John ARMSTRONG, Jr., Congress, PA (1758-1843)

ARMSTRONG, John, Jr., (son of John Armstrong [1717-1795] and brother of James Armstrong), a Delegate from Pennsylvania and a Senator from New York; born in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa., November 25, 1758; attended Princeton College but left college to enter the Revolutionary Army; secretary of state of Pennsylvania 1783-1787; adjutant general for several years; Member of the Continental Congress 1787-1788; moved to Dutchess County, N.Y., in 1789 and settled near Lexington Manor; elected to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1801, caused by the resignation of John Laurance; reelected in 1801, and served from November 6, 1800, to February 5, 1802, when he resigned; was next appointed to the Senate to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1807, caused by the resignation of his successor, De Witt Clinton; subsequently elected to fill the vacancy in the term ending March 3, 1809, caused by the resignation of Theodorus Bailey, and served from February 25, 1804, until June 30, 1804, when he again resigned to enter the diplomatic service; Minister to France 1804-1810; also acted as Minister to Spain 1806; during the War of 1812 was commissioned brigadier general; Secretary of War in the Cabinet of President James Madison 1813-1814; engaged in literary pursuits; died in Red Hook, Dutchess County, N.Y., April 1, 1843; interment in Rhinebeck Cemetery, Rhinebeck, N.Y.

Bibliography

Dictionary of American Biography; Skeen, C. Edward. John Armstrong, Jr., 1758-1843: A Biography. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 1981.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present