Background
William P. Van Ness was born in Ghent, New York to Judge Peter Van Ness (1734-1804), a wealthy lawyer and farmer who owned the property on which Van Ness constructed a mansion in 1797.
William P. Van Ness was born in Ghent, New York to Judge Peter Van Ness (1734-1804), a wealthy lawyer and farmer who owned the property on which Van Ness constructed a mansion in 1797.
Van Ness attended Washington Seminary and graduated from Columbia College in 1797.
Martin Van Buren later purchased the home and land and renamed the estate Lindenwald. Peter is buried on the Lindenwald estate. Van Ness"s brothers included United States. Representative and Washington, District of Columbia mayor John Peter Van Ness and Vermont governor Cornelius P. Van Ness.
Van Ness practiced law in New York City, Albany, and Hudson from 1800 to 1812.
In 1801 Van Ness served as a delegate to the New York Constitutional Convention, which was called to amend the state constitution of 1777. Van Buren completed his legal studies in Van Ness"s office in 1802 and became an attorney in Columbia County, New New York
In July 1804, Van Ness served as Aaron Burr"s second in Burr"s duel with Alexander Hamilton and was present when Burr killed Hamilton. On May 25, 1812, President James Madison nominated Van Ness to a new seat on the United States District Court for the District of New New York
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26, 1812, and received his commission on May 27, 1812.
On April 9, 1814, he was reassigned by operation of law to the newly subdivided United States District Court for the Southern District of New New York The committee investigated and recommended that no action be taken against Van Ness or Tallmadge. Jackson"s First Invasion of Florida (1826).
Van Ness served on the bench until his death in New York City.
He was buried in Brooklyn"s Green-Wood Cemetery. In 1800 Van Ness married Anne McEvers (1767-1829) in Red Hook.