John Frederick Frelinghuysen 1776-1883

John F. Frelinghuysen [1776-1833] was active in the military during the War of 1812. He commanded the New Jersey State Militia at Sandy Hook. His unit was expected to prevent enemy ships from attacking New York City. At the end of the war he was promoted to brigadier general. During much of the remainder of his work life he was active in the legal profession.

John F. Frelinghuysen was a son of Frederick Frelinghuysen [1753-1804] who was a U.S. Senator and Revolutionary War general. His mother was Gertrude Schenck, another common Dutch name at that time. He was also a brother of Theodore Frelinghuysen [1787-1862], a U.S. Senator. His other siblings were Catherine, Maria and Frederick.

The expectations to be active in politics must have been significant as a member of the Frelinghuysen family. He never made it to the federal level but was active in politics at the state level. He represented Somerset County in the New Jersey Legislative Council, now known as the New Jersey Senate, from 1805 to 1814, and again from 1815 to 1820. He also served for three consecutive five year terms on the Surrogate Court for Somerset County, New Jersey.

Frelinghuysen graduated from Queen’s College, now Rutgers University in 1792. He then studied law and was admitted to the New Jersey bar in 1797. Note that he graduated from college at age 16, and became a certified lawyer at age 21. He was either a rapid learner or longer school years were the norm.

John Frelinghuysen married Louisa Mercer in 1797. They had two daughters Gertrude and Mary Ann. Louisa passed away in 1809. He remarried two years later to Elizabeth Mercereau Van Vechten, another Dutch descendant in 1811. They had eight children consisting of Louisa, Theodore, Frederick J., Catherine, John, Sarah, Sophia, and Elizabeth LaGrange Frelinghuysen.

John Frederick Frelinghuysen passed away in Millstone, New Jersey on April 10, 1833. He was interred in the Old Somerville Cemetery in Somerville, New Jersey. He was 58 years old at his death.