The Republic of Texas Congress formed the first state Supreme Court in 1836. However, the Court really didn’t meet in any significant way until 1840 under the leadership of Chief Justice John Hemphill. Being Chief Justice was a little different then. It meant fighting Indians, mastering Spanish law, and even leading an expedition to invade Mexico! Chief Justice John Hemphill did it all. Learn more about one of Texas’ greatest jurists in this episode of Wise About Texas.
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2 comments on “EP. 137: The First Chief Justice (sort of)”
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Congratulations on receiving your Masters Degree! Proud of you my friend. It has been a few weeks since your podcast concerning the floods in the Kerrville area and beyond. I took your advice and made certain that I joined friends and their families who lost loved ones. Quickly I received news that there were many friends that were victims of this tragedy. Thank you for reminding all of us the importance of sharing grief and loss. -John
I forgot to mention I am going to visit the Capitol and also walk through the cemetery. I enjoyed the “first chief justice”. I especially liked the laws that formed our “community property” and bankruptcy laws protecting homesteads that were carried from the Spanish.