JUDSON, ADONTRAM, D.D., 1788-1850; b. Mass.; graduated at Brown university. 1807; at Andover theological seminary, 1810. Buchanan's Star in the East while in the seminary, he was inspired with missionary zeal, and in behalf of five other students and himself he addressed a letter to the General Association of Massachusetts (Congregational), expressing their wish to labor among the heathen, and asking advice. This resulted in the formation of the American board of commissioners for foreign mis sions. Mr. Judson was sent to confer with the London missionary society and ask their aid. On the voyage he was captured by a French privateer, and thrown into prison at Bayonne, but when released prosecuted his errand. After his return he, with Messrs. Newell, Nott, Hall, and Rice were appointed by the American board as missionaries to India or Burmah. Judson married Miss Ann Hasseltine. He was ordained Feb. 6. 1812, and Feb. 19 they sailed. for Calcutta. Arriving, they were ordered by the East India government to return home in the vessel which brought them; and, though this demand was modified, they were required to leave soon. Mr. and Mrs. Judson having changed their views in regard to baptism, were immersed .by Dr. Ward of Calcutta. This, with other results, awakened among the Baptists of America new interest in mis sions, and led to the formation of the American Baptist missionary union. Mr. and Mrs. Judson went to the isle of France, afterwards to Madras, with the design of reach ing Penang-, but, being thwarted in their wishes, took passage for Rangoon. Here, alone and without assured means of future support, they entered upon the study of the language. The care of the mission was assumed by the Baptist union. Within a few years they gathered a church of 18 members, and many natives were impressed by their lives of helpful kindness and their Christian instructions. The government, however, had given some tokens of disapproval. Dr. Price, a physician, having joined the mis sion, was sent' for by the king to come to Ava, the capita], and Dr. Judson removed thither to act as his interpreter. War breaking out between the East India company and Burmah, the foreign residents at Ava endured great perils and hardships. Dr. Judson was arrested at his dwelling, bound with chains, thrown into the death-prison, and subjected to cruel indignities and barbarities. By entreaties and presents his wife sometimes obtained the privilege of ministering to him in the prison, without which he must have died from hunger and suffering. After nearly two years he was released, hi Feb., 1826, on the demand of gen. sir Archibald Campbell. He commenced a new mission in Amherst, but an embassy being sent thence to negotiate a treaty which it was hoped would secure religious toleration, his services as interpreter were again required in Ava. During his absence his wife died, worn out by protracted toils and
exposures, and by successive attacks of malignant fever. In 1827 he removed to Maul mein, Where he found Mr. and Mrs. Wade had arrived before him. Here he erected a zayat on a public thoroughfare, where he spent most of his time, preaching or reading the Scriptures to every one who came to him. Mr. Wade did the same in another part of the city. Much light went forth from these centers. A church was formed. The converts were sometimes tested by severe opposition. Dr. Judson took several trips into the interior of the country, and shared in the remarkably interesting work among the Karens. In 1834 he married Mrs. Boardman, who had been a most earnest laborer, both as associated with Mr. Boardman and after his death. In 1839 Dr. Judson was disabled from speaking and threatened with serious pulmonary disease. He took a short voyage, and another in 1841 on account of sickness of the whole family, and in 1845, as the only prospect of life for Mrs. Judson, they all embarked for America. Mrs. Judson died off St. Helena, and her remains were interred on the island. Dr. Judson was received on his arrival in America by Christians of every name with great warmth of affection and esteem. While seeking some one to write a memoir of Mrs. Judson he met Miss Chubbuck, a writer well known in America under the name of "Fanny Forester," to whom he committed the undertaking. The acquaintance formed while this work was in progress led Dr. Judson to ask Miss Chubbuck to go with him to Burmah. They were married, and in 1847 we find them in Rangoon. Here he gave himself partly to the preparation of a dictionary, for which his accurate knowledge of the language qualified him, and to which he had often been urged, and partly to Christian teaching. In 1850, his health having declined almost beyond the possibility of recovery, he was carried in a litter on board ship, in the hope that, as before, a voyage would benefit him. Mrs. Judson was unable to take the voyage with her husband. Mr. Ranney, the mission printer, and a faithful Bengalee servant, accompanied him. lie revived a little after going out to sea, but was soon much worse. Still be said, "I feel too much life in me to believe that I shall die at present," But his work was near its end. He died, and his body was committed to the ocean, April 12, 1850, scarcely three days out of sight of the mountains of Burmah. Numerous converts, a corps of trained native assistants, the translation of the Bible and other valuable books into Bur mese, and a large Burmese and English dictionary nearly completed, are some of the direct fruits of his 37 years of missionary service.