Background
Betts, Samuel Rossiter was born on June 8, 1787 in Richmond, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Uriah and Sarah (Rossiter) Betts.
judge lawyer politician representative
Betts, Samuel Rossiter was born on June 8, 1787 in Richmond, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Uriah and Sarah (Rossiter) Betts.
Born in Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, Betts graduated from Williams College in 1806, and then read law in Hudson, New New York
He was admitted to the bar in 1807. Betts practiced in Monticello, New York from 1809 to 1812. During the War of 1812, he served as judge advocate of Volunteers in the United States. Army.
Betts was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the 14th United States Congress, as a United States Representative for the seventh district of New York holding office from March 4, 1815, to March 3, 1817.
Afterwards Betts moved to Newburgh, New York, where he continued the practice of law. He was a District Attorney of Orange County, New York from 1821 to 1823, and was the Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit from 1823 to 1827.
On December 19, 1826, Betts was nominated by President John Quincy Adams to the seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated by William P. Van Ness. Betts was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 21, 1826, and received his commission the same day.
Betts served for over forty years, by far the longest tenure of any judge appointed by John Quincy Adams.
He resigned on April 30, 1867. Betts died in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, on November 2, 1868 (age 81 years, 147 days). He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, in The Bronx, New New York
Member United States House of Representatives from New York, 14th Congress, 1815-1817. Member of council New York University, 1830-1835.
Married Caroline Dewey, November 4, 1816.