Benjamin Waller

Who was Benjamin Waller?

Benjamin Waller was descended from a Virginia family established in the state since the 17th century. He was born in King William County, Virginia, the son of Col. John and Dorothy Waller, and was trained as a lawyer utilizing the legal library of Sir John Randolph. Benjamin Waller was a clerk of the general court for a number of years and, in 1777, he was named presiding judge of the court of admiralty in Williamsburg, Virginia. Subsequently he served as a judge on the first Court of Appeals where he remained until 1785 when the court moved to Richmond, Virginia.

He was an eminent lawyer of Colonial times and held many important offices under the crown. His name is on the list of the Committee of Safety for the city of Williamsburg Dec. 1774 He was Judge of the Court of Admiralty and in a list of the Judges of the Supreme court of Virginia 1778. Also: King's attorney of Gloucester; Clerk of James City county; clerk of "The Court of Oyer and Terminer"; Clerk of the "Committees of Propositions and Grievances, and Privileges, and Elections"; all under George II of Great Britain. He served on the Supreme Court of Virginia 1779-1785.