John Pickering

John Pickering (September 22, 1737 – April 11, 1805) was President of New Hampshire, Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Superior Court of Judicature and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. He was the second federal official impeached by the United States House of Representatives and the first person convicted and removed from office in an impeachment trial by the United States Senate.

Education and career

Born on September 22, 1737, in Newington, Province of New Hampshire, British America, Pickering graduated from Harvard University in 1761 and read law.

On February 3, 1803, President Thomas Jefferson sent evidence to the United States House of Representatives against Pickering, accusing him of having made unlawful rulings and being of bad moral character due to intoxication while on the bench. The charges arose in connection with a libel for unpaid duties against the Eliza. The House voted to impeach Pickering on March 2, 1803, on charges of drunkenness and unlawful rulings.