Clarence M. Seamans

Seamans, Clarence Milton. (Johnston, Rhode Island, February 8, 1869--July 21, 1939, Whitman, Massachusetts). Direct descendant of Roger Williams, the founder of the Rhode Island Colony. Seamans married Annie May Bennett on October 8, 1890; they had four children.

Ordained to the ministry of the Advent Christian Church, he served their churches in Pascoag and River Point, R.I.; Dover, New Hampshire; Chelsea, Springfield, and Boston, Mass.; and Rutland, Vermont. His last 19 years were spent as pastor in Whitman, Mass. For many years, he was secretary of the Massachusetts Advent Christian Conference and of the Marion (Mass.) Campmeeting Association. He was also active in the Alton Bay (N.H.) Campmeeting Association. He contributed many articles to his denomination's periodical, The World's Crisis. He was an ardent pastor, preaching the Christian life and the imminent Second Coming, subjects reflected in his hymns.

In addition to writing and composing a number of hymns and tunes, he was a joint editor of the Golden Sheaf (1902) and Carols of Hope (1906).

--Russell J. Cross and Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives