Henry Marchant (April 9, 1741 – August 30, 1796) was a Founding Father of the United States, an attorney general of Rhode Island, a delegate to the Second Continental Congress from Rhode Island, a signer of the Articles of Confederation, and the first United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island.
Henry Marchant
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Etching of Henry Marchant by Max Rosenthal
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Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island | |
In office July 3, 1790 – August 30, 1796 | |
Appointed by | George Washington |
Preceded by | Seat established by 1 Stat. 128 |
Succeeded by | Benjamin Bourne |
38th Attorney General of Rhode Island | |
In office 1771–1777 | |
Governor | Joseph Wanton Nicholas Cooke |
Preceded by | Oliver Arnold |
Succeeded by | William Channing |
Personal details | |
Born | (1741-04-09)April 9, 1741 Martha's Vineyard, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America |
Died | August 30, 1796(1796-08-30) (aged 55) Newport, Rhode Island |
Resting place | Common Burial Ground Newport, Rhode Island |
Education | University of Pennsylvania (A.M.) read law |
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Born on April 9, 1741, in Martha's Vineyard, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America,[1] Marchant received an Artium Magister degree in 1762 from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and read law in 1776.[Note 1][1] He entered private practice in Newport from 1767 to 1777.[1] He was attorney general of Rhode Island from 1771 to 1777.[1] He was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress from 1777 to 1779.[1] He was one of the signers of the Articles of Confederation.[2] He resumed private practice in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, from 1780 to 1784, also engaging in farming.[1] He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1784 to 1790.[1] He was a member of the Rhode Island convention to adopt the United States Constitution, which ultimately was adopted by a separate convention in 1790.[2]
Marchant was nominated by President George Washington on July 2, 1790, to the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, to a new seat authorized by 1 Stat. 128.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 3, 1790, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated when he died on August 30, 1796, in Newport.[1] He was interred in the Common Burial Ground in Newport.[2]
Marchant presided over West v. Barnes (1791), which was the first case appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Marchant was a member of Second Congregational Church of Newport.[3] His farm, the Henry Marchant Farm, is located in South Kingstown.
Legal offices | ||
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Preceded by | Attorney General of Rhode Island 1771–1777 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by Seat established by 1 Stat. 128 |
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island 1790–1796 |
Succeeded by |