Memorials of Connecticut Judges and Attorneys
As Printed in the Connecticut Reports
volume 14, appendix page(s) 21-22
Calvin Goddard
Born at Shrewsbury, Mass., July 17th, 1768; educated at Dartmouth College,
where he graduated an 1786; studied law with Jeremiah Halsey, Esq. of Preston;
was admitted to the bar, at Norwich, in November, 1790; settled in the practice
of law at Plainfield, in this State. He representative of the town of Plainfield
in the General Assembly, at its sessions in October, 1795; October, 1797; May
and October, 1798; slay 1799, when he was chosen one of the clerks; May 1800, a
clerk; October 1800, chosen speaker; and May 1801, speaker. He was a
representative of the people of this State, in the Congress of the United
States, from the 4th of March, 1801, to the 4th of March, 1805; and was then
re-elected, but before the next meeting of Congress, he resigned his place. In
May 1807, he again represented the town of Plainfield, in the General Assembly,
and was again chosen speaker. Devoting himself now to his professional duties,
his practice extended itself into the adjoining county of New-London to such a
degree, that he was induced to change his place of residence; and he accordingly
removed, in the spring of 1807, to Norwich, and there purchased a seat,
distinguished alike for its natural beauties and its historical associations,
which he still occupies. In May 1808, he was elected an assistant , or member of
the upper house in the legislature; which place he held, by successive annual
elections, until June 1815, when he relinquished it, and accepted the office of
a judge of the superior court and of the supreme court of errors. This office he
held until June 1818, when, the political party opposed to him having gained the
ascendancy, he was permitted to return to practice. At the next succeeding
election, he was chosen a representative of the town of Norwich, in the General
Assembly. He was State's Attorney for the county of New-London, from 1810 to
1815; and Mayor of the city of Norwich, from 1814 to 1831. He was one of the
delegates from the several New-England States, who met at Hartford in 1814,
known as the Hartford Convention-an event, associated as it is with the mens
consciarecti, which he recurs to with evident satisfaction.
