Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 2.djvu/94

 Ill -JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

The Supreme Court of Appeals was first ment continued for ten years. On Decem-

constituted by legislative act in May, 1779, ber 22, 1788, an act was passed making the

and consisted of the judges of admiralty, court to consist of five judges, specially

chancery and general courts. This arrange- elected, as at present continues.

JUDGES UNDER THE ACT OP MAY. 1779.

Pendleton, Edmund, president (q. v.).

Wythe, George (q. v.).

Nicholas, Robert Carter (q. v.).

Blair, John (q. v.).

Carrington, Paul (q. v.)

Lyons, Peter (q. v.).

Fleming, William (q. v.).

Dandridge, Bartholomew (q. v., vol. i, p.

220).

Mercer, James (q. v.).

Tazewell, Henry (q. v.).

Waller, Benjamin (q. v.).

Curie, William Roscow Wilson (q. v.).

Cary, Richard (q. v.).

Henry, James (q. v.).

Tyler, John (q. v.).

Parker, Richard (q. v.).

Flicker, St. George (q. v.).

Jones, Gabriel (q. v.).

JUDGES UNDER THE ACT OP DECEMBER 22. 1788. AND AS AMENDED PROM TIME TO TIME

Pendleton, Edmund, president (q. v.).

Lyons, Peter, president (q. v.).

Carrington, Paul (q. v.).

Fleming, William, president (q. v.).

Mercer, James (q. v.).

Roane, Spencer, son of Colonel William Roane and Elizabeth Ball, his wife, daugh- ter of Colonel Spencer Ball, was born in Essex county, April 4. 1762. He attended private schools, and about 1777 entered William and Mary College, where he went through the usual academic courses, and in 1780 attended the law lectures of Chancellor

Wythe, the professor of law. He practiced law and entered the house of delegates, and in 1784 became a member of the council of state. He soon resigned this last office and resumed the practice of law, and was elected again to the legislature. In 1789 he was made a judge of the general court, where he continued till 1794, when upon the elec- tion of Judge Henry Tazewell to the United States senate, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals. He con- tinued in that office till his death. In public e.stimation he stood second only to Judge Pendleton, and upon the death of that gentleman he was, beyond dispute, the

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