Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 08.djvu/287

 PENNINGTON

PENNOCK

moted major in the 4th artillery Nov. 8, 1882; was a dii-ector of instruction in the U. S. artillery school at Fort Monroe, 1885-92. and artillery in- spector of the Department of the East, 1892-96. He was promoted lieutenant-colonel of 4th artil- lery, Nov. 28, 1892; colonel of 2d artillery Oct. 29, 1896, and was stationed at Fort Adams, R.I., 1896-98. Upon the outbreak of the war with Spain he was commissioned brigadier-general of U.S. volunteers, commanding at Camp Black, L.I., May to July, 1898, and was in command of the Department of the Gulf. July 4, 1898, to March 22, 1899. He was promoted brigadier-general, U.S.A., Oct. 16, 1899. and was retired at his own request, Oct. 17, 1899. He was married, Feb. 5, 1863, to Clara Miller, daughter of the Rev. John French, chaplain and professor of ethics, U.S. Military academy, West Point, N.Y. He was elected a member of the Military Order of Foreign "Wars, the Military Order of American Wars, and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. The degree of M. A. was conferred upon him by the College of New Jersey in 1864.

PENNINGTON, William, governor of New Jer- sey, was born in Newark, N.J., May 4, 1796; son of Gov. William Sandford and Phoebe (Wheeler) Pennington. He was graduated from the Col- lege of New Jersey, A.B. 1813, A.M., 1816. He was clerk of the U.S. district court, 1815-26; studied law with Theodore Frelinghuysen; was admitted to the bar in 1820, and practised in Newark. He married Caroline, daughter of Dr. William Burnet. He was a representative in the state assembly; was elected governor of the state in 1837, to succeed Philemon Dickerson, and serv- ed by successive re-elections until 1843. He also served ex officio as chancellor and judge of the prerogative court. During his gubernatorial administration the " broad seal war "' occurred, •caused by the congressional election of 1838. Six representatives were to be elected from New Jersey on a general ticket; the validity of the election of five of these was questioned, and Gov- ernor Pennington was obliged to commission those who should properly represent the state. He therefore commissioned the five Whig can- didates who, according to the statistics, had the majority of votes. When it was found that the five votes from New Jersey must decide the speakership of the house, an excited debate took place, Jolm Quincy Adams presiding as temporary chairman. The result was the election of Robert M. S. Hunter as speaker and the five Democratic members from New Jersey were admitted to seats. Considerable feeling was aroused by the fact that seats were refused to the candidates commissioned under the •' broad seal "' of one of the states of the United States, Governor YIII — 18

Pennington was a Republican representative in the 35th congress, 1859-61, and was chosen speak- er after a contest extending over two months. He was a trustee of the College of New Jersey, 1848-62. His death was caused by a dose of mor- phine administered through the blunder of a druggist. He died in Newark, N.J., Feb. 16, 1862.

PENNINGTON, William Sandford, governor of New Jersey, was born in Newark, N.J., in 1757; son of Samuel and Mary (Sandford) Pennington; grandson of Judah Pennington, and a descendant of E^jhraim Pennington, New Haven, 1643. He at- tended the district schools and was apprenticed to his maternal uncle, a Royalist, who cancelled his indentures when William joined the patriot army. He served in the 2d regiment. New Jersey artil- lery, under General Knox, and in 1780 was commis- sioned a lieutenant. He was wounded at the siege of Yorktown, and attained the rank of captain in the U.S. army. He engaged in various employments after his resignation; was a representative in the state assembly in 1797, and in 1801 a member of the council. He studied law with Elias Boudinot, was admitted to the bar in 1802 and practised in Newark. He married Phoebe, daughter of Capt. James Wheeler, a Revolutionary soldier. He was elected an associate justice of the supreme court of New Jersey, Feb. 28, 1804; was chosen gov- ernor of the state and chancellor ex officio to suc- ceed Aaron Ogden in 1813, and served until he succeeded Robert Morris, deceased, as judge of the U.S. district court of New Jersey, serving as such, 1815-26. He is the author of Supreme Court Reports (1803-16). He died in Newark, N.J., Sept. 17, 1826.

PENNOCK, Alexander Mosely, naval officer, was born in Norfolk, Va., Nov. 1, 1813. He was appointed a midshipman in the U.S. navy in April, 1828; served in the Pacific and Brazilian squadrons, 1828-34; was promoted passed mid- shipman in 1834, and was attached to the Medi- terranean and East Indian squadrons, 1834-39. He was commissioned lieutenant in March, 1839. and commander in December, 1855. He was a mem- ber of the Paraguay expedition, 1859-60, in com- mand of the steamer Southern Star. He was promoted captain, Jan. 2, 1863, was fleet captain of the Mississippi squadron, 1862-64; was on duty at the Brookljm navy yard, 1866-67; and was given command of the flag-ship Frankliu of the Euro- pean squadron in 1868; was promoted commodore, May 6, 1868, and in 1869 commanded the entire European squadron. He was promoted rear- admiral in 1872 and retired in 1875. He died at Portsmouth, N.H.,Sept. 20, 1876.