James Dandridge Halyburton
Encyclopedia
James Dandridge Halyburton (February 23, 1803 – January 26, 1879) was a United States federal judge
.
Born in New Kent County, Virginia
, Halyburton attended the University of Virginia School of Law
and received an A.B.
from Harvard College
in 1823. He entered private practice in New Kent County in 1824, also serving briefly as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
. He was a Commonwealth's attorney of the New Kent Circuit until 1844.
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
vacated by John Y. Mason
. Halyburton was confirmed by the United States Senate
on June 15, 1844, and received his commission the same day. However, he resigned his federal judgeship April 24, 1861 to become a judge of the District of Virginia for the Confederate States of America
, the day Virginia passed its Ordinance of Secession (the actual legal language by which the seceded states attempted to sever their connection with the Federal Union).
Although the Confederate Constitution provided for a Supreme Court, one was never established, largely because of political disagreements. In the absence of a chief judge, Halyburton, as ranking judge of the Confederate capital, swore in Jefferson Davis
at Davis's second inauguration, February 22, 1862. (Davis had been first sworn in as president February 22, 1861, under the CSA provisional constitution).
, Halyburton returned to private practice in Richmond, Virginia
from 1865 to 1874, with his brother-in-law Thomas Giles. Halyburton's wife was Ann Elizabeth Giles, the daughter of William Branch Giles
, who was a member of the first three U.S. Congresses, a U.S. Senator and the Governor of Virginia.
During this period Halyburton became one of the first professors in the law school of Richmond College. The school was established at the University of Richmond in 1870, at the recommendation of a committee of Trustees. Halyburton, along with Dr. J.L.M Curry, and Judge William Green were the first faculty members.
He died in Richmond, Virginia
.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in New Kent County, Virginia
New Kent County, Virginia
At the 2000 census, there were 13,462 people, 4,925 households and 3,895 families residing in the county. The population density was 64 per square mile . There were 5,203 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile...
, Halyburton attended the University of Virginia School of Law
University of Virginia School of Law
The University of Virginia School of Law was founded in Charlottesville in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson as one of the original subjects taught at his "academical village," the University of Virginia. The law school maintains an enrollment of approximately 1,100 students in its initial degree program...
and received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1823. He entered private practice in New Kent County in 1824, also serving briefly as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
. He was a Commonwealth's attorney of the New Kent Circuit until 1844.
Judicial service
On June 15, 1844, Halyburton was nominated by President John TylerJohn Tyler
John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States . A native of Virginia, Tyler served as a state legislator, governor, U.S. representative, and U.S. senator before being elected Vice President . He was the first to succeed to the office of President following the death of a predecessor...
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of two United States district courts serving the Commonwealth of Virginia...
vacated by John Y. Mason
John Y. Mason
John Young Mason was an American politician, diplomat, and United States federal judge.-Early life, education, and career:...
. Halyburton was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on June 15, 1844, and received his commission the same day. However, he resigned his federal judgeship April 24, 1861 to become a judge of the District of Virginia for the Confederate States of America
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
, the day Virginia passed its Ordinance of Secession (the actual legal language by which the seceded states attempted to sever their connection with the Federal Union).
Although the Confederate Constitution provided for a Supreme Court, one was never established, largely because of political disagreements. In the absence of a chief judge, Halyburton, as ranking judge of the Confederate capital, swore in Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
at Davis's second inauguration, February 22, 1862. (Davis had been first sworn in as president February 22, 1861, under the CSA provisional constitution).
Post-war activities
After the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Halyburton returned to private practice in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
from 1865 to 1874, with his brother-in-law Thomas Giles. Halyburton's wife was Ann Elizabeth Giles, the daughter of William Branch Giles
William Branch Giles
William Branch Giles ; the name is pronounced jyles) was an American statesman, long-term Senator from Virginia, and the 24th Governor of Virginia...
, who was a member of the first three U.S. Congresses, a U.S. Senator and the Governor of Virginia.
During this period Halyburton became one of the first professors in the law school of Richmond College. The school was established at the University of Richmond in 1870, at the recommendation of a committee of Trustees. Halyburton, along with Dr. J.L.M Curry, and Judge William Green were the first faculty members.
He died in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
.