James Booth Jr. (November 21, 1789 – March 29, 1855) was the chief justice of what later became the Delaware Supreme Court from 1841 until his death in 1855.[1]
Born in New Castle, Delaware, the son of Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice James Booth Sr., the younger James Booth had a younger brother William Booth (1799-1870) and sisters Maria Booth Rogers (1786–1870) and Elizabeth Booth (1796–1883). He graduated from Princeton University.[2] He married Hannah Rogers, the daughter of Governor Daniel Rogers and they had a son James Rogers Booth (1828–1896) and daughters Anna Rogers Booth Lockwood (1820–1894) and Julia M Booth Burton (1833–1921).
Careeredit
After reading law, Booth was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1812. Nearly three decades later, in 1841, Governor William B. Cooper appointed him Chief Justice of Delaware's Court of Appeals to succeed Richard H. Bayard, who had become one of the state's two U.S. Senators.[3]
This Booth may be best known for granting a writ of habeas corpus in 1846, which freed the enslaved wife and children of freedman Samuel Hawkins, who were thus allowed to ride to Pennsylvania and freedom. However, the two owners of Hawkins' wife and children would seek the prosecution of Quakers John Hunn and Thomas Garrett for violating the federal Fugitive Slave Act, and the heavy fines assessed by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney had severe consequences for the Garrett and Hunn families.[2]
Death and legacyedit
James Booth Jr. died in 1855. His widow, siblings, son and daughters would survive the American Civil War.
Referencesedit
^"Historical List of Supreme Court Justices - Supreme Court - Delaware Courts - State of Delaware".
^"History: Our Judicial Officers - About Us - Superior Court - Delaware Courts - State of Delaware".
December 15, 2023
james, booth, november, 1789, march, 1855, chief, justice, what, later, became, delaware, supreme, court, from, 1841, until, death, 1855, supreme, court, chief, justice, delawarechief, justice, delaware, supreme, courtin, office, 1841, 1855, preceded, byrichar. James Booth Jr November 21 1789 March 29 1855 was the chief justice of what later became the Delaware Supreme Court from 1841 until his death in 1855 1 James Booth Jr Supreme Court Chief Justice of DelawareChief Justice of Delaware Supreme CourtIn office 1841 1855 Preceded byRichard H BayardSucceeded bySamuel M HarringtonPersonal detailsBorn1789New Castle Delaware USDied1855New Castle Delaware USResting placeImmanuel Church New Castle Delaware Contents 1 Early and family life 2 Career 3 Death and legacy 4 ReferencesEarly and family life editBorn in New Castle Delaware the son of Delaware Supreme Court Chief Justice James Booth Sr the younger James Booth had a younger brother William Booth 1799 1870 and sisters Maria Booth Rogers 1786 1870 and Elizabeth Booth 1796 1883 He graduated from Princeton University 2 He married Hannah Rogers the daughter of Governor Daniel Rogers and they had a son James Rogers Booth 1828 1896 and daughters Anna Rogers Booth Lockwood 1820 1894 and Julia M Booth Burton 1833 1921 Career editAfter reading law Booth was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1812 Nearly three decades later in 1841 Governor William B Cooper appointed him Chief Justice of Delaware s Court of Appeals to succeed Richard H Bayard who had become one of the state s two U S Senators 3 This Booth may be best known for granting a writ of habeas corpus in 1846 which freed the enslaved wife and children of freedman Samuel Hawkins who were thus allowed to ride to Pennsylvania and freedom However the two owners of Hawkins wife and children would seek the prosecution of Quakers John Hunn and Thomas Garrett for violating the federal Fugitive Slave Act and the heavy fines assessed by U S Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney had severe consequences for the Garrett and Hunn families 2 Death and legacy editJames Booth Jr died in 1855 His widow siblings son and daughters would survive the American Civil War References edit Historical List of Supreme Court Justices Supreme Court Delaware Courts State of Delaware a b The People Chief Justice James Booth Jr History Our Judicial Officers About Us Superior Court Delaware Courts State of Delaware Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Booth Jr amp oldid 1171112807, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
