USA > Michigan > Wayne County > Chronography of notable events in the history of the Northwest territory and Wayne County > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
Charles Larned was the custodian of the document signed by Gen. Cass, Col. Brush, David Cooper and others, eighty in number, in which they agreed to seize and depose Gen. Hull, and thus prevent his con- templated disgraceful surrender of Detroit. Through some source Hull was apprised of their intentions and frustrated their plan, by send- ing Cass, Brush and Miller, with their commands, to meet an expected convoy of supplies then on its way from Ohio. And history informs us that on their way back they learned of the surrender, and the fact that they and their troops were included as prisoners under its terms.
After the close of the war General Larned engaged in the practice of law, and ranked with the most successful lawyers of the northwest. He was Attorney General during the Black Hawk war, and with Gov. Geo. B. Porter, conducted the negotiations which grew out of it. He was the adviser and friend of Gen. Cass, and through him and Gen. John R. Williams, the militia organization of Michigan was reduced to a practical system for efficient work.
Gen. Larned became distinguished as a criminal lawyer, and was a brilliant speaker. The poor and unfortunate, as well as the young law- yer, always found a sympathizing friend and helper in Gen. Chas. Larned.
He had passed through the cholera epidemic of 1832, but on its return in 1834 he fell a victim, owing to his indefatigable efforts to relieve
- 325 -
and alleviate its terrible distress and fatality to others, at one period going without rest for 48 hours. Gov. Porter, a co-worker, was also his companion in death.
Gen. Larned occupied and owned a cottage-residence and office on the south side of Larned street (which takes its name from him) and Woodward avenue.
In 1813 Gen. Larned married Miss Sylvia Easton Colt, daughter of Capt. James and Miriam Colt, of Pittsfield, Mass. She was born at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1796.
Gen. Larned died August 13th, 1834, and his wife died August 24th, 1845, aged 49 years.
Gen. Larned's family at his death consisted of Julia Colt Larned, Jane Hereford Larned, Sylvester Larned, Catherine Jones Larned, Mary Larned and Harriet H. Larned.
CHRONOGRAPHY -- FOURTH PERIOD.
Fourth Epoch from the admission of the Territory as one of the States of the Union to 1888.
1837 .- Under the constitution of 1835, January 2d, the Legislature of the State met at Detroit. The State officers were Stevens T. Mason, Governor; Edward Mundy, Lieut-Governor; Kintzing Pritchett, Secretary of State; Robert Abbott, Auditor General; Henry Howard, Treasurer; John D. Price, Superintendent of Pub- lic Instruction; Marshall I. Bacon, Bank Commissioner. The United States Senators were John Norvell and Lucius Lyon. Member of Congress, Isaac E. Crary. The mem- bers of the Legislature from Wayne; Jonathan D. Davis, of Plymouth, and Conrad Ten Eyck, of Dearborn, State Senator. Members of the House: Charles W. Whipple; John Martin, of Detroit; Caleb Herrington, of Northville; Job Smith of Van Buren; Ammon Brown, of Nankin; and Geo. W. Ferrington, of Redford. The Judiciary : Elon Farnsworth, Chancellor; John Winder, Regis- ter; Wm. Fletcher, Chief Justice Supreme Court; Geo. Morrill and Henry Ransom, Associate Judges; Daniel Le Roy, Attorney General; John Winder, Clerk; Ross Wilkins, United States