Jonathan Hazard

Who was Jonathan Hazard?

Jonathan J. Hazard was an American statesman and anti-federalist who served as a delegate for Rhode Island in the Continental Congress. According to his record at Find A Grave he was born in 1731 and died 29. July 1812. This information is supported by a picture of his tombstone. The information given in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress states he lived between 1744 and 1824. However his tombstone proves the above dates.

Jonathan was born to a Quaker family in Newport, Rhode Island. He was first elected to the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1776. In 1777 and early 1778 he served as paymaster of the Rhode Island regiment of the Continental Army. Then in 1778 he re-entered the Assembly, serving there until 1786. In 1786 and 1787, Rhode Island’s assembly appointed him as delegate to the Continental Congress. After that he returned to assembly, where he became a leader of the anti-federalist Country Party.

Hazard was a delegate to the state’s ratifying convention that considered the U.S. Constitution in 1789. His active opposition was one of the reasons this convention adjourned without a vote.