Justus MITCHELL
Biography

"Rev. Justus Mitchell graduated at Yale College in the class of 1766, and was ordained by the Litchfield Association. He was appointed minister to the church at Ridgefield in 1779, and left there in 1782 for the church at New Canaan. The Rev. James S. Hoyt, D.D. thus speaks of his ministry in an address delivered June 20, 1883"

"Mr. Mitchell entered upon his labors here at the age of 28 years. He was endowed and equipped for whatever work offered itself to him. He was settled on $625, with an annual salary of $187.50. He was predominantly the educational minister, and to him this community owes a debt of gratitude which it can never estimate. Of him must we often speak during this period of twenty-three years. Nothing good occurred without him. It was a period when a good minister had not merely some and even great influence, but almost unlimited authority in all affairs of the community. For seventeen years in the last, and six years in this century, he was Pastor. One hundred and fifty-three united with the church, of whom one hundred and forty-five were on profession. This is a significant fact. Only eight persons brought letters from churches in all this time. Here you see that immigration did almost nothing for us. But the young people did come into the church. He led his flock into the fold, and did not leave them outside nor drive them away. Two hundred and two children were baptized. Mr. Mitchell kept school. This is a brief sentence, but like the grain of musk, its odor is pungent and lasting. One minister, two professors, two eminent lawyers, one highly esteemed citizen of his town and clerk of this society, and one very eminent jurist and judge, started out here, fitted for college in his school. Some of us will remember personally, some one or more of their names. Rev. Amsi Benedict, Deacon Eliphalet St. John, Jonathan Warren Kellogg, Minott Mitchell, William Silliman and Joseph Silliman. These were New Canaan boys who went through Mr. Mitchell's school and Yale College. But others attended this school, who in other spheres have made broader marks and reached higher places, on account of the educational efforts of this pastor. Sons of New Haven men, too, were educated here in preparation for Yale College. Roger Minott Sherman, the very noted lawyer of Norwalk and Fairfield, studied with Mr. Mitchell, his uncle by marriage."

"The fitting time for the embryonic town to be born into the world had come. It was formed and fashioned. It was hale and vigorous. It had all the organs adapted to separate existence, and with such a man virtually to preside over it from infancy, New Canaan town was born in 1801. Hitherto it had lived in the parish. The town, or civil society, exists entirely separate from the Ecclesiastical society, and undertakes the conduct of all its appropriate affairs in the exercise of its popular functions."

"What a stirring, sterling pastorate! Now things took shape and grew. Now old things passed away and all things became new. There was a natural end or finishing for this sort of work; but the master workman was still vigorous not quite fifty-two years of age. No pastor of this church had ever died while in office, though all of the previous pastors were now dead. His work seemed to be done; but his eye was not dimmed, nor was his natural force abated. 'What next' he seemed to have asked of his Master. After attending a prayer meeting, one night in his house, he retired, feeling ordinarily well, expecting to say in the morning 'I laid myself down and slept, and awakened, for thou Lord, sustained me,' but in Heaven the angels heard him speaking these words when Christ awakened His friend out of sleep, already seated in the mansion of rest and glory. The following was inscribed on his tombstone, now removed: 'In memory of the Rev. Justus Mitchell A.M.V.D.M., Pastor of the Church of Christ in New Canaan, who died suddenly in the hour of sleep 24th of September A.D. 1806, in the 52nd year of his age and the 25th of his ministry. In his death was lost to his consort an affectionate and beloved husband; to his children, a kind and revered parent, a counselor and guide; to his flock, a faithful and revered pastor; to the Church of Christ, a bright ornament and example; to the disconsolate, a comforter and friend.'

Natalie Mitchell Seth
Matthew Mitchell of Yorkshire, England and Some of His Descendants
1935, pg. 41-42

"...who by his scholarship and devotion to his calling and to the cause of education, secured the prosperity of the entire community, and gave the parish a desirable fame throughout the State. A spirit of toleration manifested itself, and the records show many instances of the release of persons who preferred other modes of worship, form their responsibilities to this Society."

The New Canaan Historical Society
Readings in New Canaan History
Publication: Name: New Canaan, Connecticut, 1949
pg. 25



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