When I received a request from a FindAGrave reader about an ancestor of mine, I doubted I could offer any help, because I knew nothing about what she was talking about. After a few days of corresponding, I received this message, "Thank you so much for the detailed, rich, and highly informative information. Your meticulous work in documenting the life and accomplishments of Dr. Manasseh Cutler is commendable and I will make sure to go over the material in detail."
I've come to enjoy sharing pieces of correspondence in my blogs. Naturally, I'm more interested in what they write to me, but I always hope they understand what this non-writer has to say to them.
Whenever I get a request from FindAGrave, Ancestry, or 23andMe I always ask them to copy their message and send it to my email address. The reason I'm sharing this particular post is because there is a lot of information I've never shared about my ancestor Manasseh Cutler, my fourth great grandfather.
So, her message came to me on 29 May 2021.
RE: Manasseh Cutler
Dear Barbara ... I am a faculty member at Fordham University in New York doing research on a family of missionaries who originated in Ohio and related to Manasseh Cutler. Many of the family members served in Persia in the late 1800s up until the start of WWI, and I have profiled one of them in a book about to be released (more info on the book at Urumia.com). Would be happy to speak with you on this research and also get some of your perspectives as you had indicated in your posting you are related. Note: I knew nothing about what was underlined above.
Regards,
H
(So, I kind of freaked out, because what do I have to offer this highly intelligent person.)
Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of what I sent to her, because it's a "Reply" on FindAGrave, and I can't retrieve it. However, I know I did ask her to copy her initial message and send it to my email.
Hi Barbara ... thank you for your follow-up on the message I had sent you via Find A Grave on Manasseh Cutler. Please feel free to reply by email using my ___fordham.edu email address. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best Regards,
H
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Jun 1, 2021
Hi H,
I'll share some blogs I've written and two current photos. If you can use anything, I'd love to know. Since I am far from being a scholar, my interest is in genealogy, I'm posting quite a few links to my blog. The information is all in my notes section for Manasseh in the software program I use. Manasseh Cutler is my 4th great-grandfather.
https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2010/01/dr-manasseh-cutler-minister-doctor.html
https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2015/05/hamilton-cemetery-and-manasseh-cutler.html
https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2017/11/on-learning-to-see-and-i-have-david.html
https://lifefromtheroots.blogspot.com/2018/01/boston-athenaeum-what-was-in-it-for-me.html (the athenaeum might be a good place to check out for more information. Seems my 2nd great-grandfather wrote about him.)
The below is a jumbled mess of notes of mine. Some information is a repeat in a blog.
"Transcribed and photograph by Barbara Poole
His tombstone:
Rev. Manasseh Cutler L.L.D.
He died July 28, 1823,
in the 81st year of his age.
He was beloved for his domestic and
social virtues. His talents were of a
high order. He was eminent for his
Botanical, Medical, Political and
Theological knowledge. He was a
member of literary and scientific
societies in both Europe & America.
After a useful ministry of 52 years
in this place, he expired with a firm
and peaceful reliance on his Redeemer.
"They that trust in the Lord shall be
as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed
but abideth forever."
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2452972?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
The North American Review (google book)
Boston: James R. Osgood and Company, January 1876
pg. 261+
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From Wikipedia
Manasseh Cutler
Manasseh Cutler (May 13, 1742 – July 28, 1823) was an American clergyman involved in the American Revolutionary War. Cutler was also a member of the United States House of Representatives and a founder of Ohio University.
Cutler was born in Killingly, Connecticut. In 1765, he graduated from Yale College and after being a school teacher and a merchant – and occasionally appearing in court as a lawyer – he decided to enter the ministry. From 1771 until his death, he was pastor of the Congregational church in what was the parish of Ipswich, Massachusetts until 1793, now Hamilton.
For a few months in 1776, he was chaplain to the 11th Massachusetts Regiment commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Francis, raised for the defense of Boston. In 1778, he became chaplain to General Jonathan Titcomb's brigade and took part in General John Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island. Soon after his return from this expedition, he trained in medicine to supplement the scanty income of a minister. In 1782, he established a private boarding school, directing it for nearly a quarter of a century.
