USA > Connecticut > New London County > Lebanon > Historic Lebanon; highlights of an historic town > Part 5
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Nothing but a full length volume could do justice to the many faceted life of John Trumbull. His work as a secretary to John Hay, as a member of the board of commissioners to act as agent for the relief of American seamen by appointment of Timothy Pickering, then Secretary of State, his many business ventures, most of which failed, his interest in the course of the French Revolution, are all part of a fascinating story of a man interested in life. Nothing seemed to escape that interest. At one time he drew up a long memorandum on the subject of uniforms for fighting men, rather sane and logical, in which he sought the comfort and convenience of the men rather than gorgeous outfits good only for men on parade. He riddled a plan of President Jefferson for a fleet of small gunboats instead of ships equipped with eighty guns so effectively as to kill it.
In the long catalogue of John Trumbull's work one is struck with the number of religious subjects which he copied from the
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masters. Was this an evidence of an inner religious life inherited from his parents but which is not particularly emphasized in his autobiography? Perhaps so. It would be strange indeed if he did not manifest a deep interest in religion with the background of his parental home. We know his violent reactions to the wild excesses of the French Revolution and the desecration of the churches and cathedrals in the Age of Reason.
John Trumbull says little about his wife. Professor Sizer says that she was socially unacceptable. Apparently she was some years younger than he. He writes of her after her death: "She was the perfect personification of truth and sincerity - wise to counsel, kind to console - by far the more important and better moral half of me, and withal, beautiful beyond the usual beauty of women!" Perhaps that was tribute enough, but one would like to know more about her life with the unpredictable John, a man who was con- stantly on the go. She died at the age of fifty-one, April 12, 1824. John lived until November 10, 1843, in his eighty-seventh year. The couple had no children.
Lebanon may well be proud to have had as one of her native sons John Trumbull, and to possess the beautiful example of his sense of proportion and beauty in the Meeting House, the work of his brains and hands.
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Chapter 6
WILLIAM WILLIAMS:
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
One of the most intense patriots among many in Lebanon in the days of the American Revolution was William Williams, and rightly so. His father, Dr. Solomon Williams, was a staunch champ- ion of the liberties of the colonists in a day when there were many clergymen who were more than lukewarm, some of whom, as with the Rev. Mr. Peters of the neighboring town of Hebron, had to flee back to England because of their loyalist views. And there were the Trumbulls! And there was Nathan Tisdale who taught patriotism as well as Greek and Latin and the other subjects which his students had to take! Lebanon was no place for other than patriotic men and women.
William Williams, as his name would indicate, came from Welsh background, the fifth generation from Robert Williams, who came to Roxbury in the early seventeenth century. His grandfather, William Williams, a graduate of Harvard, was pastor for fifty-six years of the Congregational Church of Hatfield, Massachusetts. His father, Solomon Williams, a graduate from Harvard in 1719, was settled over the parish in Lebanon, Connecticut, where he served until his death, ministering to the people for fifty-four years, honored by Yale and by his fellow ministers. Solomon Williams married Mary Porter, the daughter of Judge Samuel and Joanna Porter, of Hadley, Massachusetts.
William Williams was born in Lebanon, April 8, 1731, one of eight children, five sons and three daughters. The father, a well educated man himself, in whose home many of the promising youth
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(Courtesy of Dr. George E. Mcclellan)
WILLIAM WILLIAMS Portrait by John Trumbull
of the town studied until the Nathan Tisdale School was estab- lished, saw to it that each of the sons received a good education. William attended the Nathan Tisdale School where he was ade- quately prepared for college. At the age of sixteen he entered Har- vard where he was an excellent student, graduating with honors. Two years later he was given an honorary degree by Yale.
Upon graduation he returned to Lebanon where he began the study of theology with his father, who conducted almost a one-man theological seminary in his home, many coming to study under him. He had an ample library, was a thorough scholar and a good in- structor.
