John Laurance

Early life

Laurance was born in Falmouth, Cornwall, England in 1750. He emigrated to England's North American colonies in 1767 and settled in New York City, where he read law with Cadwallader Colden, the lieutenant governor. Laurance was admitted to the bar, and began a practice in 1772.

Military career

At the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the 4th New York Regiment, and took part in the 1775 Invasion of Quebec. In 1776, he received a commission as captain and paymaster of the Continental Army's 1st New York Regiment, serving under his father-in-law Alexander McDougall (sometimes spelled MacDougall). He was Judge Advocate General from 1777 to 1782. Among the cases he handled were prosecuting at the court martial of Charles Lee for insubordination in 1778, and the 1779 court martial of Benedict Arnold for corruption. He also served on the 1780 board that convicted John André of spying and sentenced him to death by hanging, and was the board's recorder. Laurance attained the rank of colonel, and resigned his commission in 1782. He was a charter member of the Society of the Cincinnati.

Political career

Laurance continued to practice law in New York City; among the prospective lawyers who studied under his direction was Charles Adams, son of President John Adams. He was a trustee of Columbia University, and a member of the University of the State of New York Board of Regents. He was also active in land speculation and other business ventures with Alexander Hamilton. Laurance was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1782–83 from Westchester County, and from New York County in 1784-85. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1785 to 1787. He was an ardent supporter of adopting the United States Constitution (the group which became the Federalist Party). He was a member of the New York State Senate (Southern District) from 1788 to 1790, but vacated his seat after the Legislature enacted in January 1790 a law that made it impossible to be a member of Congress and the State Legislature at the same time. While serving in the State Senate, Laurance was also a member of New York City's Board of Aldermen.

In March 1789, Laurance was elected as a Federalist to the 1st United States Congress, and re-elected in April 1790 to the 2nd United States Congress, serving from 1789 to March 3, 1793.

On May 5, 1794, Laurance was nominated by George Washington to the seat vacated by James Duane on the United States District Court for the District of New York. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 6, and received his commission on the same day. He resigned from the bench on November 8, 1796, after his election as U.S. Senator from New York. He took his seat on November 9, 1796, and served until his resignation from the Senate in August 1800.

Retirement and death

In retirement, Laurance continued to reside in New York City. He died there on November 11, 1810, and was buried at First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.

Family

In 1775, Laurance married Elizabeth McDougall, the daughter of General Alexander McDougall. She died in 1790, and in 1791 Laurance married Elizabeth Lawrence Allen (d. 1800), the widow of attorney James Allen, and mother of four children.