Rev Samuel Sackett

(1711/12-1784)
FatherCaptain Joseph Sackett (1655/56-1719)
MotherMercy (Whitehead) Betts (c 1663-after 1719)
Rev Samuel Sackett, Presbyterian minister, son of Captain Joseph Sackett and Mercy (Whitehead) Betts, was born in Newtown, Long Island, New York StateG, on 2 March 1711/12.1 He died aged 72 in Crompond, New York StateG, on 5 June 1784.1,2 He married at Newtown, Long IslandG, on 6 April 1732, Hannah Hazard, daughter of Nathaniel Hazard and Deborah Alsop.1,2,3,4
     Samuel was named as a beneficiary in his father's will made in Newtown, Queens CountyG, on 20 September 1719. He was left his father's mansion with its garden, orchard, and neighbouring land, and other specified lands, the use of the property to remain with his mother until he reached 21. He was also to inherit, jointly with his siblings all his father's land and meadows at Hopewell and Maidenhead in New Jersey.
     Details of Rev Samuel Sackett's ministry are given in Colonial Clergy of the Middle Colonies.5
"Samuel Sackett, b. Newtown, L.I., N.Y., Ord. New Brunswick Presbytery, 13 Oct. 1741; sett. Phillipstown (Putnam) N.Y., Highlands Chh., May 1742–1743; White Plains (Westchester) N.Y., May 1742–1743; Yorktown (Westchester) N.Y., Cronpond Chh., May 1742–1743, 19 May 1747–Dec. 1749, 1761–1784; Peekskill (Westchester) N.Y., Cortlandt Manor, May 1742–1743, 1747–1749; inst. Bedford (Westchester) N.Y., 12 Oct. 1743–4 Apr. 1753; Salem (in North Salem, Westchester) N.Y., 1747–1749; Hanover (Westchester) N.Y., Cortlandt Manor, 4 Apr. 1753–1 Apr. 1760; Carmel (Putnam) N.Y., Red Mills Chh., 1761–1784; Presb.; d. Yorktown, N.Y., 5 June 1784 (GS)."

—Frederick Lewis Weis, The Colonial Clergy of the Middle Colonies: New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 1628–1776, American Antiquarian Society

     Weygant, The Sacketts of America, has the following—.
In 1735 [Rev. Samuel] and Mrs. Sackett took up their residence in Orange County, N. Y., where the Sacketts and Hazards were largely interested in unimproved lands, owning many thousands of acres in what are now the towns of New Windsor, Cornwall, Woodbury, Blooming Grove and Montgomery. The young couple resided during the greater part of the first eight years of their wedded life at the foot of Storm King Mountain, near the village of Cornwall. During these, to them, not uneventful years, Mr. Sackett labored as a missionary, mainly in the towns mentioned. One of his principal preaching stations was Little Britain, where he lay the foundation of a society which is still in existence.
The minutes of the Presbytery of New Brunswick show that in 1742 he was sent to preach in Westchester County—the special field assigned him being Cortland Manor, embracing North Salem, Cortland town Crompond and Somers. In 1743 he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Society at Bedford. In 1747 to 1749 Crompond (now Yorktown ) secured his services for half the time. From 1749 to April 11 1753, he labored at Bedford. He was then settled over the church at Hanover, Conn., where he remained until 1760, when he returned to the church Crompond. In 1765 he was again at Hanover, which became the scene of his labors until after the commencement of the Revolution. A letter written by him to his son Nathaniel, at Fishkill, N. Y., dated "Hanover, Oct. 29, 1776," contains the following request: "Send us two wagons immediately to help us away with some small things before the enemy are upon us." During the long struggle for independence Mr. Sackett's position as minister at Crompond was most trying. His daughter Hannah was the wife of Stephen De Lancey, son Hon. James De Lancey: and the De Lanceys were bitter Tories. His sons were serving in the Patriot Army. His pastoral flock was divided, some were Whigs and others were Loyalists. Crompond was about midway of the distance between the outposts of the opposing armies. But he preached whenever occasion offered, not concealing the fact that his sympathies were with those of his countrymen who had determined to throw off the galling yoke of oppression. In July, 1779, the meeting house at Crompond, in which his flock assembled for worship, was destroyed by fire kindled by a body of British cavalry sent out for that especial purpose. A short time after the close of the war a new edifice was erected on the site of the burned building. And for over a century a plain tombstone has stood in the graveyard adjoining it, bearing this inscription:
Rev. Samuel Sackett, who died June 5, 1784.
He was a judicious, faithful, laborious and successful minister or Christ.

