History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

600 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. [1816.
since been decided as erroneous, but it is an entirely possible
construction, acquiesced in by many able men ; and Gov.
Strong's action was endorsed by three fourths of the people
of New England. The possibility that it was an act of
partisanship or anything else but an error of opinion, is
precluded by the whole course and character of the man.
When war had actually been declared, Gov. Strong showed
his readiness to sustain the President and protect the State
against foreign invasion by placing the whole of the military
force of the State in array under an able commander
of the Revolution, Gen. Brooks,
After occupying the Governor's chair for four years, the
first two of which were full of strife and the last two quiet
and harmonious, Gov. Strong refused further nomination
and retired in 1816 to private life.
Family and Resi- In Novembcr, 1777, Mr. Strong married
dence. Sarah Hooker, daughter of the Rev. John
Hooker, pastor of the church in Northamp-
ton. They had nine children, three of whom died in
infancy, and two, Edward and Julia, at the ages of twentythree
and twenty-five respectively. Four children, two
sons and two daughters, survived their parents. The wife
of Caleb Strong,
'
" with whom he lived in wedlock for 40 j^ears was a lady of pleasing
aspect, strong good sense, fervent piety and remarkable sweetness of
disposition. Their home was full of sunshine and of the peace and
presence of God."
It was situated on Main Street, extending from what is
now Pleasant Street as far as Hawley Street, then known
as Pudding Lane. The house, which was unusually large
and fine for the times, was built by Gov. Strong's father.
It was afterwards moved to Pleasant Street, where it still
stands, having been for many years the home of the late
Dr. Charles L. Knowlton.
Religious Life.
Caleb Stroug became a professing christian
in 1772, and was during the remainder of
his life not only an efficient member of the church but also
"a member of almost all the literary, benevolent, and
1 History of the Strong Family by Benjamin W. Dwight, vol. 2, p. 1188.