Rev. Jonathon Maltby was a great-grandson of the emigrant ancestor, William Maltby, Esq., of Branford, and to him we owe much of the genealogical data contained in the present Maltby Genealogy, particularly of the early generations.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Samuel E. Shipp, a descendant of his, we are able to reproduce here a copy of an oil painting made some years ago by Mrs. Shipp of the homestead of her great-grandfather. The old homestead was called “Maltby Place” and was delightfully situated on the bank of the river, alas, for posterity, it was too near the river! For when the two elderly maiden ladies, daughters of Rev. Jonathon (4), died, someone, we know not who, “got rid of the stuff” by throwing the contents of the attic into the river. And in this attic were all sorts and countless numbers of old things, now so prized by lovers of the antique, and chests of old letters and manuscripts there were without end.
The compiler is fortunate in the possession of two old plates which belong to Rev. Jonathon Maltby and possibly to his father, Benjamin, though this is not certain. A “coffin handled” table spoon, however, came from his mother and bears the mark E. M. for Elizabeth (Fowler) Maltby. This spoon descended to a daughter of Jonathon (4) and is marked also with her initials. The writer remembers well what a delightful air of the past this old homestead used to have about it.
To Mrs. Theodore Clark we are indebted for a copy of a love letter written a few days prior to his marriage to his betrothed, Submit Taintor, by Rev. Jonathon Maltby. While calling on Mrs. Stevens in Fair Haven, Conn., the compiler had the pleasure of seeing the charmingly simple but elegant wedding dress of this oldtime bride. Made in the Empire style with low neck and short sleeves, of a heavy white silk and a fine blue stripe and an indistinct pale yellow figure in it. An old manuscript written by Rev. Jonathon dealing with the Maltby Genealogy and tied with bits of silk like this wedding gown, was given me by Mrs. Stevens and is a highly valued treasure.
The following is a copy of the letter:
New Haven, June 5th, 1787.
My dearest friend:--
I depend upon being at Northford Sabbath after next extraordinaries excepted. On the evening of the day I expect to hear of the Bride and Bridegroom. It will be the most joyful! The most interesting hour of my life!
I expect on the portentious moment to surrender myself at discretion—a voluntary captive to sweet smiling Hymen, a Devotee to Beauty and to Virtue—to be, not my own, but another’s; to give my hand and my heart, and to receive in return the fair hand and the affectionate heart of my Other Self.
I will be thine—entirely thine—and thou shalt be mine, entirely mine, with all thy engaging and unfading charms. Happy! Happy Union! Which harmonizes Two in One!!
“Tis Hymen lights the torch of love, And beams benignant as the son; The daw, the rook, and gentle dove Are ne’er content till two are one.
Innocence and Virtue are inseparably allied; emblematical of their purity is the pure white of this half sheet, which excites the following allusion:
Thou art the dear, Maiden innocently sweet,
Who art fair white paper, an unsullied sheet,
I am the happy man, whom Heaven ordains
To write fair my name and take thee for my pairs
Has Revd. Sufficient health to tie the lovely bands? Or will it be expedient to invite my Revd. Friend, Mr. Holmes, to ride out with me, and perform the gentle office?
With the finest sensibilities and the purest emotions, I am waiting to be completely yours.
Jonathon Maltby.
In booklet number one, issued by the Maltby association we published an article written by Rev. Jonathon Maltby and which proves he was “under fire” in the Revolutionary War, which seems of sufficient importance to warrant reprinting here.
Maltby Place, April 21, 1848.
Birthday of my 90th year.
At war with sin, heart from the world full-riven, aged and weary, the soul longs for heaven.
With one or two exceptions I have out-lived all my contemporaries, relatives and friends. Joseph Darling, Esqr., of the class of 1777 and classmate, Hon. Elizur Goodrich, D.D.L., are now living in this city. (Note 1). I am oldest of the three. The former Treasurer of dear Yale, the venerable Deacon Beers, is several years my senior.
More than three score years ago, three brothers, in good health, were daily looking and expecting to see me sink into the grave. I was struggling with a violent cough and To Myself!”
In my 90th year, 63rd year of wedded life. Read and write more than in any former time without aid of glasses. I am the only survivor of my father’s numerous family. Mrs. M. is the only one living of her father’s (Note II.) family, and is closing her 85th year.
My connection with college was in 1775. In the days that “tried men’s souls,” in thime of the Revolution. A war spirit prevailed in the old 13—Patriotism warmed the hearts of the free born sons of Yale. Fired with the news of the death of their countrymen at Lexington, 100 of her sons, marshaled for fight, rush to Boston and I see an old gentleman point his cane and hear him say: “What do you think Gage (Gen. Gage) will say when he knows that a hundred men from Yale College are come to fight him?”
The upper classes, in the interval of studies, are on the lower green (Note III.) with their music, practicing, marching, maneuvering . . . . . Soon after my acquaintance with alma mater, Col. Ira Allen from Vermont, brought the good news of the capture of the fort of the St. John’s—a thrill of joy pervades the city and the college. Cannon are ordered out, 13 thunders, one for each state, tell the heartfelt joy. At the last fire, the Col., soldier-like, leaped on the cannon, swung his hat and cried aloud, “God save the Continental Congress! Three Cheers!” Oh, they were given to the life!
The war occupied too much of the student mind and such was the exposed state of college, while at N. Haven, that it was dispersed into several towns in interior of the state for two or three years, to the great disadvantage of the students. Classes (1776, 1777, ’78, ’79) had no public commencement.
In the summer time of ’78, College returned. President Stiles was inducted into office and took charge of the seminary. July, 1779, Tryan and Traitor Arnold with three or four thousand British troops enter N. H. Night before at 9 o’clock an alarm was fired, again at I, which put the town in the utmost consternation. That night and next day exhibiting such excruciation distress among the women and children as I hope and pray I may never again witness.
The student request the Selectmen of the town to the town to furnish them with arms to meet the enemy—but are not able. Three of my class obtain arms and go out with Capt. Hillhouse and the Guards. David Austin and Elizur Goodrich are wounded, Austin brings in a prisoner (After Revd. D. Austin). Hon. Elizur Goodrich was a captive and Dr. Nesbitt pronounces his wound mortal. After being one night in town they cross next morning to East Haven. While in town they burn buildings, destroy house furniture, merchants’ goods and groceries, and do all the damage that they could well do. The distress they made I will not attempt to describe. On Tuesday, I was one of a reconnoitering party on East Haven Heights where balls were whistling constantly, but no “music for me.” A cannon ball took off all upper part of a Mr. Pardee’s head and several were wounded. We have the pleasure to witness this 16th of Aug., that the wound of the Hon’l Elizur Goodrich was not mortal—with heartfelt joy we behold him one of the happy alumni. (Here follows a short genealogical sketch.)
J. MALTBY.
NOTE. I. – New Haven, Conn.
NOTE. II. – Mr. Nathaniel Taintor of Northford.
NOTE. III. – Old Green.
Rev. Jonathon (4) Maltby was a son of Benjamin (3), grandson of Daniel (2) and great-grandson of William (1).