Genealogy of Patty Rose
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| Notes for Col., Hon., Rev. Elisha WILLIAMS | ||||||||||||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Elisha, b. Aug. 26, 1694, Rector of Yale Col., d. in Wethersfield, Ct. [ref 84:163] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1711 graduated Harvard College; 17 Oct 1722 ordained at Newington CT; 1722-26 first minister at Newington; 1726-39 Rector and President of Yale College; representative in the General Assembly; Judge of Superior Court of CT; 1746 Colonel and Chaplain of the Cape Breton Expedition - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Rev. and col. Elisha Williams m. (1) 23 Feb., 1714, Eunice dau. of Thomas Chester, of Weth., who d. 31 May, 1750; he m. (2) in England., Elizabeth dau. Rev. Thomas Scott, of Norwich, England., who D. 13 June, 1776. He d. 24 July, 1755. Prob. no Weth. Weth. Williams deserves as full notice as this man who was Reverend, Rector, Judge and Colonel. The second title "Rector," given to him as President of Yale College, has been the one most generally used by his near relatives and descendants to the present day. The inscription on his tombstone is as follows: "The Hon'ble Col'l Elisha Williams, shin'd in excelling Gifts of Nature, Learning and Grace, in Benevolence universal. Firm in Friendship, in Conversation pleasant and Instructive. In Religion Sincere, unaffected, cheerful; Truly Honorable, Humble, Patient, Fearless in the cause of God & truth, a pattern of Conjugal and Parental Affection, and Humanity, a Wise, Great & Good Man. 5 Years he was an Hor'r to the Sacred Ministry in Newington. 13 Years Yale College flourished under his Pious, Learned Faithful Instruction and happy Govern't; the Glory of ye Gollege & Ornament of his Country. He after filled & adorned several Civil & Military Characters. Heaven claimed what was Immortal; that Glad obeyed; & drop'd here the Dust to Rest till Jesus comes. Obiit. 24 July, 1755 Aetatis 61 mo." [ref 24:2-805] Of this eminent resident of Wethersfield we present the following biog. slightly condensed fm. the Sermon delivered at his death, by the Rev. James Lockwood, Minister at Weth., 27 July, 1755: Mr. Elisha Williams, was b. in Hatfield, 24 Aug., 1694, son of the truly venerable Mr. William Williams by his first wife Martha, Daughter of the Rev. Mr. Seaborn Cotton. In his blooming childhood he discovered an active Genius, uncommon Strenfth of Memory and Judgment, a vigorous and lively Imagination and early made a happy Proficiency in Classical Learning, Logic, and Geography; and was in the year 1708, admitted a Sophomore into Harvard College, in Cambridge, where he went thro' his Academical Studies . . . with great Application, and a Proficiency answerable to his uncommon Genius. In the year 1711, he took his Degree of Bachelor, and 1714, of Master of Arts. After he left the College, he sometime pursued his Studies under the Direction of his excellent Father, who put him upon the Study of Divinity, in which he formed his Notions from the Bible, as the only true Source and Directory of all divine Science; and for his helps, e perused the Expositions and Writings of the first Reformers, and the old Puritans; and read Dr. Owen, Dr. Preston, Dr. Marston, Bishop Hall, Bishop Reynolds, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Howe, etc., for whose Writings he had ever after a peculiar Relish. After this the Providence of God called him to live sometime in Weathersfield, where he became acquainted with and married Mrs. Eunice Chester; a prudent, Pious, virtuous Gentlewoman, with whom he lived 36 years in a true conjugal Affection, and mutual Tenderness; by her he had seven Children, only two of which survive him; his eldest Son and second Daughter. Soon after this Marriage, he fell upon the Study of the Law, with Thought of applying himself to the Practice of it; and endeavored to make himself throrougly acquainted with the Constitution of the English Government, Privileges, and Laws, and drank in, so established a Love of British Privileges, as he invarible adhered to as long as he lived. Soon after his settlement at Weth. he was prevailed on to go a Voyage to Canso, with Captain Hall; where he officiated as Chaplain to the Fishermen during the Season. After his return Home, he prosecuted the Study of Law; served several Years as a Rep. of the Town of W. and Clerk of the lower House of Assembly. In the Year 1717, there arose an unhappy Division among the Trustees of the College, about the Place of buildings g a House, which was so great that the Reverend Messrs. Woodbridge and Buckingham, of Hartford, two of the Trustees, called a considerable number of the scholars to Weth. and provailed with Mr. Williams, to undertake the Tuition of a Number; which Service he performed to the great Satisfaction of the Trustees, and Advantage to the Scholars. Soon after this, it pleased God to exercise Mr. Williams with a grievous Sickness, and extreme Pain in his Head, a sort of Calenture; which brought him so near to the Grave, that his Life was almost despaired of; not only by his Friends, but his Physicians also, by