USA > Connecticut > Litchfield County > Woodbury > History of ancient Woodbury, Connecticut : from the first Indian dead in 1659 to 1872, Vol. II > Part 57
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and transferred to the farm. Here his peculiar inaptitude for mere mannal employments became evident. A persistent course of study had operated unfavorably upon his constitution, and left him weak, and to a great extent incapable of physical ex- ' ertion. His father, who was cast in one of the sterner moulds of manhood, was not ready to understand that a son of his should be unable to perform the tasks which he considered in some degree inseparable from a well-ordered. life, and often reprimanded him for his inertness. Forced at length to regard the peculiar charac- teristics of his son, he sent him to the West Farms School, dist- ant some three miles from the family homestead. Here he studied in the same classes with Dr. Edward Beecher, the talented anthor of " The Conflict of Ages," and maintained an equal position with him in school. It was here that his studies first assumed a dis- tinctive character, and he began to master Latin and Greek, and to familiarize himself with the Classics. Outside of his profes- sional studies, his course of reading was varied, and of the high- est order. Before he was twenty years of age, he had exhausted all the mental food presented by the various limited libraries of the locality in which he resided, and was forced to betake himself to borrowing books from more fortunate possessors. In 1819, he was prostrated with lung fever, from which for a time his recov- ery seemed impossible. When he did finally recover, he was so feeble that close mental or sedentary application was rendered im- possible, and his course of reading was therefore interfered with and obstructed for a number of years. In 1821, however, he took hold of German. His speed in the acquirement of language was remarkable. We know him to have been a most enthusiastic lin- gnist, and have often been indebted to him for valuable and curi- ous information with regard to obsolete tongues, whose history was unknown, save to the closest students. In 1834, he befriend- ed the exile son of a Polish nobleman, named Rudolph Gutowski, one of a party who, by a desperate stratagem, escaped from their guards, while on their way to Siberia. This young man became a member of his family, and from him he learned the Polish lan- gnage. In 1847, he became desirous of tracing up the genealogy of his family, and he made that a particular aim of the remaining portion of his life. His researches in this direction led him to make a thorough exploration of the records of Connecticut, and of that portion of England whence his ancestors came. In this way he became possessed of a vast amount of curious informa-
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tion, which to some future collator, must prove highly valuable for historal purposes. He was by this means, also, led to trace back our language to its roots, and to familiarize himself with the vagaries of its different branches, since the days of the Anglise, and the Saxons. He had thus wholly or in part familiarized himself with between fifty and sixty languages, many of which have been out of current use for centuries. Aside from this, he has at differ- ent periods been an enthusiastic student of Natural History, in its various forms. At different times, he has pursued the study of Botany, Geology, Mineralogy, Conchology and Paleontology, fol- lowing up once branch persistently until he had exhausted it, and then taking another. In this way he had collected a valuable phi- lological library, which embodies his peculiar characteristics, and a cabinet of natural, mineral and fossil specimens, which is be- lieved to be the most complete of any private collection in this section. He used to remark that he purchased works and speci- mers much on the same principle that a farmer will try to buy up all the land that adjoins his own. In the studies to which he de- voted the leisure hours he could steal from an extensive practice, he was a thorough enthusiast.
" Dr. Skilton first learned the principles of medicine from works which had been studied by his great-grandfather. At an early period he was doubtful whether he should study for a physician or a clergyman, but having betaken himself, after the manner of John Wesley, to prayer, he became convinced that it was his duty to enter upon the line of life which he did finally adopt. He passed through the usual course in the Yale Medical College, in 1826-7, having previously studied with a practicing Physician at Saugerties, in this State, He commenced his practice in 1827, in this city. He had therefore just entered upon the thirty-first year of his practice in this city, when seized with his fatal illness. The general features presented by the life of a physician-at least, those which come to the knowledge of the public, are monoto- nous, and to an extent unvaried. Few may know the trials, few realize the necessities, few comprehend the responsibilities of such a life. To those whom he has attended during the 'generation of time' in which he has practiced his profession here, Dr. Skilton stood in the light of a cherished brother, a noble protector, a kind and sympathizing friend. A Christian impulse governed every action of his life, and regulated his relations with his patients. Acute sympathy, and that ardent enthusiasm which was a charac-
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teristic of his nature, led him to make their interests his own. He was faithful in season and out of season. In desperate cases, he forgot comfort and the claims of nature, and every hour found him by the sufferer's bedside. In this he was remarkable. Du- ring the cholera season of 1849, he passed several days at a time without removing his clothing, snatching a few moments sleep as he was able to do so. No danger ever deterred him from the per- formance of his duty. He first became noted here during the fearful cholera season of 1832, when he frequently had as many as fifty cases at a single time. 'Since then, his list of patients has been very large-much larger than a single man should have at- tempted to attend. A peculiarity of his practice was the unyield- ing obstinacy with which he fought disease, combatting it step by step, and inch by inch, and never giving over till life was no more.
