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

542 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1705.
government and counteracting the sentiment of anarchy
and opposition to existing laws, at one time so prominent
in this State. His influence in town and county was great,
and he did much to nullify the movements of the demagogues
who were endeavoring to overthrow the government.
Though there were outbreaks within his own county, and
scenes of violence in his own town, he urged moderation
with his misguided fellow-citizens, and in some instances
by his timely suggestions succeeded in averting an outbreak.
Much of the detail of the work he performed will
be found under the heads which treat of these disturbances,
in the previous chapters of this volume.
His Home Life. Plain and simple in all his tastes, Joseph
Hawley lived the life of a country gentleman,
honored and respected even by his most inveterate
enemies. In summer he rose at five o'clock, and in winter
at six. He cared for his own stock, "did the chores "'
the barn, himself, while his wife did the milking. He did
not carry on his farm, but rented his meadow-land. He
conducted religious services in his own family morning and
evening. Twice a week he shaved, and always visited the
schools directly after.
Disposition to Mel- An inherited disposition to melancholy
anchoiy. tiugcd his whole career, and to it must be
attributed much of the obscurity attending
his life and public acts. During one of these attacks he
burned papers that would now undoubtedly be of great
value. ^ In a memorandum, written on the margin of
Johnson's dictionary, he describes his sensations during
one of these attacks : —
"Memd"'. This day is the ninth day of January, A. D. 1765, and
ever since Tuesday the second day of October last, I have been Inca-
pacitated to Judge in moral or religious matters, lost to all the business
of my profession, to wit, of the law. The above s'' second day of October
was the last day or Time when I attempted to advise or give counsel
as a Lawyer and for part of that day I was incapable. But never
since. I have been able since and am yet able to deal a little in figures ;
1 " Of this remarkable mau it is to be regretted tliat so few traces remain. Even
under the pen of an enemy like Hutchinson, his character shines like burnished
gold."—Works of John Adams, vol. 9, p. 343.
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