which, Occasion was given for the Exercise of his Faith and Patience, which were found to the Honor and Glory of God. . . . But God was pleased to raise him up again, designing him fr greater Usefulness and Service to his Church; and was graciously pleased further to prepare him for it in the Year 1720, giving him a clear and extraordinary Sense of the infinite Importance of divine and spiritual Things . . . This filled him with great meltings of Heart, confirmed his Hope in Christ, and cleared up the Work of God's Grace to him, and was an affectual Means to fix him undoubtedly in his Belief of those Doctrines of the Gospel, commonly called the Doctrines of Grace, to which he firmly adhered in all Parts of his folling Life; and no Arts, or Calumny, or Imputation of Design could ever prevail with him, to give up, stifle or conceal. And it seems this was designed as his Introduction into the Ministry, for soon after the Parish of Newington, by the Advice of the Rev. Mr. Mix, and some other Rev. Ministers in the Neighborhood, made Application to him to be their Minister, which was agreable to his Father's Choice and inclination. The Conduct of Providence leading that Way; under the peculiar Sense of divine Things, and fervent Desire to serve the Lord Christ, he accepted that Motion; and in the Year 1721, was ordained Pastor of the Church there; where he spent near five years, in the painful and powerful Preaching of the Gospel of Christ; and not without Success in the Conversion and Edification of Souls, who will bless God for him forever. As his Apprehension was ready, his Ideas clear and strong; his Diction and Address were rational and nervous, and cuning to the Understanding. His Preaching was chiefly on the great Doctrines which are the peculiar Glory of the Gospel . . . His close study and sedentary Life, occasioned him frequent Pains, and much of the Headache, during his continuance at Newington. In the Year 1726, he was chosen by the Rev. Corporation of Yale College, in New Haven, to the Office of Rector of that College. After due Consideration and Advice, and recommending the Affair to the Father of Lights for Direction, he was persuaded it was his Duty to accept the Invitation; and by the Advice of an ecclesiastical Council, at the Desire of the Corporation, he was the same Year removed to the College, and Installed in the Office of Rector there. Where altho' he had but an indifferent Support, and met with many Difficulties, he applied himself with indefatiguable Diligence, to promote the Interest of Religion and Learning in that Society. The College happily flourished in good Order, and Learning under his Influence and Government. But such was its Poverty that he was obliged constantly to take upon himself the Tuition of one Class (sometimes of two) besides the principal Care of the Government of the Society, and occasional Preaching. So sedentary a life attended with such Application to Study, and the Business of Instruction, (the Air of New Haven not agreeing with his Constitution) threw him into a bad State of Health, and brought on an obstinate Head Ache, which, notwithstanding all Endeavors for Relief, increased, so that one of his Eyes swelled to the Bigness of a large Egg; and threatened him with the Loss of both, or of his Life. He was therefore obliged to desire a Release from that Service; and upon the evident Necessity of his Discharge, the Trustees (tho' with Reluctance and Grief) consented to his Desire, and he removed to his Seat at Weth., in the Year 1730, where, upon proper use of means and Exercise, after Some Time, he recovered his Health. But, when he had obtained Relief of his Bodily Disorders, it pleased the all-wise God, to exercise him with Afflictions of another kind; in the year 1740, be buried his second Son; a young Gentleman as of a liberal Education, so of rare and uncommon Endowments of Mind, of singular Qualifications and adorned with many shining and exemplary Excellencies, which attracted the Admiration and Esteem of all that knew him . . . And not long after he was called upon to part with his eldest Daughter, a very desirable, accomplished and ingenious Person, surpassing the most, in respect of mental Ornaments and unaffected Piety; and also his youngest Son who had been graduated at the College in New Haven, amiable and promising in his Life, and leaving to little Hope in his Death. He was supported under these heavy and trying Afflictions, with surprising Patience, Humility and Satisfaction in the holy Will of God . . . His afflictions were also the Means to further in him, the Exercise of a kind, forgiving, charitable Spirit, (which he had no small Occasion for), and a Sympathy, and Compassion for Others in Affliction . . . After his return to Weth., he was again improved by the Town, as one of their Representatives; he was also by the General Assembly appointed one of the Judges of the Superior Court, during the Time when the religious Awakening and the General Concern was in the Colony which occasioned some unhappy Dirvisions and Diversity of Sentiments, and Conduct in the Government; and some Laws relating to ecceslastical Matters, which Mr. Williams