Though William was a good student, especially fond of Greek and Latin, which he was proficient in even in his old age, his in- terests were directed elsewhere. The French-Indian War called for men and he responded. He was placed on the staff of his cousin, Colonial Ephraim Williams, under the command of Major Gen- eral Johnson, later Sir William. His cousin was killed in the battle of Lake George. William returned from that battle with a low regard for the British officers and a feeling that the colonists could expect no peace or security if they depended upon men of that calibre who looked upon the American officer and soldier as in- feriors. Governor Trumbull, too, was greatly disturbed that Con- necticut's own General Lyman, who really won the battle, should have been passed over, while Sir William won added honors which he did not deserve.
When William returned to Lebanon he did not resume his studies of theology but embarked upon a career as a merchant and in the field of politics, mostly the latter. His first office was that of town clerk and town treasurer of Lebanon. He held this position for forty-four years. When only twenty-five, he was elected a representative from Lebanon to the General Assembly. That he had the respect of the town is evidenced by the fact that he was re-elected to represent them at Hartford during the years 1757 to 1761, 1763 to 1776, and 1780 to 1784. He was elected Speaker of the House for nine sessions, and Clerk of the House for seventeen sessions. There were nearly ninety sessions of the House during his membership in the General Assembly. His attendance record was nearly perfect with the exception of the time that he spent at the Continental Congress. He served on many important special commissions and committees.
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In 1776 he was appointed judge of the Windham County Court, a position he held until 1804. None of his decisions were ever over-ruled by a higher court. He also served as Judge of Probate for the Windham district during the years 1776 to 1808. From 1761 to 1785 he held the position of First Selectman for the town of Lebanon.
The Trumbull and the Williams families were united by the marriage of William to Mary Trumbull, second daughter of Gov- ernor Trumbull, on February 14, 1771. Undoubtedly both the honored governor and the esteemed pastor were pleased for both had a profound respect for each other, and both were extremely influential, not alone in Lebanon, but throughout the colony of Connecticut. Governor Trumbull certainly had no more ardent supporter in every way than his son-in-law, William Williams.
The marriage of these two young people was a happy one. Mary had lived in the atmosphere of a strong patriotism in her own home. She and William would be in accord on the momentous questions of the day. Of this union there resulted three children, Solomon, Faith, and William. To them William Williams gave deep affection and saw to it that they had the best education to be obtained.
The outbreak of the American Revolution called forth from William Williams a full and whole-hearted devotion to the cause. He gave up his business pursuits to devote all his time to the cause of his country. Nothing was held back. Like his father-in-law, Governor Trumbull, every waking hour was devoted to the tasks at hand. Blankets were needed. The only way to get them was through private contributions. William Williams forwarded at one time one thousand blankets collected from a town with less than four thousand population. He also collected money, food, lead weights from clocks for bullets, and whatever else was needed.
In 1775 he was appointed to the Council of Safety which he served as clerk during its entire existence. His fiery spirit is well illustrated by a reported conversation between himself and Ben- jamin Huntington. The talk turned to the fate of those who were openly opposed to the British policies if the British should ever lay hands on them. Huntington said, "I am in no danger of being hung, for I have neither signed the Declaration nor written anything against the British government." Williams vehemently came back with the rejoinder, "Then, sir, you deserve to be hung for not having done your duty."
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William Williams did not see much active military service at the front although in 1773 he was appointed Colonel of the Twelfth Regiment of Militia, a force of about seventeen hundred men. He served in this capacity until 1776 when he resigned to accept a seat in the Continental Congress. His regiment was in able hands while he was needed for his talents in other fields.
In October, 1775, when a Continental Congress had been finally established, William Williams was chosen as an alternate. The following year, one of the Connecticut delegates, Oliver Wolcott, was taken ill and William Williams was sent to replace him at Philadelphia. The debates were long and furious. Progress was slow, much too slow for a man of the spirit of William Williams. He wrote: "We make slow Progress in (the Confederation) as every inch of Ground is disputed, and very jarring Claims and interests are to be adjusted among us, and then all to be agreed to by sev- eral Legislatures, so that between both, I almost Despair of seeing it accomplished." A few days later he wrote, "it seems to labour hard, and I fear a more permanent one will never be settled." It was hard reconciling the conflicting interests of thirteen colonies. It was later written of him, "At Continental Congress he was ever ready to go as far as anyone to obtain the liberation of his suffering country from the serpentine coils of tyranny. He was in favor of bold and vigorous measures and advocated the Declaration of In- dependence from its incipient conception to its final adoption. He was greatly instrumental in dispelling the doubts of many whose motives and desires were as pure but whose moral courage was less than his. He was well versed in the different forms of government, international law and the routine of legislation. When he spoke in public he was listened to with profound attention. When the final vote on the Declaration of Independence was taken he re- sponded with a thundering AYE which signified his boldness and his zeal."
