Henry Marchant

MARCHANT, Henry, a Delegate from Rhode Island; born at Marthas Vineyard, Mass., April 9, 1741; attended school in Newport, R.I., where his father had moved, and was graduated from Philadelphia College (now the University of Pennsylvania) at Philadelphia in 1762; studied law; was admitted to the bar about 1767 and commenced practice in Newport, R.I.; attorney general of Rhode Island 1771-1777; Member of the Continental Congress 1777-1779 and was one of the signers of the Articles of Confederation; delegate to the Rhode Island State Convention in 1789 for the adoption of the Federal Constitution; served as United States district judge for the district of Rhode Island 1790-1796; died in Newport, R.I., on August 30, 1796; interment in the Common Burial Ground.. - - Biographical Data courtesy of the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.