Thomas Dwight (politician)

Thomas Dwight (October 29, 1758 – January 2, 1819) was a United States Representative from Massachusetts.

Thomas Dwight
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts's 5th district
In office
March 4, 1803  March 4, 1805
Preceded byLemuel Williams
Succeeded byWilliam Ely
Member of the
Massachusetts Senate
In office
1814–1818
Member of the
Massachusetts Senate
In office
1796–1803
Member of the
Massachusetts House of Representatives
In office
1794–1796
Member of the
Massachusetts Governor’s council
Member of the
Board of Selectmen of the
Town of Springfield, Massachusetts
Personal details
Born(1758-10-29)October 29, 1758
Springfield, Province of Massachusetts Bay, British America
DiedJanuary 2, 1819(1819-01-02) (aged 60)
Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyFederalist
Spouse(s)Hannah Worthington. m. April 14, 1791
Alma materHarvard College in 1778
ProfessionLawyer

Life

Thomas Dwight was born in Springfield in the Province of Massachusetts Bay on October 29, 1758.

Early life

Dwight's father was Colonel Josiah Dwight (1715–1768) of the New England Dwight family, and mother was Elizabeth Buckminster (1731–1798). He was the oldest of five siblings.

Education

Dwight pursued preparatory studies, and graduated from Harvard College in 1778. Dwight studied law, was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Springfield.

Family life

On April 14, 1791 Dwight married Hannah Worthington. She was born June 17, 1761, with maternal grandfather Reverend Samuel Hopkins (1721–1803). Dwight was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1794–1795, and to the Massachusetts Senate for two terms, from 1796 to 1803 and 1814 to 1818.[1]

Dwight was elected as a Federalist to the Eighth Congress from March 4, 1803 to March 3, 1805. Dwight served as selectman of the town of Springfield, and was a member of the Governor's council.[2] He retired from political life and engaged in the practice of his profession in Springfield until his death on January 2, 1819. His interment was in Peabody Cemetery.

His widow died July 10, 1833. Their children were:[1]

  1. Mary Stoddard Dwight was born January 26, 1792, married John Howard on December 18, 1818, and died July 20, 1836. They had four daughters.
  2. John Worthington Dwight was born October 31, 1793 and died February 12, 1836 unmarried.
  3. Elizabeth Buckminster Dwight was born February 18, 1801, married Charles Howard, and died October 7, 1855. They had six children.

References

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Lemuel Williams
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Massachusetts's 5th congressional district

March 4, 1803 – March 3, 1805
Succeeded by
William Ely


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