USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Ancient Middlesex with brief biographical sketches of the men who have served the country officially since its settlement > Part 9
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General Nathaniel Austin, Jr., of Charlestown, 1813 to 1831 (18 years).
Born there March 19, 1222. He was Representative in 1812 and 1831, and again in 1838: a Senator from 1832 to 1835, and a member of the Governor's Council in 1836. He was Briga- dier-General, Third Division Massachusetts Militia, and a bridge Commissioner for many years. He executed "Mike Martin." the "gentleman" highwayman, hanged for robbing Major Bray on the Medford turnpike. He was a very energetic, able, and useful citizen. He died a bachelor April 3, 1861, aged eighty- nine years.
GENERAL NATHANIEL AUSTIN, JR .. OF CHARLESTOWN. Sheriff 1813 to 1831. (See page 153.)
COLONEL SAMUEL CHANDLER, OF LEXINGTON. Sheriff 1841 to 1851. (See page 157.)
FISHER AMES HILDRETH, OF LOWELL. Sheriff 1851 to 1853.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Benjamin Franklin Varnum, of Dracut, 1831 to 1841 (10 years). See County Commissioners.
Colonel Samuel Chandler, of Lexington, 1841 to 1851 (10 years).
Sam: Lehandler. 1841. Sheriff of Middlesex.
Born there October 26, 1495. He enlisted in the War of 1812, going to the front as an ensign. After two severe engage- ments on the Canadian frontier he was promoted to the position of First Lieutenant. At the close of the war he was appointed Major of the Third Regiment Massachusetts Militia and Colonel from 1827 to 1834. He was Major-General from 1835 to 1839, Captain A. II. A. Company 1836, and Senator in 1839. He was Worshipful Master of Hiram Lodge. A. F. and A. M., of Lex- ington in 1827 and 1828. ITe died July 20, 1867, aged seventy- two years.
Fisher Ames Hildreth, of Lowell, 1851 to 1853 (2 years).
This har Attilahat,
Born in Dracut February 5, 1818. Appointed High Sheriff by Governor Boutwell. A member of the Legislature in 1843 and '44, and Postmaster of Lowell during the administrations of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan. He was very prominent as a journalist and had the tact of money-making to a marked degree. as evidenced by the size of the estate he left to be administered 111011. He died July 2, 18:3, aged fifty-five years.
3
HON. JOHN SHEPARD KEYES, OF CONCORD. Sheriff 1853 to 1859. (See page 161.)
CHARLES KIMBALL, OF LOWELL. Sheriff 1859 to 1879. (See page 161.)
-
EBEN WINSLOW FISKE, OF WALTHAM. Sheriff 1879 to 1883.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Hon. John Shepard Keyes, of Concord, 1853 to 1859 (6 years).
Fotand Theyet
Born there September 19, 1821. Son of Hon. John Keyes, a distinguished citizen of Concord. A graduate of Harvard in 1841. He was a member of the Senate in 1849 and United States Marshal for the district of Massachusetts from 1861 to 1866. In 1844 he was appointed Justice of the District Court of Central Middlesex, a position which he now occupies with grace, dignity, and ability, at the advanced age of four score years and three.
Charles Kimball, of Lowell, 1859 to 1879 (20 years).
Charles Kimball
Born in Littleton September 23, 1811. On November 30, 1840, he was appointed writing master of the Boylston school on Fort Hill, Boston, serving in that capacity until promoted to the position of head master. He remained with this school nearly nineteen years, when he resigned to accept the office of Sheriff, to which he had been elected, serving in said office until the day of his death, a period of twenty years. He was Senior Grand War- den of the Grand Lodge, A. F. and A. M., in 1822.
Eben Winslow Fiske, of Waltham, 1879 to 1883 (4 years).
