1827-1909
Adoniram Judson Patterson
Pastor/Legislator PA/NH/MA
Thanks to Andy Osterdahl for allowing me to use his research on Adoniram Judson Patterson from “The Strangest Names in American Political History” blogspot.
Adoniram Judson Patterson was a noted New Hampshire clergyman who served a term in his state’s House of Representatives in the mid-1860’s. Patterson was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania on April 3, 1827, the son of James and Nancy Holt Patterson…. He was ordained as a minister in Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania, and held his first pastorate in the town of Girard in 1854…before relocating to Portsmouth, New Hampshire to accept the pastorate of that city’s Universalist church.
At the dawn of the Civil War Patterson tried resigning his pastorate in order to enter the army but this was refused by his parish! Despite being unable to resign from the church, Patterson then used a clause in the 1863 Conscription Act to hire a substitute to serve in his place on the battlefield. While this may sound odd, other prominent men of the time opted to do the same, including future President Gover Cleveland!
Despite not being about to fight, Patterson found another way to serve his country during the war effort. Beginning in 1864 he served as a chaplain at large, ministering to many soldiers on the battlefield and in hospitals in Virginia…. After returning to New Hampshire, Patterson stumped for President Lincoln (who was then running for reelection) and in 1866 was elected to the New Hampshire State House of Representatives from Portsmouth. During his legislative service, he still maintained an active ministry, and “he did not fail to meet his congregation at any service of the church while the legislature was in session.”
Patterson eventually left Portsmouth and resettled in Roxbury, Massachusetts…and was named as President of the Massachusetts Convention of Universalists…. During the 1890s and 1900s, Patterson continued his ministry in places throughout Massachusetts, Maine and even Nebraska. He is also listed as being a major benefactor to Tufts College during this time, establishing new scholarships for students and had an honorary degree conferred upon him for his work.
Adoniram Judson Patterson died on November 3, 1909, at age 82 in Roxbury.[1]
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[1] https://politicalstrangenames.blogspot.com/2012/05/