The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans:
Volume IX
R
Ruggles, Timothy
page 188
RUGGLES, Timothy, jurist, was born in Rochester, Mass., Oct. 20,
1711; son of the Rev. Timothy and Mary (White) Ruggles; grandson
of Capt. Samuel Ruggles of Roxbury and Martha Woodbridge, his
wife, who was a granddaughter of Governor Thomas Dudley. He was
graduated from Harvard in 1732; studied law, and established himself
in practice in Rochester. In 1735 he married Mrs. Bathsheba Newcomb,
widow of William Newcomb and the daughter of the Hon. Melatiah
Bourne of Sandwich. He removed to Sandwich, Mass., in 1740, and
there remained, with increasing reputation and a constantly increasing
list of clients, till 1753, when he removed to Hardwick. He was
an impressive pleader, his eloquence enhanced by his majestic
presence. His services were in constant demand in adjoining counties,
where his principal antagonist was Col. James Otis, then at the
height of his fame. At the time of his settlement in Hardwick
he had accumulated a liberal fortune, and entered upon a style
of living commensurate with his standing and affluence. He was
appointed judge of the court of common pleas in 1756, and from
1762 to the Revolution he was chief-justice of that court, and
served as a special justice of the provincial superior court,
176275. He was repeatedly elected a representative in the general
court of Massachusetts, and while the armies were in winter quarters
was speaker of the house, 176263. He was commissioned colonel
in the provincial forces under Sir William Johnson, and was second
in command at the battle of Lake George in 1755, where he distinguished
himself for courage, coolness and ability. In 1758 he commanded
the third division of the provincial troops under Abercrombie
in the attack on Ticonderoga. He served as brigadier-general under
Amherst in the campaign of 175960. In 1763 he was appointed by
the Crown "surveyor-general of the King's forests,"
as a reward in a measure for his military services in the French
and Indian war. He was a delegate to the first colonial (or Stamp
Act) congress of 1765, which met in New York, October 7, and was
elected its president, but refused to sanction the addresses sent
by that body to Great Britain, for which he was publicly censured
by the general court of Massachusetts. He was led by a sense of
duty "in the halls of legislature and on the platform to
declare against rebellion and bloodshed." He was appointed
man-damus councillor, Aug. 16, 1774, and in 1775 left Boston for
Nova Scotia with the British troops and accompanied Lord Howe
to Staten Island. His estates were confiscated, and in 1779 he
received a grant of 10,000 acres of land in Wilmot, Nova Scotia,
where he engaged in agriculture. His daughter Mary married Dr.
John Green of Green Hill, Worcester, Mass. Judge Ruggles died
in Wilmot, Nova Scotia, Aug. 4, 1795.