USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 32
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 32
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The limestone formation occupies the northeast part of the county, from Salmon River to Rouse's Point. The primitive region is rich in minerals, and the deposits of iron ore of a superior quality in the west and southwestern parts of the county arc inexhaustible.
The county is well watered by various rivers and small streams, the principal of which are the Saranac,f Great Ausable,¿ Little Ausable,§ Great Chazy,|| Little Chazy, Salmon, Black Brook, and English Rivers, and Little Black Brook, Dead Creek, ** Corbeau Graves Brook, Salmon Brook, Tracy Brook, Brandy Brook, and Olyout Inlet.
Lakes .- In addition to the historic Champlain, whose waters wash the entire eastern portion of the county, there are numerous beautiful little inland seas in Clinton, which, together with the picturesque landscape views surrounding them, has given to the section a reputation for beauty of
Baker was hung on the sand ridge between Brinkerhoff and Court Streets, on the site now occupied hy the residence of S. F. Vilas. "It is said that for many years after this execution, the boys, on a still, moonlight night, would go to the place where the gallows stood and say, "Baker, for what was you hung ?" and, after repeating the ques- tion three times and listening intently, they would hear-" N-o-t-h- i-n-g."-Palmer.
t Ancient name, Riviere St. Arnont ; Indian name, Salasance.
į Once known as Rat River.
¿ Ancient name, Sandy Run.
" River Chusy ; named after Sieur de Chusy, a French captain, who was killed by Indians near its mouth.
f Once known as Beaver Creek.
## Ancient name, Socomotion.
121
POLITICAL HISTORY.
its natural seenery hardly unsurpassed. The lakes of Clinton, though not as pretentious as those of other locali- ties, are none the less charming, and are in all respects well calculated to impress the stranger with their beauty. Upper Chateaugay and Chazy lakes are in Dannemora, the former on the west border and the latter near the centre. Silver Lake is a small sheet of water in the mountain-region in Western Black Brook. There are also other small bodies of water in various portions of the county.
CHAPTER XXVIII. POLITICAL HISTORY.
The Constitution of 1777-Its Adoption at Kingston-Ratification of the Federal Constitution-The Constitution of 1821-The Council of Appointment abolished-The Constitution of 1846-Presidential Electors-Judicial-Circuit Judges-First Judges of Common Pleas -County Judges-Surrogates - Congressmen-State Senators- Members of Assembly-Sheriff's Clerks-District Attorneys-School Commissioners-Loan Commissioners-Treasurers.
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1777 AND AMENDMENTS.
THE convention of the representatives of the State of New York which adopted the Constitution of 1777 con- vened at Kingston, having adjourned from Fishkill to that place. The Constitution was reported March 12th, and was discussed and finally adopted April 20, 1777, being the first Constitution of the State.
The first session of the Legislature was held at Kingston, beginning Sept. 1, 1777, and dispersed upon the approach of the British, October 7th of the same year. The first convention which assembled in this State, after the organi- zation of the State Government and the Constitution of 1777, was called to rectify the Federal Constitution. It convened at Poughkeepsie, June 17, 1788, under a eon- current resolution of the Legislature passed in January of that year. Washington and Clinton were represented in this convention by Albert Baker, David Hopkins, Ichabod Parker, and John Williams.
Clinton County was erected from Washington, March 7, 1788, but continued to be represented with it in the Assembly until 1796. It was first represented with Washington County at the fourteenth session of the Legislature by Thomas Converse, Daniel Curtis, Zina Hitchcock, and John Rowan, all of Washington.
The Senate consisted of 24 members apportioned to 4 districts, under the title of Southern, Middle, Eastern, and Western districts, each entitled to 6 inembers, divided into 4 classes, so that the terins of 6 should expire each year. If the eensus of the seventh year showed an increase of one-twenty-fourth of the number of electors, such district was entitled to an additional member; such increase was to continue until the Senate consisted of 100 members. The census of 1795 inade the number 43, and it so remained until the Constitution was amended in 1801, when the number was fixed at 32. Under the Constitution of 1777, Clinton County was a part of the Eastern distriet, and so remained until the adoption of the Constitution of 1821.
