JOHN TRUMBULL, the ancestor of the distinguished families of the name in Connecticut, came as it is reported, from the county of Cumberland, England. He settled in Rowley, Essex Co., Ms.† The second John Trumbull, (or as the name was then written, Trumble,) doubtless the son of the original settler, appears to have been a person of considerable distinction. He was made freeman in 1640, was appointed deacon Oct. 24, 1686, and in 1689 was a lieutenant in the militia. The exact date of his removal to Suffield, Ct. (then in the jurisdiction of Massachusetts) we have not been able to ascertain. He had three sons, John, Joseph, and Benoni. John Trumbull was a distinguished clergyman in Watertown, Ct. His son John was the poet, author of McFingal, etc. Benoni was settled in the ministry at Hebron, Ct. His son Benjamin, D. D., the historian, was minister of North Haven. Joseph Trumbull, the second son of John of Suffield, settled at Lebanon as a merchant. JONATHAN TRUMBULL, the subject of this memoir, and the son of the last named, was born in Lebanon, June 10, O. S., 1710. He entered Harvard University in 1724, and graduated in 1727. "He early discovered fine talents," says Dr. Eliot," and a most amiable disposition. He was a modest, ingenuous youth, very bashful when he entered College, owing to his tender years, as well as retired situation; but he was much beloved by his classmates, [among them, 37 in number, were Gov. Hutchinson, Benjamin Church, Benjamin Colman, and Belcher Hancock,] and when he took his degree, one of the finest scholars, with such accomplishments as qualified him to be useful, as well as to make the most conspicuous figure." Immediately after he graduated, he commenced the study of theology with the Rev. Solomon Williams of Lebanon. In due time, he was licensed to preach, and was soon after invited to settle in the ministry at ColchesWhile deliberating upon the subject, a domestic affliction turned the ter. *There is a singular confusion in respect to the names, dates, etc., in the various accounts. Eliot Biog. Dictionary, states that two brothers came from England, one settling at Ipswich, the other at Charlestown. The National Portrait Gallery, Art. Gov. Trumbull, mentions that the original ancestor was Joseph, and that he settled at Ipswich. Eliot says that Westfield, Ms., was the place to which the ancestor of Gov. T. removed from Ipswich. Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, with some of his people, who had removed from Rowley, Yorkshire, Eng., settled in Rowley, Ms., in the spring of 1639. In 1643, 61 house-lots were laid out. One of these was John Trumble's.-Gage's Rowley, p. 128. current of his life into another channel. An elder brother, who was engaged in business with his father, had sailed on a voyage to London, in June, 1732, and was never more heard of. For a long time, a forlorn hope was entertained that the vessel had been captured by the Algerines; but distressing as even this hope was, time proved it to be fallacious. The loss of this son, together with the vessel and cargo which wholly belonged to the family, was severely felt by the aged father, who found himself unfitted to adjust his mercantile concerns without the assistance of his surviving son, who at the urgent request of his father, with great reluctance declined the call of the church at Colchester.* In closing up the concerns of his brother, Jonathan Trumbull gradually commenced business for himself, and was, for many years, a merchant in his native town. He imported his goods directly from London, and by his fair and upright dealing secured the respect and confidence of the public. At the age of twenty-three, he was elected a member of the general assembly of the colony. Here a new scene opened before him. His talents for public business were soon perceived and acknowledged, and he rose rapidly in office. He was soon chosen speaker of the House, and shortly afterwards a member of the Council. In 1766, he was elected lieutenantgovernor of the colony, and, by virtue of that office, chief judge of the Superior Court. He continued in that office two years. Pitkin, the governor of the colony, being advanced in life, was cautious in his proceedings upon the absorbing subjects which then agitated the public mind. The right claimed by the British Parliament of taxing the colonies at their pleasure, and the passage of the Stamp Act caused great excitement. Governor Pitkin and several of the Council, took the oath enjoined by the British government on that occasion; but Trumbull, the lieutenant-governor, strenuously refused to take it himself, or to be present when it was administered to others. In resistance to the arbitrary acts of Parliament, no individual in the colony was more active, ardent or energetic, than the youthful and modest Trumbull.