John BACON, Congress, MA (1738-1820)

BACON, John, (father of Ezekiel Bacon and grandfather of William Johnson Bacon), a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Canterbury, Conn., April 5, 1738; was graduated from Princeton College in 1765; studied theology; had charge of the Old South Church, Boston, from September 25, 1771, until dismissed February 8, 1775, owing to differences of opinion; located in Stockbridge; studied law; was admitted to the bar and practiced; served on the committee of correspondence, inspection, and safety in 1777; member of the State constitutional convention in 1779 and 1780; member of the State house of representatives 1780, 1783, 1784, 1786, 1789-1791, and in 1793; member of the State senate 1781, 1782, 1794-1796, 1798, and 1803-1806, serving as president in 1806; elected as a Republican to the Seventh Congress (March 4, 1801-March 3, 1803); chairman, Committee on Elections (Seventh Congress); presiding judge of the court of common pleas; chief justice of the State supreme court in 1809; died in Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Mass., October 25, 1820; interment in Stockbridge Cemetery.

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