5. TuEonoRis (or Dirck), D.D., a younger half- brother of Thomas, Sr., was born at Hackensack, N. J., Jan. 12 ((). S.), 1744. His elementary education was received from his elder brother Thomas and the Rev. J. M. Goetschius, pastor of the united churches of Hack- ensack and Schralenburg. He entered the junior class in Princeton College while tlie Rev. Dr. Finley was president, and graduated in 1765 in the same class with the yoimgcr Jonathan lulwards, who was his bos- om friend; and Dr. Sprague states that it was partly through his influence that Dr. Edwards was, many years after, chosen president of L'nion College. Con- verted at the age of sixteen, he immediately gave him- self up to the ministry of the Gospel, studied theology with the Rev. J. M. Goetschius, and was licensed in 17G6, after a two days' examination, by the American Classis, or Coetus, of the Dutch Church. His first set- tlement was at IMarblctown," Rochester, and Wawarsing, Ulster Co., N. Y., from 1766 to 1775- He then removed to Hackensack, his native place, and Schralenburg, where he ministered until 1784, when he went to Sche- nectady, his last settlement (1784 to 1804). During this period he declined numerous urgent calls from more prominent cluirches. He was twice elected president of Queen's College (now Rutgers), N. J., but decliiuil both invitations. His zeal for education led him to es- tablish the Schenectady Academy, out of which grew Union College. He was the father of this institution, and its presidencj' was first offered to him, but declined for reasons satisfactory to himself. The General Synod of his Church appointed him lector in theologj', an of- fice which he held from 1792 to 1797, when he was elected professor of theology, and so remained until his decease. Dr. Romeyn ^vas gifted with a powerful in-
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tellect, mature and comprehensive judgment, great ex- ecutive ability, a remarkably retentive memory, a strong will, and those marked ([ualities which made him " a leader and commander in Israel." He was foremost, with Dr. Livingston and others, in the movements which secured the independence of the Dutch Church from the control of the Church in Holland. His bold patriotism during the Kevolutionary war made him a conspicuous mark for Tory and British persecutions and revenges. The British troops sacked his dwelling, and destroyed or carried off all his furniture, clothing, books, and papers. He was obliged to remove his famih' for safety, but made frequent visits to his congregations, which were always attended by danger; and at one time his life nearly paid the forfeit from armed loyalists. Among the prisoners who were carried off from Hack- ensack when it was attacked by the British was his own brother, who was held captive three months. He also saved a number of men by hiding them in his ovvn house behind a chimney. During all this period he was in intimate relations with some of the most distin- guished officers of the army. " He was the counsellor of senators, the adviser and compeer of the warriors of the Revolution, and an efiicient co-worker with the patriot." His pulpit oratory was powerful and popular. He was learned and yet practical ; " a son of thunder," and " a son of consolation" also. His discourses were rich in solid matter, enlivened with historical anecdote and il- lustration. He went deeply into his subject, and his appeals to conscience and the feelings were at times overwhelming. His manner was natural, easy, and commanding. " His most expressive organ was his eye, and when he was excited no one could withstand its power." As a theological professor he gave full satis- faction to his students and to the Church which hon- ored him. He was stately, reserved, affable, but not familiar. Governor De Witt Clinton describes him as having "something in his manner peculiarl}' dignified and benevolent, calculated to create veneration as well as affection, and it created an impression upon my mind that can never be erased." Another of his friends, and a student in theologj' (Dr. Jacob Brodhead), says that " in his extenial form, his manly, noble stature, his ma- jestic though sometimes stern countenance, he resem- bled the illustrious Washington." Another says, " He was unquestionablj' the first man in our Church, among the first in the whole American Church. His piety was deep, practical, and experimental. He realized more than others his own errors and weaknesses, and trusted like a little child in the Saviour whom he preached and loved." He died April 16, 1804, having been in the ministry thirty-eight years. His wife was Elizabeth Brodhead, of Ulster Co., N. Y., by whom he had two children, a daughter and a son. The daughter became the wife of Caleb Beck, of Albany, and mother of three very eminent physicians — Drs. Theodoric Ro- meyn, Lewis C, and John B. Beck. The son was the Rev. John B. Romeyn, D.D., whose memorial is given above.
6. Thomas. St:, son of Nicholas Romeyn, was born at Pompton, N. J., March 20 (O. 8.), 1729." His father being a farmer, lie was brougiit up in the same calling until April, 1747, when he began to study for the Gospel ministry. He was a student in Princeton College under the presidency of the Kev. Aaron Burr, D.D., and pur- sued his studies with the Rev. Theodorus Frelinghuysen, pastor of the Dutch Church in All)any, N. Y. Having completed this course, and received a call from the Dutch Church in Jamaica, L. 1., he sailed for Europe April 11, 17.53, and was examined, licensed, ordained, and installed by the Classis of Amsterdam as pastor of the Church in Jamaica, to which he returned Aug. 27, 1754. His first wife was Margaret, daughter of the Rev. Theodorus Jacobus Frelinghuysen, by whom he had one son, the liev. Th(H)dorus Krelingliuysen Homeyn. .She died at Jamaica in 17.57. In 17tiO, on account of diflSculties in his congregation, he accepted a call to the