1978 Jonathan Dayton

 Cover Honors Founding Father Jonathan Dayton

Own this cover picturing Jonathan Dayton (1760-1824).  The 15-Star Fort McHenry Flag stamp is tied to the cover with a Elizabeth, New Jersey, postmark.  Dayton was born in this city, which was called Eliabethtown at the time.  The date on the postmark represents the 218th anniversary of his bi...  more

 Cover Honors Founding Father Jonathan Dayton

Own this cover picturing Jonathan Dayton (1760-1824).  The 15-Star Fort McHenry Flag stamp is tied to the cover with a Elizabeth, New Jersey, postmark.  Dayton was born in this city, which was called Eliabethtown at the time.  The date on the postmark represents the 218th anniversary of his birth.

Dayton was a 15-year-old student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) when he quick school to fight in the American Revolution.  He served as paymaster and fought in Washington's forces.  

After the war, Dayton became as lawyer and land speculator.  He was one of New Jersey's delagates to the Constitutional Convention, where he was teh youngest member.   After the Constitution was ratified, Dayton was elected to the US House of Representatives and served as speaker.  His political career was tarnished by his association with Aaron Burr, who had killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.  Though Dayton was found not guilty of treason in connection with Burr, his political career never recovered.