During this period the senators who resided in Clinton 16
were Thomas Treadwell, of Plattsburgh, for the years 1804- 5-6-7; Elisha Arnold, of Peru, 1812-13-14-15; and Ben- jamin Mooers, of Plattsburgh, 1820-21-22.
Previous to the Constitution of 1777 voting was viva voce, but by that Constitution the Legislature was author- ized to pass an act to vote by ballot ; and in 1778 an act was passed for the ballot for governor and lieutenant- governor, but retaining the viva voce system for members of the Legislature. In 1787 this was also abolished, and the ballot used in general elections, which took place on the last Tuesday in April, and might be held five days. To vote for governor, lieutenant-governor, and senator re- quired the voter to be possessed of a freehold of the value of £100 over all debts charged thereon. Six months' resi- denee, and the ownership of a freehold of £20, or a yearly rent of 40s. with an actual rating and payment of taxes, entitled a person to vote for member of Assembly. The Assembly has always been chosen annually, and consisted at first of 70 members, with the power of increase of one member for every one-seventeenth increase of electors until it contained 300. At the time of the amendment of the Constitution in 1831 the number had reached 108. It was then reduced to 100, to be increased after each seven years' census, at the rate of 2 annually, until the number reached 150. In 1808 the increase was 12, and in 1814 it was 14.
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY FROM 1789 to 1823.
1789-90, Thomas Converse, Zina Hitchcock, Nathan Morgan, John Rowan; 1791, Thomas Converse, Daniel Curtis, Zina Hitchcock, John Rowau; 1792, John Conger, Thomas Converse, Zina Hitch- cock, David Hopkins; 1793, Daniel Curtis, Zina Hitchcock, Da- vid Hopkins, Stanley Tift ; 1794, Benj. Colvin, Philip Smith, David Thomas, William Whiteside ; 1795, Samuel Bremen, Jr., Benj. Colvin, David IIopkius, Edward Savage; 1796, David Hopkins, Timothy Leonard, Edward Savage, Timothy Smith ; 1797, Charles Platt ; 1798, Daniel Ross; 1799, Asa Adgate ; 1800, William Gilliland; 1801, no returns; 1802, William Bailey ; 1803, Peter Sailly ; 1804-5, Benj. Mooers ; 1806, William Bailey ; 1807, Nathaniel Z. Platt; 1808, Elisha Arnold ; 1809,+ Kinner Newcomb ; 1810-12, Gates Hoit;} 1813-14, Allen R. Moore ; 1815, Robert Platt ; 1816-17, Benj. Mooers; 1818, Gates Hoit ; 1819, Ebenezer Brownson; 1820-21, Platt Newcomb; 1822, Abijah North.
The following is a list of the county officers from the or- ganization of the county until the adoption of the Consti- tution of 1821 :
JUDICIARY.
The Court of Common Pleas continued from the colo- niał period, and the number of judges and associate judges differed greatly in the several counties, in some the number reaching twelve. In 1818 the office of associate judge was abolished and the judges limited to five, including the first judge. The following is a list of the first judges under the first Constitution, with the dates of appointment :
Edward Antill, 1789 ; Charles Platt, Feb. 2, 1797 ; Peter Sailly, April 2, 1804; William Bailoy, March 13, 1806; Pliny Moore, Feb. 19, 1807 ; Elisha Arnold, July 3, 1819. Reuben II. Walworth, of Plattsburgh, was a circuit judgo, appointed April 21, 1823.
# Essex was formod from Clinton, March 1, 1789, and was repro- sented with it in tho Assembly until 1803.
f Franklin was erected from Clinton, March 11, 1808, and was rep- resented with it in the Assembly until 1823.
# In 1811 contestod by Win. Stewart.
122
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
SURROGATES.
Surrogates were appointed for an unlimited period. Ap- peals lay from their decision to the Court of Probate, which court was abolished in 1823. There were but two incum- bents of this office in Clinton County from 1788 to 1831, Theodorus Platt, appointed March 7, 1788, and Thomas Treadwell, appointed March 14, 1807 ; held until 1831.
COUNTY CLERKS.
By an act of the Legislature of the 12th of February, 1796, the office of clerk of the Court of Oyer and Termi- ner was abolished, and its duties vested in the county clerks. Seven assistant attorneys-general, for as many districts, were also directed to be appointed, who performed the duties which now devolve upon district attorneys. Under the first Constitution there were but two county clerks, as follows : Melancthon L. Wolsey, appointed March 7, 1788, and Charles Platt, appointed March 23, 1808; held until 1822.
