AN 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, 
 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 REV. WILLIAM BERRIAN, D. D. 
 
 THE RECTOROF THE SAME 
 
 ftetofjork : 
 STANFORD AND SWORDS, 139, BROADWAY. 
 
 1847.
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by 
 
 WILLIAM BERRIAN, D. D. 
 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of 
 
 New-York. 
 
 John R. M'Gown, Printer.
 
 
 
 'PREFACE. 
 
 The present volume will have, perhaps, hut slight claims to general 
 attention, while, at the same time, it may he hy no means deficient in 
 local interest. The minuteness of detail into which it was thought 
 expedient to enter, in order to give a full and perfect history of Trinity 
 Church, may make it wearisome to those who are altogether uncon- 
 nected with it. This very circumstance, however, will probably 
 render it still more acceptable to the actual members of our ancient 
 Parish ; to those who have been nurtured in it, but who are now 
 scattered abroad among the churches which have sprung from it ; to 
 the descendants of those who formerly belonged to it ; and to such 
 others also, as delight in antiquarian research, and take pride in the 
 growth and improvement of their native place. It is only necessary 
 to add, that the materials for this work were derived from a great 
 variety of authentic sources, but principally from the Proceedings of 
 the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, Smith's 
 History of New-York, Hawkins' Missions of the Church of England, 
 the Minutes of the Vestry from the foundation of the Parish to the 
 present time, and from my own recollections for nearly half a century. 
 
 15G9CC8
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OP 
 
 TRINITY CHURCH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The opening of the new edifice for public worship, 
 shortly after its consecration, seemed to me a suitable 
 occasion for giving an historical sketch of Trinity 
 Church. In rising, for the first time, to address the 
 vast multitude, with which this solemn and stately 
 temple was thronged, I was affected with feelings 
 which I could not express. That I had been spared 
 to see that day, I regarded as an especial reason for 
 thankfulness to God $ for how many, who desired it, 
 had looked forward impatiently for the completion of 
 the work, but died before it ! This spot was to me, 
 as to them, endeared by the holiest and tenderest 
 recollections. There I had worshipped in youth, 
 there I had ministered in manhood, and there I ap-
 
 10 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 peared again before the congregation, on the verge 
 of old age. There the few of the scanty remnant 
 which was left when I began my ministry among 
 them, and whose recollections in some cases went 
 back much farther than my own, had once more 
 presented themselves amidst a new generation, and 
 may have felt on the occasion more deeply than 
 myself. 
 
 With such associations and feelings, it may well 
 be supposed that the work in which I was engaged 
 was to me a labour of love, and in the course of 
 my inquiries it grew upon my hands, both in interest 
 and extent, far beyond either my thoughts or my 
 designs. 
 
 It is well known to those who are familiar 
 with our colonial history, that the province of New- 
 York was settled by the Dutch, shortly after its 
 discovery by Hudson, in 1609. In the following 
 year, a few stations were formed in various parts 
 of it, and in 1620 a settlement was made on a 
 larger scale, when the district was called New 
 Netherlands, and the principal cluster of houses, 
 on the site of a town which now contains nearly 
 400,000 inhabitants, was named New Amsterdam. 
 In the reign of Charles the Second, 1661, and 
 during the war with Holland, the province was 
 taken possession of by the English, while under 
 the administration of Governor Stuyvesant, and being 
 granted to the Duke of York, received the name 
 which it has since borne. In 1673, however, through 
 the treachery of Manning, an English officer, it was
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 11 
 
 • 
 
 delivered up again to the Dutch. But the new 
 governor only enjoyed his office for a very short 
 season, for the province was finally ceded to the 
 English by the treaty of peace between England 
 and the States General, in 1674, and Sir Edmond 
 Andross was appointed governor. Wherever the 
 conquests and settlements of our mother country 
 have extended, she has at all times shown a laudable 
 anxiety that the religion of the country should go 
 with them. " The members of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church (then known as the Church of 
 England in America) first held stated religious 
 services in this city in a chapel erected in a fort 
 which stood near the battery. In this place, under 
 the Dutch administration, the service of the Church 
 of Holland had been performed. On the first 
 surrendery of the colony of New-York to the 
 British, in 1664, the service of the Church of 
 England (it being a government establishment) was 
 of course introduced."* The congregation, how- 
 ever, increasing, a larger edifice was needed, but no 
 steps were taken towards the erection of it for 
 several years. Colonel Fletcher, the newly appointed 
 governor of the colony, was one of the first who 
 moved in this business. As the greatest part of 
 this province consisted of Dutch inhabitants, all the 
 governors thereof, as well in the Duke of York's 
 time as after the revolution, thought it good policy 
 to encourage English preachers and school-masters 
 
 * Christian Journal, Vol. ii. p. 249.
 
 12 HISTORY OF 
 
 • 
 
 in the colony. For this commendable zeal, Colonel 
 Fletcher has been reviled and denounced by Smith, 
 one of the earliest writers of the history of New- 
 York, as a bigot to the Episcopal form of Church 
 government. But as he had declared, at a meeting 
 of the Colonial Assembly, that he would take care 
 that neither heresy, sedition, schism, or rebellion 
 should be preached among them, nor vice and pro- 
 fanity encouraged ; so he earnestly laboured to carry 
 out his purposes to good effect. His measures were 
 violently opposed by many of the members, and 
 even by some from whom a different course might 
 have been reasonably expected. For it was at this 
 session, on the 12th of April, 1695, that, upon a 
 petition of five churchwardens and vestrymen of the 
 city of New- York, the house declared it to be 
 their opinion, that the vestrymen and churchwardens 
 have power to call a dissenting Protestant minister, 
 and that he is to be paid and maintained as the act 
 directs. This was a looseness of opinion, on the 
 part of the Episcopalians concerned, which must 
 astonish sound Churchmen, and which would have 
 been abundantly lax for the most latitudinarian 
 among us at the present day. But through the juster 
 notions of others, and the persevering zeal and firm- 
 ness of the governor, things were soon put in a better 
 train.* 
 
 * It is very possible, however, that the five wardens and vestry- 
 men of the city of New-York referred to, might not have been 
 members of the Church of England. For it appears, by the 
 following act of the Colonial Assembly, for settling a ministry,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 13 
 
 In the fifth year of the reign of William and 
 Mary, 1697, hy an act of Assembly, approved and 
 
 and raising a maintenance for them in the city of New- York, 
 County of Richmond, Westchester, and Queen's County, passed the 
 22d of September, 1693, that there were other persons in New- 
 York bearing the titles of Churchwardens and Vestrymen, besides 
 those of Trinity Church. 
 
 " Whereas, profaneness and licentiousness hath of late over- 
 spread this province, for the want of a settled ministry throughout 
 the same : To the end the same may be removed, and the ordinances 
 of God duly administered ; 
 
 I. Be it enacted, by the Governor, and Council, and Repre- 
 sentatives convened in General Assembly, and by the authority 
 of the same, That in each of the respective cities and counties 
 hereafter mentioned and expressed, there shall be called, inducted, 
 and established, a good sufficient Protestant minister, to officiate, 
 and have the care of souls, within one year next, and after the 
 publication hereof, that is to say : In the city of New- York one, 
 &c. &c. 
 
 II. And for their respective encouragement, Be it further enacted 
 by the authority aforesaid, That there shall be annually, and once 
 in every year, in every of the respective cities and counties afore- 
 said, assessed, levied, collected, and paid, for the maintenance of 
 each of their respective ministers, the respective sums hereafter 
 mentioned; For the city and county of New- York, one hundred 
 pounds, &c. &c. 
 
 III. And for the more orderly raising the respective maintenances 
 for the ministers aforesaid, Be it further enacted, That the respec- 
 tive justices of every city and county aforesaid, or any two of 
 them, shall every year issue out their warrants to the constables, 
 to summons the freeholders of every city, county, and precinct 
 aforesaid, together, on the second Tuesday of January, for the 
 choosing of Ten Vestrymen and Two Churchwardens ; and the 
 said Justices and Vestrymen, or major part of them, are hereby 
 impowered, within ten days after the said day, or any day after, as
 
 14 HISTORY OF 
 
 ratified by and with the consent and authority of 
 the governor of the province, a royal grant and 
 confirmation were made of a certain church and 
 steeple, lately built in the city of New- York, 
 together with a certain piece or parcel of ground 
 adjoining thereunto, being in or near to a street 
 without the north gate of the said city, commonly 
 called and known by the name of Broadway. The 
 title which was given to the church by the original 
 charter, is the same which it bears at the present 
 day — the Parish of Trinity Church. Means were 
 appointed by it for the support of the Rector. 
 The Wardens and Vestrymen were duly consti- 
 tuted, and particularly named ; comprising several 
 members of his majesty's council, and as it would 
 seem, some of the most respectable inhabitants in 
 the province. 
 
 Among them were the names of Colonel Caleb 
 Heathcote, an ancestor of Dr. Delancey, Bishop of 
 the Western Diocese of New-York; of Emott, 
 Clarke, Morris, Read, and Ludlow, so familiar to 
 our ears at the present day. These, with the Bishop 
 of London for their Rector, were established a body 
 corporate and politic, with all the privileges and 
 
 to them shall seem convenient, to lay a reasonable tax on the said 
 respective cities, counties, parish, or precincts, for the maintenance 
 of the minister and poor of their respective places; and if they 
 shall neglect to issue their warrants, so as the election be not 
 made that day, they shall respectively forfeit five pounds current 
 money of this province," &c. &c. — Laws of New- York, Vols. 1 
 and 2, folio ed., 1774, pp. 18, 19.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 15 
 
 powers usually pertaining unto the same. This 
 appointment of the Bishop of London, as Rector, 
 who could not actually fulfil the duties of the office, 
 was a mere temporary arrangement, in order to 
 provide the corporation with a head, essential to its 
 due organization, if not to its existence.* 
 
 In 1705, in the reign of Queen Ann, a grant 
 was made to the corporation of Trinity Church by 
 deed patent, signed by Lord Cornbury, who was at 
 that time governor of the province, of a tract of 
 land then called the Queen's farm, now the Church 
 farm, lying on the west side of Mannahata Island, 
 and extending from St. Paul's Chapel northwardly 
 along the river to Skinner road, now Christopher 
 street. This property, which was then literally what 
 it was called, a farm, and which was comparatively 
 of little value, has long since become a compact part 
 
 * Wardens and Vestrymen appointed by the Charter of Trinity 
 Church. — 1697. 'J he Lord Bishop of London, Rector. 
 
 Thomas Wenham and ) The first Church Wardens of the said 
 
 Robert Lurting ) parish. 
 
 Caleb Heathcote, Michael Howden, 
 
 William Merret, John Crooke, 
 
 John Tudor, William Sharpas, 
 
 James Emott, Lawrence Read, 
 
 William Morris, David Jamison, 
 
 Thomas Clarke, William Hudleston, 
 
 Ebenezer Wilson, Gabriel Ludlow, 
 
 Samuel Burt, Thomas Burroughs, 
 
 James Evets, John Merret, and 
 
 Nathaniel Marston, William Jane way, 
 
 The first Vestrymen of the said parish.
 
 16 HISTORY OF 
 
 of the city. Even now, however, from a large pro- 
 portion of it having been put out on long leases, at 
 mere nominal rents, it is much less productive than 
 has been generally supposed. 
 
 As soon as the charter was procured, the most 
 active measures were taken for carrying on the 
 building of the church. Provision had been made 
 for this purpose in the instrument itself. It was 
 there ordained and declared, that the Church War- 
 dens and Vestrymen, or any eleven or more of them 
 should make, or cause to be made, an estimate in 
 writing, under the hand or hands of some sufficient 
 person or persons qualified for the same, of the 
 charge and finishing the said church and steeple, 
 and providing a clock and one or more bells for the 
 same, and other works necessary and requisite in 
 and about the said church and steeple, and of build- 
 ing a convenient house for the Rector. And such 
 sum or sums of money as should appear to them, 
 upon such estimate, to be in their judgment com- 
 petent to accomplish the premises, were to be 
 charged upon all and every of the inhabitants in the 
 said parish to be by them paid in seven years, by 
 twenty-eight quarterly and successive payments. 
 And the said Churchwardens and Vestrymen were 
 required and authorized to assess, tax, and rate all 
 these quarterly payments, as they should think most 
 reasonable, equal, and meet $ all which assessments 
 should be confirmed and allowed by two justices of 
 the peace within the said parish, and in communion 
 of the said church as aforesaid, under their hands and
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 17 
 
 seals, and be collected by such persons as the said 
 Vestrymen should from time to time appoint. 
 
 The estate of the Corporation, at that time, was 
 totally unproductive. The English inhabitants, in the 
 infancy of the province, were few in number, and 
 scanty in means. But what was lacking in ability 
 was abundantly supplied by activity and zeal. A 
 committee of the Vestry was appointed, consisting 
 of Major William Merret, Mr. Thomas Clarke, 
 Captain William Morris, and Captain Tudor, (absent 
 in the service,) who, on the 28th of June, 1697, 
 made a return, that according to order, they had 
 spent a day in getting subscriptions and in collec- 
 ting money for erecting Trinity Church. The 
 members of the corporation generally encouraged 
 the good work also by their own example, not only 
 in the cheerful payment of their lawful dues, but by 
 their free will offerings. # 
 
 * Mr. James Emott presented four pistoles as a voluntary gift. 
 
 Mr. Benjamin Aske, £1 19" 
 
 Capt. Thomas Wenham, 5 
 
 Mr. Robert Lurting, 3 
 
 William Merret, Esq 5 
 
 Mr. James Evets, 1 
 
 Mr. Michael Howden, 3 
 
 Mr. Nathaniel Marston, 1 
 
 Mr. Thomas Burroughs, 2 " > As free gifts. 
 
 Mr. William Janeway, 3 
 
 Capt. William Morris, 2 
 
 Mr. William Hudleston, 2 
 
 Mr. Gabriel Ludlow, 2 
 
 Mr. John Crooke, 2 
 
 Capt. Ebenezer Wilson, 2 
 
 Mr. William Sharpas, 1 
 
 On two subsequent* occasions several of these persons contributed 
 
 respectively from three to five pounds.
 
 18 HISTORY OF 
 
 A special subscription was afterwards set on foot 
 for the building of the steeple. The names of the 
 subscribers, the most of which are familiar to us at 
 the present day, and the amount of their contributions, 
 are all recorded in the book of minutes. The sum 
 total collected was £312 13s. 7d., together with 
 £5 12s. 3dL, a contribution from the Jews. This 
 curious paper, which it is thought will be looked over 
 by many with some degree of interest, will be found 
 in the appendix A. 
 
 The subscriptions, though small, were doubtless 
 according to the ability of the donors, and they 
 must also be regarded in reference to the relative 
 value of money at that period and the present. 
 While some gave of their means, for the promotion 
 of this object, others, as it would seem, cheerfully 
 bestowed their labour and their time. A curious 
 instance of this is entered in the minutes of the 
 Vestry : 
 
 Ordered. That Mr. Sam 1 Burte do goe down to Huntington 
 with all expedition, and purchase all the Oyster Shell Lime he 
 can get there, not to exceed the rate of 8 or 9 shillings p r Loade 
 for the use of the Church ; and that his expences in travelling and 
 horse be defrayed out of the Publick Stock, he desiring nothing 
 for his time or trouble. 
 
 Colonel Peter Schuyler having subscribed five pounds to the 
 church, to be paid in boards, it was ordered that Captain Thomas 
 Wenham should write to him to send the same in such boards as 
 Mr. Evets should direct. 
 
 The governor of the province sent to the church twenty-five 
 pounds, and Chidley Brooke, Esq. thirty pounds.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 19 
 
 Another singular expedient was adopted with a 
 view to increase more effectually their limited means. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 6th of 
 August, 1697:— 
 
 Ordered, That there be a petition drawn for the money that 
 was collected for the Slaves in Sally, and in case that it was not 
 disposed for that use, then to be dispos'd for other Pious uses as 
 his Excellency and Council should think fitt ; and the same to 
 be delivered to his Excel, by Mr. Mayor and Capt. Tho. Wenham. 
 
 It was likewise 
 
 Ordered, That the following address should be signed by the 
 Church Wardens in behalf of this Board, and forthwith presented 
 to his Excelly and Council, viz. 
 
 TO HIS EXCELLENCY BENJAMIN FLETCHER, CAPTAIN-GENERAL AND 
 GOVERNOR IN CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, ETC. 
 
 The humble petition of the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of 
 Trinity Church, in the city of New- York, 
 
 Sheweth, 
 
 That there is a certain sum of money raised by virtue of a 
 Lycense from y r Excel, with advice of the Council, from the 
 voluntary contribution of the Inhabitants of this Province and others, 
 towards the relief of Christian Captives in Sally, w ch did belong 
 to this Province, and in case of their death, or other escape, or 
 that it be impossible to relieve them; by ye said Lycense it is 
 to be employed to ye like or some other pious use as y r Excel, 
 ye Gov 1 and Council shall appoint. 
 
 That it so happens ye said Captives are escaped, dead, or 
 otherwise not to be relieved. 
 
 That ye Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church for 
 and towards ye furnishing of said Church did, upon their humble 
 application by Y r Excell 8 favor, obtain from y r Excell in Council 
 on ye 2d of Decemb 1- 1697 an order for ye paym* of said money
 
 20 HISTORY OF 
 
 to the Church Wardens of said Church, towards ye finishing of 
 said Church, upon condition that if any of ye said Captives be in 
 captivity and to be relieved, ye Corporation of Trinity should 
 procure their relief and redemption at their charge. 
 
 And as the persons intrusted by Y r Excel withe the managem* 
 of said money towards ye redemption of Captives, viz. Col. Stephen 
 Van Courtlandt, Peter Jacobs Morris, Doct. Kerfbyl, and Capt. 
 John Kip, will not meet together at ye request of ye said Church 
 Wardens, to deliver up ye acco* of ye amount of ye said money 
 and to assign the same ; 
 
 Therefore Y r Excell s Pet ns humbly pray Y r Excel, to order 
 that ye s d persons be summoned to appear before y r Excel, and 
 give an acco 1 of ye amount of the said money, and be ordered to 
 assign ye said money, to the said Church Wardens, for ye aforesaid 
 use of Trinity Church without further delay. 
 
 And Y r Excel 8 Pet ns , as in duty bound, shall ever pray, &c. 
 
 In the following year — 
 
 Mr. Jamison reports to this Board, that ye petition ordered ye 
 last meeting of this Board was read in Council Thursday last, 
 and that Col. Courtlandt one of the Council and one of ye persons 
 concern'd therein, informed ye Gov r and Council, that they were 
 ready to deliver up all papers relating to the money collected for 
 ye redemption of Captives in Sally and to assign the same. 
 Whereupon it is ordered, (Mr. Tho. Wenham being indisposed) 
 that Mr. Robt. Lurting, Mr. James Emott, and Mr. David Jamison 
 do waite upon the said Col. Courtlandt and ye other persons to 
 whose charge the said money was committed, and demand all 
 papers relating thereunto, and assignm 1 of ye same. 
 
 On the 10th of April, 1705— 
 
 Mr. Jamison presented to the Vestry a letter from Mr. Geilnick 
 & Lodwick of London, dated the 12th of Sept'. 1705, w ch advised 
 of one hundred and seventy pounds two shillings and threepence 
 sterling, laid out in thirty eight half pieces of stroud waters, and 
 ship* on the New York Merch*. Capt. JefTors Comander, as per
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 21 
 
 Bill of Lading and Invoice, with an acco* curr 1 ; being the net 
 produce of one hundred and ninety pounds twelve shillings and 
 twopence sterling, remitted from Mr. Hero May and Win. Banker 
 out of Holland, \v ch was Intended for Redemption of Slaves out 
 of Sally ; failing that use, was assigned to Trinity Church in 
 New York, w ch were read, and Mr. Jamison owned the receipt 
 of the said goods, and informed this Board that his LordP was 
 pleased on Mr. Vesey's application to him, to give a Bill of Store 
 for the Custome of said goods, amounting to Tenn pounds. 
 
 It was thereupon 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Jamison and Capt. Lurting, be Impower d to 
 dispose of the Thirty Eight pieces of strouds to the best advan- 
 tage for the use of the Church. 
 
 Capt. Lurting and Mr. Jamison soon after acquainted this Board 
 that they had disposed of Thirty pieces of strouds, part of the 
 Cargo from England,' at Twelve pounds per piece, w ch money 
 was ready to be produced, amounting to the sum of three hun- 
 dred and sixty Pounds. 
 
 The Eight remaining peeces were subsequently sold at eleven 
 pounds p r peece, amounting in all to £448. 
 
 Another singular method was devised, to increase 
 the funds for building the Church, but the final 
 success of which, however, unlike the last, remains 
 unknown. 
 
 Capt. Wenham inform d this Board, that notwithstanding the many 
 signal gifts his Excel, had bestowed, for the encouragement of Piety 
 and Religion amongst us, in the carrying on of the building of 
 Trinity Church, his Excel, has been further pleas d , for the better 
 effecting of the same, to grant to the present Church Wardens 
 and Managers of the said building, a Commission for all Weifts, 
 Wrecks, and Drift Whales. 
 
 And Capt. Clarke was commissionated to depute such proper per- 
 sons on the Island of Nassau, as he should see meet, for the securing, 
 cutting up, and trying of all such drift whales, &c. as should come
 
 22 HISTORY OF 
 
 on shoar on y e said Island ; and that for their care and Labour 
 therein, he should allow them reasonable encouragement. 
 
 After the appointment of various committees, for 
 soliciting the benevolence both of citizens and stran- 
 gers, and the most persevering diligence and activity 
 in the discharge of their duties, there still appears, 
 from the following entry on the minutes, to have been 
 a deficiency in their means, and a necessity for bor- 
 rowing money, in order to hasten the completion of 
 the work. 
 
 Whereas, the Protestants of this City of the Communion of the 
 Church of England, as by Law were Incorporated, and made a body 
 Politic, Col. Caleb Heathcote, Major William Merret, Capt. Tho. 
 Wenham, Capt. Ebenezer Wilson, Capt. Thomas Clarke, Capt. Wil- 
 liam Morris, Capt. Jeremiah Tothill, and Mr. Derrick Vanderburgh, 
 did become, and are still oblig d by obligation, under their hands and 
 seals in the sum of Four hundred Pounds current money of New York, 
 on condition to pay two hundred pounds like money with the interest 
 of six per cent unto the widow Hellegond Dekay, it being employed 
 for the more speedy and better carrying on of the building of Trinity 
 Church : It is therefore ordered, that the same be a corporation debt, 
 and that the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of the said 
 Church for the time being, do indemnifie the said persons from the 
 said obligations. 
 
 In a very short time after the grant of the charter, 
 the nominal office of the Bishop of London as 
 Rector, gave place to one that was actual. 
 
 " The choice of a clergyman was lodged in the 
 Vestry, who, after having built the church, offered 
 the appointment of Rector to Mr. Vesey, a gentle- 
 man well known and generally esteemed in the city, 
 provided he should be admitted to holy orders. Mr.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 23 
 
 Vesey accordingly went to England and was ordained, 
 and his whole subsequent life fully justified the choice 
 which had been made of him. For fifty years he 
 continued to discharge the duties of Rector of 
 Trinity Church, and for a great part of that time 
 was entrusted with the general ecclesiastical oversight 
 of the Church in this colony, as the Bishop of 
 London's Commissary."* The new Rector first 
 performed divine service in Trinity Church on the 
 6th of February, 1697. The Rev. Mr. Keith, one 
 of the missionaries of the society for propagating 
 the gospel in foreign parts, thus quaintly notices it 
 a few years afterwards. " At New York there was 
 a brave congregation of people belonging to the 
 church, as well as a very fine fabric, and the Rev. 
 Mr. Vesey was very much esteemed and loved, both 
 for his ministry and good life." This testimony is 
 also most amply confirmed not only in regard to Mr. 
 Vesey, but all the clergy of the province, by a letter 
 from Lord Cornbury, who was a great upholder of 
 the Church within his jurisdiction, and by another 
 from Colonel Heathcote, written in the same year, 
 on the 9th of November, 1705. The language of 
 the latter is particularly strong : " I must do all the 
 gentlemen the justice to declare, that a better clergy 
 were never in any place, there being not one amongst 
 them that has the least stain or blemish as to his life 
 and conversation." 
 
 * Hawkins's Missions of the Church of England, p. 275.
 
 24 • HISTORY OF 
 
 Trinity Church was originally a small square 
 edifice, but it was afterwards enlarged in 1737. " It 
 stands," as was remarked by an early writer of the 
 history of New York, "very pleasantly upon the 
 banks of Hudson's river, and has a large cemetery 
 on each side, enclosed in the front by a painted 
 paled fence. Before it a long walk is railed off 
 from the Broadway, the pleasantest street of any in 
 the whole town. This building is about one hundred 
 and forty-eight feet long, including the tower and 
 chancel, and seventy-two feet in breadth. The 
 steeple is one hundred and seventy-five feet in height, 
 and over the door facing the river, is the following 
 inscription : 
 
 PER ANGUSTAM. 
 
 Hoc Trinitatis Templum fundatum est anno regni illustrissimi, 
 Supremi, Domini Gulielmi tertii, Dei gratia Angliss, Scotiae, Franciae, 
 et Hiberniae Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. Octavo, Annoq ; Domini 
 16y6. 
 
 Ac voluntarisi quorundam contributione et Donis jEdificatum, 
 maxime autem, dilecti Regis Chiliarchae Benjamini Fletcher, hujus 
 Provincial strategi et Imperatoris, Munincentia animatum et auctum, 
 cujus tempore moderaminis hujus Civitatis incolse, Religionem 
 protestantem Ecclesiae Anglicanae, ut secundum Legem nunc stabilitee 
 profitentes quodam Diplomate, sub Sigillo Provinciae incorporati sunt, 
 atque arias Plurimas, ex Re sua familiari, Donationes notabiles eidem 
 dedit.— Smith's History of New York, Vol. i. pp. 302, 303. 
 
 Which being Englished, is, 
 
 This Trinity Church was founded in the eighth year of the reign 
 of the Most Illustrious Sovereign Lord William the Third, by the 
 grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, 
 Defender of the faith, &c, and in the year of our Lord 1696 ; and 
 built by the voluntary contributions and gifts of some persons, and
 
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 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 25 
 
 chiefly encouraged and promoted by the bounty of his Excellency 
 Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, Captain General and Governor-in-chief 
 of this Province ; in the time of whose government the inhabitants 
 of this city of the Protestant Religion of the Church of England 
 as now established by law, were incorporated by a charter under 
 the seal of the Province, and many other valuable gifts he gave to it 
 of his private fortune.* 
 
 "The church is within ornamented beyond any 
 other place of public worship among us. The head 
 of the chancel is adorned with an altar-piece, and 
 opposite to it, at the other end of the building, is the 
 organ. The tops of the pillars which support the 
 galleries are decked with the gilt busts of angels, 
 winged. From the ceiling are suspended two glass 
 branches, and on the walls hang the arms of some 
 of its principal benefactors." Among these, a con- 
 spicuous place was given to Governor Fletcher's, 
 and the same inscription was placed under them 
 as that which has already been noticed over the 
 door of the church. 
 
 From a due sense likewise of all his Excellency's 
 favors, it was 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. James Evets do lay out the ground for his pew 
 in the East part of the Church next to the chancell, to remaine 
 forever to the aforesaid use, or the use of others, as his Excel, shall 
 think fit to direct. 
 
 It was likewise 
 
 Ordered, That the Gallery designed to be built on ye South side of 
 Trinity Church, at ye charge of ye Govcrm*, for ye use of ye Gov r 
 
 Entry on the minutes of the Vestry. 
 
 2
 
 26 HISTORY OF 
 
 and Council of this Province, have a part added to it at ye charge of 
 this Corporation, to run towards ye West end of ye Church, and 
 those persons that will have pews therein do in proportion pay ye 
 charge thereof. 
 
 The following is the Form of Assignment of Pews 
 in Trinity Church : 
 
 The Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New-York, in Com- 
 munion of the Church of England as by Law Established : To all 
 to whom it doth and may concern — Greeting. Know ye, that for 
 a valuable consideration to us in hand paid by A. B. of the said City, 
 we have given and granted, and by these presents do give and Grant 
 unto the said A. B., and the heirs of his body, all the one-half part of 
 the Pew in Trinity Church in NYork marked No. (10) ; whereof 
 the other part doth belong to C. D. : To use & enjoy the same 
 forever; He the said A.B. and his heirs cleansing, maintaining, 
 and keeping the same in good repair at their own proper charge, 
 saving and reserving always unto the said Rector & Inhabitants, 
 and their successors forever, not only the reversion thereof, failing 
 the heirs ot the said A.B, but also upon his or their removal from 
 the said City of New-York to Inhabit in other parts, the free use 
 and disposition thereof for the benefit and profit of the said Church 
 durmo- their absence. In testimony whereof, the said Rector and 
 Inhabitants have caused their seal to be hereunto affixed : Witnessed, 
 John Crooke and David Jamison, the present Church Wardens at 
 New-York, the day of Anno Dom: 1709. 
 
 A circumstance is recorded on the completion of 
 the Church, which is very characteristic of the 
 uniform liberality and kindness which have always 
 marked the proceedings of the Vestry. 
 
 This day the board accounted with Mr. Derrick Vanderburgh, 
 and there appears due to him, by balance, the sum of £294 9s. Id. 
 current money of New-York for workmen, labourers, and money 
 &c. by him expended for the building of Trinity Church and the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 27 
 
 Steeple ; and in consideration that he hath been long out of his 
 money and no interest for the same : It is resolved and ordered 
 by this Board, nemine contradicente, that a silver tankard of the 
 value of Twelve pounds be presented unto, and to be paid out of 
 the public stock of Trinity Church, and that till the said sum of 
 .£294 9*. Id. be paid, he be allowed from this day interest for 
 such sum, as shall be behind and not paid, at the rate of seven 
 pounds per cent, per ami. 
 
 About this period several valuable gifts were made 
 to Trinity Church, the acknowledgments whereof 
 were entered on the minutes. 
 
 Mr. David Jamison reports, that his Excel ye Gov r Col. Fletcher, 
 has given a Bible and some other Books to this Corporation for ye 
 use of Trinity Church, w ch are supposed to be in the hands of Mr. 
 Lymon Smith. Ordered Capt. Wilson and Wm. Sharpas do waite 
 upon Mr. Smith and ask for ye same. 
 
 Mr. Vesey informed the Board, that he has rec d from his Excel? 
 Rich. Earl of Bellamont a parcell of books of Divinity, sent over 
 by the Right Reverend Henry, Lord Bishop of London, for ye 
 use of Trinity Church, for which he hath given a receipt to his 
 Excely, a list whereof is produced. 
 
 Air. Hawdon and Mr. Ives were ordered to oversee the getting 
 of the paving stones from the Pink blossome, and lodging them 
 in the Steeple, being the Gift of ye Lord Bishop of Bristoll to 
 Trinity Church. 
 
 Mr. Huddleston inform'd this Board, that his Excell the Lord 
 Viscount Cornbury had given to the Church a black cloth Pall, 
 on condition no person dying and belonging to Forte Anne should 
 be deny'd the use thereof, Gratis. 
 
 Mr. Vesey acquainted this Board, the Lord Cornbury had presented 
 to the Church, two Common Prayer Books, and the Library with 
 the Lord Clarendon's first part of the history of the Civil wars of 
 the kingdome of England. 
 
 Mr. Vesey presented to this Board a letter from the Bishop of 
 London, relating to Communion Plate and furniture for the Church,
 
 28 HISTORY OF 
 
 desiring the Church to appoint their Solicitor for getting the same, 
 and he hath promised his assistance. 
 
 Ordered, That the Church Wardens write to Col. Lodwick, to 
 desire him to sollicite for the said plate and furniture ; and that they 
 take care to remit a Bill of Thirty pounds sterling to him, to be 
 Imploy'd for that service, and buying of two surplices and two 
 Common Prayer Books for Trinity Church. 
 
 Ordered, That the Church Wardens get an address drawn, to be 
 presented to his Excellency, to grant the Queen's Farme and the 
 Queen's garden to Trinity Church, and that the Vestry present the 
 same. 
 
 Mr. Jamison produc'd his Excell 8 Patent for the King's Farme, 
 now called the Queen's Farme, and the Queen's garden, w ch was 
 read, and acquainted the Vestry that his Excell, Mr. Attorney Gen 1 
 Bickley and Mr. Secretary Clark, gave their fees for passing 
 thereof. 
 
 Ordered, That this Vestry do return his LordP thanks for his 
 many great favors to the Church, particularly for his Excell Patent 
 for the Queen's Farme, the Queen's garden, and Bill of Store for 
 the goods that came from England ; and that Mr. Jamison, Mr. 
 Attorney General Bickley, and Mr. Emmet, draw up an address to 
 his LordP accordingly. 
 
 Previously, however, to the reception of Lord 
 Cornbury's patent, notice had been given 
 
 That ye Kings Farme was to be lett, and that the Church War- 
 dens were appointed a Committee to farme the same, and report to 
 this Board. 
 
 It was shortly after let on the following conditions, 
 which are singularly strange in relation to an estate 
 on which a city has risen : 
 
 It is agreed by this Board, that George Ryerse have the farme the 
 remaining part of the year, till the first of May next ; that he shall 
 have liberty to take off his winter and summer grain, provided he 
 plant no Indian Corne next spring therein ; that he sew no more
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 29 
 
 summer grain next spring than winter grain ; that he committ not any 
 waste, leave the fences in repair and good order, he paying for the 
 same the sum of Thirty five pounds to the Church Wardens for the 
 use of the Church, in manner following : that is to say, Twenty pounds 
 the first of Novemb r , and fifteen pounds the first of May next 
 ensuing. 
 
 The first person who was appointed Sexton in 
 Trinity Church was, 
 
 Nich. Fielding, a person reputed of honest behaviour and conver- 
 sation, who offered his service gratis, till the Corporation of the 
 Church should be formally established, and a salary allow'd for it.* 
 This was on the 25th of October, 1697. 
 
 He continued in office but a very short time, for 
 in the next year another appointment was made, as 
 may be inferred from the following entry in the 
 minutes : 
 
 Mr. Welch appeared before the board, and being informed that 
 this Church wanted a Sexton, told them that he was ready to 
 execute that office, and that for his wages or salary for the same, he 
 be allowed six shillings per ann. of every pew for the cleaning and 
 looking after the same ; and that the persons that have a right to the 
 said pews pay the same quarterly, in equall portions. He also 
 remained but a short time in office, and was succeeded in 1705 
 by his son James.f 
 
 Ordered, That the said James Welsh be appointed Sexton of 
 Trinity Church, in the City and Province of New- York, and to receive 
 and take the fees and Perquisites thereof, on his giving security to 
 
 * There is the following curious entry in the minutes with respect 
 to his assistant : 
 
 Ordered, That Mr. Tothill do provide the Sexton's boy a waistcoat, 
 col'd breeches, shoes and stockings, hat and neckcloths. 
 
 f For as complete a list of the Sextons of Trinity Church, dining 
 the existence of the Parish, as can be made out, see Appendix B.
 
 30 HISTORY OF 
 
 acco* with, and pay unto the Church Wardens, for the time being, 
 (when required,) the fees and profits due, and from time to time that 
 shall or may grow due, to Trinity Church. And also pay unto the 
 Church Wardens, for the time being, the fees and benefits of the 
 Sexton of the said Church, to be disposed of towards the support 
 of his Mother, himself, and Brother, unto the 1 st of Aprill, 1707. 
 Mr. Welch, late Sexton of Trinity Church, being dedd, his son 
 James made applycation to the Vestry to succeed his father in the 
 office of Sexton. 
 
 In 1697 it appears also that a clerk was appointed : 
 
 The Board having considered the necessity there is for a Clark, 
 to execute that office for the service of the Congregation of Trinity 
 Church, and being sensible of the good services Mr. William Hud- 
 dleston hath done in that office for some years, and his readiness still 
 to officiate in that office, have nominated and appointed the said 
 William Huddleston, Clark of the said Church, for the year ensuing, 
 to commence from the 11 th day of this Instant month of January, 
 (1697,) and that for his encouragement for the due execution of the 
 said office, he have a salary of Twenty pounds current money 
 of New-York, and that the said be paid quarterly.* 
 
 In the following year, however, it appears that he 
 sent in his resignation, but shortly after resumed 
 his office : 
 
 Mr. William Huddleston, late Clarke of Trinity Church, informed 
 this Board, that by reason of great business and affairs that called 
 him abroad, he cannot attend to that service, and desires this board 
 will appoint some other person to execute that office. It is therefore 
 ordered, that Mr. Nath. Marston be Clarke of Trinity Church during 
 his well behaviour in ye said office, and that he have a sallary of 
 Twenty Pounds per ann. for ye said service, to be paid quarterly out 
 of ye Public Stock of ye Church, to commence from the ninth day of 
 this Instant month of April, (1698.) 
 
 * For a full list of the Clerks of Trinity Church, see Appendix C.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 31 
 
 The salaries both of the Clerks and Sextons were 
 at that day exceedingly small, the principal part of 
 their emoluments arising from fees. 
 
 The following are the rates at which these were 
 
 fixed : 
 
 The Clerk's fees. 
 
 For attending at a funeral, Five shillings and sixpence. 
 
 For his attendance at a marriage, Six shillings and sixpence. 
 
 For the registering a christening, Ninepence. 
 
 The Sexton's fees. 
 For ringing the bell for a funeral, Three shillings. 
 For making a grave, Six shillings. 
 For every marriage, Three shillings and threepence. 
 Ordered, That every stranger pay double fees. 
 
 The income of the Rector was made up as it 
 would seem, in a great measure at least, from the 
 same source ; for his stated salary was only £100 
 per annum, with an allowance of £26 to be paid by 
 government towards the rent of his house, until one 
 could be built for him on the Queen's Farm. 
 
 The fees which were appropriated to the Rector's 
 use, were established by the Vestry as follows : 
 
 For Burials in the Church. 
 For burying a man or woman in the Chancel, £5. 
 For the same ground for a child above ten years, and not exceeding 
 sixteen, £2 10s. 
 
 For a child under ten years, £1 5s. 
 
 And at a later period, the following additional 
 charges were authorized : 
 
 For performing the Funeral Service in the Church, 13s. 
 For performing the Funeral Service in the Churchyard, 9s. 
 For a marriage in the Parish, 13s.
 
 32 HISTORY OF 
 
 Whether there were any regulation or custom in 
 regard to these matters in Mr. Vesey's time, is uncer- 
 tain ; but it is evident from the following entries on 
 the minutes, that both his salary and perquisites were 
 insufficient for his comfortable support: 
 
 Ordered, That the Easter Offerings at the Communion on Easter 
 Sunday, be to the use of the Rector. And that 
 
 For the better support of our Minister, Mr. Vesey, he be allowed 
 and paid weekly out of ye contribution made in the Church, the sum 
 of 24 shillings, money of New-York ; any former order for the dispo- 
 sition of the money arising by that means, notwithstanding. 
 
 It appears, that in 1713, there was some difficulty 
 in regard to the payment of his salary, the real causes 
 of which are not fully explained. It probably arose 
 out of sectarian prejudice and ill will towards the 
 Church. By the provisions of the Charter and an 
 Act of Assembly, this salary was once in every year 
 to be levied, assessed, and collected by the Wardens 
 and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, for the sole and 
 proper use of the Rector and his successors forever ; 
 and it was the duty of the Justices of the Peace 
 and Vestrymen of the city of New-York, to direct 
 their warrants to the Church Wardens to issue the 
 monies thus levied and paid into the hands of the 
 Rector. Upon some frivolous pretext of his absence 
 from the Parish without leave, though having the 
 approbation of his Diocesan, the Bishop of London, 
 and though urged to the same both by private and 
 public reasons, they obstinately withheld his salary, 
 until they were compelled to pay it by the express 
 mandate of the crown. The principle at issue was of
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 33 
 
 so much importance, that all the documents on the 
 subject were recorded in the minutes, and they will 
 be found in the Appendix by those who may have 
 the curiosity to read them.* 
 
 Before this matter was so happily settled, it was 
 
 Ordered, Nemine contradicente, that a letter be wrote to His Lord- 
 ship to thank him for his care in supporting the rights of our Church, 
 particularly in appointing the Reverend Mr. Vesey his Commissary 
 in this & the Neighbouring Province, and other his favours, and that 
 Mr. Bickley, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Barberie, Mr. John Reade, and Mr. Wil- 
 liam Anderson, or any three of them, do draw up the said letter. 
 
 Ordered, Nemine contradicente, that this Vestry do congratulate the 
 Reverend Mr. Vesey's being appointed Commissary, and return him 
 their Hearty thanks for his particular services done for this Church 
 and doing this Board justice against the misrepresentations sent home 
 against them, and that the Church Wardens do the same. 
 
 Ordered, Nemine contradicente, that this Board doe return their 
 humble thanks to the Venerable Society for their great Kindness, 
 particularly in presenting the sum of Forty Pounds sterling to our 
 Rector, the Reverend Mr. Vesey, when in England, and the sending 
 to us the Reverend Mr. Jenny as his Assistant, and all other their 
 favours. 
 
 With the two-fold duties of Rector of the Parish 
 and Commissary of the Province, the life of Mr. Vesey 
 must have been one continued scene of labour, dis- 
 traction, and care. Even when he was confined to 
 the former only, it seems to have been found neces- 
 sary, as it is with the Rector at the present day, 
 to fly to a retreat, in order to escape from constant 
 interruptions. For the purpose, therefore, of securing 
 
 * Appendix E.
 
 34 HISTORY OF 
 
 the retirement which he needed for his correspond- 
 ence and study, it was ordered by the Vestry, that 
 a convenient place should be fitted up for him in the 
 lowest floor of the steeple. 
 
 The Rector, however, was greatly relieved in one 
 part of his pastoral labours, by the humble aid of a 
 long succession of intelligent schoolmasters and faith- 
 ful catechists. So early as the year 1710, it was 
 suggested to the Society for the Propagation of the 
 Gospel in Foreign Parts, by Colonel Heathcote, of 
 New-York, that they should send out a great many 
 more Schoolmasters to instruct, not only the servants 
 and slaves who had hitherto lived without God in the 
 world, but also the children of the planters, in reading, 
 writing, and the principles of the Christian religion 
 as taught and professed in the Church of England. 
 
 The Society at once acted upon this suggestion, 
 and sent out Mr. Wm. Huddlestone as Schoolmaster, 
 who, with Mr. Neau, who had already been appointed 
 as Catechist, in a subordinate capacity assisted the 
 Rector, instructed the children in the Catechism, 
 and fitted them for the Holy Communion. It appears 
 also, that the Rev. Mr. Barclay, who had officiated 
 seven years at Albany, during his stay at New-York 
 had more directly assisted him, and satisfactorily per- 
 formed all the offices of his ministerial function in 
 Trinity Church; and that the Rev. Robert Jenny 
 in the following year was sent by the Society to 
 New-York, for the more regular and stated assistance 
 of Mr. Vesey. " Mr. Neau, who had been appointed
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 35 
 
 Catechist a few years before, was a trader in this 
 city, and a Frenchman by birth. In consequence 
 of his having embraced the Reformed religion, he 
 had suffered several years' confinement in prison and 
 in the galleys. During this time, he had learned, 
 he says, part of the Liturgy by heart in his dungeons, 
 and that ever since, he had entertained both an affec- 
 tion and esteem for the Divine Service, as it is used 
 in the Church of England." # For a long course of 
 years he manifested the sincerity of his attachment, 
 by the most devoted and faithful discharge of his 
 humble duties among the Indians and slaves, of whom 
 there were at that time about 1500 in the city. 
 
 In 1708, the number of his catechumens had risen 
 to more than 200, and was increasing every day. 
 He could never get them together till candle light in 
 summer or winter, except on Sundays, when they 
 came after the last service of the Church. It was 
 the practice of Mr. Neau to resort every Sunday 
 afternoon with his catechumens to the Church to be 
 catechised by Mr. Vesey, and to take them to him 
 for baptism from time to time, as he considered 
 them sufficiently prepared to receive that holy sacra- 
 ment. 
 
 " The useful course of his labours was temporarily 
 interrupted in 1712, by an insurrection of the negroes 
 in the city of New-York. This, though soon put 
 down, created a strong prejudice against the school, 
 
 * Hawkins' Missions, p. 270.
 
 36 HISTORY OF 
 
 which the masters, who were for the most part averse 
 to their being instructed, well knew how to turn to 
 account. There was no ground for it, however, as it 
 appeared on the trial that but one of all Mr. Neau's 
 scholars, and that one unbaptized, had any concern 
 in the plot." * There is not time in this brief sketch, 
 for a minute detail of his useful labours, which were 
 finally closed in 1722. 
 
 It is a striking proof of the estimation in which he 
 was held in his day and generation, that, though 
 engaged in a vocation so humble and lowly, he was 
 for many successive years elected a Vestryman of 
 this Corporation. His remains now lie in the burial- 
 ground of Trinity Church, very nearly in a line with 
 its northern porch. 
 
 In 1715, the Rev. Mr. Jenny was appointed by 
 the Venerable Society as an Assistant to Mr. Vesey, 
 at the salary of £50 sterling a year. It seems also 
 that the Vestry, on their part, were adopting suitable 
 measures for the increase of his income, and his more 
 comfortable support. For, in a letter to them, dated 
 the 23d of August, 1715, from the Bishop of London, 
 he takes occasion to thank them for their kindness to 
 Mr. Jenny, in designing an augmentation of his 
 salary, and for every other instance of their zeal 
 and endeavours for the service of the Church, which 
 he assures them are very grateful to him. 
 
 From the following proceedings, however, in the 
 
 * Hawkins' Missions, p. 272.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 37 
 
 Vestry, it seems to have been the intention of the 
 Society to remove the missionary to another station : 
 
 Mr. Jenny having presented to this Board a Letter from the Society, 
 that they had come to a Resolution not to continue him Assistant 
 longer than the 6 th of March, 1715-16 : 
 
 Ordered, by t his Board, an humble address be presented to the 
 Society, begging the continuance of his salary ; and that Mr. Geo. 
 Clarke, Col 1 Hamilton, Mr. Barberie, Capt n Clarke, Mr. John Moore, 
 with the Rector, or any three, do prepare the same, which was 
 done accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Vesey presented to this Board a Letter from the Reverend Mr. 
 Jenny, which was read, wherein he Informed him, he had rec vd a letter 
 from Mr. Humphreys, that acquainted him the Society for the propa- 
 gation of the Gospell had resolved to dismiss all Assistants from their 
 service, in the number of which he was included ; and also a Letter 
 from his Lordship, the Bishop of London, who also mentions the 
 Society's having withdrawn the Allowance made by them, as no 
 longer in a condition to furnish it, and had recommended him to the 
 Governour of Virginia, to put him in some vacant parish till the 
 Society could provide for him ; and that he would please to inform this 
 Board, that it was not his intent to leave this Church, provided he 
 could be supported suitable to his function. 
 
 A subscription paper was presented to this Board, and being read, 
 was signed by all the Vestry present. 
 
 A letter was presented to this Board, directed to the Rev d Mr. 
 Vesey, from the Reverend Mr. Robert Jenny, which was read and is 
 as follows, viz. 
 Reverend Sir~- 
 
 I must beg the favor of you once more to meet the Gent, of the 
 Vestry on my account, in order to acquaint them with his Excellency's 
 favour to me of the Chaplain's place of the fort. His Excellency's 
 concern for the Interest of Trinity Church, has mov'd him to grant 
 me the Liberty to continue to perform the duty of Assistant to you, 
 which may easily be reconciled with the duty of the fort, which calls 
 upon me only Wednesdays and Fridays, and some times Sunday 
 morning ; so that if I attend the Prayers of the Church Tuesday,
 
 38 HISTORY OF 
 
 Thursday and Saturday,* and on such Sundays as I officiate in the 
 
 morning in the fort, read prayers and preach in the afternoon, the 
 
 offices will be performed to the same effect as formerly, without 
 
 laying an additional duty on you. However, since I am desirous 
 
 that whatever subscriptions are raised for me be entirely voluntary, 
 
 if the Gentlemen shall see it convenient, I shall not scruple to consent 
 
 that the late subscription paper be torn, and a new one made. But 
 
 still I must desire them to consider that I am not yet secure of 
 
 my Chaplain's place ; for Dr. Sharpe resign'd in London, and we 
 
 cannot tell whether the Government there has it otherwise disposed 
 
 of already. I am, Reverend Sir, with due respect to yourself and 
 
 the gentlemen, Your affectionate Brother and serv 1 , 
 
 Rob't Jenny. 
 New- York, July 26, 1717. 
 
 Whereupon it was Resolved, nemine contradicente, that a voluntary 
 subscription be prepared, and carried on for the ensuing year, for the 
 said Mr. Jenny, for his officiating in Trinity Church as usual, pay- 
 able quarterly, to commence from Midsummer last. 
 
 He continued his services in the Parish for several 
 years as Assistant to Mr. Vesey, and was then 
 removed by the Society to the Parish of Rye. 
 
 On the death of Mr. Neau, the following proceed- 
 ings took place in the Vestry : 
 
 A letter from this Board to Mr. Humphreys, Secretary to the 
 Hon ble Society for propagation of the Gospell in foreign parts, was 
 read in these words : 
 
 New-York, December 18th, 1722. 
 
 Sir : Since it has pleased God to take unto himself the pious Mr. 
 Elias Neau, the Catechist of this city, we, the Rector, Church War- 
 
 * From this it would seem, that, in 1717, there were daily prayers 
 in Trinity Church, again revived after the lapse of a hundred and 
 thirty years.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 39 
 
 dens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, most humbly Intreat the favour 
 of the Hon ble Society to appoint a Presbyter of the Church of 
 England to officiate in his stead, with the same annual allowance, and 
 to give him directions to assist our Minister, who, in his declining age, 
 is not so able as formerly to perform all the dutys of his calling, 
 which daily Increase on his hands. 
 
 We have lately been obliged, by voluntary subscriptions, to enlarge 
 our Church, but the subscriptions being insufficient, we have been 
 under the necessity of taking up money at Interest to compleat the 
 new building, which, by a modest computation, will cost more than 
 twelve hundred pounds, and have no prospect of being discharged of 
 the debts thereby contracted in some yeares : and therefore are not in 
 a condition of allowing a competent maintenance to an Assistant, 
 tho' one is absolutely necessary. But if the Hon ble Society will be 
 so favourable to us, as to appoint a good Preacher Catechist for this 
 place, w th directions to assist in our Church, we presume, for his 
 farther encouragement, we shall be able to raise, by contribution, soe 
 much as, with the salary from the Society, will be a comfortable 
 subsistence for him. 
 
 We are in hopes the Society will judge it as absolutely necessary 
 to appoint a catechist now for this city, as formerly, there being of late 
 yeares such a vast Increase of Children, and Indians, and Negro 
 sen-ants, who cannot, without such assistance, be so well instructed in 
 the principles of Christianity. And we Implore their favour to send 
 one over in Orders, who in many respects will be more capable of dis- 
 charging that office, and answering the pious designs of the Society 
 than a Layman, especially in assisting the Minister of the Parish in 
 the performance of all Parochiall dutys. This, on many accounts, 
 will exceedingly advance the Honour and Interest of our Holy 
 Church and Religion at this criticall juncture, when the Dissenters 
 here have united their forces, and by Encouragement and liberal 
 contributions from abroad, have been enabled to build two Meeting 
 Houses, and to support Ministers to preach in them, according to their 
 different opinions. 
 
 We desire you to present this our humble petition to the Honorable 
 Society, with the assurance of our Prayers to Allmighty God to direct 
 and prosper all their undertakings, for the advancement of God's
 
 40 HISTORY OF 
 
 glory and the good of his Church, and for all their acts of piety and 
 charity, to Reward them in the End with a Crown of Glory. 
 We are, S r , Your most affectionate humble servants. 
 
 To the Reverend Mr. David Humphreys, Secretary to the Honourable 
 Society for propagating the Gospell in foreign parts. 
 
 Which letter was approved of, signed, and ordered to be sent home 
 forthwith, and it was also signed by Mr. Barberie, the other Church 
 Warden out of Vestry. 
 
 To which letter the Vestry received the following 
 reply : 
 
 London, March 2 d . 1723. 
 
 Gentlemen : The Society for the propagation of the Gospell 
 in Foreign parts have some time since taken into consideration Your 
 letter, dated the 18 th . December 1722, wherein you desire the Society 
 would send a person in Priest's orders to be an Assistant to the Rever- 
 end Mr. Vesey and Lecturer, when they send a Catechist to succeed 
 Mr. Neau. I do therefore acquaint you that the Society have appoint- 
 ed the Reverend Mr. Wetmore to be Catechist at New- York in the 
 place of Mr. Elias Neau, and to be assistant to Mr. Vesey in his 
 Parochial dutys. The Society do expect that you will make him a 
 sufficient allowance for his decent and commodious support, agreeable 
 to your Engagement to the Society by your aforementioned Letter. 
 I am, Gentlemen, Y r most humble Serv 4 . 
 
 David Humphreys, Secretary. 
 
 To the Church Wardens and Vestry ) 
 of Trinity Church, New York. ) 
 
 Another letter was written to the Rev. Mr. Vesey, 
 of the same tenor, but with the following addition : 
 
 I have wrote to the Rev. Mr. Wetmore by this Conveyance, and 
 suppose he will soon wait upon you. I desire to hear from you, 
 as soon as it is convenient, what Proceedings have been made in this 
 affair, and hope it will succeed as the Society intend, towards your
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 41 
 
 relief in the better performing your Parochial duties, and the supplying 
 Mr. Neau's place as Catechist. 
 
 I am, Reverend Sir, Your most humble servant, 
 
 David Humphreys, Secretary. 
 
 P.S. The Society, uppn Your recommendation and that of the Mayor 
 of New- York, have appointed Mr. Thos. Huddlestone to be school- 
 master in the Room of his father, dee'd, with the same salary that 
 was allowed him. 
 
 After which, another letter of the same date, to the Reverend Mr. 
 Wetmore, was read in the words following, viz. 
 
 London, March 2 d . 1723. 
 Rev'd Sik : 
 
 The Society for the propagation of the Gospell in foreign Parts 
 have taken into consideration Your letter to them, dated New-York, 
 November 11 th . 1722, wherein you acquaint them that the Reverend 
 Mr. Harrison is fixed at Staten Island by His Excellency the Gover- 
 nor. The Society do therefore appoint you to be their Catechist at 
 New- York, in the place of the late Mr. Neau, and do expect you 
 would forthwith repair to the charge assigned you. The Society doe 
 allow you for that service a salary of fifty pounds a year, to continue 
 from your first admission *here in London. And they have also 
 appointed you to be the Assistant to the Reverend Mr. Vesey, 
 Rector of Trinity Church in New- York, in his parochial dutys, and 
 have wrote to the Church Wardens and Vestry of that Church, to 
 make you a further handsome allowance as Assistant, towards your 
 more decent and commodious support, which the Society expect they 
 will, according to their promise made to them by the letter, readily 
 doe. 
 
 It will be proper for you to let me know what steps you shall take 
 
 in this matter, and what encouragement you meet with from the 
 
 Parish. 
 
 I am, Reverend Sir, your most humble Servant, 
 
 David Humphreys, Secretary. 
 
 For the Reverend Mr. Wetmore, } 
 in New- York. ) 
 
 Whereupon it is ordered, that the subscription paper now before 
 this Board, and subscribed by most of them, be carryed round to the 
 
 3
 
 42 HISTORY OF 
 
 Inhabitants of this City, to receive their subscription towards support- 
 ing the said Mr. Wetmore. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Wetmore entered upon his duties 
 in 1723, as Catechist at New-York, in the room of 
 Mr. Neau, and Assistant to the Rev. Mr. Vesey. It 
 appears from the proceedings of the Society, that he 
 attended to the catechizing of the blacks every 
 Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evening, at his own 
 house, besides in the Church every Sunday before 
 Evening Service $ and that he had sometimes nearly 
 200 children and servants to instruct, whom he taught 
 the Church Catechism, and that he commonly added 
 some practical discourse suitable to their capacities, 
 joined with some appropriate devotions. 
 
 In 1726, a communication was received by the Vestry from the 
 Rev. Mr. Wetmore, in which he acquainted this Board that he had 
 lately been called by the Church Wardens and Vestry of the Parish 
 of Rye, to be their Minister, in the room of the Reverend Mr. Jenny, 
 whom the Society had appointed for the parish of Hempstead ; and 
 that he had been Inducted in the said Parish of Rye, by virtue of 
 Letters of Induction from His Excellency Governour Burnet. And 
 also, that if the Society should be pleased to approve thereof, he 
 intended to accept of the said parish and remove thither, and he 
 thanked the Vestry for their subscriptions & favours to him, and 
 assured them that his intentions for removing did not proceed from 
 any dislike, but purely because he conceived it would be for the better 
 and more certain support and maintenance of himself and family. 
 
 Measures were immediately taken, as it appears 
 from the minutes, for supplying his place. 
 
 Mr. Vesey, and the rest of the Committee, appointed by the order 
 of the last Vestry, to prepare an address to the Honourable Society 
 for appointing a person to officiate in the stead of the Reverend Mr.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 43 
 
 Wetmore, and also another address to the Bishop of London, desiring 
 his favour and Assistance therein, acquainted this Board, that in pur- 
 suance of the said order, they had prepared the following letters, 
 which were accordingly read : 
 
 New York, July 5 th , 1726. 
 Reverend Sir : 
 
 Wee, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 in the City of New- York, in America, being informed by the Reverend 
 Mr. Wetmore of his call and Induction to Rye, and his Resolution, 
 with the Society's leave, to settle in that parish, Doe most humbly 
 address that Venerable Body to appoint another Catechist, with the 
 usual salary, to officiate in that place, there being about one thousand 
 and four hundred Indian and Negro Slaves, and the number daily 
 increasing by Births, and Importations from Guinea and other parts. 
 A considerable number of those Negroes, by the Society's charity, 
 have been already instructed in the principles of Christianity, have 
 received Holy Baptism, arc communicants of our Church, and fre- 
 quently approach the Altar. We doubt not but the Society has 
 received from Mr. Neau, their former Catechist, repeated accounts of 
 the great success of his Mission ; and since Mr. Wetmore's appoint- 
 ment, we have with great pleasure observed on Sunday upwards of an 
 hundred English Children and negro servants attending him in the 
 Church ; and their catechetical instructions being ended, singing Psalms 
 and praising Cod with great devotion. The Honorable Society at all 
 times, and more especially of late, has most Zealously patronized the 
 cause of those poor Iniidells, who otherwise might still have remained 
 ignorant of the true God, and the only way to happiness ; and their 
 great charity dispenced among them here having already produced 
 such blessed effects, must raise in them an extraordinary Joy at 
 present, will be a vast accession to their future happiness, and encrease 
 their reward of Glory in another world. We could say much more 
 on this occasion, but this we hope will be sufficient to guard them 
 against any attempts to persuade them to turn their Bounty another 
 way, and Induce them to believe that the Office of a Catechist here 
 is of as great an importance as ever, and that his Salary is as well 
 and charitably bestowed as any Missionary's in all those parts. If 
 the Society, on these considerations, should be pleased to appoint a
 
 44 HISTORY OF 
 
 Catechist, we humbly pray that he may be one in orders, and directed 
 to assist in our Church ; who in many respects will be more capable 
 than a Layman to discharge that office, and answer their pious designs, 
 by inculcating on the Catechumens the principles of Religion, both 
 in public and private, with greater authority ; visiting them in their 
 sickness ; and as occasion requires, can Baptize them, and administer 
 the Holy Communion to them in their dying hours. Besides, this will 
 be an act of Charity to us, who being deeply involved in debt, enlarg- 
 ing our Church, and at present having but small hopes of discharging it, 
 are unable of ourselves to raise a sufficient maintenance for one to 
 assist our Rector in his declining age, and to preach an afternoon 
 sermon ; tho h it is of absolute necessity and great importance in this 
 populous City, a place of considerable trade and resort, and the centre 
 of America. A good English Preacher, of such a clear and audible 
 voice as may reach our large Church, and the eares of the numerous 
 hearers, will, by the Divine Influence, very much advance the Glory 
 of God, the Interest of our Holy Church and Religion, at this time ; 
 and we shall be the more Capable of raising, by annual subscriptions, 
 soe much, as, with the Society's salary, will be a comfortable subsist- 
 ence for him, and a suitable encouragement for a man of piety & 
 learning to come among us ; and if he has an inclination to teach a 
 Latin school, he will also find a very good account in the discharge 
 of that Office. Were it possible for the Society to have a perfect 
 view of this Infant Church, planted among many different nations 
 and severall Meeting Houses, wee persuade ourselves that her Interest 
 would lye as near their hearts, as it does want their assistance. All 
 which is nevertheless most humbly submitted to their consideration 
 by us, who Heartily pray for their Health and Happiness ; and shall 
 endeavour on all occasions to approve ourselves their and your most 
 obedient humble Servt 8 . 
 
 To the Rev d . Mr. David Humphreys, Secretary to the } 
 Honorable Society for propagating the Gospell in > 
 Foreign parts. ) 
 
 Another letter on the same subject was addressed 
 to the Bishop of London :
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 45 
 
 New-York, July 5 th , 1726. 
 
 My Lord : 
 
 Wee, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity 
 Church, being assured of Mr. Wetmore's resolution to remove to Rye, 
 with the leave of his Superiours, have most humbly addressed our- 
 selves to your Lordship and the Honourable Society to appoint 
 another Catechist in Orders to officiate in this city. Inclosed is a 
 copy of our Address, which we humbly conceive will convince your 
 Lordship, and all the worthy patrons of our Church, that the office is 
 still as absolutely necessary and of as great Importance as ever, and 
 the Society's charity as well bestowed this way as on any Missionary 
 on the Continent. To whom should we goe, under God, but to our 
 right Reverend Father, who, by Divine providence, is appointed the 
 great Shepherd and Bishop of these American Churches ; and as you 
 have authority and Interest, soe we are well assured of your good 
 Inclinations to recommend our petition to that venerable Body, and by 
 your powerful intercession render it successfull. My Lord, among 
 the Infinite Blessings of Allmighty God vouchsafed this Country 
 wherein we live, none is or can be more dear to us than the free 
 exercise of our true Religion, and it is from hence, with Your Lord- 
 ships great goodness and piety, that we take this encouragement to 
 address you in this manner, and the more from the consideration of 
 our aiming at that which your Lordship has very wisely made the 
 supreme end of all your actions, the promoting of Gods glory and of 
 being instrumentall in establishing and propagating the Gospell in 
 foreign parts. And it is a vast advantage to our poor endeavours for 
 this pious end, that they are sure of being countenanced by your 
 Lordship's approbation of them, and by your zealous application in 
 favour of our Christian Church, which God has purchased with his 
 own Blood. May Allmighty God long preserve you, and may his 
 Blessings be upon all your endeavours for this and other good 
 purposes, and for all your acts of piety and charity may you be in 
 some measure rewarded in this world, and finally receive the crown 
 of righteousness laid up for you in Heaven. These are the hearty 
 and most earnest wishes of, May it please your Lordship, your Lord- 
 ship's most obedient humble servants. 
 To the Right Honorable and right Reverend Father in God Edmond,
 
 46 HISTORY OF 
 
 Lord Bishop of London, and one of his Majestys most honorable 
 privy Councill. 
 
 The Rev d Mr. Wetmore acquainted this Board that the Society 
 had been pleased to appoint and send over the Rev d Mr. Colgan, for 
 the parish of Rye, unto which the said Mr. Wetmore had already 
 been called and Inducted ; and that in as much as he was willing and 
 desirous to officiate in the said parish, untill the Society's further 
 pleasure should be known therein, he and Mr. Colgan had agreed that 
 Mr. Colgan should officiate here in his stead, untill such time as 
 they should receive further orders from the Society. And the said 
 Mr. Colgan also appearing before this Board, and declaring his assent 
 thereto, It was- consented to and approved of accordingly ; and It 
 was thereupon ordered that a letter be writt to the Venerable Society, 
 desiring them to appoint the said Mr. Colgan to officiate here in the 
 stead of Mr. Wetmore, if they had not already been pleased to 
 appoint some other person ; and that Mr. Vesey, the two Church 
 Wardens, or either of them, and Mr. Livingston, be a committee to 
 prepare the same. And it is further ordered, that a subscription 
 paper be prepared and carryed about for Mr. Colgan, to commence 
 from the first of November next. 
 
 The Committee appointed by the last Vestry to prepare a letter 
 to the Venerable Society for propagating the Gospell in foreign parts, 
 to appoint the Reverend Mr. Colgan to officiate here in the stead 
 of the Reverend Mr. Wetmore, presented to this Board a letter for 
 that purpose, which was read in these words following, viz. 
 
 New-York October 17* 1726. 
 Rev'd S'r : 
 
 We, the Rector, Church Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 in the City of New-York, in America, did, some time agoe, in a most 
 humble manner pray the Honorable Society to send a Catechist in 
 Priests' Orders to officiate here, if they should be pleased to order the 
 Reverend Mr. Wetmore to settle in Rye, where he had been legally 
 called and Inducted, pursuant to an Act of Assembly of this Province. 
 But since that Address, the Reverend Mr. Colgan is arrived, with 
 orders to officiate as the Society's Missionary at Rye, but finding that 
 Mr. Wetmore had a great desire to live there, and the Vestry of that 
 Town very much inclined that he should settle among them, he being
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 47 
 
 called by them, born in the Country, and best acquainted with their 
 tempers, has agreed to an exchange if the Society should be pleased 
 to approve of it. 
 
 Wee therefore heartily concur with them and the Vestry of Rye in ad- 
 dressing that Venerable Body, humbly to desire that they would please 
 to confirm that agreement, and to order the Reverend Mr. Colgan to 
 officiate here if they have not already appointed another Catechist, for 
 such an exchange, as we humbly conceive will, in the present posture 
 of affairs, prevent some trouble and confusion, and most effectually 
 promote the great end and design of the Society's pious and charitable 
 endeavours, the peace and prosperity of the Church, and the interest 
 of Religion in those parts. And tho' we have a great regard for the 
 Reverend Mr. Wetmore, whose life and conversation is unexcep- 
 tionable, and have hitherto expressed it by our subscriptions accord- 
 ing to our abilitys, yet inasmuch, as he can't be so well heard and 
 understood in our large Church, and since his call and Induction to 
 Rye, we are not sure of raising a sufficient support for his family by 
 voluntary subscriptions ; Whereas Mr. Colgan's clear, distinct and 
 loud voice, can reach the remotest hearers in the Church, where he 
 has read divine service and preached with great applause, and this 
 with his Recommendations from England gives him a prospect of 
 doing more good than in that parish to which he was sent, and leaves 
 us no room to doubt of raising so much by subscriptions as, with the 
 Society's annual allowance, may be a suitable encouragement to 
 him to continue among us. All which is nevertheless most humbly 
 submitted to the consideration of the Hon ble Society by us, who 
 sincerely pray for their Temporall and Eternall Happiness, and 
 subscribe ourselves their and your much obliged and most humble 
 servants. 
 To the Reverend Mr. David Humphreys, Secretary to the Honorable 
 
 Society for propagating the Gospell in foreign parts. 
 
 The Church Wardens and Vestry Men desired the favour of Rev d 
 Mr. Vesey, that when the Reverend Mr. Colgan comes to town from 
 his Parish of Rye, he may have the liberty of reading prayers and 
 preaching in the afternoon, which request Mr. Vesey readily granted 
 and consented to. 
 
 Mr. Vesey presented to this Board a letter from the Rev d Mr.
 
 48 HISTORY OF 
 
 David Humphreys, Secretary to the Society, which was read in the 
 words following, vizt. 
 
 London, Sepf 19 th , 1726. 
 Rev'd Sir : 
 
 I have communicated to the Society the letter from yourself, and 
 the Church Wardens and Vestry of your parish, and upon considering 
 the state of your parish, as represented there, they have agreed to 
 send a Catechist to succeed Mr. Wetmore, to continue to Instruct 
 the Negroes and other Slaves in the principles of the Christian 
 Religion. The Society have also agreed that such Catechist shall 
 assist you in your parochial Cure, but with this consideration, that 
 the people who have subscribed to Mr. Wetmore doe continue to pay 
 the same subscriptions to the Catechist the Society sends, above 
 the salary which the Society shall allow him. I am, Reverend S r , 
 Your most humble Servant, 
 
 David Humphreys, Sec'y. 
 
 P. S. — The Society have agreed to send a Missionary to Albany, 
 
 To the Rev d Mr. Vesey, New- York. 
 
 In answer to which, the following letter was wrote, vizt. 
 
 New.York, December 27 th , 1726. 
 Reverend Sir : 
 
 This day Mr. Vesey communicated to us, in Vestry, your's of 
 the nineteenth of September last, wherein you inform us that the 
 Hon ble Society has been pleased to agree to send a Catechist to 
 succeed Mr. Wetmore, and to assist our Minister in his parochial 
 cure. We are very sensible of their great goodness and charity, in 
 continuing the office of a Catechist, to Instruct the great numbers of 
 Negro Slaves in this city in the principles of Religion, do most 
 gratefully acknowledge the favour thereby intended to our Infant 
 Church, and shall cheerfully contribute to his support according to 
 our several ability. 
 
 Wee observe that the Catechist is to assist our Minister, on con- 
 sideration that the subscriptions shall amount to the same given Mr. 
 Wetmore. We make no doubt of raising as much for a good 
 preacher, who can be clearly understood, and distinctly heard ; and 
 if the Society would be so favourable to us, as to appoint the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 49 
 
 Reverend Mr. Colgan Catechist, we believe the people would more 
 generously subscribe, for the Congregation is very much pleased 
 with his preaching and reading divine service ; his voice is clear and 
 distinct, and reaches to the remotest parts of our large Church. 
 However, by this we would not be understood to prescribe to our 
 Superiours, but humbly beg it as a favour of great importance to the 
 Interest of our Church and Religion in this place, and shall, never- 
 theless, readily submitt to their most prudent choice and determina- 
 tion, and on all occasions endeavour to approve ourselves the 
 Society's and your much obliged and most obedient humble Servants. 
 Which letter was approved of, and signed, by all the members 
 present, and ordered that the Church Wardens do send down the 
 same by some safe hand to Capt. Downing, who went away this 
 afternoon. 
 
 Mr. William Huddlestone, whose appointment has 
 been already noticed, laboured faithfully and success- 
 fully for thirteen years in his useful calling as School- 
 master for the Society, for which he received the 
 very moderate compensation of £15 sterling per 
 annum. He was also appointed the Clerk of the 
 Vestry, at a salary of £20 a year, New-York cur- 
 rency, and likewise Clerk of the Church, for which 
 he received £10 a year. It is a little remarkable, 
 that, like Mr. Ncau, he also was an object of so much 
 consideration, as to have been elected annually a 
 vestryman of Trinity Church, from 1697 to 1714. 
 
 Mr. William Huddlestone was succeeded by his 
 son, Thomas Huddlestone, the appointment having 
 been made by the Society, on the recommendation of 
 Mr. Vesey and the Mayor of New-York. The latter 
 also appeared before the Board, and proposed to 
 execute the office of Clerk of Trinity Church, for 
 fees incident and belonging to the same, as they were
 
 5 ) HISTORY OF 
 
 established, and had been usually taken by his father 
 and predecessor, and that without any salary or other 
 reward. And the said proposals having been consid- 
 ered by the Vestry, he was unanimously chosen. In 
 a liberal spirit, however, gratuities were made to 
 him at times of £6, £10 and £16 for his past services, 
 and for his future encouragement and better subsist- 
 ence, and a salary was finally allowed him of £15 per 
 annum. 
 
 In addition to his stated duty to his scholars, on 
 t! e death of Mr. Neau, he also taught the blacks 
 in the steeple of Trinity Church every Sunday before 
 sermon, and after sermon at his own house. 
 
 On the death of Mr. Thomas Huddlestone, it was 
 ordered by the Vestry, 
 
 That Mr. Vesey, the Church Wardens, Mr. Livingston and Mr. 
 Chambers, be a comittee to prepare an humble address to the 
 Venerable Society for propagating the Gospell in foreign parts, that 
 they will favourably be pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Noxon their 
 schoolmaster in this city, and to continue their salary for that purpose. 
 And the said Mr. Noxon having undertaken that the office of Clerk to 
 the Church shall be officiated to the satisfaction of the Vestry, he is 
 thereupon appointed and chosen Clerk accordingly; This address 
 was drawn up, and signed, in the words following, to wit : 
 
 New-York, the 30 th of October, 1731. 
 Reverend Sir : 
 
 It having pleased Allmighty God to take unto himself Mr. 
 Thomas Huddlestone, the Society's Schoolmaster, in this city, wee, 
 the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, most 
 humbly entreat that Venerable Body to continue that charity, which 
 has hitherto been of great use and service to the poor children of this 
 place, as well as a nursery to our Infant Church, in bringing up and 
 instructing them in the principles of our Most Holy Religion ; and if 
 the Society would be favourably pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 51 
 
 Noxon, of this city, in that office, we should esteem it a singular 
 favour, he having been for many years past (and still is) one of our 
 Vestry, a person of exemplary piety and vertue, and instrumental in 
 bringing several persons to our Communion, and one whom we 
 persuade ourselves will discharge that, duty with the utmost diligence 
 and faithfulness. 
 
 Sir, we conceive it necessary to acquaint you, we are informed the 
 Widdow Huddlestone, mother to the deceased, immediately after her 
 eon's death got an address drawn up to the Hon ble Society, in order 
 to have the school and their bounty conferred on her ; and as she or 
 her daughter carried the same about, they got several Inhabitants of 
 this city to sign the same in her favour, some of them, as we believe, 
 induced thereto by meer compassion, and others not only by that, but 
 also believing it was approved of and countenanced by us ; and this 
 address we expect will be transmitted you by this or the next conveyance, 
 in which, had it been offered to us, we would readily and heartily have 
 joined, could we have thought Mrs. Huddlestone, in her advanced 
 years, a person proper or capable to discharge a trust or duty of such 
 great importance both to the City and Church. 
 
 But as we cannot recommend her as such, yet we humbly beg 
 leave to recommend her and her poor family to the Venerable Society, 
 as objects worthy of their charity, both husband and son having been 
 faithful] servants to them in the discharge of their respective duties. 
 We are, Rcv d S r , 
 
 Your much obliged and most h'ble serv ts . 
 
 The Society having graciously yielded to both 
 these requests, the following letter of thanks was 
 returned by the Vestry : 
 
 New-York, May, 1732. 
 Rev. Sir : 
 
 We, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church 
 in this city, beg leave to acquaint you, the Reverend Mr. Charlton 
 communicated to us your Letter of the thirteenth of December last, 
 by which we are Informed that the Society have been pleased to 
 condescend to our joint request in appointing him Catechist, in the 
 room of Mr. Colgan ; and by your favour of the twenty-fourth of
 
 52 HISTORY or 
 
 February following, you are pleased to acquaint us that that Venerable 
 Body, in regard to our Recommendation, have been favourably pleased 
 to appoint Mr. Thomas Noxon to succeed Mr. Huddle stone as school- 
 master, and to order a gratuity of Twenty pounds to Mrs. Huddlestone ; 
 for all which favours, we readily embrace this first opportunity of 
 returning our most humble and hearty thanks to the Hon ble Society, 
 and beg leave to assure them we shall not only be very cautious in 
 our recommendations, but likewise, upon all occasions in our power, 
 endeavour to encourage and further their pious intentions, and pur- 
 suant to their commands signified in your said letter, we hereby certify, 
 that the said Wm. Noxon began to teach school on the twenty-second 
 day of April last, and we have appointed the Rector, Church Wardens, 
 and some of the Vestry a Comittee, to visit the said school from time 
 to time, as occasion shall require, to certify the number of scholars, 
 management, and progress thereof, who have this day visited his 
 school, and found in it upwards of forty poor children under his 
 Instruction. All which we desire you to acquaint the Hon ble 
 Society of, which, with our sincere prayers to Allmighty God for 
 their prosperity and happiness, concludes us both their and your much 
 obliged and most obedient servants. 
 Which was approved of and signed. 
 
 Mr. Noxon, at the time he received the appointment as School- 
 master of the Society, had been eighteen years a member of the 
 Vestry. The discharge of his various duties, therefore, being too 
 laborious for him, he informed the Board, that by reason of his being 
 advanced in Years, he was desirous to surrender his Office as Clerk 
 of the Church, provided the Vestry would be pleased to continue him 
 therein untill the 19 th . day of October next, at which time his Year 
 would be compleat and Expire. And Mr. Man, who Officiated in 
 setting and singing the Psalms, having declared his willingness and 
 consent to continue the same under Mr. Noxon, upon his being paid 
 half the salary allowed Mr. Noxon, according to their agreement, until 
 that time, the said proposal was agreed to by this Board. 
 
 It was ordered, the Church Wardens should pay to Mr. Noxon 
 a year's salary which was due to him ; and that they should pay 
 unto the said Mr. Man three Pounds for half a Year's service under 
 Mr. Noxon, at the request of the Church Wardens.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 53 
 
 Mr. Noxon continued his labours with fidelity and 
 success, until worn out with age and infirmities, he 
 at length resigned his employment in 1741 ; and upon 
 the recommendation of the Rev. Mr. Commissary 
 Vesey, and the Church Wardens and Vestry, together 
 with that of the Rev. Mr. Charlton, the Society 
 appointed Mr. Hildreth in his place. 
 
 The project of enlarging Trinity Church, was 
 brought forward in the Vestry in the year 1718 ; but 
 the work does not appear to have been fully com- 
 pleted until 1737. It was originally, as has been 
 already remarked, a small square edifice, but finally 
 was of an oblong form, being 72 feet in width, and 
 148 feet in length. From the sketch of it, which 
 was afterwards taken when in ruins, and from the 
 accounts of many aged people who still remember 
 it, it appears to have been a well-proportioned and 
 imposing edifice. 
 
 There are several entries on the minutes in regard 
 to the details of the plan, which are somewhat curious, 
 biit no general description. 
 
 Ordered, that the Church be enlarged as far as the Street, & that 
 Mr. Bickley, Capt. Clarke, Mr. Peter Barberie, Mr. Jn°. Moore, 
 Mr. Balme, & Mr. Jos. Reade, or any four of them, be appointed a 
 Committee to consider what forme may be most proper, and report 
 the same to this Board. 
 
 Mr. Bickley proposed to this Board, that a Gallery may be built 
 over his Excellency's Pew; and that his Excellency having been 
 acquainted therewith, was pleased to acquiesce therein. Whereupon 
 it is resolved, Nemine contradicente, that a Gallery be built from 
 the old Gallery over his Excellency's pew, and the Batchelors' pew, 
 to the wall. 
 
 Ordered, that a New Gallery be built over the West Gallery,
 
 54 HISTORY OF 
 
 if the charge thereof can be defrayed by subscriptions ; and when 
 built, the front pews to be appropriated to Housekeepers and their 
 wives, Masters of vessels and their wives, and School Masters and 
 their wives ; and the range of pews at Each end of the said Gallery, 
 for Mr. Jenny's & Mr. Huddle stone's scholars — Mr. Jenny to have the 
 first choice. The two ranges of pews in the middle, to be in common. 
 
 The methods by which the money was raised, 
 seems to have been in part by loans, but principally 
 by the sale of pews, and the voluntary contributions 
 of the parishioners.* A list of those who were pur- 
 chasers of the pews, and the prices which were given 
 for them, will be found in the Appendix,t as well as 
 the names of the contributors and the sums they 
 subscribed.^ They will, no doubt, be examined with 
 curiosity and interest, by all who are in any way 
 connected with the Parish. 
 
 In the enlargement of the Church, the pulpit was 
 taken from the situation which it had formerly occu- 
 pied, and was placed on the side of the north wall. 
 By this change, which made of course an alteration 
 with respect to it, in the relative position of the pews, 
 many, as is the case in the new church at the present 
 day, were greatly incommoded. 
 
 It was therefore ordered, that the Church Wardens, Mr. Hors- 
 manden, Mr. Watts, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Reade, Mr. Moore, Mr. Sou- 
 maine, Mr. Searle, Mi. Hamersley, Mr. Crooke, Mr. Nicholls, 
 Mr. Duane, or any seven, (one of the Church Wardens to be one,) 
 should be a committee, to treat with such persons as were dissatisfyed 
 with their Pews since the removall of the pulpitt, and to agree with 
 them in the best manner they could. 
 
 In the brief description which has already been 
 * See Appendix F. f Appendix G. ^ Appendix H.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 55 
 
 given of the interior of this church, it was said to 
 have been more highly ornamented than any other 
 in the city. Three full sets of Communion plat)* 
 had been bestowed on it by the bounty of the Grown, 
 in the reigns of William and Mary, Queen Ann, a;id 
 one of the Georges, inscribed with the initials of I he 
 names of the donors, and the royal arms. An alar 
 piece was prepared, according to the plan of Mr. Ro- 
 bert Elliston, towards which he himself contributed 
 £20. The furniture of the Communion table, the 
 desk, and pulpit, from an entry on the minutes, 
 appear to have been of the richest and costliest 
 
 kind.t 
 
 Capt. Richard Jeffreys and Capt. Nathaniel Rich- 
 ards made a present to the Church of two glass 
 branches, and some broad gold lace ; for which 
 generous gifts the Vestry returned them their thanks, 
 
 * Another was presented at a later period, by Governor Tryon. 
 Besides these, there were several smaller gifts of the same kind, from 
 private persons, at different times. A very handsome silver basin, 
 from Mr. Robert Elliston, to receive the offerings at the Communion. 
 Two for the same purpose from Mrs. Leaver, in the recollection of 
 whose kindness, permission was given her by the Vestry, to sit in 
 the pew next to the wall on the right hand of the Governor's, during 
 her life. And another from the Rev. Dr. Barclay. 
 
 j - Col. Robinson, one of the Wardens of the Church, acquainted 
 the Board, that Capt. Farmar had brought him from England, crimson 
 damask for a new set of furniture for the Communion table, pulpit, 
 and reading desk, with fringe, lining, and tassels for the same ; 
 which cost forty-two pounds eleven shillings and threepence sterling. 
 
 Upon which, Col. Robinson was ordered by the Vestry to deliver 
 to Mr. Peter Jay, the old Communion cloth, pulpit cloth, and desk 
 cloth, for the use of the Church at Rye, in Westchester County.
 
 56 HISTORY OF 
 
 and offered them the choice of a pew for their free use, 
 either in the north or south gallery. An order was 
 passed, that Col. Robinson should cause these to be 
 hung up in the Church, leaving a proper distance for 
 a handsome large branch in the middle 5 and that he 
 should send to England for one, according to a draft 
 which was made for the purpose. It would seem, 
 however, that it was afterwards resolved to have it 
 made after a more tasteful pattern, prepared by 
 John Ogilvie, of London, and that Capt. Wm. Bryant 
 was to agree with him in the best manner he could, 
 for the charge he had been at in forming the model, 
 but nevertheless at an expence that should not exceed 
 £10 sterling. From the cost of the model, we may 
 infer the great beauty of the branch, and the value 
 of the smaller ones, if they were at all in keeping 
 with the larger. 
 
 The organ was built by Mr. John Clemm, for the 
 sum of £520, New-York currency, to which the 
 Vestry, with their accustomed liberality, added a 
 gratuity of £40. 
 
 In the pressing wants of the Corporation, during 
 this period and for some time after, a number of gifts 
 and bequests were made to it : 
 
 Mr. Reade, one of the Church Wardens, communicated to this 
 Board a letter from Mr. John Cottain, purporting that he had sent 
 a present of Forty half Barrells of Flour, for the maintenance of the 
 Poor of the English Church ; and that he had received the same 
 by Mr. Cornelius Low, from Esopus ; which said flour weighed 
 65 cwt. 12 lbs. ; and that he had disposed of the same to Mr. Ste- 
 phen De Lancey, at lis. per Hundred, which amounted in the whole 
 to £38 19s. lid. New-York money.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 57 
 
 A legacy was left to Trinity Church by Mrs. Mark- 
 ham, the amount of which is not specified. 
 
 Joseph Wright bequeathed to it all his real and 
 personal estate. The Vestry retained his house, but 
 ordered the Churchwardens to dispose of his wear- 
 ing apparel and household goods, to distribute the 
 proceeds thereof among his relations and such others 
 as they might see fit, and to pay his debts and funeral 
 charges. . 
 
 Col. Abraham Depeyster bequeathed to it £50 5 
 and the Churchwardens were ordered to agree 
 with his children, as to the ornament (for the Church) 
 to which they would have it applied. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Murray left £100 for the use of the 
 poor in Trinity Parish, of which he was long a Warden ; 
 and Paul Richards, Esq. £50, for the same purpose. 
 
 And Mr. Thomas Duncan bequeathed to it £500. 
 
 There is also a register on the minutes, of valuable 
 books presented by the Bishop of London and the 
 Rev. Dr. Bray, towards laying the foundation of a 
 Parochial Library in New-York, for the use of the 
 Ministers of Holy Trinity Church. In 1733, there 
 was another choice gift of books in Divinity, from 
 Robert Elliston, Gent-, Comptroller of His Majesty's 
 Customs, to Holy Trinity Church Library in [Yew- 
 York City ; and a second from the same in 1744. 
 The catalogue of these several collections fills nine 
 pages folio in manuscript. They were for a long time 
 kept in an upper room on the north-east corner of 
 St. Paul's Chapelj where there is now a passage- way 
 to the gallery 5 and on the establishment of the 
 General Theological Seminary in this city, they 
 4
 
 58 HISTORY OF 
 
 were given to that Institution, as a foundation for a 
 Library. 
 
 On the arrival of each new Governor in the 
 Province, it was the custom of the Vestry to present 
 an address to him, of which the following is a favour- 
 able specimen: 
 
 This Board having agreed to address his Excellency the Governour, 
 an address was prepared, and read in the words following, viz. 
 
 TO HIS EXCELLENCY GEORGE CLINTON, ESQ., CAPTAIN-GENERAL AND 
 GOVERNOTJR-IN-CHIEF OF THE PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, AND TERRI- 
 TORIES THEREON DEPENDING IN AMERICA, AND THE VICE-ADMIRAL 
 OF THE SAME, ETC. 
 
 May it please your Excellency : 
 
 We, the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 from a just sense of the manifold blessings which we enjoy under his 
 Majesty's government, esteem it our duty to take this first opportunity 
 of acknowledging his paternal care, in sending a gentleman to represent 
 him here in these his distant dominions, whose noble descent and 
 personall merits have justly preferred him to his Royall esteem, and 
 whose dictates and natural inclinations to make the people whom he 
 governs easy and happy, do so nearly resemble those virtues of his 
 Royall Master, the best of Kings. 
 
 We also beg leave to congratulate your Excellency's safe and 
 happy arrival, with that of your lady and family, in this Your Govern- 
 ment of New- York, where we assure your Excellency, we, in our 
 respective stations, will evidence our affection and duty to his Majesty, 
 by a dutiful submission to Your Excellency, whom he hath appointed 
 to rule over us. 
 
 And as it is with pleasure and gratitude we reflect on the many 
 Royal favours vouchsafed our Infant Church from its first foundation, so 
 it is with equall pleasure that we promise ourselves protection and 
 countenance in the secure enjoyment of all our Religious Rights and 
 priviledges under your Excellency's wise and just administration. 
 
 May Almighty God direct and prosper your government, for the 
 advancement of his glory, and the welfare of the province; and may
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 59 
 
 Your Excellency, your lady ami family, be blest with health and 
 happiness in this world, and finally inherit eternal life, are the sincere 
 prayers of your Excellency's most obedient servants. 
 
 Which address was approved of, and signed by the members present. 
 and ordered thai Col 1 Moore and Mr. Nicholls wait on his Excel- 
 lency, to know when and where he will be attended with the said 
 address ; who accordingly waited on his Excellency, and reported to 
 this Board that his Excellency would be ready to receive this Board 
 at the house of Mr. Williams, at eleven o'cl k on Tuesday Morning 
 next. 
 
 On the thirtieth day of September, 1743, the Rector, Church 
 Wardens, and Vestry of Trinity Church, pursuant to the above order, 
 malted on his Excellency Governour Clinton, with their address, to 
 which his Excellency was pleased to make the following answer, vizt. 
 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 I return my thanks for your kind address upon my safe arrival], 
 with my family, to my Government ; and as nothing can recommend 
 me more to my Royall Master than a firm resolution to make the 
 people under my Government easy and happy, so your Church in 
 particular may be assured of my countenance and protection, in the 
 secure enjoyment of all your religious rights and priviledges. 
 30 th Sept r , 1743. G. Clinton. 
 
 Upon the removal of the Rev. Mr. Colgan to 
 Jamaica, who had been acting for many years as 
 Catechist and Assistant to the Rev. Mr. Vesey, at the 
 request of the Corporation of Trinity Church to the 
 Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, 
 the Rev. Mr. Charlton was appointed his successor. 
 The long and consistent service of this servant of the 
 Lord, in the same humble, but important office of 
 Catechist to the slaves, demands a brief, though imper- 
 fect notice. He was in the habit every Sunday of 
 teaching and explaining the Church Catechism, and 
 was reported by Mr. Vesey to have given great
 
 60 HISTORY OF 
 
 satisfaction to the people, and to have crowned all 
 with a good life. From his appointment at New- 
 York, in 1732, to 1740, he had baptized two hundred 
 and nineteen blacks, of whom twenty-four were 
 adults.* The next year he had seventy black and 
 ninety white catechumens. In 1746, their number 
 had considerably increased, and he could plainly dis- 
 cover a truly pious spirit among them. 
 
 It appears, by letters from the missionaries in New- 
 York, that about this period this province, though 
 much less disturbed than the neighbouring ones, had 
 not been without trouble from Methodism and the 
 new light $ in which such a deep tincture of enthu- 
 siasm had appeared, as had induced many thinking 
 dissenters to come to our churches and worship God 
 in soberness and truth. And the Rev. Mr. Commissary 
 Vesey writes, that the several boxes of books from the 
 Society, sent through his care to their missionaries, 
 catechists, and schoolmasters, had done good service 
 among the people, and that they were very greatly 
 beholden to the Society for their constant paternal 
 care and bountiful benefactions to them. 
 
 In 1746, the Rev. Mr. Commissary Vesey trans- 
 mitted to the Society an account of all the churches 
 under his inspection, and it gave them great pleasure 
 to observe the wonderful blessing of God on their 
 pious cares and endeavours to promote the Christian 
 religion in these remote and dark corners of the 
 
 * In 1741 he writes, that he had more than fifty white adult catechu- 
 mens, besides a great nnmber of children, and that his catechetical 
 lectures were well attended.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 61 
 
 world, and the great success that had attended the 
 faithful labours of their missionaries in the conversion 
 of so many from vile errors and wicked practices, 
 to the faith of Christ ; it appearing that there were 
 twenty-two churches nourishing and increasing within 
 his jurisdiction. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Vesey, the first Rector of Trinity 
 Church, continued, as has been before remarked, 
 without interruption for fifty years in the service of 
 the Parish. The last one has been nearly thirty-five 
 years, comprehending together more than one half of 
 the entire period of its existence. What were the 
 labours, the trials and discouragements of the former 
 in his parochial cure, or what were the fruits of his 
 exertions through this long tract of time, I have found 
 no opportunity of learning. The very register of the 
 baptisms he performed, the marriages he celebrated, 
 the funerals he attended, which would have furnished 
 some clue to them, is blotted out of existence 5 being 
 reported by tradition to have been destroyed in the 
 great conflagration of 1776. But judging from the 
 multitude of these duties which were discharged by 
 his immediate successors, and the innumerable calls 
 upon the time and attention of most clergymen in 
 large towns or cities, it may be fairly inferred that his 
 burthens were heavy, and his labours abundant. 
 
 Thus divided between his public cares and the more 
 retired duties of his parish, and assisted in the latter 
 by most humble and conscientious fellow-labourers, 
 he passed a long life in usefulness and honour, and 
 was at length gathered to his fathers in peace.
 
 62 HISTORY OF 
 
 The Churchwardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 by their letter, dated December 5, 1746, inform the 
 Society of the death of the very worthy Mr. Com- 
 missary Vesey, in a good old age, he having been 
 Rector of that Church from its first building, in the 
 year 1697, to the day of his death, the 11th of July, 
 1746. In the character given of him in the public 
 papers of New-York, he is represented " as having 
 conscientiously performed the duties of his office with 
 unwearied diligence, and uncommon abilities, to the 
 general satisfaction and applause of all. And as he 
 had been a great instrument in promoting the build- 
 ing and settlement of that Church, (when there were 
 but a few of the established religion here,) so, by the 
 blessing of God upon his pious and earnest endeav- 
 ours, he had the satisfaction to see his congregation 
 from time to time increase, the building enlarged and 
 beautified, and now, at last, the inward pleasure of 
 leaving in peace and good order one of the largest 
 and finest churches in America, with a very consid- 
 erable congregation, which justly lament their almost 
 irreparable loss in him, who, in his private life, was 
 truly good, of a grave, thoughtful, prudent and 
 discreet disposition, yet very affable, cheerful and 
 good-natured in his conversation ; a most tender, 
 affectionate husband ; a good, indulgent master ; a 
 faithful, steady friend ; and beneficent to all. 
 
 " His corpse was decently interred in the family 
 vault, attended by several gentlemen of his Majesty's 
 Council, most of the principal magistrates, and chiefest 
 part of all the inhabitants 5 and as he always lived a 
 faithful soldier and servant to his great Lord and
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 03 
 
 Maker, so he bore his sickness with great patience, 
 resolution, and constancy of mind, and in his last 
 moments cheerfully resigned his soul into his hand 
 who summoned him hence, to receive the eulogy in 
 the Gospel, Well done thou good and faithful servant, 
 enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
 
 I know not how I can more beautifully close this 
 first epoch in the history of our Parish, than with the 
 termination of the labours of him, who was thus 
 happily connected with its very commencement. 
 
 Immediately after this event, the Board considering 
 the great loss they had sustained by the death of the 
 Rev. Mr. Vesey, and not being willing to call another 
 Rector till they had duly weighed and considered the 
 matter; in order that the Church might be duly sup- 
 plied during the vacancy, passed an order that the 
 Churchwardens should be desired to write to the min- 
 isters of this and the neighbouring provinces, as they 
 should think proper, to preach in Trinity Church in 
 their turns.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 In the brief sketch of the history of Trinity Church 
 which I proposed to give, I brought down the account 
 in the last chapter to the death of the Reverend and 
 very worthy Commissary Vesey, first Rector of the 
 Parish. The Vestry, as it appears from their letter 
 to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 
 Foreign Parts, immediately proceeded to the appoint- 
 ment of another in his place. In choosing him a 
 successor, they profess to have acted with all the care 
 and precaution becoming so weighty an affair, and 
 they inform the Society that they have elected the 
 Rev. Mr. Barclay, their missionary at Albany and to 
 the Mohock Indians, to be the Rector of Trinity 
 Church. 
 
 The Rev. Henry Barclay was father of the late 
 Thomas Barclay, Consul-General of his Britannic 
 Majesty in the United States, so well known and so 
 highly esteemed by thousands among us, and whose 
 place, as British Consul, is at this moment so worthily 
 filled by Mr. Anthony Barclay, one of his sons. In 
 the strange mutations of this growing and changefu 
 city, it is an interesting circumstance that the latter 
 is still a worshipper in our Parish, keeping up the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 65 
 
 connection with it on the part of his family after the 
 lapse of a hundred years. 
 
 In announcing the appointment of the Rev. Mr. 
 Barclay to the Society, the Vestry of Trinity Church 
 take occasion to remark, that though they are well 
 satisfied with his qualifications, and have a great 
 esteem for him, they should not have presumed to 
 have made any advances for his removal, had they 
 not been well informed of the many and great 
 discouragements he had met with in his mission since 
 the war with France, which rendered his best endeav- 
 ours fruitless, and the safety of his person precarious 
 among the Indians during the continuance of the war. 
 
 The devotedness, acceptableness, and success of 
 his labours amongst this unhappy race, though not 
 immediately connected with our present subject, seem 
 nevertheless worthy of some hasty notice. He was 
 appointed Catechist to the Mohawk Indians in 1736, 
 ten years before his election to the Rectorship of 
 Trinity Church. At that time, in the very outset of 
 his labours, he represents to* the Society that the 
 prospect of converting these Indians was truly great 5 
 that, as far as he could learn, they were desirous of 
 being instructed in the Gospel, and very willing to 
 embrace Christianity $ and that, in the short time he 
 had been among them, he had met with great success. 
 Having performed his duties as Catechist among them 
 very satisfactorily, in the following year he was 
 recommended by the President of the Council of 
 New-York, by the Commissioners of Indian Affairs, 
 by the missionaries and inhabitants of the province,
 
 66 HISTORY or 
 
 and by the Rev. Commissary Vesey, as a person of 
 good morals and learning, who had many years 
 applied himself with great diligence to attain their 
 language, and had made such progress as actually to 
 instruct and catechise them and their children in the 
 Mohawk tongue. The Society read their petitions 
 with great pleasure, and sent for Mr. Barclay to 
 England, who, on his appearance, fully answering the 
 good character transmitted of him, was ordained both 
 deacon and priest. On his return to his mission he 
 was gladly received by his congregation at Albany, 
 and even with tears of joy by the poor Indians, with 
 whom he purposed to reside half of his time, in great 
 hopes of being serviceable among them; and these 
 hopes, by the blessing of God, were happily fulfilled. 
 For Mr. Barclay informed the Society, by a letter of 
 November 10th, 1738, that there grew a daily refor- 
 mation of manners among the Mohawks, and an 
 increase in virtue proportionable to their knowledge, 
 insomuch, that they composed a regular sober congre- 
 gation of five hundred Christian .Indians, of whom 
 fifty were very serious communicants. This happy 
 state of things not only continued for many years, but 
 the moral and spiritual condition of the Indians was 
 constantly and gradually improving, until, in 1744 and 
 1745, the machinations of the French led them to 
 disaffection towards their rulers, and in some measure 
 alienated their minds from their pastor himself. In 
 this melancholy situation, he received the news of his 
 being elected Rector of Trinity Church. He 
 remained nearly three months in suspense, out of a 
 sincere regard for the interest of religion, among
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 67 
 
 the native Indians, when, seeing no prospect of being 
 further serviceable to them at present, and being no 
 longer able to abide with safety among them, he 
 accepted of that church, and was inducted into it. 
 
 Upon the election of Mr. Barclay, the two Church- 
 wardens, Mr. Horsmanden and Mr. Chambers, and 
 Mr. Nicholls, were appointed a Committee to write 
 to the Bishop of London and the Society, acquainting 
 them with the death of their late Rector, and the 
 choice of the new, and to lay the drafts of such 
 letters before the next Vestry. 
 
 The Committee appointed the third Instant, to prepare letters to 
 the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London, and 
 the Venerable Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign 
 parts, produced to this Board letters to the Bishop of London and the 
 Society : that to the Bishop of London in the words following, vizt : 
 
 New-York, December 6 th , 1746. 
 My Lord : 
 
 We, the Church Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, under 
 the greatest concern, beg leave to acquaint Your Lordship, that it 
 hath pleased God to take unto himself the Reverend Mr. Vesey, 
 Your Lordship's Commissary, and our faithiull pastor, by whose death 
 the churches in general over which, by Your Lordship's favor, he 
 had the Inspection, have sustained a very great, and our own in 
 particular, an almost irreparable loss ; tho', by the blessing of Almighty 
 God upon his pious endeavours and unwearied diligence for the space 
 of near fitly years past, he had the inward pleasure of leaving in peace 
 and good order one of the largest and finest churches in America, 
 with a considerable congregation, who, almost with one voice, named 
 the Rev. Mr. Barclay to succeed Mr. Vesey as Rector. And although 
 we were well satisfied of his qualifications in all respects, yet, as he 
 was in the service of the Honourable Society, and had been instru- 
 mentall in doing a vast deal of good among the Heathen, we should 
 not, upon any terms, have presumed to have countenanced the calling
 
 68 HISTORY OF 
 
 of him, had we not been well satisfied that, since the war with 
 France, he had met with insupportable discouragement, which 
 rendered his mission and best endeavours fruitless, as well as the 
 safety of his person precarious among those savages in the Mohawks' 
 Country — which, with many other parts of the County of Albany, 
 being the frontiers of the province, is now deserted by the Christian 
 Inhabitants, and almost laid waste by Barbarians and French ; 
 all which, with what Mr. Barclay will have the honour of writing to 
 Your Lordship upon this head, we humbly hope will be sufficient, in 
 Your Lordship's opinion and Judgment, to justifie our conduct and 
 proceedings upon this important occasion ; and that Your Lordship 
 (who by Divine Providence, is appointed the great shepherd and 
 Bishop of these American Churches) will approve of our choice, 
 and give us leave humbly to recommend our Rector as a Gentle- 
 man, worthy of Your Lordship's favour and countenance ; And that 
 Your Lordship will be pleased to continue your paternall care and 
 good offices to our Infant Church, which we shall always endeavour 
 to meritt, and remain with the most profound respect, My Lord, Your 
 Lordship's much obliged, and most obedient humble serv ts . 
 
 And that to the Society, in the words following, to witt : 
 
 New-York, December the 5th, 1746. 
 Reverexd Sir — 
 
 We, the Church Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, in the 
 city of New- York, begg leave to acquaint the Honourable Society, 
 that it hath pleased Almighty God to take unto himself the Revd 
 Mr. Vesey, our late worthy Rector, by whose death the Church 
 Wardens, under his Inspection as Commissary, have sustained a con- 
 siderable, and our own an almost irreparable loss. And as we have 
 made choice of the Rev d Mr. Barclay to succeed him, we hope our 
 proceeding therein will not be disagreeable to that Venerable Body, 
 we having endeavoured to act upon this important occasion with all 
 the care and precaution becoming so weighty an affair. And although 
 we have a great esteem for Mr. Barclay, and were all satisfied, with 
 his qualifications in all respects, yet we should not have presumed to 
 make any advances for his removall, had we not been well satisfied 
 of the many and great discouragements he hath mett with in his 
 mission since the war with France, which rendered his best endeav-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. G9 
 
 ours fruitless, and the safety of his person precarious among the 
 savages in the Mohawks' Country, at least during the continuance of the 
 War ; which, with what further accounts he shall give the Honourable 
 Society about this matter, we trust will be satislactory, and Justine his 
 conduct and removal! from the scat of War, and a country greatly 
 deserted by the Inhabitants, and almost laid waste by Barbarians. 
 
 Reverend Sir, we begg our humble duty may be presented to the 
 Honourable Society, and that you will, upon all occasions, be pleased 
 to interpose your good offices for the continuance of their favour and 
 bounty towards us, which, by the blessing of God, and the care and 
 diligence of the Rcv d Mr. Charlton, their Catechist, prove success- 
 full, and greatly tend to promote their pious designs to the Glory of God, 
 and the Interest of our Holy Church and Religion in this populous 
 city, amidst the many different sects and persuasions of its inhabitants. 
 So heartily recommending the Honourable Society to the favour and 
 protection of Almighty God, and praying for their health and happi- 
 ness we remain, with the greatest regard, both their and Your Most 
 obedient humble servants. 
 
 Which Letters were approved off, and signed by this Board. 
 
 The following proceedings took place upon the 
 election and induction of Mr. Barclay : 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held the 17th day of October, 1746, it 
 was resolved and ordered, that the Reverend Mr. Henry Barclay be, 
 and the said Mr. Henry Barclay is, hereby called as Rector of Trinity 
 Church in this city, and that this Board present the said Mr. Barclay 
 to his Excellency the Governour, and desire he may be admitted and 
 instituted as Rector of, and Inducted into the said Church. That Mr. 
 Horsmandcn and Mr. Chambers being desired to wait on Mr. Barclay, 
 and acquaint him with the Resolution of this Board, and know 
 whether he would accept of the call, waited on hirn accordingly, who 
 returned and introduced Mr. Barclay into the Vestry, where he 
 accepted of the call. And thereupon it is ordered, that Mr. Murray, 
 Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Lodge, and Mr. Nicholls, be a 
 Committee to prepare a presentation of the said Mr. Barclay to his 
 Excellency the Governour. 
 
 And ordered, that the Church Wardens, Mr. Horsmanden, Col 1 *
 
 70 HISTORY OF 
 
 Moore, Mr. Watts, Mr. Reade, Mr. Livingston, or any three of them, 
 one of the Church Wardens being one, be a Committee to wait on 
 his Excellency the Govern our, to know when he will be attended by 
 this Board, to present the said Mr. Henry Barclay for admission, 
 institution and Induction, as Rector of Trinity Church aforesaid, and 
 that they make their report thereof to the next Vestry. 
 
 The Committee appointed by this Board the 17 th Instant, to wait 
 on his Excellency the Governour to know when he would be attended 
 by this Board, to present the Rev d Mr. Henry Barclay for admission, 
 institution and induction as Rector of Trinity Church in this city, 
 Reported to this Board that they had waited on his Excellency 
 accordingly, who appointed five o'clock this afternoon. Then the 
 Committee, appointed the same day to prepare a presentation of the 
 said Mr. Henry Barclay to his Excellency the Governour, presented 
 to this Board the said presentation in the words following, viz : 
 
 TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE GEORGE CLINTON, ESQ., 
 CAPTAIN-GENERAL AND GOVERNOUR -IN-CHIEF IN AND OVER THE 
 PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, AND TERRITORIES THEREON DEPEND- 
 ING, IN AMERICA, AND VICE-ADMIRALL OF THE SAME, AND VICE- 
 ADMIRAL OF THE RED SQUADRON OF niS MAJESTY'S FLEET : 
 
 We, the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in 
 the city of New-York, in Communion of the Church of England, as 
 by law established, the true and undoubted patrons of the Rectory of 
 the Parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, within your Govern- 
 ment, in all reverence and obedience to Your Excellency due and 
 suitable, send Greeting, in our Lord God Everlasting, to the said 
 parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, now being vacant by the 
 natural death of William Vesey, Clerk, the last incumbent in the 
 same, and to our Presentation of full right belonging, our beloved in 
 Christ, Henry Barclay, Clerk to Your Excellency, by these presents 
 we do present, humbly praying that you would vouchsafe him, the 
 said Henry Barclay to the same Church, to admitt him into the 
 Rectory of the same Church to institute, and cause to be inducted, 
 with all its rights, members and appurtenances, and that you will, 
 with favour and effect, do and fulfill all and singular those things 
 which in this behalf are proper and fitting for your Excellency to do.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 71 
 
 In testimony whereof, we, the Church Wardens and Vestrymen 
 aforesaid, have to these presents put our hands and seals this twenty, 
 second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven 
 hundred and forty-six. 
 
 Which being read was approved off, and was signed and sealed by 
 all the Members present, and also by Edward Holland, Charles 
 Crooke, and Robert Elliston. 
 
 Governour Clinton's admission of Mr. Barclay to be Rector of 
 
 Trinity Church. 
 &5LSLSJL&* I' George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall and Gover- 
 •< seal. £ nour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and Terri- 
 ©JHTStftf* tories thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall 
 of the same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's 
 fleet, do admitt you, Henry Barclay, Clerk, able to be Rector of the 
 Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New- York. Given 
 under my hand and the Prerogative Seal of the Province of New- 
 York, this twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord 
 one thousand seven hundred and forty-six. 
 
 G. Clinton. 
 
 Letters of Institution by Governour Clinton to Mr. Henry Barclay. 
 
 &SL&9.&SL® I' George Clinton, Esq., Capt n -Generall and Governour- 
 •j seal. >c in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and Territories 
 ©tfimfSd thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall of the 
 same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's fleet, 
 do institute you, Henry Barclay, Clerk, Rector of the Parish Church 
 of Trinity Church, in the city of New- York, to have the care of the 
 souls of the parishioners of the said Trinity Church, and take Your 
 Cure and Mine. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of 
 the province of New- York, this twenty-second day of October, in the 
 Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six. 
 
 G. Clinton. 
 
 Mandate from Governour Clinton to Induct Mr. Henry Barclay 
 
 into the Rectory of '.. rinity Church. 
 &SL9.R2SL® The Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall 
 a< seal. *> and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of New- York, 
 ®16*1STST6® and the Territories thereon depending, in America, and
 
 72 HISTORY OF 
 
 Vice-Admirall of the same, and Vice- Admiral of the Red Squadron 
 of his Majesty's Fleet : To all and singular, Rectors or Parish Ministers 
 whatsoever in the Province of New-York, or to Joseph Robinson and 
 Joseph Murray, Esq rs , the present Church Wardens of Trinity 
 Church, in the city of New-York, and to the Vestry Men of the said 
 Church, and to each and every of you, 
 
 Greeting : Whereas I have admitted our beloved in Christ, Henry 
 Barclay, Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish Church of Trinity 
 Church, in the city of New- York, within my Government, vacant as 
 is said by the naturall death of William Vesey, the last Incumbent 
 there, to which he was presented unto me by the Church Wardens 
 and Vestry Men of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in 
 communion of the Church of England, as by law established, patrons 
 of the same : And him I have instituted into the Rectory of the same, 
 with all its rights and appurtenances, (observing the laws and Canons 
 of right, in that behalf required and to be observed :) To you, 
 therefore, jointly and severally, I do committ, and firmly enjoining do 
 command, each and every of you, that in due manner him the same 
 Henry Barclay, or his lawfull Proctor, in his name, or for him, into 
 the reall, actuall, and corporall possession of the said Rectory and 
 Parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, and of all its rights and 
 appurtenances whatsoever, you induct, or cause to be inducted, and 
 him so inducted you do defend, and what you shall have done in the 
 premises thereof you do duly certify unto me, or other competent 
 Judge in that behalf, when thereunto you shall be duly required. 
 Given under my hand and the Prerogative Seal of the Province of 
 New-York, the twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our 
 Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six. 
 
 G. Clinton. 
 
 Certificate of Mr. Barclay's Induction, t^c, into the Rectory of 
 Trinity Church, dfc. 
 
 We, whose names are hereunto written, do certify that Henry 
 Barclay, Rector of Trinity Church in the city of New- York, was, in 
 the presence of us, Inducted into his Church aforesaid, by Joseph 
 Murray and Joseph Robinson, Esq rs , the present Church Wardens, 
 and by the Vestrymen of the said Church, on the twenty-second day
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 73 
 
 of October, one thousand seven hundred and forty-six, by virtue of 
 certain Letters of Induction made under the hand of his Excellency 
 the Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall and Gover- 
 nour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, &c, and under the 
 Prerogative Seal of the said Province, within the parish of the city 
 of New-York aforesaid, for that purpose directed in the w< rda 
 following, viz : The Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain- 
 Gene rail and Governour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and 
 Teiritories thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall of the 
 same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's 
 Fleet : To all and singular, Rectors or Parish Ministers whatsoever 
 in the Province, of New-York, or to Joseph Robinson or Joseph 
 Murray, Esq™, the present Church Wardens of Trinity Church, in 
 the city of New-York, and to the Vestrymen of the said Church, and 
 to each and every of you Greeting: Whereas I have admitted our 
 Beloved in Christ, Henry Barclay, Clerk, to the Rectory of the 
 Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, within 
 my Government, vacant, as is said, by the naturall death of William 
 Vesey, the last Incumbent there, to which he was presented unto me 
 by the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the 
 city of New-York, in Communion of the Church of England, as by 
 law established, patrons of the same, and him I have instituted into 
 the Rectory of the same, with all its rights and appurtenances, 
 (observing the Laws and Canons of Right, in that behalf required 
 and to be observed :) To you, therefore, jointly and severally, I do 
 committ, and firmly enjoining, do command each and every of you 
 that, in due manner, him, the same Henry Barclay, or his lawful 
 Proctor, in his name, or for him, into the real, actuall and corporall 
 possession of the said Rectory and Parish Church of Trinity Church 
 aforesaid, and of all its rights and appurtenances whatsoever, you 
 Induct, or cause to be Inducted, and him so Inducted you do defend, 
 and what you shall have done in the premises thereof you do duely 
 certifie unto me, or other competent Judge, in that behalf when 
 thereunto you shall be duely required. Given under my hand and 
 the prerogative Seal of the Province of New-York, the twenty-second 
 day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
 and forty-six. G. Clinton. 
 
 5
 
 74 HISTORY OF 
 
 " Also, that the aforesaid Henry Barclay, on the 
 twenty-third day of this Instant November, within the 
 said year, being a Lord's day, did read in his Parish 
 Church aforesaid, openly, publickly and solemnly, be- 
 fore the congregation there assembled, the Morning 
 and Evening Prayers appointed to be read, by and 
 according to the Book Entitled, (the Book of Com- 
 mon Prayer,) and administration of the Sacraments 
 and rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to 
 the use of the Church of England, " together with the 
 Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be 
 said or sung in Churches, and the form or manner 
 of making, ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, 
 Priests, and Deacons," at the time thereby appointed $ 
 and after such reading, thereof, did, openly and pub- 
 lickly, before the congregation assembled, declare his 
 unfeigned assent and consent, to the use of all things 
 therein contained, and prescribed according to this 
 form, viz : I, Henry Barclay, do declare my unfeigned 
 assent and consent, to all and every thing and things 
 contained and prescribed in and by the Book Intituled 
 the Book of Common Prayer, and administration of 
 Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the 
 Church, according to the use of the Church of Eng- 
 land, together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, 
 pointed as they are to be said or sung in Churches, 
 and the form or manner of making, ordaining, and 
 Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Also 
 that he did, publickly and openly, in the afternoon of 
 the said day, in his Parish Church aforesaid, in the 
 presence of the congregation there assembled, in the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 75 
 
 time of Divine Service, read a certificate under the 
 hand and seal of the Right Reverend father in God 
 Edmund, Lord Bishop of London, in these words, viz : 
 This declaration was made and subscribed before me, 
 by the said Henry Barclay, to be licensed to perform 
 the Ministerial office in the Colony of New-York, this 
 12th day of Dec, in the Year of our Lord 1737, and* 
 in the 15th of our Translation. 
 