Dis- trict Judge; Daniel Goodwin, District Attorney; Conrad Ten Eyck, United States Marshal; Lucius Lyon and John Norvill, United States Senators; Isaac E. Crary, Member Congress; John R. Wil- liams, John Stockton and Joseph W. Brown, Major Generals in the State Militia; John E. Schwarz, Adjutant General; John E. Winder, Isaac S. Rowland, Marshall I. Bacon and George B. Martin, Colonels; John Chester, Military Secretary. County Officers : C. Moran and C. Howard, Associate Judges; Geo. A. O'Keefe, Judge of Probate; J. M. Wilson, Sheriff; T. E. Tallman, County Clerk; Geo. R. Griswold, Register; Garry Spencer, Treasurer. Auction- eers: Lemuel Goodell, Robt. Le Power, Alex. H. Stowell, Henry Doty, James Stillson, Jonas Titus. Municipal Officers: Levi Cook, Mayor; Geo. Byrd, Clerk; James A. Van Dyke, Attorney; A. C. Caniff, Collector; A. E. Hanthon, Engineer; David French, Treasurer; Noah Sutton, Superintendent of Hydraulic Works; John W. Strong, B. F. H. Witherell, D. E. Hurbaugh, Lemuel Goodell, Chas. Moran, Henry V. Disbrow, Justices of the Peace; Oliver Newberry, Thomas Palmer, Julius Eldred,
-328 -
Darius Lamson, John Farrar, David Cooper, John Owen, Aldermen. Attorneys and Counsellors, of Detroit: G. Atter- bury, M. I. Bacon, Bates & Talbot, Bates & Walker, A. W. Buel, Geo. C. Bull, Henry Chipman, Chas. Church- man, Chas. Cleland, Geo. Corselleus, H. V. Disbrow, Fra- zer & Stewart, Daniel Godwin, Geo. E. Hand, William Hale, Harbaugh & Rowland, H. G. Hubbard, J. M. Howard, A. Lang- ton, Meredith & McGruder, A. S. Misner, John Norvell, Geo. A. O'Keefe, S. Pitts, A. S. Porter, R. E. Roberts, Theodore Romeyn, F. Sawyer, T. F. Talbot, Chas. Tryon, Daniel F. Webster, A. S. Williams, Williams & TenEyck, B. F. H. Witherell, Whipple & Van Dyke, Woodbridge & Backus. Federal Officers at Detroit: Andrew Mack, Collector of Customs; Sheldon M. Knight, Post- master; Thomas Hunt, Register United Land Office; Jonathan R. Kearsley, United States Receiver; Henry Schoolcraft, Indian Agent. Bank of Michigan: E. P. Hastings, President; H. K. Sanger, Cashier; D. G. Jones, P. J. Desnoyers, James Abbot, H. Whiting, B. F. Larned, D. Lamson, Directors. Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank: James Biddle, President; John A. Wells, Cashier; Levi Cook, B. B. Kerchival, John Norvell, Geo. B. Mar- tin, Henry V. Disbrow, Lucius Abbott, F. C. Mills, Jno. A. Wells, Directors. Michigan State Bank: F. H. Stevens, President; Jno. Norton, Jr., Cashier; T. B. Clark, J. Norton, Jr., H. H. Comstock, G. Palmer, G. M. Williams, Franklin Moore, R. McMillen, John Hale, Directors. Societies: Historical, Major Rowland, Presi- dent; State Temperance, Marshall Bacon, President; John Owen, Treasurer; J. S. Farrand, Geo. E. Hand, S. T. Mason, John Ches- ter, A. S. Kellogg, Directors. Physicians and Surgeons- Wm. Brown, Thos. Bradley, Francis Beckenridge, Marshall Chapin, T. B. Clark, Hosea P. Crabb, E. M. Cowles, Daniel O. Hoit, Doug- lass Houghton, Ebenezer Hurd, Robt. McMillan, Zina Pitcher, Arthur L. Porter, Justin Rice, Randall S. Rice, Geo. B. Russell, Abram Sayer, J. B. Scovil, J. Smead, Lewis F. Starkey, Adrian R. Terry, Edward A. Theller. Surgeon-Dentists: J. S. Ware, Mr. Cardell. Officers of the Detroit and St. Joseph Rail- road: John Biddle, President; C. C. Trowbridge, Henry Whiting, Oliver Newberry, J. Burdick, Shubael Conant, H. H. Comstock, E. A. Brush, Mark Norris, C. N. Ormsby, Directors; John M. Berrien, Chief Engineer; A. J. Center, Assistant; A. H. Adams, Secretary and Treasurer. Pontiac and Detroit Railroad: Rus- sell H. Heywood, President; David Le Roy, David Paddock, S. Hodges, G. O. Whitman, S. Close, Geo. Palmer, Chas. Hascall, Sherman Stevens, Alfred Williams, Directors. Brady Guards, Civil Officers: Col. John Winder, President; James A. Armstrong, Secretary; A. T. McReynolds, Treasurer. Detroit Young Men's,
