culties and privations. He was a kind, inoffensive neighbor, a good citizen, without enemies, and an honest man. BENNET, Dr. Abel, Ridgefield, Conn., Aug. 7, æ. - Dr. B. was for many years a resident of West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N. Y., and more recently of Le Roy, Genesee Co., N. Y. From there he removed, in 1853, to Ridgefield, Conn., the place of his nativity. BENNET, John, Newton township, O., Jan. 28, æ. 70. Deceased emigrated from Pa. to O. about 45 years ago. BENNETT, Brevet Col. A. G., U. S. army, at New Orleans, March —, æ. —. BENNETT, Mary, Burlington, Mass., March 30, æ. 98, widow of the late James Bennett.

BENNETT, Mary, Portsmouth, Va., Jan. 6, æ. 40, wife of William Bennett, U. S. N.

BENNETT, Sarah, New Bedford, N. J., Sept. 27, æ. 69, widow of Jeremiah Bennett.

BENSELL, Mary, Germantown, N. J., Sept. 6, æ. 93.

BENT, Dea. Adam, South Boston Point, March 22, æ. 81.

BENTLEY, Thomas Spring, M. D., New Lexington, O., Sept. 2, æ. —. BENTON, Dr. A. W., near Delta, Coahoma Co., Miss., Jan. 26.

BENTON, Reuben C., Rockford, Ill., Oct. 11, æ. 54; of Guildhall, Vt., senator elect at the time of his death.

BERRY, James, Jacksonville, Ala., æ. 69. The deceased removed from Tenn. to Ala. some years ago, and has been engaged for the most part since then in mercantile business. He was much esteemed and beloved by a numerous train of friends and acquaintances, as a good citizen, a warm friend, an upright, honorable business man, and in short, estimable in all the relations of life. He had been for many years a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church.

BERRY, Rev. John M., Clinton, March 2, æ. about 68.

BERRY, Rev. Philip, Richmond, Va., Jan. 23, æ., rector of St. Peter's Church, Kent Co., Va.

BERRY, Hon. William, Concord, N. H., Jan. 23, æ. 57. He was born at Barnstead, where he lived, a respectable farmer the greater part of his life. In 1845, he was appointed deputy warden of the state prison, where he remained

and faithfully performed his duty three or four years. In 1855, he was chosen state treasurer, and reelected for 1856. The duties of this office were performed by Mr. Berry with faithfulness and honesty. He was not a man of envious feelings, but rejoiced in the prosperity of those around him, when acquired through industry, sobriety, and honesty.

BERRY, Zoheth, Brewster, Mass., Jan. 24, æ. 87.

BEST, Hon. Valentine, Danville, Pa., Oct. 28, æ. 56. Mr. Best was born March 8, 1801, in Valley township, Pa. His father's family moved to Danville a year or two afterwards, and the subject of this notice had been a resident of Danville ever since, with the exception of a few years during his apprenticeship to the printing business, and when he worked as a compositor in the city of Washington and at Harrisburg. After July 15, 1828, he was the publisher and editor of the Danville Intelligencer, which was previously published by Mr. George Sweeney, under the title of the "Watchman." In 1839, he was appointed prothonotary of Columbia Co., and clerk of the different courts, by Gov. Porter. In 1847, he was elected to the state Senate, and in the last year of his senatorship, he was chosen as presiding officer of that honorable body. It was by his exertions mainly that the new county of Montour was established, during the memorable session of 1850. He also held several important municipal offices, all of which he filled with fidelity and honor to himself and the community.

BETHUNE, Mary C., Robinson Co., N. C., March 20, æ. 27.

BICKEL, Mrs. Savannah C., Hanging Rock, Lawrence Co., O., Sept. 25, æ. 44, wife of Rev. A. Bickel.

BICKER, Mrs. Dorothy, N. Y. city, Jan. 3, æ. 76, widow of the late Capt. Nicholas Bicker, of the U. S. revenue cutter service.

BICKFORD, Horace, Newburyport, Mass., May 17, æ. 40, of the Essex bar.

BICKNELL, Capt. John, Beloit, Wis., March 3, æ. 77. Thus was there removed to another world one of the oldest inhabitants and original proprietors of that town. In the death of Capt. B., his family is called to mourn the loss of a devoted husband, and a kind and ten

der father, and the community in which he lived, a strictly honest and upright citizen. To the fraternity of masons he was generally known throughout the state as one of its most intelligent, active, and energetic members. As evidence of his zeal in the cause of masonry, we would remark that he was one of the original petitioners for a dispensation for a lodge in Beloit; and of the confidence reposed in him by masons, that he was appointed the first worshipful master of Morning Star Lodge, No. 10, at Beloit; and after that, most worshipful district deputy grand master, the duties of which latter office he faithfully and ably discharged for two years. At the commencement of the illness which terminated in his death, he was absent from his home, actively engaged in promoting the interests of the order, of which he had been for so many years a bright and shining light.

