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Jared Ingersoll
Jared Ingersoll
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Jared Ingersoll Jr. (October 24, 1749 – October 31, 1822) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, and statesman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the United States Constitution. He served as DeWitt Clinton's running mate in the 1812 election, but Clinton and Ingersoll were defeated by James Madison and Elbridge Gerry.

Key Information

Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Ingersoll established a legal career in Philadelphia after graduating from Yale College. The son of British colonial official Jared Ingersoll Sr., Ingersoll lived in Europe from 1773 to 1776 to avoid the growing political conflict between Britain and the Thirteen Colonies. In 1778, having committed himself to the cause of American independence, Ingersoll returned to Philadelphia and won election to the Continental Congress. Ingersoll became convinced of the need for a stronger national government than what was provided by the Articles of Confederation, and he was a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention. Though he was initially seeking amendments for the Articles of Confederation, he eventually came to support the new Constitution that was produced by the convention.

He served as the Pennsylvania Attorney General from 1791 to 1800 and from 1811 to 1816. He also served as the United States Attorney for Pennsylvania and as the city solicitor for Philadelphia. He argued the cases of Chisholm v. Georgia and Hylton v. United States, two of the first cases to appear before the United States Supreme Court.

Ingersoll affiliated with the Federalist Party and was deeply disturbed by Thomas Jefferson's victory in the 1800 presidential election. In 1812, the Democratic-Republican Party split between President Madison and Clinton. The Federalists decided to support a ticket of Clinton and Ingersoll in hopes of defeating the incumbent president. Madison prevailed in the election, winning Ingersoll's crucial home state of Pennsylvania.

Life and career

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Jared Ingersoll was a supporter of the Revolutionary cause. His training as a lawyer convinced him that the problems of the newly independent states were caused by the inadequacy of the Articles of Confederation. He became an early and ardent proponent of constitutional reform, although, like a number of his colleagues at the Constitutional Convention, he believed this reform could be achieved by a simple revision of the Articles. Only after weeks of debate did he come to see that a new document was necessary.[1] His major contribution to the cause of constitutional government came not during the convention but later during a lengthy and distinguished legal career when he helped define many of the principles enunciated at Philadelphia.

Early life

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Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Ingersoll was the son of Jared Ingersoll Sr.,[2] a prominent British official whose strong Loyalist sentiments would lead to his being tarred and feathered by radical Patriots.[3] The Ingersoll family was of English descent.[4] In 1765, the year the Stamp Act was imposed on the colonies in America, the British Crown appointed the elder Jared Ingersoll as Stamp Master, the colonial agent in London, for the colony of Connecticut. As the next few months passed and animosity over the Stamp Act grew, Ingersoll became the most hated man in the colony. Between August 21 and 29, 1765, the Sons of Liberty hung his effigy in various parts of the colony.[5] He wrote an account of Isaac Barre's speech[6] made during the Parliamentary debate on the Stamp Act to Connecticut Governor Thomas Fitch. He would later be involved in a controversial role as the agent who enforced the resulting Stamp Act in Connecticut.[1][7]

The younger Ingersoll completed Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven in 1762,[8] graduated from Yale College in 1766, studied law in Philadelphia, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1773.[9][10] Although by training and inclination a Patriot sympathizer, the young Ingersoll shied away from the cause at the outset because of a strong sense of personal loyalty to his distinguished father. On his father's advice, he sought to escape the growing political controversy at home by retiring to London to continue his study of the law at the Middle Temple School (1773–1776) and to tour extensively through Europe.[2] He spent more than eighteen months in Paris, where he formed an acquaintance with Benjamin Franklin.[11]

American Revolution

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Shortly after the colonies declared their independence, Ingersoll renounced his family's views, made his personal commitment to the cause of independence, and returned home. In 1778 he arrived in Philadelphia as a confirmed Patriot. With the help of influential friends he quickly established a flourishing law practice, and shortly after he entered the fray as a delegate to the Continental Congress (1780–81). In 1781 Ingersoll married Elizabeth Pettit and in that same year was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society.[10][12] Always a supporter of strong central authority in political affairs, he became a leading agitator for reforming the national government in the postwar years, preaching the need for change to his friends in Congress and to the legal community.

At the convention, Ingersoll was counted among those who favored revision of the existing Articles of Confederation, but in the end he joined with the majority and supported a plan for a new federal government. Despite his national reputation as an attorney, Ingersoll seldom participated in the Convention debates, although he attended all sessions.

