Who was at the first meeting of the US Supreme Court?

Answer 1

Only four justices were present when the US Supreme Court officially convened its first Term on February 2, 1790.1

1. Chief Justice John Jay
2. Justice William Cushing
3. Justice John Blair
4. Justice James Wilson

Robert Harrison, one of President Washington's original nominees, declined his appointment on January 17, 1790, and wasn't succeeded by James Iredell until February 10, 1790, after the February Term ended.

John Rutledge missed both the February and August Terms in 1790, and never really participated as an Associate Justice, despite accepting the appointment and taking his oath of office on February 15, 1790. Rutledge served as a judge in the South Carolina state court system concurrent with his term of office as an Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court.

As the result of a recess appointment, Rutledge briefly served as second Chief Justice from July 1795-December 1795, but the Senate ultimately rejected his confirmation because they believed he was emotionally unstable.

Citation:

1 Marcus, Maeva, James R., and United States. The Documentary history of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789-1800. 1. New York: Columbia University Press, 1985. 171. Print.

Answer 2

George Washington was President the first time the US Supreme Court met. John Jay was Chief Justice.