John Langdon's home is now a museum.

See a portrait of him here, and a short biography.

Another biography from Colonial Hall.

Another biography from From Revolution to Reconstruction.

He owned the ship America, and an island called Rising-Castle. In 1788 he was a delegate representing Portsmouth to a convention on whether New Hampshire should adopt or reject the Federal constitutions. This meeting was at Exeter on Feb. 2. The result was that the constitution was adopted, making NH the ninth state to do so. A large celebration for the event occurred on June 26, with a large parade made up of inhabitants segregated by profession. A musical band led the procession in an open coach, while each occupation demonstrated their trade. Blacksmiths, Haymakers, Shipwrights, Rope-makers, etc. Saluts were fired from the ships in the harbor. Songs composed for the occasion were sung. There was a feast for the convention members, and many patriotic toasts were drunk.10

He was one of President George Washington's hosts during his visit to Portsmouth in 1789. They were rowed down the river on a barge with the rowers all dressed in white, with another barge following behind carrying a musical band. 10

He was born in Portsmouth, the son of a farmer. His education was from grammer school, and his first position was at the counting house of Daniel Rindge. Later her persued a career as a seafarer, but ended it when the relationship between England and the colonies grew strained. He was strongly opposed to British rule, and had a part in the raid on Fort William and Mary in December, 1774.

His first political office was that of delegate to Congress in 1775. He was elected President of the state first in 1785, and again in 1787, 1788 and 1789. He was elected Governor in 1805 and 1810. 10

Books
John Langdon of New Hampshire

LANGDON, John, statesman, was born in Portsmouth, N.H., June 25, 1741; son of John Langdon, a farmer. He attended the school of Major Hale at Portsmouth, and was subsequently apprenticed to Daniel Rindge, a merchant of that place. On the expiration of his apprenticeship he made several sea voyages, first as supercargo and later in charge of his own vessel. Upon the outbreak of the Revolution he was a representative to the general court. With John Sullivan and others, he removed the powder and military stores from Fort William and Mary to Newcastle in 1774. He was a delegate to the Continental congress in 1775-76, was elected agent of the Continental navy in 1776, and a number of ships-of-war were built under his direction, including the Raleigh, the Ranger, the America, and the Portsmouth. He was in command of an independent company of volunteers with the rank of colonel, and in 1777 was elected speaker of the assembly of New Hampshire. When the means were needed to fit out and support a regiment to repel an anticipated attack of the British; he made a stirring address to the people and so roused their patriotism that a brigade was raised under General Stark which subsequently defeated the Hessians at Bennington. Colonel Langdon participated in this battle; was engaged in the expedition against the British in possession of Rhode Island in 1778, and was captain of a volunteer company in the army of General Gates that captured Burgoyne at Saratoga. He was Continental agent of New Hampshire and president of the state convention in 1779; was re-elected to the state assembly in 1783; and in 1787 was a delegate to the convention that framed the Federal constitution. He was governor of New Hampshire, [p.321] 1785 and 1788; U.S. senator, 1789-1801, and president pro tempore of the senate, 1789-92 and 1792-94, and he announced the electoral votes for the first president of the United States, and had the honor of first informing General Washington of his election. In 1801 he was offered the position of secretary of the navy by President Jefferson, but he declined, as he did the nomination for Vice-President of the United States, tendered him by the Republican caucus, in 1812. He was again governor of New Hampshire, 1805-08 and 1810-11. He died in Portsmouth, N.H., Sept. 18, 1819. 55