JOHN PENDLETON JR. was born about 1749 in Virginia. He served as clerk of the Virginia Committee of Safety in 1775 and 1776. In the fall of 1776, the Virginia State Assembly named him the first clerk of the state Senate, a position that he held through June 1777. He also served one term, from 1783 to 1784, on the Richmond Common Council. Pendleton was acting governor of Virginia for eight days.

*Note: exact date of birth and dealth are not known.