USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Middletown > Centennial address and Historical sketches > Part 15
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Dennis Sage, graduate of Wesleyan University, 1839, studied law with Judge Storrs, admitted to the bar in 1842-practised a short time, then went into other busi- ness ; has been to California, but recently returned.
Charles Whittlesey, born in Salisbury, graduate of Williams College, 1840, studied law in Litchfield coun- ty, where he was admitted to the bar in 1844-came the same year to Middletown, has been State's Attorney.
Norman L. Brainerd, born in Portland, studied law in Cambridge and N. Y. city, was in a law office and prac- tised in that city, has been a year or two in Middletown.
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A few words in addition, in regard to M. T. Russell, Chauncey Whittlesey, Levi H. Clark, and Minor Hotch- kiss.
Matthew Talcott Russell, was named after Col. Mat- thew Talcott, who had married his aunt, and had no children of his own. He was educated at his expense at Yale College, where he was tutor four years. He studied law with the Hon. Oliver Ellsworth, and com- menced practice in this city. Though of a slender con- stitution and delicate health, he was able through great care and prudence to attend continually to his profes- sional concerns. He was accurate and methodical in every thing, and therefore well fitted to transact the large amount of collecting business which was entrusted to his hands. For some time he was State's attorney. The community respected him for his integrity and faith- fulness and the church honored him for his consistent christian conduct. He died Nov. 13, 1828, aged near- ly 68 years.
From the close of 1804 until 1819, Chauncey Whit- tlesey, Esq., practised in this county and though able lawyers from Middlesex and adjoining counties, attended the courts, he acquired an elevated rank among his brethren. He was also advanced in military life to the command of a brigade. In the last mentioned year he removed to Louisville, Kentucky, where he practised about four years, and afterwards to New Orleans, where he practised about four years more. His health having been seriously injured while in the latter city, he return- ed to his native town in 1827, and attended in a degree to official business until the autumn of 1829, when his illness became distressing. His sight and other bodily powers were affected, so that for the residue of his life he was almost helpless, and often racked with severe pain. He died Dec. 24th, 1834, aged 51.
Gen. Whittlesey's earthly disappointments and suffer- ings served to render the grace of God, in which he trusted, the more conspicuous. Those who visited him in his afflictions were surprised in view of his weak and disordered body, and at the continued vigor of his mind ; were instructed by his conversation, and improved by his 18
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resignation to God and his benevolence to men, and pros- pects of blessedness in the life to come ..
An able writer in the Philadelphian for Jan. 8, 1835, declares concerning him : " When "almost every cartlı- ly comfort was withdrawn, he was not cast down, for he looked to his inheritance among the saints in light. When blindness and darkness came over his bodily sense, the eye of his mind remained strong and unclouded, and the light of Heaven still penetrated to his soul and kept up a constant warmth in his heart. While he was in a condition which would have made some men forget all but self and suffering, his expansive benevolence, worthy of its celestial origin, constantly flowed out to his fel- low beings. His intellect was still firm and vigorous af- ter years of severe disease had taken from his body almost all power but that of endurance, and his feelings, instead of being souered by disappointment and calami- ty, grew more tender and affectionate while one faculty and enjoyment after another, in melancholy succession departed from him." "Thus through long years of trial he acted out the faith and patience of the saints."
Levi H. Clarke, removed from Haddam to Middle- town, in 1807 or 8. In both towns he had considerable practice. About 1816, he removed to Carthage, N. Y., invested property in that village and engaged in the building of the famous "Carthage Bridge," which was the wonder of western tourists. In the fall of that bridge he lost much property, and resorted afterwards mainly, to the use of his pen for support. In 1821, he was appointed an associate judge of the County Court, for the new county of Munroe, and that year he report- ed the proceedings of the Convention which formed a constitution for the Empire State. His reports were subsequently published in an octavo volume, styled, " Clarke's Reports." From that time until 1835, he was generally connected in some way with papers and publications in New York city, as owner, partner, editor or correspondent, and from 1835 until June, 1839, was a justice of the 7th, 10th and 15th wards. He died at Feeding Hills in West Springfield, Feb. 6th, 1840, aged
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57. There is much evidence that before his death he became a sincere christian.