There was criticism of Colonel Williams when he resigned his commission but it was not justified. He felt his responsibilities elsewhere were of more importance and that his best service could be rendered in them. There could be no justification in the feeling that he lacked the courage to go into battle. When word came that the traitor, Benedict Arnold, was going to raid New London, Williams mounted his horse, rode the twenty-three miles in three hours, and volunteered his services. He joined up with Captain
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John Morgan's company under Colonel Oliver Smith and marched against the British.
Among the giants molding the life of a new nation, William Williams held his own, doing a work greatly needed, speaking the word to inspire, writing the word to urge others on. The con- tribution he made is not easily measured in terms of heroic acts; the measurement must be made in terms of directive influence that sustained the more heroic but not more important task of those who laid the sure foundations of an enduring nation.
The people of Lebanon were, then as now, conservative. They were opposed to the adoption by the State of Connecticut of the proposed Federal Constitution. Nevertheless they elected William Williams to the state convention where the Constitution was de- bated. Governor Trumbull had strongly supported it. Much of his correspondence with George Washington dealt with the need of a national sovereignty. William Williams undoubtedly dis- cussed the question at length with his father-in-law. He voted for the ratification, not, however, because of his father-in-law, but because of his own convictions. He was far too independent in his own thinking to be controlled by any man. He thought his own way through to his own conclusions, and his thinking was clear.
Upon William Williams devolved the responsibility of securing supplies from Connecticut to be forwarded to the men at the front. During 1777 he sent, out of his own resources, beef, pork, and gold to the men who were enduring the rigors of Valley Forge. A friend asked him if he had received his pay for all this. He replied, "If independence should be established, he should get his pay, if not, the loss would be of no account to him." The paper money of the colonies had little or no value. Men would not serve for pay in the paper money that wasn't "worth a Continental". He secured over two thousand dollars in hard cash and forwarded it. He never was reimbursed for this but he never begrudged his loss for it was, to him, a loss in a good cause. In fact, his whole personal fortune was expended for his country. Many were debtors to him but he never enforced payments where he knew it would mean suffering.
An eloquent, fiery speaker, he toured the colony urging loyalty to the cause, enlisting recruits for the army. It is believed that he composed many of the state papers of his busy father-in-law, Gover- nor Trumbull. He was a constant writer to the various journals and magazines of the day. His own home was always open to sol-
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(Courtesy of Connecticut Circle)
Home of Governor Trumbull's son-in-law WILLIAM WILLIAMS Signer of Declaration of Independence
The son-in-law of Governor Trumbull, William Williams, went to Philadelphia and was one of the four Connecticut signers of the Declaration of Independence, the others being Samuel Hunt- ington, Roger Sherman and Oliver Wolcott. William Williams was a great patriot, giving of his time inexhaustively. At one period he had just gathered one thousand blankets from some 4000 homes and he was asked what he expected to gain from it. He advised in his own words that he expected to gain liberty, that if he did not "it wouldn't matter" as he would be hung.
(From Connecticut Circle)
This is one of the famous Lauzun Huzzars, one of the best-known horse troops of the French. With the French fleet at Newport, General Rocham- beau sought from Governor Trum- bull in the fall of 1780 winter quarters for his troops. Arrangements were made for the famed corps of the Duke de Lauzun Legion of Horse to be housed at Lebanon. He had found difficulty in finding a certainty of food and fuel anywhere else and knew that under Governor Trumbull's auspices he was assured of proper care being given to this celebrated corps. Although portions of the French for- ces were allocated originally to other Connecticut towns, eventually most of them were at Lebanon for a seven- months period to June, from whence they marched to join Washington's forces, attack Cornwallis at Yorktown 1000 miles away and assist in forcing the surrender of the English Army.
