The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-19
OBITUARY.


This patriarchal clergyman died at noon yester-
day at MS residence in Ninth street. after severe
attack ofpneumonia. His confinement to his bed
was OF short duration. but when he laid down at
first 1t was evident to hts family and attendants
that his constitution, naturally OF q marvellous
strength. was deprived by age OF power to resist
the disease.
Dr. De Witt came OF an old Dutch family that
settled In Ulster county at least i've generations
before hts birth. De Witt Clinton was o member
or the family through his mother, and was the
cousin OF the subject OF this obituary notice. The
Reverend Doctor was born In Kingston In that
county, September l3, 1891. and was consequently,
eghty-three years OF age. he receive. us early
education In the Kingston Academy, which he left
In 1905 to enter Union College. He spent only two
years in the latter institution, having graduated
from 1t In 1908. He was then not quite seventeen
years OF age, out he had already shown prefer.
ence for the ministry. He did not however, begin
special studies with view to preach the Gospel
until two years later. In 1870 At that time b en-
tered the FIRST class OF the theological Seminary
at New Brunswick, N. ].
Having graduated thence In 1872 he was imme-
dately licensed by tho New Brunswick Chassis,
and settled in November Of the same year as pas
tor OF the Dutch Reformed church at Hopewell
Duchess county, N. Y. a depression may be made
here to say that the Rev. DR.. Iren2us Prime was
born In Hopewell, in the same month In which Dr..
De Witt settled there This fact simply illustrates
what would otherwise be said somewhat supernu-
ously, that DR.. De Witt has seen the progress from
the cradle OF many men who lived, distinguished
by the regard OF the people, and died in the sane
tity OF old age, though many years younger than
himself
Dr. De Witt remained at Hopewell for fifteen
years. from 1912 until 1927, and throughout that
period retained and perfected the respect and
love which he won at his outset, not only from his
parishioners, but all the people OF the village
While he remained there maiden sister, who also
was highly regarded in H0pewell, lived with him.
In o lragmeniary stretch OF his career, which he
wrote some time ago, at the earnest solicitation OF
his family for their own information, he refers
with great pathos to the qualities OF that lady.
She was the head OF his Dr. De Witt's) house,
hold until he married Miss Ann Eliza Wester-
man, Of this city, in 1926. 1t was this
alliance that determined him to move to
this city, and In 1927 he accepted call
from the Collegiate Dutch Reformed church,
now situated in Lafayette place, and was installed
as one OF It's ministers. He was constant to his
ministry at this church for forty-seven years.
DR.. De Witt was successful as preacher through
out his He Is said to have been brilliant in
his earlier years, and when he was get
ting old he acquired o strong, refined
manner, that always mirrored thought His
earneStness when In the pulpit was
and he always gave to his listeners
strong. manly thoughts, expressed In lucid
language.
DR.. De Wits scholarship was extraordinary.
With the classics he was unusually familiar, and he
had an acquaintance with the modern languages.
Besides, he was student OF modern science. For
several years he was the President OF the New
York Historical Society, and for many more its
vice President. He finally had to decline re-elec-
ton to the latter ONCE. He interested himself
greatly In the history OF our State as well as that
OF the nation, and read number or essays before
the Historical Society. DR.. De Witt was also inter-
ested in the working OF associations for the spread
Of Christian doctrine. such as the American
Bible and Tract societies. and was member OF the
Colonizatonssociety. In these several enterprises
he always found subjects to labor upon In the In
tervals OF release from regular church duty.
The domestic life OF DR.. De Witt was very happy
throughout Its term. 1t lasted for fortysix years.
his wiies death having preceded his own only
few months. He had eight children, OF whom two
daughters now survive. One Is the wife OF Mr..
Morris Z. Jesup, the well known bankers OF this
city. The other Is married to Theodore Cuyler, Of
Philadelphia. nH
There occurred just previous to DR.. De Wits
death an incident that showed his immense vital
ity. He was extremely weak on Sunday and his
death was momentarily expected. He rallied,
however, and slept well through the night Yes.
terday morning, feeling strong ne left his bed and
sat up for time reading the newspapers. He had
laid down again but short time when he died In
perfect peacetulness.
There is no opportunity to extract moral from
the deceased clergyman's liie 1t was too calm
ana conservative for such q thing. His was the
career OF man who, having to do certain things,
does them calmly. earnestly and with strength
without flourish. DR.. De Witt was modest even
timid outside OF the pulpit but In 1t his faith and