Joseph Williams Chalmers was born in Halifax County, Virginia in 1806. He studied law in the University of Virginia and in Richmond, was admitted to the bar and practiced. He moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1835 and resumed practicing law. While living in Tennessee, Chalmers earned notice as the defense attorney for a well-known criminal John Andrews Murrell, also known as "The Land Pirate." Chalmers moved to Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1839 and established a new law practice. He served as vice chancellor of the northern Mississippi district in 1842 and 1843. In 1842 he was appointed and subsequently elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert J. Walker, serving from November 3, 1845 to March 3, 1847. He was Chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the Twenty-ninth Congress. After leaving the Senate he resumed the practice of law in Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi. In April 1853 he published a notice to his supporters in which he declined to be a candidate for Governor. Chalmers died on June 16, 1853 and was interred in Hill Crest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
(Submitted by William McKern)
(Submitted by William McKern)
Joseph Williams Chalmers was born in Halifax County, Virginia in 1806. He studied law in the University of Virginia and in Richmond, was admitted to the bar and practiced. He moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1835 and resumed practicing law. While living in Tennessee, Chalmers earned notice as the defense attorney for a well-known criminal John Andrews Murrell, also known as "The Land Pirate." Chalmers moved to Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1839 and established a new law practice. He served as vice chancellor of the northern Mississippi district in 1842 and 1843. In 1842 he was appointed and subsequently elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Robert J. Walker, serving from November 3, 1845 to March 3, 1847. He was Chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the Twenty-ninth Congress. After leaving the Senate he resumed the practice of law in Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi. In April 1853 he published a notice to his supporters in which he declined to be a candidate for Governor. Chalmers died on June 16, 1853 and was interred in Hill Crest Cemetery in Holly Springs.
(Submitted by William McKern)
(Submitted by William McKern)
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Born in Halifax Co. Va. Died in Holly Springs Miss.
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