l!!lilii!JfflHl,rilltfliliiiiii;ril{i}llffllPM!illM UftiS'iiillltliiltHH! IJM .Vl ¦¦I'l '
l!!i!l..l,llllll«Ml. ,.;¦ ,|,};|,^iA. .

i

ROBBINS BATTELL

iiiiiiiiiiiJilili!!iilil;!'i'l;ii''i''^^

miTT

rillm i if

wm'^''^

Cg//

f ^

yAJ^rr. a^yy^ t^Urxf, Ca<j^/- S^i^c4z<A,

ROBBINS BATTELL

Cc

C /
/

f)

CONTENTS
Robbins Battell, by Charles S. Elliot . . 5
Letters :
From J. B. Bristol  9
From George M. Carrington  10
From J. Cleveland Cady  12
From C. H. Daniels  14
From Newspapers :
The Winsted Herald .,  15
J. N. VaUl, The Winsted Herald , , . .22
The Winsted Citizen  26
The New Britain Herald  31
Troy Daily Press  33
The Evangelist . ,  34
New York Evening Post  36
The Williams Weekly  40
New York Tribune  43
In part frora the Hartford Courant . . , , 45
The Winsted Herald  56
The Winsted Citizen  75
Robbins Battell, poem by Ella A. Hotchkiss . 78

ROBBINS BATTELL
The late Robbins Battell was so gre;at a man —
so many-sided, so complete in numerous impor
tant and 'widely different essentials of true man
hood — that it would be a difficult matter for any
one to make an adequate analysis of his whole
character. Leaving it to others to pay tribute to
his great qualities as a business man, his artistic
achievements, and his important services to the
Church, the State, the town, and the cause of edu
cation, I wish to lay particular emphasis upon
the characteristics of Mr. Battell which, during
an acquaintance of about five years, made the
strongest impression upon me, — namely, his
kind-heartedness, true friendliness, and absolute
sincerity. When I first met Mr. Battell, he was a man
already -well advanced in years, with a very large
5

group of friends and acquaintances, and with ex
tensive and engrossing interests of all sorts upon
his mind. I had no reason to expect that such a
man would take any special notice of me, or of
any other person similarly situated outside the
circle of his relatives, old friends, and business
associates. What was my surprise, then, to find
him treating me from the first with the most
marked courtesy, always willing to devote as
much time as I desired for conversation, never
showing that he was interrupted or inconvenienced
by my calls, invariably responsive to suggestions,
and frequently making spontaneous suggestions
and efforts for my benefit or pleasure. My aston
ishment continued until I discovered that this was
a characteristic of the man, and that he treated
all men with similar courtesy, patience, and sin
cere, warm-hearted friendliness. In all his deal
ings with others he placed himself on a perfect
equality with them, and made them feel com
pletely at ease. This was done, not from any
calculating or unworthy motive, but because he
really believed in the equality and brotherhood of
mankind. Though a man of commanding abili
ties, and one among ten thousand as regards all

the higher and nobler qualities of our race, he
¦was as humble as a little child, and a model and
miracle of unselfishness. In these times, when
men are almost compelled to stifle their better
impulses and ignore everything that may hinder
them in the terrific race of life, it is indeed a bless
ing to the community to have the example of such
a man as Robbins Battell, who could accumulate
money without sacrificing for it everything else
worth having, and without losing any of the
warmth of his heart or purity of his soul.
Mr. Battell was one of those rare characters in
any generation of whom it can be said that they
have done their very best in this world, and made
a thoroughly successful attempt to shape their
actions habitually according to the Golden Rule.
Endowed with abundant wealth, Mr. Battell made
use of his money as all wealthy men should — for
the benefit of his fellowmen. The number of his
gifts and other benefactions, both public and pri
vate, was very large, and his benevolent deeds
were so gently and delicately done that the recipi
ents were no more embarrassed thereby than by
the rays of daily sunlight. He was helpful to a
multitude, and in a multitude of ways, each the
7

most appropriate to the case in hand. The help
he gave was real help, and the best help possible,
and he was thoroughly and unaffectedly in sym
pathy with all humankind, no matter how lowly.
In a word, he was a remarkable combination of
ability and amiability, and an ideal Christian
gentleman. Charles S. Elliot.

LETTERS
$2 East Twenty-third Street, New York, ?
February 5, 1895, ^
My dear Mr. Stoeckel :
I thank you for your very kind note.
I cannot tell you how much I feel the loss of
Mr. Battell. He was the dearest friend I ever
have had in this world, and now that he is gone,
I cannot stop thinking how good and great and
pure a rnan he was.
It was always so pleasant, his visits to my stu
dio — always with the simplicity and confidence
of a child — and when he went away it was with
an encouraging spirit that acted like a benedic
tion upon your soul.
With many thanks to you for your kind feelings
and wishes, believe me, most sincerely,
J. B. Bristol

West Winsted, Connecticut, January 28, 1895.
My dear Mr. Stoeckel :
Your kind note, written in the very hour of
sorrow, touches me. It was impossible for me to
comply with your request to speak at the Robbins
School exercises and not attempt to pay some
tribute to Mr. Battell. I remember nothing of
those exercises more vividly than his words of
kind appreciation as he took me by the hand near
the north door, as we left the building. Afflicted
as I, in common with all this region, now feel, it
will be always a comfort to me to know that that
good man was gratified by such words as I could
utter, and that they were spoken before he went
home. At such a time as this words cannot express
feelings. A new force appears in the Scripture
words, — "I was dumb because Thou didst it."
Yet, I do not know that that is wholly right. Have
we not the imperishable memory of that life full
of deeds reminding us of the precious ointment ?
Has he not rounded out the full measure of a long
life, having for its chief object the honor of God
through the happiness of His own children?

What do we hope for but that when the end comes,
as come it must, we may be received to the many
mansions ? Are not the cords that now draw us
thither appreciably strengthened ? Did not even
Jesus say, " It is expedient for you that I go
away " ?
I thank Mrs. Terry for her thought of my
words last fall. I beg you to convey to her as
surance of the sincere sympathy of my family and
myself She has often been in our thoughts and
her name on our lips these last two days, and on
bended knees we have besought Divine grace
and support for her in this trying hour. Nor are
you forgotten. I know it is impossible for you to
have for so many years been so near that sweet
and beautiful soul and not become most tenderly
attached to its owner. What a royal example you
can refer to for the rest of your life !
I hope to be with you to-morrow, but I may be
disappointed. Gratefully yours,
George M. Carrington.

February 8, 1895.
My dear Mrs, Terry :
I want to tell you how deeply I sympathize
with you in the great loss you have experienced,
a loss felt by the large number who admired and
loved your father, and which is a calamity to you
who have been so much to him, and have cared
so tenderly for him ; for the object of one's solici
tude and constant care has a peculiar hold upon
the heart and is missed as none other can be.
But (aside from the life immortal) to what an
extent such a noble character really lives long
after passing from us !
Do we not find that some such friends seem
almost as really alive as others who are only
temporarily absent?
Your dear father was one especially calculated
to remain a living presence in the hearts and
minds of his friends.
His qualities were rare ones in this restless,
hurrying, noisy, self-seeking world.
To me he was the embodiment of calmness,
patience, high and unselfish purpose.
I have always felt this, but especially during
the past two years when, at various times, he has

called at my office to talk over the enlargement
of " Battell Chapel."
His visits were restful intervals in the bustle of
business, and the unconscious revelation he made
of his own unselfish character was a delight and
inspiration. To many he will always be a living character —
absent now only a little longer than usual.
And is not this a right and consoling view?
It is not the ending of a blessed companionship,
but only an absence for a time.
His personality is meantime a living presence
in the heart, and the days of absence will end
with the ushering in of " life more abundant."
In how many ways his character and example
will be a living force 1
As it rises to my mind it is always helpful —
suggests to me the very qualities he so strikingly
possessed. I shall always cherish a profound
regard for his memory.
My deepest sympathy is for you, and my
prayer for your support and consolation.
Sincerely your friend,
J. Cleveland Cady.
13

February 13, 1895.
Mrs. Frederic P. Terry, Norfolk, Conn.
Dear Madam : It will not, I am sure, be
counted an intrusion if I express in behalf of our
Board our sympathy with you, and our sense of
loss in the death of Mr. Battell. He was for
eighteen years one of the Corporate Members of
the American Board, and we consider that he
rendered us a valuable service as such. We pray
that you may realize a blessed and divine ministry
in this time of your sorrow ; at the same time we
trust that a sympathetic substitute may be raised
up for the great work of missions.
With assurances of esteem, I am.
Very truly yours, C. H. Daniels.

