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Home arrow Famous People arrow Framers of Freedom arrow Woodbury Langdon
Woodbury Langdon Print E-mail
Written by Steve Adams   

Woodbury Langdon
NH FRAMERS OF FREEDOM

The brother of John Langdon was a complex and powerful man. He was unafraid of expressing his opinion, even when it got him into trouble during the Revolutionary Era. Today he is buried in the historic North Cemetery and the site of his opulent brick mansion has been turned into a popular local restaurant.

 

 

SEE other Framers of Freedom

William Plumer, New Hampshire's caustic historian and a contemporary of Woodbury Langdon, once described Langdon as "a man of great independence and decision-bold, keen, and sarcastic. He spoke his mind of men and measures with great freedom. He was naturally inclined to be arbitrary and haughty, but his sense of what was right, and his pride prevented him from doing intentional evil." This was great praise coming from Plumer, but Woodbury Langdon deserved it. No other man of the times was as willing to voice an unpopular opinion and to stand behind it as he was.

A Wealthy Conservative

Born in Portsmouth in 1738 or 1739, Woodbury Langdon attended the local grammar school and then went to work in the counting room of Henry Sherburne, a prominent Portsmouth merchant. In 1765 he married Sherburne's daughter, Sarah, and soon parlayed his influence and intelligence into a fortune of his own. He took the conservative side in the early days of hostilities with Britain and was influential in preserving Portsmouth's conservative attitude during the early 1770s. The moderates of Portsmouth elected Langdon to the Assembly in the spring of 1774 and to the revolutionary Provincial Congress at Exeter the following summer, and they reelected him to the Assembly in February of 1775.

Whose Side Is He On?

When war broke out in 1775, Langdon went to London in hopes of salvaging "a considerable sum of money" he had invested there. He left England two years later and sailed for New York with "nothing but his baggage." Upon his arrival he found himself restricted to the city by the British commander, Gen. Howe. No one was sure whose side Langdon was on and the British were not willing to let him go until they were sure of his leanings. Neither the influence of Langdon's British friends, nor the efforts of his brother, John Langdon, could win his freedom; so Woodbury Langdon set aside accepted procedure and escaped in December of 1777.

Woodbury Langdon returned to Portsmouth and in the spring of 1779 he was elected to, and served a year in, the Continental Congress. In 1780, 1781, and 1785 he was reelected, but chose to remain in New Hampshire where he served in the legislature. In 1782 he was appointed a justice of the Superior Court, but after a year he resigned the post despite the legislature's requests that he remain in office. In 1786 he once again accepted the office, but this time the legislature ended up regretting its choice.

Impeached By NH House

Langdon failed to attend several sessions of the court that were held in the outlying counties, preferring instead to pursue his commercial interests in Portsmouth. On June 17, 1790 the New Hampshire House of Representatives impeached him for neglect of his duties. Langdon appeared before the House and countered the impeachment with charges that the legislature failed to provide honorable salaries for judges and interfered in court decisions. The trial was postponed because of a technicality and during the postponement John Langdon managed to have his brother appointed a commissioner of Revolutionary claims by President Washington. Secure in his new position, Woodbury Langdon submitted a letter of resignation to the president of New Hampshire and the trial never took place, though the sentiment in the legislature was that Langdon's conduct was "impertinent and unbecoming to his office."

A few years later Langdon tried to make a political comeback but failed, because of his inability to seek popularity, in attempts to win election to the United States Congress in 1796 and 1797. He won his few supporters with his directness and his ability. Be it a failure or a virtue, he could not compromise his convictions. He died in Portsmouth on January 13, 1805.

WOODBURY OUTSIDE LINKS

  Woodbury Grave in North Cemetery

  The official US Congress web site

 
Woodbury Portrait in Concord, NH

  Woodbury Copley Portrait in Dallas, TX
 
  More on above

 
His former house site now the Library Restaurant

By Steve Adams. Updated © 2006 SeacoastNH.com. First published online here in 1997. Originally published in "NH: Years of Revolution," Profiles Publications and the NH Bicentennial Commission, 1976. Reprinted by permission of the author and publisher.

 

Calendar
Little Engine That Could
July 4 - 6, 2008
LINCOLN -- Hi everyone!! We are trying to get the word out that the Little Engine That Could will be at the Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH on July 4,5 & 6, 2008. People can purchase tickets right online at our website. The train is a full-sized repli...

Art in Nature
July 4 - 10, 2008
RYE, NH -- Celebrate art, nature and science during this week-long event. We will explore inspiring and creative ways of connecting to the environment through hands-on workshops, programs and activities for all ages. You can learn about organic sculptur...

Zoo Farm
July 5 - 6, 2008
CANDIA -- Enjoy all day zoo admission; unlimited pony, tractor and horse-drawn hay. rides; and a bag of grain for each child. All for just $16.00 per person! So pack your lunch and spend the day with us at the farm. We look forward to seeing you! For...

Freedom Rocks
July 5, 2008
The Freedom Rocks Festival is one that truly incorporates a gamete of musical talent. Everything from metal bands, garage, funk, alternative, retro and classic rock perform on stage. Ranging music styles and artists come together to form a festival fill...

Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival
July 6, 2008
This 13th annual celebration of joyous creativity which Tommy Gallant helped initiate, has become a staple item on our summer menu. Don't miss this venue of jazz greats organized by UNH Jazz Master Dave Seiler.

Sammie Haynes
July 6, 2008
ROCHESTER -- The Governor's Inn presents a beautiful late afternoon in the garden (or under the patio in case of rain) Great food and drinks and company

HARVEY REID
July 6, 2008
SOUTH BERWICK -- Maine songwriter and stringed-instrument virtuoso Harvey Reid will appear in concert This is Harvey's only local concert this summer. It takes place outdoors in the beautiful garden at the historic Hamilton House in South Berwick, Maine...

Theatre Camp
July 7 - 11, 2008
KIDS THEATRE CAMP, July 7-11, 9 AM to 12 NOON, Ages 6-9 Now in its eighth year, this popular week-long camp features creative drama, movement, and visual arts activities, with a final performance at 6:30 PM on Friday, July 11. Limited to 14 campers. ...

PPAF Summer Theatre Academy begins
July 7, 2008
We believe that every child has an innate sense of creativity and imagination. Our Summer Theatre Academy is geared toward developing confidence and advancing performance skills so that every child can be a star. Students will not only learn theatrical ...

NHTP Teen Camp Starts
July 7, 2008
TEEN THEATRE CAMP, July 7-19, Ages 13-17 This intensive camp will focus on a theme from classic dramatic literature. (Teen Camp 2007 featured William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night). Participants will learn acting, directing and design skills along with...

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