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John Evans (judge)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Evans (1728 – c. December 9, 1783)[1][2] was a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, assuming office on August 19, 1777, and serving until his death.[3]

Admitted to the practice of law in both the Chester County bar and the Philadelphia bar in 1749, Evans was in private practice from then until 1777.[2] On August 16, 1777, Evans was appointed by the Supreme Executive Council to serve as "Third Judge of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth".[1][2] He took the oath of office on August 19, 1777.[2] In 1779, Evans was appointed as a trustee of the University of the State of Pennsylvania, which later became the University of Pennsylvania.[4] From November 20, 1780 until his death he served on the Pennsylvania High Court of Errors and Appeals.[2] In October 1783, Evans and Anthony Wayne were elected to the Council of Censors.[1][2]

Evans died prior to December 9, 1783, and on February 26, 1784, Jacob Rush was appointed judge in his stead.[1] Evans married Mary Jones, daughter of Reiss and Rachel Jones, and had children who all died before him, except their daughter, also named Mary.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches (1881), p. 539.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Justice John Evans, Pennsylvania Courts.
  3. ^ Historical List of Supreme Court Justices, Pennsylvania Courts.
  4. ^ "John Evans". University of Pennsylvania Archives and Records Center. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
Political offices
Preceded by
Newly established court
Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
1777–1783
Succeeded by