The Rev. Christopher Chester Stillman was born in Westerly, R. I., Feb. 8, 1806, and died in Westerly, Feb. 2, 1894, lacking six days of being 88 years old. His parents were Dea. William and Martha (Potter) Stillman, and he was the eighth of ten children born to them. Only one of this large family survives, a brother, Mr. Amos Stillman, who now lives in Rochester, N. Y. Elder Stillman was married, Dec. 7, 1829, to Mary Ann, daughter of Maxson and Sally Johnson. It may be of interest to some to know that it was in the family of this Maxson Johnson that William O. Kenyon, long time principal of Alfred Academy and the first president of Alfred University, was raised. Mr. Stillman, in his death, leaves the companion of his youth, middle life, and oId age, who was 84 years old last August (Aug. 30, 1893); two sons, C. Latham and David FranklIn, one son, Maxson Jr., having gone to the heavenly home before him; a brother, whom we have mentioned, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a large circle of other relatives.
His education was limited to the district schools of his day. At an early age he learned the trade of a machinist; which he followed all his life, until the infirmities of advancing years compelled him to cease. He was a skillful machinist, and was an inventor of some articles of machinery. In early life he gave his heart to Christ and was baptized into the fellowship of the First Hopkinton Seventh-day Baptist Church, in which he retained his membership until April 7, 1849, when he joined the Pawcatuck Seventh-day Baptist Church by letter.
During a great revival of religion which visited Rhode Island some thirty-eight years ago Mr. Stillman was actively engaged, and began to supply the First Westerly Seventh-day Baptist Church, Post Road, R. I. (now Dunn's Corners), and it was during this interest that the church called him to the ministry to which he was ordained, and acceptably supplied this church with the preaching of the Word for nearly thirty years, when old age and its infirmities overtook him, and he had to give up his charge, which he loved so much. He preached his first sermon in the Seventh-day Baptist church in Waterford, Conn. Mr. Stillman was a veteran temperance worker, and advocated the cause when it was very unpopular. Some fifty years ago he delivered the pioneer temperance address in New London, Conn., while a resident there, in connection with Josiah R. Steward, one Sunday morning at 9 o’clock. No church or hall could be secured then in the town for that purpose, and it was given on the corner of State and Main streets, then called Buttonwood corner, under the blue canopy of heaven. In after years he was prominently connected with the Good Templars and Temple of Honor. Mr. Stillman was also a pioneer in the anti-slavery cause. He early espoused it and advocated it, and voted for Anti-slavery candidates for office when he knew there was not even a shadow of a chance for their election, such was the bitter opposition; but stand up he would for the right, and vote for it. He lived long enough to see a great improvement in the temperance cause, but not to see the curse of intemperance removed; but he did see human slavery wiped out in our fair land.
Mr. Stillman was a man of convictions and sterling virtues. He was industrious and economical. He had the genius of hard work and economy. Competency and comforts of life are to be obtained more by these traits.than by what is called good luck, or shrew methods of business.
He was a man loyal to principle. He wished to know what was right, and that he would do, not because others did it but because right. it was. Principle was always first to him in consideration of any duty or act. Loyalty to truth and rIght ennobles the soul, and gIves purity, integrity, and grandeur to character. God's promises to the righteous man are many, and he is true to fulfill them.
Mr. Stillman was a faithful man. He faithfully supplied the Seventh-day Baptist Church, Post Road, R. I., his only charge. He would walk down there Sabbath mornings, and sometimes not finding a fire would build one and put the meeting-house in order for service.
In extra meetings he would walk down to the church, hold an evening meeting, and after it walk home. Many a year he served that church which he so dearly loved, with little compensation and sometimes with none. He was faithful in attending the prayer meeting; but for several years past old age, decrepitude and lameness deprived him of the sweet privilege and enjoyment. Bro. Stillman has gone to the reward of the faithful servant of God. His love for Jesus was great, his faith strong, his life exemplary. Though dead he yet speaketh; his life has made an impress upon those left behind him, whose good influence will be felt in the generations to come. His wife, his children, grandchildren and a large circle of relatives cannot wish him back, for he is gone where there is no old age with its infirmities, no more life struggle, no more sorrow, pain or death; but eternal youth, peace, life and, joy. "Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his," for "blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth. Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labor, and their works do follow them."
