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BIOGRAPHICAL  HISTORY 

OF     THE 

COUNTY  OF  LITCHFIELD, 

CONNECTICUT: 

COMPRISING 

BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES 

OF 

DISTINGUISHED  NATIVES  AND  RESIDENTS  Of  THE  COUNTY; 

TOGETHER    WITH 

COMPLETE  LISTS  OF  THE  JUDGES  OF  THE  COUNTY  COURT, 

JUSTICES  OF  THE  QUORUM,  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS, 

JUDGES  OF  PROBATE,  SHERIFFS,  SENATORS,  &c. 

FROM  THE 

ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  COUNTY  TO  THE  PRESENT  TIME. 

BY  PAYNE  KENYON  KILBOURNE. 


NEW    YORK: 
CLARK,   AUSTIN  &  CO.,  205  BROADWAY. 

MDCCCLI. 


EMIGRANT  SONS  AND  DAUGHTERS 


THIS    VOLUME 


IS    RESPECTFULLY    INSCRIBED 

BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


CONTENTS 


PAGK. 

Preface, 7 

Ethan  Allen,     .                                   9 

Oliver  Wolcott,  ll.  d 24 

John  Trumbull,  ll.  d.               39 

Seth  Warner,         ..........  53 

Nathaniel  Chipman,  ll.  d 70 

Samuel  J.  Mills,  Sen'r 75 

Daniel  Chipman,  ll.  d.              ........  81 

Stanley  Griswold, 84 

Martin  Chittenden,             89 

Samuel  J.  Mills,  Jr., 92 

Ephraim  Kirby,                 103 

John  Cotton  Smith,  ll.  d .        .  107 

Ira  Allen, 117 

Jonathan  Brace, 121 

Bezaleel  Beebe, 126 

Frederick  Wolcott, 132 

Augustus  Pettibone, 135 

Nathaniel  Smith, 137 

Horace  Hoi  ley,  ll.  d 140 

Abraham  and  Plnneas  Bradley, 154 

Richard  Skinner,  ll.  d 161 

Joseph  Vail  I, 164 

David  Bostwick, .  175 

Ebenezer  Foote, 181 

Daniel  S.  Dickinson, 187 


V) 


Jedediah  Strong, 
Edmund  Kir  by, 
Ambrose  Spencer, 
William  Ray,     . 
Timothy  Merritt, 
Henry  W.  Wessells, 
Araasa  J.  Parker,  ll.  d. 
Elijah  Board  man, 
Elisba  Whittlesey, 
Junius  Smith,  ll.  d. 
Peter  B.  Porter,     . 
Nathaniel  W.  Taylor,  n.  d. 
Joseph  I.  Foote,  d.  d. 
William  Thompson  Bacon, 
Frederick  Whiltlesey, 
Samue!  S.  Phelps, 
John  Pierpont, 
Jeremiah  Day,  n.  d.,  ll.  d. 
Ebenezer  Porter,  d.  i>. 
Horatio  Seymour,  ll.  d. 
Thomas  Day,  ll.  d. 
Nathan  Smith, 
Frederick  A.  Tallmadge, 
Arphaxad  Loomis, 
William  W.  Boardman, 
John  Milton  lloiley, 
Mrs.  Laura  M.  Thurston, 
Francis  Bacon, 
Charles  G.  Finney, 
George  B.  Holt, 
Ebenezer  Porter  Mason, 
Brief  Sketches,  &c, 
Appendix,  County  Officers,  &< 


PREFAC  E. 


"  The  history  of  nations,"  says  Plutarch,  "  is  little  else  than 
the  history  of  its  warriors,  sages,  poets  and  philosophers."  In  a 
similar  sense,  this  volume  may  be  properly  entitled  a  history  of 
Litchfield  County.  The  author  has  endeavored  to  collect  and  pre- 
serve in  a  durable  form,  the  prominent  incidents  in  the  history  of 
some  of  the  more  conspicuous  personsages,  who  have  spent  their 
lives  among  us,  or  who  have  gone  out  from  our  borders  and  distin- 
guished themselves  in  other  fields  of  usefulness  and  fame.  The 
body  of  the  work  is  devoted  exclusively  to  sketches  of  natives  of' 
the  County,  who  are  either  numbered  among  the  dead  or  who  are 
residents  abroad.  The  rule  thus  adopted,  must  of  course  exclude 
not  a  few  men,  now  high  in  office  and  honor  at  home.  These,  and 
many  other  natives  and  former  residents  of  the  County,  are  briefly 
noticed  at  the  close  of  the  volume. 

Litchfield  County  is  the  youngest  in  the  State  in  point  of  organi- 
zation—  having  been  incorporated  at  the  October  Session,  1751. 
Much  of  the  land,  moreover,  having  been  very  rough  and  unin- 
viting, some  of  our  towns  were  the  very  last  in  the  State  to  be  set- 
tled. Persons  are  now  living  who  can  remember  when  wolves 
and  other  wild  animals  inhabited  the  "  Green  Woods"  and  other 
regions  in  the  northern  part  of  the  County.     When,  therefore,  we 


VI 11 

take  into  consideration  the  newness  of  the  country  around  us,  and 
the  privations  and  hardships  incident  to  pioneering  in  the  midst  of 
mountains,  and  rocks,  and  swamps,  and  interminable  forests,  such 
as  our  fathers  here  encountered,  we  have  no  fear  in  comparing  the 
number  and  position  of  our  great  men,  with  those  of  any  other 
region  of  no  greater  limits  and  population. 

Most  of  the  materials  for  this  volume  have  been  collected  from 
original  sources  ;  at  the  same  time  the  author  has  availed  himself 
of  such  other  facts  and  sketches  as  have  fallen  in  his  way,  without, 
in  all  cases,  giving  credit.  He  has  aimed  to  make  his  work  as 
correct  as  possible,  though  even  in  that  particular,  it  is  by  no  means 
improbable,  that  errors  of  date  or  otherwise,  may  now  and  then 
be  discovered.  He  hopes  it  will  prove  an  interesting  and  valued 
memorial  to  those  for  whom  it  is  especially  intended. 

Litchfield,  August  4.  1851. 


BIOGRAPHY. 


ETHAN  ALLEN. 

Among  the  most  conspicuous  in  laying  the  foundation  upon 
which  the'independent  State  of  Vermont  has  been  reared,  and 
indeed  the  leader  and  champion  of  that  lesolute  band  of  hus- 
bandmen, who  first  planted  themselves  in  the  wilderness  of 
the  Green  Mountains,  was  Ethan  Allen.  He  was  born  in 
Litchfield,*  January  10,  17S7.  His  parents  soon  after- 
wards removed  to  Cornwall  where  other  children  weie  born, 
making-  in  all  six  sons  and  two  daughters— Ethan,  Heman, 
Heber,  Levi,  Zimiri,  Ira,  Lydia,  and  Lucy.  The  family  sub- 
sequently became  residents  of  Salisbury,  where,  in  1762, 
Ethan  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Iron  Furnace.  All 
the  brothers  grew  up  to  manhood,  and  at  least  four  of  them 
emigrated  early  to  the  territory  west  of  the  Green  Mountains* 
where  they  all  were  active  and  conspicuous  characters  in  their 
border  feuds  and  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle — and  the  name 


*Biographers  have  differed  in  regard  to  the  place  of  his  birth.  Hinman  says 
he  was  a  native  of  Roxbury  ;  Allen's  Biographical  Dictionary  calls  him  a  native 
of  Cornwall;  Salisbury  has  also  been  named  as  his  birth  place.  Sparks  and 
Barber  have  correctly  designated  Litchfield  as  the  place  of  his  birth— his  birth 
being  recorded  upon  the  records  of  that  town  His  father  was  Joseph  Allen  of 
Coventry  ;  his  mother  was  Mary  Baker  of  Woodbury. 


to 

of  Ethan  Allen  gained  a  renown,  which  spread   widely  while 
he  lived,  and  has  been  perpetuated  in  history. 

The  territory  on  which  the  Aliens  and  their  associates  selr 
tied,  was  then  called  the  "  New  Hampshire  Grants,"  and  was 
claimed  hy  the  Government  of  New  York — a  claim,  however, 
which  the  settlers  openly  and  vigorously  resisted.  In  1 76 i, 
tht  Crown  having  declared  I  he  Connecticut  River  to  he  the 
boundary  line  between  New  York  and  New  Hampshire,  the 
New  York  Governor  decided  that  jurisdiction  meant  the  some 
thing  as  right  of  property,  and  forthwith  proceeded  to  vacate 
all  the  titles  by  which  the  settlers  held  their  lands,  and  even 
issued  writs  of  ejectment.  This  roused  to  its  full  extent  the 
spirit  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  Ethan  Allen  was  ap- 
pointed an  agent  to  manage  the  affairs  of  the  defendant  before 
the  Court  at  Albany  ;  and,  having  secured  the  aid  of  Mr,  In- 
gersoll,  an  eminent  counsellor  in  Connecticut,  it  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  add,  that  the  cause  of  the  settlers  was  defended 
with  great  boldness  and  ability.  The  verdict  was  of  course 
given  to  the  plaintiffs — it  being  the  theoretical  and  practical 
doctrine  of  the  New  York  government  that  nil  of  Governor 
Wentworth's  grants  wrere  illegal. 

It  is  recorded,  that  after  Allen  retired  from  (he  Couit  at  Al  - 
bany,  two  or  three  gentlemen  interested  in  the  New  York  grants 
called  upon  him,  one  of  whom  was  the  King's  attorney  general 
for  the  colony,  and  advised  him  to  go  home  and  persuade  his 
friends  of  the  Green  Mountains  to  make  the  best  terms  they 
could  with  the  new  landlords,  intimating  that  their  cause  was 
now  desperate,  and  reminding  him  of  the  old  proverb,  that 
"  might  often  prevails  against  right."  Neither  admiring  the 
delicacy  of  the  sentiment,  nor  intimidated  by  the  threat  it  held 
out,  Allen  replied,  "  The  gods  of  the  valleys  are  not  the  gods 
of  the  bills."  This  laconic  figure  of  speech  he  left  to  be  inter- 
preted by  his  visitors,  adding  only,  when  an  explanation  was 


li 
asked  by  (lie  King's  attorney,* that  if  liis  troops  ever  come  to 
Bennington  his  meaning  should  be  made  clear. 

The  purpose  of  his  mission  being  thus  brought  to  a  close, 
Allen  returned  and  reported  the  particulars  to  his  constituents. 
The  news  spread  from  habitation  to  habitation,  and  created  a 
sudden  and  loud  murmer  of  discontent  among  the  people. 
Seeing,  as  they  thought,  the  door  of  justice  shut  against  them, 
and  having  tried  in  vain  all  the  peaceful  means  of  securing 
their  rights,  they  resolved  to  appeal  to  the  last  arbiter  of  dis- 
putes. The  inhabitants  of  Bennington  immediately  assembled, 
and  came  to  a  formal  determination  to  defend  their  property  by 
by  force,  and  to  unite  in  resisting  all  encroachments  upon  the 
lands  occupied  by  persons  holding  titles  under  the  warrants 
granted  by  the  governor  of  New  Hampshire.  This  was  a  bold 
step  ;  but  it  was  promptly  taken,  and  with  seeming  determin- 
ation to  adhere  to  it  at  any  hazard,  and  without  regard  to  con- 
sequences. Nor  was  this  decision  changed  or  weakened  by  a 
proposition  on  the  part  of  the  New  York  patentees,  made  about 
this  time,  which  allowed  to  each  occupant  a  fee  simple  of  his 
farm,  at  the  same  price  for  which  the  unoccupied  lands  in  his 
neighborood  were  sold.  The  first  purchasers  still  insisted,  that 
this  was  requiring  them  to  pay  twice  for  their  lands,  and  that  in 
any  view  the  proposal  was  not  just,  inasmuch  as  the  value  of 
unoccupied  lands  depended  mainly  on  the  settlements  which 
had  been  made  in  their  vicinity  by  the  toil  and  at  the  expense 
of  the  original  occupants.  In  short,  the  time  for  talking  about 
charters,  and  boundaries,  and  courts  of  judicature,  was  past, 
and  the  mountaineers  were  now  fully  bent  on  conducting  the 
controversy  by  a  more  summary  process.  Of  the  wisdom  or 
equity  of  this  decision,  it  is  not  our  province  or  purpose  to  de- 
cide. 

Actions  of  ejectment  continued  to  be  brought  before  the  Al- 
bany courts;  but  the  settlers,  dispairing  of  success  after  the 
precedents  of  the  first. cascs3  did  not  appear  in  defence,   nor 


12 
give  themselves  any  more  trouble  in  the  matter.  Next  came 
sheriffs  and  civil  magistrates  to  execute  the  writs  of  possession, 
and  by  due  course  of  law  to  remove  the  occupants  from  the 
lands.  At  this  crisis  the  affair  assumed  a  tangible  shape.  The 
mountaineers  felt  themselves  at  home  on  the  soil  which  they 
had  subdued  by  their  own  labor,  and  in  the  territory  over 
which  they  had  begun  to  exercise  supreme  dominion,  by  meet- 
ing in  conventions  and  committees  and  taking  counsel  of  each 
other  on  public  concerns.  <„To  drive  one  of  thenTfrom  home, 
or  deprive  him  of  his  hard  earned  substance,  was  to  threaten 
the  whole  community  with  an  issue  fatal  alike  to  their  clearest 
interests,  andjothe  rights  which  every  man  deems  as  sacred 
as  life  itself.  It  was  no  wonder,  therefore/  that  they  should 
unite  in  a  common  cause,  which  it  required  their  combined  ef- 
forts to  maintain. 

In  all  the  feats  of  enterprize  and  danger,  as  well  as  in  mat- 
ters of  State  policy,  Ethan  Allen  had  'from  the  first  been  the 
chief  adviser  and  actor.  It  was  natural  that,  in  arranging  their 
military  establishment,  the  people  should  look  up  to  him  as  the 
person  best  qualified  to  be  placed  at  its  head.  He  was  ap- 
pointed colonel-commandant,  with  several  captains  under  him, 
of  whom  the  most  noted  were  Seth  Warner  and  Remember 
Baker,  both  natives  of  Roxbury,  Conn.  Committees  of  safety 
were  likewise  chosen,  and  intrusted  with  powers  for  regulating 
local  affairs.  Conventions  of  delegates,  representing  the  peo- 
ple, assembled  from  time  to  time,  passed  resolves  and  adopted 
measures,  which  tended  to  harmonize  their  sentiments  and  con- 
centrate their  efforts. 

Open  war  now  existed,  and  hostilities  hac]  commenced. 
Sheriffs,  constables,  magistrates  and  surveyors,  were  forcibly 
seized  and  punished  whenever  they  were  so  unlucky  as  to  be 
caught  on  the  grants.  Frequent  acts  of  violence  on  the  part 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys,  as  they  were  called,  drew  down 
upon  them  the  special  wrath  of  the  government  of  New  York. 


la 

Proclamation  succeeded  proclamation,  in  the  first  of  which  Go* 
vernor  Tryon  branded  (he  settlers  as  'rioters,'  whom  the  sher,-, 
iffs  were  commanded  to  seize  and  imprison  ;  in  the  second 
they  were  pronounced  'felons,'  and  offered  a  reward  of  £20 
for  the  arrest  of  Allen  and  Warner  ;  in  the  third,  a  reward  of 
£150  was  offered  for  Allen,  and  £50  each  for  six  others. — 
Not  to  be  outdone  in  exercising  the  prerogatives  of  sovreignty, 
Colonel  Allen  'and  his  friends  issued  a  counter  proclamation, 
offering  a  reward  of  £5  for  the  delivery  of  the  attorney  general 
of  New  York  into  their  hands,  But  notwithstanding  the  fre- 
quency of  the  Governor's  proclamations,  no  one  of  Allen's 
men  was  ever  apprehended. 

Affairs  were  proceeding  in  this  train  of  aciive  hostilities, 
when  Tryon,  despairing  of  ever  conquering  ihe  'felons,'  resol- 
ved to  try  a  milder  policy.  He  wrote  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Bennington,  under  date  of  May  19,  1772,  expressing  a.  desire 
to  do  them  justice,  and  requesting  them  to  send  a  deputation 
for  consultation  and  peaceable  negotiation.  To  any  deputies, 
thus  sent,  he  piomised  protection,  except  Allen,  Warner,  and 
three  others  named.  The  settlers,  always  ready  for  an  honor- 
able peace,  acceded  to  the  proposal,  and  dispatched  Stephen 
Fay  and  Jonas  Fay  on  the  mission.  Tryon  received  the  dep- 
ties  with  much  politeness,  and  laid  their  grievances  before  his 
council.  After  due  deliberation,  the  council  reported  that  all 
suits  respecting  the  lands  in  controversy,  and  all  prosecutions 
growing  out  of  said  suits,  should  be  suspended,  until  the  King's 
pleasure  should  be  known.  This  report  was  approved  by  the 
Governor,  and  with  it  the  deputies  returned  home.  The  news 
spread  quickly  to  the  cabins  of  the  remotest  settleis,  and  with 
it  went  the  spirit  of  gladness.  The  single  cannon,  constituting 
the  whole  artillery  of  Allen's  regiment,  was  drawn  out  and  dis- 
charged several  'times  in  honor  of  the  occasion  ;  and  Captain 
WTarner's  company  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  paraded  in  battle 
array,  fired  three  volleys  with  small  arms  ;  and  the  surrounding 
multitude  answered  each  discharge  with  huzzas. 


1 » 

Hut  unluckily  this  season  of  rejoicing  was  short.  During 
the  absence  of  the  deputies,  it  was  ascertained  that  a  noted 
surveyor  from  New  York  was  in  one  of  the  border  town,  run- 
ning out  lands.  Allen  rallied  his  men,  pursued  and  captured 
him,  and,  after  breaking-  his  instruments,  they  passed  the  sen- 
tence of  banishment  upon  him,  threatening  him  with  death  if 
he  ever  returned.  On  this  expedition  Allen  discovered  an  in- 
truder from  New  York  upon  the  grants,  who  had  dispossessed 
an  original  settler.  Him  he  also  banished,  burnt  his  cabin,  and 
restored  the  saw  mill  and  premises  to  their  first  owner. 

The  fame  of  these  exploi.s  soon  reached  New  York,  and 
kindled  anew  the  anger  of  Governor  Tryon  and  his  council. 
The  governor  wrote  a  letter  of  sharp  rebuke  to  the  inhabitants 
of  the  grants,  complaining  of  the  conduct  as  an  insult  to  the 
government  and  a  violation  of  public  faith.  This  letter  was 
taken  into  consideration  by  the  committees*of  the  several  towns, 
assembled  at  Manchester,  who  voted  to  return  an  answer — 
which  was  drafted  by  Ethan  Allen,  secretary  of  the  conven- 
tion. 

The  answer  was  written  with  great  force  and  perspicuity, 
but  was  not  dictated  by  a  spirit  calculated  to  conciliate  the  feel 
ings  of  Tryon  and  his  council.  The  feelings  of  animosity  be- 
tween the  two  parties  were  daily  becoming  stronger  and  more 
embittered,  when  it  was  suddenly  arrested  by  events  of  vastly 
greater  moment,  which  drew  away  the  attention  of  the  political 
leaders  in  New  York  from  these  border  feuds.  The  Revolution 
was  on  the  eve  of  breaking  out;  and  the  ferment  which  already 
had  begun  to  agitate  the  public  mind  from  one  end  of  the  con- 
tenent  to  the  other,  was  not  less  active  in  that  city  than  in  other 
places.  From  this  time,  therefore,  the  Green  Mouatain  settlers 
were  permitted  to  remain  in  comparative  tranquility. 

Early  in  the  year  1775,  as  soon  as  it  was  made  manifest 
that  open  hostilities  must  soon  commence  between  the  colonies 
and  !he  'mother  country,   it  began  to  be   secretly   whispered 


15 

among  (lie  principal  politicians  of  New  England,  that  ihe  cap 
ture  of  Ticonderoga  was  an  object  demanding  the  first,  attention. 
Several  gentlemen  at  that  time  attending  (he  Assembly  at  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  concerted  a  plan  for  surprising-  that  fortress 
and  seizing  its  cannon  for  the  use  of  our  army,  then  marching 
from  all  quarters  to  the  environs  of  Boston.  A  committer  was 
appointed,  at  ihe  head  of  which  were  Edward  Mott  and  Noah 
Phelps,  with  instructions  to  proceed  to  the  frontier  towns,  in- 
quire into  the  state  of  the  garrison,  and,  should  they  think  propc", 
to  raise  men  and  take  possession  of  the  same.  To  aid  the  pro- 
ject, one  thousand  dollars  were  borrowed  from  the  treasuiy,  for 
which  security  was  given. 

On  their  way,  the  committee  collected  sixteen  men  in  Con- 
necticut, and  went  forward  to  Pittsfield  in  Massachusetts, 
where  they  laid  open  their  plan  to  Colonel  Eastern  and  John 
Brown,  who  agreed  to  join  them,  and  they  proceded  in  compa- 
ny  to  Bennington.  On  the  route,  Easton  enlisted  between  40 
and  50  volunteers  As  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  a  council  of 
war  was  immediately  held,  in  which  it  was  voted  that  Colonel 
Ethan  Allen  should  command  the  expedition,  that  James  Eas- 
ton should  be  the  second  in  commandj  and  Seth  Warner  the 
third.  Allen  having  first  rallied  his  Green  Mountain  Boys, 
it  was  decided  that  he  should  march  with  the  main  body  ol  their 
combined  forces,  (about  140  men,)  directly  to  Shoreham, 
opposite  Ticonderoga — which  point  was  reached  on  the  9th  of 
May.  With  the  utmost  difficulty  boats  were  procured,  and  83 
men  were  landed  near  the  garrison.  The  approach  of  daylight 
rendering  it  dangerous  to  wrait  for  the  rear,  it  was  determined 
immediately  to  proceed .  The  commander  in  chief  now  address- 
ed his  men,  representing  that  they  had  long  been  a  scourge  to 
arbitrary  power,  and  famed  for  their  valor  :  and  concluded 
by  saying,  "I  now  propose  to  advance  before  you,  and  in  per- 
son conduct  you  through  the  wicket  gate;  and  you  that  will  go 
with  me  voluntarily  in  this  desperate  attempt,  poise  your  fire- 


!■; 
locks!"  In  an  instant  every  firelock  was  poised.  Ai  the  head 
of  ihe  centre  file  he  marched  instantly  to  the  gate,  where  a 
sentry  snapped  his  gun  at  him  and  retreated  through  the  cover- 
ed way  ;  he  pressed  forward  into  the  fort,  and  formed  his  men 
on  the  parade  in  such  a  manner  as  to  face  two  opposi.se  barracks. 
Three  huzzahs  awakened  the  garrison.  A  sentry,  who  asked 
quarter,  pointed  out  the  apartments  of  the  commanding oiftcer  ; 
and  Allen,  with  a  drawn  sword  over  the  head  of  Captain  De 
La  Place,  who  was  undressed,  demanded  the  surrender  of  the 
fort.  "  By  what  authority  do  you  demand  it  V9  inquired  the  as- 
tonished commander.  "I  demand  it.  (said  Allen)  in  the  name 
of  the  great  Jehovah  and  of  the  continental  congress."  The 
summons  could  not  with  safety  be  disobeyed  ;  and  the  fort,  with 
its  valuable  stores  and  49  prisoners,  was  immediately  surrender- 
ed. Crown  Point  was  taken  by  Warner  the  same  day,  and  the 
capture  of  a  sloop  of  war  soon  afterwards,  made  Allen  and  his 
brave  party  complete  masters  of  Lake  Champlain. 

In  the  fall  of  1775,  Allen  went  twice  into  Canada  to  observe 
the  disposition  of  the  people,  and  attach  them  if  possible  to  the 
American  cause.  During  this  last  tour,  Col.  Brown  met  him 
and  proposed  an  attack  upon  Montreal  in  concert.  The  propo- 
sition was  eagerly  embraced,  and  Col.  Allen,  with  110  men, 
crossed  the  river  in  the  night  of  September  24.  In  the  morning 
he  waited  with  impatience  for  the  signal  from  Col.  Brown,  who 
had  agreed  to  co-operate  with  him — but  he  waited  in  vain. 
He  made  a  resolute  defence  against  an  attack  of  500  men,  and  it 
was  not  until  his  own  party  was  reduced  in  number  to  31.  that 
he  surrendered.  A  moment  afterwards,  a  furious  savage  rush- 
ed towards  him,  and  presented  his  firelock  with  the  intention  of 
killing  him.  It  was  only  by  making  use  of  the  body  of  the  offi- 
cer to  whom  he  had  given  his  sword,  as  a  shield,  that  he  escaped 
destruction. 

From  Colonel  Allen's  own  Narrative  we  make  the  following  inter- 
esting extracts  : 


17 
The   regular  officers  said   that  they  were  very  happy  to  see  Col. 
Allen.     I  answered   them,    that   I  should  rather  have  seen  them  at 
■■General  Montgomery's  camp.     The  gentlemen  replied  that  they  gave 
full  credit  to  what  I  said,  and  as  I  walked  to  the  town,  which  was, 
as  I  should  guess,  more  than  two  miles,  a  British  officer  walked  at  my 
right  hand,  and  one  of  the  French  nobles  at  my  left ;  the  latter  of  which, 
in  the  action,  had  his  eyebrow  carried  away  by  a  glancing  shot,but  was 
nevertheless  very  merry  and  facetious,   and  no  abuse  was  ottered  me 
till  I  came  to  the  barrack  yard  at  Montreal,  where  I  met  Gen.  Prescott, 
who  asked  me  my  name,  which  1  told  him.    He  then  asked  me  wheth- 
er I  was  that  Coi.  Allen  who  took  Ticonderoga.     I  told  him  I  was 
the  very  man.     Then  he  shook  his  cane  over  my  head,  calling  many 
hard  names,  among  which  he  frequently   used  the  word  Rebel,  and 
put  himself  into  a  great  rage.     I  told  him  he  would  do  well  not  to 
cane  me,  for  I  was  not  accustomed  to  it,  and  shook  my  fist  at  him — 
adding,  that  was  the  beetle  of  mortality  for  him,  if  he  offered  to  strike ; 
upon  which  Capt.  M'Cloud,  of  the  British,  pulled   him  by  the  tkiri 
and  whispered  to  him  (as  he  afterwards  told  me)  to  this  import ;  that 
it  was  inconsistent  with  his  honor  to  strike  a  prisoner.     He  then  or- 
dered a  Serjeant's  command  with  fixed  bayonets  to  come  forward  and 
kill  thirteen  Canadians,  which  were  included  in  the  treaty  aforesaid. 
It  cut  me  to  the  heart  to  see  the  Canadians  in  so  hard  a  case,  in  con- 
sequence of  their  having  been  true  to  me ;  they  were  wringing  their 
hands,  saying  their  prayers,  as  I  concluded,  and'  expected  immediate 
death.     I  therefore  stepped  between  the  executioners  and  the  Cana- 
dians, opened  my  clothes,  and  told  Gem  Prescott  to  thrust  his  bayo- 
net into  my  breast,   for  I  was  the  sole  cause  of  the  Canadians  takiug 
up  their  arms.     The  guard  in   the  meantime,  rolliug  their  eye  balls 
from  the  General  to  me,  as  though  impatient,  waiting  his  dread  com- 
mands to  sheath  their  bayonets  in  my  heart.     I  could,  however,  plain- 
ly discern  that  he  was  in  a  suspense  and  quandary  about  the  matter. 
This  gave  me  additional  hopes  of  succeeding ;  for  my  design  was  not 
to  die,  but  to  save  the  Canadians  by  a  finesse.     The  General  stood  a 
minute,  when  with  an  oath   he  made  the  following  reply  :  "  /  will 
not  execute  you  now  ;  but  you  shall  grace  a  halter  at  Tyburn'*     I  re- 
member I  disdained  his  mentioning  such  a  place.     I  was,  notwith- 
standing, a  little  inwardly  pleased  with  the  expression,  as  it  significant- 
ly conveyed  to  me  the  idea  of  postponing  the  present  appearances 
of  death,   besides  his  sentence  was  by  no  means  final,  as  to  ''gracing 
a  halter t"  although  I  had  anxiety  about  it  after  I  landed  in  England, 
as  ihe  reader  will  find  in  the  course  of  this  history.     General  Prescott 
then  ordered   one  of  his  officers   to  take  me  on  board  the  Gaspee 
schooner  of  war,  and  confine  me,  hands  and  feet,  in  irons,  which  was 
donu  the  same  afternoon  I  was  taken. 

I  now  come  to  the  description  of  the  irons  which  were  put  on  me. 
The  handcuff  was   of  a  common  size   and  form,  but  my  leg  irons.  J 


18 
should  imagine,  would  weigh  thirty  pounds;  the  bar  was  eight  feet 
long,  and  very  substantial ;  the  shackles  which  encompassed  my  ancles, 
were  very  tight.  1  was  told  by  the  officer  who  put  them  on,  that  it 
was  the  king's  plate,  and  I  heard  others  of  their  officers  say,  that  it 
would  weigh  forty  weight.  The  irons  were  so  close  upon  my  ancles, N 
that  I  could  not  lie  down  in  any  other  manner  than  on  my  back.  I 
was  put  into  the  lowest  and  most  wretched  part  of  the  vessel,  where 
I  got  the  favor  of  a  chest  to  sit  on ;  the  same  answered  for  my  bed 
at  night,  and  having  procured  some  little  blocks  of  the  guard,  who, 
day  and  night,  with  fixed  bayonets,  watched  over  me,  to  lay  under 
each  end  of  the  large  bar  of  ray  leg  irons,  to  preserve  my  ancles  from 
galling,  I  sat  on  the  chest  or  lay  back  on  the  same,  though  most  of 
the  time,  night  and  day,  I  sat  on  it ;  but  at  length  having  a  desire  to 
lie  down  on  my  side,  which  the  closeness  of  the  irons  forbid,  I  desired 
the  Captain  to  loosen  them  for  that  purpose,  but  was  denied  the  favor. 
The  Captain's  name  was  Royal,  who  did  not  seem  to  be  an  ill-natured 
man ;  but  oftentimes  said  that  his  express  orders  were  to  treat  me  with 
such  severity,  which  was  disagreeable  to  his  own  feelings  ;  nor  did  he 
ever  insult  me,  though  many  others  who  came  on  board,  did.  One  of 
the  officers  by  the  name  of  Bradley  was  very  generous  to  me ;  he 
would  often  send  me  victuals  from  his  own  table ;  nor  did  a  day  fail, 
but  what  he  sent  me  a  good  drink  of  grog. 

I  was  confined  in  the  manner  I  have  related,  on  board  the  Gaspee 
schooner,  about  six  weeks  ;  during  which  time  I  was  obliged  to  throw 
out  plenty  of  extravagant  language  which  answered  certain  purposes, 
at  that  time,  better  than  to  grace  a  history.  To  give  an  instance  ;  upon 
being  insulted,  in  a  fit  of  anger  I  twisted  off  a  nail  with  my  teeth, 
which  I  took  to  be  a  ten-penny  nail ;  it  went  through  the  mortise  of 
the  bar  of  my  handcuff,  and  at  the  same  time  I  swaggered  over  those 
who  abused  me ;  particularly  a  Doctor  Dace,  who  told  me  that  I  was 
outlawed  by  New  York,  and  deserved  death  for  several  years  past ; 
was  at  last  fully  ripened  for  the  halter,  and  in  a  fair  way  to  obtain  it. 
When  I  challenged  him,  he  excused  himself  in  consequence,  as  he  said, 
of  my  being  a  criminal.  But  I  flung  such  a  flood  of  language  at  him 
that  it  shocked  him  and  the  spectators,  for  my  anger  was  very  great.  I 
heard  one  say,  "  d — n  him, can  he  eat  iron  V  After  that,  a  small  pad- 
lock was  fixed  to  the  handcuff'  instead  of  the  nail ;  and  as  they  were 
mean-spirited  in  their  treatment  to  me,  so  it  appeared  to  me  that  they 
were  equally  timorous  and  cowardly. 

I  was  sent  with  the  prisoners  taken  to  an  armed  vessel  in  the  river, 
•which  lay  off  against  Quebec,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  M'Cloud, 
of  the  British,  who  treated  me  in  a  very  generous  and  obliging  manner, 
and  according  to  my  rank ;  in  about  twenty-four  hours  I  bade  him 
farewell  with  regret ;  but  my  good  fortune  still  continued.  The  name 
©f  the  Captain  of  the  vessel  I  was  put  on  board,  was  Littlejohn  ;  who 
with  his  officers,  behaved  in  a  polite,  generous,  and  friendly  manner 


19 
I  lived  with  them  in  the  cabin  and  fared  on  the  best ;  my  irons  having 
been  taken  off  contrary  to  the  oiders  he  had  received  from  the  com- 
manding officer ;  but  Capt.  Littlejohn  swore  that  a  brave  man  shculd 
not  be  used  as  a  rascal  on  board  his  ship. 

When  a  detachment  of  Gen.  Arnold's  little  army  appeared  on  Point 
Levy,  opposite  Quebec,  who  had  performed  an  extraordinary  march 
through  a  wilderness  country,  with  a  design  to  have  surprised  the  capi- 
tal of  Canada,  I  was  taken  on  board  a  vessel  called  the  Adamant, 
together  with  the  prisoners  taken  with  me,  and  put  under  the  power 
of  an  English  merchant  from  London,  whose  name  was  Brook  Watson* 
— a  man  of  malicious  and  cruel  disposition.  A  small  place  in  the  ves- 
sel, enclosed  with  white  oak  plank,  was  now  assigned  for  the  prisoners, 
and  for  me  among  the  rest.  I  should  imagine  that  it  was  not  more 
than  twenty  feet  one  way,  and  twenty  two  the  other.  Into  this  place 
we  were  all,  to  the  number  of  thirty-four,  thrust  and  handcuffed,  two 
prisoners  more  being  added  to  our  number,  and  were  provided  with 
two  excrement  tubs.  In  this  room  we  were  obliged  to  remain  during 
the  voyage  to  England  ;  and  were  insulted  by  every  blackgu  ird  sailor 
and  tory  on  board,  in  the  cruellest  manner  ;  but  what  is  the  most  sur- 
prising is,  that  none  of  us  died  on  the  passage. 

When  I  was  first  ordered  to  go  into  the  filthy  enclosure,  through  a 
small  sort  of  door,  I  positively  refused,  and  endeavored  to  reason  the 
before-named  Brook  Watson  out  of  a  conduct  so  derogatory  to  every 
sentiment  of  honor  and  humanity,  but  all  to  no  purpose ;  my  men  be- 
ing forced  into  the  den  already  ;  and  the  rascal  who  had  charge  of  the 
prisoners,  commanded  me  to  go  immediately  in  among  the  rest. 

When  the  prisoners  were  landed,  multitudes  of  the  citizens  of  Fal- 
mouth, excited  by  curiosity,  crowded  together  to  see  us.  I  saw  num- 
bers of  people  on  the  top  of  houses,  and  the  rising  adjacent  ground  was 
covered  with  them  of  both  sexes.  The  throng  was  so  great  that  the 
King's  officers  were  obliged  to  draw  their  swords  and  force  a  passage  to 
Pendennis  Castle,  which  was  near  a  mile  from  the  town,  where  we 
were  closely  confined,  in  consequence  of  orders  from  Gen.  Carlton, 
who  then  commanded  in  Canada. 

JVJy  personal  treatment  by  Lieut.  Hamilton,  who  commanded  the  castle 
was  very  generous  ;  he  sent  me  every  day  a  fine  breakfast  and  dinner  from 
his  own  table,  and  a  bottle  of  good  wine.  Another  aged  gentleman,  whose 
name  I  cannot  recollect,  sent  me  a  good  supper.  But  there  was  no  distinc- 
tion in  public  support  between  me  and  the  privates — we  all  lodged  on  a 
sort  of  Dutch  bunk,  in  one  common  apartment,  and  were  allowed  straw. 
The  privates  were  well  supplied  with  fresh  provisions,  and  with  me  took 
effectual  measures  to  rid  ourselves  of  lice. 

Among  the  great  number  of  people  who  came  to  see  the  prisoners,  some 
gentlemen  told  me  that  they  had  come  fifty  miles  on  purpose  to  see  me,  and 
desired  to  ask  me  a  number  of  questions,  and  to  make  free  with  me  in  con* 

*  Afterwards  Lord  Mayor  of  London, 


20 
rersatfon.  I  gave  for  answer  that  I  chose  freedom  in  every  sense  of  the 
word.  Then  one  of  them  asked  me  what  my  occupation  in  life  had  been  ; 
I  answered  him,  that  in  my  younger  days  I  had  studied  divinity,  but  was 
a  conjurer  by  profession.  He  replied  that  I  conjured  wrong  at  the  time  I 
was  tak^n  ;  and  I  was  obliged  to  own  it  that  time,  but  I  had  conjured 
them  out  of  Ticonderoga.  This  was  a  place  of  great  notoriety  in  England, 
so  that  the  joke  seemed  to  go  in  my  favor, 

The  prisoners  were  landed  at  Falmouth  a  few  days  before  Christmas, 
and  ordered  on  board  the  Solebay  frigate,  Capt.  Symonds,  the  eighth  day 
of  January  1776,  when  our  hand  irons  were  taken  off  The  Solebay,  wilh 
sundry  other  men  of  war,  and  about  forty  transport,  rendezvoused  at  the 
cove  of  Cork,  in  Ireland,  to  take  provisions  and  water. 

The  narrative  is  too  long  to  be  followed  farther.  By  a  cir- 
cuitous route  Allen  was  carried  to  Halifax,  where  he  remained 
confined  in  jail  from  June  to  October,  and  was  then  removed 
to  New  York.  In  the  latter  city  he  was  admitted  to  parole 
with  other  officers,  while  his  men  were  thrust  into  the  loath- 
some churches  and  prison-ships,  with  the  prisoners  taken  at 
Fort  Washington.  He  was  kept  in  New  York  about  a  year 
and  a  half,  much  of  the  time  imprisoned,  though  some  times 
permitted  to  be  out  on  parole. 

Col.  Allen  was  exchanged  for  Col.  Campbell,  May  6,  1778, 
and  after  having  repaired  to  head  quarters,  and  offered  his  ser- 
vices to  Gen.  Washington  in  case  his  health  should  be  restored, 
he  returned  to  Vermont.  His  arrival,  on  the  evening  of  the 
last  of  May,  gave  his  friends  great  joy,  and  it  was  announced 
by  the  discharge  of  cannon.  As  an  expression  of  confidence 
in  his  patriotism  and  military  talents,  Congress  sent,  him  a  com- 
mission as  Colonel  in  the  continental  army,  and  the  legislature 
appointed  him  Major-General  and  commander  of  the  Vermont 
Militia.  It  does  not  appear,  however,  that  his  intrepidity  was 
ever  again  brought  to  the  test,  though  his  patriotism  was  tried 
by  an  unsuccessful  effort  to  bribe  him  to  attempt  a  union  of 
Vermont  with  Canada.  He  was  elected  by  his  fellow-citizens 
a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  a  special  delegate  to 
the  Continental  Congress.  He  died  suddenly  at  his  estate  in 
Colchester,  (Vt.,)  February  13,  1789. 

The  writings  of  General  Allen  were  like  himself — bold, 
pointed,  often  ingenious,  but  without  polish,  and  sometime* 


21 
with  little  refinement  or  taste.  In  addition  to  several  pamph- 
lets growing  out  of  the  controversy  between  the  Green  M  -m- 
tain  Boys  and  the  government  of  New  York,  he  published  a  Nar- 
iative  of  his  captivity,  in  a  volume  of  nearly  200  pages,  and  a 
work  entitled,  "Allen's  Theology,  or  the  Oracles  of  Reason,'* 
the  design  of  which  was  to  ridicule  the  idea  of  revealed  religion. 
As  may  well  be  supposed,  this  last  work  added  nothing  to  his 
popularity  even  in  his  own  neighborhood.  Descended  from  the 
puritans,  the  people  of  New  England  had  too  much  reverence 
for  the  religion  of  their  ancestors  to  see  it  assailed  with  impuni- 
ty even  by  one  who  had  been  a  favorite.  Preachers  declaim- 
ed against  him,  critics  derided,  and  poets  lampooned  him.* 

*The  following  piece  of  satire  from  the  pen  of  the  celebrated  Di\  Lemuel 
Hopkins,  we  find  in  Dr.  E.  H.  Smith's  Collection  of  American  Poetry,  printed 
at  Litchfield,  by  Collier  &  Buel,  in  1794. 

"ON  GENERAL  ETHAN  ALLEN. 

"  Lo  Allen,  'scaped  from  British  jails, 

His  tushes  broke  by  biting  nails, 

Appears  in  hyperborean  skies, 

To  tell  the  world  the  Bible  lies. 

See  him  on  green  hills  north  afar, 

Glow  like  a  self-enkindled  star, 

Prepared  (with  mob -collecting  club 

Black  from  the  forge  of  Beelzebub, 

And  grim  with  metaphysic  scowl, 

With  quill  just  plucked  from  wing  of  owl,) 

As  rage  or  reason  rise  or  sink, 

To  shed  his  blood,  or  shed  his  ink. 

Behold,  inspired  from  Vermont  dens, 

The  Seer  of  Antichrist  descends, 

To  feed  new  mobs  with  hell-born  manna 

In  Gentile  lands  of  Susquehanna; 

And  teach  the  Pennsylvania  quaker 

High  blasphemies  against  his  Maker  ! 

Behold  him  move,  ye  staunch  divines  ! 

His  tall  head  bustling  through  the  pines  b 

All  front  he  seems  like  wall  of  brass, 

And  brays  tremendous  as  an  ass  ; 

One  hand  is  clenched  to  batter  noses, 

While  t'other  scrawls  -gainst  Paul  and  Mosei  !" 


22 

An  interesting  fact  is  related  of  General  Allen  by  the  late 
President  Dwight,  which  would  indicate  that  the  veteran  hero 
had  in  reality  very  little  genuine  faith  in  his  own  system  of  di- 
vinity. He  had  a  favoiite  and  much  beloved  daughter,  who 
had  early  been  instructed  in  the  principles  of  Christianity  by 
her  pious  mother,  and  into  whose  mind  he  had  also  labored  to 
instil  his  own  peculiar  sentiments.  She  died  young — and  in 
her  last  sickness  she  called  her  father  to  her  bed-side,  and  thus 
addressed  him — "Father,  I  am  about  to  die;  shall  I  believe 
ii:  the  doctrines  which  you  have  taught  me,  or  in  those  which 
my  mother  has  taught  me  ?'  Allen  was  overcome  with  emo- 
tion— his  lip  quivered — his  voice  for  a  moment,  i altered.  "  My 
child,  believe  what  your  mother  has  taught  you  !"  was  his  re- 
ply. 

"  There  is  much,"  says  Br.  Sparks,  "  to  admire  in  the 
character  of  Ethan  Allen.  He  was  brave,  generous,  and 
frank,  true  to  his  friends,  true  to  his  country,  consistent  and 
unyielding  in  his  purposes,  seeking  at  all  times  to  promote  the 
best  interests  of  mankind-*-a  lover  of  social  harmony,  and  a  de- 
termined foe  to  the  artifices  of  injustice  and  the  encroach- 
ments of  power.  Few  have  suffered  more  in  the  cause  of 
freedom,  few  have  borne  their  sufferings  with  a  firmer  con- 
stancy or  a  loftier  spirit.  His  courage,  even  when  apparently 
approaching  to  rashness,  was  calm  and  deliberate.  No  man 
probably  ever  possessed  this  attribute  in  a  more  remarkable 
degree.  He  was  eccentric  and  ambitious,  but  these  weak- 
nesses, if  such  they  were,  never  betrayed  him  into  acts  dishon- 
orable, unworthy,  or  selfish.  So  rigid  was  he  in  his  patriotism, 
that,  when  it  was  discovered  that  one  of  his  brothers  had 
avowed  tory  principles,  and  been  guilty  of  a  correspondence 
with  the  enemy,  he  entered  a  public  complaint  against  him  in 
his  own  name,  and  petitioned  the  Court  to  confiscate  his  pro- 
perty in  obedience  to  the  law.  His  enemies  never  had  cause  to 
question  his  magnanimity,  nor  his  friends  to  regret  confidence 


2% 

misplaced  or  expectations  disappointed.  He  was  kind,  benev- 
olent, humane  and  placable.  In  short,  whatever  may  have 
been  his  peculiarities,  or  however  these  may  have  diminished 
the  weight  of  his  influence  and  the  value  of  his  public  services, 
it  must  be  allowed  that  he  was  a  man  of  very  considerable 
importance  in  the  sphere  of  his  activity,  and  that  to  no  individ- 
ual among  her  patriot  founders  is  the  State  of  Vermont  more 
indebted  for  the  basis  of  her  free  institutions,  and  t  he  achieve- 
ment of  her  independence,  than  to  Ethan  Allen." 

General  Allen  was  twice  married.  His  second  wife,  and 
children  by  both  marriages,  survived  him. 

« ■ 1 V ! ~ * ' 1       w 

NOTE. — The  following  persons  were  taken  prisoners  with  General 
Allen,  and  were  carried  with  him  to  England,  viz.-  -Roger  Moore,  of 
Salisbury  ;  Peter  Noble,  (made  his  escape  to  Cape  Fear  in  Carolina  ;) 
Levi  Barnum,  of  Norfolk;  Barnabas  Cane,  Preston  Denton,  John 
Gray,  Samuel  Lewis,  William  Gray,  David  Goss,  and  Adonijah  Max- 
um,  of  Sharon ;  Zachariah  Brinsmade,  of  Woodbury  ;  Wm.  Drink- 
water,  of  New  Milford ;  Jonathan  Mahee,  of  Goshen ;  Ebenezer  Mack, 
of  Norfolk,  &c. — See  Hinman1  s  History  of  the  Revolution,  p.  5*71. 

Mr.  Maxum  (whose  name  is  given  above,)  is  still  living  in  Sharon. 


24 


OLIVER    WOLCOTT 


The  family  of  WoLcott  were  among  the  earliest  of  the 
colonists  of  New  England,  Henry  Wolcott  the  ancestor, 
having  emigrated  from  the  mother  country  in  1630,  to  escape 
the  religious  persecutions  of  the  day. 

His  eldest  son,  of  the  same  name,  was  one  of  the  patentees 
under  the  Charier  of  Charles  II.,  and  for  many  years  a  magis- 
trate of  the  Colony.  Simon,  another  son,  was  a  farmer  in 
Windsor  and  left  a  numerous  issue,  of  whom  the  youngest  son 
was  Roger  Wolcott,  a  man  distinguished  in  the  province 
both  for  his  civil  and  military  services.  From  a  weaver,  with 
no  property  and  little  education,  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Chief 
Justice  and  Governor  ;  and  was  Major  General  and  the  second 
officer  in  command  at  the  capture  of  Louisbourg.  He  died  in 
1767,  aged  89. 

Oliver,  youngest  son  of  Roger  Wolcott,  established  him- 
self as  a  physician  at  Litchfield;  and  on  the  organization  of 
the  county  of  that  name,  in  1751,  he  was  chosen  its  first  Sher- 
iff. He  was  afterwards  a  Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence, Lieutenant-Governor,  and  Governor, 

OLIVER  WOLCOTT,  ll.  d.,  son  of  the  preceding,  was 
born  at  Litchfield,  on  the  11th  of  January,  1760.  The  rudi- 
ments of  his  education  he  received  at  the  common  town  school, 
of  which  one  Master  Beckwith  was  then  teacher.  He  was  a 
mild  man,  more  devoted  to  the  fishing  rod  than  the  birch,  and 
under  his  tuition  the  pupil  made  at  least  as  much  proficiency  in 
angling  and  squirrel  shooting  as  in  Lilly's  grammar.  Maternal 
anxiety  for  his  health,  which  was  delicate,  gave  him  perhaps  a 


larger  liberty  in  I  his  respect,  and  he  improved  it  to  the  acquir- 
ing of  an  iron  constitution.  At  odd  hours  he  was  employed  in 
•tending  the  cattle  and  the  other  occupations  of  a  farmer's  son. 

At  a  period  much  later  than  this,  Litchfield  was  on  the  out- 
skirts of  New  England  civilization,  ami  presented  a  very  dif- 
ferent aspect  from  its  now  venerable  quiet.  The  pickets  which 
guarded  its  first  dwellings  were  not  yet  destroyed.  The  Indi- 
an yet  wandered  through  its  broad  streets,  and  hunters  as 
wild  as  our  present  borderers,  chased  the  deer  and  the  pan- 
ther on  the  shores  of  the  lake.  The  manners  of  its  inhabitants 
were  as  simple  and  primitive  as  those  of  their  fathers,  a  centu- 
ry back,  in  the  older  settlements  on  the  Connecticut.  Trav- 
eling was  entirely  on  horseback,  except  in  the  winter,  and  but 
a  casual  intercourse  was  carried  on  with  the  distant  towns. 
Occasionally,  and  more  frequently  as  they  became  more  inter- 
esting, tidings  reached  them  from  Boston,  and  even  from  the 
old  world.  Here  among  the  mountains  the  future  Secretary 
passed  a  tolerably  happy  boyhood,  except  when  on  Sundays 
he  was  encased  in  a  suit  of  tight  scarlet  breeches  and  forced  to 
wear  shoes,  a  penance  reserved  for  that  day,  and  endured  with 
much  dissatisfaction. 

At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  had  mastered  the  lore  then  requis- 
ite for  entering  college.  His  father,  although  considering  him 
too  young,  was  yet  willing  to  let  him  exercise  his  own  discre- 
tion, or  perhaps  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  world.  The  outfit  of  a 
student  was  not  cumbrous,  and,  mounted  on  a  steady  horse, 
with  a  passport  to  the  clergy  on  the  road,  Master  Oliver  for  the 
first  time  left  his  native  village. 

His  first  halt  was  at  the  venerable  parson  Trumbull's,  the 
father  of  the  poet,  John  Trumbull.  In  an  account  of  this  ad- 
venture some  years  ofter,  he  says,  "  I  found  parson  Trumbull 
in  the  field  superintending  laborers.  He  received  me  well, 
ordered  my  horse  to  be  taken  care  of,  and  invited  me  to  a  farm- 
er's dinner;     He  looked  kindly  at  me,  and  placing  his  hand  on 


26 
my  head,  said,  I  was  one  of  the  old  stock  of  Independents.  I 
did  not  understand  his  meaning,~but  as  it  was  said  to  be  a  lam- 
ily  characteristic,  I  recollected  it  ever  after.  I  was  dismissed 
in  season  to  get  to  parson  Leavenworth's,  at  Waterbury,  before 
sunset.  Here  I  found  another  agricultural  clergyman,  who 
lived  well  in  a  good  chouse,  but  in  a  poor  parish,  where  the 
lands  did  not  enable  his  parishioners  to  afford  a  support  equal 
to  that  received  by  parson  Trumbull.  On  asking  my  name, 
placing  his  hands  on  my  head,  he  enquired  whether  I  intend- 
ed, if  I  was  able,  to  be  like  old  Noll,  a  republican  and  a  King- 
Killer  ?  These  words  were  new  phrases  to  my  ears,  but  I  treas- 
ured them  in  my  memory." 

After  spending  a  week  in  viewing  New  Haven,  some  mys- 
terious apprehensions  of  the  coming  trial,  and  the  awe  inspired 
by  the  solemn  wigs  and  robes  worn  by  the  professors,  convin- 
ced him,  what  his  father's  opinion  had  failed  to  do,  that  he  was 
too  young  to  enter  college.  He  therefore  retraced  his  steps, 
pondering  on  the  wonders  he  had  seen,  and  on  his  newly  dis- 
coved  family  characteristic,  The  year  after,  however,  1774, 
he  returned  to  New  Haven  and  entered  college.  Thick  com- 
ing events  soon  explained  the  meaning  of  his  clerical  friends, 

Of  Wolcott's  class/  there  were  several  who  afterwards  be- 
came eminent  in  different  pursuits.  Among  them  may  be 
mentioned  Noah  Webster,  Joel  Barlow,  Uriah  Tracy,  and 
Zephaniah  Swift.  One  of  them,  Dr.  Webster,  speaks  as  fol- 
lows of  Wolcott's  collegiate  reputation — "  I  was  an  intimate 
friend,  classmate,  and  for  some  months  room-mate  of  Governor 
Wolcott.  My  acquaintance  with  him  was  of  nearly  sixty 
years'  duration.  I  found  him  always  frank  and  faithful  in  his 
friendship,  and  generous  to  the  extent  of  his  means.  He  was 
in  college  a  good  scholar,  though  not  brilliant.  He  possessed 
lhe  firmness  and  strong  reasoning  powers  of  the  Wolcott  fami- 
ly, but  with  some  eccentricities  in  reasoning." 

During  the  long  absence  of  General  Wolcott,  (Oliver's  fath- 


2T 
er,)  in  the  State  and  national  councils  and  in  the  field,  Mrs, 
Wolcott  managed  hi3  farm  and  educated  his  youngest  children 
«~-thus  enabling  him  to  devote  himself  to  the  public  service  un- 
fetter by  private  anxieties.  Indeed,  her  devotion  to  the  cause 
was  not  exceeded  by  that  of  her  husband,  and  the  family  un- 
derwent privations  and  fatigues  during  some  of  the  years  of  the 
revolution,  which,  not  uncommon  then,  would  startle  the  mat- 
rons of  our  more  peaceful  days. 

In  April,  1777,  the  studies  of  young  Oliver  were  broken  in 
upon,  by  a  call  to  more  stirring  scenes  than  the  groves  of  Yale. 
He  was  in  Litchfield  on  a  visit  to  his  mother,  when  the  news 
arrived  that  a  large  body  of  the  British  under  Tryon  had  landed 
and  marched  to  Danbury  to  destroy  the  continental  stores. 
Awakened  at  midnight  by  the  summons  to  repair  at  the  ren- 
dezvous of  the  militia,  he  armed  himself  ;  and  his  mother  fur- 
nished his  knapsack  with  provisions  and  a  blanket,  hastened 
his  departure,  and  dismissed  him  with  the  charge  "  to  conduct 
like  a  good  soldier."  The  party  to  which  he  was  attached 
reached  the  enemy  at  Wilton,  where  a  skirmish  took  place,  in 
which,  as  well  as  in  the  subsequent  attacks  during  the  retreat 
of  the  British,  Wolcott  participated. 

The  next  year  he  took  his  degree  at  Yale  College,  and  im- 
mediately commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Litchfield  under 
Tapping  Reeve.  In  1779,  after  the  destruction  of  Fairfield 
and  Nor  walk,  he  attended  his  father  as  a  volunteer  aid,  to  the 
coast.  At  the  close  of  this  service,  he  was  offered  a  commis- 
sion in  the  continental  service,  which  he  declined  in  conse- 
quence of  having  already  entered  upon  his  professional  studies. 
He  however  shortly  after  accepted  a  commission  in  the  Quar- 
ter Master's  department,  which  being  stationary  at  Litchfield 
would  the  less  interfere  with  them. 

During  the  severe  winter  of  1779-80,  famine  added  its  ter- 
rors to  excessive  cold.  The  deep  snows  in  the  mountain  region 
•of  thtt  State,  and  the  explosion  of  the  paper  system  rendered 


4 

k  almost  impossible  to  procure  the  necessaries  of  life.  Con- 
necticut had  been  in  the  foremost  rank  of  the  supporters  of  the 
war  ;  she  had  contributed  freely  from  her  narrow  resources, 
and' the  blood  of  her  sons  had  fattened  every  battle-field.  Nev- 
er the  seat  of  much  opulence,  the  few  individuals  who  had 
possessed  comparative  wealth  were  reduced  to  indigence,  the 
towns  were  burdened  with  the  support  of  the  families  of  the 
soldiers  in  addition  to  the  usual  poor.  And  now  when  cold 
and  hunger  threatened  their  utmost  rigors,  when  a  dark  cloud 
hung  over  the  fate  of  the  country,  when  misfortune  attended 
its  arms,  and  bankruptcy  its  treasury,xthe  courage  of  her  citi- 
zens failed  not.  The  records  of  her  towns,  the  votes  of  recruits 
to  the  army  and  of  bread  to  the  suffering,  showed  that  she  had 
counted  the  cost  of  the  struggle,  and  was  willing  to  meet  it. 
It  may  well  be  supposed  that  the  resources  of  so  zealous  an 
advocate  for  the  war  as  General  Wolcott,  were  not  withheld. 
Every  dollar  that  could  be  spared  from  the  maintenance  of  the 
family,  was  expended  in  raising  and  equipping  men  ;  every 
blanket  not  in  actual  use  was  sent  to  the  army,  and  the  sheets 
were  torn  into  bandages  or  cut  into  lint,  by  the  hands  of  his 
wife  and  daughters.  During  almost  the  whole  of  this  winter 
had  he  been  in  Congress,  and  his  absence  threw  upon  young 
Oliver  an  almost  insupportable  burden,  in  obtaining  fuel  and 
provision  for  the  family,  and  in  keeping  open  the  roads  for  the 
transportation  of  stores.  At  that  time  the  line  of  traveling  and 
carriage,  from  New  Hampshire,  Massachusetts  and  Rhode 
Island,  to  Pennsylvania,  had,  in  consequence  of  the  incursions 
of  the  enemy,  been  turned  northward  of  the  highlands  of  New 
York.  Much  of  the  army  stores  and  ordnance  had  been  de- 
posited at  Litchfield,  and  in  his  capacity  as  Quarter  Master, 
the  charge  of  providing  for  their  safe  keeping  and  conveyance* 
fell  upon  him. 

One  family  anecdote  is  interesting  and  may  be  mentioned 
here,  although  the  circumstance  occurred  earlier  in  the  war. 


20 
Before  the  revoluti'Dn,  a  leaden  equestrian  Stafue  of  George 
III.,  stood  in  the  Bowling  Green  in  the  city  of  New  York. — 
Soon  after  the  war  commenced,  this  statue  was  overthrown, 
and  lead  being  valuable,  it  was  sent  to  General  Wolcott's  at 
Litchfield  for  safe  keeping ;  where,  in  process  of  time,  it  was 
cut  up  and  run  into  bullets  by  his  daughters  and  rheir  friends. 
An  account  of  the  number  of  cartridges  made  by  each,  is  stiH 
preserved  among  the  family  papers.  This  conversion  of  a  mon- 
arch in  into  practical  arguments  of  the  people,  as  may  be  sup- 
posed, furnished  abundant  material  for  the  wits  of  the  day. 

The  hospitalities  of  his  house  and  his  father's  public  charac- 
ter, introduced  young  Wolcott  to  many  persons  of  distinction 
in  the  army  and  in  Congress.  In  the  year  1780,  he  thus  re- 
ceived General  Washington,  who,  with  his  suite,  among1  whom 
were  Hamilton  and  Meade,  passed  through  the  district.  The 
arduous  duties  thrown  upon  him  at  so  early  a  period  of  his  lifey 
and  his  constant  intercourse  with  men,  were  high  advantages 
in  their  influence  in  forming  and  ripening  his  character. 

In  January,  1781,  he  became  of  age,  and  was  immediately 
admitted  to  the  bar.  He  shortly  after  removed  to  Hartford. 
Such  was  his  poverty,  that  he  left  home  with  no  more  than 
three  dollars  in  his  pocket,  and  to  defray  his  expenses,  on 
reaching  Hartford  he  accepted  a  clerkship  in  the  office  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Pay-Table,  with  a  salary  amountingto  about 
fifty  cents  per  diem,  in  specie  value.  His  diligence  in  this  em- 
ployment attracted  the  notice  of  the  General  Assembly,  who,, 
in  January,  1782,  unsolicited,  appointed  him  one  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Committee,  at  that  time  the  central  beard  of  ac- 
counts. Being  the  junior  member,  it  became  a  part  of  his- 
duty  to  call  upon  the  Council  of  Safety  at  their  almost  daily 
sittings,  and  receive  and  execute  their  directions.  There,  un- 
der the  keen  inspection  of  Governor  Trumbull  and  the  Council, 
he  became  initiated  into  the  system  of  public  affairs,  and  per- 
sonally known  to  many  of  the  prominent  characters  in  different 


BO 

departments.  His  labors  from  this  time,  to  the  end  of  the  war 
were  incessant..  Cut  off  from  the  society  natural  to  his  age, 
and  at  twenty-one  thrown  upon  his  own  resources,  in  a  situa- 
tion arduous  and  responsible,  he  acquired  the  self-confidence, 
the  intense  application  to  business,  the  practical  habits  and 
iron  perseverence,  which  formed  the  basis  of  his  success  in  life. 
*  In  May,  1784,  he  was  appointed  a  Commissiener  for  the  State 
of  Connecticut,  in  concert  wi(h  Oliver  Ellsworth,  with  full 
power  to  adjust  and  settle  the  acounts  and  claims  of  the  State 
against  the  United  States,  with  the  Commissioner  on  the  part 
of  Congress.  In  May,  1788,  the  Committee  of  the  Pay-Table 
was  abolished,  and  theoffice  of  Comptroller  of  Public  Accounts 
instituted.  Wolcott  was  appointed  Comptroller,  and  continu- 
ed to  discherge  the  duties  of  the  office  with  general  acceptance 
until  the  establishment  of  the  National  Treasury,  in  the  fall 
of  the  succeeding  year. 

In  1785,  he  had  married  Elizabeth,  the  only  daughter  of 
CoL  John  Stoughton,  a  descendant  of  one  of  the  families  who 
sealed  Windsor,  and  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  French  War. 

During  his  residence  in  Hartford,  Wolcott  formed  or  cemen- 
ted  a  friendship  with  a  number  of  men,  then  young,  but  after- 
wards well  known  for  their  wit  and  literary  attainments.  Such 
were  Juhn  Trumbull,  Dr.  Lemuel  Hopkins,  Richard  Alsop, 
Barlow  and  Webster,  few  cities  in  the  Union  could  boast  of 
a  more  cultivated  or  intelligent  society  than  Hartford,  whether 
in  its  men  or  women  ;  and,  during  the  intervals  of  business,  he 
was  enabled,  in  the  study  of  the  English  classical  writers  and 
intercourse  with  educated  minds,  to  make  amends  for  the  irreg- 
ularities of  his  education.  He  never,  even  during  the  pressing 
occupations  of  after  life,  forgot  his  literary  tastes  ;  his  powerful 
memory  enabling  him  to  recall  long  passages  of  the  English 
poets,  with  whom  he  was  especially  familiar. 

At  this  time,  in  concert  with  his  literary  friends,  he  occasion- 
ally indulged  in  writing  poetry.     Among  his  poems  is  one  en- 


3i 
tied  "  The  Judgment  of  Paris,"  of  which  it  is  only   necessary 
to  say,  it  would  be  much  worse  than  Barlow's  epic,  if'it  were 
not  much  shorter. 

Upon  the  organization  of  the  General  Government  under 
the  new  Constitution,  in  September,  1789,  Mr.  Wolcott  receiv- 
ed from  President  Washington  the  appointment  of  Auditor  of 
the  Treasury.  The  appointment  was  announced  to  him  in  the 
following  letter  from  Colonel  Hamilton — 

New  York,  September  13  th,  1789. 
Sir: 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  am  able  to  inform  you,  that  you  have  been 
appointed  Auditor  in  the  Department  of  the  Treasury.  The  salary  of 
this  office  is  $1500.  Your  friends  having  expressed  a  doubt  of  your 
acceptance,  I  cannot  forbear  saying  that  I  shall  be  happy  to  find  the 
doubt  has  been  ill-founded,  as  from  the  character  I  have  received  of 
you,  I  am  persuaded  you  will  be  an  acquisition  to  the  Department, 
I  need  scarcely  add  that  your  presence  here  as  soon  as  possible  is 
•essential  to  the  progress  of  business. 

I  am,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

Alexander  Hamilton, 
Secretary  of  the  Treasury. 

Mr.  Wolcott,  after  some  hesitation,  accepted  the  appoint- 
ment, and  forthwith  took  up  his  lesidence  in  New  York,  the 
then  seat  of  Government.  Mr,  Eveleigh,  the  Comptroller  of 
the  Treasury,  died  in  the  spring  of  1791  ;  soon  after  which 
Colonel  Hamilton  addressed  a  letter  to  the  President,  warmly 
recommending  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Wolcott  to  the  vacant 
post.     In  that  letter  he  says- — 

'"  This  gentleman's  conduct  in  the  station  he  now  fills,  has  been  that 
of  an  excellent  officer.  It  has  not  only  been  good,  but  distinguished. 
It  combines  all  the  requisites  which  can  be  desired — moderation  with 
firmness,  liberality  with  exactness,  indefatigable  industry  with  an  ac- 
curate and  sound  discernment ;  a  thorough  knowledge  of  business, 
and  a  remarkable  spirit  of  order  and  arrangement.  Indeed  I  ouo-ht 
to  say,  that  I  owe  very  much  of  whatever  succecs  may  have  attended 
the  merely  executive  operations  of  the  department  to  Mr.  Wolcott ; 
and  I  do  not  fear  to  commit  myself,  when  I  add,  that  he  possesses  in 
an  eminent  degree  all  the  qualifications  desirable  in  a  Comptroller  of 
the  Treasury— that  it  is  scarcely  possible  to  find  a  man  in  the  United 


States  "more  competent  to  the  duties  of  that  station  than  himself — few 
-who  could  be  equally  so." 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  add,  that  Wolcott  received  the  ap- 
pointment of  Comptroller. 

The  U.  S.  Bank,  created  during  the  late  session,  was  organi- 
zed in  the  summer  of  179 1 .     Wolcott  was  offered  the  Presiden- 
cy of  the  Bank,  with  an  ample  salary,  which  he  declined  ; 
"preferring  the  public  service,  and  believing  that  such  a  station 
would  be  deemed  unsuitable  for  ayoung  man  without  property." 
At  this  time,  and  during  the  whole  of  Wolcott's  residence  in 
Philadelphia,  which  had  now  become  the  seat  of  Government, 
his  situation,  though  involving  laborious  duties,  was  in  a  high 
degree  delightful.     A  society  at  that  time  existed  there,  mark- 
ed by  every  characteristic  which  could  recommend  it  to  one  of 
a  cultivated  mind  and  social  disposition,  embracing  much  of  the 
genius,  the  worth,  and  no  little  of  the  wit  and  the  beauty  of  the 
county,  and  cemented  by  mutu.il  confidence  and  congeniality 
of  opinions  and  pursuits.     Of  this  society,  two  members  of 
Wolcott's  family,  his  younger  sister  and  his  wife,  were  them- 
selves no  inconsipuous  ornaments.     The  former,  married  to 
the  Hon.  Chauncey  Goodrich,  was  distinguished  for  her  per- 
sonal beauty  and  brilliant  conversation  ;  Mr3.   Wolcott,   with 
less  beauty,  had  still  a  countenance  of  much  loveliness,  and 
manners  graceful  and  dignified.     To  the  most  femenine  gen- 
tleness of  disposition'  she  added  sound  sense,  and  that  kind  of 
cultivation  which  is  acquired  in  intercourse  with  thinkers. — 
Both  belonged  to  a  class  of  women  of  whom  Connecticut  could 
then  boast  many,  whose  minds  were  formed,  and  habits  of  re- 
flection we  directed  by  men  ;    and  without  coming  within  the 
category  of  female  politicians,  they  had  been  almost  from  child- 
hood familiar  with  questions  of  public  and  general  interest. 
An  anecdote  of  Geneial  Tracy,*  whose  sarcasms  were  of  old 
dreaded  alike  in  the  Senate  chamber  and  in  the  drawing-room, 

*  Hon.  Ukiah  Tracy,  of  Litchfield,  then  in  the  U.  S.  Senate. 


has  been  preserved,  commemorative  at  once  of  Mis.  Wolcott's 
attraction  and  his  own  peculiar  wit.  Mr.  Lis' on,  who  suc- 
ceeded Mr.  Hammond  as  British  Minister  at  Philadelphia,  and 
who  was  thoroughly  English  in  his  ideas,  on  some  occasion  re- 
marked to  him,  ''Your  countrywoman,  Mrs.  Wolcott,  would 
be  pdmired  even  at  St.  James.' "  "Sir,"  retorted  the  Senator 
from  Connecticut,  "she  is  admired  even  on  Litchfield  Hill  !" 

On  the  last  day  of  January,  1795,  Col.  Hamilton  resigned 
the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and  Mr.  Wolcott  was 
commissioned  as  his  successor  on  the  2d  of  February  following. 
The  Cabinet  now  consisted  of  Edmund  Randolph,  Secretary 
of  State  ;  Oliver  Wolcott,  Jr.,  of  the  Treasury  ;  Timothy  Pick- 
ering, of  War;  and  William  Bradford,  Attorney  General. 

It  appeals  that  Washington  had  Wolcott  in  view  among  the 
persons  upon  whom  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State  might  be 
conferred.  Mr.  Jefferson  says,  "  He  asked  me  what  sort  of  a 
man  Mr,  Wolcott  was.  I  told  him  I  knew  nothing  of  him  my- 
self. I  had  heard  him  characterized  as  a  cunning  man."-— 
Judging  from  his  subsequent  appointment  to  a  more  responsi- 
ble office,  this  hear-say  slander  had  not  much  weight  with 
Washington.  Nothing  could  in  fact  be  more  unjust.  The  last 
quality  of  Wolcott's  mind  was  '  cunning.' 

Wolcott  had  at  this  time  but  just  completed  his  thirty-fifth 
year  ;  but  though  thus  young,  he  possessed  in  an  eminent  de- 
giee  the  requisites  of  a  minister  of  finance.  He  had  not,  it  is 
true,  the  brilliant  qualities  of  genius  ;  but  he  had  a  comprehen- 
sive and  well  regulated  mind,  a  judgment  matured  and  reliable, 
strong  practical  good  sense  and  native  shrewdness.  President 
Washington  placed  the  fullest  confidence  in  his  intelligerce 
and  patriotism,  and  frequently  consulted  him  on  matters  of 
great  public  importance.  On  the  25th  of  March,  1796,  the 
President  addressed  him  the  following  queries — 
-Sir: 

The  Resolution  moved  in  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the  pa- 
pers relative  to  the  negociation  of  the  Treaty  with  Great  Britain,  hav- 
ing passed  in  the  affirmative,  I  request  your  opinion — 


34 

Whether  that  branch  of  Congress  hath  or  hath  not  a  right  by  the 
Constitution,  to  call  for  these  papers  ?  Whether,  if  it  does  possess 
the  right,  it  would  be  expedient,  under  the  circumstances  of  this  par- 
ticular  case,  to  furnish  them  ?  And  in  either  case,  what  terms  would 
be  more  proper,  to  comply  with*  or  refuse  the  request  of  the  House  ? 

These  opinions  in  writing,  and  your  attendance,  will  be  expected 
at  12  o'clock  to-morrow.  George  Washington." 

With  the  Fourth  Congress,  (1797,)  the  administration  of 
Washington  closed;  Was  it  strange  that  there  were  few  smiles 
on  his  last  reception  day,  or  that  tears  fell  from  eyes  unused  to 
them  upon  the  hand  that  many  pressed  for  the  last  time  1  The 
relation  in  which  the  Secretaries  had  stood  with  the  President, 
had  been  one  of  respectful  but  affectionate  intimacy.  Famil- 
iarity with  him  was  a  thing  impossible,  but  the  most  c6rdial 
and  unreserved  friendship  was  extended  to  all  whom  he  trusted 
and  esteemed.  Wolcott,  among  others,  had  enjoyed  much 
of  the  domestic  society  of  the  President's  house,  His  gentle 
and  graceful  wife  had  been  regarded  with  maternal  solicitude 
by  Mrs.  Washington,  and  was  the  friend  and  correspondent  of 
her  eldest  daughter.  His  child  had  been  used  to  climb,  con- 
fident of  welcome,  the  knees  of  the  chief  ;  and,  though  so  ma- 
ny years  his  junior,  while  Wc  lcott's  character  and  judgment 
had  been  held  in  respect  by  the  President,  his  personal  and 
social  qualities  had  drawn  towards  him  a  warm  degree  of  in^ 
terest. 

On  leaving  the  seat  of  Government,  Washington  presented, 
it  is  believed,  all  his  chief  officers,  with  some  token  of  regard. 
To  Wolcott  he  g.tve  a  piece  of  plate.  Mrs.  Washington  gave 
his  wife,  when  visiting  her  for  the  last  time,  a  relic  still  more 
interesting.  Asking  her  if  she  did  not  wish  a  memorial  of  the 
General,  Mrs.  Wolcott  replied,  "Yes,  I  would  like  a  lock  of 
his  hair. "  Mrs.  Washington, 'smiling,  took  her  scissors  and 
cut  off  for  her  a  large  lock  her  husband's,  and  one  of  her  own. 
These,  with  the  originalsof  the  President's  letters,  Wolcott  pre- 
served with  careful  veneration,  and  divided  between  his  survi- 
ving children. 


35 

"  On  the  retirement  of  General  Washington,"  says  Wolcott, 
"  being  desirous  that  my  personal  interests  should  not  embar- 
rass his  successor,  and  supposing  that  some  other  person  might 
be  preferred  to  myself,  I  tendered  my  resignation  to  Mr.  Ad- 
ams before  his  inauguration.  The  tender  was  declined,  and  I 
retained  office  under  my  former  commission." 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1800,  Mr.  Wolcott  sent  the  Pres- 
ident his  peremptory  resignation  of  the  office  of  Secretary  of 
the  Treasury — which  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Adams-  At  Mr. 
Wolcott' s  request,  a  Committee  was  appointed  by  Congress 
to  examine  into  the  condition  of  the  Department  which  he 
had  vacated.  The  Committee  consisted  of  Messrs.  Otis,  Nich- 
olas, Griswold,  Nicholson,  Wain,  Stone,  and  Craik  ;  who,  af- 
ter a  thorough  investigation,  unanimously  reported  that  "the 
financial  concerns  of  the  couniry  have  been  left  by  the  late 
Secretary  in  a  state  of  good  order  and  prosperity." 

The  subject  of  this  notice  had  now,  and  as  he  supposed  for- 
ever, retired  from  public  life.  The  necessities  of  his  family 
required  that  he  should  at  once  enter  upon  some  active  em- 
ployment for  their  maintenance — his  whole  property  consisting 
at  this  time  of  a  small  farm  in  Connecticut,  and  a  few  hundred 
dollars  in  cash.  He  had  the  satisfaction  of  going  out  of  office 
poorer  than  when,  at  the  first  establishment  of  the  Government, 
he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  auditorship.  Men  had  not 
in  those  days  acquired  the  art  of  becoming  rich  in  ihe  public 
service — though  even  then  our  officers  were  not  exempt  from 
the  charge  of  peculation  and  fraud.  It  was  a  period  character- 
ized by  unprecedented  bitterness  of  party  spirit.  The  ste- 
reotyped charge  of  defalcation,  made  by  the  organ  of  the  Jef- 
fersonian  party,  the  Aurora,  and  other  kindred  prints,  received 
a  momentary  impulse  from  two  events  of  the  winter  of  1800- 
1801.  Fires  successively  occurred  in  the  buildings  occupied 
by  the  War  and  Treasury  Departments.  Furious  attacks  were 
at  once  made  upon  the  federal  officers,  of  which  Wolcott  re» 


«6 

ceived  bis  full  proportion.  The  fires,  as  a  matter  of  course, 
were  attributed  to  design,  and  party  malignity  vented  itself  m 
accusations  of  the  most  attrocious  kind.  The  fact  that  the 
persons  under  whose  charge  the  Departments  had  so  long  been, 
had  resigned,  and  that  the  federal  party  itself  was  on  the  eve 
of  going  out  of  power — that,  predictions  of  such  occurrences 
had  been  among  the  thousand  calumnies  of  hack  editors — gave 
a  tempory  but  only  a  temporary  coloring  to  those  falsehoods. 
A  Committee  of  the  House  was  appointed  on  the  10th  of  Feb- 
ruary, to  examine  into  the  cause  of  these  occurrences — a  ma- 
JDrity  of  whom  were  members  of  the  opposition.  The  Com- 
mittee reported  that  in  regard  to  the  fire  in  the  War  Depart- 
ment there  was  "  no  evidence  whatever  on  which  to  ground  a 
suspicion  of  its  originating  in  negligence  or  design  ;"  that 
concerning  the  fire  in  the  Treasury  Department,  "they  had 
obtained  no  evidence  which  enables  them  to  form  a  conjecture 
satisfactory"— and  therefore  "  choose  to  report  in  the  words  of 
the  witnesses  themselves."  The  published  testimony  of  those 
witnesses,  (though  unsatisfactory  to  a  party  committee,)  fully 
exhonorated  Mr.  Wolcott  from  all  blame  in  the  eye  of  the 
public. 

Mr.  W.  now  left  Washington  and  repaired  to  Middletown, 
Connecticut,  where  his  family  had  for  some  time  resided. 
His  resources  but  little  exceeded  what  was  necessary  to  satis- 
fy his  family  expenses  for  a  few  months.  Most  unexpectedly 
to  him,  he  was  nominated  by  President  Adams  as  Judge  of 
the  United  States  Circuit  Court  for  the  second  district,  embra- 
cing the  States  of  Connecticut,  Vermont,  and  New  York — 
which  nomination  was  unanimously  confirmed  by  the  Senate. 
This  was  a  proud  day  for  Wolcott — a  day  which  forever  silen- 
ced the  calumnies  of  his  political  and  personal  enemies,  both 
in  and  out  of  Congress.  Partizan  libelers  no  longer  dared  to 
throw  out  their  base  insinuations  relative  to  the  burning  of  the 
Treasury  building,  for  the  object  of  their  vengeance  was  shields 


it 

ed  by  the  unanimous  vote  of  the  American  Senate,  a  targe  pro- 
portion of  whose  members  were  his  political  opponents. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1801,  the  ascendency  of  the  federal 
party  in  the  United  States  ended,  Mr.  Jefferson  succeeding 
Mr.  Adams  in  the  Presidential  chair. 

In  1802,  the  Judiciary  Act  under  which  Mr,  Wolcott  had 
been  appointed  to  the  Judgeship,  was  repealed.  He  then  took 
up  his  residence  in  the  city  of  New  York,  where  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  business,  in  company  with  nine  other  gentlemen, 
with  a  capital  of  $100,000.  During  the  succeeding  year,  the 
Merchants*  Bank,  a  joint  stock  corporation,  was  created,  and 
he  was  elected  its  President  The  hostility  of  De  Witt  Clinton 
and  Governor  Lewis,  however,  shortly  after  destroyed  it  by 
effecting  the  passage  of  the  act  known  as  the  'restraining  act.* 
It  was  subsequently  re-incorporated,  and  flourished  for  many 
years  under  the  Presidency  of  the  late  Lynde  Catlin,  Esq.,  also 
a  native  of  Litchfield. 

On  the  expiration  of  the  charter  of  the  first  Bank  of  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Wolcott  employed  nearly  all  his  capital  in 
establishing  the  Bank  of  America.  It  was  incorporated  in 
1812,  and  he  was  chosen  its  first  President,  which  office  he 
held  until  1814,  when,  in  consequence  of  political  differences 
betwreen  himself  and  the  directors  of  the  institution,  he  resign- 
ed. About  this  time,  (in  connection  with  his  brother,  the  late 
Hon.  Frederick  Wolcott,)  he  commenced  the  extensive  man- 
ufacturing establishments  at  Wolcottville,  near  Litchfield. 

In  1815,  he  returned  to  his  native  town,  and  in  the  follow- 
ing year  was  placed  in  nomination  by  the  democratic  party  as 
their  candidate  for  Governor  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  but 
was  defeated.  In  1817,  he  was  elected  Governor;  and  the 
same  year  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Convention  which 
formed  our  present  State  Constitution,  and  was  called  to  pre- 
side over  the  deliberations  of  that  distinguished  body.  He 
was  annually  re-elected  Governor  for  leu  successive  years. 


38 
Governor  Wolcott  subsequently  returned  to  New  York,  and 
died  there  on  the  2d  of  June,  1833.  He  was  the  last  survivor 
of  Washington's  Cabinet.  The  departure  of  few  men  from 
the  world,  ever  produced  a  moie  deep  and  general  feeling  of 
sorrow.  AU  felt  that  a  most  important  link  in  the  chain 
that  united  the  present  generation  with  the  era  of  the  Father 
o(  bis  Country,  was  broken. 


m 


John  t  r  u  m  fc  u  l  L , 


^fhe  family  of  Trumbull  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  Ne# 
England.  Their  ancestor  came  from  England,  and  in  1645 
fixed  his  residence  at  Ipswich  in  Massachusetts.  His  son* 
John,  removed  to  Suffield,  in  this  State.  He  had  three  sons, 
John,  Joseph,'  and  Benoni.  The  Rev.  Benjamin  Trurnbulh 
D.  D.,  the  historian  of  Connecticut,  was  a  grandson  of  Benoni  \ 
Joseph  settled  at  Lebanon,  and  at  his  death  left  one  son,  Jon- 
athan Trumbull^  who  Was  Governor  of  the  State  during"  the 
whole  of  the  revolutionary  war*  and  whose  patriotic  exertions 
are  amply  recorded  in  history.  Two  of  his  sons  were  Jona- 
than Trumbull,  afterwards  Governor  of  the  State>  and  John 
Trumbull,  the  celebrated  painter,  whose  merits  have  long  been 
distinguished  both  in  Europe  and  America. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  grandson  of  John  Triim- 
bull,  eldest  son  of  him  who  first  settled  at  Suffield.  He  was 
born  on  the  13th  day  of  April,  old  style,  in  the  year  1750,  in 
the  then  parish  of  Westbury,  but  since  formed  into  a  separate 
town  by  the  name  of  Watertown,  in  Litchfield  county.  The 
settlement  of  that  village  was  begun  a  (ew  years  before  his 
birth.  His  father,  who  was  the  first  pitstor  ol  the  Congrega- 
tional church  in  that  place,  was  a  good  classical  scholar,  high- 
ly respected  by  his  brethren,  and  for  many  years  one  of  the 
Trustees  or  Fellows  of  Yale  College.  His  mother  was  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Whitman,  of  Farmington,  in  Hartford, 
and  grand-daughter  of  the  Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard,  D.  D.,  of 
Northampton,  Massachusetts. 


4o 
Being  an  only  son,  and  of  a  very  delicate  and  sickly  consti; 
tution,   he  was  of  course  the  favorite  of  his  mother.     She  had 
received  an  education  superior  to  most  of  her  sex,  and  not  only 
instructed  him  in  reading,  from  his  earliest  infancy,  but  find- 
ing him  possessed  of  an  extraordinary  memory,  taught  him  all 
the  hymns,  songs,  and  other  verses,  with  which  she  was  ac- 
quainted.    The  Spectator  and  Watts'  Lyiic  Poems  were  the 
only  works  of  merit  in  the  belles-lettres,  which  he  possessed. 
Young  Trumbull  not  only  committed  to  memory  most  of  the 
rhymes  and  poetry  they  contained,  but  was  seized  with  an  un- 
accountable ambition  of  composing  verses  himself,  in  which 
he  was  encouraged  by  his  parents.     The  country  clergy  at 
that  time  generally  attempted  to  increase  their  income  by  keep- 
ing private  schools  for  the  education  of  youth.     When  he  was 
about  five  years  of  age,  his  father  took  under  his  care  a  lad, 
seventeen  years  old,  to  instruct  and  qualify  him  for  admission 
as  a  member  of  Yale   College.     Trumbull  noticed  the  tasks 
first  imposed — which  were,  to  learn  by  heart  the  Latin  Acci^ 
dence  and  Lilly's  Grammar,  and  to  construe  the  Select  Collo- 
loquies  of  Corderius,  by  the  help  of  a  literal  translation.    With- 
out the  knowledge  of  any  person,  except  his  mother,  he  began 
the  study  of  the  Latin  language.     After  a  few  weeks,  his  fath- 
er discovered  his  wishes,  and  finding  that  by  the  aid  of  a  better 
memory,  his  son  was  able  to  outstrip  his  fellow-student,  en_ 
couraged  him  to  proceed.     At  the  Commencement  in  Sep- 
tember 1757,  the  two  lads  were  presented  at  college,  examined 
by  the  tutors,  and  admitted  as  members.     Trumbull,  however, 
in  consequenee  of  his  extreme  youth  at  that  time,  and  his  sub- 
sequent ill  health,  was  not  sent  to  reside  at  college  until  1763, 
He  spent  these  six  years  in  a  miscellaneous  course  of  study, 
making  himself  master  of  the  Greek  and  Latin  authors  usually 
taught  in  that  institution,  reading  all  the  books  he  could  meet 
with,  and  occasionally  attempting  to  imitate,  both  in  prose  and 
verse,  the  style  of  the  best  English  writers  whose  works  he 


41 
fcould  procure  in  his  native  village.  These  Were  of  course 
few.  Paradise  Lost,  Thompson's  Seasons,  with  some  of  the 
poems  of  Dryden  and  Pope,  were  the  principal.  On  commen- 
cing his  collegiate  life,  he  found  little  regard  paid  to  English 
composition,  or  the  acquirement  of  a  correct  style.  The  Greek 
and  Latin  authors,  in  the  btudy  of  which,  only,  his  class  were 
employed,  required  but  a  small  portion  of  his  time.  By  the 
advice  of  his  tutor,  he  turned  his  thoughts  to  Algebra,  Geome- 
try, and  astronomical  calculations,  which  were  then  newly 
introduced  and  encouraged  by  the  instructors.  He  chiefly 
pursued  this  course  during  the  three  first  years.  In  his  senior 
year  he  began  to  resume  his  former  attention  to  English  liter- 
ature. Having  received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in 
1767,  he  remained  three  years  longer  at  college  as  a  resident 
graduate.  Being  now  master  of  his  own  time,  he  devoted 
himself  chiefly  to  polite  letters ;  reading  all  the  Greek  and 
Latin  classics,  especially  the  poets  and  orators,  and  studying 
the  style  and  endeavoring  to  imitate  the  manner  of  the  best 
English  writers. 

His  acquaintance  now  commenced  with  Timothy  Dwight, 
afterwards  President  of  the  University,  who  was  then  in  his 
third  year  in  college,  and  two  years  his  junior  in  age.  That 
young  gentleman  had  translated  two  of  the  finest  Odes  of 
Horace,  in  a  manner  so  elegant  and  poetical  as  would  not  have 
disgraced  his  more  mature  intellect.  Happy  in  the  discovery 
of  a  rising  genius,  Mr.  Trumbull  immediately  sought  his  ac- 
quaintance, and  began  an  intimacy  which  continued  during 
their  joint  residence  at  New  Haven,  and  a  friendship  which 
was  terminated  only  by  death. 

At  this  period  the  learned  languages,  mathematics,  logic, 
and  scholastic  theology,  were  alone  deemed  worthy  of  the  at- 
tention of  a  scholar.  They  were  dignified  with  the  name  of 
"solid  learning."  English  poetry  and  the  belles-lettres  were 
called  nonsense,  and  their  study  was  deemed  an  idle  waste  of 


42 
time.  The  two  friends  were  obliged  to  stem  the  tide  of  gen- 
eral ridicule  and  censure.  This  situation  called  forth  the  sa- 
tirical talents  of  Trumbull,  in  occasional  humorous  poetical 
essays.  Their  party  was  soon  increased  by  the  accession  of 
several  young  men  of  genius ;  and  a  material  change  was 
eventually  effected  in  the  taste  and  pursuits  of  the  students. 

In  1769,  they  began  the  publication  of  a  series  of  essays  in 
the  manner  of  the  Spectator,  in  a  gazette  printed  in  Boston, 
and  continued  it  several  months.  They  next  commenced  a 
course  of  similar  essays  in  the  New  Haven  papers,  which  in- 
creased to  more  than  forty  numbers. 

In  September,  1771,  Messrs.  Trumbull  and  Dwight  were 
chosen  tutors  of  Yale  College.  From  this  period,  every  effort 
wps  unanimously  made  to  cultivate  in  that  seminary  a  correct 
taste  in  style  and  elocution. 

In  1778,  Trumbull  published  the  first  part  of  a  poem,  which 
he  entitled,  The  Progress  of  Dullness,  designed  to  expose  the 
absurd  method  of  education  which  then  prevailed;  he  added 
a  second  and  third  part  in  the  course  of  the  next  year.  Dwight 
about  the  same  time  published  a  poem  entitled,  America,  writ- 
ten in  the  manner  of  Pope's  Windsor  Forest.  He  had  some 
time  before  begun  his  greatest  poetical  work,  The  Conquest 
of  Canaan,  and  now  completed  his  first  sketch  in  five  books. 
By  the  advice  of  Mr.  Howe,  a  tutor  in  the  same  institution,  he 
added  the  Vision  of  Futurity,  which  now  makes  the  tenth  book, 
and  upon  the  suggestion  of  Mr,  Trumbull,  he  inserted  the 
night-scene  of  the  battle,  illuminated  by  the  burning  city  of 
Ai.  The  whole  was  the  work  of  Dwight — those  gentlemen 
assisting  him  only  by  their  criticism  and  advice.  After  their 
dispersion,  he  considerably  altered  and  enlarged  the  poem,  and 
published  it  in  its  present  form,  in  eleven  books. 

During  their  residence  at  the  university,  several  young  gen- 
tlemen were  associated  in  their  literary  and  poetic  society* 
particularly  Messrs.  David  Humphreys  and  Joel  Barlow. 


43 

Trumbull,  while  he  held  the  office  of  tutor,  devoted  as  much 
attention  as  his  other  avocations  would  admit,  to  the  study  of 
law,  which  he  had  now  selected  as  his  future  profession.  In 
November,  1773,  he  was  admitted  as  a  practicing  attorney  at 
the  bar  in  Connecticut,  but  immediately  went  to  Boston,  and 
entered  as  a  student  in  the  office  of  John  Adams,  Esq.,  after- 
wards President  of  the  United  States,  taking  lodgings  with  Tho- 
mas Gushing,  Esq.,  then  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, but  since  a  delegate  to  Congress  and  Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor of  Massachusetts.  He  was  now  placed  in  the  centre  of 
American  politics.  The  contest  between  Great  Britain  and 
the  Colonies  approached  rapidly  towards  a  crisis.  The  vio- 
lence of  party  was  extreme.  The  Governor,  Council,  Judges, 
and  all  the  legal  authority  under  the  crown,  employed  their 
utmost  efforts  to  establish  the  universal  supremacy,  and  enforce 
the  oppressive  acts,  of  the  English  Parliament.  In  the  con- 
test, Trumbull  warmly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  people. — 
Though  he  prosecuted  his  studies  with  the  utmost  attention, 
he  frequently  employed  his  leisure  hours  in  writing  essays  on 
political  subjects,  for  the  public  gazettes, — which  had  perhaps 
a  greater  effect  from  the  novelty  of  his  style,  and  the  caution 
he  used  to  prevent  any  discovery  of  the  real  author.  Nor  did 
he  neglect  occasionally  to  cultivate  the  muse  ;  and  just  before 
he  left  Boston,  he  anonymously  published  his  Elegy  on  the 
Times,  which  is  now  known  throughout  the  country.  Even 
then  verging  towards  hostility  in  Massachusetts,  the  sessions 
of  the  courts  being  suspended,  and  Mr.  Adams  absent  at  the 
Congress,  in  Philadelphia,  Trumbull  returned  to  New  Haven, 
and  successfully  commenced  practice  at  the  bar,  in  November 
1774.  The  following  year  was  a  period  of  terror  and  dismay. 
The  war  had.  commenced  by  the  battle  at  Lexington.  Un- 
conditional submission,  or  a  total  rejection  of  the  authority  of 
England,  presented  the  only  alternative.  Every  exertion  was 
made  by  the  friends  of  American  liberty,  to  inspire  confidence 


44 

hi  our  cause,  to  crush  the  efforts  of  the  "  tory  party,"  and  to 
prepare  the  public  mind  for.  the  declaration  of  independence. 
With  these  views,  at  the  solicitation  of  some  of  his  friends  in 
Congress,  Trumbull  wrote  the  first  part  of  the  poem  of  "  Mc- 
Fingal,"  which  they  immediately  procured  to  be  published  at 
Philadelphia,  where  Congress  was  then  assembled.  He  had 
also  formed  the  general  plan  of  the  work,  sketched  some  of  the 
scenes  of  the  third  Canto  and  written  tke  beginning  of  the 
fourth,  with  the  commencement  of  the  Vision,  at  which  point, 
not  being  gifted  with  the  prophetic  powers  of  his  hero,  he  left 
it  unfinished. 

In  November  1776,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Hubbard,  daugh- 
ter of  Colonel  Leverett  Hubbard,  of*  New  Haven.  That  town 
being  exposed  to  invasion,  and  all  business  lapidly  declining, 
he  returned  in  the  following  May  to  his  native  place,  where  he 
remained  during  the  four  succeeding  years.  Too  constant  ap- 
plication to  his  studies,  and  the  fatigue  of  attending  courts  at 
a  distance  in  all  seasons,  especially  during  the  severe  winter  of 
1780,  occasioned  the  loss  of  his  health  by  a  nervous  decline. 
With  the  hope  of  recovery,  by  a  change  of  situation  to  a  place 
more  advantageous  to  his  professional  business,  and  more 
agreeable  by  its  literary  society,  he  removed  with  his  family  to 
Hartford  in  June  1781. 

A  friendly  club  was  soon  established,  which  assembled  once 
a  week  for  the  discussion  of  questions  on  proposed  subjects, 
legal,  philosophical,  and  political.  Trumbull,  though  fully 
employed  in  the  duties  of  his  profession,  was  one  of  its  most 
active  members.  The  fate  of  the  revolution  being  now  event- 
ually decided  by  the  capture  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  his  army, 
the  friends  of  the  author  urged  him  to  complete  the  poem  of 
McFingal,  and  having  obtained  his  promise,  they  immediately 
put  in  circulation  a  subscription  for  the  work.  Thus  situated, 
he  employed  his  leisure  hours  in  revising  the  first  half  of  the 
poem,  which  he  divided  into  two  Cantos,  and  in  composing  the 


45 

last.  The  whole  was  finished,  and  the  first  edition  published; 
at  Hartford,  before  the  close  of  the  year  1782.  As  no  author 
at  that  period  was  entitled  by  law  to  the  copy  right  of  his  pro- 
ductions, the  work  soon  became  the  prey  of  every  bookseller 
and  printer,  who  chose  to  appropriate  it  to  his  own  benefit, 
Among  more  than  thirty  different  editions,  one  only,  at  any 
subsequent  time,  was  published  with  the  permission,  or  even, 
the  knowledge  of  the  author. 

Our  author  thus  introduces  his  hero  and  his  subject  ; 

When.  Yankies,  skilled  in  martial  rule, 
First  put  the  British  troops  to  school ; 
Instructed  them  in  warlike  trade, 
And  new  manoeuvre  of  parade — -, 
The  true  war- dance  of  yankee-reels, 
And  manual  exercise  of  heels ; 
Made  them  give  up,  like  saints  complete, 
The  arm  of  flesh,  and  trust  to  feet, 
And  work,  like  christians  undissembling, 
Salvation  out,  with  fear  and  trembling  ; 
Taught  Percy  fashionable  races, 
And  modern  modes  of  Chevy-chases  : 
From  Boston,  in  his  best  array, 
Great  'Squire  McFingal  took  his  way, 
And  graced  with  ensigns  of  renown, 
Steered  homeward  to  his  native  town, 

His  high  descent  our  heralds  trace 
To  Ossian's  famed  Fingalian  race  ; 
For  though  his  name  some  part  may  lack, 
Old  Fingal  spelt  it  with  a  Mac  ; 
Which  great  M'Pherson,  with  submission  > 
We  hope  will  add,  the  next  edition. 

His  fathers  flourished  in  the  highlands 

Of  Scotia's  fog  benighted  islands ; 

Whence  gained  our  'Squire  two  gifts  by  right, 

Rebellion  and  the  Second-sight. 


40 

Of  these  the  first,  in  ancient  days, 

Had  gained  the  noblest  palm  of  praise, 

'Gainst  kings  stood  forth,  and  many  a  crown'd  hea.dk 

With  terror  of  its  might  confounded, 

Till  rose  a  King  with  potent  charm, 

His  foes  by  goodness  to  disarm, 

Whom  every  Scot  and  Jacobite 

Straight  fell  in  love  with  at  first  sight ; 

Whose  gracious  speech,  with  aid  of  pensions, 

Hushed  down  all  murmurs  of  dissensions, 

And  with  the  sound  of  potent  metal, 

Brought  all  their  blustering  swarms  to  settle  , 

Who  rained  his  ministerial  mannas, 

Till  loud  Sedition,  sang  hosannahs  ; 

And  good  Lord  Bishops  and  the  Kirks 

United  in  the  public  works. 

For  these  our 'squire  among  the  valiant'st 
Employed  his  time  and  tools  and  talents  ; 
And  in  their  cause  with  manly  zeal, 
Used  his  first  virtue,  to  rebel ; 
And  found  this  new  rebellion  pleasing 
As  his  old  king- destroying  treason. 
Nor  less  availed  his  optic  clight, 
And  Scottish  gift  of  second-sight. 
No  ancient  sybil  famed  in  rhyme, 
Saw  deeper  in  the  womb  of  time  ; 
No  block  in  old  Dodona's  grove, 
Could  ever  more  orae'lar  prove. 
Nor  only  saw  he  all  that  was, 
But  much  that  never  came  to  pass  • 
Whereby  all  prophets  far  outwent  he, 
Though  former  days  produced  a  plenty  ' 
For  any  man  with  half  an  eye, 
What  stands  before  him  may  espy, 
But  optics  sharp  it  needs,  I  ween, 
To  sec  what  is  not  to  be  seen, 


47 
In  another  part  of  the  same  canto,    our  author  thus  hits  a 
class  of  men  in  each  of  the  professions  which  is  not  even  yet 
extinct; 

And  are  there  in  this  freeborn  land, 

Among  ourselves  a  venal  band, 

A  dastard  race,  who  long  have  sold 

Their  souls  and  consciences  for  gold — • 

Who  wish  to  stab  their  country's  vitals, 

If  they  may  heir  surviving  titles — 

With  joy  behold  our  mischief  brewing, 

Insult  and  triumph  on  our  ruin  ? 

Priests  who,  if  Satan  should  sit  down 

To  make  a  Bible  of  his  own, 

Would  gladly  for  the  sake  of  mitres, 

Turn  his  inspired  and  sacred  writers  ; 

Lawyers,  who  should  he  wish  to  prove 

His  title  to  his  old  seat  above, 

Would,  if  his  cause  he'd  give  'em  fees  id, 

Bring  writs  of  Entry  sur  disseisin, 

Plead  for  him  boldly  at  the  session, 

And  hope  to  put  him  in  possession ; 

Merchants  who,  for  his  kindly  aid, 

Would  make  him  partner  in  their  trade, 

Hang  out  their  signs  in  goodly  show, 

Inscribed  with  "  Beelzebub  &  Co." 

And  Judges,  who  would  list  his  pages,    , 

For  proper  liveries  and  wages  ; 

And  who  as  humbly  cringe  and  bow 

To  all  his  mortal  servants  now  ? 

There  are — and  shame  with  pointing  gestures, 

Marks  out  the  Addressers  and  Protesters  ; 

Whom,  following  down  the  stream  of  fate, 

Contempts  ineffable  await, 

And  public  infamy  forlorn, 

Dread  hate  and  everlasting  scorn. 


48 
'In  the   following  lines   McFin  ;al   exercises  his  faculty  of 
"second  sight,"  in  foretelling  the" doom  of  Britain  and  the  us- 
ing glory  of  America.      Are  not  his  predictions  relative  to  our 
own  country,  already  verified  1 

Now  view  the  scenes  in  future  hours, 
That  wait  the  famed  European  Powers. 
See  where  yon  chalky  cliff's  arise, 
The  hills  of  Britain  strike  your  eyes'; 
Its  small  extension  long  supplied 
By  vast  immensity  of  pride, — 
So  small,  that  had  it  found  a  station 
In  this  new  world  at  first  creation, 
Or  were  by  Justice  doomed  to  suffer, 
And  for  its  crimes  transported  over, 
We'd  find  full  room  for't  in  Lake  Erie,  or 
That  still  larger  waterpond,  Superior, 
Where  North  on  margin  taking  stand, 
Would  not  be  able  to  spy  land. 
No  more,  elate  with  power,  at  ease 
She  deals  her  insults  round  the  seas  ; 
See  dwindling  from  her  height  amain, 
What  piles  of  ruin  spread  the  plain ! 
With  mouldering  hulks  her  ports  are  fill'd 
And  brambles  clothe  the  cultured  field. 
See  on  her  cliffs  her  Genius  lies, 
His  handkerchief  at  both  his  eyes, 
With  many  a  deepdrawn  sigh  and  groan, 
To  mourn  her  ruin  and  his  own ! 
While  joyous  Holland,  France  and  Spain, 
With  conquering  navies  rule  the  main, 
And  Russian  banners  wide  unfurled, 
Spread  Commerce  round  the  eastern  world. 
And  see  (sight  hateful  and  tormenting,) 
Th'  American  empire  proud  and  vaunting, 
From  anarchy  shali  change  her  crasis, 
And  fix  her  powers  on  firmer  basis, 
To  glory,  wealth  and  fame  ascend, 
Her  commerce  rise,  her  realms  extendi 


40 
Where  now  the  panther  guards  his  den, 
Her  desert  forests  swarm  with  men, 
Her  cities,  towers  and  columns  rise, 
And  dazzling  temples  meet  the  skies ; 
Her  pines,  descending  to  the  main, 
In  triumph  spread  the  watery  plain, 
Ride  inland  lakes  with  favoring  gales, 
And  crowd  her  ports  with  whit'ning  sails, 
Till  to  the  skirts  of  western  day, 
The  peopled  regions  own  her  sway. 

These  brief  extracts  will  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the 
style  and  manner  of  this  greatest  of  American  Satires a  po- 
em which  Blackwood  called  "the  Hudibrasof  the  new  world." 
"  McFingal"  is  a  builesque  epic  of  some  thousands  of  lines, 
directed  against  the  enemies  of  American  liberty,  and  holding 
up  to  particular  scorn  and  contempt,  the  tories  and  British 
officers,  civil,  military  and  naval,  then  in  this  country.  It  is  a 
merciless  satire  throughout.  Whatever  it  touches,  it  trans- 
forms ;  kings,  ministers,  lords,  bishops,  generals,  judges,  ad- 
mirals, all  take  their  turn,  and  become  in  the  light  or  associa- 
tions in  which  they  are  exhibited,  alternately  the  objects  of 
our  merriment,  hatred,  or  scorn:  So  wedded  is  the  author  to 
this  vein  of  sarcasm,  that  even  McFingal  himself,  the  professed 
friend  of  England  and  champion  of  the  tories,  is  made  in  fact 
the  scoffer  of  both  them  and  their  cause.  The  story  of  the  po- 
em may  be  thus  briefly  stated  |  the  hero,  a  Scotchman  and 
justice  of  the  peace  in  a  town  near  Boston,  goes  to  a  town 
meeting,  where  he  and  one  Honorius  make  speeches  at  each 
other  through  two  whole  cantos^  At  the  end  of  the  second 
canto,  the  meeting  breaks  up  tumultuously  ;  and  the  people 
gather  round  a  liberty  pole,  erected  by  the  mob.  Here  Mc- 
Fingal makes  a  violent  speech  of  near  two  hundred  lines,  at 
fhe  end  of  which  he  is  pursued  by  the  whigs,  and  brought  back 


50 
to  the  liberty  pole,  where  the  tory  constable  is  swung  alof^ 
and  McEingal  tarred  and  feathered.  The  latter  is  then  set  at 
liberty ;  he  goes  home,  and  at  night  makes  a  speech  to  some 
of  history  friends  in  his  cellar,  extending  through  the  rest  of 
the  poem,  leaving  only  room  to  tell  that  the  mob  broke  off  the 
address  in  the  middle  by  assaulting  the  house,  and  McFingal 
escaped  to  Boston. 

After  the  peace  in  1783,  in  consequence  of  mobs  and  insur- 
rections in  various  parts  of  the  country,  the  public  became  sen- 
sible of  the  want  of  an  efficient  general  government,  and  a 
protracted  contest  ended  in  the  adoption  of  the  federal  con- 
stitution. During  most  of  this  exciting  period^  several  of  the 
principal  literary  characters  of  the  State  were  resident  in  Hart- 
ford, and  gave  to  the  friends  of  order  whatever  assistance  could 
be  afforded  by  their  publications.  The  principal  work  they 
produced  wasa  series  of  essays  entitled  "American  Antiquities," 
first  printed  in  the  gazettes  of  New  Haven  and  Hartford,  and 
re-printed  in  other  newspapers  in  almost  every  part  of  the  Un- 
ion. At  this  time  public  curiosity  had  been  awakened  by  the 
discovery  of  ancient  Indian  fortifications,  with  other  relics, 
which  were  considered  as  proofs  that  this  Country  had  once 
been  inhabited  by  a  people  highly  advanced  in  the  arts  of  civ- 
ilized life.  The  story  of  the  emigration  of  Madoc,  with  a  body 
of  Britons  and  Welch,  about  the  year  SO0,  and  of  an  existing 
tribe  of  their  descendants  in  the  interior  part  of  the  continent, 
was  revived  and  circulated.  These  writers  assumed  the  fic- 
tion, that  in  digging  among  the  ruins  of  one  of  those  forts,  an 
ancient  heroic  poem  in  the  English  language  was  found.  The 
essays  consisted  of  supposed  extracts  from  that  poem,  (which 
they  styled,  The  Anarchiad,)  accompanied  with  critical  re- 
marks  in  prose.  Colonel  Humphreys,  who  had  seen  a  similar 
work  in  England,  called  The  Rolliad,  ascribed  to  Fox,  Sheri- 
den,  and  their  associates,  was  the  first  proposer  of  the  design. 
Most  of  the  essays  were  written  in  concert.     The  writers  were 


51 
Humphreys,  Barlow,  Dr.  Lemuel  Hopkins,  and  our  author. 
The  publications  of  these  gentlemen  were  supposed  at  the 
time  to  have  had  considerable  influence  upon  the  public  taste 
and  opinions  ;  and,  by  the  boldness  of  their  satire,  to  have 
checked  and  intimidated  the  leaders  of  disorganization  and  in- 
fidel philosophy. 

After  the  adoption  of  the  federal  constitution,  Trumbull  was 
first  called  to  act  in  a  public  capacity — he  having  been  appoint- 
ed State's  Attorney  for  the  County  of  Hartford  in  1789.  In 
1792,  he  was  elected  a  Representative  from  Hartford  to  the 
State  Legislature,  where  he  took  an  active  and  influential  part 
in  their  deliberations  and  debates;  particularly  in  obtaining 
an  enlargement  of  the  funds  and  an  alteration  of  the  charter 
of  Yale  College*.  But  the  increasing  burden  of  his  employ- 
ments, public  and  professional,  again  impaired  his  health,  and 
at  length  reduced  him  to  the  lowest  stages  of  nervous  debility, 
He  spent  the  summers,  for  two  or  three  successive  years,  in 
taking  long  journeys  and  visiting  the  most  noted  mineral 
springs,  in  quest  of  health,  but  in  vain.  In  1795,  he  resigned 
the  office  of  State's  Attorney,  and  declined  all  public  business. 
In  November  1798,  he  experienced  a  severe  fit  of  sickness, 
from  which,  contrary  to  expectation,  he  escaped  with  his  life, 
and  which  appeared  to  form  the  crisis  of  his  nervous  disorders. 
His  convalescence,  though  slow,  was  favorably  progressive  ; 
and  as,  during  his  long  confinement,  he  never  relinquished  his 
habits  of  reading,  nor  his  attention  to  public  affairs,  he  was 
enabled,  on  his  return  to  society,  to  resume  his  farmer  rank  in 
his  professional  and  official  employments. 

In  May  1800,  Trumbull  was  again  a  member  of  the  Legis- 
lature ;  and  during  the  following  year,  he  was  chosen  a  Judge 
of  the  Superior  Court  of  the  State  oi  Connecticut.  From  this 
period  he  declined  any  interference  in  politics,  and  applied 
himself  exclusively  to  the  duties  of  his  office — being  of  opinion 
that  the  character  oi  a  politician  and  political  writer  were  in* 


r,2 
consistent  with  the  station  of  a  Judge,  and  destructive  of  the 
confidence  of  suitors  in  the  impartiality  of  judiciary  decisions; 
In  1808,  he  received  from  the  Legislature  the  additional  ap- 
pointment of  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Errors.  He 
was  happy  in  the  society  of  his  brethren  of  the  bench,  and  the 
Courts  of  the  State  were  at  no  period  more  respectable  for  le- 
gal science,  or  more  respected  for  the  justice  and  integrity  of 
their  adjudications. 

To  these  offices  he  was  annually  appointed  until  May  1819, 
when  he,  with  all  his  associates  on  the  bench,  were  removed 
from  office — a  State  Constitution  having  been  adopted,  and  a 
new  party  having  risen  into  power. 

He  was  for  several  years  Treasurer  of  Yale  College,  from 
which  institution  he  subsequently  received  the  honorary  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Laws. 

Trumbull  continued  his  residence  in  Hartford  until  1825, 
when  he  removed  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  tbere  spent  the 
remainder  of  his  days  in  the  family  of  his  daughter,  Mrs. 
Woodb  ridge,  (wife  of  the  distinguished  Senator  and  Governor. 
Woodbridge.)     He  died  in  Detroit  in  1831. 


5$ 


SETH    WARNER. 


This  renowned  warrior  and  successful  leader  in  the  civil 
commotions  amidst  which  the  foundations  of  a  sister  State 
were  laid,  was  born  in  Roxbury,  then  a  parish  of  Woodbury, 
in  the  year  1743.  Without  any  advantages  for  an  education 
beyond  those  which  were  found  in  the  common  schools  of  those 
times,  he  was  early  distinguished  by  his  energy,  sound  judg- 
ment, and  manly  and  noble  bearing.  In  1763,  his  father,  Dr.- 
Benjamin  Warner,  removed  with  his  family  to  Bennington,  in 
the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  the  second  year  after  the  first  set- 
tlement of  the  town.  The  game  with  which  the  woods  aboun-. 
ded  at  once  attracted  the  attention  of  young  Warner,  and  he 
was  soon  distinguished  as  an  indefatigable,  expert  and  success- 
ful hunter.  About  this  time  a  scene  began  to  open,  which 
gave  a  new  direction  to  his  active  and  enterprizing  spirit — the 
controversy  between  New  York  and  the  settlers  upon  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants  had  commenced.  As  a  general  outline  of 
the  history  of  this  controversy  has  been  given  in  the  biograph- 
ical sketch  of  Ethan  Allen,  it  will  be  referred  to  again  only  so 
far  as  may  be  necessary  to  illustrate  the  principal  events  in  the 
life  of  Colonel  Warner. 

It  will  be  remembered  that  the  colonial  government  of  New 
York  not  only  claimed  exclusive  eivil  jurisdiction  over  the  set- 
tlers on  "the  Grants,"  but  even  assumed  a  right  of  property  in 
the  soil ;  consequently  the  New  York  sheriffs,  constables,  ma- 
gistrates, &c,  were  constantly  being  sent  into  the  disputed 
territory,  to  dispossess  those  settlers  who  had  not  purchased 
their  right  from  Governor  Tryon,     It  was  to  resist  these  ar- 


54 
bitraryacts,  and  this  assumption  of  civil  power,  that  the  uJVen 
Mountain  Boys  formed  themselves  into  a  military  compact, 
constituted  their  own  courts  of  judicature,  and  not  unfrequent^ 
ly  executed  "summary  justice"  upon  the  agents  of  what  they 
regarded  as  a  foreign  government.  In  all  these  border  feuds, 
extending  through  a  series  of  years,  Seth  Warner  and  Ethan 
Allen  were  the  acknowledged  leaders  and  champions  of  a 
band  of  patriots  as  heroic  and  self-sacrificing  as  any  tha*  the 
world  ever  saw.  Twins  in  fame,  and  fellow-pioneers  in  the 
cause  of  American  freedom,  they  suffered  and  triumphed  to^ 
gether— -together  they  were  declared  outlaws,  and  hunted  like 
wild  beasts  through  the  mountain-forests — side  by  side  they 
fought  the  battles  of  independence — and  side  by  side  their 
names  are  written  high  in  the  niche  of  human  glory, 

Previous  to  1770,  many  acts  of  violence  had  been  commits 
ted  by  both  of  the  billigerent  parties  ;  but  it  was  not  until  this 
year  that  the  Goveinor  of  New  York  attempted  to  enforce  his 
authority  over  the  Grants  by  resort  to  military  force.  The 
Green  Mountain  Boys  having  learned  that  the  Sheriff  of 
Albany  county  was  on  his  way  to  their  settlements  with  750 
armed  militia,  immediately  organized  a  military  association,  of 
which  Allen  was  appointed  Golonel  commandant,  and  Seth 
Warner,  Remember  Baker,  and  others,  were  appointed  Cap^ 
tains.  The  Sheriff  and  his  force,  having  advanced  at  night  up- 
on the  dwelling  of  a  settler,  were  suddenly  surprised  by  the 
Mountaineers  in  ambush,  and  the  whole  posse  ingloriously 
fled  without  a  gun  being  fired  on  either  side.  The  settlers 
were  not  again  disturbed  for  some  months,  but  in  the  mean 
time  they  occasionally  met  for  exercise  and  discipline.  John 
Monro,  in  a  letter  to  Governor  Tryon,  says,  "  The  rioters  have 
established  a  company  at  Bennington,  commanded  by  Captain 
Warner,  and  on  New  Year's  day  [1771]  his  company  was  re- 
viewed, and  continued  all  day  in  military  exercise  and  firing 
at  marks." 


55 

On  the  27th  of  November,  1771,  the  Governor  of  New  York 
issued  a  proclamation  offering  a  reward  of  ,£20  each,  for  the 
arrest  of  Warner,  Allen,  and  Baker.  On  the  22d  of  March 
following,  John  Monro,  moved  by  a  hope  of  the  reward  and  a 
desire  for  notoriety,  resolved  to  attempt  the  arrest  of  Baker. 
Having  collected  ten  or  twelve  of  his  friends  and  dependents, 
he  proceeded  to  the  house  of  Baker  in  Arlington,  before  day- 
light. The  intruders  broke  open  his  door,  rushed  upon  and 
wounded  him  by  a  cut  across  his  head  with  a  sword,  and  hav- 
ing bound  him,  he  was  thrown  into  a  sleigh  and  conveyed  with 
the  greatest  speed  towards  Albany.  The  news  of  this  trans- 
action being  sent  by  express  to  Bennington,  Warner  withtiine! 
Others  immediately  mounted  their  horses  aild  set  off  at  full 
speed,  determined  td  intercept  the  "Yorkers" ;  and  they  did 
overtake  them  before  they  reached  the  Hudson.  On  the  first 
appearance  of  the  pursuers,  the  abductors  threw  the  prisoner 
overboard  and  fled.  Finding  Baker  nearly  exhausted  by  his 
sufferings  and  loss  of  blood,  they  refreshed  him,  dressed  his 
wounds,  and  conveyed  him  home,  to  the  great  joy  of  his  family 
and  neighbors. 

Shortly  after  this,  Monro  made  an  attempt  to  arrest  Warner. 
While  Warner,  in  company  with  a  single  friend,  was  riding  on 
horseback  in  the  vicinity  of  Monro's  residence,  he  was  met  by 
Monro  and  several  of  his  dependents  ;  a  conversation  ensued* 
in  the  midst  of  which  Monro  seized  the  bridle  of  Warner's 
horse  and  commanded  those  present  to  assist  in  arresting  him. 
Warner,  after  vainly  urging  him  to  desist,  struck  Monro  over 
the  head  with  a  dull  cutlass  and  leveled  him  to  the  ground. 
Though  stunned  and  disabled  for  the  time,  he  received  no  per- 
manent injury,  and  the  spectators  manifesting  no  disposition  to 
interfere,  Warner  passed  on  without  farther  interruption. 

