Gurdon Saltonstall
Encyclopedia
Gurdon Saltonstall was governor of the Colony of Connecticut
from 1708 to 1724. Born into a distinguished family
, Saltonstall became an accomplished and eminent Connecticut pastor before being appointed the colony's governor.
and Elizabeth (Ward) Saltonstall, a prominent north Massachusetts family active in Massachusetts politics since the 1630s. He received his bachelor's degree
in 1684 from Harvard Divinity School, where he studied theology, and was awarded his masters degree in 1687. It was at this time that Saltonstall first preached at First Christ Church in New London where he impressed congregants enough to warrant his appointment as the town's sole pastor. Saltonstall soon grew close to the Connecticut's governor, Fitz-John Winthrop
and became not simply an adviser in spiritual matters, but in civil ones as well. When Governor Winthrop's health failed him, Saltonstall eventually began assuming executive responsibilities in the Governor's absence. He was married to Mary Whittinghame (d. 1730), a granddaughter of Mayor of New York John Lawrence
(1618-1699).
Saltonstall believed strongly in the power of traditional authority, a trademark of his time as clergyman and governor. He was wholly intolerant of divergent Christian sects, and favored the enjoining of Church and government into what he imagined would be a more effective system, an idea enumerated in the Saybrook Platform
, a proposal mainly ascribed to him. The governor also found opposition to his government, or dispute within it to be contemptible, and frequently threatened to resign if such discord was not discontinued.
Saltonstall's support of established authority is also seen in his decision-making throughout Queen Anne's War, the second French and Indian War
over control of North America
. The governor was an loyal supporter of the British cause, seeking to reduce colony opposition to the war, and aided Queen Anne by increasing the recruitment and equipment of Connecticut militiamen sent to battle French forces. The Connecticut soldiers would eventually total 4,000 men, a sizable portion of the colony's 17,000 people. Because of the war's heavy costs, Connecticut's fiscal situation deteriorated, but Saltonstall's enthusiastic support of the Crown
won the state much improved relations with Great Britain
, recently renamed the United Kingdom.
The governor worked closely with Massachusetts Bay Colony
governor, Joseph Dudley
, in peacefully resolving the problem of the "Equivalent Lands
," just one of many border disputes demanding his attention.
Connecticut Colony
The Connecticut Colony or Colony of Connecticut was an English colony located in British America that became the U.S. state of Connecticut. Originally known as the River Colony, it was organized on March 3, 1636 as a haven for Puritan noblemen. After early struggles with the Dutch, the English...
from 1708 to 1724. Born into a distinguished family
Saltonstall family
The Saltonstall family is a Boston Brahmin family from the U.S. state of Massachusetts, notable for having had a family member attend Harvard University from every generation since Nathaniel Saltonstall—later one of the more principled judges at the Salem Witch Trials—graduated in 1659...
, Saltonstall became an accomplished and eminent Connecticut pastor before being appointed the colony's governor.
Early Life and Pastor
Saltonstall was the son of NathanielNathaniel Saltonstall
Col. Nathaniel Saltonstall was selected as a judge for the special Court of Oyer and Terminer, a specific court responsible for the trial and sentence of people, mostly women, for the crime of witchcraft in Massachusetts during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692...
and Elizabeth (Ward) Saltonstall, a prominent north Massachusetts family active in Massachusetts politics since the 1630s. He received his bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1684 from Harvard Divinity School, where he studied theology, and was awarded his masters degree in 1687. It was at this time that Saltonstall first preached at First Christ Church in New London where he impressed congregants enough to warrant his appointment as the town's sole pastor. Saltonstall soon grew close to the Connecticut's governor, Fitz-John Winthrop
Fitz-John Winthrop
Fitz-John Winthrop was the governor of the Colony of Connecticut from 1698 to 1707....
and became not simply an adviser in spiritual matters, but in civil ones as well. When Governor Winthrop's health failed him, Saltonstall eventually began assuming executive responsibilities in the Governor's absence. He was married to Mary Whittinghame (d. 1730), a granddaughter of Mayor of New York John Lawrence
John Lawrence (New York)
John Lawrence was Mayor of New York City from 1672 to 1674, and again in 1691.-Life:He arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1635, and later removed to Ipswich, Massachusetts and later to Long Island. In 1644, he was one of the patentees of Hempstead under grant by Dutch Colonial Governor Willem...
(1618-1699).
Political Career
Upon Governor Winthrop's death in 1707, Saltonstall was appointed governor of the Colony of Connecticut by a special session of the legislature, a decision that sparked some outcry because of Saltonstall's status as clergy. Saltonstall himself was hesitant to leave his Church and take on the position of Governor, which prompted the state Assembly to aid his First Church of Christ in finding a replacement pastor. His selection approved by voters in May of that year, however, Saltonstall continued to be re-elected annually until his death. Governor was just one of the influential positions held by Saltonstall, as he was appointed commander of the Connecticut militia and Chief Justice of its Superior Court.Saltonstall believed strongly in the power of traditional authority, a trademark of his time as clergyman and governor. He was wholly intolerant of divergent Christian sects, and favored the enjoining of Church and government into what he imagined would be a more effective system, an idea enumerated in the Saybrook Platform
Saybrook Platform
Saybrook Platform refers to conservative religious proposals adopted at Saybrook, Connecticut in September 1708. The document attempted to stem the tide of disunity among the established Congregational churches and restore discipline among both the clergy and their congregations...
, a proposal mainly ascribed to him. The governor also found opposition to his government, or dispute within it to be contemptible, and frequently threatened to resign if such discord was not discontinued.
Saltonstall's support of established authority is also seen in his decision-making throughout Queen Anne's War, the second French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
over control of North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. The governor was an loyal supporter of the British cause, seeking to reduce colony opposition to the war, and aided Queen Anne by increasing the recruitment and equipment of Connecticut militiamen sent to battle French forces. The Connecticut soldiers would eventually total 4,000 men, a sizable portion of the colony's 17,000 people. Because of the war's heavy costs, Connecticut's fiscal situation deteriorated, but Saltonstall's enthusiastic support of the Crown
The Crown
The Crown is a corporation sole that in the Commonwealth realms and any provincial or state sub-divisions thereof represents the legal embodiment of governance, whether executive, legislative, or judicial...
won the state much improved relations with Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, recently renamed the United Kingdom.
The governor worked closely with Massachusetts Bay Colony
Massachusetts Bay Colony
The Massachusetts Bay Colony was an English settlement on the east coast of North America in the 17th century, in New England, situated around the present-day cities of Salem and Boston. The territory administered by the colony included much of present-day central New England, including portions...
governor, Joseph Dudley
Joseph Dudley
Joseph Dudley was an English colonial administrator. A native of Roxbury, Massachusetts and son of one of its founders, he had a leading role in the administration of the unpopular Dominion of New England , and served briefly on the council of the Province of New York, where he oversaw the trial...
, in peacefully resolving the problem of the "Equivalent Lands
Equivalent lands
The Equivalent lands were several large tracts of land that the Province of Massachusetts Bay made available to settlers from the Connecticut Colony after April, 1716. This was done as compensation for an "equivalent" area of Connecticut-claimed territory which had been inadvertently settled by...
," just one of many border disputes demanding his attention.