Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1845-01-23
.Ftonstae Nc Y. Observer. sd q.
THE HON. ROGER MENeTT SHERMAN

The HON. ROGER aMtN0TT SHERMAN
We have to record the decease of this distinguish
ed man at his eresdence in Fairfield, the 30th
of December, 1914. The death of such men is a
calamity, extending far beyond the circle Of family,
relatives and friends can any of these be re.
lieyed from consciousness of their loss by public
testimonials Of respect 10 the memory of the depar
ted. Yet when one of the great and good Of this
world has been withdrawnfrom the scene Of hisla-
bors and usefulness, it is consoling to the many
who know and loved him, and profitable to all who.
honored him, to ssfead, mark, and learn" some-
thing ofh history, and something Of his virtues.
Roger Miaott Sherman was born in Woburn, Mas
sachusetts, on the 22d of May, 1773. His father,
the Rev. Josiah Sherman, was brother OF Roger
Sherman. of Revolutionary memory. and was the
fourth in descent from Captain John Sherman, who
removed from Dedham, in England, to WATERFOWL,
Massachusetts,, about the year 1885. His mother,
Martha Minott was the Fifth descent from George
Minott, who removed from Essex, England, and
was one the first sttlers Of Dorchester, Masacf0.
sets fha2 ai asf9aai n slef fNAafs st3 n! my
III 1889, at the age of sixteen, Mr.. Sherman en-
tered the Sophomore class Of Yale College. whence
he was graduated with honor in f7g2. He COM
rienced Il study Of the law at Windsor, with the
Hon Oliver Ellsworth !; he subsequently continued
his studies at Litch6eid, With the Hon, Tapping
Reeve; and ia 1857, having been elected q tutor
Yale College, he completed his studies with the
Hon Simeon Baldwin. OF New Haven, while also
attending u his official duties al the College IN
1796, he was admitted 10 the bar of New Haven; ;
and in May, Of that year. he removed 70 Norfolk,
where be commenced the practice Of the law
On the 18th of December, 1896, he was passisds 20
Elizabeth Gould, daughter Of DR., Wiltiam Gould,
OF New Haven and sister of The Hon James Could
late of Lt!feld, In 1907, he removed to Fairfield,
where he continued to reside until his death. 81
A few weeks after Mr.. Sherman entered College,
his father died--which event, by cutting of his
means of support from home, compelled him TO rely
on his own exertions, and be Immediately commen-
cedteaching school during the hours that he could
spare from college duties. He pursued the same
plan in Windsor and in Litchfeld, while attending
to hislega studies, and he thus enabled to com.
plete his own education by devoting himself to the
education of others. 1t is easy to sse how little
leisure he could have had for the sports and amuse
ments Of youth; his early life was one of toll, not,
it may be presumed, unmingled with hardship apd
priyation.R How many are there among the readers
of this memoir, who would have toled thus patient
1y year after year, for the more chance Of success
in profession wherein, to say the least, very few
eminently and decidedly succeed,
Nevertheless, Mr.. Sherman's success was eminent.
His great powers Of persuasion, his legal research
his logical acumen, began to be known and ac.
duties Of his profession. His abilities were ever
the most sgnally displayed IN arguing questions Of
law He was, in such cases, scientifically method
ical, ard he adopted thatlmethod denominated syn
thetic. He would commence with some general
proposifitn, too true to be denied, and apparently
SO harmless as to be readily admitted. He would
then advance another and another, each connected
with and springing from lis predecessor, until he
brought out conclusion thai unexpectedly decided
the point in contseYersy.l His malaer 10 speaking
was deliberate, but free from hesitancy. He had
comparatgelylittl action, and none that was yio-
lent he relied for effect solely on his thought his
arrangement. his diction. and his expressive tones
of voice. He employed sarcasm spafipgly--a
when he did use III it took effect rather By implica-
lion, if itwefe undesigneds sss6 gSsss
The followlngquotationt from Mr. Sherman's own
words will show his opinion on a somewhat consro-
yerted point 81 have ever considered Il ~ one OF
the FIRST moral duties Of lawyer, and have always
adopted,t as maxim in my own practice, not 70
encourage gypundfess s,st, O. gyossediesss e.
Their, IN compliance with his own animosities, or
with the honest prepossession Of his own judg-
ment."i4 I'LL M VI 81 iSss MA X 1
Mr.. Sherman continued the practice Of the law
for forty three years and was beyond doubt enga.
ged in as great number ofcauses as any other law
yer in Connecticut during the present century. =.
In causes Of importance he was frequently called
to practice in the courts Of other States In lsi4
he became member Of the Upper House OF the
Connecticut Legislature, and he occupied that seaf
by annual election, until 1Slsa This body of men.
in those days, comprised persons Of the highest res
spectability for character and talents; and among
them all Mr.. Sherman was distinguished for ahili-
", integrity. Independence, and thorough knol-
edge ofthe policy and interests the State. Ma.
nygof the Connecticut statutes relative to the pd-
innistratien Of Justice which are now in operation,
were drawn iii, and caused to be passed through the
Legislature BY him.
III the same year li5l4), Mr.. Sherman was ap.
pointed, BY the Legislature delegate to the cele1
DRAFTED Hartford Convention ofhis proceedings
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