HON. THEODORE SEDGWICK, L. L. D.

He was born at Hartford, West Division, Conn. in May, 1746. He was the youngest of six children. His father, Benjamin Sedg. wick, died at the age of 45, leaving little property, when Theodore was only ten years old. By the aid of an elder brother he was enabled to enter Yale College, but his funds not permitting, he was compelled to leave before his term was compleated. He then entered on the study of Divinity, which he soon quitted and commenced the study of Law in the office of Mark Hopkins, Esq. of Great Barrington. He was admitted an Attorney of the Common Pleas in the County of Berkshire, in 1776. He commenced practice in Great Barrington, afterwards moved to Sheffield, and finally, in 1785, removed to Stockbridge, which was ever after his place of residence.

From 1776 to the time of his death, which happened at Boston, Jan. 24, 1813, he was almost constantly engaged in public business. He was first aid to Gen. Thomas, in his expedition to Canada, in 1776; Representative of Sheffield in the Legislature for several years successively; and in 1785, he was sent Representative to Congress. During the Shay's insurrection he was one of the most active and efficient on the side of Government, and in many instances narrowly escaped with his life. The insurgents plundered his house, insulted his person, and destroyed his property. In 1788, he was of the "convention called to decide on the adoption of the Federal Constitution and was one of the chief advocates in its favor." He was afterwards Speaker of the House of Representatives, and, in 1789, he was again elected to Congress and continued there until 1793. He was then chosen Senator of the United States, in which office he remained until 1799, when he was reelected to Congress, and was made Speaker. In 1802, he was appointed one of the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court and continued in that high and responsible station until his death.

Judge Sedgwick was the first who broke down the austerity and dignity of the Court in its intercourse with the members of the Bar. Before his time, it had been the practice of the bench to keep a watchful eye over its dignity, and regard with suspicion all appearance of familiarity on the part of those attending the courts. His affability and social character endeared him to the members of the bar, and a remembrance of him is yet preserved and cherished with great respect for his private virtues as well as for his invaluable public services.

B.

TIMOTHY RUGGLES, ESQ. OF HARDWICK.

THE subject of this memoir was born at Rochester in this State, October 11, 1711. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Timothy Ruggles, minister of the first parish in that town, who was born at Roxbury in 1685, and settled at Rochester in 1717. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1707, and died respected, 1769, at the advanced age of 84. The Rev. Thomas Ruggles, of Guilford, Conn. was of the same family, and was settled in the ministry in the latter place in the beginning of the last century. Timothy Ruggles of Hardwick, of whom it is proposed to speak, was educated at Cambridge and was graduated in 1732. It was the wish of his father to prepare him for the sacred profession; but for this it seems he had little inclination. He therefore soon after leaving the University, entered on the sudy of the law, and commenced practice in his native town. His first appearance in public life was in the provincial assembly, where he was sent a représentative, 1736, from Rochester. How much he distinguished himself at the early age of 25, as a legislator is not now known. He is remembered, however, at this time, for having procured the passage of a bill, prohibiting deputy Sheriff's from filling writs, which has ever since continued in force.

From Rochester he moved to Sandwich, in the county of Barnstable, where he went into an office and entered on the duties of his profession. He soon after married a rich widow, opened a tavern, and was remarkable for his attendance in person on travellers, discharging the various duties of ostler, barkeeper, &c. saying that no man should ever be above his business. He became eminent as an attorney, and attended the courts at Barnstable, Bristol and Plimouth. His reputation was such that he was employed in almost all cases of magnitude and importance, and was generally opposed by Col. Otis, father of the celebrated James Otis. His knowledge of the law was much above those of his time, and his powerful native sense united to a fearless confidence, gave him the name of an eminent and successful advocate. As a scholar he was above mediocrity, and in his language, though he might not be always elegant, he never failed of being foscible and impressive. In his reasoning he was ingenious, and in public debate often eloquent.

About the year 1754, Mr. Ruggles removed from Sandwich to Hardwick, in this county. With what success he practiced as an attorney here, is not known. In 1755, he received an appoint

ment in the army destined to act against the French and Indians, and never after returned to the bar. He accompanied Sir William Johnson in his expedition against Crown Point, and held the commission of Colonel. He was next to Gen. Johnson in command in the battle which resulted in the total defeat of the army under the Baron Dieskau. His bravery and soldier-like conduct gave him a high reputation, and he ever after enjoyed to an unusual degree the confidence of government and the respect of the troops under him.

The army under Johnson was at the close of the year discharged, and Ruggles returned to his seat at Hardwick. In the campaigns of the two succeeding years, 1756 and '57, he acted with the commission of Colonel.* A demand of 1000 men was made on the counties of Worcestert and Hampshire, and of a portion of these he was appointed to the command. In 1758, he was commissioned a Brigadier General under Lord Amherst, and served under him in his expedition against Canada.

He was appointed one of the Judges of the Common Pleas for the county of Worcester in 1757, and was present at the sittings of the Court during this and the following year: from this time to 1760, with one or two exceptions, he was absent, engaged in the war. In 1762, he was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and continued in that office until the beginning of the Revolution.

