Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-01-01
ForMe Enquirer.
MEMOIR OF HON. JOHN COTTON
SMITH, LII. d,

| MEMOIR OF HON. JOHN COTTON
SMITH, LII. d.
In the Sacred Volume, the Creator of the
universe who "touched Isaiah's hallowed
| lips with the fire. of celestial inspiration,
the most evangelical, sublime and eloquent
of all the poets and prophets of Israel, de-
clared, 81 will make man more precious
| than fine gold even a man than the golden
wedge of Ophir" This noble promise to
this child of consultation and providence,
| has been verified in ALI ages, ancient and
modern: in distant lands, and in our own
loved native country. The age then which
amidst diversity of events claims more
elevated refinement in civilization, ought to
keep in Renaissance the milder virtues of
the departed saint and patriot; ana the ma
ton which, amid the splendor of its great
ness, has witnessed the salutary influences
Of Christianity, " the power of God and the
wisdom of Goo, ;" is led to venerate the Chris
tian character. Under these impressions,
it is ght in the sight Of the author of a
| memoir, with candor and without prejudice
on account of diversity Of civil end reli
gious opinions, to preserve from oblivion,
and to propose for imitation, the character
Of man who has shonc with distin-
guished splendor in the circle of civil soci
ETY., in the republic Of learning, and among
t i" the saints, the excellent Of the EARTH"
Such was the late Gov. Smith. He had
noble soul within him, and rose superior to
local and vulgar preiudices. In this prom
inent trait of character, he resembled that
distinguished emperor who said, "As | am
Antonius, Rome is my city and my country;
but, as am man, the World" This
sainted servant of the Most High has re-
Gently left his abode in the valley of Sharon;
and, it is believed, for a more blissful and
permanent residence in the presence of Him
by whom "kings reign, and princes decree
justice"
This pious and eminent individual was
the son of the late Rev. Cotton Mather Smith,
pastor of the Congregational church in Sha-
ron, Conn., Mr.. Smith was descended from
the Rev. Henry Smith, the first minister Of
| Wethersfeld, who came from England in
| 1858. The mother of MIR Smith was a
daughter of the celebrated Cotton Mather,
d. D., +. r. S., and who died in Sharon at
a very advanced age. He was born at Suf-
field, Oct. 10Th, 1871, and graduated at Yale
College in 175l. He spent the year prev
ious to his visiting Sharon, at Stockbridge
Massachusetts, with the very celebrated JON
athan Edwards, in the benevolent duties of
instructing the Indians. He was ordain-
ed minister of Sharon on the 18th day Of
August, 1855. He was married to Mrs.
Temperance ele, widow of DR.. Moses Gale,
of Goshen, N. Y, and daughter of Rev.
William Worthington, of the par parish OF
81, 1906, aged rs. Mr.. Smith was never
spoken of at this day, (lS39D by those who
knew him, but with the most unqualified re-
spect and veneration.*
| His son, the Hon. John Cotton Smith,
was born in Sharon, Feb. 18th, l765.-
From earliest youth, he was ardently devo-
ted to learning and possessed a good name.
He graduated at Yale College in 1888. and
was married to Miss Margaret Evertson, of
Armenia, N. Y, Oct 81, 1886; lady of
intelligence and possessing many accom-
plishments, and whom he survived several
years. Having acquired the requisite
knowledge Of the science of jurisprudence,
he was admitted to the bar, and practised
the profession of the law in his native town.
He was chosen a Representative in the
General Assembly of ConnectiCuta at the Oc-
tober session 1898, and subsequently was
elected to the House at sixteen semi-annual
elections. Ae was elected Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and presided over
the deliberations of that body with neat
ness of person, urbanity Of manners, ana
dignity of department, rarely surpassed.-
He was elected member of the Connecti-
cut Academy of Arts and Sciences. In
| 1900 he was elected member of Congress,
reelected in 1902, and gain in 1904 He
was elected Judge of the Superior Court,
in Oct. 1909, and retired in 1911, and was
subsequently chosen Lieut.. Governor In
| 1913 he was elected Governor of the State,
and one of the Fellows of the University of
Yale. At the ensuing commencement he
received the honorary degree of Doctor of
Laws from the same University. He was
annually reelected until lSl7,wh he was
succeeded by the late Gov. Wolcott
Since his retirement from political Office,
Gov. Smith has been known and acHnow-
lodged as one of the most distinguished
philanthropists of the age.
The following Hymn, composed by Mr..
| Smith, was sung at the celebration of the
one hundredth anniversary of the first town
meeting, December 22, 1889:
| D bless the Lord. whose mighty hand
| Led our forefathers DER the main,
| To spread throughout this distant land,
| Fair treedlm's just and gentle reign.
Nor cold, nor want, nor foes arrayd
| Could the firm Pilgrims zeal restrain,
They trusted in their Saviour's aid,
Nor did His servants trust in vain.
| Through dangers, tolls and anxious cares,
God was their guardian and their stay;
And gave in answer to their prayers,
| The blessings we enjoy this day.
One century round these hills and plains,
| Have the Redeemer's praises rung,
Still let them rise IN lofty strains,
| From every heart and every tongue.
! At several times this eminent man was
elected President of the American Board of
+, Commissioners of Foreign Missions. On
the death of Hon. John Jay, President of the
American Bible Society, he was elected his
successor, and held the office to the time of
his death.
Gov. Smith died in Sharon, Lords day,
Dec. 9TH, l845, aged 80. This eminent ser
want of the LORD, and patriot, hasle behind
him name recorded in the annals of Con-