Career after the Constitutional Convention

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Once the new national government was created, Ingersoll returned to the law. Except for a few excursions into politics—he was a member of Philadelphia's Common Council (1789), and, as a stalwart Federalist who considered the election of Thomas Jefferson in 1800 a "great subversion," he ran unsuccessfully for vice president on the Federalist ticket in 1812—his public career centered on legal affairs. He served as attorney general of Pennsylvania (1790–1799 and 1811–1817),[1] as Philadelphia's city solicitor (1798–1801), and as U.S. district attorney for Pennsylvania (1800–01). For a brief period (1821–22), he sat as presiding judge of the Philadelphia district court.

Ingersoll's major contribution to the cause of constitutional government came not during the convention but later during a lengthy and distinguished legal career, when he helped define many of the principles enunciated at Philadelphia. He made his contributions to the Constitutional process through several Supreme Court cases that defined various basic points in Constitutional law during the beginning of the new republic. In one definitive case he represented Georgia in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), a landmark case in states' rights. Here the court decided against him, ruling that a state may be sued in federal court by a citizen of another state. This reversal of the notion of state sovereignty was later rescinded by the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution. In representing Hylton in Hylton v. US (1796), Ingersoll was also involved in the first legal challenge to the constitutionality of an act of Congress. In this case, the Supreme Court upheld the government's right to impose a tax on carriages.[3] Ingersoll also served as counsel in various cases that helped clarify constitutional issues concerning the jurisdiction of federal courts and U.S. relations with other sovereign nations, including defending Senator William Blount of Tennessee against impeachment.

Death and legacy

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Jared Ingersoll died in Philadelphia at age 73; interment was in the Old Pine Street Church Cemetery, Fourth and Pine Streets.[10] Ingersoll was survived by three sons. Two of the sons, Charles Jared Ingersoll and Joseph Reed Ingersoll served as members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania. Ingersoll Street in Madison, Wisconsin, and Liberty ship SS Jared Ingersoll are named after him.[13]

References

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from Grokipedia

Jared Ingersoll (October 24, 1749 – October 31, 1822) was an American lawyer and statesman from who served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signed the Constitution. Born in , to a Loyalist father, Ingersoll studied at before pursuing legal training in and at the in .
At the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Ingersoll represented but spoke infrequently, aligning with views favoring a strong national government while advocating for compromises on issues like representation. Following , he held key legal positions, including of from 1790 to 1799 and again from 1811 to 1817, during which he prosecuted notable cases and advised on state matters. In 1812, the nominated him for Vice President alongside in a bid against James Madison's reelection amid the , though they were unsuccessful. Ingersoll's career exemplified committed public service in the early republic, marked by legal acumen rather than oratorical prominence.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood

Jared Ingersoll was born on October 24, 1749, in , to Jared Ingersoll Sr. (1722–1781) and Hannah Whiting (1712–1794). His father, a graduate of 1742 and practicing attorney in New Haven, held the position of Connecticut's colonial agent in from 1758 to 1774, where he represented provincial interests before British authorities on matters such as land disputes and trade regulations. This role, which involved lobbying and officials, fostered the elder Ingersoll's alignment with British institutions, culminating in staunch Loyalist positions during the that contrasted with his son's later patriotic engagements. The Ingersoll family, descended from early Puritan settlers in , maintained a prominent status in New Haven society through the father's legal practice and public service, including roles in colonial governance. Hannah Whiting, daughter of Whiting, brought connections to established families noted for military and civic contributions. The couple had at least three sons and one daughter, with Jared Jr. as one of the elder children; the family's circumstances afforded a stable, intellectually oriented household amid the growing colonial tensions of the mid-18th century. Ingersoll's childhood unfolded in New Haven, a hub of Congregationalist culture and emerging Enlightenment influences, where he pursued a rigorous typical of elite youth preparing for university. This foundational schooling emphasized Latin, Greek, , and moral , laying the groundwork for his admission to at age 16, though his father's prolonged absences in likely shaped family dynamics and exposed young Jared to transatlantic political discourse from an early age. Ingersoll received his early education in , before enrolling at , from which he graduated in 1766 at the age of 17. Following graduation, he relocated to , where he commenced legal studies through an apprenticeship in the office of Joseph Reed, a prominent local attorney and family acquaintance. This domestic training culminated in his admission to the bar in 1773. Seeking advanced instruction, Ingersoll then traveled to later that year to complete his legal education at the , one of the , finishing his studies there by 1774. In 1776, amid escalating colonial tensions, he departed for and undertook a two-year tour of the European continent, delaying his full return to until 1778.

