Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/171

 MEMOIR OF EBENEZER WEBSTER.

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��Hopkinton as a half shire for the courts of Hillsborough. It remained the half shire until the year 1823, when the county of Merrimack was organized, and the courts were conse- quently removed to Concord. No one man contributed so much in time and active exertions, to bring about this result, as Hon. Ezekiel Webster. He represented the town of Boscawen in the legislature, and against a strenuous opposition, successfully carri- ed this measure.

In the year 1800, the town voted to accept Col. Webster as collector of taxes, in the room of Ephraim Colby. An aged citizen informed us that he met Judge Webster after he had spent the day, with ill success, in getting taxes ; when Judge Webster repeated for his comfort that old rhyme, which contains more truth than poetry : —

" This is a pood world we live in,

To lend, to spend, and to give in ;

But, to beg, to borrow, and to get one's own,

'T is the hardest world that ere was known."

Among the numerous offices which Judge Webster often well filled was that of grand juror. Ability, integrity, and experience, were formerly con- sidered qualifications of this station. Our statute cuts off many who should serve in this office, and dishonest ex- ecutors of the law sometimes place in the jury-box such as are entirely dis- qualified to discharge its duties. — Formerly the most able and influential citizens were selected to this post of honor and responsibility. John Ran- dolph, of Roanoake, was foreman of the grand jury of Virginia that inves- tigated the charges against Aaron Burr for high treason.

September 14, 1773, Ebenezer Webster was chosen grand juror to go to Amherst to attend His Majesty's

��superior court of judicature. This was his first service. After he was appointed judge of the court of com- mon pleas, in 1791, he served as grand juror, generally in the capacity of fore- man, at the superior court of judica- ture in Hillsborough county, in 1792, '94, '97, '98, 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1804.

We could, if time and space would allow, give you many other facts and incidents which would interest the reader. Suffice it to say Judge Web- ster was upon all the important com- mittees raised by the town to obtain money and men to carry on the war, and to form and maintain the govern- ment. He was also the arbitrator se- lected more often than any other per- son to settle or adjust matters of a public or private character.

We send you two of his reports to show his comprehensive and concise form of doing business. His honesty and sound judgment were relied upon, and led to safe results. As a magis- trate and judge, he heard, deliberated and decided ; and from his decisions there was generally no desire to appeal. Judge Webster was too liberal to the public. He underestimated the value of his services. We find him charg- ing four shillings, and sometimes three shillings for a day's work, when em- ployed on public business ; while his associates generally charged one dollar or more.

From a slight examination of the Journal of the House and Senate of this state, while Judge Webster was a member, we ascertain he was placed upon the most important committees. He seldom spoke in deliberative bodies, but commanded attention when he did.

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