St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-01-22
Death of DR.. Worcester.

ihe burlington Free TESS OF odtuTuay,
Jan. 16, contained the following account
of the death of Rev. DR.. J. II. Worcester
Rev. John Hopkins Worcester, D. D.,
whose death we chronicle today, was
born in Peacham, VT, May IL, 1912. He
came of long line of divnes, eminent for
their virtues and devotions. His grand.
father Noah Worcester, was the descend.
ant in the fifth generation from Rev.
William Worcester, who came to this
country from England and was the pas
tor OF the first church in Salisbury, Mass.
Noah Worcester was the father of 16
children and stepfather of two, and had
95 grandchildren, fourteen of whom were
clergymen. DR.. ]. E. Worcester, the
famous photographer, was one of his
grandsons. The father of our townsman
was Rev. Leonard Worcester, who was
for forty years the pastor of the Congre-
gational church in Peacham, which
under his care became one OF the fore
most churches of that denomination in
Vermont. His mother was Elizabeth,
daughter Of Rev. DR.. Samuel Hopkins,
d. d., OF the noted Hopkins family Of
Massachusetts. He was one OF a family
OF IA children, and three OF his brothers
besides himself entered the Christian min
istry. His brother, Rev. Isaac Worcester,
was for many years secretary of the
American Board. At the age of II Mr..
Worcester entered Dartmouth college and
graduated in 1888. In 1885 he was
a tutor at Dartmouth college. He then
studied for the ministry at Andover and
was ordained in 1889, and installed the
same year as pastor of the Congrega-
tional church in st. Johnsbury. He
remained in that pastorate for seven
years when in 1s47, he accepted a call to
the pulpit of the Congregational church
in Burlington, then vacant following the
resignation of Rev. !. K. Converse. He
was installed here March TO- 1S47, and
was the faithful pastor ofthat church for
eight years, during which he was recog-
nized as one of the ablest preachers of his
denomination in the state. Resigning in
1854, he became associated in 1855 with
Mrs. Worcester in the admirable school
for young women, which was established
by her in 1915, and was then one Of the
best known and most successful private
schools in the state. The school was
closed July 6, 1870. after which DR.. Wor-
cester lived quietly in his home on Elm.
wood avenue devoting himself to his
garden and books, and to the society OF
few valued friends, while retaining an
active interest in the work of the church
in the theological discussions and move
ments of thought and life OF the time.
DR.. Worcester was man OF high
Christian character, very able preacher,
a strong and original thinker, and one Of
the most sincere and conscientious ofmen
Holding very h.sh ideals of life and char.
acter, he demanded from Others no higher
standard than he exacted from himself.
He had the universal respect of all who
knew him, and the affection and esteem
of those who knew him best He received
the degree OF D. D. from the University OF
Vermont in 1866.
He was four times married, first in
August, 1886, to Miss Sarah Y. Wheeler
of Peacham; next, Nov. 80. 1910, t.
Miss Harriet E. Strong of Hardwck
later, August %, 1913, to Miss Martha
p. Clark Of St. Johnsbury, who was a
sister OF Judges Isaac and Timothy P
Redfeld, and subsequently Oct. 81, 1851
to Miss Catherine Fleming Of Burling
ton. Five sons were the fruit of these
unions, four of whom died in infancy
The only one reaching maturity, Rev. ]
H. Worcester, d. D., died Feb. 6
1898, in his 4Sth year. Mrs. Worcester
his devoted companion and helpmeet, sur
wives him, as it was his hope and prayer
that she might, and has the tender sym
pathy of our community. Other mem
bers of the family, who share in this re
gard at this time, are Mrs. John H
Worcester, the widow of his only son
and her three children aud Mrs. NJ. H
Stone, Mrs. Worcester's niece, who wa.
long a member of their household
Having reached the advanced age o
IS, DR.. Worcester was feeling the burden
of years; but no especial anxiety wa:
felt about his condition till Tuesday
night last, when he suffered a sharp at
tack of disease to which he had beer
subject. Relieved for a time by opiate.
he passed into comatose condition
from which he could not be rallied, ant
he passed away quietly at nine O'Clock
yesterday morning. The funeral will b.
held on Monday, from the First church
at 2:30 p. m.
Wm Richardson, head of the firm o