James Todd (lawyer)

James Todd (December 25, 1786–September 3, 1863) was a Pennsylvania lawyer and judge, who served in the state legislature and as state Attorney General.

James Todd
Pennsylvania Attorney General
In office
December 18, 1835[1] – April 2, 1838[2]
GovernorJoseph Ritner
Preceded byGeorge M. Dallas
Succeeded byWilliam B. Reed
Personal details
BornDecember 25, 1786
York County, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 3, 1863 (aged 76)
Greensburg,[3] Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
Spouse(s)
  • Mary Cornell
  • Jane Miller
Children3,7

Biography and career

Todd was born in 1786, son of Henry and Mary Todd, of Scottish descent. Early in 1787, the family moved to Fayette County, and both his parents died that year. Todd was raised by one Duncan McLean. His official schooling was limited to one and a half years, but he read extensively at night.[4]

Todd served as county commissioner 1815–1819, during which time he read law under John Bouvier. He served as a representative in the state legislature, 1819–1829.[5] He was admitted to the bar in 1823.

Todd married Mary Cornell in 1810; she died in 1824. They had three children.[6][7] Todd married Jane Miller (born 1802) in 1825, they had 7 children.[3][8]

Todd served as prothonotary and clerk of the court 1825–1830. He was appointed attorney-general in 1835, and removed to Philadelphia. Todd resigned in 1838, when he was appointed president judge of the newly created court of Criminal Sessions of Philadelphia, which he served until the court was abolished in 1840.[9] Afterwards he stayed in Philadelphia in private practice, until 1852, when he removed to Westmoreland county, where he stayed until his death in 1863.[4] He was buried in the St. Clair Cemetery, Greenburg.[10]

Notable descendants

Todd's eldest son, David, would have a daughter Mary Todd, who married the lawyer John A. Marchand. Their only child, a daughter, Mary Todd Marchand, would marry Cyrus Woods,[11] a distinguished lawyer, politician, and ambassador, who also served a term as state Attorney General.

Todd's youngest son, Moses Hampton, would have a career as a Philadelphia lawyer, including serving a term as state Attorney General.

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References
  1. Samuel Hazard; et al., eds. (1874). Pennsylvania Archives. J. Severns & Company. p. 8191.
  2. Samuel Hazard; et al., eds. (1874). Pennsylvania Archives. J. Severns & Company. pp. 8478–9.
  3. James Hadden (1913). A History of Uniontown: The County Seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Uniontown (Fayette County, Pa.): New Werner Company. p. 414.
  4. James Hadden (1913). A History of Uniontown: The County Seat of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. Uniontown (Fayette County, Pa.): New Werner Company. pp. 410–1.
  5. "The 1823-1824 Legislature of Pennsylvania".
  6. "Westmoreland County PA Archives Bible Records".
  7. "Todd: Fayette County, PA".
  8. "Allegheny County PA Archives Bible Records".
  9. John Hill Martin (1883). Martin's Bench and Bar of Philadelphia. Rees Welsh & Company. pp. 81–2.
  10. George Dallas Albert (1882). History of the County of Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. Westmoreland County: L.H. Everts & Company. pp. 507–12.
  11. The Twentieth Century Bench and Bar of Pennsylvania. Volume I. Chicago: H.C. Cooper, Jr., Bro. 1903. p. 135.
Legal offices
Preceded by
George M. Dallas		 Attorney General of Pennsylvania
1835–1838		 Succeeded by
William B. Reed
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