14

The Winsted Herald
There have been many tributes to Robbins
Battell in Connecticut papers during the past few
days, but none that we have seen have contained,
it seems to us, a more correct analysis of his re
markable characteristics than is embodied in the
article which appears in to-day's "Herald" over
the signature " C." Mr. Battell was one of the
most unique characters we have ever known.
Notwithstanding the high place he held in the
estimation of every man who formed his acquain
tance — and he must have known that he stood
high in the esteem of all men — did there ever
live, do you think, one who exhibited to a greater
degree the beautiful grace of humility? His high
social standing, his wealth, his acknowledged
abilities — these conditions would have made most
men in Hke circumstances "lordly" and vain
glorious. Not so with him. He who penned the
«5

lines to which was appended the impressive re
frain O why should the spirit of raortal be proud !
must have looked long ere he could have found
another such ideal of personal humility.
To the writer one of the most striking charac
teristics of Mr. Battell was loyalty. In every
relation implying trust or confidence he was con
stant and faithful. It is impossible to think of
him as ever betraying a trust, or of failing in the
heartiest service in love or friendship, or in any
good cause which he had espoused.
To his family, to his friends, to his church, to
the community, to his business, to his God, to
himself, he was always and unswervingly true.
Indeed, in this last particular he illustrated in a
remarkable degree the truth of those words of
Shakspere :
And this above all : to thine own self be tme.
And it must follow, as the night the day.
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
One always knew where to find him, and his
i6

character veritably had in it somewhat of that
strength and stability, united always with the
beauty and grace, of the everlasting hills with
which his beloved home was environed.
Another most striking characteristic of Mr.
Battell was his modesty. Like Paul of old, if
any one had ground for pride, he had. Born of
the very highest lineage, he could point to many
generations of ancestors in every one of which
were names high in the annals of church and
State. Inheriting large means, he has possessed
that which in the estimation of the world com
mands applause, and gives its possessor power
and place. Yet all who knew Mr. Battell will
unite in the declaration that no more modest or
unassuming man walked the streets of Norfolk.
He was glad to possess money, but only that he
might thus be able to carry out the promptings of
a philanthropic heart, and increase the happiness
of others, never solely for selfish gratification or
display. He had a pride of ancestry, but cared
more for the good deeds of his ancestors than for
the greatness of their names. Although many
who knew him intimately may not have realized
it, Mr. Battell was in many ways a great man, his
3 17

very humility being, under the circumstances, one
of the strongest proofs of the statement.
But there was one quality which Mr. Battell pos
sessed that is rare indeed. To few indeed is
given the power of bringing out by their very
presence that which is best in those they meet.
Whoever talked with him was, for the time at
least, a better man, or woman, or child. He that
never spoke ill of another, could not excite in an
other the desire to do so. He who was kind and
courteous and gentle could not but beget feel
ings of kindness and gentleness and courtesy in
others. He who was through and through faith
ful and loyal and true could not but inspire his
companion with like noble sentiments. And all
this did Mr. Battell do for those with whom he
came in contact.
In countless ways will our dear and noble friend
be missed and long lamented, but to no organiza
tion or branch of church work did he devote more
faithful or loving service than to the choir and
the musical service generally. Almost from child
hood has he been prominent and appreciated
there. Most appropriately may his choir and the
choir gallery be draped. His place there never
i8

can or will be filled. But the echoes of his sweet
voice will long linger in the hearts and memories
of all who have been associated with him in choir
work, while the example he has set of fidelity and
earnestness in the musical features not only of the
church service, but in the humbler work of the
Sunday-school, will never be forgotten.
A musician of rare talents, he was yet willing
patiently to labor with those of humblest endow
ments musically, and was always a most kindly
and appreciative critic of their ofttimes doubtless
trying efforts.
Mr. Battell's relations with the Robbins school,
of which he was joint founder with his sister. Miss
Anna Battell, were peculiarly interesting. So far
as the writer remembers, during the past eight
years he was not inside the school building eight
times, and never once during the regular school
session. But no scholar could be connected for any
length of time with the school and not be con
scious of the deep personal interest which Mr.
Battell took in the school and every member of it.
This interest was manifested in many — often
little — ways", but it was abundantly made known,
19

and all felt that, whether in his Norfolk home or
in the busy whirl of the great city, his ear was
ever ready to listen to any item of interest con
nected with this favorite child of his own and his
sister's philanthropy.
To many familiar with the circumstances one
of the crowning and most beautiful events in Mr.
Battell's life was the recent celebration of the tenth
anniversary of the founding of the school, held in
October last. No one immediately connected with
the celebration will ever forget the day.
There, surrounded by that company of bright,
earnest young people, with whom, as ever, his
heart was in sympathetic accord, he listened for
once with quiet humility to the earnest words of
praise and grateful appreciation which were spoken
from full and sincere hearts. Alas, who then an
ticipated that this dear friend was so soon to be
taken from us forever, or who that was privileged
to be present does not feel grateful that this op
portunity of thus meeting and honoring their
friend and benefactor was granted to them !
How can we say farewell to such a friend and
helper ! How can we bear to think that that kindly
voice and genial presence have gone forever !

They are not gone. Though dead, he speaks.
He speaks to you, to me. Be faithful, be true, be
loyal, be humble, he says to all.
To young men especially should the life of our
beloved friend and benefactor most strongly ap
peal, and impress those lessons of manliness, of
integrity, of devotion to duty, of honesty and
steadfastness which in our day seem almost slip
ping away.
Let no one who has ever been privileged to
know Robbins Battell say that he has not had an
example of noble living, nor forget that he is
thereby under obligations to lead a noble life
himself C.

21

The Winsted Herald
The Honorable Robbins Battell passed away
Friday night about twelve o'clock, at his home in
Norfolk, after a brief illness from influenza. He
caught a severe cold about two weeks ago, while
in New York, but recovered sufficiently to come
home, and as late as last Sunday was able to be
out of doors for exercise, since which time he had
a relapse. On Thursday morning he was said to
be a little better, but the improvement was only
temporary, and despite the skill of his attending
physicians — Doctors Stoeckel and Welch — his
spirit passed away as the chimes in the belfry
tower near his home announced the birth of
a new day.
Mr. Battell was born in Norfolk April 9, 18 19.
His ancestry was French. On his mother's side
he traced his lineage to Doctor Francis Le Baron,
a Huguenot of noble birth who is supposed to

have escaped from France when a young man to
avoid persecution on account of his religious be
lief, and who was shipwrecked near Plymouth,
Massachusetts, where he afterward was a beloved
physician. "The Nameless Nobleman," by Mrs.
Austin, is based upon the career of Doctor Le
Baron. He who pens anything like a complete or satis
factory sketch of Robbins Battell must be better
equipped with information concerning him than
the writer possesses. Our acquaintance with him
during the past twenty-five years has been too
limited to enable us to do more than give a hasty
glance at some of his characteristics.
In manner Mr. Battell was quiet and dignified.
A stranger would perhaps be inclined to regard
his reserved, conservative bearing as indicating
haughtiness, but such an impression would be
quickly dispelled when one became at all ac
quainted with him. Instead of haughtiness one
became immediately impressed with the gentleness
of the man, with his modest and retiring de
meanor, and with the refinement of speech and
sentiment which gave evidence of his possessing,
inherently, the instincts and characteristics of the
23

true gentleman. Courteous bearing was so in
separable a quality in him that he could not be
discourteous. Few men in Connecticut, we think it fair to say,
possessed musical abilities of as high an order as
Mr. Battell, and he has given to musical literature
that which will stand the test of time, his best-
known contribution to sacred music being a set
ting to the hymn "Abide with Me." He seemed
to have a similar gift to that possessed by Sullivan
in his adaptation of words to music, and his com
position "Evening" is a good reflex of a quiet
summer evening among the Norfolk hills.
Mr. Battell's great delight was to lift up the
standard of music, especially in his own town and
vicinity. In the days of the summer concerts on
Norfolk Green, given ten or a dozen years ago
by the Diller octet, his aim was not to charm
people's ears for the moment but to educate and
elevate their musical appreciation.
In matters of art it was the same as with music.
A few years ago, when he built a picture gallery
and library as an addition to his home, and opened
it freely to the public, he remarked to the writer
that he especially desired to cultivate the taste of
24

his townspeople in matters of art, and adopted this
method of doing it. For years his rare and costly
collection of paintings was open to all comers.
Mr. Battell was for many years judge of pro
bate, and so highly was he esteemed by his towns
people that the opposing political party nominated
him year after year for the position. He repre
sented his town repeatedly in the legislature, and
held various other positions of honor and trust,
but of late years he has been disinclined to accept
political office.
What future years may bring to our sister town
of Norfolk cannot now be told, but it will be long,
we imagine, ere the loss of to-day will be made
good. The present generation, surely, will not
look upon his like again ; and the rich chimes
from the belfry tower near his home, — selected
by his own rare appreciation of harmonics — will
through the ages ring out among the Norfolk hills
loving requiems to his memory.
J. N. Vaill

25

The Winsted Citizen
One of the most prominent, and it can be said
also, one of the most highly respected and best-
known, men of Norfolk died at his home in that
town at I a: 1 5 o'clock last night. Although feeling
unwell he was not so ill as to be confined to his
home until Sunday of this week ; from that time
he seemed to gradually fail until his death, which
occurred as above stated. His end came unex
pectedly and cast a gloom of sadness upon the
community in which he was born and reared.
Mr. Battell was born in Norfolk, in the house
where he died, on the ninth day of April, 1819.
He was one of the sons of Mr. Joseph and Mrs.
Joseph Battell, afamily that held a prominent place
in the county and State. He has one brother liv
ing, Mr. Phillip Battell, who resides at Middle-
bury, Vermont.
Mr. Battell was much attached to his native
26

town and to its people. He did much to make it
attractive and desirable for summer visitors and a
summer home, and its present popularity in that
respect is due largely to his influence and effort.
He will be greatly missed and mourned by the
people of that town, where he was so well known
and held in such high esteem for his benevolence
and kindly acts. His death is a loss to the town
in various ways which can hardly be overesti
mated. Mr. Battell was a great lover of music and was
the author of several musical compositions. It has
been said of him that "music was inborn in his
soul," and to this saying the people of Norfolk
can give ample testimony. As a composer of vocal
music he ranked among the first. A short time
before his death he caused to be distributed among
his friends and acquaintances copies of his last
composition, a beautiful melody, comprising a
male quartet and a solo.
His extreme love for this greatest of arts in
duced him for some years to procure the services
of Diller's famous band of New York, which would
play morning and evening in a pine-trimmed stand
in the center of the park, to the edification of all
27

lovers of fine music. At various times since then
he has engaged the services of talented musicians,
who have assisted at divine services in the
church. He was also a great lover and patron of art,
and had a valuable gallery of paintings in his resi
dence, which he took much pleasure in showing to
any who might desire to look at them.
Since his youth he has been an active, faithful,
and sincere member of the Congregational Church
in Norfolk, of which his honored grandfather, the
Reverend Ammi Ruhamah Robbins was the first
settled pastor, and of which his brother-in-law,
the Reverend Joseph Eldridge, was pastor for
over forty years. During his entire life he has
taken special interest in the music of the church,
and participated in the exercises of the church
choir until his late illness. It can be said of him,
he was a Christian gentleman in every sense of
that word, and active in all good works.
He was graduated at Yale University, to which
institution he made several large gifts, among
which was a chime of bells which were placed in
the Battell chapel. This was in accord with his
excellent musical taste, which was also shown by
28

placing in the church at Norfolk a chime of bells,
and also in presenting a chime to the college at
Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Mr. Battell loved his home, his family, and his
friends, and in his social habits was remarkably
pleasant and agreeable to every one whom he rec
ognized. He had a pleasant word of greeting for
all, high or humble. It was a natural trait of his
character that never forsook him, and it was al
ways a great pleasure to meet him. He had a
good word for all.
The management of his estate and that of a
large trust which was in his care required his
presence in New York weekly, yet, notwithstand
ing, he made it a special point to be at his home
in Norfolk over the Sabbath, and in the church
choir, unless prevented by circumstances which
could not possibly be overcome.
A loving desire to continue the work along edu
cational lines commenced by the Reverend Ammi
R. Robbins, and a fixed purpose to give young
men the benefit of a higher education, and to pre
pare them for college, persuaded Mr. Battell and
his sister. Miss Anna, to found the present Rob
bins School, which was done in September, 1884.
29

The results of this purely labor of love were many
and varied, and the school is recognized to-day as
one of the leading preparatory schools of the land.
Although Mr. Battell held decided views on
political questions in his allegiance to the Repub
lican party, yet he had no taste for political office,
of which the highest positions of his party in the
State have been offered him. He was elected a
member of the General Assembly to represent his
native town in the sessions of 1852, '58, '60, and
'80, and was judge of probate for a score of years,
until the limitation of age prevented him holding
the position longer. He was elected comptroller
of the State in 1866, but resigned the position
before the expiration of the term.

30

The New Britain Herald
Not only the citizens of Norfolk and vicinity, but
a large number elsewhere, will mourn the death
of this excellent man, which occurred on the 26th,
after a brief illness. Mr. Battell was a rare man,
and his time and means were freely devoted to
doing good. Norfolk, his home, has largely ex
perienced the benefit of his efforts and generosity.
He has devoted liberally of his means and atten
tion to devising and executing plans- for the im
provement of this pleasant town, and causing it
to become a delightful and healthy summer resort;
and during the last few years the accommodations
have not been sufficient to meet the wants of
summer visitors.
Mr. Battell was in all respects a noble man —
ever seeking to do something to promote the hap
piness of others, and of him it may be safely as
serted that the world is the better for his having
31

lived in it ; and though his genial face will no more
be seen on earth, the influence of his character
and good deeds will be felt for good down the
ages. We have not time to write in detail of his
good works, but they will doubtless be written
and published by others. The example and do
ings of one such man in any community cannot
fail to have an uplifting and ennobling influence.
His life has been a living epistle for good, read
and felt by all who were favored with his
acquaintance. Mr. Battell came from a noble ancestry, and
has well performed his part in life, and while his
good deeds will secure him a rich reward in the
"better land," they have undoubtedly greatly pro
moted his own happiness in life's journey, while
seeking to promote the welfare of others. For
several years he has made his home with his only
daughter, Mrs. Terry, spending part of the win
ters in New York and most of the summers in
Norfolk. She will have the heartfelt sympathy
of a host of friends. C.

