Nott Family Papers

Eliphalet Nott (1773-1866), a Presbyterian clergyman known as a gifted pulpit orator, served churches in New York state before becoming president of Union College in 1804, where he served for 62 years. Eliphalet's brother Samuel Nott (1754-1852) was a Congregational minister in Franklin, Connecticut for 70 years. During the course of his long ministry he instructed over 200 young men in his home, preparing some for college and some for theological training. His younger brother Eliphalet was one of the students he instructed.

Samuel Nott (1787-1869) was the son of Samuel (1750-1852). Roxana Peck (1785-1876) spent her childhood in Franklin, CT Before her marriage to Samuel (1787-1869) in 1812, she had taught school at various places in Connecticut and Maine. Shortly after their marriage, Roxana and Samuel went to India as part of the first group of missionaries commissioned by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. They were compelled to return to the United States in 1816 because of ill health, and were released from Board service at that time. For several years Samuel taught in New York City. In 1823 the family moved to Galway, NY, where he became pastor of a Presbyterian church there; and in 1829 he became pastor of the Congregational church in Wareham, Ma. Samuel returned to teaching in 1849; and the family moved to Hartford in 1866.

Samuel and Roxana Nott had seven children: Eliphalet, Gordon Hall (d.1903?), Harriet, John Wade (1822-1911), Samuel (1815-1899), Sarah Maria (1826-1910?),and William (1817-1890).Little is known about the lives of Eliphalet, Harriet, and Sarah Maria. Gordon Hall and Samuel (1815-1899) were civil engineers whose professional work was with various railway companies. William was a seaman; and John Wade was an Episcopal rector.