Finding  the  settlers  intractable,  the  government  of  New 
York  next  endeavored  to  bring  them  to  terms  by  negotiation  ; 
but  failing  in  this  also,  they  resorted  to  threats  and  intimida- 


56 
tion.  A  law  was  immediately  passed,  threatening  "death 
without  benefit  of  clergy"  against  any  one  who  should  wilfully 
"oppose  any  civil  officer  of  New  York  in  the  discharge  of  his 
official  duty."  At  the  same  time,  Governor  Tryon  issued  a  pro- 
clamation, increasing  the  reward  for  the  arrest  of  Warner  and 
Allen  to  £56  each.  This  sanguinary  law,  as  Well  as  these 
proffered  bribes,  were  simply  themes  of  derision  to  the  sturdy 
settlers.  No  Green  Mountain  Boy  ever  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy  during  the  continuance  of  this  controversy. 

Warner,  having  thus  been  engaged  as  a  prominent  leader  of 
these  Mountaineers  in  defence  of  their  property  against  the 
oppressive  acts  of  the  Royal  Government  of  New  York 
from  the  year  1763  to  1775,  was  perfectly  prepared  to  enter 
heart  and  soul  in  the  defence  of  his  whole  country  against  the 
oppressions  of  the  Royal  Government  of  Great  Britain.  Ac- 
cordingly, We  find  him  in  the  very  commencement  of  the  Rev- 
olutionary War,  engaged  in  the  enterprize  against  the  enemy's 
posts  on  Lake  Champlaim 

The  reduction  of  Ticonderoga  and  CroWn  Point  having 
been  secretly  resolved  upon,  in  1775,  by  the  Legislature  of 
Connecticut  in  concert  with  several  of  the  most  eminent  men 
in  other  parts  of  New  England,  a  Committee  was  appointed 
to  proceed  to  the  frontier  towns,  ascertain  the  strength  of  the 
garrisons,  and,  should  they  think  proper,  raise  men  for  their 
capture.  At  Pittsfield,  Massachusetts,  the  Committee  were 
joined  by  Colonel  Easton  with  about  fifty  volunteers;  and  at 
Bennington,  by  Colonel  Allen  and  his  Green  Mountain  Boys. 
On  reaching  Castleton,  May  7th,  a  council  of  war  was  held, 
and  Ethan  Allen,  James  Easton,  and  Seth  Warner,  were  ap- 
pointed to  command  the  expedition.  The  surprise  and  capture 
of  Ticonderoga  by  Allen,  on  the  10th  of  May,  are  familiar  to 
every  American.  Warner  had  succeeded  in  crossing  the  lake 
with  his  men,  just  in  time  to  find  that  the  garrison  had  sur- 
rendered.    As  soon  as  the  prisoners  were  properly  secured, 


54 

Warner  set  out  with  a  detachment  of  mef,  take  Crown  Point. 
Strong  head  winds  drove  back  the  boats,  and  the  whole  party 
returned  (he  same  evening'.  The  expedition  was,  however, 
renewed  on  the  following  day,  and  the  result  was  all  that  could 
have  been  desired.  '  The  men  were  made  prisoners,  and  one 
hundred  and  thirteen  cannon  were  captured.  Just  previous  to 
this,  Colonel  Allen  had  sent  a  messenger  to  Captain  Baker, 
who  was  at  Onion  River,  requesting  him  U)  join  the  army  at 
Ticonderoga  with  as  large  a  number  of  men  as  he  could  as- 
semble. Baker  obeyed  ;  and  when  he  was  coming  up  the 
lake,  he  met  two  small  boats,  which  had  been  despatched  by 
the  enemy  from  Crown  Point  to  carry  intelligence  of  the  re* 
duction  of  Ticonderoga  to  St.  Johns  and  Montreal,  and  solicit 
reinforcements.  The  boats  were  seized  by  Baker,  and  he  ar- 
rived at  Crown  Point  just  in  time  to  unite  with  Warner  in  tak- 
ing possession  of  that  post. 

<5rown  Point,  next  to  Ticonderoga,  was  the  strongest  and 
most  important  garrison  on  Lake  Champlain.  For  many  years 
previous  to  1759,  it  had  been  in  possession  of  the  French.  In 
that  year,  an  expedition  was  fitted  out  by  the  British  Govern- 
ment, comprising  18,000  men,  and  arms  and  ammunition  in 
proportion,  for  the  express  object  of  capturing  these  two  for- 
midable fortresses.  The  command  of  the  expedition  was  giv- 
en to  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst,  who  succeeded  in  accomplishing 
the  object  deemed  so  desirable  by  his  King.  They  remained 
in  possession  of  the  British  from  that  time  until  they  were  cap- 
tured by  the  invincible  Warner  and  Allen  and  the  heroic  spir- 
its under  their  command. 

Congress  subsequently  ratified  these  doings,  and  ordered 
that  all  the  officers  and  soldiers  who  marched  against  the  for- 
tresses on  Lake  Champlain  should  receive  the  same  pay  that 
they  would  have  been  entitled  to  had  they  belonged  to  the 
continental  army. 

The  soldiers,  having  served   out  their  time,   now  returned 


58 
home  ;  and  Warner  and  Allen  were  forthwith  sent  to  (he  con- 
tinental congress,  by  the  people  of  the  Grants,  for  the  especial 
purpose  of  soliciting  authority  to  raise  a  new  regiment,  and  to 
obtain  the  necessary  funds  for  paying  off  the  soldiers  recently 
disbanded.  In  both  these  objects  they  were  successful.  They 
were  welcomed  by  Congress  with  great  cordiality,  were  for- 
mally introduced  on  the  floor  of  the  House,  and  each  in  an 
address  stated  the  objects  which  had  called  them  to  the  seat 
of  government,  and  communicated  such  information  as  was 
desired  by  ihe  members.  They  then  repaired  to  the  congress 
of  New  York,  where  they  were  received  with  the  same  consid^ 
eration,  notwithstanding  they  were  objected  to  by  certain 
members  on  the  ground  of  their  being  outlaws. 

The  delegates  having  concluded  their  mission,  returned  to 
their  friends*  The  committees  of  the  several  towns  assembled 
at  Dorset  to  choose  officers  for  the  new  regiment,  which  was  to 
be  commanded  by  a  lieutenant-colonel.  Seth  Warner  was 
chosen  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Samuel  Safford  major.  Dr. 
Jared  Sparks,  in  his  biography  of  Ethan  Allen,  commenting 
upon  the  result  of  this  election,  says,  "  Whether  Colonel  Allen 
declined  being  a  candidate,  or  whether  it  was  expected  that 
the  regiment  would  ultimately  have  a  colonel  and  that  he 
would  be  advanced  to  that  post,  or  whether  his  name  was 
omitted  for  any  other  reason,  I  have  no  means  of  determining." 
The  subjoined  extract  from  a  communication  from  the  Hon. 
Daniel  Chipman,  of  Vermont,  to  the  author  of  this  volume,  will 
solve  the  query.  Referring  to  the  above  passage  from  Sparks, 
he  justly  remarks,  "  This,  it  is  obvious,  is  calculated  to  lessen 
the  real  merit  of  Warner  with  posterity.  To  prevent  this 
false  impression,  they  should  be  informed  that  in  the  conven- 
tion which  met  at  Dorset  on  the  27th  of  July,  1775,  for  the 
purpose  of  nominating  field  officers,  Warner  was  nominated 
by  a  vote  of  41  to  5;  and  this  was  a  fair  expression  of  public 
opinion  of  the  two  men  at  that  time."     Allen  was  a  candidate 


59 
for  the  office,  as  appears  by  his  letter  to  Governor  Trumbull, 
written  shortly  after,  in  which  he  says  he  was  overlooked  be- 
cause the  old  men  were  reluctant  to  go  to  war.  For  a  bold, 
desperate,  off-hand  enterprise,  Allen  was  invariably  the  leader 
selected  ;  but  in  choosing  a  commander  for  a  long  and  doubt- 
ful campaign,  where  coolness,  perseverence,  and  patient  endur- 
ance, united  with  patriotism,  bravery  and  tact,  were  deemed 
requisite  to  success,  Warner  was  preferred. 

In  September,  1775,  we  find  Warner  at  the  head  of  his  re- 
giment, during  the  seige  of  St.  Johns  by  Montgomery.  Gen- 
eral Carleton,  while  crossing  the  St.  Lawrence  with  1000  men 
to  relieve  the  garrison  at  St.  Johns,  was  attacked  from  the 
south  shore  by  Colonel  Warner  with  about  300  Green  Moun- 
tain Boys.  By  a  sudden  and  well-directed  fire  of  musketry 
and  grape-shot,  Carleton's  force  was  thrown  into  the  utmost 
confusion  and  retreated  with  precipitation  and  disorder.  In 
consequence  of  this  defeat,  the  garrison  was  left  without  relief, 
and  Major  Preston,  the  commander,  was  obliged  to  surrender. 
By  this  surrender,  several  cannon,  a  large  quantity  of  military 
stores,  and  600  prisoners,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Americans. 

Warner's  regiment  having  served  as  volunteers,  and  the  men 
being  too  miserably  clad  to  endure  a  winter's  campaign  in  that 
severe  climate,  on  the  20th  of  November  Montgomery  dis- 
charged them  with  peculiar  marks  of  respect,  and  his  thanks 
for  their  meritorious  services.  The  gallant  officer  now  re- 
turned home  with  his  regiment,  but  instead  of  enjoying  a  res- 
pite from  fatigues  and  hardships,  he  was  called  on  to  return  to 
Canada  in  the  dead  of  winter.  General  Wooster,  in  a  letter  to 
him,  dated  at  Montreal,  January  6,  1776,  after  giving  an  ac- 
count of  the  defeat  at  Quebec,  says,  c<  I  have  sent  an  express 
to  Gen.  Schuyler,  to  Washington,  and  to  Congress,  but  you 
know  how  very  long  it  will  be  before  we  can  have  relief  from 
them.  You,  sir,  and  your  valiant  Green  Mountain  Boys,  are 
in  our  neighborhood ;  you  all  have  arms,  and   I*am  confident 


60  / 

ever  stand  ready  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  your  brethren 
distress  ;  therefore,  let  me  beg  of  you  to  raise  as  many  men  as 
you  can,  and  have  them  in  Canada  with  the  least  possible  de- 
lay, to  remain  till  we  can  have  relief  from  the  colonies.  You 
will  see  that  proper  officer  are  appointed  under  you,  and  the 
officers  and  privates  will  have  the  same  pay  as  the  continental 
troops.  It  will  be  well  for  your  men  to  start  as  soon  as  they 
can  be  collected.  No  matter  whether  they  all  march  together, 
'but  let  them  come  on  by  tens,  twenties,  thirties,  forties,  or  fif- 
ties, as  fast  as  they  can  be  prepared  to  march.  It  will  have  a 
good  effect  upon  the  minds- of  the  Canadians,  to  see  succor, 
coming  in.  You  will  be  good  enough  to  send  copies  of  this 
letter  or  such  parts  of  it  a*  you  shall  judge  proper,  to  the  people 
below  you.  I  can  but  hope  the  people  will  make  a  push  to 
get  into  this  country,  and  I  am  confident  I  shall  see  you  here, 
with  your  men,  in  a  very  short  time."  And  General  Wooster 
was  not  disappointed.  He  did  see  Warner  in  Canada,  with, 
his  men,  even  before  he  anticipated.  Probably  no  revolutionary 
patriot  during  the  war,  performed  a  service  evincing  more  en- 
ergy, or  a  more  noble  patriotism,  than  the  raising  of  a  regiment 
in  so  short  a  time,  and  marching  it  to  Quebec  in  the  face  of  a 
Canadian  winter.  The  men  of  this  day  would  shiver  at  the. 
thought  of  it. 

The  following  letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Washington, 
(written  only  about  two  weeks  after  the  above  call  upon  War- 
ner,) shows  the  promptness  with  which  that  call  was  respond- 
ed to  : 

Albany,  January  22,  1776. 

Dear  Sir — Col.  Warner  has  been  so  sucessful  in  sending  men  into 
Canada,  and  as  a  regiment  will  soon  be  sent  from  Berkshire  county  in. 
Massachusetts,  and  as  I  am  informed  by  letter  from  Congress,  that 
one  regiment  from  Pennsylvania  and  one  from  New  Jersey  will  im- 
mediately be  sent  to  Albany,  and  put  under  my  command,  and  as  these 
troops  can  be  in  Canada  as  early  as  any  which  your  Excellency  can 
send  from  Cambridge,  the  necessity  of  sending  on  those  troops  which 
];  had  the  honor  to  request  you  to  send,,  will  be  superceded. 


61 

I  am,  sir,  with  respect  and  esteem,  your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
and  very  bumble  servant,  PHILIP  SCHUYLER. 

His  Excellency,  George  Washington. 

Warner  had  advantages  in  the  performance  of  this  service, 
which  no  other  man  possessed.     His  regiment  of  Mountaineers 
had  long  been  armed  in  self-defence,  and   were  accustomed 
to  rally  at  his  call  almost  at  a  moment's  warning.     As  they 
had  hitherto  been  successful  in  every  enterprise,  they  had  the 
most  perfect   confidence  in   their  leader,    and  they  moreover 
loved  him  for  his  moral  and  social  qualities-     He  sympathised 
with  all  classes,  and  this  rendered  him  affable  and  familiar  wit) 
them,  while  at  the  same  time  he  maintained  a  self-respect  and, 
a  dignified  deportment. 

This  winter  campaign  in    Canada   proved   extremely  dis- 
tressing.    The  troops  were  in  want  of  comfortable  clothing, 
barracks,  and  provisions.     Most  of  them  took  the  small  pox^ 
and  many  of  them  died.     At  the  opening  of  spring,  in  May 
1776,  a  large  body  of  British  troops  arrived  at  Quebec  to  relieve 
the  garrison,  and  the  American  army,  in  their  distressed  situ- 
ation, were  compelled  to  make  a  hasty  retreat.     Warner  took 
a  position  exposed  to  the  greatest  danger,   and   requiring  the 
utmost  care  and  vigilance.     He  was  ever  in  the  rear  during 
the  retreat,  picking  up  the  wounded  and  the  diseased,  assisting 
and  encouraging  those  who  were  least  able  to  take  care  of 
themselves,  and  generally  keeping  but  a  few  miles  in  advance 
oi  the  British,  who  closely  pursued  the  Americans  from  post 
to  post.     By  calmly  and   steadily  pursuing  this   course,  he 
brought  off  most  of  the  invalids,  and  with  this  corps  of  the  dis- 
eased and  infirm,  arrived  at  Ticonderoga  a  few  days  after  the 
main  army  had  taken  possess  ion  of  that  post. 

Highly  approving  of  these  extraordinary  exertions,  Congress 
resolved  to  raise  a  regiment  out  of  the  troops  who  had  served 
with  so  much  reputation  in  Canada,  to  be  commanded  by  a 
Heutenant-colonel.     Of  this  regiment,  also,  Warner  was  ap- 


62 
pointed  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Samuel  Safford  major.  Most 
of  the  officers  of  the  regiment  were  persons  who  had  been  dis- 
tinguished by  their  opposition  to  the  claims  and  proceedings 
of  New  York.  By  this  new  appointment,  Warner  was  agair 
placed  in  a  situation  perfectly  suited  to  his  genius,  and,  in  con- 
formity with  his  orders,  he  raised  his  regiment  and  repaired  to 
Ticonderoga,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  cam- 
paign of  1776: 

On  the  16th  day  of  January,  1777,  the  convention  of  the 
New  Hampshire  Grants  declared  the  whole  district  to  be  a  free 
sovereign  and  independent  State,  by  the  name  of  Vermont, 
The  provincial  congress  of  New  York  was  then  in  session, 
and,  on  the  20th  of  the  same  month,  announced  the  transac- 
tion to  the  continental  congress,  complaining  in  strong  terms 
of  the  conduct  of  Vermont,  denouncing  it  as  a  dangerous  re- 
volt, and  at  the  same  time  remonstrating  against  the  appoint- 
ment of  Warner  to  the  command  of  a  regiment  independent 
of  the  Legislature  of  New  York,  "  especially  as  this  Col.  War- 
ner hath  been  constantly  and  invariably  opposed  to  the  Legis- 
lature of  this  State,  and  hath  been  on  that  account  proclaim- 
ed an  outlaw  by  the  late  Government  thereof.  It  is  absolute- 
ly necessary  to  recall  the  commission  of  Warner,  and  the  of- 
ficers under  him,  to  do  us  justice."  No  measures  were  taken 
by  Congress,  at  this  time,  to  interfere  in  the  civil  concerns  of 
the  two  States,  or  to  remove  Warner  from  his  command.  Still 
anxious  to  effect  this  purpose,  the  Legislature  of  New  York, 
on  the  1st  of  March  following,  wrote  again  on  the  subject,  and 
among  other  things  declared,  that  "  there  was  no  probability 
that  Warner  could  raise  such  a  number  of  men  as  would  be  an 
object  of  public  concern,"  Congress  still  declined  to  dismiss 
so  valuable  an  officer  from  their  service.  On  the  23d  of  June 
following,  Congress  was  obliged  to  take  up  the  controversy 
between  New  York  and  Vermont,  but  instead  of  proceeding  to 
disband  Warner's  regiment,  on  the  30th  of  the  same  month, 


63 
they  resolved,  "  that  the  reasons  which  induced  Congress  to 
form  that  corps  were,  that  many  officers  of  diffeient  States 
who  had  served  in  Canada,  and  who,  as  was  alleged,  might 
soon  raise  a  regiment,  but  who  were  then  unprovided  for, 
might  be  retained  in  the  service  of  the  United  States." 

Fortunately,  Governeur  Morris  was  the  only  member  pres- 
ent from  New  York,  when  Congiess  acted  upon  this  subject ; 
and  he  was  too  true  a  patriot  and  too  honorable  a  man  to  vote 
to  recall  Warner's  commission,  even  though  he  knew  he  was 
incurring  the  displeasure  of  his  constituents  by  not  doing  so. 

While  Burgoyne  was  on  his  way  up  Lake  Champlain  in  the 
summer  of  1777,  Col.  4 Warner  addressed  the  following  letter 
to  the  Vermont  State  Convention,  then  in  session  at  Windsor  ; 

Rutland,  July  1,  17 77. 

Gentlemen :  Last  evening  I  received  an  express  from  the  General 
commanding  at  Ticonderoga,  advising  me  that  the  enemy  have  come 
up  the  lake,  with  17  or  18  gun-boats,  two  large  ships,  and  other  craft, 
md  lie  at  Three  Mile  Point.  The  General  expects  an  attack  every 
hour.  He  orders  me  to  call  out  all  the  militia  of  this  State,  of  Mas- 
sachusetts and  New  Hampshire,  to  join  him  as  soon  as  possible.  I 
have  sent  an  express  to  Col.  Simonds.  Col.  Robinson  and  Col.  Wil- 
liams are  at  Hubbardton,  waiting  to  be  joined  by  Col.  Bellows,  who  is 
with  me.  When  the  whole  are  joined,  they  will  amount  to  700  or 
800  men.  I  knew  not  to  whom  to  apply  except  to  your  honorable 
body,  to  call  out  the  militia  on  the  East  side  of  the  mountain.  I  shall 
expect  that  you  will  send  on  all  the  men  that  can  possibly  be  raised, 
and  that  you  will  do  all  in  your  power  to  supply  the  troops  at  Ti- 
conderoga with  beef.  Should  the  seige  be  long,  they  will  be  abso- 
lutely destitute,  unless  the  country  exert  themselves.  If  40  or  50 
head  of  beef  cattle  can  be  brought  on  by  the  militia,  they  will  be  paid 
for  by  the  commissary,  on  their  arrival.  The  safety  of  the  post  de- 
pends on  the  exertions  of  the  country.  Their  lines  are  extensive  and 
but  partially  manned,  for  want  of  men.  I  should  be  glad  if  a  few 
hills  of  corn  unhoed  should  not  be  a  motive  sufficient  to  detain  men  at 
home,  considering  the  loss  of  such  an  important  post  might  be  irre- 
trievable. 

I  am,  gentlemen,  with  the  greatest  respect,  your  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant,  SETH  WARNER. 

When  Ticonderogo  was  evacuated,  on  t  he  night  of  the  6th 


-of  July,  1777,  thf.  main  body  of  the  American  army  took  the* 
road  through  Hubbardton  and  Castleton.  When  they  arrived 
at  Hubbardton,  the  rear  guard  was  put  under  the  command 
of  Warner,  with  orders  to  follow  the  main  army,  as  soon  as 
those  who  were  left  behind  should  come  up,  and  keep  about  a 
mile  and  a  half  in  the  rear.  The  retreat  of  the  Americans 
was  no  soontr  discovered  by  the  British,  than  an  eager  pursuit 
was  begun  by  Fraser,  with  the  light  troops,  who  was  soon  fol- 
lowed by  Reidesel  with  the  greater  part  of  the  Brunswick  re- 
giment. Frazer  continued  the  pursuit  through  the  day,  and 
learning  that  the  rear  guard  of  the  American  army  was  not 
far  distant,  he  ordered  his  men  that  night  to  lie  on  their  arms. 
Early  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  he  renewed  the  pursuit,  and 
about  7  o'clock  commenced  an  attack  on  the  Americans  un- 
der Warner.  Warner's  force  consisted  of  his  own  regiment, 
and  the  regiments  of  Colonels  Francis  and  Hale.  Hale,  for 
some  reason  retired,  leaving  Warner  and  Francis  with  only 
seven  or  eight  hundred  men  to  dispute  the  progress  of  the  en- 
emy. The  conflict  was  fierce  and  bloody.  Warner  charged 
the  enemy  with  such  impetuosity,  that  they  were  thrown  into 
disorder,  and  gave  way,  but  they  soon  recovered,  formed  anew, 
and  advanced  upon  the  Americans,  but  were  again  brought  to 
a  stand.  At  this  critical  moment,  Reidesel  arrived  and  joined 
Fraser,  with  his  troops,  and  Francis  fell,  fighting  bravely  at  the 
head  of  his  regiment,  which  then  gave  way,  and  the  fortune  of 
the  day  was  decided.  The  Americans  fled  into  the  woods  in 
all  directions.  Those  of  Warner's  regiment,  who  heard  the 
order  to  that  effect,  repaired  to  Manchester,  the  others,  with 
Francis's  regiment,  followed  and  joined  the  main  army,  and 
marched  to  Fort  Edward. 

Warner  was  soon  after  stationed  with  his  troops  at  Man- 
chester, where,  by  order  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  Herrick's 
regiment  of  Rangers  was  placed  under  his  command. 

Many  of  the  inhabitants  the  present  county  of  Rutland  were 


Co 
what  were  termed  "torit  s,"  or  friends  of  the  Crown.  Some 
of  them,  in  consequence  of  being  so  near  the  Canadian  fron- 
tier, were  led  to  seek  British  protection  more  through  fear  than 
from  principle.  These  men  were  very  offensive  to  the  Whi'-s, 
particularly  because  of  their  furnishing  the  British  troops  with 
large  quantities  of  fresh  provisions.  In  consequence  of  the 
"aid  and  comfort"  thus  afforded  to  the  enemy,  Gen.  Schuyler 
directed  Warner  to  sieze  and  bring  in  all  the  property  north  of 
Manchester  which  might  be  liable  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
British,  and  to  arrest  the  tories  and  cause  them  to  be  sent  into 
the  interior.  These  orders  were  promptly  and  thoroughly  ex- 
ecuted. Large  droves  of  cattle  were  driven  into  Bennington, 
and  sold  under  the  direction  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  who  held 
a  perpetual  session  in  that  town  during  the  summer.  Many 
of  the  protectionists  escaped  and  joined  the  enemy;  others 
were  taken  and  brought  before  the  Council  of  Safety,  and  all 
declared  that  they  took  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  his  Majesty 
by  compulsion,  that  they  did  not  consider  themselves  bound 
by  it,  and  were  ready  to  take  the  oath  of  aiiegiance  to  the  Uni- 
ted States.  After  taking  this  oath,  they  were  discharged. 
Most  of  them  soon  after  fought  bravely  in  the  battle  of  Ben- 
rington. 

Through  the  whole  of  this  unpleasant  business,  the  magna- 
nimity and  humanity  of  Warner  were  conspicuous.  Only  one 
person  was  killed  or  injured  by,  the  scouts  during  the  summer, 
and  that  one  was  killed  through  a  misapprehension. 

About  the  first  of  August,  Stark  arrived  at  Manchester  with 
some  800  New  Hampshire  militia,  on  his  way  to  the  seat  of 
war  on  the  Hudson;  By  General  Schuyler's  order,  these  ve- 
ry militia  were  to  be  stationed  at  Manchester,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Warner,  but  the  Government  of  New  Hampshire  had 
given  Stark  the  command  of  the  militia  of  that  State,  indepen- 
dent of  the  Continental  officers.  Situated  as  Stark  and  War- 
ner were,  men  of  narrow  minds,  influenced  bv  the  mere  love 


C6 
of  personal  glory,  would  have  come  in  collision  at  once.  But 
theyy  actuated  by  higher  motives,  were  ready  to  serve  their 
country  in  any  station  in  which  they  could  be  most  useful. 
They  therefore  acted  together  cordially,  manifesting  a  high 
degree  of  respect  for  each  other,  and  in  the  Bennington  battle 
they  in  fact  commanded  jointly,  so  that  if  the  result  had  been 
disastrous,  Congress  would  have  censured  Warner  for  yielding 
the  command  to  Stark. 

Though  Warner  had  assisted  Stark  in  planning  the  battle  of 
Bennington,  his  regiment  (which  had  been  left  behind  at  Man- 
chester,) did  not  arrive  on  the  battle-ground  until  the  Ameri- 
cans were  beginning  to  fall  back.  Disappointed  that  they  had 
not  been  in  season  for  the  first  engagement  and  shared  in  the 
glory,  they  now  advanced  and  attacked  ihe  enemy  with  great 
spirit  and  resolution.  The  British  troops,  who  had  just  been 
exulting  in  the  prospect  of  an  easy  victory,  were  now  brought 
to  a  stand,  and  more  of  the  scattered  militia  being  brought 
forward  by  Stark  and  Herrick,  the  action  became  general. 
The  combat  was  maintained  with  great  bravery  on  both  sides, 
until  sun-set,  when  the  enemy  gave  way,  and  were  pursued 
till  dark. 

In  the  two  engagements  at  Bennington,  the  Americans 
took  four  brass  field  pieces,  four  ammunition  wagons,  and 
above  700  prisoners,  with  their  arms  and  accoutrements.  The 
number  of  the  enemy  found  dead  on  the  field  was  207,  their 
number  of  wounded  not  ascertained.  The  loss  of  the  Ameri- 
cans was  30  killed  and  about  40  wounded. 

The  following  letter  from  General  Gates  to  the  President  of 
the  Massachusetts  Council,  renders  it  probable  that  Warner 
was  present  with  his  regiment  at  the  capture  of  Burgoyne— 

Albany,  25th  November  1*777. 

Dear  Sir — This  letter  will  be  presented  to  the  Hon.  Council,  by 

Colonel  Seth  Warner,  an  officer  of  merit.     His  business  at  Boston,  is 

to  solicit  your  Hon.  Board  to  give  order  for  a  supply  of  clothing,  for 

Ihe  regiment  under  his  command.     Having  experienced  the  good  be- 


67 
havior  of  this  corps  during  the  summer  campaign,  I  cannot  but  recjm 
mend  them  to  your  good  offices,  for  the  supply  they  so  much  want, 
and  the  more  especially  as  I  hare  in  view  a  service  of  much  importance 
m  which  Colonel  Warner's  regiment  will  be  very  actively  concerned. 
I  am,  sir,  with  respect,  your  most  humble  and  obedient  servant, 

HORATIO  GATES. 
It  is  very  certain,  that  after  this  Warner  was  able  to  perform 
but  very  little  active  service.  His  constitution,  naturally  strong 
and  vigorous,  gave  way  under  the  fatigues  and  hardships  which 
he  endured  in  the  service,  particularly  in  his  winter  campaign 
in  Canada,  It  has  been  seen  that  in  the  year  1776,  Congress 
gave  Warner  the  command  of  a  regiment  with  the  rank  of 
lieutenant  colonel.  He  held  the  same  rank  at  the  battle  of 
Bennington,  but  soon  after  was  appointed  colonel,  and  Safford 
lieutenant  colonel.  In  a  return  of  his  regiment,  made  Novem- 
ber 10,  1777,  Colonel  Warner  was  returned  sick  at  Hoosic. 
He  recovered  from  this  sickness,  but  was  never  afterwards 
able  to  perform  any  active  duty  in  the  war,  and  of  course  re- 
ceived no  farther  promotion.  He  however  continued  in  com- 
mand of  his  regiment,  residing  with  his  family  in  Bennington, 
to  the  end  of  the  year  1781.  In  the  mean  time,  the  number 
of  men  in  the  regiment  had  been  greatly  reduced  by  the  loss- 
es sustained  in  several  hard  fought  actions,  and  by  the  capture 
of  Fort  George,  by  the  enemy,  in  October,  1780,  which  was 
garrisoned  by  about  70  of  Warner's  regiment,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  John  Chipman, 

On  the  first  of  January,  1781,  the  regiment  was  reduced, 
under  a  resolution  of  Congress,  and  some  of  the  officers  were 
transferred  to  other  regiments.  Chipman  was  promoted  to 
the  rank  of  Major  in  the  New  York  line. 

In  the  year  1782,  Warner  returned  with  his  family  to  Rox- 
bury,  his  native  town,  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  relief  from  the 
painful  disorders  under  which  he  was  suffering  ;  but  his  hopes 
proved  fallacious,  and  he  gradually  wasted  away  till  the  26th 


63 
of  December,  178 i,  when  death  put  an  end  to  all  his  earthly 
sufferings. 

His  funeral  serman  was  preached  by  the  Rev,  Thomas  Can- 
field,  from  Samuel  1,  27.  "  How  are  the  mighty  fallen,  and 
the  weapons  of  War  perished." 

Seth  Warner  was  over  six  feet  in  height,  erect  and  well  pro- 
portioned, his  countenance,  attitude  and  movements  indicative 
of  great  strength  and  vigor  of  body  and  mind,  of  resolution, 
firmness  and  self-possession.  His  commanding  appearance, 
and  known  character,  undoubtedly  saved  him  from  many  an 
attack  by  the  New  Yorkers.  In  one  instance  only,  during  the 
long  controversy  with  New  York,  did  any  one  attempt  to  ar- 
rest him  single-handed.  He  pursued  his  public  and  private 
business  among  the  settlers  in  the  different  (owns,  with  appar- 
ent unconcern,  and  yet  he  was  always  prepared  for  defence; 

He  was  for  so  long  a  time  and  so  ardently  engaged  in  the 
public  service,  that  his  attention  seems  to  have  been  wholly 
diverted  from  his  own  private  concerns.  He  had  been  so  long 
engaged  in  maintaining  the  rights  of  propeity,  that  a  disposition 
to  acquire  it  seemed  to  be  wholly  eradicated  ;  and  the  mode- 
rate estate  which  he  inherited  having  been  spent  in  the  service 
of  his  country,  he  left  his  family  destitute.  The  proprietors  of 
several  townships  gave  him  tracts  of  land  of  considerable  val- 
ue, as  a  reward  for  his  services  in  defence  of  the  New  Hamp- 
shire grants,  but  the  greater  part,  if  not  all  of  them,  were  sold 
for  taxes,  and  his  heirs  never  received  any  considerable  bene- 
fit from  them.  In  October,  1787,  the  Legislature  of  Vermont 
generously  granted  his  heirs  2000  acres  of  land,  in  the  north- 
west part  of  the  county  of  Essex.  It  was  then  supposed  that 
this  land  w^ould  become  valuable  by  a  settlement  of  that  part 
of  the  county,  but  it  was  subsequently  found  that  the  tract  was 
of  little  or  no  value,  and  it  yet  remains  unsettled. 

The  following  inscription  is  on  the  tablet  erected  over  his 
grave  in  the  Roxbury  burying-ground— 


69 

In  memory  of 

COL.  SETH  WARNER.  ESQ., 

Who  departed  this  life,  December  26,  A.  D.  1784, 

In  the  42d  year  of  his  age. 

Triumphant  leader  of  our  armies'  head. 
Whose  martial  glory  struck  a  panic  dread, 
Thy  warlike  deeds  engraven  on  this  stone 
Tell  future  ages  what  a  hero's  done. 
Full  sixteen  battles  he  did  fight 
For  to  procure  his  country's  right. 
Oh  !  this  brave  hero,  he  did  fall 
By  death,  who  ever  conquers  alt. 

When  this  you  see,  remember  me, 


NATHANIEL    CHIPMAN 


The  common  ancestor  oi  all  those  bearing  the  name  of 
Chipman  in  North  America,  was  John  Chipman,  born  in  Barn- 
stable, England,  a.  d.  1614.  He  emigrated  to  America  in 
1630,  at  the  age  of  16,  and  married  a  daughter  of  John  How- 
land,  one  of  the  pilgrims  who  landed  from  the  May  Flower 
upon  the  Rock  of  Plymouth.  He  settled  on  a  farm  in  Barn- 
stable, Massachusetts,  on  which  his  descendants  have  ever 
since  resided.  He  was  made  a  freeman  by  vote  of  the  town, 
in  December  1662.  His  son,  Samuel,  wasborn  at  Barnstable, 
August  15,  1661 — married  Sarah  Cobb,  and  had  ten  children, 
one  of  whom  was  John  Chipman,  born  in  1691,  graduated  at 
Harvard  College,  was  ordained  minister  at  Beverly,  Mass.,  in 
1715,  and  died  in  1775,  aged  84.  He  had  fifteen  children. 
Their  descendants  are  very  numerous  in  Nova  Scotia  and  New 
Brunswick,  among  whom  is  the  Hon.  Ward  Chipman,  one  of 
the  Commissioners  under  the  Treaty  of  Ghent  for  settling  the 
North  Eastern  Boundary. 

The  eldest  of  the  ten  children  of  Samuel  Chipman,  was 
Thomas,  born  November  17,  1687.  He  settled  in  Groton, 
Connecticut,  and  had  five  sons,  Thomas,  John,  Amos,  Samuel 
and  Jonathan.  In  1740,  ke  removed  with  these  sons  to  Salis- 
bury, in  the  present  county  of  Litchfield.  In  the  following 
year,  the  town  was  organized,  and  he  was  chosen  the  first 
Representative  to  the  Legislature.  When  the  county  of  Litch- 
field was  organized,  in  1751,  he  was  appointed  a  Judge  of  the 
county  court  but  died  before  the  first  term.  His  son  Samuel 
married  Hannah  Austin,  of  Suffieid,  Conn.,   and  had  six  sons, 


71 
Nathaniel,   Lemuel,   Darius,   Cyrus,  Samuel  and  Daniel — the 
eldest  and  first  named  being  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

NATHANIEL  CHIPMAN,  ll.  d.,  was  born  in  Salisbury, 
Nov.  15,  1752.  In  1772  he  commenced  his  studies  prepara- 
tory to  entering  college,  and,  after  spending  only  nine  months 
with  his  books,  he  became  a  member  of  the  freshman  class  in 
Yale  College,  at  the  age  of  twentj^-one  years.  He  immediate- 
ly took  a  high  stand  in  his  class,  which  he  maintained  through- 
out his  collegiate  course.  Although  he  had  a  peculiar  taste 
for  the  languages,  he  had  the  reputation  of  a  universal  scholar. 
In  consequence  of  the  systematic  course  pursued  by  him  in  his 
studies,  he  was  enabled  to  devote  a  certain  portion  of  every 
day  to  general  reading-,  and  writing.  Several  pieces  of  his  po- 
etry, written  during  this  period  and  subsequently,  are  preser- 
ved in  his  Memoir,  edited  by  his  brother,  the  Hon.  Daniel 
Chipman- — which  evince  a  true  poetic  taste,  and  a  remarkable 
facility  at  versifying. 

During  hi?  senior  year — in  the  spring  of  1777 — the  subject 
of  this  notice  received  a  Lieutenant's  commission  in  the  revo- 
lutionary army,  which  he  accepted  and  at  once  entered  the 
service  of  his  country.  The  succeeding  winter  and  spring  he 
spent  at  Valley  Forge  ;  and  afterwards  participated  in  the 
battles  of  Monmouth  and  White  Plains.  In  a  letter  dated, 
"Camp,  at  Fredericksburg,  October  3,  1778,"  to  Mr.  Fitch, 
(afterwards  President  of  Williams  College,)  he  writes,  "I  shall 
spend  the  winter  in  Salisbury,  Connecticut,  in  the  study  of 
law.  W'inter  quarters  are  now  in  agitation.  Litchfield  is 
talked  of  for  this  division.  Where  they  will  be  is  uncertain  as 
yet.  I  think,  from  all  appearances,  we  may  reasonably  con- 
clude that  the  glorious  contest  draws  near  a  glorious  conclu- 
sion, when,  with  the  blessing  of  heaven,  we  may  enjoy  the 
sweets  of  liberty  in  peace. '*  He  resigned  his  commission  soon 
after,  and,  as  intimated  above,  commenced  his  legal  studies  in 
his  native  town.     At  the  annual  commencement  of  Yale  CoU 


71 
lege  in  1777,  while  he  was  absent  in  (he  army,  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Arts  was  conferred  upon  him,  and  his  name  was 
enrolled  among  the  regular  graduates  of  that  institution. 

In  a  letter  to  the  same  gentleman,  dated  at  Salisbury,  Janu- 
ary 1,  1779,  he  writes  in  the  following  strain  of  prophetic 
pleasantry — "  I  have  not  yet  taken  the  attorney's  oath,  but 
expect  to  take  it  in  March,  and  then  I  shall  probably  settle  in 
Bennington,  where  I  shall  indeed  be  rata  avis  in  terris,  for 
there  is  not  an  attorney  in  the  State.  Think,  Fitch,  think 
what  a  figure  I  shall  make,  when  I  become  the  oracle  of  law 
to  the  State  of  Vermont  t"  On  the  20th  of  March  following, 
he  writes  to  the  same  friend,  informing  him  that  he  has  been 
admitted  to  the  bar,  and  in  a  few  days  shall  start  for  Vermont. 
He  then  faceciously  adds,  "  Ha,  ha,  ha  !  I  cannot  but  laugh 
when  I  think  what  a  flash  we  shall  make,  when  we  come  to  be 
members  of  congress.  And  then  again  I  am  vexed  when  I 
think  how  many  steps  there  are  by  which  we  must  mount  to 
that  pinnacle  of  happiness.  Let's  see:  First  an  attorney,  then 
a  selectman,  a  huffing  justice,  a  deputy,  an  assistant,  a  mem- 
ber of  congress.  Is  not  this  a  little  vexing?  However,  we 
must  make  the  best  of  it." 

On  the  10th  of  April,  he  arrived  at  Tinmouth,  the  then  cap- 
ital of  Rutland  county,  Vermont — to  which  place  his  parents 
had  previously  removed.  During  this  and  the  following  year, 
several  able  lawyers  became  residents  of  the  State,  and  the 
litigation  growing  out  of  the  disputed  land-titles  gave  them,suf- 
ficient  employment.  Nathaniel  Chipman  immediately  took  a 
high  stand  at  the  bar,  and  was  employed  in  nearly  every  impor- 
tant case  that  came  before  the  courts  of  that  State.  In  1784 
he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Legislature,  where  he  ren- 
dered himself  useful  in  quieting  the  turbulent  feelings  existing 
in  the  minds  of  a  majority  of  the  members,  growing  out  the  pe- 
cuniary distress  occasioned  by  the  war.  In  1786,  he  was  elec- 
ted an  Assistant  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court — an  office  which 


?3 

he  accepted,  but  resigned  the  next  year; 

The  reader  of  this  volume  will  have  seen,  in  the  sketches  of 
Allen  and  Warner,  some  particulars  respecting  the  controver- 
sy between  New  York  and  Vermont.  This  controversy  was 
far  from  being  settled  when  Chipman  removed  into  the  latter 
State.  On  the  5th  of  July,  1780,  the  legislature  of  New  York 
passed  an  act  appointing  Robert  Yates,  John  Lansing,  GuMan 
Verplanck,  Simeon  De  Witt,  Egbert  Benson  and  Melancthon 
Smith,  commissioners,  with  full  power  to  acknowledge  the 
sovreignty  of  Vermont,  and  to  adjust  all  matters  of  controversy 
between  the  two  states.  And  on  the  23d  of  October  follow- 
ing, the  legislature  of  New  York  passed  an  act,  appointing 
Nathaniel  Chipman,  Isaac  Tickenor,  Stephen  R.  Bradley,  Ira 
Allen,  Elijah  Paine,  Stephen  Jacob  and  Israel  Smith,  commis- 
sioners on  the  part  of  Vermont,  to  treat  with  those  of  New  York. 
The  difficulties  were  all  amicably  adjusted  ;  and  on  the  6th  of 
January,  1791,  the  State  Convention  met  at  Bennington  to 
decide  the  question,  whether  Vermont  should  accede  to  the 
union,  Of  this  convention  Chipman  was  a  member;  and*  af- 
tei  the  question  was  decided  affirmatively,  he  and  Lewis  R< 
Morris  were  appointed  to  attend  congress  and  negociate  for 
the  admission  of  Vermont  into  the  federal  union. 

In  October,  1779,  Nathaniel  Chipman  had  been  elected 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  continued  in  that  office 
two  years,  when  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  United  States 
Court  for  the  District  of  Vermont.  There  was  very  little  bu- 
siness in  this  court,  and  he  resigned  in  1793,  and  returned  to 
his  practice  at  the  bar.  In  October,  1796,  he  was  re-elected 
Chief  Justice.  During  the  same. year,  he  was  appointed  one 
of  a  committee  to  revise  the  code  of  statute  laws  •  and  nearly 
all  the  acts  known"  as  the  revised  laws  of  1797,  were  written  by 
him. 

In  1797,  he  was  elected  a  Senator  in  Congress  for  ste  years 
from  the  4th  of  March,  1798.     In  that  body  he  was  distinguish- 


74 
ed  for  his  talents,  learning-  and  independence.     From  lSOb*  to 
to  1811,   inclusive,  he  was  a  representative  to  the  legislature. 
In  March,  1813,  he  was  chosen  one  of  the  council  of  censor* 
— a  council  consisting  of  thirteen  persons  elected  by  a  general 
ticket,  at  the  expiration  of  every  seven  years,  whose  duty  it  is 
to  revise  the  constitution,  suggest  amendments,   call  conven- 
tions to  consider  such  amendments,  &c.   *In  October,  1813,  he 
was  once  more' elected  Chief  Justice,  but  two  years  afterwards 
was  displaced  in  consequence  of  the   ascendency  of  another 
political  party.     At  this  time  the  judges  were  elected  annually. 
In  1816,  Judge  Chipmanwas  appointed  Professor  of  Law  in 
Middlebury  College,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  re- 
signation of  his  brother,  the  Hon.  Daniel  Chipman.     He  hacJ 
previously  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  from  Dart- 
mouth College. 

He  published,  in  1793,  a  wo*k  entitled,  '*  Sketches  of  the 
Principles  of  Government,"  and  a  small  volume  entitled,  "Re- 
ports and  Dissertations." 

During  the  last  ten  years  of  his  life,  he  lived  somewhat  se" 
eluded,  with  few  companions  except  his  books,  and  occupied 
himself  with  their  daily  study  until  a  short  time  before  his  death: 
He  departed  this  life  at  Tinmouth,  February  15th,  1843,  in  the 
91st  year  of  his  age: 

Nathaniel  Chipman  married  Sarah- Hill,  of  Tinmouth,  and; 
&ad  five  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz.,  Henry,  Jeffrey,  Edwin, 
Laura,  Evelina,  and  two  others. 


- 


0  AMUEL    J  .    MILLS,    Sen 


**  Father  Milk,"  (as  he  was  familiarly  called,)  was  born  hi 
the  beautiful  valley  of  the  Housatonic,  in  the  town  of  Kent., 
a.  d.  1743,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1764.  He  stud- 
ied divinity  with  the  celebrated  Rev.  Dr.  Bellamy,  of  Bethlem, 
and  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  in  Torringford,  in  his 
native  .county,  on  the  29th  of  June,  1769.  In  this  quiet  and 
rural  parish  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the  pastoral 
.office,  though  in  1822,  after  a  ministry  of  fifty-four  years,  he 
had  a  colleague  who  relieved  him  of  most  of  his  public  duties. 

So  many  anecdotes  have  gone  abroad  over  the  country,  de~ 
signed  to  illustrate  simply  his  eccentricities,  that  few  of  those 
who  are  familiar  with  his  name,  have  any  correct  idea  of  his 
'bis  real  character  as  a  man  and  a  preacher.  In  person  he  was 
portly,  very  erect,  and  in  height  overtopped  all  his  compeers  ; 
he  had  a  large,  ruddy  face  and  high  forehead,  more  venerable 
and  majestic  for  the  wiute  wig  above.  His  voice  and  manner 
were  unique.  His  deep  reverence  for  God  and  the  Bible — the 
shaking  of  his  large  frame  with  sudden  and  strong  emotion— 
his  inimitable  naturalness  in  stating  facts — and  the  entire  ease 
with  which  he  could  convulse  those  around  him  with  laughter, 
and  the  next  moment  make  them  sober  as  the  grave  itself — 
were  peculiarities  which  caused  him  to  stand  out  in  bold  relief 
among  the  men  of  his  generation,  and  have  contributed  in 
giving  his  name  to  posierity.  In  the  pulpit  he  was  at  home  ; 
perfectly  self-possessed,  the  master  of  his  subject,  and  impress- 
ed himself  with  the  importance  of  his  theme,  no  man  could 
more  effectually  chain  the  attention  of  his  auditory.      His  metb- 


76 
od  of  illustration  was  one  of  the  principal  things  that  gave  to, 
his  preaching  its  peculiar-  cast  of  originality.  Scriptural  his- 
tory, and  the  history  of  the  church  in  all  ages,  were  made  pro- 
fitably subservient  to  him  in  this  respect.  Nor  did  his  obser- 
vant eye  fail,  with  the  same  object  in  view,  to  notice  current 
events.  Whether  he  rode,  or  conversed,  or  read,  he  gleaned 
something  that  would  be  of  use  to  him  in  the  illustration  and 
inculcation  of  truth.  He  lacked  nothing  in  the  compass  of  his 
voice  to  express  what  his  mind  conceived,  or  his  heart  felt. 
The  tones,  the  cadence,  and  the  emphasis  which  he  used,  the 
light  of  his  eye,  the  expression  of  his  countenance,  and  his  ev- 
ery motion,  indicated  what  seemed  to  be  a  perfect  perception 
and  discrimination,  Kis  appositeness,  the  singular  associa- 
tions with  which  his  mind  teemed,  and  the  vividness  of  the  pic- 
ture which  he  presented  to  others,  not  unfrequently  affected 
those  not  familiar  with  his  manner,  with  levity.  Of  this  he 
seemed  to  be  unaware.  While  a  smile  was  lighted  up  in  the 
countenances  of  his  auditors,  his  eyes  were  not  unfrequently 
suffused  with  tears.  Others  may  be  regarded  as  examples  for 
imitation,  but  much  as  there  was  found  to  admire  in  the  man- 
ner of  Mr.  Mills,  none  could  safely  attempt  to  imitate  it. 

Those  who  saw  him  at  a  distance,  would  be  ready  to  sup- 
pose that  his  habits  of  study  were  loose,  and  that  he  was  not 
laborious  in  his  investigations.  He  did,  indeed,  read  less  than 
some,  but  few  thought  more  than  he,  or  to  better  effect.  He 
read,  so  far  as  was  necessary  to  furnish  materials  for  thought, 
and  with  these  his  active  mind  was  ever  busy.  His  sermons, 
though  generally  unwritten,  were  thoroughly  studied,  and  ex- 
celled in  logical  arrangement  and  practical  power.  He  was 
for  many  years  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Connecticut  Evangel- 
ical Magazine,  and  as  a  writer  he  displayed  great  tact,  vigor, 
and  correctness  of  style. 

Mr.  Mills  was  greatly  esteemed  ?nd  blessed  in  his  ministry, 
bj*h  at  home  and  abroad,  and  several  powerful  religious  awa- 


77 
kenings  were  among'  the  fruits  of  feis  preaching.  The  interest 
which  he  took  in  the  henevolent  opeiations  which  distinguish- 
ed  the  latter  period  of  his  life,  was  peculiar  fot  one  of  his  age. 
His  habits  of  feeling-  and  acting  were  evidently  formed  under 
the  influence  of  the  spirit  which  produced  this  era.  Hence  he 
was  prepared  to  hail  its  commencement,  and  his  heart  never- 
ceased  to  glow  in  view  of  the  wants  which  shed  upon  it  such 
signal  lustre.  Apparently,  it  did  not  cost  him  a  struggle  to, 
give  up  a  beloved  son  to  the  service  of  the  American  Board. 
When  he  learned  the  purpose  of  this  excellent  son,  and  sup- 
posed he  was  soon  to  go  far  hence  to  (he  Gentiles,  he  seemed 
ready  so  bless  God  for  having  imparted  such  grace,  and  to. 
deem  the  sacrifice  required  of  him  a  privilege.  He  contempla- 
ted  with  wonder  and  admiration,  the  enlargement  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom.  This  was  a  theme  ever  present  on  lib 
mind  and  tongue.  He  lost,  in  his  advanced  age,  his  interest 
in  other  things,  but  in  this  it  never  abated.  His  recollection 
of  person?  and  things  failed,  at  length,  but  this  subject  was 
fresh  with  him  to  the  last. 

Under  the  title  of  "  Old  Father  Morris,"  Mrs.  Harriet  Beech, 
er  Stow,  (a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Beecher,  then  of  Litch- 
field,) gives  us  her  recellections  of  Mr.  Mills  in  her  "May 
Flower"— from  which  we  make  the  following  extracts  : 

Of  all  the  marvels  that  astonished  my  childhood,  there  is  none  I 
remember  to  this  day  with  so  much  interest  as  the  character  of  old 
Father  Mills  When  I  knew  him  he  was  an  aged  clergyman,  settled 
over  an  obscure  village  in  New  England.  He  had  enjoyed  the  advan- 
tages of  a  liberal  education,  had  a  strong  original  power  of  thought,  an 
omnipotent  imagination,  and  much  general  information  ;  but  so  early 
and  so  deeply  had  the  habits  and  associations  of  the  plow,  the  farm, 
and  country  life,  wrought  themselves  into  his  mind,  that  his  after  ac- 
quirements could  only  mingle  with  them,  forming  an  unexampled 
amalgam,  like  unto  nothing  but  itself.  He  was  an  ingrain  New  Eng- 
ender, and  whatever  might  have  been  the  source  of  his  information,  it 
came  out  in  Yankee  form,  with  the  strong  provinciality  of  Yankee 
dialect, 


It  is  in  vain  to  attempt  to  give  a  full  picture  of  such  a  genuine 
unique  ;  but  some  slight  and  imperfect  dashes  may  help  the  imagina- 
tion to  a  faint  idea  of  what  none  can  fully  conceive  but  those  who 
have  seen  and  heard  old  Father  Mills. 

Suppose  yourself  one  of  half-a-dozen  children,  and  you  hear  tha 
cry,  "  Father  Mills  is  coming  V3  You  run  to  the  window  or  door,  and 
you  sec  a  tall,  bulky  old  man,  with  a  pair  of  saddle-bags  on  one  arm, 
hitching  his  old  horse  with  a  fumbling  carefulness,  and  then  deliber- 
ately stumping  toward*  the  house.  Vou  notice  his  tranquil,  florid, 
full-moon  face,  .enlightened  by  a  pair  of  great,  round  blue  eyes,  that 
roll  with  dreamy  inattentiveness  on  all  the  objects  around,  and  as  he 
takes  oft' his  hat,  you  see  the  white  curling  wig  that  sets  off  his  round 
head.  He  comes  towards  you,  and  as  you  stand  staring  with  all  the 
children  around,  he  deliberately  puts  his  great  hand  on  your  head,  and 
with  a  deep,  rumbling  voice,  inquires.,  "  How  d'ye  do,  my  darter?  Is 
your  daddy  at  home  ?"  "  My  darter"  usually  makes  off  as  fast  as 
possible  in  an  unconquerable  giggle.  Father  Mills  goes  into  the  house, 
and  we  watch  him  at  every  turn,  as,  with  the  most  liberal  simplicity } 
he  makes  himself  at  home,  takes  off  his  wig,  wipes  down  his  great  face 
writh  a  checked  pocket-handkerchief,  helps  himself  hither  and  thither 
to  whatever  he  wants,  and  asks  for  such  things  as  he  cannot  lay  his 
hands  on,  with  all  the  comfortable  easiness  of  childhood. 

I  remember  to  this  day  how  we  used  .to  peep  through  the  crack  of 
the  door  or  hold  it  half  ajar  and  peer  in  to  watch  his  motions ;  and 
how  mightily  diverted  we  were  with  his  deep,  slow7  manner  of  speaking, 
his  heavy,  cumbrous  walk,  but,  above  all,  with  the  wonderful  facul- 
ty of  hemming  which  he  possessed.  His  deep,  thundering,  protracted 
a-hem-em  was  like  nothing  else  that  ever  I  heard;  and  when  once,  as 
he  was  in  the  midst  of  one  of  these  performances,  the  parlor  door  sud- 
denly happened  to  swing  open,  I  heard  one  of  my  roguish  brothers 
calling,  in  a  suppressed  tone,  "Charles!  Charles!  Father  Mills  has 
hammed  the  door  open  !"  and  then  followed  the  signs  of  a  long  and 
desperate  titter,  in  which  I  sincerely  sympathized. 

Hut  the  morrow  is  Sunday.  The  o}d  man  rises  in  the  pulpit,  lie 
is  not  now  in  his  own  humble  littfe  parish,  preaching  simply  to  the 
hoers  of  corn  and  planters  of  potatoes,  but  there  sits  Governor  W., 
and  there  is  Judge  R.,  and  Counsellor  P.,  and  Judge  G.  In  short, 
he  is  before  a  refined  and  literary  audience.  But  Father  Mills  rises  ; 
he  thinks  nothing  of  this — he  cares  nothing — he  knows  nothing,  as  he 
himself  would  say,  but  "  Jesus  Christ  and  him  crucified."  It  was  after 
this  very  sermon,  that  Governor  Griswold,  in  passing  outjof  the  house, 
laid  hold  on  the  sleeve  of  his  first  acquaintance — "  Pray  tell  me,"  said 
he,  "  who  is  that  minister  ?" 

"Why,  it  is  old  Father  Mills." 

"  Well,  he  is  an  oddity— and  a  genius  too  !  1  declare  !  he  continued, 
i  have  been  wondering  all  the  morning  how  1  could  have  read  the  Bible 


7{) 

foso  little  purpose  as  not  to  see  all  these  particulars  he  lias  presented*" 

I  once  heard  him  narrate  in  his  picturesque  way  the  stoiy  of  Laaarf 
us.  The  great  bustling  city  of  Jerusalem  first  rises  to  view,  and  you 
are  told,  with  great  simplicity,  how  the  Lord  Jesus  "  used  to  get  tired 
of  the  noise  ;"  and  how  he  was  "  tired  of  preaching  again  and  again 
to  people  who-  would  not  mind  a  word  he  said  ;"  and  how,  "  when  it 
came  evening,  he  used  to  go  out  and  see  his  friends  in  Bethany.3'  Then 
he  told  about  the  house  of  Martha  and  Mary  :  "  a  little  white  house 
among  the  trees,"  he  said  ;  "  you  could  just  see  it  from  Jerusalem." 
And  there  the  Lord  Jesus  and  his  disciples  used  to  go  and  sit  in  the 
evenings,  with  Martha,  and  Mary,  and  Lazarus.  Then  the  narrator 
went  on  to  tell  how  Lazarus  died,  describing  with  tears  and  a  choking 
voice,  the  distress  they  were  in,  and  how  they  sent  a  message  to  the 
Lord  Jesus,  and  he  did  not  come,  and  how  they  wondered  and  won- 
dered ;  and  thus  on  he  went,  winding  up  the  interest  by  the  graphic 
minutiae  of  an  eye-witness,  till  he  woke  you  from  the  dream  by  his  tri- 
umphant joy  at  the  resurrection  scene. 

On  another  occasion,  as  he  was  sitting  at  a  tea  table  unusually  sup- 
plied with  cakes  and  sweetmeats,  he  found  an  opportunity  to  make  a 
practical  allusion  to  the  same  familiar  story.  He  spoke  of  Mary  as 
quiet  and  humble,  sitting  at  her  Saviour's  feet  to  hear  his  woids  ;  but 
Martha  thought  more  of  what  was  to  be  got  for  tea.  Martha  could 
not  find  time  to  listen  to  Christ :  no  ;  she  was  "  cumbered  with  much 
serving" — "around  the  house,  frying  flitters,  and  making  gingerbread." 

At  another  time  Father  Mills  gave  the  details  of  the  annointing  of 
David  to  be  king.  He  told  them  how  Samuel  went  to  Bethlehem,  to 
Jesse's  house,  and  went  in  with  a  -'How  d'ye  do,  Jesse?"  and  how, 
when  Jesse  asked  him  to  take  a  chair,  he  said  he  could  not  stay  a  min- 
ute ;  that  the  Lord  had  sent  him  to  annoint  one  of-  his  sons  for  a  king  ; 
and  how,  when  Jesse  called  in  the  tallest  and  handsomest,  Samuel 
said  "he  would  not  do  ;"  and  how  all  the  rest  passed  the  same  test ;  and 
at  last,  how  Samuel  says,  "  Why,  have  not  you  any  more  sons, 
Jesse  ?"  and  Jesse  says,  "  Why,  yes,  there  is  little  David  down  in  the 
lot  f  and  how  as  soon  as  ever  Samuel  saw  David,  "  he  slashed  the 
oil  right  on  him;"  and  how  Jesse  said  "he  never  was  so  beat  in  all 
his  life !" 

Father  Mills  sometimes  .used  his  illustrative  talent  to  very  good 
purpose  in  the  way  of  rebuke.  He  had  on  his  farm  a  fine  orchard  of 
peaches,  from  which  some  of  the  ten- and  twelve-year-old  gentlemen 
helped  themselves  more  liberally  than  even  the  old  man's  kindness 
thought  expedient.  Accordingly,  he  took  occasion  to  introduce  into 
his  sermon  one  Sunday,  in  his  little  parish,  an  account  of  a  journey  he 
took  :  and  how  he  was  very  warm  and  very  dry  ;  and  how  he  saw  a  fine 
orchard  of  peaches  that  made  his  mouth  water  to  look  at  them.  "  So,-' 
says  he,  "  I  came  up  to  the  fence  and  looked  all  around,  for  I  would 
not  have  touched  one  of  them  without  leave  for  the  world.  At  last 
t  spied  a  man,  and  says  I,  '  Mister,  won't  you  give  me  some  of  your 


80 
peaches  '."  So  the  man  came  and  gave  me  nigh  a  hat  full.  And  while 
\  slood  there  eating,  J  said,  'Mister  how  do  you  manage  to  keep  your 
peaches'."  'Keep  them!'  said  he,  and  he  stared  at  me;  '  what  do 
you  mean?'  '  Yes  sir,'  said  I;  'don't  the  boys  steal  them?'  '  Boys 
steal  them  ?'  said  he  ;  '  no  indeed  !'  '  Why,  sir,'  said  I,  '  I  have  a  whole 
lot  full  of  peaches,  and  I  cannot  get  half  of  them'--here  the  old  man's 
voice  grew  tremulous — '  because  the  boys  in  my  parish  steal  them 
bo.'  '  Why,  sir,'  said  lie,  '  don't  their  parents  teach  them  not  to  steal  ?' 
And  I  grew  all  over  in  a  cold  sweat,  and  I  told  him,  I  was  afeared 
they  didn't '  'Why  how  you  talk  !'  says  the  man  ;  '  do  tell  me  where 
you  live  ?'  '  Then,'  said  Father  Mills,  the  tears  running  over,  '  I  was 
obliged  to  tell  him  I  lived  in  the  town  of  TV  After  this  Father  Mills 
kept  his  peaches. 

Although  the  old  man  never  seemed  to  be  .sensible  of  anything 
tending  to  the  ludicrous  in  his  own  mode  of  expressing  himself,  yet  he 
had  considerable  relish  for  humor,  and  some  shrewdness  of  repartee. 
One  time^as  he  was  walking  through  a  neighboring  parish,  famous  for 
its  profanity,  he  was  stopped  by  a  whole  flock  of  the  youthful  repro- 
bates of  the  place  : — '  Father  Mills  !  Father  Mills  !  the  devil's  dead  !' 
'  Is  he  ?'  said  the  old  man,  benignly  laying  his  hand  on  the  head  of 
the  nearest  urchin,  '  you  poor  fatherless  children  !' 

But  the  sayings  and  doings  of  this  good,  old  man,  as  leported  in  the 
legends  of  the  neighbourhood,  are  more  than  can  be  gathered  or  re- 
ported. He  lived  far  beyond  the  common  age  of  man,  and  continued 
when  age  had  impaired  his  powers,  to  tell  over  and  over  again  the 
same  Bible  stones  that  he  had  told  so  often  before. 

[Here  end  our  extracts  from  Mrs.  Stow.  The  following  anecdote 
is  from  another  source  :] 

Paul  Peck,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Litchfield,  was  the  most  fa- 
mous hunter  and  trapper  in  the  county.  In  one  of  his  sermons,  Fa- 
ther Mills,  wishing  to  illustrate  the  progress  and  certain  doom  of  the 
sinner,  compared  him  to  a  timid  Berkshire  fox,  that  set  out  on  a  trip 
to  the  Sound.  "When  he  started,  he  was  fearful  and  cautious — wari- 
ly shunning  every  appearance  of  evil,  and  trembling  at  the  sound  of 
a  leaf;  but  having  passed  the  hunters  of  Salisbury,  the  hounds  of 
Cornwall,  and  the  snares  of  Goshen,  lie  considers  himself  safe ; 
proud  of  his  superior  adroitness  in  thus  escaping  from  predicted  evils, 
he  becomes  more  and  more  heedless  and  self-conceited  ;  he  enters 
Fat  Swamp  at  a  jolly  trot — head  and  tail  up — looking  defiance  at  the 
enemies  he  has  left  far  behind  him  !  But  oh,  the  dreadful  reverse ! 
in  the  midst  of  his  haughty  reverie  he  is  brought  to  a  sudden  and  ev- 
erlasting stop,  in  one  of  Paul  Peck's  traps  /" 

Father  Mills  died  in  Torringford,  in  May,   1833,  at  the  age 

of  90  years,  and  in  the  64th  year  of  his  ministry. 


81 


DANIEL    CHIPMAN 


DANIEL  CHIPMAN,  ll.d.,  (brother  of  Chief  Justice 
Chipman,)  was  born  at  Salisbury,  October  22,  1765.  Inl775, 
his  father  removed  with  his  family  to  Tinmouth,  in  what  was 
then  called  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  in  the  present  county 
of  Rutland,  Vermont.  Daniel  labored  on  the  farm  until  No- 
vember 1783,  when  he  commenced  his  studies  preparatory  to 
entering  college.  In  the  following  year  he  entered  Dart- 
mouth College,  graduated  in  1788,  and  immediately  com- 
menced the  study  of  the  law  with  his  brother  above  alluded 
to.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  in  1790,  opened  an  office  in 
Rutland,  and  soon  had  an  extensive  practice.  In  1793,  he 
represented  the  town  of  Rutland  in  the  Convention  held  at 
Windsor  for  amending  the  Constitution. 

Mr.  Chipman  removed  to  Middlebury,  in  the  county  of  Ad- 
dison, in  1794,  which  town  he  frequently  represented  in  the 
Legislature  until  1808,  when  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Council — in  place  of  which  the  Senate  has  since  been  consti- 
tuted. In  1812,  he  was  elected  a  Fellow  of  the  American 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  Most  of  the  time  between 
1809  and  1815  he  represented  Middlebury  in  the  Legislature, 
and  in  1813  and  '14  he  was  chosen  Speaker  of  the  House.  In 
1815  he  was  elected  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States — and 
attended  the  first  session,  but  was  confined  at  home  by  sick- 
ness during  the  second  session.  The  following  year  his  heatlh 
was  so  far  restored  that  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law  ;  and 
in  the  years  1818  and  '21,  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature, 

In  1822  he  published  an  Essay  on  the  Law  of  Contracts  for 


me  Payment  of  Specific  Articles — which  was  well  received  by 
the  legal  profession  generally,  and  highly  commended  by 
Judge  Story,  Chancellor  Kent,  and  other  eminent  jurists.  In 
the  Preface  to  this  work,  Mr.  Chipman  urged  the  importance 
of  having  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court  reported  ;  and 
at  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature,  an  act  was  passed  pro- 
viding for  the  appointment  of  a  Reporter,  and  he  was  selected 
for  that  office.  He  published  one  volume  of  Reports,  when 
ill  health  compelled  him  to  relinquish  his  station. 

In  the  Preface  to  his  Reports,  he  suggested  and  urged  the 
idea  of  elevating  the  Legislature,  by  constituting  a  Senate ; 
and  in  1836  an  amendment  of  the  Constitution  to  that  end  was 
proposed,  and  a  Convention  called.  In  the  mean  time,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch  had  retired  from  public  life,  and  taken  up 
his  residence  in  the  secluded  village  of  Ripton.  Such,  how- 
ever, was  his  desire  to  have  the  amendment  adopted,  that  he 
yielded  to  the  wishes  of  his  fellow-townsmen,  and  represented 
them  in  the  Convention.  He  was  justly  regarded  as  the 
champion  of  the  Amendment  in  that  body— which  Amendment 
was,  after  three  or  four  days'  debate,  adopted  by  a  majority  of 
three.  It  was  universally  admitted  that  the  project  would 
have  failed  had  it  not  been  for  the  vigorous  and  well-directed 
efforts  made  in  its  behalf  by  Mr,  Chipman.  A  speech  which 
he  delivered  on  the  occasion  was  published  in  a  pamphlet 
form. 

Since  the  death  of  his  brother,  Judge  Chipman,  he  has  pub- 
lished his  biography,  under  the  title  of—"  The  Life  of  Nathan- 
iel Chipman,  ll.  d.,  formerly  a  member  of  the  United  States 
Senate,  and  Chief  Justice  of  the  State  of  Vermont ;  with  Se- 
lections from  his  Miscellaneous  Papers."  This  work  has  also 
been  highly  extolled  by  Chancellor  Kent,  and  others,  whose 
capacity  to  judge  of  its  merits  none  will  question.  Mr.  C.  has 
recently  written  and  published  the  Life  of  Col.  Seth  Warner, 
a  distinguished  officer  of  the  Revolution. 


83. 
Tn  1848,  the  subject  of  this  brief  memoir  received  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Laws  from  Dartmouth  College,  This  distinguish- 
ed honor  in  connection  with  those  so  often  received  from  his 
fellow  citizens,  afford  the  most  gratifying  indications  not  only 
of  his  high,  attainments  as  a  scholar,  but  of  the  general  esteem 
in  which  he  has  long  been  held  by  the  people  of  his  adopted; 
State- 


84 


STANLEY    GRISWOLD 


STANLEY  GRISWOLD  was'bornin  Torringford,  Novem- 
ber  14,  1768.  Like  most  farmers'  sons  at  that  period,  his 
youth  was  passed  alternately  on  the  farm  and  at  the  district 
school,  until  he  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years,  when  he 
was  placed  in  an  academy.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  he  en- 
tered the  freshman  class  of  Yale  College,  at  which  institution 
he  graduated  in  September  1786.  For  about  a  year  thereaf- 
ter, he  taught  a  high  school  and  then  began  the  study  of  Di- 
vinity with  the  learned  Rev.  Dr.  McClure,  of  East  Windsor. 
He  commenced  preaching  early  in  the  year  17S9,  and  soon 
after  received  an  invitation  to  settle  over  the  chuich  in  Lyme, 
which  he  declined.  On  the  14th  of  June  of  the  same  year, 
he  began  to  preach  as  a  candidate  in  New  Mil  ford,  and  was 
there  installed  as  a  colleague  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Taylor,  Janua- 
ry 20,  1790.  About  this  time  he  was  married  to  Elizabeth^ 
daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Flagg,  of  East  Hartford. 

At  the  time  of  his  ordination,  and  for  a  period  of  years  after, 
lie  was  very  popular  with  his  people,  and  ndeed  with  all  who 
heard  him  preach.  He  was  a  good  writer,  an  easy  and  grace- 
ful speaker,  and  having  the  advantage  of  a  good  voice  and  a 
fine  persona!  appearance,  few  equalled  and  BtilJ  fewer  excelled 
him  in  pulpit  oratory.  In  ordinary  and  private  intercourse,  he 
familiar  and  pleasant,  and  seemed  in  all  respects  well  cal- 
culated to  gain  and  retain  friends. 

The  principles  of  the  Government  seemed  at  that  time  to  be 
in  a 'state  of  chaos,  and  the  great  minds  of  (he  nation  were  al- 
most universally  drawn  into  the  vortex  of -politics.     "Jeflerso- 


85 
man  Democracy,"  as  it  was  termed,  had  risen  into  popularity 
in  many  sections  of  the  country.  In  New  England,  however, 
(as  is  well  known,)  Jefferson  was  regarded  by  the  clergy  and 
by  religious  people  generally,  as  but  little  better  than  an  avowed 
Atheist — and  his  political  adherents  were  consequently  looked 
upon  with  suspicion  and  prejudice.  To  the  young-  and  ardent 
mind  of  Griswold,  glowing  with  the  fire  of  genius,  aspiring  to 
whatever  was  true  and  progressive  in  Freedom,  and  grasping- 
after  new  thoughts  and  new  theories,  the  political  fabric  of  the 
great  apostle  of  democracy  was  seized  upon  as  the  most  perfect 
model  of  a  republic  which  had  been  conceived.  Unaccustom- 
ed to  conceal  his  opinions  on  matters  of  general  interest  and 
importance,  and  conscious  of  the  rectitude  of  his  motives,  he 
did  not  hesitate  from  the  first  to  declare  his  preferences  in  con- 
versation whenever  he  thought  proper  to  do  so.  As  a  matter 
of  course,  it  was  soon  noised  abroad  that  Mr.  Griswold  was  a 
"  democrat."  Still  his  popularity  was  net  materially  affected: 
thereby,  so  long  as  his  sentiments  were  not  publicly  expressed. 
His  talents  and  eloquence  secured  for  him  crowded  audiences, 
and  elicited  the  applause  of  his  hearers,  though  very  many 
mourned  over  what  they  regarded  as  his  errors. 

When  first  settled,  he  was  regarded  (and  probably  justly  so,) 
as  belonging  to  the  Colvinistic  School  of  divines.  But  after  a 
few  years  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  gradually  became  dis 
satisfied  with  some  of  his  religious  tenets,  and  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Day,  of  the  neighboring  palish  of  New  Preston,  was  deputed 
to  converse  with  him  on  the  doctrines.  Not  being  satisfied 
with  Mr.  G/s  conduct  and  opinions  as  expressed  on  that  occa- 
sion, Mr.  Day  made  an  unfavorable  repoit  to  the  Association, 
and  ultimately  preferred  charges  against  him.  What  the  pre- 
cise charges  were,  are  unknown  to  the  author  of  this  volume, 
far  her  than  that  they  were  designed  to  impeach  his  orthodoxy, 
and  did  not  in  any  way  affect  his  moral  character.  Mr.  Gris- 
wold, however,  was  cited  to  appear  and  make  answer  thereto 


68 
before  a  session  of  the  Association  convened  at  Roxlmry,* 

From  some  cause  of  nlledged  informolity,  he  refused  to  ap- 
pear in  person,  until  they  should  first  annul  their  proceedings 
claimed  to  be  irregular,  and  receive  his  explanation  as  from  an. 
uncensured  brother.  To  this  proposition  the  Association  did 
not  think  proper  to  accede,  but  forthwith  proceeded  against 
him  ex  parte,  cutting  him  off  from  his  connection  with  that  body. 
The  people  of  his  charge  very  generally  espoused  his  cause 
with  much  zeal  and  earnestness,  and  he  continued  his  minis 
(rations  with  them  for  several  years  after  his  connection  with 
the  Association  had  been  ihjis  forcibly  dissolved. 

In  March  1801,  the  demociats  of  the  State  held  a  Jubilee  at 
VValliugford,  in  New  Haven  county,  in  honor  of  the  election  of 
Jeiferson  and  Burr  to  the  Presidency,  and  Vice  Presidency  of 
the  United  States,  and  Mr.  Giiswold  was  invited  to  deliver  a 
Sermon  on  tjie  occasion.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  though 
strenuously,  advised  against  it.  by.  his  friends,  who  warned  him 

*  Since  this  Sketch  was  prepared  for  the  press,  the  Rev.  Truman 
Marsh,  of  Litchfield,  has  put  into  our  hands  a  pamphlet  entitled,  "A 
Statement  of  the  Singular  Manner  of  Proceeding  of  the  Rev.  Asso- 
ciation of  the  South  Part  of  Litchfield  County,  in  an  Ecclesiastical 
Prosecution  by  them  instituted  against  the  Rev.  Stanley  Griswold, 
Pastor  of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  in  New  Milford  ;  who,  without 
being  heard  in  his  own  defence,  was  by  them  sentenced  to  an  exclu- 
sion from  their  Associate  Communion.  Together  with  a  subsequent 
Address  to  said  Association,  by  Neheaaah  Strong,  Esq.,  of  said  New 
Milford,  late  Professor  of  Nahual  Philosophy  in  Yale  College.  Hart- 
ford :  Printed  by  Elisha  Babcoek,  1797." 

On  the  2d  of  July,  1797,  the  charges  against  Mr.  Griswold  were, 
at  his  request,  read  before  bis  church  and  congregation,  immediately 
after  divine  service.  Mr.  G.  having  retired,  it  was  Voted,  unanimous- 
ly, that,  having  attended  constantly  on  his  preaching  since  his  settle- 
ment in  New  Milford,  "  they  have  never  been  led  to  entertain  an  opin- 
ion opposed  to  the  doctiines  preached  by  him,  but  ever  have  and  still: 
do  feel  satisfied  with  his  preaching  ;"  they  deprecated  "all  interfer- 
ence from  aboad,"  and  further  express  their  "serious  wish  that  there- 
may  be  no  further  interposition  from  said  Association/'  Arc.  The 
Commmittee  appointed  to  record  and  transmit  the  vote  to  the  A 
ation  were,  Sherman  Board  man,  Nehemiah  Strong,  Abel  Iline,  Josiah, 
Starr,  Elizur  Warner,  Philo  Ruggles,  and  Daniel  Everett. 


of  the  consequences  of  such  a  step  to  him  as  a  minis!  e'r.  But 
as  he  had  evidently  ere  this  resolved  upon  leaving  the  ministry, 
these  admonitions  had  less  effect  than  they  might  otherwise 
have  had.  His  sermon  was  published  and  had  a  wide  circula- 
tion.* This,  together  with  a  private  letter  from  him  to  the  Hon 
Mr.  Coit,  Representative  in  Congress  from  New  London  coun- 
ty, (which  by  some  means  found  iis  way  into  the  public  prints,) 
brought  his  political  sentiments  fully  and  fairly  before  the 
world.  It  was  swch  an  unusual  event  for  a  minister  of  the 
"standing  order,"  in  New  England,  to  avow  his  preference  for 
the  opinions  of  the  democratic  party,  that  his  name  and  fame 
spread  rapidly  throughout  the  country. 

In  the  fall  of  1802,  Mr.  Griswold  resigned  his  pastoral 
charge  in  New  Milford,  much  against  the  wishes  of  many 
members  of  his  church  and  congregation,  who  regarded  him 
as  persecuted  on  account  of  his  political  opinions.  He  subse- 
quently preach  for  a  short  time  in  Greenfield,  though  not  with 
the  design  of  settling — and  soon  after  abandoned  the  pulpit 
altogether. 

In  1804,  he  left  his  native  State,  and  established  a  demo- 
cratic newspaper  at  Walpole,  New  Hampshrie,  which  was 
conducted  with  great  ability  and  obtained  a  wide-spread  influ- 
ence and  popularity.  During  the  following  year  he  was  call- 
ed from  this  situation  to  Michigan,  having  received  from  Presi- 
dent Jefferson  the  appointment  of  Secretary  of  that  Territory 
— the  notorious  Gen.  William  Hull  then  being  Governor.  For 
reasons  which  were  never  given  to  the  public,  the  Governor 
and  Secretary  did  not  long  harmonize  in  their  views.     The 

*  A  new  edition  of  this  Discourse  was  printed  at  New  Haven  in  1 84  5, 
by  Mr.  J.  H.  Benham.  It  is  entitled,  "  Overcome  Evil  with  Good  : 
A  Sermon  Delivered  at  Wallingford,  Connecticut,  March  11th,  180  1> 
before  a  numerous  collection  of  the  Friends  of  the  Constitution,  of 
Thomas  Jefferson,  President,  and  of  Aaron  Burr,  Vice  President  of 
the  United  States.  By  Stanley  Griswold,  A.  M.,  of  New  Milford, 
Hartford— Printed  by  Elisha  Babcock,  1801." 


former,  it  is  said,  suspected  the  latter  with  attempting  to  sup 
plant  him.      However  that  may  have  been,  the  Secretary  short- 
ly resigned  his  post  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Ohio. 

In  1809,  Mr.  Griswold  received  from  Governor  Huntington 
the  appointment  of  Senator  in  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States,  to  fill  a  vacancy  then  existing  in  the  Ohio  delegation. 
In  that  illustrious  body  he  soon  distinguished  himself  as  an  el, 
oquent  debater,  and  men  of  all  parties  acknowledged  his  abili- 
ty as  a  statesman  and  his  integrity  as  a  patriot. 

Soon  after  the  term  for  which  he  was  appointed  had  expir- 
ed, he  was  nominated  by  the  President  and  confirmed  by  the 
Senate,  as  United  States'  Judge  for  the  North  Western  Ter- 
ritory. This  new  post  he  was  destined  to  occupy  but  a  short 
time.  While  out  upon  a  judicial  circuit,  he  contracted  a  fever 
which  terminated  fatally.  He  died  at  Shawneetown,  Illinois, 
August  21,  1814,  aged  51  years. 


89 


MARTIN    CHITTENDEN 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  son  of  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Chittenden,  (the  first  Governor  of  the  State  of  Vermont,)  and 
was  born  in  Salisbury,  March  12,  1766.  In  1776  the  entire 
family  removed  from  Connecticut  to  Williston,  in  the  northern 
part  of  Vermont— a  region  which  was  at  that  time  almost  an 
unbroken  wilderness.  During  the  same  year,  they  took  up 
their  abode  in  the  south  part  of  the  State,  where  they  remain- 
ed until  the  close  of  the  revolutionary  war. 

Martin  Chittenden  fitted  for  college,  in  part,  under  the 
instruction  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Farrand,  of  Canaan,  in  his  native 
county,  and  subsequently  studied  at  More's  School,  at  Hano- 
ver, New  Hampshire.  He  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College 
in  1789.  In  consequence  of  feeble  health  at  this  period,  he 
did  not  study  a  profession,  but  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
- — an  employment  of  which  he  was  passionately  fond,  and  which 
(aside  from  his  public  duties,)  chiefly  occupied  his  time 
and  attention  through  life.  He  located  himself  in  Jericho, 
Chittenden  county  ;  in  1789  he  was  appointed  a  Justice  of  the 
Peace,  and  during  the  following  year  was  elected  County 
Clerk,  and  a  Representative  to  the  Legislature.  To  the  last 
office  he  was  re-elected  for  six  successive  years,  and  several 
times  afterwards.  In  1793,  he  was  appointed  Judgs  of  the 
County  Court,  and,  three  years  after,  was  elected  Chief  Judge, 
the  duties  of  which  latter  station  he  faithfully  performed  for 
seven  years,  and  until  transfered  by  the  people  to  a  higher 
post  of  duty  and  responsibility.  He  was  elected  a  Represen- 
tative to  the  National  Congress  in   1803,  and  held  his  seat  in 


90 
that  honorable  body  until  1813— a  period  of  ten  years.  His 
congressional  career  was  eminently  useful  and  popular,  though 
not  brilliant.  He  seldom  addressed  the  House,  yet  the  views 
and  opinions  of  few  members  were  more  respected  or  had 
more  influence,  in  and  out  of  Congress,  than  his. 

In  1814  and  1S15  he  was  elected  Governor  of  the  State, 
The  period  of  his  administration  was  one  of  great  excitement 
and  alarm  among  his  constituents,  occasioned  by  the  war  then 
existing  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain.  Ver- 
mont, being  upon  the  frontier  of  the  British  possessions,  and 
lying  along  the  borders  of  a  lake  which  extended  into  the  en- 
emy's country,  was  peculiarly  exposed  to  the  incursions  of  the 
foe.  During  the  September  of  1814,  it  was  ascertained  that  a 
British  fleet  was  coming  down  the  lake.  General  Macomb, 
who  commanded  the  American  troops  at  Plattsburg,  opposite 
Burlington,  sent  over  a  summons  to  Governor  Chittenden  for 
the  immediate  presence  and  aid  of  the  Vermont  Militia.  Gov- 
ernor C,  (considering  it  uncertain  upon  which  side  of  the  lake 
the  enemy  would  land,  and  believing  it  to  be  his  first  duty  to 
protect  the  inhabitants  of  his  own  State,)  peremptorily  refused 
to  comply  with  the  summons  of  the  commanding  General. 
A  portion  of  the  enemy's  troops  landed  at  Plattsburg,  though 
the  principal  fight  was  upon  the  water.  This  act  of  the  Gov- 
ernor's— though  now  generally  regarded  as  right — was  seized 
upon  with  great  avidity  by  his  political  opponents,  and  with 
such  success  as  to  overthrow  his  administration  in  1816. 

We  have  thus  far  spoken  of  Governor  Chittenden  only  as  a 
civilian.  As  a  military  officer  he  was  eminently  popular,  and 
rose  to  the  highest  honor.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four,  he  was 
appointed  aide-de-camp  to  Lieutenant  Governor  Olcott ;  and 
at  the  age  of  thirty-three  he  had  attained  the  rank  of  Major- 
General. 

Governor  Chittenden  was  married,  March  12, 1796,  to  Anna 


Pi 
Bently,   who  died  September  25,    1827.     They  had  two.  sons 
and  two  daughters  ;  the  sons  only  are  living. 

Governor  C.  departed  this  life,  September  5,  1840,  in  the 
75th  year  of  his  age— leaving  a  large  estate,  and  an  honorable 
fame,  to  his  posterity. 


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SAMUEL    J.    MILLS 


SAMUEL  JOHN  MILLS,  "  the  Father  of  Foreign  Missions 
in  America,"  was  the  son  of  Samuel  J.  Mills,  a  venerable  con- 
gregational clergyman  in  Torringford,  (celebrated  no  less  for 
his  ardent  piety  than  for  his  eccentricities,)  at  which  place  he. 
was  born  on  the  21st  of  April,  1783.  His  mother  was  a  wo- 
man of  pre-eminent  piety,  and  early  dedicated  him  to  the  God 
whom  she  delighted  to  serve.  The  years  of  his  childhood 
were  spent  beneath  the  paternal  roof,  in  the  enjoyment  of  such 
instructions  as  were  commonly  bestowed  upon  the  children  of 
New  England  ministers  at  that  period. 

Dining  a  revival  of  religion  which  took  place  in  his  father's 
parish  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  about  fifteen  years 
of  age,  his  mind  became  painfully  exercised  on  the  great 
themes  of  religion.  In  vain  he  struggled  for  light  and  hope. 
All  that  resided  beneath  the  same  roof,  and  all  who  remained 
of  his  father's  descendants,  himself  excepted,  had  expressed  a 
hope  of  pardon,  and  had  united  with  the  church — st'ill  he  gro- 
ped in  darkness  and  despondency.  In  this  state  of  mind  he 
continued  for  more  than  two  years.  In  November,  1801,  after 
a  most  solemn  and  earnest  appeal  from  his  mother,  young  Mills 
left  home  with  the  design  of  spending  the  winter  at  an  Acade- 
my in  Litchfield,  about  sixteen  miles  distant.  The  morning 
of  his  departure  was  a  memorable  one  in  his  history.  After 
he  had  left,  the  mother  betook  herself  to  earnest  prayer  for  her 
son — and  he  for  himself.  "  That  very  morning,"  says  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Spring,  "  it  pleased  the  IT  >|y  Spirit  to  knock  off  the 
chains  frcm  this  unhappy  prisoner,  and  introduce  him  to  the 


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liberty  of  the  sons  of  God.  He  had  not  gone  far  before  he  h ad- 
such  a  view  of  the  perfections  of  God,  that  he  wondered  Vie 
had  never  seen  their  beauty  and  glory  befoie.  He  retired  a 
short  distance  into  the  woods,  that  he  might  be  the  more  at  lib- 
erty to  contemplate  the  character  of  God,  and  adore  and  extol 
his  amiable  sovreignty" 

The  direction  of  young  Mills'  thoughts  may  be  gathered 
from  a  single  suggestion  soon  after  his  return  from  Litchfield, 
viz.,  c  that  he  could  not  conceive  of  any  course  of  life  in  which 
to  pass  the  rest  of  his  days,  that  would  prove  so  pleasant  as  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  heathen.'  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that 
from  that  hour,  though  but  a  youth  of  sixteen,  he  never  lost 
sight  of  his  darling  object.  During  his  stay  at  home,  and  while 
toiling  at  the  plough,  he  made  a  solemn  consecration  of  him- 
self to  the  cause  of  foreign  missions.  "Thus,"  adds  Dr.  Spring, 
"  in  a  retired  field  in  Litchfield  county,  was  the  King  of  Zion 
beginning  that  great  course  of  operations  which  have  produced 
such  a  mighty  revolution  in  the  American  Churches,  and  which 
bear  so  intimate  a  relation  to  the  progressive  glories  of  his 
kingdom.'' 

In  1806,  Mills  entered  Williams  College,  and  graduated  in 
1810.  While  in  that  institution  there  was  an  extensive  religious 
revival  there,  of  which  he  was  the  chief  instrument,  and  very 
many  who  have  since  become  foreign  missionaries  became  sub- 
jects of  grace  at  that  time. 

Previous  to  the  efforts  of  Mills,  several  Missionary  Societies 
had  been  formed  in  this  country,  but  the}  had  all  been  devoted 
exclusively  to  the  support  of  domestic  missions.  But  in  trac- 
ing the  rise  and  progress  of  Foreign  Missions,  we  have  little 
else  to  do  than  to  follow  the  leading  events  of  Mr.  Mills'  life, 
from  his  first  year  in  college,  to  the  embarkation  of  the  Amer- 
ican Missionaries  for  Calcutta,  under  the  direction  of  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  foi  Foreign  Missions,  in  the 
year  1812.     Although  from  a  youth  he   had  manifested  a  re- 


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markable  interest  and  zeal  in  (he  cause,  it  was  not  until  he 
became  a  member  of  college  that  his  real  objects  and  designs 
were  made  manifest  to  the  world.  He  there  unburthened  his 
mind  to  a  few  fellow-students  ;  these  be  led  to  a  secluded  spot* 
where,  by  the  side  of  a  larue  haystack,  they  devoted  the  day  to 
fasting  and  prayer,  and  familiar  conversation  on  this  new  and 
interesting  theme  ;  and  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding  a  like 
spirit  kindling  in  their  bosoms. 

After  graduating,  he  became  a  resident  graduate  of  Yale 
College.  His  ostensible  object  was  the  study  of  theology  : 
hot  his  great  purpose  was  to  ascertain  whether  there  were  not 
some  kindred  spirits  in  that  institution.  Shortly  after  his  arri- 
val in  New  Haven,  he  became  acquainted  with  Obookiah,  a 
heathen  youth  from  Owyhee,  one  of  the  Sandwich  Islands* 
who  will  be  again  referred  to  hereafter. 

Having  succeeded,  in  an  eminent  degree,  in  infusing  a  mis- 
sionary spirit  into  a  goodly  number  of  students  and  graduates 
of  the  college,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Theological  Sem- 
inary at  Andover.  Here  he  was  more  than  ever  active  in  urg- 
ing the  claims  of  the  heathen  upon  the  attention  of  his  breth- 
ren in  the  institution  ;  and  it  is  sufficient  to  add,  that  from  their 
number  wTent  forth  in  after  years,  a  Newel],  a  Hall,  a  Nott, 
and  a  Judson.  The  hallowed  influence  of  Mills  spread  rapid- 
idly  among  the  religious  people  of  New  England.  It  was  by 
his  instrumentality,  and  the  advice  and  co-operation  of  the 
Professors  at  Andover,  and  the  Rev.  Drs.  Worcester  and 
Spring,  that  on  motion  of  the  last  named  gentleman  the  subject 
was  first  introduced  to  the  atfention  of  the  General  Association 
of  Massachusetts,  at  their  annual  meeting  at  Bradford.  June 
27,  1810.  On  that  occasion  the  following  paper  was  intro- 
duced— 

**  The  undersigned,  members  of  the  Divinity  College,  respectfully 
request  the  attention  of  their  Reverend  Fathers,  convened  in  General 
Association  at  Bradford,  to  the  following  statement  and  inquiries  • 

"  They  beg  leave  to  state,  that  their  minds  have  long  been  impress- 


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ed  with  the  duty  and  importance  of  personally  attempting  a  Mission 
to  the  Heathen — that  the  impressions  on  their  minds  have  induced  a 
serious,  and  they  trust  a  prayerful  consideration  of  the  subject  in  its 
various  attitudes,  particularly  in  relation  to  the  probable  success  and 
the  difficulties  attending  such  an  attempt — and  that  after  examining 
all  the  information  which  they  can  obtain,  they  consider  themselves  as 
devoted  -to  this  work  for  life,  whenever  God  in  his  providence  shall 
open  the  way. 

"They  now  offer  the  following  inquiries,  on  which  they  solicit  the 
opinion  and  advice  of  the  Association.  Whether,  with  their  present 
views  and  feelings,  they  ought  to  renounce  the  object  of  Missions  as 
visionary  and  impracticable — if  not,  whether  they  ought  to  direci  their 
attention  to  the  eastern  or  the  western  world  ;  whether  they  may  ex- 
pect patronage  and  support  from  a  Missionary  Society  in  this  country, 
or  must  commit  themselves  to  the  direction  of  a  European  Society  ; 
and  what  preparatory  measures  they  ought  to  take  previous  to  actual 
engagement  ? 

"'  The  undersigned,  Feeling  their  youth  and  inexperience,  look  up  to 
their  Fathers  in  the  Church,  and  respectfully  solicit  their  advice,  di- 
rection, and  prayers. 

ADONIRAM  JUDSOF,  Jr. 

SAMUEL  NOTT,  Jr. 

SAMUEL  J.  MILLS, 

SAMUEL  NEWELL." 

This  document  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  who 
reported  favorably,  urged  the  young'  men  to  persevere  in  their 
glorious  undertaking,  and  submitted  the  outlines  of  a  plan 
which  at  that  meeting  was  carried  into  effect  in  the  appoint.- 
ment  of  a  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  "  for 
the  purpose  of  devising  ways  and  means,  and  adopting  and 
prosecuting  measures,  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in  heathen 
lands."  Here  was  laid  the  corner-stone  of  an  edifice,  which 
will  long  be  an  ornament  to  the  American  Church ;  such  was 
the  origin  of  an  institution,  which,  for  the  extension  of  its  plans 
and  the  wisdom  of  its  direction,  has  long  been  a  distinguished 
monument  of  divine  favor  to  the  American  people. 

The  first  efforts  of  this  organization,  resulted  in  the  embark- 
ation of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Hail,  Nott,  Judson,  Rice,  and  New- 
ell, for  Calcutta,  in  February  1812.  Missions  were  also  soon 
after  established  in  Ceylon,  the  Sandwich  Islands,  &c. 


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In  consequence  of  the  deep  interest  which  Mills  felt  in  the 
Welfare  of  Obookiah,  he  conceived  the  idea  of  establishing  a 
Mission  School  for  the  education  of  heathen  youth.     He  took 
the  young  Owyhean  under  his  personal  care,  and  instructed 
him  in  the  use  of  language  and  in  the  precepts  of  religion. 
They  lived  together  in  New  Haven,  Torringford,  and  Andover. 
Wherever  they  went,    the  interest   excited  in  behalf  of  the 
youth  was  very  great.     Meantime  Mills  continued  to  agitate 
his  favorite  project,  until  he  had  the  gratification  of  seeing  the 
Mission  School  established  at  Cornwall,  ic  his  native  county. 
The'institution  was  received  under  the  care  of  the  American 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  in  the  autumn  of 
1816,  and  it  was  from  this  School  that  the  Sandwich  Island 
Mission  originated      In  1819,  it  contained  thirty -two  pupils 
from  various  heathen  nations. 

Mi\  Mills  received  ordination  as  a  gospel  minister,  at  New- 
buryport,  Massachusetts,  in  company  with  Messrs.  Richards, 
Bard  well,  Meigs,  Poor,  and  Warren,  on  the  21st  of  June,  1814, 
all  destined  to  missionary  services.  Shortly  afterwards,  he 
began  to  make  preparations  for  a  missionary  tour  through  the 
western  and  southern  States,  Such  was  his  impression  of  the 
the  importance  of  this  service,  that  he  performed  two  distinct 
tours  through  those  sections  of  the  Union — the  first  of  which 
was  made  under  the  direction  and  patronage  of  the  Connecti- 
cut and  Massachusetts  Missionary  Societies ;  and  for  the  sec- 
ond, he  obtained  the  assistance  of  the  Philadelphia  Bible  and 
Missionary  Societies.  The  objects  of  these  tours  were,  to  ex- 
plore the  country  and  learn  its  moral  and  religious  state— -to 
preach  the  gospel  to  the  destitute — and  to  form  and  promote 
the  establishment  of  Bible  Societies  and  other  religious  and 
charitable  institutions.  In  connection  with  the  Rev.  John  F. 
Schermerhorn  on  his  first,  and  the  Rev.  Daniel  Smith  on  his 
second  tour,  he  passed  through  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  Ohio, 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  &c,  to  New  Orleans,     Nearly  six  hun- 


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(fred  miles  of  their  route  lay  through  a  mere  wilderness.  The 
Report  made  by  Mr,  Mills,  of  these  tours,  is  one  of  the  most 
interesting  ever  given  to  the  public.  Preaching  to  the  soldiers 
of  Generals  Jackson,  Adair  and  Thomas,  at  their  respective 
camps — visiting  the  hospitals  for  the  sick  and  wounded — and 
attending  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the  British  prisoners  in  their 
dungeons — these  were  some  of  his  employments  during  his 
mission  to  the  south  west  in  1814. 

On  his  return,  it  was  his  paramount  desire  to  turn  the  a'- 
tention  of  the  Atlantic  Stares  to  the  destitute  regions  he  hail 
visited.  He  accordingly  presented  their  claims  to  the  Socie- 
ties in  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore,  and  to  the  Connecticut 
Bible  Society — which  immediately  set  on  foot  measures  for  the 
supply  of  the  South  and  West  with  Bibles  ;  the  Connecticut 
Society  promptly  voting  five  hundred  copies  for  gratuitous  dis- 
tribution in  Louisiana. 

Among  Mr.  Mills'  great  projects  of  benevolence  was  the 
formation  of  a  National  Bible  Society.     Dr.  Spring  remarks  : 

"  The  formation  of  this  great  national  institution  Mr.  Mills  thought 
of,  suggested,  and  pressed  the  suggestion,  long  before  it  probably  en- 
tered into  the  mind  or  heart  of  any  other  individual.  With  the  gen- 
tlemen who  were  interested  in  the  early  stages  of  this  measure,  he  had 
frequent  interviews ;  and  though  he  concealed  the  hand  that  moved  it 
forward,  was  himself  the  principal  mover  of  the  design,  and  a  princi- 
pal agent  in  inducing  others  of  greater  weight  of  character,  to  become 
its  abettors.  If  the  lofty  edifice  has  inscribed  on  one  side  the  endear- 
ed and  memorable  name  ©f  Elias  Boudinot,  it  has  on  the  other  the 
humbler  inscription,  Samuel  J.  Mills." 

The  American  Bible  Society  was  formed  in  the  city  of  New 
York  on  the  Sth  day  of  Ma),  1816. 

Mr.  Mills'  next  great  effort  was.to  unite  the  Presbyterians  of 
the  General  Assembly,  the  Dutch  Reformed,  and  the  Associate 
Reformed  churches,  in  the  missionary  cause,  and  the  result 
was,  the  formation  of  The  United  Foreign  Missionary  Society- 
About  this  time  he  spent  some  months  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
seeking  out  the  wretched  abodes  of  poverty  and  vice,  cheering 


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and  relieving  the  wants  of  the  suffering,    and   lifting  up  the 
fallen. 

Hut  the  darling  object  of  Mr.  Mills,  and  the  one  for  which 
he  seems  to  have  been  specially  raised  up,  was  the  ameliora- 
tion of  Africa.     The  civil,  moral  and  spiritual  degradation  of 
that  benighted  land,  lay  with  continual  weight  upon  his  mind. 
His  first  effort  in  his  new  enterprise,  was,  to  establish  a  sem- 
inary for  the  education  of  colored  men  in  this  country,  with  a 
view  to  their  becoming  missionaries  in  the  land  of  their  fathers, 
The  institution,  through  his  instrumentality,  soon  went  into 
operation  under  the  management  of  a  Board  of  Directors  ap- 
pointed by  the  Synod  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  Mr. 
Mills  accepted  an  appointment  as  their  Agent.     He  had  at  the 
same  time  a  commission  from  the  Directors   of  the   Foreign 
Mission  School  at  Cornwall.     In  a  letter  dated  at  Philadel- 
phia, July  15,  1816,  he" says— "I  arrived  in  this  place  yester- 
day from  Baltimore.     I  collected  for  the  Mission  School  while 
in  the  State  of  Virginia,  about  fifteen  hundred  dollars.     I  re- 
ceived at  Baltimore,  and  two  or  three  other  places  in  Mary- 
land,  for  the  African  School,  about  eight  hundred  dollars/* 
These  schools  flourished  for  several  years  ;  but  at  length,  miss- 
ing the  fostering-  care  of  their  projector  and  friend,  they  died. 

A  colonization  project  had  long  occupied  the  thoughts  of 
Mills,  and  in  all  his  travels  South  and  West,  he  had  labored 
to  awaken  on  the  subject  a  spirit  of  inquiry  and  interest.  A 
kindred  feeling,  in  the  meantime,  was  beginning  to  burn  in  the 
hearts  of  other  distinguished  philanthropists.  A  preliminary 
meeting  of  the  friends  of  the  scheme  was  held  at  the  residence 
of  Elias  B,  Caldwell,  Esq.,  in  the  city  of  Washington,  towards 
the  close  of  the  year  1816,  at  which  Mr.  Mills  was  present. 
He  was  also  present  and  participated  in  the  deliberations  of 
the  meeing  at  which  the  American  Colonization  Society  was 
formed,  held  on  the  1st  day  of  January,  1817. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Society's  operations,   great 


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embarrassment  was  felt  thiough  want  of  information  as  to  the 
most  eligible  places  for  the  establishment  of  a  colony.  With 
a  view  to  obviate  this  difficulty,  it  was  resolved  to  commission 
some  person  of  suitable  qualifications  to  explore  the  western 
coast  of  Africa,  This  commission,  replete  as  it  was  with 
responsibility,  was  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Mills.  No  soon- 
er had  he  accepted  it,  than  he  saw  the  importance  of  having 
a  colleague  to  share  the  burthen  with  him  in  this  arduous  mis- 
sion. As  the  funds  of  the  Society  would  not  then  allow  of 
this  appointment,  Mr.  Mills  was  employed  in  forming  Auxilia- 
ry Societies  in  several  of  the  large  cities,  till  the  Board  felt 
warranted  in  incurring  the  additional  expense — and  gave  Mr. 
Mills  the  privilege  of  selecting  his  own  companion  on  the  tour. 
His  thoughts  were  at  once  directed  to  a  kindred  spirit,  viz  ,  the 
Rev.  Ebenezer  Burgess,  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natu- 
ral Philosophy  in  the  University  of  Vermont.  To  him  he  im- 
mediately wrote  on  the  subject,  and  in  September,  1817,  Mr. 
B.  signified  his  acceptance  of  the  appointment. 

Messrs.  Mills  and  Burgess  left  America  on  the  16th  of  No" 
vember  following,  and  after  a  perilous  voyage  arrived  in  Eng- 
land late  in  December.  They  at  once  presented  their  letters 
to  Zachary  Macauley,  Esq.,  formerly  Governor  of  Sierra 
Leone,  and  to  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Pratt  and  Bickersteth,  Secre- 
taries of  the  Church  Missionary  Society,  who  were  partially 
informed  as  to  the  designs  of  the  Colonization  Society  and  the 
nature  of  the  embassy,  and  gave  them  many  expressions  of  their 
confidence.  Mr.  Wilberforce  also  received  them  with  great 
cordiality,  and  introduced  them  to  Lords  Bathurst  and  Gam- 
bier,  and  to  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  bi  Glocester — all  of 
whom  entered  into  the  objects  of  the  mission  with  enthusiasm. 
Lord  Bathurst  gave  them  letters  of  introduction  to  the  Gov- 
ernor of  Sierra  Leone,  and  other  officers  on  the  coast  ;  and 
Lord  Gambier  called  upon  them  at  their  rooms,  and  politely 
i»rofl«red  them  any  service  in  his  power. 


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Having  adjusted  their  affairs  in  Ei  gland,  ihcy  tmbaiked  for 
Africa  on  the  2d  of  February,  1818.  A  pleasant  passage 
brought  them  to  ihe  coast  of  that  continent  on  the  12th  of 
March.  The  incidents  of  the  voyage,  as  well  as  their  journey 
along  the  coast  in  pursuing  the  objects  of  their  mission,  are 
graphically  related  by  Mr.  Mills  in  his  journal.  After  spend- 
ing upwards  of  two  months  in  exploring  the  country,  and  col- 
lecting and  noting  facts,  they  embarked  for  the  United  States, 
via.  England,  on  the  22d  of  May. 

The  health  of  Mr.  Mills  was  feeble  when  he  left  America, 
and  the  climate  of  Africa  and  the  fatigues  which  he  had  under- 
gone there,  had  not  improved  it.  It  was  a  delightful  evening 
when  he  left  those  heathen  shores.  The  sun  was  just  going 
down,  and  the  mountains  of  Sierra  Leone  appeared  in  their 
majesty  and  beauty.  As  he  stood  on  the  quarter- deck,  taking 
a  last  glance  of  Ethiopia,  his  bosom  began  to  heave  with 
thoughts  of  home.  "  We  may  now,"  said  he  to  his  colleague, 
be  thankful  to  God  and  congratulate  each  other,  th.it  the  la- 
bors and  dangers  of  our  mission  are  past.  The  prospect  is 
fair,  that  we  shall  once  more  return  to  our  dear  native  land, 
and  see  the  faces  of  our  beloved  parents  and  friends. "  To  all 
human  appearance,  this  was  true  ;  but  .an  all-wise  providence 
had  ordered  that  he  should  not  realize  this  prospect. 

On  the  evening  of  the  5th  of  June,  when  about  two  weeks 
out,  he  took  a  heavy  cold,  became  ill,  and  expressed  some  ap- 
prehensions of  a  fever.  lie  continued  to  grow  worse  until  the 
16th,  when,  between  two  and  three  p.  m.,  he  gently  folded  his 
hands  on  his  breast,  as  if  to  engage  in  some  act  of  devotion, 
while  a  celestial  smile  seltled  upon  his  countenance,  and 
yielded  up  his  spirit. 

Thus,  in  his  thirty-fifth  year,  did  this  beloved  man  close  his 
life  of  distinguished  piety  and  usefulness.  Brief  as  was  his 
career,  he  contributed  more,  perhaps,  to  the,  formation  and 
advancement  of  the  existing  national  benevolent  societies,  than 


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any  other  man  of  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  or  even  of  litis 
age.  The  American  Bible  Society,  the  American  Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  the  American  Coloniza- 
tion Society,  the  Foreign  Mission  School  at  Cornwall,  and  the 
African  School  at.  Baltimore,  all  had  their  origin,  either  direct- 
ly or  indirectly,  with  him.  And  when  they  were  once  organ- 
ized, he  devoted  his  whole  energies  to  the  furtherance  of  the 
objects  for  which  they  were  designed.  To  the  eye  of  man, 
the  shaft  of  death  could  not  have  fallen  upon  one  in  whom 
was  centered  so  many  hopes  for  the  moral  and  religious  reno- 
vation of  our  race.  Blessed  be  his  memory  !  No  monumental 
marble  records  his  worth — no  fragrant  dews  shall  descend  up- 
on his  tomb.  His  dust  sleeps  unseen  amid  the  pearls  .and 
corals  of  the  ocean,  and  his  name  shall  swell  upon  the  breeze 
and  be  echoed  by  the  wave,  until  the  dawning  of  that  day  when 
the  sea  shall  give  up  her  dead. 

After  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Burgess  in  this  country,  the  Coloni- 
zation Sociely  presented  a  memorial  to  Congress,  through  the 
Speaker  of  the  House,  Mr.  Clay,  from  which  we  extract  the 
following — 

"  In  order  to  obtain  the  most  accurate  information,  from  seources 
of  the  most  unquestionable  authority,  the  Society  sent  out,  at  great 
expense,  two  Agents,  Messrs.  Mills  and  Burgess,  who  have  pro-  ed 
themselves  eminently  qualified  for  the  undertaking.  They  proceed- 
ed to  the  west  coast  of  Africa,  where  they  prosecuted  their  researches 
with  such  zeal,  industry  and  intelligence,  as  to  have  contributed  es- 
sentially to  the  illustration  of  many  important  and  interesting  facts 
connected  with  the  geography,  climate,  soil,  and  products,  of  that 
part  of  the  continent,  and  with  the  habits,  manners,  social  institutions, 
and  domestic  economy,  of  its  inhabitants.  From  the  information  thus 
obtained,  the  present  penod  would  seem  to  be  designated,  by  a  com- 
bination of  favorable  circumstances,  as  the  fortunate  crisis  for  reducing 
to  test  of  actual  experiment,  these  views  and  objects  of  the  Society, 
which  have  already  met  so  encouraging  a  notice  from  Congress,"  &c: 
"  The  volume  of  accurate  and  valuable  information,  collected  by  them, 
will  be  found  among  the  documents  which  we  now  beg,  sir,  through 
your  kind  mediation,  to  present  Congress." 


102 
[Note.— A  volume  of  250  pages  was  published  in  1820,  with 
the  following  title:  "  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  J.  Mills, 
late  Missionary  to  the  South-Western  section  of  the  United 
States,  and  Agent  of  the  American  Colonization  Society,  de- 
puted to  explore  the  Western  Coast  of  Africa.  By  Gardner 
Spring,  D.  D."  The  foregoing  Sketch  is  mainly  compiled 
from  this  work.] 


103 


EPHRA1M   KIRBY., 

This  gentleman  was  a  native  of  Litchfield,  and  was  born  on 
the  23d  of  February,  1757.  His  father  was  a  farmer  in  mod- 
erate circumstances,  and  Ephraim  was  employed  on  the  farm 
during  his  boyhood.  At  the  age  of  nineteen,  (fired  with  the 
patriotism  which  burst  into  a  flame  throughout  the  country  on 
the  news  cf  the  battle  of  Lexington,)  he  shouldered  his  musket, 
and  inarched  with  the  volunteers  from  Litchfield  to  the  scene 
of  conflict,  in  time  to  be  present  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill; 
He  remained  in  the  field  until  independence  was  achieved,  with 
only  such  intervals  as  he  was  driven  from  it  by  severe  wounds. 
He  was  in  nineteen  battles  and  skirmishes — among  them, 
Brandywine,  Monmouth,  Germantown,  &ck — and  received 
thirteen  wounds,  seven  of  which  were  sabre-cuts  on  the  head, 
inflicted  by  a  British  soldier  at  Germantown,  where  Kirby  was 
left  for  dead  upon  the  field.  These  "honorable  scars"  he 
carried  with  him  through  life. 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  he  rejected  with  indignation 
the  offer  of  pecuniary  assistance  to  speculate  in  soldiers'  certi- 
ficates, by  which  he  might  have  amassed  wealth  without  labor. 
He  would  not  tarnish  the  glory  of  the  cause  of  Freedom,  by 
thus  taking  advantage  of  the  necessities  of  his  comrades  in 
arms — preferring,  penniless  as  he  was,  but  conscious  of  the 
fire  within,  to  take  a  more  congenial  road  to  eminence.  By 
the  labor  of  his  own  hands  he  earned  the  price  of  his  education. 
For  some  time  he  was  a  member  of  Yale  College,  and  in  1787 
he  received  from  that  institution  the  honorary  degree  of  Mas- 
ter of  Arts.     Mr.  Kirby  studied  the  legal  profession  in  the  of- 


KM 
fice  of  Reynold  Marvin,  Ksq.,  who  had  been  King's  Attorney 
be  fere  ihe  war,  and  who  relinquished  the  office  for  the  purpose 
of  engaging  with  all  his  might,  in  the  great  struggle  for  inde- 
pendence. After  he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar,  Mr.  Kirby  was 
married  to  Ruth  Marvin,  the  excellent  and  accomplished 
daughter  of  his  distinguished  patron  and  preceptor. 

In  1791,  Colonel  Kirby  was  for  the  first  time  elected  a  Rep- 
resentative to  the;  Legislature — a  post  of  honor  and  responsibil- 
ity to  which  he  was  subsequently  re-chosen  at  thirteen  semi- 
annual elections.  As  a  legislator,  he  was  always  distinguished 
for  the  dignity  of  his  deportment,  for  his  comprehensive  and 
enlightened  views,  for  the  liberality  of  his  sentiments,  and  for 
his  ablility,  firmness  and  decision. 

On  the  elevation  of  Jefferson  to  the  Presidency  in  1801,  Col. 
Kirby  was  appointed  Supervisor  of  the  National  Revenue  for 
the  State  of  Connecticut.  About  this  peiiod,  he  was  for  sev- 
eral years  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  Governor,  Upon  the 
acquisition  of  Louisiana,  the  President  appointed  him  a  Judge 
of  the  then  newly  organized  Territory  of  Orleans.  Having 
accepted  the  station,  he  set  out  for  New  Orleans  ;  but  he  was 
not  destined  to  reach  the  place.  Having  proceeded  as  far  as 
Fort  Stoddart,  in  the  Mississippi  Territory,  he  was  taken  sick, 
and  died  on  the  2d  of  October,  1804,  aged  47— at  a  period 
when  a  wide  career  of  public  usefulness  seemed  opening  upon 
him.  His  remains  were  interred  with  the  honors  of  war,  and 
other  demonstrations  of  respect. 

While  in  the  practice  of  the  law  in  his  native  town,  in  the 
year  1789,  he  published  a  volume  of  Reports  of  the  decisions 
of  the  Superior  Court  and  Supreme  Court  of  Errors  in  this 
State.  This  was  a  novel  undertaking  ;  being  the  first  volume 
of  Reports  ever  published  in  Connecticut,  and  perhaps  in  the 
United  States,*     It  was  executed  with  faithfulness,  judgment, 

*  Pease  and  Niles's  Gazetteer  spaaks  of  this  work  as  the  first  vol- 
ume of  Reports  published  in   Connecticut ;  Colonel  Edmund  Kirby, 


10f> 
and  ability,  and  is  now  regarded  as  Authority  in  nil  our  Courts! 
Col.  Kirby  was  a  man  of  tbe  highest  grade  of  moral  as  well 
as  physical  courage — elevated  in  his  feelings  and  aspirations 
—warm,  generous  and  constant  in  his  attachments — and  of 
indomitable  energy.  Pie  was,  withal,  gentle  and  winning  in 
his  manners,  kindly  in  his  disposition,  and  naturally  of  an  ar- 
dent and  cheerful  temperament,  though  the  last  few  years 
of  his  life  were  saddened  by  heavy  pecuniary  misfortunes.* 
As  a  lawyer,  he  was  remarkable  for  the  frankness  and  down- 
right honesty  of  his  advice  to  clients,  striving  always  to  prevent 
litigation,  uniformly  allaying  irritation  and  effecting  compro- 
mises, and  only  prosecuting  with  energy  the  just  and  good 
cause  against  the  bad.  He  enjoyed  the  friendship  of  many  of 
the  sages  of  the  Revolution,  his  correspondence  with  whom 
would  form  interesting  materials  for  the  history  of  his  time  ; 
but,  unfortunately,  almost  all  of  it  was  lost  at  sea  between 
New  York  and  St.  Augustine,  some  twenty-five  years  'ago. 
A  few  letters  to  and  from  President  Jefferson  are,  however, 
still  preserved  by  Col.  Edmund  Kirby,  of  Brownville,  New 
York,  which  are  interesting  as  showing  the  relations  of  confi- 

expres^es  his  belief  that  it  was  the  first  work  of  the  kind  ever  pub- 
lished in  the  United  States, 

*  Col.  Kirby  had  acquired  a  handsome  property  by  his  profession, 
but  in  an  evil  hour  he  employed  an  agent  to  purchase  for  him  a  large 
tract  of  new  land  in  Virginia.  This  agent  betrayed  his  trust,  and  by 
his  dishonesty  involved  his  affairs  in  irretrievable  ruin.  To  be  har- 
assed by  liabilities  which  he  could  not  meet,  was,  to  an  honest  and 
sensitive  mind  like  his,  a  source  of  the  keenest  solicitude.  This  reverse 
took  place  but  a  short  time  before  his  appointment  to  the  judgeship, 
and  consequently  he  left  Litchfield  for  the  la,t  time  in  a  very  dejected 
state  of  mind.  My  friend  and  kinsman,  who  still  survives,  (Colonel 
J.  Kilbourne,  late  member  of  Congress  from  Ohio.)  informs  me  that 
he  unexpectedly  overtook  Col.  Kirby  while  crossing  the  Alleghanie^ 
in  the  summer  of  1804,  and  traveled  with  him  for  many  miles.  Kir> 
by  was  then  on  his  way  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  his  appointment  in  Louis- 
iana. He  was  gloomy  and  sad,  and  expressed  his  forebodings  that  he 
should  never  return  to  his  native  State. 


100 
dence  existing  between   the   subject  of  this   notice  and  that 
great  statesman. 

Mrs.  Kirby  died  at  Litchfield,  in  October,  1817,  aged  53.* 

*  We  cannot  forbear  inserting  here  the  following  beautiful  and 
well  deserved  tribute  to  the  memory  of  this  estimable  lady,  contained 
in  a  private  letter  from  her  gallant  and  lamented  son  already  alluded 
to,  (Col.  Edmund  K.,)  to  the  author  cf  these  pages — dated  August  4, 
1848.  "She  is  worthy  of  honorable  mention  on  the  page  that  com- 
memorates those  who  have  done  most  to  reflect  honor  on  Litchfield 
— so  full  of  cherished  memories  !  She  possessed  a  rare  combination 
of  talents  and  accomplishments,  blended  with  all  Christian  virtues 
that  adorn  and  make  the  female  character  lovely.  Born  to  the  pros- 
pect of  a  fortune,  highly  educated  and  refined,  she  met  the  reverses  of 
after  life  with  equinimity  and  energy,  and  a  display  of  practical  tal- 
ent for  the  business  of  life,  in  the  husbandry  of  her  narrow  resources 
and  the  education  of  her  children,  that  commanded  the  admiration  of 
all  who  knew  her." 


107 


JOHN    COTTON    SMITH. 


