Powhatan Ellis

Powhatan Ellis
Judge of the United 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 from Mississippi
In office September 28, 1825 – January 28, 1826
Preceded by	David Holmes
Succeeded by	Thomas B. Reed
In office March 4, 1827 – July 16, 1832
Preceded by	Thomas B. Reed
Succeeded by	John Black
Personal details
Born	(1790-01-17)January 17, 1790 Amherst County, Virginia
Died	March 18, 1863(1863-03-18) (aged 73) Richmond, Virginia
Political party	Jacksonian

Powhatan Ellis (January 17, 1790 – March 18, 1863) was a United States Senator from Mississippi and a United States federal judge.

Early life

Powhatan Ellis was born on January 17, 1790, at "Red Hill" in Amherst County, Virginia. Some accounts deemed him to be a descendant of Pocahontas. He graduated from Washington Academy (now Washington and Lee University) in 1809, attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 1809 and 1810, receiving an A.B., and studied law at the College of William & Mary in 1813 and 1814. He was a lieutenant in the Prevost Guards of Virginia in 1814.

Career

He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Lynchburg, Virginia; he moved to Natchez, Mississippi in 1816, and to Winchester, Mississippi later that year, continuing the practice of law in both places.

He served as a judge of the Mississippi Supreme Court at several time between 1817 and 1825. He was again appointed to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of David Holmes, and 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 to the Senate and served from March 4, 1827, to July 16, 1832, when he resigned to accept a judicial position.

On July 13, 1832, President Andrew Jackson nominated him to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Mississippi vacated by Peter Randolph. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 14, 1832, and received his commission the same day. He resigned on January 5, 1836.

He was appointed by President Andrew Jackson as Chargé d'affaires of the United States to Mexico. He served in that capacity from January to December 1836, when he closed the legation. He was appointed by President Martin Van Buren as United States Minister Plenipotentiary to Mexico, holding that office from 1839 to 1842.

He then engaged in the private practice of law in Natchez, Mississippi until at some point he moved to Richmond, Virginia. He continued in private practice there until his death in 1863.

Death

He died on March 18, 1863, in Richmond, Virginia. He was buried at Shockoe Hill Cemetery.

Legacy

The city of Ellisville, Mississippi is named in his memory.

References

• Powhatan Ellis at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

• United States Congress. "Powhatan Ellis (id: E000136)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.