USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Volume I pt 1 > Part 40
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John Ashley, of Sheffield, was born in 1709 and died in 1802. He was a son of Capt. John Ashley, of Westfield, who was one of the origin nal settlers of Sheffield. He graduated at Yale College in 1730, was ad mitted to the bar in 1732, and settled in Sheffield He obtained an ex- tensive practice and was well known for his learning and integrity. Her represented the towns of Southern Berkshire in the Legislature for see eral years. He was judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 105 to 1781. He owned about sixteen hundred acres of land in the region of Ashley Falls, two hundred acres having been given him by the proprie- tors "as an acknowledgment of his kindness in promoting the good of the settlement." He was a contemporary of Worthington and Hawley, lex 1- ers of the Hampshire bar.
John Huggins, of Sheffield, was admitted to the bar prior to 1713, and settled in Springfield where he obtained an extensive practice. The time of his removal to Sheffield is uncertain. He was skillful, wallet cated, and of good repute. It is said that "his declarations were dis tinguished for formality."
Gen. Joseph Dueight, son of Capt. Henry Dwight, was born in Het- field, October 16th, 1703, and died in Great Barrington June 9th, 16, He graduated at Harvard College in 1722, was engaged in trade in Spring field for several years, removed to Brookfield about 1731, and was prob- ably admitted to the Hampshire bar soon after. He represented his town several years in the Legislature and was a member of the Provincial Council and speaker of the House of Representatives in 1748-9 Golf. eral Dwight achieved considerable distinction in military life In 1945 he was commander of the Massachusetts artillery at the siege and out ture of Louisbourg on Cape Breton, and in the second French war (17891 he commanded a regiment on an expedition to Lake Champlain and vicin ity. He resided in Stockbridge from 1:51 to 1757 when los reigave 1 to Great Barrington. where he took a prominent part in public affairs. In
1739 he was a judge of the Court of Comproog Plus for Worcester (sorry. from 1753 to 1761 a judge of the sanie cont for Hampshire county son also presiding judge of the same coup for Berkshire county from Le formation in 1701 till his death in 1765. He was also judge of Protect for this county during the latter period. He was described by the Bay. Sylvester Burt as follows : ". His personal appearance was vary site. die was dignified in his manners. an upright judge, mul un exemplosy pro- fessor of the religion of the gospel. No mo jn (Im mounty, In civil lt, was more esteemed. and aged people still speak of him with The greatest respect."
Elisha Huggins, and also Zadock Hogyias, of Springfield, are said to have been admitted to the Hampshire bar prior to 1:01. and de have settled in Sheffield.
Col. Mark Hopkins, son of Timothy Hopkins, of Waterbury, Com, was born September 18th, 1739. He was the youngest brother of Rer. Scon uel Hopkins of Great Barrington. under whose care he was pilacest ypromo the death of his father in 1740. He probably studied law with John Worthington, of Springfield, and was a kinsman of Mrs. Worthington. He was admitted to the bar at the first session of the court in Berkshire. in September. 1761. He settled in Great Barrington, was the first register of deeds for the county, the first county treasurer. mid also the first oferte of his town. In 1765 he married Elveta Sergemit, daughter of the Rev John Sergeant, of Stockbridge. He left his children one of whom. Archibald, was the father of President Hoplig of Williams College Having a liberal education and being possessed of fine audities he shop obtained a lucrative practice and became prominent in the room ou county. He was an eminent patriot and early .. poused The colonial cause, to which, on account of his high standing among his fellow offene he was enabled to render very efficient aid, He became a colonel la IRS army and commanded a detachment of Berkshire militia a Pe bskill, lo the summer of 1776. In October of the same year he was to Whom Plains, where he was taken sick, and died on the 24th of the month. Jost two days before the battle, at the Age of thing seyen gosifs
John Pell. jr., was admitted to the lar in December 170L and pose ticed in Sheffield for a few years. In 1702 he was fined 105., by the Coomrt of Sessions, for traveling on the Lord's day, His father came from Wow- field.
Daniel Jones was born in Weston, July 25th, 1740, gradomtil at Harvard in 1759, and was admitted to the bar in December, 1761. He practiced in Pittsfield. In 1763 he married a daughter of Major Elijan Williams, of Deerfield, and removed to Hinsdale, N. IL Hewas a tepel able lawyer and judge. He died in 1780.
Gen. John Ashley, of Sheffield, son of John Ashley above mentioned, was born in 1735 and died in 1799. He graduated at Yale College In 1838 and was admitted to the bar in 1709 He selflast upon his Follow & plane- tation in Sheffield and became one of the largest fiatal holders but the brown.
