Appointed by John Quincy Adams Succeeded by Josiah Hasbrouck Education Williams College Citizenship United States Party Democratic Party | Succeeded by Samuel Blatchford Name Samuel Betts Battles and wars War of 1812 Preceded by Abraham J. Hasbrouck Role Politician | |
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Born June 8, 1786
Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts ( 1786-06-08 ) Died November 2, 1868, New Haven, Connecticut, United States | ||
Preceded by William Peter Van Ness Service/branch United States Army | ||
Samuel Rossiter Betts (June 8, 1786 – November 2, 1868) was an American politician, a U.S. Representative from New York, and a long-serving United States federal judge.
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Biography
Born in Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Betts graduated from Williams College in 1806, and then read law in Hudson, New York. He was admitted to the bar in 1807. He married Caroline Abigail Noble, and they had one son, George Frederic Betts.
Career
Betts practiced in Monticello, New York from 1809 to 1812. During the War of 1812, he served as judge advocate of Volunteers in the U.S. Army.
Betts was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 14th United States Congress, as a U. S. Representative for the seventh district of New York holding office from March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817.
Afterwards Betts moved to Newburgh, New York, where he continued the practice of law. He was a District Attorney of Orange County, New York from 1821 to 1823, and was the Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit from 1823 to 1827.
On December 19, 1826, Betts was nominated by President John Quincy Adams to the seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated by William P. Van Ness. Betts was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 21, 1826, and received his commission the same day. Betts served for over forty years, by far the longest tenure of any judge appointed by John Quincy Adams. He resigned on April 30, 1867.
Death
Betts died in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, on November 2, 1868 (age 81 years, 147 days). He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, in The Bronx, New York.