Litchfield enquirer., 1846-10-08
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1Ol6ua TrmmG1bmDI.

ceStoI came from England, and in 1915 fix.
ed his residence AZ Ipswich in Massacbu.
sets. His son, named John, removed and
established himself at Suffield in Connect
cut He had three sons, John, Joseph and
Benoni, whose descendants are still living
in this state. The Rev BENJAMIN Trom-
boil, d. ID. the respectable historian of Con-
necticut, was the grandson Of Benoni. 10.
seph settled in Lebanon, and at his death
left one son, Jonathan Trumbull, who was
Governor of the State during The whole rev.
olusionaTy war, and whose patriotic exer-
tons are amply recorded in history. Two
of his sons were Jonathan Trumbull, after.
wards Governor Of the State, and job,
Trumbull, the celebrated painter, whose
merits have long been distinguished, both
in Europe and America. r..
The subject of this sketch was the grand
son Of John Trumbull, eldes, son of him who
first settled in Sufield. He was born on the
10Th day Of April, old style, 1.-THE Gath accor-
ding TO the present mode Of computation
| i'll the year 1850, in the then parish of West
bury, but since formed into separate town
by the name CT WATERFOWL, in Litchfeld
county. The settlement of that village was
begun few years before his birth. His ia
Their, who was the first minister of the Con-
gregational church in that place, was good
classical scholar, highly respected by his
brethren, and for many years one of the
trustees. OF Fellows, of Yale College. His
mother was daughter OF the Rev. Samuel
Whitman Of Pennington in Hartford coun-
", and grand daughter of the Rev. Solomon
stoddard, D. d. of Northampton in Massa.
chusetts.
Being an only son, and of very delicate
and sickly constitution, he was of course
the favorite of his mother. She had receiv-
ed an education superior to most of her sex,
and no, only Instructed him in reading. from
his earliest infancy, but finding him posses
sed of an extraordinary memory, taught him
all the hymns, songs and other verses, with
which she was acquainted. His fathers
small library consisted mostly of classical
and theoog cal books. The Spectator and
Watts Lyric Poems were the only works Of
merit in the belles-lettres, which he posses
sed. Young Trumbull moi only committed
to memory most of the poetry they contain
ed, but was seized with an unaccountable
| ambition Of composing verses himself, in
which he was encouraged by his parents
The country clergy al that time generally at
tempt.d to increase their income, by keep
ing private schools for the education of
youth. When he was about five years Of
age, his father took under his care a lad,
seventeen years old, 10 instruct and qualify
him for admission as member Of Yale Col
lege. Trumbull noticed the tasks first i'm.
posed which were to learn by heart the
Latin Accidcnce and Lilly's Grammar, and
to cons,rue the Select Colloquies Of Corderi-
us, by the help of literal translation
Without the knowledge of any person, except
his mother, he began in this way the study
of the Latin language After few weeks,
his father discovered his wishes, and find
ing that by the aid of better memory, his
son was able to outstrip his fellow student,
encouraged him TO proceed. At the COM
mencemen, in September l757, the two lads
were presented at college, examined by the
tutors and admitted as members. Trumbull,
however, on account of his extreme youth at
that time, and subsequent i'll health, was not
sent to reside at college till the year 1853.
He spent these SIX years in a miscellaneous
course Of study, making himself master of
The Greek and Latin authors usually taught
in that seminary, reading all the books he
could meet with, and occasionally attempt
ing tv initiate, both in prose and verse, the
style of the bes. English writer's, whose
works he could procure in his native village
These were of course few. The Paradise
Lost, ThompsOn's Seasons, with some of the
Poems Of Dryden and Pope, were the princi-
pal. On commencing his collegiate life,
he found little regard paid to English COM
position, or the requirement of correct
style. The Greek and Latin books, in the
study of which only, his class were employ
ed, required but small portion of his time.
BY the advice of his tutor, he turned his
thoughts to Algebra, Geometry, and astro-
nimicai calculations, which were then new
ly introduced aud encouraged by the instruc-
tors. He chiefly pursued this course during
the three first years. In his senior year he
began to resume his former attention to
English literature. After receiving the de-
gree of Bachelor Of Arts 10 1867, he remain
! ed three years longer al college as gradu.
ate. Being now master Of his own time,
he devoted himself chiefly to polite letters
reading all the Greek and Latin classics,
especially the poets and orators, aad study
inp fha StvlA nd an1o a vnri an IN in,ifata ,ho