History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

J58 HISTORY OF MIDDLE8EX COUA'TY.
cised a salutary influence on the younger members
of the profession. Many of the most distinguished
lawyers of the state enjoyed his instruction. His
office and salary came from the crown, and he thus
not only became unpo])ular, but also lost the glorious
opportunity of becoming one of the noblest of the
sons of liberty.
ColonelJoseph Ward (died 181:i) was great-greatgrandson
of William Ward, who came from Eng-
land in 1C39. He was a teaclier until the battles
of Lexington and Concord, and a frequent con-
tributor of articles to the newspapers. He was
intimate with the patriots of the Revolution, and
co-operated with them in bringing about the great
results of the struggle. He served at the battles of
Concord and Bunker Hill, and rode over ("harles-
town Neck through a cross-fire of the enemy's float-
ing batteries, to execute an order from General
Ward, at which time a broadside was fired at him
from a British man-of-war. In 1777 he was ap-
pointed commissary-general of musters with the
rank of colonel. In the fall of 1778 he was taken
prisoner in New Jersey, and confined for a year in
Platbush, Long Island. In Jamiary, 1780, he was
honored with a complimentary letter from Wash-
ington for his zeal and faithfulness. He was a
representative from Newton to the General Court
in 1796. He built the house on Waverley Avenue
now owned and occupied by the heirs of the late
Charles Brackett.
Colonel Epliraim Williams (died 1755), eldest
son of Colonel Ephraim Williams, had distinguished
military talents, and commanded the line of ^lassa-
chusetts forts on the west side of tiie Connecticut
River in tlie war with the French and Indians, and
fell in battle near Williamstown, September 8, its history.
1755. Williams College is the fruit of a donation
left by him in his will. He was never married.
Deacon John Woodward, born February 4, 1724,
was captain, selectman seven years, and representa-
tive two years, 178-'j and 1784. He was modera-
tor of the town-meeting in 1776, which passed the
unanimous vote, approving tlie act of Congress declaring
the colonies free and independent, and
pledging the lives and fortunes of the citizens to
sustain the government in the struggle for com-
plete freedom. He was in the battle of Concord,
and loaned £100 to the town to pay the soldiers.
He died May 11, 1801, aged seventy-seven.
Deacon Elijah F. Woodward (died 1846) was
prominent in church and town afl'nirs. He was
deacon of the First Church thirty-one years, repre-
sentative four years, and town clerk and treasurer
twenty years.
We are forbidden by the necessary limitations of
this history to extend these notices of citizens of
Newton who have been distinguished in church
and state, and whose names are worthy of honora-
ble mention. A richer catalogue of men who have
been benefactors of their race, and wJiose influence,
reaching abroad in every direction, has been felt
throughout the -svorld, could not easily be recorded.
And if to the honored dead we were permitted to
add the names of many noble men among the living,
to whom Newton has been a cradle or a home,
such as ex-Governor Claflin and ex-Governor Alex-
ander H. Rice, — both of whom attained the high-
est office in the gift of the commonwealth, and have
been, or now are, members of Congress, — it would
be manifest to the world that this ancient town had
sliown itself worthy of its founders, its fame, and