Sullivan, John, 1740-1795

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John Sullivan (February 17, 1740 – January 23, 1795) was a Founding Father of the United States and an American General in the Revolutionary War winning several key battles most notably the Delaware crossing. He was a delegate in the Continental Congress, where he signed the Continental Association, the third governor of New Hampshire, and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire.

Born in Somersworth in the Province of New Hampshire, British America, he received a limited education. Sullivan read law between 1758 and 1760. He began the practice of law in 1763 at Berwick, now in Maine, and continued in the practice when he moved to Durham, New Hampshire in 1764. Sullivan built a friendship with the royal governor of New Hampshire, John Wentworth, but turned away from Wentworth as the American Revolution grew nearer. In 1774, Sullivan was named as a delegate to the First Continental Congress. In January 1775, a second Provincial Congress at Exeter voted to send Sullivan to the Second Continental Congress. On June 27, 1775, Sullivan left Philadelphia to join the army at the siege of Boston.

After the British evacuated Boston in the spring of 1776, Washington sent Brigadier General Sullivan north to replace the fallen John Thomas as commander in Quebec. In August 1776, Sullivan was promoted to major general. Sullivan rejoined Washington and was placed in command of the troops on Long Island to defend against British General Howe's forces about to envelop New York City. Briefly captured by the British, Sullivan was released in a prisoner exchange in time to rejoin Washington before the Battle of Trenton. In early 1778, he was transferred to the post of Rhode Island where he led Continental troops and militia. In the summer of 1779, Sullivan led the Sullivan Expedition, a massive campaign against the Iroquois in western New York. The New Hampshire legislature selected him as a delegate to the Continental Congress for one year to start in November 1780, against his wishes. Nonetheless, he accepted the position in order that New Hampshire be represented in the controversy concerning claims to Vermont under the New Hampshire Grants. Seated in September 1780 in the absence of other delegates from New Hampshire, he ultimately resigned from the Congress and departed from Philadelphia in August 1781.