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
He was frequently a representative to the Legislature, was an ardent patriot and an upright magistrate. He commanded the small party which, in the time of the Shays rebellion, met and defeated the insurgents in the northwesterly part of the town of Sheffield. on the 20th of February. 1787. In 1780 he was appointed, by Gov. Hancock, major general of State militia.
Jakleel Woodbridge, of Stockbridge, only son of Joseph Woodbridge. graduated at Princeton College in 1761. He was repeatedly elected to the General Court, and in 1781 was appointed a justice of the Court of Common Pleas, and was presiding justice from 1987 to 1795. He was judge of Probate for the county from 1787 to 1795. He died August 13th, 1796, aged fifty-eight years, " having been esteemed," says Field. "for his good sense, integrity, and piety."
Dr. Perez Marsh was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas from 1765 to 1781. He was born in Hadley. October 25th. 1720, graduated at Harvard College, and settled in Dalton. He died May 20th, 1784.
Dr. William Whiting, of Great Barrington, was presiding justice of the Court of Common Pleas from 1781 to 1757. He was the son of Col. William Whiting, of Bozrah, Conn .. and was born April 8th, 1730. He died December Sth. 1792.
Woodbridge Little was born in Colchester, Conn., in 1741, and died June 21st, 1813. He graduated at Yale College in 1760. first studied the. ology, and then law, and was admitted to the bar in 1764. He souled in Pittsfield and was the first lawyer in that town. He was possessed of much skill and learning and took an active part in the affairs of the town. For a few years he incurred the enmity of his fellow citizens by his apparent leaning toward the royal cause. He was several times eleet- ed representative to the General Court. At his death he left most of his property to charitable institutions.
Col. William Williams was born at Weston in 1711 and died at Pittsfield in 1785, He graduated at Harvard College in 1722 and studied medicine. He was among the first settlers of Pittsfield and for many years he was one of the most prominent men in the town. In 1754 he built Fort Anson, on Unkamet street, which was accepted as a province garrison and for which he was allowed 963. He took an active part in the military operations of the times and held the position of colonel H. was a representative in the Legislature for a few years. He was a justice of the Court of Common Pleas from 1761 to 1765, and chief justice of that court from 1765 to 1781. He was judge of Probate for the county from 1765 to 1778.
Capt. Charles Goodrich was born in 1720 and died in 1816. He set tled in Pittsfield in 1753 and was its first representative in the Legisla ture. He was a member of the Provincial Congress at Concord in 1974. and a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Berkshire county from 1784 to 1788.
Timothy Edwards, eldest son of President Edwards, graduated at
1
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GENERAL HISTORY.
Princeton College in 1757. In 1790 he settled in Stockbrilles where Be became quite prominent. He was a man of extensive information and was judge of Probate from 1775 to 1787. In 1770 he received the appoint- ment of member of Congress, which he declined, He died in October, 1813, aged 75.
Timothy Woodbridge, of Stockbridge, was born in 1700 and died in 1774. He was a judge of the Court of Common Pless for Backshier county from 1761 until his death. Previous to the formation of this county he was for a time judge of the same court in Hampshire, He wi- for a long time agent and superintendent of Indian affairs and was, styx Field, a man of superior abilities and acquisitions.
William Walker was born in Rehoboth, in 1751. In 1770 he DaLoro. to Lenox, which town he often represented in the Legislature: he was elected Senator in 1783. He was register of Probute from list to 178). and judge of Probate from 1795 to 1824 when he resigned. He was jodlee of the Court of Common Pleas from 1897 to 1811. In 1622 he was a presidential elector. He died in 1831.
David Ingersoll, jr., of Great Barrington, was born September 26th, 1742. He graduated at Yale College in 1761 and was admitted to the har in 1765. He obtained considerable prominence in the town and was a representative to the General Court in 1770. On the breaking one of the Revolutionary war he favored the royal cause; and in 1771 he was seized by a party of Connecticut patriots and taken to Litchfield! county where he was imprisoned for a short time. He soon afterward went to Boston. and sailed for England where he died in 1796.
Theodore Selyrick. LL. D. was born in Hartford, Conn. in Mas. 1746. and died in Boston January 24th, 1813. He was educated at Yale College, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1705, He sin liel law under Col. Mark Hopkins, in Great Barrington, where he practiced bien few years and then removed to Sheffield. He was repeatedly elected a representative to the Legislature. In 1785 he remove! to Stockbihler and during that and the succeeding year was a member of the Continental Congress. He took an active part in the suppression of the Sinys refund lion. In 1788 he was speaker of the Massachusetts House of Represents tives, and was a delegate to the State convention which ratified the Federal constitution. He was again elected representative to Congress in 1753, and served till 1796, when he was elected to the United States Senate; he remained in the Senate till 1799 when he was again returned to the House and was elected speaker of that body. He was a strong federalist. In 1802 he was appointed a judge of the Massachusetts Supreme Court and held that position until the time of his death. In 1280 John Ashley, of Sheffield, brought suit to recover possession of his negro slave. Elabor by Freeman : Mr. Sedgwick appeared for the defendant and seenme ! her freedom under the Massachusetts bill of rights shortly before ad porel This was the death blow to slavery in this State
Thomas Williams, son of Dr. Williams of Deerfield, was born to
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HISTORY OF HERESHIRE COUNTY
1746. He studied law with Mark Hopkins and was admitted to the bar in September, 1770. He commenced practice in Stockbridge "with the prospect of eminence." He was a lieutenant colonel in the Revolmistory war. and while on an expedition to Canada he was taken sick, and dil at Whitehall, July 10th, 1776, aged thirty.
David Noble, of Williamstown, was born at New Milford, Conn. December 9th, 1744, and died in 1803, aged fiftyentine. He graduated at Yale College in 1764. was admitted to the bar in September. 1770, and settled in Williamstown. He was one of the first trustees of Williams College to which he presented a bell and the land on which the president's house was built. He was a judge of the Court of Common Pleis frous 1795 until the time of his death.
John Bacon, of Stockbridge, was judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1789, and presiding judge from 1507 to 1811. He was born in Canterbury, Conn., in 1737, and graduated at Princeton College in 1700. He was minister of the old South Church in Boston from 1771 to 17. He was chosen speaker of the State Senate and was elected representa- tive to Congress. " He had a strong mind." says Field, " was foml of debate and tenacious in his opinions, but decided in prosecuting what he deemed his duty." He died October 25th. 1820, aged eighty thive.
Gen. Thompson Joseph Skinner, although not a lawyer, was justfor of the Court of Common Pleas in 1788, and chief justice of thai cours from 1795 to 1807. He was the son of Rev. Thomas Skinner of Colchies. ter, Conn. He settled in Williamstown in 1775 and soon aeghirel an ex- tensive influence in the town and county. He served in the State Seite and House, and was a representative in Congress in 1997 90. In 1800 to was chosen treasurer and receiver general of the commonwealth. bare was found, on retiring from office, to be a defaulter to the amount of about $60.000. He took an active part in the political contentions of that time. In the army he rose to the rank of major general. He died in Boston, January 20th, 1809, in his fifty-seventh year.
Col. John Brown, of Pittsfield, was born in Haverhill. October 19th. 1744, and was killed October 19th. List, at Stone Arabia, in Palation. X Y. He graduated at Yale College in 1771. studied law with his sister's husband. Hon. Oliver Arnold, in Providence, R. L., and practiced for a short time in Johnstown. N. Y., where he was appointed king's attorney, He settled in Pittsfield in 1773. He was a brave patriot, of noble mien and fine abilities. He was a delegate to the Provincial Congress at Com- bridge in 1775, and a member of the General Court in 1778. His father. Daniel Brown, removed to Sandisfield in 1752.
Ashbel Strong, of Pittsfield, son of Res. Thomas Strong, was born in New Marlborough January 19th, 1754. He graduated at Yale Collego in 1776, and was admitted to the bar in 1981. He was a member of the General Court in 1799, and was county attorney in 1500 He was a thin of ability and a noted federalist.
John Chandler Williams was born in Roxbury in 1735. He gradu-
GENERAL HISTORY.
ated at Harvard College in 1778, studied law with Hon, John Wording. ton, of Springfield, and began practice in Pittsfield in 1752, He married Lucretia, daughter of Col. Israel Williams, of Hatfield a prommond tory and friend of Governor Hutchinson. He won the confidence of the pample by his integrity and honesty, and gainel their admiration by his legol learning and skill. He was a member of the General Court for a number of years.
Nathaniel Bishop was born in Guilford, Conn., June 18th, 1251, He removed to Richmond in 1777, and soon became a prominent inhabitant of that town, which he often represented in the Legislature. He was register of Probate from 1995 to 1823, and was one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas from 1705 to 1811. He was an intimate friend of Judge William Walker. He was modest and retiring hat had fine talents. was a man of integrity, and possessed the confidence of the people. H. died February 1st. 1826.
