William P. Bryant
Encyclopedia
William P. Bryant was an American
jurist from Kentucky
. He served as the first Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
in the Oregon Territory
. United States President James K. Polk
appointed Bryant, of Indiana
, to the court once the Oregon Territory was established in 1848. In Indiana he served in both houses of the Indiana General Assembly
and was a county judge. Bryant also fought in the Black Hawk War
against Native Americans.
. He grew up there and left home at age 18 after his mother had died when he was young and could no longer tolerate his father’s religious upbringing. In 1825, Bryant moved to Rockville, Indiana
, where he would fight in the Black Hawk War
and begin practicing law. After the war he served in the Indiana House of Representatives
from 1831 to 1836, followed by serving in the Indiana State Senate from 1836 until 1839.
Bryant started a law practice in 1840 with General T. A. Howard
, and later served as a circuit court judge for Rockville. After changing political party affiliations from Whig to Democrat, he was appointed by United States President James K. Polk
to serve as chief justice of the three member Oregon Supreme Court. Bryant was appointed on August 14, 1848, the same day the new Oregon Territory
was created. He migrated to the territory in 1849, arriving April 9.
in the Willamette River
called Abernethy’s Island. However, the island near Oregon City
was previously claimed by Doctor John McLoughlin
. Later this became an issue between McLoughlin and Samuel R. Thurston. Thurston had worked the Donation Land Claim Act
in Congress
to exclude McLoughlin’s claim to Oregon City and the island.
to be “chief justice of the supreme court of the United States for the Territory of Oregon” and was subsequently unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate
. He held his first session of court on August 20, 1849 in Oregon City.
As the only federal judge in the territory, Bryant presided over the first criminal trial in what is now the state of Washington in 1849. At that time the Oregon Territory encompassed all of present states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho
, and parts of Montana
and Wyoming
. On May 1, 1849, a group of roughly 100 Snoqualmie
and Skewahamish
tribesmen showed up at Fort Nisqually
. Fort Nisqually at this time was a fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company
. The Native Americans
were not there to attack, but eventually an American named Leander Wallace was killed by the natives.
Following the murder, U.S. troops
were deployed and demanded the tribes turn over the killers. Only after giving the tribe’s chief 80 blankets did they turn over anyone. These six Snoqualmies were charged with murder and Justice Bryant began the trial on October 1, 1849, at Fort Steilacoom
after a grand jury returned indictments for all six. The outcome was that two, Kussus and Quallalwowt, were convicted of the murder and sentenced to hanging on October 2. On October 3, the two were hanged by U.S. Marshal Joseph L. Meek. The total cost of the trial was $2,379.54, which included the cost of the 80 blankets. Former judge of the Provisional Government of Oregon
and later justice on the Oregon Supreme Court, Alonzo A. Skinner
was brought with Bryant to serve as the prosecutor.
The next year Chief Justice Bryant resigned from the court. His resignation was effective January 1, 1851.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jurist from Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. He served as the first Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
in the Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
. United States President James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
appointed Bryant, of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, to the court once the Oregon Territory was established in 1848. In Indiana he served in both houses of the Indiana General Assembly
Indiana General Assembly
The Indiana General Assembly is the state legislature, or legislative branch, of the state of Indiana. It is a bicameral legislature that consists of a lower house, the Indiana House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Indiana Senate...
and was a county judge. Bryant also fought in the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
against Native Americans.
Early life
William Bryant was born on August 3, 1806, in Mercer County, KentuckyMercer County, Kentucky
Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 20,817. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county is named for General Hugh Mercer...
. He grew up there and left home at age 18 after his mother had died when he was young and could no longer tolerate his father’s religious upbringing. In 1825, Bryant moved to Rockville, Indiana
Rockville, Indiana
Rockville is a town in Adams Township, Parke County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,607 at the 2010 census. The town is the county seat of Parke County. It is known as "The Covered Bridge Capital of the World".-Geography:...
, where he would fight in the Black Hawk War
Black Hawk War
The Black Hawk War was a brief conflict fought in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans headed by Black Hawk, a Sauk leader. The war erupted soon after Black Hawk and a group of Sauks, Meskwakis, and Kickapoos known as the "British Band" crossed the Mississippi River into the U.S....
and begin practicing law. After the war he served in the Indiana House of Representatives
Indiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
from 1831 to 1836, followed by serving in the Indiana State Senate from 1836 until 1839.
Bryant started a law practice in 1840 with General T. A. Howard
Tilghman Howard
Tilghman Ashurst Howard was a U.S. Representative from Indiana. He was born near Pickensville, South Carolina. He moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 1816 and was admitted to the bar there in 1818. In 1830 he moved to Bloomington, Indiana and in 1833 to Rockville, Indiana...
