James Barrett (Vermont judge)

James Barrett (May 31, 1814 – April 21, 1900) was a Vermont lawyer, politician and judge who served as President of the Vermont State Senate and a justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.

James Barrett
Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
In office
1857-1880
Preceded byNone
Succeeded byRussell S. Taft
State's Attorney of Windsor County
In office
1854-1855
Preceded byCalvin French
Succeeded byJohn Ward
President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate
In office
1845
Preceded byEbenezer N. Briggs
Succeeded byGeorge T. Hodges
Member of the Vermont State Senate
In office
1844-1845
Personal details
Born(1814-05-31)May 31, 1814
Strafford, Vermont, U.S.
DiedApril 21, 1900(1900-04-21) (aged 85)
Rutland, Vermont, U.S.
Resting placeEvergreen Cemetery
Rutland, Vermont
CitizenshipUS
Political partyWhig
Republican
Alma materDartmouth College
ProfessionAttorney
Signature

Early life edit

James Barrett was born in Strafford, Vermont on May 31, 1814. He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1838, and received a master's degree in 1841. Barrett studied law, first with James Crocker of Buffalo, New York and later with Charles Marsh.

Start of career edit

In 1840 Barrett began to practice law in Woodstock as Marsh's partner.[1]

In 1843 he became the partner of Jacob Collamer.[2] From 1848 to 1849 Barrett practiced law in Boston, and upon returning to Woodstock he formed a partnership with Andrew Tracy and Julius Converse.[3]

Political career edit

A Whig, in 1844 and 1845 Barrett was elected to term in the Vermont Senate, and he was chosen by his peers to serve as Senate President in 1845. From 1854 to 1855 he was Windsor County State's Attorney.[4]

In 1857, by now a Republican, Barrett was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court, where he served until 1880.[5]

In 1865 Barrett received an honorary LL.D. from Middlebury College.[6] Barrett also served as President of the Dartmouth College Alumni Association[7] and the Vermont Bar Association.[8]

Later life edit

After leaving the bench Barrett resided in Rutland, and practiced law with his son James Crocker Barrett. After the younger Barrett's 1887 death the elder Barrett lived in retirement in Rutland.[9]

Death and burial edit

James Barrett died in Rutland on April 21, 1900.[10] He was buried in Rutland's Evergreen Cemetery.[11]

References edit

  1. ^ New England Historic Genealogical Society , The New England Historical and Genealogical Register, Volume 55, 1901, page 295
  2. ^ Robert Sobel, David B. Sicilia, The United States Executive Branch: A-L, 2003, page 120
  3. ^ Lewis Cass Aldrich, Frank R. Holmes, History of Windsor County, Vermont, 1891, page 914
  4. ^ William Thomas Davis, Bench and Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Volume 2, 1895, page 341
  5. ^ Prentiss Cutler Dodge, Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography, 1912, page 85
  6. ^ Middlebury College, Catalogue of Officers and Students of Middlebury College], 1917, page 486
  7. ^ Dartmouth College, Centennial Celebration at Dartmouth College, July 21, 1869, (1869), page v
  8. ^ Vermont Bar Association, Act of Incorporation, Constitution, Members, and Papers and Addresses, 1882, page 15
  9. ^ Jacob G. Ullery, Men of Vermont Illustrated, 1894, pages 184 to 185
  10. ^ Dartmouth College, Necrology, 1900, page 7
  11. ^ Gravestone photographs, James Barrett, Find A Grave, accessed June 1, 2012
Political offices
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate
1845 – 1846
Succeeded by