Samuel Rossiter Betts
Encyclopedia
Samuel Rossiter Betts was a U.S. Representative
from New York
and a long-serving United States federal judge
.
in 1806, and then read law in Hudson, New York
. He was admitted to the bar
in 1807, and practiced in Monticello, New York
from 1809 to 1812. During the War of 1812
, he served as judge advocate of Volunteers in the U.S. Army.
Betts was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 14th United States Congress
, holding office from March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817. Afterwards he moved to Newburgh, New York, where he continued the practice of law. He was a D.A. of Orange County, New York
from 1821 to 1823, and was the Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit
from 1823 to 1827.
On December 19, 1826, Betts was nominated by President John Quincy Adams
to the seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
vacated by William P. Van Ness. Betts was confirmed by the United States Senate
on December 21, 1826, and received his commission the same day. Betts served for over forty years, by far the longest tenure of any judge appointed by John Quincy Adams, resigning on April 30, 1867.
Betts was buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York).
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and a long-serving United States federal judge
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Life
Betts graduated from Williams CollegeWilliams College
Williams College is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, United States. It was established in 1793 with funds from the estate of Ephraim Williams. Originally a men's college, Williams became co-educational in 1970. Fraternities were also phased out during this...
in 1806, and then read law in Hudson, New York
Hudson, New York
Hudson is a city located along the west border of Columbia County, New York, United States. The city is named after the adjacent Hudson River and ultimately after the explorer Henry Hudson.Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County...
. He was admitted to the bar
Admission to the bar in the United States
In the United States, admission to the bar is the granting of permission by a particular court system to a lawyer to practice law in that system. Each U.S. state and similar jurisdiction has its own court system and sets its own rules for bar admission , which can lead to different admission...
in 1807, and practiced in Monticello, New York
Monticello, New York
Monticello is a village located in the Town of Thompson in Sullivan County, New York, United States. The population was 6,512 at the 2000 census. It is the seat for the Town of Thompson and the county seat of Sullivan County...
from 1809 to 1812. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, he served as judge advocate of Volunteers in the U.S. Army.
Betts was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 14th United States Congress
14th United States Congress
- Senate :* President: Vacant* President pro tempore: John Gaillard of South Carolina, first elected December 4, 1815- House of Representatives :* Speaker: Henry Clay of Kentucky-Members:This list is arranged by chamber, then by state...
, holding office from March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817. Afterwards he moved to Newburgh, New York, where he continued the practice of law. He was a D.A. of Orange County, New York
Orange County, New York
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
from 1821 to 1823, and was the Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit
New York State Circuit Courts
The New York State Circuit Courts were circuit courts created by the New York State Constitution of 1821, and abolished by the Constitution of 1846.-History:...
from 1823 to 1827.
On December 19, 1826, Betts was nominated by President John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
to the seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is a federal district court. Appeals from the Southern District of New York are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (in case...
vacated by William P. Van Ness. Betts was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on December 21, 1826, and received his commission the same day. Betts served for over forty years, by far the longest tenure of any judge appointed by John Quincy Adams, resigning on April 30, 1867.
Betts was buried at the Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York).