Class of 1856

Rev. Franklin Deming Ayer died March 17, at his home at Ardmore, Pa. He was the son of Nathan and Phila Ann (Hallett) Ayer, and was born in St. Johnsbury, Vt., December 19, 1832, preparing for college at Newbury, (Vt.) Seminary. He was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi Beta Kappa.

After graduation he entered Andover Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 1859. For the following year he preached for the Congregational church of Dracut, Mass., and then was pastor at Milford, N. H., from 1861 to 1867. In September, 1867, he became pastor of the First church of Concord, N. H., and remained in active service for thirty years, after which he continued to hold the title of pastor emeritus till his death. The dismissing council in 1907 expressed "praise of the man who, by combining strong ability as a preacher with the warmest sympathy and unfailing tact, has been successful in maintaining the leadership of so important a church for nearly a third of a century."

He was closely interested in religious interests outside his parish, and served his denomination in many public ways. From 1871 to 1880 he was secretary of the New Hampshire Congregational Association, and was a delegate to the International Congregational Council of 1891, meeting in London. He had previously, in 1872, been in London as a delegate from New Hampshire to the International Prison Congress. In 1887 Dartmouth conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. After the close of his active pastorate he made his home in the city of Philadelphia, removing some years ago to a suburb of that city.

March 5, 1868, Mr. Ayer was married to Mary Esther, daughter of Moses and Caroline (Lord) Kittredge of St. Johnsbury, who died September 26, 1891. Two daughters survive their parents.