20 Facts About Jeremiah Chase

Jeremiah Townley Chase was an American lawyer, jurist, and land speculator from Annapolis, Maryland.

Jeremiah Chase served as a delegate for Maryland in the Continental Congress of 1783 and 1784, and for many years was chief justice of the state's court of appeals.

When both his parents died in 1757 he was adopted by his uncle Reverend Thomas Jeremiah Chase, who was the Anglican rector of St Paul's parish in Annapolis.

When Jeremiah Chase was a young man, he followed his second cousin Samuel Chase to Annapolis.

Jeremiah Chase read law in Samuel's office and was admitted to the bar of Anne Arundel County in 1771.

Jeremiah Chase established a practice in both Annapolis and Baltimore, which he continued in Annapolis until 1791 with interruptions for public service.

Jeremiah Chase never went into practice with his cousin but they made several appearances in court for the same clients, and a few as opponents.

In 1773 Jeremiah Chase was elected to the Colonial House of Delegates.

Chase's adopted father, Rev Chase, died in 1779 and after that Jeremiah moved fully to Annapolis.

In 1788 Jeremiah Chase was a delegate to the Maryland convention called to ratify the United States Constitution.

Jeremiah Chase was among those opposed to its adoption, believing that a Bill of Rights should be included.

Jeremiah Chase drafted the Northwest Ordinance of 1784 as part of its drafting committee.

Jeremiah Chase feared the Federalists would abolish state laws protecting personal rights, and he called for a federal bill of rights at the convention.

Jeremiah Chase was one of 12 leaders who voted against the federal Constitution's ratification.

Jeremiah Chase held the tax commissioner office of Anne Arundel County in 1788.

Jeremiah Chase served in the Maryland State Senate in 1796, where he became a strong Republican in a Federalist state.

Jeremiah Chase remained married to Hester Baldwin until her death in 1823 and had five children: Richard, Frances, Hester, Matilda, and Catherine.

Jeremiah Chase rented a wing of the Hammond House from Matthias Hammond as a law office.

However, Judge Jeremiah Chase did not trust his son-in-law, and kept the deed in his name.

When Jeremiah Chase died at home in Annapolis on May 11,1828, he was buried in the City Cemetery, or St Anne's Cemetery in Annapolis.