Seth Storrs facts for kids
Seth Storrs (born January 24, 1756 – died October 5, 1837) was an important leader in Vermont. He helped create Middlebury College and also served as the state's Auditor of Accounts, which means he checked the state's money.
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Who Was Seth Storrs?
Seth Storrs was born in Mansfield, Connecticut, in 1756. He went to Yale University and finished his studies in 1778. One of his teachers at Yale was Timothy Dwight IV, and they became very good friends for life.
Early Life and Education
After college, Storrs, Dwight, and other Yale graduates started a special school in Northampton, Massachusetts. This school helped students get ready for college. Seth Storrs taught there until 1783.
In 1784, Storrs moved to Bennington, Vermont. There, he studied law with another friend from Yale, Noah Smith.
A Career in Law and Public Service
Seth Storrs became a lawyer in 1787. He then moved to Addison and started his own law practice. He was also chosen to be the first State's Attorney for the county. This job meant he was the main lawyer for the government in that area. He held this position until 1797. In 1794, Storrs moved again, this time to Middlebury.
In Middlebury, Storrs was very active in the local Congregational church. He served in different roles, like deacon, clerk, and treasurer, from 1798 until he passed away.
Storrs also joined the local militia, which was like a citizen army. He became a colonel, which is a high rank.
He was also involved in local government. He worked as the town clerk for Addison for four years. Later, he was the town clerk for Middlebury from 1801 to 1831. The town clerk is in charge of keeping important town records.
In 1797, Storrs was elected as the State Auditor for Vermont. He served in this role until 1801. As the State Auditor, his job was to check all the state's financial records to make sure everything was correct.
Helping to Build Middlebury College
Also in 1797, Seth Storrs was part of the group that officially started the Addison County Grammar School in Middlebury. Then, in 1799, he was one of the key people who founded Middlebury College. When the college opened its doors in 1800, Storrs was named one of the members of its board of trustees. Trustees help guide and manage the college.
Seth Storrs was a very generous supporter of Middlebury College. He even donated the land where the first campus was built.
Later Life
Seth Storrs passed away on October 5, 1837. He was visiting friends in Vergennes at the time. He was buried in Middlebury's West Cemetery.
