Bennington

JENNINGS, Frederic Beach & Isaac

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 213, 
221-223

Biography of Isaac JENNINGS - pp 221-223 (father of Frederic Beach JENNINGS)

Rev. Isaac JENNINGS, late of Bennington Centre, was born 24 July 1816 in 
Trumbull [Fairfield County], Connecticut, son of Isaac and Anne Beach 
JENNINGS. While yet a lad he removed to Derby of that state [Derby, New 
Haven County, Connecticut] and there his early days were passed. Having 
obtained his preparatory education in accordance with the admirable New 
England system in the common school and preparatory academy he graduated from 
Yale College in the famous class of 1837, which numbered among its members 
such prominent men as Hon. William M. EVARTS of New York, Chief Justice 
Morrison R. WAITE, Hon. Edwards PIERPONT, Samuel J. TILDEN and others, and 
the thoroughness of his mental training was apparent in all his after life. 
Fresh from collegiate honors, he commenced his active career of life as the 
principal of a school in Washington [Litchfield County], Connecticut, in 
1837-1838, but transferred the scene of his labors to New Haven [probably New 
Haven in New Haven County, Connecticut; there is also a New Haven in Addison 
County, Vermont], where he took charge of the Hopkins grammar school, and 
numbered among his pupils Dr. Timothy DWIGHT, afterward president of his alma 
mater, but he soon abandoned the profession of a teacher to study for the 
Christian ministry, pursuing a course of theology at New Haven [New Haven 
County], Connecticut, and subsequently at Andover, Massachusetts [Andover 
Theological Seminary in Andover, Essex County, Massachusetts]. From the 
theological seminary of the latter place he graduated in 1842.

Though earnest in church work, he never lost his interest in schools, a fact 
fully substantiated by his connection with those of Akron [Summit County], 
Ohio, where he commenced his ministry, becoming pastor of the Second 
Congregational Church of that city 14 June 1843. There he labored with 
untiring zeal to carry out measures of reform in their then defective school 
system, and his energetic efforts were rewarded, for he inaugurated there the 
system of graded schools, now so common throughout the country. To such an 
extent did he leave his impress upon the interests of education in that 
section that he has been justly styled in the annual reports of the board of 
education as the "Father of our Public Schools." After a successful 
pastorate at Stamford [Fairfield County], Connecticut, commencing in 1847, 
Mr. JENNINGS removed to Bennington, where he was installed over the First 
Church of Christ, Bennington Centre, 21 September 1853, and here the 
remainder of his useful and Christian life was passed. For over thirty-four 
years he presided over his flock, a typical "New England hillside parish," as 
he himself quaintly termed it. With repeated opportunities to go to larger 
fields, and with prospects of larger financial gain, Mr. JENNINGS steadily 
refused to leave his people in historic Bennington, preferring to live and 
die among them. In 1859 he made a European tour and returned with fresh 
vigor and enlarged powers for his life work.

On 17 February 1847 he [Isaac JENNINGS] was married to Sophia, daughter of 
Matthias and Sophia (LOOMIS) DAY of Mansfield [Richland County], Ohio. They 
had nine children: Isaac Jr., Walter Loomis (deceased), Sophia Day 
(deceased), Frederic Beach, Matthias Day (deceased), Charles Green Rockwood, 
Robert Gould, Philip Burton, and William Bigelow. Of his [Isaac JENNINGS'] 
published writings the "Memorials of a Century" is probably the best known, 
and will go down to posterity as a history of Bennington and the old First 
Church. One of the most remarkable pulpit efforts of Mr. JENNINGS was his 
centennial discourse delivered in the old church on its one hundredth 
anniversary in 1863, which will long be remembered by those who were 
privileged to listen to it. Ever zealous and active in all matters 
pertaining to the welfare and credit of the town from the inception of the 
enterprise he took great interest and an influential part in the erection of 
the Bennington battle monument. He was an active member and vice president 
of the association, and a member and secretary of the board of directors, 
while his last public utterance pronounced the benediction which closed the 
ceremony on laying the cornerstone of the monument. A model pastor, faithful 
and beloved to an eminent degree, a public-spirited citizen, an enthusiastic 
promoter of good works, his useful and Christian life was brought to a close 
on 25 August 1887.

Biography of Frederic Beach JENNINGS - p 213 (portrait p 213; son of Isaac)

Frederic B. JENNINGS was born 06 August 1853 in Bennington Centre [Bennington 
County, Vermont], son of Rev. Isaac and Sophia (DAY) JENNINGS. After 
completing the preparatory course he entered Williams College, where he 
graduated in 1872 with high honors. He subsequently studied law at the 
Harvard Law School, taking his degree therefrom in 1874, and from the 
University Law School in New York City in 1875 with honors. He entered the 
office of William M. EVARTS in New York City in 1874, where he remained in 
successful practice several years, after which he established his present law 
firm of Jennings & Russell, 30 Broad Street, New York City. While his time 
and energies have been chiefly devoted to his law practice, many other 
business interests have shared his attention. He is the vice president of 
the American Trading Company, a large and prosperous concern engaged in 
business with China, Japan, and London. He is also vice president of the 
Bennington & Rutland Railroad Company, and of the First National Bank of 
North Bennington. He is a trustee of the Free Library Hall at Bennington, as 
well as a trustee of public schools in the city of New York, and a director 
or trustee in several other business enterprises in New York. On 27 July 
1880 Mr. [Frederic B.] JENNINGS married [Miss] Laura Hall, daughter of Trenor 
W. and Laura V. D. S. PARK, and a granddaughter of the late Governor Hiland 
HALL. Their children are: Percy Hall, Elizabeth, and Frederic B. Jr.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly