1771
May 23 
Voucher 	Receipted by sixteen Justices of the Hampshire County Court. The first four listed below were linked with the will of Ephraim Williams, Jr. 
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Israel Williams (171-1788) of Hatfield, to whom in 1755 the Founder wrote from Albany the momentous letter which accompanied his will. This letter is included in the Collection (page 43). 
John Worthington (1719-1800) of Springfield. Early Tory. Aristocrat. Plantation No. 3, afterwards called Worthington, named for him. Commander of regiment of militia. 
Timothy Dwight 	(1694-1771) of Northampton. Surveyor and Judge of several courts. 
Thomas Williams (1718-1775) of Deerfield. Surgeon. Half brother of the Founder. First educated physician in Deerfield (1740). 
William Williams (1711-1785) of Pittsfield, one of the first settlers. Son of Rev. William Williams of Weston. Grandson of Rev. William Williams of Hatfield. Harvard 1729. Merchant of Boston. Removed to Deerfield 1744 and to Pittsfield 1753. During this year, and by order of the General Court, called the first meeting of the Proprietors of West Hoosac. 
Joseph Hawley (1723-1788) of Northampton. Chaplain in the Provincial Army, and at the Siege of Louisburg. Major at Fort Massachusetts. One of the "River Gods” and intimately associated with the Founder. Town of Hawley named for him. His brother, Col. Elisha Hawley, killed at Lake George 1755. 
Jonathan Bliss 	( ) of Springfield. Justice of the Peace in Hampshire County. Eminent lawyer. Tory inclinations. 
Oliver Partridge (1712-1792) of Hatfield. Chairman of Committee appointed by General Court 1749 to lay out two townships near Hoosac. Proprietor of house lot No. 4 at West Hoosac. One of the six trustees, including Rev. Jonathan Ed.wards, to receive and distribute (1741) the funds collected for Rev. John Sergeant's pro.posed boarding school at Stockbridge for Indian boys and girls. Daughter Sophia married Col. Elijah Williams of Stockbridge, half brother of the Founder. 
Elisha Porter (1742-1796) of Hadley. Justice of the Peace in Hampshire County. High Sheriff for twenty years. Colonel of Regiment to reinforce Arnold at Quebec. 
Jonathan Ashley (1712-1780) of Deerfield. Leader in opposition to Jonathan Edwards in the memorable theological controversy of the day. Married Dorothy Williams, daughter of Rev. William Williams of Hatfield. 
Moses Bliss ( ) of Springfield. Eminent lawyer. 
Simeon Strong (1735-1805) of Amherst. Justice of the Peace in Hampshire County. 
Eldad Taylor (1709-1777) of Westfield. Lieutenant of Militia. One of a committee of the house, appointed 1772, “to consider the petition of Konkapot and other Stockbridge Indians to stay the sale of lands 
in Stockbridge”.  
Edward Pynchon (1713-1777)  of Springfield.  Town Clerk.  
John Ingersoll ( ) Peace.  of Westfield.  Justice of the  
Timothy Robinson ( ) of Granville. Justice of the Peace.  Colonel.    

This list of eminent men indicates that prior to the Revolution the offices, if not controlling power, were in the hands of a few families who were closely allied by marriage. 
At times, certain courts in Western Massachusetts were constituted by members of the Dwight and Williams families only. 
In 1758, the Hampshire Court of Common Pleas consisted of three Dwights and one Williams; in 1761, of two Dwights and two Williams.