     The letter of 29 October 1776 referred to in Weygant's account is reproduced below. A transcription is given here.
Rev Samuel Sackett to son Nathaniel Sackett, Oct 1776
(Src: NYPL Digital Collections)

Children of Rev Samuel Sackett and Hannah Hazard


32. Rev. Samuel Sackett, 1712–1784, son of (7) Capt. Joseph and Mercy Whitehead (Betts) Sackett, was married in 1734 to Hannah Hazard, daughter of Nathaniel Hazard and his wife Deborah Alsop. In 1735 Mr. and Mrs. Sackett took up their residence in Orange County, N. Y., where the Sacketts and Hazards were largely interested in unimproved lands, owing many thousands of acres in what are now the towns of New Windsor, Cornwall, Woodbury, Blooming Grove and Montgomery. The young couple resided during the greater part of the first eight years of their wedded life at the foot of Storm King Mountain, near the village of Cornwall. During these, to them, not uneventful years, Mr. Sackett labored as a missionary, mainly in the towns mentioned. One of his principal preaching stations was Little Britain, where he lay the foundation of a society which is still in existence. The minutes of the Presbytery of New Brunswick show that in 1742 he was sent to preach in Westchester County - the special field assigned him being Cortland Manor, embracing North Salem, Cortland town Crompond and Somers. In 1743 he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Society at Bedford. In 1747 to 1749 Crompond (now Yorktown ) secured his services for half the time. From 1749 to April 11 1753, he labored at Bedford. He was then settled over the church at Hanover, Conn., where he remained until 1760, when he returned to the church Crompond. In 1765 he was again at Hanover, which became the scene of his labors until after the commencement of the Revolution. A letter written by him to his son Nathaniel, at Fishkill, N. Y., dated "Hanover, Oct. 29, 1776," contains the following request: "Send us two wagons immediately to help us away with some small things before the enemy are upon us." During the long struggle for independence Mr. Sackett's position as minister at Crompond was most trying. His daughter Hannah was the wife of Stephen De Lancey, son Hon. James De Lancey: and the De Lanceys were bitter Tories. His sons were serving in the Patriot Army. His pastoral flock was divided, some were Whigs and others were Loyalists. Crompond was about midway of the distance between the outposts of the opposing armies. But he preached whenever occasion offered, not concealing the fact that his sympathies were with those of his countrymen who had determined to throw off the galling yoke of oppression. In July, 1779, the meeting house at Crompond, in which his flock assembled for worship, was destroyed by fire kindled by a body of British cavalry sent out for that especial purpose. A short time after the close of the war a new edifice was erected on the site of the burned building. And for over a century a plain tombstone has stood in the graveyard adjoining it, bearing this inscription:
Rev. Samuel Sackett, who died June 5, 1784.
He was a judicious, faithful, laborious and successful minister or Christ.
     Thomas Hazard, the grandfather of Hannah, wife of Rev. Samuel Sackett, came to Boston from Wales in 1635. In 1636 the General Court of Massachusetts Bay admitted him to Freemanship. In 1652 he sought and obtained from Director Stuyvesant, of New Amsterdam, in behalf of himself and a goodly company of English men from New England, permission to plant a town within his jurisdiction. "The fertile lands of Mespot, L. I., being yet, for the most part unoccupied, afforded a bright field for the enterprise, and soon a group of cottages, fashioned after those of New England, arose to adorn the settlement." The most of these were located upon the street whereon the Presbyterian Church of Newtown now stands.
     Among the privileges granted by Director Stuyvesant to the villagers, was the free exercise of the Protestant religion and the choice of their own Scheppens or magistrates: making annually a double nomination of the best qualified persons in the town, from whom the Director General and Council should select and confirm one-half in office whose authority extended to the collection and disbursement of town revenues and most other matters affecting the peace and security of their municipality." Under the above arrangement Thomas Hazard was the first person nominated and confirmed as a magistrate, and he was retained in office by renomination and by reappointment for a long consecutive term of years.
     In 1653, the year after Thomas Hazard and his associates from New England came to Long Island, Indians and freebooters became very troublesome and committed many serious depredations. The English towns, aroused by their losses and a sense of personal insecurity, first called a meeting at Flushing and then sent delegates to meet the Burgermasters at New Amsterdam in joint session, at the City Hall, on the 25th day of November of that year, to devise some plan for their common safety. Thomas Hazard was a delegate from his town to this and subsequent councils held at New Amsterdam for the same and similar objects.
     Jonathan Hazard, son of Thomas and grandfather of Hannah, wife of Rev. Samuel Sackett, married Hannah Laurenson, daughter of James Laurenson, and resided permanently at Newtown, becoming even more prominent and influential in civil affairs than his father had been. He served acceptably under various English Governors of the Province, thirteen years as a magistrate in the various courts, four years as Supervisor, one year as an Assessor, and throughout the greater part of his adult life as Town Surveyor. He died in 1711, survived by three sons and two daughters, who inherited a substantial estate.
     Nathaniel Hazard, son of Jonathan, married Deborah Alsop Simpkins, daughter of Richard Alsop, and wife of Capt. John Simpkins. They were the parents of Hannah Hazard, wife of Rev. Samuel Sackett. Nathaniel Hazard began his business career as a merchant at Newtown, but soon removed to New York and from there to Philadelphia, where he acquired unusual prominence. His son Ebenezer became Postmaster General of the United States, and edited several valuable contributions to American History.
     Hannah Hazard, the wife of Rev. Samuel Sackett, was in several respects a remarkable woman. The following letter, written by her to her daughter Hannah, gives an interesting insight of her character, and presents a graphic picture of domestic life "in the days that tried men's souls." The original is in possession of Mrs. Anne C. Gott, of Irondequoit, N. Y., one of her descendants.
Dear Child:
     When I tell you that I have but Hannah to call upon and have had to nurse the sick for a week during which Mr. Bernit has lodged here, and that Frank has had the smallpox and been useless to me these three weeks, you will not wonder that I have not been able to find time to acknowledge the receipt of your friendly epistle before. I have been harrassed to death and so afflicted with pain in my breast and stomach that I have scarce been able to sit up. I am getting the better of it I hope, for I trust I have no reason to fear death, yet pain is and ever will be a disagreeable companion to live with.
