David Leonard Barnes
Encyclopedia
David Leonard Barnes was a United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
judge and a party in the first U.S. Supreme Court decision, West v. Barnes
(1791).
Barnes was born in Scituate, Massachusetts
on January 28, 1760. He graduated from Harvard College
in 1780 and read law in 1783. Barnes was admitted to the bar and resided in Taunton, Massachusetts
where he practiced law until 1793. Barnes married into the Jenckes family of Providence, Rhode Island
and was engaged in private practice in Providence from 1793 to 1802. Eventually, Barnes won the case of West v. Barnes
(1791) representing himself and his wife's family after being admitted to the Supreme Court bar that morning. Barnes was appointed a U.S. attorney and later appointed judge of U.S. District Court for Rhode Island receiving a recess appointment
from Thomas Jefferson on April 30, 1801, to a seat vacated by Benjamin Bourne
. Jefferson formally nominated Barnes on January 6, 1802. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on January 26, 1802, and received his commission the same day. Barnes served from 1801 to 1812 dying in office on November 3, 1812 in Providence. His interment was at Swan Point Cemetery
in Providence, Rhode Island.
United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island
The United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island is the Federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of Rhode Island. The District Court was created in 1790 when Rhode Island ratified the Constitution...
judge and a party in the first U.S. Supreme Court decision, West v. Barnes
West v. Barnes
West v. Barnes, 2 U.S. 401 , was the first United States Supreme Court decision and the earliest case calling for oral argument. Van Staphorst v. Maryland was docketed prior to West v. Barnes but settled before the Court heard the case: West was argued on August 2, 1791 and decided on August 3,...
(1791).
Barnes was born in Scituate, Massachusetts
Scituate, Massachusetts
Scituate is a seacoast town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States, on the South Shore, midway between Boston and Plymouth. The population was 18,133 at the 2010 census....
on January 28, 1760. He graduated from Harvard College
Harvard College
Harvard College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of two schools within Harvard University granting undergraduate degrees...
in 1780 and read law in 1783. Barnes was admitted to the bar and resided in Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton, Massachusetts
Taunton is a city in Bristol County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the seat of Bristol County and the hub of the Greater Taunton Area. The city is located south of Boston, east of Providence, north of Fall River and west of Plymouth. The City of Taunton is situated on the Taunton River...
where he practiced law until 1793. Barnes married into the Jenckes family of Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
and was engaged in private practice in Providence from 1793 to 1802. Eventually, Barnes won the case of West v. Barnes
West v. Barnes
West v. Barnes, 2 U.S. 401 , was the first United States Supreme Court decision and the earliest case calling for oral argument. Van Staphorst v. Maryland was docketed prior to West v. Barnes but settled before the Court heard the case: West was argued on August 2, 1791 and decided on August 3,...
(1791) representing himself and his wife's family after being admitted to the Supreme Court bar that morning. Barnes was appointed a U.S. attorney and later appointed judge of U.S. District Court for Rhode Island receiving a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from Thomas Jefferson on April 30, 1801, to a seat vacated by Benjamin Bourne
Benjamin Bourne
Benjamin Bourne was an American jurist and politician from Bristol, Rhode Island. He represented Rhode Island in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a judge in both the federal district and federal appellate courts.Borurne was born in Bristol and graduated from Harvard College in 1775...
. Jefferson formally nominated Barnes on January 6, 1802. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on January 26, 1802, and received his commission the same day. Barnes served from 1801 to 1812 dying in office on November 3, 1812 in Providence. His interment was at Swan Point Cemetery
Swan Point Cemetery
Swan Point Cemetery is a cemetery located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Established in 1846 on a 60 acre plot of land. It has approximately 40,000 interments.- History :...
in Providence, Rhode Island.