USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > New Canaan > Historical address, delivered in the Congregational church, of New Canaan, Conn., July 4th, 1876 > Part 3
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wondrous evolutions, they marched down the ridge to the meeting-house hill, the martial ardor of the boys was at boiling point. The Thanksgivings were much like those of the present day except that the House of God was well-filled, and the Thanksgiving anthem fell upon enchanted ears. The public exercises began with the reading of the Governor's proclamation. (It had been read two successive Sundays before.) It was an awe inspiring document, especially as it closed with the ominous injunction : " All servile labor and vain recre- ation, are, on said day, by law forbidden." After the service the reunited families gathered round tables loaded with a bewildering multiplicity of dishes, among which roast turkey and pumpkin pie held their long- established pre-eminence. There amid representatives of three or perhaps four generations, this family festival held high carnival. Long may it keep its power to re- call the sons and daughters of New England to the old homesteads.
While we review our past history and recollect what we have been, and what we are, the duties of this day were but ill-performed if we stopped here ; if turning from the past, and entering on a new century of our political existence we gave no heed to the voice of ex- perience and dwelt not, with thoughts of earnest solici- tude on the future. Let us search the history of our forefathers, for those principles which enabled them to
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establish our prosperity on its present basis-discerning their errors as well as their merits-not always doing as they did, but as we know from their principles they would have us do, in our circumstances so widely diff- ering from theirs. Among the prominent features of their truest glory is that system of public instruction, which they instituted by law, and to which New Eng- land owes more of its character and its prosperity than to all other causes. If this system be not altogether with- out example in the history of other nations, it is still an extraordinary instance of wise legislation and worthy of the most profound statesman of any age, and this was done by them when they had just made their first lodgement in the wilderness, when they had scarcely found leisure to build comfortable homes for themselves. This system has never thus far been broken in upon. Under its benign influence our youth have grown up. It has taught them the first great lesson of human im- provement, that knowledge is power-and made the last great lesson of human experience felt, that without virtue there is neither happiness nor safety. Never let this glorious institution be abandoned or betrayed by the weakness of its friends, or the power of its ad- versaries. Let us cherish our history. It is a great and distinctive advantage that we have behind us the be- ginning and growth of an orderly history. Let us hon- or our fathers' memory by preserving and exemplifying.
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their principles. We who are now assembled here gathering up the influences of this occasion, must soon be numbered with the congregation of other days. The time of our departure is at hand to make way for our successors in the theatre of life. It may be that our pos- terity will assemble here to review their past. Shall it be amid joy or sorrow ? The answer is in part left to us. May he, who, at the distance of another centu- ry, shall stand here to celebrate this day, still look around upon a free, happy and virtuous people ; and may the God of our fathers give us grace so to admin- ister the trust committed to us, that our record shall enable the historian to rank us with them, as having been faithful to the principles which they established.
[Dr. St. John could scarcely have chosen more fitting words with which to close his address, had he known that they were to be the last of his public utterance. At the request of his townsmen, he had prepared this . brief historical record of his native place, and although the necessary work of reading and searching authorities was much greater than would seem probable, he took much pleasure in it, so keen was his interest in every thing concerning the subject. His reading of the pa- per, on the Fourth of July, was his final service to the friends and fellow-citizens with whom his sympathies were so close, his interests so united. But two short months, and the " time of his departure " came. Could he have spoken a farewell to the audience, which gave
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him such kindly, sympathetic hearing on that day, it must still have been such words, as yet linger in their memories, reminding them that "knowledge is pow- er ; " that " without virtue there is neither safety nor happiness," and that relying upon Divine help, they should ever live faithful to right principles and true deeds.]
APPENDIX.
TOWN CLERKS OF NEW CANAAN.
Samuel St. John, June 31st, 1801, continued to 1824.
Edward Nash, January 1826. Continued to 1835. Joseph Silliman, April 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839. Samuel C. Silliman, Jr., 1840, 1841, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1850, 1851, 1852.
David S. Rockwell, 1842.
