Thomas Leverett Nelson
Judge Nelson no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.
How Judge Nelson decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Nelson construed commercial agreements according to their plain meaning to practical businesspeople.
“This contract, like all mercantile contracts, is to be construed according to its plain meaning to men of sense and understanding;”
Nelson protected prompt payment of whaling wages rather than suspending recovery for a separate attachment proceeding.
“Wages earned amidst the perils and hardships of the whale fisheries, and payable only at the end of a voyage usually lasting for years, should of all others be paid promptly when due:”
Procedural preferences
Nelson treated a steamer's duty to keep clear of a sailing vessel as operating at the steamer's peril.
“the steamer yras bound at her peril to keep out of her way.”
Nelson required a tug to know both the channel depth and the character of the bottom when undertaking towage.
“The tug was bound to know the nature of the bottom as well as the depth of the water”
Cautions
Nelson deferred to a master's good-faith emergency judgment unless the challenger proved dishonesty or ignorance.
“His decision ought not to be overruled except upon proof that he acted dishonestly or ignorantly.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Interlocutory decree for the libelants.”
“Interlocutory decree for libellants.”
“Interlocutory decree for the libellants.”
“The libel of the Alfred A. against the Abby Ingalls is to be dismissed, with costs;”
“in the case of the Abby Ingalls against the Alfred A. there is to be an interlocutory decree for the libellants.”
“By the rule provided in the bill of lading, the demur-rage for this detention amounts to $7.74, and this sum the libellant is entitled to recover.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
No case-level docket record was returned for Nelson's 1879-1897 tenure. The profile therefore makes no claim about caseload mix, case duration, administrative dispositions, or motion timing.
A historical record
Judge Nelson no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.