History of Chesterfield, (Hampshire County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

Elijah Hunt Mills Biography

Elijah Hunt Mills, senator, was born in Chesterfield, Mass., Dec. 1, 1776; son of the Rev. Benjamin and Mary (Hunt) Mills, and grandson of Capt. Jonathan and Thankful (Strong) Hunt. His father, the first minister of Chesterfield, having settled there in 1764, was several times a representative in the Provincial legislature and in the general court, and was dismissed from the ministry at his own request on account of feeble health in 1774. Elijah was adopted by his uncle, Elijah Hunt, at the death of his father in 1785; was graduated at Williams college in 1797; was admitted to the bar and established a large practice at Norhhampton, Mass. He was married to Harriette, daughter of Joseph Blake of Boston, Mass. He established a successful law school in Northampton, with Samuel Howe and John Hooker Ashmun. He was a state senator in 1811, district-attorney for the county of Hampshire for several years, and was a Federal representative in the 14th and 15th congresses, 1815-19. He was appointed U.S. senator, Dec. 1, 1820, as successor to Prentiss Mellen, resigned, and was elected for a full term in 1821, serving, 1820-27. He received the degree LL.D. from Williams in 1824. He died in Northampton, Mass., May 5, 1829.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor