Background
Eliphalet Adams was born on March 26, 1677 in Dedham, Massachussets, United States, where his father, Rev. William Adams, was pastor. His mother was Mary, daughter of William Manning of Cambridge, Massachussets.
Eliphalet Adams was born on March 26, 1677 in Dedham, Massachussets, United States, where his father, Rev. William Adams, was pastor. His mother was Mary, daughter of William Manning of Cambridge, Massachussets.
Adams was assisted by his friends in getting an education and in 1694 he graduated from Harvard College. Where he received his theological training is not known.
From 1701-1703 Adams was assistant to Reverend Benjamin Colman at Brattle Street Church, Boston. His reputation became such that when Rev. Gurdon Saltonstall was elected governor of Connecticut, he was chosen to succeed him as pastor at New London, and was ordained to take charge of the church there on February 9, 1708 (1709).
During it the Baptists founded their first society in New London; the Episcopalians formed a church out of his congregation; and the New Lights created much unrest; but with quietness, tact, and firmness he held to his course, stigmatized by the New Lights as "a dumb dog that would not bark. "
In addition to his pastoral duties, he took youths into his home and prepared them for the ministry.
He also continued his activities among the Indians, acting as a missionary to the Pequots, Mohegans, and Niantics.
From 1720 to 1738 he was a trustee of Yale College, and his influence upon the institution is said to have been great.
In 1724 the rectorship of Yale was offered him, and he was strongly urged to accept it. He laid the matter before a meeting of the town, April 16, 1724, and declared his willingness to abide by its decision. The townspeople voted that they could not let him go, and he declined the appointment.
He died in New London in his seventy-seventh year and was buried there.
Adams was a man of discretion, well-balanced mind, and great stability of character.
On December 15, 1709, Adams married Lydia, daughter of Alexander and Lydia Pygan of New London, by whom he had six children. She died September 6, 1749, and on September 21, 1751 he was married by Mather Byles in Boston to Elizabeth Wass.