Timothy Woodbridge
| Timothy Woodbridge | |
|---|---|
| Born |
27 February 1709 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | 10 May 1774 (aged 65) , Massachusetts |
| Occupation | Missionary, Judge, Legislator, Superintendent of Indian Affairs |
| Spouse(s) | Abigail Day |
| Signature | |
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Timothy Woodbridge (Feb 27, 1709 - May 10, 1774) was an American missionary, deacon and schoolteacher, later a judge, representative, and Superintendent of Indian Affairs, from Springfield, Massachusetts, who spent most of his adult life in , teaching the Mahicans and other Native Americans to read and write, English customs and the Christian religion. About him, Jonathan Edwards said, "By his long-proved justice and integrity, he has gained a vast esteem with the Indians".Reverend John Sergeant described his efforts in this way: "Mr. Woodbridge ... has a very numerous school and a tedious task of it; lives a very lonesome life; is indeed indefatigable in his business; and no body deserves more of the publick than he."Gideon Hawley called him "a man of abilities... always poor, and had a powerful party against him; but he rose to be the first man in the county." Timothy worked very closely with all three men. He was instrumental in the purchase of large tracts of land in western New England from the Native Americans, such as modern-day Lenox and Alford, Massachusetts, by parlaying this reputation and experience.
Timothy Woodbridge was born on February 27, 1709 to Reverend John Woodbridge VIII and Jemima Eliot. His father, the first minister of West Springfield, Massachusetts, was the eighth generation of ministers by the name John Woodbridge, including John Woodbridge V and John Woodbridge VI, and his brother was the ninth. His mother was the granddaughter of John Eliot, the "Apostle to the Indians". His brother Benjamin was also a minister, and the town of Woodbridge, Connecticut is named in his honor. Timothy's father died young, when a tree fell on him in 1718. John left Timothy one fifth of his land in the town of Wethersfield, Connecticut in his will.
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