USA > Maine > Genealogical and family history of the state of Maine, Volume I > Part 5
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Sweet Family Ebenezer, 801 John, 801 Swett Ancestry, 1148 Atwell W., Dr., 1149
Benjamin, 1148 John, 1148 William A., 1149 Swift Ancestry, 384 Job, 385 Joshua, 385, 386 William, 384 Sylvester (Silvester) An- cestry, 303 Richard, 303
Stowell Ancestry, 1993 Benjamin, 1994 John, 1994 Samuel, 1993
Strout Ancestry, 2083
2081,
*Samuel, 303 William, 303
Andrew, 713
Benjamin, 722
Daniel, 288
Elbridge A., Dr., 721
Frank N., 724
George E., 713
George E., 725
Horace, 723
Isaac, 1679 Isaac S., Dr., 288
James, 719
Philip M., 1415
James A., Dr., 803 Philip, 802
John, 1678
Frederick A., 1319 John, Rev., 1318
John A., 1319
Samuel, Deacon, 1317
William, Capt., 1319
William, Rev., 1315 William, Rev., 1318
Towle Ancestry, 2041,
2210 Caleb, 2210
George B., 221I
Joseph, Sergt., 2041
Josiah, 2042
Josiah C., 2042
Josiah, Major, 204I
James G., 1458 John, Dea., 1458 Jonathan, 1457
Roger, 1456
Sturtevant Ancestry, 1837
Charles A., Dr., 1837
Joseph E., 1837 Lot, 1837 Reward, 1837 Samuel, 1837
Andrew J., 1304 John, 1304
Thatcher Ancestry, 1491 George A., 1493 Henry K., 1493 Peter, Rev., 1491
Samuel, 1492 Samuel, Hon., 1492
Thaxter Ancestry, 1977 John, Capt., 1978 Joseph, Capt., 1978
Joshua, 1979 Samuel, Col., 1978
Sidney. 1979 Sidney W., Maj., 1979 Thomas, 1977
Thayer Ancestry, 541 America, 542 Augustus S., Dr., 542
James, 1620
Joseph, 1622
Joseph, Hon., 1620
Stephen, 1621 Stephen, Capt., 1620 William, 1619 William, 1621 Tobey Ancestry, 690 Horatio N., 691 Matthias, Capt., 691 Thomas, 690 William B., 692 Tobie Ancestry 734 Annie L., 738 Charles F., 737
Charles M., 737
Edward P., 736
Elbridge T., 737
James, 734
LeRoy F., 737
LeRoy H., 736 Walter E., 736
Todd Ancestry, 1647 Percy R., 1647 Tolman Ancestry, 816 Benjamin, 817 James H., 818 Philander, 817
Tompson Ancestry, 1315 Edward, Rev., 1318
Richard, 1414
William, 1415
Talbot Ancestry, 1353
Peter, 1353
Peter, 1354
Robert, 721
Samuel, 287
Samuel, 723
Aramede S., Mrs., 550
Samuel, 725
William, 713
William, 750
Uzza, 1679
Thornton, Thomas G.,
Alexander, 1504 Dr., 1721
Duncan, 1504
Isaac, 2145
John, 2145
Joseph, 2145
William N., 1505
John, 975
Tibbetts Ancestry, 955, 1616 Benjamin R., 957
Henry, 955
Henry, 1616
Ichabod, Capt., 956
James, 1616
Jeremiah, 1616
Nathaniel, 1616
Raymond R., 957
Samuel, Capt., 956 Woodbury, 957
George, 1923
George, 1953
John W., 1923
Melville W., 1925
Newell F., 1953
Newell F., 1924 Walter S., 1953
Edward, 1268 Eugene, 1270 Francis, 1269
Francis K., 1270
Henry, 1268 James C., 1269 William H., 1270
Sweet Ancestry, 801, 1648 Arnold, 802 Charles, 1648 Charles F., 1648
Thayer Family Charles H., 547 Frederick C., Dr., 547
