He was educated in the public schools and then studied medicine. June 29, 1776, he was commissioned surgeon in Colonel Van Cortlandt's battalion, Heard's brigade. After the war he practiced his profession and was the loved and trusted adviser of his patients. His practice extended throughout the county of Essex. He was also interested in public affairs and was prominent in the establishment of the Orange Academy in 1785. He was elected to the Sixth and Seventh Congresses (1799-1803). In 1803 he was appointed United States Senator to fill a vacancy and served until 1809, when he was again appointed to fill a vacancy, and later was elected to fill out the term, which extended his service in the Senate to March 3, 1817. He was a member of the State Legislature for nearly twenty successive years. He subsequently served as Collector of the Port of New York. His monument in Orange cemetery bears this inscription:
"Sacred To the Memory of Dr. John Condit.
"A patriot, soldier and surgeon during the struggle of his country for freedom; a member of the State Legislature, and a Representative and Senator in the Congress of the United States for thirty years in succession. His honors were awarded him by grateful constituents for his sound and vigorous intellect, stern integrity, and unswerving patriotism in time of peril and throughout a long life. On the fourth day of May, 1834, he died in Christian hope, revered, respected and beloved by all who knew him, aged 79 years."8
A detailed biography of Dr. John Condit is available along with his family bible from the Genealogical Society of New Jersey (#5739).