" Were the subject approachable, we should like to dwell upon the incidental features of Dr. Skilton's professional career in this city, but we may not. During the three cholera seasons of '32, '47 and '52, his cases were exceedingly numerous, and his time continuously occupied, to the exclusion of all schemes of comfort and recreation. He had been remarkably successful in obstetric practice-having attended over three thousand five hundred births. He made the study of epidemic diseases of all kinds a peculiar professional duty, and was very fortunate in treating them. At different periods, he has held various honorable professional posi. tions. He was a short time since President of the Rensselaer County Medical Society, was a member of the Troy Lyceum of Natural History, which always during its existence had his ear- nest attention, was a prominent member of the American Med- ical Society, member of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science, and Corresponding member of the State historical Societies of Connecticut, Vermont and Wisconsin.
"In character, Dr. Skilton was upright and unimpeachable. He was scrupulously regardful of the rights and feelings of others, and exceedingly careful to avoid wronging his fellow-men. To the poor, he was ever kind and benevolent; the poverty of his patient was never allowed to stand in the way of his receiving thorough medical attendance. To all, he was courteous and affa- ble, suffering much in the way of aggression, but never allowing himself to be drawn into passionate ebullitions of ill-temper. He was in every sense of the word, an entire Christian man. In him, the medical profession of Rensselaer county has lost one of its
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brightest ornaments, the State street Methodist Church, with which he had been connected during his residence here a consist- ent member, a zealous working Christian. a kind and benevolent man,-and the community at large a citizen in whom were united the most desirable attainments and the most brilliant and admira- able traits of mental and moral character."
AZARIAH B. SHIPMAN, M. D.
Dr. Shipman was the son of Daniel Shipman, and one of five brothers, all of whom were physicians, viz: Parson G., long and favorably known as an accomplished and skillful practitioner in the city of Rochester, N. Y ; Azariah B., the subject of this me- moir; John O., formerly of Fayetteville, N. Y., and afterwards of Syracuse, N. Y .; until suddenly removed by death, in the autumn of 1866; Daniel M, also a successful practitioner in Rochester ; and Joseph A., who is now practising his profession in Illinois .-
Dr Shipman was born in Roxbury, Conn., March 22d, 1803. His father, Daniel Shipman, an early resident of Saybrook, Conn , was an intelligent farmer in moderate circumstances, a zealous old school Presbyterian, and distinguished for his industry and integ- rity. His mother was Sarah Eastman, a daughter of Dr. Azariah Eastman, of Roxbury, an eminent physician in his day, who bore the armor of his profession for nearly seventy years. The maiden name of the mother of Daniel Shipman was Temperance Frank- lin, a lineal descendent of the Franklins, and a relative of the il- lustrious statesman and philosopher.
Soon after Dr. Shipman's birth, his father removed, with his family, to Pitcher, Chenango County, N. Y. The county then was new ; most of the inhabitants were poor; and few were the hands exempted from toil ; for even the necessaries of life were obtainable only through persevering industry and economy. Mr. Shipman formed no exception to the rule-his limited means, and the increasing demands of a growing family, not only precluded extraordinary advantages, but required the assistance of the sons as soon as they were of sufficient age to render their services available. Azariah was employed on the farm in summer, and en-
1 Condensed from a Biographical sketch by H. O. Jewett, M. D., of Cortland, N. Y.
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joyed such educational advantages as were afforded by a district school during the winter months, until after the death of his father, which occurred in Nov., 1820. By this event, at the age of 17, he was cast upon his own resources for a livelihood.
