USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Durham > History of Durham, Connecticut, from the first grant of land in 1662 to 1866 > Part 10
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gratitude as their first minister, as one, too, who was a minister of God for good for many generations.
It is understood that all the early graduates from Durham fitted for college with Mr. Chauncey.
Maj. Gen. PHINEHAS LYMAN was the son of Noah Lyman and Elizabeth - Lyman of Durham, grand son of Thomas Lyman and Ruth (Baker) Lyman of Northampton, who was widow of Joseph Baker and daughter of William Holten, gr. gr. son of Richard Lyman of Windsor, Conn., and Hepzibah (Ford) Lyman, daughter of Thomas Ford, gr. gr. gr. son of Richard Lyman, emigrant from High Ongar, England, in Rev'd John Elliot's company to Roxbury, Mass., with his wife Sarah.
Gen'l Phinehas Lyman was baptized at Durham, March 6th, 1615-16. At Yale College he was one of the Berkley scholars of the class of 1738, and remained at College, and the next year, 1739, he was appointed Tutor. During his Tutorship he studied law-probably with Daniel Edwards, Esq., and was admitted to the Bar. He settled at Suffield, then a new town, where he kept a law school. He was endowed with great abilities, and soon rose to distinguished eminence in his profession. Suffield was then reckoned as a part of Massachusetts, and Mr. Lyman was at the head of the bar of Hampshire County. Col. John Wor- thington, of Springfield, and Major Joseph Hawley, of North- ampton, were his pupils. Through the instrumentality of Mr Lyman, Suffield, Enfield and Somers, were removed from the- jurisdiction of Massachusetts and transferred to that of Connec- ticut. In 1750, Mr. Lyman was chosen Representative to the General Assembly of Connecticut, and in 1753, Assistant. In 1755, he was appointed Major General and Commander-in-chief of the 5,000 Connecticut forces, and the actual commander of the American forces raised and sent to the Canadian war. In the important battle of Lake George, Sir William Johnson having received a slight wound early retired from the field, and General Lyman not only planned all the strategy of the battle but for five hours overlooked, comprehended and directed, with the con- summate coolness and skill all the varying changes of that event- ful fight, and guided it on to success and victory. For this John- son was made a Baronet and received £5,000, while Lyman, who bore the burthen and heat of the day, and achieved the victory
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by his matchless coolness and skill, hardly received an empty fame.
Gen. Lyman was also with Lord Amherst at the capture of Crown Point, and in 1758, with Abercrombie and also with Lord Howe when he was killed. He commanded also the Provincial troops in the expedition to Havanna. He had so high a reputa- tion for wisdom, bravery, integrity, military skill and daring, that he, most unfortunately, was induced by some persons high in office to visit England, in hopes of receiving some reward for the brilliant services which he had rendered his country. He went as the agent of a company styled Military adventurers, to obtain a tract of land on the Mississippi and the Yazoo rivers, which they proposed to colonize.
He went confident of success, and danced attendance for many long, weary, unrequited years on the British ministry, which put him off from time to time till he learned how disastrous it was for a New England man to seek redress at an English court. He tasted the bitter and ruinous cup to the dregs, and after eleven long years of patient waiting, he returned wasted in health, spirit and fortune and deeply in debt. He returned in 1774 to find all that was beautiful and hopeful when he left for England withered and blasted with an irretrievable ruin.
He went down to the territory which he had obtained, broken in health and spirits and ready to die. He reached West Flor- ida, where he ended his days at the beginning of the Revolu- tionry war, in 1775. See President Dwight's Travels.
He married Eleanor Dwight, aunt to President Dwight, and daughter of Timothy Dwight, of Northampton, Oct. 7th, 1742. Their children were Phinehas, born Sept. 21, 1743; Gamaliel Dwight, April 4, 1745; Thaddeus, March 16, 1746; Thompson, Nov. 10, 1752, died Aug. 9, 1755 ; Oliver, Jan. 22, 1755; Eleanor, Dec. 13, 1756; Experience, Nov., 1758; Thompson, Dec. 22, 1760.
