Seth Storrs

Seth Storrs (January 24, 1756 – October 5, 1837) was a Vermont political and civic leader who took part in the founding of Middlebury College and served as State Auditor.

Seth Storrs (artist and date unknown). Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History, Middlebury, Vermont.

Biography

Storrs was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, 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.[1]

After graduating, Storrs, Dwight and other Yale graduates formed a preparatory school in Northampton, Massachusetts, where Storrs taught until 1783.[2]

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.[3]

Active in Middlebury's Congregational church, Storrs served variously as deacon, clerk, and treasurer from 1798 until his death.[4]

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.[5]

In 1797 Storrs was elected State Auditor, serving until 1801.[6]

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.[7][8][9]

Storrs died October 5, 1837, while visiting friends in Vergennes.[10] He was buried in Middlebury's West Cemetery.[11]

References
  1. Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College, by Franklin Bowditch Dexter, Volume 4 (July, 1778-June, 1792), 1907, pages 58 to 59
  2. Catalogue of Officers and Students of Middlebury College, 1800-1915, compiled by Edgar J. Wiley, published by the college, 1917, page v
  3. History of the Town of Middlebury, pages 238 to 240
  4. Magazine article, Seth Storrs, Congregationalism, and the Founding of Middlebury College, by Robert L. Ferm, Vermont History magazine, published by Vermont Historical Society, Summer/Fall 2001, 253 to 266
  5. Catalogue of the Principal Officers of Vermont, 1778 to 1851, by Leonard Deming, 1851, page 160
  6. Records of the Council of Safety and Governor and Council of the State of Vermont, published by E.K. Walton, Montpelier, Volume 4, 1876, page2 156, 210, 227, 303
  7. Magazine article, Middlebury College, The New England Magazine, October, 1894, page 134
  8. Middlebury College entry, The Encyclopedia Americana, published by The American Club, 1904, Volume 10
  9. Catalogue of the Officers and Alumni of Middlebury College, compiled by Thomas E. Boyce, published by the college, 1890, page 3
  10. The Storrs Family, compiled by Charles Storrs, 1886, page 345
  11. Gravestone photographs by Jen Snoots, Findagrave.com entry for Seth Storrs, accessed November 17, 2011
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