A merchant and politician in his native New Hampshire, John Langdon served twice in the Continental Congress (1774-75, 1787), as well as governor of his state (1805-09, 1810-11) and as a US senator from New Hampshire (1789-1801). He also was a signer of the US Constitution.

The son of John Langdon, Jr., and his wife Mary (née Hall) Langdon, both farmers, John Langdon was born on his parents’ farm in Portsmouth, in Rockingham, New Hampshire, on 26 June 1741. His older brother, Woodbury Langdon (1739-1805), would also serve in the Continental Congress from New Hampshire. The younger John Langdon was the great-great-grandson of another John Langdon, born in 1600, and the great-grandson of Tobias Langdon, Sr. born in Cornwall, and who immigrated to the American colonies prior to 1660. [1]

John Langdon attended Major Samuel Hale’s Latin School in Portmouth and then worked in Daniel Rindge’s countinghouse as a clerk. [2] Although all sources on John Langdon’s life do not mention political office prior to the 1770s, a contemporary account from The New-Hampshire Gazette from 30 March 1764, from Portsmouth is found, at which “the Annual Meeting of the Freeholders and other inhabitants of this Town, the following Persons were chosen to their respective Offices, viz.,” and denotes that John Langdon was elected as a selectman for the city. [3]

Portsmouth in the mid-1700s was a growing and prosperous port on the Piscataqua River, sending products to all points of the world, and John Langdon wanted to go to sea from an early age. Through Rindge’s business, he went on several voyages to the West Indies. Earning an increasing wage, he would purchase his own ships, and, within a few years, ships run by him and his brother Woodbury’s company were taking such products as lumber and beef to various ports, and importing rum and sugar. By 1770, both men were rich, owning considerable property in the Portsmouth area. [4]

Although the harsh economic measures enacted by England against the colonies in the 1760s and early 1770s, including The Stamp Act and The Sugar Act, harmed the Langdon brothers economically, it did not destroy them, and they were able to work within the strictures of the laws. But this all changed in October 1771, when British customs agents took control of a ship, the Resolution, not owned by Langdon but one that carried his goods, and held for carrying molasses not bearing a stamp of the British government. Langdon appealed to an admiralty court in London, but this tribunal upheld the seizure. This, along with the general atmosphere of British interference in the lives of New Hampshirites, served to turn Langdon from being apolitical to sympathizing with the slow-burning uprising that was consolidating against the British in the American colonies. [5] From 1774, Langdon threw his lot in with the colonists who desired revolt against British rule, participating in the raid in Portsmouth against a British fort and seizing munitions for use by the rebels. Elected that year to the General Court, the rebellious New Hampshire legislature, he served as Speaker of the body. Historian William A. Robinson wrote, “The journals of the latter body show that he had numerous duties, being a member of committees on the purchase of woolen goods and ordnance, and with Franklin, John Adams, and other notables, of another committee ‘to make enquiry in all the colonies, after virgin lead, and leaden ore, and the best methods of collecting, smelting, and refining it.’” [6]

On 25 January 1775, Langdon was elected by the General Court to a seat in the Second Continental Congress. Reelected on 23 January 1776, he attended sessions from 10 May to 2 August 1775, 16 September to 12 November 1775, and 23 December 1775 to 2 January 1776. [7] The New-Hampshire Gazette reported on 5 September 1775, “Yesterday Morning John Langdon, Esq. and Josiah Bartlet [sic], Esq; Delegates from this colony, set off for Philadelphia, to join the Grand Congress, who were adjourn’d to this Day.” [8]

Although there are numerous pieces of correspondence to Langdon from various persons during this service, there appears to be only one letter from Langdon: this was a short missive to Matthew Thornton, the chairman of the Committee of Safety in New Hampshire: “Sir, I am in some hopes that the Congress will rise in abt. [a] fortnight, but this is meer [sic] conjecture, as it will depend on what news we may receive from our army, and some other matters. I am very sorry to be alone, in so great and important Business as that representing a whole Colony, which no man is equal to, but how to avoid it, I know not . . .” [9]

In June 1776, Langdon resigned his seat in the Continental Congress when he accepted a post as an agent to oversee prize ships–those taken or captured in war–for the US government, and at the same time he used his experience in shipbuilding and commissioning to supervise and administer the construction of several ships of war to be used by the Continental Navy. Elected again to the New Hampshire state House of Representatives, rising to the rank of Speaker. In the session of 1777, he offered up his entire fortune to assist in the equipping of an expedition against the British, which was carried out by General John Stark against the forces of British General John Burgoyne. He volunteered for military service, and saw action at the battle of Bennington, Vermont (16 August 1777), which actually took place over the border in Walloomsac, New York. As well, he commanded a company of New Hampshire volunteers at Saratoga (19 September and 7 October 1777) and in several clashes in Rhode Island. That same year, Langdon married Elizabeth Sherburne, and together the couple had one child, a daughter.