 " Edmund London. 
 
 " And at the same time, and in the same place, the 
 congregation being present, did read the declaration 
 or acknowledgement contained in the said certificate, 
 viz : I do declare that I will conform to the Liturgy 
 of the Church of England, as it is now by Law Estab- 
 lished. And lastly, that on Wednesday, the twenty- 
 sixth day of the Instant November, and in the Year 
 aforesaid, he did read the Articles of Religion, com- 
 monly called the thirty-nine Articles, agreed upon in 
 Convocation, in the Year 1652, in his Parish Church 
 aforesaid, in the time of Common Prayer there, and 
 did declare his unfeigned assent thereto. And these 
 things we promise to testify upon our Corporall oaths, 
 if at any time we shall be called thereunto. In witness 
 whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, in the city 
 of New-York, this twenty-eighth day of November, in 
 the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred 
 and forty-six. 
 
 "James Emott, 
 "Lambert Moore." 
 
 On the news of his appointment to the office of
 
 78 HISTORY OF 
 
 Rector of Trinity Church, the acceptance of which, 
 under the circumstances of the case, the Society for 
 the Propagation of the Gospel very highly approved, 
 they desired him to dispose of the moneys in his 
 hands for the service of the Mohocks as he should 
 think proper, he having shown himself in all things a 
 good and faithful steward to them. They also made 
 it their earnest request to Mr. Barclay, to continue 
 the Mohock Indians under his care, as far as was 
 consistent with his cure of Trinity Church, and to 
 look out for some proper person to be appointed their 
 Missionary, as soon as with safety he might reside 
 among them. To this he replied, that he was very 
 much afraid it could not be done while the war should 
 continue, and that if he had had the least prospect of 
 it, he trusted in God that no worldly considerations 
 would have prevailed on him to lay down his employ- 
 ment among them ; but that he would nevertheless do 
 all in his power in his new station, to keep alive and 
 cherish that good seed which he had so happily sown 
 among them. 
 
 It may well be supposed that one who had been 
 so laborious, so self-denying, and successful in the 
 difficult attempt to convert and reform the Indians, 
 would not be lacking in fidelity and diligence to those 
 who were already of the household of faith. At this 
 distance of time, however, it is almost impossible to 
 follow him in the even tenour of his course in a set- 
 tled and well established parish, and to ascertain 
 either the extent or the fruits of his labours. But
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 77 
 
 still we have some indications both of their abundance 
 and success. 
 
 In a few years after his induction into the office of 
 Rector of Trinity Church, the congregation had so 
 far increased as to stand in need of further accom- 
 modation, and to require the erection of a chapel. 
 Partly by the arrival of strangers from Europe, but 
 principally by proselytes from the Dutch churches, 
 it had become so numerous, that, though the old 
 building would contain two thousand hearers, a new 
 one was needed. If the statement of Smith, the 
 historian of New-York, that the proportion of Epis- 
 copalians to the dissenters in the colony was scarcely 
 as one to fifteen, this was a most remarkable circum- 
 stance, and spoke well for the zeal and diligence of 
 the ministers of Trinity Church. For there were at 
 that time only eight places of worship belonging to 
 the dissenters in the city of New-York, some of which 
 were small, so that the proportion of Episcopalians 
 had risen here at least as one to five. 
 
 The first step which was taken in this matter, was 
 at a meeting of the Vestry on the 12th of April, 
 1748: 
 
 " This Board being of opinion that it has become 
 absolutely necessary to build a chapel of Ease to 
 Trinity Church, and being desirous to build the same 
 where it will be most commodious and convenient to 
 the congregation in generall: Ordered, That the 
 Church Wardens, Col. Moore, Mr. Watts, Mr. Li- 
 vingston, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. lleade,
 
 /O HISTORY OF 
 
 and Mr. Lodge, or any four of them, (one of the 
 Church Wardens always to be one,) be a committee 
 to consider where will be the most proper place for 
 building the said chapel, and to hear the sentiments 
 of the congregation, with their several reasons, and to 
 make their report to this Board with all convenient 
 expedition. 
 
 " Ordered, That the Church Wardens, Mr. Reade 
 and Mr. Chambers, be a committee to purchase six 
 lotts of ground fronting Nassau-street and Fair-street, 
 from David Clarkson, Esq., upon such terms as they 
 shall think reasonable, in order to build a chapel of 
 Ease to Trinity Church thereon." 
 
 At a subsequent meeting, held on the 11th of July, 
 in the same year, 
 
 Col 1 Robinson, from the committee appointed to purchase the lotts of 
 ground from Mr. Clarkson, to build a chapel of Ease on, Reported, that 
 the committee had agreed with Mr. Clarkson for the said lotts tor £500, 
 to be paid in a Year ; and several persons residing in Montgomerie 
 Ward appearing, and alledging that the lots of Col 1 Beekman, fronting 
 Bcekman's street and Van Cliff's street, would be more commodious 
 for building the said chapel on, proposed, that, if the Vestry would 
 agree to the building the chapel there, the Inhabitants of Montgomerie 
 Ward would raise money among themselves sufficient to purchase the 
 ground, and that if Mr. Clarkson insisted on the performance of the 
 agreement with him for his lotts, they would take a conveyance for 
 them, and pay the purchase money ; which proposal being considered 
 by the Vestry, was agreed to. 
 
 Mr. Reade, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Holland, Mr. Grant, and Mr. 
 Henry Ludlow, or any three of them, were appointed a committee to 
 procure plans for a chapel of Ease to Trinity Church, not exceeding 
 ninety feet in length, and to make their report to the Board with all
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK, t\t 
 
 convenient expedition ; and Mr. Murray, Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. 
 Chambers, Mr. Lodge, and Mr. Nicholls, a committee to examine 
 into the title of Col 1 Henry Beekman to the lands near Beekman's- 
 Swamp, proposed to be purchased for the building a chapel of Ease. 
 Power also was given to the committee appointed, to inspect into 
 the title of Col 1 Beekman to the land near the swamp, to agree with 
 Col 1 Beekman for the purchase thereof, for such sum as they should 
 think fitt, and to prepare deeds to be by him executed for the convey- 
 ing the same to the Rector and inhabitants of Trinity Church ; and 
 when such purchase should be so made, to agree also with James 
 Burling for exchanging part of the said ground for a lott of ground 
 which belonged to him adjoining thereto, or such part thereof as they 
 could agree with him to exchange for the same, on such terms and 
 for such consideration as to them should seem meet. 
 
 These arrangements were all completed, as appears 
 from an entry on the minutes in the following spring : 
 
 Mr. Murray, from the committee appointed to agree with Col 1 
 Henry Beekman for six lots of land to build a chapel of ease on, 
 Reported, that the said Col 1 Beekman and his wife had executed 
 Deeds for the said lots, and that Capt. Aspinwall, on behalf of the 
 Inhabitants of Montgomcrie Ward, had paid £645 for the same. 
 Whereupon it was ordered, that the said deeds be delivered to Mr, 
 Lodge, to be by him entered on the records of this city. 
 
 It would seem that the Church lands were still 
 yery unproductive,* and the resources of the Vestry 
 
 * For, at a meeting of the Vestry on the 26th of April, 1750, 
 Adam Vandenburgh, the tenant of the Churches farm, appeared at this 
 Board, and agreed that the Church might lease out any of the farm 
 to the southward of the stockadoes for any purposes, notwithstanding 
 his lease had not expired ; and thereupon, this Board agreed to lease 
 the said Adam Vandenburgh four lots of twenty-five feet in breadth
 
 80 HISTORY OF 
 
 exceedingly limited.* For in 1750, it was ordered 
 that the committee appointed to manage the building 
 of the chapel of Ease, should have power to take up 
 any sum on interest, not exceeding one thousand 
 pounds ; and it was subsequently 
 
 Ordered, That the seal of this Corporation should 
 be affixed to Bonds for any sums of money that the 
 Church Wardens might want, for carrying on the 
 building of the chapel of Ease, not exceeding one 
 thousand pounds more than the sum of one thousand 
 pounds, already ordered to be borrowed. 
 
 and one hundred feet in length each, where he then lived, for the 
 term of twenty-one years, at the rent of forty shillings per annum for 
 each lot. And in consideration of his having secured the ground at 
 his own expense near the Bowling Green from washing away, it was 
 ordered, that the said Adam Vandenburgh have the house where he 
 then lived, to make use of as he should think convenient. 
 
 * In the spring of the following year, these entries are found on 
 the minutes. 
 
 Adam Vandenburgh, the present Tennant of the churches farm, 
 appeared at this Board, and agreed to rent the said Farm for a Year 
 longer, from the twenty-fifth of March next, at the former rent of 
 Forty pounds ; that all the Land to the southward of the stockadoes, 
 and the four acres agreed to be leased to William Burnham at the 
 north end of the Farm, are excepted out of this lease ; but that the 
 said Adam Vandenburgh may use any of the Land to the southward 
 of the stockadoes, while it lies open and unleased ; that he is to cut no 
 timber or wood off the Farm, and at the end of the term to leave 
 eleven hundred and ninety pannells of sufficient Fence on the farm. 
 
 Adam Vandenburgh appeared at this Board and agreed to lease 
 the old Bowling Green for twenty-one Years, from the 25 th of March 
 next, at the rent of fifteen pounds per annum, the part of it alrcndy 
 let to Elias Gruchie to be excepted.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 81 
 
 The following presents, towards the building of the 
 chapel, are noticed in the minutes : 
 
 Col 1 Robinson acquainted the Board, that Mr. Oliver DeLanccy, 
 by order of Sir Peter Warren, had this day paid him ten pounds ster- 
 ling, (eighteen pounds this currency,) being the donation of His (J race 
 the Archbishop of Canterbury, towards the building of the chappell 
 of Ease, for which this Board are very thankful ; and it was ordered, 
 that the Rector and Church Wardens return his Grace their humble 
 thanks accordingly. 
 
 Mr. Oliver DeLancey acquainted this Board, that he had received 
 a letter from Sir Peter Warren, directing him to pay one hundred 
 pounds sterling towards the building of St. George's Chappell, and 
 desiring, if it was not inconsistent with the Rules of the Church, that 
 a Pew might be appropriated for Sir Peter and his family, in case they 
 should come to this country ; and Mr. DeLancey also acquainted this 
 Board, that he was ready to pay the said money as this Board 
 should order. 
 
 And this Board having a gratefull sense of Sir Peter's generous 
 gift, ordered that the draught of a letter of thanks to Sir Peter 
 Warren be prepared ' by Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Chambers, and Mr. 
 Nicholls, and that he be assured therein that this Board will take 
 proper care to accommodate him and his family with a convenient 
 Pew, whenever they shall come to this country, and that the said 
 draft be laid before this Board at their next meeting. And ordered, 
 that Mr. Oliver DeLancey be desired to pay the said hundred pounds 
 sterling to Col 1 Robinson. 
 
 A committee was appointed to let the Pews in the chappell of Ease, 
 who were authorized to let them in such manner and upon such terms 
 as they should think most proper ; and it was ordered that the same 
 committee should have power to assign a Pew for Sir Peter Warren, 
 another for the Church Wardens and Vestry, a third for the severall 
 ministers and their familys, and another for strangers ; and that they 
 also should assign such pews as they should think convenient to be 
 Free pews, and have the word free painted on the door of each of the 
 said free pews ; and that the committee should acquaint all persons 
 that might be desirous to hire a pew in the chappell that had a pew 
 in the Church, that they should be at liberty upon hiring a pew in the
 
 82 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 chappell, to lett their pew in the Church, or permitt the Church to 
 lett the same, and what such pew should let for should be deducted 
 out of the Rent of the Pew they might hire in the chappell. 
 
 It was also 
 
 Ordered, That Wednesday, the first day of July, 1752, should be 
 appointed for opening St. George's Chappell of this city, and that 
 notice be given thereof in Trinity Church the two preceding Sun- 
 days ; and ordered, that the Rector, Col 1 Robinson, and Mr. Mayor 
 be a committee to wait upon His Excellency the Governour, and 
 inform him thereof some time before notice be given in the Church. 
 
 St. George's Chapel was a very neat edifice, built 
 after the plan of Robert Crommelin, a member of 
 the Vestry, and an architect of considerable taste 
 and skill. It was faced with hewn stone, and tiled.* 
 It was ninety-two feet in length, exclusive of the 
 chancel, and seventy-two feet in breadth. The 
 steeple, which was lofty, but irregular, was one hun- 
 dred and seventy-five feet in height.f The chapel was 
 situated in a new, crowded, and ill-built part of the 
 town, and in its spaciousness, solidity, and beauty, 
 
 * It being some time after represented to the Vestry, that the 
 Pantiles on the roofe of St. George's Chappell were too weighty for 
 the roofe and walls of the said chappell, it was resolved, that the 
 said Tiles be removed and sold, and the roofe shingled ; and that Mr. 
 Reade, Mr. Marston, Mr. Cromelin, Mr. Mann, and Mr. Desbrosses, 
 or any three or more of them, be a committee to agree with the 
 Workmen and purchase materials for that purpose, and see the same 
 done with all convenient speed, and that the Church Wardens pay the 
 expense attending the same. 
 
 f It was furnished with a fine large bell, which cost JE88 3s. 2d. 
 sterling.
 

 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 83 
 
 was only one of the evidences of the liberal spirit and 
 thoughtful forecast of the Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 in anticipating and preparing for the future growth 
 and improvement of the city. This venerable edifice, 
 in which I worshipped for several years in early life, 
 and in which I was confirmed, and which consequently 
 was greatly endeared to me, was unhappily destroyed 
 by fire, with the exception of the walls, in the month 
 of January, 1814, but was rebuilt and restored in the 
 following year. 
 
 The increase of the congregation to such a degree, 
 as to require the building of a chapel for its accom- 
 modation, was not the only proof of the diligence 
 and faithfulness of its worthy Rector. There were 
 other indications of both, at a period somewhat later, 
 of a still more certain character. According to the 
 Parish Register and other accounts, it appears that 
 the calls on its ministers for some of their pastoral 
 duties were even much more frequent than at the 
 present day. From 1763 to 1764, one hundred and 
 thirty-seven couples were married, and during the 
 same time four hundred and thirty-one adults and 
 children were baptized. There has been nothing 
 comparable to this, even in the most flourishing state 
 of the Parish, during my long connection with it. 
 
 In the year 1747, on the removal of the Rev. Mr. 
 
 Charlton to the Church of St. Andrew, Staten Island, 
 a committee was raised to prepare a letter to the 
 Venerable Society to appoint a proper person to 
 succeed him ; which letter was prepared accordingly, 
 and was in the words following, to wit :
 
 84 HISTORY OF 
 
 New- York, Nov r 30 th , 1749. 
 Reverend Sir : 
 
 Mr. Barclay communicated to us in Vestry, a letter he was 
 honored with by you of the 13 th of Aprill last, advising him of the 
 removall of the Rev d Mr. Charlton from our Church to that of Staten 
 Island, and at the same time hinting to him, to look out for a proper 
 person amongst the Candidates for Holy Orders, educated at New 
 Haven, to recommend to the Honorable Society to succeed in the 
 office of Catechist and Assistant to this Church. We esteemed this 
 a particular favour, and accordingly desired Mr. Barclay to consult 
 the Revei-end Doctor Johnson, and endeavour to find a gentleman 
 duly qualified for this purpose. But in the meantime Mr. Barclay 
 was honoured with a second letter, ordering him to desist, the Society 
 designing a younge Gentleman of New-England, lately ordained, for 
 this place. 
 
 We are extremely obliged to that Venerable body, as for their 
 former, so for this fresh instance of their tender regard for us. But 
 although we do not in the least doubt but the Honourable Board have 
 strictly examined into the character and abilities of the Gentleman 
 designed for us, yet we beg leave humbly to observe, that there is one 
 materiall qualification, (which it is very possible they may not have 
 considered,) a defect whereof will render all his other good qualities 
 as a preacher useless to our congregation : we mean the strength and 
 clearness of his voice, our church being by all accounts one of the 
 largest in America, so that few Gentlemen are perfectly heard in it. 
 We could therefore have wished to have been favoured with the 
 liberty of making our own choice, as we should then have been satis- 
 fied in this point ; but inasmuch as the Venerable Board have already 
 determined, we hope for the best, and beg leave to assure them, that 
 if the Gentleman they designed for us is qualified to answer their 
 pious and charitable views, in appointing a Catechist in Holy Orders, 
 that may at the same time serve as an Assistant to our Church, he 
 shall meet with good encouragement, and never have reason to com- 
 plain. But if it should fall out otherwise, which we hope may not 
 be the case, we doubt not but the gentleman himself will solicit a 
 removal, and the Honourable Board will indulge us in the choice of 
 another. Reverend Sir, please to represent this with our humble 
 duty, and you will oblige, Reverend Sir, your most obedient servants.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 85 
 
 Which was signed by Hen. Barclay, Jos. Robinson, Jos. Murray, 
 Dan. Horsmanden, Jn° Chambers, Rich d Nicholls, John Moore, 
 Rob* Watts, W. Hamcrsley, Simeon Soumaine, Abraham Lodge, 
 Rob 1 Livingston, Charles Crooke, Jn° M c Evers, Ebenezer Grant, 
 Gab 1 Ludlow, Jos. Reade, Nath 1 Marston, Charles Williams, Henry 
 Rowe, Rob 1 Elliston, Ed. Holland. 
 
 Directed to the Reverend Doct r Bearcroft, Secretary to the Venerable 
 Society for the propagation of the Gospell in foreign parts, at the 
 Charter House, London. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry on the 8th of March, 
 1748— 
 
 The Rector produced and read to this Board a paragraph of a 
 Letter from the Rev d Mr. Bearcroft, Secretary to the Honourable 
 Society, acquainting him that they had been pleased to appoint the 
 Rev d Mr. Samuel Auchmuty Catechist here, in the roome of the 
 Rcv d Mr. Charlton, with directions to him to assist the Rector in his 
 parochial duties as Mr. Charlton had done. And the said Mr. Auch- 
 muty produced to this Board his letters of appointment from the said 
 Venerable Society, dated the 23 d of October last, signed by the Rev d 
 Phillip Bearcroft, Secretary to the said Society ; and thereupon, this 
 Board desired the Rector to write to the Rev d Mr. Bearcroft in 
 answer to his said letter, and to desire Mr. Bearcroft to return the 
 Venerable Society their sincere and hearty thanks for their care of 
 them. 
 
 It appears that Mr. Auchmuty received this appoint- 
 ment upon the especial recommendation of the Hon. 
 George Clinton, Esq., Governor of the Province. 
 
 He was born at Boston, and educated at Harvard 
 College. The Lord Bishop of London had not long 
 before admitted him into holy orders upon full testi- 
 monials, and with the Bishop's approbation and 
 concurrence, he was appointed both as assistant to 
 Mr. Barclay, and as Catechist to the blacks. In
 
 86 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 the report of the Society in the following year, it 
 appears from his communication to them, that he had 
 baptized twenty-three negro infants, and three adults, 
 after proper instruction. They also stated that a 
 school had been lately built by the generous contribu- 
 tions of the Governor and other worthy persons of 
 New-York, fifty feet in length, and twenty-six in 
 breadth 5 in which Mr. Hildreth taught both well and 
 diligently fifty poor children, who attended constantly 
 on the divine service in the Church on Sundays, 
 Wednesdays, Fridays, and Holidays, and on Mr. 
 Auchmuty's catechetical instructions. The certificate 
 to this effect, from the Rector and Churchwardens of 
 the Parish, likewise added that Mr. Auchmuty had 
 promised to read a catechetical lecture in that school 
 on every Wednesday evening to his negro catechu- 
 mens, detaining, at the same time, the scholars to be 
 a part of his audience. 
 
 There is nothing with which I have been so much 
 struck and impressed, in the investigation of the early 
 history of this Parish, as the zeal, the earnestness, 
 and devotedness of the schoolmasters and catcchists 
 of that day. The former appear to have been selected 
 from among the laity with great caution and care, 
 and to have been persons of respectability and worth. 
 The latter were occasionally laymen, but more com- 
 monly such as were preparing for holy orders, or who 
 had actually received them. Some of these were 
 men of liberal education, who in the commencement 
 of their professional life were full of promise, and who 
 ended it with respect and honour. But they all seem
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 87 
 
 to have entered with the same spirit upon their humble 
 labours, and to have prosecuted them with a patience, 
 an interest, and a blessed result, which put ours to 
 shame at the present day. Intellectual was not then, 
 to the extent that it is now, separated from religious 
 improvement, but both went hand in hand throughout 
 the week. The whole of early life was, in a certain 
 measure, devoted to Christian instruction, and not 
 merely reserved for the scanty intervals between the 
 hours of worship on the Lord's Day. 
 
 It is delightful to observe, in the annual reports of 
 the schoolmasters and catechists to the Society for the 
 Propagation of the Gospel, with what cheerfulness 
 and industry they appear to have laboured in their 
 useful, but lowly employment 5 with what particular- 
 ity each addition to the number of the scholars or 
 catechumens, from year to year, is pointed out ; with 
 what pleasure, each change for the better, in the 
 spiritual condition of the negro or Indian slaves, is 
 noticed; with what hopefulness and interest they 
 look forward to their advancement in Christian know- 
 ledge, and how sincerely they rejoice at their growth 
 in grace. 
 
 An instance of this is found in the report of Mr. 
 Auchmuty, in his letter of October 2, 1750, which is 
 but one among many. In this he stated that, in the 
 preceding half year, he had baptized thirty-three 
 blacks, of whom eight were adults, whom he had pre- 
 viously instructed. He had likewise observed with 
 pleasure, that the masters of the negroes were becom- 
 ing more desirous than they used to be, of having
 
 88 HISTORY OF 
 
 them instructed in the principles of Christianity, inso- 
 much that the number of his black catechumens were 
 increasing daily $ and he therefore hoped, through the 
 divine blessing, to be the means of adding, at least, 
 some few souls to Christ. These hopes were very 
 speedily so far realized, by the good progress which 
 his catechumens had made in the principles of Chris- 
 tianity, and by the increase in their numbers, as that 
 he had been constrained to apply to the Rev. Mr. 
 Barclay, the Rector of the Church, for his kind 
 assistance in his labours. 
 
 In his next letter to the Society, he gives a still 
 more encouraging account of his labours, having bap- 
 tized in the previous year twelve negro adults, after 
 having first well instructed them in the principles of 
 Christianity, and fifty infants. He states also, that he 
 had lately begun a catechetical lecture, on every Friday 
 in the afternoon at the new church, St. George's 
 Chapel, for the instruction of both whites and blacks 5 
 that many of both sorts had attended him 5 that he 
 had divided the blacks into two classes, one of which, 
 at the date of his letter, were learning Lewis's Expo- 
 sition of the Church Catechism, and the other the 
 Church Catechism itself 5 and that he was in great 
 hopes, through the blessing of God, that this would 
 have a very good effect, and then, though the labour 
 attending it must be great, he should with pleasure 
 undergo it for the promoting of the religion of our 
 blessed Redeemer. 
 
 All in that day relating to the religious instruction 
 of the young and the ignorant, was done in faithful-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 80 
 
 ness and simplicity, according to the teaching of the 
 Church. The Catechism, as the authorized exposition 
 of her views of Gospel truth, was not merely promi- 
 nent in her system of instruction, but seems to have 
 been the ground-work of the whole of it. How far 
 the innovations on this plan in modern times, aiming 
 at greater variety and attractiveness, and ending very 
 often in a mere generalized Christianity, has the 
 advantage over that of our fathers, I leave each one to 
 judge for himself; but for my own part, I regard the 
 change, at least, as of .very doubtful utility. 
 
 The school which*, with its schoolmasters, I have 
 had such frequent occasion to notice in connection 
 with the history of the Parish, and which was founded 
 in 1700, seems to have been conjointly under the 
 fostering care of the Society for the Propagation of 
 the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and of Trinity Church. 
 In what degree, in the earlier periods of its history 
 the latter contributed to its support, it is somewhat 
 difficult to determine ; but at a later period it received 
 from this corporation that ample endowment, which, 
 with the contributions of benevolent individuals and 
 the annual collections in our churches, secured for it 
 stability and permanency. The unexpected increase 
 in the value of the property with which it was 
 endowed, has greatly enlarged the usefulness of the 
 school at the present day. 
 
 The schoolmasters received from the Venerable 
 
 Society about £15 sterling per annum, and £15 or 
 
 £20 New-York currency from this corporation, as 
 
 clerks of Trinity Church, to which were added occa- 
 
 6
 
 90 HISTORY OF 
 
 sional gratuities for extraordinary diligence and 
 attention to their duties. Until 1748, the rooms for 
 the use of the teachers and pupils were probably 
 hired. In that year, however, it was ordered by the 
 Vestry, that so much of the ground of the Church 
 adjoining to the Lutheran Church, as the Churchwar- 
 dens should think proper, should be appropriated for 
 building a Charity School. In the meanwhile, until 
 the building was completed, Mr. Hildreth had leave 
 to keep his school in the belfry of the Church. Col. 
 Robinson, one of the Wardens, was ordered to furnish 
 and pay such moneys as should be necessary, over and 
 above the subscriptions, for carrying on and completing 
 the building for the public school. Shortly after the 
 edifice was finished, the following proposal was made. 
 to which the Vestry assented : 
 
 The gentlemen who perform at the subscription concert, proposed to 
 this Board, that if they would permittthem to make use of the school- 
 room in the new Charity School, and prepare a platform and closet 
 proper, they would pay ten shillings for each night, and play at a 
 Benefltt concert for the use of the poor children ; which proposal 
 being considered, it was unanimously agreed, that if the said Gentle- 
 men will prepare a proper platform, and have a convenient closet put 
 up in the said room, that they shall have the use of the said room for 
 their concert as they desire, they performing at a benefitt concert for 
 the use of the poor children, and paying so much for the same use as 
 they find they can afford out of their subscription. 
 
 It was likewise ordered, that the Rector, Church Wardens, Mr. 
 Holland, Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Chambers and Mr. Crooke, or any 
 three of them, (one of the Church Wardens to be one,) be a com- 
 mittee to consider of proper rules and regulations for the Charity 
 School, and also what children ought to be admitted into the said 
 school, and what number, and who are proper to be clothed, and that
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 91 
 
 they have power to cloath such, in such manner and number, as they 
 shall think convenient. 
 
 The school was no sooner finished, than by some 
 unaccountable accident it was burnt to the ground. 
 The fire was communicated to the spire of Trinity 
 Church, which would have probably occasioned the 
 total destruction of the building, but for the extraor- 
 dinary exertions of some bold and active persons, by 
 whom it was extinguished. It was therefore ordered 
 by the Vestry, that Col. Robinson, Mr. Holland, and 
 Mr. Chambers, should be a committe to inquire who 
 were in a particular manner active and serviceable in 
 putting out the fire 5 and they accordingly reported — 
 
 That on their enquiry, they were informed that Davis Hunt was 
 the first man in the spire of the steeple, and he put out the two 
 lowermost fires, being assisted by a fat man whose name he does not 
 know, and who soon went away. Andrew Gotier and Francis 
 Davison put out the uppermost flame in the spire, and Gotier and 
 David Robinson, a Tobacconist, put out 'the third flame in the spire ; 
 Mr. Davison put out the flames on the cornish, with one Cornelius 
 M c Carty, who was also very active there ; Mr. Kippin, the Black- 
 smith, was all the time on the roof of the Church, and Mr. Gotier 
 was also there for some time with him ; that this information was given 
 them by Gotier, Davison, Hunt and Mr. Jardine. 
 
 Whereupon it was ordered, mat the two Church Wardens, Mr. 
 Holland, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Marston, and Mr. Reade, or any four of 
 them, should be a committee to meet the severall persons, and to dis- 
 tribute among them the sum of Fifty pounds, as they should think 
 convenient, and that tiiey should return them the thanks of this Board 
 for their good service. 
 
 The Churchwardens, together with Mr. Holland, 
 Mr. Chambers, Mr. Nicholls, and Mr. Lodge, were 
 appointed a committee to inquire, by the best means
 
 92 HISTORY OF 
 
 they could, how the fire at the school-house happened, 
 and to lay the examinations they should take before 
 the next Vestry ; but the result of which was proba- 
 bly unsatisfactory, as there is no record of it on their 
 minutes. 
 
 It was the opinion, however, of this Board, that the 
 Church School-house ought to be forthwith rebuilt, 
 and that the Churchwardens and Mr. Nicholls should 
 prepare a draft of a subscription paper for a contribu- 
 tion for the rebuilding thereof, and lay the same before 
 the next Vestry ; who reported, through Mr. Horsman- 
 den, that they had agreed with John Brown and James 
 Napier for the rebuilding thereof, for the sum of £375 
 certain, and £25 more when the whole should be com- 
 pleted, if it should appear they should deserve the same. 
 
 The committee appointed to take care of the building of the 
 Chanty School House, Reported, that the contractors had compleated 
 the School Building pursuant to their contract, and that they were of 
 opinion that the said contractors had a hard bargain. 
 
 It was therefore ordered, that the said Church Wardens pay to the 
 said contractors the sum of Twenty-five pounds, over and above the 
 sum of £375 agreed to be paid them. 
 
 It was also ordered, that the Society's Schoolmaster, for the time 
 being, be at liberty to keep his School in the School room of the new 
 Charity School House till further orders. 
 
 The very misfortunes attending the outset of this 
 charitable undertaking, which was viewed with favour 
 in itself, served only to render it still more popular. 
 Contributions poured in from all sides, and all its 
 wants were abundantly supplied. 
 
 The following, which are somewhat curious, are 
 the first noticed in the book of minutes :
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 93 
 
 Mr. Richard Nicholls (who for thirty .three years was a member of 
 the Vestry) having drawn several! conveyances, articles of agreement, 
 bonds and other writings for the church, amounting to the sum of 
 Fourteen pounds, nineteen shillings, as by his account of the parti- 
 culars with his receipt appears, Col 1 Robinson acquainted the Vestry 
 that the said Mr. Nicholls had been pleased generously to make a 
 present of his said service to the Church, to be laid out in cloaths for 
 such poor children belonging to their Charity School as they shall 
 judge to be most proper objects of charity. Whereupon it was 
 ordered, that the thanks of the Vestry be given to the said Mr. 
 Nicholls for the same, and that Col 1 Robinson and himself be desired 
 to lay out and apply that sum, for the clothing of such poor children 
 belonging to the Charity School as they shall think proper. 
 
 Mr. Abraham Lodge (who for twelve years was also a member of 
 the Vestry) having done some business .for this Board, for which he 
 was entitled to upwards of Eight pounds, had been pleased generously 
 to make a present of this sum to the Church, to be laid out in cloaths 
 for such poor children belonging to their Charity School as they 
 should judge to be most proper objects of charity; which Col 1 
 Robinson acquainted the Board was laid out accordingly. Where- 
 upon it was ordered, that the thanks of the Vestry be given to the said 
 Mr. Lodge for the same. 
 
 The Society of Free Masons gave £15 towards 
 clothing the children. 
 
 Mrs. Fred bequeathed to the school £500. 
 
 Capt. Thomas Randall made a present of a bell 
 for the use of the Charity School. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Troup left a legacy to the school, 
 the amount of which, though not stated, is presumed 
 to have been large, inasmuch as it was retained as a 
 loan by the Vestry, at an interest of five per cent per 
 annum. 
 
 Mr. Bache, one of the Executors of the last will and Testament of 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Sharpas, (whose husband had been a member of the
 
 94 HISTORY OF 
 
 Vestry,) paid to Mr. Reade the sum of two hundred pounds for the 
 use of the Charity School, to he disposed of and applyed as is directed 
 by the said will. 
 
 Mr. Reade acquainted the Vestry, that Mr. Debrosses, executor of 
 the last will and Testament of Mrs. Frances Auboyneau, (whose 
 husband likewise had been a member of the Vestry for twenty years,) 
 had paid him the sum of Two hundred pounds, in part of a legacy 
 given to this corporation for the use of the Charity School ; and 
 shortly after another sum of two hundred pounds, in further part of 
 the same legacy. 
 
 The next bequest to the school was paid over, it 
 appears, by the following entry in the minutes, under 
 very interesting circumstances : 
 
 Whereas the Honorable John Chambers, deceased, (who was for 
 thirty-eight years a Warden and Vestryman of this Church,) by his 
 last will and Testament did give and bequeath, (after the death of his 
 wife, but not before,) unto the Rector and Inhabitants of the city of 
 New- York in communion with the Church of England, as by law 
 established, the sum of one thousand pounds current money of New- 
 York ; in trust nevertheless, that they should in a husband-like manner 
 apply and lay out the same towards Ihe support and carrying on the 
 Charity School in the city of New-York, under their care and inspec- 
 tion, according to their best discretion ; And Avhereas Mi's. Anne 
 Chambers, widow of the said John Chambers, being piously and 
 charitably disposed, has been pleased to intimate that she is ready and 
 desirous to pay the said legacy of one thousand pounds immediately 
 to this corporation, to be disposed of and applyed according to the 
 directions and intention "of the said Testator; thereupon it is 
 ordered, that Mr. David Clarkson be desired, and he is hereby 
 empowered, to receive the said legacy, and when received, that he 
 put out the same at Interest for the use and benefit of the Charity 
 School, according to the directions of the said will ; giving this corpo- 
 ration the preference for so much of the said sum as they may have 
 occasion for, paying interest for the same. And it is further ordered,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 95 
 
 that upon receipt of the said sum, a proper release and discharge 
 for the said legacy be nude and executed, under the seal of this 
 corporation, to the Executors of the said Will. And it is ordered, 
 that the Rector and two Church Wardens be a committee to wait on 
 the said Mrs. Chambers, to return her the thanks of this Board for 
 her generous intentions, and to request that she will be pleased to 
 consent that somo public monument be erected, at the expense of this 
 corporation, to express their gratitude to the memory of the said Mr. 
 Chambers for his generous donation. 
 
 A further proof of the kindness and good will of 
 this excellent woman, towards the Charity School, 
 appears on the minutes. 
 
 Whereas Mrs. Anne Chambers, late of the city of New- York, 
 deceased, in and by her last will and Testament, did give and bequeath 
 unto the Rector and Inhabitants of the city of New- York, in commu- 
 nion of the Church of England as by law established, and to their 
 successors for ever, the sum of Five hundred pounds current money 
 of the Province of New- York ; in trust nevertheless, for the uses' 
 following, and upon this special confidence, (to wit :) that the same 
 be kept and put out at interest by them, and the yearly interest or 
 income thereof be applyed towards the support of the Girls only 
 belonging to and to belong to the Charity School in the city of New- 
 York, that is under their care and inspection, and in rewarding such 
 of the said girls upon leaving the said school as they shall judge 
 deserving thereof, and in such proportions as they shall think proper, 
 in cash or otherwise, which is intended as an encouragement for their 
 diligence, and decent and orderly behaviour during their contin- 
 uance in the said School ; And this corporation being indebted to 
 the estate of the said Mrs. Chambers, by bond, in the sum of five 
 hundred pounds, it is ordered, that Mr* Desbrosses be, and is hereby 
 authorized to settle the said legacy and debt with the executors of the 
 said Mrs. Chambers, and that a release of the said legacy be made 
 and executed, under the seal of this corporation, to the said executors 
 upon settlement of the same.
 
 96 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 There was another devise not long after of £500 7 
 for the clothing and educating the poor children of 
 the school, from Mr. Elias Desbrosses, who for twen- 
 ty-two years had been a Warden and Vestryman of 
 Trinity Church. 
 
 This was followed by a legacy of £200, received 
 from Francis Lewis and Walter Rutherford, Esqrs., 
 executors of the estate of Mrs. Margaret Todd. 
 
 And another, as is supposed, of a considerable 
 amount, from Mr. Nath. Marston, who was for forty- 
 four years a Warden and Vestryman of Trinity 
 Church. 
 
 In 1793, the committee of ways and means for 
 building a school-house, and erecting a steeple on the 
 northwest end of St. Paul's Church, made the follow- 
 ing report : 
 
 The committee appointed by the Corporation of Trinity Church for 
 the purpose,***having attentively examined the several sources of 
 revenue within the reach and subject to the controul of this Board, 
 do report — 
 
 That the most ample provision for accomplishing the object can 
 readily be obtained, by a sale of such part of the lands of this 
 corporation as are let out on long leases, and produce a small annual- 
 income ; 
 
 That the price of fourteen lots rented to Samuel Ellis, and recom- 
 mended by the committee of leases as an advantageous sale at 
 £2500, can with propriety be applied to effect this end ; For in addi- 
 tion to an useful building, which will be annexed to the estate of the 
 Church, its revenue also in this instance will be more than doubled ; 
 That the produce of other lots to the amount required, which may 
 easily be selected under circumstances similar to the preceding, ought
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 97 
 
 to be appropriated to the completion of the purposes above required. 
 
 All which is nevertheless submitted by 
 
 Hub't Van Wagenen, 
 Moses Rogers, 
 Wm. Laight. 
 New-York, 13^ May, 1793. 
 
 The report having been accepted, Messrs. Farquhar and Barrow, 
 the committee of repairs, were appointed a committee to superintend 
 the building of the School-House. 
 
 Several legacies and gifts, in trust to Trinity Church 
 for the use of the Charity School, came in about this 
 time, to help forward the accomplishment of the 
 work $ one from Mr. William Brownjohn, of the city 
 of New-York, druggist, the amount of which is not 
 mentioned ; another of £184 12s. lOd. from John 
 Stratford Jones, of the Island of St. Croix, and a 
 third of £100 from the corporation of the city. 
 
 In 1795, the Secretary reported a plan for a con- 
 veyance, in trust, of property from Trinity Church 
 for the Charity School. Whereupon Dr. Charlton, 
 Dr. Johnson, and Mr. Harison, were empowered to 
 take such legal opinions as they might see fit, upon 
 the clause of the charter respecting the value of the 
 property to be held by the corporation, and the acts 
 of the Legislature relating to the subject. 
 
 In 1800, the following lots were appropriated to the 
 Charity School, in order to extinguish the debt due 
 to it from Trinity Church, which the latter had 
 incurred by receiving in trust the gifts and bequests 
 which, from time to time, had been made to the former, 
 and on which considerable sums of interest had 
 accrued :
 
 98 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 NO. OF LOTS. 
 
 235 . 
 
 236 . 
 226 . 
 248 . 
 353 . 
 
 367 . 
 
 368 . 
 449 . 
 8 lots Pe 
 ters' lease 
 118 
 134 
 136 
 250 
 411 
 412 
 451 
 344 
 421 
 562 
 
 45 
 
 Total 27 lots. 
 
 PRESENT HATE ADVANCED HATE. 
 
 Murray . . 
 « 
 
 Robinson* 
 
 Church . . 
 Warren . 
 
 £ s. 
 
 10 
 12 
 
 7 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 .... 20 400^ 
 
 .... 20 400 
 
 .... 35 900 
 
 .... 25 550 
 
 .... 20 400 
 
 .... 20 400 
 
 .... 20 400 
 
 .... 20 400 
 
 Greenwich 24 
 
 Barclay . 
 
 Vesey . . 
 t< 
 
 Robinson . 
 Murray . . 
 
 Chamber . 
 Murray . . 
 Broadway 
 Reade . . 
 Rector . . 
 
 12 
 16 
 16 
 10 
 
 20 
 
 14 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 96 
 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 20 
 25 
 30 
 18 
 14 
 
 2000 
 
 "a® 
 
 © P. 
 
 500 
 500 
 500 
 400 
 400 
 400 
 400 
 500 
 550 
 300 
 250 
 
 £208 00 
 
 £518 £10,550 
 
 Upon this report being made, the committee of 
 leases were ordered to proceed to the sale of the lots 
 therein described. This plan, however, it afterwards 
 appears was abandoned, and gave place to another. 
 
 The clerk of the corporation was authorized, at the 
 same time, to apply to the Legislature for an incorpo- 
 ration of the Episcopal Charity School, and to pre- 
 pare a plan of the same, which, after having been 
 submitted to Robert Troup, Esq., and approved, 
 together with the draft of a deed to carry it into' 
 effect ; it was resolved, that the number of trustees 
 should be thirteen, and that the following should be 
 the first trustees of the said school, Dr. B. Moore, 
 
 * Now Park Place.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 99 
 
 Dr. A. Beach, Dr. Charlton, James Farquhar, Matt. 
 Clarkson, Edward Goold, Henry Rogers, Herman 
 LeRoy, G. Ludlow, Jacob LeRoy, Charles Wilkes, 
 Henry White, and Richard Harison. 
 
 The committee of leases subsequently presented 
 the following plan for exonerating the Corporation of 
 Trinity Church from the debt which was due to the 
 Charity School, and establishing a fund for its annual 
 expenditure. 
 
 The debt owing to the school by this corporation 
 was £6500, and the average annual expenses thereof 
 £700. 
 
 It was therefore proposed to assign mortgages to it 
 to the amount of £8610 15s. and to grant it about 
 eight lots of land, bounded by Lumber, Greenwich 
 and Rector streets, on a part of which the school- 
 house stood, and the residue whereof yielded at the 
 time an annual rent of £67 8s. 
 
 In the following year a donation was made to the 
 school of a thousand dollars, and such a further grant 
 of lots was recommended as on a reasonable calcula- 
 tion would produce an annual rent of $500. 
 
 The committee of leases having again taken the 
 matter into consideration, recommended that bonds 
 and mortgages should be given, in lieu of the lots 
 heretofore proposed, which recommendation was 
 agreed to by the Board, and bonds to the amount of 
 £3000 were accordingly assigned to the said institution. 
 In addition to the liberal endowment of the school by 
 Trinity Church, a donation was also made to it by 
 the State. 
 
 The extension of gratuitous education among the
 
 100 HISTORY OF 
 
 poor by the New-York Free School Society, was 
 found to interfere so materially with the original plan 
 of the Charity School, which was designed to bring 
 them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, 
 agreeably to the doctrines of the Church, as well as 
 to fit them for the business of life $ that in the year 
 1826 it was thought expedient by the trustees to reor- 
 ganize it, and to convert it into a school for instruction 
 in all the principal branches of English education, 
 and also in classical learning, under the name of the 
 New-York Protestant Episcopal Public School. The 
 grand leading feature of the former system, however, 
 was carefully preserved, for religious instruction was 
 to be given in every department of the school, under 
 the supervision of the Bishop. 
 
 Shortly after this new arrangement, a donation was 
 made to it by John G. Leake, of one thousand dollars. 
 
 And in 1832, Trinity Church granted a lease, at a 
 mere nominal rent, to the trustees, of five lots of 
 ground on Canal, Varick, and Grand streets, on one 
 part of which the school-house now stands, and the 
 other part of which is let out on such advantageous 
 terms as to increase very materially the income of 
 the Board. 
 
 The School subsequently underwent some further 
 modifications, and in 1845 received the name of Trin- 
 ity School j and it is now, perhaps, in a more flourish- 
 ing condition than it has ever been since its very 
 foundation. 
 
 In the original endowment of Trinity Church by 
 the Colonial Government, it appears to have been the 
 intention to connect the promotion of learning with the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 101 
 
 interests of religion. For there is this record on the 
 early minutes of the Vestry : 
 
 It being moved, which way the King's Farme which is now vested 
 in Trinity Church should be let to farm, it was unanimously agreed, 
 That the Rector and Church Wardens should waite upon my Lord 
 Cornbury the Gov r , to know what part thereof his Lordship did 
 design towards the Colledgc which his LordP designs to have built, 
 and thereupon, to publish placarts for the letting thereof at the public 
 outcry, to the highest bidder. 
 
 No effectual measures, however, were taken for 
 this purpose, until nearly half a century had passed 
 away. 
 
 In 1752, it was unanimously agreed by this Board, that a proposall 
 be made to the Commissioners appointed to receive proposalls for 
 the Building a College, and that this Board is willing to give any 
 reasonable quantity of the Churches farm, which is not let out, for 
 the erecting and use of a College. 
 
 It is ordered, That the Rector and Church Wardens be a com- 
 mittee to wait on the said Commissioners, and make the aforesaid 
 proposalls to them, and confer with them thereupon. 
 
 Two years after, the arrangement between them 
 appears to have been finally made. 
 
 It is unanimously agreed by this Board, that this Board will give 
 for the use of the Colledge intended to be erected, a certain parcell 
 of land belonging to this Corporation, to erect and build the said 
 Colledge upon, and for the use of the same ; that is to say, a street 
 of ninety feet from the Broadway to Church street, and from Church 
 street all the lands between Barclay's street and Murray's street to 
 the water side ; upon this condition, that the President of the said 
 Colledge for ever, for the time being, be a Member of and in Com- 
 munion with the Church of England, and that the Morning and Eve- 
 ning Service in said Colledge be the Liturgy of the said Church, or 
 such a collection of prayers out of the said Liturgy, as shall be
 
 102 HISTORY OF 
 
 agreed upon by the President or Trustees or Governours of the said 
 Colledge. 
 
 The following draft of a letter on this subject, from 
 the Vestry to the Rev. Dr. Bearcroft, Secretary to 
 the Venerable Society for the Propagation of the Gos- 
 pel, was read and approved of, and being engrossed, 
 was signed by the members present, and is in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 Rev'd Sir : 
 
 We esteem it a great Honour, amidst the many virulent reproaches 
 we have met with, to find our conduct with regard to the Colledge 
 lately founded here, approved by so venerable and respectable Body 
 as the Society for the propagation of the Gospell, and to have received 
 their thanks for the Donation we made ; which was communicated to 
 us by Mr. Barclay, and which we most gratefully acknowledge. We 
 had also the satisfaction of the universall approbation of our consti- 
 tuents, notwithstanding the vast debt we have contracted by building 
 the chappell of Ease. 
 
 We _ always expected that a gift so valuable in itself, and so abso- 
 lutely necessary, (it being the only ground within the city properly 
 situated, and of sufficient extent,) would be a means of obtaining 
 some priviledges to the Church, especially as the first promoters of 
 the affair, in the House of Representatives, always proposed such a 
 preference, at least, as is granted by the charter ; but we never 
 insisted on any condition, till we found some persons labouring to 
 exclude all systems of religion out of the Constitution of the College. 
 When we discovered this deeign, we thought ourselves indispensably 
 obliged to interpose, and have had the countenance of many good 
 men of all denominations, and in particular the ministers of the 
 Foreign Protestant churches in this city, who are appointed Gover- 
 nors of the Colledge, and who without the least hesitation qualified 
 agreeable to the Church, and continue hearty friends to it. 
 
 But notwithstanding this, the opposition still continues, and has so 
 far prevailed as to have hitherto prevented the application of the 
 money raised by Lottery to the use of the Colledge. To effect this,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 103 
 
 our opponents have been indefatigable, the most base and disinge- 
 nuous methods have been used to prejudice the Common People in the 
 several counties, whom they have endeavoured to persuade, that tin- 
 Test impos'd on the president will infallibly be attended with the 
 establishment of Bishops and Tythes, and will end in the loss of all 
 their Religions priviledges, and even in persecution itself. Petitions 
 have been drawn and handed about to be signed against the Charter 
 Establishment ; and weekly papers have been published for two 
 years past, wherein all the friends of the Church, and the Vestry of 
 Trinity Church in particular, have been abused in the most oppro- 
 bious terms : so that it is very uncertain when the moneys will, by 
 the Generall Assembly, be vested in the Governors. In the mean 
 time, they have begun a subscription amongst themselves, and are 
 daily purchasing materialls to lay the foundation of a handsome, con- 
 venient Edifice, which, God willing, they purpose to begin next 
 Spring ; and they are induced to hope, that as the dissenting seminary 
 in New Jersey has had the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scot- 
 land engaged in jts behalf last year, as well as the dissenting interest 
 in England, and as we are informed, have collected a very consid- 
 erable sum of money, so our Brethren in England will be ready to 
 contribute, to preserve the Church in this part of the world from the 
 contempt its enemies are endeavouring to bring upon it. The Dis- 
 senters have already three Seminarys in the Northern Governments. 
 They hold their Synods, presbyteries, and associations, and exercise 
 the whole of their Ecclesiastical Government to the no small advan- 
 tage of their cause, whilst those churches which are branches of the 
 National Establishment are deprived, not only of the benefitt of a 
 regular Church Government, but their children debarred the priviledge 
 of a liberal education, unless they will submitt to accept of it on such 
 conditions as Dissenters require, which, in Yale Colledge is to sub- 
 mitt to a fine as often as they attend Public Worship in the Church 
 of England, communicants only excepted, and that only on Christmas? 
 and Sacrament days. This we cannot but look upon as hard 
 measure, especially as we can, with good conscience, declare that we 
 are so far from that bigotry and narrowness of spirit they have of late 
 been pleased to charge us with, that we would not, were it in our 
 power, lay the least restraint on any man's conscience, and should
 
 104 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 heartily rejoice to continue in brotherly love and charity with all our 
 Protestant Brethren, as we can appeal to all men we have always 
 done, notwithstanding the late unmerited reproaches, callumnies, and 
 opposition we have met with. 
 
 Upon the whole, as we are informed the Governors of the Colledge 
 intend to proceed according to the charter, and have reason to think 
 that this will be the best means to quell the present opposition, restore 
 peace, promote true religion and harmony amongst all denominations 
 of Xtians, and at length induce the Assembly to grant the moneys 
 raised for the Colledge ; We humbly beg leave to recommend the 
 cause in which they are engaged to the patronage of the Venerable 
 Board, and its severall members, and hope that when a subscription 
 shall be set on foot in England, they will, upon proper application, 
 encourage and assist them in their laudable undertaking. This will 
 add a new obligation on all the members of the Church of England, 
 as this in all probability will be the only Colledge in which they are 
 like to have an Interest. 
 
 We committ this letter to the care of Mr. George Harison, one of 
 our Vestry, and Mr. William Johnson, son of the Rev d Doctor John- 
 son, by whom we beg leave to tender our best respects to the Vener- 
 able Board, and by whom they may be informed more particularly in 
 any matter relating to this subject. 
 
 We remain with much respect, Reverend Sir, 
 
 Your most humble servants. 
 
 In 1754, the Rev. Dr. Johnson acquainted the 
 Society, that the charter for the foundation of the 
 college then called King's, but now Columbia College, 
 for the education of youth in the liberal arts and 
 sciences, had been passed, by which the head of the 
 college is to be always a member of the Church of 
 England, and the prayers of the Church are to be 
 always used in it. He likewise informs them, that 
 he hath accepted that post, and therefore begs 
 leave to resign the mission of Stratford, which he had 
 held thirty-two years, in which, as he modestly ex-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 105 
 
 presses himself, he hopes he may say he had faithfully 
 endeavoured, through many struggles and hardships, 
 to answer the pious design of the Society, in placing 
 him there. It will not be thought to have been inap- 
 propriate to notice this appointment, inasmuch as Dr. 
 Johnson was subsequently elected as an Assistant 
 Minister of Trinitv Church, and the College itself 
 was amply endowed by it. 
 
 In the following year he remarks in another letter, 
 that he is concerned to write that a great clamour 
 was raised by its inveterate enemies, against the mea- 
 sures proposed for carrying this laudable design into 
 speedy effect, and that it had so far prevailed as to 
 cause the matter to be postponed in the Assembly, by 
 a majority of a single vote. 
 
 The next year, however, the Society states in the 
 abstract of their proceedings, that it hath the satisfac- 
 tion to be informed by Mr. Harison, a worthy member 
 of the Vestry of Trinity Church, that at length the 
 Assembly had passed a vote to appropriate the money 
 raised for the building of the College in the city of 
 New-York, to its proper purpose, and therefore it is 
 to be hoped that this very useful design will meet 
 with no further obstructions, but be carried into exe- 
 cution with all proper speed. 
 
 It may here perhaps not be amiss to remark, that 
 the ground which was originally given to the College 
 by Trinity Church merely for its own proper use, has 
 long since so far increased in value, from the growth 
 of the city, as to furnish a large part of its annual 
 
 income. 
 
 7
 
 106 HISTORY OF 
 
 "On the 20th of December, 1753, it was unanimously 
 resolved, that \he Rev. Dr, Samuel Johnson, of Strat- 
 ford, be called aa an Assistant Minister of Trinity 
 Church, and that he 'o e allowed for the same the sum 
 of one hundred and fifty pounds per annum \ and the 
 Rector and Churchwardens were desired to write to 
 the said Dr. Johnson, and acquaint him with the 
 resolution of this Board, and that his, said salary should 
 commence from the day of his leaving his Parish at 
 Stratford. 
 
 " Col. Robinson acquainted this Board that tht Rev, 
 Mr. Barclay, Mr. Murray, and himself, pursuant to 
 the order of this Board of the 20th of December last? 
 had wrote to the Rev. Dr. Johnson, and that they 
 had received an answer from him, which was in the 
 words following, viz : 
 
 " Stratfoed, January 16th, 1754. 
 "Gentlemen: 
 
 " I am very much obliged to you for the good 
 opinion you are pleased to entertain of me, and the 
 honour you have done me, in so unanimously choosing 
 me an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church. As I 
 have a great esteem for the good people of New-- 
 York ? and a particular friendship and regard for many 
 of them with whom I have been acquainted, I should 
 rejoice to be instrumental in ministering to their eter- 
 nal weal and happiness, and should willingly spend 
 and be spent in that great and important work. But 
 my advanced years, verging towards the decline of 
 life, are great matter of discouragement to me, and 
 render me extremely fearful whether I shall be able
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 107 
 
 to answer your expectations. However, as this peo- 
 ple are also dear to me, and this station is of much 
 importance to the general interest of the Church in 
 these parts, I must beg of you, before I come to a 
 final conclusion, to give me a little time to consider 
 and look out for a worthy successor, with whom I 
 may with satisfaction leave the care of them who 
 have hitherto been committed to my charge, which, if 
 I can accomplish, I shall willingly serve you to the 
 uttermost of my power. 
 
 " As to what you have proposed to do towards my 
 support, in conjunction with the gentlemen Trustees 
 of the College 5 as you can judge much better than I 
 what is requisite for a decent subsistence among you 
 if I should remove, I must therefore entirely rely on 
 your benevolence and generosity. Meantime, I earn- 
 estly beg of God that the result of both your delibera- 
 tions and mine, relating to this important affair, may- 
 be such as will best promote His honour and the 
 publick good, and terminate in both the present and 
 everlasting happiness of us all. I am, gentlemen, 
 with a deep sense of esteem and gratitude, your most 
 obliged friend and humble servant, 
 
 " Samuel Johnson." 
 
 " The Churchwardens were authorized by the Ves- 
 try to pay, until further order, unto the Reverend Dr. 
 Johnson his salary as usual and agreed upon, and that 
 in consideration of his advanced years, and the duties of 
 the college, he be desired only to read prayers on Sun- 
 days, and preach one Sunday in a month at church and
 
 108 HISTORY OF 
 
 chapel, or as occasion may happen to require, and be 
 agreed upon by the Rector."* 
 
 The following sketch of the life and character of 
 the Rev. Dr. Johnson, is from the classic pen of his 
 great-grandson, the Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck. It is 
 drawn from a fuller biographical memoir of this distin- 
 guished man, which appeared in the Churchman's 
 Magazine for 1813 : 
 
 " Samuel Johnson was born at Guilford, Connec- 
 ticut, October 14th, 1696, and was descended from a 
 respectable family of the earliest settlers of Connecti- 
 cut After obtaining a much more thorough know- 
 ledge of the learned languages, than the classical 
 schools of New-England at that time generally 
 afforded, he was sent to the College of Connecticut, 
 then first established at Saybrook. Learning was at 
 this period at its lowest ebb in New-England. The 
 first generation of learned puritans had died off, and 
 their immediate successors, educated among a people 
 too intent on their immediate necessities to attend 
 much to the cultivation of general learning, while 
 
 * Ordered, That the Church Wardens pay unto the Reverend Mr. 
 Barclay and the Reverend Mr. Auchmuty, the additional sallary of 
 sixty pounds p. annum each, formerly allowed them, for officiating in 
 the chappel as well as the Church, untill the appointment and coming 
 of the Reverend Doct r Johnson to assist them in the Parochial duties, 
 and that the said Church Wardens continue the payment of the said 
 additional salary of sixty pounds to each of them, from the coming of 
 Doct r Johnson untill further order, provided they continue to officiate, 
 preach, and perform the parochial duties, as they did before the coming 
 of Doctor Johnson.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 109 
 
 they retained little of the profound biblical and classic 
 lore of their fathers, were encumbered with all that 
 was useless and pedantic in their course of study. 
 
