John Todd : the story of his life told mainly by himself

Front matter

f:^'jW

Cornell Univetsily Librarv

John Todd : tr.e itoi ■/ of his life (old r

Preface

Autobiography is, probably, on the whole, the most satisfactory form of a story of a life. Doctor Todd never wrote an autobiography, or even kept a diary ; but in his published writings, under various disguises, and in his letters, a great mass of which are in preservation, he has told in his own language the different parts of the story which it has been the task of the compiler to find and knit together. In the accounts of the contests and troubles through which Doctor Todd passed in two of his ministries, the editor does not profess to have given a strictly accurate and impartial history. He has allowed Doctor Todd to give his version of the storjr, because the man, if. he is to be judged fairly, must be considered in the light of things as they seemed to him. At the same time, the editor has no reason to think that the accounts are in any respect essentially incorrect. His chief care has been to cut out all names and personal allusions which might hurt the feelings of the living, or do injustice to the dead, or tend to revive controversies which had now much better be left to oblivion, except so far as a general view of them is necessary to throw light upon the character which they

6 PMEFACM.

helped to form. Nor does the editor claim to have woven the materials at his disposal with an impartial hand. If there are any who feel disposed to complain that Doctor Todd is here made too beautiful a character, they will perhaps pardon it, in that it is the fault of

His Son.

Chapter I. His Ancestry

The old Minister. —Guinea Negroes. — Cusli and Iiis Drum.— Justice Todd's Molasses. — Doctors Jonatlian and Timothy, — The Pride of her Village. — The House on the Battenkill. — The Unfortunate. — A new Flag. — Tlie Doctor's Character. — The broken Harness. — Poetry under Difficulties. — An insane Mother Page 17

Chapter II. His Infancy

The unwelcome Babe. — The Indian Doctor. — Tamar and Prim. — Massa Doetor's Dinner. — The Return to Connecticut. — Lost Lands. — 'Ittle Daw. — The first Home. — Poverty. — A Potato-digging. — The Sunset Lesson. — The naked Sword. — Family Prayers. — The sielf Doctor. — A Lie. — Last Words. — A Cliild's Remorse. — The Widow's Moan. — Borrowed Shoes. — The Village Grave-yard. — The poor Orphan and the old Pastor. —The dark Messenger 24

Chapter III. His Childhood

North Killingworth. — The Skipper's Wife. — Tim's youngest Boy. — Primitive Times.— An old Church.— Birthplaces.— The first Hat.— Death of Echo.— The murdered Phebe. — The kind Uncle. — A Brave old Man. — Near the College.— The long Fish-pole.— The old Eagle-tree.— Madison.— Near the Sea. — Tlie old Duck-gun. — White Stones. — Changes. — The old House.— Three great Men. — Forth Afoot 38

Chapter IV. Life At Charlestown

A weary Tramp. — Homesick.- The Errand-boy.— Hard Work.— At School. — A queer Costume. — Spectacles. — Religious Influences. — Doctor Morse. — A sandy Foundation.. — Convictions. — An everlasting Covenant. — To do Good. — The Sunday-school.— Determination to go to College.— The Walk back.— Examination.— The Cedar-bush.- The Bond .55

Chapter V. Life At College

The young Freshman. — A smart Class. — The first Seliool.— Wet Stockings. —A Terror to Evil-doers. — A borrowed Hatchet.— The Sunday-sehooh—

Little Lewis. — "Cast thy Bread upon tiie Waters."— A great Revival. — 111 Health. — Correspondence with Doctor Lee. — Farewell to Hotchkisstowu Page 67

CHAPTER VI. LirE AT COLLEGE — continued

A Thunderbolt. — An interesting Letter. — A Daniel come to Judgment. — At Colebrook. — A Tune with a harsh Name. — Impressions of a Stranger. — On Horseback. — Grand Isle— A buoyant Spirit. — A family Meeting,- Malone. — Return to College. — Advised to Leave. — A Ride on the Ice. — Brig William.— A kind Family.— Glimpses of Slavery. — A Saturday-evening Note. — Scandalous Books.— A Pilgrim Horse.— Health Restored. — Mr. Hcrrick's Pupil. — Staples's Academy. — The Oshornes. — Graduation 81

Chapter VII. Life At Andover

Andover Hill. — Doctor Porter. — Doctor Woods. — Doctor Stuart. — Doctor Murdock. — Quiet Life. — A Letter of Introduction. — Preaching without a License. — Qualities of a Minister's Wife. — Memories. — The first Sermon. — North Audover. — The blind Student. — A solemn Contract. — Loves to Preach. — A pedestrian Tour. — Osborneville. — Expectant Friends 97

CHAPTElt Vin.

