Oil on canvas, 30 x 25 in., by unidentified artist, undated. Location: courtroom foyer, far right.

Born August 20, 1769 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
Died February 2, 1838 in Stafford County, Virginia.

Appointed by Governor George William Smith on May 11, 1811 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of St. George Tucker and began his service on June 1, 1811. Elected by the General Assembly on December 12, 1811. Service terminated by resignation.

Education:

Attended the College of William and Mary, 1789.

Other judicial service:

Judge, General Court, 1809-1811.

Professional career:

Private practice of law in Augusta County, Virginia, 1791-1809, circa.
Clerk, District Court for Augusta, Bath, Pendleton, Rockbridge, and Rockingham counties, 1793-1803, circa.
Commonwealth’s attorney, Augusta County, Virginia, 1803-1809.

Further reading/Research collections

Sources:

Appointed and elected, 16 Va., xx; resigned, 29 Va., iii; education, A Provisional List of Alumni, Grammar School Students, Members of the Faculty, and Members of the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary in Virginia From 1693-1888, (Richmond: Division of Purchase and Printing, 1941), 13; birth, death, and career, Timothy S. Huebner, “John Coalter (1769-1838),” Dictionary of Virginia Biography (1998); portrait, Library of Virginia catalog.