Robert Auchmuty Jr. was an American judge of the Vice Admiralty Court in Massachusetts from 1768 to 1774.
Background
Robert Auchmuty was born in 1722 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States to Robert Auchmuty, a judge of admiralty in Massachusetts, and Mary Julianna. He received a part of his estate in Roxbury (Boston) from his father, and he built a house on it in 1761. This mansion had a noteworthy history, but was confiscated in 1779, and after the war it was occupied for a time.
Education
As a youth Robert attended Boston Latin School and was admitted to Harvard in 1746, but never matriculated.
Career
In 1767 he was appointed judge of vice-admiralty for Massachusetts and New Hampshire. With Adams he was counsel for Capt. Preston in the case of the so-called "Boston Massacre" in 1770.
Auchmuty, like his brother Samuel, was an ardent Loyalist, and his letters written to correspondents in England were sent to America by Franklin in 1773, being considered in the same category with Hutchinson's letters.
He removed to England in 1776, and belonged to the New England Club of Loyalists, formed that year in London. Since his property was confiscated, he was greatly reduced in means during his later years. His library in 1784 was sold at Boston by order of the authorities. From the British government he received a pension of £100.
Achievements
Personality
Adams, an unfriendly critic, describes him as heavy and dull, voluble and addicted to repetitions, but flat in wit.
Connections
Auchmuty was married twice, to Deborah Auchmuty and Henrietta Auchmuty.