Pre-Revolutionary and Revolutionary Involvement

Advocacy in London and Return to America

In 1773, after initial legal studies and admission to the Philadelphia bar, Jared Ingersoll sailed to to complete his education at the , one of the . His father, a colonial official with Loyalist leanings, advised the trip amid rising tensions between Britain and the American colonies. Ingersoll finished his coursework in 1776, coinciding with the colonies' , after which he undertook a two-year tour of the European continent. During his time abroad, Ingersoll distanced himself from his father's pro-British stance, aligning instead with patriot sentiments despite the risks of studying in the British capital. He avoided immediate return amid the escalating Revolutionary War, but by 1778, news of American resolve prompted his voyage back to Philadelphia in August of that year. Upon arrival, he publicly renounced Loyalist affiliations and established a law practice, taking on clients from family acquaintance Joseph Reed, a prominent patriot leader. This period abroad honed Ingersoll's legal expertise in English , which he later applied in American courts, though his extended stay delayed direct involvement in colonial resistance until his repatriation solidified his commitment to .

Military and Political Roles During the War

Ingersoll returned to from his legal studies in in 1778, amid ongoing hostilities of the Revolutionary War, and aligned himself with the Patriot cause despite his father's Loyalist sympathies. He did not serve in any military capacity, such as militia or units, focusing instead on emerging political opportunities in . In 1780, Ingersoll entered public service as a delegate to the from , serving through 1781. During his tenure, he contributed to wartime deliberations on and finance, advocating for measures to strengthen the confederation's central authority amid the strains of conflict, including debates over military funding and state contributions to the . This role marked his initial foray into national politics, bridging local committees with broader coordination, though his influence remained modest compared to more prominent congressmen.

Constitutional Convention and Federalist Foundations

Delegation and Participation in the Convention

Jared Ingersoll was appointed by the as one of eight delegates to the Federal Constitutional Convention convened in on May 14, 1787, to address the weaknesses of the . The state's delegation, including prominent figures like and James Wilson, advocated for a strong national government, and Ingersoll aligned with this nationalist perspective, having previously favored revisions to the confederation framework. He arrived in early and maintained perfect attendance throughout the convention's sessions, which ran from May 25 to September 17, 1787, despite the summer heat and logistical challenges that caused absences among other delegates. Ingersoll's participation was characterized by restraint in debate; he delivered no recorded speeches during the four months of deliberations, a notable for a delegate of his legal acumen and prior involvement in matters. This approach mirrored that of fellow Pennsylvanian Robert Morris, reflecting a strategic deference to more vocal colleagues like and James Wilson, who advanced the delegation's positions on issues such as and executive powers. Nonetheless, Ingersoll contributed to the convention's consensus-building by supporting the shift from mere amendments to the Articles toward drafting an entirely new , a pivot that Pennsylvania's bloc endorsed early in the proceedings. On September 17, 1787, Ingersoll affixed his signature to the final document alongside the other delegates who approved it, affirming Pennsylvania's unanimous within the state convention process that followed. His endorsement underscored a commitment to federal authority capable of addressing interstate , , and defense inadequacies under the prior system, though he expressed no public reservations about compromises like the three-fifths clause or the during the signing. This role, though understated, positioned Ingersoll among the 's architects, bolstering his later advocacy.

