Jesse Spencer

June 17, 1816 (age 82)

Hyde Park, New York, United States

At the end of this experience at the print shop, Spencer became assistant to his father, who had been appointed city surveyor. While in this position he decided to enter the Episcopal ministry. Ordained deacon June 28, 1840, by Bishop B. T. Onderdonk, he became rector of St. James's Church, Goshen, New York, and while there he was ordained to the priesthood, July 28, 1841, by Bishop Onderdonk. Resigning his rectorship in 1842 because of ill health, he made a tour of Europe, and on his return in 1843 supplied for several parishes, taught, wrote magazine articles, and did editorial work for publishers. In 1844 he published his first book, a volume of sermons, The Christian Instructed in the Ways of the Gospel and the Church. About this time he purchased the school of the Rev. C. D. Jackson, near Washington Square, New York, but for lack of capital gave it up within a few months. For several years, including this period, he edited Greek and Latin textbooks for D. Appleton & Company. In 1845 he founded a monthly magazine, The Young Churchman's Miscellany, which was suspended in 1848. In its pages appeared as a serial his History of the Reformation in England, published in book form in 1846. During these years he edited The Four Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, in Greek, with English Notes. Owing to another failure of his health, in 1848, he went abroad for two years. On his return, in 1850, he became professor of Latin and Oriental languages in Burlington College, Burlington, New Jersey, but resigned the following year and became editor and secretary of the General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, New York, serving in this capacity until the Union, in 1857, transferred its publishing business to E. P. Dutton & Company. During the year 1856-57 he supplied the pulpit at St. Thomas' Church, New York, and in the following year assisted in Trinity Chapel, at the same time tutoring private pupils and doing editorial work for Appletons' American Cyclopedia. In 1863 he became rector of St. Paul's Church, Flatbush, but resigned two years later, returning to New York City and resuming his work of teaching, editing, and supplying various pulpits. He was elected secretary of the Corporation for the Relief of Widows and Children of Clergymen in the State of New York and in 1869 was appointed professor of Greek in the College of the City of New York, a position he held for ten years, on his retirement being made professor emeritus. Difficult years followed, owing to his advanced age. In 1883 he was appointed custodian of the Standard Bible of the Church. He died in his eighty-third year.

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Works

book

The United States: Its Beginnings, Progress And Modern Development, Volume 7

(This work has been selected by scholars as being cultural...)

Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 of 3: Von den Frühesten Zeiten bis zur Administration von James Buchanan (Classic Reprint) (German Edition)

(Excerpt from Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 o...)

The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits

( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: F...)

History Of The United States: From The Earliest Period To The Administration Of President Johnson; Volume 4

( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

A Key to Arnold'S Practical Introduction to Greek Prose Composition

(This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)

Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886)

(Trieste Publishing has a massive catalogue of classic boo...)

History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: F...)

The East: Sketches of Travel in Egypt and the Holy Land

(This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)

A Key To Arnold's Practical Introduction To Greek Prose Composition (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition)

(Excerpt from A Key To Arnold's Practical Introduction To ...)

The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: A...)

History of the United States of America, Vol. 2: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of President Johnson (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from History of the United States of America, Vol...)

History of the United States. From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan. by J. A. Spencer. Illustrated With Steel Engravings, ... Chappel, and Other American Artists.Vol. 3

Jesse Ames Spencer Edit Profile

clergyman educator author

Background

Jesse was born on June 17, 1816 in Hyde Park, New York, United States. He was one of ten children. His father, Reuben, was a seafaring man of Connecticut stock; his mother, Mary (Ames), came from Sudbury, Massachussets.

When Jesse was seven years old the family moved to Poughkeepsie, New York, and three years later, to New York City.

Education

He received his education in New York City. During the year 1833-34 he attended Trinity School, then entered Columbia College, where he was graduated in 1837, having received several medals for proficiency in Greek and English, and in the fall entered the General Theological Seminary, graduating in 1840.

Career

At the end of this experience at the print shop, Spencer became assistant to his father, who had been appointed city surveyor. While in this position he decided to enter the Episcopal ministry.

Ordained deacon June 28, 1840, by Bishop B. T. Onderdonk, he became rector of St. James's Church, Goshen, New York, and while there he was ordained to the priesthood, July 28, 1841, by Bishop Onderdonk. Resigning his rectorship in 1842 because of ill health, he made a tour of Europe, and on his return in 1843 supplied for several parishes, taught, wrote magazine articles, and did editorial work for publishers.

In 1844 he published his first book, a volume of sermons, The Christian Instructed in the Ways of the Gospel and the Church. About this time he purchased the school of the Rev. C. D. Jackson, near Washington Square, New York, but for lack of capital gave it up within a few months. For several years, including this period, he edited Greek and Latin textbooks for D. Appleton & Company.

In 1845 he founded a monthly magazine, The Young Churchman's Miscellany, which was suspended in 1848. In its pages appeared as a serial his History of the Reformation in England, published in book form in 1846. During these years he edited The Four Gospels and Acts of the Apostles, in Greek, with English Notes.

Owing to another failure of his health, in 1848, he went abroad for two years. On his return, in 1850, he became professor of Latin and Oriental languages in Burlington College, Burlington, New Jersey, but resigned the following year and became editor and secretary of the General Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union, New York, serving in this capacity until the Union, in 1857, transferred its publishing business to E. P. Dutton & Company.

During the year 1856-57 he supplied the pulpit at St. Thomas' Church, New York, and in the following year assisted in Trinity Chapel, at the same time tutoring private pupils and doing editorial work for Appletons' American Cyclopedia. In 1863 he became rector of St. Paul's Church, Flatbush, but resigned two years later, returning to New York City and resuming his work of teaching, editing, and supplying various pulpits.