In  the  year  1639,  the  Rev.  Henry  Smith  was  the  minister  at 
Wethersfield,  on  the  Connecticut  River.  A  few  years  be- 
fore, the  Rev.  John  Cotton  and  the  Rev.  Richard  Mather,  har- 
rassed  by  the  persecutions  to  which  the  non-conformists  were 
subjected,  left  their  mother  country  and  sought  refuge  in  the 
feeble  colonies  of  New  England.  They  had  both  been  emi- 
nent in  their  native  country  for  learning  and  piety.  A  son  of 
the  latter,  the  Rev.  Increase  Mather,  was  for  twenty  years 
President  of  Harvard  College,  He  married  a  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  John  Cotton,  and  from  this  marriage  sprang  the  Rev. 
Cotton  Mather,  of  world-wide  renown.  His  daughter,  Jeru- 
sha,  married  Mr.  Samuel  Smith,  of  Suffield,  a  grandson  of  the 
Rev.  Henry  Smith,  above-mentioned,  and  was  the  mother  of 
the  Rev.  Cotton  Mather  Smith,  the  father  of  the  subiect  of  this 
sketch.  He  was  for  more  than  fifty  years  the  minister  of  the 
church  in  Sharon,  in  this  county,  where  his  name  is  still  pre- 
served in  the  affectionate  traditions  of  the  people,  as  a  sound 
divine,  a  most  faithful  and  tender-hearted  pastor,  and  a  man  of 
great  personal  dignity.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  (he  Rev. 
William  Worthington,  of  Saybrook,  one  of  the  old  puritan 
women,  in  whom  faith  was  the  fountain  of  mild  dignify  and 
earnest  well-doing. 

Of  th3se  parents  JOHN  COTTON  SMITH  wan  born  in 
Sharon,  February  12,  1765;  and  he  could  thus  enumerate 
among  his  ancestors  no  less  than  seven  of  the  clergy  of  New 
England,  some  of  whom  are  illustrious  in  her  history.  It  was 
the  great  biessing  of  his  childhood  to  receive   his  training  in 


108 
one  of  the  best  of  the  old  New  England  households,  where 
Law  stood  embodied  in  patriarchal  authority,  and  Christian 
Faith  gave  the  key-note  to  the  domestic  harmonies ;  and  much 
of  the  loveliness  of  his  character  was  doubtless  owing  to  the 
pure  and  quickening  atmosphere  of  his  father's  house. 

His  early  education,  till  he  was  six  years  old,  was  commit- 
ted to  his  mother;  and  he  pursued  his  classical  studies  partly 
in  Sharon  and  partly  with  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brinsmade  of  Wash- 
ington. He  entered  Yale  College  in  1779,  being  then  in  his 
fifteenth  year.*  Though  so  young,  he  passed  through  his  col- 
legiate course,  with  honor,  acquiring  a  high  rank  as  a  scholar, 
and  preserving  his  moral  principles  and  habits  from  the  slight- 
est stain.  It  was  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution,  the  heroic  era 
in  our  annals,  when  the  energies  of  our  people  were  quicken- 
ed to  their  utmost — and,  although  our  young  student  took  no 
part  in  the  war,  his  whole  heart  went  with  his  country  in  her 
struggle  for  freedom.  His  father  was  a  zealous  patriot,  having 
served  as  chaplain  in  the  campaign  of  1775,  and  full  of  hope 
as  to  the  issue  even  in  the  darkest  reverses.  The  son  partook 
of  the  father's  spirit,  and  with  the  hopefulness  of  youth  anti- 
cipated a  high  and  honorable  destiny  for  his  new-born  country.t 
He  graduated   in   1783,  the  year  of  the  termination  of  the 

*  The  following  winter  his  father  went  to  bring  him  home  for  the 
vacation.  A  great  snow  storm  came  on,  and  they  were  compelled  to 
leave  their  sleigh  in  Woodbury,  and  travel  to  Bcthlem  on  horseback. 
By  (.hat  time  the  roads  had  become  impassable  to  horses,  and,  fearing 
that  they  might  be  wholly  blocked  up,  they  set  out,  with  Dr.  Bellamy's 
sanction,  on  Sunday  afternoon,  on  snow-shoes,  reached  Washington 
that  night,  Warren  the  next  day,  and  home  on  the  third. 

f"  The  appearance  of  a  large  British  army  from  Canada,  under  Gen. 
Burgoyne,  and  the  expedition  up  the  North  River,  under  Gen.  Vaugh- 
an,  in  1  777,  filled  the  whole  country  with  terror  and  despondency. 
The  firmness  and  confidence  of  Parson  Smith,  however,  remained  un- 
broken, and  his  efforts  to  revive  the  drooping  spirits  of  his  people  were 
unremitted.  In  the  month  of  October,  he  preached  a  sermon  from 
these  words,  "  Watchman,  what  of  the  night*'  The  watchman  saith, 
the  morninir  cometh."     He  dwelt  upon  the  indications  which  the  deal- 


109 
war,  and  immediately  entered  on  the  study  of  the  law  in  the 
office  of  John  Canfield,  Esq.,  in  his  native  village.  In  1786, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Litchfield  county,  then  inferior 
to  none  in  the  State  for  the  brilliant  array  of  legal  and  forensic 
talent :  among  whom  we  may  mention  Reeve,  distinguished 
for  his  wisdom  and  learning  as  a  jurist,  as  well  as  for  the  ex- 
cellence of  his  moral  and  religious  character  ;  Tracy,  surpass- 
ed by  none  in  sparkling  wit  and  subduing  eloquence;  and  Na- 
thaniel Smith,  who,  by  the  energy  of  extraordinary  talents, 
forced  his  way  through  great  disadvantages  to  the  highest  pro- 
fessional eminence.  With  these  and  other  distinguished  com- 
petitors, Mr,  Smith  soon  obtained  a  high  reputation,  and  a 
lucrative  practice. 

-In  1793,  he  was  first  chosen  to  represent  his  native  town 
in  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut  ;  and  from  1796  to 
1800,  he  was  without  interruption  a  member  of  the  lower 
House.  At  the  October  session  1799,  he  was  appointed  Clerk 
— and  in  both  of  the  sessions  of  the  following  year  he  was  el- 
evated to  the  Speaker's  chair. 

In  October  1800,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Congress  to 
fill  a  vacancy  occasioned  by  a  resignation,  and  at  the  same  time 

ings  of  providence  afforded,  that  a  bright  and  glorious  morning  was 
about  to  dawn  upon  a  long  night  of  defeat  and  disaster.  He  told  his 
congregation  he  believed  they  would  soon  hear  of  a  signal  victory 
crowning  the  arms  of  America,  and  exhorted  them  to  unshaken  con- 
fidence in  the  final  triumph  of  their  cause.  Before  the  congregation 
was  dismissed,  a  messenger  arrived  in  Sharon  with  the  intelligence  of 
the  surrender  of  Burgoyne's  army:  The  letter  was  immediately  sent 
to  Parson  Smith,  who  read  it  from  the  pulpit,  and  a  flood  of  joy  and 
gratitude  burst  from  the  entire  audience. —  Conn.  Hist.  Coll. 

A  body  of  Hessians,  belonging  to  the  same  army,  marched  through 
Sharon  after  their  .capture,  and  their  officers  were  hospitably  enter- 
tained at  Parson  Smith's.  The  next  morning,  when  drawn  up  for 
march,  they  sang  psalms  in  their  noble  language,  and  then  moved  on 
to  the  sound  of  sacred  music.  His  son,  (John-Cotton,)  then  twelve 
years  old,  was  so  much  delighted  with  it,  that  he  followed  them  along 
way  on  their  march,  and  he  often  spoke  of  it  with  enthusiasm  after- 
wards. 


fio 

he  was  elected  to  the  full  teim  of  the  7th  Congress.  When 
he  entered  the  National  Legislature,  the  Federal  party  was 
still  in  power  ;  but  the  close  of  that  session  saw  the  sceptre 
pass  out  of  its  hands,  and  the  party  with  which  he  acted  lost 
its  national  ascendency  forever.  During  almost  the  whole  of 
his  congressional  career,  he  was  in  a  minority  ;  and  the  honors 
which  he  received  were  not,  therefore,  the  reward  of  a  parti- 
zan  by  a  dominant  faction.  Nor  did  he  ever  seek  to  conciliate 
his  political  opponents;  he  was  an  open,  decided,  uncompro- 
mising opponent ;  and  yet,  such  were  his  talents  as  a  states- 
man, such  his  bearing  as  a  gentleman,  and  such  the  spotless 
integrity  of  his  character,  as  to  command  the  respect  and  win 
the  confidence  of  the  House  and  of  the  country  during  times 
of  the  most  violent  party  excitement.  After  the  first  session, 
he  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims  so  long  as  he 
held  his  seat — a  most  laborious  office  at  that  time,  when  there 
was  less  subdivision  of  duties  in  Congress  than  now,  but  which 
he  filled  with  great  ability  and  reputation.  Clear-sighted, 
prompt,  energetic  and  indefatigable,  he  was  able  rapidly  to  dis- 
entangle the  most  perplexed  subjects,  and  present  them  with 
luminous  distinctness  ;  while  his  lofty  rectitude,  never  soiled 
even  by  the  breath  of  suspicion,  gave  moral  weight  to  his  de- 
cisions, as  coming  from  one  who  would  never  sacrifice  justice 
to  party  or  even  national  ends. 

He  was  oftener  called  to  the  chair  in  Committee  of  the 
Whole  than  any  other  member,  especially  when  those  questions 
were  before  the  House  which  were  most  fitted  to  awaken  par- 
ty animosities.  In  the  celebrated  discussion  on  the  Judiciary 
in  1801,  he  presided  to  universal  acceptance — on  one  occasion, 
when  the  excitement  was  at  its  bight,  sitting  immvoable  in  his 
place,  with  the  firm  endurance  of  a  Roman  Senator,  for  twelve 
hours.  His  Congressional  career  closed  in  1 806,  when  he 
resigned  his  seat  that  he  might  minister  to  the  comfort  of  his 
aged  father.     He  did  not  resume  his  practice  at  the  Bar,  but 


Ill 

devoted  himself  to  the  management  of  his  farm,  and  to  those 
literary  pursuits  which  were  congenial  to  his  refined  taste. 
But  his  townsmen  would  not  suffer  his  talents  to  be  wholly 
buried.  He  was  sent  to  the  Lower  House  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  and  was  again  chosen 
Speaker  ;  and  he  continued  a  member  of  that  body  until  1809, 
when  he  was  elected  to  the  Council.  In  October  of  that  year, 
he  was  elevated  to  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court,  in  the 
place  of  Roger  Giiswold,  who  had  been  elected  Lieutenant 
Governor.  Before  the  second  term  of  this  Court  was  held, 
Mr.  Giiswold  was  elevated  to  the  chief  magistracy,  and  Judge 
Smith  was  called  from  the  bench  to  fill  the  office  of  Lieutenant 
Governor. 

Of  his  associates  on  the  bench,  the  venerable  Simeon  Bald- 
win, of  New  Haven,  father  of  the  ex-Governor,  is  now  (1849) 
the  only  survivor. 

In  consequence  of  the  death  of  Governor  Griswold  in  Oc- 
tober 1812,  Mr.  Smith  became  acting  Governor.  For  the 
four  following  years,  and  until  the  political  revolution  oi  1817, 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Governor,  which  station  he  filled 
with  eminent  ability  and  faithfulness. 

The  life  of  a  Governor  of  Connecticut  is  generally  tranquil, 
and  presents  few  incidents  for  history.  The  narrow  limits  of 
our  territory,  the  orderly  habits  of  our  people,  and  the  stability 
of  our  institutions,  leave  little  to  be  done  by  our  rulers  save 
cairn  supervision  and  such  gentle  amendments  as  the  change 
of  circumstances  may  require.  Apart  from  the  war,  there  is 
nothing  demanding  special  notice  in  Governor  Smith's  admin- 
istration. He  adorned  the  station*  by  the  consummate  grace 
and  dignity  with  which  he  appeared  on  all  public  occasions. 
All  the  duties  and  proprieties  of  the  office  were  most  faithfully 
performed  and  observed,  and  his  Slate  Papers  were  distinguish- 
ed for  perspicuity  and  classic  elegance,  He  was  always  equal 
to  the  occasion. 


yi2 

From  his  retirement  in  1817  until  his  death,  a  period  of  al- 
most thirty  years,  he  lived  upon  his  estate  in  his  native  town, 
wholly  withdrawn  from  all  participation  in  political  affairs, and 
devoted  to  the  studies  and  employments  befitting  a  scholar,  a 
gentleman,  and  a  Christian. 

The  connection  of  Governor  Smith  with  the  great  moral  and 
religious  enterprises  of  the  age,  was  an  important  feature  in 
his  later  life.      He  rejoiced  when  the  Church,  startled  out  of 
the  sleep  of  the  last  century  by  the  shock  that  engulphed  the 
monarchy  of  France,  began  to  grope  her  way  in  the  morning 
twilight,  and  with  weak  faith  and  dim  vision  to  gird  herself  for 
her  work,  as  the  light  of  the  world  and  the  pillar' and  ground 
of  the  truth.     He  was  President  of  the  Litchfield  County  For- 
eign Mission  Society,  and  of  the  Litchfield  County  Temperance 
Society  ;  he  was  also  the  first  President  of  the  State  Bible  So- 
ciety, which  preceded  by  several  years  the  national  institution. 
In  1826,   he  was  chosen  President  of  the  American' Board  of 
Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions  ;    and  in  1881,  President 
of  the  Ameiican  Bible  Society, — thus  receiving  the  highest 
marks  of  confidence  and  esteem   which  the   christian  public 
could  bestow  upon  him.     The  former  he  resigned  in  1841,  but 
the  latter  he  retained  until  his  death. 

It  was  a  noble  spectacle  to  see  the  retired  statesman  conse- 
crating his  old  age  to  such  a  work.  Standing  wholly  apart 
from  political  contests,  yet  full  of  filial  anxiety  for  his  country, 
he  gave  to  the  Church  of  God  the  first  place  in  his  affections 
and  labors.  Nor  was  it  only  in  enterprizes  the  magnitude  of 
which  might  seem  to  give  them  an  outward  magnificence,  that 
he  felt  an  interest;  he  was  equally  for  those  humble  works  of 
which  the  world  takes  but  little  notice.  His  wisdom  and  gen- 
tleness made  him  much  sought  for  in  healing  the  wounds  of 
distracted  churches,  and  never  was  he  more  thankful  than 
when  he  saw  a  blessing  on  those  labors  of  love. 

Besides  the  political  and  religious  honors  already  mentioned, 


113 
he  received  several  of  a  literary  kind.  In  1814,  the  degree 
of  Doctor  of  Laws  was  conferred  upon  him  by  his  Alma  Ma- 
ter. During  the  following-  \  ear,  he  wo?  elected  a  member  of 
the  Northern  Society  of  Antiquaries  in  Copenhagen,  Denmark. 
He  was  also  elected  a  member  of  the  Connecticut  Historical 
Society,  and  an  honorary  member  of  the  Massachusetts  His- 
torical Society,  in  the  aims  and  objects  of  which  societies  he 
entered  warmly,  and  gave  them  his  cordial  support.  He  was 
for  several  years  an  occasional  contributor  to  various  scientific 
and  literary  periodicals,  and  was  a  deeply  interested  observer 
of  the  progress  of  those  arts,  sciences,  and  inventions,  which 
tend  to  advance  civilization,  and  promote  the  partial  or  general 
welfare  of  our  race.  His  essays  on  these  subjects,  evince 
patient  investigation,  deep  research,  correct  observation,  with 
occasional  prophetic  glimpses  of  their  probable  results  in  the 
unknown  future. 

But  the  portraiture  of  Governor  Smith's  character  will  bein- 
complete,  without  giving  greater  prominence  to  the  element  of 
the  Christian  gentleman.  He  was  an  eminent  ornament  of  a  class 
of  which  very  few  survive,  commonly  spoken  of  as  gentlemen 
of  the  old  school.  This  is  commonly  understood  to  designate 
a  lofty  tone  of  manners  which  belonged'  to  a  state  of  society 
now  gone  by,  and  the  loss  of  which  is  as  little  to  be  regretted 
as  the  obsolete  fashions  of  our  grandsires'  coats,  The  free  and 
easy  spirit  of  our  age  rejoices  in  its  deliverance  from  the  un- 
comfortable restraints  of  those  punctilious  times,  and  ridicules 
the  antique  forms  of  social  and  public  life.  But  manners  are 
shaped  by  principles.  They  are  the  expression  of  the  senti- 
ment, of  the  moral  and  spiritual  character,  of  men  ;  and  when 
these  are  debased,  they  will  stamp  their  meanness  on  the  man- 
ners also.     Outward  coarseness  and  vulgarity  are  a  fruit  and 

an  index  of  moral  debasement ;  and  the  stately  and  beautiful 
forms  of  life  are  the  fit  embodiment  of  high  and  honorable 

feeling,  though  they  may  be  the  decora ted  sepulchre  that  hides 


114 
the  corruption  of  death.  The  loftier  manners  of  past  ages, 
grew  out  of  their  loftier  principles.  The  life  of  man  was  felt 
to  be  encompassed  by  a  heavenly  Light.  Society  was  a  di- 
vine structure,  and  office-bearers  therein  were  the  representa- 
tives and  ministers  of  God.  Hence  a  reverential  spirit,  and  its 
outward  expression,  a  respectful  manner,  grew  out  of  the  faith 
of  men  in  the  Invisible  as  symbolized  in  the  visible,  in  the  Eter- 
nal as  symbolized  in  the  temporal  In  the  father  they  saw  set 
forth  the  everlasting  fatherhood  of  God  ;  in  the  ruler,  the  ma- 
jesty of  the  great  King.  Admiration  of  the  person,  was  a 
distinct  thing  altogether  from  reverence  for  the  office-bearer  ; 
the  individual  properties  of  the  stone,  were  not  confounded 
with  the  powers  given  it  by  its  place  in  the  arch. 

Governor  Smith  was  trained  from  childhood  to  revere  and 
obey  ;  life,  in  the  forms  in  which  it  was  developed  around  him, 
was  full  of  sacredness,  and  thus  the  ground-work  was  laid  of 
that  gentlemanly  character,  that  union  of  courtesy  and  suavi- 
ty with  a  princely  bearing,  for*\vhich  he  was  so  eminently 
distinguished.*  Elevated  above  all  around  him  by  the  official 
honors  which  he  had  so  nobly  worn;  possessed  of  an  ample 
estate,  which  enabled  him  to  live  in  the  style  of  dignified  sim- 
plicity suited  to  his  station,  and  which  was  the  fit  decoration 
and  instrument  of  his  majestic  character  j  and  standing  among 
his  townsmen,  not  as  a  novus  homo,  but  as  the  scion  of  an  hon- 
ored stock,  that  for  more  than  a  century  had  struck  its  roots 
deep  in  thesoil,  and  thus  invested  with  strong  hereditary  claims 

*  IS.vys  Mr.  Andrews,  ".His  dwelling  had  a  nobility  about  it,  in 
harmony  with  the  man.  Its  position  was  one  of  almost  unequalled 
beauty,  near  the  western  base  of  tint  range  of  hills  which  separates 
much  of  the  rugged  county  of  Litchfield  from  the  gentle  slopes  of 
Dutchess,  and  "overlooking  a  landscape  of  considerable  extent  and 
great  loveliness.  And  the  old  stone  mansion  itself,  with  its  spacious 
and  lofty  piazza,  its  battlemented  roof,  its  regal  look— it  was  a  fit 
abode  for  one 

•  Whose  soul  was  likt  a  star,  and  dwell  apart.' 


115 
on  their  affections,  he  entered  upon  the  last  great  period  of  his 
life,  a  recognized  guide  and  leader  of  men.  And  seldom  are 
such  gifts  turned  to  nobler  account.  He  was  a  fountain  of 
purifying  and  ennobling  influences.  All  loved  and  revered  him; 
and  well  it  is  for  men  when  they  can  find  worthy  objects  to 
love  and  revere. 

But  we  must  come  to  the  closing  scenes  of  his  life.  His  last 
appearance  in  public  was  in  New  Haven  at  the  annual  com- 
mencement of  Yale  College,  August,  1845.  Yielding  to  the 
entreaties  of  his  friends  against  his  own  convictions,  he  con- 
sented to  preside  at  the  meeting  of  the  Alumni.  The  journey 
in  the  heat  of  summer,  across  the  rough  and  rain-washed  hills 
of  his  native  county,  w.is  too  much  for  his  advanced  years.  A 
night's  severe  illness  followed — and  when  the  morning  came, 
he  was  too  enfeebled  for  the  task  he  had  undertaken.  But 
he  had  never  known  the  pain  of  giving  disappointment,  and, 
rallying  his  strength,  he  passed  with  slow  and  trembling 
steps  up  the  lofty  hall — but  how  were  all  shocked  at  the 
death-like  paleness  of  his  countenance,  so  unlike  its  wonted 
freshness.  Twice  in  that  stifled  atmosphere  he  fainted ; 
but  even  then  we  saw  how  painful  it  was  for  his  energetic 
will  to  relinquish  its  purpose-  Never  before  had  he  assumed 
a  duty  that  crushed  him.  From  that  illness  he  never  fully  re- 
covered ;  and  after  a  few  weeks  of  extreme  bodily  suffering, 
under  which  he  manifested  great  patience  and  faith,  on  the  7th 
of  December,  1845,  the  spirit  of  John  Cotton  Smith  departed 
to  its  rest. 

"  That,"  says  Andrews,  "  was  the  quenching  of  a  great  light. 
A  Man  was  taken  from  us— a  man  for  whom  all  may  mourn, 
for  the  beauty  and  majesty  of  manhood  shone  forth  in  him. 
Noble  aims,  an  unspotted  life,  a  tender  conscience,  the  sim- 
plicity and  gentleness  of  childhood  united  with  manly  vigcr,  ail 
were  his," 


116 

.**  *uUiOgy  upon  Governor  Smith  was  pronounced  before 
the  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  af  its  annual  meeting  in 
1846,  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  W.  Andrews,  of  Kent,  from  which  the 
foregoing  sketch  is  mainly  compiled. 


117 


IRA    ALLEN 


IRA  ALLEN,  (a  younger  brother  of  Ethan  Allen,)  was 
born  in  Cornwall,  a.  d.  1752,  and  in  early  life  removed  to  the 
wilderness  of  Vermont  (then  called  the  NewHampshire  Grants.) 
Though  less  known  to  the  world  than  the  brother  alluded  to, 
Ira  acted  a  part  equally  honorable  and  useful,  and  shaied 
much  more  largely  in  the  civil  and  political  honors  of  their 
adopted  State.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the  celebrated 
controversy  between  Vermont  and  New  York,  and  subsequent- 
ly in  the  American  Revolution.  In  the  latter,  he  rose  to  the 
rank  of  Colonel,  and  was  distinguished  for  coolness,  patience, 
and  courage. 

In  1780,  the  British  Generals  in  America  began  to  meditate 
the  scheme  of  bringing  Vermont  into  a  union  with  Canada,  by 
taking  advantage  of  the  disputes  which  had  continued  so  long 
and  waxed  so  warm  between  the  settlers  and  the  New  York 
Government.  Knowing  the  bitter  feelings  thus  engendered, 
and  the  delay  and  hesitancy  with  which  Congress  had  treated 
her  remonstrances  and  petitions,  these  officers  supposed  Ver- 
mont would  be  ready  to  accept  tempting  overtures  from  the 
British.  This  idea  received  encouragement  from  the  fact,  that 
Congress  afforded  but  a  slender  defence  to  these  frontiers, 
while  the  Governor  of  Canada  could  at  any  time  send  a  force 
srrong  the  settlers  sufficient  to  bear  down  all  opposition.  The 
first  step  was,  to  bring  over  some  of  the  leaders.  According- 
ly, on  the  30th  of  March,  1780,  Col.  Beverly  Robinson  wrote 
to  Ethan  Allen,  revealing  the  plan  and  suggesting  negocia- 
iions.    This  letter  did  not  reach  Allen  until  July.     He  imme- 


118 
d lately  bent  back  trie  messenger,  and  ...  confidence  laid  tht 
communication  before  Gov.  Chittenden  and  a  few  other  friends. 
That  they  might  not  be  outdone  in  the  allowable  stratagems  of 
war,  (hey  bethought  themselves  to  turn  to  a  profitable  account 
this  advance  on  the  part  of  the  enemy.  Several  prisoners  from 
Veimont  were  then  confined  in  Canada,  and  it  was  advised 
that  the  Governor  should  write  to  the  commandeHn  Canada, 
proposing  a  cartel  for  an  exchange.  A  letter  was  accordingly 
written  and  despatched  with  a  flag.  Soon  after,  the  British 
fleet  were  seen  coming  up  the  Lake.  Tho  alarm  spread,  and 
thousands  of  Green  Mountain  Boys  rushed  to  arms.  The 
commander  on  board  the  fleet  sent,  secretly,  a  letter  to  Gov. 
Chittenden  with  a  flag,  assenting  to  the  proposal  for  the  ex- 
change of  prisoners,  and  offering  a  truce  with  Vermont  until 
the  cartel  should  be  arranged.  As  this  arrangement  was  not 
publicly  known,  the  people  were  surprised  to  see  the  fleet  re- 
treating down  the  Lake,  and  the  military  disbanded  and  going 
home.  Ira  Allen  and  Maj.  Fay  were  appointed  Commission- 
ers to  meet  others  fiom  Canada,  and  settle  the  t«;rms  of  a  car- 
tel. The  season  was  so  far  advanced,  however,  that  they  were 
obstructed  in  their  voyage  across  the  Lake  by  the  ice,  and 
were  obliged  to  return. 

"In  the  month  of  May  following,"  says  Col.  Stone,  in  his 
*  Life  of  Brant,'  "  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Vermont 
commissioned  Colonel  Ira  Allen  to  proceed  to  the  Isle  au  Noix* 
to  settle  a  cartel  with  the  British  in  Canada,  and,  if  possible, 
negociate  an  armistice  in  favor  of  Vermont.  The  arrange-, 
ments  for  this  negotiation  were  conducted  with  the  most  pro- 
found secrecy,  only  eight  persons  being  cognizant  of  the  pro- 
ceeding. Colonel  Allen,  accompanied  by  one  subaltern,  two 
sergeants,  and  sixteen  privates,  departed  on  his  mission  on  the 
first  of  May,  and,  having  arrived  at  the  Isle  au  Noix,  entered 
at  once  upon  his  business — negotiating  with  Major  Dundas, 
the  commander  of  that  post,  only  on  the  subject  of  an  exchange 


119 

of  prisoners,  but  more  privately  wiih  Captain  Sherwood  and 
George  Smith,  Esq.,  on  the  subject  of  an  armistice.  The  stay 
of  Allen  at  the  island  was  protracted  for  a  considerable  tim*; 
and  the  conferences  with  the  two  commissioners,  Sherwood 
and  Smith,  were  frequent,  but  perfectly  confidential— A  lien 
carefully  avoiding  to  write  anything,  to  guard  against  acoi 
dents.  After  a  negotiation  of  seventeen  days,  the  cartel  wa< 
arranged,  and  an  armistice  verbally  agreed  upon,  by  virtue  of 
which  hostilities  were  to  cease  between  the  British  forces  and 
the  people  under  the  jurisdiction  of  Vermont,  for  a  specified 
time.  Notwithstanding  the  suspicions  of  the  people  were 
aroused,  so  adroit  was  their  management  that  the  Aliens  held 
communication  with  the  enemy  during  the  whole  summer 
without  detection.  On  more  than  one  occasion,  British 
Guards  of  several  men  came  to  the  very  precincts  of  Arlington, 
delivering  and  receiving  packages  in  the  twilight." 

On  neither  side  would  it  answer  to  confide  the  secret  of  the 
armistice  to  the  subordinates  and  soldiers.  They,  of  course, 
regarded  the  opposing  armies  as  enemies  in  good  faith — a  fact 
which  in  one  instance,  at  least,  placed  the  superior  officers  in 
an  embarrassing  predicament.  An  American  sergeant  having 
been  killed  by  the  British,  in  a  skirmish,  Gen.  St,  Leger  sent  a 
messenger  to  Gov.  Chittenden,  with  the  sergeant's  clothes, 
and  an  explanatory  letter,  in  which  he  expressed  regret  for  his 
death.  This  letter  by  some  means  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
people,  and  a  popular  clamor  was  the  consequence.  Major 
Runnels  confronted  Ira  Allen,  and  demanded  to  know  why 
St.  Leger  was  sorry  for  the  death  of  the  sergeant.  The  an- 
swer was  evasive  and  unsatisfactory.  The  major  repeated  the 
question,  and  Allen  replied  that  he  bad  better  go  to  St.  Leger 
at  the  head  of  his  regiment,  and  demand  the  reason  for  his 
sorrow  in  person.  A  sharp  altercation  ensued,  which  had  the 
effect,  for  a  short  time,  to  divert  the  attention  of  the  people 
from  the  letter  itself. 


120 

This  hneste  o:»  the  part  of  these  few  leaders,  had  the  desired 
■effect,  to  protect  the  settlers  from  the  attacks  of  the  British 
until  the  news  of  the  capture  of  Cornwallis,   soon  after  which, 
the  enemy  left  the  Lake» 

Ira  Allen  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  which  formed 
the  Constitution  of  Vermont,  and  was  chosen  one  of  the  com- 
missioners to  negotiate  for  the  admission  of  the  State  into  the 
federal  union.  He  was  also  appointed  the  first  Secretary  of 
State,  and  was  subsequently  member  of  the  Council,  State 
Treasurer,  and  Surveyor  General.  Hnving  risen  to  the  rank 
of  Major-General  of  the  militia,  in  December,  1795,  he  pro- 
ceeded to  Europe  to  purchase  arms,  as  a  private  speculation,  for 
for  the  supply  of  the  State.  In  France  he  contracted  for 
twenty  thousand  muskets  and  twenty-four  brass  cannon,  with 
a  part  of  which,  on  his  return  to  New  York,  he  was  captured 
and  carried  to  England,  being  charged  with  the  purpose  of 
supplying  the  Irish  rebels  with  arms.  This  led  to  a  litigation 
of  eight  years  in  the  court  of  admiralty,  but  the  result  was  final- 
ly in  his  favor. 

He  was  the  author  of  "  The  Natural  and  Civil  History  of 
Vermont" — a  work  of  much  merit,  and  esteemed  as  unques- 
tionable authority  in  regard  to  the  part  which  that  State  acted 
the  border  warfare  and  in  the  revolutionary  struggle. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  died  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia, 
January  7,  1814,  in  the  67th  year  of  his  age. 


121 


JONATHAN    BRACE 


Another  one  in  that  group  of  worthies  which  Litchfield  Courts 
ty  has  produced— ^-one  valued  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  and 
long  entrusted  with  great  public  interests — was  the  subject  of 
this  sketch. 

JONATHAN  BRACE  was  born  in  Harwinton,  Novem- 
ber li,  1754,  His  father,  after  whom  he  was  named,  (and 
who  had  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters,)  was  one 
of  the  first  settlers  and  a  substantial  farmer  in  that  town.  Jon- 
athan had  such  advantages  as  the  schools  of  the  village  at  that 
time  afforded  ;  and  being  a  good  scholar  and  desirous  of  a  lib- 
eral education,  he  was  sent  to  Yale  College.  During  his  col- 
lege course,  he  appreciated  the  value  of  time,  and  was  distin- 
guished by  close  application  to  his  studies,  and  received  the 
baccalaureate  in  1779.  Of  this  institution,  at  which  he  grad- 
uated, and  whose  interests  he  ever  afterwards  cherished,  he 
was  subsequently  elected  one  of  the  Corporation. 

Mr.  Brace  made  a  public  profession  of  religion  at  the  age  of 
twenty  years,  and  designed  to  have  chosen  the  Christian  min- 
istry as  his  sphere  of  action  and  duty  ;  but  the  arrangements 
of  Providence  seeming  to  order  otherwise,  he  commenced  the 
study  of  the  law,  under  the  direction  of  Oliver  Ellsworth,  then 
of  Hartford,  and  afterwards  Chief  Justice  of  the  United  States. 
Soon  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  he  removed  to  Manchester, 
Vermont,  and  in  the  counties  of  Bennington  and  Rutland  he 
obtained  a  very  extensive  and  lucrative  practice  in  his  profes- 
sion. While  there,  he  held  for  a  considerable  part  of  the  time 
the  office  of  State  Attorney  for  the  county  of  Bennington,  and 


122 
attended  courts  in  the  State  of  New  York.     He  was  also  ap- 
pointed a  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  said  county,  and  was  elected 
by  the  freemen 'of  the  State  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Cen- 
sors. 

From  Manchester,  he  removed  to  Glastenbury,  Conn., 
where  he  had  married,  and  where  he  had  lived  for  a  time  be- 
fore going  to  Vermont.  Here  he  was  several  times  chosen  by 
his  fellow  townsmen  a  Representative  to  the  Legislature,  and 
faithfully  served  them  in  that  capacity  in  the  years  1788,  '91, 
'92,  '93  and  '94.  In  August  of  the  latter  year,  he  removed  to 
Hartford,  and  there  pursued  his  professional  business  with 
good  success.  There  were  at  that  period  men  of  high  attain- 
ment at  the  Hartford  bar,  but  he  was  inferior  to  none  of  them; 
His  bodily  frame  was  large,  manly,  and  commanding,  his  voice 
full  and  sonorous,  his  countenance  indicative  of  honesty  and 
benevolence,  and  his  manner  easy  and  popular.  Add  to  this, 
an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  law,  and  the  springs  of  hu- 
man conduct — the  ability  of  seizing  upon  the  main  points  in  a 
case,  and  of  reasoning  logically  on  common  sense  principles, 
connected  with  so  complete  a  control  of  his  temper  and  spirit 
as  never  to  be  thrown  off  his  guard  or  unduly  excited  by  the 
remarks  of  his  opponents — and  you  have  an  idea  of  what  he 
then  was  before  a  jwry,  and  as  an  effective  lawyer.  These 
qualities  were  duly  appreciated,  for  he  was  chosen  to  the  of- 
fices of  State  Attorney  for  the  county  of  Hartford,  Judge  uof 
the  County  Court  for  said  county,  and  Judge  of  Probate  for 
that  District.  In  May,  1798,  he  was  elected  an  Assistant; 
in  1799,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  Congress,  in  the  room  of 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Coit,  deceased;  in  May  1800,  he  was  re-elected 
to  Congress,  and  attended  the  winter  following.  That  session 
closed  in  May  1801,  and  was  the  last  meeting  of  that  body  in 
Philadelphia.  At  its  close,  his  health  being  impaired,  he  ten* 
dered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted.  He  was,  however, 
again  chosen  an  Assistant  in  May  1802,  and  afterwards  an- 


123 
nually  until  May  1819,  when  the  State  having  adopted  a  new 
Constitution,  he  was  chosen  a  Senator — that  title  being  sub- 
stituted  in  place  of  Assistant,  and  that  branch  of  the  Legisla- 
ture being  denominated  the  Senate  which  before  had  been 
styled  the  Council.  He  was  again  chosen  a  Senator  in  1820, 
and  attended  the  session  that  year  in  New  Haven,  and  declined 
a  further  election.  The  office  of  Judge  of  the  County  Court 
he  held  twelve  years,  and  the  office  of  Judge  of  Probate  fifteen 
years.  He  was  likewise  for  a  protracted  period  one  oi  the 
Common  Councilmen  for  the  city  of  Hartford,  subsequently 
one  of  the  Aldermen,  and  subsequently  still,  Mayor,  which  of- 
fice he  held  nine  years,  and  resigned  the  same  on  account  of 
age.  For  more  than  thirty  years  he  was  annually  appointed, 
in  connection  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Perkins,  of  West  Hartford,  a 
Trustee  of  the  Missionary  Society  of  Connecticut,  which  office 
he  held  until  the  time  of  his  death  ;  which  occurred  in  Hart- 
ford August  26,  1837.  The  following  notice  of  that  event  is 
extracted  from  the  Connecticut  Observer,  of  which  the  Rev. 
Horace  Hooker  of  Hartford  was  the  Editor, 

Died,  in  this,  city  on  the  26th  inst.  Hon.  Jonathan  Brace,  aged 
83. 

Rarely  has  the  grave  closed  over  a  member  of  our  community,  who 
was  more  widely  esteemed,  or  more  fondly  loved.  His  worth,  early 
appreciated,  won  for  him  the  confidence  of  the  public ; — and  most  of 
the  offices  of  honor  and  trust  which  it  was  in  their  power  to  bestow, 
were  conferred  upon  him.  He  was  several  times  elected  to  the 
State  Legislature  ;  and  held  successively  the  offices  of  State  Attorney, 
Judge  of  the  County  Court,  Judge  of  Probate,  a  Representative  to 
Congress,  and  Mayor  of  the  City.  These  responsible  stations  he 
ably  filled,  so  ably,  that  he  could  say,  what  few  can  say,  that  he  was 
ejected  from  no  one  of  them.  All  of  them  he  voluntarily  resigned. 
But  while  distinguished  as  a  civilian,  he  was  no  less  distinguished  as  a 
christian.  Here  he  shone  pre-eminent.  Admitted  to  the  church  at 
the  early  age  of  twenty,  his  character  was  moulded  under  the  purify- 
ing, elevating  influences  of  divine  truth,  and  the  divine  Spirit.  Hence 
the  production  of  a  character,  signally  symmetrical  and  faultless. 
In  his  daily  walk,  he  embodied  Paul's  idea  of  "  the  living  epistle." 
He  was  "  read  of  men,"  and  the  reading  was  profitable  to  them, 
His  life  exhibited  the  lovliness  and  energy  of  the  gospel ; — and  his 


124 

course  fulfilled,  he  came  to  the  grave  "as  a  shock  of  corn  corueth  in 
its  season." 

He  died,  as  such  an  one  might  be  expected  to  die.  Perfectly  con- 
scious of  his  critical  situation,  he  was  composed  and  tranquil.  The 
valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  was  not  dark  to  him.  The  star  of 
Bethlehem  shone  in  upon  it,  with  a  reviving  light.  "  Having  so  often 
given  myself  away  to  the  Saviour,"  he  obseived,  "in  the  days  of 
my  health,  it  is  easy  for  me  to  do  it  now,  and  there  is  rich  consolation 
in  the  act.  Precious  Jesus,  fie  £*  precious  ! a  In  this  delightful  frame 
of  mind-  "the  silver  cord  was  loosed,"  and  he  entered,  we  cannot 
doubt,  that  celestial  city,  at  whose  gate  he  had  been  sitting  so  many 
years,  breathing  the  fragrance,  and  listening  to  the  music  which  was 
wafted  from  within. 

We  are  melancholy  at  the  passing  of  such  men  from  us.  We  need 
their  services.  We  need  them  to  stimulate  us  to  virtue,  and  win^p 
to  goodness.  Above  all,  we  need  their  prayers.  These  "avail 
much ;"  and  hence  when  their  lips  are  sealed  in  death,  the  severity  of 
the  loss  keenly  affects  us.  May  their  mantles  be  caught  hy  those 
who  succeed  them. 

"■  Those  suns  have  set, 
0  rise  some  other  such  !" 

To  the  above  sketch  of  his  life  and  notice  of  his  death  a  few 
remarks  may  be  appropriately  appended. 

That  he  must  have  had  some  marked  intellectual  and  moral 
features,  is  manifest,  for  nothing  less,  would  have  enabled  him 
to  hold  so  many  offices,  and  hold  them  so  long.  He  was  in 
public  life  from  1782,  till  1824,  forty  two  years, — holding 
during  all  this  period,  one  or  more  important  offices.  It  is 
doubtful  whether  there  was  ever  a  native  of  our  county,  per- 
haps we  might  say  of  our  state,  who  was  honored  in  a  greater 
variety  of  ways, — who  had  committed  to  him  more  responsible 
trusti,  and  who  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  thereby  imposed, 
was  brought  in  contact  with  a  larger  number  o^  his  fellow 
men.  He  was  not  so  honored  because  his  political  sentiments 
were  concealed.  Those  were  well  known,  and  known  to  be 
in  accordance  with  those  of  Ellsworth,  Jay,  Hamilton,  Picker- 
ing and  Ames.  He  was  not  so  honored  because  he  could  be 
used  by  others  as  a  tool,  would  move  as  he  was  moved.  He 
was  indepe  ndent,  marked  out  his  own  path,  and  walked  in  it, 
Th$  q  uestion  with  him  was,— not  what  is  popular,  but  what  is 


123 
right;  and  so  well  was  this  understood,  that  no  one  would 
venture  by  any  appeal  to  his  self-interest,  to  caiise  him  to 
swerve  from  the  line  of  rectitude.  The  secret  of  his  success 
lay  in  the  fact,  that  men  had  confidence  i?i  him — confidence  in 
is  talents  and  integrity  ; — confidence  in  hi  m  as  an  honest  man  ;— 
a  confidence  in  him  as  a  lawyer,  that  he  would  be  employed  in 
no  cause,  touching  which  he  had  not  a  fair  conviction  of  its 
justice  ;  and  confidence  in  him  as  a  statesman,  that  however  he 
might  vote,  speak,  or  act,  it  would  be  as  a  tender,  enlightened 
conscience  dictated.  Hence  he  was  respected  even  by  the 
wicked,  who  "  felt  how  awful  goodness  is,"  and  received  the 
patronage  and  support  of  those  who  were  politically  opposed 
to  him. 

Such  a  man  must  have  been  very  useful  in  his  day;  per- 
haps more  so,  than  if  he  had  carried  out  his  original  intention  of 
preaching  the  gospel ;  for  his  influence  which  was  invariably 
thrown  on  the  side  of  righteousness,  had  additional  weight 
from  tjie  fact  that  it  was  cast  by  a  layman  and  civilian,  and 
go  not  cast  professionally.  Uniformly  kind,  uniformly  firm  to 
his  convictions  of  duty,  and  inflexibly  opposed  to  iniquity  in 
all  its  forms,  he  "  served  his  generation  faithfully  by  the  will  of 
God  ;"  and  while  many  a  widow  whose  rights  as  Judge  of 
Probate  he  vindicated,  and  many  a  fatherless  one  whom  he 
protected,  and  many  an  unguarded  youth  whom  he  counselled 
and  befriended,  have  had  occasion  to  bless  him,  and  have 
blessed  him*;  his  native  town  and  county,  if  true  to  themselves, 
must  ever  count  him  among  those  who  are  worthy  of  their 
esteem. 


U'6 


BEZAIEEL    BEEBE, 


BEZALEEL  BEEBE  was  born  in  Litchfield  on  the  28th 
of  April,  1741.  He  was  a  son  of  Ebenezer  Beebe,  who  emi- 
grated from  Fairfield  county  to  Litchfield  in  the  early  settle- 
ment of  that  town,  and  purchased  a  tract  of  land  lying  on  the 
north  side  of  Bantam  Lake,  which  is  still  owned  and  occupied 
by  his  descendants.  The  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  notice, 
was  Berthia  Osborn,  sister  of  thalate  Capt.  John  Osborn  of 
Litchfield — both  natives  of  Long  Island. 

In  175S,  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years,  Bezaleel  Beebe  was 
enrolled  as  a  soldier  in  the  French  and  Indian  war,  a»d  march- 
ed with  Capt,  Evarts'  company  to  Fort  St.  George,  where  he 
was  for  some  time  stationed.  He  soon  after  enlisted  into  Ma^ 
jor  Rogers'  celebrated  corps  of  Rangers,  an  account  of  whose 
daring  exploits  was  subsequently  published  in  London  by  their 
heroic  commander.  While  with  Rogers,  he  participated  in  the 
sanguinary  fight  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of  Major  (after- 
wards General)  Putnam.  At  this  time,  Gen.  Abercrombie 
commanded  the  Northern  Army,  but  was  goon  after  superce- 
ded by  Lord  Amherst,  During  much  of  the  succeeding  year, 
he  was  a  soldier  in  Capt.  Whiting's  company,  and  was  station- 
ed at  Fort  Miller.  In  1760,  he  enlisted  under  Capt.  Archi- 
bald McNiel,  of  Litchfield,  and  shared  in  the  glory  and  perils 
of  the  reduction  of  Montreal.  He  continued  with  McNiel  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war  in  176$,  having  in  the  meantime  been 
appointed  Sergeant. 

His  country  having  no  longer  need  of  his  services  in  the 
field,  young  Beebe,  now  in  his  22d  year,  returned  home,  and 


12* 
engaged  in  the  labors  of  the  farm.  On  the  1 1th  of  July,  1764* 
he  was  married  to  Elizabeth  Marsh,  daughter  of  John  Marsh 
of  Litchfield,  and  settled  upon  his  paternal  estate,  hoping  to 
spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the  quiet  enjoyment  of  do- 
mestic life.  But  his  lot  was  cast  in  troublous  times.  Only  a 
few  years  of  peace  had  elapsed,  before  the  spirit  of  revolution, 
too  long  smothered  in  the  breasts  of  the  people,  burst  into  a 
flame  throughout  the  colonies.  At  the  April  session  of  the 
General  Assembly  of  Connecticut*  1775*  a  law  was  passed 
mustering  into  the  public  service  one-fourth  of  all  the  militia  of 
the  colony—formed  into  companies  of  100  men  each,  and  into 
six  regiments.  He  was  commissioned  as  Lieutenant  of  one  of 
these  companies*  and  immediately  joined  his  command.  This 
entire  force  was  sent  to  Boston  soon  after  battle  at  Lexington; 
In  July  of  the  same  year,  the  Legislature  sent  one  hundred 
•oldiers,  with  their  officers,  to  man  the  fortresses  on  Lake 
Champlain,  which  had  been  recently  captured  from  the  British* 
Lieutenant  Beebe,  who  accompanied  this  expedition,  was  sta- 
tioned at  Crown  Point,  having  been  transferred  to  the  Quar^ 
ter  Master  General's  department. 

In  January,  1776,  he  received  a  Captain's  commission,  and 
at  once  raised  a  company  for  an  eight  weeks'  campaign  for  the 
defence  o[  New  York,  at  the  expiration  of  which  period  the 
company  was  disbanded  and  returned  to  their  homes.  At  the 
following  May  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  it  was 
deemed  advisable,  "inconsequence  of  the  alarming  movements 
of  the  ministerial  army  and  navy,"  to  raise  two  new  regiments 
for  the  defence  of  this  and  other  colonies,  and  subject  to  join 
the  continental  army  if  so  ordered  by  the  Governor:  These 
troops  were  placed  under  the  command  of  Colonels  Waterbury 
and  Hinman,  and  Captain  Beebe  was  appointed  to  the  com- 
mand of  one  of  the  companies  in  Hinman's  regiment,  and  was 
for  some  time  in  active  service  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 
At  this  time,  the  second  lieutenant  of  his  company  was  James 


128 
Watson,  who  subsequently  rose  to  an  honorable  rank  as  an  of- 
ficer, and,  aftei  the  war,  became  a  Senator  in  Congress  from 
the  State  of  New  York.   JEarly  in  November,  Captain  B.  was 
placed  in  command  of  thirty-six  picked  men,  raised  for  the  de- 
fence of  Fort  Washington  near  New  York.     On  the  16th  of 
that  month,  the  Fort,  after  a  desperate  resistance  on  the  part 
of  its  brave  defenders,   fell  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  and 
all  the  Americans  were  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners.*    The 
subsequent,  treatment  and  sufferings  of  the  prisoners,  who  were 
confined  in  the  Sugar  House  and  on  board  the  prison-ships,  is 
perhaps  without  a  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  wars  of  any 
civilized  nation.     Crowded  into  &  narrow  space,  without  air, 
and  for  two  days  without  food,  contagion  and  death  were  the 
natural  consequences.     The  dysentary,  small  pox>  and  other 
terrible  diseases,    broke  out  among  them,   and  very  few  of  the 
whole  number  survived  the  terrible  ordeal.     December  the 
£7th,  an  exchange  of  prisoners  took  place  \  but  only  eleven 
of  those  who  gurVived  Were  able  to  start  for  Connecticut — six 
of  whom  died  en  the  way.     The  remainder  of  those  who  were 
living  at  that  date,  being  too  ill  to  be  removed,  where  all,  with 
a  single  exception,  (Sergt.  Mather,)  died  within  a  few  days — * 
ottist  of  them  with  the  small  pox.     Captain  Beebe,  in  consid- 

*  As  these  thirty-six  men,  selected  for  so  fearful  an  enterprize,  were 
all  or  nearly  all  from  Litchfield  county,  this  is  deemed  a  fitting  place 
in  which  to  record  their  names  and  destiny  for  the  admiration  of  their 
posterity;  Corporal  Sam3l  Coe,  Jeremiah  Weed,  Joseph  Spencer  and 
John  Whiting  were  killed  at  the  time  of  the  capture ;  Sergt.  David  Halh 
Isaac  Gibbs,  Timothy  Stanley,  Amos  Johnson,  Samuel  Vaill,  Nathan- 
iel Allen,  Gershom  Gibbs,  Enos  Austin,  Daniel  Smithy  David  Olm- 
sted, Jared  Stuart^  John  Lyman,  Aaron  Stoddard,  John  Parmely,  Joel 
Taylor,  AleX;  McNiel,  Gideon  Wilcoxon,  Elijah  Loomis,  and  Phineas 
Goodwin,  died  in  prison  or  within  a  few  days  of  their  liberation  ;  Tim- 
othy Marsh,  Berius  Beach,  Oliver  Marshall,  Elisha  Brovvnson,  Zebulori 
Bissell  and  Remembrance  Loomis,  died  on  their  way  home ;  Solomon 
Parmely  is  supposed  to  have  been  drowned  from  the  prison -ship ; 
Sergeant  Cotton  Mather,  Thomas  Mason,  Noah  Beach,  Daniel  Bene- 
dict, James  Little  and  Oliver  Woodruff,  reached  their  homes,  but  two 
vr  three  of  them  died  soon  after.     Oliver  Woodruff  lived  until  1847. 


it* 

eration  of  his  office,  was  allowed  the  limits  of  the  city,  but  was 
compelled  to  provide  himself  with  food,  lodging,  &c„  or  go 
without.  He  was  accustomed  to  visit  his  men  daily,  so  long  as 
as  anyremained,  but  he  could  do  little  to  alleviate  their  wretch, 
ed  condition.  There  then  being  no  British  officer  of  his  rank 
in  the  hands  of  the  Americans,  he  was  not  exchanged  with  the 
other  prisoners,  but  was  confined  within  the  'limits'  for  nearly 
a  year  at  his  own  expense.  During  a  part  or  whole  of  this 
period,  the  celebrated  Ethan  Allen  was  held  as  a  prisoner  in 
and  near  New  York,  and  Captain  Beebe  often  met  him  on 
parol  and  consulted  with  him  on  the  condition  of  his  men  and 
the  means  for  their  relief. 

On  the  13th  of  August,  1777,  the  General  Assembly  re- 
solved to  raise  a  regiment  by  voluntary  enlistment,  to  serve  in 
the  northern  department,  or  elsewhere  ;  and  appointed  Sam- 
uel McLellan,  Colonel  of  said  regiment ;  Noah  Phelps,  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel ;  and  Bezaleel  Beebe,  Major.  It  was'further 
resolved,  that  the  Governor  and  Council  should  give  all  necessa- 
ry orders  for  raising  and  directing  the  same,  during  the  recess 
of  the  Assembly.  This  regiment,  which  was  to  continue  in 
service  thirty-one  days,  was  socn  raised,  and  served  in  Rhode 
Island  and  parts  adjacent  under  orders  from  the  Governor  and 
Council.  On  the  2  tth  of  September  following,  the  Assembly 
ordered  that  a  recruiting  officer  to  enlist  men  for  the  continental 
army  and  to  arrest  deserters,  should  be  appointed  in  each  of  the 
six  brigades  of  the  Slate.  Major  Beebe  was  appointed  for  the 
sixth  brigade,  and  Litchfield  was  designated  as  his  place  of 
rendezvous.  Here  he  remained  until  he  was  appointed  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel, in  1780,  when  he  was  stationed  with  his  regi- 
ment at  Horse-Neck.  Early  in  the  following  year,  he  receiv 
ed  a  Colonel's  commission,  and  was  soon  after  appointed  to  the 
command  of  all  the  Connecticut  troops  raised  for  the  defence 
of  the  sea  coast.  Under  this  appointment  he  was  assigned  thi 
duties  and  received  the  emoluments  of  a  Brigadier-General, 


130 
In  the  auturan  of  1781  he  retired  from  the  army,  and  once 
more  returned  to  his  home.     But  his  fellow-citizens  still  had 
claims  upon  his  services  which  they  were  unwilling  to  relin- 
quish;    It  was  a  period  of  great  interest  and  anxiety  to  the 
American  people.     Just  emerging  in  triumph  from  the  War  of 
Revolution,  their  laws  were  to  be  re-modelled  and  their  system 
of  government  to  be  formed  and   established,  and  men  of  wis- 
dom and  experience  were  needed  in  the  councils  of  the  State 
and  nation.     Colonel  Beebe  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Le- 
gislature of  Connecticut  for  the  October  Session,  1781,  and  he 
continued  to  be  re-elected  at  intervals  until  1795,  when  he  de- 
clined being  again  a  candidate  for  the  House — a  treaty  of  peace 
having  in  the  mean  time  been  concluded  with  Great  Britain, 
and  our  general  and  State  governments  being  fully  established 
and   in  successful   operation.      He,  however,    continued  to 
serve   his  fellow-townsmen  in    various  public    employments 
for  several  years  thereafter,  and   always  to  the  entire  satis- 
faction of  his  constituents.      Few  men  ever  possessed  in  a 
more  eminent  degree  the  confidence  of  those  who  knew  him 
— confidence  not  only  in  his  honesty,  but  in  his  ability  to  per- 
form whatever  trusts  might  be  committed  to  his  care.     He 
died  in  his  native  town  on  the  29th  day  of  May,  1824,  aged  83 
years — his  wife  surviving  him  only  about  a  year.    He  had  three 
sons,  viz.,  Ebenezer,  (Major  U.  S.  Army,  died  in  the  service 
during  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,)  William,  and  James, 
(both  of  whom  have  been  members  of  the  Senate  of  Connec- 
ticut,) and  three  or  four  daughters.     The  Hon.  Julius  Rock- 
well, Representative  in  Congress  from  Massachusetts,  is  his 
grandson. 

Colonel  Beebe  was  in  person  tall,  portly  and  erect,  with  an 
open,  cheerful,  and  benevolent  countenance,  and  in  all  res- 
pects he  was  a  noble  specimen  of  a  man.  As  a  soldier,  legis- 
lator and  citizen,  he  was  worthy  of  imitation  for  his  devoted 
patriotism  and  self-den jring  labors ;  as  a  Christian,  he  adorn- 


131 
ed  the  doctrines  of  the  cross  by  a  life  of  practical  godliness. 
The  spirit  of  missions,  and  the  other  great  benevolent  projects 
which  characterized  the  church  and  the  world  during  his  lat- 
ter years,  found  in  him  an  earnest  friend  and  zealous  supporter. 
Long  accustomed  to  look  upon  death  with  the  eye  of  an  un- 
clouded faith>  the  summons  for  his  final  departure  found  tym, 
not  only  waiting  but  anxious  to  go. 


13* 


FREDERIOK    WOLOOT T 


FREDERICK  WOLCOTT,  a  younger  brother  of  the 
last  Governor  Wolcott,  (a  sketch  of  whose  history  will  be  found 
in  this  volume,)  was  born  in  Litchfield,  Nov'r.  2.  1767.  His 
boyhood  was  spent  in  his  native  town,  and  necessarily  partook 
much  of  the  excitement  consequent  upon  the  Revolution.  His 
father,  during  much  of  this  period,  was  absent  from  home  — 
sometimes  on  military  duty,  and  sometimes  in  his  seat  as  a 
member  of  the  continental  congress.  When,  in  1 776,  the  lead- 
en statue  of  George  the  Third  was  torn  by  a  mob  from  its  po- 
sition on  the  Bowling  Green  in  New  York,  and  conveyed  to 
the  care  of  General  Wolcott,  Frederick,  then  a  lad  of  nine 
years,  assis'ed  in  casting  it  into  bullets  for  the  use  of  our  army 
In  1787,  he  graduated  at  Yale  College1,  and  soon  after  entered 
upon  the  study  of  the  law,  but  was  prevented  by  ill  health 
from  engaging  in  its  practice.  His  uncommonly  sound  and 
mature  judgment  early  attracted  the  attention  of  the  public,  so 
that  without  the  least  solicitation  on  his  part,  he  was  called  to 
the  discharge  of  many  important  civil  trusts  before  he  had  at- 
tained the  age  of  25  years. 

In  1793,  Mr.  Wolcott  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  and  of  the  Superior  Court,  and,  upon  its  estab- 
lishment five  years  afterwards,  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court. 
These  offices  he  continued  to  hold  until  his  resignation  in  1836. 
In  1796,  he  was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  District  of 
Litchfield,  a  station  to  which,  notwithstanding  the  fluctuations 
of  party,  he  was  annually  re-elected  by  the  Legislature  for 
forty-one  successive  years.     In   1802  and   in  1803  he  was  a 


member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  ;  and  in  1810  lie  wa* 
chosen  by  the  freemen  of  the  Stale,  a  member  of  the  Council, 
in  which  body  he  sat  until  after  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution 
.  in  1819.  At  this  date  the  Council  was  abolished,  and  the  Sen- 
ate organized  in  its  stead;  and  Judge  Wolcott  wassubsequently 
for  several  years  elected  Senator. 

Within  the  limits  of  the  last  brief  paragraph,  we  have  passed 
over  almost  a  life-time  in  the  years  of  one  whose  prime  was 
literally  spent  in  the  public  service  ;  yet  in  thus  enumerating 
the  various  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility  which  he  filled  so 
long  and  so  well,  we  are  conscious  of  having  given  but  a  single 
item  of  his  history.  His  was  a  life  of  unsullied  purity  and  ex- 
tensive usefulness.  Wherever  good  might  be  accomplished, 
whether  in  the  humble  walks  of  life  or  in  the  more  enlarged 
sphere  of  benevolent  operations,  he  was  a  willing  and  welcome 
actor.  'Hence,  all  institutions  of  learning,  and  societies  for 
ameliorating  the  physical  and  moral  condition  of  mankind,  ev- 
er found  in  him  a  warm  and  efficient  friend.  He  was  President 
of  the  Litchfield  County  Foreign  Mission  and  Education  Soci- 
eties, President  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Litchfield 
Female  Academy,  Fellow  of  the  Conneoticut  Academy  of  Arts 
and  Sciences,  Member  of  the  Corporation  of  Yale  College, 
&c,  &c. 

No  man  was  less  covetous  of  the  world's  applause,  yet  few 
received  more  fully  the  homage  and  regard  of  his  fellow  men, 
not  only  in  his  native  State,  but  wherever  he  was  known.  With 
a  commanding  personal  appearance,  and  a  countenance  of 
singular  majesty  and  benignity,  he  moved  among  his  compeers 
like  a  being  of  superior  mould.  His  clear  and  comprehensive 
mind,  well  disciplined,  and  well  stored  with  common  sense, 
combined  with  a  calm  and  tender  conscience,  furnishing  strong, 
instinctive  and  enlightened  perceptions  of  right  and  wrong, 
admirably  qualified  him  for  an  arbiter  and  judge.  He  held 
with  equal  balance  the  scales  of  justice,  and  when  the  spotleei. 


134 
cnnine  of  the  judicial  robe  was  placed  upon  him,  it  touched 
nothing  less  pure  and  spotless  than  itself.  All  his  official  du- 
ties were  discharged  in  the  most  exemplary  manner,  and  those 
who  required  his  services  and  counsel,  will  long  remember  the 
fidelity  and  urbanity  with  which  they  were  performed.  And 
although  these  duties  were  often  arduous  and  complicated,  and 
his  decisions  on  legal  points  numerous,  it  is  worthy  of  honora- 
ble record  that  not  one  of  them  was  reversed  by  the  higher 
tribunals. 

But  the  charms  of  Judge  Wolcott's  character  were  most 
attractively  unfolded  in  the  peaceful  and  retired  scenes  of  pri- 
vate and  social  life.  In  these  he  most  delighted  to  move,  and 
in  these  it  is  most  pleasing  to  contemplate  him.  Possessing  a 
singularly  modest  and  unassuming  deportment,  a  frank,  gener- 
ous and  cordial  disposition, he  loved  the  exercise  of  those  kind- 
ly offices  which  pertain  to  the  citizen,  the  neighbor,  the  friend, 
the  father  and  the  christian.  In  the  performance  of  the  vari- 
ous duties  incident  to  these  relations,  he  was  pre-eminently 
happy.  In  these  the  moral  beauty  of  his  character  was  daily 
developed  in  all  its  loveliness.  His  elevated  standard  of  duty 
and  honor,  and  his  warm  and  benevolent  spirit,  qualified  him, 
for  a  prudent  counsellor  and  compassionate  friend.  He  re- 
joiced in  relieving  the  distresses  of  the  widow  and  the  orphan  ; 
and  when  relief  could  not  be  extended  to  human  suffering,  he 
delighted  to  bind  up  the  broken-hearted  and  to  pour  the  oil  of 
consolation  into  the  bosom  of  affliction.  Meek  and  merciful, 
pure  in  heart,  and  a  peace-maker,  he  enjoyed  in  all  their  rich- 
ness the  blessings  which  they  ensure,  and  clothed  in  this  pan- 
oply of  power  and  love,  like  his  great  Master,  he  "went  about 
doing  good.'*  Hence  he  was  appropriately  denominated  the  pa- 
triarch of  the  village,  a  pillar  in  the  church  a  luminary  in  the  land. 

Judge  Wolcott  died  May  28,  1837,  leaving  several  children. 
His  first  wife  was  Bettey  Huntington,  of  Norwich,  who  died 
April  2,  1812  ;  his  2d,  Mrs.  Sally  W,  Cook,  died  Sept.  U,  1842, 


135 


AUGUSTUS    PETTIBONE. 

Colonel  Giles  Pettibone,  of  Simsbury,  in  Hartford  county, 
was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  and  most  prominent  citizens  of 
Norfolk.  He  was  the  first  Representative  of  that  town  to  the 
General  Court,  the  first  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  District,  the 
second  Town  Treasurer,  and  one  of  its  earliest  Magistrates. 
After  sharing  in  the  labors  and  triumphs  of  a  pioneer  for  more 
than  half  a  century,  he  died  at  an  advanced  age  in  1810, 
greatly  lamented  by  the  entire  community. 

AUGUSTUS  PETTIBONE,  his  son,  was  born  in  Norfolk, 
February  16, 1765.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  early  man- 
hood, and  in  a  few  years  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  shrewdest 
lawyers  in  the  county.  He  was  elected  a  Representative  to 
the  Legislature  at  the  October  Session,  1800,  and  was  re- 
elected at  twenty-eight  semi-annual  elections— his  father,  whom 
he  succeeded  in  the  House,  having  previously  been  a  member 
of  that  honorable  body  at  twenty-six  sessions  !  In  1812,  the 
Legislature  appointed  him  a  Justice  of  the  Quorum  for  the 
bounty  of  Litchfield,  and  four  years  after  elevated  him  to  the 
bench  of  the  Common  Pleas.  Upon  the  re-organization  of  the 
County  Courts  in  1820,  Judge  Pettibone  was  appointed  Chief 
Justice  of  his  native  county,  and  so  continued  by  annual  ap- 
pointments for  eleven  years. 

In  1818,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  which  formed 
the  Constitution  of  this  State  ;  and  in  1830  and  '31,  he  was 
elected  to  the  Senate  from  the  17th  district.  He  was  also  for 
seventeen  years  Judge  of  the  Probate  Court  for  the  District 
of  Norfolk. 


\'6f> 

We  have  thus  briefly  noted  some  of  the  public  employments 
of  one  who,  for  a  period  of  more  than  forty  years,  bore  a  con- 
spicuous and  useful  part  in  (he  public  affairs  of  Litchfield  coun- 
ty. The  simple  fact  that  he  was  so  long,  and  in  such. a  variety 
of  ways,  honored  by  his  fellow  citizens,  is  of  itself  a  sufficient 
indication  of  the  fact  that  Augustus  Pettibone  was  not  an  or- 
dinary man  He  was  distinguished  for  the  extent  of  his  legal 
acquirements,  as  well  as  for  his  talents,  industry,  and  strict 
sense  of  honor.  He  was  a  safe  counseller,  a  just  judge,  a  use- 
ful legislator,  and  an  exemplary  citizen.  After  a  quiet  and 
cheerful  old  age,  he  departed  this  life  at  his  residence  in  Nor- 
folk, on  the  5th  of  October,  1847,  in  the  83d  year  of  his  age, 
leaving  a  wife  but  no  descendants.  The  monument  erected 
to  his  memory  in  the  grave  yard  of  his  native  town,  is  one  of 
the  finest  in  the  State. 


13 


NATHANIEL    SMITH. 


The  "Smith  Family"  is  an  extensive  one,  the  world  over ; 
and  he  who  shall  accomplish  the  herculean  task  of  beginning 
and  completing  its  genealogy,  will  be  worthy  of  the  thanks  of 
that  innumerable  and  respectable  race.  Scarcely  a  town  or 
village  can  be  found,  either  in  Great  Britain  or  America,  where 
the  name  does  not  exist ;  no  haunt,  of  depravity,  no  lonely  back- 
woods settlement,  no  office  of  honor  in  Church  or  State,  where 
the  Smiths  have  not  been  repiesentated. 

In  another  part  of  this  volume,  we  have  traced  the  genealo- 
gy of  the  late  Governor  Smith,  of  this  State,  back  to  the  Rev. 
Henry  Smith,  the  first  minister  of  Weathersfield.  We  have  not, 
however,  succeeded  in  obtaining  any  definite  information  rela- 
tive to  the  remote  ancestry  of  that  distinguished  branch  of  the 
family  with  which  we  have  now  to  do.  The.father  of  the  sub- 
ject of  the  brief  sketch  given  below,  was  a  pioneer  of  that  part 
of  Woodbury  since  incorporated  into  the  town  of  Roxbury. 
Tie  married  a  sister  of  the  celebrated  Gen.  Benjamin  Hinman 
of  the  Revolution,  (a  woman  of  superior  mental  endowments,) 
and  had  three  sons  who  became  men  of  eminence,  viz.,  Na- 
thaniel— Phineas,  (the  father  of  the  Hon.  Truman  Smith,)  long 
a  Magistrate  and  Representative — and  Nathan,  formerly  of  the 
U.  S.  Senate. 

NATHANIEL  SMITH  was  born  in  Roxbury,  January  G, 
1762.  His  labors  upon  the  farm  in  the  rugged  aud  mountain- 
ous region  of  his  nativity,  gave  him  a  robust  constitution  and 
sinewy  frame  ;  while  his  early  struggles*  with',   and  triumphs 


138 
over,  the  indigence  and  hardships  consequent  upon  war  and  a 
new  country,  gradually  disciplined  his  mind  for  the  important 
positions  wl'ich  he  was  destined  to  occupy.  Soon  after  the  close 
of  the  Revolution,  he  commenced  the  study  of  the  law  with 
Judge  lleeve  of  Litchfield,  and,  after  being  admitted  to  the  bar, 
opened  an  office  in  Woodbury  in  1789.  He  rose  rapidly  in 
his  profession,  and  in  public  esteem.  For  keenness  of  discern- 
ment, accuracy  in  investigation,  adroitness  in  argument,  and 
energy  of  delivery,  he  had  few  if  any  equals  in  the  State.  In 
1790,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives, and  was  eight  times  re-elected.  In  1795,  he  was  cho- 
sen a  member  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and  after 
remaining  in  that  body  for  four  years,  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
of  the  Council  of  his  native  State.  In  1806,  he  was  promoted 
to  the  office  of  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  and  Supreme 
Court  of  Errors.  He  remained  upon  the  bench  until  1819— 
having  thus  been  constantly  in  public  life  for  the  period  of 
twenty-nine  years. 

Though  compelled  to  forego  the  advantages  of  a  collegiate 
education,  his  studies  were  by  no  means  confined  to  his  pro- 
fession. He  early  made  respectable  progress  in  the  study  of 
the  classics,  and  was  a  proficient  in  the  abstruse  sciences.  At 
the  age  of  thirty-three,  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of  Arts 
Was  conferred  upon  him  by  Yale  College,  and  he  was  subse- 
quently elected  a  Fellow  of  the  Connecticut  Academy  of  Arts 
and  Sciences, 

His  success  as  a  lawyer  lay  in  his  tact  and  power,  united  to 
a  uniform  consistency  and  integrity  of  purpose  which  inspired 
the  jury  with  confidence  in  him  and  in  his  cause.  He  never 
resorted  to  the  petty  quibblings  of  the  craft,  for  the  purpose  of 
diverting  the  minds  of  the  jurors  from  the  real  points  at  issue; 
but  with  a  steady,  systematic,  straight-forward  argument,  he 
presented  his  cause  with  luminous  perspicuity,  and  he  seldom 
failed  in  the  accomplishment  of  his  object.     As  a  judge,  he 


139 
tempered  judgment  with  mercy,  and,  wherever  the  demands 
q{  justice  would  allow,  he  delighted  to  say  to  the  offender,  "Go; 
and  sin  no  more."  As  a  legislator,  he  was  eminently  wise, 
patriotic  and  sagacious.  His  mind  seemed  to  comprehend  at 
a  glance,  the  various  bearings  which  any  proposed  measure 
might  have  upon  the  public  weal ;  and  he  possessed  the  rare 
faculty  of  so  vividly  presenting  the  subject  to  the  minds  of  oth- 
ers, that  they  could  see  it  in  the  same  clear  light.  As  a  man  of 
mind — ?of  exalted  capabilities,  and  pure  aspirations — *few  of  his 
generation  might  be  compared  with,  him.  A  distinguished 
Governor  of  the  State,  now  living,  lately  said  of  him,  "  Connec- 
ticut never  produced  a  greater  intellect  that  Judge,  Smith  pos- 
sessed." 

He  died  in  Woodbury,  March  9,  1822,  in  the  (j.lst  year  of 
his  age. 


110 


II  ORA  G  E    II  0  L  L  E  V  . 


The  present  village  of  Lakevillc,  in  the  town  of  Salisbury, 
near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county  and  of  the  State,  was 
the  birth-place  of  the  subject  of  this  memoir.  The  town  boasts 
of  having  given  birth  to  very  many  persons  who  have  been 
highly  distinguished  in  our  countr}7,  and  who  still  adorn  its  civ- 
il, military  and  literary  walks.  Its  iron  soil,  at  once  rugged 
and  fertile,  seems  to  have  a  peculiar  adaptation  to  the  produc- 
tion of  vigorous  intellect.  G  lowing  patriotism,  patient  industry, 
ardent  enterprize,  and  exuberant  fancy,  have  been  its  common 
products.  These  active  energies,  as  exhibited  in  the  character 
of  its  sons,  are  diffused  throughout  the  nation.  Its  towering 
mountains,  its  beautiful  lakes,  its  luxuriant  valleys,  though  de- 
serted by  the  genius  they  inspired  and  nurtured,  still  claim 
their  share  in  those  ardent  aspirations  which  sent  it  forth  to 
an  admiring  world,  and  in  that  affection  which,  amidst  toil  and 
vicissitude,  ever  directs  its  warmest  impulses  to  the  cherished 
remembrances  and  dear  scenes  of  its  birth  and  infancy.  Which 
of  its  sons,  on  revisiting  his  native  village,  does  not  direct  his 
eye  afar  off  to  the  lofty  Tachannac,  and  the  pile  of  stones 
which  his  boy-hands  assisted  to  raise  as  an  altar  to  fame  on  its 
summit  1  Which  of  them  is  not  moved  by  the  sight  of  the  pla- 
cid Wonscopomac,  with  its  woods  and  lawns  and  the  little  skiff 
upon  its  'waveless  mirror?'  W7hich  of  them  is  not  inspired 
with  holy  sentiments,  as  he  sees  the  dwelling  of  his  father,  with 
its  orchard  and  meadow  bathed  by  the  limpid  waters'?  Which 
of  them  does  not  feel  his  heart  g!ow  with  religious  emotion, 
while  on  a  Sabbath  morning  he  presses  on  with  the  throng  of 


141 

neatly  dressed  youths  and,  maidens,  old  men  and  children,  and 
discovers  in  (he  distance, 

"■  The  village  church  among  the  trees, 

Where  ^rst  his  lisping  prayers,  were  given, 

Whose  solemn  peal  still  swells  the  breeze, 

Whose  taper  spire  still  points  to  heaven." 

Luther  Hqlley,  (the  father  of  Horace,)  was  descended  in 
a  direct  line  from  Edmund  Halley,  a  celebrated  English  philos- 
opher, born  the  29th  of  October,  1556,-  In  St.  Leonardos  Parish 
Shoreditch,  London.     His  great-grandfather  came  from  Eng 
land  and  settled  in  Stratfprd,   Connecticut,  and  afterwards  re 
moved  to  Stamford.     His  grandfather  married  Waitstill  Webb 
and  continued  at  Stamford  until  his  children  were  grown  up 
when  he  removed  to  Sharon,  in  this  county,  being  one.  oftbe. 
first  settlers  of  that  town.     His  second  son,  John,  whose  wife's 
name  was  Sarah  Lord,  was  the  lather  of  Luther.     Luther  was 
a'  man  of  unusual  energy  and  enterprize,  and  rose  from  com- 
parative indigence  to  circumstances  of  independence  and  great 
respectability.     He  died  in  1826. 

HORACE  HOLLEY,  ll,  p,.,  was  born  on  the  13th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1781.     He  early  manifested  a  more  than  usual  degree  of 
mewtal  vivacity,   and,   even  in  childhood,   gave  indications  of 
high  and  generous  qualities.     Blessed  from  birth  with  a  sound; 
and  healthful  frame,  no  physical  infirmaties  checked  the  ex- 
pansion of  his  faculties.     His  senses  were  perfect;  his  percep-. 
tfons  were  quick  and  clear,  and  his  memory  retentive  and  ready. 
Thus  qualified  to  learn,  he  was  naturally  fond  of  trying  his 
opening  powers  ;  and  the  acquisition  of  new  ideas,  from  what- 
ever source,  was  to  him  an  enjoyment.     He  was  placed  at  the 
common  district  school  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his  father's 
hojise,  when  he  was  but  little  more  than  three  years  old;  and; 
the  peculiarly  rapid  progress  which  he  made  in  the  simple  stud- 
ies suited  to  his  age,  proved  his  aptitude  to  receive  instruction* 
and  plainly  showed  that  his  lessons  wrere  no  burden  to  him. 

The  first  ten  years  of  his  life  passed  in  this  wray,  chiefly  at;: 


142- 
school  or  in  such  light  labor  as  was  suited  to  his  years^  anjtj 
which,  intermingled  with  the  customary  sports  of  childhood, 
served  both  to  develope  his  corporeal  powers,  and  to  give  a 
healthful  tone  to  his  mind.  With  such  faculties,  and  such  a 
disposition  to  use  them,  he  soon  became  familiar  with  the  com- 
mon rudiments  of  knowledge  ;  and  as  nothing  farther  was  to 
be  acquired  at  a  district  school,  he  was  permitted  to  avail  him- 
self of  other  modes  of  gratifying  his  active  spirit.  His  father, 
in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  a  farm,  was  pretty  extensively 
engagedin  country  trade,  which  gave  occasion  for  the  transpor- 
tation of  considerable  quantities  of  produce  and  merchandise, 
and  to  many  errands  of  business  from  home.  New  York  was 
then,  as  now,  the  ultimate  market  for  that  quarter  of  the  coun- 
try, and  intercourse  with  it,  previous  to  the  construction  of  the 
Housatonic  Railroad,  was  carried  on  through  the  freighting 
villages  on  the  Hudson  river,  A  drive  to  Rhinebeck,  or  Red. 
hook,  or  Poughkeepsie,  on  a  smooth  road,  through  a  cultivated 
and  pleasant  district,  with  a  pair  of  good  horses,  and  charged 
with,  business,  was  no  repulsive  employment  to  a  lad  of  manly 
temper  and  enterprizing  spirit.  It  wTas  well  adapted  to  pro- 
mote many  valuable  objects,  It  was  calculated  to  help  for- 
ward a  knowledge  of  men  and  things — of  the  modes  of  bur 
siness,  and  the  relative  value  of  commodities — to  throw  a  youth 
in  a  beneficial  way  upon  his  own  resources,  and  to  aid  in  giving 
firmness  and  tone  to  character  ;  and  in  this  kind  of  occupation, 
this  new  school  of  practical  education,  was  young  Holley  fre- 
quently and  cheerfully  engaged,  while  yet  a  boy  of  twelve  oe 
thirteen  years  of  age,  the  promptitude,  accuracy  and  fidelity 
with  which  he  discharged  his  trust,  always  bringing  tokens  of 
parental  approbation- 

About  this  time,  his  father,  in  pursuance,  of  his  original  pui> 
pose  of  educating  Horace  for  a  merchant,  sought  a  place  for 
him  in  the  city  of  New  York.  Finding,  however,  that  a  sitar 
ation  in  a  mercantile  house  of  respectable  standing  and  exten-. 


143 
Vive  connexions,  could  not  be  procured  for  him  without  paying 
a  considerable  premium  for  the  privilege,  the  design  was  relin- 
quished, and  he  went  into  his  father's  store,  as  the  best  means 
then  at  hand  of  furnishing  him  with  wholesome  occupation,  cul- 
tivating habits  of  industry,  and  advancing  his  knowledge  of  bu- 
siness. Still,  he  was  not  exclusively  devoted  to  this  employ- 
ment; but,  with  those  of  his  biothers  then  at  home,  he  was 
occasionally  on  the  farm  and  at  school,  and,  wherever  enga- 
ged, was  active,  faithful,  intelligent  and  efficient. 

As  his  faculties  unfolded,  however,  and  as  the  impulse  from 
within  gave  more  decided  indications  of  the  direction  of  his  pro; 
pensities  and  tastes,  it  became  more  and  more  obvious  that 
intellectual  pursuits  attracted  him  most  powerfully  ;  and  the 
rising  desire  to  obtain  a  liberal  education  strengthened,  until  his 
thoughts  became  so  engrossed  with  that  object,  his  hopes  and 
wishes  so  clung  to  it,  that  his  father  finally  consented,  and 
came  to  the  determination  to  set  apart  for  the  purpose  that  por- 
tion of  his  estate  with  which  he  had  intended  to  set  him  up  in 
business.  The  plan  being  adopted,  it  was  speedily  acted  upon  ; 
for  procrastination  was  no  part  of  the  character  ot  father  or 
son.  Accordingly,  in  1797,  Horace,  then  being  sixteen  years 
old,  was  taken  to  Williamstown,  in  Berkshire  county,  Massac 
ehusetts,  and  placed  in  the  academy  or  preparatory  school  con- 
nected with  Williams  College,  with  the  view,  when  the  prop- 
er time  should  arrive,  of  entering  him  in  that  institution.  At 
that  early  period,  however,  Williams  College  was  more  limited 
in  literary  means  than  at  present.  Perceiving  the  deficiences 
in  that  establishment,  and  ascertaining  the  superior  advantages 
of  Yale  College,  after  completing,  his  preparatory  studies  at 
Williamstown,  he  went  to  New  Haven,  and  entered  the  Fresh- 
man Class  of  Yale  at  the  commencement  of  the  collegiate  year 
in  1799.  Yale  was  then  flourishing  under  the  auspices  of  its 
celebrated  President,  Dwight,  whose  brilliant  reputation  shed 
lustre  on  the  institution  committed  to  his  care,  and  whose  indf- 


144 
vidua]  fame  had  long  before  become  fixed  as  a  part  of  the  pub- 
lic glory  of  his  country.  Horace  now  found  his  long  cherish- 
ed desire  for  knowledge  in  the  way  of  being  satisfied.  His 
•course  was  upward,  from  the  beginning.  He  studied  intensely 
and  stood  among  the  foremost.  He  had  his  full  share  of  col- 
lege honors,  and  has  since  been  heard  to  say,  that  during  the 
four  years  of  his  college  life,  he  was  never  the  subject  of  a  fine* 
or  admonition  from  his  tutors.  Indeed,  he  was  a  favorite  with 
them  all,  and  with  the  President,  the  best  test  of  talent  and 
application.  He  was  also  distinguished  in  the  polite  circles  of 
the  town,  for  his  elegant  person,  polished  manners,  and  intellect- 
ual conversation.  He  already  began  to  take  that  lead  in  socU 
ety  which  he  ever  afterwards  maintained.  He  discovered  also 
thus  early,  that  taste  for  mental  philosophy,  then  called  meta- 
physics, and  not  so  much  in  repute  or  so  well  understood  as  at 
present,  for  which  he  became  so  much  distinguished. 

The  religious  revival  of  1803,  which  spread  over  New  Ha- 
ven, extended  also  into  the  college.  Many  of  the  students 
were  numbered  among  its  subjects.  It  is  hot  strange  that  one, 
of  the  enthusipstic  temperament  we  have  described,  should  have 
caught  its  influence.  His  mind,  equally  ardent  in  every  thing* 
imbibed  ihs  spirit  of  the  time,  and  gave  all  its  eloquence  to  di- 
vine things.  The  debating  clubs  were  changed  into  meetings 
of  religious  exhortation  and  prayer. 

With  these  softened  feelings,  during  the  Senior  vacation,  he 
retired  to  the  bosom  of  his  brother's  family,  then  in  Poughkeep- 
sie,  to  prepare  for  the  last  honors  of  his  college,  being  appoint- 
ed to  deliver  an  oration.  Here  he  was  seized  with  the  fever 
find  ague,  which  nearly  unfitted  him  for  the  task.  Pale  and 
emaciated,  he  appeared  upon  the  stage  on  commencement- 
day,  and,  as  he  ever  did,  carried  with  him  the  admiration,  as 
well  as  the  deep  sympathy  of  the  audience. 

It  will  give  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  state  of  religious  feel- 
ing at  that  time  existing  in  college,  to  state,   that  a  great  pro- 


145  ' 
portion  of  the  graduating  class,  before  parting  for  their  distant 
homes,  entered  into  a  solemn  engagement  in  writing,  to  pray 
'for  each  other  at  a  certain  hour  every  day.  Bound  together 
by  so  many  ties,  the  parting  was  solemn  and  affecting.  They 
embraced  in  tears,  and  bade  each  other  adieu — with  many  an 
eternal  adieu  ! 

In  the  winter  following  his  graduation,  we  find  the  subject 
°f  this  sketch  in  the  office  of  Riggs  and  Radcliff,  New  York,  as 
a  student  at  law.  All  his  energies  were  for  some  months  en- 
gaged in  this  study.  But  soon  a  reaction  took  place  which  gave 
a  different  direction  to  his  mind,  and  determined  his  destiny 
for  life. 

This  change,  which  gave  to  the  profession  of  divinity  one  of 
its  brightest  ornaments,  and  a  most  eloquent  expositor,  may  be 
ascribed  in  a  great  measure  to  the  influence  of  Dr.  Dwight, 
who,  much  interested  in  his  favorite  pupil,  was  desirous  of  en- 
gaging in  this  service  so  much  active  talent.  He  was  proud 
of  this  son  of  his  beloved  institution;  one  who  was  no  bad 
example  of  his  own  mind  and  manner,  his  powerful  eloquence 
and  successful  instruction. 

Accordingly,  in  the  summer  of  1804,  Holley  entered  as  a 
student  of  theology  under  Dr.  Dwight,  and  resided  in  the  fam- 
ily of  the  venerable  Dr.  Dana.  Here  he  engaged  in  his  new 
course  of  study  with  all  the  zeal  which  novelty  as  well  as  ardor, 
and  a  lively  satisfaction  with  the  late  change  in  his  destiny, 
could  inspire.  Here  also  he  cultivated  poetry,  and  indulged 
his  tastes  and  his  friendships. 

On  the  first  of  January,  1805,  Mr.  Holley  was  married  in 
New  Haven,  to  Miss  Mary  Austin^  a  lady  of  many  and  varied 
accomplishments,  since  distinguished  as  the  biographer  of  her 
husband,  and  author  of  "The  History  of  Texas,"  to  which 
country  she  some  years  since  accompanied  her  uncle,  the  cel- 
ebrated General  Stephen  Austin.  The  first  six  months  after 
their  marriage  were  spent  beneath  the  paternal  roof  in  Salisbu- 


11$ 

ry.  The  lime  of  the  young-  divine,  the  date  of  whose  license 
preceded  but  a  few  days  that  of  his  manage,  was  employed, 
during  a  severe  winter  in  the  country,  in  writing  sermons  and 
pursuing  his  theological  studies.  In  the  following  summer  he 
repaired  to  New  Haven,  and  various  invitations  were  received 
by  him.  Much  expectation  was  excited  by  the  advent  of  the 
young  pulpit  orator,  and  it  was  in  no  respect  disappointed. — 
Invitations  pressed  upon  him,  and  he  was  not  long  in  select- 
in0,  a  residence— and  the  selection  in  a  personal  point  of  view, 
as  often  happens  to  the  young  and  romantic,  was  made  less  in 
reference  to  the  real  wants  of  life,  than  to  taste,  literary  ease, 
and  rural  retirement.  It  is  sufficient  to  name  Greenfield  Hill-, 
Fairfield  county,  Connecticut,  which  once  boasted  as  its  pastor 
the  venerated  President  of  Yale,  Timothy  Dwight,  who  cele- 
brated its  beauties  in  verse,  and  who  retained  an  after  influence 
on  its  destinies.  He  was  ordained  by  the  Western  Consocia-- 
tion  of  Fairfield,  September  the  13th,  1805-  The  parish  voted 
"  to  give  Mr.  Holley  five  hundred  and  sixty  dollars  per  year  for 
his  services  in  the  ministry,  so  long  as  said  parish  and  Mr.  Hol- 
ley shall  agree."  It  was  at  the  option  of  either  to  dissolve  the 
union,  when  they  should  consider  it  no  longer  expedient  to 
remain  together.  There  was  never  the  least  disaffection  be- 
tween them,  but  after  the  experience  of  nearly  three  years,  it 
wps  found  that  the  salary  was  too  small.  And  though  the  sit- 
uation was  delightful,  the  people  kind,  the  professional  duties 
congenial,  the  tender  charities  of  life  agreeable,  it  was  not  in 
the  power  of  so  small  a  community  to  increase  the  annual  sti* 
pend  of  their  pastor.  A  dissolution  of  his  pastoral  connection 
with  this  parish  was  consecpaently  effected  on  the  13th  of  Sep* 
tember,  1808. 

Again  at  New  Haven,  ever  the  starting  point  of  his  hopes, 
and  freed  from  all  engagements  and  every  external  influence, 
Mr.  Holley  determined  on  a  journey  through  Massachusetts 
and  Maine.     He  had  now  reached  the  maturity  of  his  intellect, 


34T 

an  J  perhaps  no  man  ever  presented  a  finer  combination  of  rare 
qualities.  His  mind  was  active,  vigorous  and  glowing;  his 
person  manly,  graceful  any  imposing  ; — and  he  had  a  power  of 
eloquence  which  few  possess  and  none  surpass.  On  ihe  13th 
of  October  vvc  find  hi.ni  at  Marblehead,  where  he  remained 
preaching  with  such  success  that  he  was  invited  to  become  the 
paster  of  the  church  in  that  place.  This,  however,  he  declin- 
ed. He  received  also,  about  this  time  invitations  from  Middle- 
town,  Albany,  New  York,  and  other  places  ;  but  he  detei min- 
ed against  establishing  himself  in  either.  Having  finished  bis 
engagement  in  Marblehead,  he  repaired  to  Boston,  whither  his 
fame  hid  preceded  him  ;  and  we  next  find  him  preaching  at 
the  Old  South  Church,  always  to  crowded  houses.  Subse- 
quently he  was  engaged  at  the- church  in  Hollis  street,  where, 
after  several  weeks'  probation,  he  was  invited  to  take  the  pas- 
toral charge.  He  did  not  hesitate  to  accept  of  a  situation  so. 
eligible — a  situation  that  not  only  promised  but  more  than  re- 
alized all  he  had  hoped.  His  installation  took  place  on  the 
8th  of  March,  1809.  This  connection  continued'  for  ten  years, 
and  no  society  and  minister  ever  lived  together  more  harmo- 
niously— he  giving  to  his  people  the  most  entire  and  perfect 
satisfaction,  and  receiving  from  them  every  demonstration  of 
affection  and  esteem.  His  sermons  were  generally  extempo- 
raneous, or,  if  written,  were  seldom  finished,  but  left  to  be  fill- 
ed out  by  the  suggestions  of  the  moment.  His  method  of  com- 
posing, or  of  preparing  them,  was  as  follows.  His  mind  was 
richly  stored  with  information  on  all  subjects  ;  he  never  forgot 
anything  he  had  once  learned,  and  he  learned  all  things  accu- 
sately  and  definitely.  Whatever  he  read  or  saw  in  his  walks 
during  the  week,  was  made  tributary  to  his  Sabbath  exercises.. 
Frequently  a  visit,  or  an  accidental  conversation  with  one  of 
his  parishioners,  would  furnish  a  train  of  thought  upon  which, 
his  hearers  hung  with  intense  interest.  Hence  these  sermons 
were  always  practical,  always  addressed  to  the  heart  and  un- 
derstanding ;,  and  hence,  in  part,  their  power. 


148 
It  was  his  custom  to  enter  his  study  on  Saturday  evening-, 
and  remain  there  until  a  late  hour,  more  lor  the  purpose  of  re- 
flection than  composition,  to  arrange  the  plan  of  his  discourse, 
and  to  make  notes.  After  a  few  hours  of  sleep,  he  was  again 
in  his  study,  when  he  would  suffer  no  interruption  from  any 
cause,  not  even  stopping  for  breakfast.  He  then  entered  the 
pulpit,  fired  with  his  theme,  and  livited  all  attention  for  an  hour 
or  more,  with  scarcely  a  recurrence  to  his  notes.  If  the  after- 
noon service  required  a  similar  effort,  he  ate  no  dinner.  If  he 
dined,  he  would  take  a  familiar  subject  and  treat  it  less  elabo- 
rately. 

His  mornings  were  spent  in  intense  study — for  everything 
with  him  was  intense  ;  and  his  evenings  were  devoted  to  the 
current  literature  of  the  day,  which  he  read  aloud  in  his  fami- 
ly, and  to  the  enjoyment  of  yociety  and  conversation,  which 
w ere  made  subservient  to  the  objects  on  which   his  mind  was 
acting  in  retirement.     Thus  the  fruits  of  his  studious  hours 
were  brought  into  society,  and  thus  also  society  in  its  turn  add- 
ed its  contributions  to  the  stores  of  his  intellect  and  taste.     II  is 
occasional  sermons  were  composed  with  care  and  written  out. 
In  1815,  he  was  invited  to  the  Presidency  of  Transylvania 
University  in  Kentucky,  to  which  invitation,  however,  he  gave 
little  heed.     The  church  and  society  over  which  he  was  settled 
were  united  and  happy  under  his  ministrations — and  the  idea 
of  leaving  them  appears  not  to  have  entered  into  his  thoughts. 
The  change  which  is  alledged  to  have  taken  place  in  his  views 
of  the  Trinity,  during  his  iesidence  in  Boston,   did  not  in  the 
least  estrange  his  people  from  him.     In  November,   1817,   the 
invitation  from  Transylvania  was  unanimously  renewed,  and 
with  so  much  authority,  promise  and  plausibility,  that  he  was 
induced  to  listen  to  the  proposition,  and  to  undertake  a  journey 
thither.     On  reaching  Lexington,  he  was  welcomed  with  dem- 
onstrations of  joy  by  all.     From  his  correspondence  it  appears 
that  he  was  invited  to  preach  in  their  several  pulpits  by  the 


149 
Rev.  Messrs,  Vandeman.  (Baptist,)  Wi.rd,*  (Ej  is<  opal;)   M<  - 
Chord,  (Presbyterian,)  and  also  by  the  ministers  of?  the  Mcth 
odist  and  Associate  Reformed  chinches.     In  one  of  his  letters 
he  says  — 

"This  morning  I  breakfasted  at  Mr.  Clay's,  who  lives  a  mile  and  a. 
half  from  town.  Ashland  is  a  very  pleasant  place,  handsomer  than  i 
had  anticipated.  The  grounds  are  beautiful,  the  lawns  and  walks  ex- 
tensive, the  shrubbery  luxuriant,  and  the  garden  well  supplied.  The 
native  forest  of  ash  in  the  rear,  adds  a  charming  effect  to  the  whole. 
After  breakfast  Mr.  Clay  rode  inwith  me,  and  we  went  with  the- Trus- 
tees, by  appointment,  to  the  college,  to  visit  the  professors  and  stu- 
dents. They  were  all  collected  in  the  largest  hall  to  receive  us.  I 
made  a  short  address,  which  was  received  in  a  kind  manner.  I  was 
then  conducted  to  the  Library,  the  Apparatus  and  the  Recitation 
Rooms.  The  library  is  small  and  the  apparatus  is  smaller.  There  is 
no  regular  division  of  students  into  classes  as  in  other  colleges,  ihkI:' 
but  few  laws.  Everything  is  to  be  done,  and  so  much  the  better,  as 
nothing  is  to  be  reformed.  Almost  the  whole  is  proposed  to  be  left  to 
me  to  arrange-  I  am  now  making  all  necessary  inquiries,  and  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Trustees  is  to  be  called  next  week." 

After  remaining  in  the  vicinity  for  several  weeks,  informing 
himself  of  the  state  of  feeling  which  existed-  among  the  people, 
as  well  as  of  the  prospects  of  the  institution,  he,  on  the  13th  of 
April,  1818,  signified  his  acceptance  of  (lie  invitation.  He 
seems  to  have  regarded  the  new  field  before  him  with  all  his 
wonted  enthusiasm.  In  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Holley,  after  reverting 
to  the  love  which  he  bore  the  Holiis  street  church,  and  his  de- 
termination to  leave  it,  he  adds,  "I  shall  make  a  sacrifice  in 
many  things,  but  I  shall  do  my  duty,  and  if  I  meet  with  success 
it  will  be  glorious.  I  am  not  about  to  bury  myself,  or  my  tal- 
ents, humble  as  they  are,  from  an  active  and  conspicuous 
sphere  This  whole  western  country  is  to  feed  my  seminary, 
which  will  send  out  lawyers,  physicians,  clergymen,  statesmen,, 
poets,  orators  and  savans,  who  will  make  the  nation  feel  them. 
It  is  a  great  opening,  and  I  should  be  pusillanimous  to  shrink 
from  it,  on  account  of  the  sacrifice  I  shall  make  in  the  refine- 

*  Rev.  John  Ward,  a  native  of  Litchfield,  Conn. 


150 
meats  of  society,  and  the  breaking  up  of  connections,  however 
dear  to  my  heart.  The  course  I  am  pursuing  is  a  high  and 
honorable  one,  entirely  above  the  region  of  clouds  and  storms 
of  sects,  and  in  a  clear  and  pure  day.  I  breathe  an  atmosphere 
more  agreeable  to  me,  in  the  large  view  that  I  take,  than  I  have 
breathed  before." 

It  now  only  remained  to  break  up  his  connection  in  Boston. 
He  immediately  informed  his  church  and  society  of  his  decis- 
ion, and  returned  home  to  make  the  necessary  preparations  for 
removing  his  family  to  Kentucky.  His  Farewell  Discourse, 
which  was  a  master-piece  of  eloquence,  drew  together  an  im- 
mense crowd  of  listeners.  The  large  church,  which  had  been 
erected  and  consecrated  for  him,  was  not  only  filled,  but  the 
entrance,  the  steps,  and;  even  a  part  of  the  street,  were  crowded: 
with  people — and  thousands  were  moved  to  tears  by  the  pa; 
thos  and  power  of  his  eloquence. 

In  the  autumn  of  1818,  Dr.  Holley  removed  to  Lexington,, 
with  a  stipulated  salary  of  $3,000  per  annum,  and  was  inducted 
into  office  on  the  1 9th  of  December  following.  This  act,  as 
had  been  anticipated,  proved  a  life-spring  to  the  institution. 
It  was  like  the  sun  to  vegetation,  after  the  lapse  of  a  dreary 
winter.  Pupils  came  in  from  every  quarter,  until,  in  a  few 
months,  the  institution  was  highly  respectable  in  numbers  and 
importance.  But  it  will  be  useless  to  follow  Dr.  Holley 
through  the  nine  years  of  his  Presidency  of  Transylvania. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  institution  which,  in  1818,  was  little 
more  than  a  grammer  school,  with  but  a,  single  class,  and  that, 
of  insignificant  numbers,  grew  and  flourished  under  his  care, 
until,  in  1824  and  1825,  it  numbered  400  students,  divided  into 
the  four  college  classes — with  an  elevated  standard  of  study, 
and  a  high  and  growing  reputation.  But  subsequently  to  this 
period,  the  spirit  of  sectarianism  set  itself  to  work  against  the 
University  and  its  distinguished  head  ;  in  consequence  of  which 
Dr.  Holley,  feeling  that  his  prospects  of  extended    usefulness 


151 

were  in  a  degree  curtailed,  signified  to  the  Trustees,  in  the. 
spring  of  1826,  his  intention  of  resigning  his  post.  This  step 
was  regarded  with  deep  regret  by  the  citizens  of  Lexington  and 
hy  the  friends  of  the  University  generally.  Not  a  few  who  had 
been  hostile  to  him,  expressed  a  readiness  to  unite  in  a  general 
request  that  he  would  retain  his  station,  declaring  that  in  future 
he  should  have  their  cordial  support  But  their  repentance 
came  too  late.  Although,  some  months  after  writing  it,  Dr* 
Holley  was  induced  to  recall  his  letter  to  the  Board,  he  carried 
his  intended  resignation  into  effect  in  the  spring  of  1827. 

On  the  27th  of  March,  of  the  year  last  named,  he  left  Lex- 
ington, accompanied  for  a  considerable  distance  by  a  proces- 
sion of  pupils,  citizens,  and  friends.  On  his  arrival  at  New 
Orleans,  he  was  waited  upon  by  several  distinguished  and 
wealthy  citizens,  with  a  proposal  to  establish  for  him  a  College 
uear  that  city.  As  soon  as  it  was  ascertained  that  he  regarded 
the  plan  with  favor,  a  subscription  was  started  for  the  object •, 
which  in  three  or  four  weeks  amounted  to  thirty  thousand  dol- 
lars. But  the  hot  season  had  now  arrived,  and  Dr.  Holley 
found  his  health  rapidly  failing  him.  He,  therefore,  resolved 
upon  a  visit  to  his  friends  at  the  North,  and  accordingly  took 
passage  (with  Mrs,  Holley*)  on  board  the  ship  Louisiana,  for 
New  York.  The  remainder  of  our  story  is  sad,  and  soon  told. 
When  a  few  days  out,  he  was  seized  with  a  violent  illness, 
which  terminated  fatally  on  the  fifth  day  from  his  embarkation 
• — July  31,  1827,  aged  46  ;  and  on  the  following  day  his  re- 
mains were  consigned  to  the  bosom  of  the  ocean. 

Thus  passed  from  the  earth  one  of  its  purest  and  most  gifted 
spirits— distinguished  alike  for  his  learning,  his  virtues,  his 
genius,  his  broad  philanthropy,  and  his  inspiring  eloquence. 
As  the  tidings  of  his  death  spread  through  the  country,  they 
were  received  with  demonstrations  of  sorrow  and  mourning. 
tn  New  Orleans,  Lexington,  Plymouth,  Boston,  and  elsewhere, 

*  This  estimable  lady  died  in  New  Orleans,  in  September,  1846, 


151' 
furierai  discourses  were  delivered.  The  Rev.  John  Pierpont, 
$)r.  Molley\s  successor  in  the  Mollis  street  church,  pronounced 
a  discourse  on  his  life  and  character,  by  request  of  his  society  ; 
null  the  same  "  p'easant  yet  mournful"  duty  was  assigned  to 
Prof.  Charles  Caldwell  by  the  University  over  which  the  de- 
ceased had  so  long  presided.  We  cannot  better  close  this 
sketch  than  by  Copying  the  following  paragraphs  from  the  Dis- 
course by  Prof.  Caldwell  : 

"As  nn  orator  it  may  be  asserted  of  Dr.  Hollcy,  as  truly  as  it  was  of 
the  great  Chatham,  in  reference  to  his  Roman  virtues  and  peerless  en- 
dowments, that.,  in  some  respects,  at  least  he  '  stood  alone.'  In  that 
capacity,  neither  truth  nor  justice  forbids  me  to  add, "that  'modern 
degeneracy  had  not  reached  him.'  Of  the  orators  of  antiquity,  whose 
fame  is  the  theme  of  classical  story,  and  who  still  furnish  models  for 
the  world's  imitation,  the  mantle  of  inspiration  would  seem  to  have  de- 
scended to  him  and  gifted  him  like  themselves.  In  the  eloquence  of 
the  pulpit  he  was  the  paragon  of  his  country,  if  not  of  the  age,  and 
might  calmly  look  down  on  all  the  efforts  of  cotemporary  rivalry. — 
Nor,  in  that  line  of  oratory,  has  his  superior,  perhaps,  ever  shed  a 
lustre  on  any  age.  Bossuet,  of  France,  was  not  more  elevated,  v-ebes 
meat,  and  impressive,  nor  Massillon  himself  more  enchantingly  attract- 
ive. To  award  to  him  a  triumphant  ascendency  over  Chalmers  and 
Irving,  the  living  Massilon  and  Bossuet  of  Britain,  is  but  to  do  what 
has  been  repeatedly  done,  by  sundry  judges,  whose  decision  is  entitled 
to  undisputed  confidence.  To  say  the  least  of  them,  the  matter,  ar- 
rangement and  language  of  his  discourses  were  equal  to  those  of  the 
discourses  of  the  British  orators  ;  and  his  delivery  of  them  incontesti- 
bly  and  greatly  superior.  In  general  opulence  of  diction,  and  splen>- 
dor  of  elocution,  more  especially  in  the  majesty  of  lofty  and  solemn 
declamation,  he  left  the  two  foreign  divines  immeasurably  behind  him. 

!*  Nor,  of  his  powers  of  analysis,  when  topics  of  depth  and  intricacy 
presented  themselves,  am  I  inclined  to  speak  in  less  elevated  terms. 
Here,  as  on  all  other  points,  he  descanted  as  he  thought,  with  accuracy, 
vigor,  and  resplendant  perspicuity.  Even  matters  of  mystery  almost 
ceased  to  be  mysterious,  as  they  fell  from  his  lips  irradiated  by  his 
genius." 

"  As  if  she  had  cast  him  intentionally  in  her  happiest  mould,  and  en- 
dowed him  in  a  moment  of  her  most  abundant  prodigality,  Nature  had 
showered  on  this  her  favorite, in  unwonted  profusion  and' of  the  choic- 
est stamp,  those  minor  attributes,  which  are  so  powerful  in  their  in- 
fluence, as  the  exteriors  of  oratory.  In  person  and  general  aspect,  as 
heretofore  mentioned,  he  was   not  only  elegant    and    imposing,  but 


loo 
splendidly  beautiful.  But,  with  out  any  of  that  delicacy,  which  though 
peculiarly  characteristic'^  youth  adheres  to  some  throughout  their 
lives,  or  the  slighest  admixture  of  feebleness  or  effeminacy, °his  beauty 
was  as  masculine  as  it  was  rare  and  attractive.  With  a  stature  of  the 
most  approved  dimensions,  a  figure  sosymetrical  as  to  be  almost  fault- 
less, features  bold,  expressive,  and  comely,  giving  strength  to  a  coun- 
tenance beaming  with  the  brightest  intelligence,  and  animated  with 
the  workings  of  the  loftiest  sentiments  and  the  most  ardent  feelings, 
h3  truly  and  emphatically  gave  to  the  world,  assurance  of  a  man— 
'  take  him  for  all  in  all,  we  shall  not  look  upon  his  like  again.' 

"  Thus  configured,  gifted  and  accomplished,  when  he  ascended,  in 
his  flowing  toga,  the  pulpit  or  the  rostrum,  assumed  the  air  and  atti- 
tude of  the  orator,  and  threw  his  eyes  around  him  on  an  admiring 
audience,  the  presentation  itself  was  a  burst  of  eloquence an  exquis- 
ite exordium  to  a  splendid  discourse.  Under  the  illusion  of  the  moment, 
the  Genius  of  Oratory,  indebted  for  his  existence  to  poetic  fiction, 
might  have  been  almost  fancied  to  have  started  into  actual  beino-,  and 
stood  forth  to  view,  clothed  in  the/orm  and  aspect  most  suitable  to 
his  character.  An  ordinary  address  from  a  source^of  such  promise 
would  have  been  deep  disappointment.  One  of  consummate  elegance, 
opulency,  and  force,  could  slone  redeem  the  pledge  that  was  proffer- 
ed. When  to  these  attributes  were  added,  a  mellow,  rich,  and  silver- 
toned  voice,  thrilling  at  times  with  the  very  essence  of  melody,  and  of 
unusual  compass,  flexibility  and  power  an  enunciation  uncommonly- 
distinct  and  varied  ;  a  manner  in  the  highest  degree  tasteful  and  ani- 
mated, and  action  the  most  graceful,  expressive,  and  appropriate,  the 
combinaticn  to  give  to  elocution  all  its  fascination,  and  produce  by  its 
most  powerful  and  indelible  effects,  was  as  complete  as  nature  in  her 
bounty  could  bestow.  To  render  it  irrestible,  nothing^ was  wanting  but 
the  outpourings  of  a  mighty  and  cultivated  intellect — and  the  whole 
were  united  in  the  person  of  the  deceased." 

"  And,  though  man  had  been  silent  when  his  body  was  committed 
to  the  deep,  the  rolling  surf,  as  it  broke  over  the  reef  near  which  he 
was  deposited,  would  have  resounded  to  him,  as  it  did,  a  solemn  re- 
quiem, which  will  never  cease  to  salute  the  ear  of  the  passing  mariner, 
while  the  winds  shall  continue  to  waft  him  and,  the  ocean  to  be  his 
home.  And,  amidst  the  roar  of  the  mighty  waters,  his  repose  will 
be  as  peaceful  as  if  he  slept  under  fretted  marble,  or  the  grassy- 
sod,  silently  wept  on  by  the  dews  of  evening,  and  smoothed  by  the 
vespers  of  the  softened  breeze." 


ABRAHAM    AND    PHINEAS    BRADLEY. 


Stephen  Bradley  emigrated  from  England  about  the  rear 
1660,  and  settled  in  Guilford,  Connecticut,  where  he  died  on 
the  20th  of  June,  1702,  aged  60  years.  He  had  son?  Ste- 
phen and  Abraham.  The  latter  was  born  in  Guilford,  May 
IS,  1675,  married  Jane  Learning,  and  died  April  20,  1721, 
aged  46  years.  He  had  three  sons,  viz.,  Abraham,  Daniel, 
(died  in  Salisbury,  Ct,  in  1794,)  and  Joseph,  (died  at  Guilford, 
in  1799.)  Abraham,  last  named,  was  born  July  26,  1702, 
graduated  at  Yale  College,  married  Reliance  Stone,  and  died 
in  1771,  aged  69  years.  He  had  three  sons,  viz.,  Abraham, 
Learning,*  and  Peleg. 

Abraham  Bradley,  last  named,  was  born  in  Guilford,  on 
the  11th  of  December,  1731.  In  1763,  he  married  Hannah 
Baldwin,  of  Litchfield,  where  he  settled  and  resided  for  up- 
wards of  thirty  years.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Hanover, 
(near  Wilkesbarre,)  Penn.,  and  in  his  latier  years  went  to  re- 
side with  his  son  Phineas,  near  Washington  City,  D.  C.  He 
was  successively  master  of  a  vessel,  surveyor  of  lands,  select- 
beaming  Bradley  settled  in  Litchfield,  where  he  died  in  1821, 
aged  85  years — leaving  three  sons  and  three  daughters.  One  of  his 
sons,  the  late  Capt.  Aaron  Bradley,  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
from  Litchfield  at  six  sessions.  One  of  his  daughters,  Anne,  married 
the  late  Mr.  Levi  Kilbourn  ;  another,  Lucy,  married  Mr.  Jacob  Kilbourn 
—both  of  Litchfield: 


155 
man,  town  treasurer,  representative  to  the  legislature,  justice 
of  the  peace,  captain  in  the  militia  and  in  the  revolutionary  war, 
judge,  town  clerk,   &c.     His  wife  died  in  Wilkesbarre,  Sept. 
18,  1804,  aged  67  ;  he  lived  to  be  about  90  years  old. 

ABRAHAM  and  PHINEAS  BRADLEY,  (sons  of  Capt. 
Abraham  Bradley,)  were  both  natives  of  Litchfield — the  form- 
er, born  February  21,  1767;  the  latter,  July  17,  1769.  As 
their  public  career  was  passed  together  in  the  same  Depart- 
ment of  the  Government,  we  have  deemed  it  advisable  to  blend 
the  outlines  of  their  histoiy  in  a  single  sketch,  The  elder 
brother  was  educated  for  the  bar,  and  in  early  manhood  com- 
menced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  beautiful  valley  of 
the  Wyoming,  in  Pennsylvania — where  he  married  Miss  Han- 
nah Smith,  of  Pittst  on,  Luzerne  county.  The  younger  brother 
was  bred  a  physician,  and,  after  practicing  a  short  time  in  Mid- 
dletown,  Ct.,  he  opened  a  drug  store  in  his  native  town.  From 
thence  he  removed  to  Painted  Post,  N.  Y.,  and  soon  after  to 
Wilkesbarre,  Pa.  He  married  Miss  Hannah  Jones,  of  Litch- 
field, a  lady  eminently  distinguished  lor  pleasing  manners  and 
personal  beauty. 

When,  in  1791,  Colonel  Pickering  was  called  by  Washing- 
ton to  take  charge  of  the  Post  Office  Department,  Abraham 
Bradley,  then  an  Associate  Judge  of  Luzerne  county,  (where 
Colonel  P.  exercised  the  daties  of  Prothonotory,)  was  invited 
to  accompany  him  to  Philadelphia  as  a  confidential  clerk.  A 
very  unassuming  man,  yet  a  lawyer  of  competent  learning, 
with  a  clear  and  discriminating  mind,  and  an  industry  which 
knew  no  relaxation  while  there  was  a  duty  to  be  performed, 
a  more  valuable  officer  could  not  have  been  selected  than 
Judge  Bradley.  He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  soon  remov- 
ed with  his  family  to  the  seat  of  Government,  and  entered  up- 
on his  new  and  arduous  duties. 

But  the  Post  Office,  then  in  extreme  infancy,  needing  addi- 
tional aid,  Dr.  Bradley  also  received  an  appointment  in  that 


156 
Department.  Abraham  was  appointed  Assistant  Postmas- 
ter General  in  1799;  and  very  early  after  a  second  Assis- 
tant Postmaster  General  was  authorized  by  law.  The  station 
was  conferred  on  Dr.  Bradley,  the  former  having*  charge  of  the 
accounts,  collecting,  disbursing,  settling  with  postmasters,  &c. ; 
while  Phineas  took  upon  himself  the  more  difficult,  because 
more  varying  and  complicated  business  of  arranging  pos- 
routes,  forwarding  the  mails,  making  and  enforcing  contracts. 
The  difficulties  experienced  at  every  step  may  be  best  appreci- 
ated by  men,  thorough-going  business  men,  who  will  for  a  min- 
ute give  their  minds  to  the  establishment  of  a  mail  line,  say 
eastwardly,  from  Philadelphia  to  Boston:  At  every  ten  or 
twelve  miles  along  the  main  stem  there  must  be  ramifications, 
diverging  lines  starting  off  on  each  side  into  the  country,  up 
the  North  river,  on  to  Long  Island,  through  every  leading  road 
in  Connecticut ;  indeed,  through  all  New  England.  On  each 
of  these  ramifications  innumerable  other  branches  shootout. 
Some  of  the  mails  are  daily,  some  weekly,  some  once  a  fort- 
night ;  but  they  must  be  arranged  to  depart  and  meet  so  as  to 
answer  prompt  and  regular  connexion  and  facilities  throughout 
the  whole.  "A  mail  contractor  myself  for  twenty  years," 
says  a  correspondent  of  the  National  Intelligencer,  "I  he  propo- 
als  for  contracts  were  ever  a  puzzle  to  me — a  labyrinth  too  in- 
tricate for  me  to  explore,  and  the  most  sagacious  business  man 
-would  find  the  arrangement  a  tangled  skein  most  difficult  of 
unravelment.  Precisely  the  mind  lo  manage  this  complicated 
machinery  was  that  of  Dr.  Phineas  Bradley.  From  the  time 
he  entered  the  Dapartment  he  availed  himself  of  the  best 
lights  afforded  him,  and,  as  if  by  intution,  saw  through  the 
whole  matter  with  the  clearness,  I  had  almost  said,  of  inspira- 
tion. With  the  rapid  settlement  of  the  country  and  the  extra- 
ordinary development  of  its  businesi  and  resources,  the  situa- 
tion of  Dr.  Bradley  was  no  sinecure.  No  servant  ever  (oiled 
harder  ;  but  his    way  was  cheered  by  the  consciousness  (for 


157 
he  had  a  noble  ambition)  that  he  was  in  the  path  of  duty,  per- 
forming highly  useful  and  honorable   service  to  his  country, 
while  he  was  establishing  his  own  reputation  and  fairly  serving 
his  own  interest." 

Colonel  Pickering  having  been  called  to  the  execution  of 
other  trusts,  a  succession  of  Postmasters  General  followed  : — 
Habersham  from  the  South,  Granger  from  Connecticut,  Meigs 
and  McLean  from  Ohio,  succeeding.  Party  politics  raged  then 
as  now,  and  the  "tempestuous  sea  of  liberty,"  wiih  its  rolling 
waves  and  rushing  storms,  shook  at  times  not  only  the  Depart- 
ment but  the  Government  itself;  yet  the  Bradleys  remained 
at  their  elevated  posts,  commanding  by  their  talents,  capacity 
for  business,  unwearied  application,  and  unspotted  integrity, 
universal  confidence.  Appointed  by  Pickering,  it  need  hardly 
be  said  they  were  both  Federalists  of  the  old  school ;  but  min- 
gling the  rarest  prudence  with  the  most  free  and  unreserved 
expression  of  their  opinions,  they  passed  the  ordeal  of  all  the 
Administrations  for  nearly  forty  years  without  scath,  and,  ex- 
cept in  one  instance,  without  serious  alarm — a  matter  alike 
honorable  to  themselves  and  to  the  Democratic  gentlemen  who 
were  called  to  preside  over  them. 

Thus  it  may  be  said  that  the  Post  Office  Department,  from 
infancy  to  childhood,  and  from  childhood  up  to  vigorous  mat- 
urity, was  nursed  and  educated  under  the  superintendence  of 
Phineas  and  Abraham  Bradley.  They  laid  its  foundations  in 
wisdom,  they  erected  the  edifice  in  strergth,  they  adorned  it 
with  a  beauty  approaching  perfection.  This  brief  sketch  is  no 
fitting  place  for  statistics,  or  it  would  be  a  pleasure  to  trace  up 
from  small  beginnings  the  extension  of  post  routes,  the  mail 
stage  accommodations,  the  multiplication  of  post  offices,  the 
steady  increase  of  income  and  expenditure,  from  the  time  they 
entered  to  the  period  they  left  the  establishment.  A  fact  new 
to  many,  and  not  incurious,  may  be  here  stated.  In  early 
times,  it  being  deemed  necessary  to  increase  the  speed  of  the 


158 
mail  on  one  of  the  great  routes,  the  Government  established  a 
line  of  stages  between  Philadelphia  and  Baltimore — the  Gen- 
eral Post  Office  owning  horses  and  carriages  and  hiring  dri- 
vers. The  fare  through  between  the  two  cities,  on  the  Gov- 
ernment Line,  was  ten  dollars. 

