Batchelder, William

Batchelder, William born at Boston, March 25, 1768, was a Baptist minister of considerable note. His parents dying when he was but 13, he began a roving life, in the course of which he had many remarkable adventures; among others was the being elected captain, or master of a ship which had lost its officers, before he was 16. Becoming connected with the Baptist Church, after some years spent in preaching, he was, in 1796, ordained pastor of a church at Berwick, which place he chose, it is said, "as the least attractive, where the greatest good could be done." In 1805 Mr. Batchelder removed to Haverhill, where he labored till his death, April 8, 1818, which was caused by over-exertion in raising funds for Waterville College. Mr. Batchelder was a man of fine presence and of great popularity. — Sprague, Annals, 6:319.