Joshua Austin Spencer (May 13, 1790 inGreat Barrington,Berkshire County, Massachusetts – April 25, 1857 inUtica,Oneida County, New York) was an American lawyer and politician fromNew York.
He was the son of Eliphalet Spencer (1760–1832) and Triphena (Austin) Spencer (1756–1825). He moved at a young age toGreenfield,Greene County, New York, and became a clothier, carpenter and joiner. In 1808, he moved toLenox,Madison County, New York, studied law there in the office of his brother Gen. Ichabod S. Spencer (1780–1857), was admitted to the bar and practiced in partnership with his brother. In 1814, he married Clarissa Phelps (1788–1818), and they had two children. In 1819, he married Electa C. Dean (1796–1881), and they had eleven children.
In 1829, he moved to Utica, and practiced law in partnership with State SenatorWilliam H. Maynard who died in 1832.
Spencer wasUnited States Attorney for the Northern District of New York from 1841 to 1845. In October 1841, he appeared for the defence in the trial ofAlexander McLeod on a charge of murder in connection with theCaroline Affair, and secured McLeod's acquittal.
He was a member of theNew York State Senate (5th D.) in1846 and1847. He wasMayor of Utica in 1848.
He was buried at theForest Hill Cemetery, Utica.
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York 1841 – 1845 | Succeeded by |
| New York State Senate | ||
| Preceded by | New York State Senate Fifth District (Class 3) 1846 – 1847 | Succeeded by district abolished |