John Beatty (December 10, 1749 – May 30, 1826) was an American physician, statesman and slaveowner[1] from Princeton, New Jersey.

[10] He rose to the rank of major in the 6th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

[2] In 1784, when Thomas Jefferson's proposed ban on slavery in all future territories came up for a vote in Congress, Beatty became sick and was absent from the meeting.

As Jefferson noted, "[Je]rsey would have been for it, but there were but two members, one of whom [Beatty] was sick in his chambers"; thus, New Jersey could not submit its vote.

[22][23] The Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a collection of personal papers, including diaries, correspondences and genealogical notes, related to the Beatty Family.