† In 1769, he was chosen by the people governor of the colony, as one on whom, in times of danger and trouble, they could safely rely. He decided in Council, by his casting vote, to resist, by force of arms, the encroachments of Great Britain against the liberties of the colony. He was the only colonial governor, at the commencement of the revolution, who engaged in the cause of the people. He was the only governor of a State who held his station through the war. He was one of the most prominent New England whigs. His firmness in danger, his persevering spirit in the most gloomy period, his ardor, patriotism and zeal in his country's cause, endeared him to all the lovers of liberty. As a statesman, his views were clear, correct and open, while the soundness of his opinions was proved by the result. His diligence, ability and fidelity were tested by the manner in which he performed the immense amount of business intrusted to him. During the whole war, a council of safety sat with him, except during the sessions of the general assembly; at all other times he and his "It is an observation of Mr. Hutchinson, that many of the first characters in Massachusetts were at first probationers for the ministry, and afterwards made a figure at the bar, or in the legislative or executive courts of the province' We recollect the names of Stoughton, Read, Gridley, and Judge Stephen Sewall. That gentleman adds, that when persons have been ordained, they ought to have very special reasons to leave the profession for a civil employment.' We have seen an instance of this in Gov. Saltonstall, where the public was much benefited."-Eliot. † National Portrait Gallery. He was the only one who was chosen directly by the people. Council were the executive of the State. In addition to his duties as governor, and his attendance with the legislature, (at least three times a year,) he sat in council during the war more than 1,000 days. His correspondence with the governors of the other States, with General Washington and other officers of the army, and with distinguished foreigners, was very extensive. He promptly complied with the requisitions of General Washington for supplies, to the extent of his ability or the power of the State. It is a fact highly honorable to Connecticut, that she furnished the United States with more troops and supplies than any other State in the Union, except Massachusetts. The foreign correspondence of Gov. Trumbull was extensive and of great importance to the country.† We here copy a few extracts from a long and very able historical letter of Gov. Trumbull, to the Baron J. D. Van de Capellan, "membre des Nobles de la Province d' Overysel," in Holland. "LEBANON, 27th June, 1777. "The cause of liberty is not peculiar to one free State-it is a common cause; the destruction of one cannot be indifferent to the few other free States, which God, in his providence, hath preserved from being swallowed up by tyranny. It was with the greatest pleasure we were informed that the States of Holland refused to lend their troops to Great Britain, to be used in extending the dominion of tyranny over these States, and effacing almost the only traces of liberty which remain in one quarter of the globe; I cannot sufficiently express the gratitude we feel for the generous part, you, Sir, was pleased to take in that matter, worthy of a senator of a free State, and a candid and impartial friend of liberty and humanity. "In the United States of America you will be revered. We are now reduced to the necessity of defending, by force, against the power of a renowned and mighty empire, our ancient and indubitable rights, immunities, and privileges, founded upon national liberty, confirmed by Royal charters, of the predecessors of the (present) King of Great Britain; approved and recognized by successive Parliaments; and enjoyed, from the first settlement of these States, to the present day. The present reign opened with a deliberate system, and digested plan to reduce these States to the most abject dependence and vassalage. By our ancient charters, by the most solemn contracts with our kings, we were to have, and enjoy, all the liberties, privileges, and immunities of free and natural born subjects of the realm of England; of these privileges, that which fixes private property, and exempts the subject from taxation but by his own consent, has been always justly reputed the chief, the loss of which involves in it, or draws after it, the loss of all the rest; this was first attacked." "To many, the views of the British cabinet had been long apparent; most people, however, had flattered themselves the nation would not suffer the Court to take away their privileges by force; and that at length they would be confirmed; but now, it is become evident to all, that the design to strip them of their privileges, and lay their lives and property at the mercy of a haughty and unfeeling ministry and a venal Parliament, was fixed and determined; and that The civil officers of Connecticut in 1774 were as follows: Jonathan Trumbull, governor, Matthew Griswold, deputy-governor, Jabez Hamlin, Shubael Conant, Elisha Shelden, Eliphalet Dyer, Jabez Huntington, Roger Sherman, Abraham Davenport, William Samuel Johnson, Joseph Spencer, Oliver Wolcott, William Pitkin, and James A. Hillhouse, assistants, John Lawrence, treasurer, George Wyllys, secretary, Matthew Griswold, chief judge of the Superior Court, Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, William