The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-05-26
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
Rev. A. J. Leavenworth.

The Committee appointed by East Hanover
Presbytery to prepare memorial of Rev. Mr..
Leavenworth, reported the following, which was
ordered to be published in the Central Rfesbyte-
rian and Christian Observer.
The Rev Abner johnson Leavenworth was born
July I'd, 1903, at Waterbury, New Haven county,
Connecticut His father, DR.. Frederick Leaven-
worth, was well-known physician of that place.
His grandfather, Jesse Leavenworth, settled in
Augusta Ca; married Mrs Ann Lednar, of Au-
gusta, Georgia, and died there July Goth, 1923.
His great grandfather, Rev. Mark Leavenworth,
was settled over the Congregational church, in
Waterbury, and remained pastor there for IS
years.
Our brother presbyter was graduated at Am
herst College in the class Of 1925; studied theoo
gy at Andover; was licensed to preach April 3d.
1928; supplied the Congregational church in Or
ange, Conn, for one year. was ordained pastor Of
Congregational church in Bristol, Conn, by a
council convened for the purpose December 10th.
1929, and continued pastor till 1885, when he re-
signed and removed to Charlotte, N. c., to become
principal of the important Young Ladies Seminary
which is still maintained at that place. In 1898
he removed to Warrenton, Va, where he was en-
gagged in the cares of school, when called in the
year 1910, to the High Street Presbyterian church
in Petersburg, where he remained the pastor
about four years. During this period very mem.
orable awakening occurred under his ministry,
which extended to other churches and was blessed
in many wonderful and genuine conversions to
God.
Resigning in 1914, he was drawn again toward
that employment which seemed to be the great
Providential allotment for him, and to which he
was most enthusiastically devoted. He became by
far the most conspicuous educator, in his particu-
lar field, among all our clergy, and perhaps among
our private members in the State.
He erected important buildings, and founded a
college which bore his name, and gathered patron
age and credit from many different regions. He
was distinguished for the thoroughness of his
teaching, and loved his work not chiefly for its
emoluments, which were very large, but from
strong sentiments of interest for the thorough ad-
yancement of those that became his pupils.
After the war, his college being broken up, he
an active founder of the Educational Association
of Virginia. where, aided by such men as General
Lee, and the University Professors he was seeking
great system in extending education in the State,
and by help of journal that he undertook to edit
he was advancing to those disinterested and wide
conspicuous influences that might have been the
most important Of his history.
His death, which occurred on February 18th,
1869, though not sudden, yet was unexpected by
the great multitude of his friends. 1t was peace
full and trustful, and yet humble and prayerful to
very great degree A bequest of near $4,000 to
be employed lin its interests in the education of
foreign missionary, or for other calls connected
with our Church. testified his interest in its abors,
and was connected with an early purpose, from
which Providence turned him aside to devote his
own life to the foreign field.
Our brother Leavenworth was an eminently
sound and able preacher Of the Word, singularly
gifted in prayer, industrious even In later years in
sermon writing, and in study for the pulpit, exem-
plifying in many ways the tenacity of purpose
and steady adherence to his work, which SO char
acterised his great grand father in his pastorship
in Waterbury through period of fifty eight years.
Mr.. Leavenworth had had longer continuous
connection with our Presbytery than any ordained
member living at the time of his decease. His eff
fort to systematise necessary duty on the part Of
our fathers is well remembered in this body. Let
us emulate his painstaking virtues, while we place
him here on the list of those whose faith We are to
follow considering the end of their conversation,
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to-day and for.
ever.