-329-
incorporated in 1830: Geo. E. Hand, President; Silas Titus, Vice- President; Asher S. Kellogg, Corresponding Secretary; Francis Raymond, Recording Secretary; David E. Harbaugh, Treasurer; W. W. Denne, Auditor; John Chester, John L. Talbot, James A. Van Dyke, A. T. McReynolds, James F. Joy, John S. Magruder, A. S. Williams, Directors. State Medical Society: Dr. Daniel O. Hoyt, President; Robt. McMillen, Vice-President; Edwin W. Cowles, Secretary; Ebenezer Hurd, Treasurer; Marshall Chapin, Zina Pitcher, Ebenezer Hurd, Robt. McMillen, Edward W. Cowles, Censors. St. Phillip's College, Hamtramck: Right Rev. Dr. Rese Bishop, Patron; Rev. John D. Bruyn, President. Churches in Detroit: St. Ann's, Bishop Rese, Rector; Revs. Francis Vincent Boden, T. A. Burnier, Mr. Kundig, Mr. Kopp, C. Bowens, Curates; Peter Godfroy, Lewis Beaufait, Charles Des- noyers, Eustache Chapoton, Church Wardens. Trinity Church, Michigan avenue, corner of Bates: Rev. Bernard O'Cavanagh, Rector; Robt. Elliott, Roger Fitzpatrick, Michael Doran, Jno. Can- eau, John Heffron, Wardens. St. Paul's, Woodward avenue: Right Rev. Dr. McCorsky, Rector; H. M. Campbell, C. C. Trow- bridge, Wardens. Baptist, Fort street: Rev. Robt. Turnbull, Pastor; Wm. A. Cocker, Clerk; R. Ambrose, John Bloom, Dea- cons. Presbyterian, Woodward avenue: Rev. John P. Cleve- land, Pastor; E. P. Hastings, Justin Rice, B. F. Larned, Edward Bingham, Horace Hallock, Robt. Stuart, C. G. Hammond, Elders; E. P. Hastings, B. F. Larned, Deacons. Methodist Episcopal Church, Woodward avenue: Rev. E. Thomas, Pastor; Robt. Abbott, Jerry Dean, John Owen, Newell French, Joseph French, Stewards. German Lutheran, Monroe avenue: Rev. Mr. Schmead, Pastor; Wm. Amheim, John Thurwacher, John V. Reule, Geo. Graf, Frederick Butzer, Wardens. African Church, Fort street: Supplied by ministers of other churches. Ladies' Orphan Associa- tion. Instituted 1836. Mrs. C. C. Trowbridge, First Directoress ; Mrs. Robt. Stewart, Second Directoress; Miss E. S. Trowbridge, Third Directoress; Rev. Mr. Turnbull, B. F. Larned, Henry Whiting, E. P. Hastings, C. C. Trowbridge, Jerry Dean, Counsel- ling Committee. Stage Routes: Western, via Territorial road; Western, via Chicago Turnpike; Eastern, via Monroe; Boardman Saltmast, Gilllie & Hughes, Jones & Brown, Robt. Forsyth, Managers. Principal Hotels: American, Petty & Hawley, Jeffer- son avenue; Michigan Exchange, A. Wales; National, H. K. Han- ing; Steamboat Hotel, B. Woodruff. January 26, Congress passed the formal act constituting Michigan one of the States of the Union, which has been designated as the fourth period of its history. The first Anti-Slavery Society organized in Michigan at Detroit. Fire destroyed all the buildings on both sides of Atwater street and 22
- 330 -
warehouses on Bates street. March 18, Act founding the University of Michigan, passed; also an Act on the 21st, authorizing a loan of five million dollars for inland improvements. The Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad Company sold their franchise to the State. Population of Detroit, 9,763. Number of dwellings and stores, 1,300.