Thomas Gold, a son of Res. Hezkiej Gold, was born in Cornwall. Conn .. in 1760. He graduated at Yale College in 1978, was admitted to the bar in 1781, and settled in Pittsfield He was at one time presideost of the Agricultural Bank, and also of the agricultural society. He was shrewd and ambitions and attained some prominence as a lawyer and mb vocate, but apparently did not win the full confidence of the people
Gen. Thomas Ires was born in North Haven, Conn. February 2. 1753, and died in Great Barrington, March 8th. 1514. He grobianol at Yale College in 1977. received the degree of A. M. in 1750, and was not mitted to the bar in Litchfield county. Conn., the same year. He Was admitted to the Berkshire bar in February, 1782, and soon affer softled in Great Barrington. In 1783 he was chosen by the General Court recol- lector of imposts and excise for Berkshire county. He reposoaed che town for thirteen years in the lower branch of the Legislature stol for one year was a member of the State Senate. In 1800 he was appedate! a special justice of the Court of Common Pleas. General Ives took great interest in military affairs and was an earnest supporter of the govern. ment during the Shays rebellion. He was a man of great energy and perseverance. He devoted much attention to agriculture, was a strong federalist in politics, and acquired an extensive practice in law
Erastus Pixley, son of Moses Pixley, graduated at Yale College In 1780 and was admitted to the bar in 1985. He practiced law in Great Barrington, his native town, but removed to Vermany about 1790
Elisha Lee, a native of Salisbury, Conn. graduated at Yale College in 1777, was admitted to the bar in February, 1783, and settled In Sheffield. He appears to have practiced for a short time in Gris: Har- rington, about 1784-5.
Daniel Ducey was born in thefield, and died in Williamstown. May 26th, 1815, in the fiftieth year of his age. He was, for five years, a tem ber of the class of 1780 in Yale College, from which he received tic Com orary degree of master of arts in 1722. He studied lat with Jodgy
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Theodore Sedgwick, of Stockbridge, was admitted to the bar in May 1787, and settled in Williamstown. He was eminently successful in the practice of his profession. He was a member of the governor's comuneil in 1809 and 1812. and represented Berkshire in the XHIRth Congress On the death of Chief Justice Parsons Mr. Dewey was appainted by Line ernor Strong as one of the justices of the Supreme Judicial Conrt . this was in February. 1814, only a little more than a yene prim to his death, which was caused by consumption. The following is an exicos Into Chief Justice Parker's address to the grand jury. in June, 1815;
" Judge Dewey is now no more. The seat that was festival ForSitas on this circuit is vacant, and all that remains to ha of him as the som-mo brance of his past life, his amiable temper, his molost and retired man- ners, his diligence and activity in business, his wise and impartial ad- ministration of justice, his true love of his country, and lifs exemplary piety and devout obedience to the will of his God. The citizens of the county of Berkshire, which was the principal theure of his active employments, loved and revered him. He is almost the only man, in an elevated rank, of fixed and unalterable politionl opinions, and who was never remiss in enforcing those opinions, that has been at no time calumniated. * * While upon the bench he evhiloted all * the useful and desirable qualities of a judge. in as great a detres as was possible for one laboring under so painful and distressingto condidnt He was patient, dispassionate, diligent, and intelligent. Hle discoved to his brethren that he possessed a deep knowledge of the principles of law, and of the rules of practice ; that he was liberal and enlagrad in his views, candid in his opinions, compassionate in his feelings boa inflexibly just in his decisions. He was truly such a my as every sixth- ous and enlightened people would desire to see placed in ting jo &goeun seat ; possessing knowledge without vanity, learning without ostento. tion, wisdom without severity : tempering judgment with werey. nulinf- ways desirous to establish law on its true foundations -equity and right."
Ephraim Williams, of Stockbridge, was admitted to the bar in September, 1787.
Jonathan Woodbridge, of Stockbridge, was admitted to the bar in September, 1789.
Enoch W. Thayer, a native of Ware, was admitted to the bar ko March, 1780. He practiced for a while in each of the towns of shomebl. Lenox, and West Stockbridge.
Samuel H. Wheeler, a native of Lanesborough, was admitted to the bar in February, 1791. He was an associate justice of the Court of Sessions from 1807 till 1809. He afterward removed to the Sinte of Niowy York.
Thomas Gold, of Lanesborough, was admitted to the bar in Septeto ber, 1790.
