Seth Storrs
Encyclopedia
Seth Storrs was a Vermont
political and civic leader who took part in the founding of Middlebury College
and served as State Auditor.
on January 24, 1756. He was educated at Yale University
, and graduated in 1778. One of Storrs' tutors was Timothy Dwight
, and they became lifelong friends.
After graduating, Storrs, Dwight and other Yale graduates formed a preparatory school
in Northampton, Massachusetts
, where Storrs taught until 1783.
In 1784 Storrs relocated to Bennington, Vermont and studied law with another Yale classmate, Noah Smith.
After attaining admission to the bar in 1787 Storrs moved to Addison
, where he established a practice. He was also named the county's first State's Attorney
, a position he held until 1797. In 1794 Storrs moved again, this time settling in Middlebury.
Active in Middlebury's Congregational church
, Storrs served variously as deacon
, clerk, and treasurer from 1798 until his death.
Storrs also became involved with the militia
, and attained the rank of Colonel
.
In addition, Storrs was active in local government, serving as Addison's town clerk for four years and Middlebury's from 1801 to 1831.
In 1797 Storrs was elected State Auditor, serving until 1801.
Also in 1797 Storrs was a member of the corporation that chartered the Addisson County Grammar School in Middlebury. In 1799 he was one of the group that founded Middlebury College, and when it commenced operations in 1800 Storrs was named one of the members of its board of trustees. Storrs was a frequent benefactor of the college, and donated the land for the original campus.
Storrs died October 5, 1837 while visiting friends in Vergennes
. He was buried in Middlebury's West Cemetery.
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
political and civic leader who took part in the founding of Middlebury College
Middlebury College
Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college located in Middlebury, Vermont, USA. Founded in 1800, it is one of the oldest liberal arts colleges in the United States. Drawing 2,400 undergraduates from all 50 United States and over 70 countries, Middlebury offers 44 majors in the arts,...
and served as State Auditor.
Biography
Storrs was born in Mansfield, ConnecticutMansfield, Connecticut
Mansfield is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 20,720 at the 2000 census.Mansfield was incorporated in October 1702 from the Town of Windham, in Hartford County. When Windham County was formed on 12 May 1726, Mansfield then became part of that county...
on January 24, 1756. He was educated at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and graduated in 1778. One of Storrs' tutors was Timothy Dwight
Timothy Dwight IV
Timothy Dwight was an American academic and educator, a Congregationalist minister, theologian, and author...
, and they became lifelong friends.
After graduating, Storrs, Dwight and other Yale graduates formed a preparatory school
Preparatory school
Preparatory school or prep school may refer to:*University-preparatory school, a school in North America that is a private secondary school, typically charging high fees, designed to prepare students aged 14–18 for higher education at a university or college*Preparatory school , an independent...
in Northampton, Massachusetts
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, where Storrs taught until 1783.
In 1784 Storrs relocated to Bennington, Vermont and studied law with another Yale classmate, Noah Smith.
After attaining admission to the bar in 1787 Storrs moved to Addison
Addison, Vermont
Addison is a town in Addison County, Vermont, United States. It was founded October 14, 1761. The population was 1,393 at the 2000 census.-History:Addison was chartered on October 14, 1761...
, where he established a practice. He was also named the county's first State's Attorney
State's Attorney
In the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
, a position he held until 1797. In 1794 Storrs moved again, this time settling in Middlebury.
Active in Middlebury's Congregational church
Congregational church
Congregational churches are Protestant Christian churches practicing Congregationalist church governance, in which each congregation independently and autonomously runs its own affairs....
, Storrs served variously as deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
, clerk, and treasurer from 1798 until his death.
Storrs also became involved with the militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
, and attained the rank of Colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
.
In addition, Storrs was active in local government, serving as Addison's town clerk for four years and Middlebury's from 1801 to 1831.
In 1797 Storrs was elected State Auditor, serving until 1801.
Also in 1797 Storrs was a member of the corporation that chartered the Addisson County Grammar School in Middlebury. In 1799 he was one of the group that founded Middlebury College, and when it commenced operations in 1800 Storrs was named one of the members of its board of trustees. Storrs was a frequent benefactor of the college, and donated the land for the original campus.
Storrs died October 5, 1837 while visiting friends in Vergennes
Vergennes, Vermont
Vergennes is a city located in the northwest quadrant of Addison County, Vermont, in the United States. Bordered by the towns of Ferrisburgh, Panton and Waltham, as of the 2000 census the city population was 2,741. It is the smallest of Vermont's nine cities in terms of population...
. He was buried in Middlebury's West Cemetery.