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Higher Office(s) Served: Representative

William Pennington, the seventeenth governor of New Jersey, was born in Newark, New Jersey on May 4, 1796. His education was attained at Princeton University, where he graduated in 1813. After studying law, he became a sergeant-at-arms in 1834, which entitled him to practice before the New Jersey State Supreme Court. Along with his legal career, Pennington also had a career as a public servant. From 1817 to 1827 he served as clerk of the U.S. District Court; and from 1829 to 1833 he served as a member of the New Jersey House of Representatives. Pennington next won election to the governorship in 1837, and won reelection annually until 1843. During his tenure, reform measures were initiated in the penal and judicial systems. Also, the debt imprisonment law was eliminated; schools for the blind, deaf, and insane were established; and the controversial "broad seal war" was dealt with. After running unsuccessfully for reelection, Pennington resumed his legal career. He returned to politics in 1859, winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he held until 1861, and from which he also served as speaker. Governor William Pennington passed away on February 16, 1862, and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark, New Jersey.

Sources:

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 3, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.

Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress

New Jersey State Library (pdf)