The part he took in politics deprived him of his popularity with the whig party, though he was respected and possessed an important influence with the Governor of the province and those justifying the oppressive measures of the British Parliament.

No sooner was the conquest of Canada effected than the American provinces began to feel alarmed at the encroaching power of the parent country. Their charter privileges were violated and the whole country began to be in a ferment. The successful management of the case of "Writs of assistance," by James Otis had made him deservedly popular and gave him the reputation of a most ardent patriot. His powerful opposition with Cushing and others

Sermon by Eli Forbes of Brookfield, who was Chaplain to Ruggles's Regiment during two campaigns. This sermon is very respectfully dedicated to the Brigadier, and gives a succint account of the war. It was "preached Oct. 9, 1760, being a day of public Thanksgiving for the success of the British arms in North America."

+ Minot's Continuation of the History of Massachusetts, Vol. I. 289; and Vol. II. 23.

made him an object of terror to the government party. When in 1762, he was representative from Boston, the venerable ex-Presídent Adams in his letter says: "On that week I happened to be at Worcester attending a Court of Common Pleas of which Brigadier Ruggles was Chief Justice. When the news arrived from Boston (of the election of Otis) you can have no idea of the consternation among the government people. Chief Justice Ruggles at dinner at Col. Chandler's on that day, said, out of this election will arise a damned faction which will shake this province to its foundation."

The intention of Parliament to establish a standing army in the colonies and levy a tax for its support, created great offence. The duties on stamped paper and other articles in 1765, found a violent opposition from the inhabitants of the provinces. At the session of the Legislature in 1765, a committee was appointed, "consisting of members of different parties to consider of the course to be pursued by reason of the burthensome acts of the British Parliament. The result of the deliberations of this committee was, "that the several colonies elect delegates to send to a general congress, which was to meet at New York, on the 1st Tuesday of October, to consult together and to consider of a general and united, dutiful and humble representation of their condition, to his Majesty and the Parliament, to implore relief." This laid the foundation of the American Revolution. The House then proceeded to choose delegates to represent Massachusetts in the proposed convention. James Otis, John Worthington and Oliver Partridge were elected ; but Worthington declining to serve, Gen. Ruggles was chosen in his room.

The Congress met at New York, on the 19th of October, 1765, and Gen. Ruggles was appointed President.* Three committees were chosen to draw up petitions to present to the King, Lords and Commons. By two adjournments the results of committees were discussed, and after some alterations, were accepted; and on the 24th the Convention again met to sign the petitions. Nine of the provinces appeared by their delegates and six signed the addresses. South Carolina and Connecticut had instructed their representatives to submit the addresses to the assemblies of each of their provinces for their approval before signing them. New York not approving of the Convention, the committee from that province could not affix their signatures. All the committees, however, * Hist. Collections, Vol. IV. second series, 262.

sanctioned the proceedings, except Gen. Ruggles, the President, who dissented and refused to sign them.

Governor Burnet, in an official letter respecting the Convention, says, two of three, (meaning Ruggles and Partridge, delegates from Massachusetts)" are fast friends of the government, and prudent and discreet men, such as I am sure, will never consent to any improper application to the government of Great Britain."

At the meeting of the Legislature in February, 1766, a vote of thanks was passed for the services of Otis and Partridge,and at the same time, a vote of censure on Gen. Ruggles for his obstinacy at the Congress. He was accordingly reprimanded in his place by the Speaker. He requested permission to enter his reasons for his conduct, in the Journals of the House, which was granted, but afterwards had leave to withdraw them.

He was a member of the Legislature in 1769. The following anecdote is from Tudor's Otis : "On some question in dispute between the legislature and the Governor, Brigadier Ruggles, the staunch friend of the latter, had delivered a very powerful and ingenious argument, which seemed to make a strong impression on the members. Otis arose after him, and with the fullest tone and most impassioned manner that seemed to arrest the very breathing of the house, begun, "Mr. Speaker, the liberty of this country is gone forever! and I'll go after it." He immediately turned round and walked out of the chamber.

In August, 1774, he was made one of the Council by the King's mandamus and qualified in the same month. The odium under which he rested, from his adherence to the crown, was now increased by this instance of renewed attachment in the acceptance of an office under it. Many of those appointed Counsellors were compelled to decline serving from the ungovernable rage and fury of the people. At Bridgewater, the public displeasure was so great that, when Josiah Edson, one of the Council, and a Deacon of the Church, got up to read a hymn, no one would sing after him. A letter from Taunton,* Aug. 1774, says, "We hear that Brigadier Ruggles, one of the new made Counsellors, being at Col. Toby's, at Dartmouth, the people assembled there one day this week, and ordered him to depart forthwith; upon which the Col. promised them he should go the next morning by sun an hour high. But before that time the Brigadier's horse had his main and tail cut off, and his body painted all over. Since which he took refuge at Col* Massachusetts Spy, for Sept. 1, 1774.