LEMUEL SHAW

Shaw, Lemuel (1781-1861) — of Massachusetts. Born in Barnstable, Barnstable County, Mass., January 9, 1781. Lawyer; member of Massachusetts state house of representatives, 1811-14, 1820, 1829; delegate to Massachusetts state constitutional convention, 1820; member of Massachusetts state senate, 1821-22; chief justice of Massachusetts supreme judicial court, 1830-60. Drew up the first charter of the city of Boston in 1822-23; wrote the decision in Commonwealth v. Hunt, 1842, which exempted labor unions from the criminal conspiracy law. Related by marriage to the author Herman Melville. Died in Boston, Suffolk County, Mass., March 30, 1861. Interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Mass.
Parents
Oakes Shaw1736–1807
Susanna Hayward1745–1839
Spouse
Elizabeth Knapp1784–1822
Children
Elizabeth Shaw1822–1906

Sources:
Massachusetts Vital Records before 1850
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Submitted by Deborah Crowell