John Neilson
Brigadier General, New Jersey Militia

John Neilson was born on 11 March 1745 in New Brunswick, NJ.

In 1758 he graduated from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia and engaged in mercantile pursuits in New Brunswick from 1769-75.

He was a member of the Revolutionary Army as Captain of the Jersey Militia in 1775; appointed Colonel of the Second Regiment, Middlesex County Militia, in 1776; Brigadier General of militia in 1777; and Deputy Quartermaster General for New Jersey, 1780-83.

He was a member of the Continental Congress in 1778-79; delegate to the State constitutional convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in 1790; and member of the State General Assembly in 1800-01.

After his public service, he became trustee of Rutgers College at New Brunswick and was a shipping merchant until his death. General Lafayette presented him with a sword in 1824.

Death and Burial

John Neilson died on 3 March 1833 in New Brunswick, NJ. He is buried at Van Liew Cemetery in New Brunswick.