32

Troy Daily Press
Robbins Battell, banker, philanthropist, and mu
sician, died Sunday at his home in Norfolk, Con
necticut. He had especial love for music, bells
being his delight, and he gave peals of bells and
tower clocks to Yale University, Williams College,
Northfield Seminary, Beloit College, and other
institutions of learning all over the country, and
recently furnished a large bell for the Congrega
tional Church at Williamstown. Mr. Battell wrote
religious music of a popular character and had it
published and sent out gratuitously. His compo
sition "Evening "was sung not long since at one
of the concerts of the Troy Vocal Society, and
Mr. Battell had professors of music from Yale
College present to hear the society on that occa
sion. His " German Trust Song" has been sung
in many Troy churches and homes. Mr. Battell
made frequent visits to this city, where he had
warm friends. Such men are welcome everywhere,
and the world is much better for their having
lived in it.
S 33

The Evangelist
One important feature of the character of the
late Robbins Battell was his sincere love of the
church and all things pertaining thereto. His
was a true and beautiful Christian character in all
respects, and his death is a severe loss to the Con
gregational Church, of which he was so promi
nent and highly honored a member. His particu
lar fondness for music, especially sacred music,
resulted in important benefits to the cause of that
art. His abundant means were often bestowed
upon churches and colleges, in the form of a chime
of bells, or an organ, or an endowed musical pro
fessorship, or in personally superintended services
of many kinds in the choir loft — all showing at
once a love for music and a love for worship. He
was a fine singer, and for many years his voice
had been heard weekly leading in the praise ser
vices of the sanctuary at his Norfolk, Connecticut,
34

home. More than this, his nature was essentially
that of a musical creator. Though he made no
formal scientific study of the art he was an admi
rable critic and connoisseur, and he composed
several hymn tunes and other sacred works of
unusual merit, which we hope and presume will
be edited and published in collected form.

35

New York Evening Post
Robbins Battell, a resident of Norfolk, Connecti
cut, but who for many years has had his place of
business in this city, died at Norfolk last Saturday
of the grip. Mr. Battell was a member of a distin
guished Connecticut family, four of his ancestors
being Mayflower pilgrims. His father was Joseph
Battell of Norfolk, one of the old Connecticut
country merchants, who by early purchases of
Western lands added to a handsome fortune ac
quired in trade. Joseph Battell married Sarah
Robbins, daughter of the first pastor of the Con
gregational Church in Norfolk, and, of the large
family born to them, Joseph became a member of
the wealthy firm of Eggleston and Battell, dealers
in iron, of this city ; Sarah married the Reverend
Joseph Eldridge, Ellen married the Reverend Aza-
riah Eldridge, Irene married Professor Earned of
Yale College, and Urania married the late James
36

Humphrey of Brooklyn. A son who was an in
valid through life died some time ago, and Philip,
the only surviving member of the family, lives in
Middlebury, Vermont, at a very advanced age.
Anna, an unmarried sister, died at Norfolk several
years ago, after a life filled with good works.
The subject of this sketch was born at Norfolk,
April 9, 1819. He was graduated from Yale in
the class of 1839, among whose members were
Eli W. Blake, Charles Astor Bristed, Senator
Dawes of Massachusetts, Governor R. D. Hub
bard of Connecticut, Professor J. D. Whitney of
Harvard, and Professor Francis Wharton of Ken-
yon College. After the death of Mr. Battell's father
in 1842 the care of a large landed and personal
estate devolved upon the son, who remained at
Norfolk for nearly thirty years, the leading citizen
of the town, and one of the last survivors of the old
New England type of country squirearchs. During
that time he became a colonel of state militia, sat
a number of times in the Connecticut Legislature,
in February of 1861 was one of the delegates to
the Peace Convention at Washington, and in 1866
was elected state comptroller. He also took then,
and has since continued, an active interest in
37

organizations for the promotion of agricultural
improvement, in temperance work, missions, and
many other movements of a religious and humani
tarian character. About twenty years ago, in
connection with his charge of the estate left by
his brother Joseph, he opened an office in this
city, where much of his time since has been passed.
A man of unquestioned integrity, quiet temper,
gentle and winsome manners, but firm convictions,
Mr. Battell shared with the other members of his
family a generosity only measured in part by
their visible gifts for charity and education. Among
the known gifts of the family are the Battell
Chapel at Yale, with the recent cost of its enlarge
ment; a memorial chapel at Norfolk, with many
minor gifts to the town and village ; and the sum
of $10,000 to the Long Island Historical Society
in Brooklyn. To Yale College alone it is esti
mated that the gifts of Mr. Battell and other
members of his family amount to not less than
$300,000, and they in effect, by early gifts and
later additions, founded the department of music
at that institution. Mr. Battell was a keen lover
of music, painting, and architecture. He for
several years provided his native village with a
38

series of outdoor summer concerts; he gathered
a large collection of paintings representing the
best works of American artists; he gave Yale a
chime of bells, and made similar gifts to several
other colleges, and was a liberal subscriber and
co-worker in movements for the artistic develop
ment of the people. Of sacred music he was
¦ especially fond, and several of his compositions for
hymns have been widely rendered and praised,
Mr. Battell married, August 15, 1849, Miss
Ellen R. Mills, of Newark, New Jersey, who died
March 19, 1851. A daughter, Mrs. Frederic P.
Terry, survives him.

39

The Wilhams Weekly
Mr. Robbins Battell, who died at his home in
Norfolk, Connecticut, on Saturday, January 26th,
was the giver of the chime of bells which, put
into the tower of our gymnasium with the clock
presented by Mr. F. F. Thompson, have made the
passing of the hours musical for us since the build
ing was completed in 1886.
Mr. Battell was born in Norfolk in 1819 and
was graduated at Yale in 1839. His grandfather
on his mother's side, the Reverend Ammi Ruhama
Robbins, was one of the first trustees of Williams,
and educated three sons there. By two names on
the Haystack monument also he was closely
connected with Williams. The Reverend Harvey
Loomis married his aunt. Miss Nancy Battell, and
the Reverend Francis Le Baron Robbins was his
uncle. The four bells of the chime were cast in Boston
40

by the Blake brothers, on the Belgian pattern,
which Mr. Battell regarded as the most perfect for
musical purposes. The hour bell, also cast by
them, was put in later, and Mr. Battell was never
wholly satisfied with it. Only last autumn he had
one of Meneely's bells substituted for it, as the
firm in Boston did not care to undertake the
casting of another on the Belgian pattern. At
the same time he kindly devoted the value of the
metal of the old bell towards a new bell for the
Congregational Church. The old bell in the
Congregational Church was a memorial to Albert
Hopkins, and to those who knew him and lived
near to the memorial, its tones were not very sug
gestive of his sweet and sainted life. The kindness
of Mr. Battell was gratefully appreciated, and the
metal of the bell removed from the gymnasium
tower with that of the old bell in the church
nearly paid for the new one, which is not merely
richer and more musical, but is also in harmony
with the college peal. It has the same inscription
as the old one in honor of Albert Hopkins.
In addition to the chime, Mr. Battell gave
largely to Williams College for other purposes.
He was in the village several times last autumn
6 41

with reference to the change of bells and the
tuning of the new one. He greatly admired the
beauty of our village. He was probably the most
learned amateur on the subject of bells in the
country, and his scientific learning was combined
with a sympathetic feeling and a keen musical
ear. He wrote music of a high order. His bene
ficence was limited by no boundaries of locality
or doctrine. He gave chimes to various institu
tions, and these beautiful peals heard every
quarter-hour in various parts of the country are a
fitting and perpetual reminder of the beauty and
beneficence of his life. The gentleness and
urbanity of his manners, the serenity and dignity
of his courtesy, and the ripeness of his wisdom
made a unique personality. He was one of the
finest products of New England training. His
loving charity, like that of some of his ancestors,
composed strife and prevented law suits. He was
called, in the best sense, the father of his town.
Of him it may be said with singular significance
that his " works do follow him."

New York Tribune
Robbins Battell, one of the most generous
benefactors of Yale University, died on Friday
night at Norfolk, Connecticut. Mr. Battell went
to his summer residence in that place about a
week ago, and was almost immediately prostrated
with an attack of grip. He was thought to be on
the road to recovery, but suffered a relapse on
Friday and died that night. Mr. Battell was
born at Norfolk, on April 9, 18 19. He was gradu
ated from Yale in the class of 1839, and, after the
death of his father, in 1842, succeeded to the
management of the large Battell estate. This
was nominally the lifework of Mr. Battell, and
made it necessary for him to live in New York
the greater part ofthe time. In 1849 he married
Miss Ellen Mills, of Newark, New Jersey, who
died on March 19th, 1851.
Mr. Battell was throughout his life a warm
43

friend of Yale. He and other members of the
family founded the Battell professorship held for
many years by Professor Gustave J. Stoeckel and
at present by Professor Parker, of Boston, and
gave the funds not only for the erection of Battell
Chapel, but also for the chimes and for the addi
tion made to the building two years ago. Robbins
Battell was easily the leading citizen of Norfolk,
and his benefactions to the town have been boun
tiful and philanthropic. He was, however, modest
and unostentatious, and made many of his gifts
privately. Mr. Battell repeatedly served the State
as representative, and was for many years a
colonel in the State militia. During the war he
repeatedly aided the Government financially, and
in 1 86 1 he was a Connecticut delegate to the
Peace Convention at Washington. He was promi
nent in the promotion of plans for the advance
ment of agricultural interests throughout the State,
and was for about twenty years a trustee of the
insane asylum at Middletown.

