Judge's Work Reflected His Love of History

by Jeffrey Bingham Mead
Greenwich Time. Looking Back: June 23, 1993

One of the most famous narrators of Greenwich history was the Honorable Judge Frederick A. Hubbard, most famous locally for his books on the history of the Masonic Lodge and Other Days in Greenwich.

Hubbard composed many historical articles and memoirs of times past here in town and for other newspapers in New England.

Frederick Hubbard was born in Hollis, New Hampshire, in 1851. He was a ninth-generation descendent of George Hubbard, who came to America in 1633 and was one of the original settlers of Wethersfield in 1635.

The Hubbards came to Greenwich when young Frederick was 8 years old. He attended public schools and later studied at Greenwich Academy, where he graduated in 1870.

Hubbard aimed at an early age to work in the legal profession and studied with the firm of Evarts, Southmayd & Choate in New York City. He graduated from the University of New York City in 1875 with an LL. B. degree and was admitted to the New York and Connecticut bars.

Hubbard participated extensively and town affairs. As a judge in the Greenwich Borough Court, he specialized in probate matters, estates and real estate law. During his term, Judge Hubbard was elected to the General Assembly in 1923 and served on the Judiciary Committee.

He was a life member of the Acacia Lodge (the local Masonic league), the Sons of the American Revolution, a trustee of The Bruce Museum, and he served as president of the Bald Head Club of America.

In March 1932, the spinster sisters, Addie M. and Emily S. Weed, sued the judge for $250,000, accusing him of incorrectly informing them in a case which conveyed from them three acres of land where the Greenwich Lodge condominiums are today. The suit never came to a hearing in Superior Court and was settled out of court.

Judge Hubbard left behind a fine reputation as a gentleman. He is buried in the New Burial Grounds Association Cemetery, next to the Second Congregational Church.

Jeffrey Bingham Mead is a freelance writer and direct descendant of one of the town's founding families. He grew up in backcountry Greenwich and is a member of the Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich.