Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys
As Printed in the Connecticut Reports
volume 18, page(s) iii

THOMAS SCOTT WILLIAMS

JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF ERRORS, During the period of this volume of Reports.

HON. THOMAS SCOTT WILLIAMS, Ch. J. (a)
SAMUEL CHURCH, Ch. J. (b)
HENRY MATSON WAITE,
WILLIAM LUCIUS STORRS,
JOEL HINMAN,
WILLIAM WOLCOTT ELLSWORTH. (c)

(a) Resigned May, 1847.
(b) Appointed Chief Justice, May 1847.
(c) Appointed May, 1847.

Volume 18, pages 254-256

MEMORANDA

AT the meeting of the Judges of the Supreme Court of Errors, at Hartford, in November, 1846, for the purpose of revising their opinions in the cases decided by them the preceding summer, the Associate Judges deemed it a suitable occasion, the last that would occur under the same circumstances, to give the Chief Justice an abiding and appropriate testimonial of the estimation in which he was held by them. They accordingly presented him a copy of Storey's Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, in three volumes, elegantly bound, accompanied by the following inscription: THESE VOLUMES ARE PRESENTED TO THE HONOURABLE Thomas S. Williams, CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF CONNECTICUT, BY THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES,as a token of their respect and veneration for his many virtues as a citizen, and his distinguished purity and abilities as a Judge, as well as an expression of their obligations to him for the courtesy and kindness which they have ever received from him.

Hartford, Nov. 19th, 1846.

SAM'L. CHURCH,
HENRY M. WAITE,
WILLIAM L. STORRS,
JOEL HINMAN."

To this communication the following answer was returned:

"Hartford, Nov. 20th, 1846.

TO The Hon. SAMUEL CHURCH,
HENRY M. WAITE
WILLIAM L. STORRS and
JOEL HINMAN.

Gentlemen,

Upon going to my house, after we parted, I was much surprised to find on my table a splendid copy of Storey's Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States; and, upon opening it, was still more surprised with the note accompanying it. A token so unexpected from those with whom I have been so long associated, adds another proof of the respect and kindness which I have ever received from you, and each of you.

I know that my duties have been very imperfectly discharged, although my sincere desire has been to perform them aright.

This testimonial of your approbation is a cordial to my heart, and I shall carry it with me into my retirement, cheered with the consolation that my endeavours to discharge the high trust with which I have been honoured, have not been entirely in vain, since they have met with the approval of those who have had your means of observing them.

Friends and associates, farewell! Although I meet you no more in counsel, I shall watch, with kind solicitude, your results; and pray, that guided by wisdom and integrity, your path may be like that of the just, shining brighter and brighter unto the perfect day.

I am, with great respect,

Your friend and obedient servant,

TH. S. WILLIAMS."

During the session of the General Assembly, in May, 1847, Chief Justice WILLIAMS, in view of the approaching period when the constitutional limitation would disqualify him for the exercise of judicial functions, resigned his office; and the HON. SAMUEL CHURCH was appointed to succeed him in the office thus made vacant. The Hon. WILLIAM W. ELLSWORTH was thereupon appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Judge Church.