appeared against; and endeavored to prevent the ill Effects, he apprehended might follow them. Though he disapproved of many things, which at that time appeared under the Pretest of Religion, yet agreeably to his fixed and Steady Principles, he openly espoused and endeavored to protect what he thought agreable to the true Principles of Calvinism, and had a real Appearance of the Work of God, convincing and converting Sinners; and was warmly engaged for Liberty of Conscience; which brought upon him the Displeasure of some who differed from him in Their Thoughts; and some Persons were pleased to represent his Conduct (as had been often done before) as a Design to serve himself, and make an interest for him in the Government . . . I was intimately acquainted with Mr. William's Sentiments, and have often heard him treat such Aspersions with a Contempt becoming himself, Regardless of such Imputations, and "that he would act his own Principles, let Men make what Use of it they pleased, and that he would serve Mankind as well as he could, so far as they would let him, and whether they were willing or not he could do them all the Good in his Power. He knew he was born and lived only to please God, and do Good to Man, as God gave him power and Opportunity. The Rights and Liberties of Conscience, he would ever defend to the utmost of his Power. And these Principles of Religion, which some Men treated as Enthusiasm he counted his Glory; he had lived and did live in in the firm Belief of them, and hoped by God's Grace he should die in the Belief." I never knew him in a Season he judged proper, afraid or ashamed to preach his sentiments, or todo any Action which he believed was his Duty. When the Expedition against Cape Breton was set on Foot, he was appointed by the General Assembly, Chaplain of the Regiment sent by this Colony, and earnestly desired by the Honorable Governor Wolcott, then Majoy General, and some other Gentlemen to undertake that Service. Ge engaged in it with a pleasing Prospect of Serving Christ by doing some special Sercive to his King and Country, in assisting to promote the Religion of the Army, and to reduce a Place which his Heart was Extremely engaged to have taken out of the Hands of our inveterate Enemies the French, and thereby one of their chief Advantages against this Country, wrested from them. His Behavior at that Place has been honorably testified of, by several worthy Gentlemen who were present; and thro' an extraordinary Providence was that important Place reduced to the Obedience of King George; and it had been better for the Nation and our Country, to have purchased it with Millions of Money, that to have given it up. When the Expedition was formed against Canada, and a Regiment of a thousand Men, raised by His Majesty's Order, Mr. Williams was appointed by the General Assembly to be chief Colonel of that Regiment, which he accepted with the pleasing Hopes that the Expedition would be effectually prosecuted, and his Country be delivered from that Nest of Enemies, which have ever been the Scourge and Pest of New England. He went down, as did the Regiment, to New London, where they lay ready to Embark, waiting for Orders from the Crown, and the Officer's Commissions, but none coming that Summer, the Regiment was held to be in readiness till farther Orders. And in about a Year and a half, Order same from the King, to disband the american Troops raised for that Expedition. There appeared many Difficulties in the Way of the Payment of the Regiment, and such a Prospect of Difficulty, that Several Gentlemen who by Encouragement of the Government, and a Motion from the Court at Home, had paid off many of the Soldiers, and purchased large Interestes in the Wages of the Regiment; as also divers of the Officers and Soldiers themselves, moved Colonel Williams to go over to Great Britain, and colleit the Court in that Behalf, which he undertook, and Embarked at Boston, December, 1749, and arrived at Dartmouth, the 27th of January following; from whnce in the Solicitation of that Affair; which met with so many Delays, that he could not obtain an Order for the Pay, till it was too late to venture a Voyage to New England that Year. In the Spring, he was retarded by waiting for a Snow from Spain, which belonged partly, to some Sentlemen in New England. After the Vessel came out, she was several Times driven back by contrary Winds, so that he left not England till August, 1751, had a long and tedious voyage, arrived on our Coast in October, met with contrary Winds which kept them off, their Provision was almost spent, and also their Water, with which last they were happily supplied by seasonable plentiful Rains. The Crew would not be persuaded to try again to reach New England, concluding if they made one Attempt more and failed, they must inevitable perish with Hunger and Thirst, before they could reach any Port; and there fore drove down to Antiqua, upon which they came in the Night, not knowing what Part of it they were at; and by a kind Providence narrowly escaped Shipwreck. There they were obliged to stay till the Spring, and arrived at New London the 24th of April, 1752. As