James Mitchell VARNUM, Congress, RI (1748-1789)
VARNUM, James Mitchell, (brother of Joseph Bradley Varnum), a Delegate from Rhode Island; born in Dracut, Middlesex County, Mass., December 17, 1748; was graduated from the College of Rhode Island, Warren, R.I. (later Brown University, Providence, R.I.), in 1769; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1771 and commenced practice in East Greenwich, R.I.; served in the Revolutionary Army, and was colonel of the âKentish Guardsâ in 1774 and of Varnumâs Rhode Island Regiment in 1775; commissioned colonel of the Ninth Continental Infantry in 1776; brigadier general of State troops December 12, 1776; brigadier general in the Continental Army February 21, 1777, and was honorably discharged March 5, 1779; appointed major general of State militia in May 1779; resumed the practice of law in East Greenwich, R.I.; Member of the Continental Congress 1780-1781, and 1787; appointed a judge of the United States Court in the Northwest Territory in 1787; moved to Marietta, Ohio, in 1788, and died there January 10, 1789; interment in Mound Cemetery.
Bibliography
Varnum, James Mitchell. A Sketch of the Life and Public Services of James Mitchell Varnum of Rhode Island. Boston: D. Clapp & Son, Printers, 1896.Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
