James Morris Whiton papers, circa 1819 -- 1929

Collection context

Creator:
Whiton, James Morris, 1833-1920
Abstract:
James Morris Whiton (1833-1920) was a Congregational minister, teacher, and author, recognized as a writer on theological and ethical themes, and a preacher of the social gospel. The collection contains writings, correspondence, journals, material on the New York State Conference of Religion, photographs, and scrapbooks.
Extent:
10.5 linear feet (10.5 linear feet; 22 boxes)
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains writings, correspondence, journals, material on the New York State Conference of Religion, photographs, and scrapbooks.

Biographical / historical:

James Morris Whiton, Jr. was born April 11, 1833 in Boston, Massachusetts to James Morris Whiton (1809-1857) and Mary Elizabeth (Knowlton) Whiton (1809-1906). At the age of 11 he began at Boston Latin School. In 1849, James Whiton entered Yale College; his first connection with the press came during his sophomore year when he began to write book notices for a periodical. He graduated from Yale in 1853 and soon after accepted a teaching position at a high school in Worcester, Massachusetts. His interest in the ministry continued to grow, having joined the church after his younger sister's death in 1847. He later accepted the position of Rector at Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, Connecticut. James married Mary Bartlett, the sister of a close friend, on May 1, 1855. In 1859, Whiton was licensed to preach by the New Haven West Association. He wrote a Latin Primer and Greek Primer while pursuing his PhD from Yale from which he graduated in 1861. This was the first year that a PhD degree was awarded at Yale, with James being one of three individuals earning the degree. It is said that his thesis was comprised of six pages all in Latin. In May 1865, Whiton was ordained and installed as minster of the First Congregational Church in Lynn, Massachusetts, having studied theology at Andover Seminary for a year. He became principal of the Williston Seminary in Easthampton, Massachusetts in 1876, but resigned two years later because of "theological animosities excited by his book, 'Is Eternal Punishment Endless?'" From 1879-1885 he was pastor of the First Congregational Church in Newark, New Jersey, followed in 1886 by Trinity Congregational Church in New York City. Due to poor health, he retired from pastoral work in 1891 and dedicated himself to teaching, writing, and occasional preaching. Over the next twenty years, Whiton would travel extensively as a guest preacher both on the northeast and into England. He was a member of the staff of Outlook, a large publishing house, and contributing editor for the Homiletic Review. Whiton is recognized as a writer on theological and ethical themes, and a preacher of the social gospel. He authored countless newspaper and magazine articles, and ten books. James Morris Whiton Jr. died in New York City on January 25, 1920 (1919 in some reports) and is buried at the Grove Street Seminary in New Haven, Connecticut.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

All boxes in this collection are located offsite. Please note that requests for use of boxes held in offsite storage must be made three business days in advance.

Terms of access:

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Preferred citation:

Item description, UTS1: James Morris Whiton papers, series #, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
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