Stephen, Dr., 546 Thomas, 541 Thomas, Capt., 546 Thomas Ancestry, 386 Charles D., 387 John, 387 Stephen A., 387 William, 386 Thompson Ancestry, 713,
719. 721, 723, 750, 1678 Alonzo, 753
Charles A., 2084 Christopher, 2082 Edward C., 2083
Enoch, 2083
Joshua, 2082 Joshua F., 2083 Sewall C., Judge, 2083
T
Tabor Ancestry, 802
Stubbs Ancestry, 1414 Philip H., Hon., 1415
Calvin, 803
James, 720
John L., 723
Joseph, 725
Sturdivant Ancestry, 2167 Gardiner L., 2167 Gardiner M., 2167 Jonathan. 2167 William R., 2167
Sturges Ancestry, 1660 Alonzo W., 1661 Edward, 1660
Leigh F., 1662 Ralph A., 1661
Samuel, 1661
Sturgis Ancestry, 1456 Benjamin F., Dr., 1458
J. Norman, 2042 Nathaniel, 221I Nathaniel M., 221I Philip, 2041
Traverse Ancestry, 1878
Asa, 1879 Henrie, 1878
Oliver, 1879 Samuel, 1880
Trefethen Ancestry, 1923, 1953 Charles N., 1924
Tillson Ancestry, 1159 Edmund, 1159
George W., 1160
Perez, 1160 Perez T., 1159
Tilton Ancestry, 1925 Charles A., 1925 Gibbs, 1925 Stephen, 1925 Titcomb Ancestry, 1619, 1621 Frank E., 1623 Hiram, 1622
Trull Ancestry, 853 David, 854 Joel F., M. D., 854 John, 853 Samuel, Capt., 853 Trumbull (Trumble) Ancestry, 1877 John, 1877 Judah, 1877
Sumner Ancestry, 1181 Alexander B., 1182 Joseph, 1182 Roger, 1181
Swan Ancestry, 1268 Charles E., 1270
Teague Ancestry, 1560 Bani, 1560 Daniel, 1560
. Greenleaf, 1560 Howard A., 1560
Templeton Ancestry, 1304 Adam, 1304 Albert L., 1304
Thurlough, Harry H.,
976 Thurlow Ancestry, 975 George N., 976
Tarbox Ancestry, 549 Andrew, 550
John, 549 Henry C., 550
Taylor Ancestry, 1504, 2145
Symonds Ancestry, 612 John, 612 Joseph, 613 Joseph W., Hon., 613
William L., 613
Amos, 751
INDEX
xxvii
Wakefield Ancestry, 1277 Webb Ancestry, 1153,
Archibald, 1278 James, 1278 John, 1277 Seth D., 1278
II55 Eli, 1154 Evelyn T., 1155 Jahaziah S., 1155
Lindley M., Hon., 1155 Mason G., 1154 Michael, 1155
Veazie Ancestry, 2165 John W., 2166
Samuel, 2166
Isaac, 1496
James, 1496
James, 1497
Verrill Ancestry, 1698
James, Capt., 1498
Joshua, 1498
Edsell, 2179
Edsell B., 2179
John R., 2180
Joshua, 1619
Tuttlė Ancestry, 1509 Elisha, 1510
John, 1509 Thomas, 1510
Twambley Ancestry, 1691 George E., 1692 Ralph, 1691 Rufus K., 1691
Twombley Ancestry, 1692, 1693 Edwin D., 1692 Eliza C., 1693
Ephraim, 1693 Joseph B., 1692
Leonard W., 1693
Stephen, 1692
Twitchell Ancestry, 1275 Alphin, 1276 Ezra, Deacon, 1276 Herbert F., 1276 Joseph, 1275 Joseph, Capt., 1275
U
Ulmer Ancestry, 2255 Frederick T., 2255 James A., Maj., 2255 John, 2255 John, Capt., 2255 Mary F., 2256 Ralph R., 2256
V
Vance, Lawrence M., 616 Varney Ancestry, 1429, 1431, 1432, 1433 Abijah, 143I
Almon L., Col., 1431
Samuel, Capt., 365
Samuel, Rev., 365
Watson Ancestry, 761,
784 Frederick C., 786
Henry, 762
John, 762
John, 784
Murray B., 786