John B. Lambert, 1848, resigned in Feb. 1849, and Samuel C. Silliman, Jr., appointed in his place.
Lucius M. Monroe, 1854, 1855.
Noah W. Hoyt, 1856, 1857, 1858, 1865, 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1771, 1872, resigned March 4th 1873, and S. Y. St. John ap- pointed.
Selleck Y. St. John, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1873, 1874, 1875.
Augustus S. Dann, 1876.
TOWN TREASURERS OF NEW CANAAN,
Samuel St. John, June 1801. Continued to 1825.
Isaac Richards, January, 1825.
Stephen Hoyt, Jr., 1826, continued to 1839. Charles Raymond, 1840, continued to 1852, except the year 1845. Wm. E. Raymond, 1845. Benjamin Hoyt, 1853, continued to 1875. Augustus S. Dann, 1876.
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NEW CANAAN INCORPORATED AT THE MAY SESSION 1801.
REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Oct. 1801, Joseph Silliman.
Oct. 1808, Joseph Silliman. May 1809, Samuel St. John.
May 1802,'
Oet. 1802, 6.
Oct. 1809, 66
May 1803,
May 1810, Joseph Silliman.
Oct. 1803,
..
Oct. 1810, Samuel St. John.
May 1804,
May 1811,
Oct. 1804,
..
Oct. 1811, .. ..
May 1805, .. 6.
May 1812,
Oct. 1805, .. 66 .6
May 1806,
May 1813,
Oct. 1806, Isaac Richards.
Oct. 1813,
May 1807,
May 1814,
Oct. 1807,
Oct. 1814,
May 1808, Joseph Silliman.
A special session was called by the Governor, John Cotton Smith, on the 4th Wednesday of January 1815, to consider a mem- orial from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island to protect the petitioners against improper legislation by Congress. Delegate to. the Convention, Samuel St. John.
May 1815. Samuel St. John.
Oct. 1817,
May 1816, 66 May 1818, ٠٠
Oct. 1816. 66 66
Oct. 1818, 66
May 1817, Nathan "Seely. Oct. 1815,
A Constitutional Convention was held in 1818, which discontin- ued the October Session of the General" Assembly. Delegate to the Convention. Nathan Seely.
Oct. 1812,
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May 1819, Isaac Richards. 1820, Nathan Seely. 1821, Stephen Hoyt. 1822, Samuel Raymond.
1823, ..
1824, 66
.
66
1854, Benjamin N. Heath.
1855, Samuel K. Lockwood.
1856, Benjamin Hoyt.
1827, 66 66 1828, 6.
1829, Watts Comstock.
1830, Samuel Raymond.
1831,
1832,
1833,
1862, Benjamin Hoyt.
1863, Ebenezer J. Richards.
1836, Stephen Hoyt, Jr.
1837, Samuel Raymond.
1866, Caleb S. Benedict.
1838, Watts Comstock. 1839, 1840, Stephen Hoyt, Jr. 1841, Samuel Raymond. 1842, No choice.
1867, Charles Raymond. 1868, Ebenezer J. Richards.
1869, Francis L. Aiken.
1813, "
1844, "
1845, "
1846, Hanford Carter.
1847,
1870, Mark Staples. 1871, " 1872, Caleb S. Benedict. 1873, Burling D. Purdy. 1874, 1875, Justus F. Hoyt. 1876, Burling D. Purdy.
Constitution amended making January Session.
Jan. 1877, William E. Husted.
May 1848, Burling D. Purdy. 1849, Timothy E. Raymond. 1850, Joseph Silliman. 1851, George Gearheart. 1852, Carlisle Lockwood. 1853, Samuel K. Lockwood.
'1825,
1826,
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1857, Noah W. Hoyt. 1858, 1859, Wm. E. Raymond. 1860, Benjamin N. Heath. 1861,
1834, Edward Nash.
1835, Joseph Silliman.
1864, Stephen H. Pardee. 1865,'Apollos Comstock.
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NEW CANAAN POSTMASTERS.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, APPOINTMENT OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C., JULY 5TH, 1876. N. W. Hoyt, Esq., P. M., New Canaan, Ct.