Minor Hotchkiss, Esq., is remembered by many. Upon his appearance in this county he was marked as a young man of talents and promise. He soon became distinguished in his profession, and his prospects of busi- ness and usefulness in the world were as great as those of any man of his age in the State. With a mind well stored with knowledge were associated dispositions, man- ners and habits adapted to secure affection and confi- dence. In the two last years of his life he represented the town in the Legislature of the State, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. A long and distressing sickness "he bore with patience and resigna- tion, and gave the strongest evidence of personal piety." He died Oct. 21st, 1825, aged 34.
MEANS OF COMMON AND HIGHER EDUCATION.
The Common Schools of Middletown, First Society, and also of Middlefield and Westfield, have correspond- ed in character generally with the common schools in other societies throughout the State; and these have furnished to the great body of children the rudiments of an English education, which have been variously im- proved in after life. Different circumstances have conspired to render the terms in these schools longer in some districts than in others, and to the securing of teachers of higher qualifications. The schools of this description are generally considered as being on the ad- vance ; some unquestionably are. The number of com- mon schools in the First Society, and out of the city lim- its, are now ten, and the number of children, reported as being in the district where these schools are situated, and between the ages of four and sixteen, in 1851, was five hundred and two. The number of such children re- ported in 1851, as being in the city was nine hundred and nine. Here provision was made for them, as in other parts of the Society, until 1840, when the citizens, desirous of placing all the children, before reaching six- teen, in circumstances in which they might attain a high- er education, than was expected at the common schools, obtained from the Legislature a special act, in virtue of which all the children, entitled to the benefit of the great school fund of the State, might be instructed after reacli- ing the age of nine years and so onward until sixteen, in a High School, while other children from four to nine, might be instructed in four Primary Schools. Rooms for the High School were hired until a suitable edifice was prepared in the summer of 1841. This is sixty-six feet by forty-eight, two stories, in which there are rooms for study and recitation. There is a basement in which
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a family resides, having care of the building, and a large arched attic for lectures, or any other purpose for which it is needed.
The Institution is under the instruction and govern- ment of a male principal, having male and female assis- tants. The older children occupy the upper story and the younger the lower.
The average number of children has been about two hundred and thirty. More girls have generally attend - ed than boys, about one hundred and twenty-five girls, and about one hundred and five or one hundred and ten boys. Of both, in some seasons, there have been two hundred and eighty. The attendance in the primary schools has been about the same.
The benefits of the High School have been vast, by bringing the higher English branches and the elementa- ry branches of Latin and Greek, within the means of all. Several scholars have been fitted for college. None are required to pay more than four dollars a year, and the tuition of the poor is abated.
But invaluable as the Common Schools have been from the beginning to children generally, there have been all along some parents who wished to secure for their chil- dren higher advantages than the common schools afford- ed, especially where they were designed for the learned professions, or the more important branches of business. For a long time, parents in such cases placed their chil- dren under the tuition of settled clergymen. The im- portant and long continued efforts of Rev. Enoch Hunt- ington, in the instruction of youth, were mentioned in the Address ; and yet in his time highly qualified teach- ers were employed in keeping school in Middletown. Chauncey Whittlesey, graduate of Yale College, 1764, when he came to this town was employed in the instruc- tion of youth. So was Jonathan Ingersoll, graduate of the same college in 1766, and while teaching youth he was a student of law under Hon. Titus Hosmer. Oth- ers of like qualifications, probably followed them. Be- fore the commencement of this century, Rev. William Woodbridge opened a school for young ladies, which was continued several years. At a subsequent time, Mr.
* 18
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Elijah Garfield from Lee, Mass., opened a school for the instruction of youth of both sexes ; though in the latter part of the time in which he instructed here, he taught lads only, who were seeking qualifications for doing busi- ness or entrance into colleges. Isaac Webb, a graduate and tutor of Yale College, who settled in Middletown as a lawyer, instructed a school of lads a number of years before his death, in 1842.
THE PREPARATORY SCHOOL of D. H. Chase, A. M., has been in successful operation sixteen years. Two courses of study are pursued, the first embracing "all that is necessary to prepare youth for any college or university-the second, besides common English, in- cludes book-keeping, algebra, geometry, surveying, as- tronomy, geology, philosophy of natural history, rhetor- ic, logic, mental, moral and political philosophy, &c. Exercises in composition and declamation, alternate weekly, lectures and experiments are given on interest- ing and useful subjects. The School is supplied with Chemical and Philosophical apparatus, and a select Li- brary."