 "Just as Mr. Johnson had received the usual 
 academic honors, chance threw in his way Lord 
 Bacon's Essay on the Advancement of Learning, 
 (perhaps the only copy at that time on this side the 
 Atlantic,) the study of which operated in his mind 
 the same change which had already taken place for 
 more than forty years among the learned of Europe, 
 but of which no rumor had yet reached the literati of 
 New-England. 
 
 " His mind, naturally patient of investigation, and 
 eager for truth, received with avidity the flood of new 
 ideas thus poured in upon it, and he seemed to him- 
 self, to use his own expression, ' like a person suddenly 
 emerging out of the glimmer of twilight into the full 
 sunshine of open day.' 
 
 " Shortly after this memorable epoch in his life, a 
 considerable addition was made to the college library, 
 among which were the writings of the greatest philo- 
 sophers, divines, and polite scholars of the age : and 
 the then modern works of Newton, Halley, and 
 Woodward ; Barrow, South, Tillotson and Sherlock ; 
 Bentley, Addison and Steele, were seen and read for 
 the first time in the Colony of Connecticut. The 
 regularly bred scholar of the present day, surrounded 
 and sated with literary luxury till he turn cloyed with 
 excellence to stimulate his jaded appetite with novelty, 
 
 . mala copia quando 
 
 iEgrum solicitat stomachum,
 
 110 HISTORY OF 
 
 can have but a faint idea of the avidity and intense 
 application with which the works of these great mas- 
 ters of reason and just expression were perused, and 
 (to use the happy phrase of Gibbon) meditated, again 
 and again, by Mr. Johnson and a few of the associates 
 of his studies. 
 
 "The discoveries of Newton particularly excited 
 his attention, and, not content with a general and 
 superficial notion of his doctrines, he determined to 
 acquire such a knowledge of mathematics as would 
 enable him thoroughly to comprehend their grounds 
 and reasons, and enter into the very penetralia of that 
 high-priest of nature. In this design, his usual reso- 
 lute application made him completely successful. 
 During all this time, he never intermitted his classical 
 studies, or that of the Hebrew, of which he had early 
 acquired the rudiments, and which in after life became 
 the employment of his leisure, and the solace of his 
 age. Thus richly stored with general science, he was 
 admirably calculated for the station to which he was 
 appointed in 1716, of tutor in the college, then 
 removed to New-Haven, and placed under the direc- 
 tion of the learned Dr. Cutler, as rector or president. 
 Here, for four years, in conjunction with the learned 
 rector, he was actively employed in dissipating the 
 intellectual darkness which had overspread the land. 
 Mr. Johnson had always intended the Christian min- 
 istry as his ultimate profession, and had kept this in 
 view in all his studies. To this he was set apart, 
 according to the forms of the Congregational Church, 
 in 1720, and settled at West-Haven, where he applied 
 himself to the duties and studies of his profession with
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. Hi 
 
 exemplary diligence and zeal. He had been educated 
 according to the strictest forms and most rigid ortho- 
 doxy of the independent Calvinistic Church, at that 
 time the only sect known or tolerated in the colony. 
 But in the course of a long and laborious investigation 
 of most of the points in controversy between his own 
 Church and that of England, in which he was accom- 
 panied by President Cutler and a few other studious 
 friends, he and his friends found reasons to change 
 many of their opinions on those points, and finally to 
 profess themselves members of the Church of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 "Dr. Cutler resigned his presidency, Mr. Johnson 
 his church, and both embarked for England to receive 
 Episcopal ordination, where Mr. Johnson's natural 
 curiosity and love of knowledge was gratified by the 
 attention, conversation, and friendship of many of the 
 most learned divines of the Church of England, with 
 most of whom he maintained a regular correspondence 
 during the rest of his life. After being admitted to 
 Priest's orders in the Church of England, Mr. John- 
 son returned to America, as a missionary, under the 
 patronage of the Venerable Society for the Propaga- 
 tion of the Gospel, and settled at Stratford, a pleasant 
 village of Connecticut, of the Episcopal congregation 
 of which place he was the regular minister 5 although, 
 as he was for some time the only clergyman of that 
 denomination in the colony, his labours were necessa- 
 rily extended over a large tract of adjoining country. 
 Here he married, and gradually overcoming, by the 
 uniform mildness of his manners, the sectarian preju-
 
 112 HISTORY OF 
 
 dices which had been excited against him, continued 
 for many years engaged in the active duties of his 
 calling, and in the pursuit of his favorite studies of 
 divinity and the Hebrew language. 
 
 " In 1729, a circumstance occurred, which forms a 
 remarkable epoch, not only in the life of Mr. Johnson, 
 but in the literary history of this country $ the arrival 
 of the famous Dean (afterwards Bishop) Berkeley, in 
 America. A similarity of studies and principles, soon 
 produced an intimate acquaintance between them, 
 and during the two years and a half which that great 
 and amiable # man resided in this country, a constant 
 literary and social intercourse was kept up between 
 them $ and an uninterrupted correspondence was 
 afterwards maintained, in a series of the most affec- 
 tionate and confidential letters, until the death of the 
 bishop, in the year 1752. As the Episcopal Church 
 increased in Connecticut, the labours of Mr. Johnson, 
 who was regarded as its head and champion, were still 
 augmented 5 and in a theological controversy which 
 soon followed, he defended her, in several tracts, pub- 
 lished at intervals, with ability, candour, and good 
 temper. 
 
 "In 1743, he received, through the recommendation 
 of his friend Bishop (afterwards Archbishop) Seeker, 
 the degree of Doctor in Divinity f from the Univer- 
 
 * " To Berkeley every virtue under heaven." — Pope. 
 
 f This diploma was conferred in a manner the most flattering to 
 
 Dr. Johnson. Dr. Hodges, the Vice-chancellor, in an oration before 
 
 the University, spoke of his character in the highest terms, and the 
 
 diploma itself is thus specially worded, " eumque Rev. vir S. Johnson
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 113 
 
 sity of Oxford, a literary honour which, in that ancient 
 university, has seldom been by any means lavishly 
 bestowed, and cheap as academic honours have 
 become elsewhere, is still regarded with high respect. 
 " In 1752, a number of gentlemen of New-York, 
 feeling the importance of establishing some system of 
 academic instruction in that rapidly increasing colony ; 
 and perhaps stimulated by the recent success of the 
 Philadelphians, undertook the foundation of a college 
 in that city. In the next year an act of incorporation 
 was obtained, and some provision for a fund for its 
 support was made by a succession of lotteries ; and 
 soon after the trustees unanimously chose Dr. Johnson 
 president of their college. The funds of this institu- 
 tion were increased by the donations of individuals in 
 the colony, and by a liberal grant of land from Trinity 
 Church, including the lot upon which the .college 
 edifice now stands, as well as some adjoining ground, 
 from which it still derives the most considerable part 
 of its revenue. Besides this, the college received a 
 benefaction of five hundred pounds sterling from the 
 Society in England for the Propagation of the Gospel ; 
 a bequest from a Dr. Bristowe of London, a very 
 active member of the same society, of his library, 
 amounting to about fifteen hundred volumes 5 and 
 
 fidissimus ad N. Angliam missionarius in oppido Stratford, de Pro- 
 vincia Connecticutensi, enthusiasticis dogmatibus strenue et feliciter 
 conflictatus, Regiminis Episcopalis vindex acerrimus, demandatam 
 curam prudenter adeo et benevole, indefesse ita et potenter adminis- 
 travit, ut incredibili ecclesiae incremento summe sui expectationem 
 sustinuerit plane et superaverit. — Sciatis, &c.
 
 114 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 finally, a legacy from Mr. Murray * of ten thousand 
 pounds currency, (twenty-five thousand dollars.) 
 
 u But after the erection of the college building and 
 the purchase of a philosophical apparatus, the trustees 
 found it impossible to proceed on the liberal plan 
 which they had begun, without encroaching on the 
 permanent fund, or obtaining some farther assistance. 
 This was supplied by a collection, made in England, 
 for the joint use of the colleges of New-York and 
 Philadelphia, which produced to the former the clear 
 sum of six thousand pounds sterling. 
 
 " While this liberal spirit was displayed on the part 
 of the public, Dr. Johnson was not inactive, and on 
 June 17th, 1754, he began the collegiate course of 
 instruction alone, with a class of twelve students. He 
 was shortly after assisted by his son William Johnson, 
 Mr. Cutting, a graduate of the University of Cam- 
 bridge, who is still remembered as a thorough-bred 
 classical scholar 5 and Mr. Treadwell, of Harvard 
 College, Massachusetts, who was appointed professor 
 of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy. f 
 
 " In the midst of all his academic labours, Dr. 
 Johnson never lost sight of the high duties of his 
 profession 5 and he from time to time combatted such 
 errors as he deemed of peculiarly dangerous tendency 
 
 * Mr. Murray was a lawyer of great eminence in the city of New- 
 York, about the middle of the last century. He was one of the 
 Council, and Attorney-General of the Province, and much celebrated 
 in his day as a constitutional lawyer. 
 
 f Mr. Treadwell died in 1760, and was succeeded, as professor of 
 Mathematics, by Mr. Robert Harper, a gentleman educated at the 
 University of Glasgow.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 115 
 
 in this country, in some tracts and single sermons, 
 published about the year 1761 ; while his popularity 
 as a preacher induced the Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 New-York, soon after his removal to that city, to call 
 him as a lecturer in that Church ; where he officiated 
 in turn with the rector and assistant, but without 
 having any other parochial charge. After filling these 
 stations, for which he was so eminently qualified, about 
 nine years, finding his activity gradually impaired by 
 age and infirmity, and his spirits sinking under domes- 
 tic calamity, in the loss of his youngest son, and some 
 time after of his wife 5 seeing too, the college thoroughly 
 established, and flourishing beyond his hopes under 
 the immediate superintendence of Dr. Myles Cooper, 
 the professor of Moral Philosophy, his destined suc- 
 cessor, a man of acknowledged learning and talents 5 
 he was induced in 1763 to resign his office and retire 
 to Stratford, to finish the remainder of his days in the 
 bosom of his family. 
 
 "In this peaceful retreat, he again resumed the 
 duties of a parish priest, and pursued his studies, and 
 discharged his clerical functions, at the age of seventy, 
 with the same zeal with which he had applied himself 
 to them more than forty years before. 
 
 " Thus occupied in works of piety and usefulness, 
 his virtuous and venerable age glided peacefully along, 
 until the 6th of January, 1772, when, after a very 
 short, and apparently slight indisposition, he expired 
 in his chair without a struggle or a groan. His remains 
 are interred in the Episcopal burying-ground at 
 Stratford, where a neat monument is erected with
 
 116 HISTORY OF 
 
 the following inscription, from the classic pen of 
 President Cooper : — 
 
 M. S. 
 
 SAMUELIS JOHNSON, D. D., 
 
 COLLEGII REGALIS, NOVI EBORACI, 
 
 PR.ESIDIS PRIMI, 
 
 ET HIIJUS ECCLESI.E NUPER RECTORIS 
 
 NATUS DIE, 14 TO OCTOB. 1696. 
 
 OBIIT. 6 TO JAN. 1772. 
 
 If decent dignity and modest mien, 
 
 The cheerful heart and countenance serene ; 
 
 If pure religion and unsullied truth, 
 
 His age's solace, and his search in youth ; 
 
 In charity, through all the race he ran, 
 
 Still wishing well, and doing good to man ; 
 
 If learning, free from pedantry and pride ; 
 
 If faith and virtue, walking side by side ; 
 
 If well to mark his being's aim and end, 
 
 To shine through life, the husband, father, friend ; 
 
 If these ambition in thy soul can raise, 
 
 Excite thy reverence, or demand thy praise, 
 
 Reader, ere yet thou quit this earthly scene, 
 
 Revere his name, and be what he has been. 
 
 " Dr. Johnson was in person tall, and in the decline 
 of life rather corpulent 5 his countenance was mild and 
 pleasing. A good engraving of him may be found in 
 the 4 American Medical and Philosophical Register ' 
 for October, 1812. He was remarkable for a very 
 uniform and placid temper and great benignity of dis- 
 position, which was displayed in habitual beneficence 
 and hospitality. His theology, to which he was warmly 
 attached, was that of the Church of England in her 
 purest form. Having submitted to the laborious oper-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 117 
 
 ation of forming his own mind upon every important 
 point, without taking any thing on trust, or from 
 authority, he fully felt the difficulties attendant on the 
 exercise of private judgment in matters of religious 
 difference, and the importance of a charitable inter- 
 pretation of the motives and principles of others. 
 This turn of thought gave to his controversial writings, 
 a spirit of mildness and urbanity not always to be 
 found in polemical theology. The prominent features 
 of his mind appear to have been, strong and clear 
 sense, and a habit of diligent and patient investiga- 
 tion." 
 
 .The ministers of the parish for several years after 
 this period, seem to have been labouring with great 
 diligence and success. Each annual account of Mr. 
 Auchmuty to the Society appears to be better than 
 the other. The number of adults and infants baptized 
 by him among the blacks, was steadily increasing. 
 His catechumens were becoming more numerous. 
 And additions to the communion were also more 
 frequent. The Prayer Books and catechisms sent 
 out to him for their use, he had distributed among 
 them, as he hoped, to good purpose 5 since they regu- 
 larly attended divine service, and were devout and 
 attentive in the worship of the Church. He took 
 pleasure in assuring the Society, that the negroes 
 under his care were becoming more and more deserv- 
 ing of the pains he took with them, and that many of 
 them were a credit to our holy religion 5 that it was 
 an unspeakable satisfaction to him to find that his 
 labours among the poor slaves were not lost, but 
 through the goodness of God produced such consid-
 
 118 HISTORY OF 
 
 erablc fruit 5 and that not one single black who had 
 been admitted by him to the holy communion, had 
 turned out bad, or been in any shape a disgrace to his 
 profession. 
 
 In the beginning of the year 1756, the Rev. Mr. 
 Barclay acquainted the Society, that the Church had 
 suffered a great loss by the death of Mr. Colgan, 
 formerly a catechist in this parish, but for many years 
 a laborious and worthy missionary at Jamaica Town, 
 in Long Island; and that the churches under his 
 care were very apprehensive of great difficulties in 
 obtaining a clergyman of the Church of England to 
 succeed him, because the dissenters were a majority 
 in the vestry of that parish. It too soon appeared 
 that their apprehensions were not without good reason, 
 for the dissenters prevailed by their majority in the 
 vestry to present one Simon Horton, a dissenting 
 teacher, to Sir Charles Hardy, the Governor, for 
 induction into the parish, but the Governor, in obedi- 
 ence to his instructions from his Majesty, would not 
 admit him into that cure, because he could not pro- 
 cure a certificate under the Episcopal seal of the 
 Bishop of London, of his conformity to the Liturgy 
 of the Church of England. And when no person 
 thus qualified, had been presented to the Governor 
 after more than six months, his Excellency was pleased 
 to collate to the cure of the Church the Rev. Samuel 
 Seabury, Jr., father of that true churchman and sound 
 divine, the first Bishop of Connecticut, and great 
 grandfather of the distinguished theologian and acute 
 polemic who bears his name at the present day. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 24th of
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 119 
 
 March, 1761, it was " resolved, that there should be 
 allowed by this corporation the sum of five hundred 
 pounds current money of New-York, towards pur- 
 chasing a new organ for Trinity Church 5 it having 
 been proposed by several gentlemen to raise by sub- 
 scription so much, as in addition to the said five 
 hundred pounds, would amount to seven hundred 
 guineas. Whereupon it was ordered, that the Church 
 Wardens pay the said five hundred pounds to such 
 person or persons as shall undertake to send for the 
 said organ, when the said subscription should be 
 compleat." 
 
 And it was likewise ordered, "that Mr. Thomas 
 Harison should be employed as the organist for Trin- 
 ity Church, and allowed for his services as such, the 
 sum of eighteen pounds current money of New-York 
 per quarter, and that his salary should commence 
 from the first Sunday he should begin to play." 
 
 In the course of a short time the amount to be 
 raised by private subscription was probably filled up, 
 for in the following year the Churchwardens were 
 directed by the Board to pay to Mr. George Harison 
 the sum of five hundred pounds, voted by this corpo- 
 ration, towards purchasing an organ for Trinity 
 Church, 
 
 The next event to be noticed is the death of Di% 
 Barclay, and the election of his successor. As in his 
 arduous mission at Albany and among the Mohawk 
 Indians, he had distinguished himself by his zeal and 
 indefatigable labours, "so when chosen Rector of Trin- 
 ity Church, the same assiduous attention to the duties 
 of his office, the same ardor in promoting religion as
 
 120 HISTORY OF 
 
 formerly, marked every step of his conduct. His 
 character was truly respectable, his disposition most 
 amiable and engaging. Meek, affable, sweet-tem- 
 pered, and devout, his life was exemplary 5 whilst 
 he cherished the warmest spirit of benevolence and 
 charity. During his incumbency the congregation 
 greatly increased. St. George's Chapel was built, and 
 the design was formed of building St. Paul's. This 
 last however he did not live to see executed, but it 
 was accomplished soon after, under his successor."* 
 
 * Note to a funeral sermon of the Rev. Mr. Inglis on Dr. Auch- 
 muty— -Churchman's Magazine, vol. 5, pp. 82, 83.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 28th day of 
 August, 17(54, the Rev. Dr. Barclay having departed 
 this life on the 20th instant — 
 
 It was unanimously resolved and ordered, that the Rev. Samuel 
 Auchmuty be, and he is hereby elected, called, and chosen to be 
 Rector of Trinity Church in this city, in the room and place of the 
 Rev. Dr. Henry Barclay, late Rector, deceased; and that Mr. 
 Williams and Mr. Stuyvesant be desired to wait ou the said Mr. 
 Auchmuty, to acquaint him With this resolution, and to know if he 
 will accept of the said call, and report his answer thereupon immedi* 
 ately to this Board. 
 
 The said Mr. Williams and Mr. Stuyvesant having waited on Mr. 
 Auchmuty pursuant to their appointment, reported that he would 
 accept of the said call ; and he being introduced into the Vestry 
 room, he again declared his assent to, and accepted the said call. 
 Whereupon it was ordered, that this Board present the said Mr. 
 Auchmuty to his Honour the Lieutenant Covernour, and desire he 
 may be admitted and Instituted as Rector, and Inducted into the said 
 Church ; and a presentation being prepared for that purpose to the 
 Honorable Cadwallader Colden, Esq., His Majesty's Lieutenant 
 Governor, and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of New- York, 
 and the Territories depending thereon, in America, and the same 
 being read, was signed and sealed by all the members present. 
 
 The proceedings with respect to the presentation 
 of Mr. Auchmuty to the Governor, the Governor's 
 admission to him, the letters of institution, the man- 
 date to induct him, and the certificate of his induction, 
 8
 
 1S2 HISTORY OF 
 
 being the same as in the case of the Rev. Dr. Barclay* 
 it is unnecessary to repeat them. 
 
 At the same meeting, the question being put, whether two Gentle- 
 men of the Clergy should be called as Assistant Ministers to the 
 Rector in his parochial dutys, or only one, it was resolved by a majo- 
 rity, that fur the present one would be sufficient. Whereupon it Mas 
 resolved and ordered, that the Rev. Mr. Charles Inglis (a Gentleman 
 well recommended by the Rector) be called as Assistant to the said 
 Rector in his Parochial duties, and that he be allowed for that service 
 by this corporation a salary of Two hundred pounds currency p. annum, 
 besides what may be raised for him by subscription, and that he be 
 also allowed twenty Pistoles for his travelling expenses. 
 
 Resolved, That the Rector and Church Wardens be desired to 
 write to Mr. Winslow, returning him the thanks of this corporation 
 for his kindness in performing Divine Senile during the Indisposition 
 of the late Rector, Doctor Barclay, and that they have power to present 
 him the sum of fifty pounds as a gratuity for the same, and beg his 
 acceptance thereof. 
 
 At the very next meeting of the Vestry, however, the 
 question whether there should be one or two Assistant 
 Ministers was reconsidered, and it was then 
 
 Resolved and Ordered, That the Reverend Mr. John Ogilvie, (a 
 Gentleman well recommended by the Church Wardens,) be called as 
 an Assistant Minister to the Rector in his Parochial duties, and that 
 he be allowed for that service by this corporation a salary of Two 
 hundred pounds currency p. annum, besides what may be raised for 
 him by subscription. 
 
 The news of Dr. Barclay's death>was communicated 
 to the Society by Mr. Auchmuty in his letter dated 
 September 10, 1764, together with the announcement 
 of the fact, that he had been appointed to succeed 
 him as Rector of Trinity Church j and being thus de- 
 cently provided for, he took occasion to return his most
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 123 
 
 sincere thanks to the Society for their bounty to him 
 as catechist to the blacks $ which trust, as we have 
 seen, was discharged by him with so much fidelity and 
 success. 
 
 A short' time after, the Rev. Mr. Auchmuty com- 
 municated to the Board a letter to himself, from the 
 Rev. Mr. Charles Inglis, in the following words : 
 
 Philadelphia, Decern 1 " 3 d , 17G4. 
 Rev'd, Worthy Sik : 
 
 When Mrs. Inglis lay on her death-bed, I fore- 
 saw the difficulties that would attend my removal 
 from Dover, and therefore wrote to you then, releas- 
 ing you from your engagement to me, and requesting 
 you to provide some person to supply my place as 
 assistant. Every letter you received from me since, 
 was written in much distress and perplexity of mind, 
 as you may naturally suppose, and in doubt as to my 
 removal, in consequence of these difficulties on the 
 one hand, and my inclination to settle at New-York 
 on the other. 
 
 I have lately had a better opportunity of knowing 
 the state of my mission' than formerly, when my mind 
 was first overwhelmed with my loss. I shall therefore 
 lay its state before you, and then explicitly tell my 
 resolution in consequence of it. This I should 
 have .done before had not my affliction, and per- 
 plexity occasioned ,by it, prevented me. Mrs. In- 
 glis's state of health' was my principal reason for 
 leaving Dover. Altho"' there was much discontent 
 among my people at hearing of my intended removal, 
 yet this reason in some measure silenced, tho 5 it did 
 not fully satisfy them. On her death, they renewed
 
 124 HISTORY OP 
 
 their solicitations for my continuance with more 
 warmth, and indeed the principal cause of my removal 
 was no more. When I engaged to settle at Norfolk, 
 Dr. Smith proposed sending another person to succeed 
 me at Dover. My people, however, would by no 
 means consent to have him, nor is there any prospect 
 of another to go there. There are two churches 
 which are begun in my mission, chiefly through my 
 persuasion, yet unfinished, and the congregations of 
 these churches absolutely declare they will lay aside 
 all thoughts of finishing them if I go away. A new 
 mission is on the point of being opened, and that 
 design must also necessarily drop, if I remove. Pres- 
 byterians and Quakers are making daily encroach- 
 ments on us, but especially a mad enthusiast, who has 
 lately started up where the new mission is to be 
 opened, has seduced many to his pernicious delusions, 
 and even the rumour of my going away has gained 
 him some proselytes, and elated him much. All these 
 particulars put together, will leave no doubt, I think, 
 with any impartial person, that it is my duty to con- 
 tinue in my mission till it can be better settled. For 
 my part, my conscience would ever reproach me to 
 leave it thus, nor could I in that case expect a bless- 
 ing from Heaven. Believe me, sir, it is with reluctance 
 that I lay aside the thoughts of settling now in your 
 city. I have the most grateful sense of your kindness, 
 as well as the kindness of several worthy members 
 of your church, with whom I had the honour to be 
 acquainted. Be pleased to return them my sincerest 
 thanks, especially to your Church Wardens and 
 Vestry, This I should do now in person myself, but
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 125 
 
 it is my opinion, as well as the opinion of all my 
 
 friends, my going to New-York at this time, as matters 
 
 are now situated, would answer no good end — perhaps 
 
 perplex matters more. I shall he detained in this city 
 
 a few days by the death of an uncle-in-law. It would 
 
 give me much pleasure to hear from you in that time. 
 
 If any thing I can do or say consistent with what 
 
 conscience assures me to be my duty, will give any 
 
 further satisfaction to you, or your people, you may 
 
 readily command me ; being with sincere esteem to 
 
 them, and you, Rev'd Sir, your affectionate Brother 
 
 and Servant in Christ, 
 
 Charles Inglis. 
 
 What circumstances led Mr. Inglis to change his 
 mind, and finally accept the invitation, which after so 
 much reflection he had definitively declined, I have 
 no means of explaining. He did not, however, move 
 to New-York, nor enter upon the duties of his office, 
 until the month of December, 1705. 
 
 On communicating this change in his intention to 
 the Venerable Society, in whose employment he ljad 
 been, he received permission to accept the appoint- 
 ment of assistant to Dr. Auchmuty, and Catechist to 
 the negroes at New-York. 
 
 In the outset of life, " he had conducted the free 
 school at Lancaster, in Pennsylvania, for several 
 years, to the satisfaction of all, and had thus become 
 favourably known to the clergy of the neighbourhood, 
 who now testified of him as a young gentleman of 
 unblemished character, discreet in his behaviour, and 
 free from even the suspicion of any thing unbecoming. 
 With these high testimonials he went to England, was
 
 126 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 admitted by the Bishop of London to holy orders, 
 and re-embarked for his humble mission, to which a sal- 
 ary of £50 a year was attached. Such was the modest 
 commencement of a career which was destined to be 
 marked by various fortunes, and distinguished by ser- 
 vices of the highest value to the Church. 
 
 u Mr. lnglis, after a long and dangerous voyage, 
 arrived at Dover on the 1st of July, 1759, and at this 
 distance of time, eighty-six years, it is " a circumstance 
 of no ordinary interest, " that the son is still minister- 
 ing with unimpaired vigour and energy one division 
 of that important diocese which, when it was first 
 placed under the father's spiritual superintendence, 
 comprehended the whole of the British colonies in 
 that quarter of the world. 
 
 "Mr. lnglis, on coming to his mission, found the 
 situation unhealthy, from the neighbourhood of low, 
 marshy lands. There were within it three churches, 
 but that at Dover was in a most ruinous condition. 
 He soon, however, contrived to restore it, and to 
 build a fourth on the borders of Maryland. The 
 mission comprised the whole county of Kent, thirty- 
 three miles in length, and ten in breadth, with a popu- 
 lation of 7000, of which a third belonged to the 
 communion of the Church. 
 
 "In 1763, he informed the' Society of its flourishing 
 state, as evidenced by -the erection and restoration of 
 churches, the crowds who attended divine service, 
 the return of dissenters to the Church, and the revival 
 in many of a spirit of piety. His own health he 
 described as much affected by the dampness of the 
 situation, as well as by the excessive fatigue of having
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 127 
 
 to attend stations distant severally, fourteen, seventeen, 
 and eighteen miles from his own residence. 
 
 " Daring the six years of his ministration at Dover, 
 he had baptized 756 children, and twenty-three adults, 
 while within the same period," the number of his 
 communicants had more than doubled. 
 
 " The Churchwardens and Vestry of Dover, on 
 the occasion of his departure, wrote to express their 
 great regret at his going, and to testify that he had 
 with unwearied diligence attended four churches, dis- 
 charging every duty of his functions, and conducting 
 himself on all occasions in a manner truly laudable 
 and exemplary."* 
 
 Mr. Inglis entered upon his duties, as an Assistant 
 Minister in the Parish of Trinity Church, on the 6th 
 of December, 1765. That they were faithfully and 
 conscientiously fulfilled, may be fairly inferred from 
 the whole course of his former life, and from the 
 growing estimate of the importance and value of his 
 services, which ultimately raised him to the highest 
 rank in his profession. But of the peaceful tenour of 
 his days in this new situation, I have been unable to 
 find any striking memento, except one in the parish 
 record, which is somewhat remarkable — that during 
 his connection with it, a period of seventeen years, he 
 appears to have married 925 couples. 
 
 The Rev. John Ogilvie, who was called as an 
 Assistant Minister of Trinity Church a short time 
 after the election of Mr. Inglis, entered, however, 
 upon the duties of his office in the parish about a 
 
 * Hawkins' Missions of the Church of England, pp. 323, 324, 325.
 
 128 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 year before him. In noticing this appointment, I can- 
 not help remarking the judiciousness and fitness of all 
 the appointments which were made by the Vestry $ 
 nor from running into a digression to show the ground 
 of the remark, in this particular case. He had long 
 before commended himself to the approbation and 
 good-will of all the churchmen in the colony, by his 
 devotedness as a parish clergyman, and his zeal as a 
 missionary. 
 
 On the removal of Mr. Henry Barclay to New-York, 
 the Indian mission remained vacant for a considerable 
 time, but was filled up in 1748, by the appointment, on 
 Mr. Barclay's recommendation, of Mr. Ogilvie, as a 
 young gentleman of an extraordinary good character, 
 educated at Yale College, in Connecticut, and one 
 who was, in an especial manner, qualified for the duty 
 at Albany, by being able to officiate in the Dutch 
 language. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Ogilvie writes to the Society, that as 
 soon as the season of the year would permit, he left 
 New-York, and got to Albany on the 1st of March, 
 1749, and that he was very kindly received by the 
 commanding officer of Fort Frederick, and by the 
 chief persons of the place 5 that though the inhabi- 
 tants thereof were much diminished by the removal 
 of many English families in the late war to New- 
 York, yet the number of his hearers had far exceeded 
 his expectations 5 that he preached twice on Sundays,, 
 and read prayers and catechized on Wednesdays near 
 fifty white children '; and as many of the blacks ap- 
 peared desirous of instruction, he catechized them on 
 Sundays in the afternoon after divine service. At a
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 129 
 
 subsequent period, it appears that he had three ser- 
 vices in the Church at Albany every Lord's Day, that 
 all ranks of people might have the benefit of public 
 worship 5 that his parochial duties were abundant and 
 laborious 5 and that his pious endeavours were 
 blessed with signal success. 
 
 On the 5th of June he went up to the Mohawks 
 with the interpreter of the Province. He was met 
 there by two of the principal sachems, who congratu- 
 lated him on his arrival, and expressed great thank- 
 fulness to the Society for sending him to them $ and 
 they promised to use their best endeavours to influ- 
 ence the Indians to be attentive to his instructions, 
 and to do all in their power to make his life agreeable. 
 A few Sundays after this interview, he administered 
 the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to thirteen of 
 them, who behaved with great propriety and devotion, 
 while too many others he remarked had so far degen- 
 erated into drunkards, as that his chief hopes were 
 placed on the rising generation ; the children being 
 universally disposed to learn. 
 
 In a communication to the Society seven years 
 later, he states that his endeavours had not been 
 unsuccessful, many of the Mohawks of both castles 
 appearing to have a serious and habitual sense of reli- 
 gion. When at home, they regularly attended divine 
 worship, and participated frequently of the Lord's 
 Supper, and though out upon the hunt, several of 
 them came sixty miles to communicate on Christmas- 
 Day, 1755. The whole number of communicants at 
 this time amounted to fifty. 
 
 In his account of those whom he had baptized in
 
 130 HISTORY OF 
 
 the following year, he mentioned that two of them 
 were the children of the famous half-Indian king, who 
 distinguished himself so much in the fatal expedition 
 under General Braddock, when twelve principal men 
 of the Mohawks fell in the battle, six of whom were 
 regular communicants of the Church, and while they 
 were in the field, good old Abraham, one of their 
 sachems, performed divine service to them morning 
 and evening. 
 
 Mr. Ogilvie appears to have retired from this mis- 
 sion in 1760, in which he was succeeded by Mr. 
 Brown, a chaplain in the army. 
 
 He was well remembered in my early life by several 
 of our aged parishioners, and greatly admired as a 
 popular and captivating lecturer. It was probably on 
 this account that he was represented, in a very spir- 
 ited portrait of him, painted by the celebrated Copley, 
 and now in the Vestry office of Trinity Church, with 
 the Bible opened before him, and familiarly engaged 
 in expounding the Scriptures. I can easily conceive 
 that there might have been good ground for this repu- 
 tation, for I have a vivid recollection of one of his 
 manuscript sermons that I met with some forty years 
 since, written from the text, " We all do fade as a 
 leaf," which at that time struck me as a composition 
 of great elegance and beauty. 
 
 Though Dr. Ogilvie, as it may be presumed from 
 his laboriousness and zeal in the stations which he 
 occupied during the first part of his ministry, was 
 doubtless diligent and faithful also in the discharge of 
 his duties as an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church ; 
 yet I have not been able to find any thing more in
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 131 
 
 relation to it, than the scanty notice which I have 
 already given.* Indeed, he himself, in one respect 
 at least, from a thoughtless neglect, threw a mantle of 
 oblivion over his own acts, which, however immaterial 
 on private, could not be justified on public accounts. 
 For I find an entry on the Parish Register, written 
 by Mr. Inglis, after he had become Rector, that no 
 returns of his baptisms and marriages appear to have 
 been made, if he ever kept a record of them, and the 
 blank therefore, with all its inconveniences has, and 
 must remain, for ever unfilled. 
 
 The last trace that I can discover of him, is in one 
 of his communications in 1774, wherein he recom- 
 mends the inhabitants of Fredericksburgh to the 
 notice of the Society, and promises that a glebe of at 
 least one hundred acres of the best improved land, 
 the right of which was vested in himself and two 
 other gentlemen of rank and character, should be 
 located and conveyed to the use of the Church. The 
 Society's grateful acceptance of this proposal probably 
 never reached that worthy person, whose death fol- 
 lowed soon after it was made. 
 
 The following short sketch of his life and character, 
 is gathered from a sermon which was preached to the 
 congregation by the Rev. Mr. Inglis, on account of 
 his death : 
 
 After indulging in a train of reflections which the 
 
 * Since this was written, I have accidentally met with a fuller 
 account of his labours, in a funeral sermon, which was preached by 
 Mr. Inglis on occasion of his death.
 
 132 HISTORY OF 
 
 occasion suggested, he remarks, u his death is an afflic- 
 tion to you, and a general loss to the Church of God. 
 
 "Nine years have I lived with him in perfect har- 
 mony and friendship. Much was he endeared to me 
 by his many amiable qualities, by a union of affection 
 and principles, and by our joint endeavours in the 
 ministry of the Gospel. To mention him therefore in 
 this place, which, now alas ! must know him no more, 
 is not only a debt of friendship which I owe to his 
 memory, but it may also be of service to you. 
 
 " He was born in this city, and many of you know 
 that he remembered his Creator in the days of his 
 youth. Even at that period, he strove to turn others 
 to righteousness, which seemed to be the principal 
 object of his whole life afterwards. 
 
 " He devoted himself early to the service of the 
 altar, and his first situation after he entered into holy 
 orders, as missionary to the Mohawk Indians, was 
 such as suited his glowing zeal to promote the honour 
 of God and the salvation of souls. I may say that he 
 was placed on the fartherest limit of the Messiah's king- 
 dom, for all beyond it was one dark and dismal gloom, 
 unenlightened by any ray from the Sun of Righteous- 
 ness. Here he faithfully laboured, and with success, 
 to add the heathen to his Master's inheritance, and 
 the uttermost part of the earth to his possession. 
 
 " Those qualifications which enable a person to be 
 useful in the sacred ministry, were possessed by him 
 in an eminent degree. His person was tall and grace- 
 ful, his aspect sweet and commanding, his voice 
 excellent, his elocution easy and pleasing, his imagina- 
 tion At vely, his memory retentive, and his judgment
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 133 
 
 solid. His temper was even, unclouded, and such as 
 scarcely any accident could ruffle. His heart was 
 humane, tender, and benevolent, burning with zeal for 
 the good of others. 
 
 " With what unwearied industry he attended the 
 duties of his function, you all know. Like the first 
 heralds of the blessed Gospel, daily in the temple of 
 God and in every house, he ceased not to teach and 
 preach Jesus Christ. Indeed, I may apply to him 
 what St. Paul says of himself to the Thessalonians, 
 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, 
 and unblameably he behaved himself among you 5 
 how he exhorted, and comforted, and charged every 
 one of you as a father doth his children, that ye might 
 walk worthy of God, who hath called you to his king- 
 dom and glory. The number of those who resorted 
 to him for advice was very great, and few were capa- 
 ble of giving better on every occasion. He knew 
 how to comfort the afflicted, to confirm the wavering, 
 to instruct the ignorant, to cheer the desponding, to 
 strengthen the weak, and to check the forward. The 
 time would fail me, to trace this excellent man through 
 the various scenes of life, and the different characters 
 he sustained with so much dignity and lustre. His 
 conduct and manners were regulated by the calm 
 dictates of benevolence, piety, and prudence, and 
 were so happily tempered, that even those who were 
 no warm friends to religion revered him. The conse- 
 quence was such as might naturally be expected — 
 few clergymen have been so extensively useful — few 
 so much beloved and esteemed as Dr. Ogilvie. 
 
 w The concluding scene of his life was suitable to
 
 134 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 the former part of it, for he was about his Master's 
 business when the awful message came to summon 
 him into eternity. In the house of God, after o!e- 
 voutly addressing his Heavenly Father in the evening 
 service of our Church, he took his text, The Lord is 
 upright, he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness 
 in him ; and whilst the unfinished sentence yet hung 
 upon his tongue, his master called him to leave this 
 scene of sorrow and of trouble, to be present with 
 himself." * 
 
 In the brief period of ten years the parish had 
 prospered to such a degree, under the laborious and 
 faithful ministrations of its clergy, that it was deemed 
 expedient to provide another church for the accom- 
 modation of its members. The building of St. Paul's 
 Chapel was commenced in 1763, and completed in 
 1765. In beauty of design, justness of proportion, 
 and tasteful embellishment, it was unequalled, at the 
 
 * " He went to Church in seemingly good health, to lecture in the 
 afternoon, which was his constant practice on Fridays. He read 
 prayers as usual, and baptized a child. He gave out his text, but 
 before he could proceed further with his lecture than to repeat a sen- 
 tence or two, he was deprived of his speech by a stroke of apoplexy. 
 Under the effects of this fatal disorder he languished for some days. 
 During the interval, a great part of which was spent in prayer and 
 devout ejaculations, he showed the utmost patience and submission. 
 On Saturday morning, November 26, 1774, without a struggle or a 
 groan, he expired, in the fifty-first year of his age. By his last will 
 he bequeathed £300 to the Charity School, £100 to King's College, 
 and £100 to the Corporation for the relief of the widows and children 
 of clergymen, hereby exhibiting that uniform attention to the happi- 
 ness and welfare of mankind, which regulated each step of his con- 
 duct through life."
 

 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 135 
 
 time, throughout our country $ and in this style of 
 architecture has not been Surpassed to the present 
 day, It is a little singular, however, that the repre- 
 sentation by L'Enfant, of the giving of the law at 
 Mount Sinai immediately over the altar, where we 
 celebrate in the holy mysteries the highest instance of 
 God's love to sinful men, and which is objected to by 
 many as inappropriate in position and offensive to 
 taste, should nevertheless have been highly approved 
 of by the Vestry of that day, and a formal record of 
 it entered on the minutes. 
 
 The order for commencing the erection of this new 
 chapel, on the Church ground upon the corner of 
 Division-street, (now Fulton,) was passed at a meet- 
 ing of the Vestry held the 3d day of November, 1763. 
 
 At this meeting it was also ordered, that what 
 moneys might from time to time be in the hands of the 
 Churchwardens more than was necessary to answer 
 the annual expenses of the Church and Chapel, 
 should be applied towards purchasing the materials 
 and carrying on the building of the Church. 
 
 Though the estate of the corporation at that time 
 had become more productive, its resources were still 
 on a very limited scale. Authority was therefore 
 given to the Wardens on several occasions, to borrow 
 different sums not exceeding the gross amount of 
 £15,750, for carrying on the building of the chapel, 
 and finishing the porticoes and fences. 
 
 St. Paul's Chapel was opened on the 30th of October, 
 1766, and it was resolved by the Vestry, that the thanks 
 of this Board should be given to the Rev. Dr. Auch- 
 muty, for. his sermon preached at the dedication thereof,
 
 136 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 and a copy of it requested for publication. At the 
 same time, his Excellency Sir Henry Moore expressed 
 a desire of introducing in it a band of music, which 
 request was granted on the condition that the band 
 should only join in such part of the service as was 
 usual and customary in like cases, and that no other 
 pieces of music should be allowed but such only as 
 were adapted to the service of the Church on such 
 solemn occasions. It is a little remarkable, that one 
 of the persons* who attended at the opening of this 
 chapel, was also present, after the lapse of eighty 
 years, at the recent consecration of Trinity Church. 
 There are some other circumstances also in connec- 
 tion with this building, which are worthy of notice. 
 The inauguration of Washington, as President of the 
 United States, took place, as is well known, at the City 
 Hall. After the ceremonial was over, the General 
 retired, with the civil and military officers in attend- 
 ance, to St. Paul's Chapel, in order to unite with them 
 in such religious services as were appropriate to the 
 occasion. And here also he frequently received the 
 holy communion, an act of faith and devotion, in which 
 it is lamentable to think that he has not been imitated 
 by any of his successors. 
 
 In 1774, the Rev. John Vardiil, God-father of 
 Gen. Laight, now a member of the Vestry, was called 
 as an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church. He was 
 then in England, but in consequence of the trou- 
 bles which were impending over the colonies, he 
 never entered upon the duties of his office. About 
 
 * Mr. John P. Groshon, now residing at Yonkers, Westchester.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 137 
 
 the same time the Rev. Benjamin Moore and the Rev. 
 John Bowden were likewise called to the same office. 
 In reference to these several persons, the following 
 action took place in the Vestry : 
 
 " Resolved, That if the sum of six hundred and 
 eighty-three pounds, or upwards, can be raised by 
 subscription on such security's as will be satisfactory 
 to the Rcv'd Mr. Benjamin Moore and the Reverend 
 Mr. John Bowden, that in that case the Vestry will 
 call them both as Assistant Ministers in this parish $ 
 that the Reverend Mr. Inglis shall be allowed out of 
 the said subscriptions the sum of two hundred pounds 
 annually $ the Rev. Mr. Vardill fifty pounds annual- 
 ly, and the other two gentlemen, if called, shall divide 
 the residue of the said subscriptions equally between 
 them, and in that case this corporation will also pay 
 to the said Mr. Moore and Mr. Bowden out of the 
 Church funds, the annual sum of fifty pounds each, 
 for which two last mentioned sums only this corpora- 
 tion will be answerable. Ordered, that Mr. Crom- 
 eline, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Vandam, 3Jr. Renaudct, Mr, 
 Shcrbrooke, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Bachc, and Mr. Goe- 
 let, be a committee to solicit subscriptions, and that 
 they take to their assistance such other gentlemen of 
 the Vestry as they shall think proper, and that report 
 ado thereof to this Board in three weeks, when 
 the} will proceed to call the said two Assistant Min- 
 isters in case sufficient subscriptions be obtained for 
 both, or otherwise they will call one of them ; that 
 the subscription papers shall contain a clause for pay- 
 ing the respective subscriptions during the residence 
 of the respective subscribers in the city, save only that
 
 138 HISTORY OF 
 
 in case of death or removal of either of the said four 
 ministers, such proportions of the subscriptions shall 
 be deducted as was requisite for paying his proportion 
 of the subscription money. 
 
 " The several subscription rolls were returned, but it 
 being suggested to the Board by some of the com- 
 mittee, that there had not been sufficient time allowed 
 to complete the subscriptions, it was thereupon 
 ordered, that the time for completing the same be 
 enlarged till this day fortnight. 
 
 " The committee that was appointed to solicit sub- 
 scriptions towards the support of the Assistant Min- 
 isters, returned the several subscription rolls, which, 
 with other verbal engagements, amounted to the sum 
 of £691 2s. Qd. Whereupon it was ordered, that 
 Mr. Desbrosses, Mr. Bache, Mr. Kissam, and Mr. 
 Duane, or any three of them, be a committee to wait 
 on the Reverend Mr. Moore and the Reverend Mr . 
 Bowden, to acquaint them with the state of the said 
 subscriptions and other engagements for their salarys, 
 and to know whether they will accept of a call on 
 these terms. 
 
 " The committee that was appointed to wait on the 
 Reverend Mr. Benjamin Moore and the Reverend 
 Mr. John Bowden, reported that they had waited on 
 them according to their appointment, and informed 
 them separately of the state of the subscriptions and 
 other engagements for their support, and desired their 
 answers whether they would engage as Assistant Min- 
 isters of the Church upon those terms, and at the 
 same time acquainted them that such was the state of 
 the funds of this corporation, that they had resolved
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 139 
 
 not to be answerable for any deficiency that might 
 happen in collecting the said subscriptions and other 
 sums upon verbal engagements. And that the said 
 Mr. Moore and Mr. Bowdcn thereupon severally de- 
 clared their consent to accept the office of Assistant 
 Ministers upon the above terms. 
 
 " Upon the question being put, it was unanimously 
 resolved, that the Reverend Mr. Benjamin Moore be, 
 and he is hereby, elected and appointed an Assistant 
 Minister to the Rector in his parochial duties, upon 
 the terms aforesaid, and the terms expressed in the 
 resolution of this Board of the third day of January 
 last. And upon the question being put, it was also 
 unanimously resolved, that the Reverend Mr. John 
 Bowden be, and he is also hereby, elected and ap- 
 pointed an Assistant Minister to the Rector in his 
 parochial duties, upon the like terms." 
 
 Soon after this the clergy of the Church of Eng- 
 land fell upon troublous times, which tried to the 
 utmost the firmness of men, and often excruciated 
 the minds of the scrupulous and conscientious. The 
 revolutionary war broke out, threatening an utter dis- 
 ruption of the ties which had so long bound the 
 colonies and the mother country together. The 
 relations of the clergy with the latter, were perhaps 
 of a more close and endearing character than those of 
 almost any other class of men. They were for the 
 most part employed and supported by the Society at 
 home, they were nurtured in sentiments of loyalty, 
 and they could not bring themselves to forsake at once, 
 and forever, the Ruler whom God in his providence
 
 140 HISTORY OF 
 
 had placed over them, and whom they had so long 
 implored him to prosper and bless. 
 
 Whatever may be politically our view of this great 
 question, in which men equally good so widely dif- 
 fered, we must at least respect the scruples which no 
 worldly considerations could overcome, and which led 
 to the sacrifice of home, comfort, and wealth, for 
 conscience' sake. With these qualifications, I trust 
 that I shall be open to no misconstruction, in the 
 unvarnished narrative I am about to give. 
 
 In a letter, dated October 31, 1776, Mr. Inglis 
 assures the Society that all their missionaries, without 
 excepting one, in New-Jersey, New-York, Connec- 
 ticut, and so far as he could learn in the other New- 
 England colonies, had proved themselves faithful, loyal 
 subjects in these trying times, and had to the utmost 
 of their power opposed the spirit of disaffection which 
 had involved this continent in the greatest calamities j 
 and although their joint endeavours could not prevent 
 the rebellion, yet for some time they had considerably 
 checked it. Amidst all the succeeding disorder and 
 confusion, they went on steadily with their duty in 
 their sermons $ confining themselves to the doctrines 
 of the Gospel, without touching on politics, using 
 their influence to allay political heats and cherish a 
 spirit of loyalty among their people. This conduct y 
 however harmless, gave great offence. They were 
 every where threatened, often reviled with the most op- 
 probious language, and sometimes treated with brutal 
 violence. He then goes on with an enumeration of 
 the many instances of insult, outrage, and wrong,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEAV-YORK. Ml 
 
 which had been inflicted on his brethren and friends ; 
 and concludes his account with the remark, that if 
 every case of the kind could he faithfully collected, it 
 is probable that the sufferings of the American clergy 
 might appear in many respects not inferior to those of 
 the same order in the great rebellion of the last cen- 
 tury, and that such a work would be no bad supple- 
 ment to Walker's Sufferings of the Clergy. 
 
 The Declaration of Independence increased the 
 embarrassment of the clergy. To officiate publicly, 
 and not pray for the king and royal family, according 
 to the Liturgy, was against their duty and oath, as 
 well as the dictates of their conscience ; and to use 
 the prayers, would have drawn on them inevitable 
 destruction. The only course which they could pur- 
 sue to avoid both evils, was to suspend the public 
 exercise of their function, and shut up their churches. 
 This was done, without any concert, throughout the 
 whole extent of the above-mentioned provinces. The 
 venerable Mr. Beach, of Newtown, in Connecticut, is 
 alone to be excepted, who officiated as usual after 
 independency was declared $ and upon being warned 
 of his danger, he said with more firmness and spirit 
 than prudence and discretion, that he would do his 
 duty, and pray and preach for the king till they should 
 cut out his tongue. It is a little remarkable, that 
 notwithstanding his contumacy, he was never dis- 
 turbed. 
 
 Upon the departure of General Howe from Boston 
 to Halifax, and the taking possession of New-York by 
 the revolutionary army, most of the inhabitants 
 removed into the country, carrying their valuable
 
 142 HISTORY OF 
 
 effects with them. Mr. Inglis conveyed his family to 
 a place of safety up Hudson's river. Dr. Auchmuty, 
 the Rector, being much indisposed through the spring 
 and summer, retired with his family to Brunswick, in 
 New-Jersey, and the care of the churches in his 
 absence of course devolved on Mr. Inglis, as the oldest 
 assistant ; a situation truly difficult and trying in such 
 times, especially as the other assistants, though loyal 
 and worthy, were young and inexperienced. 
 
 About the middle of April, General Washington 
 came to town with a large reinforcement. Animated 
 by his presence, the revolutionary committees very 
 much harrassed the loyal inhabitants at New-York 
 and Long Island. In the latter, however, the mem- 
 bers of the Church of England were the only suffer- 
 ers, though many members of the Dutch Church 
 were as active in their opposition to the revolution as 
 themselves. 
 
 Soon after Washington's arrival, who was himself a 
 member and communicant of the Church of England, 
 he attended the Church 5 but on the Sunday morning, 
 before divine service began, one of his generals called 
 at the Rector's house, supposing him to be in town, 
 and not finding him, left word that he came to inform 
 the Rector that General Washington would be at 
 church, and would be glad if the violent prayers for 
 the king and royal family were omitted. The message 
 was brought to Mr. Inglis, but he paid no regard 
 to it. 
 
 On seeing that general not long after, he remon- 
 strated against the unreasonableness of his request, 
 which he must have known the clergy could not com-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. M3 
 
 ply with 5 and further told him that it was in his power 
 to shut up their churches, but by no means in his 
 power to make the clergy depart from their duty. 
 This declaration drew from him an awkward apology 
 for his conduct, which there is reason to believe was 
 not authorized by Washington himself. 
 
 On the 17th of May, (the day appointed by the 
 Congress as a day of fasting, prayer, and humiliation 
 throughout the continent,) at the unanimous request 
 of the members of the Church, he consented to 
 preach. It was exceeding difficult for a loyal clergy- 
 man to avoid danger on the one hand, or a departure 
 from duty on the other. But he endeavoured to shun 
 both, making peace and repentance his subject, and 
 explicitly disclaiming having any thing to do with 
 politics. 
 
 Matters now became critical in the highest degree. 
 lie had frequently heard, as he passed the streets, the 
 most indecent epithets applied to him. The most 
 violent threats were also thrown out against him, in 
 case he should pray for the king. Not long after, 
 when he w r as officiating, and had proceeded some 
 length in the service, a company of about one hundred 
 and fifty armed men marched into the Church, with 
 drums beating and fifes playing, their guns loaded and 
 bayonets fixed, as if going to battle. The congregation 
 was thrown into the utmost terror, several women 
 fainted, and it was generally expected that when the 
 collects for the king and royal family should be read, 
 he would be fired at, as menaces to that purpose had 
 frequently been made. Mr. Inglis, however, went on 
 with the service, and the matter passed over without
 
 144 HISTORY OF 
 
 any accident. He was afterwards assured that some- 
 thing hostile and violent was intended, but He who 
 stills the raging of the sea and the madness of the 
 people, overruled their purposes. 
 
 But it was at length thought expedient, with the 
 unanimous concurrence of such of the Vestry as were 
 in town, to shut up the churches. Mr. Inglis, how- 
 ever, remained in the city to baptize the children, visit 
 the sick, bury the dead, and afford what support he 
 could to the remains of his poor, dispirited flock. 
 
 On the return of the king's troops to New-York in 
 the month of September, one of the churches was 
 again opened, when all the inhabitants gladly attended. 
 Joy was lightened up in every countenance on the 
 restoration of public worship. Each congratulated 
 himself and others on the prospect of returning peace 
 and security 5 when on the following Saturday, several 
 persons disaffected, as it was supposed, to the govern- 
 ment, who had secreted themselves for the diabolical 
 purpose, set fire to the city in different places, which 
 raged with the utmost fury until it had consumed 
 about a thousand houses, or a fourth part of the 
 whole. In this conflagration, Trinity Church, the 
 oldest and largest in the parish, with the Rector's 
 house, and the Charity School, were all laid in ashes.* 
 
 * A committee was appointed to estimate the damage this corpora- 
 tion had sustained by the late fire, who made a report in writing, in 
 the words following : 
 
 Pursuant to an order of the Vestry of the 1st of April last to us 
 directed, to estimate the loss the Corporation of the Rector and Inhab- 
 itants of the city of New-York, in communion of the Church of Eng- 
 land, as by law established, have sustained by the late fire, which
 
 X— - 
 
 £3 
 
 
 C=3
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 145 
 
 St. Paul's Chapel and King's College would have 
 shared the same fate, had not Mr. Inglis been provi- 
 dentially on the spot, who sent a number of people on 
 the roof with water to protect them. Besides the 
 buildings already mentioned, about two hun-lred 
 houses which stood on the church ground were con- 
 sumed, so that the clergy of this city were the greatest 
 sufferers by the revolution of any on the whole con- 
 tinent. 
 
 How thankful should we be to God, that in his wise 
 providence we did not ourselves fall upon these evil 
 times, where from different views of duty, persons 
 equally conscientious differed so widely in what they 
 deemed the performance of it ; where the endearing 
 ties of nature and the bonds of faith were rent asun- 
 
 happened in the city of New-York on the 21st day of September last, 
 do report — That the said corporation have lost twenty-two thousand 
 two hundred pounds, in the four following buildings, which were con- 
 sumed by the fire : 
 
 Trinity Church, including the organ,* - - - - £17,500 
 Two Charity School-houses and fencings, - - - 2,000 
 
 Library, ' - - - 200 
 
 Rector's House, - - 2,500 
 
 £22,200 
 Besides the loss to the corporation of £536 per annum, the annual 
 rent of 246 lots of ground, the tenants' buildings being all consumed 
 by the fire. In witness whereof, we have signed this report the 13th 
 
 day of May, 1777. 
 
 Elias Desbrosses, 
 Charles Shaw, 
 Anth. Vandam, 
 William Laight. 
 
 » This cost JC850 sterling.
 
 146 HISTORY OF 
 
 der ; and where those who were formed to esteem 
 and love each other, were separated by the bitterest 
 hatred and the deadliest strife. 
 
 Mr. Inglis, in the conclusion of his letter to the 
 Society, apologizes for his laying before them a detail 
 in which he himself was so much concerned, but he 
 claims no merit in doing what he always conceived to 
 be his duty, and with great modesty says that any of 
 his brethren in his situation would have acted as he 
 did, and many of them probably much better. He 
 concludes with observing that the Church of England 
 had as yet lost none of its members, whose departure 
 from it could be deemed a loss. He entertains no 
 doubt but that, with the blessing of Providence, his 
 Majesty's arms will be successful. In that case, if the 
 steps are taken which reason, prudence, and common 
 sense dictate, the Church will indubitably increase, 
 and these confusions will terminate in a large acces- 
 sion to its members. Then he says will be the time 
 to make that provision for the American Church 
 which is necessary, and place it on at least an equal 
 footing with other denominations, by granting it an 
 Episcopate, and thereby allowing it a full toleration. 
 If such an opportunity, he remarks, be let slip, such 
 another will never offer again ; if fifty years elapse 
 without it, there will be no occasion for one after- 
 wards, and to fix one then will be as impracticable as 
 useless. 
 
 How much reason have we to rejoice in this matter, 
 at the fallibility of the most sagacious in their conjec- 
 tures with respect to the future, and at the mysterious 
 workings of God's providence, in not only disappoint-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 147 
 
 ing these forebodings, but in placing the Church in 
 tli is land on so firm a foundation, as that we trust it 
 will never be removed. 
 
