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Trumbull, Benjamin, 1735-1820

 

Dates

  • Existence: 1735 - 1820

Biography

Benjamin Trumbull (19 December 1735 – 2 February 1820) was an early American historian and preacher.

Born in Hebron, Colony of Connecticut, Trumbull graduated from Yale in 1759, and received his theological education under Reverend Eleazer Wheelock, who delivered his ordination sermon in 1760, commending him to the people of North Haven as “not a sensual, sleepy, lazy, dumb dog, that could not bark back.” He continued in that charge for nearly sixty years, his preaching being interrupted only by the Revolution, in which he served both as a volunteer and as chaplain. After the war he published a pamphlet sustaining the claim of Connecticut to the Susquehanna purchase, which influenced the decision of congress in her favor. Yale gave him the degree of D.D. in 1796. He published Twelve Discourses on the Divine Origin of the Holy Scriptures (Hartford, 1790); General History of the United States of America (3 vols., Boston, 1765-1810); and Complete History of Connecticut from 1630 till 1713 (2 vols., Hartford, 1797). The manuscript collections from which this history is compiled are in the Yale library. His grandson Lyman Trumbull was a U.S. Senator from Illinois.

Trumbull was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1814. AAS holds original copies of over 40 titles related to, or authored by Trumbull, as well as the manuscript of his General History of the United States He died in North Haven, Connecticut.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Benjamin Trumbull letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 810428
Mss 810428
Date(s): 1810-07-28
Abstract

In English.

J. Wheelock letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 784470
Mss 784470
Date(s): 1784-08-20
Abstract

In English.

John Wheelock letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 810581
Mss 810581
Date(s): 1810-10-31
Abstract

In English.

Rev. Benjamin Trumbull letter

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 784269
Mss 784269
Date(s): 1784-04-19
Abstract

In English.

Rev. Dr. Benjamin Trumbull to David McClure

 Folder: 800324, Box 4
Part of McClure MS-1311: David McClure papers
Date(s): 1800-05-24
Scope and Contents

Letter from Rev. Dr. Benjamin Trumbull of North Haven to D. McClure, informing him that he is going to transmit his discourse on the death of Gen. Washington to the Historical Society at Boston. He asks for information regarding the history of East Windsor. Gov. Wolcott's manuscript history; Mr. Prince's collection.

Additional filters:

Type
Collection 4
Archival Object 1
 
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