Returning home to New Hampshire, Sullivan was named the state's attorney general in 1782 and served until 1786. During this same time he was elected to the state assembly and served as speaker of the house. He led the drive in New Hampshire that led to ratification of the United States Constitution on June 21, 1788. He was elected President of New Hampshire (now Governor) in 1786, 1787 and 1789. Sullivan was nominated by President George Washington on September 24, 1789, to the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, to a new seat authorized by 1 Stat. 73. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, and received his commission the same day. Due to ill health, he did not hold court after 1792, but retained his judicial seat. His service terminated on January 23, 1795, due to his death at his home in Durham. He was interred in the family cemetery in Durham.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Palfrey family papers, 1713-1915 Houghton Library
referencedIn Brant, Joseph, 1742-1807. Draper manuscripts: Joseph Brant papers, 1710-1879. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
creatorOf Sullivan, John, General, 1740-1795. Autograph letter signed : "Durham", to Gen. Greene, 1781 Nov. 5. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn David Bradish orderly book 1778-1786 Bradish, David orderly book William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Swatland, Luke. Note on human skin (alleged), after 1779. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Papers of Joseph and William Whipple, 1717-1904 (inclusive), 1763-1814 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Sullivan, John. Map of Sullivan's Indian Campaign at Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, 1866. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Brant, Joseph, 1742-1807. Draper manuscripts: Joseph Brant miscellanies, 1779-1892. Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project
referencedIn Thomas Grosvenor papers, 1779-1792. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume V, Miscellany, 1764-1792 Cornell University Library
creatorOf Barbour, John H. Papers, 1832-1881. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn Gibbes, Caleb, Major. Orderly book, 1778, Aug. 8-28 / kept by Major [Caleb?] Gibbes [or Gibbs]. Society of the Cincinnati Library
referencedIn Gérard, Conrad Alexandre, 1729-1790. ALS (3rd person) : Philadelphia, to Elias Boudinot, [1778] août 16. Rosenbach Museum & Library
creatorOf Sullivan, James, 1744-1808. Transcripts, 1770-1809. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786. Papers, 1777-1780 American Philosophical Society
creatorOf Sullivan, John, General, 1740-1795. Autograph letter signed : Durham, to Thomas Jefferson, 1787 May 9. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Parsons, Edward, d. 1776. Edward Parsons' collections of the practice of the American army [New York, Ticonderoga, and elsewhere] Jan. 1776-Dec. 1779 [and later?] Society of the Cincinnati Library
creatorOf Heath, William, 1737-1814. Papers, 1774-1872. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Orderly book, 1775-1776. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn [Orderly book, 1776-1779]. New England Historic Genealogical Society
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. LS : Winter Hill, Mass., to Matthew Thornton, 1775 Dec. [no day]. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Amory, Thomas C. (Thomas Coffin), 1812-1889. Letter to Mr. Bell, 1875 September 24. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf United States. Continental Army. Order of battle for the army commanded by Majr. Gen'l Sulivan [sic]. United States Military Academy, USMA Library
creatorOf Edward Hand papers, 1775-1801. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834. ALS, 1778 Sept. 28, Boston, to John Sullivan. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Campfield, Jabez, 1737-1821. Journal and Orderly book, 1779-1822. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Martin, Robert, Lieutenant. Commission, 1789. Portsmouth Athenaeum Library & Museum
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Papers of John Sullivan, 1775-1781. Library of Congress
referencedIn Hargrett, Felix. Felix Hargrett papers, 1790-1982 (bulk 1932-1980). Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Henderson, O. V., 1870-1951. Papers, 1904-1986. UNH Durham, Dimond Library
referencedIn Barber, Francis, 1750-1783. Francis Barber orderly book, 1779. New Jersey Historical Society Library
referencedIn Amory family. Amory family papers, 1697-1894. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume IX, Miscellany, 1766-1808 Cornell University Library
