Philo Gridley

    Philo Gridley was born Sept 16, 1796 in Paris, NY to Asahel and Chloe Hungerford Gridley. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1816. He was admitted to the bar in 1816 and practiced in Waterville, NY. He later practiced in Hamilton. 

    From 1829 to 1836 Philo Gridley was Madison County District Attorney. In 1838 Gov. Marcy appointed him Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit of the State. He presided over one of the most notable criminal cases in our country; the murder case of Alexander McLeod. Alexander McLeod was accused of the murder of Amos Durfee by pistol shot on the night of Dec 30, 1837. McLeod was a British Subject and the British government demanded he be released. The Secretary of State of the United States Daniel Webster was in favor of granting his release but the Governor of New York would not consent to McLeod's release. The court case was scheduled to be heard first in Erie County but because the environment there was hostile on motion of the defendant it was moved to Oneida County. People feared that a conviction would start a war. Gridley told the jury to convict if the evidence warranted it even if it should "light up the land with the flame of war." McLeod was acquitted.

    In 1847 after the new New York State constitution was adopted Philo Gridley was elected a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. He was a justice for six years. 

    Philo Gridley married Susan Williams. They had four daughters. Philo Gridley passed away in Utica on August 16, 1864. He and Susan are buried in Plot 17 lot 404 of Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica.



Location: 2201 Oneida St, Utica, NY 13501, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Charles C. Kingsley

Image
       Charles Clark Kingsley was born to Thomas L. and Julia Buel Lathrop Kingsley on Feb 11, 1830 in Utica. He graduated from Hamilton College with a AB in 1853 and a AM in 1855. He was a member of thee Sigma Phi Society.     After college Charles C. Kingsley entered his father's clothing business the firm was named T.L. Kingsley and Son. The business was conducted for over 50 years. Charles C. Kingsley retied about 1902.     Charles C. Kingsley was Secretary of the Hamilton College Board of Trustees from 1880-1887; was the senior member at the time of his death. He was trustee of the 1st Presbyterian Church; Old Ladies Home; and Utica Female Seminary (was one of the charter member's). He founded the Utica Mechanic's Association.    Charles C. Kingsley and his wife had seven children. He passed away on Apr 11, 1912 and is buried in Plot 21 Lot 199 of Forest Hill Cemetery in Utica, NY.    
Read more

Alexander Seward

Image
      Alexander Seward was born on Nov 28, 1816 to Mr. and Mrs. Asahel Seward (who published Utica' first newspaper). He attended Utica Academy; Utica High School; and Cazenovia Seminary. He graduated from Hamilton College and Union College (1836).     Alexander Seward studied law with Joshua A. Spencer and Mann and Edmonds. in 1840, started practicing law. At the same time he was appointed examiner in chancery.     In 1843, Alexander Seward became editor and proprietor of the Daily Gazette. He was the head of the newspaper for nine years. He organized the first Association for the telegraphic interchange of news (which the press associations of today grew from).     In 1850, Alexander Seward took charge of the State Register at Albany and edited it for more than a year.      In 1853, Alexander Seward was united in marriage to Caroline Kirkland who died in 1864. They had one son. In 1866, he married Ann...
Read more

Milton H. Merwin

Image
       Milton H. Merwin was born June 16, 1832 in Leydon, Lewis County NY to Mr. and Mrs. Alanson Merwin. Attended Cazenovia Seminary and Hamilton College (graduated in 1852).      Milton H. Merwin studied law in Watertown in the office of Joseph Mullin, Admitted to practice law in 1853. He became Mr. Mullin's partner. He was partner until 1857. 1860-1863 Mr. Merwin served as as Surrogate of Jefferson County. 1867-68 was member of the Constitutional Convention.      In 1874, Milton H. Merwin was elected to the New York State Supreme Court. He had been serving out the term of Charles H. Doolittle. He served on it in different capacities until 1902.      Milton H. Merwin married Helen Knapp in November of 1858. They had five children.      Milton H. Merwin was a member of the following: Central NY Alumni of Hamilton College and Oneida County Bar Association. He served as President of both.      ...
Read more