 The Society were also favoured with another letter 
 from their faithful and much esteemed correspondent, 
 the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, dated New- York, November 
 20, 1770, in which he acquaints them, that upon his 
 arrival at that once delightful, but now unhappy city, 
 he found every thing in great confusion. Upon 
 searching the rubbish of his late venerable church, 
 and his large and elegant house, he could find only 
 a very few trifles, of little or no value, except the 
 Church pfate and his own. Providence having pre- 
 served him two chapels, he begins to have divine 
 service again regularly, after a suspension of near three 
 months, and his people begin to flock in so that they 
 will soon be filled. His wife and daughters are still 
 in the hands of the enemy, and he knows not when 
 he shall be able to obtain their freedom. The losses 
 he hath himself sustained by fire and cruel devasta- 
 tions, amount already to £2,500 sterling ; and to the 
 loss sustained by his church to the amount of £25,000 
 sterling, must be added also that of the quit rents 
 which the tenants, as they are burnt out, are unable 
 to pay. 
 
 In the midst of these troubles the Rev. Dr. Auch- 
 muty, the Rector of the Church, was taken to his 
 rest. The following extract from a sermon, preached 
 in the city of New-York, March 9th, 1777, on occasion 
 of his death, by the Rev. Charles Inglis, A. M., after- 
 wards Dr. Inglis, Bishop of Nova Scotia, presents his 
 character in an engaging light :
 
 148 HISTORY OF 
 
 " By the death of our worthy and excellent Rector, 
 the public has lost an useful member, you a faithful 
 pastor, and I a sincere friend. 
 
 " My intimacy and connection with him for nearly 
 twelve years, enabled me to know him well j and I 
 can truly say, I scarcely ever knew a man possessed 
 of a more humane, compassionate, or benevolent 
 heart. Often have I seen him melt into tears at the 
 sight of distress in others $ and the distressed never 
 sought his aid in vain. Liberal and generous in his 
 disposition, he seemed happy when alleviating afflic- 
 tion, or when employed in some office of benevolence 
 or friendship. 
 
 " For nearly thirty years you have enjoyed his min- 
 istry 5 indeed, ever since he entered that sacred office 
 till the day of his death $ and the respect showed to 
 him, and distinction conferred on him, as well as the 
 nourishing state of these congregations when our 
 present troubles broke out, are incontestible proofs of 
 the fidelity and assiduity with which he discharged 
 the duties of his station. Numbers, who I trust are 
 now in glory, and many of you who are still living, 
 will, I hope, be seals of his ministry, his crown of 
 rejoicing in the day of the Lord Jesus. 
 
 " Firmly and conscientiously attached to the doc- 
 trines and discipline of the Church of England, he was 
 indefatigable in promoting her interests. 
 
 " Christianity never appears more amiable and 
 winning, than when accompanied by that easy tem- 
 pered cheerfulness, which rectitude and benevolence 
 of heart naturally inspire. In this he greatly excelled. 
 Such a temper and disposition endeared him to his
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 149 
 
 intimate acquaintances, and enabled him to shine in 
 the tender connections of social life. He was indeed 
 a sincere, warm friend, a most affectionate husband 
 and father. 
 
 " His ill state of health obliged him to reside a con- 
 siderable part of last summer in the country. On his 
 return to the city, he promised himself some repose 
 and satisfaction with his family and his friends. But 5 
 alas ! those hopes were soon, too soon, disappointed. 
 
 tt Only a few months after, in this Church,* which 
 was built under his inspection, which he consecrated 
 to the service of Almighty God, and which so lately 
 received his remains $ in this Church, I say, he 
 preached his last sermon two days before the disorder 
 which carried him off, seized him. 
 
 " On his death-bed, he behaved with all the forti- 
 tude, patience, and resignation of a Christian j such 
 as the certain hope of immortal life, and true faith in 
 the Redeemer, naturally inspire. His understanding 
 was clear, and his senses perfect to the last 5 and he 
 joined fervently in prayer not many minutes before he 
 expired 5 he died without a struggle or a groan.t 
 
 On the 6th of October, 1776, Mr. Hildreth also 
 writes to the Society, that from the beginning of the 
 preceding July his scholars had gradually dwindled to 
 a small number $ that himself and most of the friends 
 of government had been obliged to leave New-York 
 to avoid being sent prisoners to New-England, and 
 upon his return a few days after the King's troops 
 
 ¥ St. Paul's Chapel. f He died March 4th, 1777.
 
 150 HISTORY OF 
 
 had taken possession of the city, he found it in flames. 
 He was now collecting his poor scholars together, 
 and as the inhabitants were then daily coming in, he 
 expected in a short time to have his usual number. 
 
 In the following year the Society were informed by 
 the Rev. Dr. Inglis, of the death of Mr. Hildreth, 
 and of the appointment of Mr. Amos Bull, a person 
 of good character and principles, and in all respects 
 well qualified to succeed him. 
 
 He likewise states in another letter, that in addition 
 to the great loss sustained by Trinity Church in the. 
 late fire, he had suffered a severe private loss at King- 
 ston, through the instrumentality of his friends. A 
 body of British troops being fired at in going up 
 Hudson's river, and thereby provoked to burn the 
 town, Dr. Inglis lost houses to the value of £1,100. 
 
 On the 20th of March, 1777, Mr. Inglis was una- 
 nimously elected as Rector of the parish, in the place 
 of Dr. Auchmuty. 
 
 "Mr. Desbrosses acquainted the Board that he, 
 together with several other gentlemen of the Vestry, 
 had a few days since wrote a letter to the Secretary 
 of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in 
 Foreign Parts, and another to the Bishop of London, 
 informing them of the death of the Reverend Doctor 
 Auchmuty, and of the appointment of the Reverend 
 Mr. Charles Inglis to succeed him as Rector of Trin- 
 ity Church, copys of which he laid before the Board, 
 which being read and approved of, were ordered to 
 be entered in the minutes, and are in the words follow- 
 ing, to wit :
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 151 
 
 " Revkrrnd Sin : 
 
 "The freedom of this address we hope the 
 Honorable Society will readily excuse, as it is to dis- 
 charge a duty incumbent on the Church Wardens and 
 Vestry of Trinity Church in this city, to inform your 
 Venerable Body of the loss we have sustained by the 
 death of our late worthy Rector, Doctor Auchmuty, 
 a gentleman justly esteemed for his humane, benevo- 
 lent disposition, with many other amiable qualities, 
 which we shall omit to enumerate in the compass of 
 a letter, as this just tribute to his memory is already 
 performed by a more able pen, and inserted in the 
 public prints, which we make no doubt are come to 
 your hands. As soon as decency permitted, the 
 Church Wardens and a majority of the Vestry, 
 agreeable to their charter, from the experience they 
 have had for several years of the merit of the Rev- 
 erend Charles Inglis, unanimously chose him to suc- 
 ceed Doctor Auchmuty, as a clergyman universally 
 esteemed, as well for his exemplary life, as other 
 abilities requisite to fill that public and important sta- 
 tion. Wc are of opinion, had he not been in the line 
 of succession as Assistant Minister to Doctor Auch- 
 muty, we could not have made a better choice. It 
 will greatly add to our satisfaction, to be informed 
 that it meets with the respectable approbation of your 
 Venerable Society. The presentation was made 
 to his Excellency Gov. Tryon, who readily confirmed 
 our choice by his letters of admission, institution, and 
 mandate for induction, which was performed agree- 
 able to the Canon and Statute Laws. We should be 
 chargeable with ingratitude were we to omit this
 
 152 HISTORY OF 
 
 favourable opportunity of returning our thanks to 
 your Honorable Society for your paternal attention to 
 our church, and we humbly pray for a continuance, 
 as we shall be happy to succeed in our filial endeav- 
 ours to merit it. 
 
 " We are, with great esteem, Reverend Sir, your 
 most obedient servants. 
 
 " New-York, 27 th March, 1777." 
 
 The presentation of Mr. Inglis to his Excellency 
 Governor Tryon, the letters of admission, institution, 
 and mandate of induction, were all in the usual form, 
 but there was one singular circumstance attending his 
 induction. After having taken the oaths, and repeated 
 and subscribed the declaration enjoined by law, and also 
 declared his unfeigned assent and consent to the Thirty- 
 nine Articles, and subscribed his name thereunto, Mr. 
 Inglis was conducted to Trinity Church, and inducted 
 into his Church by Elias Desbrosses, Esq., one of the 
 Churchwardens, (and by the Vestrymen of the said 
 Church,) by placing his hand on the wall of the said 
 Church* the same being then a ruin. 
 
 " Mr. Inglis laid before the Board a letter from the 
 present Bishop of London, directed to the Vestry of 
 Trinity Church, New-York, in answer to a letter from 
 this corporation to the late Bishop of London, de- 
 ceased, which being read, was ordered to be entered 
 on the minutes, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 
 " Gextleme?; : 
 
 " It gives me great pain to send, as it will you to 
 receive, this answer to your letter to the late Bishop 
 of London from another and far inferior hand. His
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 153 
 
 Majesty lias been pleased to do me the great honor of 
 appointing me to supply his place, which I can very 
 readily do, at least in this instance, when I highly 
 applaud, as I am sure he would have done, your 
 choice of the Reverend Mr. Charles Inglis to succeed 
 the late worthy Dr. Auchmuty in the Rectory of 
 Trinity Church, New-York^ by which choice you 
 have done yourselves great honour, and most effec- 
 tually provided for the welfare and interest of your 
 Church and Congregation 5 as I know Mr. Inglis to 
 \)o a person of the most eminent abilities, of great 
 judgment, integrity, and piety, of unshaken loyalty, 
 and firm perseverance in his duty, as he has fully 
 shown by his late exemplary behaviour in the severest 
 trials, by which he has merited the highest honours 
 which his country has to bestow upon him. Your 
 grateful acknowledgments of my late excellent pre- 
 decessor's services, would have been highly agreeable 
 to him : be assured that it will be my ambition to 
 follow him in this, as well as every other part of the 
 great and amiable example which he jias left to his 
 successors. 
 
 "J have the honour to be, with great truth and 
 regard, Gentlemen, your most obedient and most 
 faithful humble serv't, 
 
 " R. London. 
 
 " Londox, June 4 th , 1777." 
 
 " On the 1st of April, 1777, the Rector communi- 
 cated to the Board a letter to himself from the Rev. 
 Mr. Bowden, desiring to resign his office as Assistant 
 Minister, for the reasons therein given, which being 
 10
 
 154 HISTORY OF 
 
 read, was ordered to be filed and entered on the min- 
 utes, and is in the words following, to wit : 
 " Dear Sir : 
 
 " I have been for some time in doubt, whether I 
 should return to New-York or not. I have at length 
 determined not to return. Before Doctor Auchmuty's 
 death I had two objections. The one — there was no 
 prospect of a provision 5 the other — a weak, broken 
 voice, and a tender habit of body. The former objec- 
 tion may probably be removed by the Doctor's death, 
 but the latter continues in full force, and alone deter- 
 mines me to quit the city. I am very sorry to be 
 under this necessity, as I shall be deprived of the 
 society of my respected colleagues, of an agreeable 
 circle of acquaintance, and many other blessings. 
 But duty to myself, to my family, and my friends, 
 must be regarded. Be pleased, sir, to communicate 
 my resolution to the Church Wardens and Vestry at 
 their next meeting, and assure them that it is with the 
 greatest regret I withdraw my assistance from the 
 Church, at this time of distress, and that nothing but 
 inability could have induced me. I must beg, that 
 you will excuse me from fulfilling my promise to 
 preach next Sunday j as I have resolved to quit the 
 city, it will put me to a good deal of inconvenience 
 to attend. 
 
 " I am, Sir, with respect and esteem, your obed't 
 humble serv't, "John Bowden. 
 
 " Jamaica, March 14 th ." 
 
 "The Rev. Dr. Bowden was the eldest son of 
 Thomas Bowden, Esq., an officer in his Britannic
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 155 
 
 Majesty's 46th Regiment of Foot. This regiment 
 was stationed in Ireland at the time of his birth, 
 whicli was in January, 1751. His father came with 
 his regiment to America upon the breaking out of the 
 French War, and he soon after followed him, under 
 the charge of a clergyman of the Church of England. 
 
 " On his arrival he studied for, and was entered at 
 Princeton College, where he remained but two years ; 
 his father returning with his regiment to Ireland, he 
 went with him. After remaining some time there, 
 he came to America, in 1770, and entered King's 
 (now Columbia) College, where he graduated in 1772. 
 Soon after he left college he commenced the study of 
 Divinity, and went home to England, where he was 
 ordained Deacon by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Keppel, Bishop 
 of Exeter, in 1774. He was ordained Priest by the 
 Rev. Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London. 
 
 "In the summer of 1774 he returned to New-York, 
 where he was settled as an Assistant Minister in Trin- 
 ity Church, in conjunction with the late Bishop Moore. 
 Soon after the Revolutionary War broke out, the 
 churches were shut up, in expectation that the British 
 troops would take possession of the city, and he retired 
 to Norwalk, in Connecticut. When the British troops 
 took possession of Long Island and New-York, he 
 returned ,* but on account of the weakness of his 
 voice, he declined preaching in Trinity Church, and 
 retired to Jamaica, on Long Island, where he occa- 
 sionally assisted the Rev. Mr. Bloomer, Rector of 
 that parish. Upon the evacuation of this city he 
 went to Norwalk, and took charge of the church in 
 December, 1784. He continued there until October,
 
 156 HISTORY OF 
 
 1789, when owing to the weak state of his lungs, 
 he accepted an invitation to take charge of the church 
 at St. Croix, in the West Indies. After remaining in 
 that Island about two years he found that his voice 
 was no better, and that the climate had debilitated and 
 weakened his constitution, he was therefore under the " 
 painful necessity of relinquishing preaching altogether. 
 He returned to the United States, and settled at 
 Stratford, in Connecticut. After residing there some 
 time, he took charge of the Episcopal Academy in 
 Cheshire, Connecticut, in 1796, where he continued 
 until he was appointed, in the year 1805, Professor of 
 Moral Philosophy and Belles Lettres in Columbia Col- 
 lege. In this situation he remained, discharging its 
 duties with exemplary fidelity, until the summer of 
 1817, when his declining health induced him to take 
 a journey to Ballston Springs, where he departed this 
 life, July 31st, 1817. 
 
 " Dr. Bowdcn was distinguished as an able advocate 
 and defender of the Church \ for which duties he was 
 eminently qualified by his extensive acquirements in 
 theology, and by his powers of clear and forcible rea- 
 soning. He considered the Church of which he was 
 a minister, as pure in her doctrine, apostolic in her 
 ministry, and primitive and evangelical in her wor- 
 ship 5 and therefore she possessed his warmest attach- 
 ment, and her prosperity was the object that occupied 
 his labours and his prayers. Having derived his opin- 
 ions on the subject of the constitution of the Christian 
 Church from the writings of those early ages, when, 
 under the ministrations and government of diocesan 
 bishops, her visible unitv was preserved, he opposed
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 157 
 
 with equal zeal and ability the encroachments of 
 popery on primitive episcopacy, and those separations 
 from the orders of the ministry, constituted by Christ 
 and his apostles, by which Protestants are rent into 
 sects almost without number. He advocated and de- 
 fended episcopacy, as that apostolic and primitive bond 
 of visible unity, by which alone Christians can main- 
 tain the unity of the spirit. He was, indeed, a 
 Churchman of the old school, whose leaders were 
 distinguished by the union in their writings of evan- 
 gelical truth with apostolic order, and in their lives, 
 of fervent piety with deep humility. After the model 
 of these masters of theology, he enforced the peculiar 
 truths of the Gospel, unmixed with the dangerous 
 speculations of Calvinism, which he exposed in many 
 of his writings with great keenness and strength of 
 argument; and while he strenuously insisted on salva- 
 tion through the merits of the Redeemer and the grace 
 of the Holy Spirit, he checked the excesses of enthusi- 
 asm and schism by maintaining that the merits and 
 grace of Christ are applied to the soul of the penitent 
 believer in union with the Church, for which the Re- 
 deemer shed his blood, and which the Holy Spirit 
 animates, by the regular and devout participation of 
 its duly administered ordinances. His sermons wer§ 
 remarkable for weight of matter, and great simplicity 
 and conciseness of style; and, before his voice failed 
 him, his delivery was forcible and interesting. Sim- 
 plicity and dignity were those traits of his character 
 which distinguished and adorned all his deportment 
 and actions, and rendered impressive and interesting 
 all his conduct as a Christian and a man. Unaffected
 
 158 HISTORY OF 
 
 in his piety, sincere and disinterested in his friend- 
 ships, amiable and benevolent in social intercourse, he 
 was beloved and revered wherever he was known." * 
 
 I became personally acquainted with Dr. Bowden 
 at my entrance into Columbia College, in 1806, where 
 he was then acting as Professor of Rhetoric and Moral 
 Philosophy ; and I was honoured with his friendship 
 in later life. In the long lapse of time between that 
 period and the present, from my public position, and 
 from travelling extensively both at home and abroad, 
 I have had an opportunity of seeing society in most of 
 its forms 5 and I can truly say, that while in all my 
 intercourse with it I have rarely seen one who was a 
 greater ornament to his profession, I have never met 
 with a more thorough-bred gentleman. In college 
 even, where the highest claims to respect are often dis- 
 regarded, if accompanied with the slightest peculiarity 
 of manners ; by the just consideration which he had 
 for others, and the quiet dignity of his deportment, he 
 gained the universal esteem and admiration of the 
 students. He was a teacher without pedantry, who 
 united the accomplishments of the scholar with a 
 thorough knowledge of the world $ giving no occasion 
 for ridicule to the most frivolous, and inspiring the 
 more sedate with reverence and love. 
 
 Such was the impression which he made on others as 
 well as myself, in the thoughtless season of youth. A 
 short time after, when from my settlement in the parish 
 where fivc-and-thirty years before he had been a min- 
 ister, and where he was then a worshipper, I was 
 
 * Christian Journal, vol. 2, pp. 1, 2.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 159 
 
 brought into new relations with him in the endearing 
 intercourse of social life. On every occasion where 
 his brethren met together, he was a welcome and an 
 honoured guest. Though habitually grave in his air 
 and demeanor, he had nevertheless an inward cheer- 
 fulness of spirit, which always promoted mirth and 
 good humour in others. He had seen much of the 
 world, and been a nice observer of it. He had there- 
 fore gathered up an inexhaustible fund of anecdotes, 
 which he brought out only on the most appropriate 
 occasions, and related in the happiest manner \ each one 
 of which had all the freshness of novelty, as none was 
 ever marred by repetition. 
 
 I have merely added these touches of personal 
 character to heighten the effect of a picture, which 
 all who have known him will still consider to be very 
 imperfectly drawn.* 
 
 * " The following is a list of his writings : 
 
 "1. A Letter from John Bowden, A.M., Rector of St. Paul's 
 Church, Norwallv, to the Rev. Ezra Stiles, D.D. LL.D., President of 
 Yale College ; occasioned by some passages concerning Church 
 Government, in an Ordination Sermon, preached at New-London, 
 May 17th, 17H7. 
 
 " -1. A second Letter from John Bowden, A.M., Rector of St. 
 Paul's Church, Norwalk, to the Rev. Dr. Stiles, President of Yale 
 College. In this letter the Rev. Dr. Chaunccy's complete view of 
 Episcopacy until the close of the second century is particularly con- 
 sidered, and some remarks arc made upon a few passages of Dr. 
 3 Election Sermon. 
 
 " 3. A Letter from a Weaver to the Rev. Mr. Sherman, occasioned 
 by a publication of his in the Fairfield Gazette, for the purpose of 
 'Pinching the Episcopalian Clergy with the Truth.' 
 
 " 4. An Address from John Bowden, A.M., to the Members of tho
 
 160 HISTORY OF 
 
 " The Rev. Dr. Inglis having communicated to this 
 Board that his private affairs rendered it necessary for 
 him to remove from this city, and he being desirous to 
 resign the Rectory of the Parish of Trinity Church 
 on that account, tendered to the corporation such his 
 resignation, m the words following : 
 
 " In the name of God, Amen. I, Charles Inglis, 
 Doctor of Divinity, Rector of the Parish of Trinity 
 Church, in the city of New- York, before you the Church 
 Wardens and Vestrymen of the said Church, and 
 in the presence of credible witnesses here present, for 
 certain just and lawful causes, me and my mind here- 
 
 Episcopal Church in Stratford : to which is added a letter to the Rev. 
 Mr. James Sayre. 
 
 " 5. Two Letters to the Editor of the Christian's Magazine : by a 
 Churchman. 
 
 " 6. A Letter from a Churchman to his friend in New-Haven ; 
 containing a few strictures on a pamphlet signed J. R. O. 
 
 " 7. Some Remarks in favor of the Division of the Ceneral Con- 
 vention of the Church into two Houses ; the House of Bishops, and 
 the House of Lay-Deputies : the one having a negative on the 
 other. 
 
 " 8. A full length portrait of Calvinism. 
 
 " 9. The Essentials of Ordination. 
 
 " 10. The Apostolic Origin of Episcopacy Asserted, in a seri of 
 letters, addressed to the Rev. Dr. Miller, cne of the Pastors of the 
 United Presbyterian Churches in the city of New-York. 
 
 "11. A scries of letters addressed to the Rev. Dr. Miller, in 
 answer to his continuation of letters concerning the constitution and 
 order of the Christian Ministry. 
 
 " 12. Observations, by a Protestant, on a Profession of Catholic 
 Faith by a Clergyman of Baltimore, and with the authority of the 
 Right Rev. Bishop Carroll."* 
 
 * Christian Journal, vol. 2, p. 3.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 161 
 
 unto specially moving, without compulsion, fear, fraud, 
 or deceit, do purely, simply, and absolutely resign, and 
 give up the said Rectory of the Parish of Trinity 
 Church, and my office of Rector in the said Corpo- 
 ration of the Rector and inhabitants of the city of 
 New-York in communion with the Church of Eng- 
 land, as by law established, by whatsoever name the 
 said Rectory may be most properly known and distin- 
 guished, and also the said Church, with all the rights, 
 members, and appurtenances, into the hands of you 
 the said Church Wardens and Vestrymen the patrons 
 thereof, with all my right, title, and possession of, in, 
 and to the same, I quit, cede, and renounce them, 
 and expressly recede from them by these presents. 
 
 " In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Inglis, 
 have hereunto set my hand and seal, the first day of 
 November, in the year of our Lord one thousand 
 seven hundred and eighty-three. 
 
 " Charles Inglis. 
 
 " Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, 
 
 "John Alsop, 
 "George Stanton." 
 
 " The corporation do therefore accept of the resig- 
 nation of the said Doctor Charles Inglis,* and the 
 Rectory thereby becoming vacant, this corporation 
 came into a resolution for a choice of a successor, 
 when it was unanimously resolved that the Rev. Mr. 
 Benj. Moore be, and he is, hereby elected and chosen 
 to succeed the said Reverend Doctor Inalis as Rector 
 of Trinity Church, in the parish aforesaid. 
 
 " Resolved, That Messrs. wait on Mr. Moore,
 
 162 
 
 HISTORY or 
 
 and acquaint him with the above resolution, and know 
 if he will accept of the appointment, which they 
 accordingly' did 3 and Mr. Moore being introduced, 
 and declaring his assent to accept the said appointment, 
 it was therefore further resolved, that the said Mr. 
 Moore be presented in a convenient time to his Excel- 
 lency Governour George Clinton, Governour of the 
 State of New-York, for his approbation." 
 
 The presentation was prepared for that purpose, but 
 whether it was actually offered to the Governor or 
 not, is uncertain. It was followed, however, by no 
 further action at the time on the part of the Vestry, 
 and Mr. Moore did not in fact formally receive the 
 office of Rector until seventeen years afterwards. 
 
 " By an Act of the Legislature of the People of 
 the State of New-York, passed the seventeenth day 
 of April, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, 
 entitled c An act for making such alterations in the 
 Charter of the Corporation of Trinity Church, so as 
 to render it more conformable to the Constitution of 
 the State 5' the following gentlemen were appointed 
 Church Wardens and Vestrymen of the said Church : 
 
 Robert R. Livingston, 
 James Duane, 
 
 Church Wardens. 
 
 Richard Morris, 
 Francis Lewis, 
 Lewis Morris, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 William Duer, 
 William Bedlow, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 Anthony Lispenard, 
 Thomas Tillotson, 
 John Stevens, J 
 
 Vestrymen. 
 
 Marinus Willet, 
 Robert Troup, 
 Joshua Sands, 
 Anthony Griffiths, 
 Christopher Miller, 
 Thomas Tucker, 
 Hercules Mulligan, 
 Thomas Grennell, 
 William Mercier, 
 John Rutherfurd,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 163 
 
 " Tlic Trustees entrusted with the care of the tem- 
 poralities of Trinity Church, hy the Council appointed 
 by the Act of the Legislature for the temporary 
 government of the southern parts of the State, wher- 
 ever the enemy shall abandon or be dispossessed of 
 the same ; informed the Board, that agreeable to the 
 desire of the Whig Episcopalians, they had requested 
 the attendance of the Reverend Samuel Provoost in 
 town, in order to perform Divine service at St. 
 George's and St. Paul's Chapels, that Mr. Provoost 
 had accordingly arrived in town on the second day of 
 February last, and that he had very obligingly offici- 
 ated from the day of his arrival to the present time. 
 
 " Resolved, unanimously, That agreeable to powers 
 vested in the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of 
 Trinity Church, by the act of the Legislature for 
 making such alterations in the Charter of the Corpo- 
 ration of Trinity Church, as to render it more con- 
 formable to the Constitution of this State,* the Rev. 
 Samuel Provoost be called and inducted to the 
 Rectory of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York. 
 
 " Resolved, That Mr. Duane, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. 
 Morris, be a committee to wait on Mr. Provoost, and 
 to inform him of his call and appointment, and request 
 his acceptance thereof." 
 
 " Mr. Duane, from the committee appointed to wait 
 on Mr. Provoost, informed the Board that they had 
 accordingly waited on, and informed him that the 
 Church Wardens and Vestrymen had unanimously 
 resolved to call and induct him to the Rectory of 
 Trinity Church, and that he had expressed his com- 
 pliance with such request. Whereupon Mr. Provoost
 
 164 HISTORY OF 
 
 was introduced to the Board, and a call and induction 
 being prepared for the purpose, it was signed by the 
 members of the Corporation and presented to Mr. 
 Provoost, and is in the words following : 
 
 " To all people to whom these presents shall come 
 or concern : We, the Church Wardens and Vestry- 
 men of the Corporation of the Rector and Inhabitants 
 of the city of New-York, in communion of the Church 
 of England, as by law established, do send greeting : 
 Whereas the office of Rector of the Corporation of 
 the Rector and Inhabitants of the city of New-York, 
 in communion of the Church of England, became 
 vacant, and the Reverend Mr. Samuel Provoost hath 
 some time since, on the invitation of the Trustees 
 appointed for the care of the temporalities of the 
 said Church by the late Council for the temporary 
 Government of the Southern district of this State, 
 and other members of the said Church associated 
 with them, taken the charge and care of the Episco- 
 pal Church in the said city, belonging to the said 
 corporation, on an assurance that he should be with 
 due solemnity invested with the said office of Rec- 
 tor thereof, as soon as it could be done according to 
 law \ And whereas by virtue of an Act, entitled an 
 Act for making such alterations in the Charter of the 
 Corporation of Trinity Church, as to render it more 
 conformable to the Constitution of the State, passed 
 the seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord 
 one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four ; we, the 
 Church Wardens and Vestrymen therein named, and 
 who have subscribed and sealed these presents, are 
 duly authorized to call and induct a Rector of the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 165 
 
 said Corporation and Church ; And we, having a high 
 sense of the learning, piety, and integrity of the said 
 Reverend Samuel Provoost, be it therefore known, 
 that the said Church Wardens and Vestrymen have 
 called and inducted, and by these presents do call and 
 induct, the said Reverend Samuel Provoost to be 
 Rector of the said Corporation, to hold, exercise, and 
 enjoy the said office of Rector unto him the said 
 Reverend Samuel Provoost, with all the profits and 
 emoluments thereunto belonging, as fully and effectu- 
 ally as any Rector of the said Corporation may, can, 
 or ought to hold the same, by virtue of the said Act 
 and Charter of the said Corporation. 
 
 " In witness whereof, the said Church Wardens and 
 Vestrymen have hereunto set their hands and seals, 
 the twenty-second day of April, in the year of our 
 Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-four, 
 and of the Independence of this State the eighth. 
 James Duane, Church Warden. 
 
 Francis Lewis, 
 William Mercier, 
 Thomas Grennell, 
 Daniel Dunscomb, 
 Lewis Morris, 
 Isaac Sears, 
 Christopher Miller, 
 William Duer, &c. &c, 
 Vestrymen?
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 " A committee was appointed on the 27th of May 
 to ascertain the salary and emoluments proper to be 
 allowed the Rector in future, and to report the same 
 for approbation or amendment, which committee, at 
 a subsequent meeting, begged leave to report : 
 
 " That from an account exhibited by the Rector 
 to this committee, the sum total of the perquisites and 
 emoluments which he has received between the second 
 day of February last and the first day of June instant, 
 amount only to £23 12s. $ that it is therefore the 
 opinion of the committee, that it is probable that in 
 general estimation the perquisites and emoluments of 
 the Rector of said Corporation have been overrated, 
 and cannot be taken into account in ascertaining the 
 support to be provided for the said Rector. 
 
 " Your committee are therefore of opinion — 
 
 " First, That a house shall be provided for the resi- 
 dence of the Rector at the expense of the Corpora- 
 tion. 
 
 " Secondly, That a sum of money shall be paid out 
 of the revenue of the Corporation for the decent and 
 comfortable support of the Rector and his family 5 
 that they are of opinion that seven hundred pounds
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 167 
 
 per annum, in quarterly payments, will be sufficient 
 for this purpose 5 and that the Rector credit the Corpo- 
 ration with all such sums of money as shall in any 
 wise come to his hands for officiating as Rector of the 
 Corporation, or performing his ministerial functions 
 in the congregations thereof. 
 
 Signed, James Duane, 
 
 Chairman of the Committee. 
 " In order that the affairs of this Corporation may 
 be executed with attention, punctuality, and despatch, 
 Resolved, That the business thereof be subdivided 
 into five different branches, and that as many different 
 committees be appointed for the due execution of 
 them 5 which committees shall be : 
 
 " 1st. A committee to audit the accounts of the 
 Corporation, and examine its debts and credits. 
 
 u 2d. A committee to attend to the leases of the 
 Church lands, the propriety of granting new ones and 
 on what conditions, and to recommend the same to the 
 Corporation. 
 
 " 3d. A committee to superintend and visit the 
 Charity School, to keep the accounts thereof, and 
 admit and discharge scholars agreeably to the rules ot 
 the school. 
 
 " 4th. A committee to arrange, distribute, and rent 
 the pews of St. George's and St. Paul's Chapels. 
 
 "5th. A committee to attend to the repairs of 
 St. George's and St. Paul's Chapels, and the several 
 cemeteries belonging to the Corporation. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Rector and Church Wardens 
 be considered as members of each of the above com- 
 mittees.
 
 168 HISTORY OF 
 
 u Resolved, That the ground rent which has accrued 
 on lots of the Church ground between the 16th of 
 September, 1776, and the 25th of November, 1783, 
 be remitted and released to those tenants who, on 
 account of the war, have been without the British 
 lines during that period. Provided, that if any tenant 
 obtained possession of his lot prior to the 25th of No- 
 vember, 1783, that then his ground rent only shall be 
 remitted and released to the time of his so obtaining 
 possession. And provided further, that this resolution 
 shall not extend to prevent this Corporation from 
 deducting the amount of such ground rent from the 
 sums which have been received by the late managers 
 of the Church estate for lots of the Church land, and 
 the lessees of which have been, as aforesaid, without 
 the lines, and which sums after such deduction as 
 aforesaid, this Corporation do intend to refund. 
 
 u On the 8th of June, 1784, it was unanimously 
 resolved, that the Reverend Mr. Abraham Beach 
 be, and he is hereby, appointed an Assistant 
 Minister to the Rector, in performing the several 
 parochial duties in this city ; and it was resolved 
 at the same time, that the said Assistant Minister 
 should be allowed such a sum out of the revenues of 
 the Corporation, in addition to his fees and emolu- 
 ments, and what might be raised for him by subscrip- 
 tion, as should make a provision for his services equal 
 in the whole to the sum of five hundred pounds per 
 annum. 
 
 "Whereas, it is the opinion of this Corporation 
 that the appointment of three Assistant Ministers to 
 the Rector will be the means of effecting harmony
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 169 
 
 and conciliation among the different members of the 
 Church, and be attended with many other salutary 
 consequences : And whereas it is the wish and expec- 
 tation of this Corporation, that Trinity Church should 
 be rebuilt as soon as the funds of the Church wilt 
 admit, when the appointment of three Assistant Min- 
 isters will not only be useful but necessary ; there- 
 fore, 
 
 a Resolved, That there be three Assistant Ministers 
 to the Rector in his parochial duties. 
 
 " Resolved, That this Corporation will pay to the 
 Reverend Mr. Uzal Ogden, and the Reverend Mr. 
 Benjamin Moore, the sum of two hundred pounds 
 each from the revenue of the Corporation, and that a 
 subscription be immediately instituted for raising the 
 remainder of the salaries of the above-named gentle- 
 men to be paid in half yearly payments, and to 
 continue during the residence of each respective sub- 
 scriber in this city ; and that in case any moneys be 
 actually received from the subscription more than the 
 sum of three hundred pounds for each of the said 
 gentlemen, that then such overplus shall be equally 
 divided between the Rev. Mr. Beach, the Rev. Mr, 
 Moore, and the Rew Mr. Osdcn. 
 
 " Resolved, That the salaries of the Assistant Min- 
 isters commence from the day of their officiating as 
 such, and that copies of these resolutions be trans- 
 mitted to the Rev. Mr. Ogden and the Rev. Mr, 
 Moore, and that they be requested to officiate in the 
 chapels of this congregation in consequence thereof; 
 as this Corporation do expect that the sums raised by 
 subscription, together with the stipends from the 
 11
 
 170 HISTORY OF 
 
 revenue of the Corporation, will be adequate to their 
 maintenance. 
 
 " And whereas a separate subscription for a parti- 
 cular Assistant Minister, individually, will tend to 
 perpetuate jealousies and animosities, therefore, 
 
 " Resolved, That there be no separate and distinct 
 subscription for any particular Assistant Minister. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Uzal Ogden be, 
 and he hereby is, confirmed in his appointment as an 
 Assistant Minister to the Rector in his parochial duties. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Ogden be indulged 
 with the leave of absence from the duties of his func- 
 tion in this city, for two-thirds of his time for four 
 years from the date of this resolution, unless there 
 shall be sooner, three Episcopal places of worship, or 
 a vacancy by the death, resignation, or dismission of 
 any of the Assistant Ministers, and that until such 
 time Mr. Ogden shall officiate seventeen Sundays 
 in the year in both or either of the chapels, as shall be 
 appointed. 
 
 " Resolved, That until the expiration of the above 
 leave of absence, Mr. Ogden be allowed the one-third 
 part of the salary intended to be given to him by the 
 aforesaid resolutions of the twenty-ninth of July last, 
 that is to say, one-third part of the sum allowed him 
 from the revenue of the Corporation, and the one-sixth 
 part of the sum intended to be raised by the subscrip- 
 tion of the congregation." 
 
 The following entries on the minutes of the Vestry 
 exhibit such a spirit of kindness, in a season of common 
 calamity, as will no doubt be regarded with interest by 
 the reader :
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 171 
 
 " Oct. 29th, 1779. — It being represented to this Cor- 
 poration by one of its members, that the old Dutch 
 Church in this city is at present used as a hospital 
 for his Majesty's troops 5 the Board impressed with 
 a grateful remembrance of the former kindness of 
 the members of that ancient Church, in permitting 
 the use of their Church to the members of the Church 
 of England, when they had no proper edifice of their 
 own for that purpose, offer to the members of the 
 ancient Dutch Church the use of St. George's Chapel 
 for celebrating their worship on Sundays, and such 
 other times as they shall choose to perforin Divine 
 service. They hope from nine to eleven in the morn- 
 ing, and from one to three o'clock in the afternoon, 
 will be convenient to the members of the Dutch 
 Church. If these hours should be very inconvenient 
 to them, the Vestry will endeavour to meet their 
 wishes, as far as they can consistent with the duty 
 they owe to their own congregation." 
 
 In the following year, Dr. Iriglis communicated to 
 the Board a letter addressed to himself from several 
 of the members of the ancient Reformed Dutch con- 
 gregation, in these words : 
 
 New-York, April 8 th , 1780. 
 Revekend and Dear Sir : 
 
 Major-General Patison having taken the earliest 
 opportunity the recovery of the sick and wounded 
 soldiery would permit of returning the old Dutch 
 Church, of which we now have possession ; permit us, 
 sir, through you, to return our most grateful thanks to 
 the Vestry of Trinity Church, for their kind offer of 
 St. George's Chapel, with the use of which we were
 
 172 HISTORY OF 
 
 so happily accommodated during the time our Church 
 was occupied by his Majesty's troops. The Christian- 
 like behaviour and kind attention shown in our dis- 
 tress by the members of the Church of England, will 
 make a lasting impression on the minds of the ancient 
 Reformed Dutch congregation, who have always con- 
 sidered the interest of the two Churches inseparable, 
 and hope that this instance of brotherly love will 
 evince to posterity the cordial and happy union sub- 
 sisting between us. 
 
 We are, with great regard, Dear Sir, 
 
 Your most faithful and obedient servants, 
 
 Garrit Lydekker, V. D. M,, 
 
 Abel Harden brook, 
 
 John Alstyne, 
 
 William Ellis, 
 
 Henry Brevoort, 
 
 BaRNARDUS S3IITH, 
 
 Jeronimiis Alstyne, 
 Abel Hardenbrook, Jr., 
 Isaac Kip. 
 
 On the 13th of May, 1785, the Rector laid before the 
 Board the proceedings of the Convention of Clergymen 
 and Lay Deputies of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 in the United States of America, held in New-York on 
 the 6th and 7th of October last, which being read and 
 considered, it was resolved by the Board, " that this 
 Corporation do approve of the recommendations and 
 propositions of the Convention of Clergymen and 
 Lay Deputies held in this city on the 6th and 7th of 
 October last, and that it be recommended to the mem- 
 bers of the Episcopal Church within this State, that a
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 173 
 
 meeting be held in this city on Wednesday, the 22d 
 of June next, of all the Episcopal Clergymen within 
 this State, together with Lay Deputies from the sev- 
 eral Episcopal congregations, in order to determine 
 on some plan of organization, and to appoint deputies 
 to attend a general meeting of Clerical and Lay De- 
 puties from the several Episcopal congregations within 
 the United States, at Philadelphia, on the Tuesday 
 before the Feast of St. Michael next. 
 
 " And it was further resolved, that James Duane, 
 John Alsop, and Marinus Willett, Esqs., should be 
 empowered to attend the proposed meeting on the 
 22d of June next, on the part of this congregation. 
 
 "The Convention of Clerical and Lay Deputies 
 from the several Episcopal congregations within this 
 State, having been held in this city on Wednesday, 
 the 22d instant, agreeable to the recommendation of 
 this Corporation, the following gentlemen were elected 
 deputies to attend the general meeting of Clerical and 
 Lay Deputies from the several Episcopal congrega- 
 tions within the United States, to be held at Phila- 
 delphia on the Tuesday before the Feast of St. Michael 
 next, viz : 
 
 " Clerical Deputies. — Samuel Provoost, Abraham 
 Beach, and Benjamin Moore. 
 
 " Lay Deputies. — James Duane, Esq., of New- 
 York 5 Mr. John Davis, of Dutchess County ; Mr. 
 Daniel Kissam, of Long island. 
 
 " Upon the publication of the Journal, the Rector 
 was requested to purchase, for the use of the congre- 
 gation, one hundred copies of the proceedings of the 
 Convention of the Deputies from the Episcopal
 
 174 HISTORY OF 
 
 churches, held in Philadelphia in September and 
 October last." 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 6th of 
 April, 1786 , the Rector was " requested to recom- 
 mend to the several Episcopal congregations in this 
 State, to appoint deputies to meet in this city on the 
 third Thursday in May next, in order to take into 
 consideration the proceedings of the Convention of 
 the Protestant Episcopal Church, held at Philadelphia 
 in September and October last, and to appoint depu- 
 ties to attend the Convention which is proposed to be 
 held at Philadelphia on the third Tuesday in June 
 next. 
 
 " And it was at the same time resolved, that the 
 Rector and Assistant Ministers be the Clerical Depu- 
 ties, and that James Duane, John Jay, Robert R. 
 Livingston, Richard Morris, John Alsop, William 
 Duer, and Paschal N. Smith, Esquires, be the Lay 
 Deputies from the Episcopal congregations in this 
 city, to attend the Convention proposed to be held 
 in this city on the third Tuesday in May next." 
 
 A resolution was also passed, that the expenses of 
 the delegates who might attend the General Conven- 
 tion, should be paid by this Corporation, which, as was 
 afterwards noted, amounted to £24. 
 
 " The Rector, Dr. Provoost, having obtained the 
 necessary recommendation for consecration from the 
 State Convention lately held in this city, as also a sim- 
 ilar one from the General Convention held at Wil- 
 mington ) the sense of the Vestry was taken, when 
 it would be proper he should go to England for that 
 purpose, and they were unanimously of opinion that
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 175 
 
 he should proceed in the next packet. And on mo- 
 tion of Mr. Farquhar, it was therefore resolved, that 
 the sum of one hundred and fifty English guineas be 
 advanced by the Treasurer to the Rector, on account 
 of his expenses. " 
 
 At a meeting of the Corporation of Trinity 
 Church, held on the 27th of October, 1788, Mr. Hai - 
 ison moved that the Board should come to the follow- 
 ing resolution, to wit : 
 
 " Resolved, as the sense of this Board, that the 
 union of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
 United States of America is of great importance, and 
 ardently to be desired $ and that the delegates ap- 
 pointed to represent the Church of New-York in the 
 ensuing State Convention be instructed to promote 
 the same by every prudent measure consistent with 
 the Constitution of the Church, and the respect due 
 to the General Convention." 
 
 Which motion having been recorded, and debates 
 having arisen thereon, Mr. Duane moved that it should 
 be previously determined, whether the question upon 
 the original motion should now be taken, and the 
 votes being thereupon called for, there appeared in 
 favour of putting oft' the question — 
 
 Mr. Duane, General Clarkson, 
 
 Mr. Randall, Mr. Bleecker, 
 
 Mr. Livingston, Mr. Farquhar. 
 
 The other twelve voices were in the negative, viz : 
 Theophylact Bache, Alexander Ogsbury, 
 
 John Jones, John Lewis, 
 
 Hubert Van Wagenen, George Dominick, 
 Moses Rogers, Nicholas Carmer,
 
 176 HISTORY OF 
 
 Andrew Hamersley, Nicholas Kortright, 
 
 William Laight, Richard Harison. 
 
 The question was then put upon the original motion, 
 and carried in the affirmative. Whereupon the Board 
 agreed to the resolution proposed by Mr. Harison and 
 it was resolved accordingly. 
 
 At the request of the Right Rev. the Bishop, his 
 dissent from the said resolution was entered upon the 
 minutes of this Corporation. 
 
 On the 19th of October, 1789, a notification from 
 the Rev. Benjamin Moore, Secretary to the State 
 Convention, having been read, requesting this Corpo- 
 ration to choose deputies to attend the State Conven- 
 tion, which is to meet in the city of New-York on the 
 first Tuesday in November next: 
 
 " The Board therefore proceeded to the election, 
 and Messrs. Duane, Harison, Rogers, Bache, and 
 Laight, were chosen Lay Deputies from this Church 
 to the said Convention. 
 
 " Mr. Jay moved that the Corporation would adopt 
 the following resolution, viz : 
 
 " That the delegates now chosen to represent this 
 congregation at the next Convention be, and they 
 hereby are, instructed not to consent to, but, on the 
 contrary, to oppose every proposed constitution for 
 the American Episcopal Church, and every proposed 
 alteration in the one of 1786, that shall not give to 
 the laity equal powers with the clergy in the making 
 of all acts, laws, and regulations binding on the 
 Church. 
 
 " Mr. Harison moved as an amendment, that from 
 the words 'not give' inclusive, to the end of the reso-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 177 
 
 lution be obliterated, and the words, c give to the 
 clergy a power to bind the laity without their con- 
 sent,' be inserted instead thereof. 
 
 " Upon motion of Mr. Hamersley, it was ordered 
 that the further consideration of the said resolution 
 and amendment be postponed." 
 
 At the meeting held on the 26th of October, 
 1789, a resolution was proposed by Mr. Warner, 
 " that the delegates to the State Convention be, 
 and they are hereby instructed to agree to, and 
 adopt the constitution proposed by the General Con- 
 vention of the Protestant Episcopal Church, lately 
 held at Philadelphia, and any further measures that 
 may have a tendency to cement the union which has 
 taken place in the said Church. 
 
 " The question being taken, on motion of Mr. Jay, 
 whether this resolution was in order, was carried in 
 the affirmative, in the manner following : 
 
 " For the Affirmative. — Messrs. Van Wagenen, 
 Randall, Hamersley, Jones, Carmer. Lewis, Ogsbury, 
 Domini ck, Warner, Laight, Rogers, and Harison. 
 
 "For the Negative. — Messrs. Jay, Duane, Bleecker, 
 and Farquhar." 
 
 The question being then put upon the resolution 
 proposed by Mr. Warner, it was in like manner 
 carried in the affirmative, the voices of the Board 
 being divided as upon the former question. 
 
 At a subsequent period, the 1st of November, 1790, 
 a motion was made by Mr. Van Wagenen to the 
 following effect ; that the delegates chosen to represent 
 this Church in the ensuing State Convention, be
 
 178 HISTORY OF 
 
 instructed that they use their utmost endeavours to 
 procure a compliance with the proposal made by the 
 bishops at the last General Convention, for a ratifica- 
 tion of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Church of 
 England, except the 36th and 37th of the said Arti- 
 cles. Whereupon the same was agreed to, nemine 
 contradicente, and it was resolved that the delegates 
 chosen by this Board be, and they are hereby, in- 
 structed accordingly." 
 
 The heavy losses sustained by the great fire, the 
 unsettled state of things during the revolution, and 
 the continuance for some time after of the embarrass- 
 ments of the Corporation, led to a great delay in the 
 rebuilding of Trinity Church. In 1787, however, it 
 was determined that measures for the purpose should 
 be taken forthwith, and three commissioners were 
 accordingly appointed to propose a plan for the build- 
 ing, and to manage and superintend the work. Sub- 
 scriptions for this object were to be solicited from the 
 members of the congregation, and the committee on 
 leases were instructed to select such lots of ground 
 as were most proper to be sold in case the subscrip- 
 tions should be found inadequate for the purpose. But 
 both of these methods it would appear were found to 
 be insufficient from the following entry on the minutes : 
 
 tf The Corporation took into consideration the pro. 
 posal offered to them for hiring money by way of 
 annuity for the purpose of rebuilding Trinity Church, 
 and after some conversation, it was resolved that the 
 further consideration thereof be postponed, and that 
 a committee should be nominated to inquire into the 
 probability of borrowing a sufficient sum upon inter-
 
 i* la n w n i 
 
 ■ ■ 

 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 179 
 
 est 'j and a committee consisting of the following 
 persons, to wit : A. L. Bleeckcr, Hubert Van Wage- 
 nen, General Clarkson, Robert C. Livingston, and 
 Theophylact Bache, was appointed accordingly. 
 
 " And this committee at the next meeting reported 
 that there was a probability that a sufficient sum of 
 money could be borrowed by the corporation upon 
 interest, for the purpose of rebuilding Trinity Church." 
 
 The plan of the Church adopted by the Vestry was 
 one which had been proposed by Dr. Bard, and drawn 
 by Mr. Robinson. 
 
 " Dr. Johnson was requested to prepare an inscrip- 
 tion for a corner-stone, to be placed by the Bishop in 
 the foundation of Trinity Church ; and the commis- 
 sioners appointed to build the same were desired to 
 superintend and give directions respecting the cere- 
 mony, and to present as a compliment to the masons 
 the sum of ten pounds." 
 
 In the next year the Church was completed, and 
 the following inscription was placed over the eastern 
 door beneath the porch : 
 
 D. O. M. 
 TRINITY CHURCH 
 
 WAS FIRST FOUNDED IN THE YEAR 1696, 
 
 ENLARGED AND BEAUTIFIED IN 1737, 
 AND ENTIRELY DESTROYED IN THE GREAT 
 
 Conflagration of the City, Sept. 21, 1776. 
 this BUILDING was 
 
 ERECTED ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER 
 
 CHURCH, 
 
 In the year 1788. 
 
 Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, D.D., Rector. 
 
 James Duane, Esq. and John Jay, Esq., Churchwardens.
 
 180 HISTORY OF 
 
 u It was resolved that the pews in Trinity Church 
 should be sold on the first day of March next, pre- 
 cisely at the hour of eleven in the morning, and that 
 the church be opened, or consecrated, on the 25th of 
 the same month. 
 
 " That the clerk advertise the sale of the pews, and 
 that Mr. Bleecker be the auctioneer. * 
 
 " That a single pew be given to Mr. John Leake, to 
 descend after his death to his nephew Mr. Norton, and 
 that he be informed thereof by the clerk, and requested 
 to make his choice previous to the day of sale. 
 
 " That a pew be appropriated for the use of the 
 President of the United States, with a canopy over it, 
 and properly ornamented. And that another pew, 
 opposite to the President's, be set apart for the Gov- 
 ernor of the State and members of Congress.f The 
 Bishop was requested to wait upon the President, and 
 inform him that the corporation had agreed to offer 
 him a pew in Trinity Church. 
 
 " It was likewise resolved, that the purchasers of 
 pews in Trinity Church should hold them for them- 
 selves, their wives and descendants, as long as they 
 should continue to be members of the church, and 
 pay, or cause to be paid, to the collector appointed by 
 the Vestry, within three months after it shall become 
 due, such annual rent as might have been fixed by the 
 Vestry before the day of sale, or be hereafter fixed by 
 
 * It appears by the minutes, that Mr. Bleecker was allowed £6 8*. 
 for the sale of the pews. 
 
 f At a subsequent meeting, a pew was likewise assigned in each of 
 the churches to the members of the Legislature.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 181 
 
 them. That every purchaser should sign the condi- 
 tions of sale, which, with the names of the purchasers, 
 should he registered in the church books, and each 
 purchaser should be entitled to a copy of such entry, 
 if required. In case of non-payment of rents, or if 
 the purchasers or their descendants should remove 
 from the city, or cease to be members of the church, 
 the pews should revert to the church, and not be 
 transferable. 
 
 u It was also provided, that if any of the subscribers 
 towards rebuilding Trinity Church should become 
 purchasers of pews, they should respectively be en- 
 titled to an allowance of fifteen per cent, upon the 
 money subscribed by them, to be considered as part 
 of their purchase money." 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry held on the 16th of Jan- 
 uary, 1786, it was resolved, " that a good lot of ground 
 should be granted to each of the Presbyterian congrega- 
 tions in this city, for the use of their respective senior 
 pastors for the time being *, that the Rector should 
 acquaint the pastors with the intentions of this body, 
 and that they should be requested to agree on the lots 
 their corporations respectively would hold, that deeds 
 might be prepared accordingly." 
 
 The Rector afterwards laid before the Board sun- 
 dry resolutions of the First Presbyterian congregation 
 in this city, expressive of their thanks for the gift to 
 this corporation, and also an extract from the proceed- 
 ings of the Scotch Presbyterian Church to the same 
 effect. 
 
 About the same time, " the Lutheran congregation 
 of this city having offered the use of a bell for Trinity
 
 182 HISTORY OF 
 
 Church, the same was accepted, to be returned when- 
 ever demanded, with the thanks of this Board." 
 
 It appears by the following entry on the minutes, 
 that there were always two collections in the morning 
 on Communion day : 
 
 "Resolved, That the money collected in church 
 on those days when the Communion is administered, 
 shall be added to the sum collected at the Communion, 
 the whole to be applied by the Rector for the use of 
 the poor of the congregation." 
 
 Shortly after the building was completed, Mr. 
 Laight laid before the Board a plan for a ring of bells 
 for Trinity Church. They were not actually ordered 
 however till 1796. In the following year they arrived 
 from England in the ship Favourite, Captain Drum- 
 mond, who received a formal vote of thanks from the 
 Vestry for his care and attention in the transportation 
 of them.* 
 
 The charge of the bells was given to a committee, 
 who were authorized to permit any number of men 
 or ringers to ring them by way of practice, but with- 
 out any compensation for so doing ; and the said com- 
 mittee were also authorized to contract with such 
 ringers for compensation for their services when they 
 might be called upon, but it was not to exceed for any 
 one day's service a greater sum than thirty dollars. 
 
 * On this occasion the chairman of the committee of repairs was 
 requested to present the thanks of this Board to Doctor Kunze, the 
 senior Pastor of the Lutheran Church, for the use of the bell which 
 had been so courteously loaned to them, and to return the same, with 
 the fixtures belonging to it.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 183 
 
 Before this resolution, however, the treasurer had 
 been ordered to pay them forty dollars for their ser- 
 vices on the 4th of July. It seems a little singular, 
 that while the compensation was so large for a full set 
 of ringers for a single day, that Mr. Moller was 
 allowed but forty pounds for chiming the bells through- 
 out the year.* 
 
 By a resolution of the Vestry, it was ordered that 
 the bells in the different churches should not be rung 
 on account of any public rejoicings, unless by the ex- 
 press permission of the Rector. 
 
 The organ for Trinity Church, which was also import- 
 ed from Great Britain, though of no great power was a 
 sweet-toned instrument, and well adapted to the size 
 of the building. Mr. John Rice was appointed, in 
 1791, the organist for one year, with a salary of £50, 
 which was afterwards raised to £75, and it was made 
 his duty to attend on Sundays, Prayer days, and such 
 other occasions as the Rector might think proper. 
 
 A set of lustres was presented to the church by Mr. 
 George Knox, father-in-law of one of the members 
 of the Vestry at the present day jf and in 1802 the 
 committee of leases and repairs was ordered to pro- 
 vide three large suitable chandeliers for Trinity 
 Church, and a set also for St. George's and St. 
 Paul's. 
 
 About this time a petition was presented by William 
 Post, and one hundred and seventy-two other persons, 
 
 * The Bellows blower was allowed to receive two shillings a 
 piece for showing the bells. 
 •\ Mr. Robert Hyslop.
 
 184 HISTORY OF 
 
 members of this church, praying that the Rev. Joseph 
 Pilmore might be called as an Assistant Minister, and 
 a Sunday evening lecture established. A special com- 
 mittee was appointed to consider the propriety of 
 calling another Assistant Minister, and the means of 
 supporting him. Mr. Pilmore had been a follower 
 of Mr. Wesley, and for several years an itinerant 
 preacher among the Methodists. From his enthusi- 
 astic temperament, and the peculiar strain of his 
 discourses, he was probably not acceptable to the more 
 judicious and soberminded members of the parish, for 
 the committee made no formal report on the subject, and 
 the Vestry very shortly after proceeded to the appoint- 
 ment of the Rev. John Bisset. The friends and admirers 
 of Mr. Pilmore, unwilling to submit to the disappoint- 
 ment, in a spirit of frowardness and discontent broke 
 off from the parish, and set up a distinct church, with 
 their favourite at its head. The Vestry, by the fol- 
 lowing resolutions, seem to have regarded the course 
 of these wilful persons as unchristian in its temper, 
 and the act itself as almost schismatical : 
 
 " Resolved, That the late separation which has 
 been made from the congregation of Trinity Church, 
 appears to be unjustifiable, has a tendency to create 
 discord and confusion, and ought to be discounte- 
 nanced j 
 
 " Therefore, Resolved also, That the admission of 
 delegates from the persons who have so separated, into 
 the Convention of the State, or the acknowledgment 
 of them as a distinct church by that body, would, in 
 the opinion of this Board, be highly improper, and 
 ought to be opposed.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 185 
 
 <C A letter from John Ruthcrfurd, Esq., was pre- 
 sented to the Board, and read in the words following, 
 to wit : 
 
 "New- York, October 2d, 1787. 
 " Gentlemen : 
 
 "My intended removal from town, induces me to 
 resign the offices of vestryman and clerk to the cor- 
 poration of Trinity Church. Be assured that it is 
 with regret I take leave of your body, and sincerely 
 hope that my conduct while in office may meet with 
 your approbation. 
 
 " I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your most obe- 
 dient servant, 
 
 " John Rutherfurd. 
 
 " To the Rt. Rev. Rector and the Church Wardens and 
 
 Vestrymen of the Corporation of Trinity Church." 
 
 " Therefore, Resolved, That the said resignation 
 be accepted. 
 
