Charles C. Nott

Charles Cooper Nott Sr. (September 16, 1827 – March 6, 1916) was an Associate Justice and Chief Justice of the Court of Claims.

Education and career

Born on September 16, 1827, in Schenectady, New York, Nott received an Artium Baccalaureus degree in 1848 from Union College and read law in Albany, New York in 1850. achieving the rank of colonel. He was subsequently captured at the fall of Brashear City, and held as a prisoner of war in Texas for thirteen months.

Federal judicial service

Nott was nominated by President Abraham Lincoln on February 21, 1865, to a Judge seat on the Court of Claims (later the United States Court of Claims) vacated by Judge James Hughes. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 22, 1865, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on November 23, 1896, due to his elevation to be Chief Justice of the same court.

Nott received a recess appointment from President Grover Cleveland on November 23, 1896, to the Chief Justice seat on the Court of Claims (later the United States Court of Claims) vacated by Chief Justice William Adams Richardson. He was nominated to the same position by President Cleveland on December 8, 1896. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 15, 1896, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on December 31, 1905, due to his resignation.

Notable case

Nott wrote the unanimous opinion in Mrs. Lockwood's Case, 9 Ct. Cl. 346 (1874), denying Belva Ann Lockwood admission to the bar of the Court of Claims. She appealed to the United States Supreme Court and lost there as well.

Reporter of decisions

Concurrent with his service on the same court, Nott served as reporter of decisions for the Court of Claims from 1867 to 1914. He was the reporter of decisions of forty-eight volumes of the Court of Claims Reports.

Death

Nott died on March 9, 1916, in New York City.

Family

Nott was the son of Professor Joel B. Nott, a chemist and mineralogist. He was a grandson of Eliphalet Nott, a longtime President of Union College. His son, Charles Cooper Nott Jr., was a judge of the Special Sessions Court.