Career
Born in Chester, Connecticut, Shipman read law to enter the bar in 1849 and entered private practice in East Haddam, Connecticut. On March 2, 1860, Shipman was nominated by President James Buchanan to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut vacated by Charles A. Ingersoll. Shipman was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 12, 1860, and received commission the same day.
Among the notable cases over which Shipman presided, was the United States v.
Nathaniel Gordon. The case resulted in Gordon"s execution, which is the only such execution ever under the Piracy Law of 1820. In sentencing Gordon, Shipman said:
Shipman served on the federal bench until his resignation on April 16, 1873.
He then resumed private practice in New York City, until his death, in Astoria, Long Island, New New York
