Thomas Ritchie (judge)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Ritchie was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Nova Scotia
. He represented Annapolis County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
from 1806 to 1824.
He was born in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
, the son of John Ritchie
and Alicia Maria Le Cain. He studied law with Thomas Henry Barclay
and took over Barclay's practice in 1799. Ritchie married Elizabeth Wildman Johnston, who was the daughter of Elizabeth Lichtenstein, in 1807. In 1823, he married Elizabeth Best after his first wife died in a bedroom fire. In 1824, he resigned his seat in the provincial assembly after he was named judge in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the western division. In 1831, he was named president of the Court of General Sessions for the western district. He served on the bench until 1841. He also was president of the board of health and lieutenant-colonel in the militia. Ritchie married Anne Bond, the daughter of Joseph Norman Bond, in 1831 after his second wife died, having been thrown from a horse. He died at Annapolis Royal at the age of 75.
His son John William Ritchie
served in the province's Legislative Council and in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia and is considered one of the Fathers of Confederation. His son William Johnstone Ritchie
served as Chief Justice of Canada.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
. He represented Annapolis County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly
Nova Scotia House of Assembly
The Nova Scotia Legislature, consisting of Her Majesty The Queen represented by the Lieutenant Governor and the House of Assembly, is the legislative branch of the provincial government of Nova Scotia, Canada...
from 1806 to 1824.
He was born in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Annapolis Royal is a town located in the western part of Annapolis County, Nova Scotia. Known as Port Royal until the Conquest of Acadia in 1710 by Britain, the town is the oldest continuous European settlement in North America, north of St...
, the son of John Ritchie
John Ritchie (merchant)
John Ritchie was a Scottish-born merchant and politician in Nova Scotia. He represented Annapolis County in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1783 to 1785....
and Alicia Maria Le Cain. He studied law with Thomas Henry Barclay
Thomas Henry Barclay
Thomas Henry Barclay was an American lawyer who became one of the United Empire Loyalists in Nova Scotia and served in the colony's government....
and took over Barclay's practice in 1799. Ritchie married Elizabeth Wildman Johnston, who was the daughter of Elizabeth Lichtenstein, in 1807. In 1823, he married Elizabeth Best after his first wife died in a bedroom fire. In 1824, he resigned his seat in the provincial assembly after he was named judge in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas for the western division. In 1831, he was named president of the Court of General Sessions for the western district. He served on the bench until 1841. He also was president of the board of health and lieutenant-colonel in the militia. Ritchie married Anne Bond, the daughter of Joseph Norman Bond, in 1831 after his second wife died, having been thrown from a horse. He died at Annapolis Royal at the age of 75.
His son John William Ritchie
John William Ritchie
John William Gianni was a Canadian lawyer and politician from Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Gianni was the son of Thomas Ritchie and Elizabeth Wildman Johnston. He studied law with his uncle James William Johnston and was admitted to the bar in 1831...
served in the province's Legislative Council and in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia and is considered one of the Fathers of Confederation. His son William Johnstone Ritchie
William Johnstone Ritchie
Sir William Johnstone Ritchie was one of the first judges appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada and became the second Chief Justice of the court....
served as Chief Justice of Canada.