SIR : .
In compliance with the request contained in your note of the 30th of June, I take pleasure in furnishing you with the date of the establishment of the Post Office at New Canaan, and also the names and date of appointment of the several Postmasters up to the pres- ent time, to wit :
Office at New Canaan, established Jan. 19th 1818.
Samuel St. John, appointed Postmaster, Jan. 19th, 1818. Edward Nash, Jan. 25th, 1825.
Erastus Seely, 66
Mar. 8th, 1833.
Thomas S. Husted, 66 Nov. 23d, 1833.
Charles Raymond; 66
Mar. 26th, 1839.
Thomas S. Husted, 66
July 3d, 1841.
Charles Raymond,
66
Sept. 4th, 1844.
Benjamin Hoyt, יי Dec. 12th, 1849.
Sam'l C. Silliman, Jr " 66 June 23d, 1853.
Henry B. Hoyt, 66 Sept. 3d, 1853. Noah W. Hoyt, " Apr. 26th, 1861.
Stephen H. Pardee,*
"" Aug. 24th, 1866.
Noah W. Hoyt,
66 Mar. 22d, 1869.
Noah W. Hoyt, Re-appointed,
Dec. 11th, 1872.
Who is the present incumbent.
The foregoing embraces the entire history of the office, as found on the books of the Department, and which is believed to be cor- rect. I am sir, respectfully, Your ob't serv't, JAMES H. MARR,
Acting First Ass't. P. M. General.
*Mr. Pardee was appointed Postmaster by President Johnson, but never entered upon the duties of the office.
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LIST OF SOLDIERS WHO SERVED IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
FIRST REGIMENT HEAVY ARTILLERY, C. V.
Francis M. Jennings, mustered out.
John Walsh, mustered out.
Alfred Howard, deserted.
Warren S: Palmer, mustered out.
Albin J. B. Sims, mustered out.
Patrick Welch, deserted, August 10th, 1865.
SECOND CONNECTICUT ARTILLERY,
John J. Abbott, died of wounds.
Chauncey E. Brown, mustered out.
George W. Brown, wounded, died.
Enos S. Benedict, wounded.
Orange S. Brown, wounded, Feb. 6, 1865.
Thomas Milnes, mustered out.
Erastus Ruscoe, wounded, mustered out.
Charles Ruscoe, mustered out.
Frederick D. Painter, killed.
Samuel B. Ferris, killed.
William B. Shaw, mustered out.
THIRD REGIMENT, C. V.
Charles A. Seymour.
Charles Doulens.
Edward D. Arnold.
Peter Bennett.
John T. Fancher.
Charles Hunnewell.
Charles H. Harting.
Enos Kellogg.
William H. Laire.
Henry Marrs.
William H. Offen.
George Sherwood.
George J. Stevens.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
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William H. Seeley. Walter H. Worrell. Robert Wilson.
FIRST REGIMENT CAVALRY.
Weston Ferris. George Youngs. George Weed.
FIFTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, C. V.
Lewis Slauson, discharged.
Isaac Vailein, re-enlisted veteran.
Henry Heaton, killed.
SIXTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
Shevelose Arnold, mustered out.
Andrew P. Bartow, discharged.
John Mertins, mustered out. Joseph Jones, died.
John Seely, died. Edward M. Harting, killed.
Samuel Bouton, mustered out.
Matthew Murphy, mustered out.
Alanson Monroe, wounded, mustered out.
John Wagner, mustered out.
SEVENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
John H. Bishop, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out. Robert L. Keith, mustered out. Frederick Reel, mustered out. Watson Goodwell, mustered out.
EIGHTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
James Conly, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Robert N. Hoy, mustered out. Herbert Vivian, deserted, substitute.
Barney Connor, transferred to U. S. N.
Aaron G. Sherwood, discharged. William M. Sloan, discharged. Samuel A. Weed, transferred to invalid corps.
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William King, substitute, deserted.
TENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY, C. V.
Charles H. Harding, mustered out.