, and later served as a circuit court judge for Rockville. After changing political party affiliations from Whig to Democrat, he was appointed by United States President James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
to serve as chief justice of the three member Oregon Supreme Court. Bryant was appointed on August 14, 1848, the same day the new Oregon Territory
Oregon Territory
The Territory of Oregon was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 14, 1848, until February 14, 1859, when the southwestern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Oregon. Originally claimed by several countries , the region was...
was created. He migrated to the territory in 1849, arriving April 9.
Oregon
While in Oregon, Bryant purchased an island and milling operation from George AbernethyGeorge Abernethy
George Abernethy was an American pioneer, notable entrepreneur, and first governor of Oregon under the provisional government in what would become the state of Oregon in the United States...
in the Willamette River
Willamette River
The Willamette River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, accounting for 12 to 15 percent of the Columbia's flow. The Willamette's main stem is long, lying entirely in northwestern Oregon in the United States...
called Abernethy’s Island. However, the island near Oregon City
Oregon City, Oregon
Oregon City was the first city in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains to be incorporated. It is the county seat of Clackamas County, Oregon...
was previously claimed by Doctor John McLoughlin
John McLoughlin
Dr. John McLoughlin, baptized Jean-Baptiste McLoughlin, was the Chief Factor of the Columbia Fur District of the Hudson's Bay Company at Fort Vancouver. He was later known as the "Father of Oregon" for his role in assisting the American cause in the Oregon Country in the Pacific Northwest...
. Later this became an issue between McLoughlin and Samuel R. Thurston. Thurston had worked the Donation Land Claim Act
Donation Land Claim Act
The Donation Land Claim Act of 1850 was a statute enacted by the United States Congress intended to promote homestead settlement in the Oregon Territory in the Pacific Northwest...
in Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to exclude McLoughlin’s claim to Oregon City and the island.
Oregon Supreme Court
On August 14, 1848, Bryant was nominated by President PolkJames K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
to be “chief justice of the supreme court of the United States for the Territory of Oregon” and was subsequently unanimously 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...
. He held his first session of court on August 20, 1849 in Oregon City.
As the only federal judge in the territory, Bryant presided over the first criminal trial in what is now the state of Washington in 1849. At that time the Oregon Territory encompassed all of present states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
, and parts of Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
and Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
. On May 1, 1849, a group of roughly 100 Snoqualmie
Snoqualmie (tribe)
The Snoqualmie Tribe is a tribal government of Coast Salish Native American peoples from the Snoqualmie Valley in east King and Snohomish Counties in Washington state. The Snoqualmie settled onto the Tulalip Reservation after signing the Point Elliott Treaty with the Washington Territory in 1855...
and Skewahamish
Suquamish
The Suquamish are a Lushootseed-speaking Native American Tribe, located in present-day Washington in the United States.The Suquamish are a southern Coast Salish people; they spoke a dialect of Lushootseed, which belongs to the Salishan language family. Like many Northwest Coast natives, the...
tribesmen showed up at Fort Nisqually
Fort Nisqually
Fort Nisqually was an important fur trading and farming post of the Hudson's Bay Company in the Puget Sound area of what is now DuPont, Washington and was part of the Hudson's Bay Company's Columbia Department. Today it is a living history museum located in Tacoma, Washington, USA, within the...
. Fort Nisqually at this time was a fur trading post of the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
. The Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
were not there to attack, but eventually an American named Leander Wallace was killed by the natives.
Following the murder, U.S. troops
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
were deployed and demanded the tribes turn over the killers. Only after giving the tribe’s chief 80 blankets did they turn over anyone. These six Snoqualmies were charged with murder and Justice Bryant began the trial on October 1, 1849, at Fort Steilacoom
Fort Steilacoom
For the adjacent park, see Fort Steilacoom ParkFort Steilacoom was founded by the U.S. Army in 1849 near Lake Steilacoom. It was among the first military fortifications built by the U.S. north of the Columbia River in what was to become Washington...
after a grand jury returned indictments for all six. The outcome was that two, Kussus and Quallalwowt, were convicted of the murder and sentenced to hanging on October 2. On October 3, the two were hanged by U.S. Marshal Joseph L. Meek. The total cost of the trial was $2,379.54, which included the cost of the 80 blankets. Former judge of the Provisional Government of Oregon
Provisional Government of Oregon
The Provisional Government of Oregon was a popularly elected government created in the Oregon Country, in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. It existed from May 2, 1843 until March 3, 1849. Created at a time when no country had sovereignty over the region, this independent government...
and later justice on the Oregon Supreme Court, Alonzo A. Skinner
Alonzo A. Skinner
Alonzo A. Skinner was an American judge and Whig party politician in Oregon. He was the 16th Associate Justice on the Oregon Supreme Court and unsuccessful candidate for the office of governor...
was brought with Bryant to serve as the prosecutor.
The next year Chief Justice Bryant resigned from the court. His resignation was effective January 1, 1851.