SAMUEL CHASE

1741-1811

Signer of the Declaration of Independence (Maryland)

Biographical Data
Religious Views
Quotations
References, Links, & Further Reading

Education: private tutoring

Occupation: lawyer, Supreme Court Justice

Political Affiliation: Federalist

Religious Affiliation: Episcopalian

Summary of Religious Views:

Chase's father was an Anglican priest, and Chase was by all accounts deeply religious all his life. He attended services frequently, Contributed substantial amounts of money, and sometimes served as a vestryman and as a representative for his church at diocesan conventions.

Views on Religion & Politics:

Chase was an advocate of public support for religion. In 1784, he introduced a bill in the Mary land legislature to provide tax support for churches (non-Christians would have been exempted from paying the tax), but the bill was ultimately defeated.

Although a slaveholder himself, his religious convictions led Chase to support the abolition of slavery.

Quotations:

"There is no repentance in the grave; for after death comes judgment; and as you die so you must be judged. By repentance and faith, you are the object of God's mercy; but if you will not repent, and have faith and dependance upon the merits of the death of Christ, you die a hardened and impenitent sinner, you will be the object of God's justice and vengeance. You will sincerely repent and believe, God hath pronounced his forgiveness; and there is no crime too great for his mercy and pardon." -- as judge, trial of John Fries, 1800

"God gives life." -- refusing medication, on his deathbed, 19 June 1811

References, Links, & Further Reading: Books, Articles, Links

Books

Jane Shaffer Elsmere, Justice Samuel Chase, Janevar Publishing, 1980
James Haw, Stormy Patriot : The Life of Samuel Chase, Maryland Historical Society, 1980
William H. Rehnquist, Grand Inquests: The Historic Impeachments of Justice Samuel Chase and President Andrew Johnson, William Morrow, 1992

Articles

William H. Wroten, Jr., "Samuel Chase - Freedom's Firebrand," Salisbury Times, March 23, 1959

Links

CHASE, Samuel, 1741-1811 (Biographical Directory of the US Congress)
Samuel Chase (ushistory.org: Signers of the Declaration of Independence)
Chase, Samuel (1741- 1811) (Maryland Online Encyclopedia)
Samuel Chase (The OYEZ Project -- Northwestern University)
Samuel Chase (FindLaw)
The Duel: Samuel Chase (The American Experience -- PBS)
Samuel Chase (Colonial Hall)
Samuel Chase (Signers of the Declaration of Independence -- National Park Service)

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