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He was a lover of peace, and possessed a happy talent at reconciling jarring interests and harmonizing discordant feelings. Such were his mental qualities, so strong his sense of justice and honourable dealing, that he was selected, before he was on the bench, a commissioner or referee to adjust the numerous controversies which prevailed to an alarming degree in the then District of Maine, between those who, without title, had settled on the lands of the Commonwealth, of the Waldo Patent and Plymouth Company on the one part, and the lawful proprietors of them on the other. By his co-operating agency, together with the enactments thereon by the legislature, such a settlement of the contending claims was ef fected as restored peace and contentment to the parties.

In the course of his professional career, many young gentlemen of liberal education, entered his office as students in law, and derived from him the requisite instruction. Of the distinguished men now living who were his pupils, are the Honorable Edward H. Robbins, late Lieut. Governor of the Commonwealth, now Judge of Probate for the county of Norfolk.-The Honorable Nathaniel Paine, Judge of Probate for the County of Worcester.-The Honorable Artemas Ward, Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,-and John M. Forbes, Esq. now Charge d' Affairs, at Buenos Ayres.

In his domestic relations he was faithful and affectionate; a good neighbor, unostentatious in his professions of friendship, but manifested his sincerity by kindness and beneficence and untiring efforts to do good. He was a lover of order, and ready at all times to promote the interest and honor of the town. His charities, hospitality and benevolence are by many still remembered. The writer of this memoir, who was his neighbor, and at his desire by his bedside the last twenty four hours of his life, witnessed his calmness and resignation at the approach of death, and his faith in Him who giveth the victory.

His tomb stone, it is hoped, justly repeats the benediction of the Saviour," Blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God."

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Where any year is omitted the town was not represented. Beattle was afterwards one of the deputies from Concord. I do not know that he ever lived here. Thomas Sawyer was the one who was taken captive in 1705. Col. Asa Whitcomb, the revolutionary patriot who represented the town many years in the Legislature, is particularly mentioned in Mr. Goodwin's history of Sterling.

October, 1774, William Dunsmoor was chosen to represent the town in the Provincial Convention at Concord.

Dunsmoor and Asa Whitcomb were delegates to the Provincial Congress at Cambridge, February 1, 1775.

Joseph Reed and Ebenezer Allen, delegates to the State Convention in Concord, July 14, 1779, to the County Convention at Worcester on the second Tuesday of August, 1779, and to attend at Concord first Wednesday in October, 1779.

William Dunsmoor, Ephraim Wilder and William Putnam, delegates to the Convention in Cambridge, September, 1779. This was the Convention that formed our present Constitution of State Government.

Timothy Whiting and Ephraim Carter, delegates to the County Convention at Worcester, April, 1782.

Ebenezer Allen, delegate to the County Convention at Leicester, August 1786.

John Sprague, delegate to the Convention for ratifying the Federal Constitution. It is worthy of remark that out of the whole County of Worcester on the question for adopting the Constitution, there were forty three nays and but seven yeas. The latter were Messrs. Sprague of this town, Seth Newton of Southborough, Samuel Baker of Bolton, David Wilder of Leominister, Matthew Patrick of Western, Josiah Goddard of Athol, and Ephraim Wilder of Sterling.

John Maynard, Jonathan Wilder, and William Cleveland, delegates to the County Convention at Worcester, August, 1812.

Jacob Fisher and Davis Whitman, delegates to the Convention in Boston, November, 1820, for revising the Constitution of the State.

PUBLIC OFFICERS.

County Treasurer, Jonathan Houghton, 1731 to 1733.

Judge of Court of Common Pleas and Chief Justice, Joseph Wilder, 1731 to 1757.

Judge Court of Common Pleas, Samuel Willard, 1743 to 1753. Joseph Wilder, son of first Judge Joseph Wilder, 1762 to 1773. John Sprague, June 28, 1798, Chief Justice, July 31, 1798 to 1800. Clerk of the Courts, William Stedman, 1810 to 1811. 1812 to

1816.

Sheriff, William Greenleaf, 1778 to 1788. John Sprague, 1788

to 1792.

Judge of Probate, Joseph Wilder, 1739 to 1757.

Assistant Justices of the Court of Sessions, John Whiting, March 1, 1808 to April 20, 1809. Timothy Whiting, November 14, 1811. Senators, John Sprague, 1785 to 1786. Moses Smith, 1814 te

1816.

Representatives to Congress. William Stedman, 1803 to 1810. Justices of the Peace. I have no means of being accurate prior to 1788. Soon after the settlement of the town, Major Willard, who resided here for a short time, was a magistrate by virtue of his office, as one of the Court of Assistants. After the town was rebuilt, came John Houghton, and, probably, he was the only mag. istrate for some years. Then followed Judge Joseph Wilder, father and son, Col. Oliver Wilder, Col. Samuel Willard, father and son, Col. Abijah Willard, and Abel Willard, William Richardson, Joseph Reed, Osgood, &c. After the peace, William Duns

moor, and John Sprague.

Since 1788, they are as follows,* viz:

Appointed

March 14, 1788, Josiah Wilder.

Jan. 23, 1789, Israel Atherton.

Oct. 14, 1789, Timothy Whiting jr. quorum, Oct. 15, 1807.

Sept. 18, 1790, William Stedman, quorum, Jan. 21, 1801.

June 24, 1799, Samuel Ward, quorum, Jan. 28, 1806.

Feb. 1, 1803, Josiah Flagg.

June 14, 1803, Benjamin Wyman.

May 26, 1806, Joseph Wales.

May 13, 1808, Merrick Rice.

Oct. 18, 1809, Moses Smith, jr. quorum, July 3, 1816.
Dec. 17, 1811, Paul Willard.

June 16, 1812, Jacob Fisher.

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Worcester C. C. P. Nov. Term, 1755, Abel Willard, to 1775.Removed.

Worcester, C. C. P. March Term, 1768, John Sprague, 1770 to 1800.-Died.

Admitted in Worcester, Levi Willard, about the year 1786-Died. * This list was furnished by Edward D. Bangs, Esq. Secretary of State.

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