The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-08
BISHOP WILLIAMS is DEAD
EXPIRED SHORTLY BEFORE ETY
O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT,

|
O'CLOCK LAST NIGHT.
He Had Been Suffering With Light
Attack of the Grip but His Death yyas
Very Unexpected-Hey Was Ei-hty-txvo
Years OId-Career of the Eminent
Theologian.
Middletown, Feb. fright Rev. John
Williams, d. D., L. L. D., bishop of
the Protestant Episcopal church, do
cese of Connecticut, and senior bishop
of the house of bishops of the Episco-
pal church in America died very unex-
pectedly at the Episcopal residence
shortly before o'clock tonight in his +
eighty second year. The deceased had
been suffering with a light attack of
result was anticipated. His death was
peaceful and he was unconscious but d N
short while before the end. Though
Bishop Williams had been practically
an invalid for the past two years and
confined to his bed excepting for a short
while each day, his infirmities were Of 4
a physical nature. His mind was
bright and active to the end and he
never lost his interest in the Berkeley
Divinity school and,in fact, matters in
general. He continued his class in the
Divinity school, the students coming to
his room for lectures. The suddenness
of his death has caused quite shock Ia
the community.
| Right Rev. John Williams, D. D., Il.
l.. D., was born in Old or North Deer
field, Mass, August 80. 1917. He was the
only child of Ephraim Williams, a law
yer, and author Of the first volume OF
the Massachusetts, reports, and of Emily
(Trowbridge) Williams. His parents
were Unitarians and he was educated In
that faith. He attended school at the
academy in his native town, which was
considered an excellent school, and later
was sent to Northfield, where there was
an academy of a high reputation. In
1881 he entered Harvard college, where
an intimate friend, afterward Rev. Ben
jamin Davis and in consequence Of dis
cussions with him and of careful study
of the prayer book, he determined to
connect himself with the Episcopal
church. In consequence of the change
he wished to be transferred to church
college. Accordingly, with the cordial
consent of his father, he left Harvard n
and entered what was then Washington
(now Trinity college) at Hartfrod. This
brought him into relations with Bishop
Brownell, who had resigned the presi-
dency of the college in 1881, and who N
continued to- live in Hartford, and take
an active interest in the affairs of the
college, and with the Rev. Dr. Samuel
Jarvis, then one of it's professors. He
graduated in 1885. In the autumn Of
that year, having become a candidate
for holy honors, he entered the Theo-
logcal seminary in New York, but after
a short time was called home by illLess
of his father and remained with him
until his death. Then, after little de-
lay in Hartford, he came to Middletown
to resume his theological studies with
Rev. DIR. Jarvis, who had become rector
of Christ's church, now the Church Of
the Holy Trinity, in this city. Having
his studies he was ordained
deacon, together with his friend, Abner
Jackson, afterwards successfully q
tutor and professor in Trinity, and
president, first of Hobart and then Of
Trinity college) by Bishop Brownell in
the church at Middletown, September
2, 1888. After his ordination he contin-
ued a tutor in Trinity college, position
which he had taken in 1887, until 1910,
ctt f1,n nnfp 49,
twenty-four required for ordination for
the priesthood, he went abroad with
his mother for little less than year,
most of the time in England
and Scotland, although he made short
visit to Paris.
On his return he became an assistant
% Rev. DR.. Jarvis at Middletown, for
one year, and in 1S42 was called to the
'ectorship of ST. Georges church, Schen-
sctady, N. Y. In 1S48 he was elected
of Trinity college and removed
% Hartford. Bishop Brownell was now
advanced in years, and in 1851, when
le was already passed three score
years and ten" it became necessary to
alect an assistant bishop. The choice
ell with unanimity upon DR.. Williams,
md he was consecrated in St. Johns
hurch, Hartford, October 20, 1851. The
infirmity of Bishop Brownell
brew upon him nearly the whole work 6
# the diocese, but he nevertheless re-
aimed the presidency of Trinity college
wo years longer, finally resigning In
S53. During his presidency and chiefly
trough his exertions, the very small
ndowment of the college was consider
bly, increased. When he resigned che
ffice of president, he still retained that