USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume I pt 1 > Part 38
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31:
GENERAL HISTORY.
Sage, 185!, Charles Spurr, 1852; William Warder, 1854; Graham A. Roo:, 1855; Joseph Wilcox, 1856; Gershom M. Fitch, 1857.
Stockbridge: Ephraim Williams, Esq., 1744: Timothy Woodbridge. 1752: Elijah Williams, 1761: Timothy Woodbridge, Esq . 1752, 1705. 1;69 -; 1; Shovel Browne. 1772; Smouel Browne, jr., 1773: Thomas Williuns. 1774: Timothy Edwards, Esp. Jahleel Woodbridge, Esq. 1775: Elnathan Curtis, 1776: Timothy Edwards, Ist. John Bacon, 1777; John Bacon, 1778; Asa Bemcet, 1779: John Macho, Etq . Jableel Woodbridge, 17So: John Bicon, Esq , 1782: How. John Bacon, Esq, 1763-64. Dr. Erastus Sargeant, 1785; Hon. John Bacon, Esq. 1786; Hon Theodore Sedgwicky Esq., 1787-88; Hon. John Bicon, Esq . 1759-91; Hon. Timothy Edwards, Esq .1;02. John Bacon, Esq., 1793; Ephraim Williams, 1794 96; Jolin Bacon. Begy 1700 Ephraim Williams, Esq. 1798-1361; Colonel Jon thay Patten, 1992.3: Aka Willlook, 1804; John Whiton, 1805: Asa Bement, 1Sco; John Bacon, 1So7; Elijah Brown, JL. ISOS; Henry Brown, 1809; Asa Williams, 1810; Suntel Olmstead, 1811; John WOF- ton, Isaac Curtis, (S12; John Hunt, 1813; Daniel Goodrich, 1814-15; John Bacon, 1816; Jared Curtis, 181; Henry W. Dwight, 1818; Jared Curtis, 1819-20; IskaE Curtis, jr., 1821; George Whitney, 1822; Isaac Curtis, jr., 1823; Theodore Sedgwick. 1824 25; Samuel Jones, 1826; Theodore Sedgwick, 1827 28; Richard P. Morgan, Theodore Sedgwick, 1829; Prentice Williams, 1830; Sewall Sergeant, 1831; IMac Curtis, Thaddeus Pomeroy, 1832; Amos Avery, jr., 1933: Daniel Churchill, Heury W. Dwight, 1834; Daniel Churchill, Theodore $. Pomeroy, 1835; Alanspa Banner, Avery Williams, 1836; Alanson Bennet, John M. Cooper, 1837; William C. Churchill, IS38; William C. Churchill, Charles Webster, 1839; John M Cooper, Charles Web. ster, IS40; William Rosseter, IS41; Daniel Barnes, 1542! Mushell Warner, 15:31 Robert E. Galpin, 1844-45; Horatio Byington. 1846; Daniel B. Fenu. 1845; Alliert F. Dickinson, 1849; William Darbe, 1850; Edward C Carter, 1851; Henry be Car- ter, 1853; Henry W. Dwight, 1854; Frederick W. Carter, 1855; Thomas Wells, 1956; Henry Dresser, 1857.
