Holten, Samuel, 1738-1816

<p>Samuel Holten, who had the honor of becoming one of the presidents of the Continental Congress, was born in Danvers, Massachusetts, June 9, 1738. Having received a good education, he studied medicine, and then commenced the practice of his profession in his native town. He was a zealous Whig, and gave all his energy and ability to the cause of his country at the commencement of the struggle against British oppression. In 1778, Mr. Holten was elected a member of Congress, and he continued an active member of that august body for five years, serving for a time as its presiding officer. He then retired from prominent public positions and enjoyed an interval of repose.</p>

<p>In 1793, Mr. Holten was again elected a representative in Congress. In 1796 he was appointed judge of probate for the county of Essex, which office he resigned in 1815, after having been in public stations forty-seven years, a long period of patriotic and honorable service. He died in 1816, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Holten was a man of high character and dignified bearing; rigidly faithful in the performance of his duties, and exacting the same strictness in keeping engagements from others.</p>

HOLTEN, Samuel, a Delegate and a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Danvers, Mass., June 9, 1738; completed preparatory studies; studied medicine and practiced in Gloucester, Mass., for a short time; returned to Danvers and continued the practice of medicine; member of the State house of representatives in 1787; served in the State senate 1780-1782, 1784, 1786, 1789, and 1790; member of the Governor's council 1780-1782, 1784, 1786, 1789-1792, 1795, and 1796; Member of the Provincial Congress 1774-1775; member of the committee of safety in 1775; Member of the Continental Congress 1778-1780, 1783-1785 and 1787; elected president pro tempore August 17, 1785; member of the State constitutional convention in 1779; elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the Third Congress (March 4, 1793-March 3, 1795); appointed judge of the probate court for Essex County in 1796 and served until his resignation in 1815; died in Danvers, Mass., on January 2, 1816; interment in the Holten Cemetery.

<p>Samuel Holten (June 9, 1738 – January 2, 1816) was an American Founding Father, physician, and statesman from Danvers, Massachusetts. He represented Massachusetts as a delegate to the Continental Congress, where he signed the Articles of Confederation. He also served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.</p>

<p>Holten was born in Salem Village (now Danvers) in the Province of Massachusetts Bay on June 9, 1738. He was educated locally, studied medicine and established a practice in Gloucester. He soon returned to Danvers, where he continued the practice of medicine.</p>

<p>During the American Revolution Holten supported the Patriot cause. Holten served in the militia as a major in the First Essex County Regiment. He was a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1775 and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety in 1775. He served in the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1780 and the United States in Congress Assembled, 1783 to 1785, and again in 1787. He was elected Chairman of the United States in Congress Assembled on August 17, 1785.</p>

<p>Holten was a member of the state constitutional convention in 1779. From 1780 to 1782 Holten served in the Massachusetts Senate, and he served again in 1784, 1786, 1789, and 1790. In 1787 he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. From 1780 to 1782 Holten was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council, and he served again in 1784, 1786, 1789 to 1792, 1795, and 1796. In 1792 Holten was elected as an Anti-Administration candidate to the Third Congress (March 4, 1793 – March 3, 1795). Holten also served as judge of the Essex County Court. He was appointed judge of the Essex County Probate Court in 1796, and he served until his resignation in 1815. He died in Danvers on January 2, 1816, and was buried at Holten Cemetery in Danvers.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>08/01/1796 MA - 3rd Middle - Special Election - 1st Trial Lost 6.81% (-25.13%)</li>
<li>11/03/1794 MA - 3rd Middle Lost 24.50% (-28.08%)</li>
<li>04/01/1793 MA District 1 - 3rd Trial Won 69.88% (+39.76%)</li>
<li>01/14/1793 MA District 1 - 2nd Trial Lost 25.59% (-3.72%)</li>
<li>11/02/1792 MA District 1 - Essex Lost 2.37% (-93.00%)</li>
<li>11/02/1792 MA District 1 - 1st Trial Lost 4.30% (-23.73%)</li>
<li>11/03/1790 MA US Senate Lost 2.72% (-56.46%)</li>
<li>10/04/1790 MA District 2 Lost 10.91% (-75.97%)</li>
<li>01/29/1789 MA District 2 - 2nd Trial Lost 0.14% (-66.97%)</li>
<li>01/07/1789 MA Presidential Elector - District 02 Lost 6.23% (-22.16%)</li>
<li>12/18/1788 MA District 2 - 1st Trial Lost 13.75% (-24.85%)</li>
<li>12/31/1786 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1784 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1783 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1782 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1779 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1778 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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