PHINEHAS LYMAN, who graduated 1763, holding the highest place in social position in his class, was the eldest son of Gen'l Phinehas Lyman of Suffield, Y. C., 1738, and Eleanor (Dwight) Lyman, daughter of Col. Timothy Dwight, of Northampton, Mass. Phinchas Lyman, Jun., was born at Suffield, Sept. 21st, 1743. The history of his father so disastrous in its latter years, is well known. Phinehas Lyman, Jr., while a youth, soon after taking
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his first degree at Yale, received a commission in the British army. That commission was given up for the study of the law, which he pursued waveringly under an expectation early en- tertained, that he was to remove to a distant country where he was to enjoy the rewards of the extraordinary services rendered by his father to the Mother Country. This irresolution, increased by long suspense resulting from the protracted absence of his father in England, and the weariness of hope deferred in an ar- dent but irresolute mind, issued in a broken heart and confirmed delirium. He was carried by his father to West Florida, on his return, in hope of recovering his health, but he died soon after he landed in that country ; unmarried, in the year 1775.
NATHANIEL CHAUNCEY, Esq., second son of the Rev. Na- thaniel Chauncey, born Jan. 26th, 1720, was graduated at Yale College, 1740. He resided at Middletown Upper Houses, where he was much respected as a gentleman of strong good sense, of much general information and strict integrity. He was in the Commission of the Peace when the county was formed, and con- tinued to be so until his deatlı, September 3, 1798, in the 78th year of his age. He married, 1st, Mary Stocking; 2d, Susan- nah Gilbert. His children by his first wife were, 1st, John Stocking, a Light horseman in the American Army; he was killed by British Cavalry after he had surrendered. 2d. Sarah; 3d, Mary ; 4th, Abigail; 5th, Nathaniel, father of Henry Chaun- cey of New York, Michael Chauncey of Hartford, and John Chauncey of Western New York ; 6th, Catharine.
ELNATHAN CHAUNCEY, the third and youngest son of Rev. Nathaniel Chauncey, was born September 10th, 1724. In com- pany with his brother Nathaniel he pursued his studies under his father's instruction, and entered Yale College in 1739. He took his first degree in 1743. He studied Divinity until 1745, when he was licensed to preach the Gospel. He received a call to settle in North Guilford and in some other places, but he de- clined a settlement. His father beginning to feel the infirm- ities of age, requested him to remove to Durham and take care of him, and as an inducement made him generous offers. " From his filial affection he gave up a settlement in his profes- sion," and devoted himself to agriculture. Mr. Chauncey is spoken of as possessing much information, great equanimity of
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temper, and gentleness of feeling and fine social qualities. He was a good scholar and an acceptable preacher. He retained his license and preached occasionally until advanced age. Dr. Field remembers that he preached in East Guilford in 1791. He died May 4th, 1796.
His wife was Elizabeth, the daughter of Rev. William Wor- thington of Saybrook, and the widow of Col. Samuel Gale. They had four children. 1. Nathaniel William, born September 12th, 1761, died January 29, 1840. 2. Catharine, born August 6th, 1764, was married to Reuben Rose Fowler, the father of the writer ; died April 12th, 1841. 3. Elnathan Elihu died when four years old. 4. Worthington Gallup. Asa Worthington Gale, the son of Mrs. Chauncey, died at Cape Francois, August 14th, 1772, aged about 16. Benjamin Gale, the second son, was in the Battle of Bunker Hill; commanded a vessel for some years, sail- ing to the West Indies; was washed overboard in a storm from a ship in which he had taken passage from the East Indies to New York, in 1796 or 7, aged about 39 years.
The Rev. ICHABOD CAMP, son of John Camp, was graduated at Yale College, 1743. He became an Episcopal minister, and divided his labors between Middletown and Wallingford, from 1753 to 1760, when he removed to Louisburg, Virginia. Some years afterwards he was murdered by his son-in-law. He was a man of excellent character and principles. His wife, Mrs. Con- tent Camp, died while he officiated in Middletown, and on a tablet in the church her name was placed.
DANIEL LYMAN, the son of -, was born 1722. In college, he was one of the New Light associates of David Brainard, John Cleaveland and others. After taking his degree in 1745, from 1747 to 1752 he was the Steward of Yale College. He studied law and was a magistrate and Representative of New Haven. He was a member of the Common Council. He died at New Haven, Aug., 1788. He married first, June 6th, 1748, Sarah Whiting, daughter of Col. Joseph Whiting of New Haven. She died Aug. 1st, 1751. He married second, June 25th, 1752, Sarah Miles of New Haven ; she died -. He married third, Eleanor (Fairchild) Benedict, in 1768. She died March 23d, 1825, aged 95.