Tyringham: Captain John Chadwick, 1762-64, 1766-67, 1772.73; Captain Giles Jackson, 1774; Major Giles Jackson, Elijah Warten, John Chadwick, Esq. 1775! John Chadwick, Esq .. Joseph Wilson, 1777; Colonel Giles Jackson, Captun Erekie) Herrick, 1779; Lieutenant Joseph Wilson, 1787; Captain Josh Brewer, 1998-21 Captain Ezekiel Herrick, 1783; Captain Jowith Brewer, 1704; Giles Jas- son, Esq., 1785; Benjamin Warren, 1787: Captain Ezekiel Herrick, 19530; Giles Jackson, Esq., 1794; Adonijih Bidwell. 1795; Giles Jackson, Fig. 1790. Mo- sha Garfield, Esq., 1797. 1799; Adonijah Bidwell, 1800 5; Joseph Wilson, 1990.8. Adonijah Bidwell, Joseph Wilson, 1839; Alongth Bidwell Fravers Harik, 1815 1 ;; Joseph Wilson, Jared Thompson, 1812; Solomon Garfield, tar ;: Ngheninh Pack. 1814-15; Jared Thompson, 1916: Nehemiah Park. 1817; Adomjah Bidwell, 1520; Silas Rewee, 1822-24; Lawson D. Bidwell. 1825 26; Silas Renage. 1527 Elt Hale, 1828-29; Egbert B. Garfield, 1835-31; Simbel Fargo, jr., 1532; Eera Heath, 2nd, 1833; Samuel C. Buel 1834-35; Oliver Judd, ir. 1836:37; Fard Heath, 1558, Asa Judo, 1839; Amos Langdon, jr. 1820; Horatio H. Hubbard. 15;1; John Hran. ning, IS42; John D. Sweet, 1943; John Bringing, 1844: Asa Jold, 15:5; John Branning, 1847-48; Nathan Rowley. 1549; John Browning. 1855; Ezra Help, 1851; Ebenezer Beers, 1852: Elbridge B Tyrrell, 1853; John Cinon, 1554
Washington : Ahimas Easton. 176; John Nichole, 1752-51. 17521 AFirjan Ash- ley Esq., 1987. 1789.90; Anthony Ames 1801; Gideon Deming, 15039; Jesse Ladd
314
HISTORY OF BERESHIRE COUNTY.
jr., 1810; Simon Henry, (Bt2: Absalom Deming, 1513; Gulein Deming, 1514: Jeiber Morgan. 1820-21; Abrahun Williams, 1523; Philip Eames, 1827-28: Stephen W New- ton, 1829-30; William Noble, 1831; Stephen W. Newton, 1832, Philip Times, 1533; Stephen W. Newton, 1534: Philip Eumes. 1835-36: Stephen W. Neson. 1837; João S. Noble. 1838-45; William G. Ballantine, 1841; Amos S Crane, 1842; Eliskx A. Wells, 1843: Alvah Eames, 1844: Wilham Macher, 1847: John G. Cross, 1840: Sim. uel Bell, 1851; William F. Bell. 1852; Arsemis W, Lloyd, 1553: Alanson Hilfs. 1655
West Stockbridge : Elijah William- E-q .. 1730. 1784 5. 178 ;: Mayor Thomas Lusk, 1,88 89: Elijah Willianis Esq., 1;90-91; Thomas Luik Fsg., 1992-03. 1705: Elijah Williams, 1797; Samuel Baldwin, 1998; Elijah Williams, 1709. Ezekiel Stone, I Soo; Grove Pomeroy. 185 !-?; Enoch W. Thayer, 1853; Abribam Tobey. 158;5 Philander Rathbun, 1805; Dr. Samuel Barstow, 1866 -;: Fairing Wilson, 1865; Letio uel Moffit jr., 1809-10; Deodatus C. Whitwood. 18tt: Lemuel Moth: jr. 1812-13! Stephen Sibley, IS14: Joseph Hewins. 1815: Stephen Johns, 1316; Santord Fuch. 1818; Joseph B. Hill, 1820-21; Luther Plumb, 1823, 1825; Robbins Kellogg 15:0; Melancthon Lewis, 1827; Luther Plumb, 1828; Martin Hendrix, 1829-30; Melanie- thon Lewis, 1831; Martin Hendrix, 1832-35: Martin Hendrix, Cherles B. Hoy ington, 1836; Miles Morgan, Martin Hendrix, 1837: Hubbard Fox. 1838-39. Henry M. Tobey, 1841: Sylvester Spencer, 18;2-43: Perley Traesdell. 1844 Marin R. Kellogg, 1845; Nathan Kinne, 1846; Henry W. Taft, 18;7: Thomas W Barnes, 1848; Cyrus W. Woodruff. 1849; Andrew Furrey, 1851: William Jones. 1957: Cyrus W. Woodruff, 1833; Thomas H. Spencer, 1954; Morgan L. Boughton. LES Heman Ford, 1856; Franklin B. Come, 1857.