Although without money or influential friends, he resolved upon attaining a profession, and accordingly we find him for a number of years, laboring in summer and teaching school in win- ter, meanwhile devoting himself to study whenever time could be spared from his other duties.
In 1822, he went to Delphi, N. Y., to study medicine with his eldest brother, Dr. Parson G. Shipman. Applying himself with earnestness and assiduity, he made rapid progress in his studies, and in the winter of 1825-6, attended a course of medical lectures at Castleton, Vt. In the autumn of 1826, he obtained, as was then customary, a license from the County Medical Society, and commenced practice at Delphi, In Jan. 1828, he married Emily Clark, daughter of Richard Taylor, Esq., a lady of refined taste and culture, to whom he remained ardently attached, and who now survives to mourn the loss of a kind, indulgent and devoted partner.
In Sept., 1829, he removed to Fayetteville, and entered at once upon a fair practice, with more than ordinary success. The sum- mer of 1832, was a season memorable for the advent of the Asiatic Cholera in this country. Many cases occurred along the line of the Erie Canal in his vicinity, creating intense alarni among the population. Dr. Shipman attended most of the cases, became in- terested in, and made a special study of the disease, and treated his cases with good success.
In the winter of 1832-3, he attended the lectures of the ‘ Uni- versity of Pennsylvania," and the anatomical demonstrations at the " Jefferson Medical College," at Philadelphia. On his return from Philadelphia, in the spring of 1833, he located at Cortland, N. Y., where he encountered older physicians, who, with the usual tenacity, sharply contested the pretensions of the new comer. A. few successful operations, however, such as had not before been performed in that section, brought his name before the public; and Dr. Shipman was soon recognized, not only as an accomplished physician, but as the surgeon of that vicinity, and a few years found him engaged in an extensive and lucrative practice.
In 1844, his reputation as a surgeon, and his frequent contribu- tions to medical literature, having made him generally known to
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the public, Dr. Shipman was, without solicitation on his part, ap- pointed Professor of Anatomy in the medical department of the University of Laporte, Ind. With no time for preparation, he ac- cepted the appointment, and entered at once upon its duties. In the following year he was elected to the chair of surgery, in the same institution-a position more in consonance with his taste, and which he continued to occupy for five consecutive seasons, "laboring with all the energies of his active mind, and acquitting himself with much honor.
Seeking a wider field for the exercise of his special talent, he re- moved to Syracuse, N. Y., where he at once took a high rank amongst distinguished surgeons, and soon secured a large medical and surgical practice in the city, and in the surrounding towns.
Soon after the commencement of the late rebellion, Dr. Ship- man entered the U. S. Service as assistant surgeon in the 17th Regt. N. Y. Vols. He was on duty a part of this time in the field, and a part of the time in hospital, at Upton's Hill, through the summer and autumn of 1861. In March, 1862, he was promoted to the rank of Brigade Surgeon, and placed in charge of a large Hospital at Newport News. In the winter 1863, he resigned his commission, and returned to Syracuse, Soon afterwards, how- ever, he was induced to accept the appointment of reserve sur- geon, to be called upon in cases of emergency, and was almost immediately ordered back, to attend the wounded after the severe battles then being fought by the Army of the Potomac, where he remained until failing health compelled him again to resign and return home, nearly ruined in health, after his three years' service, and depressed in spirits, to terminate his career, just at that period which usually marks the full vigor of ripened manhood.