George W. Smith, Ist. Lieut., resigned.
Bradley S. Keith, mustered ont.
John M. Benedict, deserted.
Oliver L. Ayres, discharged, disablity.
Frederick Banzhaf, discharged, term expired.
John Barber, discharged, term expired.
Samuel R. Barker, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
James W. Benedict, mnstered out.
Isaac Bowe, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Alfred L. Brower, died.
John J. Brown, discharged.
Joseph M. Brown, died.
Eli Burchard, died.
George W. Burtis, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
John Buxton, discharged. John Darrah, discharged. Edgar Davis, term expired.
Robert Dunn, died.
John Hagle, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Patrick Hannaberg, term expired.
Charles L. James, discharged.
Andrew F. Jones, re-enlisted veteran, wounded, mustered out. George Kellogg, discharged. Alfred Kellogg, re-enlisted veteran, died Oct. 1864. Sidney R. Lounsbury, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out. Albert M. Mahoney, re-enlisted vet., wounded, mustered out. ·
John McPherson, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
George Murphy, term expired. Bernard Murphy, discharged.
William H. Offen, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Henry F. Permoyer, form expired Samuel S. Rubey, discharged, Dee. 18, 1861. George Scott, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
John F. Seeley, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
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William P. Smallhorn, term expired. Orrin H. Stephens, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out. Marcus Smith, discharged.
Christal Wagner, re-enlisted veteran, died.
Andrew Wakeman, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Charles Weed, discharged, Dec. 19, 1861.
Wm. A. Wood, 2d, captured, mustered out.
Leonard W. Fancher, discharged 1865.
Isaac L. Tucker, mustered out.
Henry Tucker, mustered out.
Joseph E. Wells, discharged 1865.
Walter H. Worrell, mustered out.
George Johnson, 2d, substitute, deserted.
John Wilson, substitute, mustered out.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT, RECRUITS.
Charles Fisher, substitute, mustered out. John Harris, substitute, mustered out.
Peter O'Brien, wounded, discharged.
TWELFTH REGIMENT.
Alonzo P. Abbott, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
George Alden,
James J. Everson,
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Joseph H. Everett,
Patrick Furmen, discharged, disability.
John Welsh, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out. Patrick Fitzpatrick, discharged. George Howard, substitute mustered out.
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
Apollos Comstock, Capt., wounded, mustered out. Wm. E. Bradley, 1st. Lieut., honorably discharged. Jonathan Austin, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out. Aaron Benedict, died. John W. Brown, wounded, discharged 1865. Eli Dann, discharged. Wilber F. Gilder, discharged.
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53
William W. Jones, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Edward A. Lapman, discharged. Edwin Monroe, term expired. William H. Monroe, discharged.
Charles Nichols, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
William H. Seeley, discharged.
Francis E. . Weed, re-enlisted veteran, mustered out.
Israel Wood, discharged.
Linus Wood, discharged.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT.
Jean Paul, sub. mustered July 25th, deserted Aug. 14th, 1864. John Stevens, substitute, transferred.
Charles J. Hanford, substitute, died. Andon Menke, substitute, deserted. SEVENTEENTH REGIMENT.
Elias Buttery, died.
James L. Dyer, discharged, disability.
George F. Olmsted, mustered out.
Joseph H. Lockwood, mustered out. Andrew Scofield, mustered out. Hezekiah Wood, mustered out. Patrick Norton, mustered out. Sylvester Albin, mustered out.
Rufus S. Benedict, mustered out. . Jesse W. Tucker, mustered out. Enos Kellogg, Capt. mustered out. J. Irving Benedict. Ist Lieut., resigned. James H. Ayres, 2d, Lieut., mustered out. Francis M. Bliss, Sergeant, resigned. Isaac N. Crissey, wounded, transferred to Invalid Corps. Warren S. Palmer, discharged, disability. Samuel Comstock, died. Peter Bennett, discharged,¿disability. George J. Stevens, mustered out. Levi St. John Weed, mustered out. Joseph F. Seeley, discharged, disability. Norbert Bossa, mustered out.
