Philemon Dickerson

Philemon Dickerson (January 11, 1788 – December 10, 1862) was a United States representative from New Jersey, the 12th governor of New Jersey, and a judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He was born in Succasunna, Morris County, New Jersey, and was a member of a prominent political family; his brother, Mahlon Dickerson, also served as governor of New Jersey and as a United States senator. Dickerson spent part of his youth in Pennsylvania, where his family had business and political connections, before returning to New Jersey, the state with which his public career would be most closely associated.

Dickerson pursued a classical education and then studied law, following the customary path of legal apprenticeship of the period. He read law in the office of an established attorney, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice as a lawyer. His legal training and early practice provided the foundation for his later roles in both state and federal government, and he became known in New Jersey legal circles as a capable and reliable practitioner. Through his work at the bar, he developed connections with leading Democratic figures in the state, which facilitated his entry into elective office.

Dickerson’s political career began at the state level, where he aligned with the Democratic Party during a time of intense national debate over economic policy, states’ rights, and the scope of federal power. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly, gaining experience in legislative procedure and state governance. His work in the legislature and his growing prominence within the Democratic Party positioned him for higher office. By the early 1830s, he had become a recognized figure in New Jersey politics, identified with the Jacksonian wing of the party that emphasized popular democracy and skepticism of concentrated financial power.

As a member of the Democratic Party representing New Jersey, Dickerson contributed to the legislative process during three terms in office in the United States House of Representatives. Elected to Congress during a significant period in American history, he served in the 23rd and 24th Congresses (March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1837) and later returned for service in the 26th Congress (March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841). During these terms he participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents at a time marked by the Bank War, debates over internal improvements, and the economic dislocation surrounding the Panic of 1837. In the House, he served as one of New Jersey’s at-large representatives, taking part in committee work and floor debates that reflected the priorities of both his state and his party.

Between his periods of congressional service, Dickerson held New Jersey’s highest state office. He was elected the 12th governor of New Jersey and served from 1836 to 1837, a tenure that overlapped with his broader public career. As governor, he presided over the state during a time of growing attention to transportation improvements, banking regulation, and the relationship between state and federal authority. His administration operated within the framework of Jacksonian Democratic principles, and he worked with the state legislature on matters affecting New Jersey’s economic development and legal institutions. His experience as governor further enhanced his reputation as an able public servant and administrator.

Dickerson’s legal and political experience led to his appointment to the federal bench. After his service in Congress, he was nominated and confirmed as judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, a position of considerable responsibility in the federal judiciary. As a United States district judge, he presided over admiralty, bankruptcy, and federal question cases arising within New Jersey, applying federal law during a period of expanding commerce and industrialization. His judicial service reflected the culmination of a career that had moved from state politics and legislative work to the interpretation and enforcement of federal law.

Philemon Dickerson remained in New Jersey throughout his later years, continuing his judicial duties until his death. He died on December 10, 1862, in Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey. His career spanned law, state government, national legislative service, and the federal judiciary, and he is remembered as a significant Democratic figure in New Jersey’s political and legal history during the first half of the nineteenth century.