Thomas Robinson, 1812. He was the first lawyer who settled in this place. staying about six months and then settling at Adams, where he enjoyed an extensive practice for twenty-four years, returning, to this village in 1836. He was Master in chancery several years. When the act providing for commissioners of insolvency was passed in 1848, he received from Gov. Briggs the first appointment of commissioner of this county and held the office for five successive years. He was also attorney for the Adams bank.

Nathan Putnam, 1815. He was grandson of Gen. Isreal Putnam, the revolutionary hero. He had an extensive practice for several years, there being no other attorney in the village. He married a daughter of Richard Knight and died here in the 52d year of his age.

Daniel Robinson, 1824.

Charles P. Huntington about 1828. He removed to Northampton after a few months.

Daniel Parish about 1830.

Edward Penniman, 1835. He enjoyed a very large and lucrative practice, and died here in 1844.

Nehemiah Hodge, 1831. He afterwards mostly relinquished the practice of law for the management of his patent railroad brake. He was more fortunate than many inventors, in understanding how to enforce his rights.

Henry L. Dawes, 1842. He came here a stranger, with dubious prospects and in debt. He was thrice elected as Representative to the General Court, also a delegate to the constitutional convention in 1853. For several years district attorney for the commonwealth, he was afterwards elected as a representative and then as congressman of the United States, which office he now holds.

James T. Robinson, 1844. He was twice elected State Senator from this district; was chosen secretary of the constitutional convention in 1853; Register of Insolvency in 1856. Upon the decease of Daniel N. Dewey in 1859 he received from Governor Banks the appointment of Judge of Probate and Insolvency for this county, under the new organization, which did away with the work of Commissioners of Insolvency.

Lyman C. Thayer, 1847.

0. C. B. Duncan, about 1848.

Andrew A. Richmond, 1848. He was twice elected Representative to the General Court, once Senator for Berkshire county, was appointed trial justice of the Police Court of Adams, and one of the three commissioners to revise the statutes of the commonwealth.

Shepard Thayer, 1852. He was appointed Commissioner of Insolvencv bv 6ov. Washburn in 1853, holding the office for three years. Was re-elected by the, people in 1859. Now holds the office of associate justice of the District Court.

Wm. P. Porter, 1856. Entered into partnership with H. L. Dawes Jan. 1., 1857.

A. W. Preston, 1858.

At present there are twelve lawyers in town.

Only those who acted officially are named. Isreal Jones. He must have been appointed as early as 1800 and transacted the principal business for many years. Others were James Cummings, Jeremiah Colegrove, Ezra D. Whitaker and Abel Wetherbee.

A few lawyers who settled here tried some cases, and so did other justices besides those named, occasionally.

A special act was passed by the Legislature April 12, 1854, establishing a Police Court in this town. Andrew A. Richmond was appointed standing justice and Charles J. Marsh of South Adams special justice. Upon the election of Mr. Richmond to the Senate and his taking a seat therein, June 1, 1855, the office of standing justice became vacant, and Joel Bacon was appointed. Judge Bacon held the office until the District Court was formed, in 1870, with jurisdiction over Adams, North Adams, Clarksburg, Savoy, Florida and Cheshire, when Jarvis Rockwell was put at its head,