James Fisher Trotter (November 5, 1802March 9, 1866) was a United States senator from Mississippi. Early life James Fisher Trotter was born on November 5, 1802 in Brunswick County, Virginia. He moved to eastern Tennessee, attended private schools, and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1820. Career Trotter commenced practice in Hamilton, Mississippi in 1823. He owned slaves. From 1827 to 1829 he was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives and a member of the Mississippi Senate from 1829 to 1833. In 1833 he was judge of the circuit court of Mississippi; he was later appointed as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Black and served from January 22 to July 10, 1838, when he resigned. From 1839 to 1842, Trotter was judge of the Mississippi Supreme Court, having been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Justice Daniel W. Wright, and then elected in 1839 to a six-year term. He resigned in 1842 and moved to Holly Springs, where he resumed the practice of law. He was vice chancellor of the northern district of Mississippi from 1855 to 1857, and was professor of law at the University of Mississippi from 1860 to 1862. He was appointed circuit judge in 1866 and served until his death later that year. Death Trotter died on March 9, 1866 in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He was buried at the Hillcrest Cemetery. References External links 1802 births 1866 deaths People from Brunswick County, Virginia American people of Scottish descent Democratic Party United States senators from Mississippi Democratic Party members of the Mississippi House of Representatives Democratic Party Mississippi state senators Justices of the Mississippi Supreme Court Mississippi lawyers American slave owners People from Tennessee People from Holly Springs, Mississippi 19th-century American politicians 19th-century American judges 19th-century American lawyers University of Mississippi people Burials at Hillcrest Cemetery United States senators who owned slaves