Samuel Ames (jurist)

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Samuel Ames
Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
In office
1856–1865
Personal details
Born(1806-09-06)September 6, 1806
Providence, Rhode Island
DiedDecember 20, 1865(1865-12-20) (aged 59)
Providence, Rhode Island
Spouse
Mary Throop Dorr
(m. 1838)
Education
OccupationJurist

Samuel Ames (September 6, 1806 – December 20, 1865) was an American jurist.

Biography[edit]

Samuel Ames was born in Providence, Rhode Island on September 6, 1806.[1] He was educated at Philips Academy Andover and Brown University, graduating from the latter in 1823. A few years later Ames was admitted to the Rhode Island bar, and became prominent in public affairs. Ames married Mary Throop Dorr, sister of Thomas Wilson Dorr, in 1838, and they had five children.[2] He was a member of the state legislature for several terms, presiding as speaker in 1844-45.[1] During the Dorr Rebellion, he acted as quartermaster of the state troops. In 1853, Ames was elected to represent his state in the adjustment of the boundary between Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He succeeded William R. Staples as chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court, serving from 1856 to 1865, when he resigned due to poor health.[3] He was delegate to the Peace Conference of 1861.[1] He died in Providence on December 20, 1865.[3]

Works[edit]

  • "Angell and Ames of Corporations" (1832)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Johnson, Rossiter (1906). "Ames, Samuel" . The Biographical Dictionary of America . Vol. 1. Plimpton Press, Printers and Binders. p. 106. OCLC 848266989 – via Wikisource.
  2. ^ Vile, John (2003). Great American Judges: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1. ABC-CLIO. pp. 20–21. ISBN 1576079899.
  3. ^ a b "Death of Judge Ames of Rhode Island". The New York Times. December 21, 1865. p. 1. Retrieved February 14, 2022.