44

In part from The Hartford Courant
A long, honorable and useful life was brought
to a close at Norfolk on Saturday, by the peaceful
death of Robbins Battell, in the seventy-sixth year
of his age. He was born in the house where he
died, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah Battell,
and a direct descendant of Dr. Francis Le Baron,
the hero of Mrs. Austin's novel "A Nameless
Nobleman," and he was also a descendant of
Governor Bradford. Mr. Battell attended Dr.
Hall's school at Ellington, and was graduated
from Yale College in the class of 1839. He and
his classmate, Mr. Richard Storrs Willis, took great
interest in the music performed at the college
chapel, Mr. Battell always playing the flute at
divine service. He married Miss Ellen Mills,
the daughter of Samuel Mills, of Newark, New
Jersey. She was a woman of remarkable beauty
and many accomplishments. After a happy married
45

life of nearly two years the young wife died, leaving
an infant daughter. Her broken-hearted husband
was loyal to her memory to the day of his death,
and so sacred was his grief that not once in the
long interval of years was he heard to speak her
name. After the death of his father, Mr. Battell resided
for some years at the ancestral home at Norfolk,
caring for the interests of his brothers and sisters.
He was an ardent patriot, and was a member of
the Peace Congress. When the Civil War came,
he was a staunch supporter of President Lincoln,
and spent his time and money freely for the good
cause. Unofficially, he was one of Governor Buck
ingham's most trusted advisers, and was earnestly
requested by the governor to assume the colonelcy
of a regiment, an offer which he was obliged to
decline, owing to family affairs.
Mr. Battell was in politics without being a poli
tician. He was the representative of his town in
the State Legislature in 1852, '58, '60 and '80,
and was elected comptroller in 1866, an office
which he resigned soon after taking it, owing to
conscientious scruples. For many years he was a
trustee of the Connecticut Hospital for the Insane
46

at Middletown, an office without salary, and took
much interest and pride in that institution, an
interest which was rewarded by his being thrust
out of office by political influence, without a word
of recognition of his long and faithful services.
Mr. Battell was a many-sided man. He took great
interest in horses, and always kept from forty to
one hundred animals. He did not care for race
horses, but liked to breed fine carriage-horses.
He owned, early in life, some of the cream of the
Black Hawk Morgan stock. Afterwards he bred
from the original horse Hambletonian a large
number of that family, and more recently he pur
chased from the French Government the first
Russian Orloff" stallion brought to this country,
Mr. Battell's constant aim was to assist the farmers
in breeding a high class of useful horses.
In art matters his influence was marked. True
to his country, he purchased mostly from Ameri
can artists, and his collection of paintings by
representative American artists is probably the
best in America. He gave an impetus to American
figure painting by suggesting to Thomas Hoven-
den the painting of " The Last Moments of John
Brown," for which he placed at the disposal of the
47

artist a large sum of money, enabling him to plan
and execute an historical painting on a large
scale. The venture was successful and was suc
ceeded by several more large pictures, all of which
were sold at large sums by the artist. More
recently Mr. Battell employed Frederick Diel-
man, N. A., to paint another historical picture,
" The Marriage of Francis Le Baron and Mary
Wilder," which has also proved successful.
Perhaps Mr. Battell's greatest gift was in the
line of music. The most competent judges have
declared that had he pursued this art he would
have become eminent in it. During war time he
set to music and published a number of negro
melodies. His principal melodies were of a reli
gious nature, the best known being his hymn
tune "Abide with Me," a sacred "Trust Song,"
and a composition for male voices called " Even
ing," which was also arranged for full orchestra
and played with much success at several of the
commencement exercises at Yale University. A
few days before his death he set to music a hymn
written by his daughter, called "O Lord, to Thee
I Cry." He took pleasure in sending his compo
sitions to his friends, not because they were his
48

own, but because he believed they helped to
elevate religious thought. He paid much atten
tion to church music, and was one of the first to
appreciate and bring forward the modern English
church composers like Dykes, Barnby and Sulli
van. When Dykes died a poor man, Mr. Battell
with characteristic thoughtfulness and generosity
sent to the composer's widow in England a sum
of money.
Up to the time of his last illness Mr. Battell
acted as a chorister in the Norfolk church, coming
up from New York every Sunday for that pur
pose. His taste was ofthe nicest, and his ear for
musical sounds phenomenal.
He was greatly interested in church bells, and
made a number of discoveries in their tones which
puzzled even so eminent a master of acoustics as
the recently deceased Helmholtz. Mr. Battell's
services as an expert on bells were frequently
called upon by intending purchasers, and he in
variably gave them without charge. He frequently
gave b\ells to churches, and also gave a model
chime to his own church at Norfolk, to Yale Uni
versity, Williams College, Northfield College, and
other institutions.
7 49

He was much interested in matters pertaining
to local history, and was for some time president
of the State Historical Society. He published the
remarkable diaries kept by his uncle, the Reverend
Doctor Thomas Robbins, for many years Hart
ford's well-known librarian, and presented copies
to all of the principal libraries in the country.
Mr. Battell was a loyal friend to his alma
mater, and was largely instrumental in securing
for the university the gifts presented by the various
members of his family, consisting of Battell Chapel
and its chimes, the founding and endowment of
the Battell professorship of music, thus establishing
a new department at Yale, also additions to the
library fund and the founding of a number of
scholarships by his three sisters, Mrs. Earned, Mrs.
James Humphrey, and Mrs. Ellen Battell Eldridge;
and more recently he gave, himself, in conjunction
with Mrs. Eldridge, the money required for the
enlargement of Battell Chapel.
Every visitor to Norfolk knows the peculiar
and unique relations of Mr. Battell with his fellow
townspeople. He was a father to his people, and
his counsel was sought and widely given; he knew
well when to restrain and when to go forward,
5°

and the loyalty of Norfolk people to Mr. Battell
was proverbial. " He is a king whose subjects
are ruled by love," a visitor once truly said. The
present prosperity of the town is due largely to
his efforts.
Years ago, in connection with Judge Fyler and
Mr. Bradford, a surveyor, Mr. Battell measured
all of the higher hills in Litchfield County, and
made the discovery that Bear Mountain, in Salis
bury, has an elevation of 2,354 fe^t, making it the
highest point of land in the State, and disproving
the ridiculous statement made in the ninth edition
ofthe Encyclopsedia Britannica "that there is no
land in Connecticut over a thousand feet in height."
On Bear Mountain Mr. Battell had constructed a
huge cairn of rough stone, which can be seen for
many miles in all directions. The stone contains
an inscription stating that it marks the highest
point of land in Connecticut, The discovery of
the elevation about Norfolk led Mr, Battell to call
attention to its beauty and healthfulness as a
summer resort, and boarders soon began to come.
Almost the first was the late Reverend Doctor
Gage of Hartford, and he was followed by the
late Reverend Doctor Burton, an enthusiast on
51

the subject of Norfolk scenery. Since that time
Norfolk's prosperity has been constantly growing.
Mr. Battell bought several tracts of land about the
town commanding extensive views, built roads to
them, and gave a perpetual right of way over
them to the public. He also bought desirable
building lots in various parts of the town, and
sold them at a lower price than he gave for them
in order to induce visitors to purchase and build.
His purse was always open for road improvements,
and the Norfolk cemetery, which for many years
has been kept in order at his sole expense, is
another tribute to his high sense of duty to his
townspeople. A few years ago he heard that the grave of
the Connecticut poet Percival was unmarked.
Mr. Battell organized a committee, circulars were
sent out, and, the subscriptions being limited to a
small amount in order to allow as many people as
possible to subscribe, a fund was soon raised so
large that the committee was enabled to send
back to each subscriber a percentage on the
original subscription, being probably the only
case where a public monument was more than
paid for before it was ordered. The leading men
52

