Jonathan Law

Law was born in Milford in what was then Connecticut Colony to Jonathan and Sarah (Clark) Law. He studied law at Harvard College. Known as talented, amiable, and even-tempered, he graduated in 1695.[1] He married five times and had a number of children, seven of whom were sons. On December 20, 1698, he married Anne Eliot; on February 14, 1704, Abigail Arnold; on August 1, 1706, Abigail Andrew; in 1725, widow Sarah Burr; and in 1730, Eunice (Hall) Andrew. Some of his children and grandchildren went on to serve in Congress and other national political offices.

In 1698, Law established a law office in Milford. A Justice of the Peace and of the Quorum for New Haven County in May 1709, he was then named Judge of the County Court of New Haven County and Assistant Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court.

Elected Deputy to the Connecticut General Assembly in 1706, Law served several terms until 1717. He was then chosen an assistant and served as such, with the exception of one year, until 1724. In October 1724, he became Deputy Governor and, in May 1725, Chief Judge of the Superior Court, holding these two offices at the same time, which was possible under the government of that era.[2]

By the time that Law came to the governorship in October 1741, following the death of Governor Joseph Talcott, Law was 67 years old and had been active in the colonial government for 35 years. He had an extensive farm and was one of the first to plant mulberry trees and introduce raising silk worms to Connecticut. He advocated the industry and advertised by wearing a coat and stockings made of Connecticut silk at a public appearance in 1747.[3]

Law died while in office on November 6, 1750 in Milford, Connecticut, and is interred at Milford Cemetery.[4] Jonathan Law High School in Milford Connecticut was named in his honor.

• Connecticut State Library: Jonathan Law
• Hume Family Home Page: Family Tree: Jonathan Law

• Jonathan Law at Find a Grave