Asa Aldis

Asa Aldis (April 14, 1770 – October 16, 1847) was a Vermont attorney, politician, and judge. He served as chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court in 1815. Biography Asa Aldis was born in Franklin, Massachusetts on April 14, 1770. His mother died in 1773, and his father in 1775, after which Aldis was raised by an aunt. Aldis received his early education from private tutors, and in 1792 he began attendance at Rhode Island College (now known as Brown University), from which he graduated in 1796. He was descended from John Aldis and Nathan Aldis. After graduating from college, Aldis studied law with Judge David Howell of Providence, Rhode Island, and attained admission to the bar. He practiced for three years in Chepachet, and then traveled to the western portion of the United States seeking better professional opportunities. On his return trip to Rhode Island, Aldis passed through St. Albans, Vermont, which he decided to make his home. After settling in Vermont in 1802, Aldis established a thriving law practice, initially in partnership with Bates Turner, who also served on the Vermont Supreme Court. Among the prospective attorneys who studied under Aldis was Orlando Stevens, who served in the legislatures of both Vermont and Minnesota. Aldis served as state's attorney of Franklin County from 1804 to 1806. In 1815 he was appointed Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. That year, the Democratic-Republicans who assumed control of the state government replaced all three of the court's Federalist justices; Aldis served with Richard Skinner and James Fisk. Aldis had not sought the appointment, and agreed to serve as chief justice on the condition that a successor would be quickly appointed. After resigning once Skinner was confirmed as Chief Justice, Aldis resumed practicing law in St. Albans.