Langdon, Woodbury, 1739-1805

<p>Woodbury Langdon (1739 – January 13, 1805) was a merchant, statesman and justice from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was the brother of John Langdon, a Founding Father who served as both senator from and Governor of New Hampshire, and father-in-law of Edmund Roberts.</p>

<p>Langdon attended the Latin grammar school at Portsmouth, then went into the counting house of Henry Sherburne, a prominent local merchant. He was described as a large, handsome man—indeed, a contemporary recalled that the three handsomest men of that era were George Washington, Lord Whitworth and Woodbury Langdon. Langdon's business success enabled him to build and furnish a substantial home on State Street. In 1781, his home was destroyed in a fire which started in the barn where the Music Hall now stands. He rebuilt the three-story brick mansion in 1785, called "the costliest house anywhere about," and occupied it for the remainder of his life.</p>

<p>When the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, Langdon sailed to London to secure considerable monies he had invested there. The attempt was unsuccessful, and two years later he left empty-handed for New York. Upon arrival, British Commander-in-Chief General William Howe suspected Langdon's loyalty to the Crown, and consequently restricted him to the city. Entreaties to release Langdon, written both by his prominent friends in England and younger brother, John, were ignored. Nevertheless, in December 1777 he managed to escape.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>11/18/1799 NH At-Large - Special Election Lost 13.89% (-55.37%)</li>
<li>08/27/1798 NH At-Large Lost 0.70% (-23.53%)</li>
<li>10/30/1797 NH At-Large - Special Runoff Lost 33.45% (-33.11%)</li>
<li>08/28/1797 NH At-Large - Special Election Won 22.51% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>08/29/1796 NH At-Large Lost 4.19% (-20.77%)</li>
<li>12/31/1779 NH Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1778 NH Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

LANGDON, Woodbury, (Brother of John Langdon), a Delegate from New Hampshire; born in Portsmouth, N.H., in 1739; attended the public schools; engaged in mercantile pursuits; prominent in pre-Revolutionary affairs and throughout the war; served in the state house of representatives in 1778 and 1779; Member of the Continental Congress in 1779; member of the state executive council 1781-1784; judge of the state superior court in 1782 and again from 1786 to January 1791, when he resigned; appointed in December 1790 by President Washington a commissioner to settle Revolutionary War claims; died in Portsmouth, N.H., January 13, 1805; interment in the North Cemetery.