Bliss N. Davis (December 8, 1801 – February 11 1885) was a Vermont politician and lawyer who served as President of the Vermont State Senate.

Biography

Bliss Nash Davis was born in Vergennes, Vermont on December 8, 1801. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and practiced, first in Hardwick, and later in Danville.

Bliss N. Davis

Davis served in local offices, including Justice of the Peace. He was also involved in several businesses, including serving as President of the Caledonia National Bank.

Bliss N. Davis

Originally a Whig, and later a Republican, Davis served as Caledonia County State's Attorney from 1843 to 1844 and 1848 to 1850.

Bliss N. Davis

In 1850 Davis prosecuted William Warburton, alias "Bristol Bill" for counterfeiting. Upon hearing the guilty verdict Bristol Bill stabbed Davis in the back of the neck. Davis recovered, and the next day Bristol Bill was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He served in the Vermont Senate from 1858 to 1860 and was Senate President in 1859.

Davis maintained an active law practice until just a few weeks before his death. He died in Danville on February 11, 1885.

References

1801 births

1885 deaths

People from Vergennes, Vermont

People from Caledonia County, Vermont

Vermont lawyers

State's attorneys in Vermont

Vermont Whigs

19th-century American politicians

Vermont Republicans

Members of the Vermont House of Representatives

Vermont state senators

Presidents pro tempore of the Vermont Senate

19th-century American lawyers