History of Mine Brook, (Somerset County) New Jersey United States of America

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Andrew Kirkpatrick, jurist, was born at Mine Brook, N.J., Feb. 17, 1756; son of David and Mary (McEwen) Kirkpatrick, and a grandson of Alexander Kirkpatrick, a Scotchman, who migrated to Belfast, Ireland, and from there to America in 1736, settling in New Jersey. He was graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1775, studied theology with the Rev. Samuel Kennedy for a short time, became a tutor in a private family in Virginia and then in New York, and later became classical instructor in the Rutgers College grammar school, and at the same time pursued the study of law. He subsequently entered the law office of William Paterson in New Brunswick, completed his legal studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1785. He settled in practice first in Morristown, N.J., and subsequently in New Brunswick. He was married, in 1792, to Jane, daughter of Col. John and Margaret (Hedge) Bayard. He was elected a member of the house of assembly of New Jersey in 1797 and served through one session, resigning at its close to accept a judgeship in the state supreme court. He was elected chief-justice of the state of New Jersey in 1803, as successor to James Kinsey, and was twice re-elected, holding the position until 1824. He spent the few remaining years of his life at New Brunswick, N.J., in retirement. He was a curator of the College of New Jersey, 1807-31. His decisions are recorded in Pennington's, Scuthard't; and Vols. I., II. and III. of Halstead's reports. He died in New Brunswick, N.J., Jan. 7, 1831.,

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Mine Brook, (Somerset County) New Jersey

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