USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Mendon > Centurial history of the Mendon association of Congregational ministers, with the Centennial address, delivered at Franklin, Mass., Nov. 19, l851, and biographical sketches of the members and licentiates > Part 8
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12. REV. NATHANAEL EMMONS, D. D.
Was the sixth son and twelfth and youngest child of Dea. Samuel, jr. and Ruth (Cone) Emmons .; He was born in East
* Sce Funeral Sermon, by Rev. N. Emmons, D. D.
t Samuel Emmons, grandfather of Dr. E., migrated from Cambridge and joined the church in E. Haddam, with his wife, 15 October, 1705. He had three sons, Samuel, Nathanael, and Jonathan, and two more children born in E. Haddam, Ebenezer and Mehitabel.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Haddam, Ct., 1 May, 1745, (N. S.). Graduated at Yale College, 1767, and A. M .; also, at Dartmouth, 1786, and D. D. 1798 at Dartmouth. He professed religion in 1769, and commenced the study of theology with Rev. Nathan Strong of Coventry, Ct., and completed the usual course with Rev. John Smalley, D. D. of Berlin. He was licensed by the Hartford South Association, 3 Oct. 1769, and ordained over the church in Franklin, 21 April, 1773 ; having been hired to supply the pulpit from 14 December preceding.
Discouraged by the little apparent fruit of his labors, he twice asked a dismission; viz. 21 January, 1781, and 20 May, 1784; which were each most wisely refused by his attached people. In 1827, May 13, he was seized with faintness while in the middle of his sermon, and carried to
Dea. Samuel jr. married Ruth Cone, 14 Sept. 1721. Nathanael married Elizabeth Mills. Samuel jr. lived at a village called Bashan (Union Factory). His twelve children were,
1. Dorothy, b. 16 Sept. 1722 ; m. Enoch Arnold of Millington.
2. Elizabeth, b. 6 March, 1724; m. Peter Spencer of Millington.
3. Ebenezer, b. 18 Sept. 1725.
4. Samuel jr., b. 20 Nov. 1727.
5. Mary, b. 6 Feb. 1730 ; not married.
6. Daniel.
7. Infant son.
8. Jonathan.
9. Hannah; married a Cowdry of Colchester.
10. Ruth ; married Abner Chapman of Colchester.
11. Sybel.
12. Nathanael, b. 1 May, 1745 ..
Dea. E. had a second wife, Rachel. Her tombstone is, " Mrs. Rachel, wife of Ens. Samuel Jones, 2d, wife of Dr. Benjamin Kneeland, 3d, wife of Mr. Nathaniel Mann, 4th, wife of Samuel Emmons, died 25 Feb. 1776." Dea. E. died about 1767.
The minister of Dr. Emmons's boyhood was Rev. Timothy Symmes. He had two sons, John Cleves and Timothy. John C. Symmes was judge in N. J., and his daughter was wife of Gen. W. H. Harrison. His second son, Timothy, was father to Capt. John C. Symmes, famous for his " Theory of the Earth."
REV. NATHANAEL EMMONS, D.D. 111
his house. He so far recovered as to finish his sermon on the following Sabbath. But this was the last sermon he preached. The second Sabbath following, May 27, 1827, he sent a note resigning his pastoral office, and requesting a meeting called immediately to provide for a supply of the pulpit. Though speedily recovering his former vigor, he would not recall his determination ; meaning, he said, 'to retire while he had sense enough to do it.' His retirement was spent in converse, reading, and revision of some of his sermons. He died 23 September, 1840, in the 96th year of his age, and the 68th from the commencement of his ministry in Franklin.
A granite pyramid on a granite base is raised to . his memory in the centre of Franklin common, - over which he went to the house of God for nearly seventy years, - and bears this simple inscription : -
N. EMMONS, D. D. AGED 96.
His tomb-stone over his grave in the church-yard, where his dust rests with that of his family, is inscribed as follows :
TO THE MEMORY OF REV. NATHANAEL EMMONS, D. D. PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN FRANKLIN : BORN MAY 1, 1745. ORDAINED APRIL 21, 1773. DIED SEPTEMBER 23, 1840, In the 96th year of his age, and the 68th of his ministry.
THE TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL, And the duties of his sacred calling, WERE HIS DELIGHT.