of the State made contributions to the fund, and
after the monument was erected over the poet's
grave, Mr. Battell caused a small history of the
movement to be printed and sent a copy to each
subscriber. Mr. Battell, in connection with his sister. Miss
Anna Battell, founded and maintained at Norfolk
the Robbins School, a classical preparatory school
for children wishing to prepare for college. To
his townspeople the rates at this school are
nominal, and it is regarded as one of the best pre
paratory schools' in the country. No boy or girl
desiring a higher education ever appealed to Mr.
Battell in vain. He sent some scores of boys and
girls to college.
For the last twenty years Mr. Battell has re
sided mostly in New York, where he had an office
in Wall street, and conducted the business con
nected with his own and several large trust estates.
Although, up to the time of going to New York to
replace his deceased brother, Mr. Battell did not
regard himself as a financier, yet he succeeded so
well that one of New York's ablest financiers said
of him that there was " no safer or better investor
in New York than Robbins Battell."
53

Mr. Battell's idea of life was usefulness. He
never declined the smallest office if he could be of
use. The larger part of his life he was judge of
probate for Norfolk, treasurer of its church, and
trustee of its cemetery, which he so greatly beauti
fied. All of these offices were held in connection
with his New York duties. He never had a law
suit, and so peaceful and beneficent was his advice
to his townspeople that it is their boast that "no
lawyer can make a living in Norfolk."
Few men could use the English language
with better effect than Mr. Battell. His letters
and writings were terse, and couched in the finest
words of the language. Had he been an author
he would nearly have come up to Emerson's ideal.
Mr. Battell's wife also possessed literary gifts of a
high order, which were inherited by their grand
son, Frederic Battell Terry, as is shown in the re
markable collection of "Stories" (so highly praised
by Boyesen) written by this gifted youth a short
time before his early death, and afterward printed
and privately circulated by Mr. Battell.
The writer, who has known Mr. Battell inti
mately for many years and been in almost daily
intercourse with him, can truly say that he never
54

heard Mr. Battell speak ill of any one. His
courtesy and gentleness were proverbial. Like
his grandfather, the first pastor of Norfolk, if he
could find nothing else in the house to speak well
of, he would praise the cat.
Some years ago Mr. Battell wrote a motto to
be placed on the summit of Haystack Mountain,
as follows : " To thy God,
To thy country.
To thy town
Be thou ever faithful."
This perhaps was as fitting an epitaph as he
could have. Farewell ! loving father, faithful
brother, gentle friend, and Christian gentleman.
" Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright,
for the end of that man is peace."

55

The Winsted Herald
There was a large attendance at the funeral of
the Honorable Robbins Battell yesterday. The
weather during the early part of the day was un
pleasant, in consequence of which many people
from surrounding towns were kept at home, but
in spite of bad weather there were representatives
from all nearby towns.
At two o'clock prayer was offered at the house
by the Reverend Mr, DePeu, when the body was
borne to the church by four stalwart men who
have long been in Mr. Battell's service. There
were three organists during the service. Miss
Sawin, regular organist of the church, played the
opening voluntary. Doctor Moses, of New York,
played the hymns, and Mr. C. S. Elliot played the
concluding musical selections — the funeral march
from Beethoven's Third Symphony ("The Death
of a Hero"), and a funeral march by Chopin.
The music selected for the occasion consisted
ofthe hymns "Abide with Me," sung by the choir
56

and congregation to Mr. Battell's composition,
and Tallis's Evening Hymn to the words "O Jesus,
Lord of Light and Grace," and a prayer, " O
Lord, to Thee I Cry," to which was set Mr.
Battell's latest composition, published but a few
weeks ago, the words having been written by his
daughter, Mrs. Ellen Battell Terry. The prayer
was finely sung by a quartette from Yale : W. J.
Lapham, '97, H. P. Jepson, P. G., G. Parker,' 98,
and B. E. Lackland, '96.
Principal Carter, of the Robbins School, was
the master of ceremonies, and eight pupils of the
school were the bearers: W. C. Dalzell, George E.
Atwood, L. G. Granger, A. H. Scoville, George
A. Marvin, Arwin W. Beck, Joseph Hollister, and
T. A. O'Donnell. The flowers were exquisite.
Wreaths of orchids and lilies of the valley and
palms were the gift of Mr. Battell's nieces, the
Misses Eldridge, and a lyre composed of mar
guerites, lilies of the valley, roses, pinks, and
violets was given by the pupils of the Robbins
School. The organ and choir gallery were draped
under the direction of Mr. Carter, as was also Mr.
Battell's chair in the choir, of which he had been a
member for more than fifty years.
8 57

In addition to the musical selections before re
ferred to, the services consisted of an invocation.
Scripture reading and address by the Reverend
Mr. De Pen, an address by the Reverend Doctor
Stitt of New York, and a concluding prayer by
the Reverend Doctor Roderick Terry of New
York.
Memorial Discourse by the Reverend John De Peu
" Under the shadow of the cloud that darkens
our sky, while winter is in hearts as in the outer
air, what words do you wish me to speak to you
and for you? Do you want figures and a catalogue
of titles ?
" Robbins Battell was born here in Norfolk on
the 9th of April, 18 19, the seventh child of his
parents. On the 15th of August, 1849, he was
married to Ellen R. Mills, of Newark, New Jersey.
On the 24th of March, 185 1, after only nineteen
months of married life, he was widowed for all his
remaining years. At half-past twelve, last Saturday
morning (January 26th, 1895), he went to be with
the Lord. Could I tell when he first knew those
two, his wife and the Lord, I would say I had
given you all the important dates in his life. I
58

think those are all that he greatly cares about this
morning. "Norfolk has always been 'his home,' even
since he has spent the greater part of his time in
New York.
" He was fitted for college in Dr, Hall's famous
old school at Ellington, Connecticut, and was
graduated at Yale with the class of 1839. During
his college life his musical talents made him of
service in the worship of the College Chapel,
where he played the flute, and shared the honors
of the choir leadership with his ever fondly re
membered friend, Richard Storrs Willis.
" His interest in his alma mater never waned,
but rather grew with renewed vigor in his last
years. By his advice, and often at his suggestion,
rich endowments have come to the college from
his sisters, who trusted to his counsel; while he
himself shared with them in these givings and
made his own separate and signal contribution to
the college, most notably in the gift of the chimes
in the Battell Chapel and the recent enlargement
of that building.
"After his college days he was at home here,
calling himself a farmer, studying and experi-
59

menting to improve the live stock of the region
with an interest that remained with him to the
end. But his larger abilities were early recog
nized and he was called upon for counsel and ser
vice in many lines. It was found that his counsel
was always judicious, always frank, always up
right. He became a settler of disputes and healer
of breaches. In time, larger honors and titles
came to him. He was several times chosen as the
town's representative in the State Assembly, and
once as the senator from this district. He was
the last colonel of the Litchfield County militia
who succeeded in keeping the moribund organi
zation alive. He was for a time the State Comp
troller, and was for many years one of the trustees
of the State Hospital for the Insane, doing yeo
man's service for that institution in legislative
debates and in constant care for all of its interests.
" He was accounted the natural representative
of this part of the State on the corporation of the
A. B. C. F. M., and for a time filled the chair of the
President of the Connecticut Historical Society.
In all of these positions he acquitted himself with
high honor, and each in its turn he entered upon, not
for the sake of the honor it would bring to him, but
60

