Birthdays in History Oct 31 Jean Louis van Aelbroeck, Flemish agronomist, born in Zottergem, Belgium (d. 1846) Deaths in History Oct 4 Samuel von Cocceji, German lawyer, dies Oct 16 Saint Gerard Majella, Catholic saint, dies at 29 Oct 22 Elisha Williams, American rector of Yale College (b. 1694) 1754 On This Day in History 1756