colonel Williams in his Letters from thence, took Notice to his Friends, of those remarkable Providences, with humble Acquiencence in the divine Will, and adoring Expressions of the Wisdom, Sovereignty and Goodness of God; so it was observed by those that were with him, that in the Midst of these Dangers and Difficulties, he patiently possest his Soul, and with a Tranquility and Easiness of Spirit, which is the fruit of unshaken Faith in the great Redeemer, he enjoyed a Serenity of Mind, and Lively Expectation of the Promises of God. While the Colonel was in England, his Conduct and Behavior was such as did Honor to his Country; he was caressed and treated with Distinguished Respect, by Gentlemen of the greatest Worth and Virtue, who fell into his Acquaintance; with whom he took all Opportunities to recommend the Interests of his Country, and Show its Importance to the Crown; and to engage their Concern and Interest for it, that he might lay the best Foundation he could to Promote its Welfare, and further the noble Design of propagating the Christian Religion among the Heathen, by their charitable Influence. Gentlemen of the most unexceptionable Character have given very honorable Testimonies of the Colonel's Virtue, Learning, Integrity and Zeal for the Interest of New England. Among these the excellent Dr. Doddridge, thus in a Letter to his Friend in England, expresses his Sense concerning him, "I look upon Col. Williams to be one of the most valuable Men upon Earth; he has joined to an ardent sense of Religion, solid Learning, Consummate Prudence, great Candor, and Sweetness of Temper; and a certain nobleness of Soul, capable of contriving and acting the greatest Things, without seeming in Soul, capable of contriving and acting the greatest Things, without seeming to be conscious of having done them." In the Winter after he went from Home, it pleased God to call from this World, his youngest Daughter, a Person ornamented with very amiable Qualities, engaging the Love and Respect of all her Acquaintances; and in the following Spring, his virtuous and pious Consort, who cheerfully quitted this World for a better. And he himself being detained in Great Britain, the next Winter, was, by remarkable Providence brought into acquaintance with, and married Mrs. Elizabeth Scott; the Daughter of that learned, judicious and eminently pious Divine, and late beloved Pastor of a dissenting Congregation in the City of Norwich, the Rev. Mr. Thomas Scott; a Lady, who being still living, would resent it as Flattery, to read but a small Part of what might justly be said of her amiable Qualities. She now survives, his affectionate and mournful Widow. Col. Williams since his Return from England, has been employed in several public Services for his Country; and spent much of his Time to serve it, by an epistolary Corrensondence with the Axquaintances he had the Honor and Pleasure to obtain in England, which Interest he was continually improving, for the public Good -- Sometime in the Spring, 1754, there appeared a small Tumor under his Jaw, near his Throat, which giving him no Pain for sometime, he took little Notice of, but in November, he took a bad Cold, from which Time it very much increased and became painful; the Physicians pronounced it a scrophulous Tumor; but all Applications for Relief proved unsuccessful. It continued troublesome all Winter, grew more so in Spring, and at Times extremely painful and distressing, which he bore with an admirable Patience and Submission to the Will of God . . . After he was sensible of the near approach of death, he said, "Blessed be God, the wished-for Hour is come." When almost past speaking, he was asked if his Faith and Patience held out, to which he replied "Thank God, Yes" and without a groan or struggle passed away 24 July, 1755, in the 61st year of his Age. [ref 24:2-800] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - children with Eunice 1718-27: Elisha, Eunice, Samuel, William, Mary, Anne - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||||||||
| Notes for Eunice CHESTER | ||||||||||||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - daughter of Thomas CHESTER and Mary TREAT - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Eunice, daughter of Thomas Chester and Mary Treat; b. 22 Nov. 1685; m. 23 Feb., 1714, Rev. Elisha Williams, 1st pastor of Newington parish, Weth.; Rector of Yale Coll.; Colonel and Judge of Superior Ct. of Conn.; she d. 31 May, 1750; he m. (2) Elizabeth dau. Rev. Thos. Scott, of Norwich, England., who after his death (1775) m. (2) Hon. Wm. Smith and after his death she resided at Mr. Sheriff Williams, Weth., until her death, 13 June, 1776, at ae. of 68. Her inscription reads this: "Here lies the Body of Mrs. Eunice, Wife Of the Hon'ble Col. Elisha Williams. A Sincere Christian of exemplary Meekness, & Patience, full of Good Works, and of Faith. She was greatly esteemed in Life & lamented at Death, which fell out May 31st, 1750. They that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him." [ref 24:2-214,805] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||||||||
| Last Modified 18 Apr 2004 | Created 4 Jan 2005 |