(1745-1790)
David Brearly was born and raised in New Jersey.
Although he dropped out of college, he practiced law in New Jersey.
Brearly was an avid patriot.
Arrested by the British for treason, Brearly was freed by a group of patriots.
He fought in the Revolutionary War.
From 1779 to 1789, Brearly served served as the chief justice of the New Jersey supreme court.
He argued for the interests of the small states at the Philadelphia Convention.
He served as president of the New Jersey ratifying convention.
Brearly was appointed a federal district judge in 1789.
He died the next year at age 45.