(From Connecticut Circle)
(Courtesy of Connecticut Circle)
Lauzun Huzzars At Lebanon, Winter of 1780-81
diers. He turned his home over to the officers of the French Legion when Count Lauzun's troops were camped on the common.
Ripe in years, William Williams retired from public life in 1804. Deafness deprived him of the joys of conversation. He spent much time in reading, in meditation, in prayer. A fitting tribute has been paid him in the words: "He was a fine figure of middle size, dark complexion and hair, piercing black eyes, aquiline nose, an open and ingenious countenance, a stentorian voice and strong physical powers. He was blessed with a clear head, a noble heart, a sound judgment, an acute perception, and a logical mind. Not a blot could be found upon the fair fame of his public or private character."
Another says of him: "During his entire life he possessed a re- dundancy of spirit and vehemence of expression which frequently created in himself strong and sorrowful feelings. On ordinary oc- casions he was taciturn and reserved. He was habitually involved in deep thinking, and when his decision was formed, he was of tenacious opinion."
One would naturally expect that, with his family background, William Williams would be a man of deep religious convictions. Religion to him was a reality; God was an actual force in private and public life. During the Revolution he wrote to his father-in- law: "These Events, however signal advantage gained by our op- pressors, and the distress to which our Army and Country are and must be subjected in consequence of them, are loud speaking Tes- timonies of the Displeasure and Anger of Almighty God against a sinful people, Louder than Sevenfold Thunder. Is it possible that the most obdurate and stupid of the Children of America should not hear and tremble?"
Coupled, however, with this feeling, was a confidence in God's overruling providence. It gave him assurance that whatever the results of the conflict, the will of God would triumph.
While still a youth he was elected a deacon in his home church, a position he held for forty years. His religion was not a matter of outward form but of inner conviction. He lived his faith.
The death of his eldest son, Solomon Williams, was a great blow to the aging man. His health continued to decline until he finally lapsed into a coma which lasted three days, but on the fourth day he called for his departed son to attend him on his journey into the world beyond. He died, August 2, 1811, in the eighty-first
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year of his life. Rev. Zebulon Ely, successor to Dr. Solomon Wil- liams as pastor of the Lebanon church, preached the funeral ser- mon. He said of his honored parishioner: "He reverenced the sanc- tuary, greatly honored divine ordinances, and till within a few weeks before his death, though seemingly unable, constantly at- tended public worship. At length the time that infinite Wisdom had fixed being come, he gave up the ghost and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years; and wast gathered to his people. The stores of nature being exhausted, he died as calmly as one would fall asleep, in the 81st year of his age."
Thus passed the last surviving member of the Connecticut signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was buried in the Trumbull tomb in the Old Cemetery. In front of the tomb is a marble monument upon which is the following inscription:
"The remains of the Hon. William Williams are deposited in this tomb: born April 8th, 1731: died the 2d of Aug., 1811, in the 81st year of his age, a man eminent for his virtues and his piety - for more than fifty years he was constantly employed in Public Life, and served in many of the most important offices in the gift of his fellow citizens. During the whole period of the Revolutionary War, he was a firm, steady, and ardent friend of his country, and in the darkest times risked his life and wealth in her defense. In 1776 and 1777, he was a Member of the American Congress, and as such signed the Declaration of Independence. His public and pri- vate virtues, his piety, and benevolence will long endear his memory to surviving friends - above all, he was a sincere Christian, and in his last moments placed his hope with humble confidence in his Redeemer. He had the inexpressible satisfaction to look back upon a long, honorable, and well-spent life."
