Abiel Foster

Abiel Foster (August 8, 1735 – February 6, 1806) was an American clergyman and politician from Canterbury, Province of New Hampshire. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress and the U.S. Congress.

Abiel Foster
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's At-large district (Seat 1)
In office June 23, 1789 – March 4, 1791
Preceded by	(none)
Succeeded by	Jeremiah Smith
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Hampshire's At-large district (Seat 4)
In office March 4, 1795 – March 4, 1803
Preceded by	Paine Wingate
Succeeded by	David Hough
Member of the New Hampshire Senate
In office Member of the Continental Congress, 1st(1789-1791), 4th(1795-1797), 5th(1797-1799), 6th(1799-1801), 7th(1801-1803)[1]
Personal details
Born	August 8, 1735 Andover, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Died	February 6, 1806 (aged 70) Canterbury, New Hampshire
Political party	Federalist
Spouse(s)	Hannah Badger Foster Mary Wise Rogers Foster
Children	8
Residence	Canterbury
Alma mater	Harvard University
Profession	Pastor, politician

Biography

Foster was born in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1735, the son of Captain Asa Foster of Colonel Ebenezer Colonial Regiment[2][3] and Elizabeth Abbot. A relative of Jedediah Foster, a judge, American Revolutionary and Harvard Law graduate (1744), the first member of the Foster family in America to receive a "liberal education". Abiel Foster was inspired to follow in the footsteps of Jedediah and entered Harvard College, receiving a Bachelors degree in 1756. After studying in theology, he was ordained as a pastor in Canterbury, January 26, 1761, he married Hanna Badger in that year. He served as pastor in Canterbury until 1779. At that time Abiel Foster retired to private life but would not be long before he returned to public service. During his 18 years as Minister of Canterbury he built trust with the people and he was appointed to the General Court. During his life Abiel Foster held "various offices of trust and honour with reputation to himself and usefulness to the community.[4]

Abiel Foster served in Congress under first President of the United States George Washington and 2nd President John Adams, while working with the Founding Fathers of the United States, to help build a functioning federal government.

While a member of the Continental Congress, Abiel Foster left an impression on a young Daniel Webster, after a meeting one summer afternoon. Webster's father, Ebenezer Webster told his son that he could have had Abiel Foster's place in the Congress if he had more votes. Ebenezer extolled the virtues of an education to his son, explaining that it was an education that made the difference between him and Foster. He said that "It is education that has made Foster what he is and the lack of it has made your father what he is".[5]

Abiel Foster's first wife Hanna died in 1768. His second wife, Mary Wise Rogers, she was the granddaughter John Rogers (Harvard), they had eight children.[6] Martha, who married Jeremiah Clough, Mary who married Henry Gerrish, Abiel Jr. who married Susanna Moore, Elizabeth who married Enoch Gerrish and Nancy who married John Greenough.[7]

Career

From 1761 to 1779, Minister of Canterbury, New Hampshire

1775, Deputy to the Provincial Congress at Exeter[8]

From 1783 to 1785, Foster was a delegate for New Hampshire to the Continental Congress.[9]

In October 1783, the Continental Congress passed a resolution to build a second Federal city on the Potomac River, near Georgetown. The proposed city would be named Washington, D.C., becoming the new Capitol City of the young country. October 23, 1783, Abiel Foster, at Philadelphia State House, writes and sends a letter to New Hampshire Governor, Meshech Weare, informing him that the Congress has passed a resolution to build a second Federal city on the Potomac River, at or near Georgetown. Foster also advises Weare, not to make any resolutions at the state level that would be contrary to the resolutions passed by the Continental Congress. "An authenticated copy of the provisional articles and of the ratification of the same by Congress, is ordered to be transmitted to the respective States. The desire is, that they may take no measures inconsistent with those articles of which would render the fulfillment of there of impracticable".[10]

December 23, 1783, Abiel Foster is present at Maryland State House in Annapolis, when General George Washington resigned his commission as Commander In Chief of the Continental Army. Abiel Foster is sitting directly in front of George Washington, in John Trumbull's painting of the resignation.[11] The life size painting sits inside the rotunda of the Capitol building in Washington.

Abiel Foster seated directly in front of George Washington

1784 to 1788, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in Rockingham County N.H.[12]

January 8, 1784, Abiel Foster informs Meshech Weare of a report drawn up by Thomas Jefferson. The report dealt with a longstanding legal battle before the courts, dealing with the questions of (1)- The date in which the articles of Confederation became operative. (2)- The jurisdiction of the court of appeals set up by congress (3)- The right of congress in anyway to reverse or control decisions, judgments or decres made by such a court of appeal.[13]

A court document dated November 3, 1784, Abiel Foster levies a fine of 40s against Simeon Currer in a suit brought against him by Reuben Moore.[14]

December 6, 1784, Abiel Foster writes Meshech Weare, notifying him of his delayed arrival and attendance at Congress.[15]

January 14, 1785, letter from Abiel Foster to Meshech Weare,[16] regarding the construction of congressional buildings near Trenton, New Jersey.

March 26, 1785, Abiel Foster writes a letter to one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, Thomas Jefferson.[17][18]

April 4, 1785, a letter from Abiel Foster to Joseph Howell.[19]

August 20, 1785, letter from Abiel Foster to unknown.[20] The letter is in regards to unpaid money to the troops of John Barry (naval officer), who faced three mutinies during his career.

