Oxford Times, Oxford, NY, April 7, 1875
Henry R. Mygatt
Henry R. Mygatt died at his residence, in this village [Oxford, Chenango Co. NY], on the 31st ult. at six o'clock in the morning.
About two years since, Mr. Mygatt returned from New York in an enfeebled condition, and suffering from an injury received in a fall in attempting to alight from an omnibus. He afterwards recovered in a measure from the shock, not without hope of his restoration to a good degree of his wonted health and strength. But subsequent developments proved this hope delusive, and it became apparent that a nervous prostration was upon him, to which the vital powers must ere long succumb. No immediate change was, however, apprehended, until the 27th ult., when his symptoms became alarming, and he steadily and rapidly sank until death ensued.
Henry R. Mygatt was born in this village [Oxford, NY], on the 10th of April, 1810. His father, Henry Mygatt, came here from New Milford, Connecticut, and was well known as a prominent merchant in this village, in the years that followed its settlement. His mother, Sarah S. Washburn, died while he was quite young.
My Mygatt was prepared for college at Oxford Academy, then in charge of Mr. Prentice, afterwards David Prentice, L.L.D., now deceased. The roll of students at that time included many names which have since become prominent in the various walks of life, including Horatio Seymour, Ward Hunt, John W. Allen, Henry W. Rogers, Joseph G. Maston and John Clapp. He entered Hamilton College in 1826, where he remained about two years, when he went to Union College and graduated in 1830 in a class including among others, Henry S. Randall, the late Benjamin F. Rexford, George D. Beers, Robert C. Livingston and George Yost.
Soon after leaving college, Mr. Mygatt commenced the study of the law in this village, in the office of the late James Clapp, where a high sense of professional honor, thorough scholarship, exhaustive research, exact knowledge and strict integrity, were inculcated by precept and example as the only basis of assured success and merited honor, in the practice of the law. Mr. Mygatt was admitted as an attorney and counsellor in the Supreme Court at Albany in 1833, and soon commenced the practice of the law in this village, where he remained until his death.
A lawyer, a life-long friend, who was his client as well, justly and briefly writes of him: "His success was due to honest hard work, to an energy of purpose which never yielded except to the mandate of a court of last resort, combined with integrity never tainted with suspicion." And this it is which makes his example the more valuable, in times when the temptation to tread forbidden paths in search of riches and honors, leads too many to their ruin. His pathway to success is plainly marked, the rewards and the honors which he reached were justly and honestly won, they admit of no doubtful interpretation, no secret explanation. The possibility, nor only so, the certainty of attaining excellence in an honorable profession, is open to all upon the same conditions. Whatever the result of the litigation might be, his client never doubted that he had had the best services of which he was capable, and his antagonist whether in defeat or victory retired from the contest with a high sense of his courtesy, his fairness, and his honor. In ready perception of analogies and exact knowledge of adjudicated cases bearing upon a particular point, or establishing a given principle, Mr. Mygatt was almost without a rival.
He was a faithful and trusted friend and advisor in important matters which never reached a trial in the Court, and his services in this capacity often rendered without charge, are only partially known to those who knew him best. But nothing was more marked or entered more largely into the elements of his success than his persistency in his convictions in some instances even against the opinions of professional brethren, for whom he entertained the highest respect.
One example is now recalled, where in a suit in equity he obtained a decree declaring a will, which was a cloud upon this, void for incapacity of the testator, after it had been proved and of record for more than a quarter of a century.
But to those who were with him most and knew him best, the chief wonder was not that he accomplished so much, but that the slight form and frail organism could sustain the constant and unremitting pressure to which they were subjected.
Mr. Mygatt furnished a worthy instance of the attainment of a very high standing in his profession and a name and character widely known and honored, without any of the accidents of official position. Although he had no desire for political life, there were times when friends who knew his eminent qualifications, urged him to accept judicial positions, and a seat upon the bench of our highest Court could have been had for the asking.
My. Mygatt received from Hobart College, several years since, the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws, a designation well and worthily bestowed, and he was also one of the corporators named in the act of Congress, creating the Centennial Board of Finance, for the approaching international celebration of the hundredth anniversary of American Independence, an enterprise which warmly enlisted the ardor of his patriotic heart. But any sketch of the career of Mr. Mygatt which included only his professional life, would do injustice to his memory, and leave untold what most of those who knew him best, admire and cherish.
Great as was his professional toils and successes covering a term of more than a quarter of a century, and a practice in all the Courts of this State, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States, in which his name and services have passed into the annals of our jurisprudence, his benefactions and tender charities will survive his professional fame and keep his memory fresh and green in hearts that will not willingly let it perish. He counted time not so much by number, as relations, and his toils -?- penetrated with the truth: "Life's more than breath and the quick round of blood. / It is a great spirit and a busy heart."
It is now forty years since he was first elected a trustee of the Oxford Academy, and during all these years he has strengthened it with his counsel, his labors and with repeated and munificent gifts, placing during a portion of the time at the disposal [funds] for worthy and needy [students]. More than one student struggling with poverty, received from him [the funds] for completing his course of study, and that too, with no other security than the pledge of his fidelity and his honor.
To St. Paul's Church in whose communion he died, he was a bountiful benefactor. Indeed, his heart and hand were always open to whatever concerned the welfare of this community, and his name will always be associated with whatever advancement in all that concerns its best interests, our village has attained.