Williamstown : Captain Isaac Searl, 1770-92: David Nobile. 1;73: Capcom Itse Searl, 1774; Samuel Kellogg, 1775: Captain Isaac Stratton, 1776: Cosain Istre Searles, 1777; Captain Stephen Davis, Elisha Baker, 1779; Captain Stephen Davis. Major Isaac Stratton. 1780; Ciptain Thomas m J. Skinner, 178: 53: Capriin Joseph T. Skinner. 17844: Thomas J. Skinner. 1;55 89: Dr. William Towner, 1799 91; Major William Young, 1792-93: Colonel Sunfiel Sloan, 170 ;: Wolfim Young, Eng. 1795; William Towner Esq, 1795 98; Thompson J. Skinner Esq .. 1700, Tho drenny J. Skinner, William Young, ISoo; William Young, William Towner. 1Sat; Wilam Young, 1802-4: William Young. Ezekiel Bacon, 1855-6; William Towner, 1957: William Towner, William Young. 1808: William Towner. Samuel Kellogg, 1869. Samuel Kellogg, Henry C. Brown, 1810 11; Ambrose Hall, Samuel Kellogg. 1812-13; Samuel Kellogg, Alanson Porter, 1814: Samuel Kellogs. 1815: Samuel Kellogg Ra- fus Young, 1816; Ambrose Hall, 1817; Daniel Noble, Sentiel Kellogg. 1519: Daniel Noble, 1820; Keyes Danforth. 1821; Charles A Dewey, 1822; Reyes Danforth, 15:31 Charles A. Dewey, Gershom T. Bulkles, 1824; Stephen Horsford, 1825.26; Keves Danforth, Lyman Hubbell, 1827; Lyman Hubbell. Samuel Smith. 1823. Daniel Dewey, Ebenezer Foster. 1830-31: Ebenezer Einmons, Reuben Young, 1832-13. Henry I. Sabin 1834; Manning Brown, Reuben Eldridge. 1:35:35: Thomas C Phelps, William Watermin, 1837-35: Jeremiah H Horstord. Henry Johnson 1839! James Corbin, Henry Johnson, 1345; James ElBridge, 15;1; Dennis Smith. 1848 William Torrey, 1543: Amisa Shattuck, 1844. Inte Litham, 1336-47: Daniel M Dewey, 1848: Sumner Southworth. 1850; William White, 165t: Willum Danfurth. 1852; Harvey T. Cole, 13 ;;; Parler | Pendle, 15:3: Edwin F Grade ries, Richard W. Swan, 1856: Levi Smedley. 1357.
Loudon : Joshua Lawton, 178; Paul Larkcom, 1810
315
GENERAL HISTORY.
Gageboro, now Windsor: Captain William Clark, 1724; Harmon Briggs, 1177; Captain Arnold Lewis, Captain William Clark, 17So; Captain Denison Robinson, 1781; William Clark Esq, 1732; Captain L. Growvener, 1753.83; William Clark, Esq., 1786; Harmon Briggs Esq. 1787; Captain Denison Robinson, 1788; William Clark Esq., 1739; Thomas Robinson jr., 1795; Joshua Beals ENq . : 793.93. 1795. 1797, 1850, 1802; Amos Holbrook, 1553 5, Daniel Chapman, 1326; Amos Hol- brook, 180; Daniel Dana, 1809-10: Nathaniel Luther, 1811; Noch Green, 161211; Amasa Convers jr., 1815: Ephraim Baldwin, 1819: Noch Green, 1821; John Fobes, IS?3-24; Ephraim Baldwin, 1826; Ada Hall, 1827; Jeptba Whitman, 1828-29; Josikh Allen, 1330-31: Daniel O. Holbrook. 1832-33; Josiah Alien, 1031: Richard Home, 1835; John Weston, 1736; Alpheus Brown jr. 1837: Josiah Allen, 1839: Modes Ford, 1840; Samuel Dawes jr., 1841; Levi M. Winslow, 1842; Clark Prince, 1843; Henry A. Pierce, 1347-43; Chapin Converse, 1350; Reuben Pierce, 1851; Luther Tower, 1852; Almond P. Pierce, 1854; James L. White, 1855.