Views on Constitution and Ratification Process

Ingersoll, a committed nationalist, had long advocated for revising the to establish a more robust central authority capable of addressing interstate commerce, finance, and defense deficiencies evident since the Revolutionary War. At the 1787 Constitutional Convention in , he represented , attending every session from May 25 to September 17 but delivering few speeches despite his legal background in argumentation. His reticence aligned with contemporary observations of his modest demeanor, yet he aligned with principles favoring a consolidated union over the weak structure. Though supportive of the draft Constitution's overall framework for national governance, Ingersoll declined to sign the final document on September 17, 1787, citing specific reservations: the absence of a to safeguard individual liberties and the excessive authority vested in the federal judiciary, which he believed encroached on state judicial . These concerns reflected broader debates among delegates wary of centralized power without explicit limits, though Ingersoll viewed the proposed system as preferable to the Articles' paralysis. His non-signature did not indicate opposition but a principled stand on amendments, consistent with his preference for targeted revisions rather than wholesale rejection. In the subsequent Pennsylvania ratifying convention, convened November 20, 1787, Ingersoll backed efforts to secure approval, contributing to the state's swift on December 12, 1787, by a 46-23 vote—the second state after . As a , he participated in celebratory events following New Hampshire's ninth on June 21, 1788, which activated the among ratifying states, underscoring his pragmatic endorsement despite imperfections. 's pro- stance, driven by urban commercial interests Ingersoll represented, prioritized economic stability under federal auspices over Anti-Federalist demands for immediate amendments. His position exemplified realism: accepting the document as a foundational , with future adjustments via the amendment process outlined in Article V.

Practice of Law and Early Public Service

Upon returning to from his legal studies at the in in 1778, Jared Ingersoll established a practice, building on his prior under attorney Joseph Reed and admission to the bar in 1773. His practice focused on civil and commercial matters in the post-Revolutionary legal environment, where he represented clients in state courts and gained recognition for his erudition and advocacy skills, drawn from English traditions. Ingersoll's firm handling of property disputes and contractual litigation amid 's economic recovery contributed to his emergence as one of the city's preeminent lawyers by the late 1780s. Ingersoll's early public service reflected his growing civic engagement and leanings. In 1789, he was elected to the Philadelphia Common Council, where he participated in municipal governance, including oversight of city finances and amid urban expansion following the war. This position allowed him to apply his legal expertise to local ordinances and administrative disputes, bridging his private practice with public duties. His council service, though brief, positioned him for higher state roles and underscored his commitment to orderly republican institutions. Throughout this period, Ingersoll balanced his practice with preparatory work for federal judicial matters, arguing cases that tested emerging constitutional principles, though his most notable appellate appearances came later. His professional network, cultivated through Philadelphia's elite circles, enhanced his influence without compromising the independence of his legal counsel.

Tenure as Pennsylvania Attorney General

Jared Ingersoll served as during two non-consecutive terms, first from 1790 to 1799 and again from 1811 to 1817. Appointed to the initial term by Governor , Ingersoll advised the state executive on legal matters and represented in judicial proceedings. His role encompassed prosecuting violations of state law, issuing formal opinions on constitutional questions, and coordinating with federal authorities on matters of shared . During his first tenure, Ingersoll played a key part in the state's response to the of 1794, providing legal counsel to Governor Mifflin and corresponding with federal officials, including Secretary of the Treasury , on suppressing the insurrection and addressing related crimes such as murders committed against revenue officers. He participated in conferences assessing the rebellion's scope and supported the deployment of state and federal forces to , emphasizing adherence to legal processes in quelling the uprising. Toward the end of this term, in 1799, Ingersoll contributed to the legal handling of the Fries Rebellion, a resistance to federal house tax enforcement, by advising on prosecutions and engaging with defense counsel in the trials of rebel leaders like John Fries. Ingersoll's second appointment came in 1811 under Democratic-Republican Governor Simon Snyder, despite Ingersoll's Federalist affiliations, reflecting his reputation for legal acumen over partisan divides. He continued in the role through Snyder's successor, William Findlay, until 1817. Concurrently, in 1812, Ingersoll campaigned as the Federalist vice-presidential nominee alongside , though the ticket lost to and amid the War of 1812. Specific actions from this period include routine state prosecutions and advisory opinions, but no major insurrections marked his service, unlike the prior term. His bipartisan appointments underscored a commitment to professional independence in Pennsylvania's early republican governance.