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Isaac B. Brown, mustered out.
Charles A. Weed, died.
Miles O. Jones, transfered veteran reserve corps.
James L. Hodges, mustered out,
David M. Avery, wounded, mustered out.
John Acker, mustered out.
William L. Brown, discharged, disability.
'Andrew B. Benedict, mustered out.
John George Banzhof, mustered out.
Robert Bishop, discharged, disability.
Lorin W. Britto, mustered out. John L. Byington, discharged.
Lewis B. Benedict, discharged, disability.
Frank Britto, discharged, disability.
William C. Bell, mustered out.
David C. Comstock, Jr., discharged.
Andrew Crabb, mustered out. Stephen Comstock, mustered out.
Lyman W. Crabb, mustered out.
Levi Dixon, discharged, disability.
William H. DeForrest, discharged, disability,
Thomas Driscoll, discharged, disability.
Samuel E. DeForrest, mustered out.
Maxim'n DeFisheur, discharged, disability. Christian Faber, mustered out. Samuel W. Fox, mustered out. John Greenewald, mustered out. Augustus Ganning, discharged, disabiliiy. Samuel Gray, mustered out. Orrin Harrison, mustered out. John S. Haas, mustered out. William Hartung, died. John Kaiser, mustered out. Eliphalet Mead, killed. Alanson F. Monroe, discharged, disability. Orson C. Ogden, discharged, disability. Samuel S. Osborn, discharged, disability.
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Christopher S. Olmstead, died.
Henry Peatt, discharged, disability. George H. Potts, discharged, disability. Ebenezer J. Pattenden, mustered out.
George Patterson, died. George E. Purdy, mustered out. Seth Remington, mustered out. John W. Raymond, discharged, disability. Arza Raymond, mustered out. Cyrus Raymond, mustered out.
C. Edward Raymond, discharged, disability.
Edward Richards, died.
De Witt C. Ruscoe, mustered out.
Lewis Randle, died.
Chauncey Raymond, discharged, disability. Floyd S. Ruscoe, mustered out.
. Justus M. Silliman, mustered out. Charles E. Seely, mustered out. James A. Smallhorn, mustered out. George H. Wood, died. Francis Weinberg, mustered out. William Wilson, mustered out.
Martin Wassing, discharged, disability.
Squire A. Waterbury, discharged, disability. George E. Waterbury, transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps. Harry Waterbury, mustered ont. George W. Weed, mustered out. Charles L. Bartow, mustered out. John Birdsall, died. Charles Crofoot, mustered out ..
William S. Fitch, mustered out. Patrick Innis, mustered out. Charles Vitenheimer, mustered out.
William Wright.
TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
Joseph C. Cronk, mustered out.
·
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TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT
Joseph Thomson, mustered out.
Joseph Adams, mustered out.
Daniel Wakeman, discharged, disability.
Nelson R. Copes, mustered out. George W. Thomson, mustered out. William Jefferson, mustered out.
Perry Williams, mustered out.
SELECTMEN OF NEW CANAAN.
Isaac Richards, June 1801, (time of organization) to December 1801, continued to 1810, 1819, 1820. October, 1821, 1822. Joseph Seely, June 1801. December 1801, continued to 1804. Isaae Benedict, December 1805, continued to 1813, except 1811, re-elected 1812 and continued to 1817.
Jesse Richards, December 1805, continued to 1807.
Enos Weed, 1808, continued to 1811.
Nathan Seely, 1811. Samuel Boult, 1811.
David Stevens, 1812, continued to 1816.
James T. Ells, 1814.
Jonathan B. Benedict, 1815, 1816, 1819, 1820, October 1821, continued to 1826, 1832, 1833, 1834.
Aaron Comstock, 1817, 1818.
Ebenezer Hanford, 1817, 1818.
Ebenezer Crofut, 1817, 1818.
Stephen Hoyt, 1819, 1820, October 1821 continued to 1831.
Seth Weed, 1823, continued to 1831.