In 1857 the county was divided into nine representative districts, as follows: First District :- Hancock, Lanesboro, New Ashford, Williamstown.
Second :- Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Florida, Savoy.
Third :- Pittsfield, Dalton, Richmond.
Fourth :- Becket. Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, Windsor.
Fifth :- Lenox, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge.
Sixth :- Lee. Tvringham.
Seventh :- Great Barrington, Altord, Monterey.
Eighth :- New Marlboro, Sandishield, Otis.
Ninth :- Sheffield, Mount Washington, Egremont.
The representatives from these districts have been as follows:
In 1858,-ist District .-- Calvin R. Taft, Williamstown; and .- Russell C. Brown, Cheshire; Sylvander Johnson, Adams; 3d .- Julius Rockwell, Edward Larned, Pile. field; 4th .- John Smith, Becket; 5th, George W. Kniffin, West Stockbridge; 6th .-. Jonathan T. Cook, Lee; 7th,-William Dewey, Great Barrington; Sth, -- James Hyde, New Marlboro; 9th,-Chester Goodale, Egremont.
In 1859,-Ist District, -William Filley, Lanesboro; ed. William H. Tyler, 20. Sylvander Johnson, Adams: 3d. John A. Walker, Henry Colt, Pittsfield; 4th. Henry D. Lyman, Hinsdale: 5th, E. W. B. Canning. Stockbridge: 6th. John M. Northrop. Tyringham: 7th, Increase Sumner, Great Barrington; 8th, Orlo Burt, Sandisfield: 9th. Calvin Benjamin, Egremont.
In 1860,-1st District, -William E. Johnson, Williamstown; ed, Timothy Baker. Savoy; George W. Nottingham. Adams; 3d, Robert W. Adam, William R. Plunkett, Pittsfield; 4th, Andrew J. Babbitt, Windsor; 5th, Henry W. Bishop. Lenox; (ch. John Stallman jr., Lee: 7th, William Stoddard, Alford; Sth, Henry W. Bosworth, Otis: 9th, John Scovill, Sheffield.
In 1861,-1st District .- George W. Barker, Hujcock; ed, Stoel E. Dean, Adams; Joseph D. Clark, Clarksburg: 3d, Otis R. Barker, Pittsfield: Simeon M. Dean, Dalton; 4th, Simpson Bell, Washington: 5th, Charles S. Platt, West Stockbridge; 6th. John Branning, Lee; 7th, Benjamin Peabody, Great Barrington; 8th, Cyrus 1 .. Hartweli, New Marlboro; 9th, Henry H Hoadley. Sheffield.
In 1862,-1st District,-Keves Danforth, Williamstown: ad. Henry Cartwright, Adams; Edmund: D. Foster, Cheshire; 3d. Nathan G Brown. Pit: fuld; W IT Nichols, Richmond: 4th, Sylvester S. Bowen, Peru; 5th, Jonathan E. Field, Stuck.
1
316
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
bridge; 6th, James Bullard, Lee: 7th, Eugene Vosborg, Great Harrington ; 8th. Joshua M. Sears, Sandisfield; 9th, Seymour B. Dewer, Egremont
In 1863,-1st District,-Daniel Day, Lanesboro: Ed, George W. Adams, Adams; Sylvester A. Kemp, Florida; 3d, Burr Chamberlin, Daloon: Jony V Barker, Plushold; 4th, Jarvis Rockwell, Hinsdale; 5th, Thomas Post. Lenox 6th, William G. Merrill. Lee; 7th, Justin Dewey jr., Great Barrington; St, Issac 1., Bristol, Only och. Archi- bald Taft, Sheffield.