" Moral and religious education receives an attention due to its extreme importance. Students attend the church- es designated by their parents. A portion of each Sab- bath is devoted to a bible lesson, and to sacred music."
Some years a School for Young Ladies was kept in the city, by Miss Mary Ann Bartlett, which was fol- lowed by another, kept also some years by Mr. Sidera Chase.
THE MIDDLETOWN FEMALE SEMINARY, under the instruction of Rev. Josiah Brewer and Lady, who have had much experience in instruction, has been in opera- tion two years, and attended by more than one hundred young ladies on an average. They have a competent supply of able assistants, native teachers of the modern languages, and skilful professors of music, drawing, &c.
"There are two sessions of eleven and thirty-three weeks, beginning on the second Monday in May, and the first Monday in September, divided into quarters, each eleven wecks. The principal vacations are in the
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months of August and April, with a week from Christ- mas to New Years."
" The pupils are mainly arranged into two depart- ments, viz : the Preparatory and the Principal. A full course în each requires two or three years, but may be modified to meet the wants of individuals. Those of mature age, or advanced in their studies, are admitted for a part of a year."
" Among the studies of the Preparatory Classes are mental and practical arithemtic, geography, first lessons in grammar, elements of botany, physiology and natural philosophy, general history, and history of the United States ; manual of morals and youths book of natural theology."
" In the Principal Department, are taught arithmetic, algebra and geometry, antient geography and mytholo- gy ; histories of Grecce, Rome, France and England ; English grammar and rhetoric ; natural history, physi- ology, natural philosophy, chemistry, geology, botany, astronomy and meteorology ; science of government, mental and moral science ; geography of the bible, nat- ural theology and evidences of christianity."
Composition forms a prominent object of attention. Latin and Greek Languages are taught to all who wish for them. Instructions in Instrumental Music, Drawing, Painting and Modern Languages, are furnished at the usual city prices.
The health, manners, morals and religious welfare of pupils, especially of those who become members of the family of the Principals, are watched over with parental care. They attend public worship at such places as meet the wishes of their friends.
The WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, is spoken of in the Address, pp. 110, 111. Since that was delivered, the institution has been afflicted by the death of another revered President; Rev. Stephen Olin, S.T. D., who died Aug. 16th, 1851, aged 55. Although a memoir of him is expected, it may be well to state that he was born in Leicester, Ver. and graduated at Middlebury College, in 1820, where he held a very high standing as a scholar. Soon after leaving college he went to South Carolina and
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had the charge of an academy. While there he ex- perienced religion, connected himself with the South Carolina Methodist Episcopal Conference and became a circuit preacher. He was stationed sometime in Charles- ton, but was interrupted in his self-denying and arduous labors by ill health. He was afterwards professor of Moral Philosophy and Rhetoric, in the University of Georgia, and then President of Randolph and Macon College. This presidency he resigned, took a voyage to Europe, and thence passed into Egypt, Arabia Petraea and the Holy Land. An account of his travels in these countries, published in 1843, has had a wide circulation ; and it is altogether probable that he will long be remem- bered and respected as a writer ; for an edition of other works of his pen has just been issued. These compose two volumes. The first containing sermons and sketch- es ; the second, Lectures on Education, Baccalaureate Discourses, and various occasional Addresses and Es- says."
As a drawing of the University building and chapel accompanies this work, it is not necessary to say much about them and other buildings belonging to the Corpor- ation. The university building is of the Portland stone, 150 feet by 50, four stories, containing sixty-four rooms. The Chapel of the same material, 54 feet by 44, is also four stories, and has projection in front, in which beside the room appropriated to devotion, there are rooms for the Library, Philosophical Apparatus, the Cabinet of Minerals, and for recitations. Connected with these there is a Laboratory with a lecture room, and a large three-story brick building, designed at first for a public boarding house ; in which now there is one room, called the Missionary Lyceum, in which various and interesting articles received from Missionary stations in different parts of the world, are already collected; where mect- ings are held to hear information concerning Missionary operations and prospects, and to pray for the conversion of the world. In this also, are rooms for the students.