ELIHU LYMAN was graduated at Yale College in 1745. He
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was a younger brother of Daniel Lyman the last mentioned, and they pursued their college course together. He was born 1728. He joined his brother at the New Light meetings at the rooms of David Brainard and John Cleveland, during the revival of 1742.
He was associated in business with his brother at New Haven, and he lived with him. It is supposed that he also studied law and was in company with his brother.
He died unmarried, leaving his brother his sole executor and legatee, at New Haven, August, 1758.
NOAH PARSONS, son of Simeon Parsons, graduated at Yale College, 1747. The following is his epitaph: "In memory of Noah Parsons, A. M. A gentleman of a sprightly mind im- proved by a liberal education at Yale College, at which he was sometime a Tutor. The fair prospects of his youth were soon clouded by disorder of body, which continuing several years, he took a voyage to West India for the recovery of his health, and died at the Island of Hispaniola, May, 1774, in the 37th year of his age.
EBENEZER GUERNSEY graduated in Yale College in 1757, was licensed to preach, and after preaching three months as a candi- date in Pittsfield, Mass., received a call to settle, conditionally. This call he negatived but supplied the pulpit further on proba- tion and was invited a second time to settle. This call he also declined in 1761. He returned to Durham and died in 1763. The following is his epitaph :
In memory of Ebenezer Guernsey, A. M. In literary accom- plishments an honor to his education; constant and cheerful in all duty, benevolent to all mankind, a tender relative and faith- ful friend. After a lingering sickness, in full hope of glory, he died October 24th, 1763, in the 26th year of his age, much be- loved and lamented.
Rev. ROGER NEWTON, D. D., was born in Durham, May 23d, A. D., 1737. He was a descendant of the Rev. Roger Newton, minister, first of Farmington and afterwards of Milford, and he inherited the virtues of that excellent man. His parents were Mr. Abner and Mrs. Mary Newton. They were respected for their prudence and piety, and their discreet management of their domestic concerns, and the virtuous education of their children. The subject of this notice was the youngest of five sons. He
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received the advantages of a liberal education at Yale College in the class of 1758. His distinguished success in his studies pre- pared him for that long series of labors in which he served Christ and the Church more than fifty years.
He was ordained the pastor of the Church and congregation in Greenfield, Mass., on the 13th of November, 1761. He continued in the discharge of the duties of his office with much reputation and to the general acceptance of his people, until a few years be- fore his death, when he was relieved from the more active duties of his profession by a colleague pastor, the Rev. Gamaliel Olds, afterwards a professor in Amherst College. He received the de- gree of Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth College in 1804.
In 1762 he was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Hall of Middletown. They had five sons and three daughters. Roger, Isaac 1st, Isaac 2d, Abigail, married Rev. Mr. Lambert, Susannah 1st, Ozias Hall, Susannah 2d, married Proctor Pierce. Dr. New- ton died December 10th, 1816, in the 80th year of his age and the 56th of his ministry. He was a man of uncommon strength of mind and of a pacific disposition, and was much employed as a counselor in cases of difficulty in churches. Few ministers have lived in more harmony with their people or have left behind them a more precious memory than this man of God. See Pan- oplist, Vol. 13. p. 189.
ROGER NEWTON, the eldest son of Dr. Newton was a gradu- ate of Yale College in the class of 1785. When a Tutor in that Institution, he fell a victim to the consumption, at the age of twenty-six. From the Oration delivered at his death, by Barna- bas Bidwell, a fellow Tutor, it appears that he was a gentleman of great excellence of character and of great promise in the pro- fession of law which he had chosen.
Several excellent people removed from Durham to Greenfield about the time when Dr. Newton was settled. The Hon. Rejoice Newton, of Worcester, Mass., is the descendant of one of these. He was graduated at Dartmouth College, 1807. Another de- scendant of one of the Newton family, was the Hon. Daniel Wells, of Cambridge, Mass. He was Senator in the State Legisla- ture; and District Attorney for the four western counties. He was Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas in Massachu- setts. Another descendant of the same family was the Hon.
15
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James Alvord. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College in the class of 1827 ; studied in the Law School in New Haven ; was Senator in the State Legislature; died while he was a member of Congress elect, in 1838 or 9. He was regarded as a man of great promise. His brother, Daniel Wells Alvord, graduated in Union College, 1835, and is now a lawyer in Greenfield. Jesse Newton, another descendant of an emigrant from Durham, entered Yale College, and died while a member of the Sophomore Class, not far from the year 1820. The emigrants from Durham to Green- field and their descendants, have been the friends of order, edu- cation, and religion.
