Paul Brigham

Paul Brigham
2nd Governor of Vermont
In office 1797–1797
Preceded by	Thomas Chittenden
Succeeded by	Isaac Tichenor
Personal details
Born	January 6, 1746(1746-01-06) Coventry, Connecticut
Died	June 15, 1824(1824-06-15) (aged 78) Norwich, Vermont
Political party	Democratic-Republican
Spouse(s)	Lydia Sawyer
Profession	Soldier / Judge / Politician

Paul Brigham (January 6, 1746 – June 15, 1824), son of Paul and Catherine (Turner) Brigham, was a Revolutionary soldier and Democratic-Republican politician. He was born January 6, 1746 in Coventry, Connecticut. He married Lydia Sawyer (of Hebron, Connecticut) on October 3, 1767. In the spring of 1782 they moved to Norwich, Vermont. He served as High Sheriff of Windsor County, Vermont, for five years and as major general of militia, and chief judge of the county court for five years. He was a presidential elector for Vermont, 1792 and lieutenant governor of Vermont from 1796 to 1813 and again from 1815 until 1820. He served for a short time as the second Governor of Vermont from August 25 – October 16, 1797 upon the death of Thomas Chittenden.

Brigham is buried at Fairview Cemetery, in his home town of Norwich, Vermont.

The obituary from the New-Hampshire Patriot (NH), July 12, 1824, p. 3, reads: "In Norwich, Vt. on the 15th ult. PAUL BRIGHAM, in the 79th year of his age. Extensively known, eulogy would add nothing to the right which the virtuous actions of a good man justly claim for the deceased. For four years he served as a Captain in the war for Independence; five years was the High Sheriff of Windsor county; a Major General of Militia; five years Chief Judge of the County Court; and 22 of 24 succeeding years Lieutenant Governor of this State. In all these offices he sustained the reputation of discharging their several duties to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens; and received their almost unanimous suffrages for the latter, until admonished by the infirmities of age, that retirement was necessary, he declined any further public service. Vt. Journal."

Sources

• Information from the Vermont Archives
• Political Graveyard
• A History of Norwich Vermont by M. E. Goddard & H. V. Partridge

External links

• Inventory of the Paul Brigham Papers, Special Collections, University of Vermont Library

Political offices
Preceded by Jonathan Hunt	Lieutenant Governor of Vermont 1796–1813	Succeeded by William Chamberlin
Preceded by William Chamberlin	Lieutenant Governor of Vermont 1815–1820	Succeeded by William Cahoon