ELBRIDGE GERRY

Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) — of Massachusetts. Born in Marblehead, Essex County, Mass., July 17, 1744. Grandfather of Elbridge Gerry (1813-1886); great-grandfather of Peter Goelet Gerry. Delegate to Continental Congress from Massachusetts, 1776-80, 1782-85; signer, Declaration of Independence, 1776; signer, Articles of Confederation, 1777; member of Massachusetts state house of representatives, 1786; member, U.S. Constitutional Convention, 1787; U.S. Representative from Massachusetts 3rd District, 1789-93; Governor of Massachusetts, 1810-12; defeated, 1801, 1812; Vice President of the United States, 1813-14; died in office 1814. Episcopalian. The word gerrymander ("Gerry" plus "salamander") was coined to describe an oddly shaped Massachusetts senate district his party created in 1811, and later came to mean any unfair districting. Died in Washington, D.C., November 23, 1814. Interment at Congressional Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Parents: Thomas and Elizabeth Gerry
Spouse: Ann Thompson b. abt 1754
Married in 1786

Sources:
United States Federal Census
Massachusetts Vital Records
The Political Graveyard
Submitted by Deborah Crowell