Essex Junto, group of New England merchants and lawyers, so called because many of them came from Essex co., Mass. They opposed the radicals in Massachusetts in the American Revolution and supported the Federalist faction of Alexander Hamilton. They later encouraged the disaffection of the Hartford Convention Hartford Convention, Dec. 15, 1814–Jan. 4, 1815, meeting to consider the problems of New England in the War of 1812 ; held at Hartford, Conn. Prior to the war, New England Federalists (see Federalist party ) had opposed the Embargo Act of 1807 and other
..... Click the link for more information. . Prominent among them were Timothy Pickering Pickering, Timothy, 1745–1829, American political leader and Revolutionary War army officer, b. Salem, Mass. He was admitted to the bar (1768) and played an active part in pre-Revolutionary activities against the British.
..... Click the link for more information. , George Cabot Cabot, George (kăb`ət), 1752–1823, American merchant and politician, b. Salem, Mass.
..... Click the link for more information. , and Theophilus Parsons Theophilus Parsons, 1797–1882, also a lawyer, was born in Newburyport, Mass. A professor of law at Harvard, he wrote many law manuals. He was converted to Swedenborgianism and wrote several religious works.
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Essex Junto

Informal group of Federalist Party political leaders in Massachusetts, mainly from Essex county. Its members supported Alexander Hamilton and friendship with Britain and opposed Thomas Jefferson, the Embargo Act, and the War of 1812. Its leaders, including Timothy Pickering, tried to form a separate confederation in New England and participated in the Hartford Convention. They declined in importance after 1814.