Paul Fearing

Paul Fearing (February 28, 1762 – August 21, 1822) was an American politician who served as a delegate to the United States House of Representatives from the Northwest Territory.

Paul Fearing
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Northwest Territory's at-large district
In office March 4, 1801 – March 3, 1803 (Delegate)
Preceded by	William McMillan
Succeeded by	district eliminated
Personal details
Born	(1762-02-28)February 28, 1762 Wareham, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Died	August 21, 1822(1822-08-21) (aged 60) Marietta, Ohio, U.S.
Resting place	Harmar Cemetery
Political party	Federalist
Alma mater	Harvard University
Signature

Early life and education

Fearing was born in Wareham, Province of Massachusetts Bay. He was prepared for college by tutors and graduated from Harvard University in 1785. He studied law in Windham, Connecticut and was admitted to the bar in 1787.

Career

He moved to the Northwest Territory in May 1788 and engaged in the practice of law at Fort Harmar, now a part of Marietta, Ohio. He was the first lawyer to practice in the Northwest Territory.[1]

Fearing was appointed the United States counsel for Washington County in 1788 and a probate judge in 1797. He was a member of the Territorial legislature from 1799 to 1801. He was elected as a Federalist a Delegate to the Seventh Congress (March 4, 1801 – March 3, 1803). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1802. He resumed the practice of law and engaged in fruit and stock raising. He was appointed associate judge of the court of common pleas in 1810 and served seven years. He was appointed master in chancery in 1814. Fearing was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1816.[2]

Death

He died at his home near Marietta, Ohio in 1822. He was buried in Harmar Cemetery, Marietta.[3]

References

• United States Congress. "Paul Fearing (id: F000054)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

1. Hildreth, S. P.: Pioneer History: Being an Account of the First Examinations of the Ohio Valley, and the Early Settlement of the Northwest Territory, H. W. Derby and Co., Cincinnati, Ohio (1848) p. 232.
2. American Antiquarian Society Members Directory
3. Goodman, Rebecca (2005). This Day in Ohio History. Emmis Books. p. 255. Retrieved 21 November 2013.

Further reading

• Bloom, Jo Tice. "The Congressional Delegates from the Northwest Territory, 1799-1803." The Old Northwest 3 (March 1977): 3-21.