Rev. Dr. William Hague, Born in Pelham in 1808

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On Saturday, July 30, 1887, Rev. Dr. William Hague laid aside his pen after finalizing revisions to the printer's proofs of the last pages of his book entitled "Life Notes or Fifty Years' Outlook."  That day he mailed those final revisions from his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts to his publishers in Boston.  The first thirty-six pages of his book were a chapter entitled "OLD PELHAM AND NEW ROCHELLE," containing his reminiscences of the boyhood he spent in Pelham during the early 19th century.  See Hague, William, Life Notes or Fifty Years' Outlook, pp. 1-36 (Boston, MA:  Lee and Shepard Publishers, 1888).  

Two days later on Monday, August 1, 1887, Hague traveled to Boston "to exchange congratulations with his publishers on the happy conclusion of his literary labors by the successful completion of his 'Life Notes or, Fifty Years' Outlook."  At 12:30 p.m., as he walked with friends on Tremont Street and passed in front of Tremont Temple, he collapsed and was caught by his friends before hitting the ground.  His friends helped him into the entrance of Tremont Temple and there, only moments after his collapse, he died of a massive stroke.  Reverend Hague, of course, never held a published copy of the book on which he had labored so hard.  It was published posthumously the following year, including its first chapter regarding his reminiscences of old Pelham.

I have written before about Rev. Dr. William Hague.  For two examples, see:  

Mon., Jun. 11, 2007:  Biography of Rev. William Hague, Born in Pelham in 1808.  

Tue., Sep. 30, 2014:  Pelham Resident Recorded His Impressions of Meeting Aaron Burr.  

Rev. Dr. William Hague.  Source:  Brown, John Howard, ed.,

Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States, Vol. III,

p. 458 (Boston, MA: James H. Lamb Company 1900).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

A brief biography of Rev. Dr. William Hague appeared in his book published posthumously in an introductory section entitled "PUBLISHERS' NOTE."  It read, in part:

"Dr. Hague was born in Westchester County, N.Y., Jan. 4, 1808, and was a graduate of Hamilton College, New York, in the class of 1826.  He took his theological course at the Newton Institute, graduating in 1829.  He was ordained Oct. 20, 1829, as pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Utica, N.Y.  There he remained until called to the pastorate of the First Church in Boston:  his installation took place Feb. 3, 1831, the Rev. Dr. Wayland preaching the sermon.  In June, 1837, he entered upon his duties as pastor of the First Church in Providence, over which he was installed July 12, 1837, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. Barnas Sears.  The church commemorated while he was pastor the second century of its foundation, Nov. 7, 1839, and he preached an historical discourse on the occasion, which was published.  During nine months of the year 1838-39 he was abroad.  Sept. 20, 1840, in the Federal-street Church, Boston, he commenced his labors.  His subsequent pastorates have been in Jamaica Plain, Mass., Newark, N.J., Albany, N.Y., New-York City, Boston, Chicago, and Orange, N.J.  He was senior pastor of the Baptist Church at Wollaston Heights, Mass., at the time of his death.  Dr. Hague received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University in 1849, and from Harvard College in 1863.  He was chosen a trustee of Brown University in 1837.  Among the many productions of his pen were, 'The Baptist Church Transplanted from the Old World to the New,' 'Guide to Conversation on the Gospel of John,' 'Review of Drs. Fuller and Wayland on Slavery,' 'Christianity and Statesmanship,' 'Home-Life,' 'Emerson,' etc."

In his many writings, Hague wrote about his recollections of meeting Aaron Burr who had a home in Pelham Manor.  He wrote of witnessing a naval skirmish between British and American boats off the shores of Pelham during the War of 1812.  He wrote of Pelham during a much simpler time with love and sincerity.  The first chapter of his book Life Notes or Fifty Years' Outlook should be required reading for any student of Pelham history. 

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Below is the text of a few items about the life and death of Rev. Dr. William Hague who was born in Pelham on January 4, 1808.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"THE REV. DR. HAGUE DEAD.

BOSTON, Aug. 1.  --  The Rev. William Hague, D. D., Senior Pastor of the Wollaston Heights Baptist Church, dropped dead in front of Tremont Temple this afternoon.  Mr. Hague was born at Pelham, Westchester County, N. Y., in 1808.  He was graduated from Hamilton College in 1826, and took his theological course at the Newton Seminary, where he was graduated in 1829.  He was ordained the same year, and became Pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Utica, N. Y., where he remained until he was called to the First Church in Boston in 1831.  He had been Pastor of churches in Jamaica Plain, Newark, N. J. and Albany, N. Y.  He received the degree of D. D. from Brown University in 1849, and from Harvard in 1863.  Dr. Hague was appointed a Trustee at Brown University in 1857, and he was the oldest living member of the board.  He wrote a number of religious and other works, and was regarded as one of the ablest and most scholarly ministers of the Baptist denomination.  The cause of his death is supposed to have been apoplexy."

Source:  THE REV. DR. HAGUE DEAD, N.Y. Times, Aug. 2, 1887, p. 1, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Death of Rev. William Hague.

BOSTON, Aug. 1.  --  Rev. William Hague, D. D., senior pastor of the Wollaston Heights Baptist church, dropped dead in front of Tremont Temple at 12:30 o'clock this afternoon."

Source:  Death of Rev. William Hague, The Wilkes-Barre News, Aug. 2, 1887, p. 4, col. 6 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"PERSONAL AND GENERAL. . . .

REV WILLIAM HAGUE, D. D., aged seventy-nine, senior pastor of the Wollaston Heights Baptist Church, Boston, dropped dead in front of Tremont Temple on the 1st.  Mr. Hague had at various times been pastor of churches in Utica, Jamaica Plains, Albany, N. Y., and Providence, R. I."

Source:  PERSONAL AND GENERAL. . . . REV. WILLIAM HAGUE, D. D., Marion County Herald [Palmyra, Missouri], Aug. 5, 1887, p. 2, cols. 2-3 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Funeral of Rev. William Hague.

BOSTON, Aug. 6.  --  The funeral of the Rev. William Hague, D. D., took place in the presence of a large assemblage in Tremont Temple yesterday.  The audience was composed chiefly of aged contemporaries of the deceased, representatives of the Baptist denomination from near and far.  There was a profusion of the most delicate flowers arranged in varied and beautiful designs.  Rev. J. H. Murdock conducted the services and addresses were made by Rev. Mr. Olmsted, Rev. Dr. Hovey, Rev. George C. Lorimer, of Chicago, and Rev. J. C. Stockbridge, of Providence.  The body was taken to Albany for interment."

Source:  Funeral of Rev. William Hague, The Evening Bulletin [Maysville, KY], Aug. 6, 1887, p. 1, col. 5 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"PUBLISHERS' NOTE.
-----

The eminent author of this volume closed suddenly his earthly life almost immediately after he had examined the last page of the appendices of this book.  On Saturday, the 30th of July, 1887, Rev. Dr. Hague sent by the mail, to the publishers, the last 'proof' pages of this work, which he had examined that morning at his residence in Cambridge, Mass.  He had written his final word, and had made his last revision.  On the Monday following he visited Boston, and was on his way to exchange congratulations with his publishers on the happy conclusion of his literary labors by the successful completion of his 'Life Notes:  or, Fifty Years' Outlook,' when he was stricken with apoplexy while walking on Tremont Street, and would have fallen to the pavement but for the timely assistance of friends.  He died soon after, in the entrance to Tremont Temple, near the place where much of his life-work had been done.

Dr. Hague was born in Westchester County, N.Y., Jan. 4, 1808, and was a graduate of Hamilton College, New York, in the class of 1826.  He took his theological course at the Newton Institute, graduating in 1829.  He was ordained Oct. 20, 1829, as pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Utica, N.Y.  There he remained until called to the pastorate of the First Church in Boston:  his installation took place Feb. 3, 1831, the Rev. Dr. Wayland preaching the sermon.  In June, 1837, he entered upon his duties as pastor of the First Church in Providence, over which he was installed July 12, 1837, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Dr. Barnas Sears.  The church commemorated while he was pastor the second century of its foundation, Nov. 7, 1839, and he preached an historical discourse on the occasion, which was published.  During nine months of the year 1838-39 he was abroad.  Sept. 20, 1840, in the Federal-street Church, Boston, he commenced his labors.  His subsequent pastorates have been in Jamaica Plain, Mass., Newark, N.J., Albany, N.Y., New-York City, Boston, Chicago, and Orange, N.J.  He was senior pastor of the Baptist Church at Wollaston Heights, Mass., at the time of his death.  Dr. Hague received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University in 1849, and from Harvard College in 1863.  He was chosen a trustee of Brown University in 1837.  Among the many productions of his pen were, 'The Baptist Church Transplanted from the Old World to the New,' 'Guide to Conversation on the Gospel of John,' 'Review of Drs. Fuller and Wayland on Slavery,' 'Christianity and Statesmanship,' 'Home-Life,' 'Emerson,' etc.

Dr. Hague was in the eightieth year of his life, which had been marked especially by ministerial, literary, educational, and philanthropic achievement.  He was a scholar in a broad sense, and his acquirements and abilities were of the highest order.  He was a clergyman of profound religious convictions and of rare persuasive eloquence.  He gave character to all his endeavors, and embellished every occasion with which he was associated.  His aid to educational and to philanthropic institutions and causes is of permanent value.  His writings will have a lasting and important place in history; and this book, intended to be autobiographical to a considerable extent, will be found to contain the rich personal reminiscences of a noble life filled with great deeds, and consecrated to all that is uplifting, -- a life of love, of sincerity, and of truth."

Source:  Hague, William, Life Notes or Fifty Years' Outlook, pp. iii-iv (Boston, MA:  Lee and Shepard Publishers, 1888). 

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Charges in 1808 Against Lieutenant-Colonel David J. Pell of Pelham that He "Indulges in Inebriety and Habitual Drunkeness"

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Occasionally I have posted information regaring David Jones Pell of the Manor of Pelham, a Revolutionary War Officer who lived in the home now known as "Pelhamdale", a portion of which still stands as part of the home located today at 45 Iden Avenue in the Village of Pelham Manor. Below are two examples of several postings that provide information about David J. Pell:

Thurs., October 26, 2006: Genealogical Data Regarding David Jones Pell of the Manor of Pelham, Revolutionary War Officer.

Mon., October 15, 2007: Town Proclamation Recognizes Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of Pelhamdale at 45 Iden Avenue.

Despite Pell's illustrious pedigree and career, as well as his service during the Revolutionary War, it seems that in 1808 he may have been the "David J. Pell" brought up on a charge of indulging in "inebriety and habitual drunkenness". The text of the charge appears below with further research necessary to determine its resolution.

"CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST LIEUT. COL. PELL.

G.O.: Headquarters, Albany, 16th Feby., 1808.

Application having been made to His Excellency, the Commander in Chief by Major Richard Ward of General (Thomas) Carpenter's Brigade of Militia in the County of Westchester for a Court of Inquiry into the conduct of Lieut. Col. David J. Pell on the following charges, viz:

1st, That the aforesaid Lieut. Col. David J. Pell, did in manner following treat this complaint in an unofficer and ungentleman-like manner, to wit: In a public store in the presence of a Number of Citizens in New Rochelle, in the County aforesaid, some time in the Month of November last past, by charging the aforesaid Major Ward with crimes an Offences which would justify an arrest; the said Lieutenant Col. Pell did not then, nor at any time since arrest, or furnish as the Law requires, the said Major Ward with a written charge of any Crimes or Offences, thereby degrading him in the estimation of his fellow citizens without affording him the means of defence;

2nd, That the sai Lieut. Col. Pell indulges in inebriety and habitual drunkenness, degrading to the office which he holds and injurious to the feelings of his brother officers; [Page 174 / Page 175]

The first Charge here adduced is not of sufficient weight to justify a Court of Inquiry to take any notice of it, and therefore is dismissed.

On the second Charge a Court of Inquiry is appointed, consisting of Lieut. Col's (Pierre) Van Cortlandt, (William) Vail, and (Joseph) Benedict of the Westchester Brigade, Lieutenant Col. (Peter) Van Zandt of the New York brigade of Infantry and of Major (Jackson) Odel of the Westchester Squadron of Cavalry, and will meet at such time and place as the Major Gen'l. of the first Division of Infantry shall direct and will report their proceedings to the Commander in Chief without delay.

