Jefferson Davis Q: Did he practice law?

[DixieRifles]

One of the local stories is that Jefferson Davis had an internship in Northern Mississippi. Yes, THE Jefferson Davis.

Here is his bio page on SCT: Jefferson Davis
This bio notes that Davis began his career in the military and several years after ending that, he started into politics. What did he do between 1835 and 1844?
Did he practice law in addition to running his plantation? Did he ever travel to Marshall County, MS, for an internship?

I've searched for on-line biographies and letters of Jefferson Davis. Of course, I mainly get hits about the discussion of his guilt and punishment.

{EDITED--- This home was the home of James R. Chalmers. Any reference to GEORGE and CHAMBLISS is irrelevant.}
I recently visited the home of James Z. George who was another favorite son of Mississippi. His and Davis' statues are in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. James George was born to Joseph Warren George who was said to be a lawyer. Joseph died in 1828, many years before this period of Jeff Davis' life. The George family still lived in this home until long after the War ended. It is thought that Jeff Davis roomed at the George Chalmers' home. If they can find record that Davis did, then they could receive grants to work on the home.
There seem to be a lot of flaws in this story. Maybe he visited for another reason and maybe this home was the only nice home available for him. Maybe there were family or business connections to the GEORGE or the CHAMBLISS (J Z George's mother) families.

Thistledome -- Home of James R. Chalmers in Byhalia, MS

{Edited to correct my screw-up. In the near future, I plan to post a thread on both Colonel James Z. George's home in Carrolton and General James R. Chalmers' home in Byhalia. I will finally get this straightened out.}

 

[Lubliner]

One of the local stories is that Jefferson Davis had an internship in Northern Mississippi. Yes, THE Jefferson Davis.

Here is his bio page on SCT: Jefferson Davis
This bio notes that Davis began his career in the military and several years after ending that, he started into politics. What did he do between 1835 and 1844?
Did he practice law in addition to running his plantation? Did he ever travel to Marshall County, MS, for an internship?

I've searched for on-line biographies and letters of Jefferson Davis. Of course, I mainly get hits about the discussion of his guilt and punishment.

I recently visited the home of James Z. George who was another favorite son of Mississippi. His and Davis' statues are in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. James George was born to Joseph Warren George who was said to be a lawyer. Joseph died in 1828, many years before this period of Jeff Davis' life. The George family still lived in this home until long after the War ended. It is thought that Jeff Davis roomed at the George home. If they can find record that Davis did, then they could receive grants to work on the home.
There seem to be a lot of flaws in this story. Maybe he visited for another reason and maybe this home was the only nice home available for him. Maybe there were family or business connections to the GEORGE or the CHAMBLISS (J Z George's mother) families.

Thistledome -- Home of James Z. George in Byhalia, MS
View attachment 420526​

Generally, at least as far as I am aware, any person qualified at law must pass an exam, and this means Davis would have a listing, and possibly a 'shingle'. (The term used for the hanging placard or sign upon the door of an office.)
Lubliner.

 

[DixieRifles]

Generally, at least as far as I am aware, any person qualified at law must pass an exam, and this means Davis would have a listing, and possibly a 'shingle'.

Well, I dont know if ever was a lawyer. Looks like he was aiming towards politics.

 

[RedRover]

I have seen reference that his brother Joseph Davis practiced law before his marriage in the late 1820s, and then retired to his plantation... Do not recall seeing notice of Jefferson Davis passing a state bar or practicing law... Running a plantation was his business in the 1830s-40s. From Alfriend's history of Mr. Davis:

He appears to have been "retired" from public affairs in the decade before election to congress in the mid-1840s...

 

[Stone in the wall]

Davis was studying to become a lawyer, he graduated. Then went to West Point and began his military career. He may have needed more schooling or what ever else needed become a lawyer.

 

[donna]

He may have studied Law when at Transylvania College in Lexington. He was there 2 years. It offered studies in history, literature, languages, sciences, as well as medicine and the law. His studies there ended in Spring, 1824 after death of his father. He was heartbroken over his father's death. Soon after he was appointed to West Point.

