Tyler, William

Tyler, William a Congregational minister, was born at Attleborough, Mass., Jan. 7, 1780, and was educated at Brown University in the class of 1800. For some time after leaving college he was engaged in secular pursuits. Having decided to study theology, he placed himself under the tuition of Rev. Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, Mass., and was licensed to preach in 1818. He was ordained in 1819 as junior pastor of the Congregational Church in South Weymouth, Mass., soon-becoming sole pastor. He remained thirteen years in this place (1819-32). He removed to South Hadley Falls, Mass., in 1832, and was pastor of the Church in that place seven years (1832-39). For several years he performed missionary service, under the direction of the Home Mission Society, in the interior of Massachusetts, having his residence at Amherst. He removed to Northampton, Mass., in 1847, and became the editor of the Courier, published in that place. For several years he resided in Pawtucket, R. I., and represented that town in the convention which met in 1853 to revise the State Constitution. He removed to Auburndale, Mass., in 1863, where he spent the remainder of his life, and where he died Sept. 27,1875. "He was well instructed," says Prof. Gammell, "in theology, and was particularly interested in local history and antiquities, and on these subjects he was a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers." (J.C.S.)