Elon Ir. Fiske
Born in Framingham October 22, 1819. When twenty-one years of age he settled in Waltham and worked at his trade of
HENRY GREENWOOD CUSHING, OF LOWELL. Sheriff 1883 to 1899.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
harness maker for several years. He was constable from 1847 to 1851 and Deputy Sheriff from 1851 to 1879, twenty-eight years, when he was appointed by the Governor as Sheriff to fill a va- cancy caused by the death of Sheriff Kimball. Subsequently elected by the people, he served in this office until his death. In the town of Waltham he was a coroner, member of the water board, chairman of the board of assessors, and moderator at town meetings for many years. He was also a justice of the peace and deputy collector of internal revenue. In politics, an active and consistent Republican, and altogether a useful citizen who formed strong ties of friendship and public confidence. He died August 27, 1883, aged sixty-four years.
Henry Greenwood Cushing, of Lowell, 1883 to 1899 (16 years.)
Henny W. Bushing
Born in Abington, October 8, 1834. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Wilbraham Academy. He commenced his business career as a shoe manufacturer in Abington, from which town he went West, and settling in Chi- cago, was conducting an extensive dry goods establishment there at the time of the great fire. Returning East and settling in Lowell he was Deputy Sheriff from 1815 to 1829; special Sheriff from 1849 to 1883, when he was appointed Sheriff to fill a va- cancy caused by the death of Sheriff Fiske. He was elected by the people and served to the day of his death. A veteran of the Civil war, having served as First Lieutenant of Eighth New Hamp- shire Volunteers. He was also assigned to duty on the staff of Major-General W. T. Sherman. A member of the Loyal Legion, G. A. R., and the Masonic fraternity. Died in Lowell, June 9, 1899, aged sixty-five years.
JOHN ROBERT FAIRBAIRN, OF CAMBRIDGE. Sheriff 1899 to date.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
John Robert Fairbairn, of Cambridge, 1899 to date.
Jahn R. Fairbairn Sheriff
Born in Boston January 26, 1851, of Scotch ancestry. His father, John Fairbairn, was born near Glasgow, and served eleven years in the Forty-Second Regiment Scottish Highlanders before emigrating to America. Shortly after the birth of the son, the family moved to Cambridge, where the subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools. At an early age he was ap- prenticed to the upholstery trade, at which he worked several years as a journeyman after completing his term of service. In 1844 he established himself in East Cambridge as an auctioneer and dealer in real estate, in which he was successful. He was ap- pointed Deputy Sheriff in 1884. In 1889 he was a member of the Common Council of the City of Cambridge, and in 1890, '91, '92, '93, '95, and '96, one of the Board of Aldermen, serving as Presi- dent in 1893, '95, and '96. In June, 1896, he succeeded the late John M. Fiske as keeper of the jail, master of the house of correction, and Special Sheriff. June 22, 1899, after the death of Sheriff Cushing, he was appointed Sheriff to fill the vacancy, and subse- quently elected by the people to the present date. He is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity in Cambridge, being a mem- ber of the lodge, chapter, council, and commandery.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
CLERKS OF COURT OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY.
Deputy Gov. Thomas Danforth, of Cambridge, 1649 to 1686 (37 years).
1655. Thomas Danforth Recorder.
He was the first Clerk or Recorder of ancient Middlesex of which we have any real, or rather official, knowledge, as he seems to have commenced his career in that capacity by record- ing the doings of a "County Cort held at Cambridge, October 30 [1649]." The first action tried in this court was "Increase Nowell vs. John Martine." As Middlesex County was incorpo- rated May 10, 1643, it must be admitted that an hiatus existed during the six years preceding this first entry which as yet re- mains unaccounted for. Mr. Danforth was born in Framlingham, Suffolk, England, in 1622, and came to Cambridge in 1634, where he became one of the wealthiest and most distinguished men of Middlesex. Connected with his mansion was an estate of 120 acres in the very heart of the town, a portion of which is now oc- cupied by college buildings. He also owned about 16,000 acres, which included most of the area of the present towns of Framing- ham and Ashland, and portions of Sherborn, Cordaville, and Southville. He was the son of Rev. Nicholas Danforth, an emi- nent English Puritan. That he was a man of remarkable char- acter, wonderful energy, and superior abilities may be inferred from the broad range of his public services during a career of more than fifty years. He was Town Clerk of Cambridge from 1645 to 1668, inclusive, twenty-four years ; Selectman, twenty- seven years ; Deputy to the General Court, one year ; Assistant, nineteen years; Deputy Governor of the colony, twelve years ; one of the Council, six years; Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature, seven years : Treasurer of Middlesex County, three years; Clerk of Courts, from 1649 to 1686, thirty-seven years ; Register of Deeds, thirty-seven years; Commissioner of the
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
United Colonies, sixteen years; President of that board, three years: President of the District of Maine, eleven years; and Treasurer of Harvard College from 1650 to 1669, nineteen years. Ile was a leader of the earliest party in America opposed to the encroachments of the crown, which made him a candidate for Governor against the noted Royalist, Simon Bradstreet, whom he almost succeeded in defeating, there being but a handful of votes between them. December 22, 1659, the Court fixed his salary at 06 13s Ad for the year!
