Vermont's First Chief Justice...And First Senator - Moses Robinson
Moses Robinson is best known as the first Chief Justice of Vermont’s Supreme Court, though he had many other important contributions to that State’s Founding.
Moses Robinson
As a young man, Moses Robinson moved to Vermont.
At the time, Vermont was still claimed by both New York and New Hampshire. Moses’ father, Samuel (a founder of Bennington), went to England in an effort to settle this dispute but unfortunately passed away during the trip.
Moses became the patriarch of his family and, despite being a farmer and land speculator, would become one of Vermont’s most important lawmakers.
Chief Justice
As the Revolutionary War broke out, Robinson and his three brothers joined the Green Mountain Boys.
Shortly thereafter, Vermont, hoping to become its own State, famously declared its independence and spent fourteen years as an independent nation.
Moses, despite no experience as a lawyer, was chosen as the short-lived country's first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court...a position he held through 1785.
Senator
After a brief reprieve from public life, Moses Robinson spent one year as President of the Vermont Republic.
When Vermont was finally accepted as the 14th State in the Union, Robinson was chosen as one of its two inaugural Senators.
Moses ‘retired’ by serving for a time in Vermont’s House of Representatives.
Here are some other VERMONT FOUNDERS:
The Spitting Matthew Lyon - From Congress to Jail and Back
Ira Allen Champions the 14th State
Free Cannons - Seth Warner Takes Crown Point
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Want to read more about Moses Robinson?
Well, he’s only got one biography, which makes today’s recommendation super easy for me.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
