Henry Clay Trumbull was born on June 8, 1830, at Stonington, Connecticut, and educated at Williston Northampton School.

In 1852, Trumbull joined the Congregationalist church and, while continuing to work for the railroad, became the superintendent of a mission Sunday-school under the Connecticut State Sunday School Association.

Trumbull was ordained a Congregational minister in 1862 and, shortly after, served as chaplain of the 10th Connecticut Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.

[3] Trumbull was also active in the Grand Army of the Republic and a member of George G. Meade Post 1 of Philadelphia.

While in Egypt he discovered what he believed to be Kadesh Barnea, which was the location of the camp of the children of Israel prior to their entry into the promised land.

Trumbull was known for his commitment to "personal evangelism" which entailed telling friends and acquaintances about spiritual salvation through Christ's vicarious atonement.

[5] Trumbull died at his home at 4103 Walnut Street in Philadelphia on December 8, 1903, after suffering a stroke.