John Pitman (judge)

John Pitman, painted by John Nelson Arnold

John Pitman (February 23, 1785 – November 17, 1864) was a United States federal judge.

Biography

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Pitman was educated at Brown University, receiving an A.B. in 1799, at the age of fifteen. He read law to enter the New Hampshire Bar in 1805, and the New York Bar in 1806. From 1806 to 1821, he engaged in the private practice of law in various locations, including New York City (1806–1807), Kentucky (1807–1808), Providence, Rhode Island, (1808–1812 and 1820–1821), Salem, Massachusetts (1812–1816), and Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1816–1820). From 1821 to 1824, he was the United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island.

On August 4, 1824, Pitman received a recess appointment from President James Monroe to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island vacated by David Howell. Pitman was formally nominated on December 16, 1824, and was confirmed by the United States Senate, and received his commission, on January 3, 1825. Pitman continued in that office for 40 years, until his death, in Providence, Rhode Island.

Family

Pitman was the father of Colonel John Talbot Pitman (1812-1893) who served in the 9th and 11th regiments of Rhode Island Volunteers during the American Civil War.

Another son was Joseph Story Pitman who served as a major in the 9th United States Infantry during the Mexican War and as lieutenant colonel of the 1st Rhode Island Infantry early in the Civil War.

One of his grandsons was John Pitman, Jr. (1842-1933), the son of John Talbot Pitman, who was a career United States Army officer in the Ordnance Corps who served in the Civil War, attended West Point, and retired with the rank of brigadier general in 1906.

Sources

• John Pitman at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.