Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-03-01
By THE REV. PLINY II. WHITE,
Of CorntrB H.

The Worcester family in New England
has, for several generations, been distin-
guishcd for picty and talent. One Of It's
members divides with Webster the honors
Of American lcxicography, and numerous
diyines and philanthropists have originated
from it. Its earliest ancestor on this side
of the Atlantic was the Rev. Wm. Wor-
cester, ono Of the reverend learned and
holy divines" mentioned by Cotton Mather,
who enigrated about 1898, from Salisbury,
in England, to Salisbury, Mass, and be-
came the first minister Of that town. From
him in the 9TH generation was descended
Samuel A. Worcester, Of whom 1t may be
said what can be said Of few other men,
that his father was one Of four brothers
who were ministers, his mother was one Of
five sisters who were ministers wives, and
himself one of four brothers who were
ministers. Though he did not draw hls
first breath in this State, he was neyerthe-
Jess by nurture and education a ' Nermonter,
and thus well worthy to be commenorated
fy the Vermont Historical Society.
He was one of fourteen children Of
Leonard and Elizabeth (Hopkins) Worces-
4 ter and was born IN Worcester, Mass, 18th
January, 179S. His mother was a daugh-
. ter of the Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D. d.,
4 of lIadlcv, Mass His father was dea-
con Of the Congregational Church, in Wor-
coster, then under the pastoral care OF the
Rev Samuel Austin, afterwards President
Of the University Of Vermont and in hon
OF Of him he received the name Of Samuel
Austin Worcester. At the time OF his
birth his father was a printer by trade, and
eltor Of the Worcester Spy-connected
also in business with the celebrated Isaiah
Thomas; but the following year his father
entered the ministry and became the hrst
settled minister in Peacham, Vt. Here
Samuel \. spent his boyhood and youth,
and here at the Caledonia County Gram
mar School, then the most famous seminary
in that region, he fitted for college.
He was a graduate of the University Of
Icmont in 1919, with the highest honors
of his class. While in college he was con
spicuous for a sobriety quite unusual, which
aommanded the respect Of his fellow stu
= dents. though it embarrassed them not a
little in the execution of their plans tol
ioity and mischief. In the fall of 1926
he commenced the study Of theology al
lalover Theological Seminary, where, after
rursuing a full course, he was graduated II
l>23. lie Immediately entered upon th'
Visionary work to which he had consclen
to1sly devoted his life As travelling
agent of the \. b. c. T. NJ. and in th'
missionary room at Boston, he pcrforme,
much hearty and efficient service. lndeel
he became 50 much cngrossed in the mis-
sionary work, that, as he himself said, h'
lost almost all his interest in every thing
lie was ordained as a missionary to tht
Oh --I'0sess' ~ m .k ferk Street Church, Boston
- -, :. : :. - - MS father preaching tn
sermon as ne also did at the ordination 0
the three other mluisterias-ns Twoday
afterwards he left Tor the 6cla of W w. &,
ture labor, and arrived at Bro;You1 t'' ~ -
2lst October lie immeliatoly - -"
upon the study OF the language ana y,
Piled himself with an assiduitv which
due season made him a complete master
it, Much Of his time and energies We
devoted to the translation Of the Scriptu
and the preparation Of religious literat
IN the Cherokee tongue. Principa
through his influence font Of type, in
laculiar syllable character invented
gorge Guess, native Cherokee, was
I'd Boston, and printing press was pu
leration at New Echota, by the Chero
e.Tcrnment. To enjoy the facilities af
Del by this press. Mr.. Worcester reno
T. New Echota, in the Fall of 1927
tue Summer Of 1929 an edition Of
- gospel OF Matthew and a small Chero
II hymn-book were published, and were I
by the natives with great avidity.
Worcester was an industrious literary
borer all his lifetime, and notwithstanc
his many ayOcations and frequent inter-
tions by sickness and persecution, he
III ried through the press works in six dit
IL ent languages.
La 1881 he was brought conspicuor
III before the public by persecution I'll
form Of law, his manly resistance to
pstlent endurance of which, secured