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. [Letter] 1779 October 19, Easton, Pa. [to Thomas] Bradford [Philadelphia] / Jn Sullivan. Easton Area Public Library
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Transcripts, 1774-1876. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Whipple, William, 1730-1785. Letter, 1778 Sept. 7, to Josiah Bartlett. New Hampshire Newspaper Project
referencedIn Autograph File, S, 1556-1996. Houghton Library
referencedIn American Philosophical Society Archives. Record Group IIa, 1743-1806 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Wendell family papers Houghton Library
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Collection of documents concerning the American Revolution, 1740-1866 Houghton Library
referencedIn Chase, Jonathan, 1732-1800. Papers, 1768-1799. New Hampshire Historical Society Library
referencedIn Sullivan Campaign collection, 1779. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Hewes, Josiah, b. 1733. Josiah Hewes letter, 1779 Aug. 7. New London County Historical Society
referencedIn Alexander, William, 1726-1783. Selected papers, 1767-1782. 1776-1782 (bulk). New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn Thomas Grosvenor papers, 1779-1792 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Buell, Nathaniel. Petition : Sorel, Québec, to John Sullivan, 1776 June 12. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Bradish, David, 1745-1818. David Bradish orderly book, 1778-1786. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Baldwin, Loammi, 1745-1807. Papers, 1768-1872 Houghton Library
creatorOf Weare, Meshech, 1713-1786. Papers, 1776-1785. Library of Congress
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Autograph letter signed : to Gen. Hand, 1779 May 31. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn McNeill, Samuel, 1753-1817. Diary, 1779. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Sullivan, John. Letter, 1847. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
creatorOf Rhode Island orderly book, 1778-1779 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Dearborn, Henry, 1751-1829. Papers, 1779-1838, bulk: 1779-1817. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Letter to Noah Emery, 1789 August 28. American Periodical Series I
referencedIn Edward Hand papers, 1775-1801 New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
referencedIn Schley, Reeve, 1881-1960. Papers, 1670-1969. New Jersey Historical Society Library
creatorOf Lee, William R., 1745-1824. William R. Lee orderly books, 1775-1776. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Hubley, Adam, ca. 1744-1793. Journals, 1778-1780. Historical Society of Pennsylvania
referencedIn United States. Continental Army. Orderly book kept by Major Gibbs, 1778. South Carolina Historical Society
referencedIn William Bond Papers, 1768-1777 University of California, San Diego. Geisel Library. Mandeville Special Collections Library.
creatorOf Crary, Archibald. ALS : Bristol, R.I., to John Sullivan, 1778 July 29. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Lodge, J. [Orderly book] Camp on Susquehannah River, Oswego, Tioga, Canajoharie, Eastown, West Point [and elsewhere] 9 Aug.-11 Nov. 1779. Society of the Cincinnati Library
referencedIn Rodney, Caesar, 1728-1784. Letter to [Thomas Rodney] and portrait, 1776 May 17. University of Virginia. Library
creatorOf Sullivan family. Papers, 1735-1857. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Letter : Easton, Pa., to [Edward] Hand, Wioming [sic], [Pa.], 1779 May 31. Texas Christian University
creatorOf McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786. Alexander McDougall papers, 1756-1795 (bulk 1776-1782). Churchill County Museum
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Letter: Durham, [N.H.], to Nicholas Gilman, [Exeter, N.H.?], 1790, May 4. UNH Durham, Dimond Library
referencedIn Thompson, Lucien, b. 1859. Lucien Thompson papers, 1877-1924. UNH Durham, Dimond Library
referencedIn Frost, Samuel, 1751-1817. Samuel Frost orderly book, 1775-1779. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Hastings, Hugh, 1856-1916. The Sullivan expedition : typescript / [1902] / by Hugh Hastings. Buffalo History Museum, Research Library
referencedIn Swetland, Luke, 1729-1823. A narrative of the captivity of Luke Swetland in 1778 and 1779 among the Seneca Indians : To which is added extracts from the journals of officers in Sullivan's army relating to his rescue, and Kendaia or Appletown, the place of his captivity / Written by himself, manuscript, [copied in ]1890. Princeton University Library
creatorOf Sullivan, John, General, 1740-1795. Autograph signature to pay abstract, 1778 Aug. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Wadleigh, Elijah, 1757-1800. Diary of the Sullivan Expedition, 1777-1779. Cornell University Library
