Biography

Mentioned in 18610400CharlesSumner_WHS: "The Revd. Dr Stearns, of Newark, N.J. my old classmate, is now here & I desire to secure him an opportunity of shaking hands with you.  Dr. Stearns is an eminent divine, more conservative in some respects than you or I."

"Stearns, Jonathan French, clergyman, was born at Bedford, Middlesex co. Mass, in September, 1808, son of Rev. Samuel and Abigail (French) Stearns, grandson of Rev. Josiah Stearns, and a descendant of Isaac Stearns of Watertown, Mass. (1630). His father was for forty years pastor of the Congregational church in Bedford. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1830; studied theology partly at Andover and partly under his father; and was licensed to preach in 1834, and ordained and installed pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Newburyport, Mass. In December 1849 he was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Newark, N.J. and in that charge he remained about thirty years. Harvard College gave him the degree of M. A. in 1847, and Princeton that of S. T. D. in 1850. Dr. Stearns was a commissioner from the presbytery of Londonderry to the general assembly in 1836; was moderator of the general assembly of 1868; was president of the Presbyterian board of home missions, during 1871-74; was a member of the Presbyterian reunion committee; and was a trustee of Princeton University in 1864-86. He published "Sermon on the Death of Daniel Webster" (1852); and several "Historical Discourses" relating to the First Presbyterian church, Newark (1853). He was married Nov. 15, 1843, to Anna S. Prentiss of Portland, Me., by whom he had two sons and a daughter. Dr. Stearns died in New Brunswick, N. J., Nov. 11. 1889."