Murray H., 786
William, 762
William B., 786 William W., 786
Weeks Ancestry, 361, 365, 367 Benjamin, 367
Eliphalet, 365
George H., 364
Howe, 367
James B., 363
James W., Hon., 364
William C., 1012 William H., 1012
Waterville Public brary, 2234
Li-
John, Dr., 362 Joshua, Capt., 362
Watts Ancestry, 1793 Samuel, 1793
Samuel, Capt., 1793
Stephen H., Dr., 366 William, 367 William H., 368
Moses S., 1106
Peleg, Deacon, 996
Peleg, Gen., 996 Samuel B., 997
Waite Ancestry, 1512 Daniel, 1513 David S., 1514 Otis F. R., Maj., 1513 Richard, 1512
Walker Ancestry, 1494, 1496 Augustus H., 1496
Charles F., 1499
George S., 1496
Richard, 1154 Samuel, 1153 Webber Ancestry, 1618, 2179 Benjamin, 1619
Tupper Ancestry, 1529 Cyrus R., 1530 Peleg, 1530 Simon, 1530 Thomas, 1529
*Albert E., 1700 Charles, 1699 Samuel, 1698
Samuel, 1699
Viles Ancestry, 430 Blaine S., 431
Edward P., 431
George, 1510
Joseph, 430
Rufus, Capt., 431
Vinal Ancestry, 788, 993
John, 993
Levi, 788
Paul J., 789
Renough J., 789
Stephen, 788
Isaac, 634
Israel P., Rev., 635
James, 1820, 1821
John, 641
John M., 893
Ebenezer, 1997
John C., 1821
John O., 894
Edwin H., Dr., 730
John, Capt., 641
Joseph, 1813
George C., 729
Harry E., 827
Henry, Lieut., 728
Joseph A., 642, 643
Samuel S., 1813
Joseph, Capt., 641
Stephen, 209
John E., 826
Peter E., 730
Peter T., 729
Robert, 727
Robert, 825
Samuel, 1822
Samuel, Capt., 641
Stanley P., 640
John, 1562 Milton C., 1562
Thomas E., 731
Thomas, Hon., 728
Thomas, Sergt., 826
W
Wade Ancestry, 1420 Abner T., Capt., 1421 Nicholas, 1420 Turner, 1420
Wadsworth Ancestry,
995, 1104 Charles O., 1107 Christopher, 996 Christopher, 1105 John, Deacon, 996 Moses, 1106
Ebenezer, 1433 Enoch, 1430 Fred L., Dr., 1432 George, Gen., 1434 Humphrey, 1429 Isaac, 1433 Jedediah, 1432 Joel, 1431 Joseph, 1430 Joseph, 1432 Julia A., 143I Timothy, 1429
Varney Family Timothy, 1433 William, 1429 Vaughn Ancestry, 1289 George, 1289 Joseph, Capt., 1289 William, Rev., 1290 Zephaniah, Hon., 1290
Wilder P. W., 2167 William, 2165
Lemuel, Capt., 1498
Richard, Capt., 1495
Wallace Ancestry, 998 Alonzo S., M. D., 999 David, 999 James, 999
Ward Ancestry, 1800
John, 1800 John E., 1800 S. Curtis C., 1800
Benjamin F., 896
Charles E., Dr., 1813
Fred P., Dr., 896
Warren Ancestry, 633,
641, 1820, 1821
. Hanson H., 1813 Harriet P., 894
Henry S., 894 James, 1812
John, 892
Merit V., 896
John W., 1821
Reuben, 209
Jesse, 1997
Lewis P., 1821
Luman, 1822
Michael, 1822
Richard, 634
Wedgwood Ancestry, 1562 Curtis, 1562
Robert, Lieut., 728
Thomas, Col .. 729
Wasgatt Ancestry, 1493
Asa, Rev., 1494 Charles W., 1494
Davis, 1493 Rowland J., 1494
Waterhouse Ancestry, IOII Richard, IOII
John, 366 John, Capt., 362
Leonard, 36i
Welch Ancestry, 2015 Albert M., 2016 Colby, 2016 Colby S., 2016 Wellington Ancestry, 619 George, 619 Joel, 619 Roger, 619