 " Mr. Bleecker, from the committee on accounts, 
 reported that the committee had met Mr. Rutherfurd 
 and examined his accounts, and the minutes of the 
 proceedings of this Board kept by him. That they 
 found the said accounts were kept by him with great 
 good order and regularity : and that the utmost atten- 
 tion has been paid by him to the interests of the 
 corporation, and the duties of his station as clerk: 
 and that in their opinion he is entitled to the esteem 
 and thanks of this Board for his faithful conduct. 
 
 "Resolved, therefore, That the Right Reverend 
 
 Rector be requested to present the thanks of this 
 
 Board to Mr. Rutherfurd, for his faithful services in 
 
 the execution of the said offices. 
 12
 
 186 HISTORY OF 
 
 " Mr. Rutherford's resignation being accepted of, 
 the Vestry proceeded to the choice of a person to 
 officiate as clerk in his stead. Whereupon the votes 
 being taken, there appeared to be a majority in favor 
 of Richard Harison, Esq., and he was accordingly 
 elected clerk to this corporation." 
 
 In 1793, a legacy of £1000 was left upon certain 
 trusts to this corporation by Mr. John Leake, and the 
 charitable purposes of which have ever since been 
 faithfully fulfilled. The interest of this sum was to be 
 applied to the purchase of good and wholesome bread 
 for weekly distribution in the church among the needy 
 members of the parish. For more than fifty years 
 the poor have had occasion to remember and bless the 
 bounty of the giver, as we trust they may forever in 
 generations to come. 
 
 Shortly after this, in 1795, the sum of one thousand 
 pieces of eight, Danish West India currency, was left 
 to this corporation and the poor of the same, by the 
 will of John Stratford Jones, of the island of St. Croix, 
 the whole of which when received was applied to the 
 benefit of the Charity School. 
 
 In the same year Mr. Hugh Gaine made a volun- 
 tary gift of fifty Common Prayer Books, to be placed 
 in the hands of the Rector, and distributed among 
 such country congregations as might stand in need of 
 the same. 
 
 In 1792, a committee was appointed to confer with 
 Mr. Stuyvesant upon his proposal for building a church 
 on his land, towards which he engaged to give £800 
 and a lot of ground one hundred and fifty feet in 
 width, and one hundred and ninety feet in length.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 187 
 
 There appears to have been no other contribution 
 towards the object in that quarter of the city. " The 
 offer of Mr. Stuyvesant was taken into consideration, 
 and it was thereupon resolved that this Board would 
 accept of the same, and take measures for building a 
 church accordingly, as soon as the situation of the 
 corporation would admit thereof, and that Messrs. 
 Stuyvesant, Gaine and Jones should be a committee 
 to procure proper plans for the building, and to in- 
 quire what aid could be obtained from well disposed 
 persons for the furthering of the object." Mr. Stuy- 
 vesant, however, declining to co-operate with the 
 other members in soliciting subscriptions for the 
 church, Mr. Van Home was appointed in his place. 
 There is no record, on the minutes, of any thing 
 having been effected by the committee, though there 
 is reason to believe that something was done, and it 
 would therefore appear that the main burthen fell 
 upon Trinity Church. 
 
 In 1795, this corporation agreed to raise £5000 for 
 the purpose, which sum seems not to have been ade- 
 quate to the wishes of the parties concerned, for at 
 the next meeting of the Vestry it was 
 
 "Resolved, as the sense of the Board, that the sum 
 of £5000 was the whole that the corporation had en- 
 gaged to contribute towards the Church to be built on 
 Mr. Stuyvesant's land." 
 
 Towards the close of the year, the committee to 
 superintend the buildjng of St. Mark's Church, was 
 directed to proceed with the same until it should be 
 under cover, and no further* 
 
 The work appears, however, to have progressed
 
 188 HISTORY OF 
 
 very slowly, for at a meeting of the Vestry of Trinity 
 Church in July, 1798, a resolution was passed autho- 
 rizing the committee to enter into a contract with C. 
 Halstead for furnishing in part the carpenters' work 
 of St. Mark's Church, for the sum of £1537 10s. 6d. y 
 and with Messrs. Pers and McComb for furnishing 
 the masons' work, for the sum of £500. In the fol- 
 lowing year the committee at length reported that it 
 was finished, and it was consecrated by the Right 
 Rev. Samuel Provoost, D. D., on the 9th of May, 
 1799. 
 
 Some time before this a committee had been ap- 
 pointed to consider the propriety of making St. Mark's 
 a distinct church from this corporation, and whether 
 such disposition could be legally made. The opinion 
 of Richard Harison and Alexander Hamilton being 
 satisfactory on this point, the measures for this pur- 
 pose were taken accordingly. 
 
 "Mr. Harison reported that the first step necessary 
 for the organization of that church would be to con- 
 vey the Church and land adjoining it, to trustees in 
 trust for the corporation of St. Mark's Church, when 
 the same should be formed. The trustees having 
 been appointed, and the conveyance duly made, Mr. 
 Stuyvesant informed this Board that Churchwardens 
 and Vestrymen were chosen for St. Mark's Church, 
 and measures taken for the incorporation of the same, 
 and a petition was presented praying for the further 
 aid of Trinity Church. 
 
 " It was therefore resolved that the committee of 
 leases should be instructed to designate such lots as it 
 might be proper to convey to St. Mark's Church, and
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 189 
 
 which might produce them a revenue equal to £200 
 per annum : 
 
 "And that Mr. Harison should be authorized to pur- 
 sue such measures as might in his judgment be adap- 
 ted to obtain such an act of the Legislature as was 
 recommended in his and General Hamilton's opinion 
 of the 9th of April, 1798." 
 
 After the church was reported to have been fin- 
 ished, several things still remained to be done. A bill 
 of £72 15s. 9 d. was paid by Trinity Church for 
 painting and ornamenting the interior. 
 
 And the small bell of St. Paul's was given to St. 
 Mark's. 
 
 " On the report of the committee of leases, it was 
 further resolved by the Vestry of Trinity Church, 
 that the following lots should be a donation to St. 
 Mark's Church in the Bowery, as an evidence of their 
 cordial wishes to promote the cause of religion: 
 
 3 lots on Warren-street, 
 5 " on Provoost, 
 
 2 " on Greenwich, and 
 
 3 " on Reade," making 
 
 13 in all, and producing at the time a rent of £200 
 per annum. 
 
 This liberal grant appearing to have been deemed 
 insufficient to satisfy the wants and wishes of the 
 Vestry of St. Mark's, the corporation of Trinity 
 Church enlarged it, so as to make the whole number 
 of lots thirty, which produced at the time an annual 
 income of £500, viz :
 
 190 HISTORY OF 
 
 5 lots in Warren-street, 
 1 " in Church " 
 
 9 " in Reade " 
 
 3 " in Harison " 
 
 6 " in North Moore-street, 
 6 " in Provoost " 
 
 Total 30. The present value of which is probably 
 not less, at a moderate computation, than $131,500. 
 
 This noble endowment, not yet appearing ample 
 enough, the Vestry of Trinity Church a short time 
 after received another application to build them a par- 
 sonage house. 
 
 " It was thereupon resolved, that the Rector should 
 inform the gentlemen by whom it was made, that as 
 this Board had already been very liberal in the endow- 
 ment of said church, they could not, in justice to other 
 churches which had equal claims, grant them any 
 further donation." 
 
 Not discouraged, however, by this refusal, the Ves- 
 try of St. Mark's Church, in the following year, pre- 
 sented a petition to the Vestry of Trinity for a loan 
 of £800, which the Rector was also requested to 
 inform them could not be granted. 
 
 After the lapse of a few years more, however, an- 
 other application was received from the Rector and 
 Churchwardens of St. Mark's, praying aid to finish a 
 steeple to their church, whereupon it was resolved, 
 that this Board could not grant the assistance required, 
 but that nevertheless the sum of five hundred dollars 
 should be granted towards finishing and covering the 
 tower of said church.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 191 
 
 Besides these various grants, two donations were 
 made to the Rector of St. Mark's in 1810, amounting 
 to the sum of a thousand dollars. 
 
 The money expended in the erection of St. Mark's, 
 the several grants which were made to it, and the 
 ample endowment of it in land out of the heart of the 
 Church estate, could not be reckoned in the aggre- 
 gate, considering the present value of the latter, at 
 less than $150,000. 
 
 Can it be conceived that, in the recollection of 
 these multiplied acts of liberality and kindness, there 
 could be any other feeling on the part of St. Mark's 
 than that of filial gratitude and love towards the 
 church from which she sprang ? 
 
 On the recommendation of several members of the 
 parish, it was resolved, on the 1st of October, 1792, 
 that the Rev. Mr. John Bisset should be called as an 
 Assistant Minister, at a salary of £250 per annum, for 
 three years, after which the same should be at the 
 pleasure of the corporation. His salary was raised 
 at the expiration of the term, on account of the in- 
 creased expenses of living, to £500 a year, and Dr. 
 Moore's to £600. On this occasion a circumstance 
 occurred which was remarkably characteristic of the 
 modesty, the delicacy, and peaceful disposition of this 
 venerable man. The following letter from the Rev. 
 Dr. Moore was addressed to this Board : 
 
 " New-York, Dec. 14, 1794. 
 *' Gentlemen : 
 
 " At your last meeting you were pleased to add 
 the sum of £100 per annum to my salary. It is well 
 known to you all, that this resolution of your Board
 
 192 HISTORY OF 
 
 was passed without any solicitation on my part. The 
 frankness of the offer, therefore, enhances its value, 
 and affords an additional claim to my grateful 
 acknowledgments. But as I have since been in- 
 formed that some of the congregation have expressed 
 their dissatisfaction at this augmentation of my salary, 
 and as I wish not that any occasion should be given 
 for uneasiness and dissention, I must beg leave to de- 
 cline the acceptance of the hundred pounds in ques- 
 tion. In hopes that you will not disapprove of my 
 determination on this subject, I remain, gentlemen, 
 " Your obliged and humble serv't, 
 
 "Benj'n Moore." 
 
 The Vestry, however, with their usual liberality, 
 would not permit Dr. Moore to suffer from his gener- 
 osity and kindness. For after his letter had been read, 
 a motion was made by Dr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. 
 Rogers, that one hundred pounds per annum should 
 be added to the salaries of the Rector, Dr. Moore 
 and Dr. Beach, which motion was negatived ; and 
 
 Mr. Gaine, seconded by Mr. Laight, moved, and it 
 was resolved, that the sum of two hundred pounds 
 should be given by this corporation to the Rector, and 
 the sum of one hundred pounds to Dr. Moore, and 
 the like sum to Dr. Beach, in aid of their present 
 salaries, on account of the extra expense of living. 
 
 Mr. Bisset, of whose eloquence and popularity as a 
 preacher I had often heard, but of whose earlier and 
 later history I have not been able to obtain any certain 
 information, remained in the Parish till 1800, when 
 he resigned his place and returned to Great Britain.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 193 
 
 On this occasion the Vestry, with their accustomed 
 kindness, made him a present of £150. 
 
 A special meeting of the corporation of Trinity 
 Church was held at the house of the Right Rev. 
 Bishop Provoost, on Friday, the 20th of December, 
 1790, on an occasion when the whole nation was 
 plunged in the deepest grief. There was but one 
 thought that then occupied the minds of all men, and 
 it was this alone that had called the Vestry together. 
 It was to give expression to their sorrow in common 
 with that of the people at large, for the loss of the 
 Father of his Country. The record is beautiful for 
 its very simplicity. It is entered alone on the broad 
 page of a large folio, and with a striking delicacy is 
 surrounded by a black border, indicating the feelings 
 with which it was indited : 
 
 " Ordered, That in consideration of the death of 
 the late Lieutenant-General George Washington, the 
 several churches belonging to this corporation be put 
 in mourning." 
 
 In the same year St. Paul's Chapel was in great 
 danger of being destroyed by fire. I have a vivid 
 recollection of the circumstance, and also, unless my 
 memory deceive me, of the occasion of it. It was 
 communicated to the steeple of St. Paul's by some 
 burning fragments, blown from the house occupied by 
 Sir John Temple, in Greenwich-street, which was on 
 fire at the time. I was an eye-witness of the coolness 
 and daring of the persons by whose efforts it was 
 extinguished. For this important service there was 
 distributed among them the sum of sixty pounds, and 
 very special attention was taken by the Vestry in
 
 194 HISTORY or 
 
 order to prevent the recurrence thereafter of similar 
 accidents. 
 
 In the following year, September 8, 1800, an ap- 
 pointment was made of an Assistant Minister, who 
 was probably not regarded at the time as exceeding 
 very greatly the ordinary standard of a young man of 
 promise, but who turned out one of the most extra- 
 ordinary men of the age, and who afterwards filled 
 the Church, both at home and abroad, with his fame. 
 It was John Henry Hobart. To the communication 
 which was made to him of his appointment, by Dr. 
 Charlton, Mr. Hamersley and Mr. Gaine, the com- 
 mittee raised for the purpose, Mr. Hobart returned 
 the following answer : 
 
 " Dr. John Charltox : 
 
 " Sir — I take the liberty of informing you, as 
 chairman of the committee who presented to me the 
 call from the Vestry of Trinity Church to the office 
 of an Assistant Minister, that I accept the said ofice 
 on the terms stated in the call. The congregation 
 with which I am at present connected have exerted 
 themselves so much to render my situation comfortable 
 and happy, that I think I cannot with delicacy and 
 propriety leave them before the spring, unless they 
 should signify to me that they have chosen another 
 minister, and are willing to dispense with my services. 
 " Permit me, through you, sir, to express to the 
 Vestry my sensibility to the polite and honourable 
 manner in which this business has been conducted. 
 The best evidence that I can give of my feelings, will 
 be an endeavour to act in all cases with fidelity and
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 195 
 
 independence, governed only by a sincere regard to 
 the sacred dictates of conscience and duty. The sta- 
 tion would require the judgment and experience of 
 more advanced years.* I shall have therefore a pecu- 
 liar claim on the friendship and counsel of the Vestry, 
 on the candour and support of the congregation, and 
 on the affectionate advice and aid of my superiors and 
 brethren in the ministry. Thus strengthened and 
 supported while I endeavour faithfully to discharge my 
 duty, I trust that I may hope for the presence and 
 blessing of Almighty God. 
 
 " With sentiments of sincere respect for yourself 
 and the committee, and for the Rector and Vestry of 
 the Church, 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your obed't servant, 
 
 "John Henry Hobart. 
 
 " Dr. Charlton." 
 
 It appears that the difficulty which he apprehended, 
 of not being able to enter upon his office until spring, 
 was in some way obviated, for on the 21st of January, 
 1801, the treasurer of the Vestry was ordered to pay 
 Mr. Hobart one hundred pounds, in consequence of 
 the extraordinary expenses of his removing to the city 
 at that season of the year.f 
 
 There was a curious oversight in regard to one of 
 the circumstances connected with this appointment, 
 
 * Mr. Hobart was at that time only twenty-five years of age. 
 f The salary of the Assistant Ministers, at the time Mr. Hobart 
 was appointed, was £500, and that of the Rector £700 per annum.
 
 196 HISTORY OF 
 
 which has occurred since, I believe, on several occa- 
 sions. 
 
 At the meeting of the Vestry, which was held on 
 the 12th of April, 1802, the Board came to the fol- 
 lowing resolution : 
 
 "Whereas the Charter of Trinity Church requires 
 that when an Assistant Minister shall be called to offi- 
 ciate in said Church, he shall be in Priest's orders, and 
 whereas the Rev. J. H. Hobart was called to the said 
 office when he was only in Deacon's orders, (but) has 
 since been admitted to the order of a Priest, therefore 
 resolved, that the said call is hereby ratified and con- 
 firmed, to all intents and purposes." 
 
 At the same meeting of the Vestry as that at which 
 Mr. Hobart was called as an Assistant Minister, it 
 was represented by Dr. Charlton, as the wish of Bishop 
 Provoost, to resign his office as the Rector of this 
 corporation at some future period. He afterwards 
 reported to the Board, on the 9th of November, 1800, 
 that it was his intention to do so immediately on Mr. 
 Hobart's taking upon him the duties of his office. 
 
 " It was therefore resolved, that his salary should be 
 continued to the first of August ensuing, and also that 
 he should have the use of the house he then occupied 
 to the first of November. 
 
 " And it was likewise further resolved, that on the 
 resignation taking place, this Board would allow him 
 the sum of one thousand dollars annually during his 
 life, and that the clerk should be authorized to prepare 
 some proper instrument, under the seal of this corpo- 
 ration, for such annuity , and that the said instrument 
 should be submitted to Mr. Cadwallader D. Colden, as
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 197 
 
 the Rector's Attorney. The resignation was made at 
 the following meeting, December 22, 1800, in due 
 legal form, and was accordingly accepted, after which 
 the Rector took leave of the Board in the most affec- 
 tionate manner." 
 
 The following brief sketch of the life and character 
 of Bishop Provoost, is taken from a fuller one which 
 appeared some time since in the Churchman, and which 
 was written by his son-in-law, the late Cadwallader D. 
 Colden, Esq., with additions by Mr. Geo. B. Rapelye : 
 
 " The family from which Bishop Provoost was de- 
 scended, from the earliest period to which it can be 
 traced, (1550,) was French. In some of the old 
 books which came down to him, there is the Provoost 
 coat of arms, with the motto, Pro libertate. It has 
 some times been supposed that the Bishop adopted 
 the motto at the time when he took a decided part in 
 favour of the liberties of this country, but this is a 
 mistake, as it was undoubtedly borne by the family in 
 remote times. 
 
 " The first of the name of whom any trace can be 
 found, was a William Provoost, who resided in Paris 
 at the time of the massacre of St. Bartholomew 7 . The 
 family were Huguenots, and this William Provoost, 
 with another member of the same, made their escape 
 from the murderers employed on that occasion. He 
 married a lady by the name of Tain Waart, with 
 whom, in 1634, lie came to New-York, then New- 
 Amsterdam. Samuel Provoost, the subject of this 
 memoir, who was a descendant of William, was born 
 in this city on the 20th of February, 1742. It is 
 curious to observe, as indicative of the superstitions
 
 198 HISTORY OF 
 
 of the times, that his father was not only careful 
 to record the exact hour and minute of his children's 
 birth, but he also set down the aspect of the heavens 
 at the time. 
 
 "Samuel was baptized by Dominie Galterus Du- 
 Bois. After he had received the rudiments of ordi- 
 nary classical instruction, he entered as one of the early 
 students of King's (now Columbia) College, then a 
 frame building in Trinity Church-yard ; and was one 
 of a class of nine that graduated at its first commence- 
 ment, receiving his baccalaureate degree in his seven- 
 teenth year. 
 
 "His ancestors, for several generations, belonged 
 to the Dutch Church. When he joined the Church 
 of England does not appear. The probable conjec- 
 ture is, that he may have been somewhat influenced 
 in this respect, by pursuing his collegiate course at 
 home, under President Samuel Johnson, (who was 
 also a settled minister of Trinity Church,) and by 
 finishing his education abroad, at an English univer- 
 sity $ or what is more probable, he may, like others, 
 have been driven from the Dutch Church, by its con- 
 sistory's pertinaciousness in disregarding the entreaties 
 of the younger part of the two congregations, to have 
 a part of the services conducted in the English 
 language. 
 
 " In the summer of 1761, he embarked for Europe. 
 He arrived at Falmouth in September, and in Novem- 
 ber he entered fellow-commoner of St. Peter's Col- 
 lege, Cambridge, England. While he seems to have 
 partaken freely of the gaiety which was then the 
 fashion of the English universities, he appears also to
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 199 
 
 have prosecuted his studies with great assiduity. His 
 father allowed him a private tutor, the celebrated Dr. 
 John Jcbb, a man of distinguished talents, with 
 whom Mr. Provoost formed an ardent friendship, and 
 was in correspondence so long as Dr. Jebb lived. 
 
 " Soon after Mr. Provoost had commenced his stu- 
 dies at Cambridge, he seems to have decided on the 
 Church as his profession, and it is evident, from the 
 letters between him and his father, that this was his 
 own unbiassed choice. 
 
 " He had acquired a knowledge not only of the 
 Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages, but he made 
 himself master of the French and Italian. 
 
 " In a letter to his father, dated 15th April, 1765, 
 he says, ' I can get my degree and commendamus 
 here whenever I please 5 nothing but my being too 
 young for orders could prevent my returning home 
 next summer.' 
 
 " On the 3d of February, 1766, he was admitted to 
 the order of Deacon at the Chapel Royal of St. 
 James' Palace, Westminster, by the Bishop of Lon- 
 don ; and on the 25th of March of the same year, he 
 w r as admitted to Priest's orders at the King's Chapel, 
 in Whitehall, by Dr. Edmund Kean, Bishop of 
 Chester. 
 
 " Benjamin Bousficld was a fellow student of Mr. 
 Provoost, at the University of Cambridge 5 they were 
 intimate friends. Mr. Bousficld was the only son of 
 Thomas Bousfield, a man of large estate, and then 
 the only banker in the city of Cork, Ireland. The 
 son was afterwards a conspicuous character in the 
 Irish House of Commons, and ex-sheriff of the county
 
 200 HISTORY- OF 
 
 of Cork during the great political contentions of that 
 country. He was so far a literary man, that he ven- 
 tured to enter the field with the great Edmund Burke, 
 and write an answer to Mr. Burke's celebrated book 
 on the French Revolution. 
 
 " At about the period last mentioned, the widowed 
 mother of Mr. Bousfield, and her daughter Maria, 
 paid a visit to Cambridge. The acquaintance between 
 Mr. Provoost and the sister of his friend, soon ripened 
 into a mutual attachment, and on the 8th of June, 
 17(36, they were married in St. Mary's Church, Cam- 
 bridge, by one of the senior fellows of Trinity College. 
 
 " Mr. Provoost was probably induced to take this 
 step the sooner by the prospect which was then held 
 out to him, of an immediate and eligible settlement 
 in his own country. The Vestry of Trinity Church 
 were then building a second Chapel, (St. Paul's,) and 
 he was informed by his correspondents, that the inten- 
 tion was to offer him a living in that Parish. 
 
 " Soon after his marriage, he returned to New-York 
 with his bride, and in December, 176G, he accepted a 
 call to be one of the Assistant Ministers of Trinity 
 Church, which embraced St. George's and St. Paul's 
 Chapels 5 the Rev. Samuel Auchmuty, Rector, the 
 Rev. John Ogilvie and the Rev. Charles Inglis, 
 Assistant Ministers." 
 
 He continued his connection with the parish until 
 a short time before the Revolutionary War, when it 
 was temporarily dissolved. 
 
 "Soon after he left it, he determined to seek 
 in the country that quiet which the perturbed state 
 of the city did not allow. He purchased a small
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 201 
 
 farm at East-Camp, which was then in Dutchess 
 County. In the selection of this spot, he was, no 
 doubt, in some measure, influenced by its being in 
 the neighbourhood of the Livingston families. Mr. 
 Walter and Mr. Robert Cambridge Livingston had 
 been fellow-students with him at the English university. 
 In the latter part of 1770, or beginning of 1771, he 
 removed with his family to East-Camp. From this 
 time till the close of the Revolutionary War, Mr. 
 Provoost seems to have lived in perfect retirement, 
 occupying himself with literary pursuits, for which he 
 had a great taste. His political sentiments, however, 
 were so well known, and his character and abilities 
 were so much respected, that his name was put, by 
 the leading politicians of the day, at the head of a 
 list of persons who were to be delegates to the Pro- 
 vincial Congress, but he declined accepting this 
 office. 
 
 " But after the termination of the Revolutionary 
 War, Mr. Provoost's prospects very soon changed. 
 A few days before the British troops finally evacuated 
 the city of New-York, the persons who then claimed 
 to be the Vestry of Trinity Church,* elected the Rev. 
 Benjamin Moore, Rector, in the place of the Rev. Dr. 
 Inglis, who was about returning to England with the 
 army, in consequence of the act of the Legislature, 
 passed four years before, which banished his person, 
 and confiscated his estate. 
 
 * Having been chosen according to the provisions of the Charter, 
 it seems strange that there should have been any doubt oi the justice 
 of their pretensions in claiming to be the Vestry. 
 
 13
 
 202 HISTORY OF 
 
 " When the Americans took possession of the city 
 of New-York, it excited great discontent among the 
 members of the Church who had been driven from 
 their homes during the war, and who disputed the 
 validity of any election of Vestrymen while that city 
 was in possession of the enemy. These appointed a 
 committee to confer with the Vestry, and to endeav- 
 our to induce them to adopt such measures as might 
 produce an amicable arrangement. It was proposed 
 to the Vestry, that the new Rector should resign, and 
 that another should be chosen in his place : after a 
 deliberation of some days, the Vestry refused to accede 
 to this proposition. The committee then applied to 
 the Council appointed by the Legislature for the tem- 
 porary government of the southern parts of the State, 
 whenever the enemy should abandon or be dispos- 
 sessed of the same until the Legislature could be 
 convened. The contending parties had eminent law- 
 yers to defend their respective rights, and after a full 
 hearing on both sides, the Council decided that the 
 Vestry was not legally constituted, and that their elec- 
 tion of a new Rector was of course void.* The 
 Council also vested the temporalities of the Church 
 in nine Trustees, who, on the 13th of January, 1784, 
 took possession of the Church. This procedure was 
 immediately followed by the election of a new Vestry, 
 which unanimously elected Mr. Provoost their Rector. 
 A deputation was sent to him to request that he w r ould 
 
 * In what way the Council could have come to this conclusion it is 
 difficult to conceive, except on the ground of might overcoming right .
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 203 
 
 accept the office ; to this he consented, and with his 
 family returned to the city. 
 
 " The return of Mr. Provoost must have heen 
 agreeable to him on many accounts ; among others, 
 it could not have been the least satisfactory, that it 
 restored him to his property. His revenue from the 
 Church, his farm, and his private fortune which he 
 inherited from his father, not only relieved him from 
 pecuniary embarrassments, but rendered him entirely 
 independent, and enabled him to indulge the disposi- 
 tion he always had for great hospitality. 
 
 " The decision of the Council, the election of the 
 new Vestry, the termination of the trust created by 
 the Council, it being vested in the Vestry, with several 
 amendments to the original charter, so as to make it 
 conformable and consistent with the constitution of 
 the State, passed the Legislature the 27th of April, 
 
 1784. That body in the following November appointed 
 Mr. Provoost a Regent of the University of the State. 
 On the removal of the Continental Congress from 
 Trenton to New-York, Mr. Provoost, in November, 
 
 1785, was elected Chaplain. 
 
 " No sooner had the country established its political 
 independence, than the members of the Church 
 thought not only of freeing it also from all foreign 
 ecclesiastical jurisdiction, but of establishing for it, as 
 far as circumstances would permit, a republican gov- 
 ernment j that is, an elective and representative 
 government, in the formation of which the members 
 of the Church seem also to have had in mind, as a 
 model, the federative constitution of the country : the 
 State Conventions being in the place of the State
 
 204 HISTORY OF 
 
 Legislatures, and the General Convention in the place 
 of Congress. 
 
 " The first meetings of the clergy and laity to carry 
 out these views, were held this year (1784) at New- 
 Brunswick and New-York. The following year a 
 meeting was held in Philadelphia. Mr. Provoost was 
 appointed chairman of a committee to draft an eccle- 
 siastical constitution for the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church in the United States of America, and to pre- 
 pare the necessary and proposed alterations in the 
 liturgy. The proceedings of those early meetings 
 after the termination of the war, (as well as those 
 that followed,) contemplated the necessity of having 
 an independent order of bishops j but difficulties 
 seemed to present themselves in obtaining a due con- 
 secration of persons to this holy office. 
 
 " The English bishops could not confer it without 
 the candidate would take certain oaths, and could 
 produce certain documents entirely inconsistent with 
 the new relations between Great Britain and the 
 United States — besides, it was feared that it was too 
 soon to expect that the animosities which are always 
 generated by civil wars, would have so far subsided 
 as to render the mother country disposed to be indul- 
 gent to her rebellious children. 
 
 " But the friends of the Church in New-York, with 
 their friends in the States south of it, exerted them- 
 selves to obtain an act of the British Parliament, autho- 
 rizing the Archbishops of Canterbury and York to 
 consecrate foreign bishops, and removing the objections 
 which persons not in allegiance to the King of Great 
 Britain must have had to the English forms. In their
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 205 
 
 efforts in this respect, the friends of the Church seem 
 to have been very fortunate in obtaining the co-opera- 
 tion of the high officers of the government of the 
 United States, who appear to have taken considerable 
 interest in this subject ,• particularly Mr. John Adams, 
 then our ambassador at the Court of St. James, and 
 Mr. Richard Henry Lee, President of Congress, to 
 whom the State Convention (12th June, 1786,) re- 
 turned thanks for the interest those gentlemen had 
 taken in procuring the episcopate. 
 
 u This Convention the next day elected Mr. Pro- 
 voost Bishop, and three weeks after he was honored 
 by the University of Pennsylvania with the degree of 
 Doctor in Divinity. 
 
 u The testimonials of Doctor Provoost, as Bishop 
 elect of New-York ; Dr. William White, as Bishop 
 elect of Pennsylvania ; and Dr. David Griffith, as 
 Bishop elect of Virginia, were signed by the members 
 of the General Convention held at Wilmington, Dela- 
 ware, (of which Convention Dr. Provoost was Presi- 
 dent,) on the 11th of October. On the second day of 
 November, the two first named " persons " sailed from 
 the port of New-York, and landed at Falmouth after 
 a passage of nineteen days, and on the fourth day of 
 February, 1787, were consecrated at Lambeth Palace, 
 by Dr. John Moore, Archbishop of Canterbury, the 
 Archbishop of York, the Bishop of Bath and Wells, 
 and the Bishop of Peterborough, participating in the 
 consecration. 
 
 " Shortly after their consecration, Bishop Provoost 
 and Bishop White sailed from England, and after a 
 very tedious and boisterous passage, during which
 
 206 HISTORY OF 
 
 Bishop Provoost was so ill that it was feared he would 
 not live, they arrived in New-York on Easter-Sunday, 
 April 8th, 1787, just in time for Bishop Provoost (as 
 Rector) to hold the annual election for Wardens and 
 Vestrymen. He had every reason to be gratified 
 with his reception on his return, as he was cordially 
 greeted by all denominations. 
 
 " The Convention of the Church being convened 
 made the following address : 
 
 "'Right Reverend Sir: 
 
 « i We, the clergy and laity, representatives of 
 the Protestant Episcopal Church now assembled in 
 Convention, beg leave to address you on this solemn 
 occasion with sentiments of unfeigned duty and 
 respect. 
 
 " 'After having successfully accomplished the great 
 object you had in view, we congratulate you on your 
 return to your native city, safe from the hazards of a 
 long and tempestuous voyage, and in a great measure 
 restored to health from a painful and dangerous 
 illness. 
 
 " ' While we express, in terms of the warmest grati- 
 tude, the high obligations we are under to the English 
 bishops for their paternal interposition in our favour, 
 we beg leave to present to you our hearty thanks for 
 your compliance with our desires, and thus, through 
 many difficulties and sufferings, rendering our Church 
 complete in all its parts. 
 
 "'This propitious event, so long and ardently 
 wished for, forms an important era in the history of 
 our Church. We are now, by Divine providence, 
 placed in such a situation, that a regular succession
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 207 
 
 of the ministry can be continued to us and our pos- 
 terity, without being reduced to the necessity of apply- 
 ing to a distant land. 
 
 " 'Justly reposing the highest confidence in your 
 integrity and piety, your love of peace and order, and 
 your unremitted endeavours for the advancement of 
 true religion and virtue, we rejoice that the distin- 
 guished honour of filling one of the first Episcopal 
 chairs in these United States, hath been conferred on 
 a character so truly amiable, and we trust that we, 
 and those whom we represent, shall never fail to ren- 
 der you all clue support, respect, and reverence. 
 
 a 'May it graciously please the Almighty Ruler of 
 the Universe, to bless your ministrations, that a firm 
 foundation may be laid for the peace and prosperity 
 of our Church, which shall remain unshaken to the 
 latest ages. 
 
 " 'May you, Right Reverend Sir, long continue in 
 the discharge of your sacred office, an example for 
 our imitation, and an ornament to our holy religion \ 
 and may we, and all those committed to our pastoral 
 charge, derive from your ministrations a benefit which 
 will be of everlasting duration ; so that when we are 
 called to answer for our actions, we may give an 
 account with joy, and remain forever one flock under 
 one shepherd, Jesus Christ, the Bishop of our souls.' 
 
 " To which the Bishop replied : 
 
 ** 'Reverend and Most Dearly Beloved : 
 
 " ' This affectionate address — your obliging con- 
 gratulations on my return to my native city, and on
 
 208 HISTORY OF 
 
 the recovery of my health — and above all, your assur- 
 ance of support in my ministrations, I receive with 
 the utmost satisfaction and thankfulness. 
 
 u ' The object of my late mission being the inde- 
 pendence of our Church, and a regular succession of 
 the ministry, was of such magnitude that its happy 
 accomplishment cannot fail of inspiring all its mem- 
 bers with the highest gratitude to Almighty God and 
 to all under him, who have by their good offices con- 
 tributed to its success. 
 
 " ( To the English Bishops particularly, we are 
 under indelible obligations ,• and I cordially unite with 
 you in a public testimony of their benevolence and 
 paternal exertions in our favour. Whenever we shall 
 reflect on this important era in the history of our 
 Church, they must be remembered with honour and 
 reverence. Let us, my beloved friends, zealously 
 strive to make a due improvement of the spiritual 
 privileges we now enjoy. Let our faith be sincere, 
 and our lives unblemished, as our doctrine and wor- 
 ship are pure and holy ; and God will continue to 
 shower down his blessings upon us and our Church, 
 with a bountiful hand. 
 
 " ' May you, my reverend brethren, aided by his 
 gracious Spirit, continue to be watchful shepherds of 
 the flocks committed to your charge, and maintain 
 the doctrines and discipline of his excellent Church 
 with constancy and zeal, and at the same time with 
 candour towards those who differ from us in religious 
 opinions, that our moderation may be made manifest, 
 and we may joyfully contribute to that peace, love and
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 209 
 
 charity, which are so strongly enforced in the Gospel 
 of our blessed Redeemer. 
 
 " ' Deeply sensible of my own imperfections, I feel 
 with solicitude the weight of the important office to 
 which I am consecrated. I rely only on the grace of 
 God to enable me to discharge my pastoral duties 
 with fidelity, to be instrumental in promoting true 
 religion and virtue, in governing this Church in peace 
 and unanimity, and laying a sure foundation for its 
 lasting prosperity, that thus, through his Divine pro- 
 tection, your expectations of my usefulness may not 
 be disappointed. 
 
 K ' And now, unto God's gracious mercy and pro- 
 tection I commit you ; the Lord bless you and keep you ; 
 the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be 
 gracious unto you 5 the Lord lift up his countenance 
 upon you, and give you peace both now and ever- 
 more.' 
 
 " A standing committee was elected by the Con- 
 vention to advise with the Bishop in all matters apper- 
 taining to his office in which he might think proper 
 to consult them. 
 
 " The Congress under the old confederation termi- 
 nated in 1789. By the organization of a new Con- 
 gress, under the present constitution, Bishop Provoost 
 was now elected Chaplain to the Senate of the United 
 States. Bishop Provoost continued as Rector for 
 nearly seventeen years. Mrs. Provoost, after a long 
 and lingering illness, departed this life in August, 
 1799 5 in the ensuing July, he followed to the grave 
 his younger and favourite son, who died a very dis- 
 tressing death 5 and he was made very unhappy by
 
 210 HISTORY OF 
 
 the conduct of his only surviving son. In the mean- 
 time his own health had been and continued to be 
 seriously impaired, and he was induced on the suc- 
 ceeding 8th of September, 1800, to retire from Trinity 
 Church as Rector. 
 
 " In taking leave of the congregations, he preached 
 from the text contained in the 27th verse of the 1st 
 chapter of the Philippians. 
 
 u His exercise of the Episcopal office continued till 
 the 3d of September, 1801. The Convention was 
 then in session, over which he presided till the moment 
 he made his resignation verbally, and left the Con- 
 vention. The resignation was accepted, and a succes- 
 sor was chosen, and on the seventh of the same month 
 Bishop Provoost addressed a letter to Bishop White, 
 as President of the House of Bishops, as the General 
 Convention was to be held in Trenton, New-Jersey, 
 next day. In this letter he says, 'That, induced by 
 ill health, and some melancholy occurrences in my 
 family, and an ardent wish to retire from all public 
 employment, I resigned, at the late meeting of our 
 Convention, my jurisdiction as Bishop of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church in the State of New-York.' 
 
 " When the letter was considered by the House of 
 Bishops, they resolved, among other things, ' that they 
 judged it to be inconsistent with the sacred trust com- 
 mitted to them, to recognize the Bishop's act, as an 
 effectual resignation of his Episcopal jurisdiction ; and 
 though the Bishops were,' as they say in the same 
 resolution, c ready to consecrate a person to render 
 him competent in point of character to all the Epis- 
 copal duties, this house,' they say, c must be understood
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 211 
 
 to be explicit in their declaration, that they should 
 consider such person as assistant or coadjutor Bishop 
 during Bishop Provoosfs life.' This, with Bishop 
 Provoost's letter, was communicated to the House of 
 Clerical and Lay Deputies, who now signed the testi- 
 monials of the Rev. Benjamin Moore, the elected 
 successor of Bishop Provoost, which testimonials, with 
 the proceedings of the New-York Convention, were 
 sent to the House of Bishops, and the Bishop elect 
 was consecrated. 
 
 " The first consecration of a Bishop in which 
 Bishop Provoost took part, was that of the Rev. 
 Thomas John Claggett, for the Church in the State 
 of Maryland, being the first of that order of the min- 
 istry consecrated on this side of the Atlantic. It took 
 place the 17th of September, 1792, in Trinity Church 
 in the city of New-York, during a session of the 
 General Convention. Bishop Provoost was the con- 
 secrator, (also President of the House of Bishops,) 
 Bishop White of Pennsylvania, Bishop Madison of 
 Virginia, and Bishop Seabury of Connecticut, joined 
 in the imposition of hands. Bishop Provoost's last 
 act in conferring the Episcopate, was in uniting with 
 Bishop White the consecrator, and Bishop Jarvis of 
 Connecticut, in the imposition of hands, at the conse- 
 cration of the Rev. John Henry Hobart, D.D., for the 
 Diocese of New-York, and the Rev. Alexander Viets 
 Griswold, for the Eastern Diocese, on the 29th day of 
 May, 1811, in the Church as aforesaid. 
 
 a His first ordination was the admitting to the order 
 of Deacon Richard Channing Moore, on the 15th of 
 July, 1787, in St. George's Chapel, in the city of
 
 212 HISTORY OF 
 
 New-York. His last ordination was the admitting to 
 the Priesthood the Rev. John Henry Hobart, D.D., 
 in April, 1801, in Trinity Church, in said city. 
 
 " The first foundation or corner-stone laid by Bishop 
 Provoost, was at the rebuilding of Trinity Church, in 
 the city of New-York, on the 21st of August, 1788. 
 The last time he performed this ceremony, was on the 
 building of St. Mark's Church in said city, the 25th 
 of April, 1795. 
 
 " These edifices, when ready for public worship, 
 were the first and last by him consecrated to the ser- 
 vice of Almighty God \ the former on the 25th of 
 March, 1790, the latter on the 9th of May, 1799. 
 
 "He suffered occasional attacks of an apopletic 
 character, and died very suddenly of one of these fits, 
 on the 6th of September, 1815, aged 73 years and six 
 months. 
 
 " His funeral was numerously and respectably 
 attended to Trinity Church, where the Psalms and 
 lesson were read by the Rev. Thomas Y. How, Assis- 
 tant Minister in that church; the sermon preached 
 by the Rev. William Harris, Rector of St. Mark's 
 Church 5 and the sentences and prayers at the place 
 of interment, (the family vault in the church- yard,) 
 read by the Rev. Cave Jones. 
 
 At the meeting of the Convention, Bishop Hobart, in 
 his annual address, alluding to the departed Bishop, 
 said : " To the benevolence and urbanity that marked 
 all his intercourse with the clergy, and indeed every 
 social relation, there is strong and universal testi- 
 mony," and then added the words of Bishop White in 
 regard to his official and personal intimacy with the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 213 
 
 deceased Bishop, calling it a sacred relation u between 
 two persons, who under the appointment of a Christian 
 Church had been successfully engaged together in ob- 
 taining for it succession to the apostolic office of the 
 Episcopacy, who in the subsequent exercise of that 
 Episcopacy had jointly laboured in all the ecclesias- 
 tical business which has occurred among us, and who 
 through the whole of it never knew a word, or even 
 a sensation, tending to personal dissatisfaction or dis- 
 union. 
 
 " The character of Bishop Provoost is one which 
 the enlightened Christian will estimate at no ordinary 
 standard. The generous sympathies of his nature 
 created in him a cordial concern in whatever affected 
 the interests of his fellow-creatures. Hence his bene- 
 ficence was called into almost daily exercise, and his 
 private charities were often beyond what was justified 
 by his actual means. In the relations of husband and 
 parent, he exhibited all the kindly and endearing affec- 
 tions which ennoble our species. As a patriot, he 
 was exceeded by none. As a scholar, he was 
 deeply versed in classical lore, and in the records 
 of Ecclesiastical History and Church Polity. To a 
 very accurate knowledge of the Hebrew, he added a 
 profound acquaintance with the Greek, Latin, French, 
 German, Italian, and other languages. He had 
 made considerable progress also in the natural and 
 physical sciences, of which botany was his favourite 
 branch."
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 On the resignation of Bishop Provoost, Mr. Watts 
 was called to the chair, and the Rev. Benjamin 
 Moore, D.D., was chosen in his place.* 
 
 " His election having been announced to him by a 
 committee appointed for the purpose, and his accept- 
 ance of the Rectorship having been declared to the 
 Board on whom he attended, he was duly inducted 
 into the Church in the presence of Thomas Collister 
 and William G. Forbes, by delivering to him the key 
 of the Church. 
 
 At the next meeting of the Vestry, it having been 
 thought expedient to call, without delay, another 
 Assistant Minister, the Rector nominated the Rev. 
 Cave Jones as a proper person for the office, which 
 nomination was thereupon approved. The committee 
 selected to inform him of his appointment, soon after 
 submitted a letter from him, written at Accomack, his 
 residence in Virginia, signifying his acceptance of 
 the same. The treasurer was ordered to pay to Mr. 
 
 * Seventeen years after his appointment to the same office, which 
 an unexpected change of circumstances had prevented him from 
 filling.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 215 
 
 Jones one hundred pounds, the same donation as that 
 which was granted to Mr. Hobart, as a compensation 
 for his expenses in removing to this city j and on a 
 subsequent occasion, the sum of £220, in considera- 
 tion of losses which he had sustained, but which are 
 not particularly described in the minutes. 
 
 From the rapid growth of the city, as well as from 
 a regard to the advantage of this corporation, the 
 committee of leases was instructed, so early as 1792, 
 to examine and report what part of the land belonging 
 to it ought to be reserved for (another Church,) Par- 
 sonage, School House, Burial-ground, and other pub- 
 lic purposes ; and also to report a plan for widening 
 the streets laid out in the Church Farm to the north- 
 ward of Warren-street, and making such other 
 improvements in that part of the Church estate as 
 might conduce to the interest of this corporation and 
 the ornament of the city. 
 
 So far as the building of a new Church was con- 
 cerned, the further consideration of the subject seems 
 to have slumbered for several years. In 1802, how- 
 ever, it was once more revived, for a resolution was 
 passed by the Vestry that a room should be hired by 
 the Rector for the assembling of persons to attend 
 public worship, in the neighbourhood of Brannon- 
 street, and that benches be provided for such assem- 
 bly. The many respectable applicants for pews, who 
 could not be furnished with them in the existing 
 churches, made it expedient that another one should 
 be built, and a committee was therefore appointed in 
 reference to it, and authorized to inquire and select a 
 suitable site for the same.
 
 216 HISTORY OF 
 
 The first situation proposed by the committee of 
 leases, was on the square formed by Duane, Green- 
 wich, Hudson and Jay streets. It was intended that 
 the church should face on Duane-street, and it was 
 ordered that a plan of the same should be prepared 
 and reported at the meeting of the Vestry on the 
 7th of April, 1803, in order to commence the build- 
 ing of it immediately. At this meeting several plans 
 were laid before the Board for their consideration, 
 and the one recommended by the committee, drawn 
 by John and Isaac McComb, was that which was 
 approved of. It having been suggested, however, to 
 the committee, that a part of the ground upon which 
 it was intended to build the new church might require 
 the driving of piles to render it safe, they were re- 
 quested to examine it, and if they should find that the 
 representation were correct, they were to desist from 
 the work until the sense of the Board should be taken. 
 The examination having been made, and the result 
 found unsatisfactory, the committee reported that it 
 Would be improper, from the nature of the ground, to 
 erect a church on the spot contemplated. It was 
 therefore finally resolved, that it should be built on 
 the east side of Hudson Square, the site on which St. 
 John's now stands, and that they should proceed forth- 
 with to lay the foundation thereof. 
 
 This was on the very verge of a place as unsuitable 
 as possible for a substantial edifice. It was probably 
 in view of this difficulty that the Vestry made an order 
 in the following year, that the committee of leases 
 should have the pond filled up on the east side of Lis- 
 penard's garden, which was in the immediate neigh-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 217 
 
 bourhood of the situation proposed for St. John's 
 Church. Indeed, it would be almost incredible to the 
 persons of the present generation, to hear from those 
 who are older, their recollections of the past in regard 
 to this quarter of the city. It was a wild and marshy 
 spot of no inconsiderable extent, surrounded with 
 bushes and bulrushes, which in winter was a favourite 
 place for skaters, and at certain seasons for gunners, 
 and where in my boyhood I have seen snakes that were 
 killed on its borders. Indeed, even so late as 1808, it 
 was only so partially filled up and reclaimed by the 
 elevation of the grounds for the course of streets, and 
 the consequent multiplication of ponds in various 
 directions, as to have been the occasion at night of 
 many a sad disaster, and a frequent loss of human 
 life. 
 
 A curious anecdote was related to me by an old 
 and respectable parishioner of Trinity Church,* with 
 respect to the estimation in which this land was held. 
 An uncle of his,f who was a trustee of one of the 
 Lutheran churches in this city, and who was remark- 
 ably fond of antiquarian research, in looking over the 
 former minutes of the Board, found an entry to the 
 following effect. Some well-disposed individual had 
 offered to the trustees of this church a present of a 
 plot of ground, containing about six acres, near to the 
 head of Canal-street and Broadway. They passed a 
 resolution, however, that it was inexpedient to accept 
 the gift, inasmuch as the land was not worth the fen- 
 cing in. 
 
 * Mr. David Lydig. + Mr. David Grim. 
 
 14
 
 218 HISTORY OF 
 
 The building of St. John's Chapel was commenced 
 in 1803, and it was completed in 1807. It is in many 
 respects a beautiful edifice^ but much more costly 
 than would be generally supposed. Whether there 
 was any mismanagement in the prosecution of the 
 work, or whether the time in which it was built was 
 unfavourable to economy, is at this day very difficult 
 to determine. But the expense of it, without the 
 organ, which was ordered at Philadelphia for $6000, 
 just before the last war with England, and which 
 being unfortunately captured by one of the British 
 cruisers, cost $2000 more to redeem it, amounted to 
 the enormous sum of $172,833 64-100. 
 
 The church was consecrated by Bishop Moore, in 
 1807, on which occasion I was present, and the ser- 
 mon was preached by that noble man and powerful 
 writer, the Rev. Dr. Wilkins, the friend of Seabury 
 and Chandler, who, long surviving them, connecting in 
 a most interesting manner a new order of things with 
 generations that were past. 
 
 The Vestry of Trinity Church, forever anxious to 
 discharge the high trust which in the providence of 
 God had been committed to them, proposed a plan, 
 on the 16th of August, 1802, for instituting a Society 
 for the promotion of Religion and Learning, which 
 after having been read and considered was agreed to, 
 and the following trustees were appointed : The Rev, 
 Drs. Beach and Bowden, the Rev. Messrs. Hobart, 
 Jones, Harris and Pilmorej Dr. John Charlton, Peter 
 Kemble, Robert Watts, John Onderdonk, Frederick 
 De Peyster, Richard Harison, Jacob LeRoy, Francis
 
 ' 
 
 SfWSESJg ©3B_CAiP2I2Lo
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 219 
 
 B. Winthrop, Matthew Clarkson, Herman LeRoy, 
 William Jauncey, William M. Scton, Martin Hoffman 
 and John Jones. 
 
 It was resolved at the same time, that the commit- 
 tee of leases should consider what measures should 
 be taken towards the endowment and support of the 
 said Society, and at the next meeting of the Vestry 
 they reported that the following lots should be assigned 
 to it for the purpose : 
 10 on Hudson-street, 
 
 6 on Beach-street, and 
 
 G on (North) Moore-street, making in all 22 lots, 
 which in the opinion of the committee would 
 produce at that time Upwards of $1000 per an- 
 num, but at the present time perhaps threefold 
 that sum 5 and they further recommended that one 
 thousand dollars should be given to the institution for 
 its immediate wants. To this liberal grant they 
 added another of four lots more on Hudson-street, 
 which must have considerably increased its annual 
 income. 
 
 The following were the objects for which the Society 
 was originally established : 
 
 To adopt measures in order to ensure a sufficient 
 number and succession of pious and learned ministers 
 of the Gospel, attached to the doctrines and discipline 
 of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 
 
 To afford assistance to such young men as are of 
 good character and competent abilities, but in circum- 
 stances which do not admit of prosecuting the study 
 of divinity without aid.
 
 220 HISTORY OF 
 
 To encourage those who may distinguish them- 
 selves by extraordinary attainments. 
 
 To receive all donations for pious purposes, and to 
 superintend the application of them. 
 
 To provide funds for the procuring of a Theological 
 Library 5 for the establishment of schools 5 and of one 
 or more fellowships in Columbia College. 
 
 And, in a word, to pursue a system of measures, 
 whereby the situation of the Clergy may be rendered 
 respectable, the Church obtain a permanent support, 
 and learning and piety be generally diffused through- 
 out the State. 
 
 The plan of the Institution was evidently too large 
 for its limited means, however sanguine the hopes of 
 their increase from its original endowment. But, in 
 order to meet the views of the Founders, in some 
 degree at least, these means were from time to time 
 considerably enlarged. In 1805, it was resolved to 
 purchase for the Society the lease of a house and lot, 
 in Murray-street, for a sum not exceeding one thou- 
 sand pounds. Other sums of £1000, £800, and £300, 
 on two different occasions, were granted to it shortly 
 after its establishment. And finally, in 1808, the Ves- 
 try bestowed on the Society 6 more lots of ground, in 
 Barclay, Warren, and Greenwich streets, the most 
 valuable portion of the Church Estate, yielding at the 
 time a yearly rent of eight hundred and twenty-five 
 dollars ; in the confident hope that these rents, with 
 their other funds, would afford a suitable provision for 
 the propagation of the Gospel, and the other laudable 
 purposes for which it was founded.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 221 
 
 The Institution has now been successfully engaged 
 in the discharge of its duties for nearly half a centu- 
 ry ; and though time and circumstances have, in some 
 of the details, occasionally modified its operations, yet 
 the main features of the original plan for promoting 
 religion and learning have been kept steadily in view, 
 and the lavish bounty of Trinity Church has made it 
 the instrument of incalculable good. 
 
 A memorial of John Boonen Graves, and a number 
 of other respectable members of the Congregation, 
 was presented to the Vestry in 1804, requesting a new 
 church, to be built South and West of St. Paul's. Mr. 
 Watts, Mr. Le Roy, and Mr. Bayard, were appointed 
 a Committee to select a suitable situation for the pur- 
 pose, and to purchase the ground. They shortly after 
 reported, that a Committee from the Lutheran Con- 
 gregation had made them an offer of their property in 
 Broadway, upon a perpetual lease, at a rent of £ 400 
 per annum, the consideration of which report was 
 postponed. 
 
 In the mean time other lots were thought of, among 
 which was one owned by Mr. Jay, in Broad-street, and 
 Mr. Jacob Le Roy was requested to wait on Mr. Jay, 
 to know upon what terms he would dispose of it ; upon 
 the further consideration of the subject, however, the 
 Board were of opinion that this lot would not answer 
 for the purpose intended. 
 
 Another project was started, which was not a little 
 singular, but which was speedily abandoned. The 
 Committee were instructed to enquire of Mr. Harison, 
 whether, by our Charter or grant, any legal objections
 
 222 
 
 history or 
 
 existed to the building of another Church in Trinity 
 Church yard, if the Corporation should see fit to do so. 
 
 The Committee having at length determined on the 
 site to which their attention had been first directed, 
 reported to the Vestry, that they had conferred with 
 the Trustees of the Lutheran Congregation, who 
 were disposed to sell the reversion in fee of their lot in 
 Broadway, for such a sum as would yield them an 
 interest of £400 per annum, the Vestry to be at the 
 expense of buying the lease of the Hotel, seven years 
 of which were unexpired, and which they were in- 
 formed might be had at from £1200 to £1400. 
 
 At a subsequent meeting, the Committee, after due 
 enquiry, finally reported, that they could have the 
 ground in question on the following terms : Mr. Hunt- 
 er to receive £1500, and Mr. Snow £400, for a sur- 
 render of their leases, and the Corporation of the 
 Lutheran Church so much money as would yield an 
 interest of £400 per annum. Whereupon it was re- 
 solved, that the Committee should make the purchase 
 upon the terms proposed, it being understood that 
 seven per cent, should be considered as the rate of in- 
 terest to ascertain the sum that was to yield the £400 
 per annum, which would amount to about $ 15,000. 
 
 In authorizing this purchase, however, the Vestry 
 declared that it was their intention that the ground 
 should be bought in Trust for a Protestant Episcopal 
 Corporation, to be hereafter instituted $ that this Board 
 would provide for paying the purchase money, but did 
 not mean to have any estate in the lot, cither in law 
 or equity 5 and they recommended to the Committee,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 223 
 
 to have it conveyed to Trustees until such Corporation 
 should be organized. And it was further resolved, that 
 the Board considered Matthew Clarkson, Herman Le 
 Roy, Peter Schermerhorn, Henry Rogers, and Gulian 
 Ludlow, as proper persons to be the Trustees, who 
 were afterwards formally nominated, and, as it appears, 
 accepted the appointment. 
 
 The legal arrangements having all been duly made, 
 the Vestry, at their meeting on the 14th of February, 
 1805, passed a resolution, that a Church should be 
 erected on the ground which they had lately purchas- 
 ed j that the Trustees should be requested to present 
 a plan or plans of a Church, with an estimate, to this 
 Board for their approbation ; and that Dr. Onderdonk 
 and Mr. Jones should be a Committee to wait upon 
 them for that purpose. The plan proposed, which was 
 agreed to by the Board, appears to have been that of 
 Mr. West ; and Messrs. King, Rogers, and Bleecker, 
 the Committee appointed for the purpose, were invest- 
 ed with all necessary powers for carrying it into effect, 
 in such manner as they should see fit. 
 
 In addition to the outlay of £1500 to Mr. Hunter, 
 and £100 to Mr. Snow, for the surrender of their 
 leases, and $15,000 to the Trustees of the Lutheran 
 Congregation for the reversion in fee of their lot in 
 Broadway, it was further resolved by the Vestry of 
 Trinity Church, that the lease of the lot of ground in 
 the rear of this should be bought, at the price of $1500, 
 and conveyed in fee to the Trustees, to whom the ad- 
 joining land had been already conveyed. 
 
 For these several acts of kindness and good-will, a
 
 224 HISTORY OF 
 
 deputation from the Vestry of Grace Church, in 1809} 
 consisting of Messrs. Nicholas Low and Herman Le 
 Roy, the Church Wardens, and David B. Ogden, Esq., 
 expressed the thanks of that Church to this Board for 
 their liberality towards it j the disposition entertained 
 by the members of it to promote the prosperity of this 
 Corporation, as well as the union and interests of the 
 Church in general ; and a readiness to pay over the 
 money arising from the sales of pews in Grace Church 
 to the Treasurer of this Board, in confidence that the 
 Board would give an equivalent in real estate for the 
 same. This confidence was not misplaced, for it was 
 forthwith 
 
 Ordered, by the Vestry, that the Committee of 
 leases should make a selection of lots, which would 
 afford rent in proportion to their probable value, to 
 be conveyed to the use of the said Church, upon the 
 usual conditions, when the Treasurer should receive 
 the said money. And it was further resolved, that the 
 Church Wardens and Mr. Harison should be a Com- 
 mittee, to signify to the Church Wardens and Vestry 
 of Grace Church the purport of the above resolution 5 
 to thank them for their favourable disposition towards 
 this Corporation,* and to assure them that it would at 
 all times be desirous to promote the interests of Grace 
 Church, and co-operate with them in the advancement 
 of true religion. 
 
