Powhatan Ellis

Powhatan Ellis
Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Mississippi
In office July 14, 1832 – January 5, 1836
Appointed by	Andrew Jackson
Preceded by	Peter Randolph
Succeeded by	George Adams
United States Senator fromMississippi
In office March 4, 1827 – July 16, 1832
Preceded by	Thomas Buck Reed
Succeeded by	John Black
In office September 28, 1825 – January 28, 1826
Appointed by	Walter Leake
Preceded by	David Holmes
Succeeded by	Thomas Buck Reed
Personal details
Born	Powhatan Ellis (1790-01-17)January 17, 1790 Amherst County,Virginia
Died	March 18, 1863(1863-03-18)(aged 73) Richmond,Virginia
Resting place	Shockoe Hill Cemetery Richmond,Virginia
Political party	Jacksonian
Education	Washington and Lee University Dickinson College(A.B.) College of William & Mary

Powhatan Ellis(January 17, 1790 – March 18, 1863) was a justice of theMississippi Supreme Court,United States senatorfromMississippi,and aUnited States district judgeof theUnited States District Court for the District of Mississippi.

Education and career

Born on January 17, 1790, atRed Hill FarminAmherst County,Virginia,Ellis graduated from Washington Academy (nowWashington and Lee University) in 1809, received anArtium Baccalaureusdegree in 1810 fromDickinson Collegeand graduated from theCollege of William & Maryin 1814,where he studied law.He was admitted to the bar and entered private practice inLynchburg,Virginia from 1813 to 1814 and from 1815 to 1816.He was a lieutenant in the Prevost Guards of Virginia in 1814.He resumed private practice inNatchez,Mississippi Territoryin 1816.He continued private practice inWinchester,Mississippi Territory (State ofMississippifrom December 10, 1817) from 1816 to 1817.He was a justice of theMississippi Supreme Courtfrom 1817 to 1818 and from 1818 to 1825.

Congressional service

Ellis was appointed as aJacksonian Democratto theUnited States Senatefrom Mississippi to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation ofUnited States SenatorDavid Holmesand served from September 28, 1825, to January 28, 1826, when a successor was elected and qualified.He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to fill the vacancy.He was elected as a Jacksonian Democrat to the United States Senate and served from March 4, 1827, to July 16, 1832, resigning to accept a judicial position.

Federal judicial service

Ellis was nominated by PresidentAndrew Jacksonon July 13, 1832, to a seat on theUnited States District Court for the District of Mississippivacated by JudgePeter Randolph.He was confirmed by theUnited States Senateon July 14, 1832, and received his commission the same day.His service terminated on January 5, 1836, when he resigned.

Later career and death

Ellis was appointedcharge d'affairestoMexicofor theUnited States Department of Stateby President Jackson, serving from January 1836 to December 1836 when he closed thelegation.He was appointedEnvoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiaryto Mexico for the United States Department of State by PresidentMartin Van Buren,serving from February 1839 to April 1842.He resumed private practice in Natchez starting in 1842 and continued private practice inRichmond,Virginia until 1863.He died on March 18, 1863, in Richmond.He was interred inShockoe Hill Cemeteryin Richmond.

Heritage and family

One account inThe Green Bagstated that Ellis was a descendant ofPocahontas.In 1833, he married Eliza Rebecca Winn who died in the spring of 1835. Together, they had two children.

Legacy

The city ofEllisville,Mississippi is named in Ellis's memory.

See also

• List of justices of the Supreme Court of Mississippi