William Stephens (judge) explained

William Stephens
Office:Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Georgia
Term Start:October 22, 1801
Term End:October 13, 1818
Appointer:Thomas Jefferson
Predecessor:Joseph Clay Jr.
Successor:William Davies
Office1:Mayor of Savannah, Georgia
Term Start2:1793
Term End2:1794
Successor2:Thomas Gibbons
Term Start1:1795
Term End1:1796
Predecessor1:Thomas Gibbons
Successor1:John Noel
Birth Name:William Stephens
Birth Date:17 January 1752
Birth Place:Beaulieu, Province of Georgia, British America
Death Place:Savannah, Georgia

William Stephens (January 17, 1752 – August 6, 1819) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Georgia.

Education and career

Born on January 17, 1752, in Bewlie (now Beaulieu), Province of Georgia, British America, Stephens served in the Continental Army as a second lieutenant during the American Revolutionary War. He was later a colonel in the Chatham County, Georgia militia. He was a clerk for the Georgia Commons House of Assembly starting in 1775. He was Attorney General of the Province of Georgia until 1776. He was chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia starting in 1780. He was President of Savannah, Georgia starting in 1787. He was Mayor of Savannah from 1793 to 1794 and from 1795 to 1796.[1] He was a judge of the Superior Court of Georgia.

Federal judicial service

Stephens received a recess appointment from President Thomas Jefferson on October 22, 1801, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Georgia vacated by Judge Joseph Clay Jr. He was nominated to the same position by President Jefferson on January 6, 1802. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 26, 1802, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on October 13, 1818, due to his resignation.

Death

Stephens died on August 6, 1819, in Savannah.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A List of Mayors and Aldermen of the City of Savannah, Georgia, 1790-2012. savannahga.gov.