SHERIFFS.
Sheriffs were appointed annually, and no person could hold the office for more than four years in succession, could hold no other office, and must be a free-holder in the county. The following is the list from 1788 to 1821, with date of appointment :
Benj. Mooers, March 7, 1788; John Adams, Feb. 4, 1792; Daniel Ross, Feb. 21, 1794; Chauncey Fitch, Feb. 2, 1797 ; Benj. Graves, Feb. 24, 1801 ; Isaac S. Platt, March 16, 1804; David G. Bright, March 6, 1806; Isaac S. Platt, Feb. 9, 1809; Benj. Graves, March 5, 1810; Isaac S. Platt, Feb. 5, 1811; Benj. Graves, March 16, 1812; Elisha Button, March 2, 1815; Caleb Luthur, March 2, 1819.
CONGRESSIONAL.
In the seventeen Congresses from the organization of the government to the apportionment under the census of 1820, Clinton was joined with other counties in the forma- tion of districts, as follows : First with Columbia, Saratoga, Washington, and a part of Albany ; in 1792, with Rensse- laer. In 1797 the districts were for the first time num- bered, and Clinton, Essex (1799), Saratoga, and Washing- ton constituted the seventh district. In 1802, Clinton, Essex, and Saratoga constituted the eleventh district, and so remained until 1808, when, with the addition of Frank- lin, these counties constituted the eighth district. Under the act of June 10, 1812, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, War- ren (1813), and Washington constituted the twelfth dis- trict, entitled to two members.
The representatives from Clinton during this period were as follows : Peter Sailly of Clinton, 1805-7; John Palmer of Plattsburgh, 1817-19, and Reuben H. Walworth of Plattsburgh, in 1821-23.
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1821.
In January, 1821, a bill was passed by the Legislature submitting to the people the question of a convention to revise the Constitution. It was adopted, and delegates were chosen to a convention, which assembled in Albany, August 28th, and adjourned Nov. 10, 1821. Clinton and Franklin were jointly represented in the convention by Nathan Carver.
The Constitution framed by this convention was adopted
at an election held in February, 1822. The principal changes made related to the Council of Revision and Ap- pointment and the elective franchise.
The Council of Revision was abolished because it had assumed to act as a third legislative body, contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, and the Council of Appointment was discontinued, without a dissenting voice, for the reason of the personal and partisan character of its appointments. The power of both these councils, modified and restricted, was vested in the Governor. The elective franchise was extended and a large number of offices made elective.
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
The number of members of Assembly was fixed at 128. The following is the list :
1823-24, Azariah C. Flagg; 1825-26, Josiah Fisk; 1827-29, Bela Edgerton ; 1830, Herman Cady ; 1831-32, John Walker;# 1833- 34, Miles Stevenson; 1835-36, Lemuel Stetson ; 1837-38, Corne- lius Halsey ; 1839-40, Abijah North; 1841, George M. Beckwith; 1842, Lemuel Stetson ; 1843-44, Joshua C. Hubbell; 1845-46, Noyes P. Gregory ; 1847, Rufus Heaton.
SENATORIAL.
The State was divided into eight senatorial districts. Clinton constituted a part of the Fourth, and so remained until 1847. The senators from Clinton under this Constitu- tion were as follows: Josiah Fisk, of Keeseville, 1832-35, and Thomas Crook, of Plattsburgh, in 1847.
JUDICIARY.
The Court of Common Pleas was continued without material change. Appointments of first judges were as follows :
Nathan Carver, Jan. 22, 1823; John Lynde, Feb. 13, 1827; John Palmer, Jan. 10, 1832; William F. Haile, April 1, 1837; William Hedding, March 2, 1843.
SURROGATES.
Under this Constitution surrogates were appointed by the Governor and Senate for a period of four years, and appeals lay from their decisions to the chancellor. The appoint- ments were as follows :
Thomas Treadwell, who was appointed in 1807, held until 1831; St. John B. L. Skinner, Feb. 8, 1831; Eleazer Miller, Jan. 24, 1840 ; George W. Palmer, Jan. 24, 1844.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
This office was created April 4, 1801, and in 1818 each county was constituted a separate district. Under this Constitution the office was filled by appointment of the Court of General Sessions in each county. The appoint- ments were as follows :
John Palmer, June 11, 1818; J. Douglass Woodward, Jan. 1, 1831; Lemuel Stetson, Jan. 1, 1838; Lorenzo D. Brock, Jan. 1, 1844.