In 1864,-1St District,-Daniel Dewey. Williamstown: 2d, Sylvester Johnson. Abel Wetherbee, Adams; 3d. Henry Stearns, Pittsfield; Selden Jennings, Richmond: 4th, Milton Barnes, Becket; 5th, Charles W. Amain, West Stockbrotger Gie, Jound M. Garfield, Tyringham; 7th, Rensselaer N. Couch, Monterey, 8th, Grove Gisfond. New Marlboro; 9th, Horace W. Lamson, Mount Washington
In 1865,-Ist District,-Daniel Dewey, Williamstown; ed, Benjamin F, Poulpe, John F. Arnold, Adams; 3d, George N. Dutton, Pittsfield: Charles O. Brown, Dal. ton; 4th, A. W. Warren, Windsor: 5th, Henry M. Burall, Stockbridge; Gly Silvester S. May, Lee; 7th, Joseph Tucker, Great Barrington; 8th, Franklin G. Abbey, Sandi- field; 9th, Joseph A. Benjamin, Egremont.
In 1866,-Ist District,-Noble F. Roys, New Ashford; 2d, Sylvander Johnson, George Millard, Adams; 3d, John C. West, Samuel W. Bowerman, Prisbeld. 4b. Moses H. Longley, Washington; 5th, Thomas Post, Lenox; 6th, Marshall Wilcox, Lee; 7th Mark R. Van Dusen, Alford; Sth, Alanson Crittenden, Ovis, gik. Ralph Little, Sheffield.
In 1866 the county was redistricted, and the number of districts was reduced lo eight, the first five being constituted as before.
The sixth was made to include Lee, Monterey, Otis, and Tyringham
The seventh, Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, and Mount Wachtegon
The eighth, New Marlboro, Sandisfield, and Sheffield. Under this distribution the representatives were as follows:
In 1867,-ist District, -William H. Lapham, Hancock; sd, Jonas A Chiopley. Shepard Thayer, Adams; 3d, John V. Barker, John E. Merrill, Pittsfield, 4th. Hen- jamin F. Pierce, Peru; 5th, William C. Spaulding, West Stockbridge; 6th, John Branning, Lee; 7th, Egbert Hollister, Great Barrington; 8th, Zacheus Cande. Sheffield.
In 1868,-ist District,-Fred. A. Morey, Williamstown; ad. Shepard Thayer, Adams; Jonas A. Champley, Cheshire; 3d. Thomas F. Plunkett, Pirosfield, Henry H. Cook, Richmond; 4th, Charles J. Kittredge, Hinsdale; sth, Mayon Van Denedxi, Stockbridge; 6th, Alanson Crittenden, Ofis: 7th, Edward A. Hulbert, Great Harring. ton; 8th, Andrew Freeman, New Marlboro.
In 1869 .- 1st District,-Justus Tower, Lanesboro: 28, Shepard Thaver, blans. Werden R. Brown, Cheshire; 30, Thomas F. Plunkett, Pittsfield. James Wilson, Dalton; 4th, Thomas K Plunkett, Hinsdale; 5th. Albert Langdon. Lenox, 6th, Alan. son Crittenden, Otis; ; tl., Herbert C. Joyner. Great Barrington: Sin. Orlow Wolcon, Sandisfield.
In 1870,-Ist District,-Benjamin F. Mills, Williamstown; ad, William F Darley. . Henry J. Barker, Adams; 3d, Ensign H. Kellogg, Samuel A Churchill, Picsfehl: 4th, George T. Plunkett, Hinsdale; 5th. Edward McDonald. Lemos; 6th. Alangon Crittenden, Otis; 7th, Herbert C. Joyner, Great Barrington; kth. Joan D Borsch. Sheffield.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
In 1871,-1st District,-Calvin R. Taft, Williamstown; 2d, Henry ! Harker, Frederick P. Brown, Adams; 3d, Ensign H. Kellogg, Pintifield; Zenas Crane inn Dalton; 4th, Henry A. Bidwell, Becket; 5th, Henry J. Darbam, Stockbridge; 6th. Prentiss C. Baird, Lee; 7th, Irwin D. W. Baldwin, Egremont; 8th, H D Sison, New Marlboro.
