page_title: William Lithgow (judge)
section_title: Biography
hierarchical_section_title: William Lithgow (judge) / Biography
caption_attribution_description: English: Fort Halifax, Maine
context_page_description: Hon. William Lithgow was a judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Lincoln County, when Maine was under the jurisdiction of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. Lithgow also served in the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia for twenty years before and during the French and Indian War.
context_section_description: William Lithgow's family, emigrated from Derry, Ireland, to Boston on the ship "Olive", chartered by Robert Temple. William was just three years old when he and his family came to the Americas. From Boston, the Lithgows traveled north to present day Maine, at the mouth of the Kennebec River near Merrymeeting Bay, where William's father, Robert, prospected land in Topsham territory around 1720. However, due to incessant Indian attacks, the Lithgow family was forced to flee, seeking refuge at Fort George in Brunswick, about four miles distance.
  Like his father, William joined the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia when he was about 19. He was attached to the garrison of Fort George, and then promoted to command Fort Richmond on the Kennebec.
  In 1746, Lithgow settled in Georgetown, where he married Sarah Noble, the daughter of Lt. Col. Arthur Noble, who fought to the death against the French Canadians at the Battle of Grand Pre in Nova Scotia.
  In 1748-54, Lithgow was commission Colonel and was appointed by Gov. William Shirley to command the garrison at Fort Halifax, established near the junction of the Sebasticook and Kennebec Rivers. In 1752, the local Indians reported, "Capt. Lithgow of Richmond is a good-natured and faithful Man in his posts:  He takes a tender care of our young men when they are drunk, and rude to him."
  After a few years, Lithgow became a justice of the peace and then appointed as a judge for the court of Common Pleas, in Lincoln County. He died December 20, 1798 and it was spoken of him that "he was a cultivated and courteous gentleman, as well as an energetic and faithful officer."
caption: Lithgow - commander of Fort Halifax (Maine)
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