JOHN STODDARD.

MEMBER OF HIS MAJESTY'S COUNCIL.

ANTHONY STODDARD, great-grandfather of John, "the first in the country of the family of Stoddards," resided in Boston, and was a member of the General Court from 1665 to 1684.

Solomon Stoddard, eldest son of Anthony, and father of John, was born in Boston in 1643; graduated at Harvard College in 1662; was ordained pastor of the church at Northampton, Mass., in 1672, holding this position until his death in 1729. "As a preacher, his discourses were plain, experimental, searching, and argumentative. He was blessed with great success. He used to say that he had five harvests; and in these revivals there was a general cry, what must I do to be saved?"

John Stoddard was born in 1682; died in Boston, June 12, 1748.

He graduated at Harvard College in 1701. In his early manhood he was of a grave, reserved disposition, and not believed to possess any peculiar talents. In 1713, he was sent to Quebec, to negotiate the redemption of prisoners taken from New England.

For many years he was a member of the Massachusetts Council; was Chief-Justice in the Court of Common Pleas; and in his military capacity held the rank of Colonel.

Rev. Jonathan Edwards thus speaks of Mr. Stoddard:

"He was probably one of the ablest politicians that ever New England bred. He had a very uncommon insight into human nature, and a marvellous ability to penetrate into the particular tempers and dispositions of such as he had to deal with, and to

Sprague's "Annals"; "Dwight's Travels"; "Discourse," by Rev. Jonathan Edwards.

JOHN STODDARD.

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discover the surest way of treating them, so as most effectually to influence them to any good and wise purpose.

"He was eminently endowed with a spirit of government. The God of nature seemed to have formed him for government, as though he had been made on purpose, and cast into a mould, by which he should be every way fitted for the business of a man in public authority.

"He was one that was not afraid of the faces of men; and every one knew that it was in vain to attempt to deter him from doing what, on mature consideration, he had determined he ought to do. But though he feared not the faces of men, yet he feared

He was strictly conscientious in his conduct, both in public and private. I never knew the man that seemed more steadily, and immovably to act by principle, and according to maxims, established and settled in his mind, by the dictates of his judgment and conscience. Some of his greatest opponents, that have been of the party contrary to him in public affairs, have openly acknowledged this of him : That he was a faithful man.

"How far was he from a busy, meddling disposition! How far from any sly and clandestine management, to fill his pockets with what was fraudulently with-held from the laborer, soldier or inferior officer !

"He was high in the esteem of many tribes of Indians:

so had influence upon them above any other man in New England.

"He had no small degree of knowledge, in things pertaining to experimental religion; but was wont to discourse on such subjects, not only with accurate doctrinal distinctions, but as one intimately and feelingly acquainted with these things.

"God had endowed him with a comely presence, and majesty of countenance, becoming the great qualities of his mind, and the place in which God had set him.”

His wife was Prudence Chester, of Wethersfield, Conn., and they had several children.

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THOMAS STORY.

MEMBER OF GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL, PROVINCE OF PENNSYLVANIA.*

THOMAS STORY died in England in 1742, aged nearly eighty years. "He was brought up in profession with the Church of England; and having studied for the law, practiced in Carlisle, and subsequently in London."

In 1698 he embarked for America, and in course of time took up his residence in Philadelphia. He became a member of the Governor's Council; and in 1706, was chosen Mayor of Philadelphia, but declined to accept the office. He remained in America fourteen years, occupying different positions of trust, and finally returned to England.

"Being from his youth inclined to piety, he examined closely into the doctrines of several sects, and eventually became convinced that the principles of Quakerism accorded with those of the New Testament, and he espoused them."

He engaged with William Penn in religious labors in Ireland, and his important object in coming to this country was to pay a religious visit to "Friends" here. He was solicited by Penn "to assist in settling the affairs of the Province of Pennsylvania," and he accordingly entered upon civil duties as mentioned.

On returning to England he continued his gospel labors in the various quarters of the British Islands. "His ministry was very convincing and edifying, so that he was acknowledged, not only by the Society of which he was a member, but by other people, as a truly evangelical minister." His season of civil service excepted, he labored in the work of the Gospel nearly fifty years. Mr. Story addressed the following to James Logan:

* "Memoirs of James Logan;" "The Historic Mansions of Philadelphia."

THOMAS STORY.

467

"RESPECTED Friend:

"LONDON, 11th Month, 21st, 1734.

"I take this first opportunity that presents, to acknowledge the receipt of thy frank letter of 16th, 9th Month last, which is satisfactory on several accounts; I am glad to know thereby, that my very dear friend, thy wife, and all your children, are well, and hopeful in the better part. . . . As to the inaptitude of all thy family of succeeding thee in such satisfaction as thou hast reaped in thy acquaintance with books and languages, thou wilt be easy in that, if it be possible for thee to consider, that these things are generally speculative and so barren as to us, that they cannot afford us one morsel for support of a short uncertain life in this teasing world, or much help towards a better. If then, we have so much understanding and application as to conduct ourselves with honesty and safety, as respects bread and clothes, and pursue the rule of grace, and virtue to the end, we shall not miss, at last, of a safe conduct to that haven which, I doubt not, we all aim at in our most solemn thoughts. Yet I am no enemy to learning, though I have but little of it; that field affording great variety for contemplation, and much delight to the mind therein. In that love which engageth me to wish all happiness to thee and thine in this life and that which is to come, I conclude this,

"From thy very loving friend,

"THOMAS STORY."

Mr. Story married July 10, 1706, Ann, daughter of Edward Shippen, the first Mayor of Philadelphia, who received from her father a liberal settlement. [Miss Shippen was the lady who declined the proposal of James Logan.]

CALEB STRONG.

GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS, 1800-1807, 1812-1816.*

JOHN STRONG, great-grandfather of Caleb, was an early settler in the colony of Massachusetts, and the first ruling Elder in the church in Northampton.

Caleb and Phebe Strong, parents of Caleb, were both distinguished for sound judgment and exemplary Christian deport

ment.

Caleb Strong, the subject of this sketch, was born at Northampton, Mass., January 9, 1745, died there November 7, 1819.

He prepared for college under Mr. Mosely of York, and graduated at Harvard in 1764.

On leaving college, for several years he was unable to use his eyes in reading or study. "What evinced the care of Providence over him as an instrument of future good to the world, his father and sisters, with exemplary kindness, gave him encouragement and aid by daily reading to him professional and other books."

He studied law with Mr. Hawley, and for twenty-four years held the office of County Attorney.

In 1779, he assisted in forming the Constitution of Massachu setts, and in 1787 assisted in forming the Constitution of the United States. From 1789 to 1796, he was a Senator in Congress; from 1800 to 1807 was Governor of the State; also from 1812 to 1816.

"Mr. Strong united himself to the communion of the church of Christ in Northampton, July 5, 1772, and uniformly adorned the doctrine of God our Saviour by his exemplary life, and his soundness in the faith. Upon the establishment of the Hampshire

*"Northampton Antiquities," by Clark; Lanman; "Discourse," by Rev. Dr. Joseph Lyman.