He " meditated on these things, gave himself wholly to them, AND HIS PROFITING APPEARED TO ALL."
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
In 1775, April 6, Dr. Emmons married Deliverance French, of Braintree. She died 22 June, 1778, and their two infant sons soon followed, on the same day, 8 Sept. 1778. He again married, 4 November, 1779, Martha, daughter of Rev. Chester Williams, of Hadley,* by whom he had two sons and four daughters.
1. Martha, married Willard Gay, Esq. of Dedham.
2. Deliverance, died 3 June, 1813.
3. Sarah, died January, 1823.
4. Mary, married Rev. Jacob Ide, D. D., and still sur- vives. Of the sons, the eldest,
Williams, graduated B. U. 1805 ; tutor until 1808 ; mar- ried Eunice Wilde of Dedham, and is now judge in Augusta, Maine.
2. Erastus, Maj. aid-de-camp to Gen. Crane; died 13 March, 1820. Mrs. Emmons died 2 August, 1829, and Dr. E. married Mrs. Abigail M. Mills, 18 Sept. 1831. She was daughter of Capt. Judah Moore, sister of Rev. Z. S. Moore, D. D., President of Amherst College, and the widow of Rev. Winslow Packard, of Wilmington, Vt., and afterwards widow of Rev. Edmund Mills, of Sutton. She now resides in Auburn Dale, Newton, still able to attend and enjoy the public worship of God, although 90 years of age.
Of the labors and character of Dr. Emmons, it is unneces- sary to speak. His published works, more extensively circulated than this brief notice can be, are sufficient ex- ponents of his character and sentiments.t
* Rev. C. Williams left five children, three of them daughters. - His widow was married to Rev. Samuel Hopkins, his successor, who had nine children. Of this family of fourteen children, were Rev. Nathaniel Williams, of Brimfield, and the wives of Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Rev. Dr. Spring of Newburyport, of Rev. Leonard Worcester of Peacham, Vt., of Rev. Dr. Austin of Worcester, and Rev. Wm. Riddell of Bernardstown.
t As a valuable contribution towards a complete idea of Dr. Emmons's intellectual character, and as an interesting literary morceau, the
REV. NATHANAEL EMMONS, D. D. 113
Of his labors, the following extract, - taken from the records of the Association, - may be interesting : -
" He attended thirty councils called for advice. He re- ceived seventy-five calls to attend ordinations and installations, as a member of councils, in six different States, fifty-four of which he attended. At twenty-five of these, he was the preacher. His publications during his ministry were, four dissertations on important subjects ; nearly sixty single occa- sional sermons, delivered in different places, and published by request of hearers ; and one hundred and thirty-one ser- mons in six detached volumes. In addition to these, he wrote largely for several of the periodicals of the day, some of which were almost wholly sustained by him. And such were his industry and resolution, that, together with all these labors and all his parochial duties, including his weekly preparations for the sanctuary, he read all the distinguished books of his day which came within his reach. And he generally had under his tuition one or more students in theology, till the infirmities of age rendered it necessary for him to decline the labor. The whole number of students
author ventures to insert the following poetic effusion. They are the only rhyme which Dr. E. is known to have written.
" My thoughts I can with ease disclose
In plain, and pure, and perfect prose ;
But give me e'er so much of time, I cannot make a single rhyme. No reason I could ever find Why nature did so frame my mind,
But that it were to check my pride,
And give me reason for my guide.
This guide ne'er led a man astray, Who heard its voice and did obey. But there is something I deem higher,
To which I always will aspire, -
To lead mankind to fear and love
The God who lives and reigns above."
10*
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
whom he thus assisted in their preparation for the ministerial office, was eighty-six."
As was the custom in his day, Dr. Emmons seldom visited his parishioners, unless they were sick or in affliction. In the latter part of his ministry, the writer remembers that he called annually, and perhaps oftener, when the members of the family were assembled, enquiries made after the temporal and spiritual welfare, and maxims of wisdom dropped, which are still remembered. Also, in May annu- ally, the children were invited to meet him in their respective school-houses, where they were ' catechised,' and exhorted, and prayed with, by this venerable puritan minister. Those gatherings, and his appearance and words are forever fresh in recollection. The portrait of him in his published works very exactly reflects the image engraven in the minds of that generation ; lacking, may be, the vivacious flash of quick intelligence and sympathy. The 'works' themselves have engraved his theological likeness upon a multitude of minds, and will continue to multiply resemblances until earthly teachers cease, and we sit down together at the feet of Him in whom are hid all treasures of wisdom and know- ledge.