SAMUEL JOHNSON took the degree of Bachelor of Arts at Yale College in 1769. In his printed "testimony " signed by his own hand, he states that his parents were members of the Congrega- tional church; that he studied Theology with Dr. Goodrich and others ; was licensed to preach in Pittsfield, Mass .; was ordained at New Lebanon, Nov. 1772, and continued pastor of the church there three years and a half; was dismissed and removed to West Stockbridge, where he says he became acquainted with one Talmadge, a shaker ; was pleased with his religion, and joined the shakers in 1780, with his wife, and took his children with them. His wife by her "testimony," which she also signed, was as fully a shaker as he. Of his five children, one died in infancy before they joined the shakers, and one soon after, and three were brought up to be shakers. He died at New Lebanon, May 14th, 1835, aged 91 years and 8 months. Elizabeth, his wife, when 24 years of age was married to Mr. Johnson after he was settled at New Lebanon. She died August 5th, 1829, in the 81st year of her age. These facts were obtained from a letter to Rev. David D. Field, D. D., dated June, 1847, by Rev. Silas Churchill.
The Hon. CHARLES CHAUNCEY, LL. D., son of Col. Elihu Chauncey, was born May 30th, O. S. 1747, and died April 28th, 1823. He early manifested a vigorous and rapid intellect, and intense application to the objects of his pursuit. His native powers were such, that without the advantages of a public edu- cation, he soon came forward to a commanding eminence in his profession. Having studied law, with James Abraham Hillhouse, Esq., he was admitted to the bar in November, 1768. In 1776, he was appointed Attorney for the State of Connecticut; and in
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1789, was placed on the bench of the Superior Court. As an advocate and a Judge, he satisfied the public, that he possessed powers and attainments of no ordinary character. In 1793, he resigned his seat on the bench, and retired from the business of the courts. From this time, he devoted himself, principally, to reading, superintending the education of his family, and giving lectures to a class of students at Law. In testimony of respect for his talents, his acquirements, and his public services, the hon- orary degree of Master of Arts was conferred on him by Yale College in 1777, and the degree of Doctor of Laws by Middlebury College, in 1811. His mind had not been roused to activity, merely by the pressure of business, or the calls of ambition. He was excited to unceasing exertion by an intense ardor which con- tinued with him through life. His thirst for knowledge was un- bounded. Few men have read so extensively; or with so deep an interest. Scarcely any department of literature, of history, of civil policy, or of theology escaped his attention. The rich furniture of his mind, was manifest to all those who had the op- portunity of hearing him converse. In legal science, his inves- tigations were profound and original. He did not content him- self with treasuring up a confused mass of forms and precedents. The practice of the law, he delighted to reduce to the invariable principles of justice. The relations and connections of these, he traced in his lectures, with a kind of professional enthusiasm. This awakened the interest of his pupils; among whom are numbered some of our ablest advocates and statesmen. On po- litical subjects, he had enlarged and liberal views. While he considered all rightful authority as proceeding from the people; he saw the necessity of checks and balances, to give stability to government.
But that in which he felt his own highest interests and those of his fellow men, to be involved, was religion. His intellectual endowments which were of so high an order, he believed to be given by his Creator, for high and holy purposes; to be employed in obedience to the divine commands. He had long been direct- ing his views to that invisible state upon which he has now en- tered. But he did not consider his own unassisted understand- ing, as a sufficient guide, in preparing for the retributions of eter- nity. He sought for the light, which neither learning nor philos-
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ophy can bestow. He looked for a revelation from heaven, and he believed that he found this revelation, in the volume which claims to be a message from God. In so momentous a concern, he was not satisfied to rest upon the opinions of others. He examined the evidences of Christianity for himself. He consult- ed the records of antiquity. He weighed the cavils of unbe- lievers, with the arguments which are adduced, in support of the scriptures. The result of his investigations, was a settled con- viction, that the Bible is indeed the word of God.
