Marchant, Henry, 1741-1796

MARCHANT, Henry, a Delegate from Rhode Island; born at Marthas Vineyard, Mass., April 9, 1741; attended school in Newport, R.I., where his father had moved, and was graduated from Philadelphia College (now the University of Pennsylvania) at Philadelphia in 1762; studied law; was admitted to the bar about 1767 and commenced practice in Newport, R.I.; attorney general of Rhode Island 1771-1777; Member of the Continental Congress 1777-1779 and was one of the signers of the Articles of Confederation; delegate to the Rhode Island State Convention in 1789 for the adoption of the Federal Constitution; served as United States district judge for the district of Rhode Island 1790-1796; died in Newport, R.I., on August 30, 1796; interment in the Common Burial Ground.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1778 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1776 RI Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

<p>Henry Marchant (April 9, 1741 – August 30, 1796) was a Founding Father of the United States, an attorney general of Rhode Island, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress from Rhode Island, a signer of the Articles of Confederation, and the first United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.</p>

<p>Born on April 9, 1741, in Martha's Vineyard, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America, Marchant received an Artium Magister degree in 1762 from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and read law in 1776. He entered private practice in Newport from 1767 to 1777. He was attorney general of Rhode Island from 1771 to 1777. He was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress from 1777 to 1779. He was one of the signers of the Articles of Confederation. He resumed private practice in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, from 1780 to 1784, also engaging in farming. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1784 to 1790. He was a member of the Rhode Island convention to adopt the United States Constitution, which ultimately was adopted by a separate convention in 1790.</p>

<p>Marchant was nominated by President George Washington on July 2, 1790, to the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, to a new seat authorized by 1 Stat. 128. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 3, 1790, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated when he died on August 30, 1796, in Newport. He was interred in the Common Burial Ground in Newport.</p>