 At the next meeting of the Vestry, the Committee 
 of leases made a report, recommending that the fol- 
 lowing lots of ground be conveyed to the Corporation 
 of Grace Church, for the consideration of $30,000, to 
 be by them paid or secured to this Corporation.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 225 
 
 7 fronting on Rector-street, 
 
 2 
 
 « 
 
 on Vesey u 
 
 3 
 
 U 
 
 on Barclay u 
 
 2 
 
 a 
 
 on Warren " 
 
 5 
 
 u 
 
 on Chambers-street, 
 
 2 
 
 u 
 
 on Church " and 
 
 4 
 
 u 
 
 on Rcade " In all, 
 
 25 lots. 
 
 In the following year, 1810, upon the application of 
 the Corporation of Grace Church, requesting, as the 
 last favour that they should solicit, that this Corpora- 
 tion would pay for the organ then building for that 
 Church : the Board thereupon resolved, that they 
 would comply with this request, and that a sum not 
 exceeding $5000 should be appropriated for the pur- 
 pose. 
 
 In 1812, an application for further aid was received 
 from Grace Church, which does not seem to have been 
 acted upon till the following year, when an assignment 
 was made to it of a debt due to this Corporation, 
 amounting, with interest, to $7320 50-100. 
 
 And finally, upon a repetition of their wish for fur- 
 ther pecuniary aid, the Vestry of Trinity Church were 
 constrained to declare, that it was not in the power of 
 this Corporation to comply with their request. 
 
 In 1807, the Board proceeded to the election of an 
 additional assistant minister, when the Rev. Nathan- 
 iel Bowen, of Charleston, South Carolina, was duly 
 chosen. The Rector was requested to inform Mr. 
 Bowen of his election, and to intimate the wish of this 
 Corporation, that, if he should accept the call, he would
 
 226 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 remove as soon as his convenience would permit, and 
 as he could with propriety take leave of his present 
 congregation. In the following Spring a letter was 
 received from him, declining the invitation. 
 
 A short time after he was elected Rector of Grace 
 Church. This appointment, however flattering, was 
 probably accepted with some feelings of reluctance. 
 I was honoured with his friendship in the early part 
 of my ministry, and enjoyed in some degree his confi- 
 dence, as well as his regard, and was, therefore, ac- 
 customed to hear him talk on all subjects with perfect 
 freedom. There was every thing in his position to 
 render it easy and pleasant to him, yet such was his 
 attachment to the manners, habits, and character of 
 the people of the South, as to make it evident, from 
 expressions which often dropped from him, that he 
 not only regretted he had left them, but yearned for 
 his return. This longing, a few years after, was grati- 
 fied, in a way which relieved him from all embarrass- 
 ment in the indulgence of it, for he was elected to the 
 Bishopric of South Carolina, under circumstances 
 which, in his estimation, made it his duty to accept it. 
 
 In consequence of Mr. Bo wen's declining to accept 
 the appointment in Trinity Church, the Rev. James 
 Chapman, of Elizabeth Town, was called for six 
 months, and on the expiration of this term, he was 
 requested to continue his services for the period of six 
 months longer. 
 
 On the 14th of July, 1808, the Rev. Thomas Y. How 
 was duly chosen an Assistant Minister in the Parish. 
 He was an accomplished scholar, a sound divine, and 
 a clear and forcible reasoner. He, therefore, rose ra-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 227 
 
 pidly in his profession, received the degree of Doctor 
 in Divinity, as one who had earned the honour by his 
 masterly management of the controversies in which 
 he was engaged ; and in 1816, he was elected Assistant 
 Rector of Trinity Church. 
 
 But Dr. How did not merely succeed as an able 
 polemic, but was equally admired as an eloquent 
 preacher. He was a man of noble mien, of piercing 
 eye, and commanding presence. His voice was clear 
 and powerful, his elocution admirable, and almost per- 
 fect, his gesture natural and impressive, and his ser- 
 mons were the ripe fruits of a well cultivated mind, on 
 which he bestowed the greatest labour, and the whole 
 force of his intellect. 
 
 But alas ! why dwell on his eminent gifts, his ex- 
 tensive acquirements, his commanding eloquence, his 
 wide-spread fame. In the full career of usefulness and 
 honour, this great man fell, wringing the hearts of his 
 friends with anguish, and filling the minds of all good 
 men with astonishment and grief. But, though we 
 can never cease to lament the dishonour which was 
 brought on the Church which he had before so sue- 
 cessfully defended, and for a short time, at least, so 
 greatly adorned ; it will be to many a gratification to 
 learn, that in the neighborhood where he lives, and 
 where he was best known in his earlier days, he has 
 regained in his old age the respect which he had lost, 
 and that he now leads a devout and exemplary life. 
 
 In 1810, a committee was appointed, consisting of 
 Mr. Harison, Mr. Van Wagenen, and Mr. Clarkson, 
 to take into consideration a letter from Dr. Hobart, 
 the Secretary of the State Convention, requesting aid
 
 228 HISTORY OF 
 
 from this Corporation for the benefit of the Episcopal 
 Fund. The subject seems to have been very mature- 
 ly revolved in the minds of the committee, for they did 
 not make their report to the Vestry till 1812, which 
 was in the following words : 
 
 u The committee to whom was referred a letter from 
 the Secretary of the Convention, in 1810, requesting 
 aid for the benefit of the Episcopal Fund, have taken 
 the subject therein mentioned into their serious con- 
 sideration j and being deeply impressed with the im- 
 portance of placing the Episcopal office, as soon as 
 may be, in a state of respectable independence, and 
 with the necessity of making some provision, in the 
 meantime, towards the competent support of the Bish- 
 op upon whom the active duties of that sacred office 
 have devolved, do respectfully report, that the sum of 
 $ 15,000 should with all convenient speed be raised, 
 and paid to the Treasurer of the Episcopal Fund, in 
 aid of the same. But inasmuch as the moneys of that 
 Fund are directed by one of the canons of the Church 
 to be kept in a course of accumulation, until they 
 amount to a certain sum, which may not be completed 
 in a number of years; and inasmuch, also, as from the 
 office of Assistant Bishop being conferred upon a per- 
 son not holding that of Rector of Trinity Church, 
 some immediate provision should be made, to enable 
 the Assistant Bishop to support the expenses incident 
 to his situation, and to the duties which it requires, 
 the committee further recommend, that the house late- 
 ly occupied by the Right Rev. Rector of this Church, 
 be appropriated to the use of the Assistant Bishop du-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 229 
 
 ring the pleasure of this Corporation ; and that the 
 grant above recommended, be upon the express con- 
 dition that there be allowed and paid to the present 
 Assistant Bishop, (whether he shall continue such or 
 become the Bishop of the Diocese,) and to such per- 
 son as shall in future be the acting Bishop, out of the 
 interest of the said $15,000, the sum of $500 annually, 
 until such time as the State Convention and this Cor- 
 poration shall otherwise direct. 
 
 " (Signed,) tt Richard Harison, 
 
 "David M. Clarkson, 
 "Robt. Troup." 
 
 Which report being read and considered, it was 
 therefore ordered that the same be accepted and con- 
 firmed. 
 
 A few years after, in 1817, a letter was read, address- 
 ed to the Vestry by Peter Jay Munro and Garrit H. 
 Van Wagenen, Esqs., a committee appointed at the last 
 Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church in this State, requesting information as to an 
 intended appropriation by this Corporation for the 
 benefit of the Episcopal Fund, and also enquiring 
 what payments have been made by them to the Bishop 
 of the Diocese, in his Episcopal character. 
 
 It was therefore " Resolved, That the clerk of this 
 Board inform the said committee, that the pecuniary 
 means of Trinity Church not having yet enabled the 
 Vestry to carry into effect any plan for the increase of 
 the Episcopal Fund, and it being wholly uncertain 
 when, if at all, it may be practicable to accomplish that 
 object, the Vestry have not heretofore deemed it pro-
 
 230 HISTORY OF 
 
 per, or useful, to make any communication on the sub- 
 ject to the Convention $ and the same considerations, 
 in their judgment, render such a communication inex- 
 pedient at the present time. 
 
 "Resolved, Further, That the clerk also inform the 
 committee, that the allowances granted by the Vestry 
 to the Rector of Trinity Church, in consideration of 
 the expenses incident to the exercise of the duties of 
 the Episcopal office, are made from time to time, with- 
 out reference to any permanent appropriation in aid of 
 the Episcopal Fund." 
 
 There are many instances of liberality and public 
 spirit, recorded at various times, in the minutes of the 
 Vestry. 
 
 In 1810, upon application of the Trustees of the 
 Free School Society of New-York, praying for a grant 
 of the ground requisite for erecting a building, for the 
 purposes of that institution, on the west side of the 
 city, it was ordered that two lots of land should be ap- 
 propriated for that purpose, and that the Committee 
 of Leases should select and report the lots proper to 
 be granted. The ground chosen by the committee 
 was bounded to the westward by Hudson-street, and 
 to the northward by Christopher-street. The recom- 
 mendation was agreed to by the Board, and a proper 
 deed was ordered to be executed. A letter was re- 
 ceived, at the same time, from the Trustees, express- 
 ing the thanks of the Society for this valuable gift. 
 
 A few years after, in 1815, another application was 
 made by the same Trustees, for an additional grant of 
 ground. The matter was again referred to a commit- 
 tee, who having duly considered it, reported in favor
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 231 
 
 of the application. It was thereupon ordered that the 
 grant should be extended, according to the request 
 of the Trustees, so as to include all the Church land 
 on the east side of Hudson-street, between Columbia 
 and Christopher streets, and that the Clerk should 
 affix the corporate seal to a proper conveyance for 
 the same. 
 
 For this new favor, a letter was presented to the 
 Vestry, from the Trustees of the Free School Society, 
 in the following words: 
 
 " New- York, 10 th May, 1815. 
 " Gentlemen : 
 
 "The Trustees of the Free School Society of 
 New-York would do injustice to their feelings, were 
 they not, in addition to their public acknowledgment, 
 to express to you in a more direct form their high 
 sense of your liberality, charity, and public spirit, in 
 appropriating the valuable grounds on Christopher, 
 Columbia, and Hudson streets, for the purpose of dis- 
 pensing the benefits of Education to the poor of this 
 city. 
 
 "As long as benevolence shall be considered a vir- 
 tue, and knowledge a blessing, this act will com- 
 mand the approbation of all good men. 
 
 " I am, in behalf of the Trustees, very respectfullv, 
 your most obedient servant, 
 
 " De Witt Clinton, Prest. 
 
 " To the Rector, Churchwardens, and Vestrymen 
 of Trinity Church." 
 
 In 1812, an application was made to the Vestry, by 
 several of the inhabitants of Greenwich, for a grant of 
 land for a public market. The committee which was
 
 232 history or 
 
 appointed in reference to this subject, shortly after 
 made their report, recommending that a piece of 
 ground, to be bounded northwardly on Christopher 
 street, to extend from Greenwich to Washington- 
 street, and having a front on each of fifty feet, be 
 granted for that purpose to the City Corporation, on 
 certain conditions specified in the said report. It was 
 therefore ordered, that the report should be accepted, 
 and that the Clerk should affix the seal to such grant, 
 upon receiving a covenant from the City Corporation 
 for the performance of such conditions. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1811, Bishop Moore was 
 stricken with paralysis, from which, though he lived 
 several years afterwards, he never recovered. On the 
 13th of March, in the same year, the Rector nomina- 
 ted Dr. Beach to be his Assistant, which nomination 
 being approved and confirmed by the Churchwardens, 
 and a majority of the Vestry, he was appointed ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 At a meeting of the Corporation in the month of May, 
 the Assistant Rector laid before the Board the follow- 
 ing letter from the Rev. John Henry Hobart, D.D. : 
 
 " To the Rev. Dr. Beach : 
 
 "Whereas the Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., 
 Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
 State of New-York, hath caused a letter to be address- 
 ed to the Secretary of the Convention of the said 
 Church, which letter is in the words following : 
 
 " Rev. Sir : 
 
 "The severe affliction with which it hath pleased 
 Almighty God to visit me, has affected my state of
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 233 
 
 health in such a manner, that it will be impossible for 
 me, without assistance, to perform the duties of the 
 Episcopal office. I am therefore anxious that a spe- 
 cial convention should be called, for the purpose of 
 deliberating on the propriety of appointing an Assist- 
 ant Bishop in this Diocese. A variety of considera- 
 tions, affecting the most important interests of our holy 
 Church, appear to me to render that measure indis- 
 pensable. And it is, I think, very desirable that the 
 appointment should be made without delay, so that the 
 consecration may take place at the ensuing General 
 Convention. You will therefore be so good as to take 
 the necessary steps for calling a special convention of 
 the Church in this Diocese, to meet in the city of Ncw- 
 York, on the second Tuesday of May next. 
 
 " Praying sincerely that all our undertakings may, 
 by Divine Providence, be guided in such a way as may 
 best conduce to the glory of God, and the good of His 
 Church, I remain, with affection and esteem, Rev. Sir, 
 your friend and father in the Lord, 
 
 " Benjamin Moore, 
 
 " Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 in the State of New-York, 
 
 "By his son, "Clement C. Moore. 
 
 " The Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., Secretary of the Convention 
 of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New- York. 
 
 " Now, therefore, in obedience to the directions of 
 the Bishop, contained in the above Letter, notice is 
 hereby given, that a special Convention of the Protest- 
 ant Episcopal Church, in the State of New-York, will 
 be held, for the purpose specified in the letter afore- 
 said, in the City of New-York, on the second Tuesday 
 15
 
 234 HISTORY OF 
 
 of May next, at 10 o'clock, A. M., at which time and 
 place the Clergy and Lay delegates are requested to 
 attend. 
 
 "John Henry Hobart, 
 
 " Secretary of the Convention. 
 "New- York, March 21st, 1811." 
 
 " Thereupon, Resolved, That this Board do now pro- 
 ceed to the appointment of delegates to the said Con- 
 vention. Whereupon, the Board having proceeded 
 to such appointment by ballot, Messrs. Rufus King, 
 Richard Harison, John Onderdonk, and Thomas L. 
 Ogden, were duly chosen." 
 
 "I now come to a painful part of my subject, which 
 could not, however, be passed over without a miscon- 
 struction of my own views, and some injury, perhaps, 
 to the memory of Dr. Hobart ; and a brief notice of 
 which may not be without its bitter and wholesome uses 
 to those who, on light and trivial grounds, may here- 
 after be disposed to disturb the peace of the Church. 
 When, after a long series of useful labours, and a con- 
 stant exhibition of those eminent gifts and qualifica- 
 tions which fitted him for a station of honour and 
 power, it was perceived that there was a general dis- 
 position to elevate him to the Episcopal office, from 
 the exercise of which Bishop Moore had withdrawn 
 on account of his infirmities ; the Rev. Mr. Jones, who 
 was one of his associates in Trinity Church, published 
 a pamphlet against him, entitled ' The Solemn Appeal, 7 
 with the design and hope of defeating his election. It 
 was a great shock to public feeling \ exciting, in the 
 first instance, universal regret, and a loud burst of 
 indignation against the author. The piece, however,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 235 
 
 contained such charges as were calculated to gratify 
 the malevolent curiosity of some, to create temporary 
 prejudices in others of a more generous cast, and to 
 produce in a few who had no previous good-will to- 
 wards Dr. Hobart, a groundless and lasting dislike. 
 The Church was therefore thrown into a ferment 
 Parties were formed in behalf of the assailant and the 
 assailed 5 and many, doubtless, defended the one, or 
 vindicated the other, with more warmth and violence 
 than became the gospel of peace and good will. An- 
 other class, who were of a quiet and pacific temper, 
 without a due consideration of the merits of the case, 
 condemned them both. But the overwhelming sense 
 of the community was in favour of the accused. Dr. 
 Hobart, for years, was not aware of the unfriendly 
 feelings of Mr. Jones, nor was he fully apprized of the 
 extent of his injurious opinions, and his deep-rooted 
 hostility, until the appearance of his ' Solemn Appeal.' 
 The subjects of complaint, which, in some cases arose 
 out of misapprehension, or which, when fairly under- 
 stood, were of the most trifling nature, may, for the 
 most part, be traced to the different temper and char- 
 acter of the parties themselves; they were not of con- 
 genial feelings, dispositions, and habits, those elements 
 of harmony and love. 
 
 " It has seldom happened that two persons have been 
 brought into so close a relation to each other, who 
 were more entirely unlike, than Mr. Jones and Dr, 
 Hobart. The first was cold, formal, and stately in his 
 manners ,• the last, all freedom, cordiality, and warmth. 
 The one was sensitive, suspicious, and reserved 5 the 
 other communicative, frank, and confiding. The one
 
 236 history of 
 
 nurtured resentment — kept a record of hasty sallies of 
 feeling and unguarded sayings, and magnified infirmi- 
 ties into glaring faults ; the other never received an 
 offence without seeking at once to have it explained, 
 in order that it might be over and forgotten, and never 
 gave it without making a prompt and ample atonement. 
 It is not surprising, then, that there should have been 
 occasional misunderstandings between them; and 
 these divisions were not easily healed, for the concili- 
 atory spirit of the one was not always met with a cor- 
 responding temper in the other, but the manner was 
 so unkind, and the exactions so rigorous, as to leave 
 nothing to the generous impulses of his own nature."* 
 
 Shortly after the appearance of this pamphlet, a 
 Committee was appointed to take it into considera- 
 tion, and to make their report at the next meeting of 
 the Vestry. The report, which was an admirable one, 
 was in the following words : — 
 
 " The Committee to whom it was referred to take 
 into consideration a late publication of the Rev. Mr. 
 Jones, entitled a ' Solemn Appeal to the Church,' have 
 maturely reflected thereon. 
 
 u The publication in question appearing to relate to 
 matters, the cognizance and decision of which exclu- 
 sively belong to regular tribunals established by the 
 canons of the Church, the Committee deem it improp- 
 er to present those matters to the Vestry, in any shape 
 by which their merits may elsewhere be made the 
 subject of discussion. Nevertheless, in the relation 
 
 * Memoir of the Life of the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart, D. D., 
 by myself, pp. 128, 129, 130.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 237 
 
 which subsists between this Corporation and the jun- 
 ior Assistant Ministers employed by it, the Committee 
 deem it the right and duty of the Vestry to notice, and 
 as occasion may require, to animadvert upon such of 
 the public acts of those ministers, as may be calculated 
 to affect the peace and welfare of the religious com- 
 munity with which they are united. 
 
 "The Committee, having in this view considered the 
 subject referred to them, are of opinion, that the pam- 
 phlet lately published by the Rev. Mr. Jones, calls for 
 the serious attention of this Board. 
 
 " The evident tendency of appeals to the public, on 
 the subject of private differences between ministers of 
 the Gospel, must, in all cases, be to weaken the rev- 
 erence and respect justly due to the clerical office ; 
 to destroy its influence ; impair the discipline and go- 
 vernment of the Church ; and to bring reproach upon 
 the cause of religion. 
 
 " In the case of an associated ministry, like that of 
 Trinity Church, evils more immediate and pernicious 
 are to be apprehended, inasmuch as the people will 
 naturally take part in the disputes of their pastors 5 
 their own passions and prejudices will be brought into 
 the contest j and these must soon banish from the mind 
 that peace and good-will which can alone dispose it to 
 the reception of religious instruction. 
 
 " That a course obviously involving consequences of 
 such deep importance to the character and welfare of 
 the Church, should have been resorted to by one of 
 her ministers, in the first instance, without even an 
 experiment of the efficacy of that sanctioned and pre- 
 scribed by her canons, adds to the grief which every
 
 238 HISTORY OF 
 
 reflecting mind must feel on this occasion, and leaves 
 less room for extenuation than might exist under other 
 circumstances. 
 
 " If these sentiments should receive the approbation 
 of the Vestry, the Committee beg leave to recommend 
 that a copy of this report, and of the resolution approv- 
 ing it, be transmitted to the Bishop, and another to the 
 Rev. Mr. Jones. 
 
 "(Signed,) " Rufus King, 
 
 " Richard Harison, 
 "T. L. Ogden, 
 u Peter Augustus Jay, 
 " E. W. Laigiit. 
 
 "13th May, 1811." 
 
 Which report being read and considered, it was 
 thereupon 
 
 " Resolved, unanimously, That the same be accept- 
 ed and approved, and that a copy thereof, and of this 
 resolution, be transmitted to the Right Reverend Bish- 
 op Moore, and also to the Reverend Mr. Cave Jones." 
 
 After this forcible and solemn expression of the 
 opinions of the Vestry, it was soon found to be abso- 
 lutely necessary to come to some decided action on 
 the subject. Their proceedings in relation to it are 
 thus recorded in the minutes : — 
 
 " In respect to the disorderly state of Trinity 
 Church, and its Chapels, proceeding from the misbe- 
 haviour before alluded to, of the Rev. Mr. Jones, and 
 which became the subject of the early animad version 
 of the Vestry, the Committee are constrained to de- 
 clare, that, in their opinion, the peace of the Church 
 cannot be re-established, so long as the connection
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 239 
 
 between the Vestry and the Rev. Mr. Jones remains 
 undissolved. 
 
 " Two modes by which the connection may be dis- 
 solved, have occurred to the Committee : 
 
 "First. From the nature and terms of the engage- 
 ment, between the Vestry and the Rev. Mr. Jones, 
 there can be little doubt that the same may, for suffi- 
 cient cause, at any time be dissolved by either party, 
 it being presumed that the canons of the Church do 
 not affect contracts which had been previously made. 
 
 " Second. The thirty-second canon of the General 
 Convention, of the year 1808, relates to disagreements 
 between ministers and their congregations or vestries, 
 and provides for the dissolution of the connection be- 
 tween them. 
 
 "As the Committee have expressed their op'nion, 
 that the connection with Mr. Jones ought to be dis- 
 solved, it remains for the Vestry solemnly to consider 
 and determine, whether a due regard for the peace and 
 prosperity of the Church, does not require of them, 
 without delay, to have recourse to the means provided 
 by the canons to effect this dissolution. 
 
 "(Signed,) "Rufus King, 
 
 " Rich. Harison, 
 ''David M. Clarkson, 
 " And. Raymond.-' 
 
 Which report being read, the Vestry came to the 
 following resolutions : — 
 
 "Whereas, differences and controversies exist be- 
 tween the Rev. Mr. Cave Jones, one of the Assistant 
 Ministers of this Church, and this Vestry, arising out 
 of the publication entitled < A Solemn Appeal to the
 
 240 HISTORY OF 
 
 Church,' which are of such a nature as cannot be 
 settled between them, — 
 
 "Resolved, therefore, That application, represent- 
 ing the same, be made, on the part of this Board, to 
 the Bishop of the Diocese, pursuant to the 32d canon 
 of the General Convention. 
 
 " Thereupon, Resolved, further, That the Rt. Rev. 
 the Bishop of the Diocese be, and he hereby is, hum- 
 bly requested to take into immediate consideration the 
 subject matter of the foregoing resolution $ and, with 
 the assistance of his Presbyters, to proceed thereon, 
 according to the directions of the said canon. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Clerk be directed to transmit 
 a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Right Rev. 
 Bishop Moore." 
 
 At a subsequent meeting, the Assistant Rector hav- 
 ing communicated to the Vestry a paper, subscribed 
 by the Rev. Cave Jones, protesting against the applica- 
 tion of the 32d canon of the Church to the differences 
 alleged to exist between him and this Vestry, it was 
 thereupon resolved, that the Clerk be directed to de- 
 liver to the Right Rev. Bishop Moore, a copy of that 
 part of the late report of the Committee on the state 
 of the Church which relates to those differences, and 
 to request that he would be pleased to proceed there- 
 upon, according to the directions of the canon above 
 referred to. 
 
 At the next meeting of the Board, the following 
 letter, addressed to the Clerk, was received from the 
 Right Rev. Dr. Moore, and which was followed soon 
 after by another on the same subject. 
 
 " The Vestry of Trinity Church, in the city of New-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 241 
 
 York, are hereby informed, that I shall meet with my 
 Presbyters on Tuesday, November the 5th, at No. 20 
 Robinson-street, in said city, at 12 o'clock, to proceed 
 in the case of difference between them and the Rev. 
 Cave Jones, one of the Assistant Ministers of said 
 Church, agreeably to the requisitions of the 32d canon 
 of the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church ; at which time and place the Vestry may be 
 heard by deputation, in relation to the said case and 
 the proceedings thereon, I having sent a notification to 
 the same effect to the Rev. Cave Jones. 
 
 " (Signed,) u Benjamin Moore. 
 
 "By his Son, "Clement C. Moore. 
 
 11 To Thomas L. Ogden, Esquire, 
 
 " Clerk of the Vestry of Trinity Church." 
 
 "Thereupon, Resolved, That Rufus King and 
 Richard Harison, Esquires, be a Committee to attend 
 the Rt. Rev. Bishop Moore and his Presbyters, and to 
 represent this Vestry at the meeting referred to in the 
 said letter." 
 
 An instrument was subsequently presented to the 
 Board, under the hands of the Right Rev. Benjamin 
 Moore, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese, and his Presbyters, 
 dated the 5th of November instant, whereby it is re- 
 commended that the Rev. Cave Jones, one of the As- 
 sistant Ministers of this Church, do relinquish immedi- 
 ately his title to the said office of Assistant Minister ; 
 that this body do pay to him the balance of his salary, 
 up to the date of the said instrument 5 and also, within 
 the period of thirty days thereafter, the sum of one 
 thousand pounds. Which instrument being read, and 
 duly considered, it was thereupon resolved as follows :
 
 242 HISTORY OF 
 
 u Resolved, That this Vestry do agree to the said 
 terms, and will do every thing necessary on their part 
 to carry the same into execution. 
 
 " Resolved, That a copy of the said resolutions be 
 forthwith delivered to the said Bishop and Presbyters. 
 
 "Resolved, Further, That the Treasurer of this 
 Corporation be authorized, previously to the next meet- 
 ing of the Vestry, to pay to the Rev. Cave Jones the 
 arrears of his salary, as an Assistant Minister of this 
 Church, including a gratuity, at the rate of one thou- 
 sand dollars per annum 5 such salary and gratuity to 
 be computed to the time of payment or tender. Also, to 
 offer to pay him the said sum of one thousand pounds, 
 upon his relinquishing his title to the office of an As- 
 sistant Minister of this Church j and if he shall make 
 such relinquishment, to pay to him the said sum, ac- 
 cording to the terms of the instrument above recited. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Clerk of this Corporation 
 make out a proper power for the purposes expressed in 
 the resolution last above written, and that he affix the 
 seal of this Corporation to the same, and deliver it 
 without delay to the Treasurer." 
 
 The proposition of the Vestry not having been ac- 
 cepted, and the matter having been thrown into the 
 civil courts, it was ordered that the Clerk of this Board 
 should be the Attorney of the Corporation, to defend 
 the suit commenced by the Rev. Cave Jones, and that 
 Mr. Riggs, Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Wells, and Mr. David 
 B. Ogden be employed as counsel. The course about 
 to be pursued being earnestly deprecated by the Ves- 
 try, Messrs. David M. Clarkson, William Bayard, Pe- 
 ter A. Jay, and Thomas L. Ogden were appointed a
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 243 
 
 committee on the State of the Church, with authority 
 to confer with Messrs. Thomas Farmar, James Far- 
 quhar, Peter Mesier, and Peter J. Munro, on the sub- 
 ject of their letter to the Vestry, and that they should 
 report to the Board at their next meeting. The com- 
 mittee on the State of the Church shortly after reported 
 to the Vestry a correspondence which had taken place 
 between them and Messrs. Farmar, Farquhar, Mesier, 
 and Munro, as the authorized agents of the Rev. Mr. 
 Jones, on the subject of the differences existing be- 
 tween that gentleman and the Vestry ; by which cor- 
 respondence it appears, that a reference to arbitrators, 
 to be selected from the clerical or legal professions, 
 of all matters which could properly be discussed in a 
 court of justice, in any suit between Mr. Jones and 
 the Vestry, had been proposed, and, subject to the ap- 
 probation of the Vestry, had been agreed to by the 
 committee, upon an understanding that the quantum 
 of compensation to be allowed to Mr. Jones should be 
 considered as open for adjustment by the said arbitra- 
 tors, notwithstanding any decision establishing the va- 
 lidity of the sentence of suspension ; and that upon 
 such reference, no advantage should be taken of the 
 want of the corporate seal to the contract between 
 Mr. Jones and the Vestry. 
 
 " Thereupon, Resolved, That this Board agree to 
 the said reference, and will, in all matters within their 
 power, carry into effect the conditions stipulated by 
 their committee. 
 
 " Resolved, Further, That the said committee take 
 measures for the appointment of suitable referees, and 
 for the drawing of such papers as maybe necessary to
 
 244 HISTORY OF 
 
 carry into effect the said reference, subject to the ap- 
 probation of this Board." 
 
 The Honourable James Kent, Smith Thompson, 
 Ambrose Spencer, William W. Van Ness, and Joseph 
 C. Yates were appointed the arbitrators in the case, 
 and Robert Troup, Esq., was appointed to attend 
 them ; and he was likewise authorized to take the 
 necessary measures preparatory to the hearing, which 
 was about to take place before them. On the 30th of 
 October, 1813, the award of the arbitrators on the 
 matters in difference between this Corporation and the 
 Rev. Cave Jones was produced to the Board, and 
 read, in the words following : 
 
 u To all to whom these presents shall come or may 
 concern: Whereas, Cave Jones, of the city of New- 
 York, Clerk, hath commenced an action in the Su- 
 preme Court, against the Rector and Inhabitants of 
 the city of New-York, in communion of the Protest- 
 ant Episcopal Church in the State of New-York, to 
 recover his salary and compensation as an Assistant 
 Minister, in the employ and service of the said Rector 
 and Inhabitants. And whereas the said Rector and 
 Inhabitants, and the said Cave Jones, did agree to 
 submit the said action, and all other matters which 
 could properly be discussed in a court of justice, in 
 any suit or action between them the said parties, to 
 the award, arbitrament, and determination of James 
 Kent, Smith Thompson, Ambrose Spencer, William 
 W. Van Ness, and Joseph C. Yates, or any three of 
 them, arbitrators indifferently elected, chosen and 
 named as well by, and on the part and behalf of the 
 said Rector and Inhabitants, as of the said Cave Jones,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 245 
 
 as by the bonds of submission mutually executed and 
 interchanged by the said parties, and bearing date the 
 14th day of July, in the year of our Lord one thou- 
 sand eight hundred and twelve, reference being there- 
 unto had, will more fully and at large appear. And 
 whereas, the time mentioned in the said bonds for 
 making the said award, was afterwards by the said 
 parties enlarged to the first day of November next. 
 Now, therefore, know ye, that we, the above named 
 arbitrators, having taken upon ourselves the burthen 
 of the said arbitrament, and having heard the allega- 
 tions and proofs of the said parties, do by these pre- 
 sents award and adjudge as follows, to wit : 
 
 u 1st. We award and adjudge, that the said ac- 
 tion of the said Jones against the said Rector and In- 
 habitants cease, and be no further prosecuted. 
 
 "2d. We award and adjudge, that the said Rector 
 and Inhabitants pay to the said Cave Jones, on or be- 
 fore the first day of November next, the sum of seven 
 thousand five hundred dollars, together with the actual 
 balance due the said Cave Jones on the fifth day of 
 November, 1811, for services previously rendered by 
 him to the said Rector and Inhabitants. 
 
 " 3d. We award and adjudge, that the said Cave 
 Jones, at the same time execute, under his hand and 
 seal, and deliver to the said Rector and Inhabitants, a 
 release of all actions, claims, and demands whatsoever, 
 in law or equity, arising, or to arise upon any contract, 
 matter, or thing, mentioned or referred to in the reci- 
 tal contained in the said bonds of submission. 
 
 " In witness whereof the said arbitrators have here-
 
 246 HISTORY OF 
 
 unto set their hands and seals, this twenty-fifth day of 
 October, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen. 
 
 " James Kent, [l. s.] 
 
 tt Smith Thompson, [l. s.] 
 " Ambrose Spencer, [l. s.] 
 «W. W. Van Ness, [l.s.] 
 " Joseph C. Yates, [l. s.]" 
 
 Which award having been considered, the following 
 resolutions were adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, That this Corporation will execute the 
 said award in every thing to be performed on their 
 part*, that the Treasurer be authorized to pay to the 
 Rev. Cave Jones the several sums of money mention- 
 ed in the said award, accordingto the directions there- 
 of, and that the Clerk affix the seal of the Corporation 
 to a proper power of attorney, authorizing him to ten- 
 der and pay the same. 
 
 " Resolved, Further, That a compliance with the 
 said award on the part of the Rev. Cave Jones, will be 
 considered by this Board as a compliance in effect with 
 the recommendation of Bishop Moore and his Presby- 
 ters, made on the 5th day of November, 1811 5 and that 
 upon such compliance the Clerk of this Board unite with 
 Mr. Jones, in a proper application to the Bishop, or 
 his Assistant, for the removal of Mr. Jones' suspension, 
 and affix thereto the seal of this Corporation." 
 
 At the next meeting the Treasurer and Clerk re- 
 ported to the Vestry that they had complied with the 
 directions of the Board relative to the Rev. Cave 
 Jones, and that Mr. Jones had on his part executed a 
 general release to this Corporation, pursuant to the
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 247 
 
 award of the arbitrators. The total expense of this 
 vexatious question, directly and incidentally, amounted 
 to $12,960 14-100. 
 
 The general features of the controversy between 
 Mr. Jones and Dr. Hobart having now been present- 
 ed, and the harassing circumstances with which it was 
 attended to the Vestry having been thus fully stated, I 
 shall dismiss the further consideration of this painful 
 subject. 
 
 On the 12th of December, 1811, the Assistant Rec- 
 tor having nominated me as an Assistant Minister of 
 this Church, and the nomination having been approved, 
 I was elected accordingly. The communication of 
 the fact was made to me by Thomas L. Ogden, Esq., 
 who had then been a Vestryman for several years, who 
 afterwards continued to be the Clerk of this Board 
 for thirty-three years more, and who, during the 
 whole period of his connection with it, was one of the 
 most useful and honored members which it had ever 
 had, throughout the whole period of its existence. 
 
 I entered upon the discharge of my duties in the 
 parish on the 1st of January, 1812. In the month of 
 October it was ordered by the Vestry, that notice of 
 my election should be given to the Bishop, to the end 
 that I might be instituted pursuant to the canon. This 
 was accordingly done a short time after, and the ser- 
 mon on the occasion was preached by the Assistant, 
 Rector, the Rev. Dr. Beach. 
 
 With the exception of a short connection with 
 Christ Church, Belleville, New-Jersey, which many 
 circumstances conspired to render very pleasant and
 
 248 HISTORY OF 
 
 agreeable to me, this is the only settlement I have 
 ever had. 
 
 In the autumn of 1811, circumstances seeming to 
 have made it expedient that St. George's Chapel 
 should be separated from Trinity Church, committees 
 were appointed on the part of both, with a view to a 
 friendly conference on the subject. A number of que- 
 ries were proposed by the former, in order to ascer- 
 tain and settle the future relations which should exist 
 between the two parishes, the advantages and privileges 
 which should be allowed to St. George's, and the extent 
 to which, both at the time and prospectively, under 
 certain contingencies, the Church should be endowed. 
 The answers by the Committee of Trinity Church 
 having been perfectly liberal and satisfactory, all the 
 legal and necessary measures were forthwith adopted 
 to effect the object, and a short time after the separa- 
 tion took place. The kind feeling and lingering affec- 
 tion then existing between them, are very strikingly 
 shown in the following enquiries : — 
 
 3. " Are the Congregation of St. George's Chapel 
 to look upon themselves as a branch of the Family of 
 Trinity Church ? and in case their funds should be 
 found to be inadequate to defraying the yearly expenses, 
 keeping the Church in repair, or rebuilding their pro- 
 perty, if injured or destroyed by fire, will the Vestry 
 of Trinity Church continue to view said Chapel as the 
 eldest child of the Family, entitled to every needful 
 assistance ? 
 
 4. " Will the Vestry of St. George's Chapel, in the 
 event of a separation taking place, be entitled to fre- 
 quent and unqualified conferences with the Vestry of
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 2 19 
 
 Trinity Church, in all things relative to their mutual 
 interest and support ?" 
 
 In a corresponding spirit of kindness and good-will, 
 the Committee of this Corporation made the following 
 replies : — 
 
 To the 3d question — 
 
 " Trinity Church will cherish the recollection of 
 their union with St. George's, and will be always dis- 
 posed, according to their abilities, to assist St. George's 
 in their necessities." 
 
 And to the 4th question — 
 
 tt In every matter affecting their mutual harmony 
 and prosperity, Trinity Church will freely and sincere- 
 ly confer with St. George's, it being their opinion, that 
 these conferences should be conducted by committees 
 of the respective vestries." 
 
 On the 12th of March, 1812, the Committee of 
 leases having made their report for the endowment of 
 St. George's Church, it was approved by the Vestry, 
 and the following lots were ordered to be conveyed 
 accordingly, subject to the usual conditions on grants 
 to other churches : — 
 
 4 on Greenwich-street, 
 
 1 on Barclay u 
 
 4 on Murray " 
 
 4 on Warren " 
 6 on Chambers " 
 
 5 on Reade " 
 
 24 lots in all — yielding at the time a rent of $ 3000 
 
 per annum for the first 21 years, and $3200 for the 
 
 second term of 21 years. 
 16
 
 250 HISTORY OF 
 
 In the month of October, a communication was 
 received from the Vestry of St. George's Church, 
 respecting the increase of their endowment, which 
 was referred to the Committee of leases. 
 
 Upon the report and recommendation of this Com- 
 mittee, at a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 12th 
 of April, 1813, relative to the further execution of 
 the arrangement between this Corporation and St. 
 George's, it was resolved by this Board, to pay, or 
 assume the payment, of $3125 to Cornelius J. Bogert, 
 E:;q., being the consideration for a lot of ground adja- 
 cent to the church-yard of St. George's, and which 
 the Vestry of that Church were desirous to purchase, 
 in order to the enlargement of their church-yard. 
 
 And they also increased the endowment of the same, 
 by a grant of the following lots : — 
 
 3 on Reade and Church streets, 
 
 2 on Murray-street, 
 
 3 on Chambers " 
 
 Total, 8 lots — yielding at the time an annual rent of 
 $1020, which, with the yearly rent of those already 
 bestowed, $3000, made an aggregate of $4020 per 
 annum. These 8, with the 1 just granted, and the 24 
 which were given before, made in all 33 lots, the pres- 
 ent value of which, at a very moderate computation, 
 cannot be less than $170,000. 
 
 Shortly after, another application was received from 
 St. George's Church, praying for a further increase of 
 their endowment, to which there appears to be no 
 answer on the minutes. 
 
 A service of Communion plate, however, was given
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 251 
 
 to it by Trinity about this time, the cost of which", 
 with the expense of an iron railing, and some repairs 
 to the Church, was $5104 62-100. 
 
 In 1814, the very next year after all things had been 
 arranged so liberally by Trinity Church, and so happily 
 for St. George's, a sad calamity occurred which called 
 for a now exercise of the bounty of this Corporation. 
 
 A letter was received from the Vestry of St. George's 
 Church, representing the destruction of their Church 
 by fire, and soliciting the assistance of this Board : 
 and thereupon, Mr. Clarkson, Mr. Shcrred, Mr. Jay, 
 and Mr. Ogdcn, to which Mr. Bayard was afterwards 
 added, were appointed a committee to consider the 
 s;ii;l amplication, and to confer on the subject with the 
 committee appointed by St. George's. 
 
 At the next meeting of the Vestry, the written cor- 
 respondence was presented which had taken place be- 
 tween them. It was, therefore, resolved, that this Cor- 
 poration would agree to rebuild St. George's Church, 
 upon the original plan, except as to the steeple, which 
 was to be replaced by a tower, upon condition that 
 they should be allowed to sell all the pews on the 
 ground floor, except twelve single pews nearest the 
 doors, at public auction, subject to a reasonable rent, 
 and to apply the proceeds of such sales towards the 
 reimbursement of the expenses of the building 5 these 
 twelve pews, and all the pews in the gallery, being 
 left at the disposal of the Vestry of St. George's. The 
 latter having agreed to the terms proposed, the Com- 
 mittee were authorized to proceed in the rebuilding 
 of the said Church, in such manner as they should 
 deem advisable ; and it was at the same time ordered,
 
 252 HISTORY OF 
 
 that $600 should be paid to the Vestry of St. George's 
 Church, as one year's rent of a house for the use of 
 their Rector. 
 
 Shortly after, another application was laid before 
 the Board from St. George's Church, relative to the 
 enlargement of their burial ground, and to the further 
 execution of the arrangement under which they were 
 separated from this Corporation. The Vestry, there- 
 fore, authorized the committee to whom this applica- 
 tion was referred, to purchase the estate of Thomas 
 Burling, adjacent to the Church, for the sum of 
 $ 14,000 ; and, upon the recommendation of the same 
 committee, it was further resolved, that they should 
 take measures for enclosing the most westerly of the 
 two houses on the said lot, to be hereafter completed 
 as a dwelling-house for the Rector of St. George's. 
 In 1815, the Treasurer of Trinity Church, in concert 
 with the Vestry of St. George's, was authorized to have 
 $30,000 insured on the Church and Parsonage-house, 
 and to pay the preminm for the same, amounting to 
 $184 25-100. 
 
 By the Treasurer's annual account in the same year, 
 it appears that the sum expended in the rebuilding of 
 St. George's Church, and the Rector's house, was 
 $30,946 83-100 5 and as there is no credit on the cash 
 side of the account for receipts from the sales of pews, 
 it is probable that this is the net amount of their cost, 
 after these receipts were deducted. 
 
 In 1816, a representation was made from St. 
 George's, respecting the expenses of repairing the 
 Church chandeliers and branches, and requesting to be 
 furnished with a clock and organ ; which this Vestry,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 253 
 
 having hoped for some limit to their bounty, respect- 
 fully declined. 
 
 Upon a careful estimate of the present value of the 
 lands with which St. George's was endowed by Trinity 
 Church, and the various gifts and grants of this muni- 
 ficent Corporation, the total amount cannot be set 
 down at less than $220,000, or but little less than a 
 quarter of a million. 
 
 As long " as benevolence shall be considered a vir- 
 tue," and gratitude a duty, could it be thought that 
 liberality like this would ever be forgotten ! 
 
 On the 17th of Nov., 1812, the Assistant Rector 
 was authorized to engage the Rev. Benj. T. Onder- 
 donk to assist in performing Divine service for six 
 months, at the expiration of which he was empowered 
 to continue the arrangement for six months longer. 
 But on the 30th of Oct., 1813, the Assistant Rector 
 having nominated him as an Assistant Minister of this 
 Church, the nomination was approved, and Mr. Ondcr- 
 donk was placed on the same footing with respect to 
 salary and the tenure of his office, as had been deter- 
 mined on, at my own appointment. 
 
 A communication was received about this time from 
 the Free School Society of New York, accompanied 
 by a resolution of the Trustees of that Institution in the 
 following words : 
 
 " Resolved, That the afternoon of Tuesday (third 
 day) in each week, be appropriated for the instruction of 
 the children of the New-York Free School in the prin- 
 ciples of the Christian Religion, and in order that they 
 may be educated in the peculiar tenets of the Denom- 
 inations to which they respectively belong, the soveral
 
 254 HISTORY OF 
 
 churches with which they are connected, be respect- 
 fully invited to send suitable persons to catechize and 
 otherwise so to instruct them." 
 
 It was thereupon ordered, that the Assistant Rector 
 and other Clergy of this Church, be requested to give 
 the necessary attention to the said resolution, and that 
 200 Common Prayer Books be appropriated to the 
 use of the scholars who belong to the Episcopal Church, 
 to be distributed under the direction of the Assistant 
 Rector. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held en the 1st of March, 
 1813, the Rev. Dr. Beach having signified his desire to 
 resign the office of Assistant Rector and Minister of 
 this Church, if agreeable to the Vestry, it was there- 
 upon resolved, unanimously, that this Board in concur- 
 rence with the desire of Dr. Beach, would accept such 
 resignation, and in consideration of his very long and 
 faithful services in this Church, as one of its useful pas- 
 tors, this board would grant him an annuity for life 
 of $1590, to be secured by bond under the seal of this 
 Corporation. 
 
 The Rev. Abraham Beach, upon his ordination in 
 England, was appointed by the venerable Society for 
 the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, as 
 their Missionary at New-Brunswick and Piscataqua, 
 at a salary of £40 sterling a year. The Society shortly 
 after received advice that he had arrived safe at his 
 mission, in the end of September, 1787, where he was 
 kindly received by the people, and found an agreement 
 (in charity, we may suppose, and not in doctrine,) 
 aicong all denominations. And as a proof of this friend- 
 ly feeling, he stated, in letters written several years
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 255 
 
 afterwards, that his own churches were frequented by 
 serious persons of all denominations, that he endea- 
 voured by a kind and candid treatment of dissenters to 
 overcome their prejudices, and that he had in several 
 instances experienced the good effects of it. A differ- 
 ent spirit, however, began to prevail about the break- 
 ing out of the Revolutionary war ; for in one of his 
 communications he represented to the Society how 
 hurtful the American disputes were to the Clergy, and 
 he assured the Society that he had endeavoured to 
 promote moderation, peace, and good order, trusting 
 to Providence for the success of his efforts. To which 
 he added, that if he could preserve nothing else, ho 
 hoped still to preserve a conscience void of offence 
 towards God and man. While most of the Mission- 
 aries of the province of New-Jersey had taken refuge 
 in New-York, he (with Mr. Ogden and Mr. Frazer) 
 appears to have remained at his post without molesta- 
 tion, in the faithful discharge of his duties. He was 
 more fortunate, however, in this respect than Mr. Fra* 
 zer, whom he represented as a most worthy man, who 
 had been stripped of almost all that he possessed by 
 the Revolutionary army, and who being too low in 
 circumstances to remove, was forced to submit to daily 
 insults and threatening^ ; or than his neighbour audi 
 intimate friend, Dr. Chandler, of Elizabethtown, who 
 had been obliged to fly from the country in the very 
 outset of the war. 
 
 In two of his letters, dated March 24th and Oc to- 
 bcr 2d, 1780, he wrote that he had seized the oppor- 
 tunity of a flag of truce to New-York, to inform the 
 Society that he was still in his station, and doing his
 
 256 HISTORY OF 
 
 duty in it, and that he was endeavouring to answer 
 the Society's expectations, so far at least as the dis- 
 tracted state of the country would admit, by visiting 
 distant missions, baptizing the children, and perform- 
 ing other ecclesiastical duties. And these were ac- 
 companied by a minute detail of his missionary labors 
 for several years. He re-opened his church on Christ- 
 mas Day, 1781 ; but after having spent a few years 
 more in his comparatively humble, but useful station, 
 he was appointed an Assistant Minister of Trinity 
 Church, on the 8th of June, 1784, at a salary of £5G0 
 per annum. 
 
 From this time to that of his resignation as Assist- 
 ant Rector, a period of twenty-nine years, he pursued 
 his noiseless course in this parish with usefulness, and 
 retired from it without reproach, a commendation 
 more enviable than that which is frequently bestowed 
 on greater men. 
 
 He passed the remainder of his days, in old age, 
 near a place endeared to him in youth j and the last 
 notice which is found of him, is in the annual address 
 of Bishop Croes, of New- Jersey, to his Convention, in 
 1829 : " Some changes have taken place with respect 
 to the clergymen belonging to this Diocese. Among 
 these ought especially to be mentioned the decease of 
 the aged and venerable Dr. Abraham Beach, who for 
 many years was the respectable Rector of this church,* 
 and who, after an absence of nearly thirty years, per- 
 forming the duties of a Minister of Trinity Church, 
 New-York, returned to his farm, near this city, and 
 
 * New-Brunswick.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 257 
 
 spent in peace and tranquility the residue of a life of 
 eighty-eight years duration." 
 
 On the 12th of April, 1813, a communication was 
 received from the Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., 
 nominating the Right Rev. John Henry Hobart to be 
 his Assistant, and to fill the said office if the nomina- 
 tion should be consented to by the Wardens and Ves- 
 try of Trinity Church 5 which nomination was for- 
 mally approved. 
 
 On the 1st of March, 1816, the Vestry having been 
 convened, in consequence of the death of the Right 
 Rev. Benjamin Moore, D.D., who departed this life 
 on the 27th of February, it was resolved that the mem- 
 bers would, in a body, attend the funeral of their de- 
 parted Rector, and that on occasion of his death 
 Trinity Church and its Chapels should be hung with 
 mourning. 
 
 "Bishop Moore was born October 5th, 1748, at New- 
 town, Long-Island. He went to school in Newtown, 
 and afterwards in New-York, in order to prepare for 
 entering King's (now Columbia) College, where he 
 graduated," and of which he afterwards became, and 
 long continued, one of the most honoured of its Presi- 
 dents. 
 
 "He pursued his studies, after he graduated, at New- 
 town, under the direction of Dr. Auchmuty, Rector of 
 Trinity Church 5 and he was engaged some years in 
 teaching Latin and Greek to the sons of several gen- 
 tlemen in New-York. 
 
 " He went to England in May, 1774 ; was ordained 
 Deacon on Friday, June 24, 1774, in the Chapel of the
 
 258 HISTORY OF 
 
 Episcopal Palace at Fulham, by Richard Terrick, 
 Bishop of London, and Priest on Wednesday , June 29, 
 1774, in the same place, by the same Bishop. 
 
 "After his return from England, he was appointed, 
 with the Rev. Mr. Bowden, (afterwards Dr. Bowden 
 of Columbia College,) an Assistant Minister of Trinity 
 Church ; Dr. Auchmuty being Rector, and afterwards 
 Dr. Inglis, since Bishop of Nova-Scotia.* 
 
 " On the resignation of Bishop Provoost, Dr. Moore 
 was appointed Rector of Trinity Church, Decem- 
 ber 22, 1800. He was unanimously elected Bishop of 
 the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of New- 
 York, at a Special Convention in the city of New- 
 York, September 5, 1801, and was consecrated Bishop 
 at Trenton, New-Jersey, in St. Michael's Church, Fri- 
 day, September 11, 1801, by the Right Rev. Bishop 
 White, of Pennsylvania, Presiding Bishop ; the Right 
 Rev. Bishop Claggett, of Maryland ; and the Right 
 Rev. Bishop Jarvis, of Connecticut. 
 
 "He was attacked by paralysis in February, 1811, 
 and for the last two or three years repeated attacks 
 gradually weakened and disabled him, until he expired 
 at his residence, at Greenwich, near New-York, on 
 Tuesday evening, the 27th of February, 1816, in the 
 66th year of his age." Bishop Hobart, by whom the 
 duties of the Episcopal office in this Diocese had been 
 
 * From that time till his retirement from the active duties of his 
 office, there is such an evidence in the Parish Register of the extent 
 of his labours, and his unbounded popularity, as within my observation, 
 is beyond all precedent. In the period of thirty-five years, he celebra- 
 ted 3,578 marriages, and baptized 3,064 children and adults.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 259 
 
 discharged, as Assistant Bishop, since his consecration 
 in May, 1811, delivered his funeral sermon, of which 
 the following extract forms the close : 
 
 " Our venerable father has gone. In the bosom of 
 Abraham, in the paradise of God, in the custody of 
 the Lord Jesus, his soul reposes, waiting in peace and 
 joy for ' its perfect consummation and bliss in God's 
 eternal and everlasting glory.' Soon the sentence that 
 sin has brought on the whole human race, is to be pro- 
 nounced on the revered remains before us : c Earth to 
 earth — ashes to ashes — dust to dust.' 
 
 u But he lives in the memory of his virtues. Let us 
 recall and cherish them. Let us keep him a little 
 longer with us — not as of late, when languishing under 
 disease he gradually lost that engaging expression, 
 which had so eminently characterized him, until he at 
 last sunk in the darkness of death — but let us view him 
 such as you, people of the congregation, beheld him 
 when he appeared among you as your Pastor — such 
 as we, my brethren, beheld him when he exercised 
 over us his paternal authority. 
 
 U I should, indeed, violate that simplicity which in a 
 high degree adorned him, if I were to indulge in the 
 language of inflated panegvric. Simplicity was his 
 distinguishing virtue. He was unaffected — in his tem- 
 pers, in his actions, in every look and gesture. Sim- 
 plicity, which throws such a charm over talents, such 
 a lustre over station, and even a celestial loveliness 
 over piety itself, gave its colouring to the talents, the 
 station, and the piety of our venerable father. But it 
 was a simplicity accompanied with uniform prudence, 
 and with an accurate knowledge of human nature.
 
 260 HISTORY OF 
 
 U A grace allied to simplicity, was the meekness that 
 adorned him — a meekness which was ' not easily pro- 
 voked' — never made an oppressive display of talents, 
 of learning, or of station — and condescended to the 
 most ignorant and humble, and won their confidence 5 
 while associated with dignity, it commanded respect 
 and excited affection in the circles of rank and afflu- 
 ence. And it was a meekness that pursued the dic- 
 tates of duty with firmness and perseverance. 
 
 " His piety, arising from a lively faith in the Re- 
 deemer whom he served, and whose grace he was 
 commissioned to deliver, warmed as it was by his feel- 
 ings, was ever under the control of sober judgment. A 
 strong evidence of its sincerity, was its entire freedom 
 from any thing like ostentation. It did not proclaim 
 itself at the corners of the streets — it did not make 
 boastful pretensions, or obtrude itself on the public 
 gaze — but it was displayed in every domestic, every 
 social, every public relation. It was not the irregular 
 meteor, glittering for a moment and then sinking in the 
 darkness, from which it was elicited, but the serene 
 and steady light, that shineth more and more unto 
 the perfect day. 
 
 (t He rose to public confidence and respect, and to 
 general esteem, solely by the force of talents and worth. 
 In the retirement of a country village, the place of his 
 nativity, he commenced his literary career, and he pro- 
 secuted it in the public seminary of this city, and 
 subsequently in his private studies, until he became the 
 finished scholar and the well furnished divine. 
 
 w This city was the only scene of his parochial labors.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 261 
 
 Here he commenced and here he has closed his minis- 
 terial life. 
 
 " People of the congregation ! you have seen him, re- 
 gular and fervent, yet modest and humble, in perform- 
 ing the services of the Sanctuary. You cannot have 
 forgotten that voice of sweetness and of melody, yet of 
 gravity and solemnity, with which he excited while he 
 chastened your devotions 5 nor that evangelical elo- 
 quence which, gentle as the dew of Hermon, insinuated 
 itself into your hearts. 
 
 " His love for the Church was the paramount princi- 
 ple that animated him. He entered on her service in 
 the time of trouble. Steady in his principles, yet mild 
 and prudent in advocating them, he never sacrificed 
 consistency, he never provoked resentment. In pro- 
 portion as adversity pressed upon the Church was the 
 firmness of the affection with which he clung to her. 
 And he lived until he saw her, in no inconsiderable de- 
 gree by his counsels and exertions, raised from the dust 
 and putting on the garments of glory and beauty. 
 
 " It was this affection for the Church which animated 
 his Episcopal labors — which led him to leave that fa- 
 mily whom he so tenderly loved, and that retirement 
 which was so dear to him, and where he found, while 
 he conferred enjoyment, to seek in the remote parts of 
 the Diocese for the sheep of Christ's fold. I know that 
 his memory lives where I have traced the fruits of his 
 labors. 
 
 " My brethren of the Episcopal Clergy, I need not 
 tell you how much prudence, gentleness and affection, 
 distinguished his Episcopal relation to you. 
 
 u We are not without many recent monitions of that
 
 262 history or 
 
 summons which we shall all receive — Give an account 
 of thy stewardship. But a few months since and this 
 temple witnessed your attendance on the last solemn 
 offices of a venerable Father.* The remains of ano- 
 ther are now before us. With the exception of one,f 
 to whom we still look with reverence, who was the 
 companion of his youth, the associate of his early la- 
 bours, and the sympathizing friend of his old age, he is 
 the last in this diocese of those venerable men who de- 
 rived their ordination from the Parent Church, and 
 whose characters were marked by attachment to evan- 
 gelical truth, in connection with primitive order. My 
 brethren, let not their principles descend with them to 
 the grave. Soon our course will be finished : our ac- 
 count will at the great day be demanded j and how 
 awful the responsibility of those to whom Christ hath 
 entrusted the charge of " the sheep for whom he shed 
 his blood, of the congregation which is his spouse and 
 body !" 
 
