Biography

Entry provided on Find-a-Grave:
Croswell, Harry, clergyman, b. in West Hartford, Conn., 16 June, 1778; d. in New Haven, Conn., 13 March, 1858. He was educated under the care of Rev. Dr. Perkins and Dr. Noah Webster. When quite young, he entered his brother's printing office in Catskill, N.Y., and soon became editor of a paper issued there. He founded a Federalist newspaper called the "Balance" in Hudson, N.Y., in 1802, which became noted for the bitterness and scathing sarcasm of its editorials; and Mr. Croswell became involved in many libel suits. The most celebrated of these was caused by an article on Jefferson, published in the "Wasp," a paper controlled by Mr. Croswell, and Alexander Hamilton's last and one of his finest speeches was made in Croswell's defense at the trial. Croswell afterward edited a political newspaper in Albany, whither he removed in 1809, and was again prosecuted for libel by a Mr. Southwick, who recovered damages. Croswell called on his friends for money to make good this amount, and on their refusal determined to enter the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church, through he had been brought up a Congregationalist. He was ordained deacon, 8 May, 1814, and had charge of Christ church, Hudson, till 1 Jan., 1815, when he became rector of Trinity church, New Haven, Conn., then the only Episcopal church in the city, holding services in an old wooden building on Church street till the opening of the new church edifice, on 22 Feb., 1816. He remained in New Haven till his death. One who knew him writes: "His tall figure and manly form, clerical garb, and high-topped boots with knee-buckles, impressed every beholder as they saw him walk the streets of New Haven. He was not a great preacher, but he had an extraordinary knowledge of human nature, and could ingratiate himself into every man's heart." Trinity college gave him the degree of D.D. in 1831. He published "Young Churchman's Guide" (4 vols.); "Manual of Family Prayers" (New Haven); "Guide to the Holy Sacrament"; and a "Memoir" of his son, Rev. William Croswell, D.D. (New York, 1854). He left in manuscript "Annals of Trinity Church" and a voluminous diary. See "Letters of Waldegrave," by Rev. G.W. Nichols (New York, 1886)" ]