Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record Vol. XXXIII, 1902 Pub. by the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society 226 West 58th Street, New York [Pgs 15 - 16] BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOSEPH DWIGHT, the first of the name in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, was one of the most promi- nent members of the family. He was born Oct. 16, 1703, at Hatfield, and was a son of CAPTAIN HENRY DWIGHT (one of the "settling committee" for the Housatonic townships, which were the first settlements in Berkshire County - now Great Barrington and adjacent towns), and a grandson of CAPTAIN TIMOTHY DWIGHT. JOSEPH DWIGHT was graduated from Harvard College in 1722, and later studied law. For several years he was a merchant in Springfield, where he married, Aug. 11, 1726, MARY, daughter of COLONEL JOHN PYNCHON, and a grand- daughter of WILLIAM PYNCHON, the principal founder of Rox- bury and Springfield. During his residence in Brookfield he practised his profession, and was chosen to represent the town at the General Court eleven times, once being its speaker, and was also a member of the Provincial Council. He was interested in military affairs, and on Feb. 20, 1745, GOVERNOR SHIRLEY appointed him a Brigadier-General of the Militia, and at the attack, siege and capture of Louis- burg, was second in command, and led the Ancient and Honor- able Artillery Company of Boston, and was praised for his courage and skill by GENERAL PEPPERELL, who was in command. Soon after he raised a regiment for an expedition against Canada, but it was principally engaged in frontier service, and in 1756 he commanded a Brigade of Massachusetts Militia at Lakes George and Champlain. His wife died in 1751, and shortly after he was appointed a trustee of the Indian school at Stockbridge, where he removed and married in 1752, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS, widow of the REVEREND JOHN SERGEANT, the famous Indian missionary, and half sister of COLONEL EPHRAIM WILLIAMS, the founder of Williams College. In 1739, he was appointed a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Worcester County; from 1753 to 1761 he was a judge of the same court in Hampshire County; and when a portion of said county was formed into Berkshire County in 1761, he became a judge of the new court, and also of the Probate, holding these offices until his death. In 1758 he removed to Great Barrington where he bought in 1759, a plot of twelve acres, and erected a mansion, now generally called the "Bryant House," as WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT was there married to FRANCES FAIRCHILD. The town was incorporated the same year that the county was formed, and he was authorized to issue the warrant for the first town meeting, and chosen its moderator, and one of the selectmen. He died June 9, 1765, and was buried in the Mahaiwe cemetery, in a grave facing Stockbridge. A large headstone, with the follwing inscrip- tion, marks the spot: "Sacred to the memory of Brigadier-General JOSEPH DWIGHT. Died June 9th, 1765, aged 62 years. Though great in council and in arms, The pious, good and just, Yet death her cruel debt demands, DWIGHT slumbers in the dust." GENERAL DWIGHT was of fine and dignified personality; a Christian; a just judge and public servant; and was highly thought of throughout the colony. MADAM DWIGHT, a woman of unusual character, returned after several years' residence in Great Barrington, to her first husband's home on the Hill, in Stockbridge. ===========================================================================