The Sterling genealogy

394 THE STERLING GENEALOGY
cousin, Rev. John Elliot of Madison, Conn., and dau. of the Hon.
Lot Norton of Sharon, Conn.
Elisha Sterling was a graduate of Yale College in the class of
1787. Pres. Ezra Stiles of Yale in his " Diary " notes that Elisha
gave a Latin oration on " Quarter Day " Mar. 8, 1787 (p. 211,
VII) and that he was one of the graduates at the commencement
exercises Sept. 12, 1787, at " the Brick Meet s house," at which Gov-
ernor Huntington was present (p. 281, Vol. III). " Immediately
after his graduation, he assumed the charge of an Academy then
recently established in Sharon, Conn., and during the two years
while it was under his tuition and management it became very thor-
oughly established and popularly known. While at the head of the
academy he pursued the study of law and was admitted to the Bar
in 1789 and immediately opened an office in Salisbury, Conn., where
he continued to reside."
" His indomitable industry and perseverance placed him in the
first rank at the bar, with an extensive and lucrative practice for
many years. He entered upon his profession with the richest patrimony
which the sons of New England inherit — a good classical
education, sound moral principles, and invincible habits of industry.
These principles and habits by the blessing of Providence con-
ducted the possessor to their never failing reward, wealth, wisdom
and an unspotted life."
In 1793 he was appointed captain, in 1800 brigade major and
inspector, and in 1809 he was made colonel. In 1814, while in
command of his regiment at Groton, Conn., he received his com-
mission as brigadier general and in 1815 was made major general.
He was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
at the October session, 1797, the May session, 1804, member and
clerk of the House at the May session, 1808; returned for the
October session, 1814, and again in 1815, and was again a member
of and clerk to the House in 1816. He was returned to the Legis-
lature as a member of the higher body, the Senate, for the years
1833-34. Was appointed judge of probate and in 1814 state's
attorney.
A biographer in the " History of Litchfield County, Conn."
thus speaks of Elisha Sterling