lle was also (with Major-General Daniel Gookin) a firm friend of the "Apostle" Eliot, and gave him all possible assistance in his labors among the praying Indians, especially while popular clamor against them was at its height in 1625. for which he was posted and threatened with death by an infuriated and unreason- ing populace. He continued to hold the office of Clerk of "Corts," however, long years after these happenings. His deatl: occurred November 5, 1699, aged seventy-seven. He left 110 descendants in the male line. Such was the character of his pub- lic services, and such was the high standard set up by the first Clerk of Courts of ancient Middlesex 256 years ago; history will bear witness to the fact that it has never been lowered by any of his successors.
Capt. Laurence Hammond, of Charlestown, 1686 to 1689 (3 years).
Laur Hammond Records
Town Clerk, 1672 and '73; Selectman, Representative, 1612-74, Captain train-band and Lieutenant A. H. A. Company. He was a supporter of Andros, and on account of his loyalty was deprived of his command in the train-band, after the Governor was deposed. He was Register of Deeds and of Probate. At the expiration of more than two centuries his handwriting still remains clear, distinct, and beautiful, in wonderful contrast with the abominable chirography of early days. Died in Boston July 25,1699.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Capt. Samuel Phipps, of Charlestown, 1689 to 1723 (34 years).
Samt Phipps Roco
Born about 1651. Graduated from Harvard in 16:1. Con- stable, against his will, 1686. Town Treasurer, 1687-88. Town Clerk, 1688. Constable again. 1689-92. Captain of Militia, 1:04, 1712, and an Assessor of Charlestown many years, besides being in 1700 Commissioner of Claims for the province of Maine. He was a school teacher in Charlestown from 1621-1684. He was Selectman 1687, 1697, 1701 to 1204. 1706. 1902, 1209, 1:11 to 1:14 and 1:16. Representative, 1692. 1695, 1697, 1699 to 1705, 1707 to 1711, and 1712. He was Register of Probate, 1692 to 1702. Register of Deeds April 10, 1693, to April 11, 1221, and Clerk of Courts from October 1, 1689, to July 9, 1223. He was succeeded in the office of Clerk by his son, Samuel Phipps, Jr., who was sworn in October 8, 1723. His active and honorable career closed August 2, 1425, aged about seventy-four years.
Samuel Phipps, Jr., of Charlestown, 1723 to 1735 (12 years).
Som Phipps Clor
Born February 10, 1684. Son of Samuel First. Not much is known of him, save that he succeeded his father as Clerk, being sworn in October 8, 1223. He served until March 9, 1735, when Thaddeus Mason came in and commenced his extended official career.
Thaddeus Mason, of Cambridge, 1735 to 1790 (55 years).
Tharmasony Ree?
Born in Charlestown December 22, 1206. Graduated from Harvard in 1728, and commenced his career by teaching schoo!
