John J. Gilchrist (1809 - 1858)
Born at Medford (MA); died at Washington, D.C.
Lawyer, jurist.
Portrait by unknown artist; possibly retouched photograph.
Presented to the State.

Gilchrist's father was a Scottish shipmaster who retired with his wife and family to a Charlestown (NH) farm while still young. Gilchrist received his early education from the town's clergyman, Rev. Crosby, then went to Harvard College (Class of 1828). After college Gilchrist read law for a time with "the eccentric William Briggs" of Charlestown (Bell, op cit., p. 95); then he went to Harvard Law School. He was admitted to the New Hampshire Bar in 1831.

Gilchrist returned to Charlestown and became a law partner with Henry Hubbard, a future New Hampshire governor (1842/3). Hubbard had a thriving law practice, and Gilchrist had much legal experience in a short time. He married Hubbard's daughter, Sarah Dean Hubbard, in 1836; was elected to the State House of Representatives (1836, 1837); and became Register of Probate (1838). He also served as County Solicitor for a time.

In 1840 Gilchrist was appointed Associate Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court, then the state's highest court. He distinguished himself by repackaging and publishing the legal decisions of the Superior Court in a new format, as Gilchrist's Digest. He also proved to be a popular justice with both his associates and the general public. In 1848 Gilchrist was appointed Chief Justice of the Superior Court, when Ira Perley resigned the position.

In 1855 the United States Congress created a new legal entity, the Court of Claims, and President Franklin Pierce named Gilchrist the first Chief Justice of this new court. Gilchrist held the position until his death, April 29, 1858.

Reference: Charles H. Bell, The Bench and Bar of New Hampshire (1894).