List of chief justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court facts for kids
The Rhode Island Supreme Court is the highest court in the state of Rhode Island. It makes final decisions on legal cases. This important court was first started in 1747. Back then, it had a very long name: Superior Court of Judicature, Court of Assize, and General Gaol Delivery.
When it began, the court had one main leader called the Chief Justice. It also had four other judges called Associate Justices. The Chief Justice is like the head of the team. This article tells you about the people who have served as Chief Justice from 1747 until today.
Contents
Colonial Chief Justices (1747-1776)
During the colonial period, Rhode Island was one of the thirteen American colonies. The Chief Justices served under British rule. These leaders helped shape the early legal system in the colony.
- Gideon Cornell, May 1747 – January 1749
- Joshua Babcock, January 1749 – May 1751
- Stephen Hopkins, May 1751 – May 1755. He later signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Francis Willet, May 1755 – August 1755
- Stephen Hopkins, August 1755 – May 1756
- John Gardner, May 1756 – May 1761
- Samuel Ward, May 1761 – May 1762
- Jeremiah Niles, May 1762 – June 1762
- Joseph Russell, June 1762 – August 1763
- Joshua Babcock, August 1763 – October 1763
- John Banister, October 1763 – February 1764
- John Cole, February 1764 – May 1765
- Joseph Russell, May 1765 – June 1767
- James Helme, June 1767 – May 1768
- Joseph Russell, May 1768 – June 1769
- James Helme, June 1769 – June 1770
- Stephen Hopkins, June 1770 – October 1775
- John Cooke, October 1775 – August 1776
State Chief Justices (1776-Present)
After the American Revolution, Rhode Island became an independent state. The court continued to operate, guiding the new state's laws. Over time, the court's name changed a few times.
Early State Period (1776-1799)
This period covers the years right after Rhode Island became a state. The Chief Justices here helped establish the legal system for the new state.
- Metcalf Bowler, August 1776 – February 1777
- William Greene, February 1777 – May 1778
- Shearjashub Bourn, May 1778 – May 1781
- Paul Mumford, May 1781 – June 1785
- William Ellery, June 1785 – May 1786. He was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Paul Mumford, May 1786 – June 1788
- Othniel Gorton, June 1788 – May 1791
- Daniel Owen, May 1791 – June 1795
Supreme Judicial Court (1799-1843)
In 1799, the court's name was officially changed to the Supreme Judicial Court. This new name reflected its role as the highest court for legal matters.
- Peleg Arnold, June 1795 – June 1809
- Thomas Arnold, 1809 – 1810
- Peleg Arnold, 1810 – 1812
- Daniel Lyman, 1812 – 1816
- James Burrill, Jr., 1816 – 1817
- Tristam Burges, 1817 – 1818
- James Fenner, 1819 – 1819
- Isaac Wilbour, 1819 – 1827
- Samuel Eddy, 1827 – 1835
- Job Durfee, 1835 – 1843
Supreme Court (1843-Present)
In 1843, the court's name was changed again to simply the Supreme Court. This is the name it still uses today. These Chief Justices have guided the court through modern times.
- Job Durfee, 1843 – 1848
- Richard W. Green, 1848 – 1854
- William R. Staples, 1854 – 1856
- Samuel Ames, 1856 – 1866
- Charles S. Bradley, 1866 – 1868
- George A. Brayton, 1868 – 1875
- Thomas Durfee, 1875 – 1891
- Charles Matteson, 1891 – 1900
- John H. Stiness, 1900 – 1903
- Pardon E. Tillinghast, 1904 – 1905
- William W. Douglas, 1905 – 1908
- Edward C. Dubois, 1909 – 1913
- Clarke H. Johnson, 1913 – 1917
- Christopher F. Parkhurst, 1917 – 1920
- William A. Sweetland, 1920 – 1929
- Charles F. Stearns, 1929 – 1935
- Edmund W. Flynn, 1935 – 1957
- Francis B. Condon, 1958 – 1965
- Thomas H. Roberts, 1966 – 1976
- Joseph A. Bevilacqua, Sr., 1976 – 1986
- Thomas F. Fay, 1986 – 1993
- Joseph R. Weisberger, 1993 – 2001
- Frank J. Williams, 2001 – 2008
- Paul Suttell, 2009 – present
See also
- List of the Justices of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
