JONATHAN RUSSELL was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts, February 24, 1689–90.
His father, the Rev. Jonathan Russell, son of the Rev. John Russell (Harv. College 1645), of Hadley, and brother of the Rev. Samuel Russel (Harv. 1681), of Branford, an early Trustee of Yale College, was himself graduated at Harvard in 1675, and was ordained the minister of Barnstable, September 19, 1683; his wife was Martha, daughter of the Rev. Joshua Moody, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their elder son, John (see above, p. 27), had graduated at Harvard in 17O4.
He studied theology, probably with his father, and after his father's death (February 20, 1710–11) succeeded him in the pulpit. He was called to the pastorate, May 1, 1712, and was ordained October 29, on a salary of £80.
He died in office, September 10, 1759, aged 69 years.
The historian of the Cape says that he “was noted for his early piety, talents, and assiduity in his professional duties.” During his ministry of forty-seven years, he received into the church two hundred and forty-two communicants. Some four or five years after his ordination, the town was
amicably divided into two parishes, and he chose to remain with the West Parish.
He married, December 26, 1715, Mercy, daughter of Colonel John Otis, of Barnstable, an aunt of James Otis, the patriot of the Revolution. She was born October 15, 1693.
