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WILLIAM JAMES TILLEY
Originally published in 1900 |
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WILLIAM JAMES TILLEY, pastor of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
in Harrison, Hudson County, was born in Bristol, R. I., on the 16th of September, 1815. He is the son of Benjamin Tilley and Susan W. Easterbrooks,
a grandson of Benjamin Tilley and Rachel Simmons, a great-grandson of
William Tilley and Catherine Sabine, and a great-great-grandson of William Tilley, Jr., and Dorcas, his wife. William Tilley, Jr., was born in
Exeter, England, about 1685. He came to Boston, Mass., where lie mar-
ried his wife, Dorcas, in 1736, and subsequently went to Newport, R. I., and
established himself in business. From that early colonial period until the
present the family has been conspicuous in civil and public affairs, and
respected in the communities in which they resided. The name Tilley is
first found on the roll of the companions of William the Conqueror in
England, in 1066, and since that date it is found in every county in England, France, and Holland, and in 1620 in America. The coat-of-arms of
the Tilleys of France is the same as of the family of England to-day. The
first of the name in America were Edward and John Tilley, who came over
in the " Mayflower," and whose names are on the Plymouth monument.
Mr. Tilley is a brother of Benjamin F. Tilley, Commander in the United States Navy, who was in command of the United States gunboat, "Newport," of the blockading squadron during the late Spanish-American War, and who in that capacity captured numerous prizes and distinguished himself for bravery, patriotism, and loyalty to duty. Rev. William James Tilley was educated in the schools of his native town and at North Yarmouth Academy, near Portland, Me. He also took a special course of classical study under the direction of hr. Leonard Bacon, of Yale University. and under Dr. McClintock, and was graduated from Drew Theological Seminary in 1871, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In the meantime lie had spent three years in the Treasury Department at Washington. After graduating from Drew Theological Seminary he was successively pastor of charges at Sand Lake, N. Y., Dalton, Mass., Troy, N. Y., and Brandon, Vt., in which State he remained about ten years. In 1880 he took a special course in divinity under the direction of Bishop Bissell, of Vermont, and entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church, with which he has ever since been actively connected. He was called to Amherst, Mass., in 1888, and remained there about five years, being called from there January 1, 1893, to Newark (Harrison), N. J., where he still resides. He has built the Harrison church up to its present flourishing condition. Rev. Mr. Tilley has achieved notable distinction in the priesthood, and during his twenty years with the Protestant Episcopal Church has exerted a wholesome influence in advancing its doctrines throughout the communities in which lie has held rectorships. Endowed with intellectual ability of the highest order, he is an eloquent speaker, forcible and convincing in his arguments, simple and concise in diction, and beloved and esteemed by all who know him. He has also gained distinction in literature, having contributed a number of important articles to various magazines and periodicals. His poems in the New York Independent and other journals have been favorably received. He was awarded the second prize out of four hundred competitors by judges appointed by The Great Divide for a poem on Colorado, and is also the author of a volume entitled Masters of the Situation, which has been issued in both trade and subscription editions. Mr. Tilley married Katharine J. Travis, of Cohoes, Albany County, N. Y.
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