DUDLEY OF THE MONTH

    Judge Paul Dudley, son of Gov Joseph Dudley (son of Gov Thomas Dudley) was born September 3, 1675, in Roxbury Mass. He was sent to the best schools, and entered Harvard College at 11 years of age, graduating in 1690, and got a Master's degree in 1693. His father was Governor of Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, and appointed Paul Attorney General. He held this office till 1718, when he was appointed to the Bench of the "Superior Court of Judicature", and then to Chief Justice. He held that post until his death in 1751.

     These were hard times for the Dudley's, and Paul had to put up with a lot of strife from enemies of his father. In 1706/7 Gov. Joseph refused to endorse one of the Mathers for the Presidency of Harvard College (yes, the famous Mathers of Salem Witchcraft fame! Fanatical Puritans all), and constant attacks from zealots grew strong. Paul, however, remained true to his calling and grew in great esteem with the people and became known as a dedicated Justice and lover of his country. In spite of that, when he was named "Fellow of the Royal Society" (one of the few Americans ever elected so) the Mathers charged him with "speaking diminutively of his native country". He did not help matters any when he began to inscribe "Armiger" (one who bears Arms--a coat of arms) after his sons names (by the way, because of this we can be assured that he knew of his lineage from the Sutton Dudley's). However, Paul survived all the attacks by being a true patriot and faithful wherever he was placed or called to serve at.

     During his life, he arrested, prosecuted, and executed many pirates. He was an accomplished lawyer, and prolific writer (most of his books were about nature, animals, and reptiles). Later in life, he grew more faithful to the Puritan Church, and became a hater of Catholics.

     He married Lucy Wainwright of Ispswich Mass in 1703. He died at his home in Roxbury on January 21, 1750/1, and was buried in the tomb of his father and grandfather on February 1 of that year. He is still considered one of the greatest and best Judges that Massachusetts ever produced.