James Pierpont (minister)


James Pierpont or Pierrepont was a Congregationalist minister who is credited with the founding of Yale University in the United States.

Early life

Pierpont was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts on January 4, 1659. He was one of five children born to John Pierpont and his wife, Thankful Pierpont, daughter of John Stow. His father, who was born in London in 1619, served as a Roxbury town officer and a deputy to the general court before his death in 1682.
He attended The Roxbury Latin School and Harvard University.

Career

Pierpont became an ordained Congregationalist minister on July 2, 1685. In 1701, he secured the charter for The Collegiate School of Connecticut, which soon thereafter took the surname of its benefactor Elihu Yale. He served as a founding trustee of Yale from October 16, 1701 until his death in 1714.

Personal life

Pierpont was married three times and lived in New Haven at what was known as the Pierpont Mansion. His first marriage was on October 27, 1691 to Abigail Davenport, the daughter of John Davenport and Abigail Davenport. Abigail died on February 3, 1692 from a cold she caught shortly after their marriage. His second wife was Sarah Haynes, whom he married on May 30, 1694. Sarah was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Haynes and Sarah Haynes, and the granddaughter of Governor John Haynes. She died on October 27, 1696 after giving birth to their only child:
In 1698, James Pierpont married for the third time to Mary Hooker of Farmington. Mary was a daughter of Rev. Samuel Hooker and granddaughter of Rev. Thomas Hooker, chief founder of the Colony of Connecticut.
He died on November 22, 1714 in New Haven, Connecticut, where he was buried. His widow died on November 1, 1740.

Descendants

Pierpont's descendants also include U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr, financier John Pierpont Morgan, Edwards Pierrepont, and songwriter James Lord Pierpont, best known for "Jingle Bells".