1808.
JOSEPH HARVEY, a native of East Haddam, Conn., the son of
Deacon Ithamar and Electa (daughter of Rev. Joseph Fowler, Y.
C. 1743) Harvey, was born March 1st, 1787.
After graduation he studied theology with Rev. Ebenezer Porter,
D.D , of Washington, Conn, (afterwards Professor in Andover
Seminary), and was licensed to preach by the Litchfield County
Association m June, 1809. Accepting a unanimous call, he was
ordained and installed over the Congregational Church in Goshen,
Conn., in Oct, 1810. During the early part of his pastorate he
was married to Catharine D. Selden, his companion for more than
fifty years. Of their seven children, one son and two daughters
survive him.
In Sept., 1825, he resigned his pastorate, to accept the position
of Secretary of the American Education Society, whose office was
in Boston. Disappointed with the nature of his work, he returned
after a short experience to the place of his birth, in impaired
health On his recovery, he was installed pastor of the Second
Congregational Church, in Colchester (Westchester Society),
Coun He remained here until Dec 13th, 1835. In the last
named year the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him
by Amherst College During his last two years in Westchester,
he edited the " Evangelical Magazine," and for the next three
years a weekly paper called the " Watchman." Meanwhile he
removed his residence to South Windsor, Conn., in 1836, and
supplied the Congregational Church in that place for one year.
In the latter part of 1838 he was engaged to preach statedly in
Thompsonville, a village in Enfield, Conn. Here his labors soon
led the people to desire a church organization, and as they preferred
connection with the Presbyterian body, Dr. Harvey was
installed as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church formed in
Connecticut, on the 10th of July, 1839. He held this charge until
his resignation at the age of seventy, April 28th, 1857. In the
spring of 1858, he removed to the upper peninsula of Michigan,
where he continued for 15 years, preaching and teaching from
time to time, as he was enabled by the bracing influence of that
climate; and where he died in the village of Harvey, on the shore
of Lake Superior, Feb. 4th, 1873, wanting 24 days of 86 years
of age.
