REV. MANASSEH CUTLER, LL. D.

These biographical notes introduce the author of the first treatiseon New England Botany. This treatise antedated by two years the"Materia Medica Americana" of Johann David Schöpf, which, the firstwork on general American Medicinal Plants, constituted Bulletin No. 6of the Lloyd Library.

Reverend Manasseh Cutler was born May 13, 1742, on a farmknown as the Killingly Farm, situated on the line dividing Connecticutfrom Rhode Island. Indeed, this State line passed through the Cutlerhomestead. He was the third of a family of three daughters and twosons, being the eider of the sons. His family was of Puritan stock,the earliest American Cutler ancestor being James Cutler, who emi-grated from Norfolkshire, England, to the Colony of MassachusettsBay in its early settlement. The father of Manasseh was HezekiahCutler; the mother, Susannah Clark, whose father was one of theearly sufveyors of Windham County, Connecticut. Both were re-ligious, industrious, economical, of exemplary character, firm in thefaith of stern Puritanism, and under this influence young Manasseh be-came imbued with the principles which marked his after life. Earlylife on the farm led to health and a study of nature ; New Englandcountry schools led to intellectual development; Puritanism of inherit-ance and Instruction led to frugality and determination.

Under the personal care of Rev. Mr. Brown he prepared for andentered Yale in 1761, where he graduated "with high honors" in 1765.His inclination being scientific, he became very proficient in astronomy,meteorology, and botany, which attainments served him well in afteryears, especially when, after leaving Yale, he began to teach school.Jury 27, 1766, he united with the Church of which his tutor, Mr. Brown,was pastor, and September 7, 1766, married Miss Mary Balch. He