Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-27

Rev. William Mansfield Groton, D.
D.. D. G. L., for seventeen years roc
tor of Christ Episcopal church, West
erly, and for the past fifteen years
dean of the Philadelphia Divinity
school, died suddenly Tuesday even
ing of heart disease. He was stricken
at $50 O'Clock while engaged in the
routine of his days duties. Dean
Groton had only complained of i'll
health for a few weeks and during
that time continued his usual duties
at the school. AS soon as Dr. Groton
was stricken, a son, Rev. Nathaniel B.
Groton, who lives in Whitmarsh, and
Bishops Rhinelander and Garland,
were notified, but before they arrived
the dean was dead.
In addition to his many church
interests, DR.. Groton assisted in the
work of outside institutions. He was
a prominent worker in the Civil Ser
and the Philadelphia Library asSocia
ton, and also an editor of The Sun
day School Teachers Manual. He had
also been a deputy to the general con-
vention of the Episcopal church, in
1895 and 1898, and again in 1907, rep
resenting the Pennsylvania diocese,
and was a member of the standing
committee of the diocese when death
came.
Dean Groton, was the son of James
Randall Groton and Helen May Gro
ton, and was CORN in Waldoboro, Me-,
November %, 1850. He was gradu-
ated from Harvard in 1873 and from
the Philadelphia Divinity school in
1876. In 1909 he received his de-
gree of Sacred Theological Doctor at
the University of Philadelphia. He
was ordained a deacon in 1875 and
given charge of st. Anne's church,
Lincoln, Mass. His next charge was
Christ Episcopal church, Westerly of
which ne was rector from 1881 to 1898.
Previous to being ordained a deacon
he had change of the Divinity school
at st. Stephens Canada.
Dean Groton was also professor of
systennatical divinity at the Philadel-
phia Divinity school and in 1912 was
lecturer for the Boiler Foundation
He was member of the American
Economic association and the Amri-
can Oriental association. He was
also the author of several books, in
Guiding The Sunday School Teachers
Manual, and The Christian Eucharist
and Pagan Cults, the latter being
widely read and well received by the
clergy. His Mystery of Religion, he
never finished and it lays in manu-
script form in his library. He had
next edition of Hastings Dictionary
of the Apostolic Age.
While in Westerly, Dr.. Groton took
active interest in all public affairs, as
Well as in Masonry. He was a mem
Der of Franklin lodge, F. and A. NJ.
Palmer chapter, r. A. NJ, and of
Narragansett coInmandery, K T., be-
ing eminent commander in 1891, He
was admitted to Franklin lodge on
September 2, 1884, and Identified March
IS, 1900
On Wednesday afternoon, January
"a, 1888, Rev. Mr. Groton, when rec
tor of Christ church, married Miss
Hannah Babcock, daughter of Hor-
ace Babcock, of Westerly, the cere-
money being performed by Rev. Will
lam R. Babcock, Of Narragansett Pier,
an uncle of the bride, in Christ church
The bride was accompanied by her
brothers, Rouse Babcock. A reception
followed at the Babcock home in
Elm street. Dean Groton is survived
by Mrs. Groton and two sons. Rev.
Nathaniel B. Groton, rector of St.
Ihomas' church, at Whitemarsh, and
Rev. John Mansfield Groton, curate
of Grace church. New York
Funeral services will be held Sun
day, in Holy Trinity church, Phila-
delphia. Burial will be at River Band
cemetery, Westerly
Dean Groton was one of the bio
gest men in the church in this coun-