The National Cyclopedia of American Biography
SHEFFIELD, Joseph Earl, merchant, was born at Southport, Conn., June 19, 1793, son of William and Mabel (Thorpe) Sheffield. His father and grandfather were wealthy ship owners who during the revolutionary war fitted out and maintained on the vessel in the interest of the colonial service. His mother was a daughter a Capt. Walter Thorpe, also a ship owner of Southport. He received a common school education and began a mercantile career at the age of fourteen in Newberne, N.C. Removing to New York City he became a partner in a New York mercantile house in 1814, subsequently removing to Mobile, Ala., where he engaged extensively in the cotton trade. His business career here for nearly twenty-two years was eminently sagacious, enterprising and honorable. In 1835 he removed to New Haven, Conn., where he resided the rest of his life. He was interested in the purchase and operation of the New Haven and Northampton canal, and he helped to secure the charter for the New York and New Haven railroad, and went to London to interest Baring Bros. in the enterprise. He also built the Chicago and Rock Island railroad, and in all these enterprises Henry Farnam, the civil engineer, was associated with him. In 1860 the scientific department of Yale, which now bears his name, was, through his munificence, reorganized and enlarged. During his lifetime he gave over $450,000 to this department, and in his will bequeathed $500,000 more. He made liberal donations to other colleges, seminaries and religious institutions. In 1822 he was married to Maria, daughter of Col. J. T. St. John, of Walton, N.Y., by her he had children. He died in New Haven, Conn., Feb. 16, 1882.
Volume 11, page 515