A list of Dr. Emmons's students, as found amongst his. papers, is here inserted. They are not recorded in the order of time, and were therefore probably written down towards the close of his life, from memory. The list does not evi- dently include all who resorted to him for theological instruc- tion. Some of these were with him but a short time : at the beginning or close of their preparation for the ministry. Some did not enter the ministry at all, but studied for their own benefit. The list is copied without alteration ; their place of settlement is added, when known. Those starred were approbated by this Association, and will be found in their proper place : -
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DR. EMMONS'S STUDENTS.
* Josiah Reed, Uxbridge. Daniel Farrington, Wrentham ; never settled.
* Jacob Cram, Hampton Falls.
* Read Page, Hardwick.
* Walter Harris, New Lebanon, N. H.
* Elias Dudley, Newport, N. H.
Ariel Parish, Plainfield, Ct. : settled in Manchester.
* Royal Tyler, Uxbridge.
Pierson Thurston, Lancaster ; s. in Somersworth, N. H., and St. Johnsbury, Vt.
Thomas Moore, Lancaster ; s. in Wiscasset, Me .? Nathan Church, South Hadley ; s. in Bridgton, Me.
* Herman Daggett, Wrentham.
* Josiah Holbrook, Wrentham.
James Tufts, Oakham; s. in Wolfsboro', N. H., and Do- ver, N. H.
Josiah Graves, Sunderland ; deacon in Amherst.
* John Fitch, Hopkinton.
Eleazer Taft, Waltham.
Phinehas Taft, Braintree ; died before settlement.
* Nathaniel Hall, Sutton. William Riddell, Colerain; s. in Bristol, Me. John Smith, Palmer ; s. in Haverill, N. H.
* Eli Smith, Belchertown.
* Abijah Wines, Newport, N. H.
* John Bowers Preston, N. Jersey.
* Nathaniel Ogden, N. Jersey. Thomas Thompson, Newbury. John Simpkins, Boston ; s. in Brewster.
* Samuel Judson, Woodbury, Ct.
* John Morse, Medway.
Jonathan Ward, Plymouth, N. H .; s. in Brentwood, N. H. 1
* William Jackson, Wallingford, N. H.
* Enoch Pond, Wrentham.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Caleb Blake, Wrentham ; s. in Westford.
* Kiah Bailey, Haverill, N. H.
Calvin Chaddock, Oakham ; s. in Hanover.
* Nathaniel Howe, Linebrook.
Timothy Clark, Wallingford, Ct .; s. in Greenfield, N. H.
* Benjamin Wood, New Lebanon, N. H.
* Nathan Holman, Sutton.
* Joseph Rowell, Newton, N. H.
* Drury Fairbanks, Holliston.
Samuel Fowler Dickinson, Amherst ; Lawyer in Am- herst.
William Salisbury, Braintree; s. in N. Y. State.
* Joseph Emerson, Hollis, N. H.
Oliver Ayers, Franklin, Ct .; s. in Augusta, N. Y. Samuel Brown, Kingston, N. H.
* Joseph Cheney, Holden.
* Nathan Waldo, Orange, N. H.
Abel Farley, Hollis, N. H. ; s. in Manchester, N. H.
* Levi Nelson, Milford.
* William Warren, New Ipswich, N. H.
Edward Whipple, New Braintree : s. at Charlton and Shrewsbury.
David Jewett, Hollis, N. H .; s. in Gloucester.
Gordon Johnson, Farmington, Ct. ; s. at West Killingly, Ct.
Nathaniel Kendrick, Hanover, N. H.
* Gaius Conant, Braintree.
Spalding, Westford ; s. in Penobscot, Me. ?
Truman Baldwin, Granville; s. at Pompey, N. Y.
Luke Wood, Somers, Ct ; s. in Waterbury, and West- ford, Ct.
* Thomas Williams, Pomfret, Ct.
George Hall, E. Haddam, Ct .; s. at Cherry Valley, N. Y.
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REV . ELIJAH FITCH.
Roswell R. Swan, Stonington, Ct. ; s. in Norwalk, Ct.
