The Biographical Dictionary of America/Appleton, Jesse

APPLETON, Jesse, educator, was born at New Ipswich, N. H., Nov. 17, 1772, the fifth in descent from Samuel Appleton, the founder of Ipswich, Mass. He was graduated at Dartmouth college in 1792, licensed to preach in 1795, and from the first was regarded as a preacher of more than common power and promise. He was ordained pastor of the Congregational church at Hampton, N. H., February, 1797. He held Arminian views, in spite of which he was highly esteemed in his denomination, and often called to preach before missionary and Bible societies. He instigated the publication of the Piscataqua Evangelical Magazine; was a trustee of Phillips Exeter academy, and a member of the academy of arts and sciences. He received the degree of D.D. from Dartmouth college. In 1809 he was chosen president of Bowdoin college, and he held that position until his death. He was an excellent classical scholar and an impressive preacher. Some of his addresses, with a biographical sketch by Rev. Dr. Nicholls, were published in 1820; sermons and lectures with a memoir by Rev. B. Tappan, (1822); and "The Works of Jesse Appleton, D.D." (2 vols. 1836). His daughter, Jane, married Franklin Pierce, afterwards President of the United States. Dr. Appleton died Nov. 12 1819.