COUNTY CLERKS.
County clerks were elected for a term of three years, commencing in 1822, as follows :
John Walworth, elected November, 1822; Roswell Wilson, November, 1830; Nathan Taylor, November, 1832 ; Thomas Crook, Novem- ber, 1835; L. Smith Mead, November, 1838; St. John B. L. Skinner, November, 1841; Charles H. Jones, November, 1844.
# Death announced Jan. 16, 1832.
123
POLITICAL HISTORY.
SHERIFFS.
Sheriffs were elected for a term of three years, and in- eligible for the next succeeding term. The following is the list from 1822 :
Caleb Luthur, 1822; Roswell Wilson, 1825; David Hatch, 1828 ; Thomas Crook, 1831; Ichabod Fitch, 1834; Thomas D. Gilson, 1837; James S. Shedden, 1840; John Fitzgerald, 1843.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Under the act of April 17, 1822, Clinton, with Essex, Franklin, and Warren, constituted the Nineteenth District ; under act of June 29, 1832, Essex and Warren constituted the Thirteenth District; and under act of Sept. 6, 1842, Clinton, Franklin, Warren, and a part of Hamilton consti- tuted the Fifteenth District. The following is a list of the representatives :
18th Congress, 1823, John Richards, Warren.
19th " 1825, Henry H. Ross, Essex.
20th
1827, Richard Keese, Clinton.
21st
1829, Isaac Finch, Essex.
22d
1831, William Hogan, Franklin.
23d
1833, Reuben Whallon, Essex.
24th
1835, Dudley Farlin, Warren.
25th
66 1837, John Palmer, Clinton.
26th
1839, Augustus C. Hand, Essex.
27th
1841, Thomas A. Tomlinson, Essex.
28th
1843, Lemuel Stetson, Essex.
29th
1845, Joseph Russell, Warren.
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1846.
The delegate from Clinton County to the convention which framed the existing Constitution was Lemuel Stet- son. This convention convened at Albany, June 1, 1846, and adjourned October 9th, same year.
MEMBERS OF ASSEMBLY.
The Assembly was organized in single districts, and Clinton apportioned one member. The members have been as follows :
1848, Rufus Heaton ; 1849, Albert G. Carver; 1850, Gorton T. Thomas; 1851, IIenry G. Hewitt; 1852, Jacob H. Holt; 1853-54, George V. Hoyle ; 1855, Josiah T. Everest ; 1856, Timothy Hoyle ; 1857, Horace P. Perry ; 1858, Zephaniah C. Platt; 1859, Lewis W. Pierce; 1860-61, Henry McFadden; 1862, Lemuel Stetson ; 1863, George Adgate; 1864, George IIallock ; 1865-67, Smith M. Weed; 1868, Wm. Fitch Cook; 1869, Daniel Stewart ; 1870, Daniel G. Dodge; 1871, Smith M. Weed ; 1872, Edmund Kings- land (2d); 1873-74, Smith M. Weed; 1875-77, S. P. Bowen ; 1878-80, William P. Mooers.
SENATORIAL.
Under the Constitution Clinton, Essex, and Warren con- stituted the Fourteenth District, and under the act of April 13, 1855, census of 1855, these counties constituted the Sixteenth District, which was not changed by the census of 1865. Senators have been as follows :
1848, James S. Whallon, Essex ; 1850, Thomas Crook, Now York ; 1852, Eli W. Rogers, Essox ; 1854, Georgo Richards, Warron ; 1856, William Hotchkiss, Warren; 1858, Ralph A. Loveland, Essex ; 1860, Nathan Lapham, Clinton; 1862, Russel M. Littlo, Warren; 1864, Palmer E. Harems, Essox ; 1866, Moss K. Platt, Clinton ; 1868, Matthew IIale, Essex; 1870, Christopher F. Nor- ton, Clinton ; 1872, Samuel Ames, Essex ; 1874-76, Franklin W. Toboy, Essex ; 1878, W. W. Rookwoll, Warron.