The grounds on which these buildings stand are 160 feet above the level of the Connecticut river and five- eights of a mile distant from it.
Graduates of Colleges, natives or inhabitants of Mid- dletown, not particularly mentioned in the Address, among the settled Clergymen, nor in the lists of Phy- sicians and Lawyers ; with a notice of a very few others who without going through a collegiate course have en- tered the sacred office.
GRADUATES FROM MIDDLETOWN, FIRST SOCIETY.
Harvard College.
Nathaniel Collins, 1697. He was son of the first settled pastor in Middletown, and became himself the first pastor of the church in Enfield, where he labored more than twenty years. He then resigned his ministry in that place, but preached in other places ; he died in Enfield in 1757, aged 79.
Yale College.
Seth Wetmore, 1714. Was the first Congregation- al minister in North Haven, embraced episcopacy about 1722, went to England for orders, in 1723, was rector of the Episcopal Church in Rye, N. Y., where he died May 14th, 1760. He published a defence of Water- land's discourse on Regeneration and two or three other controversial pieces.
Joseph Clark, 1745. Was town elerk, justice of the peace, and deacon in the First Congregational Church.
Jeremiah Leaming, S. T. D., 1745. He became an Episcopal minister, preached eight years in Newport, R. I., twenty-one in Norwalk, and eight or nine at Strat- ford. He died in New Haven, in Sept., 1804, aged 86. Besides two controversial pieces, he published Evidences of the Truth of Christianity, and dissertations on
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various subjects. His writings indicate a strong and well informed mind.
Israkiah Wetmore, 1748. Was pastor of the First Church in Stratford, preached the election sermon before the Legislature in Connecticut in 1773, died in 1798.
Jabez Hamlin, 1769. Son of Col. J. Hamlin, went to Boston, as ensign in the company commanded by Re- turn J. Meigs, in 1775, afterwards received a captain's commission, and died of sickness, while in the service of his country, at East Chester, N. Y., Sept. 20th, 1776, aged 24.
Robert Hubbard, 1769. Entered the ministry, settled in Shelburne, Mass., became consumptive, was brought to Middletown, after his sickness commenced, where he died Nov. 2d, 1788, in the 45th year of his age. His body rests with those of his friends, in Tomb-lane Yard.
George Phillips, 1769. Was a merchant in the city, and the first collector of customs for the District of Mid- dletown. He died in New Orleans, in 1802.
Elisha Atkins, 1773. Chaplain in the Revolutiona- ry army, and pastor of the Congregational Church in Killingly, where he died in 1839.
Alexander Wolcott, 1778. Practised law in Hartford County, possessed a strong mind and superior legal at- tainments. He was collector of customs in the district of Middletown, from Aug., 1801, until his death June 26th, 1828, when he was in the 70th year of his age.
Wait Cornwell, 1782. Preached occasionally, but never had the charge of a parish-moved late in life to some part of the State of Ohio, where he died in March, 1816.
Samuel Mather, 1792. Native of Lyme, merchant in Albany, N. Y., has resided in Middletown many years.
Joseph Washburn, 1793. While fitting for college and while studying theology, he was under the instruc- tion of Rev. Enoch Huntington. By talents, education and grace, he was well prepared for the sacred ministry .. He was pastor of the First Congregational Church in Farmington, between ten and eleven years and discharg. ed the duties of his office to the great acceptance and
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benefit of his people. Being in declining health he com- menced a journey to the south, near the close of 1805, and undertook to pass from Norfolk to Charleston by by water, but died at sea Dec. 25th.
A question has been raised whether he was born in Middletown as here represented, or in what is now the town of Portland. In a funeral sermon preached in Farmington by Rev. Asahel Hooker, he is said to have been born at Middletown, May 13th, 1766. But at that time Portland was one of the parishes of Middletown. His parents lived in Portland a number of years, and some persons who knew the family well, have a strong impression that they lived there at the time of his birth.
Samuel Gray Huntington, 1800. Was a Dean scho- lar, studied law probably with his brother Enoch Hunt- ington, was admitted to the bar and practised three years in East Haddam, then moved to Waterford, and thence to Troy. Has been judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Rensselaer County.