On  the  coming  in  of  Governor  Barry,  of  Kentucky,  as 
Postmaster  General,  in  1829,  whose  administration  of  the  De- 
partment, proved  so  unfortunate,  Abraham  Bradley  was  dis- 
missed, to  make  room  for  an  influential  partizan  of  the  Admin- 
istration. Dr.  Bradley  would  have  been  retained,  but  he  de* 
clined  to  remain.  Twenty-five  hundred  dollars  a  year,  though 
a  strong  temptation,  could  not  for  a  moment  shake  his  resolve 
to  leave  the  office,  if  his  faithful  brother  was  dismissed,  or,  as 
he  deemed  it,  dishonored.  The  confidence  and  affection  ever 
existing  between  these  brothers,  present  a  most  amiable  trait  in 
their  characters.  For  a  season  the  Department  was  in  no  lit- 
tle perplexity  ;  for,  though  the  papers  were  all  there,  and  in 
excellent  order,  Dr.  Bradley's  head,  his  wonderfully  retentive 
memory,  were  wanting,  and  seemed  indispensable  to  explain 
the  intricate  involutions;  and  connections  when  a  new  adver- 
tisement for  mail  contracts  was  to  bs  made  out.  So  remarka- 
bly clear  and  tenacious  was  his  memory,  thatthere  was  scarcely 
a  metter  pertaining  to  his  office  which  he  could  not  explain 
without  reference  to  a  paper. 

The  Bradleys,  during  their  continuance  in  office,  probably 
wrote  more  letters  than  any  other  two  men  in  the  nation. 
Brief  and  pertinent,  it  might  be  regarded  a  wonder  if  one  in  a 
thousand  ever  occupied  more  than  a  single  page.  Their  hand 
writings  were  peculiar,  yet  different.  If  ever  seen,  they  could 
iiever  be  mistaken,  for  they  were  unlike  any  other  in  existence. 
Neither  of  them  was  a  diner  out,  a  giver  of  parties,  an  attend- 
ant upon  levees,  or  seen  as  courtiers  at  the  houses  of  the  great. 
^Each  at  home,  living  in  elegant  simplicity,  their  hospitable  ta- 

:  .:  .      ..  ] 


150 
lies  were  ahvays  well  set,  and  iheir  doors  were  opened  with 
a  cordial  welcome  to  their  friends  and  occasional  guests. 

Abraham  Bradley  was  a  book-man.  In  his  hours  of  leisure 
he  loved  study,  talked  philosophy  and  metaphysics,  was  fond 
of  abstruse  speculations,  and  wrote  well  on  every  subject  oh 
which  he  chose  to  employ  his  pen.  Asa  more  active  recreation, 
acriculture  was  his  delight.  He  had  a  farm  some  eight  or 
ten  miles  from  the  city,  whither  he  was  wont  to  resort  whenever 
his  public  duties  would  permit.  Extremely  domestic,  moder- 
ate in  all  his  wants  and  expenditures,  he  ought  to  have  accu- 
mulated a  fortune.  But  after  the  education  of  a  fine  family  of 
children,  who  do  honor  to  his  name  and  memory,  he  left  but  a 
moderate  independence.*  In  1793,  he  drew  and  published 
a  map  of  the  United  States,  which  soon  passed  to  a  second 
edition.  In  1814,  he  commenced  the  great  work  of  preparing 
his  Map  of  Post  Roads,  which  was  subsequently  published,  and 
which  contained  every  mail  route  and  every  post  office  in  the 
United  States,  with  the  distances  clearly  defined.  This  was 
the  first  work  of  the  kind  ever  given  to  the  public,  and  for  ac- 
curacy and  minuteness  of  design,  it  has  never  been  equalled. 

Dr.  Bradley,  on  the  other  hand,  was  thoroughly  read  in  the 
great  book  of  human  nature.  Man  he  had  studied  to  advan- 
tage, and  rarely  has  any  one  understood  his  subject  more  per- 
fectly. There  was  no  affectation  of  graceful  manner  or  fash- 
ionable politeness  about  him.  A  bow  would  have  been  to  him 
an  awkward  affair  ;  but  he  met  you  with  a  cordial  shake  of  the 
hand — a  cheerful  "  gocd  morning."  Perfectly  master  of  the 
topics  of  the  day,  you  would  seldom  meet  a  more  intelligent 
gentleman,  or  interesting  companion.  Tall,  a  high  forehead, 
dark  thin  hair,   yet  so  long  as  to  be  tied  behind,  dress  plain, 

*  Among  the  reasons  assigned  by  the  Government  paper,  for  the 
removal  of  Abraham  Bradley,  it  was  asserted  that  he  had  accumula- 
ted a  property  of  $100,000  ;  it  was  subsequently  stated  that  Dr. 
Phineas  Bradley  was  the  individual  meant. 


160 
countenance  habitually  cheerful  ;  an  excellent  physician,  nat- 
urally so,  above  and  beyond  the  rules  of  art ;  though  he  did 
not  practice  for  his  fee,  he  was  ever  attentive  and  most  wel- 
come at  the  bedside  of  his  friends  when  ill.  This  doubtless  in- 
creased his  influence  among  those  with  whom  he  was  associa- 
ted. For  many  years  he  resided  at  "  Clover  Hill,'"  his  country 
seat,  two  miles  north  of  the  Capitol.  "  Clover  Hill,"  with  its 
charming  embelishments,  awakened  the  muse  of  his  aged  fa- 
ther, and  produced  a  poem  of  no  inconsiderable  merit  from  the 
pen  of  that  venerable  gentleman,  who  enjoyed  in  advanced  age 
the  gratifying  success  and  unceasing  attentions  of  his  sons  and 
their  families,  emulous  to  make  him  happy.  Dr.  Bradley  was 
for  many  years  a  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church; 
In  liberality — and  his  means  were  ample — no  name  stood  be- 
fore his,  when  religious  or  charitable  objects  solicited  his  sub- 
scriptions. 

The  sketch  is  done  ;  the  mere  profiles  are  taken,  "  It  would 
require  a  volume,"  says  the  writer  already  quoted,  "to  do  jus- 
tice to  their  biography,  every  page  of  which  would  be  a  portion 
of  the  history  of  the  rise,  expansion  and  success  of  the  Post 
Office,  which  contributes  so  largely  to  the  general  intelligence 
and  happiness  of  the  people.  The  merits  and  blessings  of  that 
great  establishment  are  more  especially  theirs  than  any  other 
persons  who  have  yet  lived.  Their  image  and  superscription 
is  impressed  on  every  leaf  of  its  growth.  Marble  statues  of  the 
two  Bradleys  ought  to  be  chiselled  in  the  best  style  of  Persico, 
and  placed  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  two  entrances  of  the 
noble  structure  wherein  it  is  accommodated." 

Phineas  Bradley  died  in  the  Spring  of  1845 — having  sur- 
vied  his  brother  several  years.  Both  left  highly  respectable 
families,  some  of  the  sons  having  risen  to  eminence  at  the  bar 
and  in  public  stations. 


•161 


KIC  H  ARD    SKINNER- 


RICHARD  SKINNER,  ll.  d.,  (son  of  General  Timothy 
Skinner,)  was  born  in  Litchfield,  on  the  30th  May,  1778.  He 
Teceived  his  legal  education  at  the  Law  School  of  his  native  town, 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Litchfield  county  in  1800,  and  dur- 
ing the  same  year,  emigrated  to  Manchester,  Vermont,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  immediately  took  a 
high  stand  in  his  profession,  and  though  surrounded  by  older 
and  long  distinguished  competitors,  he  was  in  a  few  years 
acknowledged  as  the  ablest  lawyer  in  the  State.  In  1801,  at 
the  early  age  of  23  years,,  he  was  appointed  State's  Attorney 
for  the  county  of  Bennington,  where  his  extraordinary  talents, 
legal  accumen,  and  great  forensic  powers,  were  put  to  severe 
though  triumphant  test.  An  intellect  less  vigorous,  a  purpose 
less  determined,  would  have  quailed  before  the  formidable  ar- 
ray of  learning,  shrewdness,  and  experience,  which  his  pecul- 
iar position  rendered  it  necessary  for  him  to  combat.  But, 
conscious  of  his  own  abilities,  he  bore  himself  with  a  mild  dig^ 
«ity  and  a  loftiness  of  purpose,  which  secured  for  him  not  only 
the  admiration  but  the  good  will  of  his  associates  at  the  bar 
and  of  the  public  generally.  Young  as  he  was,  and  thus  ear- 
ly elevated  to  a  station  to  which  much  older  men  aspired,  he 
did  not  forget  the  respect  and  courtesy  due  to  his  seniors.  His 
demeanor  in  their  presence,  and  towards  them,  was  perfectly 
unassuming  and  deferential ;  he  was  more  ready  to  receive 
instruction,  than  to  instruct, 

In  1809,  Mr,  Skinner  was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate  for 
Bennington  county  ;  and  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  he  was  elect- 


162 
ed  a  member  of  the  American  Congress.  In  fulfiling  the  du- 
ties of  the  last  office,  his  labors  were  as  arduous  as  his  position 
was  peculiar.  Our  nation  was  in  the  midst,  of  a  war  with 
Great  Britain,  when  Judge  Skinner  entered  the  councils  of  the 
nation.  Me,  and  the  State  which  he  represented,  had  steadily 
opposed  the  measures  and  policy  which  had  originated  the  war. 
The  contest  having  been,  as  he  believed,  unnecessarily  begun, 
it  became  an  interesting  question  in  ethics,  how  far  he  ought 
to  go  towards  carrying  it  on — a  question  which  we  do  not  pro- 
pose to  discuss,  much  less  decide.  A  step  too  far  in  one  direc- 
tion, might  justly  cause  his  patriotism  to  be  suspected;  while 
a  step  too  far  in  an  opposite  course,  might  be  chargable  with 
inconsistency.  It  is  sufficient  to  add,  that  Judge  Skinner  so 
far  discovered  and  pursued  the  "  happy  medium''  as  to  pass  the 
ordeal  without  scath. 

In  1816,  the  Legislature  appointed  him  an  Associate  Judge 
of  the  Supreme  Court ;  and  during  the  following  year,  he  was 
elevated  to  the  office  of  Chief  Justice  of  the  State  of  Vermont. 
In  1818,  he  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Repiesentatives 
from  Manchester,  and  was  elected  Speaker  of  that  bedy. 

In  1820,  Judge  Skinner  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Govern- 
or of  the  State — and  was  re-elected  in  1 82 1,  and  again  in  1822. 
The  period  of  his  administration  was  characterized,  not  only  in 
his  own  State  but  throughout  the  nation,  by  unusual  quietness. 
There  was  a  calm  on  the  sea  of  party  politics — a  lull  of  the 
giant  storm  which  previously  had  well  nigh  shipwrecked  the 
Union,  and  with  it  the  hopes  of  a  world  smuggling  for  freedom. 
Those  were  genial  and  prosperous  days  for  that  sturdy  old 
commonwealth — a  commonwealth  as  immovable  in  her  adhe- 
rence to  the  principles  and  spirit  of  liberty,  asher  own  majestic 
mountains.  Soon  after  retiring  from  the  chair  of  the  chief  ma- 
gistracy, he  was  re -elected  Chief  Justice,  a  station  which  he 
continued  to  fill  with  general  acceptance  until  1829,  when  he 
retired  from  public  life. 


163 
Though  Governor  Skinner  thus  for  a  series  of  years  occu- 
pied the  highest  civil  and  judicial  stations  within  the  gift  of  the 
people  of  his  adopted  State,  his  thoughts  and  labors  were  by  no 
means  exclusively  engaged  in  objects  pertaining  to  those  stations. 
He  felt  that  the  various  benevolent  and  religious  societies  of 
the  day,  had  claims  upon  him  which  he  could  not  innocently 
or  honorably  resist.  Hence  they  ever  found  in  him  an  earnest 
co-worker  and  liberal  patron.  He  was  an  officer  of  various 
local  benevolent  associations,  besides  being  President  of  the 
North-Eastern  Branch  of  the  Ameiican  Education  Society, 
and  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Middlebury  Colle°'e. 
From  the  institution  last  named,  he  received  the  degree  of 
Doctor  of  Laws. 

He  died  at  his  residence  in  Manchester,  May  23d,  1833,  in 
the  55ih  year  of  his  age- 


164; 


JOSEPH    VAILk. 


JOSEPH  VAILL,  (son  of  Captain  Joseph  Vaill,  who  emi- 
grated from  Southhold,  L.  I.,  to  Litchfield  about  120  years 
ago,)  was  born  in  Litchfield,  July  14,  1751.  His  mother,  Je- 
rusha  Vaill,  was  a  daughter  of  Mr.  William  Peck,  of  the  same 
place.  He  continued  to  reside  with  his  parents,  engaged  in  the 
labors  of  the  farm,  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years. 

In  1772,  a  plan  was  proposed  by  Mr.  Jeremiah  Osborn,  who 
had  removed  from  Litchfield  the  preceding  yearinto  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Dartmouth  College,  for  several  young  men  to  de- 
fray the  expense  of  a  college  education  for  themselves,   by, 
tending  a  saw  mill   and  grist  mill,  the  property  of  the  college, 
which  he  had  taken  to  run  on  shares.     A  brother  of  Mr.  Os. 
born  had  before  this  become  a  member  of  Dartmouth  College. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  had  long  been  desirous  of  a  public 
education,    but  the  way  had  seemed  hedged  up  with  insur- 
mountable difficulties.     Two  of  his  acquaintances,  however, 
concluded  to  make  trial  of  the  plan  proposed,  and  he  signified 
to  his  parents  his  desire  to  join  in  the  new  and  arduous  enter- 
prize  ;  but  they  raised  such  strong  objections,  that  he  at  first 
felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  abandon  the  project.     His  father  was 
considerably  advanced  in  life,  and  had  no  other  son  except  an 
infant ;  he  had  seven  daughters  mostly  dependant  on  him. — 
These  were  considerations  which  weigned   heavily  upon  the 
mind  of  the  son,  but  they  did  not  deter  him  from  wishing  and 
hoping  for  the  consummation  of  his  favorate  idea.     In  Septem- 
ber he  received  a  lettei  from  Mr.  Osborn  which  fixed  his  de- 


1(35 
termination  to  go.  His  father  ottered  him  one  half  of  his 
estate  if  he  would  remain  on  the  farm  ;  but  he  replied  that  he 
would  rather  give  up  his  claims  to  any  part  of  it  than  not  to  go. 
His  friends  generally  regarded  the  scheme  as  wild  and  visiona- 
ry, and  did  all  they  could  to  persuade  him  to  stay,  but  in  vain. 

His  father  rendered  him  such  assistance  as  he  was  able,,  and 
he  set  out  for  the  college,  in  company  with  three  others,  Sep- 
tember 28th,  1772,  taking  with  him  his  axe  and  such  clothing 
and  books  as  were  deemed  most  necessary.  These  four  young- 
men  took  with  them  one  small  horse,  on  which  the  youngest 
and  most  feeble  of  their  number  rode  most  of  the  way — the 
others  traveling  on  foot,  with  their  packs  slung  across  their 
backs.  The  distance  they  were  to  travel  was  computed  to  be 
one  hundred  and  eighty  miles.  Mr.  Vaill  thus  speaks  of  tills 
journey  :  "  I  had  only  about  fifteen  shillings  in  money  in  my 
pocket  to  bear  my  expenses  on  the  journey ;  and  as  this  prov- 
ed insufficient,!"  received  some  more  from  one  of  our  company. 
We  traveled  on  an  average  about  thirty  miles  a  day.  L  had 
never  before  been  twenty  miles  from  home,  nor  gone  on  foot  a 
whole  day  at  a  time.  I  became  excessively  weary,  and  at  times 
was  almost  ready  to  lie  down  in  the  street.  On  the  third  day,, 
as  we  went  from  Hartford,  on  the  east  side  of  the  Connecticut 
River,  we  reached  the  Chickopee  River  in  Massachusetts;  and 
finding  the  bridge  gone,  one  of  our  number  rode  the  horse  over 
and  ascertained  that  it  was  not  dangerous  as  to  depth.  We 
then  pulled  off  our  stockings  and  shoes,  and  waded  across,  a 
distance  of  about  ten  rods.  The  water  was  cold,  the  stream; 
rapid,  and  the  bottom  covered  with  sharp  and  slippery  stones. 
We  reached  Claremont,  in  New  Hampshire,  on  Saturday  night, 
and  put  up  over  the  Sabbath  at  a  small  tavern  on  the  beach, 
of  Sugar  River.  The  landlord  was  an  Episcopulian.  A 
meeting  was  held  at  his  house  on  the  Sabbath,  On  Monday, 
October  5th,  we  reach  the  College  Mills." 

Few  young  men  at  this  day  would  practice  such  selfdenial 


166 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  an  education.  The  following- 
additional  extracts  from  Mr.  Vaill's  narrative,  will  let  the 
leader  still  further  into  the  nature  of  the  labors  and  privations 
of  t lie  students  of  those  primitive  times.  Is  it  to  be  wondered 
at  that  they  made  robust  and  vigorous  men  ! 

"  The  mills  were  one  mile  south  from  the  college.  They 
stood  on  a  large  brook,  and  near  them  was  an  interval  of  fif- 
teen or  twenty  acres  of  land,  which  interval  wras  nearly  sur* 
rounded  on  one  side  by  a  high  hill  of  simicircular  form,  which 
extended  from  north  east  to  south  wsst.  This  hill  was  thickly 
covered  with  forest  trees.  The  road  from  the  mills  to  the  col- 
lege, after  about  sixiy  rods  of  level  land,  ppssed  directly  up 
this  hill,  thence  through  a  hemlock  swamp,  nearly  half  a  mile 
in  width,  before  it  reached  the    plain  where  the  college  stood. 

"We  found  Mr.  Osborn  living  alone  in  a  small  framed  unfin- 
ished house,  which  had  been  built  for  (he  man  who  should 
tend  the  college  mills.  A  more  solitary  and  romantic  situation 
can  seldom  be  found.  The  howling  of  the  wild  beasts,  and 
the  plaintive  notes  of  the  owl,  greatly  added  to  the  gloominess 
of  the  night  season,  Mr.  O.  was  supplied  with  some  provis- 
ions and  utensils,  sufficient  for  one  who  lived  in  his  solitary 
condition.  His  lodging  was  a  box  made  of  boards,  called  a 
bunk,  with  a  ticken  filled  with  pine  shavings,  and  a  sufficient 
covering  of  Indian  blankets.  For  the  first  week  we  strangers 
took  each  one  a  blanket  and  slept  upon  the  floor ;  but  in  a 
short  time  we  furnished  ourselves  writh  bunks  and  straw  beds, 
and  utensils  sufficient  to  take  our  meals  in  a  more  decent  man- 
ner. The  first  four  or  five  weeks  we  spent  in  tending  the  mills, 
and  in  clearing  away  the  trees  near  our  house,  which  furnish- 
ed a  supply  of  fuel  for  the  winter.  One  of  our  company  soon 
gave  up  the  idea  of  studying,  and  returned  to  Connecticut  be- 
fore winter.  Three  of  us  now  entered  on  the  study  of  the  Lat- 
in Grammar,  and  so  continued  through  the  winter.  Our  tutor 
was  a  brother  of  Mr.  J.  O.,  and  a  member  of  the  Sophomore 


167 

Class  in  college.  We  gave  him  his  boaul  for  his  services  in 
teaching  us  ;  and  we  had  no  other  teacher  until  wc  entered 
college.  During  the  first  winter,  we  studied  in  our  cold  house, 
and  used  pine  knots  to  burn  for  lights,  instead  of  candles,  for 
a  part  of  the  time.  I  lodged  with » one  of  my  classmates  in 
the  chamber,  which  we  reached  by  a  ladder  placed  in  the  en- 
try. My  pillow  was  a  duffed  great  coat,  and  our  covering  nar- 
row Indian  blankets.  We  did  our  own  cooking  and  washing 
until  the  latter  part  of  March,  when  a  young  married  couple 
came  from  Connecticut  and  lived  in  our  house,  and  superin- 
tended our  domestic  affairs.  Having  repaired  a  small  cottage 
near  by,  built  in  part  of  logs,  we  removed  into  that  to  study 
and  lodge,  where  he  remained  during  the  next  summer,  suf- 
eri  ng  many  inconveniences,  and  undergoing  many  privations. 
V  On  the  return  of  spring  in  1773,  as  soon  as  the  ice  dis- 
solved, we  resumed  our  sawing.  We  sawed  about  sixty  thou- 
sand feet  of  pine  boards,  and  stuck  them  up.  We  also  tended 
the  grist  mill  in  our  turns,  besides  burning  over  several  acres  of 
ground,  and  clearing  the  same  for  tillage  ;  we  sowed  a  part 
with  clover  seed  for  mowing  and  pasture,  and  planted  yearly 
about  one  acre  of  corn,  besides  our  garden.  Our  corn-field 
was  never  plowed.  We  employed  our  hoes  in  planting  the 
corn,  and  we  dug  our  field,  when  the  corn  was  up,  with  our 
hoes.  The  first  spring  efter  we  commenced  our  settlement 
there,  the  measles  broke  out  in  our  family,  and  proved  fatal 
to  one  of  our  number.  This  was  an  afflictive  Providence  to 
us  all.  In  the  first  summer,  we  built  a  new  convenient  housp. 
One  of  our  number  and  myself  constructed  the  chimney  :  and 
for  want  of  cattle,  we  backed  the  stones  from  several  rods  dis- 
tance. The  mantle-stone  two  of  us  carried  on  our  shoulders 
nearly  a  mile  ;  and  the  jamb-stones  we  backed  some  distance. 
By  the  time  we  had  finished  our  house,  which  was  in  Septem- 
ber, my  health  was  very  much  reduced  ;  and  I  experienced  so 
severe  an  attack  of  dysentery,  attended  with   a  burning  fever; 


1CS 
that  for  several  clays  my  life  was  greatly  threatened,  ftiit 
through  a  merciful  Piovidenc,  I  was  at  length  restored  to 
health.  Thus  I  continued  to  labor  and  study  for  two  years, 
.before  I,  with  one  of  the  company,  entered  college.  My  hard- 
ships were  excessive,  and  especially  in  the  spring,  when,  after 
studying  through  the  winter,  we  turned  out  in  the  latter  part 
of  March,  two  of  us  at  a  lime,  and  tended  the  saw  mill  for 
about  six  weeks  together.  We  made  it  our  rule  to  saw  every 
evening,  except  Saturday  and  Sunday  evenings,  until  ten 
o'clock,  and  in  the  meantime  some  one  in  his  turn  tended  the 
grist  mill. 

"  About  two  years  after  we  commenced  our  enterprize,  twO 
young  men  from  Massachusetts  joined  us,  one  of  whom  brought 
on  an  excellent  cow,  which  furnished  us  with  milk  and  butter 
for  most  of  the  year*,  and  greatly  contributed  to  our  living 
more  comfortabty.  After  I  entered  college,  I  went  twice  and 
sometimes  three  times  a  day  to  recite  with  my  class  In  the 
winter,  we  rose  at  five  o'clock,  and  having  united  in  morning 
prayer  in  our  family,  I  set  off  for  college,  having  to  face  the 
north-west  wind,  which  was  cold  and  piercing  in  that  climate  ; 
and  not,  unfrequently  I  had  to  break  my  path  through  a  new 
fall  of  snow  a  foot  in  depth  or  more.  It  is  marvellous  I  did 
not  freeze  my  limbs,  or  perish  with  the  cold,  especially  as  I 
was  but  thinly  clothed.  I  had  scarcely  a  moment's  leisure 
from  one  week  or  month  to  another.  I  was  frequently  exposed 
to  being  drenched  with  water  when  mending  the  trough  or 
buckets  of  the  water  wheel  ;  and  in  one  instance,  I  experi- 
enced a  narrow  escape  from  being  torn  in  pieces  by  the  saw." 

In  1777,  then  in  his  junior  year,  Mr.  Vaill,  finding  his  health 
greatly  impaired  by  his  routine  of  labors  and  hardships,  sought 
advice  of  the  President  of  the  College,  (Rev.  Dr.  Wheelock,) 
whether  some  other  course  might  not  be  open  to  him  by  which 
Jie  might  defray  his  expenses  and  pursue  his  studies.  The 
President  proposed  that  he  should  remove  into  college,  and  takre 


160 
charge  of  certain  Canadian  boys,  who  had  been  sent  there  to 
receive  an  English  education,  and  that  he  should  have  his  board 
and  tuition  for  instructing  and  taking  the  oversight  of  them. 
Accordingly  he  took  a  room  in  college — became  the  instructor 
of  these  boys— and  in  this  manner  defrayed  his  expenses  and 
at  the  same  time  kept  up  with  his  class,  till  his  health  failed 
under  this  change.  He  was  taken  down  with  a  violent billious 
fever,  which  confined  him  for  several  weeks.  As  soon  as  he 
was  able  to  travel,  he  visited  his  parents,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained until  his  health  was  fully  restored.  On  his  return  to 
college,  he  took  charge  of  More's  School,  so  called  from  a 
benefactor  of  the  institution.  This  school  was  kept  in  a  room 
in  the  college,  and  by  means  of  this  service,  Mr.  Vaill  continu- 
ed to  defray  his  expenses  for  some  time,  when,  in  consequence 
(if  the  excitement  and  alarm  occasioned  by  the  inarch  of  Bur- 
goyne,  the  college  exercises  were  suspended,  and  he  once 
more  took  up  his  abode  at  his  father's  house  in  Litchfield.  He, 
however,  resumed  his  studies  with  his  class  in  the  spring  of 
1778,  and  received  his  degree  in  the  August  following. 

Having  honorably  finished  his  college  education,  Mr.  Vaill 
at  once  turned  his  attention  to  the  study  of  Theology  ;  and  for 
this  end  he  went  to  reside  with  the  Rev.  Mr. .Storrs,  of  North- 
bury,  (now  Plymouth,)  in  his  native  county,  Oct.  14,  1778. 
Here  again  he  Was  favored  with  the  privilege  of  teaching  a 
public  school  in  the  winter,  which  enabled  him  to  meet  his 
pecuniary  engagements.  Mr.  Storrs  also  gave  him  privileges, 
received  him  into  his  family,  furnished  him  with  fire- wood, 
gave  him  the  use  of  his  library  and  instructed  him  gratuitously. 
He  remained  with  Mr.  Storrs  till  May,  1779,  when  the  Associ- 
ation to  which  Mr.  S.  belonged,  met  at  his  house,  and  on  his 
recommendation,  Mr.  Vaill  offered  himself  for  examination  ; 
and,  having  sustained  himself  in  ils  several  parts,  he  was  li- 
censed as  a  candidate  for  the  gospel  ministry. 

The  first  Sabbath  after  he  was  licensed,  he  preached  for  Mr. 


no 

Storrs,  and  about  three  weeks  after,  he  was  sent  for  to  preacfr 
in  Hadlyme,  in  the  County  of  New  London.  After  supplying 
the  pulpit  of  the  Congregational  Church  in  that  place  for  five 
months,  he  received  a  unanimous  invitation  to  become  its  pas- 
tor. He  ultimately  accepted  the  call,  and  was  installed  on  the 
9th  of  February,  1780,  On  the  12th  of  the  following  Octo- 
ber, he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Fowler,  eldest  daughter  of 
Rev.  Joseph  Fowler,  of  East  Haddam.  The  connection  was 
an  eminently  happy  one,  Mrs.  Vaill  having  been  educated  in 
a  minister's  family,  knew  how  to  accommodate  herself  to  the 
situation  she  was  to  fill,  and  her  good  sense  and  exemplary  pie- 
ty procured  for  her  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  people  to 
whom  her  husband  ministered. 

We  cannot,  in  a  work  like  this,  follow  this  excellent  divine 
through  the  long  peiiod  of  his  ministry.  For  nearly  sixty  years, 
he  remained  in  the  pastoral  office  over  the  church  in  Hadlyme, 
although,  during  the  last  few  years  of  his  life,  he  was  relieved 
from  active  duty  as  a  preacher  by  a  colleague.  In  the  pulpit, 
Mr.  Vaill  was  plain  and  simple  in  his  style,  and  solemn  and  ar- 
dent in  his  manner.  His  countenance  was  grave  and  sober,  in- 
dicative of  sincerity  and  seriousness  of  purpose;  His  voice  was 
full  and  distinct,  so  that  it  could  easily  be  heard  in  all  parts  of 
the  assembly.  Although  he  could  not  properly  be  ranked 
among  the  greatest  of  preachers,  he  was  nevertheless  quite 
above  the  ordinary  grade — often  eloquent  and  powerful,  and 
always  edifying  and  instructive.  He  possessed  a  natural 
shrewdness,  and  quickness  of  discernment  in  regard  to  men 
and  things,  which  gave  his  conversation  at  times  a  faceciou& 
turn,  highly  enlivening  and  interesting.  Many  anecdotes  are 
still  in  remembrance,  illustrative  of  this  trait  in  his  charac- 
tsr.  It  was  by  means  of  this  trait,,  that  he  was  sometimes 
very  severe  in  his  retorts  upon  such  as  would  accost  him  im- 
pertinently, or,  for  the  sake  of  drawing  forth  some  humorous 
^eply.      At  times,   also,  his  wit  would  spend  itself  pleasantly 


171 
upon  his  friends.     It  would  flow  out  so  unexpectedly  and  from 
under  so  ministerial  a  countenance,  and  with  such  pertinence 
of  application,  that  every  one  in  the  company  would  be  amused 
and  yet  no  one  be  injured  or  offended  by  it. 

In  addition  to  his  clerical  duties,  Mr.  Vaill  devoted  some  por- 
tion of  his  time  for  several  years  to  the  instruction  of  youth. 
Among  those  who  were  instructed  by  him  in  the  preparatory 
stages  of  their  education,  were  the  Rev.  Drs.  Griffin  and  Har- 
vey,  and  Wm.  Hungerford,  Esq.,   of  the   Hartford  bar.     By 
means  of  this  school,  he  was  enabled  to  assist  his  two  sons  in 
obtaining  their  College  education,  and^also  to  give  his  daugh- 
ters an  education.     These  sons  have  long  been  useful  and  con- 
spicuous ministers.    The  eldest,  Rev.  William  F.  Vaill,  became 
pastor  of  the  church  in  North  Guilford  in  1808  ;  in   1820,  he 
was  dismissed  from  the'pastoral  care  of  this  church,  and  went 
on  a  mission  to  the  Osage  Indians,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
United  Foreign  Mission  Society.     The  Rev.  Joseph  Vaill,  Jr., 
(youngest  son  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,)  was  ordained  as 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Brimneld,  Massachusetts,  in  1814. — 
At  the  settlement  of  each  of  these  sons,  the  father   preached 
the  ordination  sermon.     His  farewell  address  to  his  eldest  son, 
just  upon  the  eve  of  his  departure  with  his  family  for  his  mis- 
sion-ground in  the  far  western  wilds,  was  published.     It  is  a 
most  interesting  and  affecting  memorial.     In  concluding  that 
address,  he  says,  "No  matter,  my  dear  children,  whether  you 
are  laid  in  the  sepulchre  of  your  fathers,  or  whether  your  dust 
be  deposited  three  thousand  miles  from  the  land  of  your  nativi- 
ty.    If  you  die  in  the  Lord,  it  will  be  as  glorious  to  meet  your 
descending  Redeemer,  when  the  voice  of  the  archangel   and 
the  trump  of  God  shall  awake  you  from  the  sleep  of  death,  in 
the  Arkansas  country,  as  to  rise  surrounded  by  your  former 
Christian  connections." 

As  early  as  1792,  a  missionary  spirit  began  to  manifest  itself 
in  Middlesex   Association,   to  which  Mr.   Vaill  belonged,  in 


172 
some  special  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  new  settlements  in  (jj« 
State  of  Vermont.  A  temporary  mission  was  projected  to 
Vermont  by  the  Association  referred  to,  and  Mr.  Vaill  was  se- 
lected to  go  on  this  mission.  He  consented,  and  went  into 
that  State  and  spent  six  weeks,  laboring  in  destitute  places. 
His  pulpit  was  supplied  in  his  absence  by  his  clerical  brethren. 
In  the  year  1807,  the  Trustees  of  the  Missionary  Society  of 
Connecticut,  appointed  and  commissioned  JVIr.  Vaill  to  perform 
a  mission  to  the  "  Black  River  country,"  in  the  State  of  New 
York.  He  was  absent  from  his  people,  on  this  mission,  fifteen 
Sabbaths.  In  the  report  of  his  labors,  which  he  presented  Ip. 
the  Trustees,  they  were  furnished  with  gratifying  evidence  that 
he  was  well  received,  and  that  the  mission  had  been  attended 
with  good. 

In  the  latter  part  of  the  year  183],  finding  the  infirmities  of 
age  increasing  upon  him,  Mr.  Vaill  entered  into  an  arrange- 
with  his  people  for  them  to  procure  him  a  colleague.  To  en- 
able them  to  do  this,  he  consented  to  relinquish  his  salary 
when  the  arrangement  should  go  into  effect.  Accordingly,  in 
the  spring  of  1832,  the  Rev.  Ralph  S,  Crampton  was  installed 
colleague  pastor  of  the  church  in  Hadlyme.  He  was  dismiss- 
ed in  the  autumn  of  1834  ;  and  in  the  following  spring,  the 
Rev.  George  Carrington  was  installed  colleague  pastor  with 
Mr.  Vaill.  Though  Mr.  V.  had  now  retired  from  the  respon- 
sibility of  supplying  the  pulpit  on  the  Sabbath,  still  he  did  not 
lose  his  interest  in  his  people.  He  was  about  among  them,  en- 
couraging whatever  was  calculated  for  their  good,  strengthen- 
ing the  hands  of  his  colleague,  and  exercising  a  fatherly  affec- 
tion over  his  parishoners,  In  the  winter  of  1836,  he  broke  up 
his  family  establishment,  and  went  to  reside  with  his  son-in-law, 
David  Evarts,  Esq.,  of  Killingly.  Here  he  remained  in  the 
full  enjoyment  of  a  quiet  old  age,  occasionally  visiting  his  peo- 
ple at  Hadlyme  and  the  neighboring  pastors,  until  the  21st.  of 
November,   1838,  when  he  "fell  asleep  in  Jesus,"  in  the  88th 


173 

year  of  bis  age,  and  59th  of  his  ministry.  He  was  burled  at, 
Hadlyme  ;  his  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Isaac. 
Parsons,  of  East  Haddam. 

Mr.  Vaill  wrote  well  and  much,  though  he  published  but 
little.  In  1796,  a  poem  of  his  was  printed  in  pamphlet  form, 
entitled,  "  Noah's  Flood."  This  poem,  containing  about  five 
hundred  and  fifty  lines,  is  preserved  in  the  library  of  the  Con- 
necticut Historical  Society.  Several  minor  poetical  pieces  are 
printed  in  the  same  pamphlet.  The  following  is  the  com- 
mencement of  the  principal  poem— 

"  In  the  beginning,  from  chaotic  night, 
God,  by  his  powerful  voice,  called  forth  the  light. 
When  he  the  corner  stone  of  nature  laid, 
The  morning  stars  their  joyous  homage  paid, 
And  all  the  sons  of  God,  with  sweet  amaze, 
In  glorious  concert  joined  to  shout  his  praise  ; 
They  saw  with  raptured  minds  this  work  divine, 
And  gazed  to  see  the  rays  of  Godhead  shine ; 
Saw  the  thick  darkness  sever  from  the  light, 
And  infant  time  commence  her  day  and  night." 

The  extract  which  follows  is  from  the  conclusion  of  the 
poem — 

"  The  world,  once  drowned,  is  now  reserved  in  store, 
To  be  destroyed  by  God's  consuming  power. 
Redemption  finished,  and  his  Church  complete, 
The  elements  shall  melt  with  fervent  heat ; 
Dread  lightnings  flash,  and  peals  of  thunder  roll, 
And  rock  the  burning  world  from  pole  to  pole  ; 
Creation  welter  in  a  mass  of  fire, 
When  days,  and  time,  and  nature,  shall  expire  ! 
When  God  shall  pour  his  vengeance  from  on  high, 
Where  will  poor  infidels  for  covert  fly  ? 
No  Ark  to  screen  them  from  the  fiery  flood, 
The  powers  of  darkness,  or  the  wrath  of  God ; 
No  hiding-place  for  safety  can  be  found, 


174 

In  dark  retreats,  or  caverns  of  the  ground  ; 
No  one  to  guard  them  from  the  burning  flame, 
Or  fiercest  wrath  of  the  incensed  Lamb." 

The  Sermon  which  Mr.  Vaill  preached  at  the  ordination  of 
his  son  Joseph,  in  1814,  was  published.  The  Connecticut 
Evangelical  Magazine  contains  several  of  his  essays  over  the 
signatures  of  Senex  and  Jethro.  He  was  also  a  contributor  to 
several  religious  periodicals. 

[A  volume  of  236  pages  was  published  by  Taylor  &  Dodd, 
New  York,  in  1839,  entitled,  "Memoir  of  the  Life  and  Char- 
acter of  the  Rev,  Joseph  Vaill,  late  Pastor  of  (he  Church  of 
Christ  in  Hadlyme.  By  the  Rev.  Isaac  Parsons,  Pastor  of  the 
Church  in  East  Haddam.v] 


I)  A  V  I  D    BOSTWICK.' 


John  and  Arthur  Bostwick  came  over  from  Cheshire,' 
England,  and  settled  in  the  town  of  Stratford,  Connecticut. 
Arthur  subsequently  removed  to  Bedford,  New  York.  John 
removed  to  New  Milford  with  his  family  in  1707,  he  being  the 
second  white  person  who  settled  there.  He  had  seven  sonsj 
viz.,  John,  Robert,  Ebenezer,  Joseph,  Nathaniel,  Lemuel,  and 
Daniel  ;  the  last  named  having  been  the  first  white  male  child 
born  in  New  Milford. 

John  Bostwick,  Jr.,  married  Mary  Bushnell,  of  Danbury,  in 
1711,  and  had  five  sons,  viz.,  Bushnell,  John,  Benajah,  David, 
and  Samuel. 

DAVID  BOSTWICK  was  born  in  New  Milford,  January 
8th,  1721,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1740.  On  leav- 
ing college,  he  was  engaged  as  a  teacher  in  an  academy  at 
Newark,  New  Jersey,  under  the  inspection  of  the  Rev.  Aaron 
Burr,  afterwards  President  of  the  College  of- New- Jersey — - 
with  whom  Mr.  Bostwick  at  the  same  time  pursued  the  study 
of  divinity.  He  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry, and  installed  pastor  of  the  church  in  Jamaica,  Long  Isl- 
and, October  9th,  1745.  The  sermon  on  that  occasion  was 
preached  by  (he  Rev.  Mr.  Burr,  and  subsequently  published, 
Here  Mr.  Bostwick  remained  upwards  of  ten  years,  enjoying 
in  a  very  high  degree  the  affection  and  respect,  not  only  of  the 
people  of  his  charge,  but  also  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry 

*  For  most  of  the  materials  of  this  sketch  the  author  acknowledges 
his  indebtedness  to  David  E.  Bostwick,  M.  D.,  of  Litchfield. 


1/0 
and  tin?  churches  in  general.  During  this  period  large  addi- 
tions were  made  to  his  church,  and  his  fame  as  an  eloquent 
and  most  successful  preacher,  rapidly  extended.  There  was, 
however,  little  excitement  in  his  parish,  except  on  the  occa* 
sion  of  a  visit  from  the  celebrated  George  Whiteiicld,  whom 
Mr.  Bostwick  admitted  into  his  pulpit  in  spite  of  the  remon- 
strances of  his  deacons  and  many  of  his  church  members.  The 
tumult  caused  by  this  event  was  intense,  but  temporary  in  its 
duration  ;  and  many  were  afterwards  constrained  to  acknowl- 
edge the  goodness  of  God  in  sending  that  great  evangelist 
among  them. 

The  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  city  of  New  York 
was  established  in  1719,  and  Mr.  Anderson,  a  Scotch  minister, 
was  settled  over  it.  In  1727,  he  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Ebenezer  Pemberton.  Mr.  Alexander  Gumming  was  chosen 
colleague  to  Mr.  Pemberton  in  1750;  but  in  consequence  of 
a  most  unhappy  difficulty  among  the  members  relative  to  cei 
tain  doctrines  and  measures,  both  the  pastors  soon  after  re- 
signed. For  a  length  of  time,  the  church  remained  destitute 
of  a  pastor.  Two  or  three  eminent  divines  were  invited  to  the 
pastoral  office— among  whom  was  the  Rev.  I)r.  Bellamy,  of 
Bethlem,  Conn.,-- -but  the  invitations  were  declined  because  of 
the  divisions  alluded  to.  The  church  and  society  now  began 
to  turn  their  thoughts  towards  the  Rev.  David  Bostwick,  as 
the  man  of  all  others  best  calculated  to  heal  their  divisions  and 
unite  them  ic  one  harmonious  body.  In  July,  1755,  they  gave 
him  a  call.  The  people  of  Jamaica  made  warm  and  persever- 
ing opposition  to  the  removal  of  their  minister  ;  and  the  divided 
state  of  tlie  church  in  New  York,  formed  another  obstacle  to 
his  acceptance  of  the  invitation.  The  Presbytery,  on  the  matter 
being  laid  before  them,  referred  a  decision  to  the  Synod,  which 
met  in  Newark,  in  the  month  of  September  following.  The 
Synod  appointed^  committee  to  meet  at  Jamaica  on  the  29th 
of  October,   that  they  might  deliberate  more  at  leisure,  and 


Ill 

decide  wilh  more  light.  The  committee  met  at  the  time  and 
place  designated  ;  when  the  elders,  deacons  and  trustees  of 
the  church  in  New  York,  presented  a  memorial,  praying  in 
the  most  earnest  yet  respectful  terms,  that  they  would  favor 
the  acceptance^  their  call  to  Mr.  Bostwick.  The  committee 
not  being  able  to  agree,  referred  the  case  back  to  the  Synod. 
A  special  meeting  of  the  Synod  was  therefore  called,  which 
convened  at  Princeton  on  the  14th  of  April  1756.  After  a  full 
hearing  of  the  delegates  from  the  churches  of  Jamaica  and 
New  York,  his  removal  to  the  latter  place  was  decided  upon. 
In  this  decision  Mr.  Bostwick  acquiesced ;  and  his  pastoral 
relation  to  the  church  at  Jamaica  was  thereupon  dissolved, 

Mr.  Bostwick  shortly  after  removed  his  family  to  the  city, 
and  entered  on  his  new  charge.  Possessing  pulpit  talents  su- 
perior to  most  of  his  brethren,  he  was  a  very  popular  preacher ; 
and  his  piety  and  prudence,  which  were  no  less  conspicuous, 
rendered  him  highly  acceptable  to  his  people,  and  to  the  city 
in  general.  The  result  of  this  choice  proved  as  favorable  as 
the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  its  friends. 

Smith,  in  his  History  of  New  York,  published  in  1758,  says 
in  reference  to  this  church  and  its  pastor — 

"  The  congregation  consists  at  present  of  twelve  or  fourteen 
hundred  souls,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Reverend  Mr. 
David  Bostwick,  who  was  lately  translated  from  Jamaica  to 
New  York  by  a  synodicel  decree.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  mild, 
catholic  disposition,  and  being  a  man  of  piety,  prudence  and 
zeal,  he  confines  himself  entirely  to  the  proper  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession. In  the  art  of  preaching,  he  is  one  of  the  most  distin- 
guished clergymen  in  these  parts.  His  discourses  are  method- 
ical, sound  and  pathetic  ;  in  sentiment,  and  in  point  of  diction, 
singularly  ornamented,  He  delivers  himself  without  notes, 
and  yet  with  great  ease  and  fluency  of  expression." 

In  1762,  the  society  purchased  a  parsonage,  and  gave  the 
use  of  it  to  Mr.  Bostwick  in  addition  to  his  stated  salary,     The 


178 
congregation  having  greatly  increased,  and  Mr.  Bostwick's 
health  becoming  much  impaired  in  consequence  of  overexer- 
tion, it  was  deemed  advisable  that  a  colleague  should  be  settled. 
According!}',  in  October,  1761,  a  call  was  given  to  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Treat,  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick 
— which  was  accepted,  and  the  colleague  immediately  entered 
upon  his  new  duties.  But  (he  joint  labors  of  these  two  emi- 
nent divines  were  destined  soon  to  terminate.  Mr.  Bostwick 
died  on  the  12th  of  November,  1763,  aged  42  years. 

In  1758,  Mr.  Bostwick  published  a  sermon  entitled,  "Self 
Disclaimed  and  Christ  Exalted,"  which  received  the  warm  re- 
commendation of  Gilbert  Tennent  He  published,  also,  an 
account  of  the  Life,  Character,  and  Death,  of  President  Da- 
vies,  prefixed  to  Davies'  Sermon  on  the  Death  of  George  II., 
1761.  Soon  after  the  death  of  Mr.  B.,  a  small  volume  appear- 
ed from  the  New  York  press,  with  the  following  title,  "  A  Fair 
and  Rational  Vindication  of  the  Right  of  Infants  to  the  Ordi- 
nance of  Baptism.  By  David  Bostwick,  A.  M.,  late  Minister 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  city  of  New  York."  In 
1765,  an  edition  of  this  work  was  published  in  London,  "  Re- 
printed for  Edward  and  Charles  Dilly,  in  the  Poultry,  near  the 
Mansion-House,"  In  1837,  it  was  re-published  by  Robert 
Carter,  112  Canal  street,  New  York. 

The  compiler  of  the  last  mentioned  work,  say?,  in  the  pre- 
face to  the  first  edition,  "  The  subtance  of  this  treatise  was 
composed  for  the  pulpit,  and  preached  but  a  (e\v  weeks  before 
the  author's  decease  To  those  who  were  acquainted  with 
the  mild  and  pacific  temper,  the  gentle  and  cautious  deport- 
ment of  Mr.  Bostwick,  and  the  general  course  of  his  ministry, 
it  may  seem  strange  that  a  controverted  point  should  have  oc- 
cupied his  mind  just  before  he  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 
Especially,  as  it  was  remarked  by  his  hearers,  that  he  appear- 
ed in  his  public  discourses,  for  several  months  before  his  depart- 
ure, to  have  been  under  an  uncommon  impress  of  the  glorious 


179 
and  dreadful  realities  of  the  future  world.     The  truth  was,  that 
this  excellent  and  godly  servant  of  Christ  thought  the  subject 
of  such  high  concernment  in  religion,  that  it  well  deserved  his 
attention  even  in  the  immediate  view  of  eternity." 

Several  biographical  sketches  of  Mr.  Bostwick  have  been 
published,  all  of  which  agree  in  ranking  him  among  the  first 
ministers  of  his  generation.  Middleton's  Ecclesiastical  Biog- 
raphy, in  an  extended  notice  of  him,  says,  "Though  he  was 
remarkable  for  his  gentleness  and  prudence,  yet  in  preaching 
the  gospel  he  feared  no  man.  With  a  lively  imagination,  and 
a  heart  deeply  affected  by  the  truths  of  religion,  he  was  ena- 
bled to  address  his  hearers  with  great  solemnity  and  energy* 
Few  men  could  describe  the  hideous  deformity  of  sin,  the  mis- 
ery of  man's  apostacy  from  God,  the  wonders  of  redeeming 
love,  and  the  glories  and  richness  of  divine  grace,  ic  so  distinct 
and  affecting  a  manner." 

The  London  edition  of  his  work  on  Infant  Baptism,  contains 
a  brief  notice  of  his  life,  from  which  we  make  the  following 
extract : 

"  As  a  preacher,  Mr.  Bostwick  was  uncommonly  popular. 
His  gifts  and  qualifications  for  the  pulpit  were,  of  a  high  order. 
His  appearance  and.  deportment  were  peculiarly  venerable  ; 
possessing  a  clear  understanding,  a  warm  heart,  a  quick  ap*. 
prehension,  a  lively  imagination,  a  solid  judgment,  and  a  strong- 
voice  ;  he  spake  in  a  distinct,  deliberate  and  impressive  man- 
ner, and  with  a  commanding  eloquence.  He  was  a  Divine  of 
the  old  stamp,  fully  believing  and  faithfully  teaching  the  pure 
doctrines  of  Christianity,  contained  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
as  they  were  declared  in.  the  public  ^confessions  of  the  Reform- 
ed churches  in  their  original  and  genuine  meaning.  He  wa 
a  scribe  well  instructed  in  the  great  truths  of  Revelation,  anc 
knew  how  to  defend  them.  In  treating  divine  subjects,  h 
manifested  an  habitual  reverence  for  the  word  of  God,  a  deep 
sense  of  the  worth  of  souls,  and  an  intimate  knowledge  of  the 


180 
the  human  heart.     He  preached  not  himself,  but  Christ ;  and; 
when  delivering  his  message,  he  remembered  in  whose  place  he 
stood,  and  was  kept  from  the  fear  of  men." 

Mr.  Bostwick  married  a  Miss  Ilinman,  of  Southbury,  and 
left  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  viz.,  Andrew,  David,  William, 
James,  Mercy,  Polly,  Hannah,  Amelia,  Lucretia,  and  Nancy. 
Mercy  and  Lucretia  died  unmarried;  Polly  married  Gen, 
Robertson,  of  Philadelphia  ;  Hannah  married  Gen.  Alexander 
McDougal,  of  the  continental  army,  afterwards  a  Senator  in 
Congress  from  the  State  of  New  York  ;  Amelia  married  a  Mr, 
Plumb  ;  Nancy  married  Captain  McGee,  U.  S.  Army. 


181 


EBENEZER   FOOTE 


EBENEZER  FOOTE  was  the  eldest  son  of  John  Foote,. 
by  his  second  wife,  Mary  Peck,  and   was  born  on  the  6th  of 
July,   1773,  at  Watertovvn.     His    grandfather,    Dr.   Thomas 
Foote,  lived  and  died — his  father  was  born,  lived  and  died — 
and  he  was  born,  on  the  same  farm,  which  is  still  in  the  family, 
being  now  owned  and  occupied  by  his  nephew,  Mr.  Hubert 
Scovill.     John  Foote,  the  father  of  Fbenezer,  was  an  industri- 
ous and   successful  farmer.       He  had  eight   children,  three 
sons  and  five  daughters,  to  whose  support   and  education  he 
devoted  the  proceeds  of  his  farm.     His  second  son,  John,  and 
his  youngest  son,  Samuel  Alfred,  received  liberal  educations  at 
college.     Ebenezer  being  the  eldest,  was  designed  by  his  father 
to  be  the  farmer  of  the  family ;  and  remained  on  the  farm  un- 
til he  was  twenty  years  of  age.     He  then  became  anxious  to 
change  his  pursuit.     He  wished  to  acquire  an  education  and 
enter  the  profession  of  law ;  it  then  being  the  expectation  of 
the  family  that  John  would  enter  th#  ministry.     His  parents - 
did  not  oppose  his  wishes,  and  after  the  season  of  labor  was  - 
over  in  the  autumn  of  1792,  he  left  home,  went  to  the  neigh- 
boring town  of  Cheshire,  and  commenced  classical  studies  un- 
der the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  John  Foote,  with  a  view  of  prepar- 
ing himself  for  entering  college,  and  in  the  sophomore  or  jun- 
ior class.     He  pursued  these  studies   nearly  two  years,  not, 
however,  giving  his  whole  time  to  them,  as  he  was  obliged  to 
devote  a  considerable  portion  of  it  to  teciehing  school  for  the 
purpose  of  earning  in  part  the  means  of  obtaininghis  education. 
Finding  that  full  four  years  would  be  required  to  complete  his 


182 
collegiate  course,,  with,  the  interruptions  alluded  to,  he  deter- 
mined to  enter  at  once  upon  the  study  of  his  profession.  Ac- 
cordingly he  went  to  Litchfield,  and  entered  the  law  school  of 
the  Hon.  Tapping  Reeve,  and  commenced  the  study  of  the 
law.  This  school  deservedly  had  a  high  reputation,  and  fur- 
nished great  facilities  for  acquiring  a  knowledge  of  legal  science* 
Mr.  Foote  here  pursued  his  studies  for  two  years,  a  portion  of 
each  year  being  spent  in  teaching.  In  December,  1796,  he 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Litchfield  County,  and  in  the  lan- 
guage of  his  license,  was  allowed  "full  right  and  authority  to 
practice,  as  attorney  and  counsellor  at  law,  in  all  the  courts, 
as  well  supreme  as  inferior,  both  of  law  and  equity,  throughout 
this  State."  Soon  after  obtaining  this  license,  he  removed  to 
the  State  of  New  York,  and  established  himself  at  Lansing- 
burg,  in  the  county  of  Rensselaer.  He  reserved  the  small  por- 
tion which  his  parents  were  able  to  give  him  until  this  time  of 
his  need.  In  February,  1797,  he  sold  the  land  which  his  fa- 
ther had  given  him  on  his  attaining  his  majority,  and  with  the 
nroceeds  provided  an  outfit  for  the  commencement  of  his  career 
in  life.  He  was  a  dutiful  son,  and  left  the  paternal  roof  with 
the  affection  and  blessing  of  pious  parents. 

Admission  to  the  courts  in  the  State  of  New  York  was  at  that 
time  easy,  and  after  a  few  months  professional  study  he  wras 
licensed  to  practice.  His  first  license  was  given  to  him  in  No- 
vember, 1797,  by  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Rensselaer 
county.  His  admission  into  the  other  and  higher  courts  of  the 
State,  followed  soon  afterwards.  A  strong  constitution,  a  large 
and  vigorous  frame,  a  full  and  manly  voice,  a  mature  intellect, 
a  ready  and  rough  wit,  together  with  uncommon  self-reliance, 
fitted  him  for  success  in  the  profession  which  he  had  chosen. 
That  success  he  obtained  at  once.  He  also  became  a  promi- 
nent politician,  and  was  soon  an  active  and  influential  member 
of  the  old  republican  party.  He  early  acquired  the  confidence 
of  the  leaders  of  that  party  in  his  adopted  Stale,   and  in  after 


183 
years  his  political  opponents,  in  consequence  of  the  intimacy 
and  friendship  existing  between  him  and  the  late  Chief  Justice 
Spencer,  who  was  the  leading  spirit  of  the  republican  party  of 
that  day,  used  to  call  him  ''Spencer's  Foot." 

Troy  proving  to  be  a  more  fortunate  location  for  a  commer- 
cial town,  and  increasing  more  rapidly  in  business  and  popu- 
lation than  Lansingburg,  and  being  also  the  shire  town  of  the 
county,  Mr.  Foote  soon  changed  his  residerice  to  that  place  and 
entered  into  copartnership  With  John  Bird,  Esq.,  (a  native  of 
Litchfield,)  a  gentleman  of  brilliant  intellect  and  finished  schol- 
arship. Their  copartnership  continued  for  several  years,  and 
was  finally  dissolved  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Bird.  In  1801,  only 
four  years  after  his  admission  to  the  bar,  Mr.  Foote  had  ac- 
quired considerable  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  had  at- 
tracted the  notice  and  secured  the  friendship  of  Governor 
George  Clinton.  So  high  an  estimate  did  the  Governor  put  on 
his  talents  and  worth,  that  in  August  of  that  year  he  caused 
him  to  be  appointed  Assistant  Attorney  General  of  the  State; 
The  District  over  which  his  official  jurisdiction  extended,  em- 
braced the  large  and  flourishing  counties  of  Columbia,  Rens- 
selaer and  Greene.  The  duties  of  this  office  required  the  ex- 
ertion of  high  professional  talents,  and  they  were  discharged  by 
Mr,  Foote  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  public.  He  held  the 
station  for  several  years,  and  until  a  change  in  the  party  politics 
of  the  State  caused  a  general  change  in  the  official  incum- 
bents. 

After  the  discontinuance  of  the  professional  connection  be- 
tween him  and  Mr.  Bird,  he  pursued  his  business  alone  for 
sometime  ;  but  finding  it  impossible  to  attend  the  courts  where 
his  extensive  practice  required  his  presence  almost  constantly, 
and  also  give  the  requisite  attention  to  the  attorney's  business 
in  the  office,  he  entered  into  a  new  copartnership  with  a  gen- 
tleman of  high  respectability,  who  had  industry  and  tact  for 
business,  and  was  well  versed  in  the  practice  of  the  law.     This 


18* 
was  a  fortunate  arrangement  for  both.  Their  labors  were  iii- 
cesunr,  and  they  were  very  prosperous.  His  partner  gave  his 
attention  principally  to  the  duties  of  an  Attorney  and  Solicitor 
which  confined  him  to  the  office,  while  Mr.  Foote  performed 
those  of  counsellor  and  advocate.  He  was  almost  constantly 
engaged  In"  the  trial  and  argument  of  causes.  He  excelled 
particularly  in  trials  before  juries,  and  in  that  branch  of  his 
profession  had  few  if  an  supeiiors  in  the  Stale.  His  influence 
and  standing  as  a  politician  kept  pace  with  his  progress  as  a 
lawyer. 

Finding  that  the  capital  of  the  State  afforded  a  more  con- 
venient location  for  him  than  the  then  village  of  Troy,  he 
dissolved  his  copartnership  in  August,  1808,  and  shortly  after- 
wards removed  to  the  city  of  Albany,  where  he  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  During  this  period  he  took  an  active  part 
in  politics,  wrote  considerably  for  th3  press,  and  exerted  a  strong 
influence  in  favor  of  the  side  he  espoused.  He  was  on  one  oc- 
casion a  prominent  candidate  for  the  office  of  United  Slates 
Senator,  and  his  friends  for  a  time  believed  they  should  accom- 
plish his  election,  but  did  not. 

His  young-  and  only  surviving  brother,  Samuel  A.  Foote, 
entered  his  office  as  a  clerk  in  1811.  Samuel  North,  Esq., 
was  then  his  partner.  Mr.  North's  ill  health  obliged  him  to 
■withdraw  from  the  duties  of  his  profession  in  February,  1812. 
From  that  time,  Mr.  Foote's  brother  took  charge  of  the  business 
of  the  office.  Mr.  North's  illness  proved  fatal.  He  died  in 
January,  1813,  while  yet  a  young  man,  beloved  and  admired  in 
life,  and  mourned  in  death,  for  his  moral  qualities  and  intel- 
lectual attainments.  This  event  opened  the  way  for  a  profes- 
sional connection  between  Mr.  Foote  and  his  brother,  who  had 
then  just  attained  his  majority,  but  had  not  studied  law  the 
length  of  time  required  by  the  rules  of  the  court  for  admission 
to  the  bar.  Mr.  Foote,  however,  availing  himself  of  the  lime 
had  spent  in  the  office  while  a  youth,  and  before  entering  col- 


185 
lege,  made  a  special  application  to  the  Court,  who  dispensed 
with  the  rule  in  favor  of  his  brother,  and  admitted  him  to  an 
examination.  He  was  found  qualified,  received  his  license, 
and  (he  brothers  entered  into  copartnership  in  January,  1813. 
This  connection  was  happy  and  prosperous,  but  of  shoit  dura- 
tion. Mr.  Foote  attended  the  Circuit  Court  of  Rensselaer 
County,  held  at  Troy  in  the  early  part  of  July,  1814.  He 
was  engaged  in  several  important  trials;  the  weather  was 
unusually  warm,  and  his  temperament  ardent.  Over  exertion 
brought  upon  him  a  bilious  fever.  lie  returned  home,  medi- 
cal aid  was  obtained  and  nothing  serious  apprehended  for  some 
days.  But  on  the  fourth  or  fifth  day  of  his  illness,  the  fever 
began  to  rage  and  the  disease  assumed  an  alarming  aspect. 
On  the  21st  of  that  month,  and  in  the  42d  year  of  his  age,  af- 
ter an  illness  of  only  eleven  days,  he  died  in  the  full  maturity 
of  his  intellectual  and  physical  powers. 

Mr.  Foote  was  a  large  man,  full  six  feet  in  height,  had  a 
good  constitution,  and  a  well  formed  and  muscular  frame.  His 
forehead  was  high,  and  his  eyes  dark  and  remarkably  bright. 
Cut  down  unexpectedly  and  early  in  life,  no  portrait  of  him 
was  taken,  and  his  likeness  only  remains  in  the  recollection  of 
those  who  knew  and  now  survive  him.  He  was  married  to 
Elizabeth  Colt  in  December  1803.  She  survived  him,  and 
also  a  daughter  and  only  child,  born  in  December  1804.  His 
daughter  was  married  some  years  after  his  death  to  Lebbeus 
Booth,  Esq.  Mr.  Foote  had  a  strong  and  active  mind,  a 
Warm  and  generous  heart.  Had  he  enjoyed  the  advantages  of 
an  early  and  thorough  education,  he  would  have  had  few  equals 
in  this  country.  As  he  was,  he  had  no  superiors  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  in  those  contests  at  the  bar  where  ready  wit, 
strong  and  discriminating  judgment,  powerful  reasoning  and 
great  intellectual  resources  were  essential  to  success.  He 
wrote  as  he  spoke,  with  vigor  and  wit,  but  without  the  elegance 
or  polish  of  a  finished  scholar.     A  brief  notice  like  the   pres- 


j86 
ent  will  not  permit  a  reference  to  any  of  tn<.  n.  ^i,.,..  .  . 
in  which  he  was  engaged,  nor  extracts  from  his  speeches, 
many  of  which  were  published  in  the  newspapers  and  pamph- 
lets  of  the  day,  nor  even  a  recital  of  ihe  many  anecdotes  told 
of  him,  and  which  show  the  force  and  brilliancy  of  his  unpolish- 
ed but  exhnustless  and  spicy  wit. 

One  act  of  Mr.  Foote's  life  should  not  be  omitted,  nor  fpr* 
gotten  whenever  his  name  is  mentioned.  The  present  Fe- 
male Academy  in  the  city  of  Albany,  owes  its  existence  main- 
ly if  not  entirely  to  him.  It  is  now  and  has  been  ior  many 
years  one  of  the  most  valuable  institutions  in  this  country.  It 
was  commenced  in  February,  1814,  under  the  name  of  the 
11  Union  School  in  Montgomery  Street."  The  original  sub- 
scription paper  is  still  extant,  bearing  date  the  24th  of  that 
month.  The  subscriptions  are  made  payable  to  Mr.  Foote, 
who,  it  is  proper  to  remark,  started  the  project  and  obtained 
the  subscribers'  names. 


^x^ 


• 


18' 


DANIEL    S .    DICKINSON 


The  able  and  distinguished  Senator  whose  name  heads  this 
sketch,  is  a  native  of  Goshen,  and  was  born  on  the  11th  of 
September,  1800.  When  he  was  about  six  years  of  age,  his 
father  removed  to  the  present  town  of  Guilford,  Chenango 
county,  N.  Y.  Carrying  with  him  into  that  new  country  his 
New  England  habits  and  spirit  of  enterpiize,  he  established  a 
common  school,  of  which  his  own  family,  with  others,  had  the 
benefit.  Daniel  attended  this  school  winters  until  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  sixteen,  when  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  me- 
chanic in  the  neighborhood,  to  learn  the  art  and  mystery  of 
manufacturing  woolen  cloths.  From  this  time  he  had  no  other 
advantages  than  such  as  are  common  to  all  apprentices.  Hav- 
ing procured  such  books  as  he  could,  he  continued  the  more 
practical  studies,  without  the  aid  of  a  teacher,  among  which 
was  the  art  of  surveying,  which  he  subsequently  practiced  ex- 
tensively. At  the  termination  of  his  apprenticeship,  he  had 
qualified  himself  for  a  teacher,  and  for  several  years  thereafter 
divided  his  time  between  teaching,  studying,  surveying,  and 
working  at  his  trade. 

In  1822  he  married.  In  1825  he  commenced  studying  law 
in  the  office  of  Messrs.  Clark  &  Clapp,  counsellors  at  law, 
Norwich,  N.  Y.  Being  destitute  of  pecuniary  means,  and  hav- 
ing a  family  to  supp  >rt,  he  still  continued  to  teach  and  survey, 
rising  early  and  sitting  up  late  to  pursue  his  professional  studies, 
until  1829.  In  February  of  that  year,  he  was  about  making 
application  to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Chenango  coun- 
ty for  admission  to  the  bar;    but   was  informed  that  this  would. 


188 
be  opposed  by  some  of  the  senior  members,  the  rule  of  all  courts 
requiring  that  the  studies  must  be  pursued  "in  the  office," 
while  his  had  in  part  been  pursued  out  of  the  office.  He  ac- 
cordingly waived  the  application  to  the  inferior  court,  and 
went  to  Albany  where  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State  was 
then  sitting— called  in  person  upon  Chief  Justice  Savage,  rela- 
ted to  him  the  peculiarities  of  his  history,  and  asked  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  examination.  The  Chief  Justice  granted  his  request, 
and  he  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme  Court,  which  gave  him 
access  to  every  court  in  the  State. 

Mr.  Dickinson  immediately  opened  an  office  in  Guilford, 
where  he  did  a  small  business  until  1831,  when  he  removed 
to  Binghamton,  Broome  county,  a  distance  of  forty  miles  from 
his  former  residence.  Here  his  business  rapidly  increased,  and 
he  was  brought  in  collision  with  some  of  the  ablest  members 
of  the  bar  in  the  State.  In  1834,  he  was  chosen  President  of 
the  village  of  Binghamton  ;  and  in  1836,  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  Senate  of  New  York  for  four  years,  ending  the 
31st  of  December,  1840,  As  a  Senator,  he  was  ex  officio  a 
Judge  of  the  Court  for  the  correction  of  errors. 

In  1840,  Mr.  Dickinson  was  nominated  for  the  office  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of  the  State,  but  was  defeated  at  the  general 
election.  In  1842,  perceiving  that  he  was  often  spoken  of  by 
the  public  press  in  connection  with  the  office  last  named,  he 
wrote  a  letter  declining  the  honor  of  a  nomination.  He  wus, 
however,  nominated,  and  elected  by  about  25,000  majority. 
He  entered  upoa  the  duties  of  this  siation  on  the  1st  of  Janua- 
ry, 1843,  and  continued  their  exercise  for  two  years.  The 
Lieutenant-Governor  ot  that  State  is  President  of  the  Senate, 
Chief  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Errors,  a  Regent  of  the  University, 
President  of  the  Canal  Board,  &c. 

In  the  autumn  of  1844,  he  was  elected  a  Presidential  Elector 
fui  he  State  at  large,  and  as  such  gave  his  vote  for  Mr.  Polk 
for     resident  of  the  United  State.*.     About  the  same  time,  he 


ISO 
received  from  Governor  Bouck  the  appointment  of  United 
States  Senator,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resigna- 
tion of  Mr.  Tallm.idge,  whose  term  was  to  expire  on  the  4th  of 
March,  1845.  On  the  assembling  of  the  Legislature,  he  was 
elected  to  fill  that  vacancy,  and  was  subsequently  re-elected  for 
the  full  term  of  six  years,  which  expire  March  4,  1851, 

In  addition  to  the  legislative  and  congressional  speeches, 
(some  of  which  have  been  widely  circulated  and  extensively 
read,)  several  of  his  addresses  have  been  published.  The 
earliest  of  these  with  which  we  have  met,  was  delivered  atthe 
Annual  Fair  of  the  Queens  County  (N.  Y.)  Agricultural  Society, 
October  17,  1843.  The  only  other  one  now  before  us,  is  An 
Address  to  the  Hermean  Society  of  Geneva  College,  August 
2,  1848. 

Governor  Dickinson  is  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  a  long 
public  career  may  be  still  before  him.  Of  course  any  sketch 
of  him  at  this  time  must  of  necessity  be  incomplete.  The  fact, 
too,  that  he  is  so  conspicuous  and  earnest  a  partizan,  renders 
it  no  easy  task  for  a  biographer  to  do  him  "equal  and  exact 
justice."  He  has  net  been  content  to  run  a  noiseless  career,, 
or  walk  in  the  beaten  track  of  ordinary  life.  Few  public  men. 
have  more  unrelenting'  political  enemies  than  he — and  still 
fewer  could  ever  rally  around  their  standard  a  host  of  more 
devoted  personal  and  political  friends.  None  who  have  known 
him  personally,  or  who  have  listened  to  or  read  his  addresses 
will  call  in  question  his  ability.  As  a  self-made  man,  his  his- 
tory is.  full  of  interest  and  encouragement  to  the  youth  of  our 
republic. 

In  May,  1850,  several  hundred  of  his  fellow-citizens  in  the 
counties  of  New  York,  Westchester,  Kings,  Queens  and  Rich- 
mond, addressed  him  a  card  inviting  him  to  a  public  dinner  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  in  order  that  they  might  "  have  the  op- 
portunity  of  giving  full  utterance  to  the  sentiments  of  respect 
and  confidence  with  which  his  distinguished  political  services 


190 

to  our  country  hud  iftpirecl  them."  In  concluding-  their  invita- 
tion they  say,  "  In  the  try  ing-  crisis  through  which  oui  country, 
and  we  may  add,  the  cause  of  the  world's  freedom  and  of  re- 
publicanism, is  now  passing,  the  State  of  New  York  is  most 
fortunate  in  being  represented  in  the  Senate  of  the  Union  by 
one  whose  patriotism  soars  above  the  level  of  time  serving: 
purposes,  and  whose  eminent  talents  and  moral  worth  com- 
mand respect,  both  in  the  State  he  represents  and  in  the  Coun- 
cils of  the  Nation."  Among  the  names  signed  to  this  card, 
we  recognize  those  of  ex-Mayors  Mickle,  Lawrence,  and 
Morrris  ;  Hon.  Messrs.  Win,  B.  Maclay,  James  R.  Whiting, 
Aaron  Ward,  Campbell  P  White,  Gen.  Sandford,  Gen.  George 
P.  Morris,  Theodore  Sedgwick,  Francis  B.  Cutting,  Schuyler 
Livingston,  Gen.  Henry  Storms,  and  Oihers  equally  distin- 
guished. The  municipal  authorities  of  New  York  also  joined 
the  citizens  in  doing  him  honor. 

The  invitation  was  accepted  by  Senator  Dickinson,  and  the 
17th  of  June  was  fixed  upon  for  a  public  demonstration.  On 
the  afternoon  of  that  day  he  arrived  in  the  cars  from  Philadel- 
phia, accompanied  by  ex-Senator  Stewart,  of  Maryland.  On 
reaching  New  York  in  the  steamboat  from  Jersey  City,  his  hon- 
or, Mayor  Woodhull,  in  company  with  a  Special  Committee 
from  both  branches  of  the  Common  Council,  went  on  board  the 
boat,  and  after  each  member  of  the  Committee  had  been  intro- 
duced to  the  Senator,  the  Mayor  read  to  him  the  Resolution  of 
the  city  authorities,  and  addressed  him  briefly,  cordially  wel- 
coming him,  and  extending  to  him  the  hospitalities  of  the  city. 
At  the  conclusion  of  Senator  Dickinson's  reply,  he  was  con- 
ducted by  the  commitiee  to  a  splendid  barouche,  (drawn  by 
four  dark  bay  horses,)  in  which  he  was  seated  with  the  Mayor, 
the  President  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  Alderman  Shaw. 
In  the  rear  of  the  barouche  followed  a  train  of  carriages,  con- 
taining the  members  of  ths  common  council  and  other  persons 
connected  With  the  city  government.     The  New  York  Globe 


191 
adds,  "  A  large  number  of  citizens  were  in  attendance  at  the 
landing,  and  greeted  the  favorite  son  of  the  Empire  State  in 
true  republican  style.  At  the  Astor  House,  where  rooms  had 
been  provided  for  the  guesi  by  direction  of  the  City  Authorities, 
Senator  Dickinson  was  waited  upon  by  hundreds  of  citizens, 
who  were  anxious  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  man  whom  they 
had  so  long  admired  as  being  one  of  the  warmest  defendeis  of 
our  state  and  national  liberties." 

The  Dinner  came  off  at  Tammany  Hall  during  the  evening, 
and  over  two  hundred  citizens  shared  in  the  festivities.  The 
toasts  and  speeches  on  the  occasion,  however,  were  too  much 
of  a  partizan  character  to  be  reported  here.  W'e  will  conclude 
this  sketch  with  two  01  three  extracts  of  letters  from  distin- 
guished statesmen  which  were  read  at  the  festival. 

The  Hon  George  M.  Dallas,  late  Vice  President  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  writes  as  follows — "  As  patriots  and  politicians,  you 
have  every  reason  to  approve  the  public  conduct  of  your  Rep- 
resentative in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  Gov.  Daniel  S. 
Dickinson.  During  my  service  in  that  chamber,  I  did  not  fail 
to  notice  the  untiring  zeal,  manly  frankness,  quick  and  pow- 
erful ability  which  he  invariably  applied  to  forward  the  interests 
and  sustain  the  sentiments  of  the  commonwealth  of  New  York 
It  is  no  wonder  that  you  should  desire,  at  the  present  interest- 
ing juncture  in  national  affairs,  to  mark  prominently  with  your 
encomium  and  encouragement  a  public  agent  so  eminent,  so 
honorable,  and  so  useful  ;  and  it  would  give  me  very  sincere 
gratification,  were  it  in  my  power,  to  join  you  at  the  enter- 
tainment for  that  purpose  on  Monday  next,  to  which  you  have 
obligingly  invited  me.  I  am,  however,  constrained  by  my  en- 
gagements to  forego  this  pleasure,  and  content  myself  with  of. 
fering  to  your  indulgent  adoption  the  following  toast :  'The 
Patriot  Senator  of  New  York — He  who  cherishes  no  higher  aim 
than  his  country's  good,  and  adopts  no  higher  law  than  his 
country's  Constitution,'  " 


192 

The  Hon.  L3*vis  Cass  says,  "I  have  received  your  invita 
tion  to  be  present  at  'he  dinner  to  b  •  given  to  your  able  and 
patriotic  Senator,  Governor  Dickinson,  for  his  services  during 
the  period  of  exc.tement  growing  out  of  the  slavery  question, 
and  regret  that  I  cannot  accept  it.  This  testimonial  of  your 
approbation  ha*  been  as  nobly  won  as  it  is  honorably  bestowed. 
It  comes  in  good  time,  and  from  a  good  quarter — from  the  Com- 
mercial Metropolis  of  our  country,  and  now,  when  the  dark 
hour  is  upon  us.  I  have  observed  with  pride  and  pleasure  the 
conduct  of  your  Senator,  during  this  whole  unhappy  controver- 
sy, and  never  was  a  State  represented  in  the  councils  of  our 
nation,  with  more  patriotism,  firmness  and  consistency." 

Letters  of  similar  purport  were  read  from  Governor  Marcy-, 
Hon.  James  Buchanan,  Hon.  George  Bancroft,  Chancellor 
Walworth,  Governor  Toucey,  &c. 


19(i 


JED  EDI  AH    STRONG 


Perhaps  no  name  occurs  more  frequently  upon  the  Litch- 
field Town  and  County  Records,  for  a  period  of  twenty-five 
years,  than  that  of  JEDEDIAH  STRONG.  He  was  a  son 
of  Supply  Strong,  one  of  tht>,  first  settlers  of  Litchfield,  where  he 
was  born  on  the  7th  of  Nov'r.  1738.  In  1761,  he  graduated 
at  Yale  College,  and  first  studied  divinity,  but  soon  abandoned 
it  for  the  profession  of  law.  He  became  a  member  of  the  bar 
of  this  county,  but,  being  constantly  in  some  public  station  for 
many  years  thereafter,  he  had  little  or  no  business  before  the 
C  ourts. 

In  1771,  Mr.  Strong  was  elected  a  Member  of  the  Connec- 
ticut House  of  Representatives,  and  held  a  seat  in  that  body 
for  thirty  regular  sessions — during  several  of  which  he  was 
Clerk  of  the  House.  In  1774,  he  was  chosen  a  Member  of  the 
Continental  Congress.  In  1 780,  the  Legislature  appointed  him 
a  Judge  of  the  County  Court,  an  office  which  he  held  for  elev- 
en years.  In  the  mean  time  he  had  been  elected  to  the  Coun- 
cil, or  Upper  House  of  the  Legislature,  in  place  of  which  the 
Senate  has  since  been  constituted.  In  all  of  these  honorable 
public  employments  he  appears  to  have  given  general  satisfac- 
tion, both  to  the  Government  and  to  the  people. 

"At  a  town  meeting  of  the  inhabitants  of  Litchfield,  legally 
warned,  held  on  the  3 1st  of  August  1770, — Mr.  Abraham 
Kilborw,  Moderator — It  was  Voted  to  chose  a  Committee  to 
attend  the  General  Meeting  of  the  Mercantile  and  Landed 
Interests  of  the  Colony,  at  New  Haven,  on  the  day  after  the 
Commencement.  Jedediah  Strong,  Esq.,  and  Capt.  John 
Osborn,  were  chosen  said  Committee." 


J  04 

In  1774  and  '75,  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  Revo- 
lutionary "Committee  of  Inspection,''  in  connectkm  with  Ol- 
iver Wolcott,  James  Morris,  Seth  Bird,  Abraham  Kilborn, 
Andrew  Adams,  Abraham  Bradley,  and  others. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution,  Mr,  Strong  was 
appointed  by  the  General  Court,  a  Commissary  of  Supplies  for 
the  Army.  In  April,  1775,  the  Governor  and  Council  sent 
him  to  Albany  with  a  special  commission  to  secure  all  "  the 
arms  belonging  to  this  colony,  left  theie  during  the  French 
War,  and  return  them  as  soon  as  might  be."  In  the  spring  of 
the  following  year,  the  Legislature  selected  him  as  one  of  a 
committee  "to  procure  ,£1,800  in  specie,  in  exchange  for  bills, 
and  pay  the  same  to  the  Governor  for  the  use  of  the  Northern 
Army,  on  a  request  of  Congress."  During  the  period  of  the 
disaffection  in  the  army  in  1777,  complaint  was  made  to  the 
Legislature  against  several  militia  officers  in  Litchfield  county  : 
and  Jedediah  Strong,  Capt.  John  Watson,  Reuben  Smith,  and 
H.  Fitch,  were  appointed  a  committee  "  to  examine  the  facts 
and  report  to  the  Assembly." 

In  1788  he  was  chosen  a  Delegate  to  the  Convention  which 
adopted  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 

Judge  Strong  was  also  conspicuous  in  all  matters  of  local  in- 
terest in  the  town.  He  was  Town  Clerk  for  sixteen  years — 
a  Lister  and  Inspector  for  six  years — a  Selectman  for  thirteen 
years — besides  being  a  Constable,  Grand  Juror,  Surveyor,  &c. 

The  first  wife  of  Judge  Strong  was  Ruth  Patterson,  to  whom 
he  was  marriad  on  the  17th  of  April  1774.  She  having  died, 
he  was  married  to  Susannah,  daughter  of  the  Hon.  George 
Wyllys,  of  Hartford,  (Secretary  of  State,)  on  the  22d  of  Janu- 
ary, 1 788.  Previous  to  this  last  date,  his  popularity  had  begun 
to  wane.  By  our  town  records  it  appears  (hat  committees 
were  appointed  to  oppose  certain  claims  of  his  against  the  town 
—  and  subsequently  a  committee  was  chosen  to  prosecute  him 
few  siWnrn^  "/}i,ao  tn  *v»p  town."     He  had  scarcely  been  mar- 


195 
ried  a  year,  before  his  young  wife  petitioned  the  General 
Court  for  a  divorce,  on  the  ground  of  intemperance,  personal 
abuse,  &c. ;  and  her  petition  was  granted.  In  1789  he  re- 
resigned  the  office  of  Town  Clerk  "  at  the  particular  request 
of  the  Selectmen." — and  after  the  year  1791,  he  appears  to 
have  lived  in  obscurity  and  poverty  until  his  death  in  1802: 
His  remains  were  interred  in  the  burying -ground  west  of  the 
village  of  Litchfield,  but  no  stone  was  ever  erected  to  his  mem- 
ory.    He  left  one  daughter,  who  died  unmarried. 


EDMUND    KIEBY. 


In  another  part  of  this  volume  we  have  briefly  noted  the  life 
and  character  of  the  Hon.  Ephraim  Kir  by,  a  distinguished 
lawyer  and  politician  of  the  last  generation.  He  had  three 
sons,  viz.,  Ephraim,  who  died  young  ;  Reynold-Marvin,  a  Ma- 
jor in  the  U.  S.  Army  ;  and  Edmnnd,  the  subject  of  this  sketchy 
One  of  his  daughters  married  Major  Belton,  of  the  Army  ;  an- 
other became  the  wife  of  Colonel  Joseph  L.  Smith,  who  was 
formerly  an  attorney  in  Litchfield,  subsequently  an  officer  in 
the  Army,  and  at  a  still  later  period  was  Judge  of  the  District 
ol  East  Florida.  She  was  the  mother  of  Major  Ephraim  K. 
Smith,  who  fell  in  the  assault  on  Molin  del  Rey,  in  Mexico  ; 
and  Lieutenant  Edmund  K.  Smith,  who  was  also  distinguish- 
ed in  the  war  with  Mexico. 

EDMUND  KIRBY  was  born  at  Litchfield  on  the  8th  of 
April,  1794,  and  continued  to  reside  in  his  native  town  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain  in  1812,  when  he  received  a  Lieutenant's  com- 
mission in  the  Army.  He  served  with  distinction  throughout 
the  war,  on  the  Northern  and  North- Western  frontier,  and  re- 
ceived the  highest  commendation  from  his  superiors  in  rank. 
Immediately  after  the  Peace  of  1815,  he  was  placed  in  com- 
mand of  the  military  station  at  Detroit,  in  the  Territory  of 
Michigan.  This  was  a  frontier  post,  and  the  few  white  set- 
tlers scattered  along  the  line,  were  constantly  exposed  to  the 
depredations  of  the  savages.  Hence  the  duties  of  the  officers 
and  soldiers  there  stationed,  in  protecting  and  defending  our 
own  citizens,  were  frequently  of  the  most  onerous  and  difficult 


197 

nature — requiring  courage,  sagacity,  and  skill.  Here  Kirby 
remain  for  five  years,  and  until  appointed  Aide-de-Camp  to 
Major-General  Jacob  Brown,  whose  daughter  he  married.  In 
1821,  he  was  transferred  to  the  City  of  Washington,  having 
been  appointed  to  the  honorable  and  responsible  post  of  Ad- 
jutant General.  He  remained  at  the  seat  of  Government,  in 
the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  office,  for  about  two  yearss 
when,  having  been  appointed  Paymaster,  he  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Brownville,  Jefferson  county,  N.  Y.,  (the  seat  of  his 
father-in-law,  Gen.  Brown,)  where  his  family  have  since  con- 
tinued to  reside. 

From  1833  to  1840,  Major  Kirby  served  faithfully  through 
the  Black  Hawk,  Creek  and  Seminole  wars.  His  duties  2?roper, 
were  but  a  small  part  of  those  actually  rendered  by  him.  On 
the  march,  in  the  camp,  and  in  the  field — wherever  duty  or 
danger  might  call — he  was  wise  and  prudent  in  council,  and 
prompt  and  efficient  in  action.  The  diseased  or  the  wounded 
soldier  found  him  at  his  side,  to  soothe  his  sufferings  and  ad- 
minister relief. 

Soon  after  General  Taylor  marched  to  the  Rio  Grande, 
he  was  joined  by  Major  Kirby,  who  continued  at  his  side,  as  an 
accepted  Volunteer  Aide-de-Camp,  until  the  "Regulars"  were 
called  to  join  General  Scott.  For  his  distinguished  services  at 
the  taking  of  Monterey,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. In  addition  to  his  arduous  duties  as  Chief  of 
the  Pay  Department,  he  also  acted  as  a  Volunteer  Aide  to  Gen- 
eral Scott  at  Vera  Cruz,  Cerra  Cordo,  Contreras,  Cherubusco, 
Chepultepec,  and  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  distinguished  him- 
self for  wisdom,  bravery  and  fidelity.  For  his  meritorious  ser- 
vices in  this  campaign,  he  was  honored  by  the  President  and< 
Congress  with  a  Colonel's  commission. 

In  private  as  well  as  in  public  life,  Colonel  Kirby  was  a 
model  man.  Every  object  of  local  or  general  enterprise,  or  of 
private  charity,  found  his  heart  right  and  his  hand  open,     As 


198 
a  husband,  a  father,  a  friend,  a  neighbor,  he  had  few  equals- 
no  superiors.     No  man  was  ever  more  universally  beloved 
while  living,  or  more  sincerely  mourned  in  death,  than  Edmund 
Kirbv. 

On  his  return  homeward  from  his  last  campaign  in  Mexico, 
he  was  greeted  with  many  gratifying  demonstrations  of  public 
regard.  Landing  at  Sackett's  Harbor,  citizens  and  soldiery 
turned  out  en  masse  to  welcome  him.  The  Watertown  (N.  Y.) 
Journal  of  May  3d,  1848,  says,  "  On  Thursday  last,  the  ring- 
ing of  bells,  the  booming  of  cannon,  and  other  demonstrations 
of  popular  enthusiasm,  announced  to  the  people  of  Brownville 
and  its  vicinity  that  their  excellent  fellow-citizens,  Colonel 
Kirby,  was  returning  to  his  home.  Although  the  unexpected 
manner  of  his  arrival  was  such  as  to  preclude  any  preconcert 
of  arrangement,  and  disappointed  the  desire  of  thousands  of  the 
adjacent  country  to  join  in  the  congratulations  and  welcome  ; 
yet  a  large  cavalcade  of  his  friends  were  able  to  meet  him  be- 
fore his  arrival  in  town,  and  before  reaching  the  village  the  en-' 
tire  population  had  formed  in  procession,  and  gave  him  a  most 
cordi.il  and  heart- felt  reception."  He  was  addressed  by  Thom- 
as Y.  Howe,  Esq-,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens — to  which  Colonel 
Kirby  responded.  "  The  reply,"  says  the  Journal,  "  was 
drowned  in  cheers — three  times  three,  and  one  more,  the  pro- 
cession moved  on  to  the  gate  of  his  beautiful  and  beloved  home- 
stead, and  with  a  parting  sheer  hit  him  to  the  embraces  of  his 
family."1 

After  spending  a  few  weeks  at  home,  he  repaired  to  Louis- 
ville and  Cincinnati,  for  the  purpose  of  discharging  and  paying 
off  the  Western  Volunteers — a  difficult  and  arduous  duty,  but 
one  which  he  most  faithfully  performed.  While  at  the  city 
last  named,  he  addressed  a  communication  to  the  author  of 
this  volume,  detailing  the  principal  incidents  in  the  life  of  his 
father,  brother,  &c.  Of  himself  he  modestly  remarks,  "  I  am 
not  conscious  of  deserving  a  conspicuous  notice  in  your  work: 


H)9 
My  career  has  been  humble — my  aspirations  for  a  higher  and 
more  enlarged  sphere  of  action,  in  the  walks  of  my  profession, 
especially  during  the  last  two  years,  have  been  curbed  by  the 
higher  powers,  and  I  can  only  hope  to  transmit  to  my  children 
a  name  free  from  reproach. "  His  anticipations  in  this  respect 
are  more  than  realized.  Completing  his  duties  abroad,  he  once 
more  returned  to  his  home,  where  he  devoted  the  intervals  of 
his  public  labors  to  the  superintendance  of  his  noble  farm.  He 
had  long  been  known  as  an  eminent  agriculturalist — had  at 
various  times  been  an  officer  of  the  New  York  State  Agricultu- 
ral Society,  and  early  in  1849  he  was  appointed  by  the  Gov- 
ernor one  of  the  Commissioners  to  matt-ire  a  plan  for  an  Agri- 
cultural College  and  an  Experimental  Farm. 

So  prominent  had  Col,  Kirby's  long  and  faithful  public  ser- 
ices  rendered  him,  that,  upon  the  elevation  of  General  Taylor 
to  the  Presidency,  he  was  frequently  spoken  of  in  the  news- 
papers as  one  who  would  in  all  probability  be  called  to  a  seat 
in  the  new  Cabinet ;  and  we  have  good  reasons  for  saying, 
that  such  would  have  been  his  destiny  had  not  one  of  the  chief 
offices  of  the  Government  (that  of  Vice  President,)  been  held 
by  a  citizen  of  New  York. 

A  disease  of  the  liver,  contracted  in  Mexico,  gradually  un- 
dermined his  naturally  strong  constitution,  and  he  died  at  Avon 
Springs,  (whither  he  had  gone  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  relief 
from  the  medicinal  waters,)  on  the  20th  of  August,  1849.  His 
remains  were  taken  to  his  residence  at  Brownville,  and  were 
committed  to  the  earth  on  the  22d,  with  military  honors,  the 
troops  from  Madison  Barracks  being  present.  The  notice  of 
his  death,  and  of  the  time  appointed  for  the  rites  of  sepulture, 
although  brief,  brought  together  the  largest  assemblage  ever 
convened  on  a  funeral  occasion  in  Jefferson  county.  Thou- 
sands on  foot  and  in  carriages  pressed  towards  the  church, 
where  a  solemn  and  impressive  Sermon  was  delivered  by  the 
Rev.  Wm.  H,  Hill,  Rector  of  St.  Paul's,     At  the  grave,  the 


200 
service  of  the   Episcopal   Church  was  read,  three  vollles  were 
fired  by  the  U.  S.  Troops  present,  and  tfce  body  of  our  friend 
was  left  to  its  slumbers,   until  the  trumpet  shall  summon  him 
to  the  last  dread  Muster-Day  ! 

The  following  extracts  from  Mr.  HilPs  Funeral  Discourse, 
present  his  character  as  a  citizen  and  as  an  officer,  in  its  true 
light:  After  alluding  to  the  dishonesty  and  the  defalcations 
of  many  of  the  agents  of  Government,  the  preacher  continues: 

But  who  and  where  is  he  that  can  rise  and  say  that  that  man  ever 
■#ave  place  to  such  a  temptation,  even  for  an  hour  ?  The  challenge 
may  be  made  from  the  great  Lakes  to  the  swamps  of  Florida — from 
the  Northeastern  Boundary  to  the  halls  of  the  Montezumas  (and  he 
was  the  public  servant  over  all  that  extent,)  and  the  answer  would  be 
from  old  and  young,  officer  and  private,  President,  Cabinet,  public  offi- 
cer, and  all  with  whom  he  was  brought  in  contact — "he  was  faithful 
to  his  trust."  He  never  learned  that  there  could  be  any  difference 
between  public  and  private  honesty.  He  would  have  scorned  such 
an  intimation,  had  it  come  to  him  even  from  his  nearest  friend.  Tens, 
and  I  may  say  hundreds  of  millions  of  dollars  of  public  money  have 
passed  through  his  hands.  Not  one  cent  remained  on  its  passage, 
save  the  exact  amount  justly  due  him  for  his  arduous  and  most  faith- 
fully discharged,  duties.  Comparatively  brief  as  has  been  my  per- 
sonal intercourse  with  him,  I  have  seen  and  know  enough  to  satisfy 
me,  that  he  lies  there  this  moment  the  victim  of  personal,  unwearied 
devotion  to  his  public  duties. 

In  Mexico,  though  his  station  as  Chief  of  the  Pay  Department — had 
he  been  a  man  of  but  common  mould — might  justly  have  exempted 
him  from  the  vast  mass  of  the  personal  labor  which  he  actually  per- 
formed— yet  he  endured  all  this  additional  task,  lest  the  public  busi- 
ness might  become  entangled  through  the  want  of  capacity  or  experi- 
ence of  some  who  had  been  entrusted  with  a  particular  branch  ot  it. 
With  all  his  fellow  officers,  he  too  endured  equally  the  hardships  of 
a  long  and  weary  campaign.  The  dangers  of  the  battle-field  he  never 
shunned,  though  his  station  never  called  him  to  such  a  post.  He  felt, 
as  he  expressed  himself  to  me,  that  though  many  precious  lives  kat 
home  were  dependent  on  his  own—  and  I  need  not  tell  you  he  never 
forgot  them — yet,  situated  as  he  was,  he  owed  all  his  energies  to  his 
country  and  his  companions  in  the  field,  and  he  might  not  withhold 
them.  Hence  he  was  found  a  volunteer,  a  cheerful  and  accepted 
volunteer,  to  both  of  those  distinguished  Generals  upon  whom  so  much 
depended.  In  the  thickest  of  the  battle  was  he  found,  and  his  fellow 
officers  knew  and  felt  and  said,  that  in  all  those  terrible  scenes  of  peril 
on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  on  the  route  from  the  Gulf  to  the  City  of 


1'0\ 

Ntotco,  no  coward's  heart  was  hid  in  the  breast  of  Edmund  Kjrby. 
He  was  there,  not  because  his  soul  loved  such  scenes,  but  because  he 
felt  that  his  duty  called  him  there.  His  brave  and  lion  Heart  could 
not  be  kept  in  the  quiet  tent  of  the  Paymaster.  He  must  be  in  the 
■battle  where  his  friends  and  companions  needed  and  well  appreciated 
his  services. 

All  these  public  dangers  and  fatigues,  1  repeat,  he  shared  equally 
-with  his  companions.  But  when  they  could  rest,  he  might  not.  Day 
and  night  did  this  faithful  public  servant  draw  upon  the  energies  of 
his  iron  constitution,  until  the  wonder  is,  that  we  ever  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  meeting  him  again.  And  since  his  return,  I  can  bear  witness 
how  unceasingly  he  toiled  to  finish  up  the  labors  which  had  been 
imposed  upon  him,  and  which  were  arduous  enough  to  i  xhaust  and 
"break  down  the  energies  and  constitution  of  any  three  men.  Person- 
al fatigue  was  as  nothing  to  him — and  even  when  sickness  had  sapped 
the  very  foundations  of  that  iron  frame,  he  would  still  sit  for  hours  in 
-his  chair  writing  and  working  for  the  public,  whose  servant  he  was, 
while  the  perspiration  of  real  anguish  would  bedew  his  whole  coun- 
tenance. Often  when  seeing  him  thus  have  I  besought  him  to  save  him- 
self. Others  added  their  expostulations.  But  he  had  only  one  answer. 
The  work  was  to  be  done,  and  he  must  do  it.  And  he  labored  thus, 
until  his  relaxed  muscles  almost  refused  to  grasp  the  pen,  which  to 
him  was  more  fatal  than  the  sword,  for  it  drained  out  his  very  heart's 
blood.  Such  was  the  fidelity  of  the  deceased  to  his  public  trust.  It 
was  not  for  an  hour,  or  month,  or  year  merely,  but  for  life.  He  lived 
and  he  died  an  honest  man.  His  example  in  this  is  bright,  without  a. 
spot.  He  served  his  country  faithfully,  and  surely;  with  his  example 
before  us,  I  may  say  to  all  those  present,  who  like  him,  are  entrusted 
with  public  duties — "Go  ye  and  do  likewise." 

I  need  scarcely  add,  that  the  same  sterling  unintermitting  honesty 
and  fidelity  marked  all  his  private  dealings,  and  his  relations  to  the 
society  about  him.  We  all  mourn  a  friend  lost.  His  energies,  his 
public  spirit,  and  his  confessedly  commanding  position  in  society,  have 
so  interwoven  him  and  his  name  with  almost  every  thing  in  which  any 
of  us  had  any  personal  interest,  that  we  can  scarcely  begin  to  realize 
the  blank  which  has  been  made.  Every  eye  was  upon  him.  If  he 
moved,  we  telt  cjnfident  that  the  particular  work  would  succeed. 
Was  there  any  station  of  usefulness  to  be  filled  or  any  public  trust  to 
be  discharged,  involving  either  pecuniary  or  other  responsibility  ?— 
Whose  name  rose  spontaneously  to  every  lip  as  the  man  for  that  sta- 
tion or  trust  ?  I  need  not  answer.  It  seemed  as  if  in  reference  te- 
him,  envy  herself  had  ab  tained  from  exerting  her  baleful  influence. 
He  was  respected,  esteemed,  beloved  by  all.  We  all  weep,  for  we  have 
■lost  a  father,  a  brother,  a  friend.  Oh  !  there  was  no  stimulated  woe,, 
no  hypocritical    pretence,    in    those    saddened   faces,    which    almost 


202 
literally  lined  the  road  for  the  last  few  miles  of  our  journey  home- 
ward. There  were  all  ages  and  sexes  and  classes.  All  knew  him  and 
all  mourned  that  their  friend — not  one  of  whom  they  had  read  in  books 
or  heard  by  the  hearing  of  the  ear  merely,  but  their  own,  personal, 
true  friend  had  been  called  away. 

Col.  Kirby  leaves  behind  him  a  widow  and  nine  children  to 
mourn  his  loss.  One  of  his  sons  (Jacob  Brown  Kirby,)  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  College  the  Wednesday  preceding  his  (CoL  K.'s) 
death. 


203 


AMBROSE    SPENCEit. 

Albany,  April  4,  1848. 
P.  K.  Kilbouhne,  Esq. — 

Sir — Your  letter  of  October  12,  1847,  to  my  deceased  father,, 
the  late  Judge  Spencer,  requesting  information  respecting  incidents  in 
his  life,  must  have  arrived  at  Lyons  after  the  severs  attack  of  the  dis- 
ease which  terminated  his  life,  and  when,  of  course,  he  was  unable  to 
pa}>"  any  attention  to  it.  As  I  find  it  among  his  letters,  I  have  deem- 
ed it  proper  to  explain  the  reason  why  it  has  not  been  answered.  My 
father  was  taken  ill  in  April,  but  no  serious  apprehensions  of  any  fatal 
result  were  entertained  until  the  1st  of  October,  when  he  had  severe 
chills,  and  from  that  time  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  until  his  death 
on  the  13  th  of  March  last. 

The  best  answer  I  can  give  to  your  enquiries,  is  contained  in  a  bio- 
graphical notice  of  him  in  the  Evening  Journal  of  this  city,  of  the  14th 
of  March,  a  copy  of  which  I  enclose  herein,  and  which  is  very  accu- 
rate in  its  data,  &c.  Very  Respectfully,  Yours, 

J.  C.  SPENCER. 


AMBROSE  SPENCER  was  born  December  13th,  1765, 
in  the  town  of  Salisbury,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut.  His 
father  was  a  mechanic  and  a  farmer,  who,  although  in  mode- 
rate circumstances,  by  his  industry  and  economy,  obtained  the 
means  of  giving  his  two  sons,  Philip  and  Ambrose,  the  very 
best  educatiou  which  the  country  then  afforded.  He  often  de- 
clared his  conviction  that  he  could  noj  better  endow  his  sons, 
if  it  cost  all  he  had,  than  by  giving  1hem  a  finished  education. 
The  generosity  and  self-devotion  of  this  resolution  at  that  time, 
and  under  the  privations  which  it  occasioned,  render  it  worthy 
of  record.  The  two  sons  entered  Yale  College  in  the  autumn 
of  1779,  and  after  remaining  three  years,  were  removed  to 
Harvard  University,  where  they  graduated  in  July,  1783.     The 


201 

subject  of  this  notice  was  then  but  17  years  and  six  months 
old.  This  fact,  as  well  as  the  concurring  testimony  of  his 
classmates,  among  whom  were  John  Cotton  Smith  and  Har- 
rison Gray  Otis,  show  that  he  must  have  possessed  remarka- 
ble talent  as  well  as  close  application  to  enable  him  to  pass 
through  the  rigid  discipline  of  that  day,  and  to  receive  the  hon- 
ors of  Harvard. 

He  devoted  himself  to  the  profession  of  the  law,  and  studied 
for  some  time  with  John  Canfield,  an  eminent  lawyer  of  Sharon, 
in  his  native  county,  and  completed  his  studies  with  John  Bay, 
at  Claverack,  and  with  Ezekiel  Gilbert,  at  Hudson,  New  Ycrk. 
Before  he  was  nineteen,  he  married  Laura  Canfield,  a  daugh- 
ter of  his  preceptor,  and  made  Hudson  his  residence.  In  1786 
he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  city  ;  and  in  1793,  he  was  elect- 
ed a  member  of  the  Assembly  of  New  York  from  Columbia 
county.  In  1 795,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  for  three  years, 
and  in  1798,  was  re-elected  for  four  years.  In  1796,  he  was 
appointed  asssistant  attorney-general  for  the  counties  of  Colum- 
bia and  Rensselaer.  In  February,  1802,  he  was  appointed 
Attorney  General  of  the  State  ;  and  in  1804,  he  received  the 
appointment  of  a  Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court,  of  which  he 
was  made  Chief  Justice  in  18 1 9.  His  professional  practice  is 
known  to  have  been  very  extensive  and  very  successful.  He 
was  engaged  in  every  important  cause  in  that  part  of  the  State, 
and  often  met  in  forensic  contest  the  great  intellects  that  illu- 
mined that  peiiod—  Hamilton,  Burr,  Brockholst  and  Edward 
Livingston,  Josiah  Ogden  Hoffman,  Richard  Harrison,  Abra- 
ham Van  Vechten,  John  V.  Henry,  William  W,  Van  Ness,  and 
others  of  less  notoriety.  His  advancement  to  the  highest  hon- 
ors of  his  profession,  at  a  time  when  office  sought  merit  and 
talent,  is  the  best  proof  of  the  estimation  in  which  his  powers 
and  attainments  were  held. 

During  the  period  of  his  service  in  the  Senate,  he  became 
the  personal  friend  and  political  associate  of  De  Wilt  Clinton* 


20o 
and  there  commenced  an  intimacy  which,  with  a  short  interval 
of  alienation,  continued  during  the  life  of  that  great  benefac- 
tor of  his  native  State,  It  was  during  this  period,  also,  that 
the  great  political  revolution  occurred  which  placed  Mr.  Jef- 
ferson in  the  Presidency.  How  much  of  this  result  was  attri- 
butable to  the  efforts  of  Messrs.  Clinton  and  Spencer,  it  is 
now  needless  to  enquire.  But  by  the  general  voice  of  their 
political  friends,  they  were  placed  in  the  front  of  battle  and  at 
the  head  of  the  Republican  columns  in  the  State.  During 
this  struggle,  those  gentlemen  were  chosen  members  of  the 
Council  of  Appointment,  at  that  time  the  dispenser  of  all  the 
patronage  of  the  State.  A  controversy  arose  between  ihe  ma-' 
jority  of  the  Council  and  Governor  Jay  respecting  the  claim 
of  the  latter  to  the  exclusive  right  of  nominating  officers  to  the 
Council,  which  agitated  the  State,  and  resulted  in  calling  a 
Convention  of  Delegates  to  expound  and  amend  the  Consti- 
tution, which  body  sustained  the  views  of  the  majority  of  the 
Council. 

During  his  whole  life,  Judge  Spencer  took  a  warm  interest 
in  the  public  events  effecting  the  destiny  of  his  country,  and 
contributed  his  best  services  to  the  promotion  of  its  welfare. 
Ardent  in  his  temperament,  as  resolute  as  he  was  honest  in 
his  purposes,  and  firm  and  persevering  in  the  execution  of 
them,  he  necessarily  became  mingled  with  the  political  organ- 
ization of  the  times  through  which  he  passed.  But  he  was  no 
blind  partizan  ;  he  saw  and  deprecated  the  errors  of  his  own 
associates  as  freely  as  he  exposed  those  of  his  antagonists. 
And  it  was  his  known  independence  and  disinterestedness,  his 
fearless  maintenance  of  truth  and  justice  on  all  occasions,  that 
gave  his  opinion  that  great  weight  which  for  a  long  series  of 
years  they  received  not  only  from  his  friends,  but  from  the 
whole  community. 

The  judicial  course  of  the  subject  of  this  notice  has  given  him 
a  reputation  over  the  whole  extent  of  our  country,  equal  to  that 


206 

of  its  most  distinguished  jurist*.  For  nearly  twenty  years  he 
was  associated  on  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  State, 
and  in  the  Court  of  last  resort,  with  Kent,  Thompson,  Piatt, 
Woodworfh  and  Van  Ness.  No  lawyer  need  be  informed  that 
those  twenty  years  were  the  Augustan  age  of  our  jurispru- 
dence. The  reports  of  cases  decided  by  these  Judges,  became 
standard  authorities  in  the  various  States  of  this  Union,  and 
were  quoted  with  the  highest  respect  in  Westminster  Hall. 
They  adapted  the  principles  of  the  common  ktw  of  England  to 
the  new  exigencies  of  our  country — a  task  requiring  the  most 
profound  knowledge  and  the  greatest  circumspection, — and 
were  distinguished  as  well  for  their  conformity  to  the  spirit  of 
our  institutions,  as  for  their  soundness  and  perspicuity.  In 
these  decisions,  Judge  Spencer  had  his  full  share;  Indeed, 
it  is  but  just  to  say,  according  to  the  concurrent  testimony  of 
those  best  able  to  judge — the  members  of  the  legal  profession 
— to  the  opinions  delivered  by  him  does  the  Court  owe  much 
of  its  reputation  for  strict  and  accurate  reasoning,  clearness  of 
views  and  of  language,  and  a  thorough  comprehension  of  the 
philosophy  of  the  common  law.  Although  Judge  Spencei 
held  to  be  one  of  the  best,  if -not  the  first,  common  law  lawyer 
of  his  time,  yet  his  opinions  delivered  in  the  Court  for  the  Cor- 
rection of  Errors,  show  that  he  was  also  a  consummate  master 
of  equity  jurisprudence. 

Having  nearly  arrived  at  the  period  limited  by  the  then 
Constitution  for  judicial  service,  Judge  Spencer  retired  from 
the  bench  in  January,  1823,  amidst  the  universal  regret  of  those 
who  had  witnessed  his  labors.  The  accomplished  reporter  of 
the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court,  William  Johnson,  Esq., 
in  the  dedication  of  the  Twentieth  Volume  of  his  Reports,  lias 
expressed  the  general  sentiment  of  the  Bar  and  of  the  com- 
munity, in  the  lofty  testimony  he  bears  to  the  strict  impartiality, 
stern  justice,  and  unwavering  independence,  of  Judge  Spencer 
during  his  long  judicial  career,  and  amidst  party  contentions 
of  the  most  ferocious  character. 


807 

In  1808,  during  his  judicial  term,  Judge  Spencer  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  Legislature  together  with  Peter  J.  Monroe,  to 
prepare  and  report  such  reforms  and  improvements  in  the 
Chancery  System  of  the  State,  as  they  should  deem  expedi- 
ent. This  report,  made  in  March,  1809,  was  enlightened, 
comprehensive,  and  well  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  State. 
It  proposed  the  division  of  the  State  into  three  equity  districts, 
with  a  Chancellor  for  each,  and  a  court  in  banc  consisting  ol 
the  three  Chancellors,  and  various  modifications  of  the  prac- 
tice and  improvements  of  the  whole  system,  which,  if  they 
bad  been  then  adopted,  would  have  obviated  the  necessity  of 
the  extensive  and  vital  changes  which  have  recently  been 
made.  It  is  singular  that  many  of  the  modern  changes  are  in 
conformity  with  those  recommended  by  the  report  of  1809. 

After  leaving  the  bench,  Judge  Spencer  devoted  himself 
for  a  few  years  to  the  legal  profession,  more,  it  is  presumed, 
more  for  the  sake  of  (he  occupation  it  afforded,  than  for  the 
emolument.  His  usual  success  attended  him,  but  he  found 
the  cares  and  anxieties  of  the  profession  irksome  and  encroach- 
ing too  much  on  his  time.  He  soon  occupied  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Albany,  and  employed  himself  in  superintending  its 
cultivation.  He  was  chosen  Mayor  of  the  city  of  Albany,  and 
served  his  fellow  citizens  in  that  capacity  to  their  great  grati- 
fication. In  1829  he  was  elected  to  the  Congress  of  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  discharged  all  the  duties  of  the  station  during 
his  term.  He  declined  taking  any  leading  part  in  the  political 
movements  of  the  day,  although  his  advice  and  aid  were  al- 
ways at  the  command  of  his  friends.  The  difficulty  with  the 
Cherokee  Indians  was,  however,  of  a  character  calculated  to 
enlist  his  warmest  sympathies.  His  innate  love  of  justice, 
which  had  been  invigorated  by  his  judicial  duties  and  had  be- 
come the  ruling  principle  of  his  life,  was  shocked  by  the  treat- 
ment of  that  unfortunate  people  ;  and  with  characteristic  en- 
ergy and  fearlessness,  he  united  with   Wirt  and   that  noble 


•>08 
■oand  of  statesmen  and  philanthropists,  who  resisted  and  en- 
deavored to  arrest  the  cruel  aggressions  and  the  monstrous 
injustice  of  our  government.  But  it  was  in  vain.  In  vain  did 
the  virtuous  Marshall  and  his  associates  on  the  bench  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  declare  the  eternal  prin- 
ciples of  right.  The  law  was  too  weak.  Cupidity  and  vio- 
lence triumphed  over  a  helpless  people,  and  drove  them  from 
the  land  in  which  they  were  born  and  from  the  graves  of  their 
ancestors,  into  a  wilderness. 

He  continued  his  agricultural  pursuits  in  the  vicinity  of 
Albany,  enjoying  the  universal  esteem  and  regard  of  the  com- 
munity, until  1839,  when  he  removed  to  the  village  of  Lyons, 
— having  previously  lost  by  death  his  last  wife.  In  that  se- 
questered village  he  lived  in  the  calm  enjoyment  of  a  green  old 
age,  and  in  the  grateful  recollections  of  a  well  spent  life,  until 
summoned  hence.  Possessing  a  vigorous  constitution,  impro- 
ved by  great  regularity  and  temperance  of  life,  he  scarcely 
knew  disease  until  his  last  fatal  sickness.  His  wonderful 
health  at  his  advanced  age,  ana  the  firmness  and  elasticity  of 
his  step,  were  for  years  the  admiration  of  all  who  knew  him. 

In  1844,  he  was  President  of  the  Whig  National  Convention 
held  at  Baltimore,  which  nominated  Henry  Clay  for  the  Pres- 
idency and  Theodore  Frelinghuysen  for  the  Vice  Presidency 
of  the  United  States.  The  last  public  act  of  his  life  was  to 
address  an  able  letter  to  his  fellow-citizens  in  opposition  to 
a  proposed  amendment  of  the  Constitution,  providing  for  an 
-elective  judiciary  with  brief  terms  of  office.  In  an  eloquent 
and  logical  argument,  equal  to  the  best  efforts  of  his  best  days, 
he  presented  the  subject  in  a  manner  to  elicit  universal  com- 
mendation of  its  ability  and  manliness. 

Some  years  previous  to  his  death,  Judge  Spencer  became  a 
member  of  the  Episcopal  church,  and  was  sustained  in  his 
last  days  by  the  hopes  and  promises  of  the  Gospel. 


209 
The  Hon.  John  Canfield  Spencer,  a  son  of  Judge  Spencer, 
was  a  member  of  Congress  from  1817  to  1819;  and  was  sub- 
sequently Secretary  of  Stale  for  the  State  of  New  York  In 
1841,  upon  the  resignation  of  the  Harrison  Cabinet,  he  was 
appointed  to  and  accepted  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  United 
States  Treasury,  which  he  held  until  the  close  of  President 
Tyler's  Administration, 


210 


WILLIAM    KAY. 


WILLIAM  RAY  was  born  in  Salisbury,  on  the^th  of  De- 
cember, 1771.     While  he  was  a  child,  his  father  removed  to  a 
remote  town  in  the  State  of  New  York,  where  the  son  had  lit- 
tle opportunity  for  cultivating  those  intellectual  and  literary 
tastes  which  were  very  early  developed  in  him.     At  the  age  of 
en,  he  left  the  paternal  roof  and  went  to  Dover,  in  Duch- 
s  county,  where   he    assumed  the  charge  of  a  school.      He 
.  abandoned  this  occupation,  and  engaged  in  trade,  which 
•sued  for  several  years.     His  commercial  speculations, 
er,  proved  unsuccessful,  and  finally  issued  in  bankruptcy. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  obtain  a  release  from  his  creditors,  or 
to  procure  employment  for  the  support  of  himself  and  wife,  he 
left  his  home  in  the  spring  of  1803,  and  started  for  Philadel- 
phia in  search  of  some  congenial  occupation.     He  traveled 
through  the  State   of  Pennsylvania  under  circumstances  of 
great  distress,  and  with  but  very  slender  pecuniary  resources. 
Lie  was  overtaken  by  sickness ;   his   last  cent  was  expended  ; 
and  he  at  length  reached  Philadelphia  in  a  state  of  extreme 
destitution,   and  not  yet  restored  to   a  comfortable  degree  of 
health.     Here  new  trials  awaited  him.     He  failed  to  procure 
employment,  and,  impelled  by  his  necessities,  on  the  13th  of 
June,  t803,  he  enlisted  into  the  maritime  service  of  the  United 
Stales.     He  admits  that  "  imprudence,  vice,  intemperance  and 
prodigality,  were  the  primaiy  causes  of  his  misfortunes  ;"  and 
pleads  that  "the  miseries  and  horrors  of  painful  mancipation, 
Bnd  a  thousand  concomitant   evils  and  sufferings,  ought,  in 


2H 
some  c   ^rec,  to  expiate  bis  iaults  and  follies  in  the  benignant 
eyes  of  Charity. 

On  the  3d  of  July,  Ray  and  his  comrades  were  ordered  on 
board  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  under  the  command  of  Captain 
Bainbridge,  destined  to  join  our  squadron  against  Tripoli.    She 
sailed  in  the  course  of  the  same  month,  having  on  board  a  com- 
plement of  three  hundred  men.     The  frigate  proceeded  pros- 
perously on  her  voyage,  and  arrived  at  Gibraltar  on  the  26th 
of  August.     Here  she  remained  a  few  days,  and  was  joined  by 
several  American  ships  of  the  line.     Information  being  receiv- 
ed that  a  vessel  with  Barbary  colors  was  cruising  off  the  'Rock,'1 
the  Philadelphia  went  in  pursuit  of  her,  under  English  colors. 
The  stranger  was  easily  captured,  and  proved  to  be  a  Moroc- 
co vessel  mounting  twenty-two  guns,  and  containing  about  one 
hundred  men.     The   prize  had  captured  an  American  brig, 
which  the  Philadelphia,    on  the  following  day,    overtook  and 
re-captured,  liberating   her  crew  from  their  bondage.     The 
frigate,  in  company  with  the  prize  and  brig,  then  returned  to 
Gibraltar.     In  October,  the    Philadelphia  proceeded    to  the 
island  of  Malta,   and  from  thence  sailed  for  Tripoli.     On  the 
3lst  day  of  October,  she  fell  in  with  an  enemy's  vessel  off  the 
harbor  of  Tripoli,  and  gave  chase.     The  pirate  stood  in  for  the 
town,  and  the  frigate  made  every  effort  to  cut  off  her  retreat. 
Having  no  pilot  on  board  who  understood  the  harbor,  and  be- 
coming excited  in  the  pursuit,  the  Americans  ventured  in  too 
far,  and  when  about  three  miles  distant  from  the   town,  their 
vessel  struck  upon  a  shoal,  and  remained  fast.     Every  effort 
was  made,  though   in  vain,  to  release  her,    while  the   enemy, 
emboldened  by  her  condition,  sent  off  three  gun-boats  against 
her.      It  was  a  little  past  twelve  o'clock  when  the  frigate  struck, 
and  the  crew  continued  firing  at  the  bjats,    at  the   same  time 
endeavoring  to  get  their  ship  afloat,   until  four  o'clock   in  the 
afternoon,   when,  unable  to  escape  or  longer  to  resist,  they 
struck  their  flag,  and  ihe  Philadelphia  was  consigned   lo  her 


212 
piratical  victors.     The  enemy  immediately  boarded  her,  when 
convinced  that  she  had  in  reality  surrendered,  and  the  officers 
and  crew  were  soon  escorted  into  the  presence  of  their  new 
master,  the  Bashaw  of  Tripoli. 

