NEW ENGE HISTORICAL AND GEN VOL. XX. THE LIFE AND PUB.. [A paper read before the Ir is one of the y jects, of ur society Perhat's more fait exemplary and benes own inclination, or 1. famous or conspien ». is, that, if we woul! factors, we must ofte 4 fe, and seek out th 1ner, outside the over whom their ini. :caeved reforms widely feit, and w passes through t tening and c WILLIAM JARV situated in what w en the fourth d as an eminent ed as an eloque was an earnest o frequent assem' ¦times of the revol 1. quent language, and the courage and pererduous duties then .. events and exciting se that time, made a dee of William Jarvis. Il mined resolution, visi Hning to the readi Hi, n lerson, from the Is gratitude and joy VOL. X. NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER. VOL. XX. JULY, 1866. No. 3. THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES OF THE LATE HON. WILLIAM JARVIS. [A paper read before the N. E. Historic-Genealogical Society, by Hon. HAMPDEN Cutts.] It is one of the valuable privileges, one among the important objects, of our society, to collect biographical facts. Perhaps more particularly of those, whose lives have been eminently exemplary and beneficial in their influence, and yet, either from their own inclination, or from outward circumstances, have not been so famous or conspicuous as some others of less real merit. For true it is, that, if we would not overlook many of the greatest public benefactors, we must often turn aside from the great highways of public life, and seek out those, who, in a more quiet, but not less efficient manner, outside the great public arena, and yet amid communities over whom their influence is most fruitful, have wrought out objects, achieved reforms and lived examples, whose beneficial effects are widely felt, and will not pass away, except as the genial rain passes through the gentle streams, only to be returned again in brightening and constantly recurring freshness. WILLIAM JARVIS was born in Boston, in the Governor Shirley house, situated in what was then called King Street, but now State Street, on the fourth day of February, 1770. His father, Dr. Charles Jarvis, was an eminent physician, practising in Boston, and also distinguished as an eloquent orator in the cause of American independence. He was an earnest patriot and an ardent "Son of Liberty," and in the frequent assemblies of the people, during the exciting and trying times of the revolution, the clear, silvery tones of his voice, his eloquent language, and graceful, but forcible manner, did much to inspire the courage and perseverance of his countrymen in discharging the arduous duties then incumbent upon them. Many of the memorable events and exciting scenes, which took place, in and about Boston, at that time, made a deep and lasting impression upon the young mind of William Jarvis. He remembered the thrilling interest and determined resolution, visible in the countenances of men, as he saw them listening to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Sheriff Handerson, from the balcony of the Old State House, and also the pious gratitude and joyous exultation expressed by the hearers of the VOL. XX. 17 |