LIFE AT ANDOVER — Continued.

A Day's Work. — 111 Health. — Steam-cars wanted. — A Trip to Cape Cod. — The Captain-doctor. — Mirth under Diffieulties. — Plymouth Rock. — A Dispute with Conscience. — Determines to preach extempore. — In the Editor's Chair. — Can not change Profession. — A promising young Man. — The Way clear 109

CHAPTER IX. LIFE AT ANDOVER — Continued

Doctor Eli Todd. — The new Librarian. — A Pseudo-Baptist. — Answers Himself— A wise Professor. — An anonymous Letter. — Vanity. — Licensed by Professors. — The first Preaching. — Competitors for Valedictory. — Dangers at the Seminary.— The Christian Almanac. — Wanted for Palestine. — The Hawk and the Jay. — Two Orators. — Doctor Griffin. — Fanny Fern. — A religious Fourth. — The Association at Dedliam. — The Oration at Park Street. — An awful Question. — A beautiful Prayer 119

CHAPTER X. LIFE AT ANDOVER — conlinued

A Disappointment. — A Saturday-afternoon Ride. — Groton. — The old Minister.— An UTilooked-for Supply. — A Dinner-party. — Calls. — The Scholarship.— Tlie Suicide. — A second Visit to Groton. — A Unitarum Church. — A Dilemma. — Dislikes to Go. — Honorable Intentions. — Graduates at Andover.— Arrives at Groton. — A crowded House. — Meat for Lions. — What Unitarians say. — The Babbler. — Closely Watched. — Intends to split the Society. — An Epidemic. — Notes up. — Toddy on the Coffin. — Enemies and Friends. — The little Girl and her Cliestnuts. — Todditcs. — Thanksgiving-day. — Hurries away. — A Town in an Uproar 135

CHAPTER XI. LIFE AT ANDOVEK — continued

Reasons for Flight. — Defeat. — A stormy World. — Retirement. — Rumors. — The Petition. — A wild Congregation. — Petition rejected. —Claim of the old Pastor. — A Night Ride. — Moderation advised. — Constables at the Church-door. — A Council. — A Committee handled without Gloves. — The Call answered. — A Broad-axe Sermou. — A Sunday at Portsmouth. — The first Sermon in a new Church. — Genuine Drudgery. — Another Defeat. — Another Council. — Compromise rejected. — An Invitation accepted. — Dread.— Good-bye to Andover Page 149

Chapter XII. Life At Gkoton

Preaching in the Academy. — Rum in the Meeting-house.- Invitation to Portland.- A Bilile-class.— Hell the same as Eternity.— A Stage-ride.— A young Lady's Desk.— Which is the Church ?— Corner-stone laid and thrown down. — A Council. — Beecher on Rights of Churches.— The new Gown.— Invitation to Danvers. — Tlie poor Bee.— Tiic Raising. — A Scene at the Church-door.— An Installation Ball.— A Revival.— Conduct of the Inquiry-meeting. — A Remonstrance. — Organization of a new Clmrch. — A Trap. — The Linchpins.— Call from the Union Church.— The Answer.— Changes 185

CHAPTER XIII. LIFE AT GROTON — continued

Ordination.— Dedication— Shawls without Fringes.— Sale of Pews.— Revivals.—Sickness.— A liard Journey.— A Sunday-evening Meeting.— Gh-dling Trees.— Tlie Bride.— Examination.— A great Barn of a Thing.— Suudayschool begun.— Active Ladies.— A judicious Pig.— A new Horse. — An unexpected Arrival.— A Week of Hope — Fears.— A household Baptism.— Tears in the Pulpit.— A sad Evening.— The Rose-bud plucked.— A little Funeral. — Memories 180

