Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-03-31
nnalh ofLnshnn Sarrer.

Tic death Of Joshua Sawyer we have previous
ly noticed. We gladly copy the following sketch
OF his fife and services from the s. AHaus Mes
saqge:
Esq sawyer came to Vermont nearly sixty
years ago and located at what is now the village
OF Hyde Park, where he resided until his death.
lie was a member of the Legislature during the
war OF 1872 and for many years the youngest
member As a member he at once took high
rank and became the intimate friend Of the then
rising young men of the State Of whom the late
VIM. e., Bradley was one Of the most eminent
and with the exception Of Esq. Sawyer, the last
survivor.
At a later period about 1885, he was for sew
cral years a member, c0tempOrary with John
Smith of St. Adams, who was speaker Of the
House, and during the contest for the creation OF
I the then new County Of IAmoille, Of which move
ment he was the leader - the stories Of his
skill and wit as a debater, and his adroitness Of
management are still current among the elder
hq5itues of the Legislature.
1t was, however, as a lawyer, that he acquired
the greatest reputation, He commenced his pro-
ies-iona career at the age Of twenty-One and con
tinued in active practice till within year of his
death. For forty years his practice was one Of
/ the largest in the State, and be was probably en-
gagged in more suits than any other lawyer in Yer
mont
I In his early practice he came to the courts OF
l franklin and Chitteuden counties, but his best
| field was IN Orleans and Caledonia.
In those days the bar of those counties was the
most brilliant in the State. There were Bell
| Fletcher Paddock, Griswold and the two Mat
/ tockses of Caledonia, Cushman of Essex. the ell
der Baxter Of Orleans, and, not least in the circle
| OF that brilliant society, was the scholarly and
accomplished Samuel c. Crafts, for many year.
/ Clerk Of the Orleans Court. That was a race Of
giants. Cushman was probably the most accom-
/ plshed orator the State ever produced, as well as
one OF the most cOurtly gentlemen while Gov
/ Mattocks, or as he was best known, " Jack Mat
/ tocks, was a wonder for massive intellect,
/ Without, perhaps equalling the elOQuenCe o.
the one or the logic of the other, Esq Sawyer, b,
/ the fertility of his resources as a manager, anC
| the brillancy of his wit and his imperturbabl,
self possession in trials, fairly held his own as
practitioner and commanded his full share Of bust
ness and success.
At later period in the early history of Ii,
noio County he became associated with anothe
/ circle of strong men, among whom were Samue
A. Willard, L. b. Villas, William upham, l., p
| Poland. W. W White, d. A Smalley, the tw,
j Beardseys and Paul Dillingham;. Here again
although distracted BY pecuniary embarassments
and fast approaching the decline Of his life, h
sustained himself with credit, proving himself N
unequal match for the best of his competitors.
To the end of his days he was remarkable 70
an exhaustless fund of anecdote, readiness OF re
partec and a courtliness Of demeanor, which mad
him most agreeable companion. With him tn
garrulousness Of old age had little that was tire
some his stories were seldom repetitions, an,
} his wit was as fresh and sparkling as the young
est.
As he mingled with his younger associates hi
erect form straight to the last as an arrow, an,
his dignified carriage reminded one of an nncien
tree, standing above its surroundings, whitene
by storms and Scared by lightnngs, but yet kim
Of the forest to the end.