BIDDLE, Dr. D. W. J., Jefferson Co., Tenn., April 23, æ. 36.

, æ.

BIDDLE, Professor J. G., Winchester, Tenn., He was born in 1811, embraced religion while young, and became a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, supported through his days of boyhood a widowed mother, and afterwards, by his own energy, thoroughly educated himself. More than twenty years ago, he was an acceptable and highly esteemed teacher of a male school, was afterwards professor of languages in Cumberland College, at Princeton, Ky., and about ten years ago, at the earnest solicitation of many citizens, he came to Winchester, and took charge of the Winchester Female Academy, which position he occupied till his death. He was an able minister of the gospel. All who heard him listened with great interest to the clear, logical, and convincing sermons of Mr. Biddle. He was by no means a man of ordinary intellect.

BIDDLE, Thomas, Paoli, Pa., æ. -, an old and highly-respected citizen of Philadelphia.

BIGELOW, Mrs. E. L., Medfield, Mass., July 4, . 43. She was eminently fitted, by her religious and highly intellectual character, to enjoy life, and to adorn society. For some years previous to her marriage, she was very suc

cessfully employed in teaching young ladies, and those who were happily placed under her care can testify to her peculiar readiness and facility in imparting instruction; and her unwearied efforts in promoting, not only the intellectual, but the spiritual growth of her pupils. For the last sixteen years, while Mr. Bigelow has been engaged in the ministry, she has been active and efficient in the promotion of every good work, often laboring when it was evident to all that her physical strength was unequal to her efforts. Since her residence in Medfield, though her health has been visibly declining, her zeal in every thing connected with the interests of the church has been unabated.

BIGELOW, Dr. Isaac, Pleasant Valley, Madison Co., O., April 11, æ. 60. He was the son of Dr. Israel Bigelow, formerly a resident of Pa., who emigrated with his family to Ohio in the year 1816, and settled in the then wilderness of Madison Co. From this stock, numerous and respectable families have since grown up, many of whom have passed away, and are now occupants of the little village graveyard, while others are actively engaged in the different business pursuits of life. Dr. Isaac Bigelow first laid out the little town of which he was a resident for 41 years, was the good physician, a Methodist class-leader many years, and a friend to all. He was generally esteemed for his many excellent qualities by all who enjoyed the pleasure of his acquaintance.

BIGELOW, Mrs. Hannah, Worcester, Mass., Aug. 21, æ. 77, wife of Hon. Abijah B.

BIGELOW, Mrs. L. M., Boston, Jan. 8, æ. -, wife of George F. Bigelow, M. D. BIGELOW, Walter, Worcester, Mass., May 17, æ. 81.

BILES, Joseph D., Muscatine, Iowa, May 5, æ. 72. For very many years Mr. B. taught school in Pennsylvania and Iowa. Some of Pennsylvania's brightest lights received their childhood instruction from him. For a long time Mr. B. was in the practice of the law in Pa., having served many years as prosecuting attorney for Berks Co. He also held the office of justice of the peace for that county, having been appointed by Gov. Shultz. He had lived several years beyond the "threescore

years and ten" allotted to man. For more than 30 years the deceased had been connected with the Presbyterian church. The world is the better for such men living in it.

BILLINGS, Mrs. Betsey, Hardwick, Mass., Feb. 1, æ. 75, widow of the late Dr. David Billings.

BILLINGS, Mrs. Lydia, Boston, Oct. 18, æ. 89, formerly of Lancaster, Mass. BILSON, Dr. Benjamin, Taunton, Mass., Sept. 8, æ. 84.

BILSON, Mrs. Martha, Taunton, Mass., Jan. 13, æ. 73, wife of Dr. Benjamin Bilson.

BINGHAM, Capt. Wm., Royalton, Vt., July 12, æ. 78. Capt. B. entered the service of the U. S. in Sept., 1812, and continued till the close of the war in 1815, serving on the frontier of Canada under Gens. Wilkinson and Hampton. Upon the declaration of war the New England states assumed an attitude of hostility to the general government, and the authorities of some of these states interposed an opposition to the administration of Mr. Madison that was greatly embarrassing. Gov. Strong, when a requisition was made upon Massachusetts for troops by the war department, refused to order them beyond the boundary of the state. Gov. Chittenden, of Vermont, where the militia of that state, who had been mustered into the U. S. service, volunteered to accompany Gen. Wilkinson in his descent upon Canada, in the winter of 1812-13, issued a proclamation commanding them to return to the state. Partisan politics ran very high -brother was arrayed against brother, and father against son. In July, 1812, a requisition was made by the war department upon the State of Vermont for troops to be raised by draft. The regiment to which the subject of this notice belonged, was ordered to rendezvous at their usual place of parade for the purpose of standing a draft to supply their quota of one hundred men. The orders were read on parade; but before the commandant of the regiment proceeded to detail by allotment those who should constitute the requisite number, Capt. B., deeming it a reflection upon the patriotism of the men in the regiment that troops | should be raised by compulsory means, advanced before his comrades in arms, and after addressing them, volunteered