From  this  period,  for  more  than  a  year  and  a  half,  the  his- 
tory of  Ray  and  his  comrades  is  a  tale  of  sad  captivity  and. 
hardship.     The  officers  of  the  Philadelphia  suffered  much  from 
confinement,   and  the   want  of  proper  nourishment :  but  the 
greatest  misery  was  allotted  to  the  unfortunate  crew.     Strip- 
ped of  almost  all  their  clothing,  reduced  to  so  pitiful  an  alow- 
ance  of  food  that  life  could  scarcely  be  sustained,  they  were 
driven  forth  in  bands  to  the  performance  of  the  most  incredi- 
ble labors;  and  when  sickness  necessarily  succeeded  to  such 
unnatural  exertions,  the  wretched  captives  received  from  their 
tyrants  only  threats  and  blows.     At  one  time  we  find  many  of 
them  employed  to  raise  the  wreck  of  a  vessel,  deeply  sunken 
in  the  sand.     At  the  coldest  season  of  the  year  they  are  forced 
into  the  water  at  sunrise,  and  compelled  to  shovel  the  sand  from 
the  bottom,  and  carry  it  in  baskets  to  the  bank.     Once  through- 
out the  day  they  are  allowed  a  scanty  meal,  when  they  resume 
their  labors  until  sunset,  and  then  return  to  their  prison  to  pass 
the  night  upon  the  damp  earth,  and  await  the  horrors  of  the 
succeeding  day.     Again,  at  another  season,  many  of  them  are 
compelled,  barefooted  and  almost  naked,  to  drag  a  heavy  wag- 
on five  or  six  miles  into  the  country,  over  burning  sands,  and 
back  again,  loaded  with  timber,  before  any  food  was  allowed 
them,  except,  perhaps,  raw  vegetables.     A  number  were    re^ 
leased  from  their  sufferings  by  death,  and  to  the  survivors  life 
became  a  burden  almost  insupportable.     Eyery  exertion  in  his 
power  was  made  by  Captain  Bainbridge  for  the  relief  of  his 
crew,  and  frequently,  through  the  Danish  Consul,  he  was  en- 
abled to  send  them  some  comfortable  provisions.     Yet  he  was 
himself  a  captive  also,  and  could  effect  but,  little  for  their  relief. 
But  the  American  Government  was  not  unmindful   of  the 


213 
fate  of  its  unfortunate  defenders.  Duringthe  summer  of  1804, 
an  American  squadron  was  sent  out  under  Commodore  Preble 
against  Tripoli.  On  the  3d  of  August,  the  squadron  stood  in 
for  the  harbor,  and  commenced  a  severe  cannonade  against 
the  shipping,  and  also  bombarded  the  town.  Three  of  the 
Tripolitan  gun-boats  were  captured,  three  were  sunk,  a  num- 
ber of  prisoners  were  taken,  and  many  killed  and  wounded, 
with  but  little  loss  on  the  part  of  the  Americans.  On  the  7th, 
Commodore  Preble  renewed  the  attack  on  the  town  with  much 
execution,  though  sustaining  a  greater  loss  than  on  the  former 
occasion.  The  Bashaw  still  demanding  a  large  ranso  m  for 
his  prisoners,  on  the  26th  of  August,  and  again  on  the  3d  of 
September,  the  attack  was  renewed  upon  the  town,  and  upon 
the  gallies  and  gun-boats  of  the  enemy.  Soon  after,  the 
weather  proving  unfavorable,  and  the  ammunition  being  great- 
ly reduced,  the  Commodore  dismissed  all  the  vessels  but  three, 
for  Syracuse,  and  with  these  determined  to  keep  up  the  block- 
ade. He  was  shortly  afterward  joined  by  two  other  ships  un- 
der command  of  Commodore  Barron,  to  whom  the  charge  was 
resigned.  But  the  season  was  now  so  far  advanced  that  little 
more  was  done  to  the  enemy,  save  the  capture  of  a  number  of 
vessels  laden  with  wheat,  and  bound  for  the  Tripolitan  market. 
Early  the  following  season  the  Bashaw  was  willing  to  treat 
for  peace.  He  wras  impoverished  in  his  finances,  and  justly 
alarmed  at  the  report  of  the  formidable  armament  preparing 
against  him.  On  the  26th  of  May,  three  American  frigates 
appeared  in  sight.  The  smallest  came  near  the  town,  and 
hoisted  the  banner  of  peace,  a  signal  to  which  he  gladly  res- 
ponded. The  frigates  however  disappeared,  and  hope  and 
fear  alternately  agitated  the  breasts  of  the  Tripolitans  and 
their  miserable  captives.  On  the  29th,  three  frigates  and  a 
brig  bore  down  upon  the  town,  and  displayed  the  signals  of 
peace,  which  were  immediately  answered  from  the  castle. 
From  this  period,  friendly  negociations  went  on   rapidly,  and 


214 
on  the  3d  day  of  June,   1805,  the  articles  were  signed.     At  4 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  a  salute  was  fired  from  the  frigates 
and  batteries,  causing  transports  of  wild  delight  in  many  a  long- 
desolate  bosom.     Ray  enthusiastically  exclaims, 

"  But  ah !  what  joy  when  the  saluting  sound 
Was  heard  to  thunder  through  the  arches  round  ! 
Enraptured  lays  the  choral  hundreds  sung, 
And  that  drear  mansion  once  with  gladness  rung  !" 

The  "saluting  sound"  of  course  spoke  freedom  to  the  Amer- 
ican captives,  and  their  first  act  on  regaining  their  liberty  was 
one  so  noble  that  it  ought  not  to  be  omitted.  They  immedi- 
ately resumed  a  subject  which  had  before  enlisted  (heir  sympa- 
thies— that  of  librating  a  fellow-prisoner,  a  friendly  Neapolitan, 
who  had  been  able  to  render  several  of  them  essential  services. 
They  subscribed  over  three  hundred  dollars,  wrote  to  Captain 
Bainbridge,  had  the  sum  deducted  from  their  wages,  and  re- 
stored their  still  captive  friend  to  freedom. 

Ray  now  entered  as  Captain's  clerk  on  board  the  frigate 
Essex,  and  returned  home  during  the  following  year.  What- 
ever may  have  been  his  conduct  before  entering  the  service, 
it  was  irreproachable  during  his  connection  with  it,  and  he  left 
with  the  good  will  and  respect  both  of  his  commander  and  of 
all  the  other  officers. 

In  1809,  the  subject  of  this  notice  settled  in  a  town  in  Es- 
sex county,  New  York,  and  resumed  his  old  mercatile  occupa> 
tion,  but  with  no  better  success  than  before.  In  1812,  upon 
the  declaration  of  war  with  Great  Britain,  he  was  appointed 
a  Brigade  Major  in  the  detached  militia  stationed  at  Pitts- 
burgh. After  a  short  term  of  military  service,  he  resided  in 
vaiious  parts  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  finally  settled  in 
Onondaga,  where  he  filled  the  offices  of  Justice  of  the  Peace 
and  Commissioner  in  Courts  of  Record  He  died  in  Auburn 
in,  1827. 


215 

The  first  work  of  Ray  was  published  in  1808,  entitled,  "Hor- 
rois  of  Slavery,  or  the  American  Tars  in  Tripoli."  It  is  a 
well  written  narration  of  the  unfortunate  expedition  of  the 
Philadelphia,  and  the  subsequent  sufferings  of  her  crew,  to- 
gether with  a  description  of  Tripoli,  the  manners  and  customs 
of  its  inhabitants,  and  the  transactions  of  the  United  States 
with  that  government.  The  volume  is  interspersed  with  va- 
rious poetical  effusions,  and  a  few  pages  of  verse  are  appended 
to  it. 

In  1821,  Ray  published  a  volume  of  poems,  containing  also 
a  brief  narrative  of  his  sufferings  in  Tripoli.  His  poems  are 
characterized  by  melodious  versification,  and  are  often  forci- 
ble. Yet  they  lack  imagination,  and  betray  a  want  of  delicate 
taste  in  their  author.  Rev.  C.  W.  Everest  give  him  an  hon- 
orable place  in  his  "  Poets  of  Connecticut,"  from  which  work 
this  sketch  is  principally  taken. 

In  the  conclusion  of  his  long  and  well  written  "Exordium'* 
to  his  first  volnme,  Ray  deprecates  criticism,  alluding,  we  pre- 
sume, as  well  to  his  verses  as  his  Narrative,  and  he  may  be 
head  in  his  own  defense  :  ^tL 

"  Reader  !  lay  prejudice  aside, 
And  let  calm  reason  be  your  guide ; 
If  in  the  following,  then,  you  find 
Things  not  so  pleasing  to  your  mind, 
And  think  them  false,  why  disbelieve  them  J 
Errors  of  weakness  ?  then  forgive  them » 
And  let  our  sufferings  and  abuses 
For  several  facts  make  some  excuses  ; 
And  when  you  're  captured  by  a  Turk, 
Sit  down  and  write  a  better  work !" 

We  make  two  or  three  extracts  from  his  poems  on  the  fol- 
lowing pages-* 


216 
TRIPOL  I. 

Ye  lurid  domes !  whose  tottering  columns  stand, 

Marks  of  the  despot's  desolating  hand  ; 

Whose  weed-grown  roofs  and  mouldering  arches  shows 

The  curse  of  tyranny,  a  nation's  wo  ; 

In  every  ruin,  every  pile,  I  find 

A  warning  lesson  to  a  thoughtful  mind. 

Your  gloomy  cells  expressive  silence  break, 

Echo  to  groans,  and  eloquently  speak . 

The  Christian's  blood  cements  the  sthe  stones  he  rears 

This  clay  was  moistened  with  a  Christian's  tears ; 

Pale  as  these  walls,   aprisoner  of  has  lain, 

Felt  the  keen  scourge  and  worn  the  ruthless  chain, 

While  scoffing  foes  increasing  tortures  pour, 

Till  the  poor  victim  feels,  alas !  no  more  ! 

Here  thy  brave  tars,  America,  are  forind, 

Locked  in  vile  prisions,  add  in  fetters  bound. 

*         *        *         Must  free  Columbia  bow 
Before  yon  tinsel  tyrant's  murky  brow  ? 

Cringe  to  a  power  which  death  and  rapine  crown  ? 
Smi^tt  a  smile,  and  tremble  at  a  frown  ? 
KneeRt  a  throne,  its  clemency  implore, 
Enriched  by  spoils  and  stained  with  human  gore  ? 
Bear  the  sharp  lasb,  the  ponderous  load  sustain, 
Suppress  their  anger,  and  revenge  restrain  ? 
Leave  a  free  clime,  explore  the  treacherous  waves^ 
The  sport  of  miscreants  and  the  slave  of  slaves  ? 
Heavens !  at  the  sight  each  patriot  bosom  glows 
With  virtuous  hatred  on  its  country's  foes ; 
At  every  blow  indignant  passions  rise, 
And  vengeance  flashes  from  resentful  eyes. 
But  Heaven  in  just,  tho'  man's  bewildered  mind 
Th  the  dark  ways  of  providence  is  blind  ; 
Else  why  are  some  ordained  above  the  rest, 
Or  villains  treated  better  than  the  best  ? 


217 
Why,  martyred  virtue,  hang  thy  injured  head  ? 
Why  lived  an  Arnold,  why  a  Warren  bled  ? 
Earth's  murderers  triumph,  proud  oppressors  reign 
While  patriots  bleed,  and  captives  sigh  in  vain  ? 
Yet  slumbering  Justice  soon  shall  wake  and  show 
Her  sword  unsheath'd,  and  vengeance  wing  the  blow, 
Columbia's  genius,  glorious  as  the  sun, 
With  thy  blest  shade,  immortal  Washington, 
Unite  to  guard  us  from  nefarious  foes, 
And  Heaven  defend,  and  angels  interpose ! 


VILLAGE  GREATNESS. 

In  every  country  village^where 

Ten  chimney-smokes  perfume  the  air, 

Contiguous  to  a  steeple, 
Great  gentle-folks  are  found,  a  score, 
Who  can't  associate  any  more 

With  common  "  country  people." 

Jack  Fallow,  born  amongst  the  woods. 
From  rolling  logs,  now  rolls  in  goods, 

Enough  awhile  to  dash  on — 
Tells  negro -stories,  smokes  cigars, 
Talks  politics,  decides  on  wars, 

And  lives  in  stylish  fashion. 

Tim  Ox-goad,  lately  from  the  plow, 
A  polished  gentleman  is  now, 

And  talks  of  "  country  fellows ;" 
But  ask  the  fop  what  books  he's  read, 
You'll  find  the  brain-pan  of  his  head 

As  empty  as  a  bellows. 


218 

Miss  Faddle,  lately  from  the  wheel, 
Now  talks  aftectedly  genteel, 

And  sings  some  tasty  songs,  too  ; 
But  my  veracity  impeach, 
If  she  can  tell  what  part  of  speech 

Gentility  belongs  to. 

Without  one  spark  of  wit  refined. 
Without  one  beauty  of  the  mind, 

Genius,  or  education, 
Or  family,  or  fame  to  boast — 
To  see  such  gentry  rule  the  roast, 

Turns  patience  to  vexation. 

To  clear  such  rubbish  from  the  earth, 
Though  real  genius,  mental  worth, 

And  science  to  attend  you, 
You  might  as  well  the  sty  refine, 
Or  cast  your  pearls  before  the  swine ; 

They'd  only  turn  and  rend  you. 


THE  WAY  TO  BE  HAPPY. 

Do  troubles  overwhelm  thy  soul, 

Like  billows  of  the  ocean, 
That  o'er  the  shipwrecked  victim  roll 

In  terrible  commotion  ? 
Seize  bold  Imagination's  wing 

And  soar  to  heaven,  so  seeming, 
Or  reign  a  potentate  or  king-  - 

rTis  all  obtained  by  dreaming. 

Do  pain  and  poverty  unite 
To  rob  thee  of  all  pleasure  ? 

Like  thieves  break  in  at  dead  of  nicjht, 
And  steal  away  thy  treasui  e  ? 


219 
The  treasure  of  a  tranquil  mind, 

With  joy  and  rapture  teeming, 
Seek,  seek,  my  friend,  and  thou  shalt  find 

More  solid  joy  in  dreaming. 

For  let  the  world  still  darker  frown 

Than  night-clouds  on  creation, 
And  shower  its  tenfold  vengeance  down, 

Its  wrath  and  indignation, 
On  this  devoted  head  of  mine, 

One  star  is  still  left  gleaming — 
One  light  that  will  forever  shine, 

The  hope,  the  bliss  of  dreaming. 

Whene'er  I  lay  me  down  to  rest,. 

With  toils  and  sorrows  weary, 
A  heart  most  feelingly  distressed, 

And  all  on  earth  looks  dreary ; 
Aerial  powers  around  me  throng, 

With  light  and  glory  beaming, 
And  waft  my  raptured  soul  along 

The  paradise  of  dreaming. 

And  oft  as  pensively  I  walk 

In  solitary  places, 
I  hear  celestial  spirits  talk, 

And  think  I  see  their  faces ; 
They  bid  me  leave  all  earthly  things, 

While  tears  of  grief  are  streaming— 
I  mount  Imagination's  wings, 

And  find  my  heaven  in  dreaming. 


THE  LIEUTENANTS. 
Who's  he  that  walks  with  such  a  swagger 
With  cockade,  uniform  and  dagger, 
Holding  this  motto  up  to  view, 
"  I  am  much  better,  sir,  than  you  ?" 


220 
Why,  'tis  our  officer — young  Davy — 
A  smart  Lieutenant  of  the  Navy  ; 
Who's  challeng'd,  tho'  they  call  him  cruel, 
Twice  twenty  bumpers  to  one  duel, 
And  fought  where  clubs,  not  cannon,  rattle, 
A  score  of  watchmen  in  one  battle  ; 
Wounds  he's  received— in  all  his  clothes, 
And  bled  profusely — at  the  nose  ; 
For  which  grown  bolder  still  and  braver  , 
He  basks  in  govermental  favor. 
And  who  is  that  with  feathered  head, 
And  coat  broad-faced  with  warlike  red  ? 
That  blustering,  tell  me  what  it  means  ? 
Why,  he's  Lieutenant  of  Marines  ; 
Whose  duty  'tis  to  follow  fashions, 
To  draw  his  pay  and  eat  his  rations  ; 
To  'list  recruits  for  calls  emergent — 
To  drill  them,  or  to  make  his  sergeant — 
Defraud  them  out  of  half  their  pay, 
Then  flog  them,  if  a  word  they  say ; 
For  all  the  art  of  war  consists 
In  pay-rolls  and  provision  lists, 
Well  filled,  which  men  are  forced  to  sign, 
i — This,  this  is  martial  discipline. 


221 


TIMOTHY    MERRITT 


TIMOTHY  MERRITT,  a  celebrated  clergyman  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  born  in  Barkhamsted,  in 
October,  1775.  He  entered  the  ministry  in  1796,  and  was 
stationed  on  New  London  Circuit,  where  his  services  were 
both  acceptable  and  useful.  During*  the  next  year  he  was 
stationed  on  the  Penobscot  Circuit,  in  the  Province  of  Maine, 
and  continued  in  that  Province  for  about  fourteen  years.  Du- 
ring this  period  his  labors  were  arduous  and  peculiar.  He 
filled  appointments  constantly  on  the  Sabbath,  and  delivered 
occasional  week-day  lectures  j  and,  as  most  of  the  stationed 
preachers  were  unordained,  he  had  to  visit  their  societies  to 
administer  the  ordinances,  and  assist  in  organizing  and  regu- 
lating affairs  necessary  for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the 
cause.  Occasionally  he  attended  Quarterly  Meetings  for  the 
Presiding  Elders,  from  twenty  to  an  hundred  miles  from  home, 
taking  appointments  in  his  way  to  visit  the  churches.  He  went 
to  his  appointments  in  canoes,  and  skated  to  them  in  winter, 
on  the  streams  and  lakes  of  that  cold  region, 

Mr.  Merritt  had  by  this  time  become  one  of  the  most  emi- 
inent  and  successful  preachers  of  his  denomination  in  New 
England.  From  1817  to  1830,  he  was  stationed  in  Boston, 
Providence,  New  Bedford,  Lynn,  Springfield  and  Bristol,  and 
extensive  revivals  followed  his  ministry.  In  1831,  he  was 
the  editor  of  Zion's  Herald.  From  1832  to  1835  he  was  in 
New  York,  as  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Christian  Advocate  and 
Journal. 


222 

Thence  he  returned  to  the  New  England  Conference,  and 
was  stationed  at  Lynn  a  second  time,  where  he  continued  two 
years.  His  health  and  physical  energies  failing,  he  was  pla- 
ced upon  the  superanuated  list,  and  there  continued  until  his 
death. 

Mr.  Merritt  was  in  many  respects  an  extraordinary  person. 
Possessed  of  rare  intellectual  endowments,  and  blessed  with 
an  unusual  degree  of  mental  and  bodily  vigor,  he  was  fitted  to 
endure  the  fatigues  and  labors  incident  to  the  new  and  wild 
region  in  which  his  lot  was  cast  for  many  years.  The  Rev. 
A.  Stevens,  A.  M.,  in  his  "Memorials  of  Methodism,"  calls 
him  "  a  prince  and  a  great  man  in  our  Israel."  One  of  his  as- 
sociates in  the  ministry  says  of  him,  "  No  man  has  been  taken 
from  the  Itinerant  ranks  of  New  England,  who  had  a  higher 
claim  to  an  honorable  memorial  among  us,  than  had  Mr.  Mer- 
ritt. He  was  a  learned  man — a  man  thoroughly  read  in  di- 
vinity and  philosophy ;  critical  in  his  observations — powerful 
in  analysis — of  untiring  application — deeply  experienced  in  the 
things  of  God — always  exhibiting  the  fruits  of  the  spirit  by  the 
patience  of  faith  and  the  labors  of  love.  He  was  a  self-taught 
man.  By  close  and  long  continued  application,  he  acquired 
a  terse,  perspicuous  and  beautiful  stj'le  of  writing  and  speaking. 
The  attention  he  bestowed  upon  the  arguments  of  an  opponent, 
before  answering  him,  was  remarkable.  He  weighed  every 
word,  and  comprehended  it,  before  he  framed  a  sentence,  and 
then  replied  in  the  most  concise  and  forcible  manner,  Thus 
he  seldom  either  misunderstood  or  misrepresented — always 
kept  directly  to  the  point,  and  seldom  failed  of  a  complete  vic- 
tory. There  was  a  dignified  simplicity,  a  loftiness  of  language 
and  thought,  accompanied  by  a  solemnity  and  fervency  of  spir- 
it, which  awed  the  hearer,  and  made  him  feel  that  God  was 
near  :  and  not  unfrequently,  as  the  good  man's  soul  filled  and 
gathered  strength,  and  in  the  light  and  majesty  of  confiding 
faith,  rose  higher  and  higher  still,  the  spectator  would  stand 


223 
entranced,  like  an  astonished  Israelite  looking  up  into  the 
mountain  to  see  Moses  talking  wilh  God." 

Another  clergyman  says,  "Holiness  to  the  Lord,  was  his 
constant  motto.  He  literally  forsook  all  to  follow  Christ  and 
seek  the  salvation  of  his  fellow-men.  Both  his  mental  and  phy- 
sical system  were  formed  for  the  work,  He  had  a  muscular 
energy  fitted  for  labor  and  fatigue.  He  was  constantly  grasp- 
ing for  new  subjects  of  thought  and  new  scenes  of  usefulness. 
Mr.  Merritf  s  gravity  was  not  sour  or  sombre,  so  as  to  render 
him  unsocial  or  unamiable.  I  ever  found  in  him  one  of  the 
most  free  and  social  companions  of  my  life.  The  out-pourings 
of  his  amiable  heart  never  appeared  more  interesting  and  ex- 
cellent than  in  his  confidential  correspondence,  which  I  have 
had  the  happiness  to  enjoy  for  more  than  forty  years,  and  to 
which  I  never  refer  without  the  purest  pleasure.  As  a  preach- 
er, his  subjects  were  generally  well  chosen,  his  manner  serious, 
plain,  distinct  and  direct.  He  was  often  doctrinal,  and  in  these 
discourses  he  stated  his  object  and  presented  his  propositions 
with  precision,  and  brought  his  Scripture  proofs  aptly,  fully, 
and  forcibly.  His  inferences  and  reflections  were  various  and 
pertinent.  He  felt  that  he  was  called  to  defend  the  great  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel,  and  did  it  fearlessly,  searching,  out  and  ex- 
posing error  and  detecting  sophistry.  But  his  most  delightful 
theme  was  the  doctrine  of  holiness.  In  treating  of  this  he 
found  ample  scope  for  illustrating  every  part  of  Christian  expe- 
rience, and  of  explaining  and  enforcing  all  the  practical  duties 
enjoined  in  the  gospel.  There  were  no  flashes  of  wit,  no  ef- 
forts of  eloquence  to  excite  a  stare,  no  meretricious  drapery, 
no  bombast,  no  passionate  exclam  ations  for  effect,  no  useless 
verbiage  to  fill  an  empty  sp  ace — but  a  straight-forward,  plain 
effort  to  open,  explain  and  improve  the  subject  and  to  profit 
his  hearers.  The  duties  of  a  pastor  were  conscienciously  and 
faithfully  performed  by  him,  as  the  various  places  of  his  charge 
can  testify," 


224 
When  his  physical  energies  gave^way,  his  active  mind  felt 
the  shock  and  totterings  of  the  earthly  tabernacle.  But  this 
was  the  time  for  the  more  beautiful  development  of  Christian 
resignation  and  calm  submission.  He  died  in  the  full  exercise 
of  faith,  and  patience,  and  love  ;  and  his  memory  is  embalmed 
in  the  affections  and  gratitude  of  many  hearts.  A  likeness  of 
Mr.  Meriitt  may  be  found  in  the  frontispiece  of  "The  Memorials 
of  Methodism,"  before  alluded  to. 


H25 


HENRY    WALTON    WESSELLS, 


This  distinguished  officer  in  the  army  of  the  United  Statesi 
is  a  son  of  Dr.  Ashbel  Wessells,  of  Litchfield,  in  which  town 
he  was  born  the  20th  of  February,  1809.  He  spent  the  year 
1828  at  Captain  Partridge's  Military  School  in  Middletown, 
Conn.,  where  he  was  a  classmate  of  Thomas  H.  Seymour, 
of  Hartford,  since  distinguished  in  the  councils  of  the  nation 
and  as  an  officer  in  the  late  war  with  Mexico. 

In  July,  1829,  young  Wessells  entered  as  a  cadet  at  the 
West  Point  Military  Academy,  and  graduated  in  1833.  He 
at  once  entered  the  Army  as  brevet  second-lieutenant  in  the 
Second  Infantry — a  regiment  to  which  he  has  ever  since  been 
attached,  and  in  which  he  has  won  all  his  laurels  as  a  military 
commander.  The  two  years  immediately  succeeding  his  grad- 
uation, were  spent  at  Hancock  Barracks,  near  the  disputed 
boundary  between  Maine  and  the  British  Possessions,  and  in 
Boston.  In  1835,  he  was  engaged  in  the  Creek  War  in  Geor- 
gia, and  subsequently,  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Seminole 
War  in  Florida,  he  was  stationed  at  Green  Bay  and  Fort  Gra- 
triot.  In  1837,  Lieut.  Wessells  joined  the  army  in  Florida, 
and  the  five  succeeding  years  were  passed  in  the  protracted 
and  most  dangerous  struggle  with  the  Seminole  Indians. 

On  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico,  in  1846,  Lieut.  Wessells  sailed  with  the  troops 
under  General  Scott  for  Vera  Cruz,  in  Colonel  Riley's  regi- 
ment, and  was  promoted  to  a  Captaincy  soon  after  his  arriva1 
on  the  enemy's  territory.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the 
great  battles  of  Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Gordo,  Contreras,  Churu* 


226 
busco,  and  at  the  capture  of  the  city  of  Mexico.  In  all  thes* 
engagements,  he  was  conspicuous;  but  was  particularly  dis- 
tinguished in  that  of  Contreras,  in  which  he  was  wounded, 
and  for  his  services  in  which  he  was  brevetted  a  Major.  In 
the  official  report  of  Colonel  Riley  he  is  commended  in  the 
highest  terms.  Major  Mori  is,  in  his  report,  alluding  to  a 
most  important  crisis  in  the  history  of  that  eventful  day,  says, 
"  The  color-sergeant,  Dennis  Daily,  manfully  bearing- himself 
among  the  foremost,  was  shot  dead  ;  and  Captain  Wessells, 
though  wounded  at  the  same  time,  gallantly  raised  the  colors 
and  pressed  on."  We  may  add,  that  Morris's  report  is  chiefly 
occupied  with  details  of  the  services  of  Captains  Wessells  and 

Casey. 

On  his  return  from  Mexico,  in  the  autumn  of  1848,  Major 
Wessells  re-visited  his  native  town  ;  but  sailed  soon  after  (No- 
vember 10,)  with  the  regiment  bound  for  our  newly  acquired 
territory  on  the  shores  of  the  Pacific — and  is  now  in  California. 

In  May,  1849,  the  Legislatute  of  Connecticut,  in  consider- 
ation of  the  distinguished  services  of  Major  Wessells  in  his 
country's  cause,  appropriated  the  sum  of  $300  for  the  purchase 
of  a  Sword,  to  be  presented  to  him  in  the  name  of  the  Slate  ; 
and  Governor  Trumbull,  General  Francis  Bacon,  Colonel 
George  C.  Woodruff,  Colonel  Henry  D.  Smith  and  Major  A. 
C.  Goodman,  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  procure  the 
sword,  and  make  a  public  presentation  of  it. 

On  the  24ih  of  December,  1849,  a  meeting  of  the  citizens 
of  Litchfield  was  held  at  Spencer's  Mansion  House,  to  make 
preparations  for  the  ceiemony  of  Presentation — Chief  Justice 
Church  in  the  Chair,  and  Dr.  George  Seymour,  Secretary* 
At  this  meeting,  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  a 
Committee  of  Arrangements,  viz., — Generals  George  P.  Shel- 
tonof  Southury,  William  T.  Kingoi  Sharon,  Edward  A.  Phelps 
of  Colebrook,  Frederick  Buel  of  Litchfield,  and  Merritt  Hem- 
ingway of  Watertown,  Colonels  David  Gould  of  Sharon,  Rob* 


bins  Battell  of  Norfolk,  John  C.  Smith  of  New  Milford,  Wif,. 
Ham  F.  Baldwin  of  Litchfield,  CharlesB.  Smith  of  Wolcottville„ 
Peter  W.  Mills  of  Kent,  DwightW.  Pierce  of  Cornwall,  Major 
Chester  W.  Birge,  Captains  Charles  Coe  of  Winsted,  William 
S.  Nash  of  New  Hartford,  Solomon  Marsh  of  Litchfield,  Quar- 
ter Master  George  B.  Turrell  of  South  Farms,  Dr.  David  E. 
Bostwick  and  Lieutenant  Alfred  H.  Beers  of  Litchfield. 

The  following  particulars  of  the  ceremony  of  Presentation 
are  copied  from  the  Litchfield  Enquirer  of  January  31,  1850  : 

Notwithstanding  the  severe  storm  of  the  preceding  day,  (which  pre 
vented  the  attendance  of  many  from  abroad,  who  bad  designed  being 
present,)  a  large  concourse  of  citizens  and  strangers  was  drawn  together 
to  witness  tbe  interesting  ceremony,  and  to  do  honor  to  one  whose 
conduct  has  reflected  so  much  honor  upon  the  town  and  State  which 
gave  him  birth. 

The  day  dawned  beautifully.  At  sunrise,  a  national  salute  was  fired. 
The  **  Bacon  Guards,"  commanded  by  Capt.  L.  W.  Wessells,  and  the 
"  Litchfield  Artillery,"  commanded  by  Capt.  Solomon  Marsh,  paraded 
during  the  forenoon,  and  presented  a  fine  appearance.  At  half  past 
12,  a  Procession  was  formed,  under  the  direction  of  Adjutant- General 
Shelton,  (Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,)  and  Colonel 
Baldwin — which  moved  around  the  East  Park  in  the  following  or- 
der— 

1.  Military  Companies. 

2.  Band. 

3.  Committee  of  Arrangements. 

4.  Committee  of  Presentation  and  Reception. 
5>  Officers,  Past  and  Commissoned. 

6.  Citizens  and  Strangers. 

Returning,  the  ceremony  of  Presentation  took  place  on  the  Balcony 
of  the  Mansion  House,  in  the  presence  of  the  crowd  of  spectators  who 
thronged  the  street  and  side-walk  in  front,  and  some  hundreds  of  ladies 
in  the  hall,  balcony,  and  the  rooms  adjacent.  Colonel  Woodruff, 
in  behalf  of  the  Committee  and  of  the  State,  made  the  presentation ; 
the  gallant  Colonel  T.  H.  Seymour,  of  Hartford,  (by  request  and  in 
behalf  of  the  absent  Major,)  received  the  beautiful  present. 

col.  woodruff's  address. 
Colonel  Seymour : 

The  Legislature  of  this  State,  at  its  last  session,  made  a  liberal 
appropriation  for  the  purchase  of  a  Sword,  to  be  presented  to  Major 
Henry  W.  Wessells,  as  a  testimonial  of  respect  for  his  bravery  and; 
gallant  conduct  in  the  late  war  with  Mexico. 


228 
A  Committee  was  subsequently  appointed  to  procure  the  Sword;, 
and  make  a  public  presentation  thereof.  In  the  absence  of  His  Excel- 
lency the  Governor,  and  owing  to  the  decease  of  the  late  and  lamented 
Major  General  of  this  State,  it  has  devolved  upon  me,  as  the  organ  of- 
the  Committee,  to  announce,  that  we  have  procured  the  Sword,  and  are 
now  prepared  to  present  it. 

I  need  not  say  how  gratifying  it  would  be  to  us  to  meet  Major  Wes- 
sells  on  an  occasion  so  interesting — to  grasp  the  hand  so  often  raised 
in  defense  of  his  country — and  to  embrace  the  form  so  fearlessly  ex- 
posed in  vindication  of  that  country's  honor.  But,  sir,  the  soldier  is 
not  his  own  ;  and  duty  detains  the  gallant  Major  at  his  post  far  towards 
the  setting  sun,  in  that  golden  land  acquired  in  no  small  measure  by 
his  own  bravery. 

And  permit  me  to  say,  sir,  that  no  more  fitting  representative  than, 
yourself,  could  have  been  selected  by  him,  to  act  in  his  behalf  on  this, 
occasion.  You  have  been  the  companion  of  his  youth,  and  in  the  hard- 
ships of  the  Camp  ;  you  have  participated  with  him  in  the  dangers  of 
the  bloody  battle-field  ;  you,  if  not  an  eye-witness  to  his  efforts,  are  well 
informed  of  the  lion-hearted  courage  with  which  he  led  his  command 
against  the  bravest  troops  of  Mexico  ;  together  you  have  borne  no 
undistinguished  part  in  those  triumphs,  unequalled  on  Mexican  soil 
since  the  days  of  Cortez,  and  in  that  crowning  victory  which  gave  to  us 
possession  of  the  Imperial  City  of  the  Montezumas. 

You  may  have  known  him,  too,  when,  the  stern  soldier  being  laid 
aside.,  he  retired  to  the  sweet  scenes  of  social  and  domestic  lif  %  His 
affability,  his  benevolence,  his  generosity,  need  no  eulogy ;  his  moral; 
virtues  no  recapitulation.     To  know  him,  is  to  love  and  admire  him. 

Of  such  a  Soldier,  and  such  a  Man,  this  State  has  reason  to  be  proud 
—  is  proud,  and  delights  to  show  him  honor.  And  every  citizen  of  this 
his  native  town  and  county  glories  in  saying,  he  is  one  of  us. 

And  we  may  well  sympathise  with  his  venerable  parents,  who  early 
surrendered  a  beloved  son  to  their  country's  service.  We  may  imagine 
the  torturing  fear  which  has  harrowed  their  souls,  lest  he  should  fall  a 
victim  to  the  pestilence,  or  the  sword  of  the  enemy  ;  and  the  tumultu- 
ous  joy,  with  which  tidings  of  his  safety,  and  the  honorable  report  of 
his  conduct,  have  swelled  their  breasts  ;  consummated  by  this  testimo- 
nial of  the  respect  of  his  fellow-citizens  for  a  favorite  son, — sweet  in- 
cense to  a  parent's  heart. 

To  the  Major,  in  his  exile  from  his  native  hills,  we  trust,  the  ceremo- 
nies of  this  day  will  prove  an  assurance  that  his  past  services  are  not 
unappreciated,  and  that  the  remembrance  thereof  will  alleviate  hi?  la- 
bors, and  encourage  him  in  his  honorable  career. 

We  then  present  to  you  for  him,  this  beautiful  emblem  of  his  profes- 
sion. May  its  purity  never  be  sullied  in  an  unrighteous  cause.  Re- 
ceive it  from  a  State,  not  lavish  nor  indiscriminate  in  its  honors.  Re- 
feive  it  as  a  token  of  the  gratitude  of  this  Republic. 


229 
Col.  seymour*s  reply. 
(blonel  Woodruff — Sir  : 

I  come  forward  with  a  degree  of  pleasure,  which  forhids  anything, 
like  reluctance  on  my  part.  I  appear  in  the  presence  of  your  towns- 
men, and  my  fellow-citizens  of  the  State,  to  discharge  one  of  the  most 
gratifying  duties  which  can  be  laid  upon  any  man — a  duty  enlivened 
by  the  warmest  recollection  of  early  friendship,  and  supported  by  the 
honor  of  the  position  it  has  devolved  on  me  to  occupy  on  this  occasion. 

The  pleasure  of  which  I  have  spoken,  derived  from  a  desire  to  fulfil 
the  request  of  an  absent  friend,  is  not  unmixed  with  those  painful  re- 
grets, which  the  mention  of  another  to  whom  you  have  referred,  has 
brought  forcibly  to  mind- -regrets  which  come  like  shadows  between, 
the  living  and  the  dead.  Nor  am  I  insensible  to  the  force  of  those 
memories  which  show  us,  that  there  is  a  vacancy  in  the  .ranks  of  the 
youthful  soldiers  who  have  taken  a  part  in  this  ceremony,  which  is  bcth. 
seen  and  felt  by  them  and  all  of  this  assembly. 

Far  from  the  scenes  of  this  day,  the  officer  whom  I  have  the  honor 
to  represent  under  circumstances  of  such  peculiar  interest,  will  deeply 
lament  with  us  the  execution  of  the  stern  decree  which  has  consigned 
to  an  early  grave,  the  object  of  his  grateful  consideration  and  regard 
— that  grave  which  we  so  lately  saw  bedewed  with  the  tears  of  weep- 
ing relatives,  companions  and  friends. 

"  The  hand  of  the  reaper 

Takes  the  ear  I  hat  is  hoary, 
But  the  voice  of  the  weeper 

Wails  manhwod  in  glory." 

I  have  listened,  sir,  with  feelings  of  personal  gratification  to  the  just 
tribute  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  pay  to  the  social  and  domestic 
virtues  of  our  absent  friend,  as  well  as  to  those  sterner  qualities  which 
the  service  of  his  country  required  ;  in  which  service,  he  will  feel  grate- 
ful for  the  assurance  which  has  been  given,  that  his  efforts  have  not 
been  unappreciated.  Strongly  attached  as  I  know  him  to  be  to  the 
place  of  his  birth,  where  his  affections  are  firmly  planted — bound  by 
many  personal  ties  to  his  native  State,  the  honor  conferred  upon  him, 
however  he  may  choose  to  consider  it  beyond  his  deserts,  will  greatly 
influence  his  course  I  am  convinced,  and  shed  a  light  along  the  path 
of  his  chosen  profession,  whether  that  path  shall  hereafter  be*  strewn 
with  the  blessings  of  peace  or  torn  by  the  storms  of  war. 

In  confirmation  of  what  I  have  said,  and  in  support  of  the  weight 
which  I  attach  to  his  feelings  on  this  subject,  I  might  mention,  that 
at  successive  interviews  which  I  had  with  him  prior  to  the  late  battles 
in  which  he  distinguished  himself,  and  often  afterwards,  I  had  cause 
to  be  impressed  with  the  strength  uf  his  filial  regard  for  the  home  of 
his  youth,  and  the  State  to  which  he  belonged.  From  what  I  believe 
I  know  of  bis  local  attachments,  which  kindle  the  pride  of  the  soldier, 


23fr 

and  of  his  high  regard  for  the  honor  of  his  native  State, — from  what 
is  generally  known  of  his  ardent  desire  to  serve  his  country  to  the  best 
of  his  abilities,  I  may  safely  assume  in  reply  to  your  remarks,  that  this 
gift  from  the  State  will  be  affectionately  preserved  by  him,  and  never 
dishonored  in  his  hands. 

Though  often  his  companion  abroad,  I  cannot  say  that  I  was  a  wit- 
ness to  the  gallant  part  which  he  took  in  the  struggles  to  which  you 
have  alluded.  But  I  had  the  plearure  to  hear  him  spoken  of  in  terms 
of  the  highest  praise  by  those  under  whose  immediate  orders  he  acted. 
Our  State  had  many  like  him  in  the  old  line  of  the  army,  who,  with 
him,  served  through  the  entire  war,  with  honor  to  themselves  and  to 
the  State.  They  are  too  well  known  through  the  official  reports,  the 
true  history  of  the  war,  to  require  any  notice  from  me.  They  belong, 
together  with  my  friend  Wessells,  to  that  accomplished  class  of  officers 
in  our  army  whose  military  science,  and  admirable  prowess,  exhibited 
in  so  many  battle-fields  of  the  war,  have  justly  contributed  to  the 
honor  of  the  institution  at  which  they  were  educated. 

Pardon  me  for  saying  in  this  connection,  that  on  a  recent  occasion 
similar  in  its  object  to  this,  I  could  not  divest  myself  of  the  reflection, 
that  amongst  those  to  whom  I  have  already  referred,  many  might  have 
been  found  better  entitled  to  the  honors  of  the  State  than  myself— to 
whom  I  would  gladly  have  yieldeJthe  precedence.  The  gallant  offi- 
cer— neighbor  to  my  honorable  friend  of  the  committee  from  another 
county— who  won  his  brightest  laurels  in  the  openmg  blaze  of  the  war, 
from  what  I  believe  I  know  of  his  generous  nature,  will  not  hesitate  to 
credit  the  sincerity  of  the  avowal  which  I  have  felt  called  upon  thus 
publicly  to  make. 

Whilst  I  have  felt  called  upon  by  a  sense  of  respect  for  that  portion 
of  the  American  Army  in  which  we  find  the  candidate  for  the  honors 
of  this  day — allow  me  to  turn  for  a  moment  from  the  living  to  the  dead. 
I  am  forcibly  reminded  that  this  is  the  birth-place  of  the  lamented 
Kirby,  so  highly  eulogized  in  the  report  of  General  Worth,  and  of  that 
chivalrous  spirit,  E.  Kirby  Smith,  who  fell  at  Molino  del  Rev,  whose 
heroic  death  it  is  impossible  to  recall  without  at  the  same  time  bringing 
to  mind  the  fate  of  anothsgcallant  youth  of  the  highest  promise,  born 
in  an  opposite  section  of  IS  Mate,  descendant  of  a  race  of  heroes, 
the  youthful  Rogers,  who  fell  under  the  walls  of  the  last  proud  fortress 
which  held  the  Key  to  the  City  of  Mexico. 

"And  the  soldier  of  the  legion  in  a  foreign  land  lay  dead." 

I  have  already  expressed  the  pleasure  with  which  I  have  come  for- 
ward to  receive  this  sword  in  behalf  of  its  rightful  owner,  whose  ser- 
vices you  have  met  to  commemorate  and  reward.  I  have  but  a  few- 
words  to  add  in  full  discharge  of  the  duties  I  have  undertaken. 

In  the  presence  of  these  fair  ladies  of  his  native  town,  before  these 
citizens  and  citizen  soldiers,  witnesses  of  this  ceremony,  I  have  now  the 
honor  to  accept  of  this  gift  from   the   State  of  Connecticut  to  Major 


231 
&ENRY  W.  Wessells  of  the  2d  Infantry,  United  States  Arm  v.  In  its 
rare  workmanship  and  significant  devices  he  will  see  the  friendly  hand 
which  bade  the  arts  contribute  to  polish  and  adorn  it,  and  I  feel 
assured  that  he  will  preserve  it  in  sacred  remembrance  of  his  honored 
State,  and  of  the  youthful  Senator,  now  alas  no  more,  whose  voice 
filled  the  halls  of  legislation  with  the  praise  of  the  absent  whose  deeds 
he  contributed  to  reward. 

Cheered  and  encouraged  by  the  proud  distinction  which  has  been 
conferred  upon  him,  a  deep  sense  of  gratitude,  mingled  with  the  du- 
ties of  his  military  career,  will  make  those  duties  light,  and  the  flinty 
couch  of  the  soldier  as  a  bed  of  down.  Having  been  a  party  in  the 
war  which  has  given  us  vast  possessions  on  the  Pacific  border,  he  has 
been  called  with  others  to  protect  the  flag  which  floats  over  those  rich 
acquisitions — that  flag  which,  wherever  it  waves,  over  plain,  or  moun- 
tain land,  or  sea-girt  shore,  prefigures  the  power  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
race,  or  heralds  the  march  of  our  language  and  our  liberties. 

In  no  vain  boast  I  may  say  of  him  that  he  will  seek  to  be  among  the 
foremost  to  guard  that  proud  banner  in  whose  shining  folds  the  Star 
of  his  native  State  gleams  brightly  in  the  clustering  "old  thirteen" 
— and  brighter  still  in  the  reflected  beams  from  the  new-born  States 
which  have  been  added  to  the  glorious  constellation  of  the  American 
Union.  And  should  he  be  called  again  to  those  sanguinary  fields, 
Where  the  sword  must  point  the  way  to  victory  or  death,  however  his 
heart  may  relent  in  view  of  the  calamities  of  war,  his  hand  we  have  no 
doubt  will  be  firm  to  execute  whatever  his  country  shall  demand  in 
the  name  of  Justice,  Order,  and  Libertf. 

At  the  conclusion  of  this  address,  three  hearty  cheers  were  given  by 
the  crowd  for  Major  Wessells,  and  three  more  for  Colonel  Seymour 
— which  were  responded  to  by  a  salute  from  the  artillery. 

During  the  ceremony,  we  noticed  among  those  standing  on  the 
balcony,  the  Hon.  H.  D.  Smith,  Treasurer  of  the  State,  the  Hon. 
Abijah  Catlin,  Comptroller  of  the  State,  and  Major  Webb,  late  of  the 
Army  in  Mexico. 

A  grand  Military  Ball  came  off  in  the  evening,  in  which  between 
four  and  five  hundred  persons  participated. 

The  sword  is  straight,  and  of  the  usual  length.  The  blade  is  of  the 
finest  temper,  beautifully  wrought  and  ornamented  to  within  about  ten  inch- 
es of  its  point.  The  hilt  is  of  gold  inlaid  with  pearl ;  in  the  strips  of  pearl 
gold  studs  are  inserted,  and  in  the  centre  "of  the  pearl  upon  one  side  of  the 
hill  is  an  oriental  garnet.  In  the  upper  end  of  the  hilt  is  a  topaz,  and 
near  the  base  an  emerald,  both  set  in  gold.  A  massive  gold  cord  is  at- 
.ached  to  the  top  of  the  hilt,  passes  to  its  base,  and  thence  depends,  ter* 
minating  in  a  tassel.  Just  below  the  hilt  is  a  gold  plate  on  which  are 
^ngraved  the  arms  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  and  its  motto  ,{  qui  trans- 
ulit  sustinet.'*  Upon  the  scabbard  which  is  heavily  gilt  throughout,  any 
tquisitely  polished  except  where  embossed,  is  a  gold  plate  containing  the 

^ing  inscription,  viz  ; 


232 

"  The  State  of  Connecticut  to 
Major  HENRY  W.  WESSELLS, 
2d  Infantry,  U.  S.  Army, 
for  distinguished  services  at  Vera  Cruz,  Cerro  Oordo,  Contreras  and 

Churubusco" 

Below  is  a  representation  of  arms  in  relief  bound  together;  upon  the 
band  are  inscribed  the  names  of  tni  battles  above  mentioned.  Still  lower 
is  another  representation  of  weapons  of  war,  also  in  relief.  The  point  of 
Ihe  scabbard  is  projected  by  an  acorn-shaped  fence  upon  its  edge's. 

Major  Wessells  was  married  in  September,  1834,  to  Mary 
T.,  daughter  of  Chester  Griswold,  Esq. ;  she  died  at  Fort  Kingf, 
Florida,  in  the  autumn  of  1841,  leaving  one  daughter  who  still 
survives,  In  1S44,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah  Cooper, 
o  Cooperstown,  N.  Y.,  a  niece  of  J.  Fennimore  Cooper ;  by 
this  marriage  he  has  had  three  children,  two  sons  who  are  liv- 
ing, and  a  daughter,  Julia,  who  died  in  California  in  June  1849. 


9S3 


AMASA    J.    PARK  ER. 


This  gentleman,  who  holds  so  conspicuous  a  place  among 
the  distinguished  men  of  the  empire  State,  was  born  in  Shar- 
on, Ellsworth  parish,  on  the  2d  of  June,  1807.  A  notice  of 
him  in  the  "American  Biographical  Sketch  Book,"  prefaces  a 
sketch  of  his  public  services  with  the  following  complimentary 
remarks  concerning  this  county  :  "  It  has  been  remarked,  that 
there  is  no  neighborhood  in  the  United  States,  of  the  same 
limits  and  population,  which  has  been  the  birth-place  or  tb.e 
home  of  so  many  eminent  men,  as  the  county  of  Litchfield. 
ft  is  a  region  of  hard  hills  and  rocky  farms,  contiguous  to  no 
commercial  cities,  and  crossed  by  no  important  lines  of  travel 
- — but  its  homesteads,  so  quiet  and  retired,  have  beeri  the  fa- 
vorite haunts  of  the  genii.  Here  the  bracing,  air  0f  the  h,oM« 
lands,  and  the  habits  of  industry  an  I  self-dependence,  formed 
from  childhood,  have  given  strong  lungs  and  vigoro n  frames, 
expanded  souls,  and  spirits  fcVi  of  energy,  to  a  hundred  men, 
where  the  influences  ot  s'lty  life  will  scarcely  endow  with  the 
same  gifts  a  single  one," 

The  Rev.  Daniel  Parker,  f  father  of  the  subject  of  this  notice,) 
^was  a  graduate  of  Yale  College.  He  married  Miss  Anna 
Fenn,  daughter  of  Thomas  Fenn,  TSsq.,  and  was  for  alniDst  20 
years  the  settled  minister  at  Ellsworth.  During  this  period 
he  established  and  had  charge  of  an  academy  at  that  place, 
which  acquired.  a  high  reputation,  and  in  which  many  young 
men,  since  distinguKned  in  vaiious  parts  of  the  Union,  were  ed- 
ucate^. He  was  a,  son  of  Amaza  Parker,  of  Watertown, 
Conn.,  m  which*  place  Thomas  Fenn,  above  named,  also  re- 
tided. 


234 

In  1816,  Mr.  Parker  removed  with  bis  family  to  Greenville* 
Greene  county,  N.  Y.,  and  took  charge  of  an  academy  at  that 
place.  Here  Amaza  J.  Parker,  then  only  nine  years  of  age, 
commenced  the  study  of  the  Latin  language.  At  the  end  of 
two  years,  he  was  placed  at  an  academy  in  Hudson,  and  from 
thence  was  transferred  to  the  city  of  New  York.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen,  he  had  completed  the  usual  course  of  collegiate 
study,  although  not  within  the  Walts  of  a  college. 

In  May,  1823,  as  its  principal,  he  tock  charge  of  Hudson 
Academy,  an  incorporated  institution,  subject  to  the  visitation 
of  the  regents.  During  the  four  years  which  he  remained  at 
its  head,  the  academy  stood  high  in  public  estimation;  His 
age  was  not  then  mature,  and  his  pupils,  scattered  over  the 
State,  were  afterwards  surprized  to  learn  that  their  preceptor 
was  younger  than  many  of  themselves.  During  this  time,  the 
argument  was  used  by  the  academy  at  Kinderhook,  a  rival  in- 
stitution, that  the  principal  of  the  Hudson  academy  was  not  a 
graduate  of  a  college.  To  obviate  any  such  objection,  Mr. 
Parker  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  afforded  by  a  short 
vacation,  to  present  himself  at  Union  college,  in  order  to  take 
an  examination  for  the  entire  course,  and  to  graduate  with  the 
class.  This  he  did,  and  took  his  degree  of  bachelor  of  arts,  in 
July,  1825. 

During  the  latter  part  of  his  term  at  the  Hudson  academy 
he  entered  as  a  student  at  law,  in  the  office  of  that  sound  jurist, 
John  W.  Edmonds,  then  residing  at  Hudson,  and  since  judge 
of  the  supreme  court.  At  the  age  of  twenty,  in  the  spring  of 
1828,  having  resigned  his  charge,  Mr.  Parker  retired  to  Del- 
hi, Delaware  county,  for  the  purpose  of  pursuing  his  legal 
studies  in  the  office  of  his  uncle,  Col.  Amasa  Parker,  a  prac- 
ticing lawyer  of  eminence  at  that  place.  He  continued  there 
until  his  admission  to  the  bar,  at  the  October  term,  in  1828. 
He  then  formed  a  co-partnership  with  his  uncle,  which  lasted 
fifteen  years,  during  which  period  they  were  engaged  in  a  most 
extensive  practice 


195 

Delaware  county  having  for  forty  years  been  strongly  dera^ 
ccratic  in  its  politics,  Mr.  Parker  was  early  engaged  in  the 
great  political  struggles  of  the  day.  In  the  fall  of  1833,  at 
the  age  of  twenty-six,  he  was  elected  a  Representative  in  the 
State  Legislature,  whete  he  served  on  the  Committee  of  Ways 
and  Means,  and  in  other  important  positions.  In  1835,  he 
was  elected  by  the  Legislature,  a  Regent  of  the  State  Universi- 
ty— a  rare  honor  for  so  young  a  man — the  post  never  having 
been  before  conferred  upon  one  of  his  age- 

At  the  age  of  twenty-nine,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
twenty-fifth  Congress,  to  represent  the  district  composed  of 
the  counties  of  Delaware  and  Broome.  It  is  here  worthy  of 
remark,  that  at  both  elections,  he  ran  without  opposition,  the 
opposite  party  deeming  it  useless  lo  bring  a  candidate  into  the 
field  against  him.  While  in  Congress  he  served  upon  several 
important  committees,  and  his  speeches  were  upon  the  public 
lands,  the  Mississippi  election'  question,  the  Cilley  duel,  and 
other  great  subjects  of  the  day,  all  of  which  may  be  found  in 
the  Congressional  Globe. 

In  the  fall  of  1839,  he  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  State 
Senator,  in  the  third  senatorial  district.  The  canvass  was  a 
very  exciting  one,  owing  to  the  fact  that  a  United  States  Sena- 
tor was  to  be  elected  by  the  next  legislature,  in  the  place  of  Mr. 
Tallmadge,  Very  great  exertions  were  made,  and  about  fifty 
thousand;  votes  were  polled.  The  result  was,  the  election  of 
the  whig  candidate,  the  late  Gen.  Root,  by  a  small  majority. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  1841,  he  was  appointed  Circuit  Judge, 
on  accepting  which  he  immediately  took  up  his  residence  in 
the  city  of  Albany,  and  continued  there  during  his  term  of  of- 
fice. The  duties  of  this  appointment  were  very  laborious,  an<J 
required  the  most  constant  application.  As  Judge  in  the  com- 
mon law  courts,  and  as  Vice  Chancellor  in  the  Court  of  Equi- 
ty, the  whole  of  his  time  was  occupied  and  heavy  responsibili- 
ties devolved  upon  him.     In  addition  to  the  ordinary  business 


2tt 

of  his  district,  the  anti-rent  difficulties  added  much  to  his  labors. 
He  commenced  his  civil  calenders  with  questions  of  title,  ar^d 
at  the  oyer  and  terminer,  the  most  painful  duties  were  impose  d 
upon  him,  in  punishing  violations  of  ihe  public  peace.  His 
labors  at  the  Delaware  Circuit,  in  1845,  will  not  soon  be  for- 
gotten. He  found  in  jail  upwards  of  one  hundred  persons,  un- 
der indictment.  At  the  end  of  three  weeks,  the  jail  was  clear- 
ed, every  case  having  been  disposed  of,  by  conviction  or  other- 
wise. Two  were  sentenced  to  death  for  the  murder  of  Sheriff 
Steele,  and  about  fifteen  to  confinement  for  various  periods  in 
the  state  prison  ;  and  for  the  lighter  offences,  fines  were  in  sev- 
eral cases  imposed.  The  course  pursued  by  Judge  Parker 
met  with  general  approbation.  After  the  adjournment  of  the 
court,  the  military  were  dismissed,  peace  was  restored,  and 
no  instance  of  a  like  resistance  to  the  law  has  since  occurred 
in  that  county. 

During  the  following  summer,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws 
was  conferred  upon  Judge  Parker  by  Geneva  College. 

His  term  of  office  as  circuit  judge  terminated  with  the  then 
existing  Constitution  of  the  State,  and  at  the  first  election  held 
under  the  new  Constitution,  he  was  chosen  a  Judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court. 

On  the  27th  of  August  1834,  Judge  Parker  was  united  in 
marriage  with  Miss  Harriet  L.  Roberts,  of  Portsmouth,  New 
Hampshire,  and  they  have  now  six  children. 


ELIJAH    BOARD  MAN 


ELIJAH  BOARDMAN  was  the  third  son  of  Sherman  on  tf 
Sarah  Boardman,  and  was  born  in  New  Mdford,  March  7,  1760.. 
His  excellent  mother  used  mosi  feelingly  to  relate  to  her  young'" 
er  children,  that,  while  busily  employed  in  her  household  con-. 
(perns,  she  thought  she  heard  a  noise  like  that  occasioned  by 
something  falling  into  the  water  ;  and  stepping  to  the  door  to 
look  for  her  little  boy,  she  saw  the  water  in  a  large  trough  in 
motion,  and  found  her  child  lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  trough. 
Had  the  almost  inaudible  sound  not  reached  the  mother's  ear 
his  name  would  scarcely  have  been  heard  beyond  that  little 
family  circle,  and  his  services  and  influence  would  have  been 
lost  to  his  country  and  the  world. 

His  early  education  was  conducted  chiefly  by  his  mother,  at 
home,  until  the  winter  of  1779-80,  when  a  very  excellent  in- 
structor was  employed.  From  his  too  rapid  growth  and  con- 
sequent debility,  he  became  unable,  before  this  period,  to  en- 
dure constant  labor  on  the  farm  ;  and  he  occasionally  attended 
school  in  the  village,  walking  to  and  from  it,  a  distance  of  two 
and  a  half  miles  each  day.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  Latin  with  the  Minister  of  the  parish,  the 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Taylor,  who  had  a  private  class.  In  March. 
1776,  himself  desirous  of  the  service  and  with  his  father's  con- 
tent, lie  enlisted  as  a  common  soldier  into  the  revolutionary 
army,  he  now  being  sixteen  years  of  age.  The  regiment  in 
which  he  enlisted  was  commanded  by  Col.  Charles  Webb,  and 
was  one  of  the  sixteen  regiments  first  raised  by  authority  of  the 
Cofttfajental  Congress.     The  officers  of  the  company  to  which 


235 
young  Boardman  belonged,  were  Captain  Isaac  Bostwicfc, 
Lieutenant  Kimball,  Lieutenant  Elisha  Bostwick,  and  Ensign 
Amos  Bostwick — all  except  the  first  lieutenant  being  from  the 
town  of  New  Milford.  The  first  destination  of  the  regiment 
was  for  Boston,  but  before  getting  out  of  the  limits  of  Connec- 
ticut, they  were  ordered  to  New  London,  where  they  embarked 
for  Hew  York,  in  and  about  which  city  the  regiment  remained 
until  it  was  evacuated  by  the  American  army,  in  the  month  •! 
October. 

Shortly  before  this  event,  Mr,  Boardman  was  seized  with  a 
dangerous  illness,  from  which  he  had  but  partially  recovered, 
when  the  retreat  of  the  army  seemed  to  render  his  situatioq 
hopeless.  In  this  extremity,  observing  a  wagon  to  stop  near 
the  house  in  which  he  was,  he  improved  the  opportunity  afford- 
ed by  the  driver  being  a  moment  absent,  and  exerting  to  the 
utmost  his  wasted  strength,  he  threw  himself  into  the  wagon. 
"When  the  driver  was  about  to  eject  him,  an  officer  passing  by 
ordered  him  to  desist,  and  to  permit  the  sick  man  to  ride  as  far 
as  the  wagon  was  going.  This  was  to  the  neighborhood  of 
Kingsbridge.  There  Mr.  Boardman  was  left,  lying  on  the 
ground,  and  incapable  of  further  exertion.  In  that  situation 
he  was  discovered  by  a  neighbor  of  his  father,  who  had  gone 
to  New  York  to  convey  home  a  sick  relative.  The  neighbor 
took  him  to  a  place  of  safety,  and  gave  immediate  notice  to  his 
father,  who  hastened  to  his  relief.  His  state  of  health  render- 
ing it  quite  manifest  that  he  could  render  no  further  service 
during  the  remainder  of  the  period  for  which  he  had  enlisted, 
a  discharge  was  obtained,  and  he  was  brought  home  in  a  de- 
plorable state.  He  slowly  recovered  ;  but  his  constitution,  as 
he  always  thought,  then  received  a  shock,  the  effects  of  which 
were  abiding. 

In  the  autumn  of  1777,  he  performed  a  short  tour  of  duty 
on  the  Hudson,  and  then  returned  home  and  entered  upon  a 
course  of  study  under  the  direction  of  a  private  tutor.    He  wu 


IS* 

fcfeon  after  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the  store  of  Elijah  and  Arch- 
ibald Austin,  then  prominent  merchants  in  New  Haven.  In 
the  fall  of  1781,  he  commenced  business  ns  a  retail  merchant 
in  New  Mil  ford.  For  eleven  years,  his  brother  Daniel  was  his 
partner  in  business  ;  and  subsequently  he  was  associated  for  a 
few  years  with  Elijah  Bennett.  In  1 819,  the  establishment 
was  sold  out  to  Stanley  Lockwood,  and  Mr.  Boardman  relin- 
quished the  mercantile  business. 

In  September,  1795,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  became  a 
member  of  the  Connecticut  Land  Companjr,  and,  as  such,  one 
fc-f  the  purchasers  of  the  Connecticut  Western  Reserve,  so 
called,  now  forming  the.  northern  part  of  the  State  of  Ohio. 
T  hat  part  of  this  purchase  lying  east  of  the  Cuyahogo  River 
the  Company  caused  to  be  surveyed  and  divided  into  town^ 
ships  and  tracts  ;  and  a  partition  among  the  purchasers  was 
made  by  lot,  in  May,  1799.  By  this  partition,  Mr.  Boardman 
tind  his  immediate  associates  became  entitled  to  two  entire 
townships  and  the  "equalizing  lots"  of  land  (as  they  were  call- 
ed,) annexed  thereto.  Hisinterestextended  to  somewhat  more 
than  half  of  each  township.  No.  1  of  the  second  range,  was 
named,  after  him,  "Boardman" — a  name  which  the  town  still 
retains.  Some  years  after,  the  Land  Company,  having  com- 
pleted the  survey  of  that  part  of  their  purchase  lying  west  of 
the  Cuyahoga,  made,  in  the  same  manner  as  before,  a  partition 
among  the  purchasers.  By  this,  Mr.  Boardman  and  his  as* 
sociates  became  the  proprietors  of  the  town  of  Medina. 

Mr.  Boardman's  assiduous  attention  to  his  piivate  concerns, 
long  prevented  his  taking  an  active  part  in  the  political  dis- 
cussions which  became  rife  throughout  the  country,  soon  after 
the  establishment  of  the  new  Constitution  of  the  United  States. 
Yet,  from  the  habitual  activity  of  his  mind,  he  was  by  no  means 
an  inattentive  observer  of  passing  events.  About  the  year 
1800,  howeyer,  he  became  quite  prominent  as  a  politician  in 
Connecticut     But  having  embraced  the  principles  of  the  par- 


ty  which  then,  and  for  a  considerable  time  after,  wa9  in  the  mi- 
nority in  the  State,  he  received  no  higher  appointment  than 
that  of  Representative  lo  (he  State  Legislature,  to  which  he 
was  six  times  elected  between  and  including  the  years  1803 
and  1816.  When  the  political  party  to  which  he  was  attached 
gained  a  partial  ascendency,  he  was  elected,  in  1817  and  again 
in  IS18,  an  Assistant,  or  member  of  the  Upper  House.  In 
May,  1 S 1 9,  when  the  New  Constitution  of  the  State  went  in- 
fo operation,  lie  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  continued 
in  thof  body  until  May,  1821,  when  he  was  elected  to  the 
Senate  of  the  United  Slates.  He  occupied  his  seat  in  th^  'iaU 
fei  bod'v  durinsf  the  two  sessions  of  the  seventeenth  px«„« 
pikI  continued  a  member  until  his  death,  »;\;ich  t00u  la'ce  at 
ttoardman,  Ohio,  (while  oh  a  vfci»  Vnere,)    A:^Usi   18,    1823. 

His  remains  were  brought  *      \        u;"-      ,  c     .-. 

»      .o  a«.w  ^Ill0rcj  for  interment. 

Froui  mlure.   plllirn(;nn  t  ,     .. :'■■.,  •    t.     n 

,   uuiiluiuii^  nnc-{  |,abit,  \\j  was  emphatically  a 

practical  man  in  p1*  reSpect3.  Mis  business  talents  were  un- 
common ^  ;^i(j  j}js  constancy  in  their  exercise  was  rarely  sur- 
^Josed.  His  natural  temperament  inclined  him  to  hilarity  ;  but 
Vis  strictlv  moral  and  industrious  habits  >o  far  repressed  ibis 
natural  propensity,  as  to  give  him  raihei  the  appearance  of 
giavity  than  of  its  opposite,  in  the  latter  part  of  bis  life.  Yet 
h's  natural  and  acquired  case  and  urbanity,  rendered  him  a 
pleasing  companion  both  to  the  grave  and  the  gay.  His  ten- 
der emotions  were  easily  excited,  and  not  easily  concealed  ; 
nor  weie  they  ever  suppressed  but  from  a  sense  of  duly  or  pro- 
priety. He  was  benignant  and  exemplary  in  his  domestic  re- 
lations— and  just  in  bis  dealings  with  all.  He  had  been  for 
manv  years  previous  to  his  death,  a  consistant  member  of  the 
Episcopal  Church. 

On  the  toth  of  September,  1792,  Mr.  Boardman  was  mar- 
ried to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Whiting,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  Whi- 
ting, of  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  and  had  six  children,  viz  , 
1,  Hon.  William  W.,  of  New  Haven  ;  2,  Henry  M.,  who  mar- 


241 
ncd  diirah  H„  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Efcnh&ni,  then 
of  New  Mil  ford,  and  died  at  Boardman,  Ohio,  in  I S  i  5 ,  leaving 
four  sons  ;  3.  George  S.,  who  graduated  at  Union  College, 
and  died  at  the  a°:e  of  26  ;  4.  Caroline  M..  the  wife  of  ihe 
Rev.  John  Frederick  Sehroeder,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  who  has 
eight  children  ;  5.  Mary  Anna,  who  died  at  the  age  of  17 
years  ;  6.   Caroline  E.,  unmarried. 

Mrs.  Boardman  was  a  lady  eminent  for  her  piety,  judgment, 
talents,  and  dignity  of  character.  She  died  in  June,  184S; 
and  during  the  following  year,  her  Memoirs,  edited  by  Dr. 
Sehroeder,  were  printed  in  a  handsome  volume  of  478  pages* 


3** 


ELISHA    WHITTLESEY 


ELISHA  WHITTLESEY  is  a  native  of  Washington,  New 
Preston  Society.  While  he  was  a  child,  his  parents  removed 
to  Salisbury,  where  his  boyhood  was  chiefly  spent.  He  early 
qualified  himself  for  admission  to  the  bar,  and  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession  on  the  l<  Connecticut  Reserve,"  in 
the  State  of  Ohio.  He  rose  rapidly  in  public  estimation,  and 
was  soon  universally  esteemed  not  only  for  his  soundness  and 
ability  as  a  lawyer,  but  as  a  gentleman  of  singular  uprightness 
a:ul  disinterestedness  of  purpose. 

In  1823,  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  elected  to  Congress  from  the 
Reserves  and  was  continued  a  member  of  that  body,  by  suc- 
cessive  re-elections,  for  eighteen  years  !  Of  his  long  and 
distinguished  congressional  career  we  prefer  to  let  others  sptak. 
In  1837,  the  "Pennsylvania  inquirer/' published  in  Philadel- 
phia, contained  a  series  of  sketches  of  public  men,  under  the 
head  of  "  Portrait  Gallery,"  which  were  widely  copied.  The 
second  sketch  of  the  series  is  as  follows — 

The  Honorable  Eltsiia  Whittlesey,  of  Ohio,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
member^  of  Congress,  and  lias  held  a  seat  in  the  House  of  Represen- 
ts iv  s  ever  since  I  can  ijernember.  Of  his  early  history  I  know  but 
Be  is  >i  native  of  Connecticut,  but  eaily  in  youth  emigrated  to 
Ohio,  and  there  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law.  As  a  lawyer,  lie 
was  soon  distinguished  in  rhe  west,  for  the  soundness  of  his  judgment, 
the  correctness  of  his  purposes,  a. id  an  unyielding  integrity,  which,  if 
the  scandal  of  the  world  is  to  be  accredited,  does  not  always  attach 
itself  to  the  followers  of  the  legal  profession.  The  confidence  reposed 
in  him  by  the  people,  soon  induced  them  to  delegate  him  as  their 
Representative  to  Congress,  and  if  I  mistake  not,  he  has  held  the  seat 
h%  now  occuniat  since  the  voar  1821, 


3  4S 

For  manr  years  past,  Mr.  Whittlesey  has  held  the  important  and 
esponsible  place  of  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims,  an  office  that 
requires  a  greater  degree  of  industry,  actual  labor,  and  patience,  than 
any  other  that  falls  within  the  duties  of  the  House.  The  business  of 
this  committee  is  to  examine  and  investigate  all  private  claims,  or 
claims  presented  by  individuals  against  the  government,  and  report 
their  merits  to  the  House.  In  discharging  duties  like  these,  the 
chairman  of  the  committee  is  necessarily  subjected  to  intense  labor, 
as  many  of  the  claims  presented  to  him  involve  all  the  principles  of  the 
:ommon  and  statute  law  of  the  country,  and  not  unfrequently  are 
:!osely  connected  with  the  documentary  history  of  the  Republic  from 
its  very  foundation.  To  ascertain  the  justice  of  Amey  Darden's 
;laim  for  the  loss  of  a  horse  during  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  for  in- 
stance, all  the  papers  of  the  old  Continental  Congress,  and  the  regis- 
try of  the  original  War  office,  had  to  be  ransacked — a  labor  that 
would,  at  its  opening,  have  staggered  and  dismayed  any  other  man 
than  Mr.  Whittlesey.  Claims,  requiring  a  corresponding  amount  of 
labor,  are  of  daily  occurrence,  and  are  investigated  with  alacrity  by 
the  indefatigable  and  untiring  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims. 
The  duties  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Ways  and  Means,  are  but  trifles, 
so  far  as  labor  is  concerned,  in  comparison  with  those  which  devolve 
on  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims,  and  which  are  dischar- 
ged with  promptitude  and  a  zeal  that  command  the  respect  of  all 
sides  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

The  House  has  unbounded  confidence  in  the  ability  and  integrity  of 
Mr.  Whittlesey,  so  much  so,  that  it  invariably  adopts  whatever  he 
may  report ;  and  it  is  only  necessary  to  have  it  understood,  that  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims  has  reported  favourably  to  a 
claimant,  to  secure  immediate  redress.  The  confidence  thus  secured 
is  as  advantageous  to  the  business  of  this  House,  as  it  is  to  the  security 
of  justice  to  individual  merit,  and  the  futherance  of  parliamentary  jus- 
tice. And  whilst  it  subserves  the  ends  and  aims  of  legislative  action, 
it  reflects  a  credit  on  Mr.  Whittlesey  of  far  greater  moment  than  all 
the  glory  that  can  be  attained  at  the  hands  of  partizan  warfare. 

As  a  useful — as  an  indefatigable  legislator,  Mr.  Whittlesey  has  no 
superior  in  Congress— rnay,  he  has  not  an  equal.  His  whole  time  and 
study  are  directed  to  the  furtherance  of  the  public  good,  not  to  the 
promotion  of  mere  party  warfare  and  discipline ;  and  in  the  discharge 
of  the  trusts  reposed  in  him,  he  is  above  the  reach  of  the  contamin- 
ating influence  of  party  creeds  and  party  dictation.  In  legislating  he 
knj.vi  but  one  party — his  country.  Ever  anxious  to  promote  the 
best  interests  of  the  people,  and  expedite  the  true  course  of  legislation, 
he  never  annoys  the  House  with  a  harrangue  for  the  purpose  of  send- 
ing a  speech  home  to  operate  in  his  district,  or  to  influence  his  election. 
He  daily  has  occasion  to  participate  in  debate,  but  he  is  always  brief, 
•oncise. distinct,  and  confines  himself  exclusively  to  the  subject  under 


2H 

dircussicn.  If  he  rises  to  offer  a  fe*  remarks  on  the  Navy  Appro- 
priation, or  on  any  other  subject,  he  discusses  the  subject  itself,  and 
does  not,  like  nine-tenths  of  the  speakers  in  the  House,  direct  himself 
to  all  other  matters  this  side  of  the  grave,  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
question  at  issue. 

In  debate,  he  is  distinguished  for  clearness,  perspicuity,  precision, 
and  a  rigid  adhesion  to  facts  as  they  present  themselves,  and  never 
strains  at  effect.  He  is  always  listened  to  with  attention  and  great 
respect;  nnd  what  he  utters  always  produces  a  desirable  influence. 
His  manner  is  plain  and  unostentatious,  adapted  to  the  every  day  scenes 
and  business  of  life.  No  man  ever  listened  to  him  for  a  moment, 
without  passing  judgment  in  favor  of  his  integrity,  his  statesmanlike 
qualities,  and  practical  good  sense. 

Mr,  Whittlesey  is  about  five  feet  eight  or  ten  inches  high,  rather 
thick  set,  and  possesses  a  countenance  which  is  an  idex  of  his  heart. 
Stern  integrity,  benevolence,  and  morality,  are  to  be  read  in  his  fea- 
tures ;  and  his  whole  life  has  been  a  comment,  and  an  illustration  of 
his  physiognomy.  Without  any  ostentatious  parade  of  his  benevo- 
lence and  morality,  he  has  devoted  a  life,  now  somewhat  protracted, 
to  the  good  of  his  country  and  the  world ;  and  I  do  not  believe,  that 
he  has  at  any  time  perpetrated  an  act,  for  the  consequences  of  which 
he  need  blush.  Although  now  well  advanced  in  life,  he  is  in  the 
midst  of  a  "  green  old  age  ;5'  and  notwithstanding  he  is  on  the  down- 
hill side  of  sixty,  a  course  of  morality,  of  virtue,  temperance,  and  of 
honor,  has  shielded  his  constitution  against  the  invasions  of  age,  and 
lie  does  not  appear  to  be  more  than  two-and-forty. 

Mr.  Whittlesey  is  a  whig,  and  acts  with  the  party  in  maintaining  its 
general  principles,  but  is  by  no  means  a  violent  or  a  noisy  partizan. 
He  undoubtedly  is  of  opinion,  and  correctly  too,  that  the  principles  of 
a  party,  and  the  honour  of  a  country,  can  be  maintained  without  re- 
sorting to  acts  of  violence,  or  to  the  enactment  of  the  scenes  of  actual 
outrage,  which  not  unfrequentiy,  at  all  stages  of  the  world,  have  dis- 
graced party  struggles. 

He  possesses  ail  the  great  talents  necessary  to  the  office  of  Chief 
Executive  of  the  United  States,  and  if  people  could  be  induced  to  se- 
lect a  candidate  for  their  suffrages,  on  the  basis  of  legitimate  worth  and 
merit,  their  favour  would  be  conferred  on  just  such  a  man  as  the  Hon. 
Elisha  Whittlese}7,  of  Ohio — a  man  who  is  an  honor  to  his  country, 
and  who  has  proved  himself,  by  a  long  series  of  public  duty,  to  be  a 
Patriot  too  pure,  and  a  man  too  incorruptible,  to  be  swayed  by  party, 
whilst  engaged  in  discharging  the  duties  of  an  enlightened  American 
Statesman. 

U  p*>n  the  elevation  of  General   Harrison  to  the  Presidency, 

Mr.  Whittlesey  was  appointed  Auditor  of  the  United  Stales 

Trei-ury  for  the   Post  Office  Department.     He  consequently 


'24  5 
declined  a  re-election  to  Congress,  and  on  tiie  1 9th  of  March, 
1841 ,  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  his  new  office,  and  re- 
mained in  their  faithful  and  efficient  discharge    until  near  the 
close  of  President  Tyler's  administration,  when  he  resigned. 

In  1845,  he  was  appointed  General  Agent  and  Director  of 
the  Washington  National  Monument  Society — a  post  which 
he  still  holds.  His  energetic  and  systematic  efforts  in  behalf 
of  this  grand  national  enterprise,  have  contributed  in  an  emi- 
nent degree  to  its  success.  In  1849,  Mr.  Whittlesey  was 
made  First  Comptroller  of  the  Treasury  of  the  United  Slates, 
and  he  still  continues  to  discharge  the  complicated  and  res- 
ponsible duties  of  that  important  office. 


*4e 


JUNIUS    SMITH 


JUNIUS  SMITH,  ll.  d  ,  a  son  of  Major-General  David 
Smith,  was  born  in  Plymouth,  October  2,  1780.  He  gradua- 
ted at  Yale  College  in  1S02,  and  during  the  following  year  he 
was  a  member  of  (he  Litchfield  Law  School.  In  1803,  he  pro- 
nouned  the  annual  oration  before  the  "Cincinnati  of  Connec- 
ticut," a  Society  composed  of  Revolutionary  Officers. 

In  1S05,  by  a  somewhatsingulartrain  of  circumstances,  Mr. 
Smith  became  a  resident  of  London.  His  brother,  David,  was 
engaged  in  commercial  business  in  New  Haven,  and  was,  in 
conjunction  with  Captains  Gad  Peck  and  Elnathan  Atwater 
of  that  city,  owner  of  the  ship  "Mohawk,"  and  engaged  in  the 
West  India  trade.  This  ship  was  captured  by  a  British  crui- 
zcr,  sent  into  Tortola,  and  condemned.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  then  practicing  law  in  New  Haven,  and  was  appli- 
ed to  by  the  owners  to  go  to  London  and  prosecute  an  appeal 
in  the  High  Court  of  Admiralty.  He  accepted  the  invitation, 
and  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  25th  of  November  of  that 
year.  He  had  no  idea  of  remaining  in  London  longer  than 
might  be  necessary  to  complete  the  business  entrusted  to  his 
care  ;  but  the  time  was  protracted  more  than  four  years,  be- 
fore the  Lords  of  Appeal  would  even  give  him  a  hearing.  The 
decision  of  the  Vice  Admiralty  Court  in  Tortola  was  reversed, 
and  the  avails  of  the  ship  and  cargo  were  restored.  In  the 
mean  time  Mr.  Smith  had  become  extensively  engaged  in 
commerce,  and  connected  as  he  was  with  the  house  of  TalU 
madge,  Smith  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  it  was  not  an  easy  matter 
for  Jiim  to  quit  his  post. 


247 

In  1810,  his  business  requiring  bis  presence  in  New  York, 
he  sailed  for  that  city  on  the  l9th  of  November.  Having  dis- 
solved his  partnership,  and  visited  his  friends  in  Connecticut 
and  elsewhere,  he  returned  to  London  during  the  following 
spring.  On  the  9th  of  April,  1812,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Sarah  Allen,  daughter  of  Thomas  Allen,  Esq.,  of  Huddenfield, 
in  Yorkshire — a  young  iady  distinguished  for  her  many  accom- 
plishments and  her  ardent  piety. 

Mr.  Smith  continued  his  mercantile  pursuits  until  1832 — 
sometimes  with  much  success,  and  sometimes  in  adversity — 
when  he  commenced  the  great,  work  of  Atlantic  Steam  Navi- 
gation, which  has  led  to  such  important  results.  On  the  12th 
of  August,  in  that  year,  he  sailed  from  London  for  New 
York,  with  his  wife  and  daughter,  in  the  British  barque,  St. 
Leonard,  Captain  Rutherford.  He  chartered  the  vessel  for  the 
voyage  out,  and  had  150  passengers  on  board.  The  passage 
proved  rough  and  tedious,  and  was  protracted  to  fifty-seven 
days.  The  practicability  of  crossing  the  Atlantic  by  steam, 
and  the  vast  advantages  which  would  result  from  that  mode  of 
conveyance,  occupied  his  thoughts  ;  and  the  more  he  consid- 
the  subject,  the  more  clearly  it  developed  itself  to  his  mind, 
until  he  became  perfectly  convinced  that  it  was  not  only  prac- 
ticable but  the  most  philosophical  mode  of  navigating  the 
ocean.  Upon  his  arrival  in  New  York,  he  began  to  disclose 
his  views  on  this  subject,  and  to  argue  the  question  with  those 
of  his  friends  who  differed  from  him  in  opinion,  and  who  could 
see  nothing  but  insuperable  difficulties.  The  project  was 
never  out  of  his  mind,  and  all  the  objections  raised  and  all  the 
difficulties  foreseen,  only  served  to  confirm  his  own  opinion. 
He  answered  all  objections  to  his  own  satisfaction,  and  gath- 
ered strength  in  the  combat,  although  he  knew  they  remained 
unconvinced,  for  their  incredulity  was  visible  in  every  feature. 

It  was  not  a  slight  affair  for  a  single  individual,  without  the 
co-operation  of  others,  to  devise,  shtpe  and  follow  out  measured 


246 

which   were  to  change  the  system  of  commercial  intercourse 
between  Europe  and  America,  and  establish  a  mode  of  navi- 
gation,  new  in  itself,  against  the  combined  interests  of  com. 
mercial  and  nautical  men,  against  the  uniform  practice  of  ah 
past  ages,  and  the  stubborn,  unbending  prejudices  of  the  world. 

Having  maturely  considered  the  undertaking  in  all  its  bear- 
ings, he  determined,  previous  to  his  leaving  New  York  in  De- 
cember, 1835,  to  propose  the  scheme  to  some  of  the  most  influ- 
ential merchants  of  that  city.  He  did  so  ;  and  the  answer  was 
characteristic  if  not  rational — "Try  the  experiment  when  you 
get  back  to  London,  and  if  it  succeeds,  we  will  then  join  you." 
Not  one  favored  the  plan  upon  independent  grounds.  He  was 
not  much  disappointed — for  he  had  no  very  sanguine  expecta- 
tions that  the  merchants  of  New  York  would  lead  the  way. 

Mr.  Smith  sailed  from  New  York  on  the  20th  of  December, 
and  on  the  24th  of  January  he  arrived  in  London.  To  en  list 
the  public  generally,  at  that  period,  in  sucli  an  undertaking, 
was  to  his  mind  an  unpromising  undertaking.  The  only 
chance  of  success  seemed  to  be,  that  of  inducing  those  already 
engaged  in  the  steam  coasting  trade,  and  who  had  therefore 
had  some  experience  in  a  smail  way,  to  look  favorably  upon 
the  project.  With  this  view  he  called  upon  Mr.  Jones,  a 
Director  of  the  London  and  Edinburgh  Steam  Navigation  Com- 
pany, whose  steam  vessels  were  then  the  largest  afloat,  explain- 
to  him  his  views,  and  solicited  his  co-operation  in  carrying  into 
effect  the  plan  of  navigating  the  Atlantic  by  steam.  After  two 
or  three  interviews,  this  gentleman  requested  Mr.  Smith  to 
commit  his  ideas  to  writing,  and  he  would  lay  them  before  the 
Directors.  In  compliance  with  this  request,  he  wrote  the  fol- 
lowing letter  : 

London,  Feb.  9,  1833. 

Dear  Sir, — In  conjunction  with  my  friends  in  New  York,  I  am  de- 
Eirous  of  forming  a  line  of  steam-packets  to  run  between  this  port  and 
New  York,  I  apprehend  that  four  in  number  will  be  sufficient,  and 
fully  equal  to  tht  twelve  American  sailing  ships  now  running  on  tht 


240 

same  line  ;  and  the  cost  of  the  four  steam -packets,  at  30,000/.  each, 
frill  be  about  the  same  as  the  aggregate  cost  of  the  twelve  American 
line  of  packets  now  running;. 

It  is  my  intention  to  have  two  British  and  two  American  ships  ;  and 
the  reason  is,  first,  to  combine  the  interests  of  the  two  countries  in 
their  support;  and  secondly,  to  afford  a  certain  conveyance  both  ways 
for  goods  of  foreign  as  well  as  domestic  growth  and  manufacture.  By 
the  treaty  of  commerce  with  the  United  States,  British  ships  cannot 
take  foreign  goods  into  the  United  States,  nor  can  American  ships 
bring  foreign  goods  from  the  United  States  to  England  for  home  con- 
Sumption,  but  the  converse  is  true  of  both.  It  will;  therefore,  be  read  • 
ly  seen  that  a  line  formed  of  the  ships  of  both  nations,  to  sail  alternately 
will  embrace  all  branches  of  the  carrying  trade.  I  left  London  for 
New  York  in  August  last,  and  the  hitter  place  far  London,  on  the  20th 
December.  My  friends  in  New  York  make  no  doubt  of  the  practica- 
bility nor  of  the  success  of  such  an  undertaking,  and  have  assured  me 
that  they  will  build  two  steam- vessels  suited  to  the  object  in  view,  as 
soon  as  they  learn  that  the  plan,  so  far  as  regards  the  British  interest, 
can  be  carried  into  execution  here.  % 

In  New  York,  the  plan  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  first  importance  to 
the  commercial  interests  of  both  countries. 

I  examined  and  traveled  in  many  American  steam-packets,  but  they 
have  not  one  calculated  for  a  sea  voyage.  They  are  all  constructed 
to  run  upon  the  rivers*  sounds,  bays,  and  canals.  These  packets  are  in 
general  very  roomy,  and  calculated  to  cany  a  great  many  passengers. 

The  North  America,  in  which  I  took  passage  on  the  16th  October, 
at  New  York,  for  Albany,  145  miles  up  the  Hudson  river,  is  230  feet 
in  length,  30  feet  beam,  has  two  60-horse  low-pressure  engines,  which 
work  at  the  rate  of  26  strokes  of  the  piston  per  minute.  This  packet 
is  calculated  to  accommodate  1200  passengers,  and  there  were  400 
on  board  at  the  time  mentioned.  She  draws  but  4  feet  of  water,  and 
performed  the  passage  to  Albany,  against  the  current  of  the  river,  in 
twelve  hours,  including  stoppages  at  the  numerous  landing-places  on 
both  sides  of  the  river.  Several  other  packets  of  nearly  equal  dimen- 
sions ply  upon  this  river,  a  particular  description  of  which  is  unneces- 
sary here.  The  same  general  description  of  packets  run  in  all  the 
rivers,  sounds,  bays,  <fcc,  from  which  you  will  perceive  their  unfitness 
for  the  high  seas. 

The  commercial  intercourse  between- Great  Britain  and  New  York 
is  of  late  years  so  amazingly  increased,  that  more  than  40,000   pa* 
sengers  and  emigrants  landed  in  the  last  year  in  the  port  of  New  Yc 
from  Europe,  chiefly  from  Great  Britain. 

Since  the  construction  of  the  Erie  Canal,  running  through  the  Stu 
of  New  York  350  miles,  from  Albany  to  Lake  Erie,  opening  a  wa> 
eorumuuieation  every  step  of  the  way   from  London   to  the  Niaga 


250 

Falls,  the  Lakes,  Canada,  Ohio,  Michigan,  and  ait  of  the  western  pari 
of  the  United  States,  now  peopling  with  astonishing  rapidity,  and  tbs 
establishment  of  elegant  and  convenient  packet-boats  upon  the  canal 
for  the  accommodation  of  passengers,  New  York  has  become  the  great 
thoroughfare  for  travelers  and  emigrants  from  every  part  of  Europe. 
Whatever  mode  of  conveyance  will  shorten  and  facilitate  the  passage 
from  Europe,  is  certain  to  have  a  preference  ;  and  a  line  of  steam'- 
packets  from  London  to  New  York,  would  have  not  only  the  support 
of  Great  Britain,  but  of  all  Europe.  I  can  hardly  expect  in  a  short 
letter  to  open  up  the  subject  so  fully  to  those  unacquainted  with  the 
American  trade,  as  to  induce  them  to  enter  into  my  views  fully  at 
once,  or  to  appreciate  the  commercial  advantages  which  it  promises. 
It  was  under  this  impression  that  I  proposed1,  if  I  he  company  enter- 
tained doubts  as  to  the  success  of  the  undertaking,  to  charter  of  them- 
a  suitable  vessel  for  two  voyages,  or  two  vessels  for  one  voyage  each, 
and  to  take  upon  myself  the  result  of  such  an  experiment. 

The  distance  from  Portsmouth  to  New  York  is  about  3,000  mile?, 
and  a  good  packet  ought  to  make  the  passage  in  twelve  or  thirteen 
days.  • 

From  March  to  October  is  generally  the  best  season  of  the  year  for 
passengers,  and  if  we  sail  from  London  20th  April  to  1st  May,  it 
would  be  in  good  time. 

I  am  quite  sure  that  no  foreign  pert  can  offer  such  decided  advan- 
tages for  a  line  of  steam-packets  as  New  York,  and  up  to  the  present 
time  the  ground  is  unoccupied. 

I  abstain  at  present  from  entering  into  any  calculations  as  to  the 
probable  returns  to  New  York.  If  these  hints  are  not  entertained,  T 
should  be  glad  to  have  them  considered  as  confidential,  and  should  feel 
obliged  for  as  early  an  answer  as  practicable,  for  my  future  govern- 
ment. Your  obedient  servant,  Junius  Smith. 

20,  Abchurch-lane. 

To  this  letter  the  following  laconic  answer  was  received* 
which  put  an  end  to  any  further  correspondence  in  that  quar- 
ter. 

35  Leadenhall'-street,  Feb.  27,  1833. 
Mr.  Junius  Smith — Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  9th  Instant,  addressed- 
to  Mr.  Jones,  was  this  day  laid  before  the  committee  of  the  London 
and  Edinburgh  Steam-packet  Company,  and  I  am  directed  to  state,- 
they  decline  your  proposal  for  this  season,  as  all  their  vessel*  are  oth* 
erwise  appointed.  Sir,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

A.  Mitchell. 


251 
There  was  but  one  other  steam  vessel  in  England  besides 
those  owned  by  the  London  and  Edinburgh  Company,  of  suf- 
ficient size,  or  in  any  way  adapted  to  risk  a  voyage  across  the 
Atlantic,  and  that  was  the  "  London   Merchant."     This  ship 
was  then  in  the  service  of  Don  Pedro,  in  Portugal.     Mr.  Smith 
resolved  to  wait  her  return.     In  May,  1833,  she  arrived  at 
Blackwall,  and  he  went  down  immediately  to  examine  her. 
She  was  a  strong,  well  built  ship,  in  bad  condition,  miserably 
fitted  up—and  could  not  well  have  been  more  filthy  if  a  cargo 
of  pigs,    instead  of  Don  Pedro's  soldiers,    had  inhabited    her. 
Still,  he  thought  she  might  be  put  in  condition  to  go  the  voy- 
age, and  accordingly  applied  to  a  gentleman  interested  in  the 
ship,   and  offered  to  charter  her  for  New  York.     After   some 
d?ys  spent  in  talking,  he  learned  that  there  were  sixteen  own- 
ers ;  and  to  induce  sixteen  owners  of  one  vessel  to  listen  to  so 
preposterous  a  scheme  as  the  one  contemplated,  was  entirely 
hopeless—rand  he  consequently  abandoned  her. 

Seeing  the  difficulties  which  attended  all  his  efforts  to  char- 
ter a  ship,  and  feeling  at  the  same  time  the  unsuitableness  of 
the  ships  themselves  for  go  long  a  voyage,  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion most  seriously  to  the  formation  of  a  company  for  the  pur- 
pose of  building  steam-ships  for  Atlantic  navigation.  The 
more  he  resolved  this  point  in  his  mind,  the  clearer  he  saw  he 
was  following  the  safest  and  most  correct  course,  [and  there- 
fore was  soon  reconciled  to  former  disappointments. 

Not  a  single  individual  whom  he  consulted  at  this  time,  gave 
him  the  slightest  encouragement,  and  as  yet  he  had  taken  no 
steps  to  ascertain  the  bearing  of  public  opinion.  It  seemed 
necessary  that  some  measures  to  that  end  should  be  taken  ; 
for  he  felt  that  ultimate  success  must  depend  upon  public  sup- 
port- He  knew  London  well.  Few  men  had  experienced 
more  of  its  commercial  life  than  he  had.  Hence,  he  was 
well  aware  of  the  importance  of  wealth,  distinguished  con- 
nexions, and  a  titled  name,   in  successfully  carrying  forward 


252 
any  new  enterprize  in  that  great  metropolis.     Without  these, 
and  eyen  without  the  least  encouragement  from  the  honored 
and  great,    he  was  not  disheartened.     Relying  solely  upon 
the  intrinsic  merit  of  his  enterprize,  he  resolved  to  persevere. 

On  the  1st  of  June,  1835,  he  published  a  Prospectus  of  a 
joint  stock  steam  navigation  company  in  his  own  name — for 
in  truth  he  find  could  no  one  to  second  him — proposing  to 
raise  £100,000  in  200  shares,  of  £500  each,  to  construct* 
steam  ships  for  the  New  York  trade.  These  Prospectuses 
were  widely  distributed,  at  a  considerable  expense  of  money 
and  labor.  No  person  in  the  American  trad«  was  omitted, 
and  most  of  the  public  companies  and  public  officers  were 
furnished  with  a  copy.  Not  a  single  share  was  applied  for, 
nor  did  Mr.  Smith  expect  many  applications.  But  one  object 
he  had  in  view  was  answered.  Through  those  employed  in 
distributing  the  prospectuses,  he  learned  what  the  feeling  of 
the  public  was  upon  the  subject,  A  few  looked  upon  the 
scheme  with  some  favor,  and  several  gentlemen  called  upon 
him  to  make  inquiries.  Generally,  however,  the  plan  was 
made  the  subject  of  sarcasm,  slander,  and  ridicule.  The 
storm  raised  by  the  shipping  interest  and  all  in  the  American 
trade,  with  a  single  exception,  was  a  fearful  thing  to  encoun- 
ter, and  Mr.  Smith  took  some  time  to  consider  before  proceed- 
ing further.  The  expense  was  heavy,  the  labor  severe,  and 
the  risk  of  defeat  and  consequent  loss  and  disgrace,  deserved 
some  attention.     He  was  not  long  in  deciding  upon  his  course. 

He  revised  his  Prospectus,  raised  the  capital  stock  to  .£500,- 
000,  and  and  adopted  the  name  of  The  British  and  American 
Steam  Navigation  Company,  though  as  yet  he  had  not  secured 
a  single  Director.  He  called  personally  upon  all  the  princi- 
pal American  Houses  to  solicit  their  aid  by  becoming  Direc- 
tors, and  every  one  declined.  By  this  time  Mr.  Smith  was 
convinced  that  the  company  must  be  formed,  if  at  all,  entirely 
independent  of  the  shipping  interest.     This  increased  the  dif- 


253 
ficulty  ten  fold.     Those  must  be  enlisted  who  were  sti angers 
in  the  field,  and  who  must,  be  argued  into  the  belief  that  they 
could  do  what  those  concerned  in  the  trade  could  not  do. 

After  encountering  various  other  obstacles,  which  it  is  un- 
necessary to  detail,  the  company  was  organized,  with  the  fol- 
lowing Board  of  Directors,  viz.,  Isaac  Solby,  Esq..  (Chair- 
man of  the  London  and  Birmingham  Railroad  Co.,)  chairmany 
Moses  Allen,  Esq.,  Colonel  Aspinwall,  Captain  T.  Laikins, 
James  Beale,  Henry  JJainbridge,  Charles  Enderby,  George 
Lunell,  Joseph  R.  Pirn,  Junius  Smith,  and  Paul  Twigg,  Esq's. 
Macgregor  Laird,  Esq  ,  of  London,  was  chosen  Secretary, 
and  several  Bankers  to  the  Company  were  appointed.  Seven 
of  these  Directors  resided  in  London,  and  one  in  each  of  the 
cities  of  Bristol,  Liverpool,  Dublin,  and  Cork. 

Ad  erti^ements  were  now  published  in  the  daily  journals, 
informing  the  public  of  the  formation  of  the  Company  and 
stating  where  shares  might  be  obtained.  Applications  poured 
in  from  all  quarters.  The  capital  was  raised  to  £l, 000, 000, 
and  a  resolution  was  adopted  to  establish  two  lines  of  steam 
ships  to  run  to  New  York — one  from  London  and  one  from 
Liverpool.  In  July,  1836,  the  Directors  gave  notice  that  they 
were  ready  to  receive  plans  and  proposals,  and  in  September 
a  contraet  was  made  with  some  ship  builders  in  London,  to 
construct  a  steam  ship  of  2016  tons  burthen — the  keel  of 
which  was  laid  on  the  1st  of  April,  1837.  This  vessel,  after 
the  accession  of  Victoria  to  the  throne  of  England,  was  called 
the  "  British  Queen." 

The  company  were  delayed  in  sending  out  this  ship  by  the 
failure  of  those  who  contracted  to  furnish  the  engines  ;  in 
consequence  of  which  the  Sirius,  a  steam  ship  of  about  700 
tons,  was  chartered  and  dispatched  for  New  York.  This  was 
the  first  ship  that  ever  crossed  the  Atlantic  propelled  by  steam, 
Subsequently  the  British  Queen  crossed  it  from  London  and 
the   President  from  Liverpool.     Mr.   Smith  embarked  in  the 


254 
British  Queen  on  the  I2th  of  July,  I £39,  and  at  half- past  12 
o'clock,  P.  M.,  she  was  under  full  headway,  shooting  out  to 
sea  from  Spithead,  (he  eastern  extremity  of  the  Isle  of  Wight, 
wilh  1 50  passengers.  They  had  a  most  delightful  run,  and  at 
2  o'clock  ou  the  morning  of  the  28l  h  of  July,  they  were  at 
Sandy  Hook,  waiting  for  a  pilot — thus  making  the  passage  in 
fourteen  and  a  half  da) s.  On  Thursday  afternoon,  August 
•2d,  they  hauled  out  ot  dock  and  proceeded  down  the  Narrows, 
cheered  by  innumerable  spectators  who  thronged  the  wharves, 
shipping,  batteries,  &c  ,  and  accompanied  by  several  steam- 
boats, gaily  decorated  and  crowded  with  ladies  and  gentlemen. 

Returning  to  England,  on  the  14th  they  took  on  board  a 
£owes  pilot — twelve  days  from  pilot  to  pilot,  and  thirteen  and 
a  half  days  from  New  York  to  Portsmouth.  Mr.  Smith  ar- 
rived at  his  own  house  precisely  on  the  day  and  hour  he  bad 
£xed  upon  previous  to  leaving  England, 

The  navigation  of  the  ocean  by  steam,  was  now  no  longer 
a  doubtful  experiment.  The  praises  of  Junius  Smith  were 
jjpon  every  tongue.  He  was  elected  President  of  the  Conir 
pany  which  he  had  founded,  and  Yale  College  conferred  upon 
him  the  honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws.  We  shall  not 
speak  of  the  untold  advantages  which  have  resulted  and  may 
yet  result  from  the  persevering  labors  of  this  one  man  ;  pos- 
terity will  do  him  justice. 

Having  accomplished  this  great  object  of  his  ambition  and 
hopes,  he  turned  his  thoughts  into  another  channel.  He  had 
visited  those  countries  where  Tea  was  the  staple  production, 
and  had  minutely  watched  its  growth  and  cultivation  in  con- 
nection with  soil  and  climate  ;  and  having  satisfied  himself  relr 
ative  to  the  feasiblity  of  the  plan,  he  determined  to  introduce 
its  cultivation  into  his  native  county.  With  this  view  he  pur- 
chased an  extensive  plantation  in  Greenville,  South  Carolina, 
where  for  some  eight  years  past  he  has  been  experimenting 


with  this  new  article  of  agriculture.     The  following  letter  cm 
the  subject  is  contained  in  the  last  Patent  Office  Repori : 

Dear  Sir  : — The  frequent  notice's  which  have  appeared  in  the  pub- 
lic journals,  by  those  Who  have  visited  my  tea-garden  in  Greenville, 
S.  C,  and  by  those  who  have  not,  seem  to  render  superfluous  the  ad- 
dition of  another  word. 

Nothing  but  your  request  to  make  a  communication  on  the  subject 
of  tea  cultivation,  through  the  the  Patent  Ohrce,  would  induce  me  to 
risk  the  danger  of  wearying  the  public  ear  and  of  exposing  myself  to1 
obloquy.' 

During  the  past  year  the  tea-plant  under  my  care  has  passed  through' 
severe  trials,  from"  the  injury  received  in  transplanting,  from  the  heat 
generated  in  the  packing-cases,  from  the  v\ant  of  shelter  during  the 
severe  frosts  of  February,  from  the  excessive  heat  in  June,  and  from 
the  drought  of  58  day's  Continuance  in  July  and  August.  The 
plants  were  divested  of  their  leaves  and  generally  of  their  branches 
and  twigs  in  February,  during  my  absence  in  New  York.  Knowing 
that  the  plants  were  tender,  and  not,  fortified  by  age  and  mature 
growth  against  severe  weather,  I  had  directed  them  to  bo  covered  in 
case  a  material  change  of  temperature  should  occur.  But  these  or- 
ders were  neglected,  and  they  consequently  suffered  from  that  cause. 

The  plant  is  sufficiently  bard'y  to  resist  any  weather  occurring  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  when  seasoned  for  one  year. 

The  plant  has  grown  thrifty  since  April,  and  the  quantity  of  foliage, 
buds  and  blossoms,  show  that  the  root  has  taken  strong  hold,  and-  is' 
now  fully  equal  to  produce  its  fruit  next  autumn,  which  always  follows 
the  year  after  the  blossoms.  I  have  a  variety  of  both  black  and 
green  tea-plants.  The  buds  and  blossoms  of  the  latter  did  not  aps 
pear  until  a  fortnight  after  the  black?  tea-plant.  But  the  blossoms 
were  larger  when  they  did  appear  in  September,  October,  November, 
and  December.  From  present  appearances,  I  think  the  blossoms  of 
some  of  the  late  plants  will  continue  to  unfold  until  spring.  It  is  not 
an  unusual  thing  for  the  blossoms  and  the  fruit  to  appear  at  the  same 
t'rme  upon-  the  same  plant.  In  this  particular  it  differs  from  any 
plant  I  have  seen.  As  my  chief  object,  at  present,  is  to  cultivate  and- 
increase  the  tea-nut,  it  will  be  a  year  or  two  perhaps  before  I  attempt 
to  convert  the  leaf  into  tea.  The  root  supports  the  leaf  and  fruit, 
and  the  leaf  the  root,  so  that  neither  can  be  spared  without  detri- 
ment. 

This  climate  appears  congenial  to  the  growth  of  the  plant,  and 
the  soil  is  so  diversified  in  this  mountainous  district  that  there  is  no- 
difficulty  in  selecting  that  best  adapted  to  seed  growing  plants,  ©4r 
that  designed  for  the  leaf  only.     Upon  the  plantation  purchased  thW 


256 

summer,  I  have  light  yellow,  dark-brown,  red  clay  subsoil,  of  a  fria- 
ble character,  with  a  surface  soil  sufficiently  sandy  to  answer  the 
demands  of  the  plant.  I  do  not  see  any  reason  to  doubt,  from  a  year's 
experience,  that  the  tea- plant  in  its  varieties  will  flourish  in  what  I 
heretofore  denominated  the  tea-growing  district  of  the  United  States, 
as  well  as  in  any  part  of  China. 

The  slowness  of  its  growth  requires  patience.  But  when  once  es-» 
iablished,  the  tea-nuts  will  supply  the  moans  of  extending  cultivation, 
and  the  duration  of  the  plant  for  twenty  5*ears  diminishes  the  ex- 
pense of  labor.  To  illustrate  the  hardihood  of  the  plant,  I  may  ob- 
serve, that  notwithstanding  the  zero  severity  of  February  frost  des- 
troyed the  leaves  and  branches  of  most  of  the  plants,  and  those  novv 
blooming  in  great  beauty  and  strength  are  from  roots  the  growth  of 
this  summer,  I  have  one  green  tea-plant  the  stem  and  branches  of 
which  withstood  the  frost  of  February  without  the  slightest  protection: 
and  is  now  a  splendid  plant,  covered  with  branches  and  ever-green 
leaves,  affording  undeniable  evidence  not  only  of  its  capability  of  re- 
sist ino-  frost,  but  of  its  adaption  to  just  such  a  degree  of  temperature. 

I  have  often  remarked  that  the  tea- plant  requires  for  its  perfection 
the  influence  of  two  separate  and  distinct  climates,  the  heat  of  sum- 
mer and  the  cold  of  winter.  The  thermometer  in  this  vicinity  during 
the  heat  of  summer  generally  ranges  from  74  at  6  o'clock  A.  M.  to 
82  at  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  only  one  day  during  the  summer  so  high  as  86. 

This  is  a  most  agreeable  temperature,  nights  always  cool,  which 
the  tea- plant  enjoys,  and  the  days  hot  and  fanned  with  the  mountain 
breeze. 

The  drought  I  found  the  most  difficult  point  to  contend  with,  ows 
jng  to  the  want  of  adequate  means  for  irrigation.  I  lost  20  or  30 
plants  through  this,  and  learned  that  no  tea  plantation  should  be  es- 
tablished without  irrigation.  After  two  or  three  years  there  will  be! 
little  necessity  for  it,  because  the  depth  of  the  roots  will  generally 
then  protect  the  plant. 

My  plantation  at  Golden  Grove  is  well  supplied  with  water,  or  I 
Should  not  have  purchased  it  at  any  price. 

It  is  the  first  and  most  important  point  to  secure  a  southern  Of 
western  aspect,  a  gentle  declivity  the  second,  salubrious  air  and  suit- 
able soil  the  third. 

Our  country  is  filled  with  natural  tea  plantations,  which  are  only 
waiting  the  hand  of  the  husbsndman  to  be  covered  with  this  luxuri- 
ant and  productive  plant. 

I  know  the  public  is  naturally  impatient  of  delay.  Like  corn,  it  is 
expected  that  the  tea-nuts  will  be  p'anted  in  the  spring,  and  the  crop 
gathered  in  the  autumn.  But  they  forget  that  the  tea-plant  does  not 
interfere  with  any  other  crop,  and  when  once  planted  it  does  not  soon 
require  a  renewal. 


257 

I  have  sometimes  felt  this  impatience  myself,  and  longed  for  a  cup 
of  tea  of  my  own  growing,  but  I  have  never  had  one.  As  a  husband- 
man, I  must  wait  some  time  longer,  and  let  patience  have  her  perfect 
work.  Your  obedient  servant, 

JUNIUS  SMITH. 
Golden  Grove  Tea  Plantation. 
Greenville,  S.  C.  December  11th,  1849. 

In  July,  1851,  Mr.  Smith  writes  to  the  New  York  Journal  of 
Commerce,  that  he  has  just  drank  for  the  first  time,  a  dish  of  tea 
of  his  own  raising. 

Mrs.  Smith,  (the  wife  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,)  died  in 
1836.  They  had  one  child,  a  daughter,  who  became  the  wife  of 
the  Rev.  Edward  Knight  Maddox,  a  graduate  of  Cambridge  and  a 
clergyman  of  the  church  of  England.  In  October,  1842,  Mr. 
Maddox  was  appointed  a  chaplain  to  the  army  in  India.  They 
sailed  for  Calcutta  with  a  little  son  about  two  months  old,  in 
November  of  the  same  year.  In  September,  1843,  he  was  appoint- 
ed chaplain  to  the  important  station  of  Mearut,  a  little  north  of 
Delhi,  and  about  seven  hundred  miles  east  of  Bombay.  Mrs. 
Maddox  has  since  died. 


33 


258 


PETER    DUEL    PORTER. 


General  PETER  B.  PORTER,  (son  of  Colonel  Joshua  Por- 
ter,) was  born  in  Salisbury  in  1773.,  and  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
lage in  1791,  in  the  class  with  the  Hon.  Lyman  Law,  of  New 
London,  and  the  Hon.  James  Gould,  LL.D.,  of  Litchfield.  Hav- 
ing completed  his  legal  "studies  with  Chief  Justice  Reeve  of  Litch- 
field, he,  in  company  with  his  brother,  the  late  Hon.  Augustus 
Porter,  emigrated  to  Western  New  York,  they  having  purchased 
large  tracts  of  land  in  that  then  wilderness.  The  country  around 
him  increased  rapidly  in  population  and  resources,  and  he  was 
called  early  to  the  performance  of  various  public  trusts.  Having 
passed,  step  by  step,  through  various  offices  of  minor  grade,  in 
1809  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  western  district  in  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  in  which  body  he  served  with  fidelity 
and  distinction  on  some  of  the  most  laborious  committees.  In  the 
summer  following,  he  was  chosen  by  the  legislature  of  New  York, 
in  conjunction  with  De  Witt  Clinton  and  Gouveneur  Morris,  a 
Commissioner  to  explore  the  route  from  Albany  to  Buffalo,  and 
report  upon  the  feasibility  of  uniting  the  waters  of  Lake  Erie  with 
those  of  the  Hudson.  The  Report  subsequently  presented  by 
these  Commissioners,  determined  jtjie  grand  question  of  commen- 
cing the  "Erie  Canal"  —  one  of  the  greatest  works  of  internal 
improvement  in  the  world. 

In  1811,  Mr.  Porter  was  agah>«  elected  to  Congress  for  another 
fall  term  of  two  years.     The  events  which  transpired  during  this 


259 

latter  period,  and  in  which  he  was  an  active  participant,  were 
among  the  most  important  in  our  history.  The  long  series  of 
alleged  indignities  to  our  countrymen  and  our  flag,  were  brought 
to  a  crisis  by  a  declaration  of  war  by  our  Government  against 
Great  Britain,  in  1812.  Mr.  Porter  was  among  the  earliest  and 
most  efficient  advocates  of  the  justice  and  policy  of  that  decla- 
ration. During  the  exciting  sessions  of  1811  and  1812,  he  was 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Relations.  In  the  latter 
part  of  November,  1811,  he  reported  a  set  of  resolutions,  authori- 
zing immediate  and  active  preparations  for  war  ;  and  on  the  11th 
of  December  following,  justified  their  propriety  and  necessity  by  a 
speech  of  great  ability,  firm  and  energetic  in  its  tone,  yet  temperate 
and  judicious,  Soon  after  the  war,  he  was  elected  Secretary  of 
State  for  New  York  ;  and  was  also  appointed  by  President  Madi- 
son, one  of  the  Commissioners  to  run  the  boundary  line  between 
the  United  States  and  the  British  possessions. 

In  1818,  he  was  transferred  from  the  national  councils  to  the 
field — having  been  appointed  Major  General  and  Chief  in  com- 
mand of  the  New  York  state  troops.  From  that  time  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  General  Poter  was  in  active  service,  and  distin- 
guished himself  in  several  engagements  on  the  northern  frontier. 
It  is  a  fact  not  generally  known,  that  in  1815  he  received  from 
President  Madison  the-  appointment  of  Commander-in-chief  of  the 
army  of  the  United  States  —  a  post  which  he  respectfully  decli- 
ned. The  letter  tendering  to  him  that  distinguished  station,  is 
still  in  the  hands  of  his  family  at  Niagara  Falls. 

At  the  termination  of  that  unhappy  conflict,  in  1815,  General 
Porter  was  once  more  elected  to  Congress.  At  the  close  of  that 
term,  he  declined  a  re-election,  ancl  retired  to  his  seat  at  Niagara, 
intending  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days  in  the  quiet  of  domes- 
tic enjoyment.  He  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  great  men  of  the 
nation,  and  the  annual  throng  of  visitors  to  the  Falls,  were  wont  to 
pay  him  respectful  homage  and  share  in  his  cheerful  hospitality. 
For  his  services  in  the  war,  the  legislature  of  New  York  voted  him 


260 

an  elegant  and  costly  sword,  with  appropriate  devices  and  inscrip- 
tions commemorative  of  his  military  career. 

In  1828,  President  Adams  called  him  from  his  retirement, 
having  appointed  him  to  an  important  post  in  his  cabinet,  that  of 
Secretary  of  War.  lie  repaired  at  once  to  the  seat  of  govern- 
ment, and  entered  upon  the  arduous  duties  of  the  office,  and  con- 
tinued to  discharge  them  with  extraordinary  industry  and  fidelity, 
until  the  inauguration  of  President  Jackson  ;  when,  presuming  that 
his  place  would  be  wanted  by  some  friend  of  the  new  administra- 
tion, he  sent  in  his  resignation.  The  famous  John  H.  Eaton  suc- 
ceeded him,  who  was  soon  succeeded  by  General  Lewis  Cass  of 
Michigan. 

The  wife  of  General  Porter  was  Leticia  Breckenridge,  of  Ken- 
tucky, a  sister  of  the  Rev.  Robert  J.  Breckenridge,  D.  D.  a  dis- 
tinguished clergyman  of  that  state.  She  died  at  Black  Rock,  N. 
Y.  iii  August,  1831,  leaving  a  son  and  daughter.  General  Porter 
died  at  Niagara  Falls,  March  20,  1844,  aged  71  years. 


'■&r 


261 


NATHANIEL    W .    TAYLOR,    D.    0, 


The  Rev.  Nathaniel  Taylor,  the  second  minister  in  New  Mil- 
ford,  was  settled  over  the  Congregational  church  in  that  town,  in 
June,  1T48,  and  continued  his  pastoral  duties  there  until  his  death, 
in  December,  1800  —  over  fifty  two  years.  His  wife  was  Tamer, 
daughter  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Boardman,  his  predecessor  in  the  pas- 
toral office.  His  sons  were  1,  John  B.  died  in  infancy  ;  2,  Nathan- 
iel ;  3,  General  Augustine,  graduated  at  Yale  College,  was  an 
officer  in  the  Revolution,  and  died  in  Sharon  in  1816  ;  4,  Colonel 
William  Taylor,  graduated  at  Yale  College,  died  in  New  Milford, 
in  1841. 

Nathaniel  Taylor,  Esq.  (son  of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Taylor,) 
Avas  born  in  New  Milford  in  1T53  ;  married  Anna  Northrop  ;  he 
died  in  1818.  Their  children  were,  1,  Laura,  died  in  childhood  ; 
2,  John,  died  in  1837,  aged  60  ;  3,  Charlotte,  married  the  Hon. 
David  S.  Boardman  of  New  Milford,  and  died  in  1846  ;  4,  Nathan- 
iel W.  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

The  Rev.  NATHANIEL  W.  TAYLOR,  D.  D.  was  born  in 
New  Milford,  June  23d,  1786,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in 
1807,  in  the  class  with  the  Hon.  John  P.  Cushman,  M.  C,  Thomas 
L.  Grimke,  LL.  D.,  Jacob  Sutherland,  LL.  D.,  Rev.  Samuel 
R.  Andrew,  and  other  distinguished  men.  Having  completed  a 
regular  course  of  theological  study,  he  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor  of  the  First  Congregational  Church  and  Society  in  New 
Haven,  April  8,  1812.     In  this  relation  he  continued  the  prompt 


Zo2 

discharge  of  his  ministerial  duties,  for  a  period  of  ten  years  — 
during  which  time  he  established  for  himself  the  reputation  of 
being  one  of  the  ablest  and  soundest  divines  in  New  England;  and 
what  is  still  more  to  his  praise  as  a  faithful  ambassador  of  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Church,  he  became  the  instrument  of  everlasting  good 
to  very  many  who  sat  under  his  preaching. 

In  November,  1823,  Dr.  Taylor  was  appointed  to  and  accepted 
the  important  post  of  "  Dwight  Professor  of  Didactic  Theology" 
in  Yale  College  —  a  position  which  he  still  occupies  with  distin- 
guished ability.  He  has  long  occupied  a  prominent  position  in  the 
religious  world ;  being  regarded  as  the  official  exponent  of  the 
system  of  theology  taught  in  one  of  the  largest  and  most  important 
theological  seminaries  in  the  United  States.  But  aside  from  his 
peculiar  position,  his  sermons  and  lectures,  published  and  unpub- 
lished, have  attracted  very  general  attention  from  their  own  intrin- 
sic merits  —  the  soundness  of  their  philosophy,  the  loftiness  and 
dignity  of  their  language,  and  the  depth  and  fervency  of  piety 
which  they  exhibit. 

While  in  the  pastoral  office,  Dr.  Taylor  was  married  to  Miss 
Rebecca  Hine,  daughter  of  Major  Beebe  Hine,  then  of  New  Mil- 
ford,  but  now  a  resident  of  New  Haven.  His  only  son,  Nathaniel, 
graduated  at  Yale  College  in  18d4,  and  is  now  a  practicing  physi- 
cian in  New  Haven. 


263 


JOSEPH    I.    FOOTE,    D.    D. 