1838 .- The Michigan University opened. The Michigan Central (for- merly Detroit and St. Joseph railroad) opened to Ypsilanti, Feb- ruary 3d. Judge James Witherell died. Specie payment sus- pended under United States sub-treasury Act. Farmers' and Mechanics' and the Old State Bank of Michigan suspend. The Legislature passes a general banking law. Pontiac and Detroit railroad completed to Royal Oak, twelve miles. General Scott visited Detroit.
1839 .- Slave riot occurred on account of the decision of Judge Wilkins, holding that a fugitive from Mississippi should be returned. Brady Guards called. The slave was subsequently purchased by citizens and released. Michigan Central railway opened to Ann Arbor. Wards in city first constituted election districts.
1840 .- Fire Department Association organized ; chartered by Legis- lature February 14. Robert E. Roberts, President; Frederick Buhl, Vice-President; E. R. Kearlsley, Secretary; Darius Lamson, Treasurer, and E. Goodell, Collector. Great Whig mass meeting at Detroit; D. E. Harbaugh and Geo. C. Bates, orators of the day, Alex. H. Sibley, Marshal. Dr. Zina Pitcher was elected mayor of Detroit and William Woodbridge, Governor. The subsequent history of Wayne county and the prominent events connected therewith, being illustrated in the biographical sketches of the men of the present period, it is deemed superfluous to detail events further, except as they occur and are not connected with personal incidents. All that will be attempted now will be to furnish data, showing the general progress of Wayne county from 1840 to the present period, as influenced by current collateral events or inci- dents.
1841 .- Mount Elliott Cemetery, in Detroit, purchased August 31st and named after its projector, Robert Elliott. The remains of Colonel Hamtramck were among the first deposited therein. The lowest rain fall, of which there is any record, experienced this year. Congress made the first appropriation to build Fort Wayne, August 4th. The Bank of Michigan was compelled to assign. Of the original Board of Directors DeGarmo Jones, James Abbott, P. J. Desnoyers and D. Lamson, continued.
-331 -
IS42 .-- A fire broke out in a large warehouse between Bates and Ran- dolph, which resulted in the destruction of all the buildings between Jefferson and Woodward, on the west side of Woodward avenue, including the New York and Ohio House. Cornelius O. Flynn and Bela Hubbard were appointed commissioners to adjust claims to lots in the old town destroyed by fire in 1805, as a land board appointed by Congress. To enable them to locate the precise sites occupied by the old town, according to the surveys of Thos. Smith, only two points remained: the foundations of the old jail on Wayne street and the Joseph Campau House on Jefferson ave- nue. From these they were able to project the Smith map on the map of the new city as laid out by the Governor and Judges. Michigan Central railroad opened to Jackson. The fire above referred to induced and promoted the organization of Phoenix Company No. 5 (the name was changed in 1855 to Washington), which made five fire companies in Detroit. Ex-President Martin Van Buren visits Detroit.
1843 .- Ex-Governor Mason died January 3d, in the city of New York. Michigan Central railroad opened to Kalamazoo. Doctor Doug- lass Houghton was drowned in Lake Superior, October 13th.
1844 .- The first electric telegraph in the United States completed between Washington and Baltimore, and the first message of a public nature was the announcement of the nomination of James K. Polk by the Democratic National Convention at Baltimore. Geo. A. Hough, the veteran actor, rented the City Hall (not then used for the meetings of the Common Council) and gave theatrical entertainments. His leading actor was W. G. Noah.
1846 .- The population of Detroit was 12,000 at this time. Elmwood Cemetery opened October 6th. Michigan Central Railway Com- pany chartered and purchased the franchises and property from the State, paying therefor the sum of two million dollars. It was at this time opened to Kalamazoo. The Hon. James F. Joy was the principal negotiator of the purchase and sale. The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern railroad chartered this year. A company under the management of Mr. Potter gave theatrical entertainments at the City Hall. He succeeded G. A. Hough and Isaac Merritt, who was subsequently known as Isaac Merritt Singer. The first Michigan volunteers, from Detroit, leave for the war in Mexico under the command of Col. Alpheus S. Will- iams.
1847 .- The last session of the Legislature in Detroit. The State Capitol removed to Lansing. Chloroform first employed as an anesthetic.
-332 -
1848 .- Fire destroyed Wales Hotel (Hull residence), Steamboat Hotel, Howard's tavern and two hundred and fifty other buildings. The first telegram was received at Detroit from New York. Michi- gan Central railroad moved its depot to the foot of Third street. Messrs. Parker and Ellis leased the lot directly opposite the present Biddle House. William Burnett took the contract to erect a theater, holding the lease as a lien. There being but few theater goers in those days the investment did not pay, and Mr. Burnett was compelled to take the property. Following its history in this connection, it was sold to James Sherlock. He not mak- ing it a success, sold to A. McFarland, who named it "The Metropolitan." In 1858 McFarland transferred it to E. T. Sher- lock. While under his control, Garry Hough and Miss Sally St. Clair made a partial success of it, but in 1861, Ed. Sherlock, desiring to enter the army, sold to Mr. Charles Welch, who ran it for a few years as The Varieties, when he sold and it is now a livery stable. Detroit Tribune first issued November 19th.
1849 .- Cholera broke out in Detroit. The average deaths were one a day from July 9th to August 18th. Captain Chesley Blake the veteran sailor, who volunteered to fight at the battle of Lundy's Lane with Scott, and was the favorite captain of Oliver Newberry, died at Milwaukee.
1850 .- Police Court first established in Detroit. Fugitive slave bill passed by Congress September 12. Henry Clay died January 29.
1852 .- Land Grant Act passed for the construction of the Sault Ste. Marie canal. The Michigan Central railroad completed to Chicago.
1853 .- Steamer Winfield Scott lost December 2d.
1854 .- Cholera appeared at Detroit. The average deaths, two per day, from May until September. The population was 40,000.
1857 -- The Detroit, Monroe and Toledo railroad chartered April 26th. October 15th, bank panic. All the banks except the Michigan Insurance Company's closed their doors. Father Mathew died December 8th.
1858 .- Detroit and Port Huron, branch of the Grand Trunk railroad, chartered March Sth. The first cable telegram to Detroit. Torch light procession on the occasion. The message "Europe and America are united by telegraph. 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will to men.'"
1859 .-- Raid of John Brown at Harper's Ferry, October 16th.
1860 .- Abraham Lincoln elected President of the United States. Laller, of Cincinnati, invented the steam fire engine.
-
-333 -
1861 .- Steam fire engine first used in Detroit. Volunteer system abandoned and the present pay system established. Fort Sumpter fired upon by South Carolina troops April 13th. April 15th Presi- dent issued a call for 75,000 volunteers. First Michigan Infantry, General O. B. Wilcox commanding, leave for the seat of war May 13th. General Loomis' Battery leave Detroit for seat of war. February 2nd, Legislature pass loyal resolutions. War loans sub- scribed by Detroit, February 20th.
1862. Michigan Cavalry Brigade organized at Washington, Decem- ber 12.
1863 .- Riot occurred in Detroit ; large number of houses inhabited by the colored people destroyed by the mob, and several slain. The occa- sion was the sentencing to imprisonment for life by Judge Witherell of the colored man named Falkner, for rape. The Light Guard, Lyon Guard, a company of United States Troops and Col. D. M. Foxe's Regiment called to suppress it. First Draft riot in Detroit, August 27. Great war meeting in Detroit. Draft riot in New York City July 14.
1865 .- Metropolitan Police organized February 28. General Lee sur- renders to Grant April 9th. Freight depot M. C. R. R. burned September 19th. President Lincoln assassinated April 14th. Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery rati- fied December 18th.
1866 .- General Cass died June 17. General Sherman visits Detroit February 7th.
1867 .- Third Constitutional Convention assembled at Lansing, May 15th. Members from Wayne county: Robert McClelland, Daniel Goodwin, Peter Desnoyers, William A. Smith, Jonathan Shearer, William A. Warner, Geo. V. N. Lothrop, Peter Henkle and William Purcell. Chas. M. Crosswell, President; Thomas H. Glenn, G. X. M. Collier and T. P. Miles, Secretaries; D. B. Purinton, Sergeant at Arms, and Seymour Foster, Postmaster. The constitution as revised by this convention, on being submitted to the people, was rejected by a vote 71,733 yeas to 110,583 nays. 1868 .- Corner-stone new City Hall laid. Grant first nominated for President.
1869 .- First observance of Decoration Day in Detroit, May 29th.
1871 .- New City Hall completed July 4th. Its length is 204 feet, width ninety, three stories in height with basement and mansard roof now makes the fourth story. The bell in the tower, weighing 7,600 pounds, cost $2,750; the cost of the clock, $2,850; the foundation of the building cost $67,027; the building, proper, cost $489,914.13.
- 334 -
The entire cost of building, foundation and buildings, $551,346. T. S. Anderson, architect; Osborn, contractor. The Historical and Pioneer Societies of Wayne county consolidated. Levi Bishop, President; Samuel Zug, Secretary.
1873 .- Michigan Supreme Court removed from Detroit to Lansing, April 22d. Steamer City of Detroit lost in Saginaw Bay, Decem- ber 6th. Steamer Ironsides lost in Lake Michigan, September 15th. Canada Southern railroad chartered August 20th.
IS75 .- Destructive tornado at Detroit June 17. Detroit and Hillsdale railroad chartered January 30.
1876 .- Detroit and Lansing railroad chartered December 26.
1879 .- Z. Chandler died at Chicago November Ist.
1880 .- Detroit and Bay City railroad chartered February 30th. Chicago and Grand Trunk railroad chartered April 7th. Flint and Pere Marquette railroad chartered April 3Ist. Garfield nominated May 9th.
1881 .- Soldiers' monument completed July 19. President Garfield died September 19th.
1883 .- Detroit Journal founded September Ist. Art Loan opened.
1886 .- Ex-President Arthur died November IS. General Logan died December 26. Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids, dedicated December 30th.
ISSS .- Roscoe Conkling died April 18th.
REV. GEORGE DUFFIELD, D. D.
Rev. George Duffield, D. D., the first of the name known as a resident of Wayne county, was born at Strasburg, Lancaster county, Pa., July 4, 1794. He was a son of the Hon. George Duffield, at one time Comptroller General of Pennsylvania, and the grandson of the Rev. George Duffield, D. D., the eminent patriot and divine of the revo- lutionary period, the father of whom emigrated from the North of Ireland and settled at Octarara, Lancaster county, Pa., in 1725. He is said to have been a man of "stern integrity and devoted piety," and died at the age of eighty-four. Rev. George Duffield, the first, was born at Pequa, Lancaster county, October 7th, 1732. He graduated from Nassau Hall, Newark, Delaware, in 1752, and was first licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Newcastle in 1756. In 1760 he was the pastor of a church at Carlisle, Pa., and such was the reputation he acquired there that he received calls from a number of more important congregations, among them, to the Second Presbyterian church of
-335
Philadelphia, which he declined. May 21st, 1772, he accepted a call from the Third Presbyterian church of Philadelphia. During the excitement immediately preceding the declaration of Independence he took such a prominent part in favor of separating from the mother government as made him obnoxious to official authorities, who, on one occasion, attempted to close his church doors against him, but reaching his pulpit through a window began his sermon, when a royal magis- trate (J. Bryant) under pretence of quelling a riot, commenced reading the Riot Act, commanding the people to disperse. Other means of silencing the intruder failing, one of the officers of the church seized him and bore him out of the house. Mr. Duffield then went on and finished his sermon and the next day was brought before the mayor's court and required to give bail for disturbing the peace. He refused to give bail, when he was permitted to withdraw to take the matter under consideration, with the assurance that he would soon be called upon for his answer. The excitement as the news of the threat of his imprisonment spread was intense, and the Paxton boys resolved to hold themselves in readiness to march to his rescue.
When the Colonial Congress met, Dr. Duffield was its chaplain until the British gained possession of Philadelphia, his church being occupied by them as a stable. He accompanied the American army and shared its hardships. As soon as circumstances permitted he returned to his church and continued to be its pastor until his death, which occurred February 2d, 1790. His remains were interred in the middle aisle of the church of which he was pastor, and his funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Ashbel Green from Rev. xiv, 13.
Dr. Duffield, of Detroit, graduated from the University of Penn- sylvania at the early age of sixteen, in 1811, and entered the Theologi- cal Seminary of New York, then in charge of the celebrated John M. Mason, D. D., and at the end of four years was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. In 1817 he married Miss Isabella Graham Bethune, the daughter of Divie Bethune, Esq., of New York City, and granddaughter of Isabella Graham, whose memory is cher- ished by the churches of Scotland and America. A brother of Mrs. Duffield, 'the Rev. Dr. Geo. W. Bethune, was distinguished as the pulpit orator of America.
Dr. Duffield's first charge was at Carlisle, the same church as that over which his grandfather formerly exercised pastoral care. He remained settled here nineteen years and then accepted a call to the Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Skinner as pastor. Remaining two years, he accepted a call from the Broadway Tabernacle, New York City, and in 1838 became the settled pastor of the First Presbyterian church, of Detroit, where he remained until called to a more exalted charge.
-336 -
The influence of Dr. Duffield in building up sound sentiments involving the highest interest of humanity was not confined to Detroit, but was felt throughout the entire northwest. He was one of the first of the regents of the Michigan University and held the office for eight successive years. His active participation in the practical organization of this now distinguished seat of learning was preeminent and per- manent. His ability as a scholar, a master of different languages, and teacher, his patriotism as an American citizen, and his fidelity to the principles of religion and morals, are yet fully recognized and appre- ciated. When the life of the nation was threatened he at once mani- fested the spirit of his grandfather, and by speech, prayer and personal example inspired hope and confidence in the doubtful, courage and strength to the despondent. On the 24th of June, while engaged in giving a welcome to the delegates of the International Convention of the Young Men's Christian Association then assembling in Detroit, when only partly through with his address, his voice faltered and with the exclamation, "My head reels, I must rest," fell into the arms of General O. O. Howard, of the United States army, unconscious, and was carried to his residence, where he expired on the 26th of June, 1868. He left a handsome estate on Woodward avenue, between High and Henry streets, with a widow, five sons and one daughter surviving him-Rev. George Duffield, who worthily represented his father and great-grandfather as preacher, patriot and scholar, after whom he was named, died July 6th, 1888; Hon. D. Bethune Duffield, eminent in law, poetry and general literature; General William Duffield, distin- guished as a soldier in the late civil war and as a civil engineer and mining expert; Dr. Samuel P. Duffield, M. D., who stands the peer of any in the medical profession and as an analytical chemist is quoted as authority, both in the United States and Europe; Colonel Henry M. Duffield, a gallant soldier, a profound lawyer, and an eloquent public speaker, and Mrs. Isabella G. D. Stewart (since deceased), wife of Dr. Morse Stewart, of Detroit. Mrs. Stewart died in Detroit, May 27th, 1888, leaving a record of charitable and philanthropic work which would furnish the history of most of the benevolent enterprises of her adopted city. She was the founder of the Home of the Friendless, president of the Detroit W. C. T. U., was active in Bethel work, presi- dent of the Women's Christian Association, one of the founders of the Thompson Old Ladies' Home, being one of the board of managers, and more recently became interested in a movement in behalf of work- ing girls. She seemed to have inherited the taste and talent for this work from her great grandmother, after whom she was named, (Isabella Graham), who founded, in New York, the first Protestant orphan asylum established in America.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.