Federalist Politics and National Ambitions

Party Affiliation and Opposition to Jeffersonianism

Ingersoll affiliated with the Federalist Party early in his political career, aligning with its advocacy for a robust national government, protection of commerce, and institutional continuity established under the Constitution. This stance positioned him in opposition to the emerging Democratic-Republican Party, which emphasized states' rights, agrarian interests, and skepticism toward centralized authority. As a Federalist leader in Pennsylvania, Ingersoll resisted the Jeffersonian faction's growing influence in state politics, particularly after their national ascendancy, by supporting policies that prioritized federal prerogatives over local democratic expansions. The election of in 1800 profoundly disturbed Ingersoll, whom he viewed as a "great subversion" of the constitutional order crafted by the s. This event marked a pivotal shift, as Jefferson's administration pursued reductions in federal military and financial structures—such as cuts to the army and navy—that Ingersoll and fellow s saw as undermining and amid ongoing European threats. In , where Jeffersonian Republicans gained control of the legislature by 1802, Ingersoll's allegiance manifested in legal and electoral efforts to counter their dominance, including defenses of Federalist-appointed officials against partisan removals. Ingersoll's opposition extended to Jeffersonian foreign policy tendencies, which he critiqued through his earlier advocacy for aggressive retaliation against British and French maritime aggressions in the late —a position that foreshadowed resistance to perceived Republican appeasement. Despite the Party's national decline post-1800, Ingersoll remained steadfast, embodying principled opposition to Jeffersonianism's diffusion of power, which he believed risked factional instability and weakened the Union's cohesion. His enduring influenced Pennsylvania's divided political landscape, where he navigated alliances to preserve elite, commerce-oriented governance against populist Jeffersonian reforms.

1812 Vice Presidential Campaign and Electoral Defeat

In 1812, the nominated of New York for president and selected Jared Ingersoll as his for , aiming to leverage Ingersoll's prominence as Pennsylvania's and his credentials to bolster support in that key state. The nomination occurred amid party efforts to unify opposition to President James Madison's Democratic-Republican administration, particularly its prosecution of the , which s criticized as poorly planned and economically ruinous. Ingersoll, a steadfast who viewed the 1800 election of as a dangerous shift toward radicalism, accepted the nomination without extensive personal campaigning, consistent with the era's norms where candidates avoided direct involvement to maintain dignity. The campaign centered on Federalist arguments against the war, including its origins in Democratic-Republican failures, the devastation from trade embargoes, and fears of military overreach, positioning Clinton and Ingersoll as advocates for peace and stronger commercial ties. However, Clinton's strategy as a fusion candidate—courting anti-war Democratic-Republicans while downplaying labels—created inconsistencies, alienating core voters in and complicating unified messaging. In , Ingersoll's home state, mounted vigorous local efforts, but nationally, the ticket struggled against wartime patriotism that rallied support for Madison in the and West, despite early U.S. battlefield reverses like the loss of . The election, conducted from October 30 to December 2, 1812, resulted in Madison receiving 128 electoral votes to Clinton's 89 for president, while Elbridge Gerry secured 131 votes to Ingersoll's 86 for vice president. Ingersoll's defeat stemmed primarily from the Federalists' anti-war platform, which, though rooted in concerns over fiscal mismanagement and British favoritism allegations, was portrayed by opponents as unpatriotic amid rising nationalism. Clinton's opportunistic bid further fragmented opposition, failing to overcome Democratic-Republican unity on the war, and the Federalists' regional strength in the Northeast proved insufficient against broader voter sentiment favoring continuation of the conflict to assert American sovereignty. This loss accelerated the Federalist Party's decline, as wartime exigencies marginalized their influence.

Judicial Advocacy and Later Professional Life

Arguments Before the U.S.

Jared Ingersoll commenced practice before the U.S. in 1791, participating in foundational cases that tested emerging constitutional doctrines. His arguments, though often on the losing side, contributed to elucidating key interpretive principles amid the Court's nascent . In (1793), Ingersoll, alongside J. , represented the state of Georgia against a suit brought by citizen Chisholm for unpaid Revolutionary War supply contracts. On February 5, 1793, they submitted a written remonstrance protesting the Court's , asserting and that the Judicial power under Article III did not extend to suits by citizens of one state against another without state consent. The Court ruled 4-1 in favor of jurisdiction, holding states amenable to federal suits by out-of-state citizens, a decision that spurred ratification of the Eleventh Amendment in 1795 to curtail such authority. In Hylton v. United States (1796), Ingersoll advocated for appellant Daniel Hylton, a merchant challenging the 1794 carriage tax as an unapportioned violative of Article I, Sections 2 and 9, which mandated among states by population for . He contended the levy exceeded constitutional limits, characterizing it as a rather than like an or duty. The unanimous Court, per Justice William Paterson's opinion, upheld the tax as an on luxury articles, not requiring , thereby affirming broad congressional taxing power short of capitation or land taxes. Ingersoll's exposition, joined by for the government, sharpened distinctions between and with enduring implications for federal revenue authority.

