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.

She died unmarried.