Eliphalet St. John, 1826. Holly Hanford, 1827, continued to 1832. Joseph Silliman, 1832. Hezekiah St. John, 1833, continued to 1839. Hanford Davenport, 1833, 1834.
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Watts Comstock, 1835, continued to 1843, 1845, 1848.
Hanford Carter, 1835, continued to 1841, 1843, 1844, 1846, to 1848.
Daniel Bostwick, 1840, continued to 1842.
Samuel Hoyt, 1842. John Raymond, 1843, 1844.
James Pattison, 1844.
Hezron L. Ayres, 1845, 1846.
Charles Raymond, 1845, 1847, 1857, 1858.
Alfred Raymond, 1846, 1852, 1853, 1854, 1855.
Caleb S. Benedict, 1847.
Andrew Benedict 1848, continued to 1852.
Thomas Raymond, 1849.
Uzal Husted, 1849. Sylvanus Seely, 1850.
John Warren, 1850.
Burling D. Purdy, 1851, 1871, 1872, 1874, 1875, 1876.
Stephen Hoyt, 1851.
Peter Smith, 1852, continued to 1860.
William L. Waring, 1853, continued to 1876.
Samuel C. Silliman, Jr., 1856.
Nehemiah E. Weed, 1859, continued to 1863. David B. Hoyt, 1861.
George Lockwood, 1862.
Tra P. Davis, 1863.
Benjamin Hoyt, 1864, continued to 1870. Andrew K. Comstock, 1864, continued 1867. Samuel K. Lockwood, 1868, continued to 1875. Joseph F. Silliman, 1873. Thomas M. Fairty. 1876.
OBITUARY.
IN accordance with the wish of some of the citizens of New Ca- naan, an editorial, from the STAMFORD ADVOCATE, embodying the formal expression of the public sentiment in regard to the death of Prof. St. John, resolutions adopted, etc., has been included in this pamphlet :
NEW CANAAN'S IRREPARABLE LOSS.
DEATH OF ONE OF HER FOREMOST CITIZENS AND BEST BELOVED SONS- PROF. SAMUEL ST. JOHN NO MORE -- PEACEFUL END OF A NOBLE AND BEAUTIFUL LIFE-PUBLIC DEMONSTATIONS OF RESPECT AND SORROW.
Very rarely does the loss of a citizen occasion such a deep and heartful sorrow-such a wide-spread and universal sense of be- reavement in any community as the death of Prof. Samuel St. John does in the town of New Canaan. It is another proof that real goodness -real nobility of character-will compel a recognition in every class of society, and when such a man is taken away there is no exception to the general sorrow, and the humble, the proud, the poor, the rich, the vulgar, the refined, the reckless and the thought- ful -- all unite, for a time at least, in one common bond of mutual , grief. Well is it for those on whom the lesson makes a permanent impression-who are able to grasp the full meaning of such a life, and who resolve to make it a model for their own. Dr. St. John was loved in New Canaan as few men are loved in any community. Born a native of the village, he ever regarded New Canaan as his home no matter how far away circumstances led him in the active labors of his life. New Canaan was the scene of his childish and youthful memories, and in his riper years, when circumstances per- mitted, New Canaan was his chosen and permanent home. He was known and beloved by everybody in the town, young and old alike. He was a warm friend of every project having for its object the good of the town, and devoted his time, talents and means to promote its interests .. He was a true patriot, loving his country
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and her institutions with all loyal affection, but his scholarly and philosophical mind-his broad intellectual culture, "rich with the spoils of time," and with the results of his own keen observation and original research in the domain of science and learning- made him more than willing to keep aloof from active connection with the management of partizan struggles.