His brother Joseph was a successful lawyer in Natchez. He eventually became one of state's wealthiest men.

Information from "Jefferson Davis" by Jean Kinney Williams

 

[DixieRifles]

that his brother Joseph Davis practiced law before his marriage in the late 1820s, and then retired to his plantation

That may be the Davis that visited Byhalia.

I also made a big mistake. I got the home of James Z. George confused with the home of General James R. Chalmers— the house that is in Byhalia. I visited both houses within 1 week and was sorting thru photos when I wrote this.
Now I need to see when the father of James Chalmers lived and when he died.

The wiki article for Thistledome said it was built in 1840. This almost rules out Jeff Davis visiting there.

Link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thistledome

 

[DixieRifles]

I have corrected my error to my original post. My question still remains the same---just the name of the family has changed.
Another thing that confused me is that the name of the father of both James Chalmers and James George was "Joseph".

Q: Would Jeff Davis have spent time in Marshall County sometime between 1835 and 1845?

 

[Belfoured]

Generally, at least as far as I am aware, any person qualified at law must pass an exam, and this means Davis would have a listing, and possibly a 'shingle'. (The term used for the hanging placard or sign upon the door of an office.)
Lubliner.

To follow up, written bar exams only began getting used in the late 1850's. Before that, most states had oral exams that varied in depth/scope. Instead of law school, it was customary (but not required in most states) to study by "reading the law" under the tutelage of a practicing lawyer and also getting a certificate of "good character". Not sure what Mississippi required at the time. Lincoln passed an oral exam in Illinois but "read the law" on his own.

 

[Lubliner]

To follow up, written bar exams only began getting used in the late 1850's. Before that, most states had oral exams that varied in depth/scope. Instead of law school, it was customary (but not required in most states) to study by "reading the law" under the tutelage of a practicing lawyer and also getting a certificate of "good character". Not sure what Mississippi required at the time. Lincoln passed an oral exam in Illinois but "read the law" on his own.

Lincoln also took cases to court and rode the circuit to localities. By reading the Bio on Davis it sounded as though he was more business law dealing with operations on his plantation. This experience could qualify him in private settlements out of court and maybe with affidavits or notary signatures (one in the same?). Edit. I am sure land permits and grants were numerous in that time around the Mississippi/Alabama area.
Lubliner.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Chalmers became prominent in the the provisional CS Army , technicalities aside ... that was "for the most part" regular CSA.
I'm not sure where he was born, but Chalmers was all over North Mississippi, I think he lived in Holly Springs .
He was very much a "Renaissance Man".


And you are correct about George.
He was in charge of the Mississippi State Troops.
For lack of a better description, they were like a Civil War version of the National Guard.

Both of these men performed very well.

This bio notes that Davis began his career in the military and several years after ending that, he started into politics. What did he do between 1835 and 1844?
Did he practice law in addition to running his plantation? Did he ever travel to Marshall County, MS, for an internship?

I've never heard anything about Davis practicing law in North Mississippi.

He was born in Kentucky, moved to Southwest Mississippi with his family as two year old toddler ... and stayed in Mississippi .
He became a planter, Military leader, politician, and national figure. ( Senator, Secretary of War, ect.) ,

Davis' history is well known.

But I doubt he would have left the comfortable life of a Southwest Mississippi Planter to practice law in the last unsettled part of the state.

 

[DixieRifles]

Davis' history is well known.

But I doubt he would have left the comfortable life of a Southwest Mississippi Planter to practice law in the last unsettled part of the state.

Most of my Google and Google Book searches failed to pull up a good bio on him. However, I agree— this story just doesnt fit Davis' known career.
I thought the suggestion that it might have Jeff Davis' brother, but he may be more difficult to research.
My first goal is to find more about the Chalmers family. The owner of Thistledome has some details. I think he said James R. Chalmers died in 1845. He confirmed James was living there during the War. After the Battle of Collierville, 11 Oct 1863, his division spent the night on the Coldwater River, probably at Quinn's Mill. General Chalmers took leave and likely went to Byhalia to treat an injury he received in the battle.
I wish there was a good biography on James R. Chalmers.