In 1786, Cutler became interested in the settlement of western lands by American pioneers to the Northwest Territory. The following year, as agent of the Ohio Company of Associates that he had been involved in creating, he organized a contract with Congress whereby his associates (former soldiers of the Revolutionary War) might purchase one and a half million acres (6,000 km²) of land at the mouth of the Muskingum River with their Certificate of Indebtedness. Cutler also took a leading part in drafting the famous Ordinance of 1787 for the government of the Northwest Territory, which was finally presented to Congress by Massachusetts delegate Nathan Dane. In order to smooth passage of the Northwest Ordinance, Cutler bribed key congressmen by making them partners in his land company. By changing the office of provisional governor from an elected to an appointed position, Cutler was able to offer the position to the president of Congress, Arthur St. Clair.[1] From 1801 to 1805, Cutler was a Federalist representative in Congress. He died in 1823 at Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Cutler was one of the early members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Besides being proficient in the theology, law and medicine of his day, he conducted painstaking astronomical and meteorological investigations and was one of the first Americans to conduct significant botanical research. He is considered a founder of Ohio University and the National Historic Landmark Cutler Hall on that campus is named in his honor. He received the degree of Doctor of Laws from Yale University in 1789.
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From: Essex Institute Historical Collections, (Salem, MA: 1859+). Vol. XC (April 1954) No. 2. Pgs. 111-122. "Reverend Manasseh Cutler, LL.D., 1742-1825 His Career as a Botanist" by Mrs. William Darrach and Mrs. Ernest G. Vietor.
Page 112. Cutler kept a journal, a daily record of his personal affairs, from 1765 to the year of his death in 1823. Nine years only of this journal are missing. It may have been lost in 1812 when a fire in his study destroyed many of his valuable papers.
Page 113. Cutler felt that the wild plants of the New England states were too little known and believed that much could be learned from the Indians about the medicinal value of these plants. His later research along these lines resulted in an article in the first volume of the Memoirs of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In this same volume appear two other articles of his, one on meteorology and another on astronomy.
Page 115. One is puzzled how it was possible for him to keep so many glittering balls in the air at one and the same time, theology, the law, medicine, astronomy, meteorology, a chaplain in the War for Independence, pastor of a Congregational church, headmaster of a private boarding school, a representative to Congress and last but not least, his contributions to botanical research. His versatility and what he accomplished during his eighty-one years are nothing short of amazing.
Page 116. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences was incorporated on May 4, 1780. At its first meeting in the Philosophy Chambers in the University of Cambridge, Dr. Cutler was elected a Fellow. He faithfully attended the meetings which alternated between Boston and Cambridge.
July 3, 1780. Visited the sick. Saw Saturn's rings through my glass.' One cannot help wondering whether his scientific instruments, constant traveling by chaise or on horseback, and the many specimen plants he purchased for his garden and herbarium may not have been one reason why it was difficult to provide for his family. Eventually, he had eight children whom he scarcely mentions in his diary.
Page 117. In 1782, Dr. Cutler established a private boarding school which he conducted for about a quarter of a century.
Page 118. Throughout his life, he was close to the most cultured and conspicuous men of his day, men who shared his intense interest in science, religion, and politics, and he corresponded with scientists and statesmen both in the United States and abroad.
Page 120. Cutler continued on to Philadelphia where he was graciously received and dine and wined. He took tea with Benjamin Franklin.
Meanwhile, he presented his plans for the settling of Ohio, and, thanks to his powers of persuasion, his sagacity, and great ability, the act was unanimously passed.
Page 121. He was given an LL.D. degree at Yale in 1789, doubtless in recognition of his service to his country as well as for his scientific attainment.
Serving as a legislator from 1801 to 1805, he boarded with friends in Washington. He describes frequent trips to Mount Vernon to call upon Mrs. Washington who had become a disconsolate widow. The years in Washington were busy ones, but he found time to carry on his botanical interests and to keep in close touch with the distinguished scientists and famous men of the day.