creatorOf Van Emburgh, John, Major. ALS : Cranbury, to John Sullivan, 1777 [May or June]. Rosenbach Museum & Library
referencedIn Washington Irving's Life of George Washington Volume IV, Miscellany, 1756-1807 Cornell University Library
referencedIn Heath, William, 1737-1814. Papers of William Heath, 1774-1872 (bulk 1774-1814). Library of Congress
referencedIn Hollingshead, John fl. 1775-81. Orderly book of John Hollingshead, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 1779 July 24 - Oct. 18. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn Sullivan, John. Letters, 1847, 1860. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Cutter, Ammi Ruhamah, 1735-1820. Papers, 1754-1831 (bulk 1754-1820). New Hampshire Historical Society Library
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Papers, 1769-1792. New Hampshire Historical Society Library
referencedIn Davis, Robert Gorham,. Papers, 1778-1976. Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Ames, Jotham, 1743-1812. Orderly book, 1775. New England Historic Genealogical Society
referencedIn Stewart, Charles, 1729-1800. Family papers, 1768-1877 Houghton Library
referencedIn Jackson, Hall, 1739-1797. ALS to Elbridge Gerry, 1776 Apr. 1. Portsmouth Athenaeum Library & Museum
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Papers of John Sullivan, 1774-1789. Library of Congress
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. Legal document, 1781-1782. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
referencedIn Stark, John, 1728-1822. Papers, 1758-1819. New Hampshire Historical Society Library
creatorOf Lee, William R., 1745-1824. William R. Lee orderly books, 1775-1776. Massachusetts Historical Society
referencedIn Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866. Jared Sparks collection of American manuscripts, 1582-1843 Houghton Library
referencedIn Bond, William, d. 1776. Papers, 1768-1777. University of California, San Diego, UC San Diego Library; UCSD Library
creatorOf Thompson family. Thompson family deeds, 1750-1888. UNH Durham, Dimond Library
referencedIn Du Simitière, Pierre Eugène, ca. 1736-1784. Papers of Pierre Eugène Du Simitière, 1774-1784. Library of Congress
creatorOf Bell, William Mordaunt. William M. Bell orderly book, 27 May-25 July 1779. Massachusetts Historical Society
creatorOf Sullivan, John, 1740-1795. John Sullivan correspondence and warrant, 1779-1787. Library of Congress
referencedIn United States. Continental Army. New York Regiment, 4th. Orderly books, 1779-1780. New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Paine, Robert Treat, 1731-1814. ADS, 1779 March 15. : Pay Abstract. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn Washington, George, 1732-1799. LS, 1779 October 18 : Head Quarters, West Point, to Colonel Daniel Brodhead. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Rosengarten, J. G. (Joseph George), 1835-1921. The German allied troops in the North American war of independence, and related materials, ca. 1767-1893. University of Pennsylvania Library
creatorOf Thompson, Ebenezer, 1737-1802. Ebenezer Thompson (1737-1802) papers, 1764-1807. UNH Durham, Dimond Library
creatorOf Custis, George Washington Parke, 1781-1857. Battle of Princeton; historical documents. Princeton University Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
correspondedWith Adams, John, 1735-1826 person
correspondedWith Alexander, William, 1726-1783 person
associatedWith American Philosophical Society. corporateBody
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associatedWith Amory, Thomas C. (Thomas Coffin), 1812-1889. person
correspondedWith Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801 person
correspondedWith Baldwin, Loammi, 1740-1807 person
associatedWith Barber, Francis, 1750-1783. person
associatedWith Barbour, John H. person
correspondedWith Baylor, George, 1752-1784 person
associatedWith Bell, William Mordaunt. person
associatedWith Bond, William, d. 1776 person
associatedWith Bradford, Thomas, 1745-1838. person
associatedWith Bradish, David, 1745-1818. person
associatedWith Brant, Joseph, 1742-1807. person
associatedWith Buell, Nathaniel. person
associatedWith Butler-Gunsaulus Collection (University of Chicago. Library) corporateBody
associatedWith Campfield, Jabez, 1737-1821. person
correspondedWith Chase, Jonathan, 1732-1800. person
correspondedWith Chase, Samuel, 1741-1811 person
correspondedWith Cornell, Ezekiel, 1733-1800 person
associatedWith Crary, Archibald. person
correspondedWith Cutter, Ammi Ruhamah, 1735-1820. person
associatedWith Davis, Robert Gorham, person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
associatedWith Dearborn, Henry, 1751-1829. person
associatedWith Du Simitière, Pierre Eugène, ca. 1736-1784. person