In 1782, additional ships built under Langdon’s tutelage were constructed. Historian Nathaniel Adams wrote in 1825, “The ship America, pierced for 74 guns, was launched on Tuesday the 5th day of November, at Rising-Castle, an island belonging to the honourable John Langdon, who was the agent for building her. She moved majestically on her ways to her destined element, without any incident, amidst the rejoicing of an immense number of spectators, who lined the shores; this ship does great credit to Colonel James Hackett, the master builder, and the other workmen employed in constructing her. Congress, finding it difficult to procure materials for completing her for sea, made a present of her to the King of France.” Four years later, in 1786, Adams noted that “His Excellency John Langdon rebuilt the bridge over the dock, commonly called Canoe-Bridge, and presented the same to the town.” [10] Two years later, in 1784, Langdon served in the New Hampshire state Senate. In 1785, he was elected as president of New Hampshire, an office comparative to governor; he was elected a second time, for the same one year term, in 1788. On 14 June 1786, the legislature again elected Langdon to the Continental Congress, “for the term One Year from and after the first Monday in November next.” Langdon did not serve in the Continental Congress in 1786; instead, he merely attended for three days, from 25 to 28 September 1787. At the same time, the Constitutional Convention was being held in Philadelphia to reform the Articles of Confederation or draft an entirely new constitution; Langdon attended this parley from 23 July until the document was signed on 17 September 1787, and he signed on behalf of the state of New Hampshire. [11] During his second Continental Congress tenure, only one piece of correspondence has been published, a letter to John Sullivan, the president of New Hampshire, dated 20 September 1786: “It is out of my power at present to Determin[e] whether I shall be able to proceed on to Congress or not, this will depend on the Situation of my Business. If I can Arrange my Affairs to my Mind, so as to Set out from home by the first of November next, shall go if necessary; tho’ I would by no means, wish that the State should Remain in any Uncertainty on my Acct.; if either of the other Gentlemen who are Elected, Choose to go on, shall be happy in being Excused.” [12]

Langdon returned to New Hampshire, and served as a delegate to the state convention that ratified the US Constitution. Under this document, each state was allowed to send two men to the US Senate, the upper body of the new national bicameral legislature; under this plan, Langdon and Paine Wingate were sent to New York, where the new government was sitting. Langdon ultimately served from 4 march 1789 until 3 March 1801; on 6 April 1789, he was elected as the first-ever president pro tempore, or one who officiates over the body, so that the Senate could count the electoral votes for president and vice president (George Washington and John Adams were declared elected). Langdon also served as the president pro tempore during the Second Congress (1791-93).

On 5 December 1794, Langdon wrote to one Fulwar Skipwith in Philadelphia, on the sudden end to the French Revolution:

The fall of that Monster Robertspeare [sic; should be “Robespierre”] was a most fortunate Circumstance for France, his fate will be a Constant warning to all those who are hereafter entrusted with the Rights of the people and betray their Trust. We are highly pleased with the Reception of our Minister (Mr. Monroe) by the National Convention, I am full in the Belief, he will do himself honor, and Render his Country essential service. We have nothing here worth Communicating, to be very particular, little good would arrise [sic] and prudence forbids, the astonishing successes of the French, exceed every Conception we probably would have had. I am fully senseable [sic] your time must be greatly taken up with your numerous Correspondence, but as often as leisure and opportunity offers I shall be greatly gratified in hearing from you; If any thing [sic] Turns up in the Sniping way or furnishg of Masts or provisions from our Part of the Continent, I shall be ready to Direct the Business. [13]

In a letter to one Samuel Ringgold, 19 October 1800, Langdon penned:

