U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, Signer of the Constitution (the youngest of the signees). Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Elias Dayton , to become an influential public servant for his state and nation. During the Revolutionary War he served with his father, in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. He saw action in battles at Brandywine Creek and Germantown, spent the winter at Valley Forge and the next summer fought at Monmouth. In the fall of 1780 he was captured by Loyalist forces but set free in early 1781 where he became a captain in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment and participated in the Battle of Yorktown. His military service made him a local hero and opened the door for a successful political career. He served in the New Jersey legislature and in 1787, at his father's suggestion, was selected to represent his state at the Constitutional Convention. He did not take on a high profile role in the convention, choosing to acquiesce to the more senior delegates, but he did serve with the group that developed the concept of the Electoral College and the two house legislature. He returned to New Jersey only to be selected to a seat on the final session of the Continental Congress. In 1791 he began the first of four terms in the House of Representatives. During the last two terms he was Speaker of the House. He was elected to the US Senate and served from 1799 to 1805. The Senator's political career was damaged when in 1807 he was arrested for allegedly conspiring with Aaron Burr in illegal activities. He was never brought to trail but the "guilt by association" effectively ended any national political ambitions. He returned to New Jersey where, except for one term in the state legislature, he spent the remainder of his life away from politics, pursuing business and agricultural interests. The cities of Dayton, Ohio and the unincorporated community of Dayton (zip-code 08810) in South Brunswick Township, New Jersey are named in his honor.
U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, Signer of the Constitution (the youngest of the signees). Born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Elias Dayton , to become an influential public servant for his state and nation. During the Revolutionary War he served with his father, in the 3rd New Jersey Regiment. He saw action in battles at Brandywine Creek and Germantown, spent the winter at Valley Forge and the next summer fought at Monmouth. In the fall of 1780 he was captured by Loyalist forces but set free in early 1781 where he became a captain in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment and participated in the Battle of Yorktown. His military service made him a local hero and opened the door for a successful political career. He served in the New Jersey legislature and in 1787, at his father's suggestion, was selected to represent his state at the Constitutional Convention. He did not take on a high profile role in the convention, choosing to acquiesce to the more senior delegates, but he did serve with the group that developed the concept of the Electoral College and the two house legislature. He returned to New Jersey only to be selected to a seat on the final session of the Continental Congress. In 1791 he began the first of four terms in the House of Representatives. During the last two terms he was Speaker of the House. He was elected to the US Senate and served from 1799 to 1805. The Senator's political career was damaged when in 1807 he was arrested for allegedly conspiring with Aaron Burr in illegal activities. He was never brought to trail but the "guilt by association" effectively ended any national political ambitions. He returned to New Jersey where, except for one term in the state legislature, he spent the remainder of his life away from politics, pursuing business and agricultural interests. The cities of Dayton, Ohio and the unincorporated community of Dayton (zip-code 08810) in South Brunswick Township, New Jersey are named in his honor.
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