     Do you think you can be contented with your new abode and acquaintances? If I can leave my mother I shall endeavor to make you a visit this spring. Her disorder will not permit me to be long absent. When you are weary of your present retreat you must make an excursion hither, my house and half a bed, more I cannot offer because I have not more than one, though, if you insist upon it I think, upon due deliberation, I will return to my old method of lodging on the floor and resign the whole bedstead with the necessary furniture to you. I had thought of sending for you some days ago to bid you a final adieu for this world but my live seems to be reanimated. How long the dying lamp will continue its fainting beams I am not much concerned to know, but only am I anxious what remains of it shall be spent usefully. The seeds you wish I will send, but have not so many as I wish I could supply you with, some have been destroyed, some lost, some the rats have eat, for moving so often and the confusion which is the almost unavoidable consequence of it, has prevented me from taking that care of them I used to do. Of what I have you shall be a sharer.
     I had a visit yesterday from Mr. Evans. I wished for you to make one of the party. You may perceive by this no design to monopolize the man. He dined with me and sang for me but did not make a long visit, being under the necessity of returning to Peekskill to visit a condemned malefactor. I like him very well on better acquaintance. He has recovered his health and is in good spirits. I believe he would have been very glad to see you. I am more than half sorry you have sold your farm and if your family settles there shall, as soon as I can, quit this place and return to my friends at New York. But this place and return to my friends at New York. But this I can not do until the commotion in the land subsides, and that is an event which to human sagacity must appear remote. Were not my mother with me I could easily follow you, but unless necessity induces me to a removal I shall not do a thing to which she is so averse. I flatter myself sometimes that I shall yet execute my favorite plan of operations, that is to build at the hill near my sister at the Bowery and to have you spend the winters with me. I hope your father will be able to return to his congregation after a while, and then the distance between this and New York will not prevent you from making us a winter visit. And I can repay in summer. However we can not tell where Providence will cast our future lot. Yet we may, innocently enough I believe, please ourselves with such agreeable prospects, what ever in a world of vicissitudes may be our portion. May the bosom of God be our final abode and place of rest. Tell me how you employ yourself, whether in harmless plain work, or
By murmuring brooke
Observe the gliding streams or croaking rooks
Or with dull rural sports, dull scenes or duller books?
     I am ready to chide myself for this little sally of humor. The fire of vivacity is not quite extinguished in my soul, though almost suffocated under heaps of cares, sorrows and disorders. Should these be removed I imagine I should be, as once, the life of society. I sigh when I look back on the time when I sparkled in the gay circles of my acquaintance: frank, easy, lively, brilliant, and innocent as gay - the darling and delight of all my numerous associates who were ready to divide me in pieces to share me among them, each contending who should have me. How often it has raised my vanity to observe the preference and peculiar distinction now buried in the deep obscurity of the remotest solitude, unknowing and noknown of the Beau Monde.
     But why should I regret that homage since I have exchanged to such advantage. Why should my fond ungrateful heart complain. Yet 'tis as a certain author observes, like an Isaac trial, and one had need have Abraham's faith to have God instead of the world. Who would not? But alas sorrows, exersized with a variety of cares and anxieties, oppressed with the languor of sickness and almost expiring under temptations, constrained to labor though scarcely able to sit up, without one kind friend or relative to lift the homely latch of my cottage and assist in cheering and soothing such variety of wretchedness. I might add other calamities but is a dismal group of the most awful and gloomy images already drawn together. And who that should be told, this is your lot, could without shuddering hear the dreadful doom announced. Yet all this and more than this I have suffered, and in the midst of much suffering smiled - have forgot my own woes often while I have endeavored to alleviate those of others and cheered the drooping hearts of my fellow sufferers. I am sensible that infinite goodness ordains, directs and superintends all human events, and that all things are ordered in mercy. Some things I have undergone have not been properly through my own default but my want of fortitude has given energy to the evil of adverse circumstances and rendered them more afflicting. When I hope in God it appeases the fury of the storm, but when this delightful and supporting thought vanishes I sink, and who can wonder I do so under my burdens. I sometimes please myself with thinking that like Job it shall be better with me at the latter end than in the beginning. This injures no one, and should it be no more than an airy fancy it will not harm me as it buoies up my disponding soul and seems like a friendly gale to assist in wafting me over the waters of the troubled ocean of mortality. And when I reach the haven of Eternity I shall but smile to reflect that the prospect and flattering expectations of the sunshine of prosperity had cheered me when tossed on the boisterous surges of life. May you be preserved from such painful exegencies. Your own lot you think deplorable, yet at present it is not so. Secure in the bosom of parents who, if in their conduct there is a fault, it is in too great tenderness for you. And why should you anticipate misfortunes you may never live to experience and which you are apt to suppose would be consequent upon their death. Oh. Hannah, one needful care is to gain the favor of God and then leave the events of your life with him who will choose wisely and can but choose most kindly for you, tho' perhaps not as your own wild desires would be ready to demand.
     I have exceeded the intended bounds of this letter. Excuse me, if you are tired of reading let me know it and the next shall by its brevity compensate for the tediousness of this.
     I am dear Hannah affectionately yours.
April 23, 1777
Children of Rev Samuel and Hannah Hazard Sackett.
     146. Deborah Sackett, 1st, b. Jan. 15, 1733, d. Dec. 17, 1745.
     147. Joseph Sackett, b. Apr. 18, 1735, d. Dec. 1, 1757; Eliza Strang.
     148. Nathaniel Sackett, b. Apr. 10, 1737, d. July 28, 1805; m. Mary Rogers.
     149. Mercy Sackett, b. Mar. 3, 1739; d. Sept. 15, 1741.
     150. Samuel Sackett, 1st, b. June 18, 1741, d. in August 1741.
     151. Samuel Sackett, 2nd, b. May 24, 1743, d. Sept. 16, 1745.
     152. William Sackett, b. July 8, 1744, d. Sept. 16, 1745.
     153. Deborah Sackett, 2nd, b. Oct. 25, 1746, d. July 14, 1769; m. Benjamin Peck.
     154. Samuel Sackett, 3rd, b. July 10, 1749, d. Apr. 15, 1780, unmarried.
     155. Hannah Sackett, 1751–1830; m. Stephen De Lancey and Isaac Baldwin.
     156. Ebenezer Sackett, b. Oct 16, 1753, d. Oct. 21, 1761.
     157. James Sackett, b. Oct. 3, 1756, d. Aug. 28, 1791, unmarried.

