Edward Elias Atwater (1816 – 1887) was an American Congregational minister, genealogist, and local historian noted for his writings on the history of towns in Connecticut.
Early life and education
Edward Elias Atwater was born in 1816 in New Haven, Connecticut. He attended Yale College, graduating in 1835, and subsequently studied theology at Andover Theological Seminary, where he completed his preparation for the ministry.
Ministerial career
Atwater was ordained as a Congregational minister in 1839. He served as pastor of several New England congregations, most notably the First Congregational Church in Stratford, Connecticut, where he remained for many years. His ministerial work was complemented by a strong interest in local history and genealogy, which he pursued alongside his pastoral duties.
Historical and genealogical contributions
Atwater authored several works documenting the early settlement and development of Connecticut towns. His most prominent publication is History of the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, 1645‑1886, published in 1886, which provides a detailed narrative of the town’s founding, notable families, and civic institutions. He also compiled genealogical records concerning the Atwater family and other early New England lineages, contributing material to regional historical societies and periodicals.
Personal life
Insufficient Encyclopedic Information
Later years and death
Edward Elias Atwater died in 1887. The location of his death is recorded as New Haven, Connecticut.
Legacy
Atwater’s historical writings remain valuable resources for researchers studying Connecticut’s colonial and early‑American periods. His detailed accounts of local families and town development continue to be cited in genealogical research and regional histories.
