Reverend Phineas Fiske

Mr. Phineas Fisk, was the colleague and successor of Mr. Hobart. He was the son of. Dr. John Fisk of Milford, and graduated at Yale College in 1704, being of the third class which received the honours of that institution. In 1706 he was elected a tutor, and [p. 28.] discharged the duties of the tutorship seven years. In March following his election, the venerable Rector Pierson, minister of Killingworth, died; the senior class was removed to Milford and placed under the tuition of the Rev. Samuel Andrew, Rector pro tempore; while the other classes were removed to Saybrook, and put under the special care of Mr. Fisk, who in connection with a fellow tutor, instructed and governed them with the greatest wisdom and fidelity. Part of a manuscript volume written by him is in my possession, containing a general view of the sciences, which he probably used for the purpose of refreshing his mind while an instructor at College. While the churches in the state were looking to this institution for pastors, he was the happy and honoured instrument of preparing a number in part for their work, and rendered immense service to the cause of literature and religion in the rising colony of Connecticut. President Stiles in a sermon at the interment of the Rev. Chauncey Whittlesey of New-Haven, who had been a distinguished tutor, speaks of Mr. Fisk in high terms as an instructor, and declares him to have been a pillar of the College and to have had great renown in his day. Dr. Trumbull also speaks of him as an excellent tutor and as having made fine scholars. He became a licentiate before he left the tutorship, and preached in Haddam. He was ordained September 15th, 1714. His talents were solid rather than brilliant, and he was regarded as a sound rather than a popular preacher. The election sermon, which he delivered in 1726, discovers good sense and a thorough acquaintance with scripture. He was a man of piety and wisdom, sound in faith, pleasant and familiar in his intercourse with his people, and plain in reproof. He was beloved and respected in life, and his memory is blessed in this place and its vicinity to this day. He died October 17th, 1738, in the 56th year of his age, and 24th of his ministry, and richly deserved the character given on his monument of a “learned, faithful and zealous minister.” His wife was Lydia Pratt of Saybrook, who died in the triumphs of faith, July 14th, 1765, aged 83. By her, he had seven children: Lydia who was married to the Rev. Moses Bartlett of Chatham, and died November 1777, near 70; Mary, who was married to Colonel Hezekiah Brainerd, [p. 29.] and died March 3d, 1798, age 85; Anna, who died young; Abigail, who was married to the Rev. Chiliab Brainerd of Eastbury, and after his decease, to the Rev. Mr. Merrick of Wilbraham, Mass, and died in 1807 aged 89; Elizabeth, who was married to the Rev. Nehemiah Brainerd of Eastbury, and died December 4th, 1793, aged 73; Jemima, who died young; and Samuel, who was publickly educated, and was a tutor of eminence, The following anecdote may serve as a specimen of his accuracy as a scholar. While he was tutor, President Clap, whose reputation as a mathematician and an astronomer, was deservedly very high in calculating the course of a comet, drew the conclusion that it would strike the earth, and was filled with fearful apprehension of the consequences. He repaired to Mr. Fisk, who by showing him the calculations he had made, at once detected his error, and relieved his mind. He became a candidate for the ministry, but never settled, being cut off by death July 13th, 1749, aged 25. (A History of the Towns of Haddam and East-Haddam by David D. Fiels, A.M. Paster of the Church in Haddam 1814.)