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
in Woodstock, Conn. He was a descendant in the second gen- eration from Captain Hugh Mason, the emigrant, who settled in Watertown in 1634-5. He was a sufferer by the bombardment of Charlestown, his house being burned by the British in the general conflagration. After that event he lived at various times in Stoneham, Lexington, Medford, and Cambridge. He was pri- vate secretary to Governor Belcher, Deputy Naval Officer in 1231. Deputy Secretary Province, 1231, Register of Deeds, 1281 to 1:84. Clerk of Courts fifty-five years, remaining in office until eighty-four years of age. He was an energetic, faithful. and effi- cient officer, who outlived every contemporary, surviving almost to the century mark. He died May 1, 1802, aged ninety-six years.
Abraham Bigelow, of Cambridge, 1790 to 1831 (41 years).
theBiglow 1790
Born in Weston September 18, 1262. Graduated from Har- vard in 1282. Member Constitutional Convention, 1288, Presi- dential Elector, 1812. He practiced successfully as a lawyer. Through his father, Abraham, a Representative, Selectman, etc .. of Weston, born in Marlboro March 5, 1413, he was a descendant in the fifth generation from John Biglo, a blacksmith of Water- town, and Mary Warren, whose marriage in 1642 was the first one recorded in that town. It is claimed that Mary came over with her father, John Warren, in the Governor Winthrop party, and it is also established to the satisfaction of many investigators that this humble Puritan maiden was descended from William the Conqueror. As Clerk of Courts, his term of service was only second to that of his predecessor, commencing in 1290, and ex- tending to 1831, a period of forty-one years. His descendants are able and distinguished to the present generation. Ile died in New York city July 6, 1832. aged seventy.
ABRAHAM BIGELOW, OF WESTON AND CAMBRIDGE. Clerk of Courts 1790 to 1831 - 41 years. From a silhouette in the possession of Albert S. Bigelow, of Boston.
ELIAS PHINNEY, OF LEXINGTON. Clerk of Courts 1831 to 1849. From a painting in the possession of George B. Phinney, Esq , Fort Scott, Kan. (See page 172).
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Elias Phinney, of Lexington, 1831 to 1849 (18 years).
Elhinney
Born in Nova Scotia, 1280. Graduated from Harvard in 1801. He was a practicing lawyer in Charlestown, who was fond of country life and studied practical farming. Ile became a Trustee of the State AAgricultural Society, and was considered an authority on all matters relating to tillage and general husbandry. In 1823 he settled upon a large farm in Lexington, which, under his skilful management, attained a high state of cultivation, and became distinguished as a prominent example of the farmer's art. It was his custom to ride from his home in Lexington to the Court House in the old-fashioned "one-horse shay" of our an- cestors. He was a man of fine personal appearance and a gentle- man of the old school. He died July 24, 1869, aged sixty-nine years.
Hon. Seth Ames, of Lowell, July 30, 1849, to June 23, 1859 (10 years). e
Seth Amos Clerk
Born in Dedham April 19, 1805. Graduated from Harvard in 1825, Representative. 1832. Senator, 1841, Justice of the Su- perior Court, 1859 to 1869, serving as Chief Justice thereof after 1861. Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court from January 19, 1869, to January 15. 1881. He was greatly distinguished as a lawyer and jurist. Died in Brookline August 15, 1881, aged seventy- six years.
HON. SETH AMES, OF LOWELL. Clerk of Courts 1849 to 1859.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS GRIFFIN, OF MEDFORD. Clerk of Courts 1859.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
John Quincy Adams Griffin, of Charlestown, Malden and Med- ford, June 23, 1859, to September 1, 1859 (2 months).
