Huntington, Hezekiah

Other names: Colonel
Birth: December 16, 1696 in Norwich, CT
Death: February 10, 1773 in New London, CT
Affiliation

Colony of Connecticut

Faith

New Light Congregationalist

Nationality

Anglo-American

Occupation

Merchant, Judge, Statesman

Residence(s)
  • Norwich, CT
Marital status

Married twice: to Hannah Frink, in 1719, and to Dorothy Williams, in 1750 (Hannah died in 1746). He fathered a total of twelve children, eleven of whom died, mostly as adults.

Biography

Hezekiah Huntington, Eleazar Wheelock’s uncle, was a wealthy merchant and public figure in Norwich, CT. He was very involved in civic and religious affairs: in addition to serving as a lieutenant colonel in the Connecticut militia, he was the deacon of the First Congregational Church of Norwich (1737-1773), a member of Connecticut’s Council (1740-1743 and 1748-1773), and a judge on various local and regional courts. He was also a devoted New Light; in fact, the most significant break in his public service (he was not a member of the CT Council between 1743 and 1748) has been attributed Connecticut’s crackdown on evangelical activity in 1742 and 1743. Col. Huntington had a long-lasting relationship with Wheelock. During the Great Awakening, he helped Wheelock find preaching opportunities. He later provided his nephew with mercantile services and personal advice. Col. Huntington died unexpectedly in 1773, while sitting in court in New London.

Sources

Backus, Isaac. A History of New England with Particular Reference to the Denomination of Christians called Baptists. Volume 2. David Weston ed. Newton: Backus Historical Society, 1871. Accessed via GoogleBooks. Caulkins, Francis Manwarring. History of Norwich, Connecticut, From Its Settlement in 1660, to January 1845. Norwich: Thomas Robinson, 1845. Accessed via GoogleBooks. Dartmouth College Library. A Guide to the Microfilm Edition of the Papers of Eleazar Wheelock. Hanover: Dartmouth College Library, 1971. Genealogy.com. "Col. Hezekiah Huntington (b. December 16, 1696, d. February 10, 1773)." http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/u/n/John-H-Dunlop/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1148.html Accessed 5/4/2014. Lord, Benjamin. Civil rulers, directed of God; to view their certain mortality, for their own, and the public good. A funeral sermon for the Honorable Hezekiah Huntington, Esq; who died at New-London, February 10th, 1773. Delivered at Norwich, Feb. 13th, the day of his interment there, unto a very numerous audience, on the mournful occasion: and now published at desire. Norwich: Green & Spooner, 1773. Accessed via Early American Imprints, Series 1, no. 12835 (filmed), 5/4/2014. New England Historic-Genealogical Society. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Volume 8. Boston: Samuel G. Drake, 1854. Accessed via GoogleBooks. New England Historic-Genealogical Society. The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Volume 11. Boston: C. Benjamin Richardson, 1857. Accessed via GoogleBooks.

General note

One should be careful not to confuse Col. Hezekiah Huntington with Major (and, perhaps, Captain) Hezekiah Huntington, active during the Revolution proper.