Fell, John, 1721-1798

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John Fell (February 5, 1721 – May 15, 1798) was an American merchant, politician, and jurist. He served as a member of the Continental Congress from New Jersey.

Born in New York City, Fell attended the public schools before engaging in overseas commerce and also in agricultural pursuits. After moving to Bergen County in the Province of New Jersey, he was appointed judge of the court of common pleas on September 30, 1766, serving in the role until October 1, 1774. With the coming of the American Revolutionary War, he became chairman of Bergen County's committee of correspondence and the committee of safety. He was Bergen County's leading delegate to the Provincial Congress of New Jersey in 1775. In 1776 Fell was elected to a one-year term in the New Jersey Legislative Council representing Bergen County.

Fell served as a member of the Continental Congress from New Jersey between 1777 and 1780 and as a member of the New Jersey State council in 1782 and 1783. In 1793, Fell moved to New York City, subsequently moving to Coldenham, New York, where he died. Fell was buried in Coldenham's Colden Cemetery.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Fell, John, 1721-1798. John Fell diary, 1778 Nov. 29-1779 Nov. 30. Library of Congress
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part I: The Revolution and the Administration, 1669-1958. Houghton Library
referencedIn Thomas Addis Emmet collection, 1483-1876 (bulk:1700-1800) New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division
creatorOf Fell, John. Memorandum, 1778. Campbell University, Wiggins Memorial Library
creatorOf Fell, John, 1721-1798. Journal of the Continental Congress, 1779-1780. Massachusetts Historical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York City NY US
Bergen County NJ US
Coldenham NY US
Subject
Prison administration
Occupation
Businessmen
Delegates, U.S. Continental Congress
Jurists
Merchants
Activity

Person

Birth 1721-02-05

Death 1798-05-15

Male

Americans,

Britons

English

Information

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