Mark Twain's Minister At Cedar Hill Cemetery

Notable of the Month -Joseph Hopkins Twichell (1838 – 1918)

A graduate of Yale, Joseph Twichell left his studies at Union Theological Seminary to enlist as a chaplain during the Civil War. Following his service, Twichell finished seminary in Andover, Massachusetts. In 1865, he was installed as the first pastor at Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, where he stayed for 47 years.

After meeting Mark Twain in 1868, the two became fast friends. The pair’s adventures included walks to Talcott Tower and a trip to Bermuda. In 1878, a voyage to Germany and Switzerland became the basis for Twain’s A Tramp Abroad and the character Harris was based on Twichell.

In 1870, Twichell performed the marriage ceremony of Twain and his beloved Olivia. He officiated at the funerals of three of the couple’s four children and returned from a trip to be at Suzy Clemens’ side when she died. He officiated at Olivia’s funeral in 1904 and, most painfully, at Twain’s in 1910.

Joseph Twichell died in Hartford on Dec. 20, 1918

To learn more about Joseph Twichell, we invite you to attend Mark Twain’s Minister, a lecture by Steve Courtney on Thursday, September 3, at 5:30 pm.

The event will be held under a tent at the Colt Monument on Section 2. Admission is $5.00 and free to Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation members.

Have a news tip? Email Bill Maune