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 22
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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. Playfair, 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 was 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,
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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 betided 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 day 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
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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.
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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, which 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 sunk, 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 testimonics 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.
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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.] SACRED 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,
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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 left side.] 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 Moral 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. Murdock ; 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, 1824.
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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.
16. 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. Svo .; 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.
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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 éstimable 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-
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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 Seymour, 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
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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
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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."
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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,
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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 1821, 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 it ever 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 Svo ; 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
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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.
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