because he saw there an opportunity to be of ser
vice to others.
"In 1874 the death of his oldest brother brought
to him new responsibilities as the head of the
family and trustee of a large property. This ne
cessitated his breaking away from his old manner
of life, and compelled him to spend most of his
time in the city, though he kept his legal residence
where his heart was, here in the hills. It was re
markable that, coming to these new cares late in
life, he managed them with a skill and success that
evoked admiring comment from those long experi
enced and eminent in such affairs.
"There is one thing that we may reckon as
felicitous in this change of life. It led to the cul
tivation of those artistic tastes the fruits of which
have gladdened the eyes and educated the taste
of many here.
" His musical talents were early developed and
carefully cultivated. These too were a means of
blessing many in all the towns about us, as he
gave his services freely in the teaching of singing
schools and the training of choral unions, to which
has been attributed the later musical interest of
the towns where he taught music a generation
61

ago. From that time on, and until the very last
year of his life, he found an exhilarating pleasure
in discovering undeveloped or unrecognized musi
cal talents and in helping toward their higher
cultivation and public recognition.
" But I want to strike deeper to the underlying
forces by which this life was shaped; and read, if
possible, not simply its achievements, but its ideals.
These have been already written for us.
"When the observatory was built on the top of
'The Haystack,' some years ago (one of the
many deeds by which Mr. Battell increased the
attractions of the town), he caused to be placed
upon it a granite tablet bearing an inscription
which he trusted would be a perennial inspiration
to all who climbed the hill and looked out over
the hillsides that many of us love so well. On
that tablet you may read :

THOMAS ANTHONY
THACHER
OF BLESSED MEMORY WROTE
THIS INJUNCTION TO BE
HERE INSCRIBEDDEO
PATRIAE
FAMILIAE
MUNICIPIO TUO
SEMPER ESTO
FIDELIS. 62

" I ask for no better text than this in speaking
to-day of our honored and beloved dead.
" It is known to some here that this inscription
— so noble in conception and so felicitous in its
expression — was the offspring of Mr. Battell's own
thought. It was begotten of his own high sense
of human obligations, and fully fashioned in his
own luminous mind. Then with a characteristic
modesty shrinking from even a seeming assump
tion of the role of a public monitor, and with
loyal affection desiring to pay tribute to a revered
instructor, he invited Professor Thacher to clothe
his thought in Latin. And there it stands to-day,
telling to all who will hear what this man, our
friend and often benefactor, held to be the forma
tive principles of a noble life.
"As he wrote, he lived. He himself was the
best commentary on his injunction. Singularly
reticent in regard to his own spiritual experiences,
he has here opened to us his own heart. With a
change of the person and the mood of the verb,
this inscription would be most fitting on his tomb
stone; for, 'to his God, his fatherland, his family,
and his town, he was ever faithful.'
"He did not talk much about religion; but he
63

lived it, whether you define it, according to St.
James, as being, 'to visit the fatherless and widows
in their affiiction and to keep himself unspotted
from the world' (James i : 27), or with the prophet
Micah : ' to do justly and to love mercy, and to
walk humbly with thy God' (Micah 6:8).
" Many widows and orphans in this town have
had cause to thank God that this servant of His
was here to plead their cause, to defend and to
counsel them. Many family divisions have been
prevented by his impartial kindness. One inci
dent may be told thus publicly as an illustration
of how he has been esteemed by those who have
been widowed. One of these having but a pit
tance remaining to her for her support, fearing to
trust that little in a bank or any other investment,
insisted that Mr. Battell himself should be her
banker; and for years she has held his note-of-
hand, counting it safer than Government securi
ties. And many unknown deeds of kindness, un
recognized even by those who benefited by them,
were illustrated when he quietly bought from
another widow, at its highest valuation, bank
stock, that he knew would be worthless in a few
days, and held it himself until the bank failed, as
64

he had seen it would fail. Justice and mercy,
brotherliness and kindness marked all his steps.
"He was not simply a godly man; he was a
Christian man, a church man, believing in the
Church and serving the Church. He has been a
church member here during sixty-one years ; and
for many years he has served as our treasurer
and our chorister, making the journey from New
York and back week by week, in summer heat
and winter cold, after he had numbered more than
three score years and ten, feeling that he should
be here if possible to help in the worship of God
in the church of his fathers.
" Meantime he was giving in a constant stream
of benefactions to churches and schools and Chris
tian societies and individuals all over the land.
This was the outwardness of his religious life.
" I hesitate before speaking of the inwardness
of that life. It seems as though those silent lips
there bade me be silent as they are. Even in
life they never spoke much of his own relation
to God or of his spiritual experiences. It was
characteristic of him to speak least when he felt
most, and his deepest affections were too sacred
to be made matters of conversation ; but the quick
9 65

tear that he did not try to hide, and the quivering
lip and the lingering pressure of the hand and
the thrilling words of personal acknowledgment
that the simple preaching of our weakness, and
God's loving Fatherhood, and Christ's atoning
work always won from him, left no doubt as to his
own judgment of himself and his loving faith
in the one Saviour of men. And when on rare
occasions he spoke of religion, it was with the
heart of a little child.
"He was faithful, too, to his fatherland. Through
and through a New Englander, he was thoroughly
American, his interest covering the whole country,
as he cultivated the soil, East and West, North and
South. When the rebellion of the Southern
States was imminent, he was one of the Connecti
cut delegates to the Peace Congress that convened
in Washington, on the 4th of February, 1861, to
seek to preserve the integrity of the Union with
out war. But when the Rebellion was declared
by the bombarding of Fort Sumter, our peace
delegate was as ready to hurry to the front bear
ing arms for the defense of the Union. Family
necessities and family councils kept him at home
against his will; but throughout these terrible
66

years he served the country more efficiently here
among the hills of Litchfield County than he
could in the swamps of Virginia or by the
waterways of Tennessee. Through all those
years, though often offered military rank and
honors, and as often refusing them, he was Gov
ernor Buckingham's confidential adviser and chief
aid in the gathering of troops and appoint
ment of officers throughout the county. Yet
much of this was always unknown, and more had
been long forgotten except as one old bundle of
letters has perpetuated it: for this was a man to
act, rather than to tell how he had acted ; to do
without seeming, rather than to seem to be
doing. "When he began his generous patronage of
art, he turned from the charms of foreign work
and gave his aid to American painting, making
the specialty of his collection the work of Ameri
can painters ; and by his generous commission to
Hovenden for the painting of the now well-known
John Brown picture, he gave at the same time a
great impetus to the fortunes of the painter, en
couraged the undertaking of bolder work than
the later painters had attempted, and gave, as he
67

aimed to do, a new impulse to high ideals of
patriotism. "Yet ever dearest of all was that part of the
fatherland which he had known and explored and
loved as a boy. He loved the town of his nativity.
Praise him and he shrank within; but praise Nor
folk and he opened like morning-glories to the
sunrise. He did not build himself a monument in
any separate, stately structure ; but constantly, in
many ways, he was planning and providing for
the improvement of the town and the multiplica
tion of its attractions.
" Yet the people were of more interest to him
than the place. It was not very strange that he
was full of a deep, though undemonstrative, affec
tion for those who had been young with him in
the old days here ; it was more strange, and very
beautiful, to see how much he was interested in
those who are young to-day, and how he watched
their development with affectionate concern if they
seemed to be failing to be what they might be of
good, and with gentle pride when they did well,
"When he began his collection of paintings,
his chief inspiration was the thought that he might
thereby quicken and train the artistic sense that
68

might be latent, or blindly groping, in one or
another of those dwelling here away from other
means of art culture. When, with his sister of
revered memory, he founded the Robbins School,
it was for the town's sake. And when, with that
sister's cooperation, he provided for the memor
able 'music weeks' each summer from 1882 to
1888, his motive was not so much to make Nor
folk attractive to visitors, as to give a helpful up
lift to those whose homes are here. His creed
and his teaching were, love your home; think it is
the best of all places, and then strive to make it
better. "Of what he was to his family even the outside
public knows much ; but of this we may not speak
except to say that the example of absolute loyalty
to those family ties which God himself has made
is by no means the least worthy and stimulating
of all the teachings of his life. If family ties fail,
no others will hold long against the heavy strains
that are likely to come upon them or soon or late.
"I have spoken long, yet there is much still left
unsaid that I would say if I might fairly speak
without regard to time. I have loved the man
whose earthly tabernacle lies there ; and yet, now
69

