 Judge William Stephens letter to Senator Jacob Read
Collection DescriptionHistorical NoteBorn January 1752 at Beaulieu (near Savannah) of distinguished English ancestry, William Stephens was an eminent lawyer and jurist during and after the War for Independence. Georgia's first Attorney General, he was also Chief Justice of Georgia, Mayor of Savannah and held other important posts of honor. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson appointed him United States District Court judge, which position he held with distinction until just prior to his death on 6 August, 1819. Jacob Read, a Delegate and Senator from South Carolina, was born at "Hobcaw" plantation in Christ Church Parish, near Charleston, S.C. in 1752. He served South Carolina in various military and civil capacities during the Revolutionary War. He was sent with other Americans as a prisoner of the British to St. Augustine from 1780-1781, and served as a member of the State Assembly in 1782. He was a member of the Continental Congress from 1783-1784 and a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, also serving as speaker. He served in the United States Senate from March 4, 1795 to March 3rd, 1801. Scope and ContentOne letter from Judge William Stephens of Savannah to Senator Jacob Read of Georgia, dated June 11, 1795, concerning land sales and the death of their mutual friend, George Houstoun. Administrative InformationPreferred CitationJudge William Stephens letter to Senator Jacob Read, ms1006, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries. Related Materials and SubjectsSubject Terms | ||||||||||||||||||