'ON HASTINGS.

MADDEN.

an can be traced to times 1 descendant of the Gennish forces into England ndfather emigrated from in the seventeenth cenins Hastings, a man of red a mechanic, but his om his laborious pursuits re of usefulness. During d a company of soldiers onspicuous in the exciting was a firm friend and supter that noble patron of amed his son. His wife iss Brayton, of the pioneer e the first settlers of Jefes, New York.

was born in Jefferson 1814. In early youth, he Governeur Academy. At he principal of the Norwich New York. This position, aching, he resigned, having ystem of instruction in the -tem of mathematics, and

SERRANUS CLINTON HASTINGS.

BY THOMAS P. MADDEN.

THE

HE ancestry of this gentleman can be traced to times. far remote. He is a lineal descendant of the General of his name who led the Danish forces into England during the Heptarchy. His grandfather emigrated from England to Rhode Island early in the seventeenth century. His father, Robert Collins Hastings, a man of considerable intelligence, was bred a mechanic, but his ardent temper drew him away from his laborious pursuits to a wider field and higher sphere of usefulness. During the War of 1812, he commanded a company of soldiers at Sackett's Harbor. He was conspicuous in the exciting political events of his day, and was a firm friend and supporter of DeWitt Clinton. After that noble patron of virtue, learning and labor, he named his son. His wife (mother of S. Clinton) was a Miss Brayton, of the pioneer family of that name, who were the first settlers of Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, New York.

Serranus Clinton Hastings was born in Jefferson county, New York, Nov. 22d, 1814. In early youth, he passed six years in study at Governeur Academy. At the age of twenty, he became the principal of the Norwich Academy, Chenango county, New York. This position, after one year's successful teaching, he resigned, having introduced the Hamiltonian system of instruction in the languages, the Angletean system of mathematics, and other branches of education.