Kendal, Samuel

Kendal, Samuel a Congregational minister, was born at Sherburne, Mass., July 11, 1753, of humble parentage. Young Kendal labored hard to secure for himself the advantages of a thorough education, with a view to entering the ministry. When about ready to go to college the Revolution broke out, and he entered the army. He finally went to Cambridge University when 25 years old, and graduated in 1782; studied theology under the shadow of the same institution, and settled over the Congregational Church at Weston, Mass., as an ordained pastor, Nov. 5, 1783. In 1806 Yale College conferred the degree of D.D. on Mr. Kendal. He died Feb. 15, 1814. He published many of his Sermons (from 1793-1813). Dr. Kendal "stood high among the clergy of his day, and was ... an acceptable preacher." Of his religious opinions, Dr. James Kendal says (in Sprague, Annals, 8:180), "he was classed with those who are denominated 'liberal' and was probably an Arian, though I think he was little disposed either to converse or to preach on controversial subjects."