Excerpt from Historical Discourse Delivered in the Congregational Church, Jewett City, Conn., April 25th, 1875

I pass to notice the ministry of his successor, rev. Levi hart, whom a few before me remember, and of whom many before me have Often heard. His name is pronounced by all who remember him, with singular reverence and affection. He was the son of Thomas Hart, of Southington, Conn educated at Yale College graduated In 1760, studied theology with the celebrated Dr. Bell amy, of Bethlehem. During his residence In Dr. Bellamy' 5 family he became engaged to one of the Doctor's daughters, which resulted in their marriage soon after his settlement at North Pres ton. The funeral sermon occasioned by her death which was published, is a fair specimen Of his style Of writing, and is remark able as breathing a spirit of consecration to his work in the midstof sorrow. It is entitled: The Sacred Obligation of Christian Ministers to Improve their Personal Sorrows for the Benefit of their People. His wife died Dec. 24, 1787; in October, 1790, he formed a second matrimonial connection with Mrs. Backus, widow of Nathaniel Backus. Of Norwich, - her maiden name was Lydia Leffingwell, sister Of the great uncle whose name I have the honor to bear. Dr. Hart possessed rare ministerial qualifica tions. With superior natural gifts, and a thorough academical and theological training, he Could not but be an instructive preacher. Conversing not long since with an earnest Christian, and speaking of a certain sensational preacher, he Observed, he is brilliant, but he does not edify. If not brilliant, Dr. Hart did edify. He was distinguished as a Hebrew scholar. I have Often heard my old aunt, who spent her last days in my father's family, -and who never wearied talking ofher Preston life, recalling interesting anecdotes of the Coits, and Tylers, and Morgans, and Lords, and Lesters, say that Manasseh Prentice, a very godly neighbor, when he called at their house used often to ask Mr. Hart to read from his He brew Bible, saying I don't understand a word, but I love to hear the good book in the language in which it was first written.' When Dr. Hart died it was said that half the Hebrew Of eastern Connecticut died with him, and when Dr. Benedict died it was said that the remainder followed. Dr. Hart's reputation as a divine drew to him students in theology, for he lived long before the days of Theological Seminaries. Among his pupils were Dr. Asa Burton, afterwards famous as the author of what is familiarly known as The Taste Scheme. Dr. Charles Backus, a native of Franklin, and settled in Somers, was another of his pupils, a man of great worth; he died young Of consumption, but not till he had made his mark upon' the age. Dr. Dwight, in the second volume of his Travels'in New England and New York, has paid a most affectionate tribute to the memory of his classmate. Another of his pupils was Nathaniel Howe, of Hopkinton, Mass, the man who in his century sermon, among other things equally plain (i quote verbatim at bz'temiz'zzz) said: I have sometimes administered reproof, both to the church and society, in a manner that has been thought to discover some degree Of severity, but in these cases you have always had the good sense to know that you richly de served it. Mr. Asahel Huntington, another native of Franklin, and who married a granddaughter of the Rev. Hezekiah Lord.

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