We cannot, however, here and now give anything like a compre- hensive analysis, or pay an adequate tribute to the character of one who for his profound learning, useful life labors, and noble exam- ple of unselfishness and integrity was an honor, not only to New Canaan but to the state of Connecticut, which has lost many better · known citizens in the last ten years, but none of more solid attain- ments or more real worth. We minst proceed to give a brief sketch of his history from the too scanty data we have been able to obtain. Samuel St. John was born in New Canaan, March 29, 1813, and was therefore in his 63d year at the time of his death. He graduated at Yale college in the class of 1834. In 1838 he ac- cepted an appointment as Professor of Chemistry, Minerology and Geology in the Western Reserve college, at Hudson, Ohio, in which office he remained until 1851. He was Principal of the Cleveland Seminary for young ladies, from 1852 till 1856, and during this time was Professor of Chemistry and Medical Jurisprudence in the Cleveland Medical College. In 1856 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Medical Jurisprudence in the college of Physi- cians and Surgeons in New York city. This position he held until his death. When appointed to the New York college he made his home in his native village, and continued to take an active interest in all enterprises undertaken for the benefit of the place. He was one of the first and best friends of the New Canaan railroad. He became president of the company, and to him is greatly due the success of the enterprise. One of his last conspicuous public ser- vices was the writing of a "History of New Canaan," which he read at the celebration of the centennial Fourth of July, and which, when printed, will be an enduring memorial of his interest in New Canaan and its people as well as of his literary skill. In 1835, Dr. St. John visited Europe in company with Dr. Parker. He went to Europe a second time, and once more, in 1873, visited the Vienna
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Exposition in company with his son and daughter. His last sick- ness began about three weeks ago, and was the culmination of a kidney disease which had long troubled him. His death took place at half past six o'clock, on Saturday morning, September 9th.
PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS OF SORROW-THE FUNERAL.
As soon as the death was announced to the public the flags in the village were placed at half-mast. The locomotive and cars of the New Canaan railroad were draped in mourning. A public meet- ing was called on Monday morning in the Congregational church, to give some formal expression to the public sentiment. Mr. N. W. Hoyt was chairman, and Hon. W. E. Raymond, secretary. On motion of Willard Parker, Jr., a committee was appointed to draft resolutions suitable to the occasion. This committee consis- ted of Messrs. Willard Parker, Seymour Comstock, D. S. Rockwell, W. L. Waring and Rev. Joseph Greenleaf. Dr. Willard Parker addressed the meeting, giving a succinct history of his acquain- tance with the deceased, and paying a just tribute to his memory. In the course of his remarks he said . "I don't say I have never seen a greater man in the profession, but taking him all and all I have never known a greater and better man than Samuel St. John." The committee reported the following resolutions, which were adopted unanimously :
Whereas, We have learned with sincere sorrow of the death of our late citizen, Professor Samuel St. John ; and
Whereas, In all that related to the welfare of this town he was ever a zealous co-worker, giving liberally not only of his means, but of the best labors of his life ; and
Whereas, From his readiness to impart to others of his unusual- ly extensive and varied store of scientific knowledge, he has done much to elevate the standard of education among us ; and
Whereas, From his high sense of right, active benevolence, and strict regard for all that was honorable, he has set an example of Christian living well worth imitation ; therefore be it
Resolved, That in his death this town has lost a devoted and honored citizen.
Resolved, That as a tribute to his memory, we recommend that the various places of business be closed at the hour of his funeral and that the bells of the churches be tolled.
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Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family, and published in the STAMFORD ADVOCATE and NORWALK GAZETTE, and also that the Town Clerk be requested to place a copy of them among the records of the town.
WILLARD PARKER, JR., Chairman. SEYMOUR COMSTOCK, D. S. ROCKWELL, Committee. JOS. GREENLEAF, Wyr. L. WARING.
In seconding the resolutions Mr. O. E. Bright made a brief ad- dress which was recognized as both timely and touching by all present. His remarks were substantially as follows :
MR. CHAIRMAN :-- I could not add anything to Dr. Parker's touch- ing tribute ; but my intercourse with Dr. St. John during the past four years, and the testimony which I have heard from those who have always known him, lead me, with your permission, to say a few words.
The people of New Canaan could not fail to take special notice of the death of Dr. St. John, for they have lost not only a valued and respected neighbor, but a citizen who was an ornament alike to his profession, and to the state, and to society.
