Hubbry Logo
search
logo
1900255

William A. Palmer

logo
Community Hub0 Subscribers
Write something...
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
See all
William A. Palmer

William Adams Palmer (September 12, 1781 – December 3, 1860) was an American lawyer and politician. A prominent of the Anti-Masonic Party in the 1830s, he was most notable for his service as a United States Senator from Vermont (1818–1825) and the 13th governor of Vermont (1831–1835).

A native of Hebron, Connecticut, Palmer studied law in Hebron before moving to Chelsea, Vermont, where he completed his studies and attained admission to the bar in 1805. He resided in several Vermont towns and attempted to establish a law practice before settling on Danville.

Palmer became active in politics as a Democratic-Republican and served in offices including probate judge of Caledonia County. He was also Danville's member of the Vermont House of Representatives on several occasions. From 1816 to 1817, he served as second associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.

In 1818, Palmer was elected to the United States Senate. He served until 1825, and during his term the Democratic-Republicans began to split into adherents of John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay, known as the National Republican Party and Andrew Jackson, knows as the Democratic Party. Palmer became affiliated with the National Republicans.

In 1829, Palmer was an organizer of America's first third party, the Anti-Masonic Party. The Anti-Masons opposed secret societies, especially Masons, who they argued controlled several institutions including the government in defiance of democratic principles. The Anti-Masonic movement was especially strong in Vermont, and in 1831, Palmer was elected governor. He was reelected each year through 1834, and served from October 1831 to October 1835.

After leaving the governorship, Palmer farmed and practiced law in Danville. He served in the Vermont Senate from 1836 to 1838. Palmer died in Danville on December 3, 1860, and was buried at Danville Green Cemetery in Danville.

Palmer was born in Hebron, Connecticut, on September 12, 1781, the son of Stephen Palmer and Susannah (Sawyer) Palmer. He was a descendant of Walter Palmer, a founder of Charlestown, Massachusetts, and New London, Connecticut. During childhood, he lost part of one hand in an accident when he slipped and fell on ice while carrying an axe. He completed his elementary education in Hebron, studied law in Hebron with John Thompson Peters, later a justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court, and then with Daniel Buck in Chelsea, Vermont. Palmer was admitted to the bar in 1805 and practiced in Brownington, Derby, and St. Johnsbury before settling in Danville.

Palmer was elected Probate Judge for Caledonia County from 1808 to 1809, and from 1811 to 1817. He was clerk of the county court from 1808 to 1816. He was a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from 1811 to 1813, 1818 to 1819, and 1825 to 1827. From 1816 to 1817, he served as second associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, succeeding James Fisk, who was appointed first associate justice. In 1817, Palmer declined appointment as first associate justice and was succeeded as second associate by William Brayton. In 1817 Palmer received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the University of Vermont.

See all
User Avatar
No comments yet.