Abijah BIGELOW, Congress, MA (1775-1860)

BIGELOW Abijah , a Representative from Massachusetts; born in Westminster, Mass., on December 5, 1775; attended Leicester (Mass.) Academy and an academy at New Ipswich, N.H.; was graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1795; studied law in Groton, Mass.; was admitted to the bar in 1798 and commenced practice in Leominster, Mass., in the same year; town clerk of Leominster 1803-1809; member of the State house of representatives 1807-1809; justice of the peace 1809-1860 and justice of the quorum 1812-1860; elected as a Federalist to the Eleventh Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Stedman; reelected to the Twelfth and Thirteenth Congresses and served from October 8, 1810, to March 3, 1815; moved to Worcester in 1817; clerk of the courts of Worcester County 1817-1833; resumed the practice of law; served as trustee of Leicester Academy in 1819 and 1820 and as treasurer 1820-1853; appointed a master in chancery in 1838; died in Worcester, Worcester County, Mass., April 5, 1860; interment in the Rural Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present