The Cogswells in America - citizen hylbom blog

Jonathan Cogswkll was the youngest of fourteen children. His father.
Dr. Xathaniel Cogswell, was a man of superior education and acquirements, a
model of the most remarkable integrity, and of the purest character. He
received from his pious and devoted mother early religious instruction, and at
the age of seventeen years became a Christian. Soon after his conversion,
he received what was to him a most unmistakable call to preach the Gospel,
and accordingly set himself to obey the divine bidding. It is said that his
father was not favorably inclined to his son's purpose to enter the ministry ; he
labored to dissuade him, and even refused to render him pecuniary assistance
in his preparatory course of study. But so strong were his son's convictions
of duty that he waived all opposing considerations, and without delay entered
upon his studies. In the spring of 1803 he was admitted to Harvard College,
and graduated in 1806, among the first scholars of his class. Prof. Joseph
Green Cogswell, LL. D. [3501. a distant cousin, was a member of the same
class Mr. Cogswell, still intent on his early purpose to enter the ministry,
at once engaged in teaching, to obtain the means to prosecute his theologi-
cal studies. For two years, 1807-9, '""^ was under appointment as Tutor in
Bowdoin College, meanwhile pursuing somewhat the study of Theology. Sub-
sequently he was at Andover Theological Seminary for one year, associated
with the first class that graduated from that institution, in 1810. Among the
members of that class, and associated with it, were such men as Rev. Adoniram
Judson, D. D., Rev. Samuel Newell. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, D. D., and
Rev. Gardner Spring. D. ])., LL D. Mr. Cogswell about this time received
several most flattering offers to take charge of prominent literary institutions,
but refusing them, he obtained license to preach and having received an invita-
tion to settle, Oct. 24, iSio, was ordained to the Gospel Ministry, and installed
pastor, being the fourth pastor, of the C'ongregationalist Church in Saco, Me.
The installation sermon was preached by Rev. Paul Coffin, D. D., and was
published. The following May, iSii, he married Mis.-. Elizabeth Abbott,
the niece of Samuel Abbott, Esq., who had been to her as a father since
the death of her parents. Samuel Abbott, Esq., gave to Andover Theological
Seminary one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, and became the founder
of the Abbott Professorship in that institution. As illustrating Mr. Cosgwell's
spirit of consecration to Christ's service, it should perhaps receive mention
that it was his cherished desire to labor as a missionary in Western New York,
and he was actually on his way thither, when he received an invitation to
preach in Saco, which was so clearly providential that he felt bound to accept
it. He was settled, and for eighteen years labored there with great fidelity
and marked success, until his multiplied and long-continued service resulted in
such physical and mental exhaustion that his physician assured him he must
discontinue preaching or he could not live. He at once resigned, Oct. 16.
1828, and removed to New York City, where he spent the winter. The April
following he accepted an invitation to a new pastorate, and .Aug. 28, 1829.