Laban Ainsworth

Laban Ainsworth was born in Woodstock, Connecticut on July 19, 1757 to William and Mary Marcy Ainsworth.[2][3] As a result of suffering a severe attack of scarlet fever in childhood, Ainsworth's right arm became withered and "nearly useless to him for life."[2] As a result of this disability, however, Ainsworth was able to focus on his education.[2] While he hoped to enter Harvard College in 1775, the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War prevented him from doing this and instead caused him to attend Dartmouth College--from which he graduated in 1778.[2] At Stockbridge, Massachusetts, he studied theology under the guidance of Reverend Stephen West.[2] He also preached for two years at Spencertown, New York, where he served as a chaplain for a few months with Major McKinstry's Corps in the American Revolutionary Army.[2] In 1782, he became pastor of Jaffrey, New Hampshire--a position that he held until his death 76 years later at age 100.[2][4] In 1787, he married Mary Minot (1761-1845) and had two children with her--a daughter named Sarah (1789-1857) and a son named William (1792-1842).[2][4][5]