associatedWith Emery, Noah. person
associatedWith Emmet, Thomas Addis person
correspondedWith Erskine, John, fl. 1770-1777 person
correspondedWith Estaing, Charles Hector, comte d', 1729-1794 person
correspondedWith Estaing, Charles Henri, omte d', 1729-1794 person
associatedWith Evan, Israel, 1747-1807. person
correspondedWith Flower, Benjamin, d. 1781 person
associatedWith Frost, Samuel, 1751-1817. person
correspondedWith Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806 person
associatedWith Gérard, Conrad Alexandre, 1729-1790. person
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associatedWith Gilman, Nicholas, 1755-1814. person
associatedWith Greene, Nathanael, 1742-1786, person
associatedWith Grosvenor, Thomas, 1744-1825. person
correspondedWith Hamilton, Alexander, 1757-1804 person
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associatedWith Hand, Edward, 1744-1802. person
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correspondedWith Hazen, Moses, 1733-1803 person
associatedWith Heath, William, 1737-1814. person
associatedWith Henderson, O. V., 1870-1951. person
associatedWith Hewes, Josiah, b. 1733. person
associatedWith Hollingshead, John fl. 1775-81. person
associatedWith Hubley, Adam, ca. 1744-1793. person
correspondedWith Huntington, Samuel, 1731-1796 person
associatedWith Jackson, Hall, 1739-1797. person
correspondedWith Jay, John, 1745-1829 person
associatedWith Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826, person
correspondedWith Knox, Henry, 1750-1806 person
correspondedWith Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834 person
correspondedWith Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792 person
correspondedWith Lee, Henry, 1756-1818 person
associatedWith Lee, William R., 1745-1824. person
associatedWith Martin, Robert, Lieutenant. person
associatedWith McDougall, Alexander, 1732-1786. person
associatedWith McNeill, Samuel, 1753-1817. person
associatedWith New Hampshire corporateBody
associatedWith New Hampshire. Dept. of the Attorney General. corporateBody
associatedWith New Hampshire. President (1786-1788 : Sullivan) corporateBody
associatedWith New Hampshire. President (1789-1790 : Sullivan) corporateBody
associatedWith Paine, Robert Treat, 1731-1814. person
correspondedWith Palfrey family. family
correspondedWith Pickering, Timothy, 1745-1829 person
correspondedWith Pigot, Robert person
correspondedWith Prescott, Richard, 1725-1788 person
associatedWith Rodney, Caesar, 1728-1784. person
associatedWith Rosebury, Michael. person
associatedWith Rosengarten, J. G. (Joseph George), 1835-1921. person
correspondedWith Rush, Benjamin, 1746-1813 person
correspondedWith Scammell, Alexander, 1747-1781 person
associatedWith Schley, Reeve, 1881-1960. person
correspondedWith Schuyler, Philip, 1733-1804 person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
associatedWith Sparks, Jared, 1789-1866 person
correspondedWith Stark, John, 1728-1822. person
correspondedWith Stewart, Charles, 1729-1800 person
memberOf Sullivan family. family
sibling of Sullivan, James, 1744-1808. person
ancestorOf Sullivan, John. person
associatedWith Swatland, Luke. person
associatedWith Swetland, Luke, 1729-1823. person
correspondedWith Thompson, Ebenezer, 1737-1802. person
associatedWith Thompson family. family
associatedWith Thompson, Lucien, b. 1859. person
associatedWith Thornton, Matthew, 1714?-1803, person
correspondedWith Tilghman, Tench, 1744-1786 person
memberOf United States. Continental Army. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Continental Army. John Sullivan's Brigade (1775-1783) corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Continental Army. New York Regiment, 4th. corporateBody
associatedWith Van Emburgh, John, Major. person
correspondedWith Varnum, James M. (James Mitchell), 1748-1789 person
associatedWith Wadleigh, Elijah, 1757-1800. person
associatedWith Washington, George, 1732-1799. person
correspondedWith Wayne, Anthony, 1745-1796 person
correspondedWith Weare, Meshech, 1713-1786 person
correspondedWith Wendell family. family
associatedWith Whipple, Joseph, 1738-1816 person
associatedWith Whipple, William, 1730-1785. person
correspondedWith Winthrop, William, 1753-1825 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Portsmouth NH US
Somersworth NH US
Durham NH US
Berwick ME US
Subject
Actions and defenses
Executions and executioners
Lawyers
Rhode Island, Battle of, R.I., 1778
Sullivan's Indian Campaign, 1779
Occupation
Army officers
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Jurists
Lawyers
Public officials
Statesmen
Activity

Person

Birth 1740-02-17

Death 1795-01-23

Male

Britons,

Americans

English

Information

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