History of Rowley, (Essex County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Biographies:

Jonathan Cogswell, philanthropist, was born in Rowley, Mass., Sept. 3, 1782; son of Dr. Nathaniel Cogswell and a direct descendant of John Cogswell of Bristol, England, who settled in Ipswich, Mass., in 1635. Jonathan was graduated at Harvard, A.B. in 1806, A.M., 1809; pursued his theological studies with a tutor at Bowdoin 1807-09, and completed his course at Andover theological seminary in 1810. He was settled over the Congregational church, Saco, Maine, 1810-28, when he resigned, having saved about $1000 which he intended to use in securing a home, his health preventing his further pastoral work. An eloquent appeal made in his church for aid for foreign missions, determined him to contribute his savings to the cause, and the next year he took charge of the New Britain church, Berlin, Conn., where he ministered for five years. The death of his brother Nathan in 1832 gave to his family a large estate and he was made trustee for the heirs. In 1834 he was made professor of ecclesiastical history in the theological institute, East Windsor, Conn. To this institution he gave his services for ten years, large sums of money, and the most of his large library. In 1844 he removed to New Brunswick, N. J., where he joined Dr. Janeway and Mr. Ford in building the second Presbyterian church and parsonage, personally bearing a large portion of the expense. He was an early member of the New York historical society, a life director of the American Bible society, a life member of the American tract society, and a liberal contributor to these and other charitable organizations. He founded scholarships in the College of New Jersey and in Rutgers college. He received the degree of A.M. from Bowdoin in 1815, and that of D.D. from the University of the city of New York in 1836. He published sermons; a treatise on the necessity of capital punishment; Hebrew Theocracy (1848); Calvary and Sinai (1852); Godliness a Great Mystery (1857); and The Appropriate Work of the Holy Spirit (1859). See The Cogswells in America (1884), by E. O. Jameson. He died in New Brunswick, N. J., Aug. 1; 1864.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Parker Cleaveland, educator, was born at Rowley, Mass., Jan. 15, 1780; son of Dr. Parker and Elizabeth (Jackman) Cleaveland; and grandson of the Rev. John and Mary (Dodge) Cleaveland. His father was a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. The son was graduated at Harvard in 1799; studied law at Haverhill, Mass., and at York, Maine, 1799-1803; and from 1803 to 1805 was tutor at Harvard. He was professor of mathematics, chemistry, mineralogy and natural philosophy at Bowdoin college, 1805-25. In 1825 he relinquished the chair of mathematics to devote his entire attention to the other sciences. He was married Sept. 9, 1806, to Martha, daughter of Levi and Martha (Ball) Bush of Boston. He was elected a member of the American academy of arts and sciences, 1809; of the American philosophical society, 1818; and an honorary member of numerous learned societies of Europe. He received the degree of A.M. from Harvard in 1802; that of M.D. from Dartmouth in 1823; and that of LL. D. from Bowdoin in 1824. He published Mineralogy and Geology (1816; 3rd ed., 1856). He died at Brunswick, Maine, Oct. 15, 1858.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Jeremiah Nelson, representative, was born at Rowley, Mass., Sept. 18, 1768; son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Mighill) Nelson; grandson of Solomon and Mercy (Chaplin) Nelson, and a descendant of Thomas Nelson, who emigrated from England to America in Mr. Rogers's company, and settled in Rowley, Mass., where he was made freeman, May 23, 1639. Jeremiah Nelson was graduated at Dartmouth, A.B., 1790, A.M., 1793. He studied law, settling in Newburyport, Mass., as a merchant, became engaged in the West India trade, and in marine and fire insurance. He was the first president of the Newburyport Mutual Fire Insurance company, 1829-36; treasurer of the Newburyport Institution of Savings, 1827-38; chairman of the selectmen of the town at the time of the great fire of 1811, and held several other important local offices. He married Mary, daughter of John Balch of Newburyport. He became a leader in Federal politics; was a representative to the general court in 1804; a presidential elector in 1812; a Federalist representative in the 9th congress, 1805-07, succeeding Rev. Manasseh Cutler in 1805, and a Whig representative in the 14th-18th congresses, 1815-25, and in the second session of the 22d congress, from Dec. 6, 1832, to March 2, 1833, to fill the unexpired term of Rufus Choate, resigned. He was chairman of the committee on public buildings, 1821-24. From 1830 to 1836 he was prominently engaged in the prosecution of Spanish and French claims, being attorney for most of the claimants in Newburyport and vicinity. He died at Newburyport, Mass., Oct. 2, 1838.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Daniel Merrill, clergyman, was born in Rowley, Mass., March 18, 1765; son of Thomas and Sarah Merrill. In January, 1781, he enlisted in the Revolutionary army and served till the close of the war. He was graduated at Dartmouth, A.B., 1789, A.M., 1792; studied theology under the Rev. Dr. Spring of Newburyport, Mass., and in 1791 began to preach in Sedgwick, Maine. He was married, in 1791, to Joanna Colby, of Sanderson, N.H., and secondly, Oct. 14, 1794, to Susanna Gale, of Salisbury, N.H. He was ordained pastor of the newly organized Congregational church in Sedgwick in 1793; and in 1805 his church was the largest in membership of any in Maine. He became a convert to the Baptist faith, and in February, 1805, with a majority of his congregation, he was received into the Baptist church, and he was ordained pastor of the newly organized church at Sedgwick, where he continued to labor until his death, except the years 1814-21, when he was pastor at Nottingham West, N.H. He was one of the founders of Waterville college, and served as a trustee, 1821-33. He was a member of the state legislature and the governor's council. He published: Eight Letters on Open Communion (1805); Letters Occasioned by the Rev. Samuel Worcester's Two Discourses (1807); Mode and Subjects of Baptism Examined, with a Miniature History of Baptism (1812). He died in Sedgwick, Maine, June 3, 1833.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor