Laurance, John, 1750-1810

John Laurance (1750 – November 11, 1810) was a delegate to the 6th, 7th and 8th Congresses of the Confederation, a United States Representative and United States Senator from New York and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New York. He briefly served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate in December 1798.

Born in 1750, near Falmouth, Cornwall, England, Laurance immigrated to the Province of New York, British America in 1767 and settled in New York City. He pursued academic studies then read law; after being admitted to the bar, Laurance entered private practice from 1772 to 1776. Laurance served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War as a commissioned officer from 1775 to 1782. At the outbreak of war in 1775, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the 4th New York Regiment, and took part in the 1775 Invasion of Quebec. In 1776, he received a commission as captain and paymaster of the Continental Army's 1st New York Regiment, serving under his father-in-law, Alexander McDougall. Laurance served as Judge Advocate General from 1777 to 1782, notably prosecuting at the court-martial of Charles Lee for insubordination in 1778, the 1779 court-martial of Benedict Arnold for corruption, and presided at the trial of Major John André. Laurance attained the rank of colonel and resigned his commission in 1782.

Laurance resumed private practice in New York City from 1782 to 1785. He was a member of the New York State Assembly, serving from 1782 to 1783 from Westchester County, and from New York County from 1784 to 1785. Laurance was a delegate to the 6th, 7th and 8th Congresses of the Confederation (Continental Congresses) from 1785 to 1787 then served as a member of the New York State Senate from 1788 to 1790. Laurance was elected as a Federalist from New York's 2nd congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 1st and 2nd United States Congresses, serving from March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1793. Laurance was nominated by President George Washington on May 5, 1794, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New York vacated by Judge James Duane. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 6, 1794, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on November 8, 1796, due to his resignation after his election as United States Senator from New York.

Laurance was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate from New York to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Senator Rufus King and served from November 9, 1796, until August 1, 1800, when he resigned. He briefly served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate during the 5th United States Congress. Following his departure from Congress, Laurance resumed private practice in New York City from 1800 to 1810, residing there until his death. He was interred at the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.