Powhatan Ellis

Powhatan Ellis (January 17, 1790 – March 18, 1863) was a United States Senator from Mississippi and a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Mississippi.

"Senator Ellis" redirects here. For other uses, see Senator Ellis (disambiguation).

Powhatan Ellis
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Mississippi
In office July 14, 1832 – January 5, 1836
Appointed by	Andrew Jackson
Preceded by	Peter Randolph
Succeeded by	George Adams
United States senator from Mississippi
In office March 4, 1827 – July 16, 1832
Preceded by	Thomas Buck Reed
Succeeded by	John Black
In office September 28, 1825 – January 28, 1826
Preceded by	David Holmes
Succeeded by	Thomas Buck Reed
Personal details
Born	Powhatan Ellis (1790-01-17)January 17, 1790 Amherst County, Virginia
Died	March 18, 1863(1863-03-18) (aged 73) Richmond, Virginia
Resting place	Shockoe Hill Cemetery Richmond, Virginia
Political party	Jacksonian
Education	Washington and Lee University Dickinson College (A.B.) College of William & Mary

Education and career

Born on January 17, 1790, at Red Hill Farm in Amherst County, Virginia,[1] Ellis graduated from Washington Academy (now Washington and Lee University) in 1809, received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1810 from Dickinson College and graduated from the College of William & Mary in 1814, where he studied law.[1] He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Lynchburg, Virginia from 1813 to 1814, and from 1815 to 1816.[1] He was a lieutenant in the Prevost Guards of Virginia in 1814.[1] He resumed private practice in Natchez, Mississippi Territory in 1816.[1] He continued private practice in Winchester, Mississippi Territory (State of Mississippi from December 10, 1817) from 1816 to 1817.[1] He was a Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1817 to 1818, and from 1818 to 1825.[1]

Congressional service

Ellis was appointed as a Jacksonian Democrat to the United States Senate from Mississippi to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Senator David Holmes and served from September 28, 1825, to January 28, 1826, when a successor was elected and qualified.[2] He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to fill the vacancy.[2] He was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1827, to July 16, 1832, resigning to accept a judicial position.[2]

Federal judicial service

Ellis was nominated by President Andrew Jackson on July 13, 1832, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Mississippi vacated by Judge Peter Randolph.[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 14, 1832, and received his commission the same day.[1] His service terminated on January 5, 1836, due to his resignation.[1]

Later career and death

Ellis was appointed charge d'affaires to Mexico for the United States Department of State by President Jackson, serving from January 1836, to December 1836, when he closed the legation.[1] He was appointed Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico for the United States Department of State by President Martin Van Buren, serving from 1837 to 1842.[1] He resumed private practice in Natchez starting in 1842, and continued private practice in Richmond, Virginia until 1863.[1] He died on March 18, 1863, in Richmond.[1] He was interred in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond.[2]

Heritage and family

Some accounts deemed Ellis to be a descendant of Pocahontas.[3] In 1833, he married Eliza Rebecca Winn (died spring 1835).[4]

Legacy

The city of Ellisville, Mississippi is named in Ellis's memory.[5][6]

References

1. Powhatan Ellis at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
2. United States Congress. "Powhatan Ellis (id: E000136)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
3. Thomas H. Somorville, "A Sketch of the Supreme Court of Mississippi", in Horace W. Fuller, ed.,The Green Bag, Vol. XI (1899), p. 504.
4. The Southern Literary Messenger: Devoted to Every Department ..., Volumes 35-36 April 1863 p.250
5. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
6. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 117.

Sources

• Powhatan Ellis at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

• United States Congress. "Powhatan Ellis (id: E000136)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

U.S. Senate
Preceded by David Holmes	U.S. senator (Class 1) from Mississippi 1825–1826 Served alongside: Thomas Hill Williams	Succeeded by Thomas Buck Reed
Preceded by Thomas Buck Reed	U.S. senator (Class 1) from Mississippi 1827–1832 Served alongside: Thomas Hill Williams, Thomas Buck Reed, Robert H. Adams, George Poindexter	Succeeded by John Black
Legal offices
Preceded by Peter Randolph	Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Mississippi 1832–1836	Succeeded by George Adams