When he went to college, his father gave him a horse, which was all the start he had toward his higher education. He graduated from Dartmouth College, A.B., 1778; A.M., Dartmouth and Harvard {ad eum.), and Yale, 1792; began the study of law, but for some reason unknown abandoned it before he was admitted to the bar. He settled in Westborough as a merchant with Breck Parkman. Brigham He was selectman in 1785, '89, and '96. He represented Westborough in the General Court, 1791 and '93; served 12 years as a member of the Senate; 2 years as executive counselor, and 16 years as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Worcester County; was a member of Congress from 1810 until his death. His effectiveness in Congress was hampered by his allegiance to the Federalist Party, which would dissolve soon after his death.