He was distinguished as a physician and he excelled in science, and our pride 'in him for these things would prompt us to com- memorate his life. But I take it that the sense of a great loss, which pervades the community, springs principally from our ap- preciation of his character. It is his personal qualities, developed and exhibited in his life here, that we now recall, and that we shall ever regard as our peculiar treasure.
When' we recognize integrity we consciously regard its possessor with very high respect. But when we speak of Dr. St. John's in- tegrity, we think of it as one of the strong traits of his nature that must have commenced its development with his earliest intelli- genee, and that grew with his intellectual strength through all the years of his life, and gave direction and tone to every action. He exhibited at all times the humility of true moral greatness, and yet we could observe in him a noble pride springing from the habitual integrity of his purposes.
Who is there in this community that has not at some time been benefitted and guided by his wise and gentle counsel ? In personal matters, in social affairs, in public measures, his influence was al- ways beneficent and strong.
He was remarkable as a teacher. By patient and clear exposi- tion and illustration he imparted knowledge to his fellow men. He unfolded the wonders of astronomy and the secrets of chemis-
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try ; and what is best of all, he helped to make the great truths of science serviceable to men in their daily avocations. We cannot overestimate the value-the greatness of the office of a teacher. This was part of the mission of the Divine Master in His days up- on earth, and how reverently men speak of Him as the Great Teacher.
Dr. St. John felt a deep interest in the welfare and history of New Canaan, and when a social or a family occasion, or a public commemoration, needed the pen and the voice of a graceful histori- an, Dr. St. John came to every one's thought. And how clear and just was his narrative, and how beautiful and tender were his remi- nisences.
In every relation his influence was for good. The constant im- pulses of his nature were towards truth and virtue and culture, and we all felt, and will gratefully remember, that he was in the highest and best sense of the term a scholar and a gentleman.
It is impossible to contemplate his death without sadness. He has been removed from a wide sphere of usefulness, and family ties of singular strength and tenderness have been broken. But with this painful reflection comes the thought of the endless joys in the future life of which his truth and his purity and his faith were the sure pledge.
Let us remember, too, how precious in all the future history of New Canaan will be the memory of his life and example -- the mem- ory of a life spent in the sincere discharge of duty to God and to men.
The funeral services took place in St. Mark's Episcopal church, (of which deceased was a member and Warden of the Vestry), on Monday, and brought out the largest attendance ever known at a funeral in New Canaan. The services were conducted by the rec- tor, Rev. Mr. Hallam, assisted by Rev. Chas. Selleck, of Norwalk, and a young minister from the city. During the ceremony the stores and factories in the village were closed and business entire- ly suspended. The church was beautifully and elaborately draped with appropriate emblems. The employees of the railroad sent a broken column made of flowers, and the members of Mr. St. John's Sunday school class contributed a beautiful wreath surrounding the motto : "Our Teacher." The list of pall bearers was as follows : Dr. Parker, S. Y. St. John, N. W. Hoyt, A. K. Comstock, Stephen Hoyt, W. G. Webb, A. S. Comstock, F. E. Chichester, S. E. Keeler, A. F. Jones, B. D. Purdy and F. E. Weed.
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At a meeting of the Vestry of St. Mark's Church, held Sept. 30, 1876, the following resolutions were unamimously adopted .:
Resolved, That we, the Rector, Warden and Vestry of St. Mark's Church, having heard with profound sorrow of the death of Prof. Samuel St. John of this place, on the 9th of Sept. 1876, and having united in the public demonstrations of respect to his memory, avail ourselves of the first convenient opportunity to express our recog- nition of the great loss to this church, of which he was a member and Junior Warden, and to whose interest he was zealously devo- ted, and while we can no more have his presence in the house of prayer, or his counsel in business meetings, we have in his faithful discharge of his christian and official duties, an example worthy of imitation.
The elerk is requested to send a copy of this resolution to the members of his family, with the assurance of our deep sympathy with them in their bereavement.
Resolved, That the Clerk of this board and the Clerk of the Par- ish be requested to enter the foregoing upon their respective re- cords.
A true copy as appears of record,
NOAH W. HOYT, Clerk.
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F 84646.8
5990-
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