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

CHAPTER V.
REV. SOLOMON STODDARD.
Death and Fuuerai Rev. Solomoii Stoddard died on the 11*'' of
of Mr. Stoddard. February, 172^, at the age of 86, two years
after the settlement of his grandson as col-
leagne pastor. It was a day of genuine sadness and grief
when the last rites of sepulture were rendered. The meeting-house
was filled with reverent mourners, and with
swelling hearts and tear-stained faces the great congregation
listened to the last tributes paid to one whom they
loved as a parent and revered as a teacher. The funeral
sermon was preached by Rev. William Williams of Hat-
field, son-in-law to Mr. Stoddard. In silence the long pro-
cession wended its way to the cemetery, and when the last
ceremony ended, there was sorrow and lamentation everj^where.
This universal sentiment of distress was recognized
throughout the province, and words of tender sympathy
towards his people, as well as of sincere respect to his memory,
were uttered from many pulpits throughout the Commonwealth.
At the following March meeting, a committee was chosen
to obtain and have j^rinted a copy of the funeral sermon of
Mr. Williams, and of that preached by Rev. Mr. Edwards,
on the Sabbath after Mr. Stoddard's death. The two sermons
were bound together, but no copies of the pamphlet
have been handed down, though extracts from the sermon
of Mr. Williams still exist.
Parentage, Birtii
Mr. Stoddard was the son of Anthony Stod-
and Early Life. dard of Bostoii , a man prominent in the
early history of the colony, and of Mary,
daughter of Emmanuel Downing of Salem. He was born