Rev.  JOSEPH  I.  FOOTE  was  born  in  Watertown,  November 
7,  1796.  We  have  no  information  of  his  early  life  and  education, 
until  be  graduated  at  Union  College,  N.  Y.  in  1821.  He  fitted 
himself  for  the  Christian  Ministry  at  the  Theological  Seminary  at 
Andover,  Mass.,  where  he  spent  three  years.  In  1826,  on  the 
26th  of  October,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
Church  and  Society  in  West  Brookfield,  Mass.  in  which  relation 
he  resided  there  until  May  1,  1832.  In  the  year  following  he 
was  called  to  the  charge  of  the  church  in  Salina,  N.  Y.  where  he 
resided  until  1835,  when  he  removed  to  Courtland  in  the  same 
state,  where  he  continued  to  labor  in  the  ministry  until  1837.  In 
1839  he  removed  to  Knoxville,  East  Tennessee,  to  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  church  in  that  place.  Here  his  reputation  as  a 
scholar  and  divine  arrested  the  attention  of  the  corporation  of 
Washington  College,  in  that  section  of  the  state,  who  conferred 
upon  him  the  degree  of  D.  D.  and  tendered  him  early  in  1840, 
the  presidency  of  that  Institution.  This  College  was  the  first  incor- 
porated west  of  the  Alleganies.  It  dates  back  to  1794,  and 
within  its  walls  were  educated  many  of  the  most  distinguished 
professional  men  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States.  Dr.  Foote, 
after  consulting  the  advice  of  his  friends,  accepted  the  presidency, 
and  on  the  9th  of  April,  1840,  left  Knoxville  on  a  visit  to  the  seat 
of  the  College  in  Washington  county.  On  his  way,  he  preached 
on  the  Sabbath,  April  13,  at  Rogersville,  from  a  part  of  the  apos- 


264 

folic  benediction  —  "The  communion  of  the  Holy  Ghost  be  with 
you  all" — unci  on  the  following  Sunday,  at  New  Providence, 
from  another  part  —  "The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be 
with  you  all."  These  labors  were  his  last,  and  seem  prophetic  of 
his  end.  On  the  20th,  as  he  was  continuing  his  journey,  he  was 
thrown  from  his  horse  near  Leesburg,  and  received  such  injmy 
that  he  expired  on  the  following  day,  twenty  hours  after  his  Ml — 
the  day  preceding  that  on  which  he  was  to  be  inaugurated  Presi- 
dent of  the  College,  and  enter  on  anew  and  wide  career  of  useful- 
ness. 

The  following  summary  of  Dr.  Foote's  character  is  taken  from  a 
Biographical  Sketch  of  him,  published  soon  after  his  death. 

"  By  this  mysterious  and  afflictive  dispensation  of  Providence, 
the  church  of  Christ  has  lost  a  bright  and  shining  light  —  the 
cause  of  literature  and  science,  an  illustrious  and  efficient  advo- 
cate and  patron  —  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  their 
pride  and  ornament  —  and  a  fond  and  devoted  wife,  a  kind  and 
affectionate  guide  and  protector. 

"  As  a  faithful,  zealous,  and  evangelical  preacher,  Dr.  Foote 
had  few  equals,  and  perhaps  no  superiors.  As  a  theologian,  he 
was  thoroughly  conversant  with  the  various  systems  of  faith  embra- 
ced by  the  different  denominations  of  the  Christian  church.  As  a 
controvertist,  he  made  no  compromise  with  essential  error,  either 
in  the  doctrines  or  order  of  the  church  ;  but  with  that  boldness 
and  intrepidity  which  characterized  the  Fathers  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, he  combatted  whatever  he  believed  to  conflict  with  the  plain 
canons  of  Scripture,  or  to  stand  in  opposition  to  the  advancement 
of  a  pure,  practical,  and  evangelical  religion.  As  a  scholar  and 
writer,  he  stood  pre-eminently  high ;  and  the  frequent  contribu- 
tions of  his  pen  to  the  New  York  Literary  and  Theological 
Review,  and  other  periodicals  of  equal  celebrity,  have  placed  him 
on  an  eminence  in  polemic  and  didactic  theology,  to  which  but  fe 
can,  with  confidence,  aspire.  In  his  intercourse  with  the  world 
he  was  frank  and  undisguised — an  instructive  and  sociable  com- 


w 


265 

panion —  a  candid,  sincere,  unaffected  and  sympathizing  friend; 
and  in  his  domestic  circle,  a  very  pattern  of  tenderness  and  affec- 
tion." 

The  address  which  Dr.  Foote  had  prepared  to  deliver  on  the 
occasion  of  his  inauguration  was  published  immediately  after  his 
death.  In  this  address  he  advocates  the  claims  of  the  College  in 
a  very  able  manner.  The  following  extract  shows  his  sympathy 
with  the  poor,  to  whose  doors  he  would  carry  the  means  of  the 
highest  intellectual  improvement. 

"  A  prominent  motive  in  extending  the  operations  of  the  Col- 
lege, is  the  education  of  the  poor.  I  use  not  this  term  in  reproach. 
Who,  almost  in  the  whole  circle  of  distinguished  schools,  has  not 
been  indigent  ?  If  from  the  lists  of  those  who  have  been  distin- 
guished officers  in  Colleges,  or  pre-eminent  in  the  profession  of 
Law,  Medicine  or  Divinity,  or  celebrated  for  their  attainments  in 
science  —  if  from  these  lists  we  were  to  strike  out  the  names 
of  those  who  were  originally  indigent,  how  small  then  would  be 
the  remainder  ?  Nor  is  this  scarcely  less  true  of  the  many  who 
have  risen  to  the  principal  places  of  honor  in  the  several  states, 
and  even  in  the  nation  itself. 

"  There  is  a  disposition  in  the  community  to  compound  indigence 
with  ignominy,  and  to  treat  the  poor  as  if  they  were  criminal ;  no 
other  tendency  is  so  injurious  to  the  general  elevation  of  society 
or  to  our  republican  institutions.  It  is,  indeed,  an  affecting  fact, 
that  scarcely  a  son  of  the  indolent,  the  worthless  and  the  immoral 
has  ever  risen  to  eminence  in  our  country.  The  habitations  of 
vileness  engrave  their  own  character  so  legibly  on  their  children, 
that  it  is  rarely,  or  never,  obliterated.  By  far  the  greater  portion 
of  those,  who  in  our  country  have  been  denominated  poor,  are 
entirely  competent  to  sustain  their  families  at  home.  They  are 
honest.  Their  morals  are  without  a  stain.  They  are  beloved  by 
all  their  neighbors.  Their  children  are  trained  in  every  virtue. 
They  are  the  joy  of  their  parents  and  the  delight  of  their  wealthy 
neighbors.  If  instead  of  undertaking  to  procure  an  education  in 
34 


266 

the  liberal  arts  and  sciences,  they  were  to  apply  themselves  to  agri- 
culture, to  merchandize,  or  to  any  ordinary  employment,  it  is 
unquestionable,  that  competence  and  perhaps  wealth  would  soon 
smile  around  them.  But  if  instead  of  limiting  their  circle  of  use- 
fulness by  these  boundaries,  their  minds  contemplate  a  wider  range 
of  operation  ;  if  instead  of  growing  up  with  the  rapidity  of  the  pop- 
lar, they  endeavor  to  acquire  the  solidity  and  the  expansion  of  the 
oak ;  if  their  hearts  are  fixed  on  being  widely  and  permanently 
useful  to  the  human  race,  such  aspirations  in  the  youthful  bosoms, 
ought  to  he  hailed  by  the  community.  Facilities  ought  to  be  pro- 
vided for  the  development  of  such  desires  and  faculties.  With 
steady  and  persevering  industry,  these  minds  will  soon  shine  with 
a  lustre,  equal  to  that  of  a  prince  in  his  court,  or  the  sons  of  the 
rich  in  their  palaces. 

"  They  will,  indeed,  outshine  all  those  whose  industry  is  not  of 
the  most  stern  and  enduring  kind.  Time  would  fail  me  to  recount 
by  name  the  distinguished  men  who,  from  an  honorable  poverty  in 
childhood,  have  risen  by  persevering  industry  and  economy  to  the 
very  summit  of  literary  and  professional  excellence.  Excluded 
from  participating  in  the  commercial  affairs  of  the  country,  the 
commodities  of  the  agriculturist  cannot  be  made  to  yield  him  those 
pecuniary  returns  which  reward  the  husbandmen  of  other  regions. 
Hence,  many  whose  home  is  blessed  with  abundance,  can  procure 
but  limited  means  to  sustain  themselves  or  their  children  abroad. 
For  such  individuals,  this  institution  has  always  been  an  asylum  ; 
and  while  she  has  educated  her  full  share  of  the  rich  and  the  hon- 
orable, she  has  always  been  the  patron  of  the  honest  and  the  obscure. 
In  this  she  will  persevere.  It  is  undeniable,  that  greater  facilities 
than  any  now  enjoyed  in  these  regions  for  acquiring  an  education, 
can  here  be  offered  at  a  comparatively  small  expense.  The  door 
will  always  be  opened  for  the  admission  of  the  moral,  industrious 
and  persevering  sons  of  the  community  to  enter.  Equally  with 
the  heirs  of  the  opulent,  will  it  be  our  delight  to  train  those  who 
cannot  otherwise  be  prepared  for  extensive  usefulness.     In  this 


267 

country,  neither  honor  nor  office  is  hereditary.  Every  boy  is  born 
a  candidate  for  the  Presidency  of  the  United  States.  Thus  the 
sons  of  the  rich  and  the  poor  are  equally  permitted  to  run.  '  But 
one  receiveth  the  prize  ;'  the  son  of  an  obscure  minister  of  the  gos- 
pel, or  of  a  laborer  in  bricks  and  mortar,  or  of  a  lonely  widow,  is 
as  likely  as  any  other  one  to  sit  in  Washington's  seat  and  adminis- 
ter the  government  of  his  country." 

During  his  connection  with  the  church  at  West  Brookfield, 
Dr.  Foote  prepared  and  delivered  "  An  Historical  Discourse''  on 
the  occasion  of  the  annual  Thanksgiving,  November  27,  1828, 
which  was  published.  This  discourse  exhibits  much  patient 
research,  and  is  full  of  interesting  facts  relating  to  the  settlement 
and  early  history  of  Brookfield,  and  breathes  an  affectionate  and 
grateful  spirit  towards  the  fathers  of  the  town  and  of  New  England* 
It  concludes  with  impressing  on  the  present  generation  the  duty 
not  only  of  preserving  but  of  increasing  the  means  of  civil  and  reli- 
gious liberty  which  have  come  down  to  us  from  our  ancestors. 

"  A  review  of  the  dispensations  of  Providence  is  calculated  to 
impress  our  minds  with  the  importance  of  increasing,  as  well  as 
perpetuating  the  blessings  which  we  enjoy.  Had  not  our  ances- 
ters  acted  on  this  principle,  they  would  have  remained  in  subjec- 
tion to  an  oppressive  prelacy.  They  would  never  have  crossed  the 
mighty  deep,  to  seek  an  asylum  in  the  Western  hemisphere. 
They  would  never  have  taken  up  their  abode  in  the  immense  wil* 
derness  of  America.  Had  those  who  first  arrived  in  this  place, 
been  content  with  a  bare  subsistence  and  with  the  few  privileges 
which  they  then  enjoyed,  the  forest  would  still  have  covered  these 
hills  and  plains.  These  fields  would  never  have  been  cultivated. 
These  dwellings  would  never  have  been  erected.  These  houses 
for  the  instruction  of  children  and  youth  would  never  have  been 
reared.  These  cheerful  villages  would  not  have  risen.  These 
temples  for  the  worship  of  Jehovah  would  never  have  been  built. 
It  was  care  for  those  who  should  come  after  them,  that  chiefly 
influenced  our  ancestors  to  cultivate  the  soil,  and  to  lay  deep  and 


268 

broad  the  foundations  of  literary  and  ecclesiastical  institutions.  It 
was  the  regard  of  each  succeeding  generation  for  the  welfare  of 
posterity,  that  has  caused  these  blessings  to  accumulate  in  their 
descent  to  us.  And  shall  we  be  content  to  hand  down  to  the  next 
generation  only  the  inheritance  which  was  left  us  by  our  fathers  ? 
Is  it  enough  that  we  preserve  the  rights  and  privileges  which  we 
have  received  ?  Shall  the  stream  of  civil  and  religious  blessings, 
which  in  passing  each  generation  became  broader  and  deeper, 
receive  no  tributaries  from  us  ?  Can  we  do  nothing  to  advance  to 
that  state  of  perfection  at  which  it  is  destined  eventually  to  arrive 
'  when  nation  shall  no  more  lift  up  sword  against  nation,'  and  when 
there  shall  be  nothing  to  molest  or  intimidate  throughout  the  wide 
extent  of  God's  earthly  dominions?  Shall  the  wheel  of  civil  and 
intellectual  and  moral  improvement,  which  during  two  centuries 
has  been  increasing  its  rapidity,  instead  of  receiving  additional 
impulse,  be  retarded  in  our  generation?  0  let  gratitude  for  the 
blessings  which  we  inherit,  impel  us  to  make  efforts  for  the  good  of 
those  who  shall  come  after  us.  Let  us  endeavor  to  leave  some 
memorials  of  our  regard  for  future  ages ;  and  when  our  bodies  shall 
have  mingled  with  the  dust,  and  our  very  names  been  forgotten, 
may  those  '  who  arise  and  declare'  the  '  mighty  acts  of  the  Lord,' 
find  amongst  their  occasions  of  thankfulness,  that  their  blessings 
were  augmented  by  our  generation." 

A  volume  of  Dr.  Foote's  Sermons,  edited  by  his  brother,  the 
Rev.  George  Foote,  was  published  after  his  decease,  and  have 
elicited  high  praise  from  some  of  the  most  eminent  theologians  of 
the  country. 


269 


WILLIAM    THOMPSON    BACON 


WILLIAM  THOMPSON  BACON  was  born  at  Woodbury,  in 
Litchfield  county,  on  the  24th  of  August,  1814.  At  the  age  of 
twelve  he  was  sent  to  the  "  Episcopal  Academy,"  at  Cheshire,  to 
be  fitted  for  college,  but,  after  two  years,  determined  on  a  mercan- 
tile life,  and  became  a  clerk  in  the  city  of  New  York.  After 
three  years,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  established  himself  in 
business  in  New  Haven.  In  a  short  time,  however,  he  withdrew 
from  his  mercantile  connection,  and  devoted  himself  to  study. 
He  entered  Yale  College  in  1833,  where  he  was  regularly  gradu- 
ated in  1837,  and  was  appointed  by  his  class  to  deliver  the  Vale- 
dictory Poem,  at  the  time  of  the  leaving  the  Institution.  During 
the  following  autumn,  he  entered  the  Divinity  School  of  New 
Haven,  and,  after  the  usual  term  of  study,  was  licensed  as  a  min- 
ister in  the  Congregational  denomination.  On  leaving  that  insti- 
tution, he  was  married  to  a  daughter  of  Professor  Knight,  of  the 
Medical  Department  of  Yale  College,  and,  in  1842,  was  settled 
over  the  Congregational  church  and  society  in  the  town  of  Trum- 
bull, where  he  remained  until  1845,  when  ill  health  compelled  him 
to  ask  a  dismission.  He  subsequently  became  one  of  the  editors 
of  the  "  New  Englander"  a  quarterly  magazine  of  great  ability. 
He  was  also  for  a  few  years  the  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  New 
Haven  daily  and  weekly  "  Journal  and  Courier,"  which  he  con- 
ducted with  marked  ability  and  success.  He  is  now  engaged  in 
his  ministerial  labors  in  Kent,  in  his  native  county. 

Soon  after  leaving  college,  Mr.  Bacon  published  a  volume  of 


270 

Poems  from  a  Boston  press,  which,  in  1840,  passed  into  a  third 
edition,  revised  and  enlarged.  In  1848,  a  new  volume  of  Poems 
from  his  pen,  was  published  by  Mr.  Putnam  of  New  York,  con- 
taining two  hundred  and  seventy  five  pages.  His  lighter  Poems 
possess  much  simplicity  and  grace.  He  has  a  fine  perception  of 
natural  beauty,  and  his  graver  productions  are  pervaded  by  a  cur- 
rent of  deeply  reflective  moral  and  religious  sentiment. 
The  following  will  serve  as  specimens  of  his  Poems. 

ROME. 

The  Coliseum's  lonely  walls  still  tower, 

In  all  their  massy  strength,  to  greet  the  skies ; 

The  Caesars'  hundred  palaces  of  power 
In  undecayed  magnificence  still  rise ; 

And  towers,  and  tombs,  and  temples  desolate, 

Tell  of  the  solemn  grandeur  of  her  state. 

The  winding  walks  are  there,  which,  erst,  have  rung 
With  steel-shod  foot,  and  hoof,  and  clattering  car, 

When  hosts  met  hosts,  like  Waves  on  wild  waves  flung, 
And  Fury  sped  the  thunderbolt  of  war; 

And  there,  to  greet  the  traveller,  still  rise 

The  trophies  of  a  thousand  victories. 

Each  step  records  some  tokens  of  a  day, 

Whose  pomp  and  power  we  cannot  comprehend ; 

'Tis  grandeur  in  the  grandeur  of  decay, 

Where  ruin  mars  what  man  has  scorned  to  mend; 

And,  as  from  pile  to  pile  the  step  is  led, 

We  seem  amid  the  dwellings  of  the  dead. 

We  walk  amid  those  temples  tottering ; 

Each  foot-fall  starts  the  young  owl  from  her  rest ; 
Where  mantling  vines  round  mouldering  arches  cling, 

To  furnish  forth  the  bat  her  dusky  nest; 


271 

And  every  breeze  that  through  the  ruin  strays, 
Seems  like  the  ghost  of  Rome's  departed  days. 

Romans  and  Roman  matrons  wandered  here ; 

Here  blushed  the  cheek  as  its  sweet  beauty  spoken  ; 
Trembled  the  delicate  hand,  and  sparkled  clear 

The  bright  drop  in  the  eye,  at  Love's  fond  token ; 
And  children's  voices  woke  these  streets  all  day, 
And  echoed  the  light  laugh  of  maidens  gay. 

Tempest,  and  terror,  war,  and  flood,  and  fire, 

And  cruelty,  and  guilt,  and  avarice, 
These  have  been  here,  and  wreaked  their  vengeance  dire, 

On  pillared  fane,  and  smouldering  precipice; 
Yet  sits  she  still  amid  the  solemn  scene, 
Queen  of  the  hills!  ay,  "every  inch"  a  Queen. 

Rome's  greatness,  and  Rome's  grandeur  may  not  be 
The  greatness  and  the  grandeur  that  we  prize; 

Yet,  though  her  soul  was  chained,  her  mind  was  free ; 
And  power  was  there  which  men  cannot  despise; 

She  lifted  her  proud  arm,  each  flag  was  furled, 

And,  at  her  haughty  beck,  bowed  down  the  world. 

And  with  her,  though  a  tyrant  in  her  mood, 

Was  genius,  learning,  talent  consecrate; 
And  though  on  land  and  sea  her  track  was  blood, 

Yet  intellectual  greatness  marked  her  state  ; 
For  while  was  heard  the  trumpet's  deafening  clang, 
The  Forum  thundered  with  the  loud  harangue. 

Yet  we  walk  forth  upon  the  breast  of  earth, 
And  dare  to  speak  and  tell  how  great  we  are; 

Less  than  the  ancient  worthies  from  our  birth, 
We  talk  of  deeds  of  daring  —  thus  we  dare; 

It  is  as  if  the  young  and  timorous  dove 

Should  mate  itself  with  the  proud  bird  of  Jove  ! 


272 


"THE  LEAVES  ON  THE  BOUGH  STIRR'D." 

The  leaves  on  the  bough  stirr'd, 

Are  fading  and  falling, 
And  the  wind  and  the  wood-bird 

Are  mournfully  calling; 
And  music  around  us, 

Of  landscape  and  river, 
And  feelings  that  bound  us, 

Are  passing  for  ever. 

The  mists  of  the  mountain, 

With  morning  upspringing, 
The  chime  of  the  fountain, 

Its  melody  ringing  ; 
The  foam  where  the  river  burst 

Up  to  the  day, 
And  all  by  the  sweet  stream  nurs'd, 

Passing  away. 

So  hearts  we  have  cherish'd, 

When  life  was  before  us, 
Are  grown  cold  or  perish'd, 

As  years  have  roll'd  o'er  us ; 
And  we  look  in  the  faces, 

Once  glowing  with  gladness, 
And  we  find  in  their  places, 

But  sorrow  and  sadness. 

0,  life!  it  is  tearful, 

We  're  all  of  us  sighing; 
The  moment  we  're  cheerful, 

That  moment  we  're  dying; 
And  all  we  have  tasted, 

And  all  we  have  spoken, 
Are  hopes  —  that  are  wasted, 

And  hearts  —  that  are  broken. 


-27S 


FREDERICK    WHITTLESEY. 


FREDERICK  WHITTLESEY  was  bom  in  Washington, 
(New  Preston  Society,)  on  the  12th  of  June,  1799.  His  fa- 
ther, David  Whittlesey,  Esq.,  still  survives;  his  mother  was 
Martha  Pomeroy,  a  daughter  of  Quartus  Pomeroy,  of  North- 
ampton, Mass.  When  about  ten  years  of  age,  Frederick  com- 
menced a  course  of  studies  preparatory  to  entering  college — 
first  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Backus  of  Bethlem,  and  subsequently 
under  the  tuition  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  Whittlesey*  then  pastor 
of  a  church  in  New  Preston.  From  thence  he  went  to  the 
Academy  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Parker,  in  Sharon,  Ellsworth  So- 
ciety, where  he  completed  his  preparatory  studies. 

In  the  autumn  of  1814,  he  entered  the  Freshman  Class  of 
Yale  College,  and  graduated  in  1818.  Soon  after,  he  entered 
as  a  law  student  in  the  office  of  Bleeker  &  Sedgwick,  in  Alba- 
ny, N.  Y.,  and  after  remaining  there  about  nine  months,  he 
became  a  member  of  the  Litchfield  Law  School.  At  the  end 
of  one  year,  lie  took  up  his  abode  with  his  kinsman,  Robert 
Campbell,  Esq.,  of  Cooperstown,  N,  Y.,  with  whom  he  fin- 
ished his  legal  education,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the 
Slate  of  New  York,  at  Utica,  in  October  1821.  During  the 
whole  course  of  his  professional  studies,  he  was  distinguished 
for  his  application,  and  prontted  by  the  advantages  allowed 
him.  He  was  not  only  well  qualified  for  the  bar,  but  in  the 
mean  time  he  had  reviewed  the  classics,  devoted  much  time 
to  general  literature,  and  had  to  a  considerable  extent  practiced 
in  the  art  of  composition. 


214 

After  his  admissidh  to  the  bar,  Mr.  Whittlesey  spent  about 
three  months  at  his  father's  house  in  Connecticut,  revolving  in 
his  mind  where  he  should  commence  business.  Remember- 
ing the  pleasant  associations  connected  with  Cooperstown,  he 
finally  returned  to  that  village,  opened  an  office,  and  remain- 
ed there  about  nine  months.  Not  meeting  with  a  success  ade- 
quate to  his  wants  and  wishes,  he  became  somewhat  uneasy. 
He  finally  packed  up  his  books,  made  his  way  to  the  Erie  Ca- 
nal, placed  himself,  trunks  and  boxes,  on  board  a  boat,  and  pro- 
ceeded westward  in  search  of  some  indefinite  place  of  residence 
which  should  afford  a  prospect  of  subsistence.  He  had  a  vague 
idea  of  ultimately  reaching  Detroit — but  there  was  no  definite 
purpose  in  his  mind,  except  to  go  somewhere  and  settle  down. 
He  followed  the  Canal  as  far  as  Rochester,  where  it  then  ter- 
minated. The  weather  was  bad — the  roads  were  muddy  be- 
yond precedent.  He  was  wearied  and  ill,  and  instead  of  pro- 
ceeding onward,  put  up  at  a  public  house.  Rochester  was  but 
a  small  village,  and  he  knew  not  a  soul  there.  While  tarrying 
in  this  place,  undecided  and  desponding,  he  made  some  ac- 
quaintances, who  suggested  it  as  a  favorable  point  of  location. 
He  decided  to  remain  rather  than  encounter  the  miserable 
thoroughfares  which  lay  beyond — and  accordingly  opened  an 
effice,  November  1822.  From  that  moment,  he  looked  upon 
Rochester  as  his  home,  and  such  it  has  continued  to  be  un- 
til the  present  time. 

In  1824,  the  first  Bank  was  established  in  Rochester,  and  in 
some  of  the  disputes  growing  out  of  its  establisment,  Mr, 
Whittlesey  was  appointed  one  of  its  Attorneys.  During  the 
following  year,  he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  the  Court  of  Equity 
for  the  Eighth  Circuit  of  the  State  of  New  York — an  office 
which  he  held  until  1830,  when  the  Courts  were  differently 
arranged.  In  September  1825,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ann 
Hinsd-ile,  daughter  of  Bissell  Hinsdale,  Esq.,  of  Winsted^  in  his 
sative  county,  who  is  still  living. 


275 

In  1826,  the  abduction  of  William  Morgan  occurred,  on  ac- 
count of  his  alleged  revelation  of  the  secrets  of  Free  Masonry, 
The  nature  of  his  offence,  and  the  mystery  which  shrouded  his 
fate,  caused  great  excitement  in  the  community  in  which  the 
events  occurred.  At  a  public  meeting  held  in  Rochester  in 
relation  to  this  transaction,  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  chosen  one  of 
a  Committee  of  Investigation,  since  known  as  the  "Morgan 
Committee."  In  connection  with  others,  he  bestowed  much 
time  and  labor  in  investigating  the  circumstances  of  this  abduc- 
tion— in  endeavoring  to  unravel  the  dark  conspiracy — in  tra- 
cing out  his  mysterious  fate,  and  seeking  to  bring  the  perpe- 
trators of  a  great  social  crime  to  justice.  This  investigation 
almost  imperceptibly  ran  into  politics,  and  led  to  the  formation 
of  the  Anti-Masonic  Party,  of  which  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  an 
active  and  leading  member.  Previous  to  this  time  he  had  be- 
come one  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  a  political  newspa- 
per, in  which  his  talents  as  a  writer  had  become  favorably 
known  to  the  public.  In  1S26,  he  was  appointed  Commis 
er  of  Deeds  ;  and  during  the  following  year  he  was  appointed 
one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  village  of  Rochester,  and  subse- 
quently was  elected  Clerk  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  that 
village.  In  1829,  he  was  appointed  Treasurer  of  the  County 
of  Monroe,  and  held  the  office  for  two  years. 

Mr.  Whittlesey  was  elected  a  Representative  to  Congress 
in  1830,  from  the  district  composed  of  the  counties  of  Monroe 
and  Livingston  ;  and  was  re-elected  in  1832,  from  the  district 
composed  of  Monroe  county  alone.  Having  served  his  con- 
stituents in  this  capacity  for  four  years  with  distinguished  abil- 
ity and  general  acceptance,  his  congressional  career  termina- 
ated  on  the  4th  of  March,  1835.      ^ 

In  1839,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York  passed  a 
jaw  creating  the  office  of  Vice  Chancellor  of  the  Eighth  Judicial 
Circuit,  and  Mr.  Whittlesey  was  appointed  to  that  office  by  the 
Governor  and  Senate.     He  continued  to  discharge  the  duties 


27a 

q{  this  appointment  for  eight  years,  when  the  office  ceased  un- 
der the  provisions  of  the  new  Constitution;  In  1847,  he  was 
one  of  the  Whig  candidates  for  the  office  of  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Appeals,  a  new  Court  created  by  the  Constitution  then  re- 
cently adopted,  and  to  which  the  Judges  were  elected  by  the 
people.  Immediately  upon  ceasing  to  be  Vice  Chancellor,  he 
was  appointed  by  the  Governor  and  Senate,  a  Judge  of  the  old 
Supreme  Court,  which  was  to  continue  in  existence  until  July 
1848.  In  January  1850,  Judge  Whittlesey  was  appointed 
professor  of  Law  in  Genessee  College. 


277 


SAMUEL  SHEATHER PHELPS. 


SAMUEL  S.  PHELPS  was  born  at  Litchfield,  May  13th, 
1793.  His  father,  Captain  John  Phelps,  was  a  wealthy  and 
respectable  farmer  in  Litchfield,  and  a  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 
tion. Soon  after  the  war  broke  out,  he  enlisted  into  a  com- 
pany of  cavalry  commanded  by  Captain  Moses  Seymour,  of 
the  same  town,  which  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Saratoga, 
and  rendered  other  valuable  services  in  the  struggle  for  Amer- 
ican Independence.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Edward  Phelps, 
who  was  a  Representative  to  the  General  Court  of  Connecti- 
cut in  1744  and  '45,  and  who  died  at  an  advanced  age,  on  the 
same  farm  where  he  had  spent  a  great  part  of  his  life,  and  to 
the  possession  of  which  his  son  succeeded.  John  Phelps  mar- 
ried Miss  Sheather,  of  Litchfield,  and  had  several  children,  most 
of  whom  still  reside  in  that  town.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  the  youngest  sou,  and  named  after  his  maternal  uncle* 
Samuel  Sheather. 

At  an  early  age,  Samuel  was  placed  under  the  care  of  the 
Rev.  Ammi  Robbins,  of  Norfolk — who  kept  a  family  school 
for  boys — where  he  pursued  the  preparatory  studies  required 
for  entering  college.  Judge  Phelps  still  occasionally  refers, 
with  great  apparent  pleasure,  to  the  days  he  spent  with  the 
good  Connecticut  pastor  who  laid  the  foundation  of  his  mental 
discipline— always  speaking  of  him  in  affectionate  terms,  and 
as  one  of  whom  he  has  ever  retained  a  reverent  and  kindly  re- 
membrance. 

In  September,  1807.  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  he  entered  Yale 
College,  where  he  was  duly  graduated,  and  with  credit  to  him- 


2*78 
self,  though  considerably  younger  than  most  of  his  class — among 
the  number  of  whom  were   the  Hon.  John  M.  Clayton,  late 
Secretary  of  State,  and  the  Hon.  Roger  S.  Baldwin,  formerly 
Governor  of  Connecticut,  and  United  States  Senator. 

The  winter  ensuing  was  spent  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School, 
where  he  attended  the  lectures  of  Judges  Reeve  and  Gould. 
In  the  following  spring  he  removed  to  Vermont,  and  took  up  his 
residence  at  Middlebury — a  town  which  had  been  settled 
chiefly  by  emigrants  from  Connecticut,  and,  in  a  great  propor- 
tion, from  Litchfield  county.  He  there  continued  his  legal 
studies  in  the  office  of  the  Hon.  Horatio  Seymour,  since  a  Sen- 
ator in  Congress  from  Vermont.  At  that  time,  (1812,)  party 
spirit  ran  high  ;  in  New  England,  and  in  the  particular  region 
where  he  lived,  the  Federal,  Anti-War  party  was  strongly  in 
the  ascendant.  Notwithstanding  this,  however,  he  was  a  de- 
cided Democrat  and  a  warm  supporter  of  the  Administration. 
Soon  after  hostilities  commenced,  he  was  dratted  as  one  of  the 
100,000  men  who  were  to  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  and 
during  the  summer  was  ordered  to  the  Canadian  frontier.  He 
continued  in  the  ranks  at  Burlington  and  Plattsburgh  until  au- 
tumn, when  he  received  from  President  Madison  ihe  appoint- 
ment of  Paymaster  in  the  United  States'  service.  In  that  ca- 
pacity he  remained,  until  the  object  of  his  appointment  was 
accomplished. 

Returning  to  Middlebury,  he  resumed  his  law  studies,  and 
was  admitted,  in  December,  1814,  to  practice  in  the  Superior 
Courts,  and,  three  years  after,  in  the  Supreme  Court.  Here 
he  continued  in  an  extensive  and  successful  practice  for  the 
next  seventeen  years,  and  until  called  upon  to  give  up  these 
duties,  to  fill  high  and  responsible  public  stations.  Previous 
to  the  termination  of  this  period,  he  was  elected  (in  1827)  one 
of  the  Council  of  Sensors.  The  address  to  the  people,  put 
forth  by  this  Council,  was  written  by  Mr,  Phelps. 

One  peculiar  feature  in  the  Constitution  of  Vermont,  at  that 


2^0 
peiiod,  was  the  vesting  of  the  principal  legislative  power  in  one 
body  of  men,  ealled  the  House  of  Representatives — subject, 
however,  to  the  approval  and  consent  of  the  Governor  and 
Council,  The  latter  body  consisted  of  one  member  from  each 
county  in  the  state,  elected  by  general  ticket.  In  1821,  Mr. 
Phelps  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Legislative  Council,  and 
during  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  that  year,  he  was  ap- 
pointed a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court.  This  office  he  held 
by  successive  elections  until  1838. 

In  the  autumn  of  1838,  Judge  Phelps  was  elected  to  the  Sen- 
ate of  the  United  States,  and  at  the  close  of  his  term  of  six 
years,  was  re-elected  to  the  same  office  in  1844. 

The  military  appointments  held  by  Senator  Phelps,  we  may 
add,  have  been,  Paymaster  in  the  governmental  service,  Aid  to 
Gov.  Galusha,  adjutant  of  a  regiment,  captain  of  a  volunteer 
company  of  riflemen,  and  colonel  of  a  regiment.  The  office 
of  brigadier-general  he  declined  in  favor  of  a  friend  who  stood 
next  in  the  line  of  promotion. 

The  high  reputation  which  Judge  Phelps  enjoyed,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Supreme  Bench,  would  undoubtedly  (notwithstand- 
ing the  too  frequent  change  of  judicial  officers  in  his  State)  have 
retained  him  in  that  capacity  for  many  years  beyond  the  time 
of  his  resignation,  to  enter  the  Senate,  but  for  that  event.  Nc* 
decisions  of  the  Vermont  Bench  are  more  highly  valued  than 
his,  as  contained  in  the  Reports  from  1831  to  1838.  None  are 
more  marked  by  clearness  and  force  of  language,  as  well  as  by 
a  deep  and  thorough  scrutiny  of  the  whole  case,  in  all  its  bear- 
ings, that  exhausts  the  subject,  and  leaves  scarcely  room  for  a 
cavil.  The  confidence  of  the  people  at  large  in  his  integrity 
and  ability  in  this  capacity  has  been  rarely  equalled,  and  their 
admiration  of  his  judicial  character*and  talents  cannot  be  ex- 
pressed in  exaggerated  terms.  As  an  advocate,  his  reputation 
is  not  confined  to  his  own  State,  or  to  New  England.  His  ar- 
guments before  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United   States,  at 


280 
Washington,  have  made  him  very  generally  known  as  one 
who  has  few  superiors  as  a  cogent  and  powerful  reasoner — one 
who,  at  a  glance,  can  look  through  the  merits  and  bearings  of 
a  case,  and  leave  no  strong  point  for  his  client  unoccupied,  and 
no  assailable  point  in  the  positions  of  his  adversary  unattacked. 
We  deem  it  no  impropriely  to  mention  here  the  remark  of  one 
highly  distinguished,  both  as  advocate,  orator  and  statesman, 
after  arguing  a  complicated  and  important  case  before  the  Su- 
preme Court,  in  which  Judge  Phelps  was  his  opponent :  "  I 
would  rather,"  said  he,  "  have  met  any  other  lawyer  from  New 
England.  Judge  Phelps  has  no  superior  there  or  in  the  coun- 
try." 

In  the  Senate,  he  has  been  known  as  a  useful  and  influen- 
tial, rather  than  as  a  noisy  member ;  a  man  of  sound  practical 
judgment,  and  acting  fearlessly  up  to  his  convictions  of  right ; 
cautious  and  conservative,  yet  not  to  such  an  extreme  but  that 
he  can  recognize  and  cheerfully  adopt  every  real  and  positive 
improvement ;  true  to  the  Constitution  he  has  sworn  to  sup- 
port, and  to  the  Union  ;  and  commending  himself,  by  his  cour- 
tesy and  candor,  to  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  parties.  He 
seldom  speaks,  unless  some  important  question  is  pending,  and 
unless,  on  that  question,  he  has  some  well-considered  opinions. 
His  quiet  and  industrious  labors  in  the  committee-room — and 
especially  as  a  member  of  the  committee  on  Claims,  and  of  the 
committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  in  one  or  both  of  which  capacities 
he  has  rendered  efficient  service  for  several  jears-  have  been 
highly  appreciated  by  his  associates  at  Washington,  and  have 
not  been  valueless  to  the  country. 

Several  able  speeches  have  been  delivered  by  him  in  the 
Senate,  two  of  which,  in  particular,  attracted  much  attention 
in  all  parts  of  the  Union,  ^Ve  allude  to  his  speech  on  the  bill 
(known  as  Clayton's  Compromise,)  reported  by  a  select  com- 
mittee of  the  Senate,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  in  the  summer 
of  1848  ;  and  to  that  on  the  Vermont  auti  slavery  resolutions, 


'281 
'Oil  the  Vermont  Anti-Slavery  Resolutions,  during  the  spring 
of  1850.  From  the  well  known  anti-slavery  sentiment  of  the 
people  of  Vermont,  and  the  course  of  northern  Senators  gen- 
erally, he  was  placed  in  a  difficult  position  by  his  support  of 
what  was,  for  the  moment,  almost  universally  denounced  at 
the  North.  Yet  he  never  wavered  from  his  convictions  of  duty 
in  obedience  to  popular  clamor  ;  and,  whether  light  or  wrong 
in  his  positions,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of  subsequently  see- 
ing his  course  generally  approved  by  his  constituency.  His 
speech  on  the  Anti-Slavery  Resolutions  of  his  State,  secured 
for  him  at  once  a  high  position  as  an  orator  and  statesman, 
and  was  received  with  admiration  by  the  Senate  and  the  coun- 
try; It  was  copied  entire  into  newspapers  in  various  parts  of 
the  Union — especially  at  the  North  and  West. 

Senator  Phelps  was  appointed  on  the  Select  Committee  of 
Thirteen,  to  whom  were  referred  various  matters  pertaining 
to  Slavery,  With  instructions  to  report  some  suitable  plan  for 
the  adjustment  of  existing  difficulties.  Reluctantly  he  con- 
sented to  act  on  that  Committee,  and  from  their  report,  sub- 
sequently drawn  up  and  piesented  by  Mr.  Clay,  he  very  pro* 
perly  dissented. 

Senator  Phelps  was  one  of  the  distinguished  guests  on  board 
the  U.  S.  Frigate  "  Princeton,"  at  the  time  of  the  memorable 
explosion  of  the  mammoth  gun,  which  killed  several  members 
of  President  Tyler's  Cabinet  and  other  prominent  gentlemen.* 

*  The  following  letter  from  Senator  Phelps  to  a  gentleman  in  Boston, 
was  published  soon  after  the  occurrence  of  the  terrible  catastrophe — 

Washington,  March  3d,  1844. 

My  Dear  Sir — Yoar  kind  letter  of  yesterday  came  to  hand  this  evening. 
My  escape  from  death  by  the  tremendousx>ccurrence  on  board  the  Princes- 
ton,  was  narrower  than  you  or  the  public  are  aware.  I  stood  at  ihe  breach 
of  the  gun,  and  I  suppose  nearer  to  it  than  any  man  except  those  employed 
in  discharging  it.  I  had  with  rae  a  young  lady  from  Maryland,  (Miss 
Somerville,)  whom  I  had  just  introduced  to  Colonel  Benton,  and  who 
was  the  only  lady  on  board  exposed.  The  Colonel  and  I  were  both  pros, 
trated,  and  he  is  on  his  back  still.  My  hat  disappeared,  and  I  have  made 
no  inquiry  for  it.  The  young  lady's  bonnet  went  with  it.  Her  dress  was 
torn.     My  surtout  was  lorn  open,  and  my  pantaloons  demolished-     Her 


282 
He  himself  narrowly  escaped  death — but,  through  the  inter 
vention  of  a  merciful  Providence,  he  still  lives. 

He  was  appointed  to  deliver  the  annual  address  before  the 
American  Institute  in  October  1850,  but  in  consequence  of 
the  protracted  session  of  Congress,  he  was  unable  to  fulfil  the 
appointment.  On  the  4th  of  March,  1851,  after  being  twelve 
years  in  the  Senate,  he  retired  to  private  life,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded in  that  body  by  the  Hon.  Solomon  Foote. 

face  was  scorched,  and  the  poor  girl  stood  like  a  statue,  unconscious.  I 
did  not  lose  my  consciousness  for  a  moment.  I  took  a  glance  at  the  scene 
caught  her  round  the  waste,  and  carried  her  below.  I  witnessed  a  scene 
there  which  I  shall  not  attempt  to  describe — it  was  one  of  agony,  frenzy. 
The  shrieks  of  an  hundred  females — wives,  daughters,  sisters — the  beauty, 
the  loveliness  of  the  land — are  still  ringing  in  my  ears.  The  imploring 
appeals  to  know  the  fate  of  the  nearest  and  dearest  objects  of  their  affec- 
tion^ cannot  be  forgotten.  "Sir,"  said  one,  "  they  will  not  tell  me  about 
my  husband."  I  knew  her  not,  but  she  was  at  that  moment  a  widow. 
Her  husband  was  blown  to  atoms.  Another,  in  a  state  of  frenzy,  was 
caught  in  the  arms  of  her  husband,  and  assured,  by  his  ardent  embrace 
and  fervent  kiss,  that  he  was  safe  ;  but  the  agonized  being  who  had,  at 
that  moment,  made  that  trying  appeal  to  me,  augured  too  surely  that  she 
would  feel  that  embrace  no  more.  My  friend,  you  will  hardly  believe  me 
when  I  tell  you  I  was  calm,  collected.  It  was  no  time  for  trepidation.  I 
felt  as  if  introduced  into  the  presence  of  my  Maker.  The  scene  was  un- 
earthly:  every  selfish  feeling  vanished  :  even  my  own  life  was  of  no  ac- 
count. I  was  taken  to  the  portals  of  eternity,  and  felt  that  I  was  survey* 
ing,  not  the  paltry  interest*  of  time  and  sense,  but  man's  eternal  destiny. 
The  first  tear  that  started  from  my  eye,  fell  upon  the  few  lines  which  con^ 
vOyed  to  my  beloved  and  devoted  wife  the  assurance  that  she  was  not  a 
widow,  nor  her  children  fatherless. 

But  it  is  past !  The  friends  who  but  a  moment  before  the  fatal  accident 
were  seated  with  me  at  the  festive  board,  blest  with  health  and  clothed 
with  honor — the  select  and  distinguished  few,  a  nation's  pride  and  a  na- 
tion's ornament — are  now  in  the  presence  of  their  God,  whither  I  musl 
soon  follow.  My  worthless  lite  has  been  spared — may  it  not  have  been  for 
the  purpose  of  a  better  preparation  1     Adieu.  S.  S.  PHELPS. 


•283 


JOHN    PIERPONT. 


The  Rev.  JOHN  PIERPONT  is  a  lineal  descendant  of 
the  Rev.  James  Pierpont,  the  second  minister  of  New  Haven, 
who  is  supposed  to  have  been  allied  to  the  noble  English  fam- 
ily of  his  name,  which  held  the  earldom  of  Kingston,  and  bore 
the  motto  "Pie  repone  te."  The  grandson  of  Mr.  Pierpont 
of  New  Haven  was  a  resident  of  Litchfield,  where  his  son,  the 
subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born,  on  the  6th  of  April,  1785, 
He  entered  Yale  College  at  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  was  reg- 
ularly graduated  in  1804,  After  assisting  for  a  short  time  the 
Rev.  Drf  Backus,  in  the  charge  of  the  Academy  at  Bethlem, 
he  went  to  South  Carolina  in  the  autumn  of  1805,  and  resided 
as  a  private  tutor  in  the  family  of  Col.  William  Alston,  with 
whom  he  remained  for  nearly  four  years.  Here  he  commen- 
ced the  study  of  the  law,  which,  after  his  return  to  Connecti- 
cut in  1809,  he  continued  in  the  law  school  at  Litchfield. 

In  1812,  Mr  Pierpont  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Essex 
County,  Massachusetts,  and  practiced  his  profession  for  a  tine 
in  Newburyport.  Here  he  first  became  known  to  the  public 
in  a  poetical  character,  by  delivering  before  the  "  Washington 
Benevolent  Society"  of  Newburyport,  a  patriotic  poem  entitled 
"  The  Portrait,"  which  was  afterwards  published.  His  health 
demanding  more  active  employment,  he  relinquished  his  pro- 
fession, and  engaged  in  mercantile  transactions,  first  in  Boston 
and  subsequently  in  Baltimore.  In  1816,  he  abandoned  these 
pursuits,  and  about  the  same  time  published  the  "  Airs  of  Pal- 
estine," three  editions  of  which  were  published  in  the  course 
two  years.     He  now  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  theology, 


284 
first  at  Baltimore,  and  afterwards  at  the  Theological  School 
connected  with  Harvard  College.  In  October,  1818,  he  left 
that  institution,  and  in  April  of  the  following  year,  was  ordain- 
ed pastor  of  the  Hollis  Street  Church,  in  Boston,  as  successor 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Holley,  who  had  been  elected  President  of 
Transylvania  University,  in  Kentucky, 

In  1835,  Mr.  Pierpont  left  his  native  country,  and  passed  a 
year  among  the  most  interesting  scenes  of  foreign  travel.  He 
visited  England,  France  and  Italy,  and  from  thence  extended 
his  tour  through  Greece  into  Asia  Minor,  and  to  Constanti- 
nople. On  his  return,  he  resumed  his  pastoral  charge  in  Bos- 
ton, which  he  retained  until  1846 — a  period  of  more  than  twen- 
ty-seven years  from  his  settlement.  After  leaving  that  city, 
he  was  for  a  sbort  time  a  resident  of  Troy,  New  York,  but  was 
subsequently'settled  over  a  church  in  Medford,  Massachusetts, 
where  he  still  resides.  In  addition  to  his  more  legitimate  du- 
ties as  a  pastor,  he  has  been  often  and  zealously  engaged  in 
various  moral  and  political  reforms.  He  was  at  one  election, 
the  regular  candidate  of  the  Liberty  Party  for  the  office  of 
Governor  of  Massachusetts  ;  and  in  the  autumn  of  1850,  he 
was  the  Free  Soil  candidate  for  Representative  to  Congress 
from  the  district  in  which  he  resides— but  there  being  no  choice, 
he  withdrew  from  the  contest  before  another  election. 

The  "  Airs  of  Palestine"  is  a  poem  of  about  eight  hundred 
lines,  in  the  heroic  measure,  designed  to  illustrate  the  influence 
of  music  upon  the  passions  of  mankind,  by  examples  chiefly 
drawn  from  sacred  history.  It  was  written  in  the  cause  of 
charity,  its  recitation  having  formed  part  of  the  exercises  of  an 
evening  concert  of  sacred  music  for  the  benefit  of  the  poor. 
It  is  the  largest  work  of  our  author,  and  its  graceful  verse  and 
glowing  imagery  have  justly  rendered  it  one  of  the  most  pop-, 
ular  of  American  poems.  The  minor  and  occasional  poems  of 
Mr.  Pierpont  have  been  numerous,  and  of  a  highly  varied 
character.     They  are  composed  in  almost  every  variety  of 


285 
measure,  and  are  generally  marked  with  more  of  boldness  and 
less  of  delicacy  that  the  "  Airs  of  Palestine."  They  were 
collected  and  published  with  the  latter  poem,  at  Boston,  in  a 
duodecimo  volume,  Mr.  Pierpont  is  elected  as  the  Poet  of 
the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  Society  of  Yale  College  for  the  year  1851. 

In  addition  to  his  poetical  works,  Mr.  Pierpont  has  publish- 
ed several  school  books,  which  have  been  very  popular. 

The  following  extracts  from  his  poems  will  give  the  reader 
some  idea  of  his  style  and  talent  ; 


THE  PILGRIM  FATHERS. 

The  pilgrim  fathers — where  are  they  ? 

The  waves  that  brought  them  o'er, 
Still  roll  in  the  bay,  and  throw  their  spray, 

As  they  break  along  the  shore  ; 
Still  roll  in  the  bay,  as  they  rolled  that  day,, 

When  the  May-Flower  moored  below, 
When  the  sea  around  was  black  with  storms, 

And  white  the  shore  with  snow. 

The  mist  that  wraped  the  pilgrim's  sleep, 

Still  broods  upon  the  tide  : 
And  his  rocks  yet  keep  their  watch  by  the  deep, 

To  stay  its  waves  of  pride. 
But  the  snow-white  sail,  that  he  gave  to  the  gale, 

When  the  heavens  looked  dark,  is  gone, 
As  an  angel's  wing,  through  an  opening  cloud, 

Is  seen,  and  then  withdrawn, 

The  pilgrim  exile — sainted  name ! 

The  hill,  whose  icy  brow 
Rejoiced,  when  he  came,  in  the  morning's  flame, 

In  the  morning's  flame  burns  now. 


And  the  moon's  cold  light  as  it  lay  that  night 

On  the  hill-side  and  the  sea, 
Still  lies  where  he  laid  his  houseless  head, 

But  the  pilgrim — where  is  he  ? 

The  pilgiim  fathers  arc  at  rest  ; 

When  Summer's  throned  on  high, 
And  the  world's  warm  breast  is  in  verdure  dresse  d 

Go,  stand  on  the  hill  where  they  lie. 
The  earliest  ray  of  the  golden  day 

On  that  hallowed  spot  is  cast ; 
And  the  evening  sun,  as  he  leaves  the  world, 

Looks  kindly  on  that  spot  last. 

The  pilgri  m  spirit  has  not  fled, 

It  walks  in  noon's  broad  light ; 
And  it  watches  the  bed  of  the  glorious  dead, 

With  the  holy  stars,  by  n  ight. 
It  watches  the  bed  of  the  brave  who  have  bled, 

And  shall  guard  this  ice-bound  shore, 
Till  the  waves  of  the  bay  where  the  May-flower  lay 

Shall  foam  and  freeze  no  more. 


DEDICATION  HYMN. 

O  Thou,  to  whom,  in  ancient  time, 
The  lyre  of  Hebrew  bard  was  strung, 

Whom  kings  adored  in  songs  sublime, 

And  prophets  praised  with  glowing  tongue,- 

Not  now,  on  Zlon's  height  alone, 
Thy  favored  worshipper  may  dwell, 

Nor  where,  at  sultry  noon,  thy  Son 
Sat,  weary,  by  the  patriarch's  well. 

From  every  place  below  the  skies, 

The  grateful  song,  the  fervent  prayer— 


287 

The  incense  of  the  heart— may  rise 
To  heaven,  and  find  acceptance  there. 

In  this  thy  house,  whose  doors  we  now 
For  social  worship  first  unfold, 

To  Thee  the  suppliant  throng  shall  bow, 
While  circling  years  on  years  are  rolled. 

To  Thee  shall  age,  with  snowy  hair, 

And  strength  and  beauty,  bend  the  knee, 

And  childhood  lisp,  with  reverend  air, 
Its  praises  and  its  prayers  to  thee. 

O  Thou,  to  whom  in  ancient  time, 
The  lyre  of  prophet  bards  was  strung, 

To  thee,  at  last,  in  very  clime, 

Shall  temples  rise,  and  praise  be  sung ! 


INVOCATION. 
From  the  "Airs  of  Palis  tine.1  * 
0,  Thou  Dread  Spirit !  Being's  End  and  Source  I 
Check  thy  bright  chariot  in  its  fervid  course  ; 
Bend  from  thy  throne  of  darkness  and  of  fire, 
And  with  one  smile  immortalize  our  lyre. 
Amid  the  cloudy  lustre  of  thy  throne, 
Tho'  wreathy  tubes,  unheard  on  earth,  are  blown, 
In  sweet  accord  with  the  undying  hymn 
Of  angel  choirs  and  harping  Seraphim, 
Still  hast  thou  stooped  to  hear  a  shepherd  play, 
To  prompt  his  measures  and  approve  his  lay. 
Hast  thou  grown  old,  Thou,  who  forever  livest ! 
Hast  thou  forgotten,  Thou,  who  memory  givest ! 
How  on  the  day  th'.ie  ark,  vrith  loud  acclaim, 
From  Zion's  hill  to  Mount  Moriah  came, 


288 
iBeneath  the  wings  of  cherubim  to  rest, 
In  a  rich  veil  of  Tyrian  purple  dressed ; 
When,  harps  and  cymbols  joined  in  echoing  clang> 
\Vbeft  psalters  tinkled,  and  when  trumpets  rang, 
Thou  didst  descend,  and,  rolling  thro'  the  crowd-, 
Inshrine  thine  ark  and  altar  in  thy  shroud, 
And  fill  tlie  temple  with  thy  mantling  cloud ! 
And  now,  Almighty  Father,  Well  we  know, 
When  humble  strains  from  grateful  bosoms  flow> 
Those  humble  strains  grow  richer  as  they  rise. 
And  shed  a  balmier  freshness  oil  the  skies  ! 

What  though  no  Cherubim  are  here  displayed* 

iNo  gilded  walls,  no  cedar  colonnade, 

No  crimson  curtains  hang  around  our  choir* 

Wrought  by  the  cunning  artizan  of  Tyre  j 

No  doors  of  fir  on  golden  hinges  turn  > 

No  spicy  gums  in  golden  censers  burn ; 

No  frankincense,  in  rising  volumes,  shrouds 

The  fretted  roof  in  aromatic  clouds ; 

No  royal  minstrel,  from  his  ivory  throne* 

Gives  thee  his  father's  numbers  or  his  own ; 

If  humble  love,  if  gratitude  inspire, 

Our  strain  shall  silence  even  the  temple's  choir, 

And  rival  Michael's  trump,  nor  yield  to  Gabriel's  lyrei 


289 


JEREMIAH    PAY 


JEREMIAH  BAY,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  late  President  of  Yale 
College,  was  born  in  New  Preston,  a  parish  in  the  town  of  Wash- 
ington, Connecticut,  1773.  His  father,  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Day, 
who  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1756,  was  pastor  of  the 
church  in  New  Preston,  and  lived  to  an  advanced  age,  much 
respected.  President  Day  was  entered  a  freshman  in  Yale  Col- 
lege, 1789,  but  on  account  of  infirm  health,  did  not  complete  his 
collegiate  course  with  the  class  to  which  he  at  firsc  belonged. 
After  an  absence  of  several  years,  he  rejoined  the  College,  and 
received  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1795. 

This  was  the  year  of  Dr.  Dwight's  accession  to  the  presidency. 
By  the  removal  of  Dr.  Dwight  from  Greenfield,  the  school  which 
he  had  established  in  that  village,  and  which  had  flourished  very 
greatly  under  his  instruction,  was  destitute  of  a  preceptor.  Mr. 
Day  was  invited  to  take  charge  of  this  school,  and  continued  in  it 
a  year;  when  he  was  elected  a  tutor  in  Williams  College,  Massa- 
chusetts. Here  he  remained  two  years.  In  Yale  College,  he 
commenced  his  tutorship  in  1798.  He  had  early  chosen  Theology 
as  a  profession,  and  while  officiating  as  tutor,  began  to  preach  as 
a  candidate  for  the  ministry.  On  the  resignation  of  Professor 
Meigs,  who  had  been  called  to  the  presidency  of  the  University  of 
Georgia,  Mr.  Day  was  elected,  in  1801,  to  succeed  him  as  Profes- 
sor of  Mathematics  and  Natural  Philosophy.  At  this  time  Mr. 
Day  was  in  feeble  health,  and  was  obliged  to  suspend  the  business 
37 


290 

of  instruction.  By  the  advice  of  his  physician,  he  passed  one 
winter  in  the  island  of  Bermuda.  In  1803,  his  health  was  so  far 
restored  that  he  entered  upon  his  professorship;  the  duties  of 
which  he  continued  to  discharge,  till  the  death  of  Dr.  D wight,  in 
1817,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  President.  He  was 
inaugurated  in  July  of  the  same  year.  On  the  same  day  in  which 
he  was  introduced  into  the  presidency,  he  was  ordained,  by  the 
clerical  part  of  the  Fellows,  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

While  President  Day  was  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Natural 
Philosophy,  he  published  several  mathematical  treatises  for  the  use 
of  students  in  that  department;  which  are  used  in  Yale  College, 
and  some,  or  all  of  them,  extensively  in  other  institutions.  While 
he  was  President  of  the  College,  he  published  several  occasional 
sermons,  and  "An  Inquiry  respecting  the  Self-determining  Power 
of  the  Will,  or  Contingent  Volition." 

In  1817,  the  College  in  Middlebury,  Vermont,  conferred  on 
President  Day  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws,  and  in  1818,  Union 
College,  in  Schenectady,  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity.  The 
degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  likewise,  was  conferred  on  him  in 
1831,  by  Harvard  University. 

President  Day  occupied  his  station  until  1846 — longer  than  any 
other  head  of  the  College.  Yale  College  has  been  peculiarly  for- 
tunate in  its  Presidents ;  and  it  may  be  said  with  truth,  that  it  at 
no  time  flourished  more,  than  under  the  administration  of  President 
Day.  His  learning  and  talent  united  to  great  kindness  of  heart, 
and  urbanity  of  manner,  secured  alike  the  respect  and  love  of 
the  thousands  of  pupils  committed  to  his  charge. 


291 


REV.    EBENEZER    PORTER,    D.    D. 


EBEKEZER  PORTER  was  born  October  5, 1772,  at  Cornwall. 
His  father,  Hon.  Thomas  Porter,  was  a  farmer,  but  for  many  years, 
especially  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  was  somewhat  prominent  as 
a  political  man.  In  1779,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Tinmouth, 
a  small  town  in  the  Southern  part  of  the  county  of  Rutland,  Ver- 
mont. Dr.  Porter  began  to  fit  for  college  at  an  early  age,  under 
the  instruction  of  his  brother-in-law,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Osborn,  then 
minister  of  Tinmouth.  He  completed  his  preparatory  studies 
under  the  superintendence  of  the  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.  D.,  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  church  in  Bennington,  Vt.  He  entered  the 
freshman  class  in  Dartmouth  College  in  1788,  and  in  1792  received 
the  degree  of  A.  B.  At  the  commencement  exercises,  he  had  the 
first  appointment.  During  the  whole  college  course,  he  had  sus- 
tained a  high  rank  as  a  scholar. 

The  remark  has  not  unfrequently  been  made,  that  the  standing 
of  a  student  in  college  furnishes  little  or  no  data  on  which  to  esti- 
mate his  subsequent  usefulness  or  reputation.  Cases,  indeed, 
occur  of  premature  growth.  The  mind  which  shoots  suddenly  to 
manhood,  may  speedily  decay.  Boys  who  have  excited  extraordi- 
nary hopes  in  college,  have  afterwards  sunk  into  utter  obscurity. 
The  mind  is  also  sometimes  under  the  stimulus  of  vicious  excite- 
ments. A  young  man  toils  for  the  highest  honors  of  his  class. 
Day  and  night  his  powers  are  stretched  to  the  utmost  intensity. 
A  stranger  to  the  hallowed  motives  to  literary  effort  furnished  by 
the  Christian  religion,  he  nourishes  his  feverish  hopes.     The  goa? 


292 

is  reached  ;  the  vale<Mct<mt  oration  is  secured;  the  starring  scenes 
of  commoncemenb-day  vanish;  the  plaudits  of  too  partial  friends 
have  lost  their  relish.  The  unhappy  youth  is  thrown  out  upon  the 
■world  without  an  object  or  a  motive.  His  mental  energies  suffer  a 
fearful  collapse.  We  hear  no  more  of  him.  He  is  a  disgrace  to 
one  of  the  learned  professions,  or  betakes  himself  to  a  life  of  idle- 
ness, or  lingers  out  a  miserable  existence  in  dissipation.  Perhaps 
his  health  was  ruined  by  his  unnatural  application  while  in  the  col- 
lege. The  valedictory  has  been  in  more  than  one  instance  a  pre- 
cursor to  the  grave.  The  constitution  was  shattered  by  the  enor- 
mous draughts  which  the  four  years  made  upon  it.  Still  we  are 
inclined  to  think  that  the  character  in  college  is  a  pretty  good 
index  of  the  whole  subsequent  life.  The  early  developments,  as 
a  general  thing,  correspond  to  the  subsequent  history.  Mind  is 
not  so  changeable  in  its  aspects  as  to  falsify  every  prediction. 
Some  of  the  most  powerful  motives  which  stimulate  the  youthful 
scholar  are  of  a  permanent,  as  well  as  a  laudable  character. 
Years  of  idleness  in  college  are  occasionally  recovered  at  a  single 
bound,  or  atoned  for  by  subsequent  indefatigable  application.  But 
this  is  not  the  ordinary  law.  "  Seest  thou  a  man  diligent  in  his 
business;  he  shall  stand  before  kings."  This  is  as  applicable  to  a 
scholar's  life,  as  to  that  of  any  other  person. 

Dr.  Porter's  career  is  an  illustration  of  this  conclusion.  He 
studied  industriously  and  methodically  in  college ;  in  the  whole  of 
his  subsequent  life,  so  far  as  his  health  permitted,  he  was  a  hard 
student.  In  college  he  acquired  for  himself  respect  and  an  honor- 
able rank;  in  his  professional  career  he  maintained  the  same 
ascendancy. 

Dr.  Porter  became  pious  during  his  junior  year  in  college.  The 
circumstances  connected  with  this  interesting  event  in  his  history 
are  not  known  to  the  writer  of  this  article.  The  year  after  he 
left  college,  he  connected  himself  with  the  Congregational  church 
in  Washington,  Litchfield  county.  Conn.  Of  this  church  he  was 
afterwards  pastor.     It  was  then  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the 


293 

Rev.  Noah  Merwin,  with  whose  daughter  Dr.  Porter  subsequently 
became  connected  in  marriage. 

After  leaving  college,  Dr.  Porter  spent  several  months  in  teach- 
ing a  school.  He  then  commenced  the  study  of  divinity  in  the 
celebrated  private  theological  school  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  Bel- 
lamy, in  Bethlem,  Conn.  Of  this  distinguished  divine  and  theolog- 
ical instructor,  his  pupil  frequently  spoke  in  terms  of  the  highest 
veneration  and  respect.  For  vigor  and  clearness  of  intellect;  for 
his  power  in  presenting  doctrinal  truth  to  the  understanding  and 
the  conscience ;  for  the  hold  which  he  gained  in  the  judgement  and 
affection  of  the  students  in  divinity  who  resorted  to  his  house  ;  and 
for  the  great  and  happy  effects  produced  by  his  preaching,  his 
lectures  and  his  published  discourses,  Dr.  Bellamy  ranks  very 
high  among  the  theologians  of  this  and  of  other  lands.  The 
American  church  has  great  reason  to  rejoice  that  she  has  been 
favored  with  such  luminaries  as  Drs.  Bellamy,  Strong,  Hart, 
Beecher,  Backus,  Stephen  West,  Hopkins,  Dwight,  Hyde,  and  oth- 
ers. Perhaps  no  county  in  New  England  has  been  more  highly 
favored  in  this  particular  than  our  own  beloved  Litchfield.  Not  a 
little  of  the  spiritual  good  which  Dr.  Porter  was  enabled  to  effect, 
is,  no  doubt,  to  be  attributed  to  the  counsels,  and  example  of  Dr. 
Bellamy.  The  length  of  time  employed  by  Dr.  Porter  in  the  study 
of  divinity,  is  not  certainly  known.  It  was  probably  about  sixteen 
or  eighteen  months.  On  the  6th  of  September,  1796,  he  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Washington,  vacant 
by  the  death  of  Mr.  Merwin. 

The  Theological  Seminary  at  Andovcr  was  opened  on  *he  28th 
of  September,  1808  ;  on  which  occasion  the  Rev.  President  Dwight 
of  Yale  College,  one  of  the  visitors,  delivered  a  sermon.  At  the 
same  time,  the  Rev.  Eliphalet  Pearson,  LL.  D.,  professor  elect  of 
sacred  literature,  was  ordained.  Rev.  Leonard  Woods,  D.  D., 
was  appointed  Abbot  professor  of  Christian  theology.  Soon  after, 
Rev.  Edward  D.  Griffin,  D.  D.,  was  chosen  Bartlet  professor  of 
sacred  rhetoric.      On  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Pearson,  Rev.  Moses 


294 

Stuart  of  New  Haven,  Conn.,  was  chosen  professor  of  sacred  litera- 
ture ;  and  on  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Griffin,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Porter,  the  subject  of  the  present  sketch,  was  appointed  professor 
of  sacred  rhetoric. 

The  appointment  of  Dr.  Porter  was  made  in  1811.  On  the 
18th  of  December  of  that  year,  the  South  Consociation  of  Litch- 
field county  held  a  special  meeting  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Porter,  for 
the  purpose  of  considering  the  circumstances  of  the  application, 
and,  if  thought  advisable,  to  dissolve  the  relation  between  him  and 
his  people.  The  clergymen  present  on  this  occasion,  were  the  Rev. 
Drs.  Backus  of  Bethlem,  Tyler  of  South  Britain,  Beecher  of 
Litchfield,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Benedict  of  Woodbury,  Chase  of 
South  Farms,  Swift  of  Roxbury,  Whittelsey  of  New  Preston,  Tay- 
lor of  Bridgewater,  Hart  of  Plymouth,  and  Gelston.  The  Conso- 
ciation, after  considering  the  whole  subject,  came  to  the  conclusion 
unanimously,  that  it  was  Dr.  Porter's  duty  to  accept  the  appoint- 
ment.    His  pastoral  relation  was  accordingly  dissolved. 

On  Wednesday,  April  1,  1812,  Dr.  Porter  was  inaugurated  as 
professor  of  sacred  rhetoric  in  the  theological  seminary  at  Ando- 
ver. 

In  the  mental  habits  and  character  of  Dr.  Porter  there  were 
very  obvious  and  striking  excellencies.  His  sound  common  sense 
must  have  been  apparent  to  the  most  superficial  observer.  In  his 
public  performances,  there  were,  frequently,  remarks  of  great  pith 
and  sententiousness,  which  were  not  drawn  from  books,  but  from  a 
close  observation  of  human  nature.  During  his  journeys,  and  in 
his  extensive  acquaintance  with  men  and  institutions,  he  had  treas- 
ured up  numerous  and  striking  anecdotes  illustrative  of  the  foibles 
and  the  weaknesses,  or  of  the  commendable  points  in  human  char- 
acter. In  the  thousand  incidents  of  familiar  and  domestic  life  he 
exhibited  a  keen  insight  in  respect  to  the  motives  by  which  men 
are  governed.  No  one  was  better  qualified  to  give  advice  to  young 
men  in  relation  to  the  many  points  where  they  would  come  in  con- 
tact with  society.     Dr.  Porter  was  also  remarkable  for  his  industry. 


295 

It  was  a  habit  which  he  early  acquired,  and  which  he  retained 
through  life.  He  had  to  contend  with  frequent  bodily  indisposition, 
and,  for  many  of  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  with  a  shattered  and 
broken  constitution.  Yet  no  moment,  in  which  it  was  possible  to 
labor,  was  lost.  He  seized  with  avidity  upon  every  interval  from 
pain.  Even  when  under  the  pressure  of  severe  suffering,  and 
unable  to  leave  his  study,  he  had  contrived  some  mental  employ- 
ment, which  would  relieve  the  tedium  of  confinement,  and  at  the 
same  time,  be  useful  to  his  fellow  creatures.  In  this  respect,  he 
resembled  Richard  Baxter,  of  whose  writings  he  was  extremely 
fond,  and  who  labored  indefatigably,  while  suffering  under  almost 
all  the  ills  to  which  men  are  incident.  This  industry  was,  however, 
very  far  removed  from  all  bustle  and  excitement.  There  was  not 
the  least  affectation  of  extraordinary  diligence.  Some  men,  by 
their  glowing  zeal  and  boisterous  industry,  convey  the  impression 
that  they  have  no  method  in  their  labors,  and  that  their  work  will 
need  amendment,  if  not  an  entire  revision.  Dr.  Porter  was  ever 
calm  and  collected,  for  he  clearly  apprehended  the  nature  of  his 
duties,  the  order  in  which  they  were  to  be  performed,  and  the 
strength  necessary  for  their  accomplishment.  Dr.  Porter  possessed 
a  discriminating  mind.  In  power  of  profound  investigation  on 
abstruse  subjects  he  was  excelled  by  some  other  men.  But  he 
mastered  whatever  he  undertook.  He  clearly  apprehended  the 
relations  of  the  different  parts  of  a  subject,  and  the  bearing  of  the 
whole  on  a  particular  object.  His  study  of  language,  his  skill  in 
the  use  of  it,  the  necessity,  imposed  upon  him  by  his  office,  of 
skillfully  analyzing  sentences,  doubtless  contributed  to  this  result. 
Language  without  meaning,  terms  without  discrimination,  discourse 
without  logic,  no  one  was  more  unwilling  or  less  liable  to  exhibit. 
This  fault  in  others,  when  it  fell  under  his  observation,  and  when 
circumstances  rendered  it  proper,  he  subjected  to  a  severe  yet 
just  and  kind  animadversion.  There  is  a  great  perfection  in  Dr. 
Porter's  style  of  writing.  So  far  as  the  nice  balance  of  sentences, 
the  harmonious  collocation  of  their  members,  and  the  selection  of 


296 

apt  and  beautiful  words  are  concerned,  he  was  rarely  ever  excelled. 
There  was  no  heterogeneous  agglomeration  of  epithets  or  of  sen- 
tences, no  verbiage,  no  confusion  of  metaphors.  Every  thing 
was  distinct,  clear,  finished.  We  have  the  same  associations 
respecting  the  perfection  of  his  style,  which  we  have  with  that  of 
Prof.  Play  fair,  Thomas  Campbell,  and  Prof.  Frisbie.  His  words 
fell  on  the  ear  like  the  music  of  Handel.  In  his  best  discourses, 
the  extreme  polish  was  not  apparent.  The  order  was  so  logical, 
and  the  sentences  were  so  clearly  and  precisely  expressed,  as  to 
occupy  the  entire  attention  of  the  hearer.  It  found  a  lodgment  in 
the  inmost  soul.  Some  of  Dr.  Porter's  sermons,  as  delivered  by 
him  when  in  the  enjoyment  of  comparative  health,  were  felt  in  the 
conscience  and  in  the  heart,  and  produced  great  and  permanent 
effects.  After  all  which  may  be  said  respecting  unstudied  nature, 
the  out-breaking  of  natural  eloquence,  the  happy  disregard  of  rule 
and  of  formality,  of  which  we  so  frequently  hear,  it  is  yet  refresh- 
ing and  instructive  beyond  expression  to  listen  to  well-composed 
sentences,  which  have  been  subjected  to  the  revision  of  a  severely 
disciplined  mind.  There  is  a  perfection  in  some  of  the  sentences 
of  a  few  English  writers,  like  Milton  and  Cowper,  which  we  are 
wholly  unable  to  describe,  but  which  affords  the  highest  mental 
pleasure. 

A  prominent  trait  in  the  social  character  of  Dr.  Porter  wras  his 
exact  and  methodical  arrangement  of  all  his  business  transactions, 
in  connection  with  great  benevolence  of  character,  and,  consider- 
ing his  means,  extensive  charities.  No  individual  was  ever  less 
obnoxious  to  the  charge  of  avarice.  We  never  heard  the  least 
intimation  of  any  thing  resembling  meanness  in  his  intercourse  with 
his  fellow-creatures.  At  the  same  time,  a  thoroughly  bred 
accountant  could  not  have  managed  his  affairs  more  systematically 
and  prudently.  His  habits  in  this  particular,  as  must  be  the  case 
with  all  good  habits,  descended  to  things  minute  and  compara- 
tively unimportant.  It  is  a  most  valuable  acquisition,  and  worthy 
of  the  serious  attention  of  all  students,  who  would,  on  the  one  hand, 


297 

preserve  themselves  free  from  the  charge  of  avarice  and  a  want  of 
fair  and  honorable  dealing,  and,  on  the  other  hand,  maintain  the 
rules  of  Christian  economy,  providing  things  honest  in  the  sight  of 
all  men,  in  order  that  they  may  render  their  families  comfortable, 
and  have  wherewithal  to  bestow  upon  him  that  needeth.  A  parsi- 
monious habit  and  a  wasteful  expenditure  are  equally  removed 
from  the  spirit  of  the  Christian  religion.  Cheerfulness  was  an 
interesting  and  prominent  trait  in  Dr.  Porter's  domestic  character. 
When  suffering  severe  pains  of  body,  while  confined  whole  dreary 
winters  to  his  house,  or  compelled,  on  the  approach  of  winter,  to 
leave  his  beloved  home  and  his  ardently  cherished  seminary,  and 
repair  to  a  warmer  climate  and  the  society  of  strangers,  he  still 
maintained  the  serenity  of  a  composed  mind.  When  any  thing 
betidecl  ill  to  the  cause  of  his  country,  or  of  Christianity,  he  was 
not  accustomed  so  to  dwell  on  the  unfavorable  aspect,  as  to  cloud 
his  brow  in  gloom,  to  distrust  a  merciful  Providence,  or  to  incapaci- 
tate himself  for  labor.  His  natural  character  was  undoubtedly 
peculiarly  amiable.  The  influence  also  of  a  firm  and  humble  hope 
in  Christ,  had  refined  and  perfected  an  original  endowment  of 
nature.  We  may  also  add  that  there  was  a  remarkable  simplicity 
and  honesty  of  character  in  Dr.  Porter.  No  one  ever  accused  him 
of  duplicity,  double  dealing,  equivocation,  or  any  thing  of  the  kind. 
He  possessed  a  sterling  integrity,  founded  on  Christian  principle, 
which  carried  him  above  all  the  arts  of  evasion  and  of  insincerity. 
He  was  an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  was  no  guile.  No 
one  ever  imagined  that  Dr.  Porter  could  be  enlisted  in  any  under- 
taking which  would  not  bear  the  light  of  clay  and  the  scrutiny  of 
an  enlightened  conscience.  At  the  same  time,  there  was  nothing 
scrupulous  or  over-just  in  his  habits  of  thinking  or  acting.  He  did 
not  fall  into  the  fault  of  some  excellent  men,  in  following  the  letter 
of  the  law  beyond  its  spirit,  or  of  pressing  rules  excellent  in  them- 
selves into  matters  indifferent,  and  thus  creating  positive  injustice. 
Combining  these,  and  other  interesting  traits  of  social  character 
which  we  have  not  room  here  to  delineate,  Dr.  Porter  was,  as 
38 


298 

might  have  been  expected,  an  interesting  companion,  a  tender  and 
faithful  counselor,  a  conscientious  instructor,  and  a  Christian  gen- 
tleman. 

Dr.  Porter's  religious  views  were  distinguished  for  the  attribute 
of  clearness.     He  did  not  possess  the  spiritual  imagination  of  Pay- 
son,  nor  the  amplitude  in  range  of  John  Howe,  nor  the  fertile 
invention  of  Richard  Baxter,  but  the  objects  of  faith  which  came 
within  the  scope  of  his  mental  view,  were  most  distinctly  appre- 
hended, and  left  on  his  character  and  conduct  the   most  definite 
impressions.     His  religious  reading  was  extensive,  and   always 
discriminating,  his  acquaintance  with  pious  men  and  sacred  institu- 
tions was   varied   and  long   continued,   his  religious  experience 
decided  and  thorough,  and  all  were  turned  to  the  best  practical 
purposes.     The  system  of  religious  doctrines  which  he  cherished, 
and  at  all  times  firmly  maintained,  accorded  with  that  taught  by  his 
venerable  theological  instructor,  Dr.  Bellamy.     After  mature  and 
careful  examination,  he  was  convinced  that  this  system  was  founded 
on  the  Scriptures.     Hence,  in  the  exhibition  and  defence  of  it,  he 
was  explicit  and  decided.     Yet  he  was  never  intolerant,  nor  perti- 
nacious.    He  never  maintained  the  opinion,  nor  exemplified  it  in 
his  practice,  that  orthodoxy,  in  the  absence  of  the  Christian  tem- 
per, is  acceptable  to  heaven,  or  that  the  mode  and  spirit  in  which 
a  doctrine  are  exhibited  are  of  no  consequence,  provided  the  doc- 
trine itself  be  sound.     He  strove  to  maintain  peace,  and  a  Christ- 
ian temper,  while  he  explained  and  enforced  the  pure  truth  of  the 
gospel,  never  postponing  or  undervaluing  peace  while  he  contend- 
ed for  purity.     Scarcely  any  topic  was  exhibited  more  frequently 
or  impressively  in  his  public  preaching  than  the  importance  of  love 
for  the  truth  and  Christian  meekness,  in  addition  to  zeal  for  ortho- 
doxy ;  and  that  eminent  spiritual  affections  ought  always  to  accom- 
pany and  consecrate  fresh  acquisitions  of  religious  knowledge.     He 
was  ever  aware  of  the  great  danger  of  substituting  biblical  or  theo- 
logical learning  for  vital  piety.      His  influence  upon  the  seminary, 
and  upon  candidates  for  the  ministry,  in  this  respect,  was  con- 
stantly and  successfully  exerted. 


299 

To  our  various  public  charitable  institutions,  Dr.  Porter  was  a 
uniform  and  invaluable  friend.  He  not  only  felt  a  deep  interest  in 
them,  and  offered  prayer  in  their  behalf,  but  contributed  liberally 
for  their  support.  He  perceived  their  intimate  and  essential  rela* 
tion  to  the  kingdom  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  to  the  promotion  of  the 
best  interests  of  the  human  race.  To  no  one  of  these  institutions 
did  he  exhibit  a  stronger  attachment,  than  to  the  American  Edu- 
cation Society.  He  was  among  the  first  to  perceive  the  necessity 
of  special  efforts  to  seek  out  and  bring  forward  ministers  and 
missionaries  for  the  numerous  fields  which  are  whitening  for  the 
harvest.  To  this  important  subject,  from  the  outset,  he  gave  a 
large  amount  of  thought  and  personal  effort.  His  extensive  and 
important  influence  in  the  southern  States,  as  well  as  in  other  por- 
tions of  the  country,  was  most  cheerfully  exerted.  When  this 
Society  was  called  to  experience  severe  embarrassment  and  trial, 
Dr.  Porter  remained  stedfast  to  its  interests,  and  prompt  to  afford 
encouragement  and  aid.  Every  successive  year  in  its  history  fur- 
nishes evidence  of  the  wisdom  and  forecast  of  his  views  in  relation 
to  this  great  cause.  At  the  anniversary  of  the  Society  in  Boston, 
in  1820,  he  delivered  a  sermon,  wdiich  has  been  regarded  as 
among  his  ablest  productions.  It  discovers  the  anxious  paternal 
interest  which  he  felt  in  the  subject.  It  is  filled  with  facts  dis- 
playing the  most  elaborate  and  careful  research,  and  is  written 
with  his  accustomed  taste  and  power. 

Dr.  Porter  died  at  Andover  on  the  8th  of  April,  1834,  at  the 
age  of  sixty-two  years.  He  had  been  for  many  years  an  invalid. 
Early  in  the  spring,  some  severe  domestic  afflictions  were  the 
means  of  still  further  reducing  his  feeble  frame.  The  powers  of 
nature  sunk3  till  the  energies  of  his- body  and  mind  entirely  gave 
way.  Owing  to  the  absence  of  reason,  for  the  last  few  days  of 
his  life,  he  was  not  able  to  give  those  testimonies  of  the  precious- 
ness  of  the  Christian  hope,  which,  in  other  circumstances,  his  uni- 
form and  consistent  piety,  his  mature  and  settled  views  of  Christian 
truth,  would  have  led  us  confidently  to  anticipate. 


300 

The  funeral  services  were  attended  on  Friday,  the  11th  of 
April.  A  procession  of  the  trustees,  patrons,  and  students  of  the 
theological  and  literary  institutions  was  formed  at  Dr.  Porter's 
house,  and  moved  with  his  remains  to  the  chapel,  where  prayers 
were  offered  by  the  Rev.  Drs.  Dana  and  Church,  and  a  sermon 
was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Woods,  from  John  xvii.  4,  "  I  have 
glorified  thee  on  the  earth  ;  I  have  finished  the  work  which  thou 
gavest  me  to  do." 

The  following  is  the  inscription  on  a  neat  monument,  in  the  form 
of  an  obelisk,  of  white  marble,  which  has  since  been  erected  to  his 
memory,  by  the  American  Education  Society. 

[In  front] 

SACKED 

to  the  memory  of 

EBENEZER  PORTER,  D.  D. 

who  died  1834,  aged  sixty-two  years; 

was  graduated  at 

Dartmouth  College,  1792, 

ordained  as  Pastor  at 

Washington,  Conn.   1795, 

inaugurated  as 

Professor  of  Sacred  Rhetoric 

in  the  Theological  Seminary 

at  Andover,  1812, 

appointed  President  of  the  same 

1827. 

[On  the  right  sid  .] 

Of  cultivated  understanding, 

refined   taste,   solid  judgment, 

sound  faith  and  ardent  piety ; 

Distinguished  for  strict  integrity 

and  uprightness, 

kind  and  gentle  deportment, 

simplicity  and  godly  sincerity; 

A  Father  to  the  Institution 

with  which  he  was  connected, 

a  highly  useful  Instructor, 

a  zealous  Patron  of  the 

Benevolent  Societies  of  the  times 

in  which  he  lived, 


301 

a  true  Friend  to  the  temporal 

and  eternal  interests  of 

his  fellow  beings  ; 

Living,  he  was  peculiarly  loved  and  revered  ; 

Dying,  he  was  universally  lamented. 

[On  the  leftside.] 
The 

American   Education   Society, 

to  whose  use  he  bequeathed 

the  greater  part  of  his  property, 

in  token  of  their  high  esteem, 

and   grateful    remembrance  of 

his  services  and  bounties, 

have  caused  this  monument 

to  be  erected. 

The  following  is  the  most  complete  list  of  Dr.  Porter's  publica- 
tions, which  we  have  been  able  to  make.  It  is  probable  that  some 
single  sermons  are  not  included. 

1.  Missionary  Sermon  ;  Hartford,  Conn.  1806. 

2.  Fatal  Effects  of  Ardent  Spirit ;  Hartford,  Conn.  1811. 

3.  Great  Effects  from  Little  Causes ;  a  Sermon  before  the  Mora! 
Society,  Andover,  1815. 

4.  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Israel  W.  Putnam, 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.  1815. 

5.  Character  of  Nehemiah ;  a  Sermon  ;  Andover,  1816. 

6.  Sermon  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Chapel  of  the  Theological 
Seminary;  Andover,  1819. 

7.  Sermon  at  the  Ordination  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  J.  Murdoek  ; 
Portland,  Me.  1819. 

8.  Sermon  at  the  Installation  of  Rev.  D.  Oliphant;  Beverly, 
Mass.  1819.  # 

9.  Young  Preacher's  Manual,  or  a  Collection  of  Treatises  on 
Preaching;  Boston,  1819,  1  vol.  8vo.  A  second  edition  enlarged, 
has  since  been  published. 

10.  Sermon  before  the  American  Education  Society  ;  Boston,  1820. 

11.  Signs  of  the  Times;  a  Sermon  delivered  at  the  Public  Fast ; 
Andover,  1823. 

12.  Analysis  of  Vocal  Inflection;  (Pamph.)  Andover,  1824o 


302 

13.  Analysis  of  the  Principles  of  Rhetorical  Delivery;  1  vol. 
18mo. ;  Andover,  1827. 

14.  Rhetorical  Reader,  and  a  course  of  Rhetorical  Exercises;  1 
vol.  18mo. ;  Andover,  1831.  Fourteen  editions  of  this  book  have 
been  published. 

15.  Syllabus  of  Lectures  ;  (Pamph.)  Andover,  1832. 

1G.  Treatise  on  Spiritual  Mindedness,  by  John  Owen,  D.  D* 
abridged  by  Ebenezer  Porter,  D.  D. ;  Boston,  1833,  1  vol.  18  mo. 

17.  Lectures  on  Homiletics  and  Preaching,  and  on  Public  Prayer, 
together  with  Sermons  and  Addresses,  1  vol.  8vo. ;  1834.  An  edition 
of  this  volume  was  published  in  London,  in  1835,  with  a  Preface,  and 
with  Notes,  by  Rev.  J.  Jones  of  Liverpool. 

18.  A  Practical  Exposition  of  the  130th  Psalm,  by  John  Owen* 
D.  D.  abridged  by  Ebenezer  Porter,  D.  D. ;  Boston,  1834,  1  vol. 
18mo. 

Since  the  death  of  Dr.  Porter  there  have  been  published  from  his 
manuscripts  — 

19.  The  Biblical  Reader,  consisting  of  Rhetorical  Extracts  from 
the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  revised  for  publication  by  T.  D.  P. 
Stone  ;  Andover,  1834,  1  vol.  18  mo. ;  and 

20.  Lectures  on  Eloquence  and  Style;  1836. 

Dr.  Porter  also  published  some  Sermons  in  the  American  National 
Preacher ;  various  essays,  biographies,  etc.  in  the  Connecticut  Evan- 
gelical Magazine,  the  Panoplist,  the  Spirit  of  the  Pilgrims,  and  the 
American  Quarterly  Register. 

The  Lectures  on  Eloquence  do  not  comprise  an  entire  course. 
They  were  intended  as  a  sequel  to  those  which  have  been  incorpora- 
ted into  the  Author's  Analysis  of  Rhetorical  Delivery.  He  was  indu- 
ced to  enlarge  on  the  vocal  organs,  by  the  urgent  request  of  those 
whose  judgment  he  regarded,  and  because  no  instruction  on  the  abuses 
of  those  organs,  had  been  accessible  in  any  regular  form  to  young 
ministers.  The  Lectures  on  Style  are  also  designedly  limited  in 
extent,  embracing  only  a  few  topics,  the  discussion  of  which  was  deemed 
most  important  in  its  bearing  on  the  reputation  and  usefulness  of  the 
American  Pulpit.  All  the  Lectures  discover*  that  good  sense,  that 
careful  discrimination  and  cultivated  taste,  visible  in  the  author's  pre- 
vious publications.  They  are  well  worth  the  study,  not  only  of  theo- 
logical students,  but  of  all  who  are  preparing  to  become  public  speak- 
ers, or  to  influence  the  public  mind  by  the  press. 


"03 


HORATIO    SEYMOUR,    L.L.D 


Was  born  at  Litchfield,  Conn.,  May  31st,  1778.  He  was  of  the 
sixth  generation  in  lineal  descent  from  Richard  Seymour,  one  of 
the  first  settlers  of  Hartford.  This  Richard  Seymour,  his  son 
John,  his  grandson  John,  and  his  great  grandson  Moses,  all  lived 
and  died  in  Hartford.  Moses  Seymour,  the  great  grandson  of 
Richard,  and  the  grandfather  of  Horatio,  was  born  at  Hartford  in 
1705,  and  died  there,  Sept.  24th,  1795,  aged  85.  *His  wife 
Rachel  was  born  in  1716,  and  died  July  23d,  1763,  aged  47. 
Major  Moses  Seymour,  Jr.,  the  son  of  Moses  and  the  father  of 
Horatio,  was  born  at  Hartford,  July  23d,  1742,  removed  early  to 
Litchfield,  and  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Ebenezer  Marsh, 
Esq.,  of  Litchfield,  a  pious  and  estimable  woman.  Major  Seymour 
was  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  was  present  at  the  surrender 
of  Burgoyne.  He  represented  the  town  of  Litchfield  in  the  State 
Legislature,  much  of  the  time,  from  1795  to  1812;  was  Town 
Clerk  from  1789  to  1826,  and  Senior  Warden  of  St.  Michael's 
Church,  Litchfield,  more  than  seventeen  years.  He  died,  greatly 
respected,  Sept.  17th,  1826,  aged  84.  His  wife  died,  July  17th, 
1826,  aged  73.  They  had  six  children,  namely:  (1.)  Clarissa, 
born  Aug.  3d,  1772,  married  in  October,  1791,  to  Rev.  Truman 
Marsh,  who  was  born  in  Litchfield,  Feb.  22d,  1768 ;  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1786 ;  was  ordained  a  Deacon  by  Bishop  White,  in  March, 
1790,  and  a  Presbyter  by  Bishop  Seabury,  in  June,  the  same 
year;  became  the  Rector  of  St.  John's  Church,  New  Milford,  till 
November,  1799;   then  Rector  of  St.  Michael's  Church,  Litch- 


304 

field,  till  1810.  (2.)  Moses  Seymour,  Jr.,  Esq.,  born  June  30th, 
1774,  married  Mabel  Strong,  of  Addison,  Vt.,  was  for  several 
years  Postmaster  in  Litchfield,  and  High  Sheriff,  and  died  there, 
May  8th,  1824,  aged  52.  His  son,  Dr.  George  Seymour,  born 
in  1817,  is  a  physician  in  Litchfield,  and  has  twice  represented 
that  town  in  the  State  Legislature.  (3.)  Ozias  Seymour,  born 
July  8th,  1776,  married  Miss  Sebrina  Storrs,  of  Mansfield,  Conn., 
was  for  several  years  Sheriff  of  Litchfield  county,  and  died  in 
1851.  His  wife  died,  Nov.  2d,  1814,  aged  28,  leaving  an  only 
son,  Origen  S.  Seymour,  Esq.,  who  was  born,  February,  1804, 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1824,  and  is  a  noted  lawyer  in  Litchfield, 
and  now  a  member  of  Congress.  (4.)  Horatio  Seymour,  the 
subject  of  this  memoir.  (5.)  Henry  Seymour,  born  May  30th, 
1780,  removed  to  Utica,  State  of  New  York,  became  wealthy,  was 
Mayor  of  Utica,  Canal  Commissioner,  State  Senator,  and  died 
recently,,  leaving  a  widow  and  reputable  descendants.  One  of 
his  sons,  the  Hon.  Horatio  Sejinour,  of  Utica,  was  the  Democratic 
candidate  for  Governor  of  New  York,  in  1851.  (6.)  Epaphro- 
ditus  Seymour,  born  July  8th,  1783,  removed  to  Brattleborough, 
Vt.,  where  he  still  lives,  and  is  president  of  a  bank.  He  was 
never  married. 

Horatio  Seymour,  the  fourth  child  of  Major  Moses  Seymour, 
was,  from  early  childhood,  amiable,  studious,  and  decorous  in  all 
his  conduct.  He  fitted  for  College  at  New  Milford,  under  the 
instruction  of  his  brother-in-law,  the  Rev.  Truman  Marsh.  The 
first  year  after  his  graduation,  he  was  an  assistant  teacher  in  the 
academy  at  Cheshire,  Conn.  The  next  year  he  spent  in  Litch- 
field, attending  the  Law  School  of  Judge  Reeve.  In  October, 
1799,  he  removed  to  Middlebury,  Addison  county,  Vermont,  and 
became  a  student  of  law  in  the  office  of  the  Hon.  Daniel  Chip- 
man.  In  the  spring  of  1800,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
commenced  business  in  Middlebury,  which  has  been  his  place  of 
residence  ever  since.  In  1809,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Council,  or  Upper  House,  in  the  State  Legislature ;  and  for  seven 


305 

or  eight  years,  he  was  annually  elected  to  that  body.  In  October, 
1820,  the  Legislature  of  the  State  appointed  him  a  Senator  in  the 
United  States  Congress  for  six  years  from  the  4th  of  March,  1821; 
and,  at  the  expiration  of  that  term,  he  was  reelected  for  a  second 
term  of  six  years.  In  1833  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  and 
has  continued  it  to  the  present  time.  In  1836  he  was  the  whig 
candidate  for  Governor  of  Vermont,  but  Mr.  Palmer,  the  anti- 
masonic  candidate,  was  elected.  Up  to  the  time  that  he  went 
into  the  United  States  Senate,  his  law  practice  had  been  very 
extensive,  and  his  pecuniary  affairs  prosperous.  He  had  acquired 
an  amount  of  property,  which  might  be  deemed  a  competency  for 
the  remainder  of  life.  But  he  subsequently  lost  it  all,  and  chiefly 
by  becoming  surety  for  others.  Since  he  left  the  Senate,  his  pro- 
fessional business  has  afforded  him  a  good  support,  and  has  also 
enabled  him  every  year  to  pay  a  considerable  amount  of  debts. 
Still  he  is  destitute  of  property.  In  October,  1847,  the  Legisla- 
ture appointed  him  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  district  of  Addison. 
This  affords  him  employment  a  great  part  of  the  time,  and  adds 
something  to  his  means  of  support.  The  Corporation  of  Yale 
College,  at  the  Commencement  in  1847,  conferred  on  him  the 
honorary  degree  of  LL.  D. 

In  the  spring  of  1800,  Mr.  Seymour  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy 
Case,  of  the  town  of  Addison,  Vt.,  who  bore  him  six  children,  and 
died  in  October,  1838.  Since  her  death  he  has  remained  single. 
His  six  children  were  —  (1.)  Ozias  Seymour,  educated  at  Middle- 
bury  College,  a  lawyer  in  Middlebury,  and  residing  near  his  father. 
He  has  a  wife  and  five  children.  (2.)  Moses  Seymour,  bred  a 
merchant,  engaged  in  business  in  Middlebury,  was  unfortunate  in 
his  business,  and  removed  to  the  West,  a  few  years  ago,  and  now 
resides  in  Geneva,  Walworth  County,  Wisconsin,  where  he  culti- 
vates a  small  farm.  He  has  a  wife  and  two  children.  (3.)  Mary 
Seymour,  who  died  in  June,  1821,  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  of  con- 
sumption. (4.)  Emma  Hart  Seymour,  married  Philip  Battell, 
Esq.,  son  of  the  late  Joseph  Battell,  of  Norfolk,  and  died  of 
39 


306 

consumption,  November,  1841,  leaving  two  small  children,  a  son 
and  a  daughter.  These  grandchildren  and  their  surviving  parent 
now  constitute  a  part  of  Mr.  Seymour's  family.  (5.)  Horatio 
Seymour,  Jr.,  was  educated  at  Middlebury  College,  and  is  a 
lawyer  of  note  at  Buffalo,  State  of  New  York.  He  has  a  wife 
and  two  children.  (6.)  Henry  Seymour,  was  a  merchant's  clerk 
until  of  age,  never  embarked  in  regular  business,  and  was  never 
married.  He  was  with  the  army  in  Florida  during  most  of  the 
Seminole  war,  afterwards  went  to  the  coast  of  Africa  in  the  United 
States  ship  Jamestown,  returned  in  the  ship,  and  died  in  Boston, 
January,  1847. 

Mr.  Seymour  united  with  the  Episcopal  Society  in  Middlebury 
at  its  first  organization,  and  for  several  years  has  been  the  Senior 
Warden  of  the  parish.  He  has  been  a  communicant  in  the  Epis- 
copal church  for  many  years. 

He  says  :  "  I  have,  through  life,  with  a  few  exceptions,  enjoyed 
good  health,  and  am  at  present  exempt  from  bodily  infirmities  to  a 
much  greater  degree  than  are  most  persons  who  have  arrived  at 
my  advanced  age.  I  attend  regularly  the  sessions  of  the  court  in 
this  county,  and  take  part  in  the  trial  of  causes.  I  keep  an  office, 
and  am  regular  and  constant  in  my  attention  to  the  business  of  it. 
So  long  as  I  shall  be  blessed  with  the  measure  of  health  I  now 
enjoy,  I  ought  not  to  feel  any  anxiety  in  relation  to  a  comfortable 
support." 


807 


THOMAS    DAY,  L.  L.  D, 


Was  the  third  son  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Day,  a  Congregational  minis- 
ter, in  New  Preston  Society,  in  the  town  of  Washington,  and  a 
younger  brother  of  Rev.  Jeremiah  Day,  D.  D.,  LL.  D.,  President 
of  Yale  College.  He  was  a  descendant,  in  the  sixth  generation, 
from  Robert  Day,  of  Hartford,  who  was  born  in  England,  came 
to  America  among  the  first  settlers  in  Massachusetts,  and  joined 
the  company  of  one  hundred  persons,  who,  in  1638,  removed  from 
Newtown,  Mass.,  to  Hartford,  Conn,,  with  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Hooker,  the  first  minister  of  Hartford.  Thomas  Day  was  born  at 
New  Preston,  July  6th,  1777.  He  passed  his  childhood  and 
youth  under  the  paternal  roof,  attending  the  common  district  school 
in  winter,  and  laboring  with  his  brothers  on  a  farm  in  summer. 
His  father  and  older  brother  first  instructed  him  in  Latin  and 
Greek  ;  and  he  afterwards  spent  some  months  under  the  tuition  of 
Barzillai  Slosson,  Esq.,  in  the  neighboring  town  of  Kent.  The 
winter  of  1793-4  he  passed  at  an  academy  in  New  Milford.  Thus 
fitted  for  College,  he  entered  the  Freshman  Class  in  the  spring  of 
1794,  and  graduated  in  1797,  at  the  age  of  twenty. 

During  his  first  year  after  graduation,  he  attended  the  Law 
lectures  of  Judge  Reeve,  at  Litchfield.  From  September,  1798, 
to  September,  1799,  he  was  a  Tutor  in  Williams'  College,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  read  law  under  the  direction  of  Daniel  Dewey, 
Esq.,  of  Williamstown,  afterwards  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  Massachusetts.    In  September,  1799,  Mr.  Day  went  to  Hartford, 


80S 

read  law  for  about  three  months  with  Theodore  Dwight,  Esq.,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  December,  1799,  and  immediately  entered 
on  the  practice  of  law  in  Hartford,  where  he  has  resided  ever 
since.  In  October,  1809,  he  was  appointed  by  the  General 
Assembly  of  Connecticut,  Assistant  Secretary  of  State  ;  and  in 
1810,  he  was  elected  Secretary  of  State  by  the  people,  and  re- 
elected for  twenty  five  successive  years,  or  until  May,  1835. 

In  May,  1815,  he  was  appointed  associate  Judge  of  the  County 
Court,  for  the  County  of  Hartford,  and  annually  afterwards,  except 
one  year,  until  May,  1825,  in  which  year  he  was  made  Chief 
Judge  of  that  Court,  and  was  continued  in  that  office,  by  succes- 
sive annual  appointments,  until  June,  1833.  In  March,  1818,  as 
one  of  the  two  senior  aldermen  of  the  city  of  Hartford,  he  became 
one  of  the  Judges  of  the  City  Court,  and  continued  such,  by  suc- 
cessive annual  elections,  until  March,  1831. 

Mr.  Day  was  one  of  the  Committee  who  prepared  the  edition  of 
the  Statutes  of  Connecticut,  published  in  1808;  and  by  him  the 
notes  Were  compiled,  the  index  made,  and  the  introduction  written. 
He  was  also  one  of  the  Committee  who  revised  the  Statutes  in 
1  821,  and  likewise  one  of  a  Committee  to  prepare  and  superintend 
a  new  edition  in  1824. 

In  June.  1805,  he  began  to  attend  the  Supreme  Court  of  Errors, 
for  the  purpose  of  taking  notes  and  reporting  the  decisions  of  that 
Court;  and  he  has  attended  ir  over  since  for  the  same  purpose. 
Provision  being  made  by  law  for  the  appointment  of  a  Reporter, 
Mr.  Day  was  appointed  to  that  office  in  June,  1814,  and  has  been 
continued  in  it  to  the  present  time.  As  a  volunteer,  he  prepared 
and  published  reports  of  cases  decided  by  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Errors,  from  1802  to  1813,  in  five  volumes  8vo ;  and  as  official 
Reporter,  reports  of  cases  decided  by  the  same  Court,  from  1814 
to  1846,  inclusive,  in  seventeen  volumes  royal  8vo,  the  18th  being 
now  in  course  of  preparation.  He  has  also  edited  several  English 
law  works,  in  all  about  forty  volumes,  in  which  he  introduced 
notices  of  American  decisions,  and  sometimes  of  the  later  English 


309 

Cases,  either  by  incorporating  them  in  the  text,  or  by  appending 
them  as  notes  in  the  margin,  together  with  other  improvements. 

Mr.  Day's  name  likewise  stands  connected  with  many  literary 
and  benevolent  institutions.  He  is,  or  has  been,  one  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Hartford  Grammar  School,  and  Clerk  of  the  Board  ; 
one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Hartford  Female  Seminary,  and  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board ;  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  of  the  American 
Asylum  for  the  education  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb ;  one  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Retreat  for  the  Insane  ;  one  of  the  Directors  of 
the  Connecticut  Bible  Society  ;  President  of  the  Hartford  County 
Missionary  Society,  auxiliary  to  the  Am.  B.  C.  F.  M. ;  President 
of  the  Connecticut  Branch  of  the  American  Education  Society ; 
President  of  the  Goodrich  Association,  &c.  &c.  He  was  an 
original  member  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society,  and  aided 
in  its  organization,  in  1825,  being  at  that  time  its  Recording  Sec- 
retary. On  the  revival  of  the  institution  in  1839,  he  became  its 
President,  a  position  which  he  still  retains. 

Mr.  Day  was  married  on  the  18th  of  March,  1813,  to  Sarah 
Coit,  daughter  of  Wheeler  Coit,  of  Preston,  (now  Griswokl,)  who 
was  a  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Coit,  of  Plainfield,  one  of  the 
first  class  of  Yalensian  graduates.  They  have  had  eight  children, 
two  sons  and  six  daughters.  One  of  the  sons  died  in  infancy,  the 
other  son  and  all  the  daughters  but  one  are  living.  They  are  Sarah 
Colt,  bom  in  1814,  resides  with  her  father ;  Elizabeth,  born  in 

1816,  is  the  wife  of  Prof.  N.  P.  Seymour,  of  the  Western  Reserve 
College,  and  resides  at  Hudson,  Ohio ;   Thomas  Mills,  born  in 

1817,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1837,  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in 
Hartford,  1840,  and  is  resident  in  Boston  ;  Catherine  Augusta, 
born  in  1819,  was  recently  married ;  Harriet,  born  in  1821,  is 
the  wife  of  John  P.  Putnam,  LL.  B.,  who  graduated  at  Yale  in 
1837,  and  resides  now  in  Boston  ;  Robert,  born  in  1824,  and  died 
the  same  year ;  Mary  Frances,  born  in  1826,  and  Ellen,  born  in 
1829,  and  died  in  1850, 

At  the  Commencement  of  Yale  College,  in  1847,  the  Corporation 
of  that  Institution  conferred  on  Mr.  Day  the  Honorary  Degree  of 
LL.D. 


310 


NATHAN    SMITH, 


The  Honorable  NATHAN  SMITH,  of  New  Haven,  was  born 
in  Roxbury,  in  1770.  He  was  a  son  of  Richard  Smith,  and  brother 
of  the  late  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  whose  history  is  briefly  sketched 
in  this  volume.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Hurd, 
and  grand-daughter  of  Benjamin  Hinman,  of  Woodbury.*  The 
parents  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  plain,  unaspiring  people, 
yet  among  their  descendants  have  been  some  of  the  most  eminent 
lawyers  and  statesmen  of  the  commonwealth. 

On  arriving  at  a  suitable  age,  Nathan  was  transferred  from  the 
farm  to  the  office  of  his  brother  above  named,  and  afterwards  to 
that  of  Judge  Reeve,  to  learn  the  "art  and  mystery"  of  the  law; 
and  in  due  time  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  his  native  county. 
He  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  the  city  of  New  Haven, 
where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  death.  Slowly  but  surely, 
he  won  his  way  to  the  highest  professional  eminence.  Indeed, 
he  was  an  enthusiast  in  the  profession  he  had  chosen,  ever 
regarding  success  therein,  as  the  goal  of  his  ambition.  Conse- 
quently, he  studied  the  standard  legal  authors  of  England  and 
America  thoroughly  and  systematically.  No  practitioner  in  the 
Connecticut  Courts  better  understood  the  law  in  all  its  crooks  and 
turns,  and  no  one  could  more  effectually  impress  the  minds  of  a 
jury  with  his  own  views  and  feelings  on  any  case,  than  he.  The 
theoretical  and  practical,  the  profound  and  witty,  were  so  happily 

*  In  the  sketch  of  the  Hon.  Nathaniel  Smith,  (p.  137,)  we  erroneously  stated  that 
his  mother  was  a  Hinman. 


311 

blended  in  his  arguments,  that  while  they  attracted  the  admiration 
of  the  listener,  they  were  almost  certain  of  securing  the  wished 
for  verdict.  His  wonderful  success  at  the  bar,  however,  must  not 
be  attributed  solely  to  his  talents  and  ingenuity.  His  strict  regard 
for  justice  and  right,  would  not  permit  him  to  plead  a  case  which 
he  knew  to  be  grossly  unrighteous.  Before  enlisting  his  services 
in  any  cause,  he  was  wont  to  examine  minutely  the  main  facts  and 
circumstances  connected  with  it ;  and  if  convinced  of  its  justice, 
he  entered  upon  the  discharge  of  his  duties  to  his  client  with  his 
whole  soul,  and  rarely  failed  of  coming  oif  victorious.  It  was  his 
own  manifest  confidence  in  the  goodness  of  the  cause  he  advocated, 
united  to  a  knowledge  of  his  uniform  integrity  of  purpose,  which 
so  surely  won  from  every  jury  a  favorable  verdict. 

Mr.  Smith  was  not  a  politician,  and  had  the  utmost  contempt  of 
the  office-seeking  propensity  of  many  of  his  legal  brethren,  And 
even  if  his  own  ambition  had  been  turned  into  that  channel,  it  is  by 
no  means  certain  he  would  have  been  successful.  The  political 
party  with  which  he  acted,  was  for  a  long  series  of  years  in  the 
minority  in  the  region  in  which  he  lived  ;  and  where  party  lines 
are  closely  drawn,  a  zeal  for  place  and  power  not  unfrequently 
triumphs  over  merit.  His  name  was  sometimes,  without  his  con- 
sent, used  by  his  fellow-citizens  in  the  political  struggles  of  the 
times.  In  1825,  he  was  a  principal  opponent  of  Oliver  Wolcott 
for  the  office  of  Governor  of  Connecticut.  There  were,  however, 
some  offices  more  directly  in  the  line  of  his  profession,  which  he 
did  not  dislike,  though  he  was  far  from  seeking  them.  He  was 
for  many  years  State's  attorney  for  the  county  of  New  Haven, 
and  subsequently,  United  States'  attorney  for  the  District  of  Con- 
necticut. In  these  stations,  his  peculiar  genius  and  learning  were 
often  rendered  conspicuous. 

In  May,  1832,  Mr.  Smith  was  elected  a  Senator  in  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  to  succeed  the  Hon.  Samuel  A.  Foote, 
whose  term  would  expire  on  the  3d  of  March  following.  He  took 
his  seat  in  that  distinguished  body,  March  4,  1833,  and  continued 
to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  station  until  the  6th  of  December, 


312 

1835,  when  he  died  suddenly  in  the  city  of  Washington,  in  the 
66th  year  of  his  age.  The  correspondent  of  the  New  York  Daily 
Advertiser,  gives  the  following  account  of  the  funeral  ceremonies 
of  Senator  Smith,  which  took  place  on  Wednesday,  the  9th  of 
December. 

"The  flag-staff,  with  the  American  flag  floating  at  half  mast,  denoted 
early  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  that  the  capitol  was  to  be  the 
scene  of  solemnity.  At  12  o'clock  the  hour  of  adjournment  came. 
The  ladies'  gallery  was  filled  with  the  beau'y  and  fashion  of  the  nation, 
and  the  opposite  gallery  was  not  less  crowded  with  spectators,  all  anx- 
ious to  witness  the  obsequies.  A  motion  was  made  for  adjournment 
till  12  o'clock  on  the  following  day,  which  was  carried  hy  a  silent  vote. 
Prior  to  this,  however,  the  President  and  Vice  President  of  the  United 
States,  the  Heads  of  Departments,  public  and  private  Secretaries,  with 
the  Senators  and  clergymen  entered  and  seated  themselves  in  the 
Senate  chamber.  Soon  the  coffin  was  borne  in  by  servants  with  broad 
white  scarfs  around  their  hats.  Next  came  the  Representatives  with 
crape  upon  their  left  arms,  preceded  by  the  members  from  Connecticut, 
(the  state  of  the  deceased,)  in  deep  mourning,  with  a  broad  black 
scarf  extending  from  the  right  shoulder  under  the  left  arm.  The  Vice 
President  was  in  the  chair;  the  President  and  Heads  of  Departments 
sat  on  the  left  side  of  the  front  row  of  seats  ;  the  Senators  and  Repre- 
sentatives filled  the  remaining  seats.  Opposite  the  President  were  the 
delegation  from  Connecticut.  All  was  still  and  solemn  as  the  grave, 
when  the  minister,  dressed  in  a  black  robe  over  which  was  a  white 
scarf,  arose  from  the  seat  in  front  of  the  Vice  President's  chair,  repeat- 
ing some  expressive  and  appropriate  texts  from  the  volume  of  Holy 
Writ.  He  addressed  the  assembly  for  some  minutes,  when,  after 
invoking  a  blessing  from  the  Almighty,  the  funeral  procession  was 
formed.  The  Committee  of  Arrangements,  dressed  in  white  scarfs, 
preceded  the  hearse ;  next  came  the  pall-bearers ;  then  followed  the 
clergymen,  President,  Vice  President,  Secretaries,  Members  and 
Citizens.  The  procession  consisted  of  one  hundred  carriages,  extend- 
ing nearly  a  mile  in  length.  All  of  the  hackmen  were  dressed  in  a 
uniform  mourning,  with  a  crape  around  their  hats.  The  deceased 
was  carried  to  the  national  burying-ground,  where,  after  the  accus- 
tomed services,  the  procession  was  re-formed  and  returned.  The 
whole  scene  was  truly  impressive  and  solemn  —  worthy  of  the  nation 
and  of  the  venerated  character  of  the  deceased." 

In  1808,  Mr.  Smith  received  the  honorary  degree  of  Master  of 
Arts  from  Yale  College, 


318 


FREDERICK    AUGUSTUS   TALLMADGB. 


The  Hon.  F.  A.  TALLMADGE,  the  celebrated  lawyer  and 
politician  of  the  City  of  New  York,  is  a  son  of  the  late  Hon. 
Benjamin  Tallmaclge,  an  officer  of  the  Revolutionary  Army  and  for 
fifteen  years  a  distinguished  member  of  Congress  from  Connecticut. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Litchfield,  August  29th, 
1792,  and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1811,  in  the  class  with 
his  distinguished  fellow-townsman,  the  Hon.  S.  S.  Phelps,  of  Ver- 
mont. Immediately  after  graduating,  Mr.  Tallmadge  entered  the 
Law  School  at  Litchfield,  and  after  prosecuting  the  usual  course  of 
legal  studies,  he  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  Bar  of  Litchfield 
County. 

In  1814  he  commenced  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the 
City  of  New  York.  Notwithstanding  he  was  surrounded  by 
experienced  and  eminent  lawyers,  he  soon  rose  to  distinction  in 
the  metropolis,  and  in  a  few  years  he  was  regarded  as  one  of  its 
most  successful  advocates  and  counsellors.  In  1834,  he  was 
elected  an  Alderman  of  that  city,  and  while  a  member  of  the 
Common  Council,  in  the  fall  of  1836,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of 
the  State  Senate,  and  was  subsequently  elected  its  presiding  officer. 
As  a  Senator  he  was  ex  officio  a  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  for 
the  Correction  of  Errors.  After  remaining  a  member  of  that  dis- 
tinguished body  for  four  years,  Mr.  Tallmadge  was  appointed  by 
the  Governor  and  Senate,  to  the  office  of  Recorder  of  the  City  of 
New  York  —  a  post  which  he  occupied  for  five  years.  As  Chief 
Justice  of  the  Police  Court  in  the  city,  his  labors  were  arduous 
40 


314 

and  responsible,  and  it  is  sufficient  praise  to  say  that  he  discharged 
them  promptly  and  faithfully. 

In  1846,  he  was  elected  a  Representative  to  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States.  In  the  autumn  of  1848,  before  the  expiration 
of  his  Congressional  term,  he  was  elected  Recorder  of  New  York 
by  the  people — his  being  the  first  election  to  that  office  under 
the  new  Constitution  of  the  State.     He  still  occupies  the  station. 

Soon  after  locating  in  New  York,  Mr.  Tallmadge  was  married  to 
a  daughter  of  the  Hon.  Judson  Canfield  of  Sharon,  in  his  native 
County.  His  public  career  has  been  eminently  popular,  and  as  he 
is  still  in  the  prime  of  life,  we  trust  new  honors  await  him. 


315 


ARPHAXAD    LOOMIS, 


Was  born  at  Winchester,  on  the  9th  of  Apiil,  1798.    His  father 
was  a  farmer,  in  very  moderate  circumstances.    Arphaxad  was  the 
fifth  son,  and  from  the  time  his  father  removed  with  his  family  to 
Herkimer  county,  New  York,  until  his  fourteenth  year,  he  was 
accustomed  to  steady  service  on  the  farm.     He  enjoyed,  however, 
the  usual  opportunities  afforded  to  boys  in  the  country,  of  attending 
the  common  school,  and  which  he  improved  to  good  advantage. 
When  fourteen  years  of  age,  his  father  hired  him  out  as  the  teacher 
of  a  common  school,  seven  or  eight  miles  from  home.     He  was 
then  quite  small  of  his  age.     His  agreement  was  six  dollars  per 
month,   and  to   "board  round."      He   subsequently,  for  several 
successive  years,   taught  school   in  the  winters,   and  during  the 
summers  he  attended  the  academy  at  Fairfield,  Herkimer  county, 
paying  his  tuition  by  his  winter  earnings.      According  to  the  com- 
mon practice  of  that  institution,  he  lived  in  his  room,  at  the  acad- 
emy, upon  his  own  food,  a  week's  supply  of  which  he  was  accus- 
tomed to  carry  from  his  father's  house,  a  distance  of  four  miles, 
every  Monday  morning.      He  also  wore  the  home-made  garments 
of  his  father's  household.      It  was  understood,  however,  that  he 
was  not  to  be  a  burden  to  the  family,  even  to  this  extent,  and 
accordingly,    his  winter's   earnings  were,   with  the  exception  of 
"tuition,"  and  "book-money,"  regularly  paid  over  to  his  father, 
as  an  equivalent  for  his  supplies.      He  was  very  desirous  of  going 
through  a  collegiate  course,  but  his  resources  would  not  permit  the 
gratification  of  this  ambition. 


81 6* 

In  1818,  he  entered  his  name  as  a  student  in  a  law  office  at 
Johnstown,  Montgomery  count;.-.  At  the  end  of  three  months, 
however,  his  funds  became  exhausted,  and  he  was  compelled  once 
more  to  commence  teaching.  Although  he  sometimes  brooded  in 
deep  despondency  over  his  want  of  means  to  prosecute  his  legal 
studies,  lie  was  determined  not  to  "  give  up."  Having  heard  that 
a  teacher  of  his  acquirements  might  probably  find  good  employ- 
ment at  Watertown,  Jefferson  county,  he  borrowed  ten  dollars  of 
his  father,  and  on  the  20th  of  December,  1818,  he  started  on  foot 
with  a  knapsack  on  his  back,  over  the  bleak  hills  and  frozen  ground. 
Owing  to  the  extreme  cold,  which  happened  to  set  in  about  that 
time,  the  journey  proved  a  very  severe  one,  and  to  that  he  attrib- 
utes his  impaired  hearing. 

At  Watertown,  he  obtained  employment  in  the  district  school. 
Here,  also,  he  entered  a  law  office,  and  pursued  his  legal  studies. 
At  the  end  of  three  months,  he  obtained  sufficient  law  business  to 
enable  him  forever  to  relinquish  the  school  room,  and  to  continue 
his  studies  without  further  interruption.  He  completed  them  at 
Sacketts  Harbor,  in  January,  1825,  and  took  his  license  as  attor- 
ney at  law.  He  spent  the  twro  succeeding  years  in  practicing  in 
the  office  where  he  finished  his  course.  A  part  of  the  third  year 
was  spent  in  a  journey  through  the  south-western  states,  with  a 
vague  notion  that  he  would  locate  himself  in  a  new  country,  and 
"grow  up  with  it."  He  visited  Gen.  Jackson,  and  saw  all  the 
lions  in  his  way.  He  found  the  country,  however,  too  "new"  for 
his  taste,  and  returned  to  his  father's  house  exhausted  in  funds, 
and  in  feeble  health.  After  recruiting  himself  to  some  extent,  he 
iinally  located  at  Little  Falls,  Herkimer  county,  his  present  resi- 
dence. He  there  devoted  himself  to  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
with  considerable  success. 