that he has gone, I feel as though I had never
fully appreciated what he was. And I give thanks
that by God's grace we shall see him again by
and by in the other dwelling place, and know
him better because we have wept for him. His
face will be hidden from us henceforth ; but his
memory will remain as an abiding inspiration, a
vision of gentle courtesy, of staunch integrity. He
was ever kindly in his judgment of men, seeking
the good in his fellows, speaking evil of none.
Whether a man is rich or poor is a small matter
before God, and we need not weigh it; but the
use one makes of what he has is a great matter.
What this man had he used well. He was rich in
good deeds and in the gratitude of many whom
he had benefited. He was affluent in
" That best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love.
"So the Spirit of his life speaks to us to-day, to
those who were aged with him, and to the young
in whom he ever maintained the liveliest interest:
be brave; be true; be dutiful; be gentle; be cour
teous ; be kindly ; be humble ; use for God and
your fellowmen those talents which God has en-
70

trusted to you, be they many or few ; ' to God, to
Fatherland, to Family, and to thy Town be ever
faithful.' "
At the close of his discourse Mr. De Peu intro
duced the Reverend Doctor Stitt, of New York,
who spoke as follows :
"The old friends and neighbors of Mr. Battell
know much more of his life and character than I,
who have known him but six years, but I am sure
they know nothing inconsistent with what I have
learned of him.
" Coming into friendship with him late in life,
after enjoying intimacy with many good and true
men, he has seemed to me to be a precious ' find'
in the social field; a diamond of the first water,
with a special luster and peculiar beauty. Ruskin
says that he could not explain the charm of pure
sunshine on a bank of living grass, and I do not
pretend to tell what it is that made Robbins Bat
tell a most lovable man. Was it his childlike sim
plicity and unaffected manners? Was it his tender
interest in the lives of others and his responsive
heartbeat to every pathetic tale ? Was it his in
stinctive recognition of the true, the beautiful, and
71

the good, because they always made music in his
own heartstrings ? Was it his regular giving to
the causes which made him a living illustration of
Bronson's definition, namely, ' Property is com
munion with God through the material world ? '
Was it his genuine humility, extruding condescen
sion and patronage as utterly foreign to his taste?
Was it his benign spirit, his kind regard for others'
feelings, or his sweet and gentle way of showing
without uttering his love for friends ? Was it his
integrity, his unworldliness, his love for the pure
and right, and his sense of shame at the sight of
the wrong? Was it, blended with his simplicity of
thought and life, a certain dignity of ancestral
honor, that would keep unsullied the pure name
of a long lineage? Was it, his humor, his earnest
ness, his tenderness, his sympathy? Was it his
Christian graces crowning his natural traits ? All
the elements named were mixed in the making of
this man, and they combined to produce a subtle
charm and attraction which often compelled me to
say of this plain and unassuming man : ' I love
Robbins Battell!' What the charm really was
escapes the power of complete definition, but let
me use the words of John Morley and say that his
72

was one 'ofthe noble and fair natures which carry
the world about them to greater heights of living
than can be attained by ratiocination.' Let us
use the more familiar words of John Keble, and
say: " There are in this loud stunning tide
Of human care and crime.
With whom the melodies abide
Of the everlasting chime.
Who carry music in their heart
Through dusky lane and wrangling mart.
Plying their daily toil with busier feet
Because their secret souls a holier strain repeat.
"More than once have I been asked to prepare
a sketch of this good man's character for a religious
paper in New York. A year ago, I hinted to him
what was wanted, whereupon his face flushed,
and he exclaimed, ' I am not worthy of it' I felt
then that in his lifetime it must not be written.
Now, however, that he has gone, surely some pen
should draw the portrait of Robbins Battell, the
simple, patient, gentle, loving, quiet, earnest, gen
erous Christian man,
"He has left his comfortable home here for one
of his Father's many mansions; he has quit the
circle of loving friends here for the larger com-
10 73

pany that has long been waiting for him in glory;
he has ceased to sing in the choirs of the church
on earth, and is taking part in the high hallelujahs
of heaven ; he has graduated from the school of
art here, and his eyes are opened to see the King
in His beauty ; in the land of light and love,"

74

The Winsted Citizen
The large number of people who were present
yesterday, in attendance at the funeral services of
the Honorable Robbins Battell, at Norfolk, com
pletely filled the Congregational Church in that
place, and indicated the true feeling, of all classes
in that town, in regard to the loss which that
community has sustained.
The services were impressive. The Reverend
Mr, De Peu, pastor of the church, officiated, and
the Reverend Doctor Stitt of New York City, and
Reverend Doctor Roderick Terry, also of New
York, took part.
The exercises were opened by prayer offered
by Reverend Mr, De Peu, followed by singing the
hymn "Abide With Me," to a composition of
Mr. Battell's. The reading of scripture selec
tions by the pastor was followed by the singing
by a male quartette from Yale University of
the following hymn written by Mrs. Terry, the
75

daughter of Mr. Battell, which was sung to music
composed by him, and was the last composition
written by him :
O Lord, to thee I cry.
On thee for help rely.
My sins, oh, may they ah forgiven be,
From stain and burden of them set me free,
O thou who hearest every call,
Hear now my earnest prayer;
O thou who mark'st the sparrow's fall.
Keep me in watchful care.
Trusting in thee alone.
Who dost for sin atone,
Until the day dawn and the shadows flee,
My contrite heart, O Lord, I leave to thee. Amen,
Mr. De Peu then delivered an address upon the
life and character of Mr. Battell. Mr. De Peu
was followed by the Reverend Doctor Stitt of
New York City, a personal friend of Mr. Battell,
who spoke of the excellencies of his character as
gathered from an acquaintance of six years past.
It was a feeling and just tribute. The services
were closed by singing, and a prayer by the Rev
erend Doctor Terry, and after a view of the face
of deceased by the congregation, the burial took
place in the family lot in the Center Cemetery.
76

The pall bearers were selected from the pupils
of the Robbins School, as follows : Messrs. Lewis
Granger, Joseph Hollister, Arwin Beck, George
Atwood, W. C. Dalzell, Timothy O'Donnell, George
Marvin, and Alfred Scoville.
On a stand at the head of the coffin was a harp
composed of daisies, roses, hyacinths, and ferns,
presented by the pupils of the Robbins School,
who have such manifold reasons for loving and
holding in deferential memory the name of the
deceased. All of the stores, places of business,
and schools were closed during the hours of the
funeral services. A special train brought friends
from New York City, and also a special train was
run to Hartford at the close of the services.

77

Robbins Battell
Music-loving, great of heart.
Rich in mind and doing;
In his birthtown to impart
Deeds of love and works of art.
Life found him pursuing.
Genial was his presence there.
Young and old revering ;
He implanted memories where
They shall live and yield full share.
More and more endearing.
O'er the snow-clad hills to-day,
Sunlight gilds their whiteness ;
He who hoary-headed lay
Down to rest, then sank away.
Left a golden brightness.
Ring ! O ring ! sweet bells ; and chime ;
Tell the lovely story —
How past manhood's vigor, prime.
He, who died, bequeathed to time
Inward grace and glory.
78

On the midnight, wintry air.
Ever, ever pealing.
Ring ! ye bells of Norfolk fair ;
Music in your tones so rare
As to win sweet feeling.
Waken, too, at early morn,
Hearts to grateful living.
Chime! O chime! where he was born.
All whose deeds have beauty worn.
Who has been all-giving !
Comfort to God's people all.
Seemed he SlO bestowing.
Now! there hangs o'er earth a pall: —
He would have it rise (not fall).
Chimes with sunlight flowing.
He has lain him down to rest :
Rest ? — to rise in power !
Here, he human love confessed,
By his actions, free and best.
Gaining heaven each hour,
Ella Antoinette Hotchkiss.
New Haven, January, 1895.

79

YALE UNIVERSITY

a39002 002961085b