Joel Doolittle

From 1859's History of Middlebury, Vermont by Samuel Swift

Joel Doolittle (April, 1773/1774 - March 9, 1841) was a Vermont attorney, judge and politician. He served as a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, a member of the state executive council, president of the state Council of Censors, and a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.

Biography

Joel Doolittle was born in Russell, Massachusetts in April, 1773 (or 1774), the son of Titus and Mary (Lewis) Doolittle.[1] He attended Williams College from 1795 to 1797,[1] and graduated from Yale University in 1799.[2] After graduation, Doolittle settled in Middlebury, Vermont to work as one of the first two faculty members at Middlebury College while also continuing his own studies, both at the college and in a local law office.[1] He was admitted to the bar in 1801,[2] and received a master of arts degree from Middlebury College in 1802.[1]

Doolittle maintained an extensive practice in Middlebury, and was also a sought after legal instructor; among the attorneys who received their training in his office were Asa Aikens[3][4] and William Slade.[4]

Active politically as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, in 1815 Doolittle was elected to the Vermont Governor's Council, and he served until 1817.[2] In 1817, Doolittle was elected a Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court, and he held this position until 1822.[2] In 1824, he served in the Vermont House of Representatives.[1] Later that year he returned to the court, and he served until 1825.[2]

In 1834, Doolittle was named president of the Vermont Council of Censors, the body which met every seven years to review actions of the state government and ensure their constitutionality.[1]

Doolittle was elected a member of the Middlebury College Corporation in 1819, and he served until his death.[2] He was also active in the Episcopal denomination, and was one of the founders of St. Steven's church in Middlebury.[5]

Death and burial

Doolittle died in Middlebury on March 9, 1841.[1] He was buried at Middlebury Cemetery (also known as West Cemetery).[6]

Family

In 1809 or 1810, Doolittle married Sarah Porter Fitch (1790-1875) of Pawlet, Vermont.[7] Their children included:

References

Sources

Books

Internet

Political offices
Preceded by
James Fisk
Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
18171822
Succeeded by
Charles K. Williams
Preceded by
Charles K. Williams
Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court
18241825
Succeeded by
Samuel Prentiss
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