He resumed his practice, and though gradually declining, he did much professional labor, until the spring of 1868, when it was apparent to his friends, and probably to himself, that his constitu- tion was broken, and the season of his usefulness passed. He, therefore sailed, with his wife, for Europe, March 21st, 1868 ; ho- ping that a change of climate, and relaxation of mind might im- prove his health and prolong his life. Proceeding first to Paris, he visited the principal cities of France, Austria and Italy during the spring and summer months. He spent several weeks at Rome and Naples, examining and admiring their antiquities and splendid works of art. Charmed with the scenery around him, and stimu- lated by a lively interest in everything he saw, he appeared for a
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time to be rallying. But having feasted his eyes upon the majes- tie ruins and solemn greatness of the "Eternal City," explored that " piece of heaven fallen upon the earth," and realized his dreams of Italian sunsets, and the grandeur of Vesuvius at mid- night, his mind came home to himself, and as the season advanced, he began to feel that the warm climate of Southern Europe was prostrating rather than improving his health. Leaving Italy, he returned to Geneva and Paris, where he remained about five weeks, scarcely leaving his room, and gradually failing in strength, until a pulmonary affection under which he was laboring assumed an aente form, and solicitude began to be felt for his immediate safety. He was favored with the best medical advice which the French capital afforded, together with the kind ministrations of anxious friends. But sympathy and science and skill were of no avail. He sank rapidly, and died Sept. 15, 1868. His embalmed remains were brought home to Syracuse, and consigned, with ap- propriate ceremonies, to their final resting place in Oakwood Cemetery.
Dr. Shipman received the degree of M. D., first at Castleton, Vt., and afterwards at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. He was for many years a member of the State Medical Society, having several times represented his county society in that body ; and was four times a delegate to the " American Medical Associa- tion." He was an honorary member of several scientific and his- torival societies.
DR. PARSON G. SHIPMAN.
Dr. Parson G. Shipman was born at Roxbury, Litchfield County, Conn., April 18, 1799. When a lad six years of age he came, with his father, who removed his family from Roxbury, Conn., to Pitch- er, Chenango County, N. Y. He was one of five brothers who were all physicians. Only two of the number are now living, viz ; Joseph A., who is practicing medicine in the State of Illinois, and Daniel M., so well and favorably known as an accomplished and skillful practitioner in this city.
Dr. Shipman was naturally diffident and retiring; chose not to appear often in social life. When a boy, he decided on his future profession, and at the age of twenty-two years, received his diplo- ma, and commenced the practice of medicine in Delphi, Onondaga
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County, N. Y. He was without money, and had but few influen- tial friends. He had, however, a strong will, which was unwaver- ing to duty. ITis will and conscience were happily blended, and could not be easily separated. More than this, he had an unwa- vering confidence in God. Converted at the age of fifteen years, he never, after his conversion, made any change, or engaged in any new enterprise, without imploring help and direction from his Heavenly Father." Possessing these qualifications and relying on divine aid, he became the popular young physician of Delphi. His enterpris'ng spirit, however, prompted him to look for a wider field of usefulness. He came to Rochester with his family in 1337, opened an office, and soon became a popular and successful practi- tioner in this city. His increasing practice made liberal demands upon his time and strength, but every call was answered-in the morning, in the evening, and at midnight-each case received prompt attention, whether the patient was rich or poor, residing in the mansion, or dwelling in the humble cottage. He was an obliging neighbor, friendly to all, and a perfect gentleman at home or abroad. Were it not for invading the sanctity of home, we would speak of him where he appeared to the best advantage, in his own family circle, We will only say, he was an affectionate companion, and a kind and loving parent.
His failing health for the past year reminded him that his days would soon be numbered. This only prompted him to arrange his worldly affairs in such a way that his family would be left with as little care and anxiety as possible. In the death of Dr. Shipman, this community have sustained a heavy loss, but nowhere will that loss be so deeply felt as by the afflicted family. His useful- ness guded only with his life. He received and prescribed for pa- tients at his own house, after he was unable to make professional calls. His confidence in God also continued to the last, never doubting for a moment that he was accepted in Christ, and we have no doubt has received the crown which is waiting for all that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.
MRS. MARYANN WOLCOTT SMITH.
