The Cogswells in America - citizen hylbom blog

244
MASON FITCH COGSWELL.
[ 481
Crnralofli'cal.
Mason Fitch" Cogswell, {'javiis''. Siii;iiul\ Sain!(J'\ Johir,
Johii^), son of Rev. Dr. James' 1196] and Alice (Fitch) Cogswell, was
born Sept. 28, 1761, in Canterbury, Conn. He married Mary Anstiii
Lcdyard, only daughter of Austin and Sarah (Sheldon) Ledyard. She
was born in Hartford, Conn., where they resided Dr. Cogswell died
Dec. 10. 1S30.
1 Hi:]l< I H11.I)K1..N WKKE ;
M.AUV .\\ STi.\, [946] b. iNoi ; m. .May. 1S23. Rev. Z Wrid.
1:i.i/.\i;i:th, [947] b. Mav 14 iSo_v ni. Feb. I, iN.si, //.'//. John Jrcu/wc// .\,-itoii
d. May 3, 1.S50.
.\i.i( i:. [948] b. 1805. She died in earl\ lite. Dec. 23. 1X30.
.Mashn' Fill h. [949] b. Nov. 10, 1.S09; m. Sept. 13, 1S47, J.y,/i\j ll:.uijor,i; d. Jan.
Cathakim Lfdvahm. [950] b. Sept. 2;. iM i ; ni. Sept. 13. 1S3'.. AV?'. Cortlaiuil I'aii
/x.-ns.-chur. />. n. : ,1. I),. 24. ISSJ,
iitoDvapijical.
MAsnN- FlTCii CdOSWELl. was baptized Oct. 4. 1761. the seventh day after
liis birth. His mother died while he was but a lad of eleven years, and soon
alter he went to be in tlie family of Hon. Samuel Huntington, whose accom-
plished wife was Mrs. .Martha (Devotion) Huntington, dauglitev of Rev. Dr.
Cogswell's predecessor in Scotland Parish, Windham. Conn. Hon. Samuel
Huntington, in 1779-80. was the President of the Continental Congress, and
afterwards, from 17S6 to his death, in 1796. the Governor of Connecticut.
Wliile in Mr. Huntington's family he fitted for college, and was entered at
Yale, the youngest member of his class, in 1776. He maintained his standing
and led his class in scholarship throughout the course, and graduated in 17S0
with the highest honors, liaving the Valedictory Oration. He had a natural gift
for surgery, and chose the profession of medicine. While pursuing his studies
he was with his brotlier, Dr. James Cogswell [418.1, in the Soldiers' Hospital,
in Xew York City, wliere he actiuired great e.xpertness in surgery, and was
verv distinguished in this deparunent througliout his professional life. It is
said that he was the most accurate, neat, and rapid operator in the country.
His dexterity with the knife was wonderful. He once amputated .1 tln.li in
forty seconds.
Dr. Cogswell had a mind tli.it was never riifiled or disconcerled, and a
hand that never trembled during any oper.it^on. He fnst introduced tin- most
important ojjeration in removing a cataract from the eye, e.\tracting it rather
;