William Sanford Pennington Explained

William Sanford Pennington
Office:Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Term Start:June 19, 1815
Term End:September 17, 1826
Appointer:James Madison
Predecessor:Robert Morris
Successor:William Rossell
Order1:6th
Office1:Governor of New Jersey
Term Start1:October 29, 1813
Term End1:June 19, 1815
Predecessor1:Aaron Ogden
Successor1:William Kennedy (acting)
Office2:United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey
President2:Thomas Jefferson
Term Start2:1803
Term End2:1804
Predecessor2:George C. Maxwell
Successor2:Joseph McIlvaine
Office3:New Jersey State Council
Term Start3:1801
Term End3:1802
Birth Name:William Sanford Pennington
Birth Place:Newark, Province of New Jersey,
British America
Death Place:Newark, New Jersey
Party:Democratic-Republican
Spouse:
    Children:10, including William
    Education:read law

    William Sanford Pennington (1757 – September 17, 1826) was a United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, an associate justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the sixth governor of New Jersey and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

    Early life and military service

    Born in 1757, in Newark, Province of New Jersey, British America, His parents were Samuel Pennington (c. 1726-1791) and Mary Sandford (c. 1726-1805). He was the namesake of his grandfather William Sandford (III) and great-great-grandson of William Sandford.[1] Pennington likely was trained as a hatter and likely engaged in that profession during his early years. He joined the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. In 1777, he was promoted to sergeant in the Second Regiment of Artillery. He was promoted to second lieutenant in 1780. At the end of the war he was brevetted a captain by an Act of Congress.[2] Pennington served in the New Jersey General Assembly in 1797, 1798, and 1799, was elected to the New Jersey State Council (now the New Jersey Legislative Council) in 1801, and 1802.[2]

    Education and career

    Pennington read law in 1802, with Elias Boudinot.[2] He entered private practice in Newark, New Jersey from 1802 to 1816. He was county clerk for Essex County, New Jersey in 1803. He was the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey from 1803 to 1804. He was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey from 1804 to 1813. He was reporter for the Supreme Court of New Jersey from 1806 to 1813. He was the 6th Governor of New Jersey from 1813 to 1815, elected as a Democratic-Republican in consecutive victories over his Federalist predecessor, Aaron Ogden.[3] [4]

    Federal judicial service

    Pennington received a recess appointment from President James Madison on June 19, 1815, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by Judge Robert Morris. He was nominated to the same position by President Madison on January 8, 1816. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 9, 1816, and received his commission on January 16, 1816.

    While serving as a District Court Judge, Pennington published a treatise on small cause courts.[5] His service terminated on September 17, 1826, due to his death in Newark.

    Family

    Pennington was the son of Mary Sanford and Samuel Penningston.[2] He married Phoebe Wheeler around 1786.[2] They had ten children including William Pennington (1796–1862) who became Governor of New Jersey and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.[2] After the death of his wife in 1804, he married Elizabeth Pierson (c. 1765–1840) on July 13, 1805.[2]

    Membership

    Pennington joined other New Jersey officers in becoming a founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey.[6]

    Legacy

    Pennington's papers are archived with the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark.[2] Pennington, New Jersey is named for Pennington.[4]

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Olson. Sharon. Schopfer. Chris. The Early Sandford Family in New Jersey, Revisited. The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey. Jan 2018. 38.
    2. Web site: Guide to the William S. Pennington (1757–1826), Revolutionary War Soldier Papers 1780-1781 MG 234. New Jersey Historical Society.
    3. Book: Francis Samuel Drake. Francis Samuel Drake. Dictionary of American biography: including men of the time ... and a supplement. November 22, 2011. 1879. Houghton; Osgood. 705.
    4. Web site: A Rich History of Public Service. November 22, 2011. United States Department of Justice.
    5. Book: Pierce Jr., Frank Hutches . The Governors of New Jersey . 1951 . . Newark, New Jersey.
    6. Web site: William Pennington | The Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Jersey. njcincinnati.org. 17 May 2019.