Thomas Henderson was an American physician, soldier, and politician. He also was Acting Governor of New Jersey in 1793.
Background
Thomas Henderson was born on August 15, 1743, Freehold, New Jersey, United States. He was the fourth son and seventh child of John Henderson, a devout Presbyterian and a prosperous farmer, and Ann Stevens. He was descended from Scotch Covenanters who emigrated from Fifeshire in 1685 and settled in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Education
Graduating from the College of New Jersey in 1761, Thomas studied medicine with Nathaniel Scudder and in 1764 began practice, first in Freneau and then in Freehold, where he remained for the rest of his life.
Career
As the breach with England approached Thomas Henderson actively sided with the Revolutionists. He was made a member of the Freehold Committee of Observation and Inspection, December 10, 1774, and lieutenant of local militia in 1775. On February 15, 1776, he was commissioned major of Stewart’s minute men, and two months later, major of militia. From June 14 he held the rank of major in Heard’s battalion, later he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel in Heard’s brigade, and on January 12, 1777, he was made lieutenant-colonel of Forman’s Additional Continental Regiment. At Monmouth, in June 1778, he served as brigade-major and took word to Washington of General Charles Lee’s retreat.
Elected to the Continental Congress November 17, 1779, Henderson declined the office, but served from 1780 to 1784 in the New Jersey Assembly, and from July 1, 1780, on the local committee of retaliation. He also held judicial office, serving as surrogate of Monmouth County, 1776, judge of common pleas, 1783 and 1799, and master of Chancery in 1790. Elected to the New Jersey Council for the term 1793-1794, he was vice-president of that body and consequently acting-governor while Richard Howell led the New Jersey troops sent to aid in putting down the Whiskey Rebellion. He was not reelected and, save in 1812-1813, when he served on the New Jersey Council, he held no further political office.
Achievements
Religion
Henderson was a devoutly religious man and was both a trustee and elder of the Tennent Church.
Politics
Henderson was a member of the Federalist party; the U. S. House of Representatives
from New Jersey's At-large district from 1795 to 1797.
Membership
In 1766 Henderson became a member of the New Jersey Medical Society, the first society of its kind in the country.
Connections
Henderson was married on September 23, 1767, to Mary Hendricks, the daughter of John Hendricks, who died a few months after their wedding. On January 2, 1778, he was married to his second wife, Rachel Burrowes. They had seven daughters.