CHAPTER XIV. LIFE AT GEuToN — Continued

How to get a Bell.— The best House in Town.— The haunted House.— Pattering of little Feet.— A Unitarian Funeral.— Immortal Hens.— Missionary Visitations.— A Runaway.— An extraordinary A¥oman.— A Baby Infirmary.—Invitation to a Funeral declined.— The Letter.— A New-comer. —Death of Doctor Chaplin.— The bereaved Father.— A lazy Agent.— Medicine with a Vengeance.— A pretty Girl.— The dying young Man.— Results of the Groton Movement.— Autlioi- vs. Pastor 195

CHAPTER XV. LIFE AT GROTON — Continued

Boarding.— A crying Child.— A Horse mired.— A new Parish.— Purchase of a Horse.— The lame Boy.— Temperance.— A Horse-trade.— A new Vestry.— Inks —The Barrel of Brimstone.— Trip to Philadelphia.— A mighty Concorn —Yankee Character.— A Revival.- Piety of Ministers.— Morbid Feelings —Depression.— An Idol.— Tlie Deist in the Inquiry-meeting.— A wonderful Time.- Union of Churches.- A Call refused 209

CHAPTER XVI. LIFE AT GROTON — continued

The new Cloak. — A kindred Spirit. — Another ArrivEil. — Antimasonry.— Death of Doctor Chaplin. — Death of Mr. Evarts. — A second Hamlet. — A four days' Meeting.— The House divided. — Bochini.— The last Day of the Feast — Powerful Medicine. — Tlie Bowling-alley. — Early Meetings.— Alone.— Tlie black Kitten.— The lost Puppy.— Homesick.— Hard Work, —Milk Diet.— Sick.— Meeting at Sodom.— A Journey.— The Poles.— The Slaves.— One Foot in the Stirrup.— Basted together.— Poor Tea. — A Providential Dispensation.— Stormy Times. — Death of a Sister. — Called to Salem.— A handsome Grave. — Council. — Dismission refused. — Broken up. — Another Call.— Farewell to Grotou Page 321

Chapter XVII. Life At Northampton

A beautiful Town.— In the Town-hall.— The Building-spot.— No Stores.— An anxious Day.— A judicious Irishman. — The Baptist Meeting-house.— A Revival.— Bitter Memories. — The sick Child.- Just alive.— Out of Danger.—The Communion-plate.— A green Spot.— New Theology.— Nothing Accomplished. — Error Misapprehended. — A Son. — Dedication. — Always too Late. — Ramming down. — The Devil losing Ground. — Meetings! Meetings !— The Baby at^Church.— The Ministry at Fault.— A Book 336

CHAPTER XVIII. LIFE AT NORTiiA.MPTON — Continued

Vacation. — A Presentiment. — Tlie Red Sea. — The Devil's Invention. — An Organ Difficulty. — The old Pastor's Sunset. — Mrs. Todd an Author. — Keep Cool. — Mount Holyoke Seminary. — A new House. — Student's Manual. — Under the Wheel. — The Door Locked. — A Call. — Frozen Rattlesnakes. — .A Revival.— Council in Philadelphia. — A loud Call. — Hangs back. — Beeclier at the Oar. — A gloomy Time. — A great Move. — A pleasant Home Broken Up. — Farewell to Northampton 2.50

• CHAPTER XIX.

LIFE AT PHILADELPHIA.

A new Sunday-school. — A new Church.— A new Pastor. — Helps. — Hinderances. — Installation. — Salting a River. — A bitter Minister. — Solemn Meetings.— Lectures on Sunday-schools. — Paul for a Colleague. — Panic. — Two General Assemblies. — No Salary. — A sad Journey. — The morning Cloud. — Dedication.— The Spark.— A Howl. — Take it Coolly. — Galvanism. — The Dutchman's Horse. — Gathering the Harvest. — Resolving. — Work aeeomplishcd. — Sabbath School Teacher in London. — Mustard seed Souls — To the Editor of the Keepsake. — Life of Scott. — Reminiscences. — Will not be Soured 361

