US Congressman. A member of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment, he served in the Revolutionary Army from 1775 until 1783; was promoted to Adjutant. He studied medicine and was licensed in 1788, establishing his practice in Vermont. He served in Vermont's House of Representatives from 1798 to 1802; was the associate county judge from 1801 to 1803 and judge until 1806. He was elected to the United State House of Representative from March 4, 1807 until his resignation on May 1, 1808. Appointed as one of the Supreme Court Judges for the territory of Michigan in 1808, he served until 1828 when President Adams appointed him as the territorial secretary, a position he held for two years. During his tenure as judge, he commanded the troops at Detroit, Michigan during the War of 1812. He was taken prisoner when General Hull surrendered and lived in Fair Haven, Vermont while on parole, returning to his duties as judge upon his exchange. Originally interred in the Russell Street Cemetery, he was reburied in Elmwood Cemetery.
US Congressman. A member of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment, he served in the Revolutionary Army from 1775 until 1783; was promoted to Adjutant. He studied medicine and was licensed in 1788, establishing his practice in Vermont. He served in Vermont's House of Representatives from 1798 to 1802; was the associate county judge from 1801 to 1803 and judge until 1806. He was elected to the United State House of Representative from March 4, 1807 until his resignation on May 1, 1808. Appointed as one of the Supreme Court Judges for the territory of Michigan in 1808, he served until 1828 when President Adams appointed him as the territorial secretary, a position he held for two years. During his tenure as judge, he commanded the troops at Detroit, Michigan during the War of 1812. He was taken prisoner when General Hull surrendered and lived in Fair Haven, Vermont while on parole, returning to his duties as judge upon his exchange. Originally interred in the Russell Street Cemetery, he was reburied in Elmwood Cemetery.
Bio by: Beth Painter
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See more Witherell memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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James Witherell
Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970
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James Witherell
North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000
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James Witherell
Appletons' Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1600-1889
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James Witherell
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005
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