Pitkin and Samuel Huntington, associate justices. † Governor Trumbull made a large collection of papers, MSS., circulars, speeches, etc., which were presented by the family, after his death, to the Massachusetts Historical Society. Several of them have been printed in the volumes of their Collections. The whole constitute an invaluable treasure. They are chronologically arranged, well bound, furnished with convenient indexes, etc. We have spent a number of hours, recently, in looking them over. The greater part of them are from Gov. Trumbull's correspondents. A large selection from them might be published to the manifest advantage of the public. General Washington is one of the most prominent correspondents. The papers are so voluminous, that we could not well make use of them in the completion of this short memoir. They show, most conclusively, the high estimation in which Gov. Trumbull was held for ability, patriotism, and incorruptible integrity. no step tending to that end would be deemed inexpedient or unjust, if practicable. On the 19th day of April, 1775, the scene of blood was opened by the British troops, by the unprovoked slaughter of the Provincial troops at Lexington and Concord. The adjacent Colonies took up arms in their own defence; the Congress again met, again petitioned the throne for peace and settlement; and again their petitions were contemptuously disregarded. When every glimpse of hope failed, not only of justice but of safety, we were compelled, by the last necessity, to appeal to Heaven, and rest the defence of our liberties and privileges upon the favor and protection of Divine Providence; and the resistance we could make by opposing force to force. Although the war was begun, on our part, under the greatest disadvantages, without any preparation of arms, artillery, military stores, magazines of provisions, or other necessaries, which proves to demonstration that the war did not proceed from any ambitious, premeditated plan on our part; yet Heaven has so smiled upon us hitherto, that we have been able to maintain ourselves and make head against our enemies. And, although all Europe has resounded with ostentatious accounts of their victories and success, it is nevertheless true that they have not yet been able to maintain themselves in any post where they were not protected by their navy; or where, if attacked, they could not immediately retire on board their transports. And we have yet good hopes and a fair prospect, with the smiles of Heaven, of making a good defence, and vindicating our liberty against the unjust attempts of power to deprive us of it. From our brethren in Great Britain we have not experienced their boasted candor, impartiality, and clemency. We appeal from their injustice to the Supreme Governor and Judge, and to the candid censure of the impartial world. In you, Sir, and in your wise and generous sentiments, we find that justice, the sincerity of our intention and rectitude of our measures entitle us to hope for. We may justly flatter ourselves that no free State will so far forget what is due to their own glory and interest, as to lend their aid to exterminate liberty, (even) from the wilds of America; might they not rather be expected to assist in preserving what liberty yet remains upon earth from falling a sacrifice to the encroachments and avidity of Tyrants-lest Liberty itself should be banished or forced from amongst men, and universal tyranny, with its attendant calamities and miseries, overwhelm the whole human race? But I desist; it is not my intention to send you a history. I would only thank you for your favorable sentiments of us, and request a continuance of your good offices as far as we shall appear to you to deserve them." The correspondence continued till the Governor's death. The services of Gov. Trumbull, throughout the war, were of very great importance, not only to Connecticut, but to the United States. During the whole American war, he showed himself the honest and unshaken patriot, the wise and able magistrate. No man ever loved his country more. No man could guide the vessel of state with more care. He was, happily, permitted to live to see the day when his native land enjoyed the blessings of peace, and the glory of her independence. In October, 1783, Gov. Trumbull declined any further election to public office. "A few days," said he, in his address to the general assembly, "will bring me to the anniversary of my birth; seventy-three years of my life will then be completed; and, next May, fifty-one years will have passed since I was first honored with the confidence of the people in a public character. During this period, in different capacities, it has been my lot to be called to public service almost without interruption. Fourteen years I have had the honor to fill the chief seat of government. With what carefulness, with what zeal and attention to your welfare, I have discharged the duties of my several stations, some few of you, of equal age with myself, can witness for me from the beginning. During the latter period, none of you are ignorant of the manner in which my public life has been occu |