Alexander Wolcott, 1809. Was born in Windsor, be- fore his father, just named, moved from that town. He studied medieine with Dr. Nathan Smith, at Hanover, N. H. In the second war with Great Britain he was an assistant surgeon, and stationed at Fort Moultrie, S. C., and afterwards on Governor's Island, N. Y. He es- tablished himself as a physician, in Vincennes, In. ; but in 1819, was appointed Indian Agent at Detroit, and after spending a year or more there, was transfered to Chicago, where he held his post until his death, Oct. 23, 1830, aged 40.
Richard Hubbard, 1813. Son of Nehemiah Hubbard, Esq., was elected mayor of the city of Middletown in 1838 and died in office, Sept. 1st, 1839, aged 47.
Henry Dana Artemas Ward, 1819. Settled as a planter in South Carolina ; lived in Columbia, (near which his plantation lay,) where he died April 3d, 1827, in his 27th year.
Seth Birdsey Paddock, 1820. Studied theology in the Episcopal Theological Seminary, about the time of its temporary establishment at New Haven, preached for a time in St. John's Church in Essex; was afterward
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colleague with Rev. John Tyler, in Christ Church in Norwich city, and after his death, rector, laboring there, in both capacities, more than twenty years. He was then preceptor of the Episcopal Academy in Cheshire, about six years and a half, where he died June 24th, 1851. His body was brought to his native place for in- terment.
Enoch Huntington, 1821. Studied thicology in Nor- walk in 1822 and '23, and preached in Pennsylvania and Connecticut from 1823 to 1826, was rector of the Epis- copal Church in New Milford, from 1827 to 1846, and is now living in Bridgeport.
Phineas Bacon Wilcox, 1821, studied law in Colum- bus, Ohio, in 1822 and 23, where he has practised law since that time.
Timothy Rogers, 1823. Was afflicted with feeble health, did not study a profession ; died in 1829.
William Edward Hurlbut, 1824. Was clerk in Mid- dletown Bank ; died Sept. 19th, 1845 aged 42. Jabez Brooks Hubbard, 1825. Was merchant in New York ; is now occupied in a counting room.
Simeon North, 1825. Tutor, LL. D. S. T. D., stud- ied theology in New Haven, professor in Hamilton Col- lege, N. Y., now president of that institution.
Charles Bezaleel Fisk, 1826. Son of John Fisk, Esq., an engineer, much employed and greatly esteemed, in his profession, living in the city of Washington.
Samuel Gaylord, 1826. A young man of much promise, died on the 14th of November following his graduation.
Samuel Lee, 1827. Studied theology in New Haven, is stated supply at Mantua, Ohio.
Thomas Robinson Hubbard, 1829. Studied law at Dayton, Ohio, and settled as a lawyer, firm of Ballistier & Hubbard, Chicago, Ill. ; is now corresponding clerk in the Bank of Commerce, N. Y. city.
Phineas Timothy Miller, 1833, M. D. Kept an apothecary store in New Haven, where he died in 1850.
William Huntington Russell, 1833, M. D., Tutor. He and Mr. Stiles French, are the principals of a very im- portant school in New Haven, styled the " Collegiate
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and Commercial Institute," in which the design is " to secure to boys, at as early an age as possible a thorough English education, and upon this as a basis, to give a critically accurate preparation for any year in College, or for commercial business."
James Burnet Crane, 1838. Studied law with John- son & Kent in New York city, where he practised some time. He has given up the profession of law, and is now studying theology at Princeton.
Charles Chauncey Whittlescy, 1838. Studied law with Jonathan Barnes, Esq., went to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1840, where he is now practising law.
John Smith Kelley, 1840. Was a teacher, and for a time preceptor of Brainerd Academy in Haddam. Died while a student of Union Theological Seminary, in the city of New York, Dec. 29th 1844, aged 24.
Henry Dana Artemas Ward, 1842. Son of H. D. A. Ward, before mentioned, studied law with Jonathan Barnes, Esq., and at the Law School in Cambridge, Mass., and also in Detroit, where he is now settled as a lawyer.
George Walter Crane, 1850. Died one week after graduation, Aug 22d, 1850, aged 22.
Middlebury College, Ver.
John P. H. Henshaw, 1808. Studied theology, was rector of an Episcopal Church in the city of Baltimore. Is now Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Rhode Is- land. Died in Maryland, while officiating for Bishop Whittingham, July 20th, 1852.
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