* Stephen Chapin, Milford.
Bela Kellogg, Amherst ; s. 2d Ch. Avon, Ct.
* David Holman, Sutton. Fisher, -- , N. H.
Christopher Webb, Weymouth; Mass. Senate, died in Weymouth.
Artemas Dean, Taunton ; s. in Rome, N. Y.
* Sherman Johnson, Southboro'.
Bancroft Fowler, Pittsfield ; Prof. at Bangor.
Dickinson Fowler, Amherst.
Ebenezer Burgess, Wareham; s. at Dedham.
* John B. Wight, Bristol, R. I.
* Elnathan Walker, Taunton. Thaddeus Osgood, -; Missionary in Canada.
Enoch Pond, North Wrentham.
Emerson Paine, Mansfield.
Alexander Metcalf Fisher, Franklin ; Math. Prof. at Yale College.
* Willard Holbrook, Sutton.
* Moses Partridge, Bellingham.
* William Tyler, Pawtucket.
* Abel Manning, Holden.
* Sewall Harding, Medway.
* David Brigham, Westborough.
* Zolva Whitmore, East Haddam, Ct.
* Jonathan Longley, Boylston.
13. REV. ELIJAH FITCH,
The son of Capt. John Fitch, was born in Windham, Ct., 1746, graduated at Yale college, 1765, and A. M .; and also at Harvard, 1770. He preached in Franklin some time af- ter Mr. Barnum's dismission ; but settled, ultimately, in Hop-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
kinton, 15 Jan., 1772, as colleague with Rev. Samuel Barrett. In Dec. 11, Mr. Barrett died, and left Mr. Fitch sole pastor of the church, which office he filled until his death, 16 Dec., 1788, in his 43d year and the 17th of his ministry.
Mr. Fitch married Hannah Fuller, who survived him and died 7 Feb., 1824, aged 80. He left five children alive at his death.
1. A daughter, who died about 1793.
2. John, Rev. (see Licentiates, No. 28).
3. A daughter, resident at Hopkinton.
4. Elijah, Dea. in Hopkinton, d. 27 Apl., 1847, aged 68.
5. Betsey, married Rev. Nathanael Rawson (Licentiates, No. 52).
Mr. Fitch " was a man of great powers of mind. He possessed a sound judgment. He was somewhat reserved in mixed companies, but in the pulpit he was remarkably eloquent. He was unassuming ; a man of meekness and candor ; a man of humility and benevolence ; he was patient, industrious, and persevering. His life spent in one con- tinual series of exertion for the good of his church, people, and family. He was not rigid in his religious opinions ; he was considered a moderate Calvinist.
"No man ever more feelingly participated in the happi- ness or misery of his fellow men, than he ; or better filled the several offices of pastor, husband, parent, friend, neighbor, and townsman." He was a fine scholar and poet. He left a poem, of several cantos, in blank verse, entitled the ‘ Beau- ties of Religion,' addressed to the young, which contains passages of poetic merit. He published a Sermon on the Evacuation of Boston, 1776.
"Two years before his death, he was unable to preach through the winter. But in the spring he partially recovered, and was able to preach until the April preceding his death .*
* Century Sermon, by Rev. N. Howe, fourth edition.
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REV. JOSIAH SPALDING.
14. REV. JOSIAH SPALDING
Was born in Plainfield, Ct., 10 Jan., 1751, graduated at Yale college, 1778, and A. M., approbated to preach the Gos- pel, 1780. He was ordained at Uxbridge, 11 Sept., 1782, and, on account of some dissatisfaction in the church, was dismissed 23 Oct., 1787. The council say : "they view Mr. Spalding's Christian character in a fair and amiable light, and hope Christ will use him as an instrument of speedily building up his Gospel and promoting his cause in the world."
Mr. Spalding was next installed in Worthington, 21 Aug., 1788, and dismissed March, 1794. He left there with the reputation of being 'sound in doctrine, but very eccentric.'* He was next settled in Buckland, in 1794, where he re- mained until his death, 8 May, 1823, at the age of 72 years, 41 of which he spent in the ministry; viz. 5 years in Uxbridge, 63 in Worthington, and 28} years in Buckland.