CHAPTER XX. LIFE AT piiiLADELriiiA — Continued

The old Gun. — Annealed Wire. — The Dinner-set. — Measles.— A new House. — To Miss Beechcr. — The Clam split open. — The Maple Molasses. — Lungs of Leather.— Cholera Infantum. — Dispatch. — Anguish of Spirit. — Robert Hall.— Bowditch.— The plucked Rose. — The still, small Voice.— Nesting out of the Pulpit. —Not Paid.— A young Ladies' School.— A Boys' School. —A daily Newspaper.— To Mrs. Palmer.— Coufvregationalisni.—Preachiug Sovereignty.— Trials of building a new Clmreh.— Swine and the Water.— Genius.— Boys' Education.- Sighs for New England Parje 373

CHAPTEIi XXI.

LIFE AT piiiLADELViii.\ — Continued.

ReTival. — "Trutli made Simple."— Diflicnlties.— Young Men's Association. —A wonderful Meeting.— Quidnunc's Letters.— Billy.— A Day of Calamities.— A fearful Medicine. — " Oh, rise some other such !" — A great Profession.—Quarrels.— Scarlet Fever.— Did what he could.— Five sick at once. — Sermous in the Sick-room. — What a Storm! — A hard Row.— The Place fur Usefulness. — Italian Darkness. — A city Church. — Preaching of Doctor Kirk. — Dissatisfied Evangelists. — Abandoned. — The resolving System.— Abundant Labors. — Never so Prosperous. — Varioloid.— A hard Year.— ThelostSister.— Disaffection.— Wholesale Lies. —Water on a Rock. —Threads of Gold 387

CHAPTER XXII. LIFE AT PHILADELPHIA — Continued

A kind Publisher.— Scalding Water. — Great Cities.— The Pension. — Character attacked. — A severe Ordeal. — Insults. — A boyish Heart. — Days of Anguish. — Temporary Peace. — Vacation. — Burlington College. — First Glimpse of Adirondacks. — The Backing -spider. — Philosophical Fog. — Winking. — In the Woods. — Restored. — Welcome .Home. — A mortgaged Church for Sale. — A distressed People.— A solemn Birthday. — Dismission asked. — Postponement. — Efforts. — Tears. — All over. — A Cradle overhung with Gloom. — In a Hall. — How far a Failure. — Causes. — How little lacked. — Presbyterian Generosity. — Congregational Liberality. — A heavy Blow. — Character saved. — Invited to Remain. — The scattered People. — Farewell to Philadelphia 300

Chapter XXIII. Life At Pittsfikld

A great Change. — Pittsfield as it Was. — Every thing Strange. — Immersion under Difficulties.— Jack Frost in the Pulpit. — The old Church. — A great People. — Discouragements. — Revival. — A cheerful World. — Installation. — The Stake vs. Gnats. — In the Parsonage. — A stormy Night. — "You're burning up." — " Where ai'e the Children ?" — All over. — A Home gone. — "All I have left."— A dark Cloud.— All Kindness.— Trips to Philadelphia. — In tile old Pulpit. — A mere Dream. — A Town awed. — The Inquiry-meeting. — "I'm your own Mary." — Deep Waters. — Hope. — A cold Snap. — Evil Tidings. — Ag)-eat-soulcd Brother. — Cut down Trunk and Branches. — Ministers taught. — The clouded Mind clear at last. — "No more than my Duty " 314

CHAPTER XXIV. LIFE AT PITTSFIELD — c.ontiuuea

A new Parsonage. — Not much to Do.— Berkshire Jubilee. — A Book-seller. — Samuel.— Revival. — Tlie Farm. — Desire for a Home.— Great Preparations. —The lame Boy's Wedding, Sickness, and Death.— Death of Doctor Shepard. — Chronicles.— The new Lecture- room.— A good Fight. — D.D.— Beautiful Gardens.— Six Towels. — A remarkable President.— Fanny Forrester.— The sick Baby.— Physicians Baffled.— Still with us.— Lent to tne Lord.— A great Vacancy.— An Epitaph.— Wonderful Work. — The Spirit here. — Three Times in a Fortnight. — King's Sons Pa<je 338