Quincy R., 579 Thomas, 1619
Webster Ancestry, 892, 895, 1812 Arthur G., Dr., 896
William, 993
Vose Ancestry, 727, 825 Charles W., 826
John E., 642
Thomas, 895 William, Capt., 1812
Tuck Ancestry, 843 Elizabeth J., 844 John, Deacon, 843 Madison, 844 Robert, 843 William J., 844 Tucker Ancestry, 235 Gideon, 236 Gideon M., 237 James F., 238 John, 235 John L., 238 Martha H., 237 William M., 237
Nathan, Judge, 1155
INDEX
Wellman Ancestry, 844 Abraham, 845 Jacob, Capt., 845 John P., 845 Lonzo L., 846
Whitehouse Family Francis C., 1250 Robert T., 625 Thomas, 625, 1249 William P., 625
Williams Family
George, 127 Howell, 2030 John S., 2031
Maynard S., 2033
John, 1087
John, 1208 Snell, 1208 William, 1088 William W., 1088 Winn Ancestry, 1313.
1315 Edward, 1313
Reginald, 813
Paul, 1840 William, 814 Wescott Ancestry, 963, 2199
Archibald, 2199
Benjamin, 1989
Clement W., 965
Charles A., 1989
George P., 2200
Christopher A., 1989
John L. M., 1174
Horace W., 965
Ephraim, Capt., 809
Lemuel, Rev., 1173
Joseph, Capt., 2200
Gustavus F., 809 =
Lemuel M., Dr., 1173
Richard, 963
Jacob, 1989
William, 964, 2199
Joel, 809
John, 808, 1989
Jonathan, 2158
George W., Gen., 662
Jonathan, Dea., 2158
Wilson Ancestry, 643,
994, 1564, 1568, 1570,
Henry N., Dr., 662 Wilkes, 662
Richard, 2158
1571, 1926, 2253
Alfred, 2254
Bion, 1573
Charles S., 1567
908
Alpheus, 909
Edmund, 1927
Daniel, 908
Edmund, Hon., 1571
Everard A., Dr., 1928
Frank, 654
Frank P., 1570
Franklin A., 1566
Frederick, 654
John, 1410
Joseph B., 14II
Leslie H., 1412
Artemas N., 1664
Hayward W., 1567
Charles T., 693
Isaac, 1570
Samuel, Dea., 1410
Ancestry,
Wiggin Ancestry, 432
Charles M., 433
Chester McL., Dr., 433
John, 1567
John, 1569
John, 157I
John, Hon., 1569
John S. P. H., 1571
Jonathan, 995
1607 Elijah, 1400
Henry, 1399
Benjamin, 2134
Percy L., 1256
Nathaniel B., 646
John N., 1609
Nathan, 1609
Samuel, 1400
William, 1608
Peter, 1525 Robert, 1524
Wildes Ancestry, 213
Asa W., Col., 214
Timothy, M. D., 654
William, 1568
William, 1926 William, 2253
Winchester Ancestry, 92 Benjamin P., Rev., 92 John, 92 John H., 92
Winchester Family Josiah, 92 Wingate Ancestry, 1087 Edwin R., 1088
Nathaniel, 2031
Norman S., 2031
Oliver, 2031 Richard, 2030
Bradford H., 816
John, Dea., 1383, 1384
Daniel W., M. D., 816
Isaiah F., Dr., 1840
Nicholas, 1839
Whitmore Ancestry, 1376 Albion S., 1379 Francis, 1377
Timothy, 2032 Williamson Ancestry, 1184 Stephen E., 1185
George H., 1315 Japheth, 1315 Japheth M., 1315 John, 1314, 1315 Nathaniel, 1315 Winslow Ancestry, 1135,
1138, 1139 Alfred, 1138 Chester E. A., 1138
Dennis, 1139 Edward, 1135
Eli, 1140 John B., 1140 Kenelm, 1136 Perlie E., 1139 Samuel, 1139 Samuel A., 1140 Thomas, 1139
Winter Ancestry, 1996 George H., 1996 John, 1996
Wise Ancestry, 1983 Daniel, Capt., 1984 Jeremiah, Rev., 1984 John, Capt., 1984 John, Rev., 1983 Joseph, 1983
Wiswell Ancestry, 2110 Carl G., 2III Edward S., 211I Elbert E., 2III Thomas, 2III
Witham Ancestry, 2008 Alphonso N., 2008 Asaph, 2008
Ernest C., 2009 Joshua, 2008 Josiah, 2008 Withee, Charles W. G., 2199
Wood
Ancestry,
1 192
John G., 1255
Ambrose H., 2135
Jonathan, 35
Joseph, Sergt., 643
Ansel L., Maj., 1525
Joseph. 35
Thomas, 1254
Timothy, 1255
Robert, Maj., 1568
Roger, 1565 Samuel H., 1570
Woodbury Ancestry, 96, I244 Andrew, Capt., 96
William, 779 William, 2206
William, Col., 1524
William, Dea., 780,
1524 Whitehouse Ancestry, 625, 1249 Benjamin, 1250
Williams Ancestry, 127,
2029, 203I Barnard, 127 Charles E., 128
808,
Timothy, 1185 Walter D., M. D., 1186 Willis Ancestry, 1172 John, Dea., 1172, 1173
Wills Ancestry, 1798 Fred I., 1799 Ruel, 1798 Thomas, 1798
Weston Ancestry, 1140 Benjamin, Dea., II43 Benjamin P. J., 1144 John, 1140
Levi W., 1142 Nathan A., 1144
Wheeler Ancestry, 1410, 1412 Ernest A., 1413
Edwin C., Rev., 909
Herbert C., 909
Isaac, 909
John, Sir, 908
Thomas, 908 Whittier Ancestry, 692, 1663
George A., 2254
Gowen, 643, 645
Peter, 1413
Joseph, 1663 Thomas, 692, 1663
James, 994 Jefferson F., 1569
Jesse E., 1570 John, 1566
Wheelwright 2162 George, 2163, 2164 John, Rev., 2162 Joseph S., 2164
White Ancestry, 779, 1524, 1525, 2134, 2206 Alonzo, 2207 Ambrose, 2135
Charles, 1525 Frank L., 1525 Joel, 2206 John, 780
Wightman Ancestry, 1039 Elisha, 1039 George, 1039
Scott, 646 Thaddeus, 2254
Ernest R., Prof., 1245
Asa W., Hon., 213
John, 213 John, Cant., 213
Roliston, 1245 William, 96, 97 William, Capt., 1244
Woodcock Ancestry, 1335 Aaron H., 1336 John L., 1337 John Sr., 1335
Wentworth Ancestry, 813, 1839 Benjamin, 1839
Whitman Ancestry, 1383 Christopher, 1039 Isaac P., 1385
Obadiah, 1385 Thomas A., 1039
Simeon, 2032
Thomas, 127
Samuel, 1379 Whitney Ancestry, 1989, 2087, 2158
West Ancestry, 662 George F., 663
Phineas, Capt., 2159
Stephen, 2088
Thomas, 2087
Whittemore Ancestry,
David, 1571
Galen, 1413
George, 1412
Samuel S., 433 Thomas, Capt., 432
Wight Ancestry, 34, 1254 Henry, 34
Nathaniel, Maj., 645
Otis D., 1928
INDEX
XXIX
Woodcock Family John T., 1336 Lindsay T., 1336 Woodman Ancestry, 109, 113, 114 Benjamin, 110 Benjamin J., 115 Charles B., 115 Daniel N., 114 Edward. 109, 113
George M., 116 John, 113 John F., Rev., 113 Joseph, Capt., III
Woodman Family Joshua, 114, 115 William, 112 Woodside Ancestry, 935 James, Rev., 935
William, 935 William, 936 Woolson, Abba L., 408 Moses, 408 Wyman Ancestry, 1761, 2013 Francis, 1761, 2013 Jasper, 1761 John, 1761
Wyman Family John, 1761 Joseph, 2014 Robert, 2014 Sumner J., 2014 Y York Ancestry, 2249 Advardinis, 2033
