Cornwall, Connecticut
Litchfield county. This mountainous township lies on the east side of Housatonick river, 38 miles W. from Hartford, 48 N. from New Haven, and 13 N. by W. from Litchfield. First settled 1740. Population, 1830, 1,714. The scenery about the south village is very beautiful. "The cheerful appearance of the church and the little cluster of white buildings surrounding it, at the bottom of a deep valley, is uncommonly pleasing. The mountains and lofty hills which rise immediately on almost every side, shutting out, in a sense, the most of the world from this apparently retired spot, present a bold and most striking feature of the landscape." This village is the place where a Foreign Mission School was established in 1818. "This school had its rise from the attempt to qualify Obookiah, a pious Owyheean youth, and others, for missionaries to their native lands. Obookiah was brought to this country in 1808, and came to New Haven. While here, Samuel J. Mills, a student in Yale College, and other pious persons, commiserating his condition, instructed him in the Christian religion.—Obookiah soon became hopefully pious, and strongly advocated a mission to his countrymen. Other natives of his island were found, and a school was established for their benefit at Cornwall. In 1820, the number of pupils in this school was 29, of whom 19 were American Indians, and 6 from the islands of the Pacific ocean. Obookiah sickened and died in Cornwall in 1818. The following is the inscription on his monument in the village grave yard.
"In memory of Henry Obookiah, a native of Owyhee. His arrival in this country gave rise to the Foreign Missionary School, of which he was a worthy member. He was once an Idolator, and was designed for a Pagan Priest; but by the grace of God and by the prayers and instructions of pious friends he became a Christian. He was eminent for piety and missionary zeal. When almost prepared to return to his native isle to preach the gospel, God took him to himself. In his last sickness he wept and prayed for Owyhee, but was submissive. He died without fear, with a heavenly smile on his countenance and glory in his soul, Feb. 17th, 1818, aged 26."