An yet, great as were his benefactions in our midst, they were not bounded by the limits of his own town. Educational and religious establishments, in other parts of the State, and in remote districts beyond, felt the sustaining power of his munificence. The Missionary of the Cross, battling in distant regions with vice, irreligion and crime took fresh courage for the conflict, when he realized that such as he were in the rear watching and sustaining him.
And then supplementing all those larger benefactions, along the pathway of his everyday life he scattered bright deeds and thoughtful charities. "That best portion of a good man's life / His little, nameless, unremembered acts / Of kindness and of love."
Mr. Mygatt was attached to the faith and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a lifelong attendant upon its services, but he took a kindly interest in all that concerned the progress of true Christianity under whatever name, and his principles and practice were free alike from irreligion and intolerance.
To such an one so active, so self-poised, so energetic, so enthusiastic, so wedded to his life work that it had become a part of himself, the summons to the rest and inaction and enforced dependence of sickness and decay must come at first with an almost crushing reality. And so, we well know, it was to our dear, departed friend. But as months passed there came a change, and the enforced repose of the sickroom seemed a blessing in disguise, the prelude to a long, bright day in that Heavenly country where there will be no weakness and no weariness. He received from his Bishop in confirmation the Apostolic benediction. Kind, tender messages dropped upon him from friends whom he early knew and cherished, and hearts that warmed with the recollection of his tender offices of charity, breathed prayers that he might yet be spared.
A Missionary Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church, whom he had strengthened in his work, wrote him from across the Continent, "you have been too kind, and loving, and steadfast and unselfishly helpful a friend to me, for me to forget you. My heart has higher aims for that I have known you. My hopes are to know you better and to be with you more in the great hereafter."
And then after a few days of weakness and waiting, dawned that bright morning of the early spring, resting upon us here only with the shadow of great a sorrow, but the bird song and the sunlight no longer called him to labor and weariness as was their wont. They were to him rather, the prophecy of the brighter sunlight and the endless song of that better country, where the weary are at rest.
Meeting of the Academy Trustees
At an informal meeting of the Board of Trustees of Oxford Academy, held on Wednesday evening, March 31st, 1875, it being announced that Henry R. Mygatt, L.L.D., died at his residence in this village, this morning, at six o'clock, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted, and ordered entered upon the Journal:
To Mr. Mygatt this institution is largely indebted for the past forty years, for its prosperity and usefulness. Elected a Trustee on the 24th of March 1835, he soon took a leading part in its management, and during the intervening time, although almost overwhelmed with the cares and duties of his profession, he never gave up his interest in its prosperity. He gave to it of his money largely, freely in almost princely benefactions. He gave to it of his time, his energies, his labor, his wise counsels and his widespread and valuable influence.
For eight years the Secretary of the Board of Trustees; for a series of years its Vice President and President, as in all other matters, he was faithful and diligent, ever present when his duty called. In his relations to Oxford Academy, he fulfilled the injunction, "Be thou faithful unto death."
No mere words can adequately express the debt of gratitude, of love, of veneration Oxford Academy owes to Henry B Mygatt. His place in our midst cannot be filled. His wise counsels cannot be supplemented. His great yet unostentatious liberality we fear will never by equaled.
We place this tribute to his worth upon our records, conscious that nothing we can say will add to his status or to the veneration and affections with which he must ever be regarded.
Wherefore Resolved: that this Board, with the Teachers and Students of the Academy, attend his funeral in a body, and that the Secretary be directed to invite all ex-Trustees and former teachers, who are in this vicinity, to unite with them in paying this last tribute to his memory.
Resolved, That a copy of these proceedings be furnished to the family of the deceased, and the local papers for publication. J.R. VanWagenen, Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
The Funeral Services
The funeral of the late Henry R. Mygatt was held at St. Paul's Church on Monday afternoon, 5th inst. As a mark of respect due from the village, business was generally suspended, and the stores closed during the sorrowful ceremonies. The Church was crowded to its utmost capacity, representatives from nearly all adjoining towns were present, which included many distinguished citizens.
The Rector of St. Paul's, Dr. Ayrault, met the procession from the residence of the late deceased at the Church door and led the way to the Chancel, repeating the impressive sentences of the Episcopal burial service. The anthem was chanted by the choir, the usual lesson of the burial service the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians, was read by Rev'd Dr. Coxe, of Trinity Church, Utica. A hymn was sung, and Dr. Ayrault, after stating that any eulogistic remarks were omitted at the request of the deceased, read a few passages from the scriptures and said the closing prayers.
The Chancel was decorated with flowers and a most exquisite cross of flowers, sent by John H. Sherwood, of New York, with the word "Rest" beautifully wrought in flowers on its pedestal, stood at the head of the burial casket.
The remains were followed to the grave by five hundred people, being the largest funeral cortege that our village has ever witnessed. The present and former Trustees of Oxford Academy and the students and teachers, the Vestry of St. Paul's and a large number of the members of the Bar of this and adjoining counties were in attendance.
Every door along the line of march to the Cemetery was hung with crape.
At the Cemetery the remains were interred in the family lot, the commitment services were said by Dr. Ayrault, and the ceremonies closed with a hymn sung by the Academy scholars.
His wife, a daughter of the late Lieut. Governor Tracy and three children survived him.
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