CHAPTER XXV. LIFE AT PITTSFIELD — Continued

An absent Child. — Letters of Encouragement. — "Make them love yon." — Not Beloved enougli. — Not Afi'ectionate enough. — Children joining the Church. — Blue-pill Diet. — Preparations. — Winter at Hand. — A fairy Thing. —A sick Child.— A big Temperance Pledge.— Two ends of a Glass.— Mag. — Tableaux. — Colonizing meditated. — Once more an Editor. — Another Baby. — Worse than a Ghost. — " I'll be Mum." — Laying a Corner-stone. — A Mighty Pyramid. — Miss Lyon. — John Foster. — First Meethig of the American Board. — A peculiar Revivah — An endless -chain Meeting. — A pleasant Revival. — Close of the Tear. — A Fire. — The Father of Churclies. — Proposals Irom Phikidclphia. — Visit to New Haven. — Memories. — " Didn't know he was so much hurt." — A surgical Operation. — Voice vk. Brains. — A Dedication 343

CHAPTER XXVL

LIFE AT PITTSFIELD — Continued.

An Indian's Letter. — An Indian's Reply. — The Water-cure. — Fitted to adorn.— Doctoring a Father-in-law. — An Invitation. — The old Eagle. — Oaken Literature. — Gushing Waters. — Death of a Mother. — Slaughtering Weapons. — An open Mouth. — A Resignation. — A new Member of the Family.— Gabriel's Complaint. — Trip to tlie West. — Snows. — Spiritual Longings.— Surgeons. — A Blow. — Must not Preach. — To Europe. — Not a sound Man. — Two Enemies. — The Barber's Shop. — The Dutch Minister. — Reminiscences.— Description of Pittsfield. — A Flower-garden. — The Busy Bee. — What an Argument ! — The Taper and the Sun 36a

CHAPTER XXVIL

LIFE AT PITTSFIELD — Continued.

The Burden of Souls.— A Wedding.- A Todd Trade.- A Storm.— Solitary.— "My Father's House." — NotUnhappy. — A cold People. — The old Wheel-horse. — "We stand on Character." — The sick Daughter. — A Son in tlic Pulpit. — Diphtheria. — The World Mad. — Death of Doctor Humphrey. — Death of Doctor Brace. — The old Father. — Stopped in the Pnlpit. — A queer Inhrmity. — The War. — "Ye are Idle." — " TendrexRC maicmelle.^'' — A River of Providence. — A lean Ministry. — Economy. — Horseback. — A Letter from the West. — An Accident. — Clinging to Life. — Going. — Mary Slept. — A Vacancy. — Polished Diamonds. — The Garden of Hope 37S

CHAPTER XXVIII.

LIFE AT PITTSFIELD — Continued.

The fatted Calf.— Message to a Prayer-meeting.— Sick. — At Saratoga.— Second Meeting of the American Board. — "Vanity Fair." — An honorable Charaeter.— A Jolni Gilpin Time. — Chronicles.- Billy in the Pulpit.— Ring-tailed Monkeys. — The Power of Prayer.— Raflling, — A great Matter.— Thanks.— Trip to California.— The last Rail.— A holy Fossil— The Mormon Tenii)lc. — Weak Consciences. — Sermon before tlie American Board. — Times of Paul. — New Lecture-room. — Swaying Bedclothes. — How to deal with Temptation.—A Pocket-pistol. — Rutland Centennial.— The Resignation 394

CHAPTER XXIX.

LIFE AT riTTSriELD — Continued.

The old Ship.— These Wives.— Fern Pastures.— Brealving of Heart.- The sick Child. — A sad Baptism. — Yale. — The Kainbow. — Spirits in Prison. — Frozen togetlier. — The Decrees. — An active old Man. — Alarming Attack. — Duties relinquished. — Kindness of Parish. — To a bereaved Brother. — To Saxurn Magnum. — The deceased young Minister. — To his Successor. — A mere Babe. — Turning into a Shadow.— Trip to Philadelphia.— Green Remembrance.— The last Communion.— The last Baptism. — To the President of a University. — A Letter of Consolation. — The last Sermon Page 411

CHAPTEK XXX.

