To recognize America 250-Ohio’s November theme, “Remembering Veterans, First Responders & Front-Line Heroes,” the Supreme Court of Ohio has created a display honoring former Supreme Court justices who served during the War of 1812.

Eight former justices, whose ranks ranged from private to colonel, served in the military during the conflict.

History of the War
Just nine years after Ohio became a state, the War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain, from 1812 to 1815. The conflict arose from several long-standing disputes, including the continued presence of British troops in portions of the Northwest Territory after the Treaty of Paris (1783), British support of Native American tribes resisting American settlement, and disagreements over free trade and sailors’ rights.

On June 18, 1812, President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Great Britain. Ohio became a major theater of the conflict, hosting several significant battles, including the Battle of Marblehead Peninsula, the First and Second Sieges of Fort Meigs, and the Battle of Fort Stephenson, where a small American force successfully repelled a larger British and Native American attack. Ohio was also the site and the decisive Battle of Lake Erie, where Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry secured American control of the lake.

By late 1814, both nations were ready to end the war, and the Treaty of Ghent was signed on Dec. 24, 1814. Although the treaty had been negotiated, news traveled slowly, and the Battle of New Orleans was fought in January 1815, resulting in a major American victory. The war strengthened American nationalism, ended British support for Native American resistance in the Ohio region, and secured U.S. control of the Northwest Territory.

Supreme Court Display
Throughout November, the Supreme Court’s display highlights the eight justices who served in the War of 1812:

• Henry Brush, 19th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Colonel, Ohio militia
• Jessup Couch, 10th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Aide-de-camp to Gov. Return J. Meigs; quartermaster, Second Division, Ohio militia
• Samuel Huntington, 3rd justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Colonel and district paymaster, U.S. Army
• Peter Hitchcock, 13th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Lieutenant colonel, Fourth Regiment, Ohio militia
• Charles Sherman, 15th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Major, Third Division, Second Brigade, Ohio Militia
• Gustavus Swan, 20th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Staff officer, Fourth Brigade, Second Division, Ohio militia
• George Tod, 5th justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Lieutenant colonel; served during the First Siege of Fort Meigs
• Ruben Wood, 23rd justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio
• Private, Vermont militia regiment

See Veteran Tributes in Person
Learn more about these justices, along with every other military veteran who served on the Supreme Court of Ohio, in “Justices in Uniform,” a permanent exhibit located on the ground floor of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Moyer Judicial Center.

The exhibit honors veterans whose military service spans conflicts from the War of 1812 through the Vietnam War. Each justice is recognized by branch of service, rank, and dates of military service.
In addition, the Law Library on the 11th floor will feature a companion display focused on Civil War veterans.

Plan a tour of the Court to view the displays and honor our veterans.