Buzzell, John

Buzzell, John a Baptist minister, was born in Barrington, N. H., Sept. 16,1766. His early youth was devoted to teaching. He was converted in the winter of 1790, and was ordained at Middleton, Oct. 25, 1792. Having identified himself with the Free-will Baptist denomination, he entered zealously into the work of establishing new churches, and strengthening those already formed in different sections of New England. He became pastor at Parsonsfield, Me., in the spring of 1798. He died March 29, 1863, at a very advanced -age. His services were in constant demand to promote the interests of his denomination. For several years he was president of their Foreign Missionary Society. He also, by correspondence, brought his denomination into fraternal relations with the General Baptists of England. He was a prime mover in the establishment of the Parsonsfield Seminary. He was noted as an author and a vigorous writer. In 1811 he commenced the publication of a religious magazine, and for several years made it most serviceable in promoting the interests of his denomination. In 1823 he - published the first denominational hymn-book, and was one of the association which established the Morning Star, of which paper he was for several years one of .the editors. See Barrett, Memoirs of Eminent Preachers. (J. C. S.)