DIXON, Nathan Fellows, Congress, RI (1774-1842)

DIXON, Nathan Fellows, (father of Nathan Fellows Dixon [1812-1881] and grandfather of Nathan Fellows Dixon [1847-1897]), a Senator from Rhode Island; born in Plainfield, Conn., December 13, 1774; attended Plainfield Academy and graduated from the College of Rhode Island (now Brown University) in 1799; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1801 and commenced practice in New London County, Conn.; moved to Westerly, R.I., in 1802 and continued the practice of law; also engaged in banking, serving as president of the Washington Bank of Westerly from 1829 until his death; member, State house of representatives 1813-1830; served as a colonel in the State militia; elected as a Whig to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1839, until his death in Washington, D.C., January 29, 1842; chairman, Committee on Revolutionary Claims (Twenty-seventh Congress); interment in River Bend Cemetery, Westerly, Washington County, R.I.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present