History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1745-1754.] MAJOR JOSEPH HAWLEY. 535
Chaplain at the Siege Intending to devote himself to the minof
Louisburg. istry, he entered upon a course of study
at Harvard College soon after graduation.
Little is known concerning his ecclesiastical education
other than that he was at Cambridge in 1744. The next
year occurred the celebrated expedition against Louisburg,
in which, being but twenty-one years of age, he served as
chaplain in the regiment commanded by his cousin, Col.
Joseph Dwight of Brookfield. In this capacity he remained
till the fall of the city. Major Setli Pomeroy in
his journal of that campaign alludes to occupying a room,
during sickness, with Chaplain Hawley within the city.
studies Law. Whether, like his grandfather Hawley, he
occasionally occupied a pulpit in some of
the neighboring towns, there is no positive evidence, but
like him, Mr. Hawley soon gave up preaching, and commenced
the study of law under the tuition of Gen. Phinehas
Lyman of Suffield. In 1749, Mr. Hawley commenced
the practice of law in Northampton, soon taking high rank
in his profession.
A Volunteer.
In the subscqueut wars between the French
and English, Major Hawley was active,
earning in 1754 the rank of major, by which he was afterwards
designated through life. Allusion to such service
will be found elsewhere in these pages. He encouraged
his brother Elisha, who rose to the rank of captain during
the succeeding French and Indian wars, writing to him
many letters of advice and encouragement ; and he sincerely
mourned his untimely end.
First Public Office. In towii affairs he was first called to serve
as selectman in 1747, and during the next
forty years his name was scarcely ever omitted from the
board. He was chosen town clerk three years afterwards,
and was often made moderator of town -meetings.
Opposes Rev. Mr. Hardly had he become fairly settled in the
Edwards. practicc of the law, when the trouble which
resulted in the dismissal of his cousin, Rev.
Jonathan Edwards, occurred. Mr. Hawley, young and