In 1872,-Ist District,-Edward j. Tower, Lainsiboro; ed. Frederick P. Brown, Adams; S. P. Dresser, Savoy; 3d. James M. Barker, Willing H. Murray, PuesGeld; 4th, Chapin Converse, Hinsdale; 5th, George O. Peck, Lends; 6:6, Charles E Stater, Tyringham; 7th, Frederick T. Whiting, Great Barrington: 8th, Milton Abbey, Sans disfield.
In 1873,-1st District,-Kirke E. Gardner, Hancock: 2d, William C. Plunkett, William F. Darby, Adams; 3d, James M. Birker, George Y. Lpared. Piliabald; ; ty, James L. White, Windsor; 5th, Marcus Truesdell, Wes: Stockbridge; otti, Tlamas .M. Judd, Lee; 7th, Seymour B. Dewey, Egremont; Sth, Anstin Hawley, Sandisheld
In 1874,-Ist District .- Summer Southworth, Williamstown; 2d. S. W. Brayton. Adams; L. J. Cole, Cheshire; 3d, Jarvis N. Dunham, William H. Murray, Pittfield; 4th, Simon H. White, Hinsdale; 5th, John B. Hull, Stockbridge; 6th, Thomas M. Judd, Lee: 7th, Henry W. Wright, Great Barrington; 8th, WAHam B. Gibson. New Marlboro.
In 1875,-1st District,-Joseph White, Williamstown; ed, James W. Dwyer, William Martin, Adams; 3d, Thomas F. Plunkett, Owen Coogan, Pittsfield; 4th. Alanson B. Pomeroy, Washington; 5th, William D. Curtis, Lenox; 6th, Edward S. May, Lee; 7th, John M. Seeley, Great Barrington; Sth, Henry M. Wilcox, Sandis- field.
In 1876, -- ist District,-Harvey M. Owen, Lanesboro; 2d. Charles H. Reed. Dallas J. Dean, Adams; 3d, Ensign H. Kellogg, Solomon N. Russell, Pittsfield; 4tb, Monroe E. Ballou, Becket; 5th, John A. Wilson, West Stockbridge; 6th, Jaho P Clark, Lee; 7th, William I. Van Deusen, Great Barrington; 8th, Albert W. Curte, Sheffield.
In 1876 another apportionment, based on the census of 1575, was made, and the districts were constituted as follows :
First District :- Hancock, Lanesboro, New Ashford, Williamstown, Clarksburg Second :-- Adams.
Third :- Pittsfield, Dalton.
Fourth :- Florida, Savoy, Cheshire, Windsor, Washington, Peru, Hinsdale
Fifth :- Becket, Lee, Otis, Tyringham.
Sixth :- Richmond, Lenox, Stockbridge, West Stockbridge.
Seventh :- Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, Monterey.
Eighth :- Mount Washington, New Marlboro, Sandisfield, Shemeld.
Under this apportionment the representatives have been as follows!
In 1877,-1st District, -John I. Cole, Williamstown! ad, Job K. Anthony, Charles H. Ingalls, Adams; 3d. Jarvis N. Dunham, Pittsfield; Heary A- Banon, Dalton; 4th, Jackson B. Farnum. Cheshire; 5th, Frank S. Gross, Les; 6th, Horace J. Canfield, Stockbridge; 7th, Justin Dewey, Great Barrington; 8th, Andrew J. Freeman, New Marlboro.
In 1878,-ist District, -- Daniel N. White, Hancock; ad, Job K. Anthony, Charles H. Ingalls, Adams; 3d, Jarvis N. Dunham, Solomon N. Russell, Pittsfield; 4th, John W. Curtice, Hinsdale; 5th, Sidney Barnes, Becket; 6th, Hiram N. Couke.
