Paul Brigham
Encyclopedia
Paul Brigham son of Paul and Catherine (Turner) Brigham, was a Revolutionary soldier and Democratic-Republican politician. He was born January 6, 1746 in Coventry, Connecticut
. He married Lydia Sawyer (of Hebron, Connecticut
) on October 3, 1767. In the spring of 1782 they moved to Norwich, Vermont
. He served as High Sheriff of Windsor County, Vermont, for five years and as major general of militia, and chief judge of the county court for five years. He was a presidential elector for Vermont, 1792 and lieutenant governor
of Vermont
from 1796 to 1813 and again from 1815 until 1820. He served for a short time as the second Governor of Vermont from August 25 – October 16, 1797 upon the death of Thomas Chittenden
.
Brigham is buried at Fairview Cemetery, in his home town of Norwich, Vermont
.
The obituary from the New-Hampshire Patriot (NH), July 12, 1824, p. 3, reads:
"In Norwich, Vt. on the 15th ult. PAUL BRIGHAM, in the 79th year of his age. Extensively known, eulogy would add nothing to the right which the virtuous actions of a good man justly claim for the deceased. For four years he served as a Captain in the war for Independence; five years was the High Sheriff of Windsor county; a Major General of Militia; five years Chief Judge of the County Court; and 22 of 24 succeeding years Lieutenant Governor of this State. In all these offices he sustained the reputation of discharging their several duties to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens; and received their almost unanimous suffrages for the latter, until admonished by the infirmities of age, that retirement was necessary, he declined any further public service. Vt. Journal."
Coventry, Connecticut
Coventry is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 11,504 at the 2000 census. The birthplace of Captain Nathan Hale, Coventry is home to the Nathan Hale Homestead, which is now a museum open to the public....
. He married Lydia Sawyer (of Hebron, Connecticut
Hebron, Connecticut
Hebron is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,610 at the 2000 census. Hebron was incorporated May 26, 1708....
) on October 3, 1767. In the spring of 1782 they moved to Norwich, Vermont
Norwich, Vermont
Norwich is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States, located along the Connecticut River opposite Hanover, New Hampshire. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census....
. He served as High Sheriff of Windsor County, Vermont, for five years and as major general of militia, and chief judge of the county court for five years. He was a presidential elector for Vermont, 1792 and lieutenant governor
Lieutenant governor
A lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
from 1796 to 1813 and again from 1815 until 1820. He served for a short time as the second Governor of Vermont from August 25 – October 16, 1797 upon the death of Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden
Thomas Chittenden was an important figure in the founding of Vermont.Chittenden was born in East Guilford, Connecticut and moved to Vermont in 1774, where he founded the town of Williston. During the American Revolution, Chittenden was a member of a committee empowered to negotiate with the...
.
Brigham is buried at Fairview Cemetery, in his home town of Norwich, Vermont
Norwich, Vermont
Norwich is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States, located along the Connecticut River opposite Hanover, New Hampshire. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census....
.
The obituary from the New-Hampshire Patriot (NH), July 12, 1824, p. 3, reads:
"In Norwich, Vt. on the 15th ult. PAUL BRIGHAM, in the 79th year of his age. Extensively known, eulogy would add nothing to the right which the virtuous actions of a good man justly claim for the deceased. For four years he served as a Captain in the war for Independence; five years was the High Sheriff of Windsor county; a Major General of Militia; five years Chief Judge of the County Court; and 22 of 24 succeeding years Lieutenant Governor of this State. In all these offices he sustained the reputation of discharging their several duties to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens; and received their almost unanimous suffrages for the latter, until admonished by the infirmities of age, that retirement was necessary, he declined any further public service. Vt. Journal."
Sources
- Information from the Vermont Archives
- Political Graveyard
- A History of Norwich Vermont by M. E. Goddard & H. V. Partridge