Chief Justice of New Hampshire Superior Court and Judge for the United States District Court for New Hampshire. He studied law at Harvard and was admitted to the bar in 1761. He served in the New Hampshire Legislature from 1783 to 1787 and was elected to the New Hampshire delegation to the Constitutional Convention but declined to serve, instead returning to private practice until 1790. He was appointed to New Hampshire Superior Court in 1790 and later served as its Chief Justice. On February 10, 1795, George Washington nominated Pickering to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, and Pickering was confirmed by the United States Senate. By 1800 he was falling ill and no longer attending court as expected; circuit judge Jeremiah Smith sat in for him for part of the 1801 session. Pickering returned in 1802 but controversy arose in Congress over potential impeachment. Federalists argued that Democrat-Republicans were attempting to remove Pickering from office even though he had not committed high crimes or misdemeanors as set forth in the Constitution. On February 4, 1803, Thomas Jefferson submitted evidence to the House of Representatives which voted on to impeach Pickering on charges of drunkenness and unlawful rulings. The United States Senate tried the impeachment and convicted Pickering by a 19 to 7 vote. He was removed from office March 12, 1804, becoming the first Federal official to be impeached and convicted.
Chief Justice of New Hampshire Superior Court and Judge for the United States District Court for New Hampshire. He studied law at Harvard and was admitted to the bar in 1761. He served in the New Hampshire Legislature from 1783 to 1787 and was elected to the New Hampshire delegation to the Constitutional Convention but declined to serve, instead returning to private practice until 1790. He was appointed to New Hampshire Superior Court in 1790 and later served as its Chief Justice. On February 10, 1795, George Washington nominated Pickering to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire, and Pickering was confirmed by the United States Senate. By 1800 he was falling ill and no longer attending court as expected; circuit judge Jeremiah Smith sat in for him for part of the 1801 session. Pickering returned in 1802 but controversy arose in Congress over potential impeachment. Federalists argued that Democrat-Republicans were attempting to remove Pickering from office even though he had not committed high crimes or misdemeanors as set forth in the Constitution. On February 4, 1803, Thomas Jefferson submitted evidence to the House of Representatives which voted on to impeach Pickering on charges of drunkenness and unlawful rulings. The United States Senate tried the impeachment and convicted Pickering by a 19 to 7 vote. He was removed from office March 12, 1804, becoming the first Federal official to be impeached and convicted.
Inscription
Having sustained the offices of
Chief Justice & District Judge
of New Hampshire,
and various other civic honors,
Died
died April 11th
1805
Æt 67
Family Members
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