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Chapter 7
DR. WILLIAM BEAUMONT "Backwoods Physiologist"
At the northerly end of the Lebanon Green stands a boulder with a bronze plaque which reads:
In that part of Lebanon known as "Village Hill" some three miles from this spot on the road leading from Lebanon to Willimantic was born Nov. 21, 1785
DR. WILLIAM BEAUMONT
a surgeon in the United States army who later became illustrious as a pioneer investigator of the physiology of digestion through his painstaking and valuable observations continued throughout many years and largely at his own costs upon the person of Alexis St. Martin who recovered under the skilful treatment of Dr. Beaumont from a severe gunshot wound of the abdomen which healed with a permanent gastric fistula. In appreciation of his valuable services to science and to humanity this tablet has been placed here by
THE BEAUMONT MEDICAL CLUB
Among the illustrious names that mark the history of Lebanon none should shine with more lustre than that of Dr. William Beau- mont, yet few think of him when telling the glories of the town. Many memorials may be found in his honor elsewhere, including a monument in northern Michigan near the spot where he started his experiments, his grave in St. Louis, where he practiced after
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leaving the army, and the Beaumont Medical Club, an organization devoted to the study of the history of medicine in the past and in the lives of those who have contributed to progress in the field of medicine. This organization chose for its name that of the first pioneer physiologist in America.
The boulder itself came from the farm of Philip Krause, the original birthplace of Dr. Beaumont. When Mr. Krause was asked for permission for the members of the Beaumont Medical Club to choose a boulder for this purpose, he offered to give them all the boulders on the farm, but the members felt that would mean a monument greater than the great Pyramid.
Notable men gathered for the unveiling of the plaque. The Surgeon General of the United States Army sent a personal repre- sentative. Delegates were present from the American Medical As- sociation. Yale University was well represented by Dr. Leonard Woolsey Bacon, who served as chairman of the committee to erect a suitable memorial. Dr. Bacon was related to Dr. Beaumont through his mother's family.
Who was this man and what of his story? William Beaumont was born in Lebanon, as stated on the plaque, November 21, 1785. His father was a successful farmer, an active politician of the Jef- fersonian school, a man noted for his integrity and industry. Wil- liam was his third son. He was a boy of independent spirit and with a love for adventure. At the age of twenty-two he left the farm to make his own way in life. He took with him a horse and cutter, a barrel of cider, and one hundred dollars of hard-earned money. From a paper, evidently written by his son, comes the tribute, "With this he started, laying his course northwardly, with- out any particular destination, Honor his rule of action, Truth his only landmark, and Trust placed implicitly in Heaven." Finally arriving at Champlain, New York, he secured a position teaching the local school which he did for two years. He spent his spare time reading medical books from the library of a local doctor. Later he went to St. Albans to study in the office of the doctor there, a course which he followed for two years.
In 1812 came the war with England. Young William sought an appointment in the United States Army, was assigned to the Sixth Infantry as assistant surgeon, and joined his regiment at Plattsburgh on the thirteenth of September, 1812. Then followed various expeditions involving conflicts with the English and their
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Indian allies. He gained much experience caring for the wounded in a day when the suffering was almost intolerable, no anesthetics, no blood plasma, none of the modern techniques which have saved so large a percentage of wounded men in the last great war. One day's item gives a vivid picture of his busy life as an army surgeon on active duty. "Dressed upwards of fifty patients - from simple contusions to the worst of compound fractures - more than half the latter. Performed two cases of amputation and one of trepan- ning. At twelve p.m. retired to rest my fatigued body and mind."
Sir William Osler, in his splended preface to the reprint of Beau- mont's journal, gives the following dates of Beaumont's commis- sions: Surgeon's Mate, Sixth Regiment of Infantry, December 2, 1812; Cavalry, March 27, 1819; Post Surgeon, December 4, 1819; Surgeon of First Regiment and Surgeon, November 6, 1826.
After leaving the army Dr. Beaumont settled down to the life of a hard-working general practitioner in St. Louis, Missouri, then a rapidly growing frontier town. He had a large practice in which he was assisted by a younger man. He himself wrote that he de- clined more practice daily than half the doctors in the city got in a week. He continued his practice until he was nearly eighty years of age, still full of the zest for life. In March, 1853, he had a fall which eventually caused his death on April 25. A contemporary who knew him well wrote the following tribute:
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