himself, and invited the men to follow his example and obviate the necessity of a draft. His appeal was responded to, and the requisite quota of men was made up from his own and the other companies in the regiment, and he was selected as their commander. The company, being officered and organized, was disbanded, to return to their respective homes till Sept., when they were to be mustered into service and marched to the Canada frontier. Now commenced a system of active operations, on the part of the federalists, who were the opponents of the war, and who constituted the majority of the people of that town, to disaffect their men and dissuade them from going into the army. In Sept., when the company rendezvoused at the appointed place, preparatory to taking up the line of march, a plan had been concocted to procure the release of all the disaffected ones, by the interposition of the civil authority. The first case was a man by the name of Copeland, who, wishing to evade his obligation, had made his note that morning-had been arrested under a warrant- confessed judgment, and was taken into custody by the sheriff on a ca. sa. issued instanter upon the judgment. Finding what was going on, the company was ordered to parade; the roll was called, and the orderly reported Copeland absent and in the custody of a civil officer. He was sent for; but word was returned by the sheriff that he was in custody under civil process, and would not be permitted to come; upon which the orderly was directed to take a file of men and bring him to the ranks. The sheriff and posse resisted, and the consequence was, the sheriff received a bayonet wound in the conflict. Copeland, however, was subsequently given up, to allay the excitement and appease the murmurs of the federalists, that the civil authority had been trampled under foot by military force. The day was spent in preparation for taking up the line of march next morning, when at roll call it was discovered that six more of the soldiers were in the custody of as many civil officers, sheriffs and constables, who, encouraged by the success of Copeland, had, the night previous, confessed judgment on actions brought on the spur of the occasion, and intended to effect their release. The time had

now arrived for decisive, determined action. The company were ordered to parade; their men were brought into ranks without much resistance, accompanied by the officers who stationed themselves in rear of the company, in reaching distance of them; the company was formed, wheeled into column, and guards were placed on the flanks. The civil officers were requested to retire outside the guard, but upon refusing to do so, were informed they could do as they pleased, but the men would be marched to the point of destination. These officers continued with the company some ten or fifteen miles, when, finding their efforts to retain their men ineffectual, they abandoned their pursuit. Capt. B. was bold and fearless, open as the day in all his transactions in life, generous, devoted to his friends, but uncompromisingly hostile to all his enemies. Although never an aspirant to office, he was an ardent and devoted democrat, a patriotic citizen, and a consistent member of the church for a period of nearly 40 years.

BIRCH, Mrs. Ruth, Seneca Falls, N. Y., March 13, æ. 55, wife of Lyman Birch, formerly of Scipio, N. Y.

BIRD, Ebenezer, Victory, Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 24, æ. 78. One of the pioneer settlers of the town of Victory, who in war defended his country, and in peace sustained the reputation of an upright citizen and consistent Christian.

HON. JAMES G. BIRNEY, Eagleswood, Perth Amboy, N. J., Nov. 25, æ. 65. Mr. Birney was a native of Kentucky. His father was an Irishman, who had acquired considerable wealth, and occupied a high social position. Mr. Birney received his education at Nassau Hall in New Jersey, and at the age of 19 began the study of the law in the office of Mr. Dallas, at Philadelphia. Returning to Kentucky in the year 1814, he commenced the practice of his profession, and at the age of 22 was elected to the legislature of the state. About this time, also, he married, and soon afterwards purchased an estate in Alabama, where he became the owner of some 30 or 40 slaves. He subsequently took up his residence in Huntsville, Ala., where he practised law with remarkable success, and gained a

