Was born in Norwalk, Ct., , , and was the son of Rufus and Nancy (Raymond) Seeley. He was not baptized in infancy. Of his conversion he says, it was ” a change from an irreligious and careless life, wrought — as I believe — by the Holy Spirit in quietness, but in power ; months having been passed by me in painful anxiety, caused by convictions of sin and uncertainty as to what I must do and what would become of me, — nothing of which was known to any human soul but my own, — till some week or two before I found Christ.” He united with the Congregational church in Ridgefield, Ct., under the pastoral care of Rev. Charles G. Selleck.
Mr. Seeley graduated at the University of New York, in 1839, and at Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1842. Licensed by the Third Presbytery, New York City, 1842. He received the degree of D. D. from New York University, 1864.
He was ordained in Bristol, Ct., July 5, 1843 ; dismissed Feb. 28, 1849. Installed in Springfield, Mass., March 1, 1849 ; dismissed from Springfield to assume charge of the American Chapel, Paris, France, Feb. 6, 1858. Returned from Paris, December, 1859. Installed in Haverhill, Mass., Aug. 8, 1860.
Mr. Seeley was married Oct. 7, 1843, to Catharine L. Cowles, daughter of Timothy and Catharine (Deming) Cowles, of Farmington, Ct. She died May 19, 1854.
Their children are, —
1. Jennette Deming, b. July 25, 1844.
2. Frances Hooker, b. Aug. 31, 1846.
3. Raymond Cowles, b. Sept. 13, 1851; d. March, 1853.
4. Robert Channing, b. May 19,1854.
He was married a second time Nov. 18, 1857, to Fanny Barton Stiles, daughter of Richard Wayne and Elizabeth (Cook) Stiles, of Morristown, N. J.
Their children are, —
5. Charles, b. Sept. 26, 1858; d. Jan., 1859.
6. Arthur Wayne, b. March 7, 1860; d. Sept . 2, 1860.
7. Elizabeth Worthington, b. July 24, 1861.
The publications of Mr. Seeley are, —
1. A Sermon in the National Preacher. Subject, ” Characteristics of Natural Religion as distinguished from True Piety.”
2. Election Sermon. 1857. Text, 2 Sam. 23: 3 and 4.
3. Sermon on Christian Unity. Text, John 17: 21. Preached at the Dedication of the American Chapel in Paris, France.
Page 215-216, “Contributions to the ecclesiastical history of Essex County, Mass” by Essex North Association, Congregational Board of Publication, Boston, 13 Cornhill, 1865.
[SGS #3975 – Raymond Hoyt (#3975); Rufus Hoyt (#1783); Joseph; Eliphalet; Eliphalet; Jonas; Obadiah]
