Born at Montville, Connecticut. Graduate of Yale in 1773. Admitted to Connecticut bar in 1773. Married Sarah Lloyd January 1, 1774. Married Rebecca Woolsey October 10, 1782. He had five children.

Served as lieutenant colonel in the New Haven Volunteers in 1776. Elected to Connecticut House of Representatives and served 1778 to 1785. Elected to United States House of Representatives and served 1791 to 1796. Elected to United States Senate and served December 6, 1796, to June 10, 1810. Served as Commissioner of Connecticut School Funds 1810 to 1825. Treasurer of Yale College 1782 to 1832. He died in New Haven.

In 1785 he joined Hopkins, Bishop and Goodrich in an enterprise to strike copper coins for the state of Connecticut.

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake; NCAB 2; TCBDA; WWWA-H