Dutee Jerauld Pearce

Who was Dutee Jerauld Pearce?

Dutee Jerauld Pearce was a U.S. Representative from Rhode Island.

Born on the island of Prudence, Rhode Island, Pearce was graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1808. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Newport, Rhode Island. Held various local offices. Attorney general of Rhode Island 1819-1825. United States district attorney in 1824 and 1825. He served as member of the state house of representatives.

Pearce was elected as an Adams candidate to the Nineteenth and Twentieth Congresses, reelected as an Anti-Jacksonian to the Twenty-first and Twenty-second Congresses and elected as an Anti-Masonic candidate to the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1836 to the Twenty-fifth Congress. He died in Newport, Rhode Island, May 9, 1849. He was interred in the Common Burial Ground.