HIS STUDY.

A pleasant Room. — The Library.— Missionary Magazines.— Positively Disgraceful.—An omnivorous Reader. — Guns.— The Wood-nymph.— Drawers of Sermons.— Canes.— The Golden Wedding.— The sick Child.— Two old Pastors. — The hard Man.— Jerusalem.— Tlie lame Brother.— Mementoes. —The Fisherman's Lounge.- Pain.— The Desk.— The stolen Knife.— The Clock. — The Chair. — The inner Life of Imagination, Memory, Hope. — Sources of Power 426

CHAPTER XXXI.

DOCTOR TODD AS A PREACHER.

Ambition to be a Preacher. — Conception of the Office. — The Greatest of Sciences. — Middle Gi'ound. — His Doctrines. — No uncertain Sound. — Practical Preaching. — Reverence for the Word of God. — No Doubts. — Commentaries.— Henry. — David and Paul. — Jonathan Edwards. — Thomas Chalmers. — Extempore Preaching. — Planning a Sermon. — Manner of Writing. — Careless Style. — Appearance in the Pulpit. — Dress. — Beauty. — Voice. — Manner. — Prayers. — Hymns. — Characteristics of Preaching. — Simple Language. — Thought.— Illustration. — Solemnity.— Purifying the Fountain. — Knowledge of Human Nature. — Pathos.— Enthusiasm. — Imagination.— Dramatic Power. — The Mount of God. — "It doth not yet appear" 440

CHAPTER XXXII.

DOCTOR TODD AS AN AUTHOR.

How he came to Write.— The Poor-house.— Little Johnny.— The Bellows.— The only One who Printed them. — Lectures to Children.— How to put Babies to Sleep.— Simple Sketches.— Student's Manual.— A Relic of Franklin.— An Accident. — "Index Rerum."—" Sabbath School Teacher."— A Public Reception.— "Truth made Simple."— The Fi-ench Chamber-maid. —Little Mai-y.- The King's Ring.— Power over Children.— Stories on the Catechism.— The Serpent in the Dove's Nest.— Woman's Rights.— The Sunset Land. — Scraps of Time. —Wrote to do Good. — No Money. —A great Life-work *58

CHAPTER XXXin.

HIS RECREATIONS.

Early Vacations.— The Adirondaeks.— Two hundred Lakes.— Nothing but Deer.— Hunters' Slander.— Love of Nature.— Religion in the Forest—

The Sabbath,— Long Lake. — A Church in the Wilderness.— A starved Missionary.— Who Cares for the poor Settlers ? — One of his Deacons. — Hobbies. — Fishing- tackle. — Never did like Trout. — Shooting- irons. — Bees.— In the Attic— Lazy Emblems.— The Temple.— A Hivite.— Buried Alive. — The Power of a Sting. — Hens. — Patent Inventions. — A Caricature.— A Peace-offering. — The Game-cock. — Gardening. — Conservatories. —Consider the Lilies. — The Killingworth Parson. — Kemarks at the Communion - table. — The Farm. — Shade - trees. — Alderneys. — The Wherry. — The Launch. — The Thunder-storm. — The Workshop. — The Frying-pan. — An Apology. — A Relief. — A Weakness incident to Strength. — A little Child Tage 473

CHAPTER XXXIV.

DOCTOB TODD AT HOME.

Wide Sympathies. — The Ballot-box. — Patriotism. — A Bishop. — Esprit de Corps. — The Doctors. — A high Monntain. — A good Citizen. — Schools. — Impiovemcnts. — Sprinkling. — The Poor. — A converted Jew. — Systematic Benevolence. — Achievements. — Preacher vs. Pastor. — Disappointed Deacons.— A Critic silenced. — A good Companion. — Spiritualism. — A wide Circulation. — The Peddler. — Methodist Prayers. — The Under-to.ie. — Questions.— "Very Satisfaction." — "Slightly, Sii'." — Hospitalities. — Jokes. — The Bed made. — Visitors. — Overestimated Friends. — Children's Sports. — Thanksgiving Presents. — Discipline. — A Pea-brnsli. — The family Postofflce. — The family Tryst. — Education. — Love Affairs. — Picligion in the Family. — "Prayers." — Saturday Night. — The Sabbath. — Hymns and Questions' — The right Line of Thought. — Religious Conversation. — Advice.— A wonderful Woman. — Acknowledgments. — A Love-letter. — Home loved 493

CHAPTEli XXXV.

