Stories in Stones: Stories from Oneida County, NY Cemeteries

       Thomas Hill Hubbard was born on December 6, 1781 in New Haven Connecticut. He studied law in Troy, NY. Mr. Hubbard was admitted to the New York State Bar either in 1804 or 1805. About 1805, Thomas Hill Hubbard became the second attorney to settle in Hamilton, NY. On March 26, 1806 he was appointed Madison County Surrogate. He served almost ten years until Feb 26, 1816. During his time as Surrogate he also held other positions including Master in Chancery. In 1816, Thomas Hill Hubbard was appointed as District Attorney for the seventh district which covered Oneida, Madison, Herkimer and Otsego Countries. In 1818, when separate officers were appointed for he each country he was appointed DA of Madison County a position he stayed in until 1821.     In 1817, Thomas Hill Hubbard was elected the Representative to the United State Congress for the 17th District of New York State which covered Madison and Herkimer Countries. He served from 1817-1819 (du...

     Philo Gridley was born Sept 16, 1796 in Paris, NY to Asahel and Chloe Hungerford Gridley. He graduated from Hamilton College in 1816. He was admitted to the bar in 1816 and practiced in Waterville, NY. He later practiced in Hamilton.       From 1829 to 1836 Philo Gridley was Madison County District Attorney. In 1838 Gov. Marcy appointed him Circuit Judge for the 5th Circuit of the State. He presided over one of the most notable criminal cases in our country; the murder case of Alexander McLeod. Alexander McLeod was accused of the murder of Amos Durfee by pistol shot on the night of Dec 30, 1837. McLeod was a British Subject and the British government demanded he be released. The Secretary of State of the United States Daniel Webster was in favor of granting his release but the Governor of New York would not consent to McLeod's release. The court case was scheduled to be heard first in Erie County but because the environment there was hostile on mo...