Rev. Hervey Talcott House (1820)

The house at 572 Main Street in Portland was built c. 1820. It was the home of Hervey Talcott (1791-1865) who was pastor of the First Congregational Church of Portland from 1816 until 1861 (he remained the nominal pastor until his death in 1865). During his pastorate, which was the longest in the congregation’s history, the current church building was erected in the late 1840s. According a biographical entry from 1876:

He was ordained Oct 23,1816, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Chatham (now Portland), Ct., where he remained until his death, a period of almost fifty years. He was able to discharge all the duties of this office until within five years of his death, when he requested to be relieved somewhat and a colleague was appointed. He furnished an excellent example of those ministers of whom New England has produced so many, characterized by prudence, fidelity and the ability to grow with their parishes, so that they spent their days over one church. Mr. Talcott’s characteristics were a sincere and childlike piety an unvarying devotion to his work, a well-balanced and clear head, a genial and kindly manner, an unusual discreetness of conduct, and before all men a blameless life. All these qualities combined to make him greatly loved and honored in Portland, and his pastorate was long and successful. It is a striking proof of his prudence that though his church was rent by many dissensions during his pastorate, he retained the respect and confidence of every one almost without an exception. As a preacher he was earnest, pointed, instructive and scriptural. He could never be called brilliant, but had those qualities of a speaker that wear well. Personally he always gave one the idea of a high toned [C]hristian [sic] gentleman. His piety was apparent, but not obtrusive, and his presence was always attractive to young and old, and yet an air of godliness about him was sufficient to keep improprieties and wrong-doing at a distance without a word of rebuke. In his family he was greatly loved and he gave example as well as precept in keeping a well ordered [C]hristian household.

Talcott Pedigree in England and America from 1558 to 1876, pp.179-180.