Thomas Darling
Encyclopedia
Thomas Darling was a businessman and elected official in 18th century Connecticut
who was acquainted with Benjamin Franklin
, Ezra Stiles
, Roger Sherman
, and Benedict Arnold
.
in New Haven, Connecticut
, graduating in 1740. Although he was licensed to preach in 1743, he never sought to become a minister, but trained others for it as the only tutor at Yale from 1743-1745.
The Yale class of 1746 presented him with a still-surviving silver bowl created by Cornelius Kierstede. The bowl, is said to be the most ornamental piece of plate made in Connecticut up to that time, is owned by Yale University.
On July 25, 1745, in New Haven he married Abigail Noyes (b. March 20, 1724 - d. July 19, 1797), a daughter of the Rev. Joseph Noyes, Darling's mentor. The couple had three sons and five daughters with all but one surviving to adulthood: Abigail,
Susanna, Samuel, Thomas, Ann, Dorothy, Joseph and Jemima.
Over the next 31 years in New Haven Darling was an entrepreneur involved in various businesses. He was a manufacturer, merchant, and justice of the peace. Darling ran a rope walk, helped start the first printing business in New Haven, tried to establish a glass business, and was a member of the General Assembly. He was an advocate of religious freedom, and a supporter of the U. S.Constitution.
In 1774 Darling moved to Amity Parish, now Woodbridge, Connecticut
, and built a house. The Darling House Museum
is now operated by the Amity & Woodbridge Historical Society.
He died in 1789 in Stonington
and was buried in New Haven.
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
who was acquainted with Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A noted polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, musician, inventor, satirist, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat...
, Ezra Stiles
Ezra Stiles
Ezra Stiles was an American academic and educator, a Congregationalist minister, theologian and author. He was president of Yale College .-Early life:...
, Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman was an early American lawyer and politician, as well as a founding father. He served as the first mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, and served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence, and was also a representative and senator in the new republic...
, and Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
.
Life
Darling studied theology at Yale CollegeYale 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...
in New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, graduating in 1740. Although he was licensed to preach in 1743, he never sought to become a minister, but trained others for it as the only tutor at Yale from 1743-1745.
The Yale class of 1746 presented him with a still-surviving silver bowl created by Cornelius Kierstede. The bowl, is said to be the most ornamental piece of plate made in Connecticut up to that time, is owned by Yale University.
On July 25, 1745, in New Haven he married Abigail Noyes (b. March 20, 1724 - d. July 19, 1797), a daughter of the Rev. Joseph Noyes, Darling's mentor. The couple had three sons and five daughters with all but one surviving to adulthood: Abigail,
Susanna, Samuel, Thomas, Ann, Dorothy, Joseph and Jemima.
Over the next 31 years in New Haven Darling was an entrepreneur involved in various businesses. He was a manufacturer, merchant, and justice of the peace. Darling ran a rope walk, helped start the first printing business in New Haven, tried to establish a glass business, and was a member of the General Assembly. He was an advocate of religious freedom, and a supporter of the U. S.Constitution.
In 1774 Darling moved to Amity Parish, now Woodbridge, Connecticut
Woodbridge, Connecticut
Woodbridge is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,983 at the 2000 census. It is one of the wealthiest towns in Connecticut, ranking 16th in the state in terms of per capita income, and is home to many of the faculty of Yale University...
, and built a house. The Darling House Museum
Darling House Museum
The Darling House Museum is a historic house museum located in Woodbridge, Connecticut, and is owned and operated by the Amity & Woodbridge Historical Society. The house is open by appointment and during special events....
is now operated by the Amity & Woodbridge Historical Society.
He died in 1789 in Stonington
Stonington, Connecticut
The Town of Stonington is located in New London County, Connecticut, in the state's southeastern corner. It includes the borough of Stonington, the villages of Pawcatuck, Lords Point, Wequetequock, the eastern halves of the villages of Mystic and Old Mystic...
and was buried in New Haven.