Henry, 2250
Henry F., 2250
John E., 2033 Richard, 2033, 2250 Walter H., 2251
Youland Ancestry, 855 John, 855 Thomas S., 855 William E., 855 Young Ancestry, 1669, 2197 Albion G., M. D., 2199
Charles W., 1669 George W., 1670
Jabez, 2199 John, 1669
Nathaniel, 2197 Nathaniel, 2198
VEL . BLOWHIT TY
Nathan Clifford
7
STATE OF MAINE.
The earliest family of Clif- CLIFFORD fords in New England, that of George Clifford, though for a time resident of Massachusetts, may be called a New Hampshire family, as George and all his children settled and lived in New Hampshire, and from him, as the only seven- teenth century immigrant who is known to have left posterity, all the New England Clif- fords of the earliest times are said to be de- scended. The only other immigrant of this name before 1700 was John of Lynn, who is not said to have left children.
(I) George Clifford, the immigrant, de- scended directly from the ancient and noble family of Clifford in England, came from the village and parish of Arnold, Nottingham county, England, to Boston, in 1644, prob- ably bringing his wife, whose name seems to have been Elizabeth, and a son John. He was a member of the Ancient and Honorable Ar- tillery Company. After residing for a time in Boston he removed to Hampton, New Hampshire.
(II) John, son of George and Elizabeth Clifford, was born in England in 1614, and baptized, says Savage, May 10, 1646. He died October 17, 1694, "aged eighty years," accord- ing to the town records. His first wife was Sarah; he married (second), September 28, 1658, Mrs. Elizabeth Richardson, who died December 1, 1667; and (third), February 6. 1672, Mrs. Bridget Huggins, widow of John Huggins. His children were: John, Israel, Hannah, Elizabeth (died young), Mehelabel, Elizabeth, Esther, Isaac and Mary.
(III) Israel, second son of John Clifford, was born in Hampton, April 15, 1647, and took the oath of allegiance in 1678. He mar- ried, March 15, 1680, Ann Smith, probably the same Ann who was alleged to be a victim of Goody Cole's witchcraft. Their children were: Ann, Mehetabel, Samuel, Sarah, John, Isaac and Richard.
(IV) Isaac, sixth child of Israel and Ann (Smith) Clifford, was born in Hampton, May 24, 1696, and settled in Kingston, originally a part of Hampton. In 1745 he bought land of Samuel Healy, the same being one-fourth of
No. 110, O. H. He finally moved to Rum- ney, where the latter part of his life was spent, and there he was a citizen of considerable prominence and was for many years collector and treasurer of the town. He married Sarah Healey, born in Chester, 1726, daughter of William and Mary (Sanborn) Healey, of Chester. They had ten children, eight of whom were: Sarah, Elizabeth, Bridget, Isaac, Nathaniel, John, Samuel and Joanna.
