Burnet, William, 1730-1791

BURNET, William, (Father of Jacob Burnet), a Delegate from New Jersey; born in Newark, N.J., December 2, 1730; was graduated from Princeton College in 1749; studied medicine in New York and commenced practice in Newark; chairman of the committee of public safety in Newark in 1775; superintendent of a military hospital in Newark in 1775; surgeon general of the eastern district of the United States 1776-1783; returned to Newark and engaged in agricultural pursuits; appointed presiding judge of the court of common pleas by the State legislature in 1776; Member of the Continental Congress from December 11, 1780, to April 1, 1781, when he resigned; first judge of Essex County in 1781; president of the State medical society in 1787; died in Newark, N.J., October 7, 1791; interment in the First Presbyterian Churchyard.

<p>William Burnet (December 13, 1730 – October 7, 1791) was an American political leader and physician from New Jersey. He served in the Continental Army and the Continental Congress.</p>

<p>He was born on December 13, 1730 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.</p>

<p>Burnet graduated from Princeton University in 1749, studied medicine under Dr. Staats in White Plains, New York, and started his practice in Newark, New Jersey. He was a member of Newark's Committee of Safety in 1775 before he joined the Continental Army as a surgeon. He opened a hospital in Newark for wounded soldiers, and ran it throughout the Revolution. He was appointed Surgeon General for the Eastern Region in 1776, and also held that position until the war ended in 1783.</p>

<p>Burnet was elected to the Continental Congress in 1780 and served from December 11, 1780 until his resignation on April 1, 1781, when he was forced to leave this service by the press of other duties and his wife's illness. Later that year he began serving as a judge in Essex County. He also led the New Jersey Medical Society in 1787. He was a member of The Society of the Cincinnati in the state of New Jersey, taking the seat of his brother Ichabod upon his death. He died in Newark, New Jersey on October 7, 1791, aged 60, and was interred in that city's First Presbyterian Church Cemetery.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1780 NJ Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1779 NJ Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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