SAILING AWAY.

Sickness. — The old Maple. — An after-dinner Speech. — The last Preaching. — A Letter of Sympathy. — The last Funeral. — His Piece ready. — The last Letter. — A Request for Prayers. — A distressing Sickness. — Anxiety of the People. — Longing to Live. — No Light from Beyond. — Thoughtl'ulness for Others.— Midnight Talks.— Among the Crags. — The Consolations of God. —A striking Prayer.— Interview with the young Pastor.— Message to the People. — A little Child at the Door. — A Desire to depart. — Saturday Night. — The Messenger. — Last Words. — Sleep. — Sabbath Morning. — The Funeral 515

Appendix 1 520

Appendix II 529

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Pagb

Portrait of Dk. Todd, with Autograph Frontispiece.

The Old Sanctuary faces 165

Lawrence Aoademt, Gkoton, Massachusetts " 180

First Congregational Church, Pittsfield, Massachusetts... '' 314

De. Todd's Residence " 318

Db. Todd's Study 427

The Fountain 430

The Church in the Wilderness faces 478

Camp on Jackson's Pond 476

Dr. Todd's Workshop 489

THE STORY OF HIS LIFE.

Chapter I. His A N C E S T K Y

The old Minister. — Guinea Negroes. — Cush and his Drum.— Justiee Todd's Molasses. — Doetors Jonatlian and Timothy. — The Pride of her Village. — The House on the Battenkill. — The Unfortunate. — A new Flag. — The Doctor's Character. — The broken Harness. — Poetiy under Difficulties. — An insane Mother.

"My great-uncle was a plain, primitive clergyman in olden times. He lived a very long, quiet life, dwelling among his own people, equally primitive. He seldom went out of his little parish ; and though he was a great student and thorough scholar, yet in the things of this Avorld he was a child in simplicity. It so happened that there was a vessel cast ashore near his house, and from the wreck several Africans, directly from Guinea, emerged. I never knew all the circumstances, but they came into his hand.s, and my uncle made pets of them all. He thought of instructing and educating them, and sending them back to Africa; and he thought of making them school-teachers here; and he had divers schemes for their elevation. But they were fallgrown people, could not speak a word of English, were immensely stupid, and having never been brought up to work, were any thing but industrious. He gave them Scripture names — Cush, Tamar, and the like. Cush was the oldest, uniting simplicity and cunning, so that it was often difficult to say on which principle he was acting. His simplicity always had his own ends in view. Among his exploits, he got up a company of boys as soldiers. He made them long sticks for guns, but — a drum ! He set his heart on having a drum for his company. In those days gentlemen wore small clothes and white-top boots. My uncle was nice in his dress, and no one in his parish had his head in more perfect wig, or his feet in more becoming white-top boots. At great expense and pains he had procured a side of white leather for his boots, and laid it up carefully. All at once the leather was gone. But a smothered sound from sometliing called a drum among the boy-soldiers revealed the seci-et. When called to account, Cush gravely answered his master that his company were delighted, and said, ' De minister had more patriotism thaH all de gemmen in de town.'"

As the old minister had no children, these negroes attached themselves to the children of his brother Timothy, who lived near, and many are the family traditions of their alfection and fidelity. At the death of their master, those of them who survived were by his will emancipated, with their families. It seems that he had long been " convinced in his own mind that the enslaving of the Africans brought from Africa, or born in this country, was unjust, and one of the sins of the land." Like many others of his time, however, he could never quite bring himself to make the sacrifices involved in an act of emancipation, but preferred to perform this act of justice at the expense of his heii's. His servants, however, did not particularly suffer at his hands. He was a man of singularly amiable disposition, and as a preacher ami pastor left behind him an en-\'iable reputation for leai-ninc;-, fidelity, and Christian character and influence.

