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Josiah J. Evans

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Josiah James Evans
United States Senator
from South Carolina
In office
March 4, 1853 – May 6, 1858
Preceded byWilliam F. De Saussure
Succeeded byArthur P. Hayne
Personal details
Born(1786-11-27)November 27, 1786
Marlboro County, South Carolina
DiedMay 6, 1858(1858-05-06) (aged 71)
Washington, D.C.
Political partyDemocratic

Josiah James Evans (November 27, 1786 – May 6, 1858) was born in Marlborough district in South Carolina to Thomas Evans, a prominent Revolutionary War soldier and South Carolina legislator, and Elizabeth Hodges. He graduated third in his class from South Carolina College in 1808 and studied law under his brother-in-law before being admitted to the bar in 1811.[1]

He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1812. During his legal career, he successfully defended the will of Mason Lee, a case that set precedent on the validity of wills.[2] In 1829, he was appointed as a judge for the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas.[3] In 1835, he was appointed to the South Carolina Supreme Court, where he served until 1852.[4]

In 1853, he was elected to the United States Senate. He served as a United States Senator from South Carolina for 1853 to 1858. He was a Democrat. During his time in the Senate he was chairman of the committees on auditing the contingency expenses of the Senate and Revolutionary Claims.[5]

He died in Washington, D.C., shortly before his first term was to expire. He is buried at Trinity Episcopal Church near his ancestral home on Society Hill, Darlington County, South Carolina.[1] Evans Correctional Institution is named in his memory.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ EVANS, Josiah James. Congress.gov. Accessed June 2, 2012.
[edit]
  • United States Congress. "Josiah J. Evans (id: E000249)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
U.S. Senate
Preceded by U.S. senator (Class 2) from South Carolina
1853–1858
Served alongside: Andrew Butler, James H. Hammond
Succeeded by