While these pages are passing through the press, Woodbury has been called to mourn the loss of another of its valuable citi- zens. Mrs. Smith, wife of Hon. Nathaniel B. Smith, died on Sat-
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urday, January 20, 1872. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Samnel Goodrich, Congregational clergyman at Ridgefield, Conn., where she was born. Her brothers and sisters, through force of intellect and character, became widely known and honored. Sam- nel G. Goodrich, the well-know " Peter-Parley," acquired a world- wide reputation, and Mrs. Whittlesey, of the Mothers' Magazine, a national fame and usefulness. No less gifted intellectually than they, and endowed with uncommon loveliness and grace, she be- came very early the central attraction of a constantly increasing circle of friends. Very earnest in all she did, she learned life's lesson well, and her quick sympathy with others, led her to impart her wisdom freely to those who sought to profit by it. And thus she became to many striving souls a counselor, whose words and thoughts they will long cherish.
She made a public profession of her faith in 1823, and joined the First Congregational church in the town of her adoption, of which she soon became an active an influential member, the first in every good work, the leading member among the females, pre- siding at their meetings with unusual grace and dignity, and ever imparting great energy and completeness to all their efforts for supplying the needy, whether at home, or in the missionary field far away.
She was one of a circle of mothers who, for many years, met each week to pray for their families, and for the prosperity of Zion. This meeting was very dear to her, and she continued to attend it till the weight of years, and the decease of nearly all its members, rendered its longer continuance impossible, and then, when the stated time came round, she observed the hour alone, in her own home. The ancient church, of which she was for so many years a bright light, may truly mourn the loss of a " mother in Israel."
Though for some years past partly withdrawn from active life, through illness, her loss is still deeply felt by the community. But that loss is wholly ours. To doubt, that it is well with her now, would be almost to doubt the " good news" of the New Testa- ment itself, so steadfastly did she follow its precepts, and so de- voutly trust its promises. " Write from henceforth, blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."
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REV. BENNET TYLER D. D. 1
" Dr. Tyler was born in the town of Woodbury, (now Middle- bury,) Conn., in the year 1783, and was therefore at the time of his decease in the 75th year of his age. His parents were intelli- gent, industrious, and Godly people The family, in which he was the youngest child, was probably a fair representative of the fathers' families in this State, three-quarters of a century ago. Of his father's Christian experience and death, an account was pub- lished at the time, in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. At the age of seventeen, having pursued studies with Rev. Mr. Hart, the ministor of the parish of Middlebury, he entered Yale College. Hon. John C. Calhoun, Rev. Dr. McEwen, Rev. Dr. Pierpont, and for one year, Rev. Dr. Taylor, were his college class-mates. He graduated in the fall of 1804, and after a year spent in teaching the academy in Weston, Fairfield County, he entered on the study of his profession with Rev. Asahel Hooker, of Goshen, who, in accordance with the custom of the times, received a class of theo- logical students into his family. Here he was associated with Rev. Dr. Humphrey, Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, Rev. Frederick Marsh and others, not now living, towards all of whom he felt like a brother till the end of his life. At this period, his constitution, naturally strong, became much enfeebled by diligence in study, while neglecting suitable bodily exercise, and a stooping habit which he had formed by bending over the book, or his paper, and he was obliged to decline several calls, to inviting fields of labor, and devote himself for a year or more to the restoration of his health.
" When it seemed safe to resume preaching, he entered on the work in the parish of South Britain, in the town of Southbury. As his health then was, the circumstance of the parish being unn- sually small, rather recommended it; but its distracted condition might indeed make a settlement there formidable to any minister. The Lord's Supper had not been administered for six years. The preceding pastor had been deposed by the Consociation, and with a small party had set up a seperate church, The aspect of affairs in the parish had become every way so disheartening that the churches in the neighborhood had really given up all hope of their
1 This account is taken, principally, from the Hartford Courant, printed in 1858, at the time of Dr. Tyler's death.
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re-organization, and the establishment of the public means of grace among them. At the earnest entreaties of this people, including all classes, he consented to take up his abode among them. His health was gradually confirmed, and the first fourteen years of his ministry were devoted to hearty and zealous labors for their tem- poral and spiritual welfare. Few men ever preached more in the same space of time than Dr. Tyler, while in Sonth Britain. It is believed by the writer that he preached as often out of the pulpit, in the school-houses and dwellings of his parish, as in it. At the same time he taught the sons of his parishioners Latin and Greek, and in some cases their daughters, the higher branches of an Eng- lish education. A considerable number of young men also stud- ied theology under his instruction.
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