(V) Nathaniel, fifth child of Isaac and Sarah (Healey) Clifford, was born in Rum- ney, in April, 1750, and died January 23, 1824. He was much like his father-active, public spirited and respected, and was for years town treasurer and collector. He married Ruth Garland, of Candia, born in September, 1757. Their only child was Nathaniel, whose sketch follows.
(VI) Deacon Nathaniel (2), only son of Nathaniel (I) and Ruth (Garland) Clifford, was born in Rumney, September 23, 1778, and died 1820. Deacon Clifford was of a serious turn of mind, a trifle stern and Puritanical, perhaps, but highly respected for intelligence and uprightness of character. He married Lydia Simpson, born October 7, 1773, daugh- ter of David Simpson, of Greenland. She was a woman of great personal beauty and unusual energy, vigor and perspicacity. Her mental characteristics were transmitted to some of her descendants. She lived to see her son Nathan one of the supreme court judges of the United States. She died June 30, 1869, in the ninety- sixth year of her age. The children of this union were: Mary Williams, Betsy Ham, Nathan, Nancy Hutchins, Ruth Garland, Katherine Simpson, and Lydia Simpson.
(VII) Hon. Nathan, only son of Deacon Nathaniel (2) and Lydia (Simpson) Clifford, was born in Rumney, Grafton county, New Hampshire, August 18, 1803, and died in Cornish, Maine, July 25, 1881. His father was able to provide a comfortable home for his family, but their circumstances, like those of their neighbors on the frontier of New Hampshire, in those days, were far different from those which obtain there now, and Na- than Clifford had to put forth all his energies
I
2
STATE OF MAINE.
to acquire the education he got. He attended school in his native town until he was four- teen years of age, and then by great effort overcame objections to his going away to ob- tain a more extended education and entered Haverhill Academy, where he remained three years. He was an industrious and earnest student, and made good progress in his stud- ies, but was compelled to spend a portion of each year in teaching school to obtain money to pay his expenses. Besides teaching school he gave instruction in vocal music, for which he had rare taste and talent. He left the Haverhill school in 1820, and then took a year's course in the New Hampton Literary Institution, which he left at eighteen years of age. He then entered the law office of Hon. Josiah Quincy, then the leader of the Grafton county bar. At that time admission to the bar of New Hampshire required of those not college graduates a period of five years' study to prepare for practice. While in the acad- emy Mr. Clifford had pursued a broad course of general reading, and this he kept up, after- wards giving much attention to the study of the classics as taught in the regular courses of the New England colleges. Having to make his own way he continued to teach while a student at law, and up till near the time of his admission to the bar in May, 1827. Leaving New Hampshire he crossed over into the bor- der town of Newfield, in York county, Maine, and there opened an office. His thorough preparation for his work, remarkably retentive memory and good habits formed a foundation upon which the young man soon reared the superstructure of success. He gained the con- fidence and got the business of the people. He entered the political arena early, and became a warm supporter of the principles of Democ- racy, though there were in Newfield scarce twenty men of that faith. He had inspired so much confidence in his fellow citizens that in 1830, only three years after settling in New- field, he was elected by a large majority to represent the town in the state legislature. To this office he was three times successively re- elected. At the beginning of his third term he was elected speaker of the house, and at the next session was again elected. He soon be- came one of the ablest leaders among the Maine Democrats, and at the same time that he was gaining a leadership in politics he car- ried on a successful practice of law. In 1834
he was appointed attorney general of the state. This office he filled with ability until 1838, when he was nominated for congress from the first district. In the exciting politi-