prominent position in political circles, which insured his election to the legis lature of Alabama. While still a resident of the south, Mr. Birney's mind was awakened to the injuries inflicted upon the servile population by the system of slavery, and his impressions received additional strength from the contemplation of the wrongs inflicted by the whites upon the Indians. His sympathies became greatly excited, and he deemed it his duty to labor for the melioration of the condition of the classes which suffered from oppression. With this purpose in view, he abandoned his profession to espouse the cause of colonization—a system which at that time appeared to him to offer the most feasible means of remedying the evils of slavery. To this enterprise he brought all the resources of a vigorous intellect, and did good service for the cause. Afterwards, however, his views expanded still further, and he became an ardent disciple of the antislavery doctrines. His first step towards an earnest exposition of his sentiments was the emancipation, in 1834, of all the slaves he carried with him from Kentucky to Alabama. He then announced his intention of establishing a paper, for the enunciation of his doctrines, in Kentucky; but met with an opposition so strenuous that he was compelled to resort to publication in Ohio; in which state now the headquarters of the free soil sentiment he was received with some degree of coldness. Before the death of his father, Mr. Birney caused such a disposi tion of the paternal estate as to secure to him all the slaves, 21 in number. On coming into possession, he set the negroes free, and made suitable provision for them. Mr. Birney's wife died in Ohio, and in the year 1840 he visited England, and took a prominent part in the anti-slavery agitations then prevailing in that country. In 1841, Mr. Birney returned, and soon after married the sister-in-law of Gerrit Smith, a lady named Fitzhugh, who survives him.

Mr. Birney's first prominent connection with national politics was in the year 1844, when he became the candidate of the liberty party for the presidency. He ran in opposition to Mr. Clay, and received an aggregate of 58,592 votes. Mr. Birney was vainly

exhorted to withdraw from the canvass, | but persisted in standing, although his chances were manifestly the extreme of meagreness. He resisted the overtures made to him on the ground that, in his judgment, the country would gain nothing by the election of Mr. Clay over Mr. Polk. Since 1844, Mr. Birney's name has been rarely before the public. For some ten or twelve years he has suffered under attacks of paralysis, which enfeebled his body and incapacitated him for active labors, although his intellect remained comparatively uninjured. Recently his symptoms had been aggravated by heart disease. His residence, for several years past, had been in Michigan, where he was possessed of considerable landed property. About two years since he removed to New Jersey, under the advice of his physicians, to seek relief in change of air, and to superintend the education of his youngest son at Eagleswood.

Mr. Birney formerly held relations with the American Anti-Slavery Society, and was for a time connected with Lewis Tappan, in the conduct of the affairs of that organization in New York; but some difficulties occurred, and his connection ceased. He had been of late years an attentive observer of public affairs, and during the last presidential contest was a warm supporter of the republican nominee. A number of weighty political disquisitions were produced by him, and his convictions of the necessity of a system of checks upon the progress of slavery remained unshaken to the close of his life. Mr. B. was a man of great ability and of indefatigable energy. He has filled an important place among the men of the time, and will not be forgotten by those with whose interests his later life was identified.

BISHOP, Asa, Grand Blanc, Mich., Nov. 6, æ. 87. Mr. Bishop was one of the earliest of the early settlers of Genesee Co., and maintained through his long life an unsullied reputation as a man and a citizen, enjoying the love of his friends and the esteem of his neighbors.

BISHOP, Rev. Luther, Watertown, N. Y., April 19, æ. 74, a minister of Christ's gospel over 50 years, and for a great number of years a faithful and

successful itinerant minister in the Methodist church, and will be acknowledged by all who knew him as one of God's most faithful, exemplary, and holy servants.

BISHOP, Mrs. Sarah, Barrington, R. I., Sept. 10, æ. 52, wife of James Bishop.

HON. JUDGE CLARK BISSELL, Norwalk, Conn., Sept. 15, æ. 75. Mr. Bissell was born in Lebanon, Conn., Sept. 7, 1782. He was the eldest of three sons. His father was a farmer, in straitened circumstances, who was unable to afford his children any further advantages of education than such as were furnished by the district schools of three quarters of a century ago. But with these his eldest son was not content, and the clergyman of the village offering to give him instruction if he could get time to learn, the lad obtained Latin and Greek Grammars, and in the intervals of labor, at morning, noon, and night, fitted himself for college. When he went to New Haven for the purpose of commencing his collegiate course, his parents gave him a homespun suit of clothes dyed with butternut, and made, from the fleece, by his mother's hands; and this was all that they could give him. He maintained himself, while in college, by teaching in the schools about New Haven, and graduated with honor and four hundred dollars in debt. This was in 1806. In the autumn of that year he went to Maryland, and spent about a year there as tutor in the family of a Mr. Singleton, on the eastern shore. Returning to Connecticut, he came to Saugatuck, now Westport, where he taught school for another year, pursuing, meanwhile, the study of the law, under the instruction of Hon. Samuel B. Sherwood.

Having succeeded in paying off his debt, he entered the office of Hon. Roger M. Sherman, where he completed his preparation for the bar, and, in 1809, was admitted to practice. In June of that year he removed to Norwalk; and the following extract of a letter, written by Dr. Jonathan Knight (father of Prof. Knight, of Yale College,) will show at once the manners of the times and the auspices under which Mr. Bissell commenced life in this town: