Ryves Holt (1696 – May 8, 1763) was an American judge who served as chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court from 1745 to 1763.
Ryves Holt | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court | |
| In office 1745–1763 | |
| Preceded by | William Till |
| Succeeded by | John Vining |
| Speaker of the Delaware State Council | |
| In office 1738–1747 | |
| High Sheriff of Delaware | |
| In office 1733–1745 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1696 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | (aged 67) Lewes, Delaware |
| Relatives | Jacob Jones (great-grandson) |
Biography edit
Born in 1696, Holt, a resident of Philadelphia, was involved in trade with the West Indies before being appointed as naval officer of Lewes, Delaware.[1] He arrived at Lewis in 1721,[2] and held numerous offices in the following years. He was named high sheriff of Delaware in 1727, the same time he was serving as Collector of Public Levy for Lewes and Rehoboth, and Indian River Hundreds. He was named Overseer of the Highways for Lewes and Rehoboth in 1728, and also served as Justice of the Peace. For twelve years, starting in 1733, he occupied the important post of King's Attorney for Sussex county, was for two years, at least, Clerk and Prothonotary of the Courts, and served nine years, from 1738 to 1747, as Speaker of the State Council.[3] He was commissioned by King George II as Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court in 1745. Holt was the first chief justice of the court, as previously people would be commissioned in the justice role only, without any designation of chief.[4] The court that year consisted of three members: Holt, Jehu Curtis, and Nicholas Ridgely.[4] He served in that position until his death in 1763, and was succeeded by John Vining. A tablet made in his honor was given by the Delaware judiciary to St. Peter's Episcopal Church and was unveiled in 1913.[4][5]
A 1915 article in The Morning Post said:
Records and remnants of the past show that Ryves Holt was deemed a man of sterling patriotism and a devout Christian. The men of his day and generation held him in more respect because he could fill several offices at once.[3]
Personal life edit
His home, which he purchased in 1723, is believed to be the oldest surviving house in the state of Delaware.[6]
His great-grandson Jacob Jones was a United States Navy officer and war hero during the War of 1812.[7]
References edit
- ^ Morgan, Michael (October 22, 2019). "Historic house where the literati of Lewes held sway". Delaware Wave – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Timeline – Lewes Historical Society". Lewes Historical Society.
- ^ a b "Men Of Many Offices". The Morning Post. June 5, 1915 – via Newspapers.com.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ a b c "In Memory Of Hon. Ryves Holt". Every Evening. December 15, 1913 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Judicial Character". Every Evening. December 16, 1915 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "History of the Ryves Holt House". National Park Service.
- ^ Morgan, Michael (August 12, 2021). "War of 1812 hero, Jacob Jones found his home in the United States Navy". The Daily Times – via Newspapers.com.
