Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-20
"Old Fnther sawrer.,,


The following sketch of the patriarch Preach
er of New England, from Harpers' Weekly,
may be proftably read for pleasure and instruc-
ton:
Rev. JOHN SAWYER, of Bangor, Maine-who
died on the l4th ult., aged one hundred and
| three years and five days-was perhaps the old
est minister in the United States He was ia.
miliarly called "Old Father Sawyer" as he
furnished 4 remarkable instance of physical
and intellectual activity continued to a green
old age" New England is noted more than
the other States for long-lived men; and the
native place of Father Sawyer could hardly
have been far from the Land of Steady
Habits"
Never until a few months before his death had
he been laid upon the shelf by the failure of his
natural powers either of mind or body. He was
born in October, l755, at Hebron, Connecticut,
to which place, three years ago, he returned
| from Bangor, when on the verge of his second
century. The year of his birth was that of
Braddock's defeat. He was four years old
when Wolfe fell at Quebec twenty when the
Declaration of Independence was signed and
Thirty six at the Inauguration of General
Washington. He voted at every Presiden-
tial election; and, as he said, "always
voted right" In his earlier years he served
for time in the army during the RevOlu-
ton; and when asked, recently, if he knew
that he had ever killed an enemy in war, he
replied that he didn't know that he had ever
actually shot one, but he had done his duty
by shooting at them" He would have received
a pension from the Government as Revolu-
tionary soldier, but from the fact that there
were no living witnesses to offer the necessary
testimony that he had served.
He pursued collegiate studies at yarmouth,
and graduated at the age of thirty years, when
he entered the rnfessian of the ministry, in
which he performed active service Tor more than
seventy years. During the larger portion ofthis
time he was missionary in Maine and about
twenty years ago founded the present Bangor
Theological Seminary"
His wife, Rebecca Hobart, of Plymouth, Mas
sachusetts, died in 1886, at the age of seventy
six. He had five children, only two of whom
are still living. AT the time of Lis death he had
great grandchildren as old as seventeen.
His visit to Hebron in 1855 was in eompli-
ance with public invitation of the citizens Of
the town. In view Of the approaching centen-
NAL anniversary of the old mans birthday they
assembled in town-meetingS with Ex- Governor
Peters, of Connecticut, (himself venerable
man, as chairman, and by an unanimous vote
extended to him the hospitalities of the place
He arrived on Friday, sth of June from Boston,
by way of Springfield and Hartford, on the
same day. In the evening, Immediately aftel
his arrival, he was asked by one of the commit
tee if h. was not greatly fatigued, and he re-
piled, $50 far from being fatigued, 1 could now,
if occasion required, stand and talk to a
congregation for three-quarters of an hour" -
| What makes this answer the more surprising is
that Father Sawyer never went to Europe "fol
the benefit of his health" On the following
Sunday he preached in the Congregations
Church at Hebron, and, as preliminary to the
service, administered the ordinance of baptism
to four children in an interesting and novel man
ner. 1t was warm fine day, and the ceremo
ny was performed in the open air, on the greer
near the Church. Father Sawyer,in addressing
the audience, mentioned that nearly a hundred
years previous his father and mother haC
brought him as an infant in their arms, to b.
baptised at that same spot.
After remaining a few days at Hebron h
paid visit to this city, stopping at the hous
of his grandson, Mr. French, the publisher
Shortly after his arrival a company of young Ia
dies, from female seminary in Brooklyn, callet
in body to see him After ranging themselve
in circle in the parlor, with the old man in tn
centre, they sang several songs, to which h
listened with great pleasure. When they con
cluded, he rose and said, "Well, young ladies
YOU have sung to me; now will sing to you,
and struck up the old hymn, "BlOw ye tn
trumpet, blow ~ which he sang from begin
ming to end with a clear voice, and withou
J hesi.atiDg or apparent difficulty. During hi
stay in this city, Rev. DR.. Gardiner Spring call
ed upon him. When DR.. Spring was an infan
his father invited our patriarch-then in the Wig
, or of manhood-to pay visit to his house; an
Father Sawyer related to DR.. Spring that he ha
held him. when babe, in his own armsl
the close of the interview Dr. Spring-himse
fourscore years of age-advanced to the vene
rable man, and, kneeling down before him like
! child, asked his blessing
! On the return of Father Sawyer to Maine h
attended the annual meeting of the "Maine Gen
eral Conference of Congregational Churches,
in whose proceedings he took part. Duringth
sessions one of the Minister'S man in tn
prime of middle life-came up to him and sait
pleasantly, Father Sawyer, when you die
e want to preach your funeral sermon" "0h
: exclaimed the old man promptly, show do 20
know that you will lice long enough?'
In October of the same year, when his Ger
f tennial day came round, public celebration {
the event was held in Bangor. A large aud
ence assembled, and the aged man whose bac
was bending under the burden of q hundre
years, made clear, connected address, distinct
: ly, and at times fervently uttered, and an hou
t and quarter ia length; at the close ofwhich h
r seemed to be able to go or, with equal ease an
f yigor, an hour longer.
OF the many anecdotes that are told of ''Ol
> Father Sawyer" we have space only for on
or two. After he had passed his eightieth yea
he was in the habit of going out on Saturday
from Bangor to preach in the neighborinI
D towns and villages. returning home on Mondays
: and be made point of meeting these engage
ments through rain or shine. On one occasion
9 however, violent snow.storm having arisen
his friends attempted to persuade him not to go
. At first he would not listen to them but ordere
up his horse and wagon, and set out. After 90
ing short distance, however, he was compelIet
t to return; and on. being asked, iocosely. awh-
E he didn't go on l'' he replied that athe weathe
was too bad for the beast" Ouly two or thre
years ago, when his grandson, who was abou
to take drive with him, attempted to assis
him into the chaise, the grandfather turnet
round and pushed him away, saying, Nov
don't NEEDLE" Still more recently, be wa