Andrew T. Judson facts for kids

Andrew Thompson Judson (born November 29, 1784 – died March 17, 1853) was an important figure in Connecticut and American history. He served as a U.S. Representative for Connecticut. Later, he became a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.

Andrew Judson's Early Life and Career

Andrew Judson was born in Eastford, Connecticut, on November 29, 1784. His parents were Elisabeth (Work) and Andrew Judson. He had limited formal schooling. Instead, he learned law by studying with experienced lawyers, a process called "reading law," in 1806.

After becoming a lawyer, he started his own law practice. He worked in Montpelier, Vermont, from 1806 to 1809. Then, he moved his practice to Canterbury, Connecticut. He practiced law there at different times between 1809 and 1834. He also served as the town clerk for Canterbury.

Political Life in Connecticut

Judson was active in Connecticut politics. He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1816, and again from 1822 to 1825. He also served as the state's attorney for Windham County from 1819 to 1833. From 1830 to 1832, he was a member of the Connecticut Senate.

The Toleration Party

While in the Connecticut House of Representatives, Judson was a key member of the Toleration Party. This party wanted to separate the church and the state. At that time, Connecticut had a system where the church and government were closely linked.

The Tolerationists, with help from the Democrats, worked hard to change this. They succeeded in replacing the old charter from King Charles II. They adopted a new state constitution in 1818. This new constitution stayed in effect for many years, until 1965.

Andrew Judson's Views on Race

Andrew Judson held strong beliefs that African Americans were not equal to white people. He thought that if African Americans were not enslaved, they should be sent to Africa. He was an officer of the American Colonization Society. This group raised money to help move some African Americans to a place in Africa that later became Liberia.

Opposing a College for Black Students

In 1831, a minister named Simeon Jocelyn proposed a new idea. He wanted to start a college for African American students in New Haven, Connecticut. At that time, it was very rare for black students to be accepted into any college.

This proposal caused a huge uproar in New Haven, which some called the "New Haven Excitement." Judson quickly became a leader of those who opposed the idea. He called a town meeting where almost everyone voted against the college. Because of this strong opposition, the plan for the college was stopped.

The Prudence Crandall School Case

A similar event happened in Judson's hometown of Canterbury. A woman named Prudence Crandall ran a school called the Canterbury Female Boarding School. At first, Judson supported her school. However, his support ended when Crandall accepted a black student. She refused to expel the student, even after facing pressure.

Judson, who was a very influential person in Canterbury, organized the opposition against Crandall's school. He was strongly against her teaching black girls. He helped get a state law passed, sometimes called a "Black Law." This law made it illegal to teach black students who were not from Connecticut.

Prudence Crandall was arrested and even spent a night in jail. This event became widely known. Judson was involved in her trial. He questioned witnesses and gave the closing argument for the prosecution. The first jury could not decide. In her second trial, Crandall was found guilty. However, a higher court later dismissed the case on a technicality.

After this, the opposition to Crandall's school became violent. There was an attempt to burn the building, and all the windows were broken. For the safety of her students, Crandall closed the school and left Connecticut. Today, Prudence Crandall is recognized as Connecticut's state heroine.

Judson explained his views to a supporter of Crandall's school, Reverend Samuel Joseph May. Judson stated that he believed black people could not improve their social standing in America. He felt they should not be recognized as equals to white people. He continued to believe that Africa was the right place for them.

Serving in Washington D.C.

Andrew Judson was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat. He represented Connecticut's at-large congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He served in Congress from March 4, 1835, until July 4, 1836. He resigned from Congress to become a federal judge.

President Andrew Jackson nominated Judson to be a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut. The United States Senate approved his appointment on July 4, 1836. He served as a judge until his death on March 17, 1853, in Canterbury. He was buried in Hyde Cemetery in Canterbury.

The Famous Amistad Case

One of the most famous cases Judson presided over was the Amistad case in 1840. This case involved a group of Africans who had been illegally captured and enslaved. They rebelled on a ship called the Amistad and were later brought to the United States.

Given Judson's known views on race and slavery, many people were surprised by his decision. He ruled in favor of the captured Africans. He ordered that they should be freed and safely returned to their homes in Africa. The President at the time, Martin Van Buren, appealed Judson's decision. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Supreme Court upheld Judson's ruling, meaning they agreed with his decision to free the Africans.

See Also

• Prudence Crandall
• American Colonization Society
• United States v. The Amistad