Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-02-05
Fryeburg.

Rev. David Brainerd Sewsll, who was
pastor of the Congregational church
here for the IA years following December,
1850, died at his home. in South Berwick,
on Sunday, January IS. He was taken
i'll the latter part of November with an
attack of slow typhoid fever. he rallied
from this, however, but was then seized
with bronchitis, and 1t was this latter
disease which caused his death. At the
time of his decease he lacked only five
days of having attained the extreme age
of 90 years, he having been born on Jan.
10, 1917. Mr.. Sewall was held in high
esteem by all who knew him, and his
death will sadden wide circle of friends
and acquaintance. He was native of
Chesterville, where his grandfather, Rev.
lothian Sewall, dwelt during the years
Of his service a. q missionary preacher
in Maine. He was educated at Bowdoin
College, from which institution he was
graduated in 1885, and of which he was
for some time previous to his death the
oldest surviving alumnus. After his
graduation from college, he taught the
Lewiston Falls Academy two years, and
then entered the Bangor Theological
Seminary, from which he was graduated
in 1s41. On January 10, 1912, he was
ordained pastor of the Congregational
church at Robbinston, where he re-
NAMED as pastor till December, 1850,
when he was installed az pastor of the
Congregational church here. He re-
manned here IA years, at the conclusion
Of which time, having been dismissed at
bis own request, he became acting pastor
of the Congregational church at York
and so continued till 1888, his three
pastorates at Robbinston, Fryeburg and
York absorbing the whole of his active
pastoral life. In each of these three
fields of labor he ministered as one
whose life exemplifies the truths he
would inculcate, building up his people
in the most holy faith, and winning souls
for the Master. After retiring from the
active duties Of the ministry, he removed
to South Berwick, where he resided the
rest of his life, and where he became, In
effect, pastor-at.large for all the village,
preaching II one of his brethren needed
his help, officiating at funerals, calling
on tho sick or sorrowful, ministering to
the needy, teaching in the Sunday school
and helping in ell meetings Of the church
or society.
On January 8, 1912, he married Mary
Drummond of Bristol, who during their
81 years of welded life was bis most de-
voted helper in all his work, and whose
death eight years ago was the greatest
sorrow of his life. There were born to
them son and three daughters, of whom
the oldest, daughter, died In infancy,
and the son (Jotham) and the two sur
viving daughters Helen and Jennie)
made their home with him.
The funeral services took place at the
home of the deceased on Tuesday after
noon, January Is, bis pastor, Rev.
George Lewis, officiating. Many lovely
flowers testified to the esteem of rela-
tives and friends. As the deceased loved
music 30 dearly that for years he so
timed his short vacations that he could
attend the 0ratorios given In Boston, and
as he possessed voice of rare musical
quality, whose sweetness and power were
remarkable even when he had almost
reached his ninetisth year, 1t was fitting
that at his funeral quartette should
sing some of his favorite airs. Additional
funeral services were held in the after
noon of Wednesday, January 10, at the
Congregational church at York, in which
town the remains were laid at rest be-
side those of the wife of the deceased.
Besides the surviving children Of the
deceased, he Is survived by four brothers
professor John s. Sewall of Bangor,
Professor lothian Sewall of Boston,
Mass, Rev. A. c. Sewall of Troy, N. T.,
and Rev. Granville P. Sewall of Aurora,
N. ~ and by one sister, Mrs. A. p.
Stacy Of Seattle, Wash.