Matthew Hall McAllister
Encyclopedia
Matthew Hall McAllister was an American attorney, politician, and judge in Georgia
and California
.
Born in Savannah, Georgia
, McAllister attended Princeton University
, and then read law in 1820 to enter the State Bar of Georgia
. He maintained a private practice in Savannah from 1820 to 1849, but also held official positions during that time. From 1827 to 1834, he was the United States Attorney
for the Southern District of Georgia. From 1834 to 1837, he served in the Georgia state senate, then served as Mayor of Savannah until 1839, and a Savannah city alderman until 1841.
In 1845, McAllister was a Democratic
candidate for Governor of Georgia, but was unsuccessful. He moved to California by 1850, setting up a private practice in San Francisco from that year until 1853, when he returned to Georgia to run for the United States Senate
. Again failing to win elected office, he returned to California.
On March 2, 1855, President Franklin Pierce
nominated McAllister to a new seat created by 10 Stat. 631, as Judge of the United States Circuit Court
for the Districts of California. The following day McAllister was confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission. He resigned from the position on January 12, 1863. The office was abolished by 12 Stat. 794 on March 3, 1863, before a new judge was appointed to fill the position. The powers of the circuit court were then assigned to the United States district court
judges then serving in California, making McAllister the only judge ever to occupy the office as a designated circuit court judge.
McAllister died in San Francisco, California
.
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Born in Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
, McAllister attended Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, and then read law in 1820 to enter the State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Georgia
The State Bar of Georgia is the governing body of the legal profession in Georgia, operating under the supervision of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Membership is a condition of admission to practice law in Georgia....
. He maintained a private practice in Savannah from 1820 to 1849, but also held official positions during that time. From 1827 to 1834, he was the United States Attorney
United States Attorney
United States Attorneys represent the United States federal government in United States district court and United States court of appeals. There are 93 U.S. Attorneys stationed throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands...
for the Southern District of Georgia. From 1834 to 1837, he served in the Georgia state senate, then served as Mayor of Savannah until 1839, and a Savannah city alderman until 1841.
In 1845, McAllister was a Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
candidate for Governor of Georgia, but was unsuccessful. He moved to California by 1850, setting up a private practice in San Francisco from that year until 1853, when he returned to Georgia to run for 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...
. Again failing to win elected office, he returned to California.
On March 2, 1855, President Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States and is the only President from New Hampshire. Pierce was a Democrat and a "doughface" who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Pierce took part in the Mexican-American War and became a brigadier general in the Army...
nominated McAllister to a new seat created by 10 Stat. 631, as Judge of the United States Circuit Court
United States circuit court
The United States circuit courts were the original intermediate level courts of the United States federal court system. They were established by the Judiciary Act of 1789. They had trial court jurisdiction over civil suits of diversity jurisdiction and major federal crimes. They also had appellate...
for the Districts of California. The following day McAllister was confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission. He resigned from the position on January 12, 1863. The office was abolished by 12 Stat. 794 on March 3, 1863, before a new judge was appointed to fill the position. The powers of the circuit court were then assigned to the United States district court
United States district court
The United States district courts are the general trial courts of the United States federal court system. Both civil and criminal cases are filed in the district court, which is a court of law, equity, and admiralty. There is a United States bankruptcy court associated with each United States...
judges then serving in California, making McAllister the only judge ever to occupy the office as a designated circuit court judge.
McAllister died in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
.