Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-06-05
AuraI AMI State Nfms.
Death Of Judge Weston.

CURED yesterday afternoon at two O'CLOCK at
his residence, at the advanced age OF ~
years, 10 months and days.
NATHAN WESTON was born in that part of
Hallowell which now constitutes the city of
Augusta, in July, 1882. lie was the fourth
in descent from John Weston, who emigrated
from Bucknghamshire, in England, tween y
years after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers
at Plymouth, and finally settled at Reading,
Massachusetts,, about twelve miles from Bos-
ton. The family were distinguished for their
piety, and somewhat remarkable for longev-
ity. His father was an enterprising, active
man of varied experience through long fe.
After campaign or two in the old French
war, prior to the capture of Quebec, he emf
grated to Maine, which then contained
small and scattered population. Before the
Revolution he was the owner of Abicadassit
Point, on Kennebec River, where he resided,
engaging principally in commerce, and some
times obtaining masts for the Kings ships,
from the fine timber then to be found on
Eastern River q branch of the kennebec.
Near the close of the Revolutionary War he
removed to what is now Augusta. He was,
at one period, public man, and in successive
years a member of the House, Senate, and
Council Of Massachusetts,. In 1881 he mar
ried the mother of the Chief Justice. She
was the daughter of Samuel Bancroft, Esq,
of Reading, and sister of the late DR.. Ban
croft. With her, although his third wife, lie
lived City years.
Judge Westons mother had strong and
cultivated mind her father was the leading
man in his town, which he represented many
years in the General Court during the stir
ring scenes which preceded the Revolution,
voting and exerting an influence uniformly
on the patriotic side. She impressed upon
the minds of her children the lessons of pat
riotism, devotion to country, the strict Puri-
tanical observance of the Sabbath, and incul
Gated the truths of Gods word. Judge Wes-
ton often ascrbed his thirst for knowledge,
and his aspirations in his literary and pro-
tessional career, very much to the influence
Of his mother.
He fitted for college at IIallow ell Academy.
under the tuition of its learned and talented
preceptor, Samuel Moody. Being industri-
Gus and quick to apprehend he made great
proficiency. Mr.. Weston entered Oar mouth
college, maintained high rank throughout
the course, and graduated with distinguished
honors in 1908.
He selected for his future career the profess
sion of the law, and entered in Boston. the
Office of George Blake, Esq, Attorney of
the United States for the district of Massa-
chusetts. The attractions of the city did not
seduce him from application to study. He
was an assiduous attendant upon the courts,
when in session. and which were the forensic
arena Of many distinguished jursts. Among
others were Parsons, afterwards Chief Justice
Dexter who had been in both houses of Con-
gress, and in the Cabinet of the elder Adams
Sullivan and Gore, each of whom was suisse
quently elevated to the Governors chair in
Massachu sets; and The elegant and brilliant
Otis, at that time the delight and fayorite Of
the city. The young man had ample oppor-
tunity to see and hear these great men, and to
receive the BENEFIT of their wise and able
counsels.
Mr.. Weston was admitted to the bar in
July, 1906, at which time Mr.. Blake, who APP
preciated his talents and his requirements,
proposed favorable terms of partnership in
business, which he urged him to accept. This,
Mr.. Weston declined choosing to push his
fortunes in Maine. He first opened an office
in Augusta, but was in few months persua
ded by friends in that part of the country to re-
move to New Gloucester, in the county Of
Cumberland. He there resided three years, in
full and varied practice and represented the
town in the General Court in 1908. The bar
of that county were learned and respectable,
with whom, in the court house in Portland, he
had the benefit of an active professional train
ing.
In June, 1909, he married Miss Pauline b.
Cony, daughter of Judge Daniel Cony, an
talented and beautiful woman, who died great
ly beloved Sept. II, 1867, aged 20 years.
This connection, among other reasons, in
duced him in March, 1910, to return to Au-
gusta, where he has ever since resided
In 1911 he accepted the Office of Chief JUS
tice of the Court of Common Pleas for the
second eastern circuit of Massachusetts, en-
hracing the counties of Lincoln, kennebec
and Somerset. He had many competitors for
the high position, all of whom were older and
more experienced than the rising young man.
This office he held until the separation Of
Maine from the Commonwealth. He was
when appointed, but twentv-nine years
of age, probably the youngest man who had
received judicial Office in New England.
Upon the erection of Maine into separate
State, he was, i'll June, 1920, elevated to the
bench of the Supreme Court, as associate
Justice. In 1925 lie was, by the nearly unan-
imous vote of the members of the legislature,
without distinction of party, nominated for
the Office of Governor. Retaining, however,
aprediecton for the judicial department he
declined the protfered honor,
Upon the retirement of Chief Justice Mel