James Barrett (Vermont judge)

James Barrett (May 31, 1814 – April 21, 1900) was a Vermont lawyer, politician and judge who served as President of the Vermont State Senate and a justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.

James Barrett
President of the Vermont Bar Association
In office 1882–1883
Preceded by	Daniel Roberts
Succeeded by	Benjamin F. Fifield
Associate Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
In office 1857–1880
Preceded by	None
Succeeded by	Russell S. Taft
State's Attorney of Windsor County, Vermont
In office 1854–1855
Preceded by	Calvin French
Succeeded by	John Ward
President pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate
In office 1845
Preceded by	Ebenezer N. Briggs
Succeeded by	George T. Hodges
Member of the Vermont Senate
In office 1844–1845 Serving with Justin Morgan, Thomas T. Barrett, Benjamin Billings
Preceded by	Hampden Cutts, John Porter, Salmon F. Dutton, Abner Field
Succeeded by	Artemas Cushman, Harvey Burton, Robert B. Cram, Dearborn H. Hilton
Constituency	Windsor County
Personal details
Born	(1814-05-31)May 31, 1814 Strafford, Vermont, U.S.
Died	April 21, 1900(1900-04-21) (aged 85) Rutland, Vermont, U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Cemetery Rutland, Vermont
Political party	Whig Republican
Spouse	Maria Lord Woodworth (m. 1844)[1]
Children	9[1]
Alma mater	Dartmouth College
Profession	Attorney
Signature

Early life

James Barrett was born in Strafford, Vermont on May 31, 1814, the son of Martin Barrett and Dorcas (Patterson) Barrett.^[1] He graduated from Dartmouth College in 1838, and received a master's degree in 1841.^[2] Barrett studied law, first with James Crocker of Buffalo, New York and later with Charles Marsh.^[1]

Start of career

In 1840 Barrett began to practice law in Woodstock as Marsh's partner.^[2] In 1843 he became the partner of Jacob Collamer.^[2] From 1848 to 1849 Barrett practiced law in Boston, and upon returning to Woodstock he formed a partnership with Andrew Tracy and Julius Converse.^[2]

Political career

A Whig, in 1844 and 1845 Barrett was elected to term in the Vermont Senate, and he was chosen by his peers to serve as Senate President in 1845.^[2] From 1854 to 1855 he was Windsor County State's Attorney.^[2] In 1857, by now a Republican, Barrett was appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court, where he served until 1880.^[2]

In 1865 Barrett received an honorary LL.D. from Middlebury College.^[3] Barrett also served as President of the Dartmouth College Alumni Association^[4] and the Vermont Bar Association.^[5]

Later life

After leaving the bench Barrett resided in Rutland, and practiced law with his son James Crocker Barrett.^[2] After the younger Barrett's 1887 death the elder Barrett lived in retirement in Rutland.^[6]

Death and burial

James Barrett died in Rutland on April 21, 1900.^[7] He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland.^[8]