Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-03-12
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
First Magistrates Of Connecticut.

BY the organization of, the Government
of Connecticut, in 1859, the Legislature con-
sisted ofthe Governor, sir other Magistrates,
and four Deputies from each ofthe towns of
Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfeld, (Mr.
Dwight, in his History OF Connecticut, is
wrong in saying that each town sent three j
these all sat in one body, over which the
Governor presided. 81. a, s'-"'E' ". -'''
The magistracy, consisting of the Gov
ernor and six other Magistrates, afterwards
increased to twelve and were
peculiar body, They constituted the sole
Executive and Judiciary, and had a voice in
the Legislative department. The Governor
always had the advice Of these Magistrates !;
and the whole as body constituted the sew
eral Courts. ,,iEitts G @r-
Though they were annually elected by the
people, they were continued in Office, almost
without exception, until, they either declin-
ed, removed, or deceased. They were cleo
ted, at first, by the whole body of freemen
assembled, and afterwards by the votes ofthe
people sent in by the deputies. Such was
the stability of'this Gland of steady habits"
that from 1889 TO 1878, no political changes
took place to revolutiohize this body The
first magistracy consisted of The following
seven: ~ :, . .qt~ -uoT goTi'1 'i.
John Haynes, ESD, Of Hartford, annual
ly elected from 1859 to 1853, Is years, when
he deceased. q a'hs' Dds e. : ;.'..i '.'''
Mr.. Roger L,tdloO, afterwards Esq, of
Windsor, from 1859 to 1853, Is years. when
he removed to Virginia. Hd iii -."
Mr.. George Willis, afterwards ESQ, of
Hartford, from 1859 to 1914, + years, when
he died. g ..., ,5~. .'ron's 7''e-...,
Mr.. Edsodrd Hopkins, afterwards Esq, of
Hartford, from 1889 to 1866, 10 years, when
he returned to England. .' Il. T. "h4
Mr.. John Webster, of Hartford, from 1889
to 1853, FL yrs, when he removed to Hadley.
MFR. Thomas WslIes, Of Hartford and
Wethersfeld, from 1859 to 1863, 81 years,
when he died. 80, .,.-i.4 ...r ~ ..r.
Mr. William, Phelps, Of Windsor, from
1859 to 1642, and from 1868 to 1869, 8
years in all. II may be mistaken about
Mr.. Phelps christian name, in The second
instance, consequently of the identity, as he
is simply spoken of as Mr.. Phelps, and it
may have been George.) ...,.--.. ...
Mr.. Haynes was Governor n 1888, al 43,
AS, AZ, '49, Isl, and $50 and Deputy Gov
ernor in 1910, IA, '46, so and '52. Gov.
Haynes, was wise, prudent and good man.
A full Genealogical history of the Haynes
family, now extinct, may be found in his
torica1 notices Of Connecticut, No. l.. .1,. ..,.
Mr.. Ludlow was probably the most talent
ed and learned man in the Colony, and is
supposed TO have, drawn up the outline Of
the first constitution. In 1916, he was EN-
powered to draw up code Of laws for the
Colony, He was chosen Deputy Governof
in 1859, AZ, and 4S. He, went as Com
missioner of the United Colonies in 1861,
$50, and SO. From disafection or other
cause, he removed to Norwalk in 1862, and
about 1854 he, went TO Virginia; and con-
trary to expectation, never returned. 1t is be-
lieved he carried with him the town records.
Mr. Willis was from a noble family in
England. lie vas chosen Deputy Govern
or in l64l, and Governor in.l642. Hewas
a stern puritan. Afall genealogical histo-
ry of this family may be found in Historic
cal Notices, No. 2. ,--. g: 81 .r ....
Mr.. Hopkins was second in talent to no
one in the Colony except Mr.. Ludlow;
man of great piety, activity, wealth and use
fulness. He spent some time in England
promoting the interests and securing the
rights of the Colonies, and finally took up
his residence there. His large property in
this country was given to encourage learn
ing. He intended to devise large amount
for college in this Colony; but his will
was so worded that Harvard College sue
ceeded in securing il. He was the first
Secretary of State in 1859, and chosen De-
putty Governor in l643, AS "a, 49, Isl,
and '53 and Governor in l640, "a, '46.
,4s, 80, 80, and "a, after which, though
elected to the Magistracy, he spent most Of
his time In England,
Mr.. Welles was Secretary Of etate from
l64l to l647, and then for sveral years,
Treasurer. He was elected Deputy Gov
srnor in 1854, SO, and '5S; and Governor
in 1856, 81, and 80, when he died. He
had 4children, (and perhaps Others Thorn
as, Samuel, Joseph and Anna. Thomas