George Murray Gill (February 15, 1803 – November 18, 1887) was an American attorney, businessman, and politician who represented John Merryman in the habeas corpus case Ex parte Merryman (1861).

Early life

George Murray Gill was born on February 15, 1803, in

Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was ...

, to John Gill. He graduated from

St. Mary's Seminary St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Catholic seminary located within the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland; it was the first seminary founded in the United States after the Revolution and has been run since its founding by the ...

in Baltimore, then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823.

Career

Gill practiced law in

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was d ...

and Harford counties and then in the city of Baltimore. He was a member of the Whig Party until he became a

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

in the 1850s serving on the

Baltimore City Council The Baltimore City Council is the legislative branch that governs the City of Baltimore and its more than 600,000 citizens. It has 14 members elected by district and a president elected at-large; all serve four-year terms. The Council holds reg ...

. Gill represented John Merryman in his habeas corpus case in 1861 after his detention due to Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus. Later in life Gill served as a director of the Western Maryland Railroad and

Northern Central Railroad The Northern Central Railway (NCRY) was a Class I Railroad connecting Baltimore, Maryland with Sunbury, Pennsylvania, along the Susquehanna River. Completed in 1858, the line came under the control of the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1861, w ...

and continued to practice law. He was a member of Franklin Street Presbyterian Church.

Personal life

Gill married Ann W. McElderry in 1830. Together, they had two children, Elizabeth and Ann. She died. Gill married Ann McKim Bowly in 1837. Together, they had seven children: John Gill Jr., George, Mary, Esther, Anna, Theresa and Fannie.

Death

Gill died on November 18, 1887, in Baltimore and was buried at Green Mount Cemetery.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gill, George M. 1803 births 1887 deaths Lawyers from Baltimore Baltimore City Council members American Presbyterians 19th-century American lawyers