 Notes & Citations

  1. Charles Weygant, The Sacketts of America, "32. Samuel Sackett, b. Mar. 2, 1712, d. June 5, 1784; m. Hannah Hazard."
  2. James Riker, The Annals of Newtown, in Queens County, New-York: containing Its History from its first Settlement (New York: D Fanshaw, 1852), "Samuel [Sackett] studied divinity, and was settled over the Presbyterian church at Bedford, Westchester co. in 1743, ministered there for ten years, and then removed to the congregation at Yorktown, in the same county, where he d. June 5, 1784. His grave is in the village of Crompond, the scene of his labors. He was a judicious, laborious, and successful minister of Christ. He m. Apr. 6, 1732, Hannah, dau. of Nath’l Hazard, and left sons Nathaniel and James, besides daughters."
  3. "New York City, Marriages, 1600s–1800s" (Ancestry transcript), "1732, Elmhurst, Queens County, Samuel Sackett & Hannah Hazard."
  4. "New York, Marriages, 1686–1980" (FamilySearch transcript), "6 Apr 1732, Presbyterian Church, Newtown, Queens, New York, Samuel Sackett & Hannah Hazard."
  5. Frederick Lewis Weis, The Colonial Clergy of the Middle Colonies: New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, 1628–1776, American Antiquarian Society, digital image, (http://www.americanantiquarian.org/proceedings/44539283.pdf).
Appears inSacketts in the Church
Sackett line3rd great-grandson of Thomas Sackett the elder of St Peter in Thanet
ChartsLine 3a (American)
Sackett Family Association descendants
Glenn Glaus, Joy Guyer and Pat Hemphill.
Generation.Tree32.4L.3
Last Edited3 Jan 2020
See also Thurmon King's New Sackett Family Database
7289 Rev Samuel Sackett
 

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