" His ministry in Buckland," says his successor, " was a successful one. There were several seasons of special re- ligious interest during his ministry, the last of which was the year before he died, when there was probably the most powerful revival ever enjoyed among this people. In 1799, there were 17 admitted to the church at one time ; in 1807, 12 at one time ; and 8 at one time in the following year ; 16 were admitted at once in 1816, and in 1822, 65 were admit- ted, among which number was Miss Mary Lyon.
" Mr. Spalding was a sound doctrinal preacher, who in- structed his people well in the great truths of the Bible, and laid the foundations so thoroughly that they remain to this day. The fruits of his ministry still exist in the church, and they form its strongest pillars. Unitarianism never found a place here (in Buckland), and we need not look any far- ther than to the labors of such a man, to account for it.
* Letter of Rev. J. W. Bisbee, Worthington.
r
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
" As a preacher, his manner was rather dull and uninter- esting ; but what he lacked in manner, he made up in matter.
" On his death-bed, he was visited by some of his people, who came to confess some wrong they had done him. He felt that he could not die without an interview. When it was over, he said he could die in peace. " His memory still lives among the people. They looked up to him as their fa- ther ; and when they now speak of him, they usually give him the title of ' father.'
Mr. Spalding published several sermons during his min- istry. He also issued a volume entitled, " Universalism destroys itself," which is among the references in the An- dover Course of Theological Study. It enters into a mi- nute and extensive examination of the original words used in the Scriptures in reference to the duration of future pun- ishment. It cost much labor, at a time when few helps ex- isted for such researches. He had another work in readiness at his death, but the manuscript is now lost.
Mr. Spalding married Martha Williams, daughter of Judge Williams, of Taunton, who died a few months before him. They had five children, -four daughters, and one son, Josiah. Three of the daughters married and left de- scendants. But a melancholy interest gathers over the son. " Bearing his father's name, the pride of his parents, and de- signed by them for the ministry, he has been a raving maniac for forty-four years. He is now almost 65. For some two years after he became deranged, he was not confined ; but his father's life was repeatedly endangered, and he was chained for some two years. For the last forty years, he has been shut up in a cage. No clothing can be kept on him. He remains constantly in a sitting posture, with a blanket wrapped about him, and only leans back against the cage when he sleeps. He has remained in this position so long, that his limbs cannot be straightened.
" Before he became deranged, he had been for many months in an interesting state of mind, and his parents enter-
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REV. JOHN CRANE, D. D.
tained a hope for him. He was nearly or quite prepared to enter college, and was teaching school when the first signs of insanity appeared. He appears to become more and more demented."* Strange are the ways of Providence ! and con- tradictory now ; but radiant hereafter, and admirable to the student in heaven !
15. REV. JOHN CRANE, D. D.
The son of John and Rachel (Terry) Crane, was born in Norton, 26 March, 1756. His parents belonged to the soci- ety of Friends.t He graduated at Harvard, 1780, and A. M .; also A. M., 1792, and S. T. D., 1803, from Brown Univer- sity ; studied theology with Dr. Emmons ; and, in 1782, was invited by the society in Northbridge to preach as a candi- date. Soon after, a church was gathered, and he received a regular call to settle over the church and society, in the work of the ministry. He accepted it, and was ordained over the first church in Northbridge, 25 June, 1783. He died in the ministry, 31 Aug. 1836, aged 80 years, and in the 54th of his pastorate .¿ 1
Dr. Crane married Miss Rachel Taft, of Northbridge ; by whom he had three children, daughters. The eldest, Rachel, was married to Rev. Ezekiel Rich.
The second, Susan, was married to Abel Jaquis, Esq., of
* Letter of Rev. A. B. Smith, Buckland.
t John Crane Sen. was born in Berkley, 1732, moved to Norton about 1750, and died April, 1800. His wife was of Freetown. She died, 1821. Their children were John (above), George, b. 8 Nov., 1758, Rachel, b. 12 Sept., 1761, Calver, b. 13 May, 1764, Hannah, b. 18 June, 1766, Terry, b. 28 April, 1774.