Page 122. He died in his eight-second year having been a botanist, lawyer, parson, doctor, school teacher, merchant, chaplain in the Army, and a legislator!
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From: Mary K. Haynes redhawk60@netzero.com (Manasseh Cutler is her 10th g grandfather)
The book is American Guide Series MASSACHUSETTS A guide to its Places and People Written and compiled by the Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for Massachusetts
Frederic W. Cook, Secretary of the Commonwealth, Cooperating Sponsor
Houghton Mifflin Company - Boston
The Riverside Press Cambridge
Copyright, 1937
Page 419
"The First Congregational Church, with a congregation formed in 1714, has a square tower surmounted by a steeple, and two Ionic columns at its entrance.
Beside the church is the Covered Wagon House (private), from which in December 1787, departed the first covered wagon to leave Massachusetts for the Northwest Territory. The Rev. Manasseh Cutler (1742-1823), Yale graduate and Hamilton's second pastor, was the moving force in this emigration. He was sent to Congress to secure land for the Ohio Company, of which he was one of the founders."
http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=10908
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From" Paul ___.com> 7/20/2016
"Hello Barbara!
My name is Paul ___. I am doing some personal historical research on Dr. Manasseh Cutler, but not related to my own genealogies. I was absolutely thrilled to discover your blog and to learn that you are a direct descendant of this great man. I am hoping that you may be able to direct me to some source material on his business dealings in The Ohio Companies and how that relationship pertains to Dr. Cutler's involvement in the finalization of the Northwest Territorial Ordinance.
I was also amazed to learn about Dr. Cutler's efforts to help the Confederate Congress of 1787 resolve their issues and get that legislation finalized in just a few days when it had been debated the issues unsuccessfully for more than 4 years prior. I'm wondering if you have any personal knowledge of that situation and if you can direct me to any specific sources of documentation. Of great interest to me is the fact that he also went down to Philadelphia and met with several of the delegates to the ongoing Constitutional Convention of 1787 which was also in the process of finalizing the Constitution of September 1787 that is in effect today. Most notably, as I'm sure already know, Dr. Cutler personally met with Dr. Benjamin Franklin and several other delegates to the Constitutional Convention shortly after his departure from New York City.
One thing I could not quite discern from Dr. Cutler's personal journal were the "letters of recommendation" he was delivering from Massachusetts Governor Bowdoin. Do you have any knowledge of these? I would love to obtain a copy of one of those letters if they are still in existence. All quite amazing and interesting. I'm guessing these had something to do with his Ohio Companies business mission, but I'm completely in the dark about it.
Anyway, I am hoping you can help me in my studies of these events and help me to document as much as possible.
I trust this message finds you in good health and in good spirits. Looking forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience. :)"
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The Manasseh Cutler Collection
Comprising some ten thousand items
Letters, Diaries, Journals, etc.
1762 - 1820
Charles G. Dawes"
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Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for the detailed, rich, and highly informative information. Your meticulous work in documenting the life and accomplishments of Dr. Manasseh Cutler is commendable and I will make sure to go over the material in detail. I just finished a book on some of the other descendants of Dr. Cutler, including members of the Shedd family originally from Massachusetts and /New Hampshire, some of whom later moved to Ohio. They were related to Dr. Cutler through the Dawes family and served as Presbyterian missionaries in Persia between the 1860s and the start of WWI. My book is titled The Americans of Urumia and I would be happy to mail you a copy if you like.
Best Regards,
H
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Thu, Jun 3, 2021
Hi H,
Thank you for such nice words. As a matter of fact, If it's okay with you, I'd like to use your paragraph words in a blog. It was a very nice compliment.
I think showing others what I sent to you might be of interest.
I won't use your last name or where you work. So, may I?
Thank you.
Barbara
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Jun 3, 2021
Hi Barbara ... yes, please feel free to use my words in your blog.
Best Regards,
H
