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Purnell, Thomas Richard

Born November 11, 1847, in Wilmington, NC
Died December 19, 1908, in Raleigh, NC

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Nominated by William McKinley on April 26, 1897, to a seat vacated by Augustus S. Seymour. Confirmed by the Senate on May 5, 1897, and received commission on May 5, 1897. Service terminated on December 19, 1908, due to death.

Education:
Read law, 1869
Trinity College (now Duke University), 1869

Professional Career:

Private practice, Baltimore, Maryland and Salem, North Carolina, 1870-1873
Librarian, State of North Carolina, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1873-1876
State representative, North Carolina, 1876-1877
Commissioner, U.S. Circuit Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 1877-1891
State senator, North Carolina, 1883-1884
Private practice, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1876-1897
Candidate for attorney general, State of North Carolina, 1892