1. John Laurance was a delegate to the 6th, 7th, and 8th Congresses of the Confederation, a United States representative and United States Senator from New York and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New York.
John Laurance pursued academic studies, then read law in 1772, with Cadwallader Colden, the Lieutenant Governor of New York.
In 1775, John Laurance married Elizabeth McDougall, the daughter of General Alexander McDougall.
John Laurance served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War as a commissioned officer from 1775 to 1782.
John Laurance was Judge Advocate General from 1777 to 1782.
John Laurance presided at the trial of Major John Andre, serving on the 1780 board that convicted the major of spying and sentenced him to death by hanging, and was the board's recorder.
John Laurance attained the rank of colonel and resigned his commission in 1782.
John Laurance was a charter member of the Society of the Cincinnati.
John Laurance resumed private practice in New York City from 1782 to 1785.
John Laurance was active in land speculation and other business ventures with Alexander Hamilton.
John Laurance was a member of the New York State Assembly, serving from 1782 to 1783 from Westchester County, and from New York County from 1784 to 1785.
John Laurance was a regent of the University of the State of New York in 1784.
John Laurance was a trustee of Columbia College from 1784 to 1810.
John Laurance was a delegate to the 6th, 7th and 8th Congresses of the Confederation from 1785 to 1787.
John Laurance was a member of the New York State Senate from 1788 to 1790.
John Laurance was an ardent supporter of adopting the United States Constitution.
John Laurance was elected as a Federalist to the United States Senate from New York to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Senator Rufus King and served from November 9,1796, until August 1800, when he resigned.
John Laurance served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate during the 5th United States Congress.
John Laurance died on November 11,1810, in New York City.
John Laurance was interred at the First Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.