In  February,  1828,  he  was  appointed  surrogate  of  Herkimer 
county,  which  office  he  held  until  1837.  In  the  winter  of  1884, 
his  name  was  sent  to  the  senate,  by  Gov.  Marcy,  for  the  office  of 
circuit  judge  :  but,  owing  to  an  apprehension  that  his  defective 


317 

hearing  would  interfere  with  the  proper  discharge  of  the  duties, 
the  nomination  was  subsequently  withdrawn.  On  that  occasion  he 
received  complimentary  letters  from  all  the  democratic  senators, 
assuring  him  that  nothing  but  the  said  impediment  had  induced 
them  to  advise  the  substitution  of  another  person. 

During  the  spring  of  the  same  year,  Gov.  Marcy  appointed  him 
on  the  commission,  with  Messrs.  Elisha  Litchfield  and  Eli  Moore, 
to  investigate  the  subject  of  mechanical  labor  in  the  state  prisons ; 
also,  the  prison  policy  and  discipline.  After  a  most  laborious 
investigation,  a  report  and  bill,  both  drawn  up  by  Mr.  Loomis, 
were  submitted  to  the  legislature,  in  1835,  on  which  the  law  of 
the  year  was  based.  This  had  the  effect  of  subduing  the  prevail- 
ing excitement  for  several  years,  when  the  continual  disregard  of 
the  regulations,  by  executive  officers  of  the  prisons,  caused  the 
mechanical  interests  in  the  state  to  renew  the  complaint. 

In  the  fall  of  183G,  Mr.  Loomis  was  elected  a  representative  in 
congress,  and  took  his  seat  at  the  first  session  under  Mr.  Van 
Buren's  administration.  During  the  long  session  of  1837-8,  he 
was  a  member  of  the  committee  on  private  land  claims,  and  his 
labors  were  so  severe  as  to  seriously  impair  his  health.  The 
following  session  he  served  on  the  committee  on  public  lands, 
where  he  also  found  that  there  was  work  to'  do.  While  on  the 
latter  committee,  he  strenuously  exerted  himself  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  sale  of  lands  to  actual  settlers  only,  and  at  a  very 
moderate  price,  believing  then,  as  now,  that  all  other  sales  are 
detrimental  to  the  public  interest.  He  also  exerted  himself  in 
favor  of  postage  reform,  and  the  regulation  of  the  franking  privi- 
lege, and  with  this  object  he  introduced  many  resolutions  of  inquiry 
into  the  existing  abuses,  and  which  had  the  effect  of  hastening  the 
subsequent  action  of  congress  on  those  subjects. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1841,  Mr.  Loomis  took  his  seat  in  the 
New  York  legislature,  as  a  representative  of  Herkimer  county. 
Here,  entertaining  strong  convictions  of  the  great  evils  of  a  public 
debt,  and  thinking  that  he  perceived  a  strong  tendency  to  create 


318 

debts,  and  in  many  cases  from  selfish  motives,  it  occnred  to  him 
that  these  tendencies  might  be  lessened,  if  not  entirely  obviated, 
by  preventing  any  public  debt,  unless  sanctioned  by  the  direct 
vote  of  the  people  themselves.  In  addition  to  giving  his  views 
through  the  press,  on  the  14th  of  January,  1841,  he  introduced  a 
resolution  to  amend  the  constitution,  so  as  to  restrain  the  legisla- 
ture from  borrowing  money,  or  creating  any  public  debt,  except  to 
repel  invasion,  suppress  insurrection,  or  to  defend  the  state  in  war, 
unless  authorized  by  a  direct  vote  of  the  electors,  at  a  general 
election.  This  proposition  was  approved  by  most  of  the  democratic 
papers  in  New  York,  and  other  states.  Many  of  the  editors  kept 
it  at  the  head  of  their  columns  for  months.  Although  the  resolu- 
tion was  not  carried,  yet  its  frequent  repetition  by  him  during 
succeeding  sessions,  resulted,  in  the  convention  of  1846,  of  which 
Mr.  Loomis  was  an  active  member,  in  its  adoption. 

Of  the  arduous  labors  of  Mr.  Loomis,  as  chairman  of  the  judi- 
ciary committee,  in  the  legislature,  and  of  his  eminent  services  as  a 
member  of  the  convention,  and  which  seriously  injured  his  health, 
our  limits,  will  not  permit  us  to  speak.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  say, 
that  a  more  devoted  public  servant  cannot  be  found. 


319 


WILLIAM    W.    BOARDMAN. 


This  gentleman  is  a  son  of  the  late  Hon.  Elijah  Boardinan,  of 
the  United  States  Senate,  and  was  born  in  New .  Milford,  on  the 
10th  of  October,  1794.  During  his  boyhood,  he  was  for  a  while 
at  school  in  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  among  his  mother's  relatives, 
and  was  thence  transferred  to  Bacon  Academy,  at  Colchester, 
where  he  fitted  for  College.  In  the  autumn  of  1808,  he  entered 
Yale  College  and  graduated  in  due  course,  before  he  was  eighteen 
years  of  age.  The  following  year  was  spent  by  him  as  a  resident 
graduate  at  Harvard  College.  He  read  law  with  David  S.  Board- 
man,  Esq.,  of  New  Milford,  and  at  the  Litchfield  Law  School,  and 
commenced  the  practice  of  the  legal  profession  at  New  Haven,  in 
1819,  where  he  still  resides. 

Upon  the  organization  of  our  State  Government  under  the  new 
Constitution,  in  May,  1819,  Mr.  Boardman  was  elected  Secretary 
of  the  Senate,  and  was  annually  re-elected  until  1824,  when  he 
was  appointed  Judge  of  Probate  for  the  District  of  New  Haven ; 
a  post  which  he  filled  for  five  years.  In  1830,  he  was  elected  to 
the  Senate  of  this  State,  and  was  twice  re-elected.  In  the  spring 
of  1836,  he  represented  New  Haven  in  the  Connecticut  House  of 
Representatives,  at  which  session  he  had  a  somewhat  famous 
debate  with  the  Hon.  Perry  Smith  (since  of  the  United  States 
Senate,)  then  a  member  from  New  Milford.  At  the  extra  session 
held  during  the  following  winter,  the  law  relating  to  electors'  meet- 
ings, enacted  in  pursuance  of  an  amendment  of  the  Constitution, 
was  drawn  up  and  reported  by  him.     Mr.  Boardman  was  again  a 


320 

member  of  the  House  in  1837,  and  was  appointed  chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Divorces.  At  the  same  session  he  proposed  amend- 
ments to  the  Constitution,  giving  the  election  of  Judges  of  Probate 
and  Justices  of  the  Peace  to  the  people,  and  though  they  failed  at 
that  time,  they  have  recently  been  adopted. 

In  1838  and  1839,  Mr.  Boardman  was  a  member  of  the  House, 
and  elected  Speaker  both  years.  In  1840,  he  w8s  chosen  amem- 
of  the  26th  Congress  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resigna- 
tion of  the  Hon.  Win.  L.  Storrs,  who  had  been  transferred  to  the 
Supreme  Bench;  and  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Private 
Land  Claims.  In  April,  1841,  he  was  re-elected  to  the  National 
House  of  Representatives,  and  during  the  three  sessions  of  the 
27th  Congress,  he  served  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  public 
buildings  and  grounds. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  returned  as  a  member  of  the 
Connecticut  Legislature  in  1845,  and  was  again  elected  Speaker. 
He  was  also  a  member  in  1849,  and  would  have  been  elected  Speaker 
on  one  of  the  ballotings  if  he  had  withheld  his  own  vote.  On  the 
ballot  alluded  to,  Mr.  Boardman  had  110  votes ;  John  C.  Lewis, 
Esq.,  of  Plymouth,  had  108  ;  and  there  was  two  scattering  votes, 
one  of  which  was  cast  by  Mr.  Boardman.  On  the  following  ballot 
Mr.  Lewis  was  choseu  by  one  majority.  During  this  session,  Mr. 
B.  was  Chairman  on  the  part  of  the  House  of  the  Committee  on 
Divorces,  the  late  Gen.  Bacon,  of  Litchfield,  being  Chairman  on 
the  part  of  the  Senate.  In  1851,  Mr.  Boardman  was  once  more 
a  member  and  candidate  for  Speaker  of  the  House. 

We  have  thus  given  the  leading  events  in  the  history  of  one  of 
the  distinguished  sons"  of  Litchfield  County  —  a  gentleman  who  is 
still  in  the  prime  of  life  and  on  the  highway  to  new  preferment. 


321 


JO  PIN    MILTON    HOLLEY 


JOHN  MILTON  HOLLEY,  (son  of  a  distinguished  gentleman 
of  the  same  name,)  was  a  native  of  Salisbury,  where  he  was  born 
in  November,  1802.  He  graduated  with  distinguished  honors  at 
Yale  College,  in  1822,  and  after  pursuing  a  course  of  legal  study, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  New  Y7ork  bar  in  1825,  and  commenced 
practice  the  next  year  at  Lyons,  in  Western  New  York,  where  he 
has  ever  since  resided.  His  learning,  capacity,  and  integrity,  soon 
placed  him  in  the  front  rank  of  his  profession.  To  a  mind  at  once 
brilliant  and  solid,  he  united  those  generous  qualities  of  the  heart 
which  attract  the  love  and  confidence  of  mankind.  Popular  hon- 
ors were  showered  upon  him,  and,  during  his  whole  career,  he 
enjoyed  the  most  gratifying  demonstrations  of  public  regard.  In 
various  stations  of  public  trust  he  exemplified  the  remark  that  offi- 
cial elevation  is  made  truly  illustrious  by  the  personal  worth  and 
fidelity  of  the  incumbent.  He  was  chosen  to  represent  his  county  in 
the  Assembly  of  his  State  in  1838,  and  again  in  1841.  In  the 
Legislature  of  his  State  he  gained  a  high  reputation  for  eloquence 
and  ability.  Ever  firm  and  unyielding  in  the  assertion  of  what  he 
deemed  to  be  the  truth  and  the  right,  always  fearless  and  bold  in 
the  expression  of  his  convictions,  yet  the  ingenuous  candor  of  his 
spirit  disarmed  hostility  by  winning  the  admiration  and  friendship 
of  political  opponents.  Whilst  he  had  no  personal  enemies,  no  man 
could  boast  a  more  devoted  u  troop  of  friends." 

In  1845,  he  was  an  unsuccessful  candidate  for  the  State  Senate. 
In  1846,  he  was  chosen  to  represent  the  27th  Congressional  dis- 
41 


322 

trict,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Seneca  and  Wayne,  in  the  Thir- 
tieth Congress,  and  was,  at  the  time  of  his  election,  in  the  enjoyment 
of  health  which  gave  promise  of  a  long  life  of  usefulness  and  honor. 
But,  he  was  struck  suddenly  down  with  a  fit  of  pulmonary  apo- 
plexy from  which  he  never  fully  recovered.  Being  desirous  to  dis- 
charge with  fidelity  his  representative  obligations,  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  ensuing  session,  though  exceedingly  feeble  and  infirm, 
he  repaired  to  the  Capital }  and  took  part  in  the  organization  of  the 
House,  and  yielded  reluctantly  to  the  advice  of  his  physician  and 
friends  to  seek  relief  in  repose  and  a  southern  clime.  Immediately 
after  the  opening  of  the  session,  he  proceeded  to  Jacksonville,  in 
the  State  of  Florida,  where  the  genial  influences  of  the  climate 
seemed  to  revive  him  for  a  season,  and  his  friends  were  flattered 
with  the  hope  of  his  recovery.  But  a  sudden  return  of  the  disease 
brought  with  it  a  fatal  termination,  and  he  expired  on  the  8th  of 
March,  1848.  He  died  conscious  of  the  mighty  change  which 
awaited  him,  calm  and  resigned,  in  the  hope  of  a  glorious  future. 
The  companion  of  his  life,  who  had  accompanied  him  with  that 
fidelity  and  affection  known  only  to  woman,  was  present  at  his  bed- 
side, to  smooth  his  dying  pillow,  and  close  his  eyes  in  death.  In 
writing  to  a  friend,  the  day  before  his  death,  he  said,  "With  hopes 
of  earthly  fame  or  distinction  I  have  done ;  I  seek  those  better 
things  to  which  the  humblest  votary  may  aspire."  He  had  evi- 
dently withdrawn  his  thoughts  from  "  the  competitions,  factions,  and 
debates  of  mankind,"  to  contemplate  the  higher  concerns  of  that 
immortal  existence  upon  which  he  now  has  entered. 

On  the  18th  of  March  following  the  decease  of  Mr.  Holley,  the 
Hon.  Washington  Hunt,  Representative  in  Congress  from  the  State 
of  New  York,  arose  in  his  place  and  said: 

Mr.  Speaker,  I  rise  to  discharge  a  mournful  and  unwelcome  duty. 
tlpon  me  h;ts  been  devolved  the  melancholy  task  of  announcing  to  the 
House  that.  John  M.  Holley,  one  of  the  Representatives  of  the  State 
of  2s ew  York,  has  departed  this  life.  He  died  at  Jacksonville,  in 
Florida,  on  the  8th  instant,  after  a  protracted  illness,  which  he  endured 
with  calnmcrs  and  Christian  resignation. 


323 

I  feel  the  inadequacy  of  language  to  express  the  grief  with  which  I 
am  penetrated  by  this  afflicting  event.  The  nation  has  lost  one  of  her 
noblest  sons,  and  the  public  councils  are  deprived  of  the  services  of  a 
pure  patriot  and  a  wise  statesman.  The  estimation  in  which  his  virtues 
were  held  by  the  people  of  the  State  to  which  he  belongs,  forms  of 
itself,  the  highest  eulogium  upon  his  character. 

Mr.  Speaker,  in  the  community  where  our  lamented  colleague  had 
dwelt  so  long,  the  intelligence  of  his  death  will  be  received  with  the. 
deepest  sorrow.  Universally  beloved  while  living,  his  loss  will  be  uni- 
versally mourned;  whilst  the  memory  of  his  manly  graces  and  virtues 
will  be  fondly  cherished  by  all  who  knew  him. 

I  dare  not  trust  myself  to  speak  of  the  domestic  circle  which  is  made 
desolate,  and  the  hallowed  ties  which  are  sundered  by  this  afflictive 
dispensation.  Would  that  we  might  impart  consolation  to  the  bereaved 
family  by  the  expression  of  our  affectionate  sympathy  and  condolence! 
May  they  be  sustained  and  comforted  by  the  protecting  power  of  the 
Supreme  Being  whose  merciful  promise  it  is  to  be  the  widow's  friend 
and  "a  father  to  the  fatherless." 

In  conclusion,  Mr.  Speaker,  I  offer  the  following  resolutions: 

Resolved,  That  this  House  has  heard,  with  deep  sensibility,  the 
annunciation  of  the  death  of  Hon.  John  M.  Holley,  a  member  from 
the  State  of  New  York. 

Resolved,  That  this  House  tenders  to  the  relatives  of  the  deceased 
the  expression  of  its  smypathy  on  this  affecting  event,  and,  as  a  testi- 
mony of  respect  for  the  memory  of  the  deceased,  the  members  and 
officers  of  the  House  will  go  into  mourning  by  wearing  crape  on  the 
left  arm  for  thirty  days. 

Resolved,  That,  as  a  further  mark  of  respect  for  the  memory  of  the 
deceased,  this  House  do  now  adjourn. 

The  Hon.  D.  S.  Dickinson  announced  the  death  of  Mr.  Holley 
in  the  Senate,  and  paid  a  feeling  and  appropriate  tribute  to  his 
memory.     Both  Houses  adjourned. 


324 


MRS.    LAURA    M.    THURSTON. 


MRS.  THURSTON  was  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Earl  P.  Hawley, 
and  was  born  in  Norfolk,  December,  1812.  Her  parents  being  in 
moderate  circumstances,  her  early  advantages  for  education  were 
such  only  as  were  afforded  by  the  common  district  school.  On 
arriving  at  maturer  years,  however,  she  found  means  to  enter  Mr. 
J.  P.  Brace's  "Female  Seminary,"  in  Hartford,  where  she  prose- 
cuted her  studies  with  unusual  diligence  and  success,  and  secured 
the  marked  approbation  of  the  Principal  and  teachers.  After 
leaving  this  Institution,  she  was  for  a  few  years  engaged  as  a 
teacher  in  New  Milford  and  Philadelphia,  and  subsequently  became 
an  assistant  in  Brace's  Seminary.  Here  she  remained  until  1837, 
when,  upon  Mr.  Brace's  recommendation,  she  left  Connecticut  to 
take  charge  of  the  Academy  at  New  Albany,  in  the  State  of 
Indiana.  In  1839  she  was  married  to  Mr.  Franklin  Thurston,  a 
merchant  of  NeAV  Albany.  She  was  at  this  time  a  frequent  con^ 
tributor  to  the  Western  papers  and  periodicals,  usually  over  the 
signature  of  "Viola," — and  soon  won  for  herself  the  reputation 
of  beino;  one  of  the  best  female  writers  at  the  West.  But  in  the 
midst  of  her  growing  fame,  and  ere  her  dreams  of  earthly  happi- 
ness had  scarcely  begun  to  be  realized,  death  marked  her  for  his 
victim!  Yet,  when  he  came  to  execute  his  dread  commission,  he 
found  her  not  unprepared.  In  the  bloom  of  youth  and  health  she 
had  consecrated  herself  to  God,  and  the  hopes  she  had  long  cher- 
ished   did  not  desert  her  as  she  descended  "the  dark  valley." 


325 

When  told  that  she  must  die,  her  joyful  exclamation  was,  "Is  it 
possible  I  shall  so  soon  be  in  Heaven !"  She  expired  on  the  21st  of 
July,  1842. 

In  the  autumn  of  1843  the  author  of  this  volume  accompanied 
a  literary  friend  to  the  "Childhood's  Home"  of  Mrs.  Thurston. 
Her  early  residence  is  situated  about  three  miles  to  the  north-east 
of  the  village  of  Norfolk,  Litchfield  county,  Connecticut — in  a  quiet, 
secluded  nook,  shut  out,  as  it  were,  from  the  great  world;  in  short, 
just  such  a  place  as  a  poet  might  choose  for  the  undisturbed  indul- 
gence of  his  day-dreams.  On  our  way  thither,  we  paused  for  a 
moment  over  the  foundations  of  the  now  demolished  school-house, 
where,  in  early  childhood,  my  friend  had  been  the  school-companion 
of  the  future  poetess ;  and  many  pleasant  reminiscences  of  those 
halcyon  days  were  called  to  mind,  and  related  by  him,  as  we  pur- 
sued our  way  down  the  green  lane,  toward  the  cottage  which  had 
been  her  home  from  infancy.  The  dwelling  is  a  small,  venerable 
looking,  wood-colored  building,  of  but  a  single  story,  located  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  main  road,  on  a  path  which  has  the  appear- 
ance of  being  but  seldom  traveled.  Her  father  still  resides  thare, 
and  appears  to  take  a  pride  in  the  growing  fame  of  his  daughter. 
He  pointed  out  to  us  the  spot  on  which  she  was  born,  about  two 
miles  distant,  near  the  borders  of  a  small  and  picturesque  lake  — 
from  whence  he  removed  to  his  present  residence,  during  her  first 
year.  He  also  showed  us  several  of  her  poems,  and  gave  us  the 
materials  from  which  the  annexed  brief  sketch  of  her  history  is 
drawn. 

The  following  beautiful  poem,  descriptive  of  the  home  and  scenes 
of  her  childhood,  (the  frequent  perusal  of  which  first  induced  in 
us  the  desire  to  visit  them,)  is  preserved  in  the  Appendix  to  Gris- 
wold's  "  Poets  and  Poetry  of  America."  It  was  written  after  her 
removal  and  settlement  in  the  West,  and  but  a  short  time  previous 
to  her  death. 


326 


THE  GREEN  HILLS  OF  MY  FATHER  LAND. 

The  green  hills  of  ray  father-land, 

In  dreams  still  greet  my  view ; 
I  see  again  the  wave-girt  strand, 

The  ocean-depth  of  blue; 
The  sky,  the  glorious  sky,  outspread 

Above  their  calm  repose; 
The  river  o'er  its  rocky  bed, 

Still  singing  as  it  flows! 
The  stillness  of  the  Sabbath-hours, 

When  men  go  up  to  pray, 
The  sun-light  resting  on  the  flowers, 
The  birds  that  sing  among  the  bowers, 

Through  all  the  summer  day! 

Land  of  my  birth! — mine  early  home! 

Once  more  thine  airs  I  breathe! 
I  see  thy  proud  hills  tower  above — 

Thy  green  vales  sleep  beneath ; 
Thy  groves,  thy  rocks,  thy  murmuring  rills, 

All  rise  before  mine  eyes; 
The  dawn  of  morning  on  thy  hills, 

Thy  gorgeous  sun-set  skies; 
Thy  forest,  from  whose  deep  recess 

A  thousand  streams  have  birth, 
Gladdening  the  lonely  wilderness, 
And  rilling  the  green  silentness 

With  melody  and  mirth. 

I  wonder  if  my  home  would  seem 

As  lovely  as  of  yore ! 
I  wonder  if  the  mountain  stream 

Goes  singing  by  the  door ! 


•327 

And  if  the  flowers  still  bloom  as  fair, 

And  if  the  woodbines  climb, 
As  when  I  used  to  train  them  there 

In  the  dear  olden  time! 
I  wonder  if  the  birds  still  sing 

Upon  the  garden  tree, 
As  sweetly  as  in  that  sweet  spring, 
Whose  golden  memories  gently  bring 

So  many  dreams  to  me. 

I  know  that  there  hath  been  a  change — 

A  change  o'er  hall  and  hearth — 
Faces  and  footsteps  new  and  strange, 

About  my  place  of  birth. 
The  heavens  above  are  still  as  bright 

As  in  the  years  gone  by, 
But  vanished  in  the  beacon-light 

Which  cheered  my  morning  sky ! 
And  hill,  and  vale,  and  wooded  glen, 

And  rock,  and  murmuring  stream, 
Which  wore  such  glorious  beauty  then, 
Would  seem,  should  I  return  again, 

The  record  of  a  dream. 

I  mourn  not  for  my  childhood's  hours, 

Since  in  the  far-off  West, 
'Neath  summer  skies  and  greener  bowers, 

My  heart  hath  found  its  rest. 
I  mourn  not  for  the  hills  and  streams, 

Which  chained  my  steps  so  long ; 
But  still  I  see  them  in  my  dream, 

And  hail  them  in  my  song ! 
And  often  by  the  hearth-fires  blaze, 

When  winter  eves  shall  come, 
We'll  sit  and  talk  of  other  days, 
And  sing  the  well-remembered  lays, 

Of  my  green  mountain  home ! 


328 

Who  that  lias  been  a  sojourner  in  a  land  of  strangers,  can  fail 
to  appreciate  the  beauty  and  pathos  of  these  exquisite  lines? 
Thousands  of  hearts  luwcfelt  all  that  the  writer  has  here  portrayed, 
but  who  could  have  expressed  those  feelings  so  well  ?  At  such  times, 
how  naturally  the  "  winged  thoughts"  fly  back  to  our  "  fatherland," 
—  reviving  the  scenes  hallowed  by  early  associations- — and  re-uni- 
ting the  long-severed  links  in  the  chain  of  youthful  companionship ! 
And  how  natural  it  is  in  our  search  after  happiness,  to  turn  from 
the  joys  of  the  past,  to  the  joys  of  the  future!  The  beautiful  and 
quiet  picture  of  domestic  felicity  which  the  writer  has  drawn  in  the 
concluding  stanzas,  will  be  admired  by  every  kindred  mind ;  and 
few  will  read  it  without  a  heart-felt  sigh  that  her  gifted  spirit  must 
so  soon  have  taken  its  departure  from  earth,  even  though  we 
rejoice  in  the  full  assurance  that  she  has  found  "a  home  of  rest" 
in  a  purer  and  better  world. 

As  our  eyes  rested  upon  the  scenes  which  had  once  been  so 
dear  to  her,  and  which  she  was  wont  to  look  back  upon  with  feel- 
ings of  interest  from  her  new  home  in  the  far  west,  it  was  sad  to 
reflect  upon  the  changes  which  a  few  years  had  wrought,  not  only 
"o'er  hall  and  hearth,"  but  in  the  absence  of  many  of  those  sim- 
ple ornaments  which,  during  her  residence  there,  had  helped  to 
make  up  the  attractions  of  the  spot.  The  "woodbines,"  (which 
then  almost  covered  the  dwelling,)  soon  missed  the  fostering  care 

of  her  who 

"Used  to  train  them  there 
In  the  dear  olden  time." 

And  nothing  is  now  to  be  seen  of  them,  save  a  few  straggling,  half- 
decayed  vines.  The  flowers  which  once  adorned  the  door-way 
and  garden-walks,  no  longer  attract  the  admiration  of  the  passer  by. 

Yet  still 

"The  mountain  stream 

Goes  singing  by  the  door." 

And  now,  as  then — 

"The  birds  still  sing 
Upon  the  garden  tree," 

though  she  is  no  longer  there  to  listen  to  their  melody. 


S29 

The  poems  which  follow  will  serve  as  specimens  of  her  peculiar 
talents. 

ON  CROSSING  THE  ALLEGANIES. 
The  broad,  the  bright,  the  glorious  West, 

Is  spread  before  me  now! 
Where  the  gray  mists  of  morning  rest 

Beneath  yon  mountain's  brow! 
The  bound  is  past,  the  goal  is  won  j 
The  region  of  the  setting  sun 

Is  open  to  my  view: 
Land  of  the  valiant  and  the  free  — 
My  own  green  mountain  land  —  to  thee> 

And  thine,  a  long  adieu! 

I  hail  thee,  Valley  of  the  West, 

For  what  thou  yet  shalt  be! 
I  hail  thee  for  the  hopes  that  rest 

Upon  thy  destiny ! 
Here,  from  this  mountain  height,  I  see 
Thy  bright  waves  floating  to  the  sea* 

Thine  emerald  fields  outspread; 
And  feel  that,  in  the  book  of  fame, 
Proudly  shall  thy  recorded  name, 

In  later  days  be  read. 

Yet,  while  I  gaze  upon  thee  now, 

All  glorious  as  thou  art, 
A  cloud  is  resting  on  my  brow, 

A  weight  upon  my  heart. 
To  ine,  in  all  thy  youthful  pride, 
Thou  a  land  of  cares  untried, 

Of  untold  hopes  and  fears; 
Thou  art  —  yet  not  for  tliea  I  grieve; 
But,  for  the  far-off  land  1  leave, 

I  look  on  thee  with  t^ars. 

Oh!  brightly,  brightly,  glow  thy  skies 
In  Summer's  sunny  hours ! 
42 


The  green  earth  seems  a  paradise, 

Arrayed  in  Summer  flowers! 
But  oh !  there  is  a  land  afar, 
Whose  skies  to  me  are  brighter  far, 

Along  the  Atlantic  shore ! 
For  eyes  beneath  their  radiant  shrine, 
In  kindlier  glances  answered  mine: 
Can  these  their  light  restore  ? 

Upon  the  lofty  bound  I  stand, 

That  parts  the  East  and  West ; 
Before  me,  lies  a  fairy  land ; 

Behind,  a  home  of  rest ! 
Here,  Hope  her  wild  enchantment  flings, 
Portrays  all  bright  and  lovely  things, 

My  footsteps  to  allure; 
But  there,  in  Memory's  light,  I  see 
All  that  was  once  most  dear  to  me  — 

My  young  heart's  cynosure! 


THE  PATHS  OF  LIFE. 

An  Address  to  a  Class  of  Givls  about  leaving  School,  in  Indiana. 

Go  forth!  the  world  is  very  wide, 
And  many  paths  before  ye  lie, 

Devious,  and  dangerous,  and  untried t 
Go  forth,  with  wary  eye! 

Go!  with  a  heart  by  grief  unbowed! 

Go!  ere  a  shadow,  or  a  cloud, 
Hath  dimmed  the  laughing  sky! 

But,  lest  your  wandering  footsteps  stray* 

Choose  ye  the  straight,  the  narrow  way; 

Go  forth!  the  world  is  very  lair, 

Through  the  dim  distance  as  ye  gaze; 

And  mark,  in  long  perspective,  there, 
The  scenes  of  coming  days* 


331 

Orbs  of  bright  radiance  gem  the  sky, 
And  fields  of  glorious  beauty  lie 

Beneath  their  orient  rays ; 
Yet,  ere  their  altered  light  grow  dim, 
Seek  ye  the  Star  of  Bethlehem ! 

Go  forth !  within  your  distant  homes 

There  are  fond  hearts  that  mourn  your  stay  ; 

There  are  sweet  voices  bid  ye  come ; 
Go !  ye  must  hence,  away  ! 

No  more  within  the  woodland  bowers 

Your  hands  may  wreathe  the  Summer  flowers, 
No  more  your  footsteps  stra^; 

To  hail  the  hearth,  and  grove,  and  glen, 

Oh!  when  will  ye  return  again! 

Not  when  the  Summer  leaves  shall  fade, 
As  now  they  fade  from  shrub  and  tree, 

When  Autumn  winds,  through  grove  and  glade* 
Make  mournful  melody ; 

The  long,  bright,  silent,  Autumn  days, 

The  sunset,  with  its  glorious  blaze, 
These  shall  return  —  but  ye, 

Though  Time  may  all  beside  restore, 

Ye  may  come  back  to  us  no  more. 

Go !  ye  have  dreamed  a  fairy  dream, 
Of  cloudless  skies  and  fadeless  flowery 

Of  days  whose  sunny  lapse  shall  seem 
A  fete  mid  festal  bowers  ! 

But  of  the  change,  the  fear,  the  strife, 

The  gathering  clouds,  the  storms  of  life, 
The  blight  of  Autumn  showers, 

Ye  have  no  vision  —  these  must  be 

Unveiled  by  stern  reality ! 

Ye  yet  must  wake,  (for  Time  and  Care 
Have  ever  wandered  side  by  side,) 


332 

To  find  earth  false,  as  well  as  fair, 

And  weary  too,  as  wide. 
Ye  yet  must  wake,  to  find  the  glow 
Hath  faded  from  the  things  below, 

The  glory  and  the  pride ! 
To  bind  the  willow  on  the  brow, 
Wreathed  with  the  laurel  garland  now. 

But  wherefore  shall  I  break  the  spell 
That  makes  the  Future  seem  so  bright? 

Why  to  the  young  glad  spirit  tell 
Of  withering  and  blight? 

'T  were  better,  when  the  meteor  dies, 

A  steadier,  holier  light  shall  rise, 
Cheering  the  gloomy  night ; 

A  light  when  others  fade  away, 

Still  shining  on  to  perfect  day. 

Go,  then !  and  when  no  more  are  seen, 
The  faces  that  ye  now  behold, 

When  years,  long  years,  shall  intervene, 
Sadly  and  darkly  told ; 

When  time,  with  stealthy  hand,  shall  trace 

His  mystic  lines  on  every  face, 
Oh,  may  his  touch  unfold 

The  promise  of  that  better  part, 

The  unfading  Spring-time  of  the  heart! 


PARTING  HYMN, 

Sung  aX  the  close  of  the  Anniversary  Exercises  of  the  New  Albany  Theological  Seminary. 

Brethren,  we  are  parting  now, 

Here  perchance  to  meet  no  more: 
Well  may  sorrow  cloud  each  brow, 

That  another  dream  is  o'er. 


333 

Life  is  fraught  with  changeful  dreams, 

Ne'er  to-morrow  as  to  day ; 
Scarce  we  catch  their  transient  gleams, 

Ere  they  melt  and  fade  away. 

But,  upon  the  brow  of  night, 

See  the  Morning  Star  arise ; 
With  unchanging,  holy  light 

Gilding  all  the  Eastern  skies. 
Bethlehem's  Star!  of  yore  it  blazed, 

Gleaming  on  Judea's  brow, 
While  the  wondering  Magi  gazed; 

Brethren,  let  it  guide  us  now. 

Guide  us  over  land  and  sea, 

Where  the  tribes  in  darkness  mourn, 
Where  no  Gospel  jubilee 

Bids  the  ransomed  ones  return ; 
Or,  beneath  our  own  blue  skies, 

Where  our  green  savannahs  spread, 
Let  us  bid  that  Star  arise, 

And  its  beams  of  healing  shed. 

Shall  we  shrink  from  pain  and  strife, 

While  our  Captain  leads  the  way? 
Shall  we,  for  the  love  of  life, 

Cast  a  Saviour's  love  away? 
Rather  gird  his  armor  on, 

Fight  the  battles  of  the  Lord, 
Till  the  victory  be  won, 

And  we  gain  our  long  reward. 

Oh !  may  many  a  radiant  gem, 
Souls  redeemed  by  us  from  woe, 

Sparkle  in  the  diadem 

That  our  Leader  shall  bestow. 

Change  and  trial  here  may  come ; 
But  no  grief  may  haunt  the  breast, 


334 

When  we  reach  our  heavenly  home, 
Find  our  everlasting  rest. 

Broken  is  our  household  band, 

Hushed  a  while  our  eyening  hymn 
But  there  is  a  better  land, 

Where  no  tears  the  eye  shall  dim: 
There  is  heard  no  farewell  tone, 

On  that  bright  and  peaceful  shore; 
There  no  parting  grief  is  known, 

For  they  meet  to  part  no  more. 


ELEGIAC  STANZAS. 

She  sleepeth:  and  the  Summer  breezes,  sighing, 
Shedding  the  green  leaves  on  the  fountain's  breast, 

And  the  soft  murmur  of  the  stream,  replying 
Unto  her  melody,  break  not  their  rest, 

I  know  thy  hearth  is  lonely:  that  thy  dwelling 
No  more  may  echo  to  that  loved  one's  tread; 

I  know  too  well  thy  widowed  heart  is  swelling 
With  silent  grief:  yet  weep  not  for  the  dead. 

She  yet  shall  waken ;  on  that  morning  glorious 
When  day  shall  evermore  displace  the  night; 

O'er  time,  and  care,  and  change,  and  death  victorious, 
A  holy  seraph  in  the  land  of  light. 

Yes,  she  shall  waken ;  not  to  earthly  sorrow, 
Not  to  the  blight  of  care,  the  thrill  of  pain ; 

Wake  to  the  day  that  ne'er  shall  know  a  morrow, 
To  life  that  may  not  yield  to  Death  again. 

She  rests  in  peace:  for  her  forbear  thy  weeping: 
Thou  soon  shalt  meet  her  in  the  world  on  high : 

The  care-worn  form  in  yonder  grave  is  sleeping, 
But  the  freed  spirit  lives  beyond  the  sky. 


335 


Francis  bacon 


FRANCIS  BACON,  the  third  son  of  Asa  Bacon,  Esq.,  was 
bora  in  Litchfield,  in  January,  1820,  and  graduated  at  Yale  Col- 
lege in  1838.  He  pursued  his  professional  studies  with  the  Hon. 
0.  S.  Seymour,  was  admitted  to  the  Bar  of  Litchfield  county  in 
1840,  and  at  once  commenced  the  practice  of  the  law  in  his  native 
village.  He  was  soon  ranked  among  the  most  able  and  popular 
advocates  in  our  courts.  In  1842,  he  removed  to  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania,  and  formed  a  legal  co-partnership  with  the  Hon. 
Thaddeus  Stevens,  one  of  the  most  successful  lawyers  in  that  state. 
Here  he  gradually  won  for  himself  an  honorable  reputation,  and  his 
growing  fame  and  extended  practice  were  regarded  with  just  pride 
by  his  friends  in  Connecticut.  He  regarded  his  location  as  per- 
manent, but,  upon  the  death  of  his  only  remaining  brother,  E.  C* 
Bacon,  Esq.,  he  was  persuaded  to  return  to  Litchfield,  that  he 
might  be  near  his  venerable  parents,  and  solace  their  declining 
years. 

Being  once  more  established  amid  the  cherished  scenes  and 
friends  of  his  youth,  where  he  had  long  been  a  favorite,  his  success 
at  the  bar  and  in  political  life  was  almost  unprecedented.  In  1845, 
he  was  appointed  Clerk  of  th6  Probate  Court  for  the  District  of 
Litchfield.  Having  risen  to  the  rank  of  Colonel  of  the  Regiment 
with  which  he  was  connected,  in  1846  he  was  elected  Brigadier 
General,  but  declined  the  office.  Upon  the  re-organization  of  the 
militia  system  of  Connecticut,  by  which  the  entire  militia  of  the 
state  was  embraced  in  one  division,  he  was  elected  Major  General 


336 

by  the  Legislature.  In  1847  and  1848,  he  was  the  whig  candi- 
date for  Representative  from  Litchfield.  During  two  successive 
sessions  of  the  Legislature,  those  of  1847  and  1848,  he  was  chosen 
First  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives ;  and  in  the  spring 
of  1840,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  by  an  unparalleled  plurality 
of  votes.  Much  to  his  credit,  he  received  the  suffrages  of  many 
of  the  best  men  among  his  political  opponents,  who  appreciated  his 
talents  and  personal  worth  beyond  mere  party  expediency.  In  the 
discharge  of  legislative  duties  he  was  sincere  and  ardent,  but  ever 
courteous  in  his  manners ;  while  no  political  asperity  embittered 
the  intercourse  of  private  life :  hence  he  enjoyed  the  respect  and 
kind  regard  of  all.  In  the  honorable  Senate  he  was  its  youngest 
member,  and  yet  his  quick  perception  of  truth  and  character,  his 
retentive  memory,  his  ready  and  discriminating  judgment,  his 
practical  tact,  his  flowing  eloquence,  and  his  conservative  course, 
secured  for  him  an  influence  much  beyond  his  years  —  an  influence 
which  was  much  felt  in  several  important  acts  of  legislation. 

General  Bacon  died  on  the  16th  of  September,  1849,  in  the 
30th  year  of  his  age.  His  funeral  was  attended  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  Wednesday  following  his  decease,  drew  together  a  very 
large  collection  of  people  from  Litchfield  and  the  adjacent  towns, 
and  many  members  of  the  bar  and  other  prominent  gentlemen  from 
a  distance.  The  silence  and  solemnity  which  seemed  to  pervade 
all  hearts,  bore  convincing  testimony  to  the  respect  and  affection 
with  which  the  entire  community  regarded  the  deceased,  and  the 
bereavement  which  all  felt  they  had  sustained  in  his  untimely 
departure.  Among  the  strangers  present,  were  the  venerable 
ex-Chief  Justice  Williams,  and  Judges  Waite  and  Storrs,  all  of  the 
Supreme  Court;  the  Hon.  D.  S.  Boardman,  of  New  Milford,  late 
Chief  Justice  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas ;  the  Right  Rev.  T. 
C.  Brownell,  D.  D.,  Charles  Chapman,  Esq.,  Francis  Fellows,  Esq. 
Col.  Thomas  H.  Seymour,  (since  Governor,)  and  Quarter-Master 
General  Ely,  of  Hartford ;  Adjutant-General  Shelton,  of  South- 
bury ;    Brigadier-General  King,   of  Sharon;   Hon.  William  W. 


337 

Boardinan,  of  New  Haven ;  Professor  Lamed,  of  Yale  College  ; 
Professor  Stewart,  of  Trinity  College,  &c.  There  were  also  pres- 
ent, several  clegymen  of  various  denominations,  and  members  of 
the  bar,  from  the  towns  in  the  vicinity. 

At  the  late  residence  of  the  deceased,  the  funeral  services  were 
commenced  with  a  prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Swan,  of  the  Congre- 
gational Church.  At  half-past  two  o'clock,  the  remains  were  taken 
to  St.  Michael's  Church,  accompanied  by  the  mourners,  citizens, 
&c.  As  the  procession  entered,  a  voluntary  of  solemn  music  was 
played  upon  the  organ  by  Miss  Julia  H.  Beers.  The  funeral  ser- 
vice was  read  by  the  Rector,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller,  who  then 
preached  from  the  text,  "  He  being  dead  yet  speaketh,"  in  which 
he  portrayed  the  character  of  the  deceased,  and  most  feelingly 
urged  the  solemn  admonitions  which  his  death  awakened,  upon  all 
present.     Appropriate  prayers  were  then  read  by  Bishop  Brownell. 

The  services  being  over,  the  procession  formed,  and  moved  to 
the  East  Burying  Ground,  in  the  following  order :  — 

Clergy. 

Citizens  on  foot. 

Members  of  Societies  of  Odd  Fellows. 

Members  of  the  Bar. 

Military, 

Litchfield  Union  Blues,  and  New  Milford  Rifle  Company. 

Pall  Bearers. 


General  King, 
Colonel  Ely, 
G.  H.  Hollister,  Esq. 
G.  F.  Davis,  Esq. 
Colonel  R.  Battell, 


General  Shelton, 

Col.  Thoma3  H.  Sevmour, 

E.  B.  Webster,  Esq. 

C.  B.  Smith,  Esq. 

E.  C.  Buel,  Esq. 


Relatives  in  Carriages. 
Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  Citizens  in  Carriages. 

At  the  Burying  Ground,  the  solemn  burial  service  of  the  Epis-' 
copal  Church  was  read  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller,  and  the  remains 
of  the  deceased  were  committed  to  the  silent  dust,  near  the  splen- 
43 


did  monument  recently  erected  to  the  memory  of  his  brothers,  who 
died  abroad. 

We  conclude  this  sketch  with  two  or  three  extracts  from  the 
Funeral  Sermon  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Fuller. 

Speech  is  the  utterance  of  thought,  the  audible  expression  of  the 
emotions  of  the  soul.  The  distinguished  individual  whose  sudden 
departure  from  our  midst  we  all  so  deeply  deplore,  and  whose  mortal 
remains  we  are  about  to  convey  to  their  last  resting-place,  was  a  man 
of  whom  every  one  that  knew  him  must  say,  'k  He  speaketh.''"  lie  did 
not  merely  live  and  move,  but  he  spake,  and  exerted  an  influence.  He 
was  not  the  silent  and  passive  person  who  floats  through  life  without 
being  observed  and  respected,  but  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  he 
caused  his  voice  to  be  heard,  and  his  talents,  opinions,  and  character  to 
be  felt  and  appreciated.  This  was  true  even  in  his  boyhood,  passed 
amidst  the  lovely  scenes  of  this  delightful  region,  when  he  showed  the 
same  characteristics  that  marked  his  maturer  years:  intelligence, 
memory,  activity,  energy,  decision,  generosity,  courage.  This  was  the 
case  in  his  youthful  clays,  while  he  was  engaged  in  study;  for  his  class- 
mates, both  at  school  and  in  college,  will  never  forget  the  mental  and 
moral  qualities  which  attached  them  to  himself.  His  voice  was  heard 
and  his  influence  felt  during  his  brief  but  successful  legal,  military  and 
political  career,  in  which  he  proved  himself  a  sagacious  and  eloquent 
counselor  and  advocate,  an  energetic  officer  and  efficient  disciplinarian, 
and  a  diligent  and  patriotic  legislator  and  statesman.  In  the  social 
and  family  circle,  his  words  of  intelligence  and  kindness,  of  neighborly 
intercourse,  of  filial  affection,  and  of  domestic  love,  will  never  fade 
from  the  memories  of  his  bereaved  and  afflicted  friends  and  relatives. 
In  the  house  of  prayer  his  lips  were  vocal  with  the  prescribed  expres- 
sions of  confession  and  supination,  of  thanksgiving  and  praise;  while 
in  his  dying  hour,  he  professed  with  decided  and  fervent  voice,  his 
firm  belief  in  all  the  articles  of  the  Christian  faith,  and  sealed  his  con- 
victions of  the  truth  of  our  heaven-born  religion,  by  requesting  to  be 
baptized  into  the  adorable  name  of  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost. 

ButVhile  our  lamented  fellow-citizen  and  Christian  brother  was 
thus  speaking  and  acting  in  a  wide  and  rapidly  extending  sphere  of 
honor  and  usefulness,  an  inscrutible  Providence  had  appointed  him  to 
an  early  grave.  A  fever,  which  is  the  bane  of  our  salubrious  New 
England,  fastened  witli  stealthy  approach  upon  his  athletic  frame,  baff- 
ling all  medical  skill,  and  mocking  the  tears  and  prayers  of  distressed 
neighbors  and  relatives,  till  now,  the  last  of  three  manly  and  premis- 
ing brothers,  the  only  children  of  their  aged  and  stricken  parents,  the 
dutiful  son,  their  pride  and  hope,  their  support  and  staff,  the  affection- 
ate husband,  the  beloved  companion,  the  useful  citizen,  the  rising  law- 


339 

yer,  the  respeo'ed  general,  the  honorable  senator,  lies  before  us,  silent, 
speechless,  unconscious,  motionless,  dead! 

But,  "he  being  dead  yet  speaketh;"  not  indeed  with  the  living 
voice,  for  we  shall  no  more  hear  his  energetic  tones,  either  at  the  fire- 
side, in  professional  consultation,  in  secret  fraternity,  at  the  bar,  on 
the  bristling  parade,  on  the  tented  field,  or  in  the  halls  of  legislation ; 
but  he  though  dead  speaketh  to  us  by  his  examjjle;  and  he  speaketh 
to  us  as  an  affecting  witness  to  the  vanity  of  worldly  pursuits:  while 
our  Saviour  Christ,  who,  though  once  dead,  is  alive  for  evermore,  also 
speaketh  to  us  by  this  mournful  event  as  a  hud  and  earnest  admon- 
isher,  to  seek  with  fervent  zeal  the  great  salvation  which  he  offers  to  all 
who  love  and  obey  him. 

Thus  fast  and  thickly  did  honors  cluster  upon  a  man,  who  had  not 
yet  completed  his  thirtieth  year.  Nor  was  this  the  apparent  summit 
of  his  political  eminence,  since  it  was  the  universal  conviction,  not 
only  among  his  friends,  but  likewise  among  his  opponents,  that  there 
was  no  office  in  the  gift  of  his  native  State,  which  he  would  not  sooner 
or  later  occupy.  Honored  as  a  lawyer  in  his  own  county,  and  through- 
out the  Commonwealth  as  a  soldier  and  a  statesman,  he  was  inquired 
after  by  the  citizens  of  one  of  our  largest  cities,  as  a  civilian,  whom 
they  desired  to  have  established  in  their  midst;  so  that  had  his  life 
been  spared,  and  he  desired  the  change,  he  might  have  soon  ceased  to 
be  a  resident  of  his  beloved  Litchfield. 

But  when  thus  on  the  high  road  to  distinction  and  honor,  he  is 
stopped  in  his  ascending  path  by  the  unsparing  hand  of  death.  What 
a  comment  upon  this  world's  transitoriness !  what  an  affecting  witness 
is  this  dead  advocate,  general,  and  politician,  thus  cut  down  in  the 
prime  of  his  days,  and  in  the  vigor  of  his  strength,  to  the  vanity  of 
earthly  pursuits!  His  eminence,  what  is  it?  A  heap  of  dust,  which 
the  wind  of  death  has  unexpectedly  scattered!  His  honors,  where  are 
they  now  ?  Faded  flowers,  to  be  buried  with  him  in  the  lowly  and 
forgotten  grave!  His  future  wealth,  so  carefully  preserved  for  his 
future  benefit  by  his  doating  parents,  of  what  use  is  it  to  him  in  his 
present  state?  Of  no  more  service  than  is  his  perishing  body  to  his 
departed  spirit,  which,  if  he  died  in  the  Lord,  now  rejoices  to  be  freed 
from  the  burden  of  the  flesh.  Thus  alfectingly  does  our  dead  son  and 
brother  bear  witness  to  the  emptiness -and  worthlessness  of  all  earthly 
objects:  and  may  the  Spirit  of  God  write  this  impressive  testimony 
indelibly  upon  the  hearts  of  all  who  are  acquainted  with  this  distress- 
ing providence  which  has  invested  this  whole  community  with  sadness 
and  mourning! 

This  entire  community,  which  is  deeply  impressed  by  the  sad  prov- 
idence which  has  convened  us  this  afternoon,  might,  by  the  dead,  be  thus 


340 

admonished,  could  his  voice  once  more  be  heard :  Boast  not  your- 
selves of  to-morrow,  for  ye  know  not  what  a  day  may  bring  forth  ;  for 
what  is  your  life  ?  it  is  even  a  vapor  which  appeareth  for  a  little  while, 
and  then  vanisheth  away.  The  end  of  all  things  is  at  hand ;  in  sucJi 
an  hour  as  ye  think  not,  the  Son  of  Man  cometh ;  be  therefore  sober, 
and  watch  unto  prayer,  that  your  loins  may  be  girt  about,  your  souls 
may  be  prepared  for  death,  and  yourselves  waiting  and  ready  for  the 
advent  of  your  Judge. 

Ah!  desolate  parents,  chastened  relatives,  gentlemen  of  the  law, 
soldiers,  christian  brethren,  citizens:  the  departed  and  lamented  one 
will  not  speak  to  us  again !  but,  till  the  voice  of  the  archangel  and  the 
trump  of  God,  announcing  the  final  judgment,  and  the  descent  from 
heaven  of  the  Son  of  Man,  shall  awake  the  slumbering  dead,  he  shall 
lie  in  silence,  sealed  and  deep,  which  no  lapse  of  years,  no  revolution 
of  ages  can  ever  break  !  To  his  long  rest  in  the  dust  of  the  earth  we 
then  lay  him  down,  with  the  assured  hope,  that  if  he  died  in  the  Lord, 
he  is  sleeping  in  Jesus,  who  by  the  sudden  and  calamitous  bereave- 
ment we  have  all  sustained,  as  well  as  by  his  living  word  and  striving 
Spirit,  is  calling  to  every  one  of  us,  who  is  still  reposing  in  his  sins : 
Awake  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead,  and  I  will  give  thee 
light:  hear,  and  your  soul  shall  live!" 


341 


CHARLES    G.    FINNEY. 


REV.  CHARLES  G.  FINNEY,  the  celebrated  Revivalist, 
was  born  in  Warren,  on  the  29th  of  August,  1792.  The  following 
interesting  facts  respecting  his  early  life,  conversion,  &c.  are  con- 
tained in  communication  to  the  New  York  Evangelist,  in  May, 
1850,  written  from  Adams,  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y. 

"  His  father  was  a  plain  farmer.  On  reaching  manhood,  he  left 
the  paternal  estate,  and  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  this  village. 
He  also  led  the  choir  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  clear  intel- 
lect and  independence  of  character,  gave  him  a  commanding  influ- 
ence over  the  youth  of  the  place.  He  was  intellectually  orthodox 
on  the  great  doctrines  of  revelation,  but  impenitent  and  careless. 
His  views  of  Christian  duty  were  so  vivid,  that  he  poured  contempt 
on   the   apathy   of  the    church.     A  fellow-student,  (now  Judge 

W ,)  remarked  to  me  recently,  that  Finney  asked  him  one 

evening  to  attend  a  prayer-meeting.  They  went,  and  upon  their 
return,  Mr.  F.  said  with  an  oath,  that  it  made  him  indignant  to 
hear  Christians  pray  after  that  fashion — >uthey  didnH  know  what 
they  wanted"  He  often  told  professors  of  religion  and  clergymen, 
that  they  were  not  sincere— •  that  it  was  not  possible  to  believe  that 
he  and  others  were  on  the  verge  of  hell,  and  yet  be  so  indifferent  in 
regard  to  the  terrific  fact — and  assured  them,  if  he  ever  served  God, 
it  would  be  in  earnest — he  would  "  pull  men  out  of  the  fire."  This 
fearless  manner  gave  him  tremendous  power,  and  one  minister 
remarked  that  the  young  people  would  not  be  converted    while 


342 

Finney  was  here.  But  during  the  great  revival  of  1821,  he  was 
reached  by  the  truth  of  God — in  an  agony  of  conviction,  he 
retired  to  a  grove  alone,  and  yielded  to  the  Spirit.  Returning  to 
his  office,  he  invited  Dea.  B.  to  come  in;  and  with  tears  and  smiles 
of  rapture,  told  him  what  had  transpired.  When  it  was  known  in 
the  place,  many  seemed  to  feel  like  the  disciples  when  Saul  was 
converted — they  were  in  doubt.  When  he  arose  in  the  crowded 
sanctuary  soon  after,  his  first  expression  was,  "My  God!  is  it  If 
He  acted  immediately  on  his  former  assurance.  No  modern 
Christian  ever  more  literally  exemplified  Paul's  experience,  who 
warned  men  day  and  night  with  tears.  This  has  ever  been  his 
manner  of  life,  from  that  time  of  consecration  to  the  Lord.  His 
way  of  conducting  meetings  was  always  solemn  ;  he  never  appealed 
to  the  animal  feelings  ;  his  dependence  was  prayer,  and  a  pungent 
presentation  of  God's  law  and  man's  ruin,  without  hope  but  in  the 
arms  of  a  Mediator.  Mr.  F.  doubtless,  had  faults  —  some  eccen- 
tricities, but  they  were  those  of  a  man  who  was  thoroughly  pene- 
trated with  a  sense  of  eternal  realities.  Heaven  and  hell  were 
words  full  of  meaning  to  him.  We  find  everywhere  noble  monu- 
ments of  his  labors  in  the  gospel  —  the  pillars  in  many  a  Zion,  will 
call  him  blessed  at  the  last  day.  And  doubtless  a  rank  of  pro- 
fessed disciples,  and  among  them  not  a  few  ministers,  who  have 
ignorantly  or  malignantly  reproached  him,  will  gaze  there  upon  his 
radiant  crown  with  wonder,  while  their  own  will  be  set  with  com- 
paratively a  few  stars  of  rejoicing." 

Mr.  Finney  commenced  his  labors  in  the  ministry  in  1824,  at 
the  age  of  thirty-two.  His  preaching,  from  the  first,  seems  to 
have  had  a  startling  effect  upon  his  auditors,  and  powerful  revivals 
followed  his  labors  wherever  he  went.  He  determined  not  to 
enter  the  pastoral  office,  but  to  continue  his  labors  as  an  evange- 
list, which  he  did,  with  wonderful  success,  until  1835,  when  he 
accepted  a  Professorship  in  Oberlin  College,  Ohio.  He,  however, 
continued  to  preach  in  the  City  of  New  York  during  certain  por- 
tions of  each  year,  for  some  time  after  his  removal  to  Ohio. 


343 

In  1848,  Prof.  Finney  visited  England,  where  he  was  received 
with  high  consideration  by  the  Christian  public.  In  that  country 
he  continued  for  about  three  years,  returning  to  New  York  just  in 
time  to  participate  in  the  "Anniversary  Exercises,"  in  May,  1851. 
Of  his  labors  abroad,  something  may  be  inferred  from  the  following 
significant  paragraph  from  the  London  Morning  Chronicle  :  "Dr. 
Finney,  the  celebrated  American  revivalist,  leaves  England  for  his 
native  country  by  the  next  Steamer.  Though  he  came  here  for 
purposes  of  health  and  relaxation,  he  has  not  been  idle.  His  fer- 
vid eloquence  has  created  a  powerful  and  we  hope  a  permanent  effect 
wherever  he  preached.  Perhaps  no  man  since  the  days  of  George 
Whitfield,  has  succeeded  in  producing  a  more  wonderful  sensation. " 

The  following  are  some  of  Prof.  Finney's  published  works,  viz  : 
"Sermons  on  Important  Subjects,"  277  pp.  8vo ;  three  editions  of 
which  had, been  published  in  this  country,  in  1836,  and  several 
editions  abroad ;  "  Lectures  on  Revivals,"  pp.  437, 12mo ;  six  edi- 
tions of  which  had  been  published  in  1835  ;  "  On  Sanctification," 
pp.  150,  16mo,  1840 ;  "  Systematic  Theology,"  2  vol.  pp.  600 
and  583,  8vo,  1847;  "Guide  to  the  Saviour,"  204  pp.  16mo; 
and  several  other  smaller  works.  An  edition  of  "  Systematic  The- 
ology" was  published  in  London  in  1851,  in  one  volume  of  1016 
pages,  with  a  preface  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Redford,  of  Worcester,  who 
says  that  "  when  a  student  he  would  gladly  have  bartered  half  the 
books  in  his  library  to  have  gained  a  single  perusal  of  this  volume." 


344 


GEORGE    B.    HOLT. 


This  gentleman  was  bom  in  Norfolk,  in  the  year  1790,  and  is 
now  in  the  60th  year  of  his  age.  With  fine  talents,  more  of  a 
practical  than  of  a  showy  kind,  he  has  been  enabled  to  leave  his 
mark,  broad  and  deep,  on  the  early  Legislation  of  Ohio,  and  the 
future  historian,  in  giving  to  the  public  that  desideratum,  a  history 
of  that  State,  (for  it  has  yet  to  be  written,)  must  give  the  name  of 
Mr.  Holt  a  place  among  the  patriotic  and  the  far-seeing  statesmen 
of  the  commonwealth,  who,  a  quarter  of  a  century  ago,  planted 
the  seed  which  has  made  Ohio  the  third,  if  not  the  second  in  rank 
among  the  states  of  the  Union. 

The  parents  of  Mr.  Holtr  -early  designed  him  for  the  legal  pro- 
fession, and  his  inclinations  being  nothing  averse  to  the  course 
marked  out,  he  entered  the  Law  School  of  Judges  Reeve  k  Gould, 
in  Litchfield,  and  in  1812,  underwent  an  examination,  and  being 
found  qualified,  was  licensed  to  practice  law. 

Ohio,  at  that  time,  was  in  the  u  far  west,"  and  the  hardy  emi- 
grants who  had  sought  its  wilds,  after  the  close  of  the  war,  were 
loud  in  their  praises  of  its  vast  fertility,  and  of  the  magnificent 
wildness  of  its  scenery.  The  ambition  of  young  Holt  was  fired — 
he  wished  to  see  the  country, — to  become  a  part  and  parcel  of  it, 
and  to  share  the  privations  of  its  settlers,  and  in  1819,  we  find  him 
a  citizen  of  the  then  small  village  of  Dayton,  and  the  following 
year,  he  raised  his  shingle  as  an  Attorney  at  Law. 

The  profession  of  law,  at  that  time,  was  no  sinecure.  The  cir- 
cuits extended  over  many  counties,  in  most  of  which  roads  were 


345 

but  bridle  paths,  and  houses  of  entertainment  few  and  far  between, 
Bridges,  there  were  none  in  the  country,  and  when  the  streams 
were  swollen  into  angry  floods  by  the  spring  freshets,  the  members 
of  the  bar  had  to  brave  the  torrent,  and  trust  to  a  frail  canoe,  after 
driving  their  horses  across,  or  else  to  plunge  in,  and  trust  to  their 
horses  to  carry  them  safe  across,  and  then,  wet,  chilled  and  weary, 
to  traverse  the  woods  for  miles  before  they  could  espy  the  blue 
smoke  of  the  log  cabin,  by  whose  hospitable  hearth  they  could  dry 
their  clothes.  The  history  of  the  early  bar  of  that  state,  would  be 
among  the  most  readable  of  books,  for  many  were  the  mishaps  and 
adventures  of  these  disciples  of  Blackstone  and  Chitty,  which  still 
live  in  memory,  and  are  cherished  by  the  younger  members  of  the 
profession,  as  the  child  cherishes  the  legends  in  which  his  father 
bore  a  part. 

During  the  Administration  of  Mr.  Monroe,  party  politics  meas- 
urably died  away,  nevertheless  there  were  times,  places  and  occa- 
sions in  which  the  spirit  of  party  was  temporarily  aroused.  Such 
was  the  fact  in  Dayton,  in  the  year  1822,  when  Mr.  Holt  estab- 
lished, and  for  three  years  conducted  the  "  Miami  Republican,"  a 
newspaper,  devoted  to  news,  agriculture,  and  the  dissemination 
of  Democratic  doctrines. 

In  the  fall  of  1824,  Mr.  Holt  was  a  candidate  for,  and  elected 
to,  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  and  deeply  participated  in  the 
passage  of  the  laws  which  made  that  session  the  most  important 
ever  held  in  Ohio.  The  lands  of  the  State  were  then  divided  into 
first,  second  and  third  classes,  and  taxed  accordingly — -the  improved 
farms  as  high  as  the  wild  lands  of  the  same  class.  The  injustice 
of  the  system  and  the  gross  inequality  of  the  classification,  by 
which  the  sterile  hills  of  eastern  Ohio,  in  many  cases,  were  taxed 
as  high  as  the  rich  alluvian  of  the  Miami  and  Sciota  valleys,  called 
loudly  for  amendment,  yet  it  was  not  until  the  session  of  1824-'25 
that  the  evil  was  abated  by  the  adoption  of  the  ad  valorem  system, 
which  from  that  time,  became  the  settled  policy  of  the  State. 

New  York,  under  the  auspices  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  had  commenced 

44 


346 

her  canal  policy,  by  which  the  waters  of  the  Hudson  were  united 
with  those  of  Lake  Erie,  so  as  to  have  a  direct  water  communica- 
tion between  the  inland  seas  of  the  Northwest  and  those  of  the 
Atlantic.  The  necessity  of  similar  communications  between  the 
Lakes  and  the  Ohio  river,  sweeping  through  Ohio,  had  excited 
public  attention,  and  with  it,  an  oppositton  of  a  bitter  kind. 
Judge  Holt  stood  forward  as  a  prominent  advocate  of  the  work,  and 
employed  the  columns  of  his  paper  to  favor  the  measure,  and  this 
fact  brought  him  forward  more  prominently  as  the  man  for  the 
crisis.  He  was  elected  to  the  Legislature,  and  during  the  session 
which  followed,  the  first  canal  law  was  passed,  and  under  which 
the  Ohio  and  the  Miami  canals  were  commenced,  and  the  policy  of 
the  State  in  favor  of  internal  improvements,  from  that  moment  was 
considered  settled. 

Ohio,  at  that  time,  had  no  school  system.  Parents  in  the  thinly 
settled  portions  of  the  State,  were  forced  to  rely  on  chance  for 
teachers,  who  were  themselves  better  fitted  to  be  taught  than  to 
be  the  instructors  of  embryo  men,  and  who  mainly  relied  upon  the 
birch  and  ferule,  to  beat  learning  into  the  head  of  their  pupils. 
Money  at  the  time  was  scarce — but  little  produce  was  exported, 
and  many  men  who  had  a  farm  they  could  call  their  own,  were  yet 
in  circumstances  too  straitened  to  allow  them  to  give  their  children 
that  schooling  so  much  needed,  to  make  them  useful  citizens  of 
community.  To  remedy  this  evil  —  to  give  all,  the  rich,  the  poor, 
the  high  and  the  low,  the  same  benefits  of  a  common  school  edu- 
cation, was  a  matter  which  excited  much  attention.  Fortunately 
for  the  State,  the  Legislature  of  1824 -'25  was  composed  of  men 
of  more  enlarged  philanthropy  than  any  which  preceded  it.  Mr. 
Holt  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  committee  to  whom  the  sub- 
ject was  referred,  and  that  committee  reported  a  bill  which  passed 
into  a  law,  and  which  established  the  common  school  system  of 
Ohio. 

To  us,  at  this  day,  it  seems  a  matter  of  astonishment,  that  such 
a  system  should  meet  with  opposition  ;   yet  such  was  the  fact.     It 


847 

was  deemed  as  a  daring  infringement  on  the  right?  of  property — 
as  a  tyrannical  and  unjust  law,  which  drew  money  from  the  pockets 
of  the  wealthy,  to  educate  the  children  of  other  men.  The  poor 
were  appealed  to,  and  were  told  by  those  who  opposed  the  law, 
that  their  children  were  to  be  educated  at  pauper  schools,  and 
their  pride  was  thus  aroused  to  resistance  ;  and,  at  the  next  elec- 
tion, the  clamor  became  so  great  that  many  of  the  friends  of  the 
school  system  were  sent  into  retirement.  The  colleague  of  Mr. 
Holt  went  down  in  the  contest,  and  the  Judge  was  reelected, 
chiefly  from  the  fact  that  his  services  in  securing  the  passage  of 
the  law  for  the  construction  of  the  Miami  canal,  in  which  his  con- 
stituents felt  a  deep  interest,  gained  him  a  popularity  which  ill- 
founded  clamor  could  not  shake.  He  was  reelected  to  the  Legis- 
lature at  the  next  session. 

In  1827,  during  the  palmy  days  of  the  militia  system,  Mr.  Holt 
was  elected  Brigadier  General,  and  for  some  years  commanded 
one  of  the  finest  Brigades  in  the  State. 

At  the  annual  election  in  1828,  Mr.  Holt  was  elected  to  the 
State  Senate,  and  served  during  the  sessions  of  1828 -'29  and 
1829 -'30.  He  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Internal 
Improvements,  then  one  of  the  most  important  .in  the  body. 

During  the  last  session  of  which  Mr.  Holt  was  a  member  of  the 
Legislature,  he  was  elected  President  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court, 
in  which  he  had  practiced  law,  and  served  during  the  constitu- 
tional term  of  seven  years.  At  the  commencement  of  his  term  of 
service  on  the  Bench,  the  circuit  was  composed  of  the  counties  of 
Montgomery,  Clark,  Champaign,  Logan,  Miami,  Darke,  Shelby  and 
Mercer.  The  counties  of  Allen  and  Putnam  were  subsequently 
attached  to  the  first  circuit,  over  which  Judge  Holt  presided,  in 
lieu  of  Clark,  Champaign  and  Logan,  which  were  transferred  to 
the  seventh  circuit. 

At  the  end  of  his  service  as  President  Judge,  Judge  Holt  par- 
tially resumed  the  practice  of  law,  and,  during  which  time,  under 
appointment  of  the   Court,  he  served  one  year  as  Prosecuting 


348 

Attorney  of  Montgomery  county,  one  year  in  the  same  office  in 
Mercer,  and  two  terms  in  the  same  station  in  the  county  of  Van 
Wert. 

At  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1842-43,  Judge  Holt  was 
again  called  to  the  Bench,  by  a  reelection  to  the  office  of  President 
Judge  of  the  same  circuit,  and  served  out  his  constitutional  term. 

During  the  interval  between  his  first  and  second  term  as  pre- 
siding Judge  of  the  Common  Pleas  Court  of  his  circuit,  Judge 
Holt  divided  his  time  between  his  practice  and  agriculture  and 
stock  growing,  of  which  latter  he  was  always  passionately  fond, 
and  spent  large  sums  in  improving  the  breed  of  cattle — he  having 
introduced  into  the  counties  of  Miami,  Mercer  and  Montgomery, 
the  first  thorough  bred  short-horned  Durham  cattle — part  of  which 
time  he  filled  the  honorable  station  of  President  of  the  Agricultural 
Society  of  Montgomery  county. 

At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Cholera  in  Dayton,  during  the  summer 
of  1849,  it  became  an  object  of  much  concern,  to  have  an  able 
and  energetic  Board  of  Health,  that  the  fell  ravages  of  the  disease 
might  be  stayed.  Judge  Holt,  having  been  among  the  earliest 
and  constant  volunteers  to  visit  and  minister  to  the  relief  of  the 
sufferers,  was  made  President  of  the  Board,  in  which  capacity  his 
sendees  were  constant,  efficient,  and  highly  valued  by  the  citizens. 

During  the  spring  of  1850,  in  casting  around  for  a  man,  at  once 
available  for  his  personal  wTorth  and  popularity,  and  with  an 
enlarged  mind,  to  be  the  candidate  of  the  Democratic  party,  in 
a  county  where  the  tide  of  popular  favor  runs  in  a  contrary  direc- 
tion, Judge  Holt  was  found  to  possess  all  the  requisites,  and  he 
received  the  nomination  and  was  elected  to  the  important  station 
of  Delegate  to  revise,  amend  or  change  the  Constitution  of  the 
State.  On  his  arrival  in  Columbus,  to  attend  to  the  responsible 
duties  of  his  station,  he  met  Jacob  Blickensderfer,  of  Tuscarawas, 
who  had  participated  as  a  member  from  the  county  he  represents, 
in  the  House  of  Kepresentatives,  during  the  important  session  of 
1824 -'25.     From  the  adjournment  of  that  Legislature,   Judge 


349 

Holt  and  Mr.  Blickensderfer  had  never  met,  until  they  came 
together  as  Delegates  to  form  a  new  Constitution  for  the  State,  for 
which  they  they  had  aided,  a  quarter  of  a  century  since,  in  giving 
a  canal  policy  and  a  school  system,  which  have  stood  the  test  of 
time,  and  have  aided  much  in  bringing  Ohio  to  its  present  proud 
position. 

As  President  Judge  of  the  first  Judicial  circuit,  Judge  Holt 
gained  an  enviable  reputution.  He  ranked,  before  his  election  to 
the  Bench,  as  a  sound  lawyer,  and  to  that  he  soon  added  the 
highest  reputation  of  an  able  and  impartial  Judge.  During  a 
service  of  fourteen  years  in  the  service  of  the  State,  as  presiding 
Judge  of  a  circuit  distinguished  for  the  legal  talent  of  its  bar,  it 
is  a  high  compliment  to  say,  that  he  gave  entire  satisfaction,  and 
that,  popular  as  he  ever  has  been  as  a  man,  his  popularity  as  a 
Judge  exceeded  it. 

For  thirty-five  years  past,  Judge  Holt  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  although  far  from  being  a  bigot  in 
his  religion,  has  ever  been  recognized  as  a  sincere  Christian. 
While  on  the  Bench,  he  saw,  in  its  worst  form,  the  evils  of  intem- 
perance, and  he  was  among  the  early,  as  he  has  ever  been  the 
steady  friend  of  the  temperance  cause. 

The  mind  of  Judge  Holt,  as  we  before  intimated,  is  less  showy 
than  solid.  The  distinguishing  traits  are  a  subjection  of  all  ques- 
tions to  a  philosophic  test,  industry  in  investigation,  and  a  perseve- 
ring pursuit  of  and  rigid  adherence  to  the  just  and  true.  In  his 
domestic  attachments,  ardent  and  constant ;  ready  and  reliable  in 
his  friendships ;  and  an  active  philanthropist.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  with  a  strong  tendency  to  radicalism.  In  the  Conven- 
tion he  was  at  the  head  of  the  committee  on  Jurisprudence,  and, 
though  a  silent  member,  yet,  if  we  mistake  not,  his  impress  for 
influence  and  utility,  in  the  result  of  its  deliberations,  will  be  found 
deep  and  enduring. 


350 


EBENEZER  PORTER  MASON 


Was  born  in  Washington,  December  7th,  1819.  His  father,  the 
Rev.  Stephen  Mason,  a  native  of  Litchfield,  was  pastor  of  the 
Congregational  Church  in  Washington,  at  the  time  of  the  birth  of 
the  subject  of  this  notice.  Young  Mason,  though  he  died  in  his 
21st  year,  attained  so  distinguished  a  rank  as  a  scholar,  as  to  excite 
the  wonder  and  admiration  of  the  great  men  with  whom  circum- 
stances brought  him  in  contact.  At  the  same  time,  his  amiable 
deportment  and  strict  regard  for  Christian  principle,  won  for  him 
the  affection  of  all. 

Ebenezer  pursued  his  preparatory  studies  at  the  celebrated 
school  at  Ellington,  and  entered  Yale  College  in  the  autumn  of 
1835.  Professor  Olmsted  says — "I  well  remember  his  appear- 
ance at  that  time,  and  the  impression  he  made  on  me.  He  was 
now  in  his  seventeenth  year,  but  his  figure,  complexion  and  whole 
air,  were  those  of  a  child  of  fourteen — being  slender  in  person, 
complexion  hale,  voice  soft,  and  his  whole  appearance  very  juve- 
nile. I  was  immediately  struck  with  the  superiority  of  his  math- 
ematical powers  and  attainments,  from  the  full  and  luminous  expla- 
nations he  gave  of  the  principles  of  arithmetical  rules,  and  from 
the  ready  and  correct  solutions  he  furnished  of  problems.  I  was 
uncommonly  impressed  with  his  adroitness  in  extracting  roots,  and 
in  explaining  the  reason  for  each  step  of  the  process.  Even  in 
extracting  the  cube  root,  he  required  no  figuring ;  but,  soon  after 
a  case  was  proposed,  he  gave  the  answer  by  a  process  purely  men- 
tal.    I  remember  mentioning  to  a  gentleman  associated  with  me 


351 

in  the  examination,  that  that  boy  was  or  would  make  a  first  rate 
mathematician.  The  first  notice  I  had  of  his  taste  for  astronomy, 
was  one  evening,  when  a  small  party  of  students  of  the  senior 
class  went,  under  my  direction,  to  look  for  Halley's  Comet,  with  a 
small  telescope.  It  had  already  been  seen  in  the  large  col- 
lege telescope,  (which  had  afforded  to  Professor  Loomis  and 
myself  the  first  view  that  was  obtained  of  that  remarkable  body, 
on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic ;)  but  the  object  was  now  to  find  it  by 
the  aid  of  a  small  refractor.  Mason  obtained  permission  to  be 
present,  and  excited  much  notice  by  his  familiarity  with  the  stars." 

He  soon  became  distinguished  for  the  solution  of  problems,  and 
obtained  therefor  the  first  premium  of  the  Freshmen  class.  Not 
content  with  this,  he  even  went  in  advance ;  and,  simply  for  his 
amusement,  solved  all  the  problems  of  the  Sophomore  class.  Some 
of  these  problems  were  of  the  most  difficult  class,  but  they  were 
solved  with  great  elegance  and  apparent  ease,  and  many  of  them 
by  several  different  methods.  In  the  above  paragraph,  Professor 
Olmsted  alludes  to  the  "taste  for  astronomy"  which  Mason  early 
manifested.  The  Professor,  speaking  of  him  during  his  Freshmen 
year,  remarks:  "Instead  of  the  transient  and  superficial  views 
which  most  persons  are  satisfied  to  take,  when  they  first  have 
access  to  a  large  telescope,  we  see  him  exploring  at  once  all  the 
phenomena  of  Jupiter — his  belts — his  moons,  with  their  eclipses 
and  the  shadows -they  cast  on  their  primaries.  With  great  delicacy, 
he  marks  the  exact  position  of  each  body  observed;  and,  if  it  has 
motions,  delineates  the  precise  path  it  has  among  the  stars.  The 
more  hidden  objects  of  astronomy  are  immediately  sought  for,  as 
the  Asteroids,  Double  Stars  and  Nebulge ;  and  we  find  only  a  day 
or  two  intervening  before  his  resolution  served  him  to  rise  in  a 
cold  morning,  before  day,  to  enjoy  the  luxurious  view  of  the  sys- 
tem of  Saturn.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  course  of  night- 
watchings  which  speedily  terminated  his  earthly  career."  His 
enthusiasm  in  this  department  of  science  continually  increased, 
and  he  resolved,  during  his  Sophomore  year,  to  devote  his*  life  to 


$52 

his  favorite  pursuit.  By  means  of  a  telescope,  and  other  instru- 
ments of  his  own  construction,  he  commenced  calculating  eclipses. 
During  his  Senior  collegiate  year,  in  connection  with  a  fellow- 
student,  he  made  the  largest  telescope  then  ever  constructed  on 
this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 

Mason  graduated  in  August,  1839.  After  remaining  in  New 
Haven  for  a  few  months  as  a  resident  graduate,  pursuing  his  favorite 
studies,  and  writing  and  stereotyping  a  "Practical  Treatise  on 
Astronomy,"  he  was  invited  to  a  Tutorship  in  Western  Reserve 
College,  Ohio.  In  consequence  of  the  continued  decline  of  his 
health,  his  friends  dissuaded  him  from  accepting  the  appointment. 
In  the  summer  of  1840,  he  was  selected  as  one  of  the  Assistants 
to  the  Commissioners  for  exploring  and  fixing  the  disputed  bound- 
ary between  Maine  and  Canada.  Thinking  that  the  more  active 
duties  connected  with  such  an  expedition  might  be  a  means  of 
restoring  his  health,  he  joined  the  Commissioners,  at  Portland, 
about  the  1st  of  September.  For  several  weeks,  he  was  busily 
engaged  in  making  surveys  and  taking  observations — traveling  on 
foot,  or  being  rowed  up  the  wild  rivers  of  that  inhospitable  region 
—  encamping  out  nights  —  and,  in  short,  enduring  all  the  fatigues 
and  privations  and  hardships  of  the  more  robust  members  of  the 
expedition.  About  the  1st  of  November,  he  returned  to  New 
York,  and  soon  after  took  up  his  residence  in  the  family  of  Pro- 
fessor Olmsted,  where  he  completed  his  work  on  Astronomy,  which 
was  soon  after  published. 

His  health  continuing  to  decline,  in  December  he  started  on  a 
visit  to  some  relatives  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  hoping  that  the 
balmy  air  of  the  South  might  prove  beneficial  to  him.  He  died 
at  the  residence  of  his  uncle,  (Rev.  J.  H.  Turner,)  near  Rich- 
mond, on  the  24th  of  that  month,  aged  twenty-one  years  and 
seventeen  days.  In  1842,  his  Memoirs  were  published  by  Pro- 
fessor Olmsted,  in  a  volume  of  252  pages,  with  the  following  title : 
"Life  and  Writings  of  Ebenezer  Porter  Mason;  interspersed  with 
Hints  to  Parents  and  Instructors,  on  the  Training  and  Education 
of  a  Child  of  Genius." 


BRIEF   NOTES 

Of  some  of  the  more  prominent  Natives  and  Residents  of  Litchfield 
County,  not  sketched  in  the  preceding  pages. 


AD  VMS,  Andrew,  LL.  D,,  a  native  of  Stratford,  and  a  graduate  of  Yale  Col- 
lege, settled  in  Litchfield  in  1774,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days. 
He  was  a  Representative,  Assistant,  member  of  the  continental  congress,  and 
chief  justice  of  the  State.  Died  November  29,  1799,  aged  63.  His  mother 
died  in  Litchfield  in  1803  aged  105  years. 

ALLEN,  John,  a  native  of  Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  fettled  in  Litchfield  as 
a  lawyer  in  1785,  and  died  therein  1812.  He  was  a  Representative,  member 
of  Congress,  &c. :  he  was  not  only  a  man  of  great  intellect,  but  of  giant  stature 
— measuring  full  six  and  a  half  feet  in  height  and  weighing  about  300  lbs.  He 
received  the  honorary  degree  of  A.  M.  at  Yale  in  1791.  His  son,  John  W.  Ah* 
]en  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  was  lately  in  Congress. 

ALLEN,  Pelatiah,  a  native  of  Windsor,  was  the  first  settler  of  Barkham- 
stead  in  1745.  and  remained  the  only  inhabitant  for  ten  years — clearing  and 
cultivating  t h 3  land  in  summer  and  hunting  in  winter.  When  apprehensive 
of  danger,  he  used  i©  repair  to  a  fortified  post  in  the  northein  part  ol  JVew 
Hartford.  After  the  organization  ot  the  town,  he  was  often  a  Representative 
and  Magistrate. 

AUSTIN.  Aaron,  colonel,  a  native  of  Suffleld,  but  settled  at  JVew  Hartford 
soon  after  the  Revolution,  (in  which  he  was  an  officer,)  and  died  there  in  1829. 
For  a  long  series  of  years,  he  was  in  public  life  y  i  i  1805,  he  received  an  hon  - 
orary  degree  at  Yale  college,  of  which  institution  he  was  for  fifteen  years  a 
member  of  the  Corporation. 

AVERILL.  Chester,  a  native  of  SaVsbury,  died  in  that  town  in  1S36,  while 
Professor  ot  Chemistry  in  Union  College. 

B  \C0N,  Eoaphroditus  C,  (son  of  Asa  Bacon,  Esq.,)  was  born  in  Litchfield, 
graduated  at  Yale  college  in  1833,  and  settled  in  his  native  town  in  the  prac 
tice  of  law  He  was  twice  a  Representative,  and  in  1836  was  a  Delegate  to 
the  Whig  National  Convention,  He  was  distinguished  as  a  historian  and  an- 
tiquarian. Died  at  Seville,  Spain,  in  1844,  aged  34.  His  brother  Frederick, 
a  gallant  officer  of  the  Navy,  was  lost  off  Cape  Horn  with  the  U.  S.  sloop  sea- 
Gull,  of  the  Exploring  Expedition,  in  1810,  aged  24. 

BACKUS.  Azel,  D.  D.,  a  native  of  Norwich  and  a  graduate  of  Yale,  was  set- 
tled over  the  congregational  church  in  Belhlem  in  1791,  and  remained  there 
until  1313,  when  he  accepted  a  call  to  the  Presidency  of  Hamilton  college.— 
Died  in  1816,  aged  51,  His  son,  Dr.  Frederick  Backus  of  Rochester,  N.  Y-, 
has  been  a  member  of  the  New  York  Senate. 

B  VLDWIN,  Ashbel,  a  native  of  Litchfield,  was  the  first  Episcopal  minister 
ever  ordained  in  the  United  State3 — August  1735.  He  was  a  rector  in  his  na» 
tive  town,  and  in  Stratford.     Died  in  Rochester,  N,  Y.,  in  1846,  aged  89, 

BALDWIN,  Eli,  emigrated  from  J\eu>  Milford  to  Ohio,  and  in  1335  was  a 
candidate  for  Governor  of  that  State— receiving  ?5,156  votes. 


354 

BALDWIN,  Jehiel,died  in  Washington  June  1,  1531,  m  hia  102d  year 

B\LDWiN,  Augustus,  General,  a  native  of  G>shen,  emulated  to  Hudsoh'-. 
Ohio — subsequently  settled  in  Franklin,  and  died  thire  in  1333,  while  Presi« 
dent  of  the  iVlassilon  Bank,  aged  50. 

BARSTOW,  Gamaliel  H.,  a  native  of  Sharon,  settled  in  Broome  county,  NY; 
and  became  State  Senator,  State  Treasurer,  and  in  1831  was  elected  to  Congress. 

BATTELL,  Joseph,  was  born  in  Milford  in  177 i — early  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Woodbury  and  from  thence  to  Torrington.  At.  the  early  age  of  18 
he  commenced  the  mercantile  business  in  Norfolk,  where  he  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life  I?  became  eminent  for  his  wealth,  liberality,  enterprize  and 
hospitality  .  iides  being  an  officer  and  munificent  patron  ot  various  benevo- 
lent societi  !  learned  institutions,  he  was  often  a  Representative,  and  was 
member  o!  I  Convention  which  formed  the  Constitution  of  this  State.  He 
married  Sarah,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  A.  R.  Robbins,  the  first  pastor  of  the  con- 
gregational church  in  Norfolk.  Mr.  Battell  died  suddenly  Decembers,  1841, 
67, 

BATTELL,  Charles  I.,  born  in  Torringford  in  1789— graduated  at  Yule  col- 
lege in  180S — and  was  recently  Judge  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Indiana.  He  is  a 
resident  of  Evansville,  Ind. 

BEEBE,  Ebenezer,  (son  of  Colonel  Bezaleel  Beebe,)  was  born  in  Litchfield  in 
1772,-  he  was  a  Major  in  the  U  S.  Army  in  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain, 
and  was  Inspector-General  of  the  Northern  Division.     Died  at  Plattsburg,  1815. 

BEECHER,  Lyman.  D,  D.  now  President  of  Lane  Seminary,  was  pastor  of 
the  first  congregational  church  in  Litchfield  from  1810  to  1826— by  fat  the  most 
active  and  laborious  part  of  hi9  life.  All  of  his  sons  became  congregational  cler- 
gymen, viz.  William,  Edward,  D,  DM  George  (died  in  1843,)  Henry  Ward, 
Charles,  Thomas  K,  and  James.  The  daughters  are,  Catharine  E.  and  Harriet, 
(well  known  authors,)  Mary,  and  Isabella.  Dr.  Beeoher  was  born  in  New  Haven 
in  1775  ;  his  mother  died  during  his  infancy,  and  he  was  given  to  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Lot  Benton  of  Guilford,  who  brought  him  up.  The  infant  when  received 
by  Mrs  Benton  weighed  only  three  and  a  half  lbs. 

BEECHER,  Philemon,  General,  born  in  Kent — emigrated  to  Ohio,  became 
Speaker  ot  the  House,  and  in  1S17  succeeded  Colonel  Kilbeurne  in  Congress. 

BEECHER,  Luther  Fitch,  D.  D.  of  Albany,  is  a  native  of  Goshen. 

BEERS,  Seth  P.  born  in  Woodbury  in  1781;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Litch- 
field in  1805  and  has  ever  since  resided  in  that  town.  He  has  been  a  senator 
and  representative,  clerk  and  speaker  of  the  House,  Commissioner  of  the  School 
Fund  foi  twenty- five  years,  and  Fellow  of  Trinity  college,- 

BELLAMY,  Joseph,  D.  D.  spent  fifty  years  (his  entire  ministerial  life,)  in 
Hethlem;  he  was  esteemed  as  one  of  the  most  learned  and  eloquent  divines  of 
his  day.  In  1750  he  published  True  Religion  Delineated — his  works  were  is- 
sued in  tnree  volumes  in  1811,  a  new  edition  of  which  wa9  published  in  1850. 
He  kept  for  a  long  time  a  theological  school.     Settled  1740 — died  1790,  aged  71. 

BENNETT,  Milo  L.  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Vermont,  is  a  native  of 
Sharon. 

BINGHAM,  Caleb,  a  well  known  author,  compiler  and  publisher  in  Boston, 
was  born  in  Salisbury,  and  graduated  at  Dartmouth  college.  Died  in  1817.— 
Nathan  Towson,  now  Paymaster  General  of  the  Army,  married  his  daughter, 

BIRD,  John,  (son  of  the  eminent  Doct.  Seth  Bird,)  was  a  nati\e  of  Litchfield 
and  a  graduate  nf  Yale.  He  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  his  native  town, 
but  removed  to  Troy  in  179  J,  and  was  there  elected  to  the  Legislature  and  to 
Congress.     His  brilliant  but  eccentric  career  terminated  in  1806,  aged  38. 

BIRDSEY,  Victory,  (son  of  E.  Birdsey  and  grandson  of  Rev.  Nathvn  Birdsey 
of  Strafford,  who  died  at  the  age  of  101  yean,)   is  a  native  of  Cormvell  and  a 


355 

graduate  of  Williams  college  v  settled  in  Pompey,  Onondaga  county,  New  York, 
and  became  a  representative,  member  of  the  Constitutional  conrcntion,  and 
in  1815  and  1841  was  elected  to  congress 

BISSELL,  Aldcn,  a  native  of  Litchfield,  settled  in  Meigs  county,  Ohio,  and 
became  Judge  of  the  court  ol  common  pleas, 

BOARDMAN.  David  S.  a  native  and  resident  of  JYew  Milford,  has  been  a 
representative,  senator,  and  chief  judge  of  the  court  ef  common  pleas.  His 
brother,  Homer  Boardman,  who  died  in  1851,  had  been  representative,  senator 
and  preiidential  elector. 

BOOTH,  Reuben,  a  native  of  Kent,  settled  in  Danbury  as  a  lawyer,  rose  to 
the  rank  of  Litulenant  Governor  of  the  State,  and  died  in  1848. 

BOSTWICK — long  an  honorable  and  conspicuous  name  in  JVew  Mi/ford. — 
Colonels  Elisha  and  Bushnell  were  officers  of  the  Revolution,  and  atterwards 
well  known  in  civil  life  ;  Rev,  Gideon  was  the  first  Epiucopal  minister  in  Great 
Barrington,  Mjss.    Several  others  have  been  honored  at  home  and  abroad, 

BRADLEY,  William  A.  late  Mayor  of  Washington  City,  D  C,  and  now 
Postmaster,  was  born  in  Litchfield  in  1794. 

BRINSMADE,  Daniel  N.  (son  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Brinsmaue,  the  first  minis- 
ter of  Washington,)  graduated  at  Yale  in  1772;  lived  and  died  in  his  native 
town.  He  was  longer  in  public  life  than  any  other  person  who  ever  lived  there. 
Died  in  1826,  aged  75.     General  Daniel  B.  Brinsmade  is  his  son. 

BUEL,  John,  from  Lebanon,  was  a  first  settler  and  original  proprietor  of 
Litchfield  in  1720— and  there  became  a  deacon,  captain,  representative  and 
magistrate;  he  died  in  1740  aged  74.  His  wife,  Mary  Loomis,  died  in  17S8 
aged  90 — having  had  4L0  descendants,  336  of  whom  survived  her. 

BUEL,  David  Jr.of  Troy,  N.  Y.  is  a  native  of  Litchfield ;  he  has  been  First 
Judge  of  the  Renselaer  county  court,  member  of  the  Constitutional  convention 
of  1821,  and  is. now  a  Regent  of  the  University. 

BUSHNELL,  Horace,  D.D.,  th.3  celebrated  Hartford  Divine,  was  bom  in 
Litchfield  in  1802  >  graduated  at  Yale  college  in  1827  :  and  for  the  last  twenty 
years  has  been  pastor  of  the  North  congregational  church  in  Hartford.  He  is 
selected  t«  preach  .the  sermon  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  Litch- 
field County,  August  13th  and  14th,  1851  :  he  has  probably  delivered  more 
orations  and  discourses  on  anniversary  occasions,  than  any  other  New  England 
clergyman.     The  author  hoped  tc  have  obtained  an  extended  sketch  of  his  life. 

BUTLER.  David,  D.  D.,  born  in  Harwinton  in  1761— was  rector  of  St.  Mi* 
ehaei's  church  in  Litchfield  from  1794  to  1799 — was  afterwards  rector  of  a 
church  in  Troy  until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  11,  1842,  at  the  age  of  80. 
Rev,  Clement  M,  Butler,  D   D,  now  chaplain  of  the  U.  S.  Senate,  is  his  son. 

BURNHAM,  Oliver,  born,  lived  and  died  in  Cornwall.  In  youth  he  was  a 
revolutionary  soldier — in  early  manhood  a  practical  Surveyor — and  subsequent- 
ly for  many  years  a  Representative,  Magistrate,  and  Judge  of  the  County  Court, 
He  died  in  1845. 

BURRALL — of  Canaan— one  of  the  most  distinguished  names  in  the  county. 

CATLIN — of  Harwinton  and  Litchfield.  Several  of  this  family  have  been 
or  are  distinguished  :  among  them,  Jacob  D.  D.  of  New  Marlborough,  Mass. — 
Lynde,  President  of  the  Merchant's  Bank  in  New  York  city— Putnam,  of  Mon- 
trose, Penn  ,  (fathei  of  George  the  painter  and  historian  of  the  aboriginees,)  a 
Judge  of  the  common  pleas — George  S.  member  of  Congress,  &c.  from  Windham 
county — Abijah,  late  senator, judge,  comptroller,  and  now  commissioner  of  the 
school  fund — Julius  of  Hartford- 

CHITTENDEN,  Thomas,  from  Guilford,  settled  in  Salisbury  in  1750,  and 
was  a  resident  of  that  town  lor  24  years,  during  which  time  he  was  elected 
colonel  of  militia,  representative,  ice.  In  1774  he  emigrated  to  Vermont,  and 
in  1778  was  chosen  Governor  of  that  state,   to  which  office  he   was  re-elected 


356 

tor  18  year?.     He  died  in  1797;  his  memoirs  by  the  Hon,  Daniel  Chipman  were 
published  in  1850. 

CHIPMAN,  Lemuel,  born  in  Salisbury  in  1744— studied  medicine  and 
settled  in  Pawlet,  Vt,  represented  the  town  in  the  legislature  at  14  sessions, 
and  was  judge  of  the  Rutland  county  court  from  1789  to  1794.  Ahout  the  year 
1800,  heremoved  to  Ontario  county,  New  York,  and  was  there  chosen  a  mem- 
ber of  the  senate  and  judge  oi  the  county  court.  His  brother,  Darius,  was  a 
representative  from  Rutland,  and  state's  attorney  for  14  years, 

CHILDS,  Haman  \V.  colonel,  resided  in  Litehfitld  until  1830,  when  here- 
moved  to  New  York  :  he  twice  represented  the  city  in  the  legislature,  was 
collector  of  the  city  revenue,  commissioner  of  streets  and  lamps,  and  manager 
of  the  American  Institute,     Died  in  1851,  aged  50. 

CHAPIN,  Graham  H,  a  native  of  Salisbury  and  a  graduate  of  Yale,  was  elec- 
ted to  congress  from  the  state  of  New  Yoik  in  1S3S— died  in  1542. 

CHURCH,  Samuel,  LL  D.,  was  born  in  Salisbury  in  1785— graduated  at  Yale 
college  in  1803,  and  settled  in  his  native  town  as  a  lawyer  He  was  represen- 
tative at  six  sessions,  senator  three  years,  judge  of  probate  eleven  years,  ant 
member  of  tlj.e  Constitutional  convention.  In  1832  he  was  appointed  a  Judge 
of  the  Superior  Court  and  Supreme  Court  of  Errors,  and  in  1847  he  was  elee'ed 
Chief  Justice,  In  1845.  he  removed  to  Litchfield,  his  present  residence.  His 
son,  Albert  E.  Church,  is  Professor  of  Ma. hematics  at  West  Point. 

CHURCH,  Le.nan,  of  Canaan,  brother  of  the  preceding,  one  of  the  most 
eminent  and  successful  lawyers  in  the  county,  died  in  1849. 

COLLIER,  Thomas,  a  native  of  Boston,  established  the  Litchfield  Monitor  in 
1731 — the  first  newspaper  ever  published  in  the  county — which  he  continued 
for20  years.     He  died  at  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  about  ten  years  since. 

COLLIER,  John  A.  son  of  the  preceding,  settled  in  Binghamton,  where  he 
still  resides.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  legiilature,  member  of  congress, 
comptroller  of  the  state,  presidential  elector,  &c.  His  brother,  General  James 
Collier  of  Steubenville,  Ohio,  was  recently  collector  of  the  national  customs  for 
California.     They  are  both  natives  of  Litchfield. 

DAVIES,  Charles,  LL.  D.,  born  in  Washington — has  been  Professor  at  West 
Point,  in  the  New  York  University,  and  in  Trinity  college.  He  is  the  author  of 
fifteen  or  twenty  volumes,  several  ot  which  are  mathematical  woiks. 

DEMING,  Miner  R.,  son  of  Stephen  Deming,  Esq.  of  Litchfield,  was  born  in 
Sharon  in  1S10— removed  to  Cincinnati  in  1836,  and  to  St.  Mary's,  Illinois,  in 
1839-  In  18-12,  he  was  elected  brigadier  general  ;  and  was  chiet  commander  of 
the  State  troops  during  the  Mormon  War.  He  was  elected  high  sheriff  of  Han- 
cock county  in  1844  ;  died  in  1845, 

DUTTON,  Mathew  R.  born  in  Walerlown  in  1783  :  was  Professor  of  Natural 

Philosophy  and  Mathematics  in  Yale  college  from  lSt*2  until  his  death  in  1825. 

DUTTON,  Henry,  Professor  of  Law  in  YaleCollege,  is  a  native  of  Plymouth. 

He  has  been  a  representative,  senator,  judge  of  the  N.  Haven  county  court,  &c. 

EDWARDS,  Jonathan,  D   D.    President  of  Union  college,  studied  divinity 

with  Dr.  Joseph  Bellamy,  vtas  licensed  to  preach  by  the  South  consociation  of 

Litchfield  county,  and  was  pastor  ot  the  church  in  ColebiookUova  January  1796 

to  July  1799— and  there  wrote  some  of  his  most  important  works,     Died  1801. 

EMERSON,  Ralph,  D.  D  ,  now  Professor  at  Andover,  was  pastor  of  a  church 

in  Norfolk  for  12  y'rs.     His  son,  Joseph,  a  now  Professor  in  Beloit  college,  was 

born  in  that  town. 

FRANKLIN,  John,  colonel,  an  officer  of  the  revolution,  and  afterwards  con- 
spicuous in  Wyoming.  Pennsylvania,  was  a  native  of  Canaan;  he  was  fre- 
quently a  representaiiva  and  judge  in  Pennsylvania,  and  in  1787  he  was  arrest- 
ed and  imprisoned  in  Philadelphia  on  a  charge  of  treason.  He  w«is  liberated 
on  bail,  which, by  connivance  of  the  authorities,  was  never  required  to  be  paid. 


E8  KV     IEMSHA    MlTTt'li  E  I.  h     I 

PB.OPESSOB   OF  riiKMivrnY.  M  l\r;i:  Al.oc.Y    AMI      ckoi.im;  V. 
IX     THE    rxiVKI'.SlTV    OT    WORTH    (Ai.'OI.IXA  . 


i  Hiin-,,,,,,-  society  >i.   dip  n 


35? 

FOOTE,  Samuel  A.  a  native  of  Water  town,  now  a  resident  of  Canarada'gua, 
New  York,  and  a  Judge  oi  the  Supreme  Court  of  that  state.  He  formerly  prac- 
ticed law  in  Albany  and  in  New  York  city. 

GALUSHA,  Jonas,  for  20  years  a  resident  of  Salisbury,  emigrated  to  Vermont 
and  was  for  nine  years  Governor  of  that  State.     Died  1834,  aged  83. 

GOLD.  Thomas  Rugglee,  a  native  of  Cornwall  and  a  graduate  of  Yale,  set- 
tled in  Whitestown.New  York,  in  1809  was  elected  to  congress,  and  was  twice 
re-elected.     Died  in  1526, 

GOULD,  James,  LL.  D  ,  a  native  of  Branford  and  a  graduate  of  Yale,  settled 
in  Litchfield,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  1838.     For  about  40  years  he 
was  associated  with  Judge  Reeve  in  conducting  the  Law  School  at  that  place 
He  was  Jud^e  of  the  supreme  court,  and  author  of  a  work  on  special  pleading. 

HITCHCOCK,  Samuel  J.,  LL.  D  ,  a  native  of  Beihlem,  and  a  graduate  and 
tutor  of  Yale  college,  in  which  institution  he  was  instructor  of  law  until  his 
death  in  1845  ;  he  was  mayor  ot  the  city  of  New  Haven,  judge  of  the  county 
court,  and  commission?!'  of  bankruptcy  under  the  national  bankrupt  law. 

HOLLEY— -of  Salisbury— one  of  the  most  talented  families  in  the  state, 

HOLMES,  Uriel,  from  Hartland,  graduated  at  Yale  in  1781,  studied  law  in 
Litchfield,  settled  in  that  town  and  remained  there  until  his  death  ;  he  was  a 
representative,  judge,  and  member  of  congress. 

HI  N  MAN.— This  has  Jong  been  one  of  the  most  respectable  and  prominent 
names  in  that  part  of  the  county  embraced  in  the  present  town  of  Southbury. 
Southbury  was  incorporated  in  1786,  and  was  annexed  to  New  Haven  county 
in  1S06.  Joel  ol  the  supreme  court,  and  Royal  R,  late  secretary  of  State,  were 
born  in  this  county — as  were  also  a  long  list  of  officials  who  have  borne  the 
name  during  the  last  century.  [See  appendix]  They  are  all  descendants  of 
Edward  Hinman,  a  sergeant  in  the  life  guard  ot  Charles  II.  who  came  to  this 
colony  and  died  at  Stratford  in  1681. 

HUNTINGTON,  Jabez  W,  a  native  of  Norwich  and  a  graduate  of  Yale  in 
1306,  vvas  a  resident  of  Lilehfield  for  about  30  years — represented  the  town  in 
the  legislature  and  the  county  in  congress;  and  became  a  judge  of  the  supreme 
court  and  senator  in  congress.     Died  in  his  native  town  in  1847. 

HUDSON,  David,  a  native  of  Goshen,  emigrated  to  Ohio  in  1800,  and  found- 
ed the  town  of  Hudson, 

JACKSON,  William,  D.  D.  a  native  of  Cornwall  and  pastor  of  the  congrega- 
tional churches  ot  Dorset  and  East  Rupert,  Vermont,  for  46  years,  died  in  1845 
aged  74.  His  epitaph  says  he  was  the  *  founder  of  the  first  Education  Society 
in  the  U.  S,  and  was  the  first  member  of  the  corporation  ot  Middlebury  college.' 

JANES,  Edmund,  D.  D.  one  of  the  present  Methodist  Episcopal  Bishops  of 
the  United  States,  is  a  native  of  Salisbury. 

JEWETT,  Freeborn  G.  born  in  Sharon— settled  in  Onondaga  county,  New 
York,  and  has  been  surrogate,  representative,  member  of  congress,  and  is  now 
Judge  of  the  Court  of  Appeals. 

JOHNSTON,  Josiah  S.  a  native  of  Salisbury,  removed  in  17S9  with  his  pa- 
rents to  Kentucky.  He  emigrated  'rom  thence  to  Louisiana  where  in  1821  he 
was  elected  to  congress — and  in  1825  he  was  chosen  United  States  Senator,  On 
his  return  homeward  from  Washington  city  in  the  spring  of  1S33,  he  was  in- 
stantly killed  by  the  bursting  of  a  steamboat  boiler  on  the  Ohio  river,  May  19. 
His  father.  Dr.  John  Johnston,  died  at  Washington,  Ky.  October  25  1833. 

JUDSON,  Adoniram,  born  in  Woodbury  in  1751— graduated  at  Yale,  and 
was  pastor  of  the  congregational  churches  in  Maiden,  Wenham  and  Plymouth, 
Mass.  until  1817,  when  he  became  a  Baptist,  resigned  his  charge,  and  died  soon 
after.     He  was  the  father  of  the  late  Rev,  Dr.  Jud3on,  of  the  Burman  Mission, 

LAWRENCE,  Jame9  R.  General,  a  native  of  JSIorfolh,  but  a  resident  of  Syr* 
acu3e,  New  York,  was  a  member  of  the  legislature  in  1825  '38  '39  '40— Judge 


358 

of  the  county  couit  in  1847.  and  is  now  United  States  Attorney  for  the  Northern 
District  of  New  York.  His  brother,  Grove,  also  of  Syracuse,  was  First  Judge  of 
the  county  court  for  several  years  from  1S38. 

LYON,  Mathew,  colonel,  a  native  of  Ireland,  came  to  this  country  in  1758 
and  was  tor  several  years  a  resident  of  this  county.  He  emigrated  to  Vermont 
and  was  there  elected  to  congress  in  1797  and  again  in  1799;  he  soon  alter  re- 
moved  to  Kentucky,  and  was  sent  to  congress  from  that  State  from  1803  to  1811. 
His  son, Chittenden  Lyon,  was  in  congress  from  Kentucky  lor  eiuht  years.  Both 
of  colonel  Ly*  i's  wives  were  natives  ot  this  county,  the  first  being  a  niece  of 
Ethan  Allen,  the  second  a  daughter  of  Governor  Chittenden. 

FRYMAN — long  an  honored  and  honorable  name  in  Goshen.  The  head  of  the 
family  was  Deacon  Moses  Lyman  fiom  Northampton  who  died  in  1768, —his 
son,  Colonel  Moses  Lyman,  a  brave  officer  of  the  revolution,  died  in  1829,  aged  87. 

LYMAN,  Samuel,  son  of  deacon  Moses;  born  in  Goshen  Jan.  25,  1749,  and 
graduated  at  Yale  in  1770;  settled  in  Springfield,  Mass. — became  a  Judge  of  the 
supreme  cour',  and  in  1795  was  ejected  to  congress,  and  served  in  that  body  five 
years.     Died  in  1802. 

LYMAN,  Darius,  son  of  colonel  Moses,  born  in  Goshen  July  19,  1789,  and 
graduated  at  Williams  college  in  1810— settled  at  Ravenna,  Ohio,  where  he  still 
resides.  He  has  been  much  in  public  life,  and  in  1832  was  a  candidate  for  Gov* 
ernor  of  Ohio — receiving  63,185  votes,  to  71,251  for  Governor  Lucas.  Mr.  L)> 
man  is  now  a  member  of  the  Ohio  Senate. 

MARVIN,  Reynold,  a  native  of  Lyme  and  a  graduate  ol  Yale  in  1748,  was  the 
first  lawyer  in  Litchfield  and  King's  Attorney  for  the  county.    Died  in  1802. 

MONSON.  Levinus,  born  in  Canaan,  graduated  at  Yale,  and  settled  at  Hu- 
bart,  New  York,  his  present  residence — he  wa3  formerly  a  judge  of  the  county 
court,  and  is  now  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court. 

MITCHELL,  Elisha,  D.  D.,  a  native  of  Washington  and  a  graduate  of  Yale 
in  1813,  is  now  Professor  of  Natural  Philosophy  in  the  University  ol  Norlh  Car- 
olina  — [See  plate. 

MERWIN,  Orange,  a  native  and  resident  of  New  Milford,  was  a  member  of 
congress  tour  years  commencing  in  1825. 

McNIEL.  David,  colonel,  a  native  of  Litchfield,  settled  in  Phelps,  New  York, 
and  became  a  Judge  of  the  court  of  common  pleas. 

OWEN,  John,  a  native  ot  Salisbury,  died  in  Chatauque  county,  New  York,  in 
1843,  aged  107, 

OSBORN,  Selleek,  from  Danbury,  was  editor  of  the  Litchfield  Witness  in 
1804  '5 — and  distinguished  as  a  poet-  During  the  war  of  1812  he  published  a 
newspaper  in  Wilmington,  Delaware.    Died  in  Philadelphia  in  1S26. 

PECK,  John  M.,  a  native  of  Litchfield,  a  celebrated  Baptist  minister  at  Rock 
Spring,  Illinois.  He  is  so  popular  with  the  people,  that  the  whigs  of  that  state 
a  few  years  since  (about  1845,)  nominated  him  for  Governor. 

PECK,  William  V.,  of  Portsmouth,  Ohio,  and  Judge  of  the  circuit  court  of 
that  state,  is  a  son  of  Litchfield  parents,  and  way  brought  up  from  infancy  to 
manhood  in  that  town. 

PE^ET,  Harvey  P.,  LL.D.,  a  native  of  Bttlilem,  is  now  President  of  the  New 
York  Institution  for  the  Deaf  and  Dumb. 

PETTIBONE,  Rufus,  a  native  of  Norfolk,  and  a  graduate  of  "Williams  col- 
lege, settled  in  St.  Louis  and  became  judge  ol  the  supreme  court  of  Missouri. 

PORTER,  Augustus;  a  native  of  Salisbury,  was  an  early  pioneer  ol  Western 
New  York, 'where  he  became  an  extensive  landholder,  and  a  Judge.  He  died 
at  Niagara  Falls  in  1850.  Peter  B.  Porter,  Jr,  lato  speaker  of  the  New  York 
House, and  Augustus  A.  Porter,  late  senator  in  congress  from  Michigan,  are  his 
sons. 


359 

PIERCE,  John,  a-lonel,  a  native  of  Litchjield,  became  Paymaster-General  of 
the  Army,  and  Commissioner  for  settling  War  Accounts— died  in  New  Yoik  in 
1788,  He  was  brother  of  Miss  Sarah  Pierce,  the  founder  of  the  Litchfield  Fe- 
male Academy,  who  is  still  living. 

PIERPONT,  Robert,  born  in  Litchfield  in  1792— settled  in  Vermont,  became 
lieutenant  governor  and  is  now  a  Judge  of  the  supreme  court. 

REEVE,  Tapping.  LL.  D.,  born  at  Brookhaven,  L.  I.,  and  graduated  at  New 
Jersey  college  in  1763;  settled  at  Litchfield  and  became  chief  justice  of  the  State. 
He  established  the  Litchfield  Law  School,  the  most  celebrated  in  the  Union, 
with  which  he  was  connected  until  his  death  in  1823.  His  first  wife  was  a 
sister  of  the  celebrated  Aaron  Burr,  who  sp.mt  several  of  his  early  ye^ars  in  the 
Judge's  family,  and  was  here  when,  on  hearing  of  the  battle  of  Lexington,  he 
started  for  the  scene  of  conflict  and  entered  the  army. 

ROGERS,  Edward,  of  Madison,  New  York,  and  a  graduate  of  Williams  col- 
lege in  1S09,  is  a  native  of  Cornwall;  he  was  elected  to  congress  in  1839 

RIGGS,  Dr.  Lewis,  a  native  of  JVorfolk,  was'  elected  to  congress  in  1841  from 
Western  New  York. 

ROBBINS,  Thomas,  D.  D.  son  of  Rev.  Ammi  R.  the  first  minister  in  Norjolk, 
was  born  in  that  town  in  1777,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1796  Having  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  a  pastor  for  about  filty  years,  in  1*45  he  accepted  the 
appointment  of  Librarian  of  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society — a  post  which 
he  si  ill  holds.  He  ha*  the  largest  antiquarian  library  in  the  country  ;  and  ha9 
published  t'.vn  01  three  volumes,  asd  fifteen  sermons  and  addresses  in  pamphlet 
form.     The  degree  ol  doctor  ol  divinity  was  conferred  on  him  at  Harvard. 

ROCKWELL— a  distinguished  name  in  Colebrook  ;   the  Hon    Julius,  SpeaK- 
er  of  the  Massachusetts  House,  and  member  of  congress,  was  born  io  that  town. 
SANFORD,  Edward  f.  naw  American  Secretary  of  Legation  to^ France,  is  a 
native  of  Wcodbury. 

ST.  JOHN,  Daniel  B  late  member  of  congress  from  the  state  of  New  York- 
and  nov?  superintendend  of  the  banking  sy?tem,  is  a  native  of  Sharon, 

SEDGWICK — one  of  the  most  eminent  names  in  the  county.  All  who  bear 
it  among  us,  are  descendants  of  Richrrd,  a  Major  General  in  Cromwell's  army. 
A  branch  of  the  family  removed  from  West  Hartford  to  Cornwall  in  1"749. — 
Theodore,  LL.  D,  (speaker  of  the  National  House  and  President  of  the  Senate,) 
then  a  child  of  three  years,  was  brought  up  in  that  town-  A  goodly  number  of 
the  name  have  been  or  are  piominent  men, 

SHELDON,  Daniel  Jr,  was  born  in  Washington — died  at  Marseilles,  France, 
hi  1828,  while  secretary  of  legation  to  that  country. 

SKINNER,  Roger,  born  in  Litchfield  in  1773— settled  at  Sandy  Hill,  New 
York,  and  became  a  Senator  and  United  States  District  Judge. 

SMITH,  Perry,  of  New  Milford,  has  been  a  representative,  judge  of  probate 
and  Senator  in  Congress.- 

SMITH,  Truman,  a  native  of  Roxbury  and  resident  of  Litchfield,  has  been  a 
representative,  member  of  coagress,and  is  now  United  States  Senator. 

STRONG,  Theron  R,  a  native  of  Salisbury,  settled  in  Palmyra,  New  York, 
and  was  elected  to  congress  in  1839,  [Moses  Strong,  a  native  of  the  same  townr 
settled  in  Rutland,  Vermont,  became  chief  judge  of  that  county,  and  died  in 
1842,  aged  70.     Adonijah  and  Martin  were  also  prominent,  men.] 

STERLING— Ansel  of  Sharon  and  Elisha  of  Salisbury— both  eminent  men  in 
public  and  private  life,  are  natives  of  Lyme, 


360 

TALL'UADGE,  Benjamin,  colonel,  a  distinguished  officer  of  the  conii  • 
hental  army,  was  born  at  Brookhaven,  [j.  I,,  in  1754,  and  graduated  at 
Yale  in  1773.  He  entered  the  army  in  1776,  and  was  in  several  impor- 
tant battles.  In  17S4,  he  settled  in  LHclfield%  and  resided  there  until  his 
death  in  1835.     He  was  a  member  of  congress  from  1800  10  1815. 

TALLMADGE,  Henry  F.  was  born  at  Litchfield  in  1787  ;  he  is  now  U. 
S.  Marshal  for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York.  Benjamin,  Jr,,  his 
brother,  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Navy,  died  on  board  the  United  States  frigate 
Brandy  wine,  off  Gibi  altar,  June  20,  1831,  aged  36. 

TANNER,  William,  a  native  of  Rhode  Island,  but  long  a  resident  of 
CornwflK  died  in  that  town  a  few  years  since  at  the  age  of  104  years. — 
After  100  years  old,  he  became  a  professed  conyert  to  Christianity  and 
joined  the  Methodist  church. 

TRACY,  Uriah,  General,^  natiye  of  Norwich  and  a  graduate  of  Yale, 
settled  in  J  tchfield,  and  there  spent  his  entire  professional  and  official  life. 
He  was  a  member  of  congress  three,  and  United  Slates  Senator  eleven 
years;   and  died  in  the  latter  office,  in  Washington  city,  in  1607, 

TICKNOR,  Luther,  M.  D.,  of  Salisbury,  President  of  the  State  Medi- 
cal Society,  &c,  died  in  1846.  Caleb,  his  brother,  a  native  of  that  town, 
and  distinguished  as  a  physician  and  author,  died  in  New  York  city  in 
1840,  aged  36.     Another  brother,  Benajah,  is  a  surgeon  in  the  Navy. 

WATSON,  James,  b.  in  Washington,  fitted  for  college  with  Rev.  A.  R. 
Robbinsof  Norfolk,  and  graduated  at  Yale  in  1776.  He  was  an  officer  of 
the  Revolution,  at  the  close  of  which  he  settled  in  New  York  city,  and 
there  became  a  wealthy  merchant.  He  was  appointed  Naval  Officer,  and 
a  Director  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States — and  in  1798  he  was  elected  a 
Senator  in  congress.  Died  in  1806.  His  parents  are  both  buried  in  a 
retired  little  graveyard  about  half  a  mile  south-west  of  Bantam  Lake  in 
Litchfield,  under  a  red-stone  tablet  erected  by  their  distinguished  son. 

WOODWARD,  Samuel  B.,  M.  D.,  a  native  of  Torrington,  settled  as  a 
physician  at  Wethersfield  and  in  1832  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate. — 
He  was  subsequently  Superintendent  of  the  Insane  Retreat  at  Hartford, 
and  of  the  Massachusetts  Lunatic  Asylum-  Died  in  1849.  |  Several  of 
his  brothers  have  been  or  are  prominent  physicians.] 

WOODRUFF,  Morris,  a  native  an^  resident  of  Litchfield,  died  in  that 
town  in  1841,  He  had  been  Major  General,  representative,  Judge  of  the 
county  court,  presidential  elector,  &c.  His  son,  Lewis  B.,  is  now  Judge 
of  the  court  of  common  pleas  for  the  city  and  county  of  New  York. 

WOODRUFF,  Clark,  brother  of  the  preceding,  has  been  Judge  of  the 
supreme  court  of  Louisiana. 


361 


APPENDIX 


LITCHFIELD    COUNTY, 


North  of  the  ancient  towns  of  Waterbury,  Woodbury  and  New 
Milford  long  remained  a  wilderness  after  most  of  the  other  parts 
of  the  State  were  settled.  To  secure  the  fee  of  the  soil  to  the 
colonists,  when  at  and  subsequently  to  the  administration  of  Sir 
Edmund  Andros,  efforts  were  made  to  wrest  from  us  our  charter 
privileges,  the  General  Assembly  granted  Patents  to  several 
towns  ;  and  as  most  of  Litchfield  County  was  not  then  embraced 
in  any  townships,  the  land  was  granted  to  the  inhabitants  of  Hart- 
ford and  Windsor,  as  far  west  as  the  Housatonic  river.  All  other 
parts  of  the  State,  not  included  in  any  townships,  when  the  dan- 
ger was  over,  quietly  and  without  question  reverted  to  the  Colony ; 
but  Hartford  and  Windsor  on  pretence  that  it  was  a  bona  fide 
grant,  laid  claim  to  the  whole.  While  the  controversy  was  pend- 
ing, Litchfield  was  incorporated  ;  and  the  government  gave  indica- 
tions of  a  determination  to  do  right  and  improve  these  lands,  then 
called  Western  Lands,  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  Colony.  But 
the  leading  men  of  Hartford  and  Windsor  were  determined  to  give 
the  government  no  peace  till  their  rights  were  acknowledged. 
Finally,  wearied  out  with  their  importunity,  the  General  Assembly, 
after  reserving  to  Litchfield  their  chartered  rights,  ceded  the  East 
46 


362 

portion  of  the  territory  to  Hartford  and  Windsor,  and  those  towns 
relinquished  all  claim  to  the  Western  portion.  The  dividing  line 
has  Goshen  and  Norfolk  on  the  West,  and  Torrington,  Winchester 
and  Colebrook  on  the  East.  Hartford  took  for  their  portion  the 
townships  of  New  Hartford,  Winchester  and  Hartland  ;  and  Wind- 
sor took  Barkhamsted,  Torrington  and  Colebrook.  Harwinton  was 
divided  one  half  to  each  town,  and  named  from  the  two  towns, 
Har -Win -ton.  The  portion  secured  to  the  government  was  laid 
out  into  townships  and  rights,  which  were  sold  at  auction  at  the 
several  count v  seats. 


