Hitchcock, Samuel J. (Samuel Johnson), 1786-1845

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A.B., Yale 1809; after graduation taught for two years at Fairfield Academy; studied law with Seth P. Staples and was admitted to the bar in 1815; in 1820 he became associated with Staples as a teacher in his private Law School, which in 1824 was first recognized as part of Yale College; associated with the law school until his death.

From the description of Samuel Johnson Hitchcock papers, 1762-1845 (inclusive), 1805-1845 (bulk). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702166327

Educator.

From the description of Letter of Samuel J. Hitchcock, 1813. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79450647

Samuel Johnson Hitchcock received his A.B. from Yale College in 1809. After graduation, he taught for two years at Fairfield Academy and then studied law with Seth P. Staples. He was admitted to the bar in 1815 and in 1820, became associated with Staples as a teacher in his private Law School. In 1824, this school was first recognized as part of Yale College. Hitchcock's association with the law school continued until his death in 1845.

Samuel Johnson Hitchcock, the eldest of twelve children of Benjamin and Mary (Johnson) Hitchcock, of Bethlehem, then part of Woodbury, Connecticut, and grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Averett) Hitchcock, of Woodbury, was born in Bethlehem on February 4, 1786. His father being in straitened circumstances, this promising son, after having taught school for some winters, was gratuitously prepared for the Sophomore Class, by his pastor, the Rev. Azel Backus (Yale 1787). He was graduated with the highest honors, delivering with the Valedictory an Oration on the Wisdom of aiming at High Attainments.

On leaving College he taught for two years in the Fairfield Academy, and then entered on the office of Tutor at Yale, in the meantime also studying law under the direction of Seth P. Staples (Yale 1797). At Commencement in 1812 he gave a Master's Oration on Newspapers.

He resigned his office at Commencement in 1815, and was then admitted to the bar, and entered on practice in this city, where he soon attained distinction.

In 1820 he became associated with Mr. Staples as a teacher in his private Law School, which in 1824 was first recognized as a part of the College. To this School for the rest of his life he devoted much of his time and energy, with great success.

Although he preferred to avoid public office, he served as Judge of the New Haven County Court from 1838 to 1842, as Mayor of the City for three years from June, 1839, and as Chief Judge of the City Court from 1842 to 1844.

The honorary degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by Yale in 1842.

He took an active interest in internal improvements and was a member of the first Board of Directors of the Hartford and New Haven Railroad Company, and its President from 1837 to 1840.

He was also concerned in securing the first surveys for a railroad from New Haven to New York, and spent the winter before his death in Albany, endeavoring to procure from the Legislature the necessary franchises.

He died in New Haven on August 31, 1845, in his 60th year.

Judge Hitchcock was distinguished in his profession for accurate legal knowledge and great power of application; of studious and methodical habits, and sound, discriminating judgment, he was probably more eminent as a teacher than as an advocate. He served as a Deacon in the Center Church from 1833 until his death.

His portrait, painted by Jared B. Flagg, about 1840, belongs to the University.

He was married by the Rev. Aaron Dutton, on May 18, 1818, to Laura, daughter of Simeon and Parnel (Fowler) Coan, of Guilford, who died of consumption on October 3, 1832, in her 35thyear.

He next married, on December 25, 1834, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Narcissa, daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Burr (Sturges) Perry, of Southport, Connecticut, and widow of Joseph Whittemore, of Fredericksburg, who died in Fairfield in July, 1831. She died while visiting Southport on November 3, 1854, in her 59th year.

By his first marriage he had two sons and three daughters, of whom all but one daughter survived him. The youngest daughter married Judge Thomas D. Sherwood (Yale 1846).

By his second marriage he had one son, who was for a time a member of the Class of 1861 in Yale.

(Taken from Yale Biographies and Annals, 1805-1815, pp. 257-259).

From the guide to the Samuel Johnson Hitchcock papers, 1762-1845, 1805-1845, (Manuscripts and Archives)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Ethan Allen Hitchcock Papers, 1793-1888, (bulk 1830-1865) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Chauncey family. Chauncey family papers, 1675-1928 (inclusive). Yale University Library
referencedIn Macon (Ga.). Finance Committee. Report and resolutions : [Macon, Ga.?], [1842?]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Baldwin, Simeon, 1761-1851. Letter to the mayor and alderman of New Haven, Conn., 1840. Connecticut Historical Society
creatorOf Staples, Seth Perkins, 1776-1861. Staples and Hitchcock papers, 1794-1855. New Haven Colony Historical Society Library
creatorOf Codman, William. Letter, Jan. 9, 1815, to Samuel J. Hitchcock, New Haven, Conn. Yale University, Law School Library
creatorOf Hitchcock, Samuel J. (Samuel Johnson), 1786-1845. Samuel Johnson Hitchcock papers, 1762-1845 (inclusive), 1805-1845 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn Macon (Ga.). Finance Committee. Report and resolutions : [Macon, Ga.?], [1842?]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Hitchcock, Samuel J. (Samuel Johnson), 1786-1845. Document, 1832, Dec. 22, certifying that Elijah P. Grant studied law at Yale from Aug. 1831 to Apr. 1832. Yale University, Law School Library
referencedIn Yale course lectures collection, circa 1720-1986 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Samuel Johnson Hitchcock papers, 1762-1845, 1805-1845 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Nesbet, James Alexander, 1812-1862. Letter, 1835 July 1, Madison, Ga., to Messrs. Daggett & Hitchcock, New Haven [Conn.]. Yale University, Law School Library
creatorOf Hitchcock, Samuel J. (Samuel Johnson), 1786-1845. Letter of Samuel J. Hitchcock, 1813. Library of Congress
referencedIn Hamilton Woolen Company. Records, 1822-1936 (inclusive). Harvard Business School, Knowledge and Library Services/Baker Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Baldwin, Simeon, 1761-1851. person
associatedWith Chauncey family. family
associatedWith Codman, William. person
associatedWith Daggett, David, 1764-1851. person
associatedWith Fairfield Academy, Fairfield (Conn.) corporateBody
associatedWith Grant, Samuel Phelps, 1808-1874. person
associatedWith Hamilton Woolen Company. corporateBody
associatedWith Hitchcock, Ethan Allen, 1798-1870. person
associatedWith Macon (Ga.). Finance Committee. corporateBody
associatedWith Macon (Ga.). Finance Committee. corporateBody
associatedWith Nesbet, James Alexander, 1812-1862. person
associatedWith Staples, Seth. person
associatedWith Yale University corporateBody
associatedWith Yale University. School of Law. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Law
Legal instruments
Occupation
Educators
Law teachers
Lawyers
Activity

Person

Birth 1786

Death 1845

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