Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-03-15


photographer Paul Brown has in hand
the negatives of the Chancellors and the
Chief Justices of the State Of Delaware
since the year 1893, that is to say a col
lection Of portraits Of the prominent ju-
dietary Of Delaware for one hundred
years.
The information was gained through
the fact that several of the members of
the bar had ordered copies of the collec-
tiors from Mr.. Brown. The originals
from which the negatives were taken it
was learned had been obtained through
Judge Grubb.
Local interest in such notable gal
lery of Delaware portraits, illustrating
as II would centenary of the States
most prominent men, was of sufficient
Importance to investigate the matter. A
visit was paid Judge Grubb at his resi-
dence last night, when that official re-
ceived the representative of EVERY
EVENING and courteously told the story
Of an extremely valuable literary un.
dertaking which Judge Grubb has
taken up and has had in hand several
weeks.
The resident judge said, very courte-
ously that he would be glad to oblige
the reporter and answer inquiries. He
' informed him that be had been requested
two months ago by the editor of the
Medico- Legal journal of New York to
write historical sketch of the Della
ware judicial system to date from the
earliest colonial period. There is in
hand in the same publication sketch
of the judicial systems of all the States
of the Union and of the Provinces of
North America.
The sketch of the Delaware judiciary
was desired as part of the story of the
country. | was requested, in addition,
Judge Grubb continued, to furnish as
far as possible portraits of the ex-Chan-
cellors and Chief Justices of the State
from the earliest period. The publisher,
who is member of the New York bar
and personal friend of mine, has
written to ME some two years ago upon
this subject. | then referred him to the
late Chief Justice Comegys as the per-
son probably best qualified in the State
to investigate and furnish such sketch.
From his conversation with me ON the
subject and his appreciation of Its value
! am satisfied that If he had lived he
would have undertaken the task and
completed 1t in very accurate and
interesting manner.
HIS death having deprived the pub
fishers of his valuable assistance, they
again requested me to furnish the
needed sketch and procure the desired
portraits. This | have endeavored to
do us well as | might within the time at
my disposal.
am unable to give you the sketch,
Judge Grubb continued, as that is pre-
pared for the Medico- LtgaL Journal. |
can say, however, that it covers period
OF about $50 years and gives concise
outline of the subject. Our admins.
tration of justice within the present
borders of Delaware began with the
Swedes, then for brief subsequent
period continued under the Dutch, and
was finally permanently established
under the English. Our judiciary was
organized and appointed under the pro-
prietary and royal authority until the
revolution and the establishment of our
State government under the first con-
stitution of 1776.
The judicial system established under
that constitution continued until the
second constitution of 1702, and the
system introduced by the latter con-
stitution continued until the constitu-
e ton of 1881 was adopted, which estab-
lished the present Judiciary system of
Delaware.
From 1776 to 1899 the office of Chief
Justice was filled by William Killen
alone, who became the first Chancellor
under the constitution of 1893. Prior
to that term there had been no Chan
celior of the State. Equity was ad-
ministered by the law judges.
In 1893 the court of chancery was
created and also supreme court, with
a Chief Justice and associates, and
court of common pleas with another
Chief Justice and associates, both hav-
ing concurrent Jurisdiction Of court
caces.
Under the present constitution,
adopted in 1881, the separate court of
chancery with Chancellor was contin-
ued. But the old supreme court and
court of common pleas were both abol-
ished and their powers consolidated
and vested in the present superior court
For the nine Judges constituted under
the old constitution OF 1902 the present
tive State judges were substituted, con-
sisting OF the Chancellor, the Chief
Justice, and three associated judges
one for each county. OF these ali the
present courts of the State were COM
posed.
TWENTY VALUABLE PORTRAITS.
have here before me, Judge Grubb
continued, the portraits OF every Chief
Justice Of the State appointed since
1893 and of every Chancellor since the
establishment of the court of chancery
since 1893, excepting that of Chancellor
Killen, who was also the only Chief
Justice from the beginning of Statehood
in 1776 until he was appointed the first
Chancellor under the constitution of
1902, which latter office he held until
1901, when Chancellor Nicholas Ridgely
was appointed.
have sought portrait of Chan
cellor Killen through various branches
! of his descendants, but SO far unsuccess-
fully. 1t is thought that no portrait of
him is in existence. Ii any reader of
EVERY EVENING, Judge Grubb said,
happens to know of the existence OF
any authoritative portrait OF Chancellor
Killen, the mention OF it would be of
most important service to the undertake
ing now in hand and would to that ex-
tent be very much appreciated.
THE LIST OF PORTRAITS.
The portraits of the Chief Justices in
hand are as follows-the three immedi-
ately following being Supreme Court
Justices
George Read, appointed 1898; portrait
oh tai ts4a IL. Tl.-l -