Isaac Halstead Williamson

Isaac Halstead Williamson ( born September 27, 1767 in Elizabeth, New Jersey; † July 10, 1844 ) was an American politician and 1817-1829 Governor of the State of New Jersey.

Early years and political rise

Isaac Williamson attended the public schools of his home. After a subsequent law degree, he was admitted in 1791 as a lawyer. He then began a successful legal career. He was, among others, deputy prosecutor in Morris County. Politically, he was originally a member of the Federalist Party, with which he threw himself around 1812 on the question of British - American War. Then he moved on to the Democratic- Republican Party. Between 1815 and 1817 he was a deputy in the New Jersey General Assembly. Following the resignation of Governor Mahlon Dickerson, he was elected by the legislature of his state to his successor.

Governor of New Jersey

Williamson's first task was the completion of fractured his predecessor's term. He was then to 1828 confirmed each year in this office. So that he could officiate between 6 February 1817 and 30 October in 1829 as governor. Due to the State Constitution, the position of the governor was not very strong against the legislature. During his reign, the law firm courts were reformed and promoted the construction of the Raritan and Delaware Canal.

At that time the political landscape changed in the United States. Williamson's Democratic- Republican Party broke up and he joined the new founded by President Andrew Jackson Democratic Party.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship Williamson was 1830-1833 the mayor of his hometown of Elizabeth. At the same time, he was from 1831 to 1833 Member of the Senate of New Jersey. In 1844 he was president of a meeting, the revised the state constitution of New Jersey. In July of the same year he died. With his wife Anne Crossdale Jouet he had two children.