Jonathan Dayton was born at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, shortly before the Revolution. He was carefully educated and prepared for the career of a lawyer and statesman, and from his first entrance into public life his promotion was rapid. After being appointed to several offices in his native State, Mr. Dayton was in 1788 elected a member of the national house of representatives. In the preceding year he had served as one of the delegates to the convention which framed the constitution of the United States. He was also elected a senator in Congress, and took his seat on the 4th of March, 1799. On the 3d of March, 1805, his term expired, and he retired from public office. Mr. Dayton was an accomplished lawyer, a firm friend to the constitution, and one of its ablest defenders. 

A signer of The Constitution of the United States, Sept. 17, 1787. Delegate to the Continental Congress 1787-89. New Jersey Assemblyman 1786-87 & 1814-15, Speaker 1790. New Jersey Councilman (Senator) 1785-89. United States Congressman 1791-99, Speaker 1795-99. United States Senator 1799-1805. Son of Elias Dayton.

Lodge: (old) Temple I (Mass.)
Residence: Elizabeth(town)