cal conflict which followed he was elected. Before his term was out he was renominated, and again elected,-his term of service cover- ing the period between December 2, 1839, and March 3, 1843. When he left congress his reputation as an able and zealous leader and an accomplished parliamentarian was firmly established. During the presidential canvass of 1840 he supported Martin Van Buren, and met in political debate many distinguished Whig orators, and gained for himself the reputation of being one of the most eloquent champions of his party. Though originally favoring the reelection of Van Buren to the chief magistracy of the nation, he supported the nomination of Polk with earnest and ef- fective ardor, and in 1846 was offered the appointment of attorney-general in President Polk's cabinet, to accept which he gave up a very extensive legal practice at home. He found the duties of the office congenial to his tastes, and his administration was such as to prove him a worthy successor of the best of those who had preceded him. While he was a member of the cabinet the war with Mex- ico was in progress, and at its close Mr. Clif- ford became a member of the United States commission with the power of envoy ex- traordinary and minister plenipotentiary, to arrange terms of peace, and through his ef- forts the treaty was arranged with Mexico, by which California became United States terri- tory. In September, 1849, with the outgoing of the administration, he returned to Maine and settled permanently in Portland, where he carried on his law practice until 1858. Jan- uary 12 of that year he was appointed asso- ciate justice of the supreme court of the United States, and served as a member of that august body for more than twenty-three years. Judge Clifford was now fifty-five years old, and in the full vigor of his physical and in- tellectual faculties. He found himself asso- ciated with a bench, the majority of which were old men rendered slow by age and that the con- habitual caution which attends
scientious exercise of judicial functions. The business of the court was far in arrears, and to the work of relieving this condition he ap- plied himself with characteristic energy, and by continuous labor saw the docket much re-
duced. His opinions as a federal justice form a respectable part in number and importance
of the forty volumes of reports issued up to the time of his death. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase died May 7, 1873, and Judge Clifford succeeded to the place thus made vacant. The presidential election of 1876 was not settled
3
STATE OF MAINE.
by popular ballot, and by a special act of con- gress the matter was referred to an electoral commission of fifteen men, over whose delib- erations Judge Clifford, as senior associate justice, presided in the early part of the fol- lowing year. The highest office within the gift of the American people was in the bal- ance, men's minds were heated, and the dis- cussions were frequently acrimonious, but dur- ing all this, although a firm believer in Mr. Tilden's election, he conducted the proceedings with the dignity and impartiality of an ancient Roman, retaining perfect calmness, evincing wisdom and fairness in his decision, and, even winning the commendation of his opponents. He agreed with the minority and delivered an opinion on the question of the Florida returns, but deeming it of no avail, he rendered no public judgment on the votes of the other con- tested states. For several years before his death, Judge Clifford was at liberty, if he chose, to retire from the bench and receive the pension provided by law, but relinquish- ment of duty was not in accordance with his disposition or the habits of his life, and he con- tinued with unabated clearness and force of mind to perform his judicial labors until over- taken by his last sickness. In October, 1880, he was seized by serious illness involving a complication of disorders, and was obliged to submit to amputation of the foot. From this he never fully recovered, and he died in Cor- nish, Maine, July 25, 1881. Mason's "Bench and Bar" thus closes its account of this illus- trious citizen :
"Judge Clifford was a man of noble and commanding presence, and exhibited in his bearing and manner a graciousness and dig- nity combined that both won affection and in- spired respect. Strength, culture and intellect were written on his face. He was a man of unyielding determination and immense ca- pacity for study and investigation, and faced every duty, however onerous, with cheerful- ness and confidence in himself. He possessed the genius of labor, industry, truthfulness, in- tegrity and entire fidelity on the performance of duty were among his leading characteris- tics. The urbanity and courtesy which marked his intercourse with men, secured the friend- ship of a wide circle of eminent persons with whom he came in contact during the many years of his public life. The judge was of a temperament to prize such associations and cherished the friendships which he had thus formed to the end of his life. The simplicity, elevation and solidity of his character im- pressed all with whom he came in contact, A
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