By order of His Excellency:

Sol. Van Rensselaer, Adjt. Genl."

Source: Hastings, Hugh, ed., Daniel D. Tompkins Governor of New York 1807-1817 Military - Vol. I with an Introduction by Hugh Hastings, State Historian, pp. 174-75 (NY and Albany: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co., State Printers, 1898).

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Located at http://www.historicpelham.com/.
Please Click Here for Index to All Blog Postings.

Biography of Rev. William Hague, Born in Pelham in 1808

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William Hague was a noted clergyman who was born in Pelham, New York on January 4, 1808. He authored a book entitled "Life Notes or Fifty Years' Outlook" published by Lee and Shepard Publishers (Boston, Massachusetts) in 1888. The first chapter of that book is entitled "Old Pelham and New Rochelle, Revisitations" discusses his youth in Pelham in the earliest years of the 19th century.  

In 1900, James H. Lamb Company published Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States edited by John Howard Brown. Volume III of that publication included a biography and a portrait of William Hague. The portrait appears immediately below, followed by the text of the biography.

Rev. Dr. William Hague.  Source:  Brown, John Howard, ed.,

Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States, Vol. III,

p. 458 (Boston, MA: James H. Lamb Company 1900).

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"HAGUE, William, clergyman was born in Pelham, N.Y., Jan. 4, 1808; son of Capt. James and Ann (Bayley) Hague; grandson of William Hague, a celebrated Baptist clergyman of Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, and of Capt. William and Sarah (Pell) Bayley; great-grandson of Joseph Pell, fourth and last lord of Pelham Manor, Westchester, N.Y., and a descendant of Sir John Pell (born in London, 1643; died in 1702), who came to America as second lord of Pelham Manor. Through the Pell family he descended from a long line of English ancestry, and by the marriage of the third lord of Pelham Manor with Anna, daughter of the reigning chief of the Westchester Indians, he had a notable strain of native American blood. William Hague was graduated at Hamilton college in 1826; was a theological student at Princeton, N.J., 1826-27, and Newton, Mass., 1827-29, and was graduated at the Newton theological institution in 1829. He was ordained pastor of the Second Baptist church, Utica, N.Y., Oct. 20 , 1829, and served, 1829-30; was professor of Latin and Greek in Georgetown college, Ky., 1830; was pastor of the First Baptist church, Boston, Mass., 1831-37; of the First Baptist church, Providence, R.I., 1837-40; of the Federal Street and the Rowe Street churches, Boston, 1840-48; at Jamaica Plain, 1848-50; at Newark, N.J., 1850-53; of the Pearl Street church, Albany, N.Y., 1853-58; of the Madison Avenue church, New York city, 1858-62; of the Charles Street church, Boston, 1862-64, and of the Shawmut Avenue church, Boston, 1865-69. He was professor of homiletic's in the Chicago theological seminary and pastor of the University Place church, Chicago, 1869-70; was pastor of the First Baptist church, Orange, N.J., 1870-74; travelled in Europe, 1874-76, and was pastor at Wollaston Heights, Mass., 1877-87. He was a trustee of Brown university, 1837-87; of Vassar college, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 1861-1887, and an overseer of Columbian university, Washington, D.C., 1874-87. He received the degree of D. D. from Brown in 1849 and from Harvard in 1863. He is the author of: Conversational Commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew (1835); Guide to Conversation on the Gospel of John (1840); Eight Views of Baptism (1841); Conversational Commentaries on the Acts of the Apostles (1845); The Baptist Church Transplanted from the Old World to the New (1846); Review of Drs. Fuller and Wayland on Slavery (1855); Home Life (1855); The Authority and Perpetuity of the Christian Sabbath (1863); The Self-Witnessing Character of New Testament Christianity (1871); Christian Greatness in the Minister (1880); Ralph Waldo Emerson (1884); and Life Notes (1888). He died in Boston, Mass., Aug. 1, 1887."

Source:  Brown, John Howard, ed., Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States, Vol. III, p. 458 (Boston, MA: James H. Lamb Company 1900).

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