John . Il. Frifin
Born in Londonderry. N. H., July 8, 1826. After living a time in Pelham, where he attended the district schools, he went to Groton, Mass., in 1844 at the age of eighteen, where he prepared for college at the Groton academy. In 1846 he entered Amherst College, but did not graduate, having quitted its classic shades, when, as he termed it, "they could learn him nothing more." He was admitted to the Middlesex bar in 1849, and we next find him, in 1850, editing a "Free Soil" paper in Lawrence, although living in Charlestown, being an ardent advocate of the principles enun- ciated by that party. He was City Solicitor of Charlestown, and an earnest opponent of annexation, Representative in 1855, being "Free Soil" candidate for Speaker, receiving twenty-nine votes, the entire party strength. Moving to Malden he represented that town in 1859 and 1860. It was mainly through his efforts that tolls were abolished between that section of Middlesex county and Boston, conferring a great blessing upon the community. Subsequently he moved to Medford, where he died of pulmonary consumption, May 22, 1866, aged forty years, at the very thresh- old of a promising career. He served but two months in the office of Clerk of Courts, when he resigned, as methodical office work was not to his liking, and being nervous and excitable to the extreme, he fretted "like a hound in the leash," to be back to the active and strenuous life of his chosen profession, saying to a friend that "had he stayed another month he would have gone crazy!" He seemed to absorb knowledge without apparent effort, and be- came a worthy antagonist of men of the stamp of Benjamin F. Butler, against whom he was often pitted in court, and upon the forum. In debate he had the fire and courage of John Randolph, in cutting sarcasm the tongue of Wendell Phillips, while his oratorical powers were not only impetuous, but seductive and captivating.
GENERAL JAMES DANA, OF CHARLESTOWN. Clerk of Courts 1859.
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
General James Dana, of Charlestown, September 1, 1859, to De- cember 1, 1859 (3 months).
James Dana
Born there November 8, 1811. Graduated from Harvard in 1830. Son of Hon. Samuel Dana of Groton, a distinguished statesman, lawyer and jurist, and the first County Attorney of Middlesex County. General Dana was Mayor of Charlestown, 1858, 1859, 1860. To him was due the introduction of water into that city. Captain Charlestown Light Infantry. Colonel Fourth Regiment, First Brigade Second Division, and Brigadier-General Third Brigade Massachusetts Militia. A lawyer in his native city for many years, associated with Moses G. Cobb, who raised "Cobb's," subsequently "Nims'" battery, which performed valiant service in the Civil war. He moved from Charlestown in 1825, to Dorchester, where he died June 4, 1890, aged seventy- eight years.
Benjamin Franklin Ham, of Natick, December 1, 1859, to Janu- ary, 1872 (13 years).
13. F. Ham
Born in Farmington, N. H., July 2, 1823. He attended the district school, but at the early age of thirteen was thrown upon his own resources and left home to make his way in the world. He went to Natick and worked at the shoemaker's bench, and while there formed the friendship of Henry Wilson, a fellow mechanic, who in later years was to record his name high in the annals of fame. This intimacy was terminated only upon the death of the vice-president. Gradually improving his mind by study, he became a schoolmaster and taught in and about Natick, and was finally admitted to the bar in 1853. His legal work was so careful and judicial that he was frequently appointed to determine facts for the court as auditor, and his findings were generally acceptable. He was Representative in 1859. Towards the end of his life he became very deaf, and was not often seen in public. He died in Medford May 4, 1893, aged seventy years.
1
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HAM. OF NATICK. Clerk of Courts 1859 to 1872. (See page 177.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
Samuel Hilliard Folsom, of Winchester, October 17, 1871 (late Register of Probate).
Was Clerk pro-tem for a brief period.
Lieut. Theodore Clarence Hurd, of Winchester, January 3, 1872, to date (33 years).
Theo Stured.
Born in Newton January 19, 1831, of patriotic stock. His paternal grandfather, William Hurd, served three years in the Army of the Revolution, and Zibeon Hooker, his maternal grandsire, was one of the charter members of the Society of the Cincinnati, he having served as a drummer boy at Bunker Hill, and afterwards, by promotion, as Major on the staff of General Washington. Emulating the patriotism of his ancestors, Theo- dore C. Hurd enlisted in Company F, Forty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, during the Civil War, where he attained the rank of second lieutenant, receiving an honorable discharge at the com- pietion of his term of service. In early life his parents removed to Framingham, where the boy passed through the public schools and the academy there, subsequently graduating from Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., in 1856. He studied law at the Harvard Law School, and with Hon. C. C. Esty, of Framingham, and was admitted to the Middlesex bar in 1860. He was a Se- lectman of Framingham, 1865 to 1820; Representative, 1867- 1869-70 and '41; and Assistant District Attorney from 1865 to 1822. He has been Clerk of Courts since January 3, 1822, a period of thirty-three years. In length of service he stands fifth upon the list, but in the order of succession he bears the fatal numeral of superstition-13. Notwithstanding this cabalistic omen, let us cherish the hope that. for the benefit of those who may follow us, he may remain at his post long after we, who love him so well and whom he honors so much, shall have crossed the fabled river and await his coming to the silent shore.
THEODORE CLARENCE HURD. OF WINCHESTER. Clerk of Courts 1872 to date. (See page 179.)
MARSHALL PRESTON, OF LEXINGTON. Assistant Clerk of Courts May 5, 1851. to March 5, 1863. (See page 182.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
ASSISTANT CLERKS OF COURT.
Marshall Preston, of Lexington, May 5, 1851, to March 5, 1863 (12 years).
M. Preston
Born in Bedford June 5, 1192. Son of Dr. Amariah Pres- ton of Bedford, who served three years in the War of the Revo- lution, afterwards practicing medicine with great success, and died in Lexington, aged 96, having been in active practice until almost four score years and ten. Marshall Preston was at Brown University for a time, studied law with his uncle, Warren Preston (Brown University, 1804), in Maine, and was admitted to the bar in Augusta. Lawyer at Billerica from about 1820-1849: Town Clerk at Billerica, 1821-1848; Postmaster at Billerica, 1826- 1849 ; Selectman, Billerica, 1821-1848: House of Representa- tives from Billerica, 1829-1830. A member of the First Parish Church (Unitarian) at Billerica : also the Old First Parish Church (Unitarian) at Lexington, when he lived there, 1849- 1844; also a member of the Masonic Fraternity. Hle moved from Billerica to Lexington in 1849, where he died November ?. 1814, aged eighty-two years.
John James Sawyer, of Somerville, March 5, 1863, to September 6, 1882 (19 years).
projectolawyer
Born in Cambridge July 29. 1814. Descended from Elihu Sawyer, who was a Lieutenant in the Revolution, and was with Washington at Valley Forge. John James became infatuated with the ocean in early life, and, in company with the late veteran Clerk of Courts of Suffolk Joseph A. Willard, ran away to sea. He served in the United States Navy throughout the Mexican
JOHN JAMES SAWYER, OF SOMERVILLE. Assistant Clerk of Courts 1863 to 1882. (See page 182.)
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ANCIENT MIDDLESEX.
war. He was a genial, whole-souled sailor. His liberality of dis- position and infinite humor gave him great popularity with both the bench and the bar, many of whom delight to recall his quaint savings and ready wit. In his last sickness he was a great sufferer. Ile died in Somerville September 8, 1882, aged sixty- eight years.
John Lee Ambrose, of Somerville (First Assistant Clerk of Courts), October 2, 1882, to date (22 years).
John Lee Ambrose
Born in Center Sandwich, N. H., August 10, 1844. He at- tended the district and high schools of the town, and on January 18, 1869, entered the office of the Clerk of Courts for Middlesex County, Benjamin F. Ham being then the Clerk. Mr. Ambrose was appointed Second Assistant Clerk of the Courts by Theodore C. Ilurd, Esquire, the present Clerk, December 12. 1814, under the provisions of Chapter 181 of the Acts of 18:3. On October 2. 1882, the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court appointed Mr. Ambrose First Assistant Clerk, which position he now holds. His official record to date since first appointment in 1844 covers a period of thirty years.
William Clinton Dillingham, of Malden, Second Assistant Clerk of Courts, 1882 to date (22 years).
MMC Dillingham.
Born in Charlestown, Mass., March 5, 1848. He is de- scended from the Vermont branch of the Dillingham family of Colonial times. His parents having moved to Malden, he passed through the public schools of that town, and attended a prepara- tory school in Boston, afterwards studying law for three years in the office of William C. Greene. In 1815 he was appointed a Deputy Sheriff of Middlesex County, and in 1882 became an As-
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