318
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Lenox; 7th, William B. Bliss, Great Barrington; 8th, Henry M. Wilcox, Sanditfield
In 1879,-1st District,-Benjamin F. Mather jr., Withamstown; 2d. Horace M Holmes, Adams; William F. Darby, North Adams;" 3d, Francis W. Rockwell, Solo. mon N. Russell, Pittsfield; 4th, Leonard McCulloch, Savoy: 5th, Elion South, Lee; 6th, Samuel M. Reynolds, Richmond: 7th, Walter B. Peck, Egremont; Sth. Maloy J Smith, Sheffield.
In 1880,-ist District,-Keyes Danforth, Williamstown; ed, Horace M Holmes. Adams; S. Proctor Thayer, North Adams; 3d, Samuel W. Bowerman, Edward D. G Jones, Pittsfield; 4th, William C. Warren, Windsor; 5t1. William Tinker, 00; 6th, James Shead. West Stockbridge; 7th, Walter B. Peck. Keremom :: 8th, Fortin P Keyes, New Marlboro.
In ISSt,-Ist District, -John W. P. Buch, Clarksburg; ad. Nelson HI Biaby, Adams; S. Proctor Thayer, North Adams; 3d, Samuel W. Bowerman, Oliver W. Rob bins, Pittsfield; 4th. Frederick S. Rice, Florida; 5th, Norman W. Shores, Lee; 6th, Henry J. Dunham, Stockbridge; 7th, Marshall S. Bidwell, Monterey; 8th, George .A Shepard, Sandisfield.
Ir 1882,-Ist District,-Charles D. Belden, Williamstown; ad. Aleander W. Preston, Nathan S. Babbitt, North Adams: 3d. Samuel W. Bowerman, Edward D. G. Jones, Pittsfield; 4th, Alanson S. Pomeroy, Washington; 5th, Norman W. Shores, Lee; 6th, Thomas Post, Lenox: 7th, Charles W. Ray, Greas Barrington; 8th, Orrin C. Whitbeck, Mount Washington.
In IS83,-Ist District,-Charles D. Belden, Willianistown; ad. Nelsus H. Bixby. Adams; Henry G. B. Fisher, North Adams; 3d, Jacob Gimlich, Pittsfield: John S. Barton, Dalton; 4th, Heman L. Allen, Windsor: 5th. Pliny M. Saylor, Lec; 6th, George E. Kniffin, West Stockbridge: 7th, Herbert C. Joyner, Great Barrington: 8th. George Kellogg, Sheffield.
In 1884,-Ist District,-Fordyce W. Briggs, Lanesboro: ad. Moses B. Darling. North Adams: John S. Adams, Adams; 3d, Thomas A Oman, Jacob Gimlich, Pists. field; 4th, Daniel F. Bucklin, Cheshire; 5th, Wilham H Gross, Lec; 6th. Henry J Dunham, Stockbridge; 7th, Albert S. Fasset, Great Barrington: 8th, Lerin P Keyes, New Marlboro.
In 1885,-Ist District,-Bushnell Danforth, Williamstown; ad. Moses II. Dar- ling, North Adams; John S. Adams, Adams; 3d. De Witt C. Munyan, Jolin Aller. Root, Pittsfield; 4th, Edwin Tremain, Hinsdale; 5th, Henry C. Phelps, Lec; 6thy. Chauncey Sears, Lenox; 7th, Alfred S. Fasset, Great Barrington: 8th, Charles A Claflin, Sandisfield.
*Town of Adams divided and North Adams incorporated, April 10th, 1575
CHAPTER XVII.
THE BERKSHIRE BENCH AND BAR."
BY A. C. COLLINS, A. M. The Courts .- County seats .- Law library .- Judges .- The Bar
THE COURTS.
T HE judicial system of Massachusetts has been of gradual growth and development. Under the colonial government county coutts were organized which were adapted to the simple needs of the inlabi tants: these courts were held by the magistrates in the respective con- ties, and by " such persons of worth where there shall need be. as shall from time to time be appointed by the General Court fat the nomination of the freemen of the countyi to be joined in commission with the ming. istrates so that they may be five in all, three whereof may keep a court provided there be one magistrate."
