Morning journal and courier., 1889-07-20
THE sHEFFIELD nEsIpEncR.
Mr.. James Brewster,s Connection
with the GIFT OF This Residence to



Mr.. James Brewster's Connection
with tho GIFT OF This Residence to
Yale.
To the Editor Of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
The inquiry of 40. Il. T." published in
your issue of the 18th inst, relating to James
Brewster's connection with Joseph E. Shelf
fields gift to.the college of his late residence
on Hillhouse avenue, will awaken in the
minds of their surviving contemporaries
tender "reminiscences of these gentlemen.
Mr.. Shef6eld's munifcent gift to the COLI
lege in the establishment of the Scientific de-
partment, which bears his honored name, far
surpasses the slight connection which Mr..
Brewster had with 1t; but the incident in
Its history, which your correspondent recalls
is as honorable to him as to his large hearted
and weather. friend.
In examining the memoirs of James Brewster
prepared by one of his sons for the use Of the
grand children, the present writer found
given In considerable detail the agreement
between these gentlemen in the matter
referred to, and the interesting letters writ
ten by them at the time.
In April, 1856, Mr.. Brewster bought for
$50, 500 Mr.. J.C. Sanford's property on Hill
house avenue. and he had begun the removal
of his effects from his residence on Chapel
street (the Woolsey house, when he heard
through Professor Sillimau, sen. of Mr.. Shelf
fields negotiations for the same property in
March preceding, which he then declined to
buy on account of the price set upon it; and
at the same time of the plans entertained by
Mr.. Sheffield in regard to establishing in
New Haven scientific and agricultural
school. In fact, on Tuesday, the 10th of
M ak oe he L. -
the enterprise "from distant parts of the
State" held at the house of Prof. Silliman,
this project was discussed, and Mr.. Sheffield,
disappointed in not securing the property in
question, advised the gentlemen present to
see Mr.. Brewster on the subject, "a gentle-
man." to quote his words, $50 able and 30
well disposed to carry out my own plans in
part so far as the rising generation is con-
cerned.p
On the twelfth inst. Mr.. Brewster commu-
nicated his willingness to convey the proper
ty to Mr.. Sheffield for "the noble object you
have in hand" at the same sum he had paid,
adding: 'T could not feel myself justified in
retaining this property, unless 1 could do
what you design to accomplish, an object 30
practical and SO diffusive in its application
to the interests of the community"
In his characteristic reply, dated April IA,
1856, Mr.. Sheffield wrote eff you give it up
to me, as you now intimate, I want it known
and understood that you do 80 in order to
further this most important branch of educa-
tion-a branch in which the rising SONS of
our mechanics and farmers are so deeply in
terested, and not in consideration Of your
personal feelings towards me, of which, how
ever, have high regard"
Mr.. Brewster at once vacated the premises
and retired to his house on Elm street
known as the Gov. Jones house,, where he
died in 1866.
This transaction evoked many letters from
the college Instructors and others most COM
plimentary to Mr.. Brewster. What was
priced by him as not the least of these ex-
pressions of interest, was the pains that Prof.
Sillimsn took to secure him for a neighbor
by the projected purchase of the Lawrence"
house, now occupied by Mr.. Colin Ingersoll
The following notice in contemporaneous
issue of the Palladium will show the facts in
the case, as well as the public estimation of
these lifelong friends and large hearted citi-
zens:
"We lately announced the purchase of Mr..
Sanford's mansion and grounds on Hillhouse
avenue. by James Brewster, Esq, who in
tended to fit up the place for his own resi-
denee. 1t was understood that Mr.. B. had
made great bargain; but he Immediately
after learned that other parties were about
purchasing the place for the purpose of es-
tablishing there an agricultural school or
college, which was to be connected with
Yale college. Prominent In this movement
for the benefit of our city and the vast in
terests that will grow out of such an institu-
ton, was another liberal-hearted citizen,
Joseph E.. Sheffield, Esq. Mr.. Brewster, on
learning the disappointment of the friends
of the new institution, addressed Mr.. Shelf
field note, as we learn from a gentleman
conversant with the facts, stating that in
consideration OF the circumstances, and es-
pecially his unwillingness to stand in the
way of any measure of public utility, he
would be happy to relinquish to Mr.. s. his
right and title to the property at the price
paid for It'll This was just like Mr. Brew
ster, but very much unlike human nature
generally. 1t is allowed that 1t is equiva-
lent to gift on his part, of eight or ten
thousand dollars to the institution and the
city. We hope that the examples of such
men as the Lawrences of Massachusetts,
Brewster of Connecticut, and others that
might be named, will be exclusively followed.
That's the way to live, and more than all,
that's the way to die" B.
NEW HAVEN Julv 10