Biography

John James Gilchrist attended law school at Harvard University. After passing the bar he formed a partnership with Henry Hubbard, of Charleston. In 1836-1837 he served in the legislature and in 1838 he was made a register of Probate. In 1840 he was appointed Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and in 1848 he was made Chief Justice. In 1855 he became Chief Justice of the Court of Claims. He died in Washington in 1858.