Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/196

A Sketch of the Supreme Court of Ohio. up your tears, my charming mourner, nor suffer this letter to give too much inquietude. Consider the facts at present as in theory, but the sentiments such as will apply when ever the change shall come. I know that humanity must and will be indulged in its keenest griefs, but there is no advantage in too deeply anticipating our inevitable sor rows. If I did not persuade myself that

you would conduct with becoming pru dence and fortitude, upon this occasion, my own unhappiness would be greatly in creased, and perhaps my disorder too, but I have so much con fidence in your dis cretion, as to un bosom my soul." This letter was written about the 21st of December, 1787, when the twenty-sixth law promulgated by the Governor and judges had been is sued. Judge Varnum died on the tenth day of January, 1789, his "funeral being atten ded with all the cere mony and respect WILLIAM B. due to so distin guished a person." Samuel H. Parsons was born at Lyme, Connecticut. He graduated at Harvard, was admitted to the bar in 1759. In 1762, at twenty-five years of age he was elected to the legislature of Connecticut and was suc cessively re-elected until 1774. He rendered distinguished military service, attaining the rank of general. He was appointed one of the first judges of the Northwest Territory, his commission being dated Oct. 23, 1789. And in 1789 he was nominated by General

169

Washington Chief Judge, which he held un til his death. He came to his death by drowning, while returning to Marietta, in descending the rapids of the Big Beaver River, Nov. 17, 1789, aged fifty-two years. John Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey, was the third member of the first Supreme Court of the Territory, and served through out the life of the court. He was born in New Jersey, July 21, 1742, and died in Cin cinnati, Feb. 26, 18 1 4. He emigrated to the Northwest Territory in January, 1789, settling in the Miami country. He had been a judge of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, being Chief Justice at the time of his appoint ment. He had also been a representative in the old Congress of 1785 and 1786. His daughter was the wife of President Wil liam Henry Harrison. Judge Rufus Put nam was born April 9, 1738, at Sutton, Massachusetts, and died at Marietta, CALDWELL. Ohio, May 4, 1824. His father's name was Elisha. Israel Putnam, the great general in the Revolutionary War, was a cousin of Judge Putnam. Judge Put nam's father died when the son was but seven years of age, and his educational advan tages were few. Notwithstanding this, how ever, he was called to fill many important places of trust, and came in contact with the best minds of his day. He served in the war of 1757, of England against France; was made an ensign March 12, 1760, in the reign of George II — his commission