Norfolk     was 

sold  at 

Hartford, 

Goshen 

u 

New  Haven, 

Canaan        " 

U 

New  London, 

Cornwall     " 

U 

Fairfield, 

Kent 

a 

Windham. 

And  the  avails  appropriated  originally  for  schools,  though  after- 
wards some  part  was  allowed  to  be  used  for  ecclesiastical  pur- 
poses. 

The  several  towns  of  the  County  were  incorporated  as  follows : 
though  most  of  them  did  not  send  members  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly till  several  years  subsequently. 

Wtoodbury,  incorporated  1683.  The  towns  taken  from  Wood- 
bury were 

Bethlem,  incorporated  May,  1787  ; 

Southbury,  incorporated,  May,  1787,  and  annexed  to  New- 
Haven  County  in . 

Roxbury,  incorporated  October,  17 96  ;  and  part  of 

Washington,  incorporated  Jan.  1770.  The  other  parts  of 
Washington  were  taken  from  New  Milford,  Litchfield  and  Kent. 

New  Milford  was  incorporated  Oct.  1712. 

Litchfield         "  "  May,  1710. 

Harwinton        "  "  Oct.  1737. 

New  Hartford  "  "  Oct.  1738. 

Sharon,  Salisbury, (?)  Canaan,  Goshen  and  Kent,  Oct. 
1739.     From  Kent  was  taken 


363 

Warren,  incorporated  May,  1786. 
Cornwall  was  incorporated  May,  1740. 

T0RRINGT0N  "  "  Oct.  1740. 

Norfolk      "  "  May,  1758. 

Hartland,  May,  1761.     Annexed  to  Hartford  County. 

Winchester,  May,  1771. 

Barkhamsted  and  Colebrook,  Oct.  1779. 

Watertown  was  taken  from  Waterbury  and  incorporated  May, 
1780,  and  annexed  to  Litchfield  County.     And  included 

Plymouth,  incorporated  a  separate  town,  May,  1795. 

Woodbury  was  originally  embraced  in  Fairfield  County. 

New  Milford,  Sharon  and  Salisbury  in  New  Haven  County. 

All  the  other  towns  in  Hartford  County. 

The  Act  of  Oct.  1751,  constituting  the  County  was 

"  Be  it  enacted,  &c.  That  the  townships  of  Litchfield,  Wood- 
bury, New  Milford,  Harwinton,  New  Hartford,  Barkhempstead, 
Hartland,  Colebrook,  Norfolk,  Canaan,  Salisbury,  Kent,  Sharon, 
Cornwall,  Goshen,  Torrington  and  Winchester,  lying  in  the  north- 
westerly part  of  this  Colony,  shall  be  and  remain  one  entire  County, 
and  be  called  the  County  of  Litchfield  ;  the 

bounds  of  which  County  shall  extend  north  to  the  Colony  line  and 
west  to  the  Colony  line,  till  it  meets  with  the  township  of  New 
Fairfield,  and  to  include  the  towns  above  mentioned."  [Col.  Rec. 
VIII.  84. 

JUDGES  of  the  county  court. 


Acces. 

Exit. 

William  Preston,  Woodbury, 

1751 

1754 

John  Williams,  Sharon, 

1754 

1773 

Oliver  Wolcott,  Litchfield, 

1773 

1786 

Daniel  Sherman,  Woodbury,  1786         1791 

Joshua  Porter,  Salisbury,  "  1791         1808 

Aaron  Austin,  New  Hartford,  1808         1816 


364 


Augustus  Pettibone,  Norfolk, 
David  S.  Boardman,  New  Milford, 
William  M.  Burrall,  Canaan, 
Ansel  Sterling,  Sharon, 
Calvin  Butler,  Plymouth, 
Ansel  Sterling,  Sharon, 
William  M.  Burrall,  Canaan, 
Abijah  Catlin,  Harwinton, 
Elisha  S.  Abernethy,  Litchfield, 
Ilolbrook  Curtis,  Watertown, 
Hiram  Goodwin,  Barkhamsted, 
Charles  B.  Phelps,  Woodbury, 
Hiram  Goodwin,  Barkhamsted, 


Access. 

Exit. 

181G 

1831 

1831 

1836 

1836 

1838 

1838 

1839 

1839 

1840 

1840 

1842 

1842 

1844 

1844 

1846 

1846 

1847 

1847 

1849 

1849 

1850 

1850 

1851 

1851 

JUSTICES    OF   THE    QUORUM. 


Access. 

Exit. 

John  Miner,  Woodbury, 

1704 

1716* 

John  Sherman,  Woodbury, 

1708 

1714* 

U                 ii                             u 

1723 

1728* 

Joseph  Miner,          " 

1725 

1739* 

William  Preston,      " 

1740 

1751* 

Thomas  Chipman,  Salisbury, 

1751 

1753 

John  Williams,  Sharon, 

1751 

1754 

Samuel  Canfield,  New  Milford, 

1751 

1754 

Ebenezer  Marsh,  Litchfield, 

1751 

1772 

Joseph  Bird,  Salisbury, 

1753 

1754 

Noah  Hinman,  Woodbury, 

1754 

1759 

Elisha  Shelden,  Litchfield, 

1754 

1761 

Increase  Moseley,  Woodbury, 

1755 

1780 

Roger  Sherman,  New  Milford, 

1759 

1762 

Daniel  Sherman,  Woodbury, 

1761 

1786 

*  In  Faii-field  County. 

365 

Bushnell  Bostwick,  New  Milford, 
Joshua  Porter,  Salisbury, 
Samuel  Canfield,  New  Milford, 
Jedediah  Strong,  Litchfield, 
Heman  Swift,  Cornwall, 
Aaron  Austin,  New  Hartford, 
Nathan  Hale,  Canaan, 
David  Smith,  Plymouth, 
Daniel  N.  Brinsmade,  Washington, 
Judson  Canfield,  Sharon, 
Birdsey  Norton,  Goshen, 
Augustus  Pettibone,  Norfolk, 
Uriel  Holmes,  Litchfield, 
Moses  Lyman,  jr.,  Goshen, 
Oliver  Burnham,  Cornwall, 
Cyrus  Swan,  Sharon, 
Martin  Strong,  Salisbury, 
John  Welch,  Litchfield, 

ASSOCIATE   JUDGES. 


Access. 

Exit. 

1762 

1776 

1772 

1791 

1777 

1790 

1780 

1791 

1786 

1802 

1790 

1808 

1791 

1809 

1791 

1814 

1802 

1818 

1808 

1815 

1809 

1812 

1812 

1816 

1814 

1817 

1815 

1817 

1816 

1818 

1817 

1819 

1817 

1820 

1819 

1820 

Martin  Strong,  Salisbury, 

1820 

1829 

John  Welch,  Litchfield, 

1820 

1829 

William  M.  Burrall,  Canaan, 

1829 

1836 

Morris  Woodruff,  Litchfield, 

1829 

1838 

Hugh  P.  Welch,        " 

1836 

1838 

COUNTY   COMMISSIONED. 


Morris  Woodruff,  Litchfield,  appointed  1839 
Joseph  H.  Bellamy,  Bethlem,  "         1839,  '41 

John  Boyd,  Winchester  "         1840,  '9,  '50 

William  Beebe,  Litchfield,  "         1840 


366 


Lester  Loo-mis,  Barkhamsted, 
Frederick  Kellogg,  Cornwall, 
Russell  C.  Abernethy,  Torrington, 
Oliver  W.  Pickett,  New  Milford, 
Leman  W.  Cutler,  Watertown, 
Joseph  I.  Gaylord,  Goshen, 
Stephen  Deming,  Litchfield, 
William  P.  Russell,  Salisbury, 
Hiram  Goodwin,  Barkhamsted, 
Dunning  Babbitt,  New  Milford, 
Eli  Mygatt,  New  Milford, 
Henry  L.  Randale,  Roxbury, 
Daniel  Parsons,  Sharon, 
Peleg  Shepard,  Barkhamsted, 
William  Cothren,  Woodbury, 


appointed  1841,  '4,  '5 


1841,  '2, 

'3 

1842,  '3 

1842,  '3 

1844,  '5 

1844,  '5, 

1  8  \  CK 

% 

Io40 

1846,  51 

1847,  '8 

1847,  '8 

1849 

1850 

1850 

1851 

1851 

'7,  '8,  '9 


CLERKS    OF   THE     COURT     OF    COMMON     PLEAS     AND     THE     COUNTY 
COURT,  AND  OF  THE  SUPERIOR  COURT  AFTER  ITS  ESTAB- 
LISHMENT   IN    THE     COUNTY    IN     1798. 


Access.  Exit. 

Isaac  Baldwin,  1751  1793 

Frederick  Wolcott,  1793  1836 
Origen  S.  Seymour,  1836  1844 
Gideon  H.  Hollister,  1844  1845 


Access.   Exit. 

Origen  S.  Seymour,  1846  1847 
Gideon  II.  Hollister,  1847  1850 


Elisha  Johnson. 


1850 


SHERIFFS. 


Access.  Exit. 

Oliver  Wolcott,        1751  1772 

Lynde  Lord,  1772  1801 

John  R.  Landon,      1801  1819 

Moses  Seymour,  jr.  1819  1825 


Ozias  Seymour, 
Albert  Sedgwick, 
Charles  A.  Judson. 
Albert  Sedgwick, 


Access.    Exit. 

1825  1834 

1834  1835 

1835  1838 
1838 


367 

JUDGES    OF   PROBATE. 

YEARS   OP   APPOINTMENT   ARE   SPECIFIED. 

Barkhamsted  District,  from  New  Hartford  District  in  1834. 

Lancelot  Phelps,  1834  Hiram  Goodwin,  1847 

Amos  Beecher,  1830,  '7,  '46,  '5     Lester  Loomis,  1848,  '9 
Jesse  Ives,  1838  to  '45  James  Eggleston,  1851 

Canaan  District,  from  Sharon  District,  in  1846, 

William  M.  Burrall,  1846  Miles  T.  Granger,  1849  to  '51 

William  G.  Pierce,  1847,  '8 

Cornwall  District,  from  Litchfield  District  in  1847. 

Philo  Kellogg,  1847,  '8  Frederick  Kellogg,  1850,  '1 

Burritt  B.  North,  1849 

Harwinton  District,  from  Litchfield  District  in  1835. 

Benajah  Hayden,  '35  to  '7, 42, 3     Lewis  Smith,  '44,  '5,  '7  to  9,  '51 
Abijah  Catlin,  1838  to  1841  Martin  Cook,  2d,  1846,  '50 

Kent  District,  from  New  Milford  District  in  1831. 

N.  P.  Perry,  1831  to  '4,  '8  to  '41     R.  Fuller,  jr.  1842,  '3,  '9  to  '51 
Frederick  Chittenden,  1835,  '6     J.  C.  Hatch,  1844,  '5,  '7,  '8 
Wells  Beardslee,  1837  John  H.  St.  John,  1846 

Litchfield  District  includes  Goshen  and  Warren ;    from  Hart- 
ford and  Woodbury,  Oct.  1742. 

Ebenezer  Marsh,  1742  to  '71  Phineas  Miner,  1838,'9 

Oliver  Wolcott,  1772  to  '95  Ralph  G.  Camp,  1840,  '1,  '4,  '5 

Andrew  Adam,  pro  tern,  1776  Charles  Adams,  1847  to  '9. 

Frederick  Wolcott,  1796  to  1836  Oliver  A.  G.  Todd,  1850 

E.  S.  Abernethy,'37, 42,  '3,  '46  Henry  B.  Graves,  1851 


868 

New  Hartford   District,    from   Sunshiny   District  in   1825  ; 
originally  in  Farmirigton  District. 

Isaac  Kellogg,  1825  to  '32,  '34     Roger  XL   Mills,  1838  to  '41, 
Lancelot  Phelps,  1833  '44,  '5,  '7  to  '51 

Tertius  Wadsworth,  1835  to  '37     Wait  Garrett,  1842,  '3,  '6 

New  Milford  District,  from  Woodbury  and  Sharon  Districts 

in  1787. 

Samuel  Canfield,  1787  to  '89  Perry  Smith,  1833,  '5 

Daniel  Everet,  1790  to  1804  George  Taylor,  1836,  7,  '42,  '3 

David  S.  Boardman,  1805  to  '20  Thomas  B.  Lacey,  1846 

Jehiel  Williams,  1821  to  '31  David  G.  Sanford,  1847,  '8,  '51 

Nathaniel  Perry,  1832,  '4,  '8  to  Julius  B.  Harrison,  1849,  '50 
41, '4, '5 

Norfolk  District,  from  Simsbury  and  Litchfield  Districts,  1779. 

Giles  Pettibone,  1779  to  1806  Daniel  Hotchkiss,  1846 

Augustus  Pettibone,  1807  to  '21  Darius  Phelps,  1847,  '9 

Mich'l  F.  Mills,  1822  to  '41  '4  '5  William  R.  Peck,  1848,  '51 

Joseph  Riggs,  1842  John  Dewell,  1850 
James  C.  Swift,  1843 

Plymouth  District,  from  Waterbury  District  in  1833. 

Calvin  Butler,  1833  to  '41  Henry  B.  Graves,  1845,  '7 

El'a  Johnson,  1842, '3,  '6,  '9,  '50     Barnabas  W.  Root,  1848 
Calvin  R.  Butler,  1844  Ammi  Giddings,  1851 

Roxbury  District,  from  Woodbury  District  in  1842. 

H.  B.  Eastman,  1842  to  '4,  '50     Henry  L.  Randall,  1846 
Aaron  W.  Fenn,  1845,  '7  to  '9       Myron  Downs,  1851 

Salisbury  District,  from  Sharon  District  in  L847. 
John  G.Mitchell,  1847  to '51 


369 

Sharon  District  from  Litchfield  District,  Oct.  1755. 

John  Williams,  1755  to  1773  C.  F.  Sedgwick,  1840,  '1,  '4,  '5 
Joshua  Porter,  1774  to  1810  '7,  '8,  '51 

Elisha  Sterling,  1811  to  1820  John  G.  Mitchell,  1842,  '3,  '6 

Samuel  Church,  1821  to  1832  James  Orr,  1849,  '50 
William  M.  Burrall  1833  to  '39 

Torrington  District,  from  Litchfield  District  in  1847. 

George  D.  Wadhams,  1847  to  '9     Henry  S.  Barbour,  1851 
Harlow  Fjler,  1850 

Washington  District  from  Woodbury  and  Litchfield  Dists.  1832. 

Daniel   B.  Brinsmade,  1832  to     Ithiel  Hickox,  1837,  '42,  '43 

'4,  '8  to '41,  '4,  '5,  '7  to  '9,51     William  Moody,  1846 
Frederick  S.  Fenn,  1835,  '6  Daniel  G.  Piatt,  1850 

Watertown  District  from  Waterbury  District  in  1834. 

Holbrook   Curtiss,    1834,   '5,   '8  Merrit  Hemmingway,  1837 
to  '45,  '47  to  '49  Charles  S.  Woodward,  1846 

Benjamin  De  Forest,  1836  Allyn  M.  Hungerford,  1850,  '1 

Winchester  District  includes  Colebrook  ;•  from  Norfolk  Dis- 
trict in  1838. 

John  Boyd,  1838  Samuel  W.  Coe,  1843,  '9,  '50 

Gideon  Hall  jr.,  1839  to  '41,  Roland  Hitchcock,  1846,  '51 

'44,  '5,  '8  William  H.  Rood,  1847 
Daniel  Coe,  1842 

Woodbury  District  from  Hartford  and  Fairfield  Dists.  Oct.  1719. 

John  Sherman,  1719  to  '27  John  Strong  jr.,  1816,  '17,  '34 

Joseph  Minor,  1728  to  '56  Charles  B.  Phelps,  1823  to  '33, 
Daniel  Sherman,  1757  to  '94  '35  to '37,  '42,  '3,  '6,  '9  to  '51 

Nathan  Preston,  1795  to  1804,  Nathan'l  B.  Smith,  1838  to  '41 

'18  to  '22  Leman  B.  Sprague,  1844 

Noah  B.  Benedict,  1805  to  '15  Thomas  Bull,  1845  '7,  '8 
47 


370 

JUDGES  OF  SUPERIOR  COURT. 


Andrew  Adams,  Litchfield, 

appointed  Chief  Justice  in 
Tapping  Reeve,  Litchfield, 

appointed  Chief  Justice  in 
Nathaniel  Smith,  Woodbury 
John  Cotton  Smith,  Sharon, 
James  Gould,  Litchfield, 
Samuel  Church,  Salisbury, 

appointed  Chief  Justice  in 
Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Litchfield, 

SENATORS    OF   CONGRESS. 

Uriah  Tracy,  Litchfield, 
Elijah  Boardman,  New  Milford, 
Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Litchfield, 
Truman  Smith,  " 

MEMBERS    OF    CONGRESS. 

Uriah  Tracy,  Litchfield, 
Nathaniel  Smith,  Woodbury, 
John  Allen,  Litchfield, 
John  Cotton  Smith,  Sharon, 
Benjamin  Tallmadge,  Litchfield, 
Uriel  Holmes,  Litchfield, 
Ansel  Sterling,  Sharon, 
Orange  Merwin,  New  Milford, 
Jabez  W.  Huntington,  Litchfield, 
Phinehas  Miner,  " 

Lancelot  Phelps,  Colebrook, 
Truman  Smith,  Litchfield,  1839     '43 
Origen  S.  Seymour,  Litchfield, 


Access. 

Exit 

1789 

1798 

1793 

1798 

1815 

1814 

180G 

1818 

1809 

1811 

1816 

1819 

1833 

1847 

1834 

1840 

1796 

1807 

1821 

1823 

1840 

1847 

1849 

1793 

1796 

1795 

1799 

1797 

1799 

1800 

1806 

1801 

1817 

1817 

1818 

1821 

1825 

1825 

1829 

1829 

1834 

1834 

1835 

1835 

1839 

1845 

1849 

1851 

371 

GOVERNORS. 

Access.  Exit. 

Oliver  Wolcott,  Litchfield,  1796         1798 

John  Cotton  Smith,  Sharon,  1813         1817 

Oliver  Wolcott,  Litchfield,  1817         1827 

LIEUTENANT   GOVERNORS. 

Oliver  Wolcott,  Litchfield,  1786         1796 

John  Cotton  Smith,  Sharon,  1811         1813 

William  S.  Holabird,  Winchester,  1842         1844 

SECRETARIES    OF    STATE. 

Royal  R.  Hinman,  Roxbury,  1835         1842 

Roger  H.  Mills,  New  Hartford,  1849         1850 

STATE   COMPTROLLERS. 

Oliver  Wolcott,  Litchfield,  1788         1789* 

Abijah  Catlin,  Harwinton,  1847         1850 

COMMISSIONER   OF   SCHOOL   FUND. 

Seth  P.  Beers,  Litchfield,  1825         1849 

Abijah  Catlin  Harwinton,  1851 

ASSISTANTS   UNDER   THE    CHARTER. 

John  Sherman,  Woodbury,  1713  1723 

Elisha  Sheldon,  Litchfield,  1761  1779 

Oliver  Wolcott,         "  1771  1735 

Andrew  Adams,       "  1781  1790 

Jedediah  Strong,      "  1789  1791 

Resigned  on  appointment  of  Auditor  of  the  United  States  Treasury 


372 

Herman  Swift,  Cornwall, 
Tapping  Reeve,  Litchfield, 
Aaron  Austin,  New  Hartford, 
Nathaniel  Smith,  Woodbury, 
John  Allen,  Litchfield, 
John  Cotton  Smith,  Sharon, 
Judson  Canfield,  Sharon, 
Frederick  Wolcott,  Litchfield, 
Noah  B.  Benedict,  Woodbury, 
Elijah  Boardman,  New  Milford, 

SENATORS  UNDER  THE  CONSTITUTION  ELECTE] 

Frederick  "Wolcott,  Litchfield, 

Elijah  Boardman,  New  Milford, 

Orange  Merwin,  New  Milford, 

Seth  P.  Beers,  Litchfield, 

John  Welch,  Litchfield, 

Samuel  Church,  Salisbury, 

Homer  Boardman,  New  Milford,  1828         1829 

SENATORS   UNDER   THE   DISTRICT   SYSTEM. 

District  No.  15. 

Phineas  Lord,  Litchfield,  1830         1831 

William  G.  Williams,  New  Hartford,  1832         1833 

Theron  Rockwell,  Colebrook,  1834         1835 

James  Beebe,  Winchester,  1836         1837 

Andrew  Abernethy,  Harwinton,  1838         1830 

Lambert  Hitchcock,  Barkhamsted,  1840         1841 

Martin  Webster,  Torrington,  1842 

Israel  Coe,                 "  1843 

Abijah  Catlin,  Harwinton,  1844 

William  Beebe,  Litchfield,  1845 


Access. 

Exit. 

1790 

1802 

1792 

1793 

1794 

1818 

1799 

1805 

1800 

1806 

1809 

1810 

1809 

1815 

1810 

1819 

1816 

1818 

1818 

1819 

BY  GENERAL  TIC 

1819 

1822 

1819 

1820 

1821 

1824 

1824 

1825 

1827 

1825 

1827 

373 


Access. 

Exit. 

Lucius  Clark,  Winchester, 

1846 

Gideon  Hall,  Jr.,     " 

1847 

Roger  H.  Mills,  New  Hartford, 

1848 

Francis  Bacon,  Litchfield, 

1849 

Samuel  W.  Coe,  Winchester > 

1850 

Charles  Adams,  Litchfield, 

1851 

District  No.  16. 

Homer  Boardman,  New  Milford, 

1830 

Thomas  Mitchell,  Plymouth, 

1831 

Calvin  Butler,             " 

1832 

Nehemiah  C.  Sanford,  Woodbury, 

1833 

1834 

George  Taylor,  New  Milford, 

1835 

1836 

Matthew  Minor,  Woodbury, 

1837 

John  Buckingham,  Watertown, 

1838 

Alvin  Brown,  Washington, 

1839 

Eli  Potter,  Plymouth, 

1840 

Joseph  H.  Bellamy,  Bethlem, 

1841 

Elijah  Warner,  Plymouth, 

1842 

Charles  B.  Phelps,  Woodbury, 

1843 

Silas  Hoadley,  Plymouth, 

1844 

Leman  W.  Cutler,  Watertown, 

1845 

Minot  Smith,  Bethlem, 

1846 

John  C.  Ambler,    " 

1847 

Henry  Merwin,  New  Milford, 

1848 

Elisha  Johnson,  Plymouth, 

1849 

1850 

Levi  Heaton,             " 

1851 

District  No.  17. 

Augustus  Pettibone,  Norfolk, 

1830 

1831 

Charles  F.  Sedgwick,  Sharon , 

1832 

Elisha  Sterling,  Salisbury, 

1833 

1834 

Horatio  Smith,  Sharon, 

1835 

3T4 


Access. 

Exit. 

Martin  Strong,  Salisbury, 

1836 

Peter  Bierce,  Cornwall, 

1837 

1838 

Nathaniel  P.  Perry,  Kent, 

1839 

1840 

Augustus  Miles,  Goshen, 

1841 

William  M.  Burrall,  Canaan, 

1842 

John  Dewell,  Norfolk, 

1843 

Philo  Kellogg,  Cornwall, 

1844 

1845 

Sidney  Ensign,  Canaan, 

1846 

John  Hi  Hubbard,  Salisbury, 

1847 

1850 

Samuel  W.  Gold,  Cornwall, 

1848 

William  P.  Russell,  Salisbury, 

1849 

William  W.  Welch,  Norfolk, 

1851 

375 


REPRESENTATIVES    TO    THE    GENERAL   ASSEMBLY, 


Including  the  delegates  to  the  Constitutional  Convention  in  1818, 
marked  *  from  the  towns  in  Litchfield  County.  Previous  to  the 
adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  1818,  the  Legislature  held  two  sessions 
a  year,  in  May  and  October,  under  the  provisions  of  the  Charter  of 
1GG2,  to  both  of  which  Representatives  were  chosen. 

The  several  towns  first  sent  Representatives  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly as  follows : 


Woodbury, 

May, 

1684 

Torrington, 

May, 

1762 

New  Milford, 

Oct. 

1725 

Norfolk, 

Oct. 

1777 

Litchfield, 

May, 

1740 

Washington, 

May, 

1779 

Sharon, 

Oct. 

1755 

Watertown, 

Oct. 

1780 

Harwinton, 

Oct. 

1756 

Winchester, 

May, 

1781 

Goshen, 

Oct. 

1756 

Warren, 

Oct. 

1786 

Salisbury, 

May, 

1757  • 

Bethlem, 

Oct. 

1787 

New  Hartford, 

May, 

1757 

Plymouth,  • 

May, 

1795 

Kent, 

May, 

1757 

Barkhamsted, 

Oct. 

1796 

Canaan, 

May, 

1757 

'Colebrook, 

Oct. 

1796 

Cornwall, 

Oct. 

1761 

Roxbury, 

May, 

1797 

First 

Last    Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  Sessions 

Abernethy  Andrew, 

Harwinton,               1836 

1837 

2 

Elisha  S 

Litchfield,                 1844 

1 

u               John, 

Woodbury,                1845 

1 

Russell  C. 

Torringi 

ton,            o  1815 

1828 

5 

"              William  C. 

Harwinton,           m  1816 

1820 

8 

Ackley  Benjamin, 

Kent, 

M  1781 

o  1782 

2 

"        Chester, 

Washing 

;ton,             1829 

1840 

2 

376 


First 

Last 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  ! 

Sessions 

Adam  John, 

Canaan, 

m  1791 

O  1809 

8 

"      Samuel  F. 

u 

m  1816 

1828 

4 

Adams  Andrew, f 

Litchfield, 

o  177G 

m  1781 

10 

"        Charles, 

*( 

1845 

1 

"        George  R. 

New  Hartford, 

1849 

1 

"       Matthew, 

Winchester, 

M  1818 

1831 

5 

11        Normand, 

« 

1851 

1 

Alford  Arba, 

Barkhamsted, 

1850 

1 

Allen  Gideon, 

Bethlem, 

1843 

1 

"     James, 

u 

1836 

1 

«         "         Jr, 

it 

1851 

1 

«      John,| 

Litchfield, 

m  1793 

o  1796 

7 

"     Noble, 

Bethlem, 

1838 

1 

Ailing  James, 

Cornwall, 

o  1817 

1 

Allyn  Austin, 

Goshen, 

1846 

1847 

2 

"      Henry, 

Barkhamsted, 

1828 

1 

"      Matthew, 

a 

1829 

1834 

5 

"      PeJatiah, 

a 

o  1796 

M  1814 

23 

"      Sanford, 

a 

1846 

1 

Alvord  Eliphaz, 

Winchester, 

m  1782 

o  1811 

11 

"        Roswell, 

Harwinton, 

o  1818 

1826 

2 

Ambler  David, 

Woodbury, 

m  1787 

}■» 

a                u 

Bethlem, 

o  1787 

o  1793 

Ames  Horatio, 

Salisbury, 

1848 

1850 

2 

Andrews  Daniel, 

Winchester, 

1833 

1 

"           Edward  W. 

Cornwall, 

1851 

1 

Andrus  Seth, 

Canaan, 

o  1806 

o  1818 

Atwood  Stephen, 

Woodbury, 

1843 

1 

Austin  Aaron, 

Torrington, 

m  1778 

m  1782 

3 

a                u 

New  Hartford, 

M  1777 

1820 

28* 

"        George, 

Colebrook, 

1849 

1 

"        Nathaniel, 

Torrington, 

o  1799 

1 

Averill  Moses, 

Kent, 

o  1770 

m  1776 

• 

3 

t  Speaker,  1779,  1780. 

t  Clerk, 

Oct.  1796. 

37T 


Representatives. 
Averill  Roger, 
Babcock  Timothy, 

Towns. 
Salisbury, 
Colebrook, 

First 
Chosen. 

1843 

o  1818 

Last 
Chosen. ! 

1822 

Number 
Sessions 

1 

2 

Bacon  Asahel, 
"       Daniel, 
"       E.  Champion, 

Roxbury, 

Woodbury, 

Litchfield, 

M  18 12 

o  1811 

1840 

o  1816 
1846 
1841 

2 
10* 

2 

u      Nathaniel, 

Woodbury, 

o  1810 

m  1813 

4 

"      William  H. 

i. 

1836 

1 

Bailey  Eber, 

Goshen, 

1833 

1834 

2 

"       Philo, 

(C 

1845 

1846 

2 

"       Putnam, 

it 

1839 

1840 

2 

Baker  Elisha, 

New  Hartford, 

m  1768 

1 

a              a 

Canaan, 

m  1769 

o  17.72 

4 

Baldwin  Albert  N. 

New  Milford, 

1840 

1851 

4 

a          Amos, 

Watertown, 

m  1818 

1820 

4* 

*           Collins, 

Goshen, 

1836 

1 

"          David, 

Watertown, 

m  1816 

o  1816 

2 

u          Isaac, 

Litchfield, 

m  1745 

M  1766 

10 

"     Jr. 

it 

o  1782 

o  1784 

4 

"          Nathaniel, 

Goshen, 

o  1759 

1 

"          Theophilus, 

New  Milford, 

o  1735 

o  1741 

6 

Truman, 

Washington, 

1838 

1 

Ball  Robert, 

Salisbury, 

1827 

1829 

2 

Bancroft  Ephraim, 

Torrington. 

m  1772 

o  1776 

4 

Barber  Asahel  N. 

Harwinton, 

1842 

1843 

2 

"        Dorrance, 

Colebrook, 

1837 

1843 

3 

Barbour  Henry  S. 

Torrington, 

1850 

1 

Barnes  Nathaniel, 

Watertown, 

o  1782 

m  1784 

4 

Barnum  William  II. 

Salisbury, 

1851 

1 

Bartholomew  Thomas, 

Goshen, 

1842 

1843 

2 

Bass  Nathan, 

Colebrook, 

o  1808 

1825 

8 

"    Henry, 
Bates  Samuel  S. 

u 
New  Hartford, 

1821 

1840 

1 
1 

«      William  S. 

ti              a 

1850 

1 

Battle  Joseph, 

Norfolk, 

M  1811 

1828 

7* 

or     William, 

Torrington, 

48 

o  1792 

M  1802 

9 

378 


Representatives. 
Battell  William  Jr. 

Towns. 
Torrington, 

First 
Chosen. 

M  1804 

Last    Numbci 
Chosen.  Sessions 

1832       18* 

Baxter  Gilbert, 

Colebrook, 

1836 

1 

Beach  Abel, 

Kent, 

m  1818 

1828 

Q 

o 

"      Edmund, 

Goshen, 

M  17G7 

o  1774 

5 

"       John, 

u 

M  1757 

u  17G1 

3 

"      Julius, 

t< 

o  1817 

M  1818 

2 

"      Moses, 

Harwinton, 

1841 

1842 

2 

"       Wait, 

Torrington, 

o  1798 

M  1800 

Beardsley  Agur, 

Kent, 

1845 

"             Birdsey, 

" 

1830 

"            Charles, 

Roxbury, 

1839 

"             Everett, 

** 

1848 

Wells, 

Kent, 

1834 

Beckley  Samuel  Jr. 
Beebe  Asahel, 

Canaan, 

o  1816 
m  1775 

o  1777 

4 

"       Bezaleel, 

Litchfield, 

o  1781 

o  1795 

6 

"       James, 

Winchester, 

1819 

1826 

3 

tt               a 

Canaan, 

M  1757 

o  1705 

5 

John, 

u 

M  1758 

m  1764 

3 

«       William, 

Litchfield, 

m  1815 

1833 

7 

Beecher  Abraham, 

Bethlem, 

1842 

1 

"          Amos, 

Barkhamsted, 

o  1817 

1827 

2 

Rollin  L. 

Winchester, 

184G 

1 

Beers  Seth  P.f 

Litchfield, 

1820 

1823 

4 

Belding  Oliver, 

Canaan, 

o  17G8 

1 

Bellamy  David, 

Bethlem, 

M  1794 

o  1810 

22 

Joseph  H. 

" 

o  1818 

1827 

5 

Benedict  Benjamin, 

Winchester, 

m  1787 

o  1817 

7 

•;            Isaac, 

Colebrook, 

o  1802 

1 

Nathaniel  Jr. 

Salisbury, 

1833 

1851 

4 

Noah  B.J 

Woodbury, 

o  179G 

1827 

12 

Benham  Leonard  D. 

Colebrook, 

1848 

1 

Bennett  William, 

Cornwall, 

1821 

J 

Benton  Ebenezer, 

Litchfield, 

M  1787 

1 

1  Cleric,  1821,  Speaker,  L822,  1823  J  Clerk,  Oct.   1809,  May,  1811 


379 


Representatives. 
Benton  Jacob, 

Towns. 
Harvvinton, 

First 
Chosen. 

0  175G 

Last 

Chosen.  ! 

o  1758 

Number 

Sessions 

3 

Berry  Nathaniel, 

Kent, 

o  1788 

o  1792 

6 

<f            Jr. 

u 

o  1804 

m  1805 

2 

Bierce  Peter, 

Cornwall, 

1824 

1829 

6 

Bidwell  Eleazer, 

Colebrook, 

o  1803 

1 

"         Riverius, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1803 

m  1806 

6 

"         Thomas, 

t<                  a 

m  1785 

o  1785 

2 

Bird  James, 

Salisbury, 

o  1768 

o  1775 

o 

"    John, 

Litchfield, 

o  1740 

m  1748 

o 

"    Joseph, 

ii 

m  1740 

m  1749 

9 

Birge  Allen, 

Harwinton, 

1840 

1841 

2 

Bishop  Asa, 

Colebrook, 

m  1805 

1 

"        James, 

Watertown, 

1828 

1829 

2 

"        Miles, 
Bissell  Zaeheus  W. 

Roxbury, 
Sharon, 

o  1813 
1836 

1841 

1 
2 

Blackmail  Simeon, 

it 

o  1809 

o  1811 

5 

Blake  Jonathan, 

Winchester, 

1851 

1 

Blakesl,ey  Ransom, 
"            Samuel, 

Plymouth, 
Colebrook, 

1826 
o  1805 

1827 
M  1806 

2 

2 

Bliss  Linus, 

Barkhamsted, 

1847 

1 

Bloss  Charles  A. 

Bethlem, 

1841 

1 

"     George  T. 

a 

1845 

1 

Boardman  Daniel, 

New  Milford, 

M  1790 

o  1792 

2 

David  S. 

u            a 

o  1812 

1829 

8 

"              Elijah, 

it                   U 

m  1803 

m  1816 

6 

"              Homer, 

a            a 

o  1805 

o  1818 

2 

"              Sherman, 

u             ki 

m  1771 

o  1800 

23 

Bolles  Samuel  P. 

Litchfield, 

1848 

1 

Booth  Charles, 

Woodbury, 

1840 

1 

"      Gerardus, 

New  Milford, 

o  1815 

1 

"      Reuben, 

a         u 

M  1778 

o  1786 

2 

"      Walter, 

a            a 

1831 

1832 

2 

Bordwell  Mills, 

Kent, 

1826 

1 

Bostwick  Bushnell, 

New  Milford, 

m  1750 

m  1773 

30 

"            Daniel, 

a            a 

m  1753 

o  1761 

4 

380 


Representatives. 
Bostwick  Elisha, 

Towns. 
New  Milford, 

First 
Chosen. 

m  1791 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

m  1815       15 

John, 

U                  U 

o  1725 

o  1740 

18 

41             Nathaniel, 

u              it 

M  1738 

o  1743 

5 

"             Reuben, 

a            u 

m  1785 

1 

"             hiehard, 

i(             U 

o  1769 

1 

"             Samuel, 

a            u 

M  17G3 

m  1796 

2 

Bosworth  Thomas  B. 

Salisbury, 

1839 

1840 

2 

Botsford  Daniel, 

Roxbury, 

1840 

1 

Gideon  B. 

"Woodbury, 

1832 

1834 

2 

"          Isaac  G. 

Roxbury, 

1844 

1 

"           Nathan, 

New  Milford, 

o  1752 

1 

Boyd  James, 

Winchester, 

m  1804 

1819 

5 

u     John, 

it 

1830 

1835 

2 

Brace  James, 

Harwinton, 

o  1797 

a  1818 

30* 

Bradley  Aaron, 

Litchfield, 

o  1806 

o  1810 

6 

"          Abraham, 

u 

o  1775 

M  1785 

4 

"           Albert, 

Torrington, 

1850 

1 

u          Aner, 

Watertown, 

M  1795 

m  1797. 

o 

Joel, 

Harwinton, 

m  1810 

o  1814 

4 

Phineas  S. 

Woodbury, 

1842 

1 

Brewster  Asa  S. 

Canaan, 

1825 

1826 

6 

u           Jabez, 

U 

m  1817 

1820 

8 

Rev.  Daniel, 

Washington, 

m  1787 

1 

Brinsmade  Daniel  N.f 

" 

m  1784 

o  1814 

43 

*        B. 

n 

m  1816 

1848 

10 

Bronson  Abraham, 

Roxbury, 

m  1798 

m  1805 

o 

or         Isaac, 

Winchester, 

1823 

1832 

3 

Brownson  Moseley  V. 
or             Ozias, 

Washington, 
Winchester, 

1851 
m  1783 

m  1784 

1 
3 

Brunson  Richard, 

Woodbury, 

o  1740 

1 

"           Salmon, 

Warren, 

o  1813 

1 

"           Samuel, 

New  Milford, 

o  1726 

1 

"           Theron, 

Winchester, 

1849 

1 

"           Timothy, 

Salisbury, 

o  1761 

1 

t  Clerk,  Oct.  1800. 


381 


Representatives. 
Brooks  Watts  H. 
Brothwell  David, 
Brown  Edmund, 

"        Frederick, 

u        Sanfbrd, 
Bryan  Piatt, 
Brush  John, 
Buckingham  Jolin, 
Buell  Frederick, 

"      Jonathan, 

"      Jonathan, 

M      John, 

•'      Norman, 

"      Peter, 

"      Samuel, 
Bull  John, 

«  Men-it, 

"  Thomas, 
Burnham  Arvin, 

"  Daniel, 

"  Hiram, 

"  Oliver, 

Burr  Silas, 
Burrall  Charles, 

«  "         Jr. 

"        Jonathan, 

«        Win.  M. 
Wm.  F.f 
Burritt  Ebenezer, 
Burton  Nathan,  Jr. 
Bushnell  Ensign, 

"  William, 

Butler  Calvin, 

"       Oliver  B. 


First 

Last    : 

Number 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  ! 

Sessions 

Goshen, 

1851 

1 

Roxbury, 

1829 

1836 

3 

Norfolk, 

1831 

1 

Colebrook, 

o  1812 

o  1814 

2 

New  Hartford, 

1844 

1 

Washington, 

1847 

1 

Woodbury, 

1828 

1 

Watertown, 

1825 

1827 

2 

Litchfield, 

1840 

1841 

2 

u 

o  1815 

o  1817 

5 

Goshen, 

o  1770 

m  1772 

2 

Litchfield, 

o  1740 

m  1741 

2 

« 

m  1806 

1 

« 

M  1755 

m  1756 

2 

a 

1838 

1839 

2 

Ilarwinton, 

1843 

1844 

2 

Winchester, 

m  1817 

o  1817 

2 

Woodbury, 

1845 

1 

Washington, 

1851 

1 

a 

1849 

1 

Barkhamsted, 

1846 

1 

Cornwall, 

m  1801 

1823 

33* 

Norfolk, 

1845 

1 

Canaan, 

m  1760 

m  1792 

32 

a 

o  1788 

m  1795 

7 

a 

o  1795 

m  1804 

10 

a 

a  1818 

1833 

5* 

« 

1835 

1846 

3 

Roxbury, 

o  1811 

1 

Bethlem, 

1823 

1 

Washington, 

a  1818 

1821 

2* 

Salisbury, 

1849 

1 

Plymouth, 

m  1814 

1828 

10* 

Norfolk, 

1847 

1 

t  Clerk,  1835,  1836. 

;82 


Representatives. 
Calhoun  Sheldon  H. 
"          John, 

Towns. 
Washington, 
Washington, 

First 
Chosen. 

1849 

M  1782 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

1 

1 

u               a 

Cornwall, 

m  1808 

o  1810 

2 

"     c. 

a 

1839 

1847 

2 

Camp  Abiel, 
•*      David, 

Salisbury, 
Bethlem, 

m  1775 

o  1788 

o  1780 

7 
1 

"      Edward, 

Barkhamsted, 

1848 

1 

"      Enos, 

New  Milford, 

m  1755 

1 

«      Israel, 

Sharon, 

o  1816 

1832 

4 

u      John, 
"      Riverius, 

Winchester, 
New  Milford, 

1844 
o  1808 

1 
1 

"      Treat, 
Candee  Eli, 

Woodbury, 
Harwinton, 

1831 
1821 

1834 
1822 

2 

2 

"        Lewis  B. 
Canfield  Elihu, 
"          Ithamer, 

Woodbury, 
Roxbury, 
New  Milford, 

1842 
o  1797 
o  1814 

M  1813 
jvi  1816 

1 
11 

2 

"          John, 

Sharon, 

o  1775 

o  1786 

12 

"          Joseph,  Jr. 
"          Judson, 

Salisbury, 
Sharon, 

m  1798 
o  1791 

o  1799 
m  1809 

4 
17 

"          Samuel, 

a 

o  1780 

o  1797 

7 

U                              U 

New  Milford, 

o  1735 

M  1754 

14 

it                      a 

a 

m  1765 

m  1788 

27 

a                    a 

it 

1822 

1823 

2 

Carrington  Riverius, 
Carter  Benjamin, 
"       Dan, 

Warren, 

o  1751 

o  1807 
1827 

1820 
1835 

1 
6 
3 

"       Henry  W. 
"       Joseph, 
"       Russell, 

*< 

Kent, 
Warren, 

1843 

o  1777 
1837 

1844 

m  1784 

1838 

2 
6 
2 

"       Samuel, 
Cartwright  David  S. 

u 

Sharon, 

m  1788 
1850 

o  1797 

4 

Cary  N.  H. 
Case  Abial  E. 

Washington, 
Norfolk, 

1847 
1837 

"    Abial, 

Barkhamsted, 

1849 

"    Ashbel, 

Norfolk, 

o  1780 

383 


First 

Last 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen. 

Sessions 

Case  Chester  N. 

Harwinton, 

1834 

1 

"    Hira, 

Barkhamsted, 

1850 

1 

"    Jehiel, 

t< 

1842 

1 

"    Lyman, 

Winchester, 

1839 

1 

"    Zopher, 

Barkhamsted, 

o  1818 

1826 

2 

Castle  Henry, 

Woodbury, 

m  1727 

o  1729 

2 

Catlin  Abijah, 

Harwinton, 

m  1757 

o  1773 

23 

"       t 

a 

1837. 

1851 

5 

"      Benjamin, 

Cornwall, 

1832 

1833 

2 

*      Dan, 

Litchfield, 

1844 

1845 

2 

"       Daniel, 

Harwinton, 

o  1759 

o  1768 

14 

u                      ii 

" 

o  1791 

o  1802 

20 

"       George, 

it 

o  1766 

o  1783 

8 

"      Joel, 

a 

o  1765 

o  1767 

2 

u      Jonathan, 

n 

m  1767 

1 

"       Sheldon  G. 

it 

1847 

1848 

2 

Chamberlin  Abiram, 

Colebrook, 

1831 

1 

Chapman  Clark, 

Sharon, 

1830 

1833 

2 

"            Laurin, 

Warren, 

1840 

1842 

2 

Chapin  Phineas, 

Salisbury, 

m  1803 

1828 

8 

Chipman  Thomas, 

a 

m  1757 

1 

Chittenden  Frederick, 

Washington, 

1842 

1 

"               Thomas, 

Salisbury, 

o  1764 

m  1772 

13 

"               Timothy,  Jr. 

a 

H  1803 

m  1812 

4 

a                         a 

a 

m  1779 

o  1779 

2 

Church  Leman, 

Canaan, 

1834 

1835 

2 

"         Nathaniel, 

Salisbury, 

m  1802 

o  1802 

2 

u          Samuel,j 

a 

a  1818 

1831 

7* 

*         Samuel,  Jr. 

Bethlem, 

M  1810 

m  1814 

3 

Clark  Ebenezer, 

Washington, 

o  1779 

1 

"      John, 

Woodbury, 

m  1800 

o  1801 

4 

«      Philo, 

Washington, 

1822 

1 

Nehemiah, 

Salisbury, 

1840 

1 

«      Silas, 

Woodbury, 

1849 

1 

t  Clerk,  1839 

i  Clerk 

;  1624 

184 


llepresentatives. 
Clark  Timothy,  Jr, 

Towns. 
Uarwinton, 

First 

Chosen. 

M  1803 

Last    1 
Chosen.  ' 

O  1812 

Number 
Sessions 

10 

"      Victorianus, 

Cornwall, 

1833 

1834 

2 

"     William, 

u 

1836 

1 

Cleveland  Alexander, 

Barkhamsted, 

1841 

1 

a                           u           p 

u 

184D 

1 

"             James  C. 

Winchester, 

1834 

1 

Cobb  James, 

Colebrook, 

1847 

1 

Coe    Demas, 

Torrington, 

1845 

1 

*w   Jonathan, 

u 

o  1762 

31 

1765 

4 

Jr. 

Winchester, 

1822 

1828 

4 

u   Linus  W. 

Torrington, 

1845 

1 

"   James  R. 

Winchester, 

1845 

1 

"   Norris, 

" 

1838 

1839 

2 

u   Roger, 

a 

m  1814 

O 

1815 

3 

"   Thomas  M. 

Litchfield, 

1851 

1 

Coffin  John  C. 

Salisbury, 

m  1815 

1 

Cogswell  William, 

Washington, 

m  1779 

1823 

14 

Cole  Benjamin, 
Coleman  Josiah, 
Collins  Cicero, 

Canaan, 
Sharon, 
Goshen, 

m  1759 

o  1783 

1835 

M 

1788 

1 
3 
1 

"        Timothy, 

u 

1824 

1834 

2 

Colt  Anson,  Jr. 

Torrington, 

1839 

1840 

2 

Comstock  David, 

Kent, 

o  1799 

31 

1804 

7 

"             Eliphalet, 
"             Peter, 
«              John, 

u 
u 

New  Milford, 

o  1762 
o  1793 
o  1757 

0 

1767 

5 

1 
1 

"             Samuel, 

« 

o  1771 

31 

1806 

8 

Concklin  Thomas, 

Colebrook, 

1823 

1 

Cone  Calvin, 

Barkhamsted, 

o  1801 

I 

"     Warren, 

Norfolk, 

1834 

1838 

2 

Converse  Hiram, 

Kent, 

1836 

1 

Cook  Elisha, 

Torrington, 

1819 

1820 

2 

"      George, 
•'      John, 

Goshen, 
rorringtun. 

1831 
m  1762 

O 

1835 
1777 

22 

«     John  W. 

a 

1851 

1 

385 


Representatives. 
Cook  Joseph, 

Towns. 
Harwinton, 

First 
Chosen. 

o  1778 

Last 
Chosen. 

o  1798 

Number 
Sessions 

11 

"      Moses, 

Goshen, 

1820 

1850 

3 

"      William, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1813 

m  1817 

8 

Cornish  George, 
Corn  well  John, 
"           Joshua, 

Barkhamsted, 

Cornwall, 

Canaan, 

1840 
o  1787 
o  1815 

m  1788 
o  1818 

1 

2 
4 

"           William, 

Washington, 

m  1781 

1 

Cowles  Asa, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1806 

o  1809 

7 

"         James  M. 

Norfolk, 

1844 

1851 

2 

«         Richard  B. 

New  Hartford, 

1836 

1 

Craft  Chauncey, 
Culver  Samuel, 
Cummings  J.  T, 

Woodbury, 

Litchfield, 

Winchester, 

1823 
o  1741 
m  1809 

1 
1 
1 

Cunningham  Garwood  H. 
Curtis  Augustus, 

Woodbury, 
Warren, 

m  1799 
o  1818 

o  1801 

3 
1 

or "      Daniel, 
"      Daniel, 

Woodbury, 

m  1742 
1843 

1844 

1 
2 

"      Eleazer, 

Kent, 

o  1779 

m  1786 

4 

«      Elizur, 

New  Hartford, 

1829 

1 

"      Holbrook, 

Watertown, 

1821 

1845 

7. 

4<      Israel, 
"      Jesse, 
"      John, 
"      Solomon, 

Woodbury, 
Watertown, 

Woodbury, 
Norfolk, 

m  1689 
o  1780 
m  1696 

1848 

o  1704 
m  1781 
m  1735 

12 

2 
8 
1 

"      Stephen, 
"      Thomas, 
"      Truman, 

Woodbury, 
Norfolk, 
New  Hartford, 

m  1718 
1829 

1848 

1842 

1 
5 
1 

Cutler  Leman  W. 

Watertown, 

1836 

1840 

2 

Daley  Elijah, 
Dauchy  Jeremiah, 
Davis  Nathaniel, 

Woodbury, 

Salisbury, 

Harwinton, 

o  1815 
m  1800 
m  1759 

m  1805 

1 
5 
1 

Day   Jeremiah, 

Sharon, 

o  1766 

m  1767 

2 

'«     Noble, 

Washington, 

m  1809 

o  181« 

6 

Dayton  Daniel, 

Kent, 

1835 

1 

49 


386 


Representatives. 
Dean  Jesse, 

Towns. 
Canaan, 

First 
Chosen. 

1842 

Last    Number 

Chosen.  Sessions 

1 

De  Forest  Benjamin, 
"             John, 

Watertown, 

1831 

1838 

1 
1 

John  H. 

a 

m  1809 

o  1815 

5 

Demang  Julius, 

Litchfield, 

o  1790 

m  1798 

3 

"          Ralph, 

Sharon, 

1835 

1839 

2 

Dibble  Isaac  H. 

Torrington, 

1824 

1825 

2 

Dickinson  John, 

Norfolk, 

m  1807 

o  1810 

6 

Dodge  Stephen, 
Doolittle  Richard  A. 

Kent, 
Barkhamsted, 

m  1792 
1843 

1 

1 

Doty  Erastus,  Jr. 

Colebrook, 

1845 

1846 

2 

Douglass  Benajah, 
"            William, 

Canaan, 

m  1817 

a  1818 

1830 
1850 

6 
3* 

u            Riverius, 

New  Hartford, 

1842 

1 

Dowd  David  L. 

Norfolk, 

1841 

1 

"      Elizur, 

a 

1835 

1839 

2 

Downs  David, 

"        Myron, 
Drake  Noah,  Jr. 

Sharon, 

Roxbury, 

Torrington, 

o  1778 
1851 
1829 

m  1795 
1835 

13 
1 
4 

"       Rufus, 

Winchester, 

1836 

1837 

2 

Drakely  William, 
Dudley  George, 
Dunham  Samuel, 

Woodbury, 

Winchester, 

Sharon, 

1822 

1847 

m  1758 

1824 
m  1760 

3 
1 

2 

Dutcher  Ruleff, 
Eastman  Josiah  R. 
Eaton  Ira, 

Canaan, 
Roxbury, 

Kent, 

1840 

m  1818 

1833 

1333 

1 
3 
1 

Eldred  Judah, 

Warren, 

o  1798 

1819 

7 

Elliott  Matthew, 

Kent, 

M  1808 

m  1816 

4 

"       John, 

a 

o  1794 

m  1797 

3 

"       Nathan, 

a 

o  1760 

o  1790 

15 

"       Youngs, 

Washington, 

1832 

1833 

2 

Elmore  Henry  B. 

New  Hartford, 

1838 

1 

"         John, 

Canaan, 

o  1802 

m  1815 

13 

"             "     Jr. 

u 

1837 

1 

Samuel 

Sharon, 

m  1779 

o  1781 

4 

387 


Representatives. 
Elton  Samuel, 

Towns. 
Watertown, 

First 
Chosen. 

m  1817 

Last 
Chosen. 

o  1817 

Number 
Sessions 

2 

Eno  Eliphalet, 

Torrington, 

o  1782 

m  1792 

9 

Ensign  Eli, 

Canaan, 

1831 

1 

"         John, 

a 

o  1772 

m  1776 

3  t 

U              a 

Salisbury, 

1836 

1837 

2 

"        Sidney, 
Essex  Joseph, 
Everett  Charles, 

Canaan, 

Cornwall, 

Warren, 

1841 
1845 

1846 

1851 

2 
1 
1 

"         Daniel, 

New  Milford, 

o  1780 

o  1783 

3 

"         Elmore, 

Sharon, 

1837 

1846 

4 

"         Samuel  E. 

a 

o  1811 

1832 

9* 

"         William, 

a 

1843 

1 

Everts  John, 
"        Nathaniel, 

Salisbury, 

m  1757 
m  1807 

m  1772 

o  1807 

13 
2 

Farnham  Peter, 
Farrand  Jonathan, 

Salisbury, 
Washington, 

o  1808 
o  1785 

m  1813 
o  1790 

4 
4 

Fellows  Thomas, 

Canaan, 

m  1780 

1 

Fenn  James, 

a 

1820 

1 

"     Thomas, 

(Waterbury,) 
Watertown, 

m  177S 
o  1780 

3i  1780 
m  1807 

}  38 

Ferris  Fitch, 

Canaan, 

1838 

1839 

2 

Fisk  Ebenezer, 

New  Milford, 

m  1745 

1 

Fitch  Elisha, 
"     Hezekiah, 

Salisbury, 

m  1782 
o  1774 

m  1787 
o  1793 

5 
22 

Forbes  Samuel, 

Canaan, 

o  1766 

m  1802 

29 

Ford  John  M. 

Washington, 

1839 

1 

Foster  David, 

Sharon, 

o  1763 

o  1764 

2 

Fowler  Warren  R. 

Washington, 

m  1810 

1 

Fox  Reuben, 

Cornwall, 

o  1813 

1 

Francis  Asa, 

Goshen, 

m  1777 

m  1780 

3 

Frisbie  Daniel, 

Washington, 

1842 

1 

"        Enos, 

Harwinton, 

1819 

1 

"        Russel, 

Colebrook, 

1845 

1 

"        Samuel, 

Washington, 

1834 

1 

Fuller  Alpheus, 

Kent, 

1827 

1 

388 


Representatives. 
Fuller  Amos, 

Towns. 
Salisbury, 

First 
Chosen. 

M  1764 

Last     : 
Chosen.  1 

Number 
Sessions 

1 

"       Henry  I. 

"       Robert  N. 
"       Rufiis,  Jr. 

Kent, 

Salisbury, 

Kent, 

1851 
1845 

1848 

1 
1 

1 

Gager  Samuel  R. 

Sharon, 

1821 

1829 

3 

Gains  Edward, 

New  Hartford, 

184G 

1 

Garnsey  Samuel, 
Gay  Calvin, 

Plymouth, 
Sharon, 

1829 

1827 

1830 
1828 

2 

2 

"   Ebenezer, 

a 

m  1774 

m  1784 

9 

"   John, 

it 

M  17G1 

1 

Gaylord  Anson, 
"          Benjamin, 
"          Daniel, 

Norfolk,  • 
New  Milford, 

1849 

M  1760 

1824 

1 
1 
1 

«          Elijah, 

Harwinton, 

o  1811 

o  1813 

2 

"          Hiram, 

Norfolk, 

1840 

1851 

2 

"          Joseph  I. 
"          Nathan, 

Goshen, 
New  Milford, 

1848 
o  1762 

1849 
o  1764 

2 
4 

"          Nathaniel  B. 

Winchester, 

o  1816 

o  1818 

2 

'«          Willard, 

Goshen, 

1840 

1841 

2 

"          Sereno, 
«          William, 

Plymouth, 
New  Milford, 

1850 
o  1733 

1 
1 

Giddings  Ammi, 
Gilbert  Alvin, 
«        William  L. 

Plymouth, 

Winchester, 
u 

1851 
1850 
1849 

1 
1 
1 

Gillet  Asaph, 
"      Horace, 
"     Jabez, 

Torrington, 
tt 

a 

1831 

1829 

o  1784 

1844 

1830 

o  1803 

3 
2 

10 

"     John, 
«         "      Jr. 

a 

•i 

m  1801 
o  1809 

1837 

1 
12 

'<      A. 
"      Jonathan, 
«      Matthew, 
Goodwin  Asa, 
"           Eleazar, 

Canaan, 
Sharon, 
New  Hartford, 

u             a 

1843 
m  1787 
o  1762 
o  1810 
o  1759 

o  1787 

m  1783 

1825 

m  1764 

1 
2 

26 

15 

2 

"           Hezekiah, 

Sharon, 

m  1818 

1 

889 


Representatives. 
Goodwin  Hiram, 

Towns. 
Barkhamsted, 

First 
Chosen. 

1836 

Last 
Chosen. 

1837 

Number 
Sessions 

2 

"            John  P. 
"           Nathaniel, 

Sharon, 
Litchfield, 

1846 
o  1808 

1847 
o  1809 

2 
3 

"            Orrin, 

M           Stephen, 
Gold  Benjamin  or 

"      Hezekiah, 
Graham  Andrew, 

"           Freeman, 

New  Hartford, 

Goshen, 

Cornwall, 
a 

Woodbury , 
New  Hartford, 

1841 
o  1771 
m  1802 
o  1787 
o  1778 

1842 

1850 
o  1780 
o  1814 

2 
3 
20 
1 
1 
1 

Grant  Daniel, 

Torrington, 

ol782 

3i  1785 

2 

"       Elijah, 
"       Harvey, . 
"       Matthew, 

Norfolk, 
u 

Torrington, 

o  1782 
1832 
1822 

m  1783 
1833 

2 
2 
1 

Gregory  Hezekiah  C. 

Cornwall, 

1849 

1 

Griswold  Benjamin, 

Harwinton, 

m  1805 

m  1813 

12 

"            Giles, 

Goshen, 

o  1779 

1 

«           Giles, 
"           Joseph, 
"           Marvin, 

a 

Litchfield, 
Harwinton, 

1826 

m  1742 

1821 

1828 

o  1742 

1831 

3 

2 
6 

"           Normand, 

Torrington, 

m  1807 

M  1811 

2 

«           Thaddeus, 

a 

o  1810 

o  1816 

6 

"           Shubael, 

a 

m  1776 

o  1793 

11 

Guittean  Ephraim, 
Gunn  Abraham, 

Norfolk, 
New  Milford, 

o  1783 
m  1800 

1 
1 

"      Abner, 

a 

o  1799 

1 

(i      Frederick, 

u 

1843 

1 

"      John  N. 

Washington, 

m  1812 

o  1818 

4 

Hale  Adino, 

"     Nathan, 

Goshen, 
Canaan, 

m  1786  Aug.  1818 
o  1780     m  1798 

54* 
15 

"     Timothy, 
Hall  Asaph, 
"    Ephraim  S. 
"    Gideon,  Jr. 

Goshen, 

a 

Litchfield, 
Winchester, 

o  1802 
o  1773 
m  1817 

1838 

o  1817 

o  1792 

m  1818 

1846 

8 

18 

3 

2 

"    Philip, 
Hamlin  Luman  B. 

Harwinton, 
New  Milford, 

1849 

1848 

1849 

1 

2 

390 

First 

Last 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen. 

Sessions 

Hammond  David, 

Roxbury, 

o  1803 

1 

Harrison  Elihu, 

Litchfield, 

1832 

1835 

2 

"           Jared  S. 

Salisbury, 

1830 

1835 

3 

*'           John  R. 

Cornwall, 

1840 

1841 

2 

"           Myron, 

«« 

1837 

1848 

2 

M           Thomas, 

Litchfield, 

m  1747 

o   1754 

9 

Hart  Alpha, 

Goshen, 

1837 

1838 

2 

«     Henry, 

a 

1822 

1823 

2 

«     Josiah  Hall, 

Barkhamsted, 

m  1813 

m  1816 

2 

"     Miles, 

Go&hen, 

1841 

1842 

2 

Hartwell  Sherman, 

Warren, 

1822 

1824 

2 

Hatch  Jetliro, 

Kent, 

o  1775 

m  1780 

*      Johnson  C. 

"Washington, 

1831 

"      Washington, 

Winchester, 

1844 

Hawes  George, 

Canaan, 

1841 

Hawley  Isaac  B. 

Roxbury, 

1824 

u         Jehiel, 

New  Milford, 

o  1753 

m  1761 

4 

"         Nathan, 

Bethlem, 

m  1816 

1639 

4 

"         William, 

Woodbury, 

m  1802 

o  1805 

3 

Hayden  Cicero, 

Torrington, 

1834 

1835 

2 

"         Moses, 

Barkhamsted, 

m  1812 

m  1817 

7 

"          Samuel, 

u 

o  1797  Aug.  1818 

3* 

Hayes  Ezekiel, 

u 

1851 

1 

"       Elijah, 

Warren, 

1830 

1839 

5 

"       Jeriel, 

Bethlem, 

1837 

1 

*       Timothy, 

Barkhamsted, 

1841 

1 

Hazen  Elijah, 

Washington, 

m  1797 

m  1808 

11 

Heakox  Benjamin, 

Woodbury, 

o  1719 

1 

Hecex  Benjamin, 

u 

m  1747 

o  1758 

6 

Heaten  Levi, 

Plymouth, 

1847 

1848 

2 

"        Stephen, 

Goshen, 

o  1758 

m  1768 

2 

Hemingway  Jacob, 

Plymouth, 

m  1815 

1819 

4 

Henderson,  Gordon, 

New  Hartford, 

1843 

1844 

2 

"                    "       W. 

u 

1851 

1 

"               James, 

■     u 

m  1804 

1823 

3 

391 


lleprescntatives. 
Henderson  James  F. 
4k                John, 

Towns. 
New  Hartford, 

First 
Chosen. 

1839 

M  1786 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

1 

m  1803       18 

Htckox  Daniel, 

Watertown, 

1819 

1 

Hickcox  Edmund, 
"           Curtis, 
"           Ithiel, 

Washington, 
a 

1847 
1821 
1846 

1 
1 
1 

w           Nathan, 

u 

m  1781 

o  1787 

6 

B          Samuel, 

Watertown, 

m  1782 

o  1784 

3 

Higley  Horace, 
Hill  George  A. 
Hills  Hewitt, 

Winchester, 

Goshen, 

Winchester, 

m  1799 

1849 

m  1792 

m  1806 

1850 

o  1794 

7 
2 
4 

*    Seth, 

a 

m  1781 

o  1793 

6 

Hind  James, 

New  Milford, 

o  1748 

1 

Hind  man  William, 

Cornwall, 

1842 

1846 

3 

Hine  Abel, 

New  Milford, 

o  1769 

o  1798 

12 

M         u 

tt 

1824 

1 

<;     Bee  be, 

a 

o  1806 

m  1812 

11 

«     Clark, 

u 

1828 

1829 

2 

"     Lyman, 
"     Myron  S. 
"     Noble, 

a 

Warren, 
New  Milford, 

1836 

1850 

m  1780 

m  1795 

1 
1 
7 

Hinman  Andrew, 

"          Benjamin, 

a                      u 

Woodbury, 
a 

n 

m  1725 
M  1711 
o  1757 

m  1740 

o  1787 

8 

1 

21 

"          Daniel, 

Harwinton, 

1850 

1 

Hinman  Eleazer, 
"          Edward, 

Woodbury, 

a 

o  1749 
M1773 

1 
1 

"          Ephraim, 
b          Noah, 
b         Royal  R. 
b         Titus, 
Hinsdale  Abel, 

Roxbury, 

Woodbury, 

Roxbury, 

Woodbury, 

Torrington, 

o  1798 
m  1731 
m  1814 
m  1699 
m  1815 

m  1809 
M  1752 

1831 
o  1720 

1821 

3 

20 
4 

9 

4* 

"           Bissel, 

Winchester, 

m  1815 

o  1815 

2 

"           Elisha, 
"           Horace, 

Torrington, 
Winchester, 

o  1805 
1821 

o  1806 

3 

1 

392 


Representatives. 
Hinsdale,  Lorrain, 
"  Jacob, 

"  Theodore, 

Hitchcock  John, 
u  a 

"  Lambert, 

"  Southard, 

Hoadley  Samuel, 

"  Silas, 

Hodge  Chauncey, 
Hodges  Elkanah, 

"         Erastus, 

"         Elkanah  H. 
Holabird  John, 

"  Milo, 

Holcomb  Hiram, 
Hollister  Gideon, 

"  Horace, 

Holly  Luther, 

"      Newman, 
Holmes  Israel, 

"      Joseph, 

"      Uriel,  Jr. 

"  "     Jr.f 

Holt  James, 

"    Eleazer, 

"    Isaac, 
Hooker  Asahel, 
Hopkins  Asa, 

"  Samuel, 

ft  a 

Uriah, 
Hopson  Wm.  T. 


Towns- 
Tor  rington, 
Harwinton, 
Winchester, 
New  Milt'ord, 
Kent, 

Barkhamsted, 
Sharon, 
Winchester, 
Plymouth, 
Roxbury, 
Torrington, 


Canaan, 


Washington, 
Salisbury, 


Torrington, 

Winchester, 

New  Hartford, 

Litchfield, 

Harwinton, 

Norfolk, 
a 

Harwinton, 

Litchfield, 

Goshen, 

Cornwall, 

Harwinton, 

Kent, 


First 
Chosen. 

1846 
o  1756 

1837 
o  1749 
o  1763 

1834 

1850 
m  1811 

1832 

1842 
m  1792 
m  1813 

1839 
o  1801 

1848 

1845 
m  1780 

1846 
m  1811 

1821 

1838 
m  1808 
o  1792 
o  1803 

1830 
o  1798 
o  1781 

1832 

1833 
M1787 

1821 
o  1816 

1837 


Last 
Chosen. 

1847 

M  1761 

m  1758 


1837 


1832 

o  1816 
1849 

o  1780 

o  1812 
1827 

o  1814 
m  1793 
o  1814 
1849 
o  1815 


m  1801 
1823 

1825 


Number 
Sessions 

2 

3 

1 

6 

1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 
1 
5 
1 
8 
2 
1 
2 
1 
3 
4 
1 
6 


11 

4 
12 

1 

1 

1 
13 

3 

9* 

1 


t  Clerk,  Oct.  1806. 


393 


Representatives. 
Hosford  Chauncey, 
Hosmer  Thomas, 
Hotchkiss  R.  H. 

"  Samuel, 

"  Wm.  B. 

Howard  Jarvis  C. 
Howd  Salmon, 
Howell  Arthur, 

"         Edmund, 
Hubbell  Ephraim,  Jr. 

"  Jedediah, 

Hubbard  Parley, 
Humphrey  Asahel, 

«  Dudley, 

"  Hosea, 

"  John, 

"  Noah, 

«  Obed  M. 

Hungerford  Allyn  M. 

"  Joel, 

Hunt  Amos, 

"     Reuben, 

"     Russell, 
Huntington  Jabez  W. 
Hurd  Curtis, 

"     David, 
Hurlbut  George, 

"  Gideon, 

"         John, 

"         Samuel, 
«  a 

«         Timothy, 
Hutchinson  John, 

Ives  Jesse, 


Towns. 
Canaan, 

a 

Woodbury, 
New  Hartford, 
Woodbury, 
Warren, 
Barkhamsted, 
Colebrook, 
a 

Kent, 

u 

Salisbury, 
Norfolk, 


Goshen, 

a 

Watertown, 

a 

Canaan, 


Litchfield, 
Woodbury, 

Roxbury, 
Goshen, 
Canaan, 
Winchester, 

Canaan, 

Salisbury, 

Barkhamsted, 


First  Last 

Chosen.      Chosen. 

1837  1838 
m  1783  m  1784 

1847 

1849 

1848 

1851 
o  1818    1848 

1826  1839 
m  1804 

m  1764  m  1777 
o  1778 

1823  1824 
o  1778  m  1797 
m  1779  o  1794 
m  1787  o  1787 

1849 

1820    1821 

1843    1844 

1850    1851 

1834 
m  1809  o  1812 

1828 
o  1805 

1828 
m  1794 
o  1788  o  1789 

1845 
o  1757 

(See  Holabird.) 
m  1791  3i  1810 

1835 
m  1765  m  1785 
o  1758 

1824  1827 


Number 
Sessions 

2 

2 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

7 

1 

15 

1 

2 

13 

14 

2 

1 

2 

2 

2 

1 

2 


10 
1 
3 


50 


394 


Representatives. 
Ives  Titus, 
Jackson  Ebenezer, 

"         Nathan,  Jr. 
Jenkins  Benjamin, 

"         Eleazer, 
Jenner  Samuel, 
Jerome  Amasa, 

T.  G. 
Jewett  Caleb, 

«       John  S. 
Johnson  Amos, 

«       M. 

"  Augustus  S. 

"  Daniel, 

"  James, 

Jones  Caleb, 

"      Elijah, 

"      Henry, 

"      Israel,  Jr. 

"      Orville, 
Judd  Leverett, 

"     Russell, 
Judson  Elmore, 

"        Horace, 
David, 

"        John, 

•«  u 

"        Joseph, 
u  u 

Wells, 
Kasson  Alexander, 
"         Benadam, 
"        George  D. 
Kellogg  Elias, 


Frederick, 


Towns. 

First 
Chosen. 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

Norfolk, 

o  1780 

fit  1787 

2 

Cornwall, 

o  1788 

M  1795 

6 

Bethlem, 

1829 

1833 

4 

Winchester, 

o  1803 

o  1804 

2 

Sharon, 

1842 

1 

Woodbury, 

M  1702 

1 

New  Hartford, 

o  1815 

1 

tl                u 

1847 

1 

Sharon, 

o  1760 

m  1776 

11 

tt 

1851 

1 

Cornwall, 

o  1763 

1 

a 

1850 

1 

Harwinton, 

1835 

1846 

4 

Salisbury, 

M  1817 

1819 

5* 

tt 

M  1805 

1 

Cornwall, 

1836 

1838 

3 

Barkhamsted, 

1821 

1836 

7 

New  Hartford, 

1835 

1845 

2 

Barkhamsted, 

m  1796 

o  1808 

19 

«< 

1851 

1 

Bethlem, 

o  1813 

o  1814 

2 

Kent, 

1823 

1838 

2 

Woodbury, 

1837 

1 

New  Milford, 

1846 

1 

Washington, 

o  1789 

m  1794 

7 

Woodbury, 

M  1706 

m  1721 

3 

u 

1835 

1840 

2 

u 

M  1684 

o  1686 

6 

u 

m  1725 

1 

Roxbury, 

m  1804 

1 

Bethlem, 

o  1801 

1 

New  Hartford, 

1836 

1 

Bethlem, 

M  1811 

if  1813 

2 

New  Hartford, 

M  1811 

1 

Cornwall, 

1830 

1841 

4 

395 


Representatives. 
Kellogg  Isaac, 

Towns. 
New  Hartford 

First 

Chosen. 

M  1759 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

o  1776       23 

a                   u 

(i            a 

1824 

1843 

4 

J*         Abraham,  Jr. 

a          u 

m  1797 

1 

"         George  C. 
Judah, 

U                »< 

Cornwall, 

1826 
o  1776 

1834 
o  1801 

5 
11 

"         Noah, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1777 

o  1779 

2 

"         Norman, 

U              a 

1841 

1 

f         Oliver, 

Sharon, 

m  1797 

1820 

15 

Philo, 

Cornwall, 

1834 

1835 

2 

"         William, 

« 

1820 

1 

Kilbourn  Abraham, 

Litchfield, 

m  1769 

o  1770 

4 

"           Joseph, 
King  George, 

u 
Sharon, 

o  1752 
o  1800 

m  1753 
m  1801 

2 

2 

"     Plato, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1811 

1 

Kingsbury  Lemuel, 

Canaan, 

m  1784 

o  1784 

2 

Kirby  Ephraim, 
Knapp  Horace  B. 

Litchfield, 
Norfolk, 

o  1791 
1846 

o  1802 

14 

1 

Kniblo  William  N. 

Sharon, 

1845 

1 

Knowles  Thomas, 
Lamb  Alexander, 
Lambert  Nehemiah, 

Woodbury, 

Salisbury, 

Bethlem, 

m  1722 
o  1818 
o  1803 

o  1739 
a  1818 

3 
1 

9* 

«           Willys, 
Lamson  Nathaniel, 

Woodbury, 

1849 
o  1810 

M  1811 

1 
2 

Landers  Joseph, 

Sharon, 

m  1782 

1 

Landon  James, 
Lane  Daniel  P. 

Salisbury, 
Kent, 

m  1758 
1840 

m  1774 

12 
1 

"     Jared, 

New  Milford, 

M  1809 

m  1812 

5 

Lawrence  Daniel, 

Canaan, 

m  1758 

1 

"             E.  Grove, 

Norfolk, 

1845 

1 

u             Isaac, 

Canaan, 

o  1765 

1 

"             Joseph, 
"             William, 

Norfolk, 

o  1780 
1844 

1 
1 

Leavenworth  Gideon. 

"                   Wait, 
Leavitt  David,  Jr. 

Koxbury, 

u 

Bethlem, 

m  1806 

1837 

m  1798 

o  1802 

1 

1 
6 

396 


First 

Last    ] 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  Sessions 

Leavitt  Samuel, 

Washington, 

m  1815 

1819 

5 

«       Jr. 

M 

1826 

1835 

4 

Sheldon  C. 

Bethlem, 

o  1S15 

1828 

7 

Lee  Daniel, 

Kent, 

o  1758 

o  1768 

4 

"    Samuel, 

Salisbury, 

o  1788 

o  1809 

10 

"    Thomas, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1812 

o  1816 

4 

Lemmon  Abial  C. 

Washington, 

1850 

1 

Charles, 

ic 

1836 

1 

Lewis  Charles, 

Canaan, 

1844 

1 

u      George, 

Washington, 

1834 

1 

"      Charles, 

Cornwall, 

1850 

1 

«      John  C.  t 

Plymouth, 

1849 

1 

"      Nehemiah, 

Goshen, 

o  1767 

1 

Lockwood  Samuel, 

New  Milford, 

o  1804 

m  1S05 

2 

Logan  Matthew, 

Washington, 

m  1785 

1 

Loomis  Israel, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1766 

m  1767 

2 

"         Lester, 

Barkhamsted, 

1828 

1832 

2 

**         Luke, 

a 

m  1815 

1 

il         Oliver, 

Winchester, 

1834 

1 

"          Simeon, 

Goshen, 

1847 

1848 

2 

Lord  Joseph, 

Sharon, 

o  1777 

1 

"     Lynde, 

Litchfield, 

o  1771 

m  1772 

2 

"     Phineas, 

u 

o  1818 

1837 

4 

Loveland  Leyman  F. 

Colebrook, 

1850 

1 

Lyman  Erastus, 

Goshen, 

1822 

1828 

4 

"        Moses  Jr. 

a 

m  1810 

o  1812 

4 

it                  u 

a 

m  1757 

m  17(37 

13 

u        Samuel, 

u 

o  1818 

1819 

2 

Malory  Adna, 

Roxbury, 

o  1805 

1 

■'        Benajah, 

Warren, 

1845 

1849 

2 

Manchester  D.  E. 

Colebrook, 

1850 

1 

"                  John, 

u 

1838 

1 

"                William, 

it 

+  Speaker  in  1849 

1841 

1»42 

o 

197 


Representatives. 
Manner  Ephraim, 

Towns. 
Sharon, 

First 
Chosen. 

m  1787 

Last 
Chosen.  ! 

0  1783 

Number 
Sessions 

3 

Marsh  David, 

New  Milford, 

1837 

1 

"       David, 

Litchfield, 

1824 

1847 

4 

"       Ebenezer, 

u 

m  1740 

m  1771 

48 

«                 « 

a 

m  1784 

m  1790 

10 

"       Elihu,  2d, 

New  Milford, 

1826 

1827 

2 

"       Isaac, 

Cornwall, 

1839 

1851 

3 

"       Jonathan,  Jr. 

New  Hartford, 

m  1797 

a  1818 

17* 

"       John, 

Litchfield, 

o  1766 

m  1774 

8 

"       Solomon, 

n 

o  1792 

1 

"       William  S. 

Canaan, 

1839 

1847 

2 

"       Cyrus, 

Kent, 

m  1761 

o  1766 

10 

Marshall  Abner, 

Torrington, 

o  1777 

m  1782 

6 

"           Maiden, 

New  Hartford, 

1848 

1 

"           Herman  us, 

Washington, 

a  1818 

1* 

John  P. 

"           Noah, 

Woodbury, 
Torrington, 

m  1817 
o  1771 

o  1818 
m  1775 

2 
3 

Seth, 

Colebrook, 

o  1809 

31  1816 

6 

Martin  Caleb, 
"        Reuben, 

Woodbury, 

o  1747 
M  1814 

3i  1748 
1819 

2 
4 

Marvin  John, 

Sharon, 

m  1756 

3i  1768 

2 

Masters  Nicholas  S. 

New  Milford, 

m  1792 

3i  1794 

2 

Mattoon  David, 

Watertown, 

1848 

1 

McCune  David, 

Winchester, 

o  1791 

1 

"           Robert, 

u 

o  1781 

o  1797 

9 

McMahen  Constantine, 

Washington, 

0  1817 

1827 

3 

Merrill  Abel, 

New  Hartford, 

3i  1765 

o  1775 

11 

Elijah, 
George, 
"        Ira, 

a             a 

Barkhamsted, 
New  -Hartford, 

m  1781 
1830 
1846 

1831 

1 
2 

1 

"        James, 

a           u 

1838 

1 

"        John, 

Barkhamsted, 

o  1805 

1821 

10 

"        Merlin, 

a 

1838 

1839 

2 

"        Norman, 

New  Hartford, 

1828 

1845 

4 

••        Zebulon, 

u             a 

m  1775 

1 

398 


First 

Last    Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  { 

sessions 

Merriman  George  F. 

Watertown, 

1849 

1 

tt 

W.  II. 

tt 

1835 

1 

Mervin  Abel, 

New  Milford, 

o  180G 

m  1807 

2 

tt 

Henry, 

tt              u 

1846 

1847 

2 

a 

Orange, 

ii            ii 

o  1816 

1838 

9* 

u 

Samuel  H. 

Goshen, 

1851 

1 

Milk 

:r  Amos, 

New  Hartford, 

m  1783 

m  1784 

3 

« 

Ebenezer, 

Torrington, 

o  1798 

1 

tt 

Joseph, 

Winchester, 

a  1818 

1829 

2* 

?« 

Hubbell, 

Kent, 

1839 

1 

Miles  Augustus, 

Goshen, 

1824 

1839 

4 

u 

Daniel, 

" 

o  1778 

m  1789 

10 

(4 

William, 

a 

1836 

1837 

2 

Mills  Gideon,  Jr. 

Barkhamsted, 

o  1810 

M  1811 

2 

u 

Hiram, 

Norfolk, 

1839 

1 

a 

John, 

Kent, 

1824 

1 

H 

Joseph, 

Norfolk, 

m  1780 

1 

ii 

Lawrence, 

tt 

1821 

1 

M 

Lewis, 

Kent, 

o  1780 

m  1781 

2 

(l 

a 

a 

1819 

1820 

2 

« 

Michael, 

Norfolk, 

m  1779 

o  1791 

12 

u 

"        F. 

tt 

1830 

1833 

Q 

o 

a 

Oliver, 

Barkhamsted, 

o  1815 

a  1818 

5* 

tt 

Philo, 

Kent, 

m  1817 

1831 

3 

a 

Eoger, 

New  Hartford, 

1822 

1 

ti 

"      H.t 

a             a   • 

1839 

1847 

2 

a 

Samuel, 

Colebrook, 

o  1796 

m  1813 

9 

Miner  Phineas, 

Winchester, 

m  1809 

m  1816 

}■■ 

u 

K 

Litchfield, 

1S23 

1825 

Minor  Andrew, 

New  Milford, 

o  1807 

1 

ti 

Ephraim, 

Woodbury, 
t  Clerk,  1839. 

o  1718 
o   1817 

m  1735 

5 

1 

399 


First 

Last 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  ! 

Sessions 

Minor  John,t 

Woodbury, 

m  1684 

m  1710 

21 

"       Josiah  G. 

it 

1851 

1 

"      Matthew, 

u 

m  1808 

m  1810 

2 

"             "         Jr. 

u 

1830 

1833 

3 

"      Miles, 

Canaan, 

1S40 

1 

"      Joseph, 

"Woodbury, 

m  1712 

m  1745 

35 

"       Samuel, 

u 

m  1742 

o  J  756 

12 

"      Silas, 

Roxbury, 

m  1815 

1821 

5 

"      Thomas, 

Woodbury, 

m  1698 

1 

Mitchell  John, 

a 

o  1709 

o  1740 

2 

"          Kniel, 

u 

m  1741 

1 

"          Reuben, 

a 

m  1799 

o  1807 

7 

"          Simeon, 

Washington, 

o  1791 

m  1802 

3 

Thomas, 

Plymouth, 

1823 

1824 

'  2 

"          Timothy, 

Washington, 

1822 

1 

Moody  Ebenezer, 

New  Hartford, 

o  17S3 

m  1791 

3 

"        Evetts, 

Washington, 

M  1811 

1823 

2 

Moore  Albert, 

Salisbury, 

1846 

1 

"       Josiah, 

New  Hartford, 

m  1781 

o  1790 

11 

"       Samuel, 

Salisbury, 

m  1759 

o  1765 

4 

«       Silas, 

a 

m  1810 

o  1810 

2 

Morehouse  Miner  P. 

New  Milford, 

■     1848 

1 

Morris  James, 

Litchfield, 

m  1798 

o  1805 

9 

"        Harvey, 

Woodbury, 

1829 

1838 

3 

"        John, 

Watertown, 

1826 

1832 

2 

"        Levi, 

New  Milford, 

1841 

1 

Moseley  Increase, 

Washington, 

m  1779 

1 

«                      « 

Woodbury, 

o  1751 

o  1784 

39 

Moss  Nicholas, 

Bethlem, 

1844 

1847 

2 

Hunger  Elizur, 

Norfolk, 

o  1811 

1821 

5 

Munsell  Levi, 

Torrington, 

1823 

1833 

3 

"          Luman, 

tt 

1840 

1841 

2 

"          Marcus, 

Winchester, 
t  Clerk,  May  1707. 

1847 

1 

400 


Representatives. 
Munson  Ephraim, 
«         Medad, 

Towns. 
Barkhamsted, 
u 

First 
Chosen. 

m  1800 

m  1809 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

o  1802         4 

o  1809         2 

u          Samuel, 

u 

o  1811 

1826 

5 

Murray  Philo, 
Mygatt  Eli, 

Woodbury, 
New  Milford, 

m  1815 
1825 

m  1818 
1826 

2 
2 

H.  S. 

u            a 

1847 

1 

Nash  Alva, 
"     Samuel, 

Winchester, 
Goshen, 

1829 
o  1756 

1830 
m  1778 

2 
22 

Nettleton  Samuel  H. 

Watertown, 

1823 

1846 

4 

Newill  Abel, 

Goshen, 

m  1781 

m  1782 

3 

Newton  John, 

Washington, 

o  1811 

1838 

3 

*         Nathan, 

u 

1826 

1 

Nichelson  Augus, 

New  Milford, 

o  1793 

1 

Noble  David, 

u     ,      a 

o  1745 

M  1747 

4 

"      Phineas  W. 

Harwinton, 

1827 

1850 

5 

"      Stephen, 

New  Milford, 

o  1725 

m  1739 

15 

"      Thomas, 

a            a 

o  1750 

M  1774 

4 

North  Enos, 

Colebrook, 

o  1807 

1846 

6 

"      Jonathan, 

Goshen, 

1832 

1833 

2 

"      Noah, 

Torrington, 

m  1779 

m  1787 

8 

"      Phineas, 

CI 

o  1800 

m  1805 

4 

"      Rufus, 

Colebrook, 

m  1818 

1826 

3 

«      Theodore, 

Goshen, 

m  1813 

a  1818 

10* 

Northrup  Amos, 

New  Milford, 

M  1756 

M  1762 

4 

«            David, 

U                li 

m  1786 

1 

Northway  Samuel  D. 

Norfolk, 

1850 

1 

Norton  Birdsey, 

Goshen, 

m  1797 

M  1811 

26 

"        Dudley, 
"        Ebenezer, 

Norfolk, 
Goshen, 

1842 
m  1760 

o  1791 

1 

24 

»        Lot, 

Salisbury, 

o  1783 

m  1786 

3 

"          "     Jr., 

u 

o  1804 

o  1815 

13 

u           u 

ii 

1831 

1 

Orr  James, 

Sharon, 

1849 

1 

Orton  Samuel, 

Woodbury, 

M  1794 

o  1795 

4 

Osborne  Shadrach, 

a 

m  1791 

1 

401 


First 

Last 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen. 

Sessions 

Osborne  Sheldon, 

Harwinton, 

1838 

1839 

2 

«          Eliada, 

Kent, 

1850 

1 

Painter  Deliverance  L. 

Roxbury, 

o  1808 

1 

Palmer  Robert, 

Goshen, 

1830 

1831 

2 

Pardee  Isaac, 

Sharon, 

m  1789 

o  1812 

12 

"        James, 

u 

M  1769 

m  1780 

9 

«        John, 

u 

o  1755 

m  1762 

6 

"        Thomas, 

a 

m  1768 

o  1774 

5 

Parker  Jason, 

Woodbury, 

1850 

1 

Parmelee  Abraham, 

Goshen, 

o  1769 

1 

i(            Oliver, 

Bethlem, 

o  1792 

m  1797 

2 

Pachen  Abel, 

Sharon, 

o  1798 

m  1799 

2 

Patchen  Farmafy 

Woodbury, 

1839 

1 

Patterson  Elisha, 

Roxbury, 

o  1817 

1826 

o 
O 

"             Matthew, 

Cornwall, 

m  1781 

m  1787 

8 

"            Samuel, 

Roxbury, 

1820 

1 

Pattison  Amos  L. 

Salisbury, 

1S47 

1 

Payne  Abraham, 

Cornwall, 

o  1778 

1 

Pearson  Enoch, 

Sharon, 

o  1795 

1 

Pease  Calvin, 

Canaan, 

M  1811 

m  1812 

3 

Peck  Jeremiah, 

Woodbury, 

1825 

1833 

2 

"     Peter  F. 

ti 

1826 

1836 

2 

"     Sherman, 

New  Milford, 

1834 

1835 

2 

u     Sidney, 

Bethlem, 

1850 

1 

Peet  Abijah  C. 

Salisbury, 

m  1817 

1830 

5 

"    George  W. 

Canaan, 

1850 

1 

Percival  Lorain, 

Colebrook, 

1833 

1834 

2 

Perkins  Lyman, 

Harwinton, 

1835 

I 

Perry  Nathaniel, 

Woodbury, 

m  1805 

1820 

9* 

t 

New  Milford, 

1832 

1 

u                 «              -p. 

Kent, 

1822 

1829 

2 

Persons  Huntington, 

Colebrook, 

1847 

1 

Pettee  Seneca, 

Salisbury, 
tClerk  1832. 

1825 

1 

51 


402 


Kepresentatives. 
Pettibone  Avnos, 

Towns. 
Norfolk, 

First 
Chosen. 

1826 

Last 
Chosen.  1 

1830 

Number 
Sessions 

4 

"            Augustus, 

« 

o  1800 

1828 

31 

Giles, 

u 

o  1777 

m  1800 

23* 

"            Samuel, 

Goshen, 

m  1759 

M  1762 

5 

Phelps  Arah, 

Colebrook, 

m  1800 

1825 

9* 

C.  B. 

n 

1835 

1 

«        Charles  B. 
"        Daniel, 

Woodbury, 
Winchester, 

1831 
o  1818 

1837 
1828 

2 
2 

u        Darius, 

Norfolk, 

1836 

1 

"        Edward  A. 

Colebrook, 

1840 

1851 

3 

u       Jannah  B. 

Torrington, 

1848 

1849 

2 

Thelps  Edward, 

Litchfield, 

o  1744 

o  1745 

2 

"        Jedediah, 

Norfolk, 

1832 

1 

"        Jeremiah  W. 

u 

m  1806 

o  1806 

2 

"        Josiah, 

Harwinton, 

o  1770 

o  1800 

43 

"        Lancelot, 

Colebrook, 

m  1817 

1830 

9 

"        Warren, 

Barkhamsted, 

1843 

1844 

2 

Pickett  Daniel  A. 

New  Milford, 

1820 

1821 

2 

Pierce  John, 

Cornwall, 

m  1774 

m  1788 

5 

«          «      H. 

« 

m  1815 

1819 

4 

"       Joshua, 

a 

o  1761 

m  1770 

11 

"       Seth,  Jr. 

u 

1828 

1 

"       Wm. 
Pine  Samuel  W. 

Roxbury, 
Barkhamsted, 

1832 
1847 

1 
1 

Pinney  Asaph, 
"         David, 

Colebrook, 

m  1808 
o  1797 

1823 
m  1798 

4 

2 

"         Grove, 

(( 

M  1800  Aug.  1818 

13* 

"         Harvey  W. 
Piatt  Levi, 

u 

Winchester, 

1851 
Aug.  1818 

1 
1* 

Plumb  Frederick, 
"       Ovid, 

Salisbury, 
Canaan, 

1834 
1819 

1 

1 

Pool  Wm. 

Washington, 

1839 

1 

Porter  Joshua, 
"       Thomas, 

Salisbury, 
Cornwall, 

o  1764 
o  1768 

o  1801 
o  1777 

51 
14 

vost  Henry, 

Canaan, 

1832 

1834 

2 

403 


Representatives. 
Potter  Daniel, 

Towns. 
Water  town, 

First 
Chosen. 

o  1786 

Last 
Chosen. ! 

o  1792 

Number 
Sessions 

5 

it             a 

"       Eli, 

Plymouth, 
u 

m  1799 
1834 

M  1811 
1836 

10 
3 

«        Lake, 

a 

o  1798 

o  1813 

12 

"       Tertius  D. 

li 

1838 

1839 

2 

Pratt  Chalk  er, 
"        Hopson, 
"       Joseph, 
"        Peter, 

Cornwall, 

Kent, 
u 

a 

1847 
o  1810 
m  1770 
m  1793 

m  1814 

o  1800 

1 

5 

21 

1 

"        Schuyler, 
Preston  Bennett  S. 

Salisbury, 
Roxbury, 

1850 
1849 

1 
1 

"         Gardner, 

Harwinton, 

1846 

1847 

2 

«         John  S. 

a 

1822 

1825 

2 

"         Joseph, 
"         Nathan, 

Woodbury, 

m  1731 
M  1791 

1819 

1 

14 

"         Nathaniel, 

u 

1833 

1 

"         Wm. 

« 

m  1714 

m  1749 

36 

Prindle  Mark, 

Harwinton, 

m  1774 

o  1791 

11 

Randall  Henry  L. 
Ransom  John, 

Roxbury, 
Kent, 

1838 
m  1766 

m  1770 

1 

5    . 

Ray  Wm. 

Litchfield, 

1838 

1839 

2 

Raymond  John  M. 
Reed  Chauncey,  Jr. 
"     Horace, 

Kent, 

Canaan, 

Sharon, 

1841 
1844 
1840 

1 
1 
1 

"     Silas, 

"     Stephen, 
Reeve  Tapping, 
Richardson  Leonard, 
Riggs  Eden, 

Salisbury, 
a 

Litchfiejd, 
Salisbury, 
Norfolk, 

o  1818 

m  1806 

o  1789 

1849 

1841 

1826 
o  1806 

3 
2 

1 
1 
1 

"     Joseph, 
Robbins  Samuel, 

it- 
Canaan, 

1827 
M  1811 

1819 

1 
5 

Roberts  Clark  H. 

Colebrook, 

1839 

1840 

2 

"         Samuel, 

Sharon, 

1822 

1823 

2 

"         Nelson, 
"         William, 

Torrington, 
New  Milford, 

1846 
1845 

1847 

2 
1 

404 


Representative?. 
Rockwell  Alpha, 
«            Elijah, 
"            Martin, 

Towns. 
Winchester, 

Colebrook, 

a 

First 
Chosen. 

1807 

o  179G 

o  1808 

Last 
Chosen.  1 

M  1814 
o  1816 

Number 

Sessions 

14 
6 

"            Reuben, 

u 

o  1799 

m  1S15 

6 

"            Samuel, 

Sharon, 

o  1815 

m  1816 

2 

"            Solomon, 

Winchester, 

1820 

1 

"            Theron, 

Colebrook, 

1838 

1 

Rogers  Anson, 

Cornwall, 

1835 

1 

"        Edward, 

tt 

o  1775 

o  1783 

10 

"        Noah, 

a 

m  1766 

o  1781 

2 

u              a 

a 

m  1813 

o  1818 

5 

"        Timothy, 
Rood  Marinus, 

Canaan, 

m  1791 
M  1807 

m  1792 
o  1808 

3 

o 
it 

Root  Barnabus  W. 
Rose  Alban, 

Plymouth, 
Canaan, 

1845 
M  1S10 

o  1815 

I 

3 

Royce  Phineas, 
Roys  Harlow, 

Watertown, 
Norfolk, 

o  1781 
1846 

m  1782 

2 
1 

Ruggles  Benjamin, 
«          Pliilo, 

New  Milford, 

a             a 

o  1757 
o  1796 

o  1802 

1 
6 

"         Timothy, 
Russell  Barlow, 
"         Giles, 

U               u 

Woodbury, 
Winchester, 

m  1785 

1848 

M  1810 

m  1S16 

1 

1 
3 

"         Nathaniel, 

a 

o  1801 

1 

"         John, 
"         Stephen, 
"         Thomas, 
William  P. 
Sackett  Homer, 

Salisbury, 
Litchfield, 
Cornwall, 
Salisbury, 
Warrerf, 

1838 
m  1818 
o  1761 

18^7 
o  1801 

1834 
o  1773 

1842 
1821 

1 

5 

16 

1 

7 

"         Justus, 

Kent, 

m  1771 

m  1782 

10 

U                            it 

Warren, 

o  1792 

1 

a                 a 

it 

1831 

1 

"         Orrin, 

a 

o  1810 

1 

Sanford  Daniel, 

Barkhamsted, 

1837 

1838 

2 

"         Glover, 

New  Milford, 

1850 

1 

"         Joel, 

u         u 

m  1817 

1830 

3 

405 


First 

Last    3 

dumber 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  ! 

Sessions 

Sanford  Joseph, 

Litchfield, 

m  1747 

o  1750 

3 

"         Ne hernial*  C, 

Woodbury, 

1830 

1 

"         Stephen, 

Roxbury, 

1822 

1850 

3 

Scoville  John, 

Cornwall, 

1844 

1848 

2 

"         Jonathan, 

Salisbury, 

m  1816 

o  1816 

2 

"         Samuel  C. 

a 

1843 

1 

Sears  Charles, 

Sharon, 

1845 

1847 

2 

Sedgwick  Benjamin,  .£.££. 

Cornwall, 

1824 

1838 

3 

"            Charles  F. 

Sharon, 

1830 

1831 

2 

«            John,       . 

Cornwall, 

m  1782 

m  1812 

29 

"           John  A. 

« 

1826 

1829 

3 

Segar  He  man, 

Kent, 

1849 

1 

Seymour  Chauncey, 

New  Hartford, 

o  1801 

o  1813 

6 

"           George, 

Litchfield, 

1846 

1847 

2 

"            Moses, 

u 

o  1795 

m  1812 

16 

"           Origen  S.f 

a 

1842 

1850 

4 

"           Rufus, 

Col  eb  rook, 

1849 

1 

Sheldon  Elisha, 

Litchfield, 

o  1755 

m  1761 

9 

u          Epaphras, 

Torrington, 

m  1763 

o  1796 

14 

*          Philo  G. 

Winchester, 

1850 

1 

Shepard  James, 

Norfolk, 

1840 

1 

"          John  K. 

u 

1847 

1 

"          Levi, 

u 

1837 

1 

Sherman  Bennet  A. 

Woodbury, 

1851 

1 

"           Daniel, 

« 

m  1754 

m  1791 

62 

«           David, 

u 

m  1757 

1 

"           Elijah, 

u 

m  1797 

m  1807 

9 

«                "      Jr., 

a 

m  1817 

o  1818 

2 

"           John,  I 

it 

o  1699 

o  1712 

17 

"           Monroe  C. 

(i 

1850 

1 

"           Peter, 

Washington, 

o  1788 

m  1795 

6 

"           Roger, 

New  Milford, 

m  1755 

m  1761 

9 

Sill  Elisha, 

Goshen, 

m  1771 

o  1785 

8 

t  Speaker,  1850. 

t* 

Speaker,  1710,  1711. 

400 


First 

Last    Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  Sessions 

Simons  Samuel,  Jr., 

Colebrook, 

1836 

1837 

2 

Skiff 

Joseph, 

Kent, 

o  1816 

1 

u 

Gibbs  W. 

Sharon, 

1851 

1 

Skinner  Ashbel, 

Harvvinton, 

o  1772 

1 

Slosson  Barzillai,t 

Kent, 

o  1797 

o  1812 

15 

a 

Nathan,  Jr., 

u 

1821 

1 

Smedley  William  L. 

Litchfield, 

1848 

1 

Smith  Aaron, 

a 

m  1808 

m  1814 

11 

IK 

Asahel, 

Winchester, 

1827 

1831 

2 

a 

Azariah, 

Canaan, 

m  1807 

o  1811 

3 

it 

David, 

Watertown, 

o  1784 

o  1794) 

38 

tt 

a 

Plymouth, 

o  1795 

o  1812) 

a 

Ebenezer, 

New  Milford, 

o  1809 

1 

« 

Eli  M. 

Roxbury, 

1819 

1827 

2 

it 

Elisha, 

Torrington, 

o  1786 

m  1812 

32 

u 

Garret, 

Watertown, 

m  1810 

m  1S14 

5 

a 

Heman, 

Winchester, 

o  1795 

m  1S00 

3 

u 

Horatio, 

Sharon, 

1823 

1834 

4 

l< 

Ithamar  H. 

Canaan, 

1848 

1 

u 

John  C.+ 

Sharon, 

m  1793 

o  1809 

IS 

« 

"      "   Jr., 

a 

1833 

1842 

3 

U 

Jonathan, 

Bethlem, 

m  1789 

o  1789 

2 

at 

Josiah, 

Barkhamsted, 

1820 

1 

a 

Lorenzo  D. 

Sharon, 

1843 

1 

a 

Lyman, 

New  Milford, 

1849 

1 

if 

Martin, 

New  Hartford, 

m  1757 

m  1766 

11 

« 

Milton, 

Colebrook, 

1843 

1S44 

2 

a 

Minor, 

Bethlem, 

1832 

1 

Cf 

Nathaniel, 

Woodbury, 

m  1790 

o  1795 

10 

a 

B. 

u 

1828 

1847 

2 

a 

Perry, 

New  Milford, 

1822 

1836 

4 

a 

Phineas, 

Woodbury, 

m  1796 

1 

a 

a 

Roxbury, 

m  1797 

1 

t  Clerk,  1812.             \  Clerk,  Oct.  1798,  1799, — Sj 

>eaker,  1800  to  1808;  5  sessions. 

407 


Representatives. 
Smith  Phineas, 

Towns. 
Sharon, 

First 
Chosen. 

o  1790 

Last 
Chosen. 

m  1792 

Number 
Sessions 

4 

"       Ransom, 
"       Richard, 

"      Seth, 

a 

New  Hartford, 

1843 

1841 

m  1771 

1849 
o  1787 

2 

1 

13 

"      Simeon, 
"      Sylvester, 
"      Truman, 

Sharon, 

Colebrook, 

Litchfield, 

o  1767 
1831 
1831 

o  1787 
1832 
1834 

14 
2 
3 

"      Thomas  N. 
"      Wait, 

Salisbury, 
Watertown, 

1822 

m  1789 

1828 

2 

1 

"      Zebina, 

Winchester, 

m  1798 

o  1802 

2 

Soper  David, 
Soule  Benjamin  B. 
Southmayd  Samuel  W. 
Spencer  Grinnell, 

«         Job, 

"          John, 

Torrington, 
New  Milford, 
Watertown, 
Winchester, 
Colebrook, 
New  Hartford, 

m  1785 
1830 

o   1798 
1824 
1848 
1829 

1833 
o  1812 

1831 

1 
2 

17 
1 
1 
3 

Seth, 
Squire  Amos, 
"        Anson, 

it             a 
Roxbury, 
New  Milford, 

o  1793 

m  1807 

1839 

o  1803 

20 
1 

1 

Stanley  Roderick, 
"         Timothy, 
"         William, 
Stanton  Joshua, 
Starr  George, 
"     Josiah, 
"     Truman, 

Plymouth, 
Goshen, 
« 

Salisbury, 
Warren, 
New  Milford, 
Goshen, 

o  1817 
m  1777 

1818 
m  1779 

1823 
m  1771 

1825 

1819 
o  1783 

1829 
o  1802 

1 
1 

2 

2 
4 

18 
1 

Steele  Elijah, 
"          "       Jr. 

Cornwall, 

m  1768 
m  1798 

1 
1 

"      George, 

"      James, 

"      Samuel, 

Stevens  Andrew, 

Washington, 
New  Hartford, 
Woodbury, 
Canaan, 

1843 
o  1786 

1821 
m  1759 

1829 
m  1761 

1 
1 
3 

2 

or"         Benjamin, 
Stephens  John, 
"           Nathaniel, 

a 

a 

m  1764 
o  1778 
m  1792 

o  1768 
m  1818 

5 

1 
7 

408 


First 

Last    3 

dumber 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  Sessions 

Stephens  Nathaniel,  Jr. 

Canaan, 

1826 

1836 

4 

u                      u 

Norfolk, 

M  1781 

o  1803 

18 

«                   "         Jr. 

u 

m  1805 

1819 

20 

"           Sanford  P. 

Canaan, 

1842 

1 

Sterling  Ansel,t 

Sharon, 

m  1815 

1837 

ii 

"         Elisha,} 

Salisbury, 

o  1797 

o  1816 

8 

Stiles  Benjamin, 

Woodbury, 

o  1754 

o  1771 

9 

Stillman  Roger, 

Colebrook, 

m  1815 

o  1815 

2 

St.  John  Daniel, 

Sharon, 

M  1803 

o  1815 

5 

"          Jesse, 

Kent, 

o  1814 

m  1815 

2 

"          Lewis, 

n 

a  1818 

1* 

"          Thomas, 

Sharon, 

o  1817 

m  1818 

2 

Stoddard  Elisha, 

Woodbury, 

m  1755 

m  1757 

2 

"          Enos, 

Litchfield, 

1842 

1843 

2 

u         Harman, 

Woodbury, 

1839 

1 

"          Israel, 

u 

m  1780 

1 

«         Josiah, 

Salisbury, 

o  1757 

m  1762 

6 

Strong  Adonijah, 

u 

m  1789 

o  1802 

7 

"       Adino, 

Woodbury, 

m  1726 

i 

«       Charles  B. 

u 

1846 

l 

"       Jedediah,§ 

Litchfield, 

o  1771 

m  1789 

28 

M       John, 

Woodbury, 

m  1803 

m  1812 

10 

"          "     Jr. 

a 

m  1813 

1826 

3 

M       Josiah, 

Sharon, 

m  1757 

o  1760 

3 

"       Martin, 

Salisbury, 

o  1813 

1822 

2 

Stuart  John  L. 

Kent, 

1843 

1847 

2 

Swan  Cyrus, 

Sharon, 

o  1810 

1828 

9* 

Swift  Clark  S. 

Warren, 

1847 

1848 

2 

"     Elisha, 

Kent, 

m  1768 

o  1770 

5 

"     Heman, 

Cornwall, 

o  1766 

M  1787 

16 

•     Isaac, 

« 

o  1792 

m  1799 

9 

"     Jabez, 

Kent, 

m  1757 

m  1760 

6 

"     John  S. 

u 

1825 

1 

t  Clerk,  1819,  1820. 

I  Clerk,  1816. 

§  Clerk,  1779  to  1788,  14  sessions. 

409 


First 

Last    Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen.  Sessions 

Swift  Nathaniel,  Jr. 

Warren, 

o 

17S6 

m  1810 

19 

"     Philo, 

Cornwall, 

o 

1816 

o  1818 

5* 

Talliraan  David, 

Woodbury, 

M 

1796 

o  1796 

Tallmadge  George  P. 

Warren, 

1841 

1 

"               John, 

a 

o 

1793 

a  1818 

14* 

Tanner  Ebenezer, 

a 

o 

1794 

m  1812 

8 

"        Marvin, 

Canaan, 

1831 

1832 

2 

Trial, 

Cornwall, 

o 

1791 

m  1793 

3 

Taylor  Augustin, 

Sharon, 

() 

1790 

o  1802 

7 

"        George, 

New  Milford, 

1833 

1850 

3 

"        Lawrence, 

u             a 

1842 

1 

"        Uri, 

Torrington, 

1841 

1842 

2 

'    "        William, 

New  Milford, 

o 

1796 

o  1816 

5 

k               a 

Barkhamsted, 

o 

1814 

1 

Terrill  Nathan, 

Kent, 

1846 

1 

Terry  Henry, 

Plymouth, 

1844 

1 

«      Silas  B. 

M 

1846 

1 

Thayer  Wheelock, 

Winchester, 

1833 

1 

Thomas  Charles, 

Roxbury, 

1847 

1 

Thompson  Abijah, 

New  Milford, 

1843 

1 

or"              David,    ■ 

Goshen, 

o 

1775 

o  1776 

2 

Thomson  Edwin  L. 

Bethlem, 

1849 

1 

"            Gideon, 

Goshen, 

o 

1756 

m  1759 

3 

"            Hezekiah, 

Woodbury, 

M 

:  1782 

m  1790 

5 

Thorp  James  D. 

New  Hartford, 

1832 

1834 

3 

Thrall  Homer  F. 

Torrington, 

1849 

1 

"       Lorrain, 

a 

1838 

1 

Tiffany  Joel, 

Barkhamsted, 

1832 

1833 

2 

Titus  Joseph,  Jr. 

Washington, 

1831 

1836 

2 

Todd  Carrington, 

Cornwall, 

1846 

1 

«     Eli, 

New  Milford, 

0 

1805 

1821 

3 

"     Jonah, 

it            u 

o 

1778 

1 

"     Marvin  S. 

Bethlem, 

1848 

1 

Tolles  Amos, 

Winchester, 

M 

[  1812 

o  1812 

2 

52 


410 


Representatives. 
Tomlinson  Abijah, 

Towns. 
Washington, 

First 
Chosen. 

1824 

Last    Number 
Chosen.  Sessions 

1648         2 

«              Eliphalet, 

u 

182s 

1 

"              Johnson  L. 

u 

1S50 

1 

Tracy  Uriah,t 

Litchfield, 

o  1788 

m  1793 

9 

Ticknor  Luther, 

Salisbury, 

1832 

1833 

2 

Thatcher  Partridge, 

New  Millbrd, 

o  1759 

o  17G5 

2 

Trowbridge  James, 

New  Hartford, 

1851 

1 

«                John, 

Roxbury, 

o  1800 

a  1818 

6* 

u                       u 

<t 

1843 

1 

Tuttle  Uriel, 

Torrington, 

M  1815 

1820 

2 

Upson  Garry, 
Vaii  Charles, 

Barkhamsted, 
Washington, 

1839 
1837 

1840 

2 

1 

Wadhams  Isaac, 

Goshen, 

1825 

182G 

2 

«             John  M. 

a 

1844 

1845 

2 

Wadsworth  Isaac  S. 

Bethlem, 

1835 

1 

"               Samuel, 

Cornwall, 

m  178G 

o  1801 

8 

Wakefield  Luman, 

Winchester, 

182G 

1827 

2 

Wakeley  Ahner, 

Roxbury, 

m  1803 

1 

Walker  Samuel, 
"         Zachariah, 

Woodbury, 

u 

m  1805 
m  1720 

1 
1 

Walter  William, 

Norfolk, 

o  1777 

i 

Walton  Frederick  A. 

Salisbury, 

1835 

183G 

2 

"        William  II. 

u 

1839 

1847 

o 
O 

Ward  Abiram, 

Roxbur3r, 

1841 

1 

Warner  Bennett, 

Bethlem, 

1846 

1 

"         Donald  J. 

Salisbury, 

1848 

1 

"         Ebenezer, 

Woodbury, 

o  1722 

o  1723 

2 

"         Apollos, 
"          Elijah,  Jr. 
"         Elizur, 

Plymouth, 

a 

New  Milford, 

1840 

1825 

M  1782 

1833 
m  1783 

1 
3 
3 

"             "     Jr. 

it                n 

o  1803 

1837 

4 

"         John, 

a            a 

m  1744 

o  1756 

G 

"    s. 

Plymouth, 

1842 

1 

t  Clerk,  Oct.  1789  to  May,  1792;  Speaker,  May,  1793. 


411 


Representatives. 
Warner  Oliver, 

Towns. 
New  Milford, 

First 
Chosen. 

m  1777 

Lust    Ni 
Chosen.  !5c 

unber 
ssions 

1 

ki         Orange, 

a          u 

1839 

1842 

2 

"         Reuben, 

u           a 

o  1810 

1825 

5 

Warren  Alamon, 

Watertown, 

1841 

1 

Waterman  David, 

Salisbury, 

M  1794 

o  1800 

2 

Watson  Frederick, 

Canaan, 

1846 

1847 

2 

"         John, 

u 

o  1774 

m  1795 

11 

a               u 

a 

1843 

1843 

2 

"         Levi, 

New  Hartford, 

m  1780 

m  1815 

4 

"■         Thomas  Jr. 

<<           it 

1837 

1 

"         William, 

Canaan, 

1851 

1 

Webb  John, 

u 

o  180G 

o  1809 

4 

Webster  Abijah, 

Harwinton, 

1833 

1834 

2 

"           Benjamin, 

Litchfield, 

o  1752 

m  1755 

5 

"          Cyprian, 

Harwinton, 

m  1777 

1 

U                                i. 

« 

o  1813 

m  1816 

6 

"          Martin, 

Torrington, 

1833 

1 

"          Reuben, 

Litchfield, 

1826 

1 

Weleh  Benjamin, 

Norfolk, 

M  1808 

1823 

6 

"              "         Jr. 

u 

1836 

1 

"       David, 

Litchfield, 

M  1770 

o  1780 

5 

"       John, 

u 

o  1799 

1822 

8* 

a              u 

New  Milford, 

o  1727 

1 

"       Paul, 

U            a 

m  1740 

3i  1749 

10 

"       William  W. 

Norfolk, 

1S48 

1850 

2 

Weller  David, 

Roxbury, 

1834 

1 

Elisha  A. 

u 

1846 

1 

"        Samuel, 

u 

o  1807 

1 

"        Zaccheus  W. 

a 

1828 

1 

Wells  Absalom,  (Jr.) 

New  Hartford, 

1826 

1828 

3 

"      Gaylord, 
"      Joseph, 

Harwinton, 
New  Hartford, 

1832 
o  1811 

1833 
1833 

2 
2 

Welton  Heman, 
Noah, 

Plymouth, 
Harwinton, 

1843 
1827 

1828 

1 

2 

Went  worth  Chester. 

Barkhamsted, 

g     1835 

412 


Representatives. 
Weston  Salmon, 

Towns. 
Warren, 

First 
Chosen. 

1826 

Last 
Chosen. 

Number 
Sessions 

1 

AVetmore  Abel  S. 
u            Lyman, 

Winchester, 
Torrington, 

1848 
o  1809 

M 

1818 

1 

9 

«            Seth, 

u 

u  1794 

o 

1794 

1' 

H                     it 

"Winchester, 

m  1799 

o 

1802 

Wheaton  Daniel, 
M           George, 

Washington, 
Cornwall, 

1835 
1830 

1831 

1 

2 

Wheeler  Alanson, 
"          Ansel, 

Sharon, 
Barkhamsted, 

1838 
1842 

1839 

2 
1 

"           Cliristopher, 
"           Lemuel, 

Litchfield, 
Salisbury, 

1849 
o  1786 

p 

1850 
1789 

2 
6 

Wheelock  Daniel  B. 

Winchester, 

1849 

1 

White  Edward  K. 
"      Edwin, 

Cornwall, 

1845 
1842 

1843 

1 
2 

Whittbrd  Robert, 
M            Samuel, 

Barkhamsted, 
Colebrook, 

o  1807 
1820 

1834 

1 
4 

Whiting  Frederick  P. 
Giles, 

Torrington, 
u 

1848 
1836 

1837 

1 

2 

"          John, 

Colebrook, 

M  1811 

1 

"          Lewis, 

Torrington, 

1851 

1 

k'          Riley, 

Winchester, 

M  1818 

1832 

2 

Whitney  David, 
M           John, 

Tarball. 

Canaan, 
u 

a 

m  1757 

m  1770 
M  1770 

M 

1766 

13 
1 

1 

Whittlesey  David, 
u                     u 

Washington, 

M  1793 
1846 

O 

1814 

14 

1 

"        C. 

%i 

1832 

1833 

2 

«               Eliphalet, 

Kent, 

m  1775 

1 

a                        u 

Salisbury, 

o  1813 

31 

1814 

2 

John, 

U                            u 

"              Joseph, 
Wilcox  Abiram, 
"         Hosea, 

Washington, 

u 

New  Hartford, 
Norfolk, 

o  1804 
o  1781 
o  1809 
1840 
m  1778 

O 

1791 

1820 

1781 

1 

17 
5 

1 
4 

Reuben, 

Cornwall, 

1849 

1 

413 


First 

Last 

Number 

Representatives. 

Towns. 

Chosen. 

Chosen. 

Sessions 

Wilcox  Robert, 

Barkhamsted, 

M  1807 

O  1811 

6 

Wilder  Joseph, 

u 

0  1797 

m  1798 

2 

Williams  Jehiel, 

New  Milford, 

o  1815 

1851 

5* 

"           John, 

Sharon, 

o  1755 

m  1773 

27 

Wilson  Abijah, 

Winchester, 

o  1708 

m  1802 

2 

"        Abner, 

Harwinton, 

m  1787 

m  1795 

7 

u        Amos, 

Torrington, 

M  1772 

o  1787 

3 

David, 

Harwinton, 

1829 

1830 

2 

A. 

u 

1851 

1 

Eli, 

u 

m  1778 

o  1788 

3 

John, 

u 

m  1764 

m  1778 

10 

"        Noah, 

Torrington, 

m  1766 

m  1770 

5 

Winegan  Garrett, 

Kent, 

1832 

1 

Wolcott  Frederick, 

Litchfield, 

M  1802 

m  1803 

2 

«         Oliver, 

■u 

o  1764 

o  1770 

5 

U                            £l                   + 

a 

Aug.  1818 

1* 

Woodruff  Gideon, 

Plymouth, 

1820 

1 

"            George  C.+ 

Litchfield, 

1851 

1 

w            Jacob, 

a 

M  1759 

o  1768 

2 

"             John, 

Sharon, 

1848 

1 

"            Morris, 

Litchfield, 

o  1812 

1837 

13 

Woodward  Griswold, 

Torrington, 

1831 

1844 

3 

Elijah, 

Watertown, 

o  1791 

o  1794 

4 

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u 

1844 

1 

"              Samuel, 

Torrington, 

o  1783 

m  1790 

6 

a                        u 

a 

1822 

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Wooster  David, 

Goshen, 

1829 

1830 

2 

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New  Milford, 

1838 

1 

Wright  Elizur, 

Canaan, 

o  1799 

M  1805 

7 

•*        Moses,  Jr. 

Colebrook, 

m  1806 

1 

"        Joseph  A. 

Watertown, 

m  1793 

H  1795 

4 

Young  Andrew, 

Cornwall, 

o  1779 

o  1784 

7 

Youngs  Daniel, 

Barkhamsted, 

1844 

1 

t  President  of  the  Convention. 

t  Clerk,  1849. 

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Connecticut 

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