Background

Armstrong, John was born on November 25, 1758 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of John and Rebecca (Lyon) Armstrong.

Education

Attended Princeton, 1775.

Career

Aide-de-camp under John Frances Mercer and Horatio Gates in Revolutionary War. Author Newburgh Letters threatening army action if Congress refused to pay arrears in soldiers’ salaries, 1783. After war became secretary of state, adjunct-general Pennsylvania.

Delegate Continental Congress, 1787. Member United States Senate from New York, 1800-1802, 03-04. United States minister to France, 1804-1810.

Believed to have contributed to outbreak of French-British War, 1812. Commissioned brigadier general in command New York City, 1812. Secretary of war United States, 1813-1814.

Considered responsible for failure of Montreal and Plattsburg campaigns and British capture of Washington, District of Columbia, 1814.

Membership

Member United States Senate from New York, 1800-1802, 03-04.

Connections

Married Alida Livingston, 1789.

father:

John Armstrong

mother:

Rebecca (Lyon) Armstrong

spouse:

Alida Livingston