Witter family papers

John Witter, the eldest son and second child of Jonah Witter, of Brooklyn, then part of Pomfret, Connecticut, and grandson of Nathan and Keziah (Branch) Witter, of Brooklyn, was born in Brooklyn on April 28, 1785. His mother was Eunice Cady, of Brooklyn. The Rev. Thomas Williams (Yale 1800) was a first cousin, and Professor John H. Hewitt (Yale 1859) is a nephew. In the year of his birth his parents removed to Preston, and after having taught for a few terms he was prepared for College by John Adams (Yale 1795) in Bacon Academy, Colchester.

For the three years next after graduation he taught in the Hopkins Grammar School in Hartford. He then returned to Yale as Tutor, declining the offer of a post in the Academy where he was educated. In March, 1816, he united with the College Church on profession of his faith.

In the fall of 1817, he returned to Bacon Academy, and on April 30, 1819, he was married to Eliza Loomis, eldest child of Asa and Sophia (Loomis) Bulkeley, of Colchester.

After a few years he became principal of the Academy in Plainfield; and after retiring from that position his residence continued in the town, where he was occupied with the cultivation of his farm and occasional teaching until his death on December 30, 1858, in his 74th year.

He maintained a good reputation as a scholar and as an instructor, and was esteemed for his high character. He was for years a deacon in the Congregational Church in Plainfield.

After the death of his first wife, he married Olive Smith, of Plainfield.

By his first marriage he had three daughters and two sons. One son and one daughter died in infancy.

(Taken from F. B. Dexter, Biographical Sketches of Yale College, Class of 1812, pp. 505-506).