Amasa Learned

Amasa Learned (November 15, 1750 – May 4, 1825) was an American preacher, lawyer, and politician from New London, Connecticut. He served in the state's House of Representatives and represented Connecticut in the U.S. House from 1791 until 1795.

Amasa Learned
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's At-large district
In office March 4, 1791 – March 3, 1795
Preceded by	James Hillhouse
Succeeded by	Joshua Coit
Personal details
Born	November 15, 1750 Killingly, Connecticut Colony, British America
Died	May 4, 1825 (aged 74) New London, Connecticut, U.S.
Citizenship	United States
Political party	Pro-Administration Party
Spouse(s)	Grace Hallam Learned
Relations	John Law
Children	Nicholas H. Learned, Frances Learned Chew, Ebenezer Learned and Edward Learned
Parents	Deacon Ebenezer Learned and Keziah (Leavens) Learned
Alma mater	Yale College
Occupation	Preacher, Lawyer, Politician

Early life and career

Learned was born in Killingly in the Connecticut Colony, the son of Deacon Ebenezer Learned and Keziah (Leavens) Learned. He was prepared for college by a private tutor and graduated from Yale College in 1772. Learned taught in the Union School in New London.[1] He studied theology, received a license from the Windham Association in October 1773, and preached for a short time before entering politics.[2]

While living in Killingly, Learned began the study of law in 1778. He was elected a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1779.[3] After moving to New London, he served again in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1785 to 1791. He was a member of the convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1788.[4]

Learned was elected to the upper house of assistants in 1791,[5] and elected as a Pro-Administration candidate to the Second and Third Congresses, serving from March 4, 1791, to March 3, 1795.[6] He engaged in land speculations while serving in Congress.

After serving in Congress, he was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1818.[7]

Death

Learned died in New London on May 4, 1825, and is interred in the Cedar Grove Cemetery in New London.[7]

Personal life

Learned married Grace Hallam in 1773.[8] They had four children, Nicholas H. Learned, Frances Learned Chew, Ebenezer Learned and Edward Learned.[9][10][11][12]

Learned's grandson, John Law, served as United States Representative from Indiana.[13]

References

1. Caulkins, Frances Manwaring; Griswold, Cecelia (1895). History of New London, Connecticut: From the First Survey of the Coast in 1612 to 1860. H. D. Utley. pp. 670.
2. Clemons, Harry (1897). The Connecticut Magazine: An Illustrated Monthly, Volume 3. Connecticut Magazine Company. p. 223.
3. Dexter, Franklin Bowditch (1903). Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College: May 1763-July 1778. Holt. pp. 449.
4. Trumbull, James Hammond (1901). Historical notes on the constitutions of Connecticut, 1639-1818: particularly on the origin and progress of the movement which resulated in the Convention of 1818 and the adoption of the present constitution. Case, Lockwood & Brainard company. p. 52.
5. "Amasa Learned (1750-1825)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
6. "Rep. Amasa Learned". Govtrack.us. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
7. "Amasa Learned". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
8. "Grace Hallam Learned". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
9. "Nicholas H. Learned". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
10. "Frances Learned Chew". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
11. "Ebenezer Learned". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
12. "Edward Learned". Find A Grave. Retrieved December 30, 2012.
13. "John Law (1796-1873)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved December 30, 2012.

External links

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Amasa Learned at Find a Grave
• The Political Graveyard
• Govtrack.us