But he did not confine his attention to the outworks of Chris- tianity. He was sensible that he was bound to inquire, not only whether God has made a revelation; but what he has revealed. Though he had read, extensively, the works of able theologians, he was not disposed to call any man master. The tenets which he believed to be of the greatest importance, and the most clearly supported by scripture, were those in which the great body of protestant churches, are nearly agreed. Nor did he think it suf- ficient, to hold a system of speculative opinions merely. He knew that religion was intended, not only to enlighten the under- standing but to influence the heart, and appear in the life. He early made a public profession of his faith, and as he advanced in years, the effect of religious considerations, on his feelings, appeared to be more and more happy ; inspiring him with grate- ful recollections of the past, and serene anticipations of the fu- ture. After he had reviewed, in his last sickness, with deep emotion, the kindness of Providence to himself and his family, the slumber of death came upon him gradually and gently, like the repose of the night, upon him who has faithfully performed and finished the labors of the day.
His wife, Abigal Darling, daughter of Thomas Darling of New Haven, was born November 9th, 1746; died December 24th, 1818. They had five children. Charles Chauncey, LL. D; Elihu Chauncey, Esq .; Nathaniel Chauncey, Esq. ; Sarah Chaun- cey, who was married to W. W. Woolsey, Esq., the father of President Woolsey ; and Abigail Chauncey, who died many years since. His three sons were graduates of Yale College. From President Day's obituary notice, Christian Spectator, Vol. 5, 336 p.
SAMUEL SEWARD was graduated at Yale College 1762. The following is his epitaph :
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" Mr. Samuel Seward, a gentleman of a liberal education and polite accomplishments, a kind relative, in friendship sincere, dear to his acquaintances, and benevolent to mankind, having acted an honorable part, in the instruction of youth, departed this life in the midst of public usefulness, on the 13 day of June, 1773, in the 33 year of his age.
Hope humbly then on trembling pinions soar, Wait the great teacher death and God adore."
Hon. CHAUNCEY GOODRICH was the eldest child of Dr. Good- rich and was born at Durham, 1759. He was educated at Yale College of which he became a member in 1772, at the early age of thirteen; and although the youngest, it is recorded of him that "he shone foremost among his contemporaries." In 1779, he was chosen Tutor of the College, in which office he greatly endeared himself to his pupils, who in after years could well attest to the benefit of his able instructions. He left College for the Bar; fixing his residence in Hartford, where the advantages of protracted study in the University were strikingly exemplified in his early becoming eminent as a Counsellor and Advocate.
In 1793, he represented the town of Hartford in the Legislature of the State. The following year he was elected representative to the Congress of the United States, which office he continued to hold till 1800. The history of those times is well known. It was a period of turbulence and excitement ; when great wisdom and prudence were needful in the councils of the nation. To what ends the energies of his mind were directed, and what sta- tion he held in the deliberative assembly of his country, the Jour- nal of Debates sufficiently discloses.
On retiring from Congress he resumed his profession, which for several years he pursued with great industry and reputation. Few men possessed a more thorough knowledge of jurisprudence, and seldom if ever did a practitioner of the Bar, hold justice, truth, and integrity in higher estimation, or exert a happier influ- ence to exact and improve the legal profession. In these respects he was a model. That was a high enconium, which was passed upon him some time after his decease. " His judgment was so guided by rectitude," said one who well knew him, "that of all men living he was perhaps the only one to whom his worst enemy (if enemy he had) would confide the decision of a controversy sooner than to his best friend." In 1802, he was chosen an As-
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sistant Counselor of the State, which office he retained until 1807 ; in which year, he was elected to the Senate of the United States. This was the station for which his learning, his wisdom, his po- litical sagacity and integrity peculiarly fitted him. "By his mod- eration he checked the presumption of party power ; the integrity of his soul gave efficacy to the powers of his understanding ; while the amenity of his manners bowed the stubbornness of po- litical will." Honored is that State which honors and exalts such men to public office.
In 1812, he accepted the Mayoralty of the city of Hartford ; and the following year, having been elected Lieutenant Governor of his native State, he resigned his seat in the Senate of the Uni- ted States. The two last named offices he sustained at the time of his death.
In the conjugal relation he was twice respectably connected, but those endearing ties were as often early broken.
His death occurred on Friday the 18th of August, 1815, and was the consequence of an affection of the heart under which he had been laboring for several months. On the day of his death, however, he rode and walked -- " cheerful, dignified, wise and ex- alted in character, as at any period of his worthy life." On his return from a ride of several miles he retired to his room, soon after which he expressed a feeling of faintness, and expired with a single groan.
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