These courts had general Probate jurisdiction and " full power to hear and determine all canses, civil and criminal. not extending to life member or banishment" (which, with causes of divorce, were reserved to the Court of Assistants) and power to appoint clerks and other officers. to summon juries, and to " admit any church members, that are fit to be freemen." There was a right of appeal from the inferior courts to the Court of Assistants, which was held at least semi-annually by the gov. ernor or deputy governor and the rest of the magistrates.
In cases of capital offense, if the defendant was convicted by a bare majority of the judges then present. he could appeal to the next General Court, and it was also provided that in any " difficult case" the ques. tion at issue might, without the names of the parties being given, bere ferred to the General Court for decision.
A special court for strangers might be held by the governor and two
* In compiling the following sketch of the Beach and For the Wayfar as ( sefortheore edge his indebtedness to " Field's History of Berkshire County "and ; the several they 10 tories that have been published, from which valuable and has been denivel
320
HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
magistrates. Small causes were tried by a single magistrate or by three commissioners in towns where there were no magistrates.
After the organization of the " Proviure of Massachusetts Boy" by charter of William and Mary (1601, the following judicial system was adopted by the " Great and General Court or Assembly of their majess ties begun at Boston the eighth day of June, 1002 : "
1 .-- A Superior Court of Judicature having both appellate and ortes inal jurisdiction throughout the province,-corresponding to our Supreme Judicial Court -- and consisting of a chief justice and four associate jus tices, three of whom constituted a quorum ; its touns were held in the several counties but no sessions were ever held in Berkshire as all its causes arising in this county were heard and tried at the forms hold in Hampshire. The same justices were to hold a court of asize and general gaol delivery for the county at the same time.
IT .- A Court of Common Pleas for each county, consisting of four justices residing therein, and having a general jurisdiction in civil causes.
III. - A Court of Quarter Sessions in each county, composed of all its justices of the peace, who had a limited criminal jurisdiction and managed the prudential affairs of the county. The justices of the peace had also a separate jurisdiction in minor matters, both civil and criminal. and from their judgments there was a right of appeal to the next Court of Common Pleas.
IV .- A High Court of Chancery " to be holden and kept by the gov. ernor or such other as he shall appoint to be chancellor, assisted with eight or more of the council " to sit at such times as the governor should appoint. with right of appeal. when the matter in controversy exceeded £300 sterling. " unto their majesties in council."
V .- Probate Courts. The provincial charter provided that the gov- ernor with the council or assistants should " do, execute, or perform all that is necessary for the probate of wills and granting of administta- tions." An act was passed by the Legislature for erecting Courts of Pro. bate in the several counties, which was negatived by the king : other ants, however, were afterward passed and approved which recognized the power of these Courts of Probate and regulated appeals from them to the governor and council ; the governor appointed probate officers in the ses. eral counties, to whom, in effect, he delegated the probate power vested in himself.
Without endeavoring to further trace the history of our courts it may be sufficient to state that the system of county courts was continued. with some changes under the constitution, until the adoption of the present system in 1820, when a Court of Common Pieas for the common wealth was established, corresponding to the present Superior Court and holding its sessions in the several counties. Courts of Insolvency were also established, having the same judges and holling their sessions at the same time and place as the Probate Courts.
----
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GENERAL HISTORY.
COUNTY SEATS.
Berkshire county was incorporated April 24th. 1701 -- the get laks effeet on the Both of Inne following. By the sunp stamte sheffield was declared to be " for the present the county of shire town." and der county offices were located at the Ninth Patiale which. being Incorporatet as the town of Great Bauington in Jom of the same year. became the shira town and the courts were appointed to be left at the Filter place on the last Tuesday of April and first Tuesday of September, and ar Porinion suck, or Pittsfield, on the thst Thes lay of March wood Deceroles of ecoch year.
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