Your agreeable favour [sic] of the 4th instant has this moment come to hand; I am greatly rejoiced to see Gentlemen of property and influence coming forward at this eventful moment, in the common cause of our country: I have no doubt we shall yet be saved. I am now packing my baggage; [I] shall set out in the stage to-morrow morning for the city of Washington; hope to be in Baltimore the beginning of next month—this prevents my answering your letter, so fully as I could with, having one moment to spare. In the conversation held between Mr. [John] Adams, Mr. [John Gilman] Taylor and myself, Mr. Adams certainly expressed himself (as far as my memory serves me) in the very words mentioned in your letter, viz. That he hoped or expected to see the day when Mr. Taylor and his friend Mr. Giles would be convinced, that the people of America would not be happy without an hereditary Chief Magistrate and Senate—or at least during life. [14]

In 1801, after leaving the US Senate, Langdon was offered the post of secretary of the navy by President Thomas Jefferson, but he declined the honor. Instead, he returned home to New Hampshire, where he was elected as a member of the legislature again, serving this time until 1805, the last two terms as Speaker of the body. On 14 June 1802, the National Intelligencer reported that “[o]n the 3d instant the legislature of New-Hampshire, convened at Concord; when on the election of a Speaker, John Prentice was elected, having 83 votes, and John Langdon, having 63 votes.” [15]

On 12 June 1804, the United States’ Gazette stated that “The Boston Chronicle of Thursday last says, ‘A report was current in town last evening that the hon. [sic] John Langdon had been chosen governour [sic] of New-Hampshire, by the legislature of that state.’” [16] Langdon would serve as governor until 1811, with the exception of 1809. 1808:

The state Senate of the state of New Hampshire met on 2 June 1808 to choose a governor. According to the minutes of that body, “The Senate met in Convention with the Honorable House, to proceed in the elections; when the committee appointed to examine, compare, and cast the votes for Governor, reported, That the whole number of legal votes is 15,899. Honorable John Langdon has 12,641. Honorable John T. Gilman has 1261. Honorable Oliver Peabody has 405. Honorable Timothy Farrar has 398. Honorable Jeremiah Smith has 839. Other scattering votes [were] 355. 7950 make a choice. Honorable John Langdon having 12,641, is elected.” [17] Langdon then addressed the members of the legislature as the new governor. He said, “I have a high sense of the honor done me by the good people of this State in electing me their Chief Executive Magistrate for the present year. For this repeated mark of their respect and confidence, permit me, Gentlemen, through you, to return them my grateful acknowledgement.” [18]

In 1812, when the Federalist Party nominated DeWitt Clinton for president, they offered the second spot on the ticket, but he declined due to being nearly 71 years old. The National Intelligencer of Washington, D.C., reported on 15 February 1812 that “[t]he venerable John Langdon has declined a re-election to the office of Governor of H. William Plumer, Esq. is nominated by the Republicans of that state as a candidate to succeed him.” [19]

Langdon died in Portsmouth on 18 September 1819 at the age of 78. Newspaper across the country lauded him and his service to the nation. The Daily National Intelligencer of Washington, DC, said, “It was not the fault of the People that he had not filled a higher office; he having positively declined the honor of an election to the Vice-Presidency when tendered to him. The venerable patriot had descended to the tomb full of years, crowned with public honors, and enjoying universal respect.” [20] The Alexandria Gazette, quoting the New-York Gazette, pronounced, “The death of John Langdon, Esq. formerly in the senate [sic] of the United States, and late Governor of Newhampshire [sic], is noticed in the eastern papers, with the high encomiums due to his highly respectable character.” [21] The New-Hampshire Sentinel stated, “The remains of the Hon. John Langdon, late Governor of Newhampshire [sic], were entombed with every mark of respect. Military honors were performed by the battalion of US troops under Col. Wallace, and minute guns were fired while the procession moved. The forts, navy-yard, shipping, etc. displayed their flags at half mast.” [22] Langdon was buried in the Langdon tomb in the North Cemetery, in Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The wording on the gravestone merely reads, “Governor John Langdon.”

Considered one of the leaders of his state in a time of war and peace, John Langdon was called “easy, polite, and pleasing in his manners, and social in his habits.” [23] In his last years, he became increasingly interested in religion, giving away much of his fortune to Congregational churches in Portsmouth, as well as to the American and New Hampshire Bible societies.

See also: Woodbury Langdon