Jonathan Patten (1744 – December 29, 1809) was an American merchant and politician who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. A veteran of the American Revolutionary War, he represented Stockbridge, Massachusetts, in the state legislature from 1802 to 1803.
Early life Patten was born circa 1744 to Nathaniel and Mary Patten. While little is documented regarding his early education, he established himself as a merchant in Boston, Massachusetts by the late 18th century.
Military Service During the American Revolutionary War, Patten enlisted in the military in 1781. He served as a lieutenant colonel under the command of Colonel William Turner. His contributions during the war earned him the rank of Colonel, a title he used throughout his subsequent political career.
Career Col. Patten was active in the civic affairs of Stockbridge. In May 1802, he was elected to represent the town in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, serving until 1803.The United States Gazette, Fri, Jun 04, 1802, Page 2"Col. JONATHAN PATTEN, (a true Federal Republican) was chosen on Monday last to represent this town the year ensuing in the Legislature of this Commonwealth. The number of votes given in were 104--of which Col. Patten had 94." The Western Star (Stockbridge, MA). May 15, 1802.The Pittsfield Sun, (Pittsfield, Massachusetts) Monday, May 17, 1802The Recorder (Greenfield, Massachusetts, Monday, May 23, 1803 In 1804, the Massachusetts Senate appointed him to a committee tasked with evaluating the construction of a turnpike road extending from Canaan, Connecticut to Tyringham, MassachusettsThe Pittsfield Sun, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Monday, April 09, 1804, p.3
Personal life On December 24, 1799, Patten married Electa Brown (1769–1845) in a ceremony officiated by the Rev. Stephen West in Stockbridge.Nash, Sylvester, 1795-1862. The Nash Family: Or, Records of the Descendants of Thomas Nash, of New Haven, Connecticut, 1640. Hartford: Case, Tiffany, 1853. Electa was the daughter of Captain Elijah Brown, a prominent local figure who had served as a representative to the Massachusetts Provincial Congress in 1776.Bond, Henry (1855). Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts. p. 129. The couple had at least four children.
Patten died on December 29, 1809, at the age of 65, and was buried at Stockbridge Cemetery in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.The Pittsfield Sun, Wed, Jan 03, 1810, Page 3
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