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David Sanford
- born Dec, 11, 1737
- 3rd son of Elihu and Rachel (Strong) Sanford
- native of New Milford, Connecticut
- graduated Yale College 1755
- studied for the ministry with Rev. Dr. Bellamy but completed his work with his brother-in- law Rev. Dr. Samuel Hopkins
- pastor 1772 - 1810
- ordained April 14,1773. Dr. West of Stockbridge preached the ordination
sermon.
- studied for the ministry with Rev. Dr. Bellamy but completed his work with his brother-in- law Rev. Dr. Hopkins
- 1807 - stricken with paralysis
- died April 7, 1810 at 73 years of age
- A monument on the church lawn was dedicated as a memorial to Rev. David Sanford on dedicated Oct. 3, 1860. Jacob Ide gave the address.
Other Activities:
January 23,1776 - was commissioned to serve as chaplain of Col. Samuel Robinson's regiment by command of the American Congress at Watertown..
1779 - was appointed as a delegate to form the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Served 22 years on the Medway School Committee.
There was much dissension within the congregation during his tenure but in 1784 religious interest was sparked and nearly 100 persons were brought to Christ. He was known as a good public speaker who usually spoke without notes. He was able to evoke from his listeners any emotion he wished with his clear melodious voice. His piercing eyes and majestic appearance were commanding of his audience.
Mr. Sanford became disillusioned while studying for the ministry with Dr. Bellamy and turned his back on Christianity. He took up residence in the vicinity of his wife's sister, who was married to the Rev. Hopkins, D.D. He took much pleasure in tormenting and badgering his brother in law concerning his Christian beliefs. One particularly difficult evening, during which he even questioned the paternity of the sisters, Dr. Hopkins lost control and stormed out of the house in anger. Mr. Sanford rejoiced and took great joy in knowing that he had finally broken his brother in law. However, during the early morning hours, a knock was heard at the door. Dr. Hopkins had returned to ask forgiveness for his poor behavior. Mr. Sanford, realizing that only God, acting through a true Christian believer, could have brought this man to apologize. This one act caused Mr. Sanford to fall on his knees and beg forgiveness of God for his transgressions. Following this conversion he recommenced his studies for the ministry under the direction of Dr. Hopkins.
10 children:
- David : b. January 6, 1760 - was a private in the Continental Army
- Philo : b. September 7, 1761 - married Lydia Whiting of Medway
- Clarissa: b. November 20, 1763 - married Rev. John Morse
- Elihu : b. January 28, 1766 - married Hannah Metcalf of Franklin, then Betsey Fisher of Belchertown. d. in Oxford
- Ichabod : b. October 18, 1768
- Bathsheba: b. February 14, 1770 - married Rev. Ethan Smith of Haverhill, NH died Pompey Hills, NY, April 5, 1835
- Stephen : b. March, 1773
- Moses: b. November 7, 1775 - lawyer
- Electra: b. March 13, 1778
- Samuel: b. January 29, 1780 - physician; married Betsey Wight of Medway
Image source: Jameson, Rev. E. O. History of Medway. c1886.