James WITHERELL, Congress, VT (1759-1838)

WITHERELL, James, a Representative from Vermont; born in Mansfield, Mass., June 16, 1759; completed preparatory studies; served in the Revolutionary Army as a member of the Eleventh Massachusetts Regiment 1775-1783; studied medicine and was licensed to practice in 1788; moved to Hampton, Vt., in 1788 and to Fair Haven, Vt., in 1789 and continued the practice of his profession; member of the State house of representatives 1798-1802; associate county judge 1801-1803; judge of Rutland County 1803-1806; executive councilor 1802-1806; elected as a Republican to the Tenth Congress and served from March 4, 1807, to May 1, 1808, when he resigned; appointed United States judge for the Territory of Michigan in 1808 and served until 1828, when he resigned to become secretary of the Territory; during the War of 1812 was in command of the troops at Detroit in the absence of General Hull, and was taken prisoner when the latter surrendered; lived in Fair Haven, Vt., while on parole; was exchanged and returned to his duties in Detroit; secretary of Michigan Territory by appointment of President John Quincy Adams 1828-1830; died in Detroit, Mich., January 9, 1838, interment in the Russell Street Cemetery; reinterment in Elmwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present