REV. MANASSEH CUTLER, LL. D. 



These biographical notes introduce the author of the first treatise 

 on New England Botany. This treatise antedated by two years the 

 "Materia Medica Americana" of Johann David Schopf, which, the first 

 work on general American Medicinal Plants, constituted Bulletin No. 6 

 of the Lloyd Library. 



Reverend Manasseh Cutler was born May 13, 1742, on a farm 

 known as the Killingly Farm, situated on the line dividing Connecticut 

 from Rhode Island. Indeed, this state line passed through the Cutler 

 homestead. He was the third of a family of three daughters and two 

 sons, being the elder 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 Massachusetts 

 Bay in its early settlement. The father of Manasseh was Hezekiah 

 Cutler ; the mother, Susannah Clark, whose father was one of the 

 early surveyors of Windham County, Connecticut. Both were re- 

 ligious, industrious, economical, of exemplary character, firm in the 

 faith of stern Puritanism, and under this influence young Manasseh be- 

 came imbued with the principles which marked his after life. Early 

 life on the farm led to health and a study of nature ; New England 

 country 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 and 

 entered 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 after 

 years, especially when, after leaving Yale, he began to teach school. 

 July 27, 1766, he united with the Church of which his tutor, Mr. Brown, 

 was pastor, and September 7, 1766, married Miss Mary Balch. He 



