"Rev. William Hart, Saybrook, Conn., eldest son of Rev. John Hart, of East Guilford, and his first wife, Rebecca (Hubbard), born May 9th, 1713, at Guilford; married June 18th, 1742, Mary Blague, daughter of Deacon Joseph. He graduated at Yale College in 1732, studied for the ministry, and was ordained pastor over the First Church of Saybrook, November 17th, 1736. A sermon of his entitled 'A Discourse concerning the Nature of Regeneration, and the way wherein it is wrought,' was published by T. Green, New London, 1742, 57 pages. He died July 11th, 1784, aged 71 years. She died December 11th, 1800, aged 80 years. On his tombstone is inscribed: 'Wise in Council, | Mighty in the Scriptures, and | Instructive in his life and Ministry. | "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."' He acquired, by descent, marriage, and accumulation, a large estate, inherited by his descendants. He was much respected by his brethren in the ministry, and was highly revered by his people, enjoying their confidence and affection through a ministry of nearly forty-eight years. He distinguished himself as a vigorous controversial writer. He had the reputation of being an Arminian. He zealously justified the council that acted in the ordination of Mr. Dana at Wallingford in 1760, and published a narrative of the proceedings─a joint production of himself and Rev. Jonathan Todd─in 1759; Remarks on Dangerous Errors, (Hopkinsianism,) 1770; Remarks on President Edwards' Dissertation on Virtue, 1771; A Treatise on Qualification for the Sacrament, published in 1772. The sermon at his own ordination was preached by Rev. Jared Elliot, of Killingworth, and his funeral sermon by Rev. John Devotion, of the Third Church in Saybrook, and was published. They had nine children, all living at the time of his decease, and all but one were present at the funeral."
