Jonathan L. Austin

Jonathan Loring Austin (January 2, 1748 – May 10, 1826) was a Massachusetts revolutionary, diplomat and politician who served as the second Secretary of the Commonwealth and the tenth Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts. Austin was the father of Massachusetts Attorney General James Treacothie Austin.

Early life
Austin was born on January 2, 1748 in Boston, Massachusetts. Austin graduated from Harvard College in 1766. After he graduated from Harvard, Austin moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and became a merchant there.

American Revolutionary War
When the war started Austin became a Major in Langdon's Regiment, and later an aid to General John Sullivan.

Massachusetts Board of War
Austin was the secretary to the Massachusetts Board of War until October 1777.

Capture and release
In January 1780 Austin was captured by the British while on a mission to Europe to secure a loan for Massachusetts. Austin was later released. He failed to secure the loan and he returned in the autumn of 1781.

Marriage
Austin married Hannah Ivers, the daughter of James & Hannah (Trecothick) Ivers, in Boston, on April 4, 1782.

Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth
Austin served as Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth for two years, from 1806 to 1808.

Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts
Austin served as Treasurer and Receiver-General of Massachusetts from 1811 to 1812.