History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

1819.] CALEB STRONG. 601
religious societies in the Commonwealth."* Upon the
establishment of the Hampshire Missionary Society, he was
chosen its president and held that office ten years, while for
two years he was president of the Hampshire Bible Society.
He was also one of the founders of the Academy of Arts
and Sciences, and a member of the Historical Society of
Massachusetts. In his religious views he was a mild Calvinist.
The moderation and broad charity which were a
part of the man, showed themselves in the tolerance, for
that day unusual, with which he regarded those who did
not accept his own religious belief. In the last years of his
life he spent much time in the studj' of the scriptures.
Death and Funeral. He died at Northampton, Nov. 7*^^, 1819, at
the age of seventy-four years, of heart
disease. His funeral was attended with unusual ceremony.
In the words of the Hampshire Gazette of Nov. 16'^, 1819,
which was draped in full mourning —
:
" Thro'-oiit the town, business was suspended and the offices, stores
and shops, were closed. The spontaneous homage which was paid in
the undissembled grief of the thousands present, was the most consolatory
demonstration of respect for the memory of the deceased, and
tlie most honorable testimony to his worth. The Court of Common
Pleas, which was sitting in Franklin, on motion of Mr. Allen, adjourned
; and two of its members, with most of its officers, attended."
Here follows the order of march of the procession, including
all the town officers, " Gentlemen of the Bar,"
Judges, Sheriff of Franklin County, and the clerk and
county treasurer. Dr. Joseph Lyman of Hatfield preached
the funeral sermon, and the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge of Had-
ley and Rev. Samuel P. Williams of Northampton, assisted
in the services.
Personal Appear- In persou Gov. Strong was rather tall, erect,
^^^^- compactly built and of graceful carriage.
According to the well-known portrait by
Stuart, which gives a good idea of his countenance, he had
a somewhat large head, an oval face, hair lightly powdered
falling loosely over a broad, high brow, and singularly
beautiful blue eyes, with an habitual expression of quiet
dignity. A writer of 1806 thus describes him —
:
1 Appendix to Dr. Lyman's Funeral Sermon.