COUNTY JUDGES.
The following is a list of the county judges since 1846, with date of election :
Lemuel Stetson, June, 1847; Thomas R. Watson, November, 1851; Perry G. Ellsworth, November, 1855 ; Jesse Gay,# Sept. 9, 1863 ; Peter S. Palmer, November, 1863 ; Daniel S. MeMasters, Novem- ber, 1867; George M. Beckwith, November, 1871; Winslow C. Watson, Jr., 1875.
In this county the judge also acts as surrogate, the Con- stitution having abolished this office except in counties where the population exceeds 40,000, and devolved its duties on the county judge.
COUNTY CLERKS.
Since 1846 this office has been elective. The term of office is three years. The county clerks from 1846 to 1879, with the dates of election, are as follows :
Charles H. Jones, November, 1847; David H. Parsons, November, 1850; Lewis W. Pierce, November, 1853; Frederick W. Ames, November, 1856; Darius M. Parsons,t Jan. 30, 1861; Minor Chamberlain, November, 1861; Hiram W. Stetson, November, 1864; Stephen Moffitt, November, 1867; William J. McCaffrey,} Jan. 22, 1873.
SHERIFFS.
Sheriffs are elected for a term of three years, and are ineligible for the next succeeding term. The following have held this office from 1846 to 1879:
1846, Shubael Burdick; 1847, Harvey Bromley ; 1850, Erastus S. Mead; 1853, Lot Chamberlain ; 1856, Erastus S. Mcad; 1859, Albert La Due; 1862, Orrel Town; 1865, Harry S. Ransom ; 1868, Darius Ayer ; 1871, William C. Randall; 1874, John Hop- kins; 1877, Byron J. Holt, present incumbent.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
District attorneys, prior to the adoption of the present Constitution, were appointed by the General Sessions of each county. Since that time the office has been filled by election. The term of office is four years :
1847, Lorenzo D. Brock; 1850, Thomas Armstrong; 1853, Jesse Gay; 1856, Charles E. Everest; 1869, Henry S. Johnson ; 1862, James Averill; 1865, George H. Beckwith; 1868, John G. McDermott; 1871, Henry E .. Barnard; 1874, S. A. Kellogg; 1879, L. L. Shed- den.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
Previous to the present Constitution this office was filled under appointment by the Board of Supervisors. Since that time it has been elective. The term of office is threc years :
1848, Richard Cottrell ; 1854, William P. Mooers; 1857, Richard Cottrell; 1860, John P. Brown; 1863, William P. Mooers; 1866, David F. Dobic; 1878, A. Guibord.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
By act of April 17, 1843, the Board of Supervisors was directed to appoint county superintendents of common schools. The office was abolished in 1847, and in 1856 the office of school commissioner was created. The first election under the act was held in November, 1859. The term of office is three years. The following is a list of the
# Appointod vice Ellsworth, resigned.
+ Appointed vice Ames, resignod.
¿ Appointod vice Moffitt, rosigned; still in oflioo.
124
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
incumbents of this office: Levi Smith, Ira D. Knowles, Charles Gale, Jocl Chandler, Royal Corbin, Robert S. Mc- Cullough, William B. Dodge, Robert S. McCullough, John B. Riley, Charles W. Clark, John B. Riley, Alexander Bertrand.
CONGRESSIONAL.
Under the act of July 19, 1851, Clinton, Essex, and Franklin constituted the Sixteenth District; under act April 23, 1862, Warren, Essex, and Clinton constituted the Sixteenth, and under act of June 18, 1873, Warren, Essex, and Clinton constitute the Eighteenth District. Repre- sentatives have been as follows :
30th Congress, 1847 .- Sidney Lawrence, Franklin.
31st
1849 .- John R. Thurmon, Warren.
32d
1851 .- Joseph Russell, Warren.
33d
1853 .- George A. Simmons, Essex.
34th
1855 .- George A. Simmons, Essex.
35th
1857 .- George W. Palmer, Clinton.
36th
1859 .- George W. Palmer, Clinton,
37th
1861,-William A. Wheeler, Franklin.
38th
1863 .-- Orlando Kellogg, Essex:
39th
66 1865 .- Robert S. Hale, Essex.
