USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > A 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 > Part 13
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" 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 he might defray his expenses and pursue his studies. The President proposed that he should remove into college, and take
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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 of the excitement and alarm occasioned by the march 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 its several parts, he was li- censed as a candidate for the gospel ministry.
The first Sabbath after he was licensed, he preached for Mr.
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Storrs, and about three weeks after, he was sent for to preach 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 period 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 facecious turn, highly enlivening and interesting. Many anecdotes are still in remembrance, illustrative of this trait in his charac- ter. 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 reply. At times, also, his wit would spend itself pleasantly
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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 Ilar- 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 Brimfield, 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
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some special efforts in behalf of the new settlements in the 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 Mr. 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 tp 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 1831, 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
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year of his age, and 59th of his miristry. He was buried 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,
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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 the Church of Christ in Hadlyme. By the Rev. Isaac Parsons, Pastor of the Church in East Haddam."]
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DAVID 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 sons, 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 the 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.
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and the 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 Whitefield, 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 ivas established in 1719, and Mr. Anderson, a Scotch minister, ivas settled over it. In 1727, he was succeeded by the Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton. Mr. Alexander Cumming was chosen colleague to Mr. Pemberton in 1750; but in consequence of a most unhappy difficulty among the members relative to cef- 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 whoin was the Rev. Dr. 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 in 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 the 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 a committee to meet at Jamaica on the 29th of October, that they might deliberate more at leisure, and
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decide with more light. The committee met at the tiine 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 of 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 synodical 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- ¡cal, 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
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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. Accordingly, in October, 176I, 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 the 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, says, in the pre- face to the first edition, "The subtance of this treatise was composed for the pulpit, and preached but a few 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- mie, to have been under an uncommon impress of the glorious
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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, in 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, and 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
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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.
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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 Watertown. 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 the 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 teaching school for the purpose of earning in part the means of obtaining his education. Finding that full four years would be required to complete his
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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- uished 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 proceeds 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 was 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 State. and in after
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