U.S. Congressman. After graduating from St. John's College, Annapolis, in 1839, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1841 and began to practice law in Port Tobacco, Maryland. In 1852, he was appointed by the Maryland State Legislature as one of the commissioners to revise the rules of pleading and practice Law in the State courts. He also was a member of the Maryland State House of Delegates, (1864-65). During the Abraham Lincoln assassination trial in 1865, he with attorney Thomas Ewing Jr. defended accused Dr. Samuel Mudd and was credited with helping Dr. Mudd avoid the death penalty. In 1867, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses, serving until 1871. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he served as an associate judge of the Maryland court of appeals, (1881-90). After leaving the bench, he lived in retirement until his death.
U.S. Congressman. After graduating from St. John's College, Annapolis, in 1839, he studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1841 and began to practice law in Port Tobacco, Maryland. In 1852, he was appointed by the Maryland State Legislature as one of the commissioners to revise the rules of pleading and practice Law in the State courts. He also was a member of the Maryland State House of Delegates, (1864-65). During the Abraham Lincoln assassination trial in 1865, he with attorney Thomas Ewing Jr. defended accused Dr. Samuel Mudd and was credited with helping Dr. Mudd avoid the death penalty. In 1867, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses, serving until 1871. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, he served as an associate judge of the Maryland court of appeals, (1881-90). After leaving the bench, he lived in retirement until his death.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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