He was elected secretary of the Corporation for the Relief of Widows and Children of Clergymen in the State of New York and in 1869 was appointed professor of Greek in the College of the City of New York, a position he held for ten years, on his retirement being made professor emeritus. Difficult years followed, owing to his advanced age.

In 1883 he was appointed custodian of the Standard Bible of the Church.

He died in his eighty-third year.

Achievements

Jesse Ames Spencer was professor emeritus in the College of the City of New York for many years. He was also well-known as the author of his famous work History of the United States. In addition, he was the author of The East: Sketches of Travel in Egypt and the Holy Land (1850), The Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures (1865), The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions (1871) and others.

Works

The United States: Its Beginnings, Progress And Modern Development, Volume 7 The United States: Its Beginnings, Progress And Modern Development, Volume 7

$Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 of 3: Von den Fr\u00FChesten Zeiten bis zur Administration von James Buchanan (Classic Reprint) (German Edition) Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 of 3: Von den Fr\u00FChesten Zeiten bis zur Administration von James Buchanan (Classic Reprint) (German Edition)$ The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits

The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits

History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint) History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)

History Of The United States: From The Earliest Period To The Administration Of President Johnson; Volume 4 History Of The United States: From The Earliest Period To The Administration Of President Johnson; Volume 4

$A Key to Arnold\'S Practical Introduction to Greek Prose Composition A Key to Arnold\'S Practical Introduction to Greek Prose Composition$ Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886) Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886)

Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886) Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886)

The East: Sketches of Travel in Egypt and the Holy Land The East: Sketches of Travel in Egypt and the Holy Land

$A Key To Arnold\'s Practical Introduction To Greek Prose Composition (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition) A Key To Arnold\'s Practical Introduction To Greek Prose Composition (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition)$ The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint) The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint)

The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint) The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint)

History of the United States of America, Vol. 2: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of President Johnson (Classic Reprint) History of the United States of America, Vol. 2: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of President Johnson (Classic Reprint)

History of the United States. From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan. by J. A. Spencer. Illustrated With Steel Engravings, ... Chappel, and Other American Artists.Vol. 3 History of the United States. From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan. by J. A. Spencer. Illustrated With Steel Engravings, ... Chappel, and Other American Artists.Vol. 3

book
- The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: A...)
- A Key To Arnold's Practical Introduction To Greek Prose Composition (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition)
  (Excerpt from A Key To Arnold's Practical Introduction To ...)
- The East: Sketches of Travel in Egypt and the Holy Land
  (This book was originally published prior to 1923, and rep...)
- The United States: Its Beginnings, Progress And Modern Development, Volume 7
  (This work has been selected by scholars as being cultural...)
- The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits
  ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
- History Of The United States: From The Earliest Period To The Administration Of President Johnson; Volume 4
  ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
- Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886)
  (Trieste Publishing has a massive catalogue of classic boo...)
- History of the United States of America, Vol. 2: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of President Johnson (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from History of the United States of America, Vol...)
- A Key to Arnold'S Practical Introduction to Greek Prose Composition
  (This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. T...)
- Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 of 3: Von den Frühesten Zeiten bis zur Administration von James Buchanan (Classic Reprint) (German Edition)
  (Excerpt from Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 o...)
- History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: F...)
- History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: F...)
- History of the United States. From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan. by J. A. Spencer. Illustrated With Steel Engravings, ... Chappel, and Other American Artists.Vol. 3

Religion

His evangelical position is emphasized in all his theological writings.

Views

Spencer believed that American historians had an obligation to take an activist approach toward the past. Spencer felt a duty to remind readers of the responsibilities that went along with living out their destinies as Americans in the 1850s. Providence, he believed, had charted a special course for Americans, but to outline the path of America's destiny was not to secure it. Americans could not simply sit by passively while forces controlled their fates; they must act on the strength of their moral convictions lest Providence be deflected from its rightful path. Hence, historians must do more than preserve memories of the past; they must use the past to motivate citizens to action in the present and the future.

Connections

On September 4 of that year he married Sarah J. E. Loutrel.

Father:: Reuben Spencer
Mother:: Mary (Ames) Spencer
Spouse:: Sarah J. E. Loutrel

References

Memorabilia Of Sixty-Five Years, 1820-1886 (1890)

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Jesse Spencer

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book

The United States: Its Beginnings, Progress And Modern Development, Volume 7

Geschichte der Vereinigten Staaten, Vol. 2 of 3: Von den Frühesten Zeiten bis zur Administration von James Buchanan (Classic Reprint) (German Edition)

The Women of Early Christianity: A Series of Portraits

History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)

History Of The United States: From The Earliest Period To The Administration Of President Johnson; Volume 4

A Key to Arnold'S Practical Introduction to Greek Prose Composition

Memorabilia of sixty-five years (1820-1886)

History of the United States, Vol. 3 of 3: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan (Classic Reprint)

The East: Sketches of Travel in Egypt and the Holy Land

A Key To Arnold's Practical Introduction To Greek Prose Composition (Classic Reprint) (Latin Edition)

The Young Ruler Who Had Great Possessions: And Other Discourses, Chiefly Practical; Preached in a Suburban Parish (Classic Reprint)

History of the United States of America, Vol. 2: From the Earliest Period to the Administration of President Johnson (Classic Reprint)

History of the United States. From the Earliest Period to the Administration of James Buchanan. by J. A. Spencer. Illustrated With Steel Engravings, ... Chappel, and Other American Artists.Vol. 3

Jesse Ames Spencer Edit Profile

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