 

[DixieRifles]

There is a wiki-article for General James Chalmers' father, Joseph W. Chalmers (Dec 20, 1806 – June 16, 1853). According to this article, there is a family connection with Jefferson Davis.

quote

{Joseph} Chalmers was appointed as vice chancellor of the northern Mississippi district in 1842 and 1843. He was appointed to and subsequently elected by the Mississippi legislature as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert J. Walker, serving from November 3, 1845, to March 4, 1847. While in the Senate, Chalmers was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (29th US Congress). He was the Uncle to Jefferson Davis and had the future Confederate General become a protege with him while studying law. (The Papers by Jefferson Davis 1841=1846)

This does confuse me. Who is the "future Confederate General"? Jeff Davis wasn't a Confederate General. Is this referring to the son, James Ronald Chalmers? Makes no sense.

 

[mobile_96]

Is this referring to the son, James Ronald Chalmers? Makes no sense.

James did become a Confederate General. Maybe James was the protege of Joseph Chalmers, and was studying law under his father??

 

[mobile_96]

Most of my Google and Google Book searches failed to pull up a good bio on him

"Jefferson Davis, American" by William J Cooper, Jr.

 

[mobile_96]

This bio notes that Davis began his career in the military and several years after ending that, he started into politics. What did he do between 1835 and 1844?

According to the book noted above, on pg. 89, Joseph's library books on political economy and political philosophy took central place. John Locke and Adam Smith, to the American founders Jefferson and Madison. He also immersed himself in legal treatises by William Blackstone and the American James Kent. Legislative and congressional debates, along with newspapers and other periodicals, both American and British, kept him abreast of contemporary political events and thoughts.
He and his brother Joseph also spent many hours together discussing agriculture and slaves, and, Politics, while tending his plantation.
I recall nothing, from the book, about his actually tending his studies toward being a lawyer, only toward being politician.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I wish there was a good biography on James R. Chalmers.

As do I !

Here a great snapshot:

{⋆★⋆} BG - Chalmers, James R. | Biographic Profiles - We Will Remember

James Ronald Chalmers Born: January 11, 1831 Birthplace: Halifax County, Virginia Father: Senator Joseph Williams Chalmers 1806 – 1853 (Buried: Hill Crest Cemetery, Holly Springs, Mississippi) Mother: Frances “Fanny” M. Henderson 1813 – 1845 (Buried: Hill Crest Cemetery, Holly Springs...

civilwartalk.com

 

[DixieRifles]

Here a great snapshot:

Thanks. I wanted to find a place to post photos of his home that I visited last week.

 

[DixieRifles]

According to the book noted above, on pg. 89, Joseph's library books on political economy and political philosophy took central place. John Locke and Adam Smith, to the American founders Jefferson and Madison. He also immersed himself in legal treatises by William Blackstone and the American James Kent. Legislative and congressional debates, along with newspapers and other periodicals, both American and British, kept him abreast of contemporary political events and thoughts.
He and his brother Joseph also spent many hours together discussing agriculture and slaves, and, Politics, while tending his plantation.
I recall nothing, from the book, about his actually tending his studies toward being a lawyer, only toward being politician.

Thanks. At first I wondered if he sat out on his porch and watched his slaves pick cotton. Good info.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

there is a family connection with Jefferson Davis.

I never knew there was a connection between these two families.
Very interesting !

Chalmers was chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills (29th US Congress). He was the Uncle to Jefferson Davis and had the future Confederate General become a protege with him while studying law. (The Papers by Jefferson Davis 1841=1846)

This does confuse me. Who is the "future Confederate General"? Jeff Davis wasn't a Confederate General. Is this referring to the son, James Ronald Chalmers? Makes no sense.

You are correct, that makes no sense at all.

My first thought is this writer may have been typing too fast without proof-reading and also may have confused the details about the Chalmers family military service.

Just a thought ... nothing more.