His brother Timothy was a merchant as well as a farmer, and was for many years a magistrate. During the Revolutionary struggle, a man came to him one day for a searchwarrant, to authorize him to look for certain smuggled goods on the premises of one Thomas Wilcox. Justice Todd Tnade out the warrant, as in duty bound, but found an opportunitv, while doing it, to direct his eldest daughter,Elizabetli, to take liorse instantly, and ride over and notify his friend Wilcox of his danger. She at once left the barrel from which she Avas drawing molasses at the moment, and, springing- on tlu' bare back of the first horse she could catcli, flew to do the errand, which she performed successfully. ]Mr. Wilcox's boys hid the smuggled goods under a heap of tan Ijark, and thr search-wari'ant was of no use. Elizabeth returned, however, to find that in her haste she had left the molasses runninu.

HIH ANCESTRY. 19

and the ban-el was empty. But as slie subsequently married one of "the Wilcox boys," the loss was not without its consolations.

Ha\'ing made large purchases of goods on credit, Squirr Todd bet:ame very much embarrassed by the rapid depreciation of tlie Continental currency, and when, in the midst of life, he was suddenly cut off by that scourge of our fathers, the small-pox, he was found to be insolvent. His sons, however, voluntarily assumed his debts, and in the end honorably dischaiged them.

Of the nine children of the worthy magistrate, two, Jonathan and Timothy, became physicians, and physicians of more than ordinary repute. Jonathan settled in liis native town, and became one of its most important citizens; but Timothy determined to seek his fortune with the stream of emigation which was then rolling slowly into Vermont. Already before his fatlier's death he had visited Vermont, and engaged in the battle of Bennington. Having obtained a scanty medical education, he settled, on the conclusion of peace, in the little town of Arlington, about fourteen miles north of Bennington, having first returned to Connecticut to marry Phebe, daugliter of Captain Jehiel Buel, of Killingworth, now Clinton.

" T\ly mother, when young, was a most accomplished lady, for those times. She enjoyed all the advantages of education that a young lady could at that time. She was handsome, her air easy and graceful. She was the delight of her parents and friends, and the pride of her village. Alas ! how little did my pjoor father think of the change he should live to see !"

Arlington was.at that time a frontier town, the whole upper part of the State being a wilderness. Kept from advancing beyond the line of civilization by fear of the Indians, the constantly arriving emigrants crowded along the frontier. For this reason Arlington was then a place of more inhabitants and more imjiortance than it has ever been since. About two miles north of the village, the youngdoctor "purchased a small firm near the Battenkill, an inconsiderable river so called, and built a small brick ho\ise thereon, by the expense of which he was for a lime somewhat embarrassed," although it was built in lai-ge part by his own hands. This house is still standing, substantial!;' unaltered, and in excellent repair. "It stands in a deep but most lovely valley, between two lofty prominences of the Green Mountains. In front and eastward I'uns the road, which follows the valley through the State; and a little beyond, the beautiful little Battenkill River runs and tumbles among the smooth rocks. A little farther east rises the lofty mountain, covered with forest trees thick and rich, and dark and mysterious."

In this romantic spot Doctor Todd lived many years; and here six of his seven children were born. "He was active, resolute, and persevering: his professional reputation was rising, and he soon had a pretty extensive circle of medical practice." He also engaged in business, having built a furnace for the smelting of iron ; and the firm of Todd and Camfield became one of repute and importance. He was a man of considerable literary taste and talent, and wrote many medical and other articles for the journals of the day, and on various occasions pronounced popular orations. A curious little memorandum-book of his, still preserved, contains, in his own handwriting, " an abstract view of the miscellaneous writings of Timothy Todd, the unfortunate.'''' The catalogue gives the titles of orations, contributions to magazines, poems, plays, some of which were acted, and even operas, most of them having reference to politics. In many ways he manifested a decided fondness for public life and notoriety. lie was a freemason, and was termed a noted mason. He joined the military, and bore a captain's commission. He was an ardent politician and strongly patiiotic in his feelings ; an enthusiastic Federalist, and strongly opposed to the Democrats.