On March 3, 1789, he became a member of the First United States Congress, under the first Constitution of the United States of America (March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791), as a Representative from New Hampshire until March 3, 1791. He returned to the New Hampshire Senate in 1791, serving there until 1794 when he was elected again to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served there from March 3, 1795, to March 3, 1803.[21]

January 7, 1790, Abiel Foster, is mentioned in the diary of George Washington.[22]

New York June, 14th 1790, From Abiel Foster and Benjamin Huntington to President George Washington: Sir We hope it's not disagreeable that we mention the Hone William Ellery of Newport as a good man for a Commissioner of loans or a District Judge, or a Collector of the Duties for the Port of Newport in Rhode Island1 His Character is well known from past services in, & under various appointments from, the late Congress He was commissioner of Loans at the adoption of the Constitution and will doubtless give Satisfaction in any of the above mentioned Offices. We2 are most Respectfully your most hume Servts.[23] Abiel Foster and Benjamin Huntington

July 14, 1798, Abiel Foster votes in favour of the Alien and Sedition Acts. The act passed by the 5th United States Congress, 46-40, was "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States".[24]

December 26, 1799, 12 days after the death of George Washington, Abiel Foster wrote a letter to Alexander Hamilton, who had taken over control of the U.S. Army after Washington's death. In the letter Foster sends Hamilton a recommendation for him to consider. "Sir. The enclosed Letters from Captains Robert Parker, & Nathaniel Green, of the sixteenth Regiment, stating their claim to relative Rank, have been addressed to me: I cannot better gratify their wishes, than by transmitting them to you, and expressing my opinion ⟨— their⟩ respective statements are correct. I am, Sir, with sentiments of respect and esteem, Your most Obedt Servant. Abiel Foster".[25] Alexander Hamilton received the letter and responded March 2, 1800, accepting Abiel Foster's recommendation.[26]

February 4, 1800, Abiel Foster proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The proposed amendment was committed to a committee of the whole House on the state of the Union.[27] The motion to amend that part of the Constitution dealing with the election of presidents and vice-presidents. Terminated in the twelfth amendment, ratified Sept. 25, 1804.[28][29]

Death

Foster died in Canterbury on February 6, 1806. He is interred at the Center Cemetery, Canterbury, New Hampshire.[30][31]

Memorial

March 22, 1942, the California Shipbuilding Company launches its 16th Liberty type, 10,500-ton freighter, S.S. Abiel Foster.[32] The day before, the S.S. Benjamin Franklin, launched November 16, 1941, completed its test run. The S.S. Abiel Foster took part as a troop supply ship during World War 2 and contributed to the Invasion of Normandy.[33]

References

1. https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/13346
2. Cutter, William Richard (2000). Genealogical and Personal Memoirs: Relating to the Families of Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. Genealogical Publishing Com. ISBN 978-0-8063-4549-9.
3. Anderson, Fred (2012-12-01). A People's Army: Massachusetts Soldiers and Society in the Seven Years' War. UNC Press Books. ISBN 978-0-8078-3828-0.
4. The New Hampshire Repository. Volumes 1-2, page 205
5. "Foster, Abiel, Another account of Abiel Foster by Daniel Webster". The Boston Globe. 1910-08-28. p. 66. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
6. "Abiel Foster". Ancestry.com. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
7. The New Hampshire Repository. Alfred Prescott. 1846.
8. "Biographical Directory of the U.S. Congress - Retro Member details". bioguideretro.congress.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
9. "Abiel Foster". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
10. "Abiel Foster: A Letter To The Governor". Third Millennium Manuscripts. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
11. "General George Washington Resigning His Commission". Architect of the Capitol. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
12. "FOSTER, Abiel | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives". history.house.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
13. Jefferson, Thomas (2018-06-05). The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 6: May 1781 to March 1784. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-18471-5.
14. Bulletin of the New York Public Library|Volume 2. New York Public Library. 1898. pp. 163–164.
15. "Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 22, November 1 1784-November 6 1785". 2011-01-15. Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
16. "Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 22, November 1 1784-November 6 1785". 2011-01-15. Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
17. "Founders Online: To Thomas Jefferson from Abiel Foster, 26 March 1785". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
18. Jefferson, Thomas (2018-06-05). The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 8: February 1785 to October 1785. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-0-691-18475-3.
19. "Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 22, November 1 1784-November 6 1785". 2011-01-15. Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
20. "Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 22, November 1 1784-November 6 1785". 2011-01-15. Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
21. "Abiel Foster". Govtrack US Congress. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
22. "Founders Online: [Diary entry: 7 January 1790]". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
23. "Founders Online: To George Washington from Abiel Foster and Benjamin Huntington …". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
24. "Foster, Abiel, Sedation Act July 14, 1798". The Tennessean. March 7, 1842. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
25. "Founders Online: To Alexander Hamilton from Abiel Foster, 26 December 1799". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
26. "Founders Online: From Alexander Hamilton to Abiel Foster, 2 March 1800". founders.archives.gov. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
27. Foster, Abiel (1800). Mr. Abiel Foster's motion for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States 4th February, 1800. Committed to a committee of the whole House on the state of the Union. (Published by order of the House of Representatives.). Philadelphia: s.n.
28. Foster, Abiel (1799). Mr. Abiel Foster's motion for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States. 16th February, 1799. Ordered to lie on the table. : (Published by order of the House of Representatives.). Early American imprints. First series ; no. 36559. Philadelphia: Printed by William Ross?[sic].
29. "Abiel Foster, proposed constitution amendment". Aurora General Advertiser. January 17, 1804. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
30. "Abiel Foster". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
31. "Abiel Foster (1735-1806) - Find A Grave Memorial". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
32. "U.S.S. Abiel Foster". The Atlanta Constitution. March 23, 1942. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
33. Stingley, Alisa (June 6, 1994). "D-Day: 50 years later". The Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2020-04-10.

External links

• Journals of the Continental Congress 1784-1789

• United States Congress. "Abiel Foster (id: F000297)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Abiel Foster at Find a Grave