District Court Judgeship and Professional Influence

In 1821, Jared Ingersoll was appointed presiding judge of the District Court, a municipal court handling civil and criminal matters in the city. He served in this capacity until his death on October 31, 1822, at age 73, making his tenure brief but emblematic of his enduring respect within Pennsylvania's legal establishment. The role followed his prior service as and U.S. , positions that had solidified his expertise in state and . Ingersoll's professional influence extended beyond the bench, as he was regarded as the preeminent leader of the bar during the early . Described as "a most consummate ," he mentored many aspiring attorneys who later achieved prominence, contributing to the development of and practice in the region through his Philadelphia law office. His guidance emphasized rigorous advocacy and constitutional principles, influencing a generation of lawyers amid the evolving American judiciary. This late-career judicial service and mentorship underscored Ingersoll's commitment to legal traditions, even as partisan shifts diminished overt political roles in his final years.

Personal Life and Philadelphia Connections

Marriage, Family, and Social Standing

Ingersoll married Elizabeth Pettit, daughter of Charles Pettit—a delegate, Revolutionary War , and financier—on December 6, 1781, at the First Presbyterian Church in . The union linked Ingersoll to one of Pennsylvania's influential political families, with Pettit's wife Sarah Reed hailing from another prominent lineage connected to early colonial governance. Elizabeth, born in 1758, managed the household during Ingersoll's extensive legal and public engagements, dying on May 3, 1816, at age 58. The couple had four sons, all born in : Charles (October 3, 1782–May 14, 1862), Joseph Reed (June 14, 1786–February 20, 1868), Henry (dates uncertain, active in early 19th-century Philadelphia circles), and Edward (circa 1793–after 1822). Charles became a noted , , and Democratic U.S. Representative, while Joseph Reed served as a Whig U.S. Representative, of , and minister to , extending the family's public influence into the mid-19th century. No daughters are recorded. The Ingersolls resided in a Walnut Street home emblematic of their status, with the family maintaining ties to Philadelphia's mercantile and professional networks. As the "ablest jury lawyer in ," Ingersoll occupied a pinnacle of social standing among the post-Revolutionary elite, founding a dynasty of distinguished attorneys that included his sons and grandsons. His affiliations, Constitutional Convention role, and mentorship under figures like Joseph Reed positioned the family within the city's Anglo-American , frequenting intellectual societies such as the , where Ingersoll was elected in 1781. This prominence persisted despite political shifts, as evidenced by the sons' congressional tenures and the family's enduring legal practice.

Death, Legacy, and Historical Assessment

Final Years and Death

In his final years, Ingersoll continued to serve as presiding judge of the district court for the city and county of , a role he assumed in March 1821 and held until his death. Jared Ingersoll died on October 31, 1822, in , , less than a week after his 73rd birthday. He was survived by three children and interred in the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church in .

Contributions to American Law and Governance

Jared Ingersoll served as a delegate from to the Constitutional Convention in from May 25 to September 17, 1787, attending every session despite rarely speaking during debates. He supported revising the and affixed his signature to the final U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, contributing to the establishment of a stronger federal framework. As the inaugural of , Ingersoll held the office from 1790 to 1799 and again from 1811 to 1817, prosecuting cases and advising on state legal matters during periods of post-revolutionary stabilization and early republican governance. In this role, he also acted as U.S. for 's eastern district from 1800 to 1801, handling federal prosecutions amid growing national judicial infrastructure. From 1798 to 1801, he further served as solicitor for the City of , influencing municipal law enforcement and administrative practices. Ingersoll advanced early American jurisprudence through his advocacy before the U.S. , arguing landmark cases that clarified constitutional boundaries. In Chisholm v. Georgia (1793), he represented the plaintiff in a suit testing state , contributing to debates on federal judicial power despite the eventual reversal by the Eleventh Amendment. He also argued Hylton v. United States (1796), defending the federal carriage tax's constitutionality under Congress's taxing authority, which helped delineate in the early republic. These efforts, though occasionally on the losing side, refined interpretations of and in nascent precedent. Ingersoll's legal career bridged ideals with institutional development, emphasizing in a federal system; his consistent public service underscored commitments to centralized authority and professional without dominating legislative or executive innovations.

References

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