# " Dr. C. resigned his charge, 14 March, 1832, but continued nominal pastor, until his death. On the first Sabbath in May, 1835, - about a year before his death,-he preached his last sermon in the old meeting- house, in which he had ministered for half a century (just before it was taken down), from thistext: " The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended."-Rev. W. Bates, Northbridge.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Worcester. The third, Hannah, was married to Rev. John Taylor, late of Shutesbury, but who now leads a private life in Northbridge, on the paternal farm .*
" Dr. Crane had a strong and penetrating and well cultiva- ted mind. He was cordially attached the great and distin- guishing doctrines of the Gospel, and never shunned to de- clare the whole council of God." " It was a settled maxim with him, always to preach the truth in that clear, plain and simple style which even children could understand. He says in one of his sermons, " I have aimed to preach the doctrines of the Gospel in as plain a manner as I could. I have tried to make Divine truth bear upon the heart and the conscience. I have studied to send away my hearers dissatisfied with themselves."
"Dr. Crane was not only a plain, practical and pungent preacher, but he was decidedly orthodox. He embraced sub- stantially, what have been called the doctrines of the Reform- ation. The free moral agency of man, the entire depravity of the human heart, the Sovereignty of God in the election of grace, the necessity of regeneration by the Spirit of God, the perseverance of the Saints, the resurrection of the dead, and a general and final judgment, formed the great outlines of that system which he believed and preached. This system of doctrines he believed, not merely because they had been embraced and ably advocated by Luther and Calvin and Edwards and Bellamy and Hopkins and Dwight and Em- mons : but because they appeared to him to be the great truths taught by the Lord Jesus Christ and his inspired Apostles."t
* At was the fashion of those times, Dr. Crane carried on a large farm, on which, during the latter part of his ministry, he engaged daily with his hired men. For many years, his cider-mill was the only one in the parish, and all his people were dependent on him for their cider ! Happy the minister who could so easily cut off such supplies !
t Extract from Funeral Sermon by Rev. D. Holman, Douglas, in B. Recorder, No. 1141.
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REV . JOHN CRANE, D. D.
" Dr. Crane was very active and laborious. Besides his pastoral and ministerial labors, he instructed many youth at a school in his own house, which he kept for many years. In his half-century sermon he says, 'The fifty years which I have passed in this place have been full of labor and hurry. I was employed more than thirty years in teaching youth. I have instructed more than a hundred young men in their preparation for admission to college .* I have written about four thousand sermons, and probably delivered about two hundred extempore discourses.'"
Several revivals marked his ministry. In 1800, 27 were added to the church ; in 1809, 28 were added. In 1829-30, about 30 were joined to the followers of Christ. In 1831, almost 70 were gathered into the fold.
" Dr. Crane published several occasional discourses, which show not only strength of mind and maturity of judgment, but also a familiar acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures, and the great and essential truths of our holy religion." His chapter in the ' Mendon Evidences,' indicates the extent of his studies and the power of his logic. The titles of some of his published productions are as follows : -
1. Thanksgiving Sermon, 1800. 2. Two Fast Sermons on Civil Liberty. 3. Ordination Sermon of Rev. Calvin Park, D. D., at Franklin, 1815. 4. Ordination Sermon of Rev. Ezekiel Rich. 5. Ordination Sermon of Rev. John Taylor, at Shutesbury. 6. Two Sermons on the Nature and Design of John's Baptism. 7. Lecture on Sacred Music, at Sutton. 8. Fourth of July Oration, at Douglas. 9. " Rea- sons why I am not a Baptist : By Bickerstaff."
* Among them were Rev. Dr. Hawes, of Hartford, Ct., Rev. Willard Preston, D. D., of Savannah, Ga., and Rev. Cyrus Kingsbury, Missionary to the Choctaws. Dr. Crane represented the town of North- bridge for several years in the General Court.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
16. REV. DAVID AVERY
Was born 5 April, 1746, in that part of Norwich, Ct., now forming the town of Franklin. His parents were John and Lydia (Smith) Avery .* He was converted to God at about twenty years of age, under the preaching of Whitefield. Fit- ted for college at Dr. Wheelock's school, in Lebanon, Ct. Entered Yale College a year in advance, and graduated 1769, A. M. in course, and also at Dartmouth, 1773. Employed in his vacations teaching Indian schools. Studied theology with Rev. Dr. E. Wheelock of Dartmouth Coll. Preached a short time on Long Island as a licentiate. Was soon ordained, probably at Dartmouth, 29 August, 1771, as missionary to the Oneida Indians, and colleague with Rev. Mr. Kirkland, father of President Kirkland of Harvard University.
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