Justice Superior Court of Massachusetts 1929–1946

Hammond, Thomas Jasper, LL.B. '03. Captain 2d Massachusetts Infantry; organization federalized and designated 104th Infantry, 26th Division; sailed for France September 25; appointed officer in command 2d Battalion, 104th Infantry, July 22 1918; promoted major September 13; returned to United States January 21, 1919; discharged January 24, 1919. Engagements: Chemin des Dames sector, La Reine sector (Apremont, Bois-Brule), Pas Fini sector, Chateau-Thierry sector, Marne-Aisne offensive, Rupt sector, Saint-Mihiel offensive, Troyon sectr, Meuse-Argonne offensive.
(Harvard's Military Record in the World War, U.S. Adjutant General Military Records, 1921, p422)

Judge Hammond Still On Danger List at Hospital
Northampton, July 22 – Superior Court Judge Thomas J Hammond was still on the danger list at Cooley Dickinson hospital tonight. His condition was unchanged according to the hospital.
He is widely known both for his legal practice and for his war record of both the Mexican border campaign and World War I. The judge was district attorney of Hampshire-Franklin districts before assuming his judgeship.
Dr Thomas F Corriden said the condition of his patient is "very poor." Dr Corriden said the judge entered the hospital the 4th for a major operation, and has failed to respond to treatment.
(Springfield Daily Republican, Tuesday 23 July 1946, p4)

Judge Hammond Dies at Hospital After Operation
Widely Known Superior Court Jurist Presided at Many Leading Criminal Trials
Northampton, July 23 – Failing to rally from a recent operation for an obstruction in the intestinal tract, Judge Thomas J Hammond, 69, died today at Cooley Dickinson hospital after a colorful 16 year career on the Massachusetts superior court bench.
Judge Hammond entered the hospital on the 4th for an operation and since then his condition had become progressively worse.
Appointed to the superior court bench in 1929 by former Gov Frank G Allen, Judge Hammond had presided at various times in practically all of the superior courts of the commonwealth in criminal and civil proceedings. It was his lot to be the presiding justice in many leading criminal cases.
Judge Hammond's legal ability acquired prominence when he served as counsel for the legislative committee which investigated the acts of former Atty-Gen Arthur K Reading, who was later disbarred.
Judge Hammond's judicial record provided outstanding service. A man with a military background, Judge Hammond believed in upholding the dignity of the court. Although he was austere on the bench and insisted upon scrupulous adherence to decorum in court, Judge Hammond had a good sense of humor and in a non-judicial role enjoyed banter conversation and reminiscences with his former comrades in arms, at whose gatherings he frequently was present.
Judge Hammond was born in Northampton December 22, 1876, and had been a lifelong resident of the city. He studied law in the office of his father, John C Hammond, who also tutored the late President Coolidge in legal jurisprudence, as an aspirant for the bar.
A graduate of Williston academy in 1896 and Amherst college in 1900, Judge Hammond studied law at Harvard law school and graduated in the class of 1903, before he had finished his law course.
Admitted to the bar in 1902, he joined his father in the law firm of Hammond and Hammond in 1903, and later entered into partnership with Atty Harold L Grousbeck of this city, practicing law until his appointment to the superior court bench. His withdrawal at that time from active practice removed the name of Hammond from the list of practicing attorney in this city where it had been closely associated with the legal profession and the affairs of Hampshire county for more than 60 years.
He served as city solicitor from 1913 to 1919, with his father taking over during the time Judge Hammond served in the armed forces of World war 1. Judge Hammond's connection with municipal affairs began in 1905 when he was elected to the common council from ward 2. He served two years as councilman, acting as president of that board in 1907, and one year in the board of Aldermen.
Judge Hammond's military career began in 1902 when he was a student at Harvard law school where he enlisted in the first corps cadets, Massachusetts volunteer militia. Later, he was transferred to Company I, Northampton's unit in the MVM in 1903.
In 1916, Judge Hammond was made captain and commanding officer of Company I which saw service on the Mexican border. Promoted to the rank of major as commander of Company I. Judge Hammond went to France in 1917 where his unit was a part of the 104th regiment of the 26th Yankee division of the American Expeditionary forces.
He commanded Company I in battles at Chemin des Dames, Apremont, Belleau Woods, Chateau Thierry and St Mihiel and with other members of his unit was awarded the certificate of the medal of the Legion of Honor for gallantry in action.
In 1905, Judge Hammond was married to the former Ann K Mead of Randolph, Vt. The couple had no children.
Judge Hammond took an active part in the affairs of the Hampshire County Bar association and maintained a close contact with Company I down through the years.
Judge Hammond was a member of Edwards Congregational church, the Hampshire County Bar association, Masonic orders, Northampton lodge of Elks, the Northampton club, the Boston City club, the Union Club of Boston, Northampton post, American Legion, and the French Legion of honor.
He leaves his widow, Mrs Annie (Mead) Hammond, and three sisters, Misses May and May Hammond, both of this city, and Mrs Wilson Connell of River Forest, Ill.
The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3 in Edwards Congregational church, with Rev L Byron Whipple, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Bridge street cemetery.
(Springfield Daily Republican, Wednesday 24 July 1946, p17)