James Sewall Morsell

Who was James Sewall Morsell?

James Sewall Morsell was a United States federal judge.

Born in Calvert County, Maryland, Morsell was in the United States Army from 1813 to 1814, and had a private legal practice in Georgetown, District of Columbia until 1815.

On January 7, 1815, Morsell was nominated by President James Madison to a seat on the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia vacated by Nicholas Fitzhugh. Morsell was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 11, 1815, and received his commission the same day. Morsell served unto March 3, 1863, when his judgeship was eliminated due to abolition of the court. His 48 year tenure is among the longest among all United States federal judges.

Morsell died in Prince George's County, Maryland at the age of 95.