Check the listing for details. Payson Williston (1764-1856) First Minister at Easthampton, Mass.. Condition: Used. Listed at 90.00 USD. Payson Williston (1764-1856) First Minister at Easthampton, Mass. Payson was born in West Haven CT. and was the son of Rev. Noah Williston and Hannah Payson. He entered the ministery under the teachings of Dr. Trumball of New Haven CT. and attend Yale College from 1779 through 1783. Before he entered college he spent a short spell in a Militia fighting in the Revolutionary war. Payson was licensed to preach at twenty one years of age, but did not settle into his final role of Pastor of Easthampton until he was twenty six. He became the first Pastor of Easthampton on Aug 13 , 1789, when he was ordained with his father present. He spent forty years as Pastor of Easthampton. In 1790 he married Sarah Birdseye, daughter of Rev. Nathan Birdseye of Stratford CT. Together they had five children; Maria, John Payson, Samuel, Nathan Birdseye and Sarah. In 1805 he traveled to the settlements in New York to teach his ministries and in 1833 at the age of seventy requested to be relieved of his duties as Pastor of Easthampton, which he was granted. Payson past on at the age of ninety two, on January 30th, 1856. Payson Williston, was the minister in Easthampton’s only church. Payson was a stern, old-fashioned New England preacher, with strong Calvinist leanings. Offered here is a 1846, 3pp, folded stampless letter from Payson Williston to his son Nathan B. Williston at Brattleboro, Vermont. Newsy letter about family - internesting to note about how Pneumonia was treated in one instance. Three pages plus postmarked address leaf. Postmarked Easthampton, Mass. VG.