Josiah Hornblower
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Josiah Hornblower (February 23, 1729 – January 21, 1809) was an American and statesman from Belleville, New Jersey. He was a delegate for New Jersey in the Continental Congress in 1785 and 1786. Josiah Hornblower is also the name of his great-great-great-great-great-grandson, the heir to the Vanderbilt/Whitney fortune who was featured in the 2003 documentary Born Rich.
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[edit] Engineering career
Josiah was born in Staffordshire, England, son of steam power pioneer Jonathan Hornblower. As a young man he studied mechanics and mathematics. In 1745 he started working for his brother, also named Jonathan, as an engineering apprentice. They went to Cornwall, England and built Newcomen steam engines for use in tin mines. Josiah became expert in both the engines and mining operations.
Around 1753, the Schuyler family brought him to America, to support their copper mines in New Jersey. Hornblower settled in Belleville, New Jersey and is credited with building the first steam engine in America in 1755. There is some dispute about the validity of the project since he apparently (and illegally) brought two or three sets of critical engine parts with him from England.
He continued to practice mechanical and civil engineering for much of his life. In 1794 he built the first stamping mill in America. (A stamping mill mechanically crushes raw ore for further processing.)
[edit] Before the revolution
In 1755 Josiah married Elizabeth Kingsland, the daughter of Colonel William Kingsland of Bergen County. One of their sons was Joseph Coerten Hornblower who later became chief justice of New Jersey’s supreme court.
Over the years, Hornblower became American in his attitude as well as by residence. In the French and Indian War he was a captain in the Essex County regiment of the New Jersey militia. However, his company was assigned for defence and he didn’t see action. In 1760 he opened a hardware store as an adjunct to his engineering work, and became a prosperous merchant.
[edit] Political career
For several years, Josiah had acted as a leading citizen. He served as clerk in various town meetings and for his county. As New Jersey established a revolutionary government, Essex County sent him to the state’s Assembly from 1777-1780. In 1780, the Assembly named him its speaker. From 1781 until 1784 he was a mermber of the Governor’s Council, which functioned as an upper house in the legislature.
Then in 1785 the New Jersey assembly sent Hornblower as one of their delegates to the Continental Congress. His term started in November of 1785 and ran for a year. While he was diligent in attendance and voting, he wasn’t a leading member of the Congress. After his year, he returned home to attend to his engineering and mercantile pursuits.
[edit] Later life
Josiah remained active in engineering circles, and for a time served as the head of a mine association. He expanded his operations, opening various mills in along the Second River and the Passaic River over the next two decades.
He remained somewhat active in public life as well, serving as a County Judge from 1790 until 1808 when his failing health forced him to resign. Josiah died in Newark on January 21, 1809 and is buried in the yard of the Durch Reformed Church at Belleville.
