William Arthur (clergyman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Arthur
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| Born | December 5, 1796 |
| Died | October 27, 1875 (aged 78) |
| Occupation | Author, minister, abolitionist |
| Children | 8, including Chester A. and Mary |
William Arthur was an important person born in Ireland. He became a minister in the Baptist church in America. He was also an abolitionist, which means he worked to end slavery. You might know his son, Chester A. Arthur, who became the 21st President of the United States. William Arthur lived from December 5, 1796, to October 27, 1875.
Contents
William Arthur's Early Life and Family
William Arthur was born on December 5, 1796. His birthplace was Ballymena Borough in County Antrim, Ireland. His parents were Alan Arthur and Eliza MacHerg. His father, Alan, later inspired the middle name of William's famous grandson.
Arthur Cottage: A Family Home?
Many people believe William Arthur grew up at Arthur Cottage. This old house is located in Cullybackey, Ireland. In 1963, the government of Northern Ireland bought the cottage. They wanted to give it to the National Trust. However, the Trust did not accept it. They said there was no clear proof that William Arthur lived there.
Later, the cottage became a museum. It was looked after by the local council. By 2023, the council's website stated that Arthur Cottage was indeed the family home. It was the "ancestral home" of his son, President Chester Alan Arthur.
Life in America and His Work
William Arthur moved to the United States. He first studied law for a short time. Then, he decided to become a Baptist minister.
Becoming a Minister and Author
William Arthur preached in Vermont and New York. From 1855 to 1863, he was a pastor. He led the Calvary Baptist church in Albany. After that, he moved to Schenectady.
In Schenectady, he started a magazine. It was called The Antiquarian and General Review. He wrote many interesting articles for it. He also published a book in 1857. It was an Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. People liked this dictionary very much.
Later Years and Legacy
For the last ten years of his life, William Arthur was retired. He still preached sometimes. He spent a lot of time reading and writing. He was known for being very good at history. He also knew a lot about classic languages.
William Arthur passed away on October 27, 1875. He died in Newtonville. His son, Chester A. Arthur, later became the 21st President of the United States.
