William Spencer (judge)

The Honorable William Spencer (August 6, 1782 –January 19, 1871) was an American lawyer, judge, postmaster, and representative in the Vermont Legislature from Corinth in Orange County.[1]

Early life and education

He was born in Hartford, Connecticut to Ashbel Spencer and Abigail Birdwell. He was a college graduate, although the specifics of his education are unknown.[2]

Career

He formed the law firm Spencer & Vilas with Levi Baker Vilas whose son William Freeman Vilas was a U.S. Senator and Postmaster General under President Cleveland.[3]

He was the 11th Judge of the Orange County Court. He studied law in the office of Samuel Miller Esq. of Middlebury, Vermont and Judge Mattocks of Peacham, Vermont, probably Samuel Mattocks or John Mattocks. In 1804, he was admitted to the bar of the county court, and in 1807, to the Supreme Court. In 1804, he opened his law practice in Corinth, Vermont, where he lived. He was Chief Justice of Orange County from 1820-1824 and then an assistant judge from 1825-1830 after the system was changed. He was Judge Probate for the Bradford district from 1824-1839. He was also postmaster for some time, and a representative for Bradford in the Vermont Legislature. He was also a trustee of the Bradford Academy from its organization. He voted in the Freemen's meetings for more than 60 years.[4]

In 1828, he was listed as the first assistant justice for Orange County and Judge of Probate for the District of Bradford.[5] In 1835, he is listed as Judge of Probate for the District of Bradford.[6] In 1839, he is listed as Judge of Probate for the District of Bradford and as a justice of the Peace.[7]

Family life

He married Martha Resign Nutting and had 11 children, one of whom was Abner Nutting Spencer.[8]

He died in Corinth, Vermont, and is buried in the Meadows Meeting House Cemetery.[9]

Genealogy
  • William Spencer, son of
  • Ashbel Spencer (1737–1808), son of
  • Caleb Spencer (1709–1789), son of
  • Obadiah Spencer (c. 1666–1741), son of
  • Obadiah Spencer (c. 1639–1712), son of
  • Thomas Spencer (1607–1687)

References
  1. Hemenway, Abby Maria (1871). The Vermont Historical Gazetteer: A Magazine, Embracing a History ..., Volume 2.
  2. "HISTORY OF SPENCER'S GROVE CHURCH AND LOCALITY". Benton County IAGenWeb Project.
  3. "VICTOR G. SPENCER". Benton County IAGenWeb Project.
  4. Gazetteer of Orange County, Vt., 1762-1888. Hamilton Child.
  5. Assembly, Vermont gen (1828). Journal of the General Assembly of Vermont.
  6. Assembly, Vermont gen (1835). JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF VERMONT.
  7. Assembly, Vermont gen (1839). JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF VERMONT.
  8. "William Spencer Hon". Ancestry.com.
  9. "William Spencer". Find A Grave.
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