The history of the town of Dorchester, Massachusetts, By a committee of the Dorchester antiquarian and historical society ...

HISTORY OF DORCHESTER. 357
Assessor upwards of thirty years, and Town Clerk
about forty-seven years. While in this capacity, his
house was burned; and although every exertion
was made to save the records, at the expense of other
property, a part was lost, but was afterwards supplied, in a great measure through his exertion and
perseverance. He had a very retentive memory, and
could repeat the tales of former years with great
interest. He was so conscientious in regard to the
truth, that he was rarely known to make an assertion unless prefixed by the term "may be." The
late Rev. Dr. Harris preached a sermon on the occasion of his death, in which he said, " I never knew
a person farther removed from every appearance of
duplicity, or more singularly remarkable for a cautiousness in speech, and inviolable veracity." " He
was not fond of affirmations; and hesitated even as
to the accuracy of his own judgment, and the certainty of his own information. This singular cautiousness was the result of the most inflexible reverence for truth. It was accompanied by a meek,
humble, diffident and modest spirit, and a plain,
undisguised, unaffected artlessness of manner." *"*
"6 A very observable and lovely trait in his character,
was his candor and charitableness in judging of
others. Of this he gave the most pleasing proofs
in his unwillingness even to hear anything to the
disadvantage of persons. He would never patiently
listen to the reports which might be in circulation
of the misconduct of any; and when they were men.
tioned in his presence, he was always ready to pal.
3$