40th
1867 .- Orange Ferris, Warren.
41st
1869 .- Orange Ferris, Warren.
42d
66 1871 .- John Rogers, Clinton.
43d
1873 .- John Rogers, Clinton.
44th
1875 .- Robert S. Hale, Essex.
45th
1877 .- Andrew Williams, Clinton.
46th
= 1879 .- Andrew Williams, Clinton.
47th
1881 .- John Hammond, Essex.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
Benjamin Mooers, 1808; John Walworth, 1820; Benjamin Mooers and Henry Cady, 1824; William Hedding, 1844; Thomas Crook, 1852; Jacob D. Kingsland, 1856; Roby G. Stone, 1868.
CHAPTER XXIX.
BENCH AND BAR.
AMONG the prominent agencies which give shape and order in the early development of the civil and social con- dition of society, the pulpit, press, and bar are perhaps the most potential in moulding the institutions of a new community ; and where these are early plantcd, the school, academy, and college are not long in assuming their legiti- mate position, and the maintenance of these institutions secures at the start a social and moral foundation upon which we may safely rest the superstructure of the county, the State, and nation. The establishment of courts and judicial tribunals, where society is protected in all its civil rights under the sanction of law, and wrong finds a ready re- dress in an enlightened and prompt administration of justice, is the first necessity of every civilized community, and with- out which the forces and press of society in its change- able developments, even under the teachings of the pulpit, the direction of the press, and culture of the schools are exposed to peril and disaster, from the turbulence of pas- sion and conflicts of interest ; and hence the best and surest security that even the press, the school, or pulpit can find for the peaceful performance of their highest functions is
when protected by and intrenched behind the bulwarks of law, administered by a pure, independent, and uncorrupted judiciary.
The Clinton County bar has from its beginning num- bered among its members able jurists, talented advocates, and safe counselors. Here was begun the brilliant career of Chancellor Walworth, and for more than half a century the name of William Swetland gave to Northern New York and Clinton County an enviable reputation and shone resplendent among the leading luminaries of the State. Others have here lived, flourished, and dicd, while others still are upon the stage of action who have been prominent in the advancement of the interests of the county and fig- ured conspicuously in the councils of the State.
Prior to the year 1800 there were but three resident attorneys in Clinton County, viz. : ADRIAL PEABODY, who was admitted to the bar in 1795, and CALEB NICHOLS* and ELEAZER MILLER, who were admitted in 1796-97. In May, 1802, SILAS HUBBELL and JONATHAN GRIFFIN were admitted to the Clinton County bar.
SILAS HUBBELL was originally from Lanesboro', Mass. He came to this county in 1800, and selected a location in Champlain, where he permanently settled in 1802. He was the first established lawyer in the northern part of the county, and remained in the practice of his profession for a period of fifty-seven years. He was a lawyer of highly respectable legal acquirements and large practice.
JOHN WARFORD was admitted to the bar in 1805. He subsequently became judge of the Common Pleas, and died Dec. 5, 1842, aged sixty-five years.
The next person admitted to the Clinton County bar was JULIUS C. HUBBELL. He commenced the study of the law in the office of his brother, Silas Hubbell, in 1805, and in 1808 was admitted, and began the practice of his profession in Chazy, where he has since resided. He was member of Assembly in 1843-44. Mr. Hubbell is the oldest member of the Clinton County bar living.t
GILEAD and ANSON SPERRY, brothers, were early prac- titioners. The former was admitted in 1808, and the latter a few years later. They were men of remarkable skill, legal ingenuity, subtlety, and wit.
JOHN PALMER was born at Hoosick, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in the year 1785. He studied law with Mr. Samuel Foot, of Troy, and immediately after his admission to the courts of this State, in 1810, removed to Plattsburgh, where he formed a copartnership with Reuben H. Wal- worth, which continued until 1820. Mr. Palmer was a Jeffersonian Republican, and came to Plattsburgh warmly recommended by Gen. Thomas and other leading men of the State. In 1811 he married Charlotte, the youngest daughter of Hon. Peter Sailly. He was elected a Repre- sentative in Congress in 1817, and again in 1837 ; was dis- trict attorney of Clinton County from June, 1818, to January, 1832, when he was appointed first judge of the county, holding the office until his resignation, in April, 1837.
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