Thomas Jackson Oakley
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jackson Oakley was a United States Representative and New York State Attorney General
.
in 1801, studied law, was admitted to the bar
in 1804 and commenced practice in Poughkeepsie.
from 1810 to 1811, and was elected as a Federalist to the Thirteenth United States Congress (March 4, 1813–March 3, 1815). During this term, Oakley was an anti-war Federalist and opposed the policy of the War of 1812
.
Oakley was a member of the New York State Assembly
in 1816. From 1819 to 1821, he was New York State Attorney General
.
He was again elected to Congress, serving from March 4, 1827, until May 9, 1828, when he resigned to go on the bench. He was a judge of the superior court
of New York City
from 1828 to 1847, was appointed chief justice in October 1847 and served until his death in office.
Oakely's resignation from Congress in 1828 was a disappointment as Oakley was offered a candidacy as President but declined it.
, who had the unique distinction of serving as both a member of Parliament (1774–1780; 1784–1790) and as a New York State Senator (1792–1796).
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
.
Education
He graduated from Yale CollegeYale College
Yale College was the official name of Yale University from 1718 to 1887. The name now refers to the undergraduate part of the university. Each undergraduate student is assigned to one of 12 residential colleges.-Residential colleges:...
in 1801, studied law, was admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
in 1804 and commenced practice in Poughkeepsie.
Professional career
He was Surrogate of Dutchess CountyDutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
from 1810 to 1811, and was elected as a Federalist to the Thirteenth United States Congress (March 4, 1813–March 3, 1815). During this term, Oakley was an anti-war Federalist and opposed the policy of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Oakley was a member of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
in 1816. From 1819 to 1821, he was New York State Attorney General
New York State Attorney General
The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman...
.
He was again elected to Congress, serving from March 4, 1827, until May 9, 1828, when he resigned to go on the bench. He was a judge of the superior court
Superior court
In common law systems, a superior court is a court of general competence which typically has unlimited jurisdiction with regard to civil and criminal legal cases...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from 1828 to 1847, was appointed chief justice in October 1847 and served until his death in office.
Oakely's resignation from Congress in 1828 was a disappointment as Oakley was offered a candidacy as President but declined it.
Personal life
He married Matilda Cruger (1809–1891), and they had several children. His father-in-law was Henry CrugerHenry Cruger
Henry Cruger, Jr. was an American and British merchant at the time of the American Revolution. He has a unique distinction of having been elected to both the Parliament of Great Britain and the New York State Senate .Henry Cruger was born in New York a member of a wealthy merchant family...
, who had the unique distinction of serving as both a member of Parliament (1774–1780; 1784–1790) and as a New York State Senator (1792–1796).