Gen. John Whiting. of Great Barrington, was born Janurey 21 1771. in the house then recently built by his father, Gomaling Whiting. The
GENERAL HISTORY
location of the house is indicated by the Soldiers Motoragent, the love of which rests on the ample hearthstone of the old bosomons kiteban. Ils ancestry is traceable to William Whiting. one of the limit settlers of Hurt ford, Conn. General Whiting was the youngest of several before to was of feeble frame, but intellectually well ambowel giving pomboof distinction. His opportunities for education at home being Very Funded he was placed in the care of a relative in Milltown. Com, be the asing of Goodwin, whose family was distingu bed for literacy of salmonsafe and social position. Afterward for a brief period he spolie l Logia woder le Dr. Porter, of Spencertown. N. Y. He then Maddel law with Gen. Thomas Ives, of Great Barrington, and was bolmitted to the Ler In Apal, 1702. He was very critical and exact in Jauning his declaration and pleadings and in drafting contracts, bonds, and cony. vamos so that his instructor confided much in this department to him. by 1814 hic was ap pointed county attorney by the governor. He ruefully stol economi cally performed all the duties of this office ; at sessions of the court be saved much expense to the county, although involving serions orf is hausting labor for himself, by a careful consideration of the complaintos and an early presentment of the bills of in heimem, so that the juran could be dismissed at the earliest possible date thereafter. Hewaselected captain of the town militia at a time when it was nuendnel and wmille- ciplined, but by prompt and vigorous action his soon overcome off dien- derly conduct. He was rapidly promoted to the rock of nagor general. and upon his retirement from the service received high praise from Our ernor Lincoln. Though not ambitions for political preferment he rop-11- edly represented his town and county in the House and Sonsde Bis limited opportunities for education made him earnest to sobie Lotfor nd- vantages for the community abont him. To three of los soos he gare a collegiate education. For fifty-two years he attempted continuously Forthe duties of his profession, at every term of the Common Pleti mol Som me Courts, with only two exceptions. General Whiting was always un ns ample of moderation and simplicity in diet, and of sigin, abstinence friros tobacco and intoxicants. He died Jannary 13th, 1810, aged senky dice years.
Ethan Stone, a native of Stockbridge, was admitted to the bar in sup- tember, 1792. He practiced for a time in Lenox and then povel to- Cincinnati, Ohio.
Thomas Allen, of Pittsfield, son of Rev. Thomas Allen, was born in 1769. He graduated at Harvard College in 1780 and was admitted to the bar in September, 1792. He was elected representation toother Legislative in 1805, and died in Boston while serving a second teros, March OK. 150. Ile was a learned and skillful lawyer and an eloquent speaker. Though an ardent democrat he was highly esteemed by even his political apps. nents and greatly endeared to many Of a kind and moreifif dispenzion yet his temper was fiery enough when aroused. He inherited bis had been political and religions opinions and defended them with ardor und ability
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HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE COUNTY.
Eli Porter Ashman, of Pittsfield, was admitted to the bar in Sopa tember, 1794. He was a member of the United States Seaat from 1816 to 1818.
Mason Whiting, son of Dr. William Whiting. of Great Banjocion, was admitted to the bar in April. 1797. He removed to Chenangy l'oint. N. Y.
William H. Raymond, a native of Sheffield, was admitted to the low in April, 1795. He practiced law in Lenox for awhile, and died in Courlos ton, S. C.
Eliab Brater, a native of Tyringham. fradinled af You Call in 1793, was admitted to the bar in April. 1397. and settled ht Lmox H. died April 6th, 1804, aged thirty-four.
John W. Hulbert, son of Dr. John and Marcia Hamdul Halbert, was born in Alford, June 1st, 170. He was admitted to the bar In September. 1797. practiced for awhile in Sheffield. but removed to Pittsfield about 1800. He was a leading forlordist and was a member of Congress from 1815 to 1817. He was styled the " silver tongued " by his admirers, on account of his eloquente, which was pointed and In- cisive but polished. " He was." says Smith, "a man of brilliant miel Ject and keen wit, of genial temperament and fascinating mantos !!
Joseph Woodbridge, of Stockbridge, was born July 291, 1971. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1992, stadiet low with Julg pod wick, and was admitted to the lar in April, 1706, In 1500 le nared Louisa, daughter of Mark Hopkins. In 1903 be sureended Henry W Dwight as clerk of the courts, which office he filled till 1521.He was once chosen presidential elector. He was an arcadished gendemany of the old school, punetilious, dignified, and courteons in his mintys la had an uncommon reverence for the Bible and was a man of distinguishing! virtues and excellences. He was a good scholar in Greek and Latin, He died April 23d, 1829.
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