grandfather was Sir John Eccleston, who emigrated to this country, from England a few years prior to our struggle for independence. His father, Samuel Eccleston, was a wealthy farmer of Kent county, Maryland, and was distinguished for his highly-cultivated mind and manners. Born of parents who at that time were members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, he attended worship in that denomination until about the age of eleven years, when he was sent as a student to St. Mary's College, Baltimore. In this institution he continued as a day-scholar until his fifteenth year, and, during this early period, displayed shining talents and a peculiar tact for learning. By his sweetness of disposition, amiable deportment, and graceful manners, he secured the friendship and attachment of his fellow-students and professors, as well as all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. It was the intention of his mother to direct his studies towards the profession of the law. At sixteen years of age he became a boarder in the college. He soon manifested an ardent love of virtue, and other dispositions which in a few years resulted in his study of divinity; in which pursuit, by his assiduity and talent, he advanced so rapidly as to be considered qualified for the order of priesthood at an earlier age than that order is generally conferred.
"Very soon after his ordination he crossed the Atlantic, and visited England, Ireland, and France. He was, however, suddenly recalled to America, (after a sojourn of about two years in Europe,) in consequence of the death of his stepfather, which happened about this time. From abroad he brought back with him a large store of useful knowledge, an ardent zeal in the cause of his religion, and an increased attachment to republican institutions. Upon his return to his native country, he was received with affection by his numerous friends, and in a short time received marks of their esteem and approbation by his elevation first to the Vice-Presidency and subsequently the Presidency of of the flourishing institution in which he had been educated. This office he filled with much honor to himself and advantage to the college for several years.
"The late Archbishop Whitfield becoming infirm from disease, it was thought necessary early in the year 1834 to appoint a co-adjutor, or assistant bishop, in order to lessen the burden of his duties. The choice fell upon Mr. Eccleston, which was no ordinary mark of confidence, when we consider that he had hardly attained his 33d year, and that there were so many others in the diocese whose age, experience, and talents would have qualified them for the situation. Upon the death of the late archbishop, he succeeded de jure to the title and honors of the see, on the 14th of September, 1834.
