the bar at Hartford, Conn.
• 1799: Became first settler of what is now Portage County, Ohio
• 1801: Married Nancy Wright (died 1822) Settled in Ravenna, Ohio
• 1803 - 1805 : Member, Ohio state senate
• 1809: Moved to Steubenville, Ohio, where he continued to practice law
• 1812: Aide-de-camp to Major General Elijah Wadsworth during the War of 1812
• 1816 - 1823 : Presided as judge, Fifth Circuit Court of Common Pleas
• 1823: Returned to private law practice Married Betsy Ford Frazer (died 1840)
• circa 1823: Appointed as member, Ohio Canal Commission
• 1826 - 1833 : Served as federal district judge
• 1831: Published Cases Decided in the Courts of Common Pleas, in the Fifth Circuit of. . . . Ohio. Steubenville: Printed by J. Wilson (previously printed in parts, 1818-1819)
• 1832: Democratic presidential elector supporting Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren
• 1839 - 1845 : Member, U.S. Senate from Ohio
• 1856: Supported John C. Frémont for president
• 1857, Apr. 20: Died, Steubenville, Ohio

From the guide to the Benjamin Tappan Papers, 1795-1900, (bulk 1795-1866), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)