Thomas Jefferson Sawyer was born in Reading on this day in 1804. His parents were a poor farm family and he was one of ten children.

Sawyer received an education at local schools, attending Chester Academy and then Middlebury College. He paid his own way through college by teaching at district schools.

At 18, Sawyer became a Universalist, possibly infuenced by the Universalist preacher in Reading. He delivered his first sermon the Sunday after his graduation.

Sawyer was instrumental in the development of Tufts College and St. Lawrence University. Sawyer spent his life serving as minister, visionary and teacher.

Photo courtesy Thomas J. Sawyer and Caroline M. Sawyer by Richard Eddy D.D.