Land, Law, and Legacy: Isaac Blackford's Imprint on Indiana

7 Locations | Curated by Chris Weintraut

Isaac Blackford was born in Bound Brook, New Jersey, on November 6, 1786. After graduating from Princeton University in 1806, he began to read law under the guidance of his mentor, and future father-in-law, Colonel George McDonald. Blackford moved to Southern Indiana in 1812, when it was still a territory. In 1817, Indiana’s first governor, Jonathan Jennings, appointed him to the Indiana Supreme Court.

Blackford focused on his work and spent most of his free time writing briefs of important court cases in the state, especially after the death of his only son. He authored much of his eight-volume “Blackford Reports” books in a room on the second floor of the Governor's mansion. Blackford also served on the board of trustees for Indiana University.

Throughout his time in Indiana, Blackford purchased land across the state. He owned tracts on the Ohio River, Vincennes, Terre Haute, and Indianapolis. Distrusting banks, he believed investing in land was safer than keeping money in a bank. As a widower with no surviving children, Isaac left his half-sister, Charlotte Condit, an estate worth nearly $250,000 at his death.

In 1851, the Indiana constitution was ratified making the position of Supreme Court justice an elected position. Blackford did not win the election for his position on the bench in 1852. He left the court in 1853. In 1855, Blackford returned to the bench working at the Court of Claims in Washington, DC. He died on December 31st,, 1859, after losing a battle with pneumonia in Washington at seventy-three. Blackford leaves a legacy of building the jurisprudence in Indiana, providing generational wealth for his sister’s family, and providing leadership to Indiana University.

Loading Stories
Map