>From THE HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NY 1880 p. 124A "George M. Beckwith, was born in the historic village of Lyme, Conn., June 27, 1805. He dates his ancestry back to General Beckwith, who came to this country with Lords Say and Brook, and settled in Saybrook, opposite Lyme. His grandfather, the Rev. George Beckwith, was a distinguished divine, who preached in Lyme both before and during the Revolution. On the maternal side he traces his lineage back to Increase Mather, of whom Samuel Mather, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a descendant. His father, Baruch Beckwith, moved to this county in 1810, and settled in Beekmantown. He was the first physician in that town, and remained in active practice until about 1850. He had an extensive practice, and was one of the leading physicians in the county. Dr. Beckwith was thoroughly identified with the interests of the town and county, and it was chiefly through his instrumentality that Beekmantown Corners became the seat of the best common school in Clinton County. Dr. Beckwith was also a decided temperance man, and was the first in the town to banish the use of liquor at "raisings" in that early day an universal custom. The subject of this sketch acquired the rudiments of his education at the Beekmantown common school, where he also studied Latin. He subsequently attended the Plattsburgh Academy, at that time under the charge of Alex. H. Prescott, where he remained about three years, preparing himself for college. His pecuniary condition, however, rendered a collegiate course impossible, and in 1824 he went to La Cada, Canada, and attended school for the purpose of learning the French language. He subsequently returned to Beekmantown and began the study of medicine with his father, and afterwards continued it with Drs. Moore and Jones in Plattsburgh. In 1828 he abandoned the study of medicine, and commenced reading law with St. John B. L. Skinner, of Plattsburgh, a prominent lawyer, and subsequently assistant postmaster general under Lincoln. Here he pursued his studies with diligence and attention, and in 1832 was admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court and solicitor in Chancery. In the mean time, however, in the summer of 1832, before he was admitted to the bar, he was appointed deputy county clerk, and upon the death of Roswell Wilson, in 1832, he succeeded to the office, and remained in charge until election. He then formed a co-partnership in the practice of his profession with William Swetland and continued in practice with that able counselor until 1847. He subsequently had various persons associated with him in business, the last being his two sons, George H. and Benjamin M. Although not an active politician, he has held various offices within the gift of his fellow-citizens, always discharging his duties with distinguished credit. In 1840 he was elected to the Assembly on the Whig ticket, and in 1864 was appointed United States Commissioner, and held that office until 1871, when he received the nomination for county judge on the Republican ticket, and was elected. At the close of his term of office he withdrew from the active practice of his profession, and is now living in quiet retirement. Politically, Judge Beckwith, as he is familiarly called, is a Republican. His first vote for President was cast for Andrew Jackson; subsequently, however, he became a Whig, and upon the formation of the Republican party identified himself with that organization, and has ever been an able exponent of its principles. He has always manifested a lively interest in all matters tending to advance the welfare of Clinton County, and in addition to the official positions mentioned above, he has held various town and village office, etc. He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and has been for many years. Feb. 20, 1833, he united in marriage with Hannah Elizabeth Moores, granddaughter of Gen. Benj. Moores. Their family consists of two sons and two daughters, and twenty-two grandchildren. The sons, George Henry and Benjamin Moores, are practicing attorneys in Plattsburgh. Margaret L. is the wife of John W. Hubbell, of Chazy, and Lucy M. is the wife of Merritt Sowles, of Plattsb! urgh. Although Judge Beckwith is now past the scriptural age of threescore and ten, and somewhat infirm in body, he retains his mental faculties in a remarkable degree, and vividly relates scenes and incidents of "ye olden time." He is one of Plattsburgh's most highly esteemed and venerable citizens, and may the remaining years of his earthly pilgrimage be passed peacefully; and when the insatiate archer, death, summons him away, may he go 'Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.' "