 On the death of Bishop Moore, the Right Rev. John 
 Henry Hobart was unanimously elected on the 11th 
 of March, 1816, as his successor in the Rectorship of 
 Trinity Church, and was duly admitted into the Church 
 by delivering to him the keys thereof in the presence 
 of the Church Wardens and Vestrymen, and of the 
 Sextons, Thomas Collister and Richard Wenman, wit- 
 nesses. 
 
 In 1817 my own health, partly from a neglected 
 cold and partly from the weight of the duties in this 
 extensive parish, suddenly broke down, and it was 
 
 * The Rt. Rev. Bishop Provoost. f The Rev. Dr. Bowden.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 263 
 
 thought expedient by my physician that I should pass 
 the winter in the South of Europe. I therefore ap- 
 plied to the Vestry for leave of absence, and also for 
 the aid which was necessary, having no means of my 
 own. They very promptly gave me permission to be 
 gone for a year, and passed a resolution for the contin- 
 uance of my salary.* This relief, with a considerable 
 sum which was raised by private contributions in the 
 Parish^ furnished an ample provision for my journey. 
 Though from my extreme feebleness and the doubt- 
 fulness of the issue, there was some reason for despon- 
 dency, I nevertheless went on my way rejoicing, and 
 contrary to the fears of many of my friends returned 
 with renewed health and cheerfulness of spirit to the 
 discharge of those duties, which, through the blessing 
 of God, I have been enabled to perform for nearly thirty 
 years longer. 
 
 In consequence of my absence the Rector was au- 
 thorized to engage the Rev. Mr. Jarvis, of St. Mi- 
 chael's and St. James's Church in the vicinity of this city, 
 and the Rev. Evan M. Johnson, of New Town, Lone 
 Island, to officiate in this Church and its Chapels on 
 Sunday afternoons for the period of six months. 
 
 On the 11th of June, 1818, the Rector nominated 
 the Rev. Thomas C. Brownell, of Schenectady, as an 
 Assistant Minister of this Church, and it was resolved, 
 that such nomination should be approved, in the confi- 
 dence that Mr. Brownell would relinquish the office 
 
 * This application to the Vestry for pecuniary aid was the first and 
 the last which I ever made.
 
 264 HISTORY OF 
 
 if his health should not be found to be so established as 
 to enable him to discharge its duties. In the year be- 
 fore it had been so much impaired, that just on the eve 
 ol my departure for Europe, in the hope of recovering 
 my own, I wrote to him requesting him to accompany 
 me in my journey. It was a matter of unfeigned re- 
 gret to me, that circumstances which he could not con- 
 trol, rendered it inconvenient for him to accept the 
 proposal. 
 
 In the following year Mr. Brownell was elected 
 Bishop of Connecticut, where he has been enabled to 
 discharge his Episcopal duties with honour to himself 
 and advantage to the Church, for the long period of 
 twenty-seven years. 
 
 At the next meeting of the Vestry, held on the 25th 
 of November, 1819, the appointment of an Assistant 
 Minister being under consideration, in consequence 
 of the vacancy which had been recently made by the 
 election of the Rev. Mr. Brownell to the Bishopric of 
 Connecticut, the Rector nominated the Rev. Jonathan 
 M. Wainwright, of Hartford, to supply his place, 
 which nomination was thereupon approved. He en- 
 tered at once upon the duties of his charge $ but a 
 short time after, receiving an appointment as Rector 
 of Grace Church, New-York, he resigned his office as 
 an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, on the 8th 
 of January, 1821. 
 
 About this period, the Rev. George Upfold, Rector 
 at the time of St. Luke's Church, New-York, after- 
 wards the Rector of St. Thomas's, and now of Trinity 
 Church, Pittsburgh 5 the Rev. Wm. H. Delancey, now
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 265 
 
 Bishop of the Western Diocese of New-York, and the 
 Rev. George W. Doane, now Bishop of New-Jersey, 
 were temporarily engaged in Trinity Parish. 
 
 In the autumn of 1822, Bishop Hobart had a severe 
 attack of bilious fever, at his country residence in the 
 neighbourhood of Springfield, New-Jersey, which ex- 
 cited in the minds of his friends the most anxious fears, 
 and which brought him indeed very near to the gates 
 of death. He soon, however, recovered from it in 
 such a degree as to be enabled to resume his duties ; 
 but in the following summer, being threatened with a 
 repetition of it, he intermitted them for a time, and 
 took a journey to Quebec, in which I accompanied 
 him. It turned out to be of no advantage to him, but, 
 on the contrary, he was exceedingly ill on his way 
 home, and the case seeming to be hopeless, without 
 a thorough change of climate, and a long season of 
 repose from his arduous labors, he made an applica- 
 tion to the Vestry, by the advice of his physicians, 
 for leave of absence, in order to undertake a voyage 
 to Europe. The Rector having withdrawn, and Mr. 
 Rogers being in the chair, it was unanimously agreed, 
 that he should have leave of absence for one year, 
 with a view to the re-establishment of his health, that 
 the expenses of the voyage should be borne by the 
 Vestry, and that the Rector's salary, at the time, and 
 other allowances, should be continued. 
 
 Upon this occasion, the 23d of Sept., 1823, I was 
 nominated as Assistant Rector, and the nomination 
 was confirmed. 
 
 In the autumn of 1824, a letter having been received 
 
 from Bishop Hobart, stating that in consequence of 
 17
 
 266 HISTORY OF 
 
 continued ill health, he was advised to remain in Eu- 
 rope, and to pass the ensuing winter in the South of 
 France, his leave of absence was extended for another 
 year. The subject of his expenses was entrusted to a 
 committee, and managed with so much delicacy as that 
 the extent of them was not known at the time, even to 
 the Vestry itself. They were generally understood, 
 however, to be on a scale at once suited to the dignity 
 of the Bishop, and the means of the Corporation by 
 which they were bestowed. 
 
 On the 14th of June, 1824, the Assistant Rector 
 nominated the Rev. John F. Schroeder, as an Assist- 
 ant Minister of this Parish, and the nomination was 
 approved. Dr. Schroeder continued his connection 
 with Trinity Church for fifteen years, resigning his 
 charge on the 5th of Jan., 1839. 
 
 In 1827, the following communication from Richard 
 Harison, Esq., was received, read, and ordered to be 
 entered on the minutes of the Vestry : — 
 
 " To the Vestry of Trinity Church, in the City of New- York : — 
 " Gentlemen : 
 
 " I have for some time past had it under considera- 
 tion, whether I ought not to resign my place as one of 
 your body, and the office which, for a number of years, 
 I have held by its appointment and at its pleasure. 
 
 " A variety of reasons, which it would be useless to 
 specify, have hitherto, and perhaps too long, deferred 
 my determining this question. It was natural, if not 
 strictly proper, to delay taking so definitive a measure, 
 until it could be ascertained whether the infirmities by 
 which I had been visited were of a nature so continued 
 as to exclude the prospect of their entire removal, or
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 267 
 
 of such an abatement that I might be enabled to con- 
 tinue my official duties with advantage to the Church, 
 and without material injury to myself. 
 
 " The experiment has, I think, now been fairly tried, 
 and from my advanced age and increasing debility, I 
 have no reason to conclude that any very favourable 
 change is to be expected. I must, therefore, beg leave, 
 most respectfully, to resign my place of Church War- 
 den, and the office of Comptroller j the resignation to 
 take place at once, unless the Vestry should prefer that 
 it should not do so before the 20th of next month, to 
 give time for the appointment of my successor, and 
 the delivery of the Church papers into his hands. It 
 must be obvious to every reflecting mind, that a dis- 
 solution of the confidential and intimate connection 
 which has lasted for half a century or upwards with 
 your respectable body, and been cemented by mutual 
 good offices and regard, cannot fail to be attended by 
 sensations of a painful nature. Undoubtedly I feel 
 them with due sensibility, but I hope that I may be 
 permitted (without incurring the imputation of arro- 
 gance and vanity) now to say, when taking my leave 
 of you, that I have the consolation derived from a 
 consciousness which I carry with me, that during all 
 that time, I have served the Church with undeviating 
 fidelity, and done every thing in my power, according 
 to the best of my abilities, to promote its true interests, 
 without suffering any private advantage or views of 
 my own, or any undue partialities, to interfere with 
 that great object in any particular whatever. 
 
 " I must now, Gentlemen, beg leave to offer my 
 sincere thanks to the Vestry, for the very important
 
 2C8 HISTORY OF 
 
 offices and stations which, without any solicitation on 
 my part, they have at different times conferred upon 
 me, and for the great candour with which they have 
 treated me upon all occasions. I have only to add, 
 that, with the warmest attachment for your body, and 
 due respect for each of them, I am and shall remain, 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 " Your obliged and obedient servant, 
 
 " R. Harison. 
 
 " New-York, 22d May, 1827." 
 
 " Which communication was referred to Messrs. 
 liogers, McEvers, T. L. Ogden, Underbill, Laight, 
 McFarlan, and Weeks, to consider and report what 
 proceedings may be proper on the part of the Vestry 
 in consequence thereof, and also whether, and if any, 
 what farther arrangements may be expedient in rela- 
 tion to the office of Comptroller." 
 
 The committee on the Comptroller's communication 
 to the Vestry, made a report in the words following : 
 
 " The committee to whom was referred the Comp- 
 troller's late letter to the Vestry, submit the accompa- 
 nying resolutions as proper to be passed in reference 
 to that communication. 
 
 " The committee, having adverted to the existing 
 resolutions on this subject, do not perceive that any 
 new arrangements are called for in relation to the 
 office of Comptroller, except as to the salary, which, 
 in their opinion, may be reduced to fifteen hundred 
 dollars per annum. 
 
 " Taking into consideration the long experience of 
 the Clerk of the Vestry in the affairs of this Corpora- 
 tion, and his knowledge of its property and concerns,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 269 
 
 it appears to the committee that his services may be 
 made useful in the general management of its business. 
 
 " They therefore recommend, that it be made part 
 of the duty of the Clerk, to attend at the vestry-office, 
 when and as often as circumstances may require, to 
 advise with the Comptroller ; and that, in lieu of his 
 present salary, he be allowed hereafter five hundred 
 dollars per annum. 
 
 " On behalf of the Committee, 
 
 a N. Rogers, Chairman. 
 
 "New- York, 11th June, 1827." 
 
 The above report, in connection with Mr. Harison's 
 letter of resignation, being first taken into consideration, 
 the following resolutions were adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, That this Vestry, deeply lamenting the 
 existence of those infirmities which have induced Mr. 
 Harison to resign the offices of Church Warden and 
 Comptroller, do accept his resignation of those offices, 
 to take effect from the 20th of this month. 
 
 " Resolved, That the members of this Vestry enter- 
 tain a high sense of the zeal and fidelity with which 
 Mr. Harison has discharged the duties of the several 
 stations which, during his connection with the Vestry, 
 he has occupied by its appointment 5 and that they are 
 also deeply sensible of the great value of the services 
 rendered by him to this Corporation, during a long 
 ccurse of years he has sustained toward each. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Clerk be requested to furnish 
 a copy of these resolutions to Mr. Harison, and, in 
 behalf of the individual members of the Vestry, to re- 
 ciprocate all the expressions of affectionate regard and 
 attachment contained in his letter of resignation, and
 
 270 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 to assure him of their unceasing interest in his welfare 
 and happiness." 
 
 In the autumn of 1830 a great calamity befell the 
 Parish, the Diocese, and the Church at large, in the 
 sudden and unexpected death of Bishop Hobart. The 
 grief on the occasion was profound and universal. 
 The following proceedings, in reference to this melan- 
 choly event, took place in the Vestry. 
 
 At a meeting of the Church Wardens and Vestry- 
 men of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, held 
 in their vestry-office, on the 15th day of September 
 1830, present, 
 
 Nehemiah Rogers, and Charles McEvers, 
 
 Church Wardens. 
 
 John Onderdonk, Jonathan H. Lawrence, 
 
 James Bleecker Thomas Swords, 
 
 Teunis Quick, Peter A. Mesier, 
 
 Jonathan Ogden, Jacob Lorillaru, 
 
 Edward W. Laight, Gabijiel Furman, 
 
 William Johnson, John T. Irving, 
 
 Ezra Weeks, Anthony L. Underbill, 
 
 Robert Thomas, George Jones, 
 
 William E. Dunscomb, Philip Hone, 
 
 Vestrymen. 
 
 Mr. N. Rogers as senior Warden took the chair, 
 and the Clerk being absent from the city, Mr. John- 
 eon was requested to act as Clerk of the meeting. 
 
 " Having received the afflicting intelligence of the 
 death (whilst on a visitation to a distant part of his 
 Diocese) of the Rt. Rev. John Henry Hobart, D.D., 
 Bishop of the Diocese, and Rector of this Church, and 
 fully sensible of our duty to bend with humble submis- 
 sion to the ordering of a wise and overruling Provi- 
 dence — it was
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 271 
 
 "Resolved unanimously, That we shall ever hold in 
 the most grateful and respectful remembrance, the 
 truly Christian and Apostolic character and eminent 
 services of our deeply lamented Rector. 
 
 "That as part of the Diocese of New-York, and of 
 the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, 
 we feel it a duty to our venerated and beloved friend 
 and pastor, to express, as we do hereby express, our 
 high sense of his promptitude, unexampled zeal, and 
 unwearied exertions to promote every object connect- 
 ed with the best interests of religion, and of the Church, 
 of which he was one of the most able, disinterested, 
 and indefatigable servants. 
 
 " That the respectful and affectionate condolence of 
 the Vestry be tendered to the afflicted Relict and fa- 
 mily of the deceased. 
 
 " That with the concurrence of the family of the de- 
 ceased, his funeral be conducted under the direction 
 and at the expense of the Corporation of Trinity 
 Church, and that the expenses attending his last illness, 
 and the removal of his remains to this city, be also de- 
 frayed by this Corporation. 
 
 " That Mr. McEvers, Judge Irving, Mr. Hone, Mr. 
 Lawrence and Mr. Johnson, be a committee to mako 
 such arrangements for conducting the funeral of the 
 deceased, as they may think best suited to manifest the 
 feelings of this Church on this melancholy event. 
 
 " Resolved, That in further testimony of our high res- 
 pect for the memory of our late Rector, the members 
 of this Vestry will attend his funeral as mourners, and 
 wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. 
 
 "Resolved, That Trinity Church, and St. Paul's and
 
 272 HISTORY OF 
 
 St. John's Chapels be hung in the customary mourning 
 until the festival of Christmas. 
 
 " Resolved, That a certified copy of the foregoing 
 resolutions be delivered to Mrs. Hobart, the respected 
 Relict of our late Rector." 
 
 And at a meeting on the 4th of Oct., the following 
 resolutions were adopted unanimously : — 
 
 "Resolved, That the thanks of this Vestry be pre- 
 sented to the Rev. John C. Rudd, D.D., Rector of St. 
 Peter's Church at Auburn, for the affectionate and de- 
 voted attentions of himself and of his family to our late 
 Rector during his last illness. 
 
 u Resolved, That the thanksof this Vestry be pre- 
 sented to the Rev. Francis H. Cuming, Rector of 
 Christ's Church at Binghampton, and to Mr. Thos. Y. 
 How, Junr., for their kind attentions to our late Rec- 
 tor, during his last illness, and in attending his remains 
 to this city. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Clerk send certified copies of 
 the foregoing resolutions, to the above named gentle- 
 men, respectively. 
 
 "Resolved, That the Comptroller, under the direc- 
 tion of the Standing Committee, pay all the expenses 
 of every description attending the last sickness of the 
 late Rector, and the removal of his remains to this 
 city, so as in their discretion, fully to indemnify those 
 who may have incurred the same. 
 
 " Resolved, That the salary and allowance of the late 
 Rector be continued to his widow until the end of the 
 current half year, and that she have the use of the 
 Rector's house until the last day of May next. 
 
 " Resolved, That the Standing Committee consider
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 273 
 
 and report to the Vestry, what further provision ought 
 to be made for the support of the widow and family of 
 the late Rector. 
 
 " Resolved, That a suitable monument be erected in 
 Trinity Church to the memory of the Rt. Rev. John 
 Henry Hobart, D.D., late Bishop of the Diocese of 
 New- York, and Reetor of this Church, and that Mr. 
 Hone, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Weeks, Mr. McEvers and 
 Mr. Laight, be a Committee for this purpose." 
 
 Letters of condolence and various resolutions on 
 casion of the death of Bishop Hobart, late Rector of 
 this Church, were presented and read to the Vestry, 
 viz.: 
 
 From the Vestries of St. John's Church, at Eliza- 
 bethtown ; St. Andrew's Church, New-York ; and St. 
 Paul's Parish, Baltimore 5 from the Clergy of the Pro- 
 testant Episcopal Church Baltimore ; from the Con- 
 gregation of Sheareth Israel, New-York 5 from the 
 Historical Society New-York, and from a meeting of 
 the Lay Members of the Protestant Episcopal Society 
 for the promotion of Religion and Learning in the 
 State of New-York ; the Trustees of the New-York 
 Protestant Episcopal Public School ; the New-York 
 Bible and Common Prayer Book Society 5 the auxili- 
 ary New-York Bible and Common Prayer Book So- 
 ciety ; the New-York Protestant Episcopal Tract So- 
 ciety ; the New-York Protestant Episcopal Missionary 
 Society j the New-York Protestant Episcopal Sunday 
 School Society $ the New-York Protestant Episcopal 
 Press, and the Executive Committee of the General 
 Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union. It was
 
 274 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 thereupon ordered, that the Clerk of this Board ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of the same several communica- 
 tions. 
 
 On the 15th October, the Standing Committee made 
 the following report : — 
 
 " The Standing Committee to whom it was referred, 
 to consider and report what further provision ought 
 to be made for the widow and family of the late Rec- 
 tor — Report ; that having duly considered the sub- 
 ject referred to them, they recommend to the Vestry 
 the adoption of the following preamble and resolu- 
 tinos, viz : — 
 
 " It appearing by the report of the Standing Commit- 
 tee, that the family of the Rt. Rev. John Henry Ho- 
 bart, deceased, late Bishop of the Diocese of New- 
 York, and Rector of this Parish, are, by his sudden 
 death, left without any adequate provision for their fu- 
 ture maintenance ; — and this Vestry being sensible that 
 the unceasing labours and exertions of this ever active 
 and faithful servant of the Redeemer, in the discharge 
 of the arduous duties incident to the various stations 
 he has so long occupied in the Protestant Episcopal 
 Church, whilst greatly contributing, under the blessing 
 of Heaven, to the extension and prosperity of that 
 Church, and eminently useful to the cause of sound re- 
 ligion and morals, have necessarily led to the neglect 
 of his private concerns, and to the sacrifice of his pri- 
 vate interests 5 Therefore, 
 
 " 1. Resolved, That there be paid to the widow of the 
 late Rector, for the support of herself and family, an 
 annuity of two thousand dollars during her life, to com-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 275 
 
 mence from the first day of March next, when the 
 temporary provision made by the resolution of the 
 Vestry of the fourth instant, will cease. 
 
 44 2. Resolved, That the sum of three hundred dol- 
 lars per annum, be appropriated to the education and 
 support of John Henry Ho'mrt, the youngest son of the 
 late Rector, until he shall attain the age of twenty-one 
 years. In behalf of the Standing Committee 
 
 " Wm. Johnson, Comptroller. 
 " October 15, 1830. " 
 
 A communication from the family of the late Rec- 
 tor, was read in the following words, and ordered to 
 be entered on the minutes: 
 
 u The family of the late Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart, 
 having received from the Clerk of the Vestry of Tri- 
 nity Church, a copy of a resolution passed at a late 
 meeting of that body, whereby it appears, that a very 
 liberal and ample provision has been made for their 
 future support, would beg leave most respectfully to 
 express to the Church Wardens and Vestrymen their 
 sincere and grateful acknowledgments. 
 
 " The afflicting dispensation of Providence, which 
 deprived the family of their head and protector, had 
 thrown them on the genorosityof the representatives 
 of that Church, in whose service he had spent the 
 spring-time of his life, and to whose bountiful liberal- 
 ity he had often been indebted for so much of his 
 worldly comfort and happiness. 
 
 "With what kind and with what generous feelings 
 they were regarded by the Vestry, the late act of that 
 Board abundantly testifies, and while it may be consider- 
 ed as an evidence of their grateful recollection of the
 
 276 history of 
 
 faithful labours of him to whom they had so long 
 stood in the near and endearing relations of Vestry 
 and Rector, it is no less a proof of their lively and 
 delicate sensibility to the necessities, and natural ex- 
 pectations of those whom he has left dependent. 
 
 " While the family of the late Bishop Hobart would 
 endeavour, thus feebly, to express to the Vestry of 
 Trinity Church, their grateful sense of the timely and 
 munificent provision made for their support, they do 
 not fail to recognize in it, the hand of that kind Pro- 
 vidence, who has thus disposed the hearts of his crea- 
 tures, and who has promised to be the ' support of the 
 widow, and the father of the fatherless.' 
 
 " New-York, Nov., 1830." 
 
 In the following notice of Bishop Hobart I shall 
 merely condense what I have said more fully in my 
 memorial of his life, and the sermon which I preached 
 on the occasion of his death. 
 
 John Henry Hobart was born in Philadelphia, on 
 the 14th day of September, 1775. He received his 
 first instruction in English in the school of a Mr. Les- 
 lie, who was considered a respectable teacher, and who 
 was deservedly held in esteem. In his ninth year he 
 commenced the study of Latin in the Episcopal Acade- 
 my, the charge of which, soon after his admission, was 
 committed to the Rev. Dr. Andrews, a ripe scholar, 
 an admirable instructor, and a sound Churchman, who 
 at once united in his character all that conciliates af- 
 fection and esteem, and challenges profound respect. 
 Mr. Hobart could not, therefore, have set out, in the 
 commencement of his education, under greater advan- 
 tages, or under better auspices.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 277 
 
 It is but seldom the case, however, in regard to the 
 most eminent among men, that childhood presents 
 much that is worthy of notice at the time, and it is still 
 more rare, that there should be anything so striking as 
 to be recollected in after life. The fond anticipations 
 of friends, indeed, often attach a great degree of im- 
 portance to circumstances that are trifling in them- 
 selves, but which are regarded as indications of future 
 greatness. Even these are apt to be forgotten by the 
 most partial, unless they happen to correspond with 
 the event. In respect to Mr. Hobart, it is known, that 
 the most nattering expectations were indulged by those 
 who were near to him ; that some of them lived to wit- 
 ness his growing reputation $ that others were spared 
 long enough to behold the fullnlment of all their wish- 
 es ; — but it appears, that these things were reserved 
 for the secret and cherished enjoyment of their own 
 hearts — for the free communications of the domestic 
 circle, or the correspondence of family friends. I have 
 learned from one who knew him in youth, and who 
 was intimate with his family, that his deportment, con- 
 versation, opinions and habits, were the frequent and 
 favourite theme of their discourse, and that they often 
 dwelt with delight on those incidents which shadowed 
 out the very character that he finally established. His 
 childhood and youth presented a rare assemblage of 
 the most engaging qualities of heart and mind, which 
 were the sure presages of eminence and respect in af- 
 ter life. 
 
 Modesty, ingenuousness, purity of thought, and 
 blamelessness of manners, secured for him the esteem 
 and affection of all those early companions, whose
 
 278 HISTORY OF 
 
 friendship he valued, and screened him from the malev- 
 olence and censure of those whose society he shunned. 
 His industry in all his studies, his ambition to outstrip 
 his competitors, and his uniform success, his acknow- 
 ledged superiority, and the open approbation of his 
 teachers, appear neither to have excited the ill will or 
 dislike of those whom he humbled by his proficiency, 
 nor to have provoked the jealousy of those with whom 
 the contest was more keenly maintained. In fact, 
 with the innate consciousness of genius, he concealed 
 the marks of triumph, which it cost him but little la- 
 bour to achieve 5 and bearing his faculties meekly, he 
 was the favourite of his school, the idol at College, and 
 the oracle of every Society with which he was con- 
 nected. In the sports of childhood or in the recrea- 
 tions of youth, he mingled with his companions on a 
 common footing, assuming no consequence and expect- 
 ing no deference ; but with all the ease, and freedom, 
 and sprightliness of his character, he entered into the 
 mood of the moment, and contributed his full share 
 towards their innocent enjoyments. Indeed, there 
 seems to have been a charm in his manners and con- 
 versation, which was almost like fascination, for no one, 
 in early life, ever inspired friendship more readily, or 
 was more happy in retaining the regards which he had 
 once secured. 
 
 In 1791 he entered Princeton College, New-Jersey, 
 through which he passed with great reputation. At a 
 very early age he showed that readiness in the acqui- 
 sition of knowledge, which distinguished him so much 
 through the whole course of his life, and without the 
 plodding diligence and patient application of many of
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 279 
 
 his fellow students, he nevertheless succeeded, on 
 taking his Batchelor's degree in 1793, in sharing with 
 another, the first honour of his class. 
 
 Just after Mr. Hobart had graduated at Princeton 
 College, all the promise of his aspiring genius was on 
 the eve of being blighted for ever, by an unexpected 
 change in his pursuits. From the beginning, the whole 
 bent of his mind had been directed towards the acqui- 
 sition of knowledge. Childhood had been spent in as- 
 siduous study 5 reading was his delight $ every species 
 of information, attractive to young minds, wns sought 
 with avidity. After having passed through the prepa- 
 ratory stages of an academical education, in a way 
 which encouraged the hope of success, and finally sur- 
 passed the fondest anticipations of his friends, he was 
 induced, by their solicitations and advice, to resign the 
 fruits of his labour, to change the aim of his life, and 
 to prepare himself for a new vocation, in which, with 
 all his bright gifts, lie would probably have sunk b< ! >W 
 the mere drudges of business. v 
 
 With an affectionate heart, which was alive to the 
 comfort and happiness of all around him, he yielded to 
 domestic considerations, and rcf-olved to enter upon 
 mercantile pursuits. Nothing couid be more foreign 
 to his taste, predilections and habits. In the estab- 
 lishment which he entered there was an early friend,* 
 who was strongly attached to him, who had a just esti- 
 mate of his character, and had watched with delight 
 the development of those faculties, of which he had 
 
 * James Robinson, Esq.
 
 280 HISTORY OF 
 
 long before formed a pleasing augury, and who now 
 rejoiced in the fulfillment of his hopes. This friend, 
 who had been brought up in Scotland, and imbued with 
 that love of literature which often gives a liberal cast, 
 even to those who are not destined for the learned pro- 
 fessions, regarded the plan with pain and regret. He 
 knew that a mind thus trained could not be subjected 
 to so new a discipline 5 that with whatever fidelity and 
 diligence these duties might be discharged, they would 
 not be pursued with ease and pleasure $ and that, fi- 
 nally, after a great loss of valuable time, they would be 
 relinquished in weariness and disgust. Though, there- 
 fore, a beloved and cherished companion was thus 
 brought near to him, he still lamented that he was out 
 of place. The motives, however, which led to the sa- 
 crifice were too delicate and commendable to admit of 
 any opposition. 
 
 Mr. Hobart commenced his new employment with 
 all the industry, ardour, and zeal for which he was 
 distinguished in after life. But the effort was vain — 
 it was against the whole bias of his nature, and, 
 would it be presumptuous to say — against the designs 
 of Providence ? A season of leisure came, which gave 
 him an opportunity of resuming, at intervals, his favor- 
 ite pursuits. The return of these pure and intellectual 
 enjoyments revived all his love for them 5 he could 
 endure his vocation no longer 5 his repugnance was 
 invincible. His friends perceiving it, yielded to his 
 wishes, and he abandoned it for ever. 
 
 Having found that this pursuit was uncongenial to 
 his taste and habits, u^on an invitation which he re-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 281 
 
 ceived from Dr. Smith, the President of Princeton 
 College, to become a tutor in the institution, he soon 
 returned to that seat of learning, where he had im- 
 bibed his own love of letters, and there spent two years 
 in the instruction of others. In this capacity he 
 acquitted himself with remarkable address and ability, 
 uniting the utmost vigilance and activity in the main- 
 tenance of discipline, to a winning affability of deport- 
 ment, which gained the affections, and secured the 
 respect and esteem of the students. In all his public 
 performances he was listened to with pleasure and 
 admiration j in his class he was a diligent and efficient 
 instructor, and in conducting all the operations of the 
 College, a leading and influential member of the Fa- 
 culty. From the earliest period of life, in whatever 
 sphere he might be moving, he would always become 
 one of the principal agents in controlling its transac- 
 tions. He was a member of the Whig Society, where 
 he generally attended the meetings, and always main- 
 tained a decided ascendancy. There is one incident 
 in connection with it, which strikingly illustrates a 
 peculiarity that marked him in after life — the intense 
 interest which he took in every thing in which he was 
 engaged. So eagerly did he apply himself to the objects 
 and plans of this Institution, that some years after he 
 had attended its meetings, when the records of it were 
 destroyed by (ire, he was able from memory to furnish 
 its members substantially, and almost literally, with a 
 complete copy of their constitution and laws. 
 
 Mr. Hobart resided at Princeton until the spring 
 of 1798, when he returned to Philadelphia, and was 
 
 ordained Deacon, in the month of June, by Bishop 
 18
 
 282 HISTORY OF 
 
 White.* In compliance with the wishes of the Bish- 
 op, who, from having known him from his childhood, 
 was exceedingly anxious to keep him near to him, he 
 accepted the charge of Trinity Church, Oxford, and 
 All Saints Pequestan, in the vicinity of Philadelphia. 
 During the time that he officiated in these churches, 
 he discharged all his duties with the greatest fidelity 
 and zeal, and the people were entirely satisfied with 
 his labours 5 but, as they were scattered over a consid- 
 erable extent of country, so much time was consumed 
 in attending to his parochial duties, as to leave him but 
 little for study. He soon perceived the utter impossi- 
 bility of reconciling the disadvantages of his situation 
 with that high standard in the knowledge of his pro- 
 fession to which his ardent and ambitious mind aspired. 
 Under the influence of this consideration, he determin- 
 ed to leave it, and accepted, in 1799, an. invitation to 
 Christ Church, New-Brunswick. 
 
 The situation at New-Brunswick, however, though 
 possessing some advantages which he prized, did not 
 altogether correspond with his wishes j and his atten- 
 tion was then turned towards the Parish at Hempstead, 
 on Long-Island, the charge of which he shortly after 
 accepted. He had just declined an opportunity of 
 being settled in St. Mark's Church, in this city, pre- 
 ferring the humble appointment at Hempstead. In 
 the spring of 1800, he married Mary Goodin Chandler, 
 daughter of the Rev. Dr. Chandler, so greatly distin- 
 guished, both at home and abroad, for his eminent 
 
 * And in the month of April, 1801, he was ordained Priest in Trin- 
 ity Church, New-York, by Bishop Provoost.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 283 
 
 services to the Church, of which he was one of the 
 brightest ornaments. 
 
 With a passionate fondness for the beauties of na- 
 ture and rural pursuits, it was his earliest plan to pass 
 his days in the calm and unambitious occupations of a 
 country clergyman's life, and to the last he sighed for 
 retirement and peace. But, though such was the 
 natural bent of his inclination, the sphere was too 
 narrow for the exertions of his ardent and active 
 mind. The situation at Hempstead was found upon 
 trial, neither suited to his taste nor wishes. lie was 
 not apparently aware of the source of his weariness 
 and disquietude, nor of the higher part which, in the 
 designs of Providence, he was destined to fill $ but 
 under the influence of these undefinable feelings, of 
 the very existence of which he seemed unconscious, 
 he took the first step in that more useful and glorious 
 career which he afterwards ran. 
 
 He was soon drawn from his retreat, and accepted 
 the office of an Assistant Minister in Trinity Church 5 
 and entering with characteristic vivacity and zeal upon 
 the duties of his new situation, he at once attracted 
 general notice, and acquired an influence in the coun- 
 cils of the Church beyond his years. In this new and 
 important situation, Mr. Hobart fully sustained the re- 
 putation as a preacher which he had already acquired. 
 
 Many of us are old enough to remember with what 
 impassioned bursts of youthful eloquence he stirred up 
 the affections of his hearers, with what fervour and 
 unction he spoke of divine things, with what an eleva- 
 tion of soul he lifted us up with him to Heaven. The 
 rich, full, and varied tones of his voice, the unrestrain-
 
 284 history or 
 
 ed tenderness of his sentiments, expressed with the 
 utmost pathos, the freedom and severity of his expos- 
 tulations and rebukes, the evangelical, practical char- 
 acter of all his discourses., made that an interesting 
 period of his ministry, to all who had the happiness of 
 hearing him. As he advanced in life, from the more 
 subdued tone of the mind and the severer exercise of 
 the judgment, some of these charms were in a measure 
 diminished. But still, what was lost in one respect 
 was repaid in another. He brought his improved and 
 vigorous powers to the elucidation of scriptural truth ? 
 setting it in as clear a light as a thorough knowledge 
 of theology and a lucid intellect could place it, and 
 still he never valued himself so much on the successful 
 treatment of this part of his subject, as to neglect that 
 practical improvement of it which he considered, after 
 all, the great end of preaching. 
 
 Though he had not studied elocution with such care 
 as to be always accurate in emphasis and accent, yet 
 nature had gifted him with a voice but seldom equall- 
 ed in compass, richness and melody } so that, by the 
 variety of its intonations, he could give such an effect 
 even to the most common sentiments, as very often 
 could not have been produced by the highest elo- 
 quence in others. There was not the slightest appear- 
 ance of labour nor effort, even when he was most 
 impassioned J and he could throw into expostulation 
 all its earnestness, into terror a thrilling energy, into 
 persuasion a soothing tenderness, into pathos the very 
 plaintiveness of woe. The effect of his manner was 
 also increased, in the early part of his ministry, by his 
 preaching memoriter, a practice which he adopted
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 285 
 
 from his extreme short-sightedness, and which gave to 
 his sermons the ease and animation of extemporaneous 
 discourses ; and after this practice was abandoned, he 
 still made himself so familiar with them, as to avoid 
 -embarrassment and confusion in their delivery. This 
 is a just description of him, as he appeared upon his 
 first settlement in the parish, when free from the re- 
 straints of that sobering influence which crept upon 
 him in maturer age, and from that regard which he 
 felt to be due to the gravity of his office, when raised 
 to a more exalted station. But the striking character- 
 istics of his eloquence were never materially altered j 
 and while his discourses were greatly improved in their 
 arrangement, matter, and style, they were to the last 
 delivered with remarkable animation and force. 
 
 He also performed his duties as a pastor with the 
 utmost promptitude, fidelity, and zeal. He attached 
 great importance to this part of his sacred functions, 
 both on aceount of the edification and comfort which 
 were thus administered to the people, and the respect, 
 affection, and influence, which these attentions were 
 so apt to secure for the clergy themselves. He was, 
 therefore, always ready for any parochial call. No 
 considerations of ease or pleasure were suffered to in- 
 terfere with it •, the engagements of company, whether 
 at home or abroad, were interrupted } study was laid 
 aside 5 every occupation or pursuit, however agreea- 
 ble, gave place to this important duty. The cheerful- 
 ness with which it was performed cannot be duly 
 appreciated, unless it be remarked, that he was settled 
 in a parish consisting of three large congregations, in
 
 286 HISTORY OF 
 
 which there were, at all times, so many of the sick and 
 the dying who needed the consolations of religion, and 
 where the cemeteries which belonged to it were the 
 common burial places of nearly all the Episcopalians 
 in a populous city. 
 
 He was singularly happy in his visitation of the sick, 
 as I have often had occasion to observe when I 
 chanced to be with him. The ease and freedom of his 
 manner, united with the greatest tenderness and deli- 
 cacy, at once removed embarrassment, and drew forth 
 from those with whom he conversed an unrestrained 
 expression of their feelings and views. The readiness 
 with which he applied his general observations, and 
 the felicity with which he adapted his quotations from 
 Scripture to the respective circumstances of their case, 
 gave to all that he said a peculiar interest and force j 
 and the impression was made still deeper by the so- 
 lemnity and fervour with which he offered up the 
 prayers. 
 
 Regarding also his vow not only to visit the sick, 
 but the well within his cure, he devoted as mucli of his 
 time to this duty as could conveniently be taken from 
 his other numerous and pressing engagements. Among 
 these he mingled, with the easy familiarity of a friend, 
 imposing no restraint upon their cheerful conversation 
 or innocent enjoyments, but securing their good-will 
 and affection by his sociability and kindness, and at the 
 same time not losing sight of the dignity of his charac- 
 ter, nor the obligations of his calling, but often availing 
 himself of suitable opportunities to season common 
 discourse with such words as might "minister grace
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 287 
 
 unto the hearers." How often are the recollections of 
 these happy hours awakened in thousands, with a gush 
 of tenderness that they can be enjoyed no more ! 
 
 There was something wonderfully winning and at- 
 tractive in his social character, and even in the pecu- 
 liar cast of his manners. He seemed formed for the 
 enjoyment of society and the delights of friendship. 
 Ardent in his feelings, frank and undisguised in the 
 expression of them, generous, affectionate, and confid- 
 ing, he captivated all hearts, and bound those to him 
 who were of congenial taste and temper, as with links 
 of iron. His manners were in harmony with his dis- 
 position, full of freedom, cordiality, and warmth. No 
 one who has seen him, though but for a moment, will 
 ever forget the benignant and playful expression cf his 
 countenance, the heartiness of his greeting, his words 
 of kindness and good-will. But to those who com- 
 muned with him as friends, who saw him in the lighter 
 moods of social festivity, or in the graver moments of 
 deep and tender feeling — who remember the charms of 
 his conversation, the endearments of his friendship, his 
 wise and wholesome counsels, his acts of sympathy 
 and kindness — to those his image is ever arising, with 
 all the dear departed joys of which it reminds them, 
 and with a sense of dreariness and vacancy which 
 nothing else on earth can fill. 
 
 The recollections of him at a period of his life which 
 was so interesting to myself, are so fresh and vivid that 
 I cannot forbear from representing him in the soft 
 and pleasing lights in which he then appeared. In 
 after years, when the labours and cares of his high and 
 responsible office were constantly increasing, and vex-
 
 288 history or 
 
 ations of various kinds rose up to disturb his peace and 
 thwart his usefulness, and each wearisome day was 
 closed, as I have often heard him remark, with some 
 anxious thought for the morrow, there were very fre- 
 quently observed in him an abstraction of mind, an 
 abruptness of manner, a hastiness of expression, and a 
 sudden transition from one subject to another, which 
 broke in upon his own social enjoyments, and lessened 
 the degree of that pleasure which he was wont to 
 impart in his intercourse with his friends. But then, the 
 frankness which never forsook him, notwithstanding it 
 was so often most ungenerously abused, was shown 
 without restraint — his warm heart poured out its feel- 
 ings in all their fulness — his buoyant spirits were never 
 depressed. In his family he was affectionate, to a de- 
 gree of almost feminine tenderness, playful as his child- 
 ren, and fond even of the domestic animals, with which 
 he was always surrounded. His guests felt no re- 
 straint in his company, nor was he at all restrained by 
 their's, but just suffered his character to appear in its 
 natural light, and gave utterance to his thoughts and 
 feelings as they rose up in his mind, according to the 
 varying mood of the moment. Notwithstanding he 
 was never idle, he always seemed to have time for his 
 friends, welcoming them with unfeigned cordiality, and 
 letting them go with reluctance and regret. 
 
 But his warm and benevolent feelings were never so 
 engagingly shown to the young, as when in a friendly 
 ramble or a ride to his favourite and beautiful retreat 
 in New-Jersey, he entered with a paternal interest 
 into all their views and plans, encouraging them by his 
 praise, and edifying them by his counsel, or else with a
 
 TRINITY CIIITRCII, NEW-YORK. 289 
 
 flattering confidence laid open to them his own. All 
 the barriers between age and youth, between wisdom 
 and ignorance, were broken down ; and where he saw 
 in the young, ingenuousness, piety and worth, even 
 though mingled up with imperfections and follies, he 
 seemed to anticipate the fruits of promise, and to com- 
 mune with them at once as companions and friends. 
 The heart melts at these recollections, and is poured 
 out like water. 
 
 The strong attachment of Mr. Hobart to the dis- 
 tinctive principles of the Episcopal Church, and his 
 bold, active, and persevering defence of them at all 
 times, through good and through evil report, were 
 striking peculiarities in his character and life. He was 
 constantly endeavouring to rouse others to a sense of 
 their importance, and by his indefatigable labours, his 
 noble enthusiasm, even in the cause of soberness and 
 truth, and the influence of his talents, character and 
 station, he revived the languid zeal of Episcopalians, 
 gave a new tone to their sentiments in this diocese, 
 and stamped the impress of his own mind and feelings 
 on thousands throughout the Church at large. Pro 
 Ecclesia Dei he adopted in as full a sense as the u ve- 
 nerable prelate* by whom these words were first cho- 
 sen as the standard of his wishes, his duties, his labours, 
 his dying prayers." 
 
 In promoting her welfare the most humble efforts 
 were exalted in his sight by the dignity and importance 
 of the object. Much that he has done in this way was 
 never perfectly known. The hope of doing good was 
 
 * Archbishop Whitgift.
 
 290 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 his only motive, and the advantage of it to others his 
 only reward. 
 
 I cannot forbear in this place, from making some re- 
 marks on a peculiarity in the conduct of this faithful 
 and devoted servant of the Lord, which showed itself 
 upon his very entrance into the ministry, and which 
 continued to be more and more strongly marked till it 
 was finally closed. Utility seemed to be the sole end 
 of his labours — mere literary fame was regarded as 
 nothing. With a mind of a highly original cast — with 
 a thorough education, which might have enabled him 
 to accomplish even great undertakings — with a soaring 
 ambition, which raised him in many respects, to an un- 
 disputed pre-eminence above all his brethren — he still 
 never found any work too humble for him, in which 
 there was a prospect of doing good. Whatever was in 
 any way connected with the spiritual edification of 
 others, however little it might contribute to his perso- 
 nal reputation, seemed to be of sufficient importance in 
 his eyes, to make it worthy of his labour and care. 
 With this view the Companion for the Altar, and the 
 Companion for the Book of Common Prayer were 
 written. With the same view the Companion for the 
 Festivals and Fasts, the Clergyman's Companion, the 
 Christian's Manual, and the Commentary of Mart and 
 Doyly, were re-published. He even took pains to 
 adapt the simple Catechism of the Church, to the ten- 
 der minds of those who were too young to give the an- 
 swers which are therein required, and enlarged it for 
 those who were more advanced, with a comprehensive- 
 ness and skill which made it almost as profitable an 
 exercise to the teacher as the learner. If the time
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 291 
 
 which was spent in making material alterations in some 
 of these works, and laborious additions to others, had 
 been employed in systematic study, and in the execu- 
 tion of any one of the original plans which were float- 
 ing in his mind, he would not only have had the repu- 
 tation of an eloquent preacher, an acute polemic and 
 a sound theologian, but also of a finished scholar and 
 profoundly learned divine. 
 
 Besides the original works which he wrote, his em- 
 endations of others, and his numerous compilations, he 
 undertook, in 18C8, a periodical publication, entitled 
 the Churchman's Magazine, which was strictly de- 
 voted to the maintenance of the same sound principles 
 that had hitherto been the ruling aim of his labours, 
 exhibiting the truth as it is in Jesus, and the Church 
 which he purchased with his blood, in all her integrity, 
 purity and glory. Though aided in this work by many 
 of his brethren, whose views and feelings were in har- 
 mony with his own, yet he contributed largely to it 
 himself. In what way he found time, amidst the press- 
 ing duties of his parochial charge, to unite these lite- 
 rary labours with his many other engagements and 
 cares, was always a matter of admiration and surprise. 
 He was a Trustee of the Society Library, and of Co- 
 lumbia College ) a member of the Standing Committee, 
 and the Committee for the Propagation of the Gospel ; 
 Secretary of the Society for promoting Religion and 
 Learning,* of the Bible and Common Prayer Book So- 
 ciety ; of the Convention of the Diocese, and of the 
 General Convention. And in all these bodies he was 
 an active and efficient member, thoroughly versed in
 
 292 HISTORY OF 
 
 their constitutions and laws, interested in their objects 
 and designs, skilled in their business, and attentive to 
 it, anxious for their welfare, prompt in his suggestions, 
 fluent and eloquent in debate, sound, judicious, and 
 practical in all his views. In addition to all this, he 
 was an accurate observer of human nature. He pe- 
 netrated at once into the character of others, saw their 
 weakness and their strength, and knew how to con- 
 trol them both. With an almost intuitive perception, 
 he comprehended at a glance all the bearings of any 
 subject under discussion, seized upon the leading points, 
 and anticipated its results. If there were any time for 
 preparation, he also brought to it the fruits of mature 
 reflection and industrious research. It may easily be 
 imagined, then, how soon he began to acquire an in- 
 fluence, in all the institutions with which he was con- 
 nected, and prepared the way for that ascendancy 
 which he finally gained in the Councils of the Church. 
 In every stage of his ministerial course we follow 
 him with admiration and delight $ we find him always 
 active, useful, and beloved — throwing his whole heart 
 and soul into his duties — sparing himself in nothing, 
 but running beyond the strict measure of his engage- 
 ments — calling forth the energies of his restless and 
 powerful mind, in every public labor or plan which 
 might contribute to the interests of the Church and to 
 the glory of God. While he thus rendered himself, in 
 the earlier years of his ministry, a general favorite, and 
 enjoyed an almost unbounded popularity, he was not 
 corrupted by adulation. No man whom I ever knew 
 had a heart more open to all human sympathies, nor
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 293 
 
 valued more highly well-merited praise ; but with him 
 it was rather a stimulus to laudable exertions, than an 
 encouragement to vain-glory and pride. 
 
 It was not in the course, however, of human things, 
 that he should escape the obloquy and censure which 
 are the uniform attendants of eminence and worth. 
 When, from his long and useful labours, and his extra- 
 ordinary gifts, the eyes of the Church were fixed upon 
 him as the person who was peculiarly fitted to direct 
 her councils and advance her growth, he was assailed 
 with unmeasured abuse, and his exaltation was usher- 
 ed in with every evil omen of tyranny, misrule, and 
 woe. He soon passed through this eclipse, and emerged 
 from it with a brightness which continued to increase 
 till his career was closed. 
 
 Notwithstanding the violent opposition that was 
 made to him, he was elected to the Episcopate by a 
 triumphant majority, at a Special Convention, held in 
 New-York, on the second Tuesday in May, 1811, 
 which had been called together for the purpose of pro- 
 viding an Assistant to Bishop Moore, who, from age 
 and infirmity, had withdrawn from the exercise of his 
 office. Dr. Hobart was consecrated in Trinity Church, 
 on the 29th of the same month, together with the Rev. 
 Alexander Viets Griswold. Bishop White acted as 
 consecrator, Bishop Provoost and Bishop Jarvis assist- 
 ing*, and according to the usage of the Church of 
 England, Bishop White first laid hands on Mr. Hobart, 
 as a Doctor of Divinity, though Mr. Griswold was his 
 senior, both in age and the ministry. It was a day of 
 rejoicing to the whole Church, and one of the deepest 
 interest to myself, who was present on the occasion.
 
 294 HISTORY OF 
 
 There is a very important feature in the public 
 character of Bishop Hobart, which, perhaps, in the 
 first place, contributed more than any thing else to 
 his elevation to the Episcopal Office, and after he had 
 attained it, to the increase of his influence and con- 
 sideration. His talents for public business were of the 
 highest order. Fond of its excitement, patient, of all 
 its details, clear and sagacious in his views, prompt in 
 action, full of resources, there was nothing which he 
 did not understand, and nothing which he was not at 
 all times prepared to engage in with interest and to act 
 upon with decision. He was, therefore, one of the few 
 who form the life and soul of every public assembly, 
 and who influence, direct, and control its deliberations. 
 Without being forward or assuming, he was always 
 self-possessed, confident in his own powers, prepared 
 for any emergency, and roused to a more vigorous 
 exertion of his intellect when taken by surprise. 
 
 To all his other remarkable qualifications, our rever- 
 ed Bishop added a zeal which was never quenched, an 
 industry which never tired, an activity which the hand 
 of death alone could arrest. He was unsparing in his 
 labours and unceasing in his watchfulness over the 
 Diocese committed to his care, so that he was almost 
 as thoroughly acquainted with the circumstances of 
 every Parish in the State as with the condition of his 
 own. His industry was without a parallel ; and I think 
 that I shall hardly be accused of exaggeration in ex- 
 pressing my own opinion, that very few Bishops of any 
 age or nation, since the time of the Apostles, have 
 surpassed him in zeal, activity, diligence, and the suc- 
 cess of his labours.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 295 
 
 The peculiar and numerous cares of his public sta- 
 tion did not materially interfere, however, with his 
 faithful and vigilant discharge of the more humble du- 
 ties of a pastor, after his elevation to the Episcopal 
 office. His visitation of the diocese, though often ex- 
 tending to the most remote parts of the State, and com- 
 prehending a vast field for exertion — from the celerity 
 of his movements and his power of enduring both men- 
 tal and bodily fatigue, was accomplished in so short a 
 period as to seem almost incredible to those who read 
 the account of his labours. The rest of the year was 
 in a great measure devoted to the ordinary duties of 
 the parish. And here, though both Bishop and Rec- 
 tor, he claimed no exemption from any of them on ac- 
 count of his multiplied engagements, but preached as 
 regularly in his course as the ministers who were asso- 
 ciated with him, and attended with the same cheerful- 
 ness to every parochial call. Indeed he seldom availed 
 himself of those opportunities of leisure which it might 
 have seemed that he needed, but took more pleasure 
 in giving relief to others than in enjoying it himself. I 
 have especial reasons for a grateful recollection of his 
 kindness in this respect, which was so often shown to 
 me during a season of declining health, as to lighten 
 labours which would otherwise have been oppressive. 
 It was a peculiarity of his mind, to fasten with the 
 same tenacity upon the object before him, whether it 
 were minute or important, and to feel that temporary 
 interest in either case, which was sure to procure for 
 it a due degree of attention. Forever restless and ac- 
 tive, it seemed to be constantly revolving within it all 
 the different objects with which he was concerned, so
 
 296 HISTORY OF 
 
 that nothing escaped his recollection and notice. He 
 was, therefore, not less prompt in attending to the mi- 
 nor objects of his parochial charge, than to the more 
 weighty cares of his extensive Diocese. 
 
 No man was ever more careful than Bishop Hobart 
 to regulate his public conduct by general principles, 
 nor more ready in applying these principles to partic- 
 ular cases. And when his mind was clearly made up 
 as to the correctness of the rule, he never suffered 
 himself to be moved by temporary expedients, by per- 
 sonal feeling, by popular excitement, by the desire of 
 praise, or fear of clamour and reproach, but went on 
 steadily and firmly in his course. To men of narrow 
 and wavering minds, who could neither comprehend a 
 subject in all its bearings, nor act with resolution even 
 upon their own convictions, his conclusions at times 
 seemed rash and precipitate, his conduct harsh and 
 ungracious, and his perseverance and consistency mere 
 obstinacy and pride. But he generally secured at once 
 the approbation of the bold and sagacious 5 and not- 
 withstanding temporary opposition, very often suc- 
 ceeded in finally carrying with him the public mind. 
 This was remarkably exemplified in the following 
 circumstance : 
 
 In 1815, the Bishop published a Pastoral Letter to 
 the Laity of the Church in his Diocese, on the subject 
 of Bible and Common Prayer Book Societies. Here 
 he took the unpopular ground, that our institutions for 
 religious purposes should be conducted in our own 
 way, and on our own principles, without any union or 
 amalgamation with those of other bodies of Christians. 
 The great indifference to the distinguishing principles
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 297 
 
 of the Church, even among many of our own people, 
 from an ignorance of their nature and importance, the 
 false notions of liberality prevailing among those who 
 were better informed, and the general disapprobation 
 at that time, among other denominations, of a policy 
 which was regarded as narrow, selfish, and almost 
 intolerant would have made such an appeal to the 
 Clergy themselves, a bold and startling measure. But 
 confident that he was right, and sure of their general 
 support, when the matter should be duly weighed, he 
 determined to address himself at once to his people at 
 large, to whom it was still more new and strange. He 
 always had a strong reliance on the good sense of the 
 community, and was persuaded that the just and rea- 
 sonable cause, when properly supported, would finally 
 prevail over prejudice and error. In the present in- 
 stance he was not deceived. 
 
 But Bishop Hobart did not merely confine his soli- 
 citude to the exclusive character of our institutions, 
 but was unwearied in his exertions to promote their 
 useful and important ends. Humble as they were, 
 in their infant operations, they were not beneath his 
 paternal care. Backward, as our people were in 
 their support, he was never discouraged. He attended 
 the meetings of all our Societies, whenever it was practi- 
 cable, and was among the first to be present and the last 
 to retire. He entered into the minutest details of their 
 business — took a lively interest in all their proceed- 
 ings — noticed every change in their condition — sug- 
 gested expedients for their improvement when they 
 were languishing, and rejoiced at every appearance of 
 
 their growth and success. The most of these Soeie," 
 19
 
 298 HISTORY OF 
 
 ties were originally established, with the approbations 
 of the ecclesiastical authority, by a few young men ? 
 who united with the activity and ardor of youth, much 
 of the prudence and judgment of maturer years j whose 
 pious zeal was tempered by an enlightened attachment 
 to the distinctive principles and usages of our Churchy 
 and whose efforts were as earnest and persevering in 
 promoting the cause of soberness and truth, as those 
 of others in spreading enthusiasm and error. The 
 Bishop delighted in this little band. He animated 
 them on all occasions by his approbation and praise. 
 He looked to their example for a succession of active 
 labourers in those societies which were so essentially 
 connected with the welfare of the Church. And many 
 of them, in the recollection of his parental watchful- 
 ness and regard, still feel the impulse which he gave to 
 their exertions, and go on in their course with unabated 
 ardour and zeal. 
 
 The labours of Bishop Hobart in his extensive dio- 
 cese, where the points to be visited were often very 
 remote from his place of residence and from each 
 other, and in the large parish, of which he was Rector? 
 where both the temporal and spiritual cares were more 
 weighty than usual, would have been enough to break 
 down the physical strength of most men, and to have 
 distracted and overwhelmed their minds. But, in 1816, 
 he received an invitation to visit the Diocese of Con- 
 necticut 5 and deeming it important to the interests of 
 that section of the Church, that Episcopal duties should 
 not be intermitted there, he cheerfully consented to 
 make this new addition to his labours. 
 
 Wherever he came, though merely to visit the con-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 299 
 
 gregations, there was always a degree of excitement. 
 From the respect which was entertained for his sacred 
 office, the persuasion of his superior wisdom, and the 
 advantages of his ripe experience, his discourses were 
 heard with that deep attention which is due to the ex- 
 position of God's word, and his suggestions received as 
 the counsels of paternal authority. In consecrating 
 churches, he came to mingle his congratulations with 
 the joy of the people upon the crowning of their la- 
 bours, their efforts, and their prayers, and to raise their 
 thoughts from the house of the Lord on earth, which 
 w r as so dear to their hearts, to the beauty and glory of 
 the Church, triumphant in heaven. And when new 
 labourers were sent forth into the vineyard of the 
 Lord, both he and others indulged in the delightful an- 
 ticipation of a more abundant and joyful harvest. 
 
 Besides, there was something in the social character 
 of the Bishop, which heightened the interest of his of- 
 ficial intercourse with his people. His sympathies were 
 always with the company in which he chanced to be, 
 and his heart in the business in which he was engaged. 
 With persons of education and refinement he was at 
 his ease, and he accommodated himself, without any 
 effort, to those of low degree. Frank, courteous, and 
 accessible, no one was embarrassed either by the dignity 
 of his station or the superiority of his talents. Even his 
 peculiarities, which were somewhat remarkable, his ab- 
 ruptness in conversation, his absence of mind, the 
 quickness of his movements, the playfulness of his re- 
 marks, and his occasional disregard of the ordinary 
 forms of society, did not materially lessen the rever- 
 ence for his character, while, at the same time they in-
 
 300 HISTORY OF 
 
 creased the affection for his person. Without a spirit 
 of adulation, he had a singular faculty of making men 
 pleased with themselves, by directing the conversation 
 to the subjects in which they were interested, or to the 
 pursuits or studies in which they excelled. From the 
 keenness of his discernment, a slight acquaintance was 
 sufficient for him to gain an accurate knowledge of 
 the character of those into whose company he was 
 thrown 5 and from the importance of this knowledge 
 in the station which he occupied, wherever he had any 
 doubts, he was very careful to correct, or confirm his 
 own observations by the information which he could 
 procure from others. Seldom therefore, forming an 
 erroneous estimate of men, he mingled among them 
 on an easy footing, with great gratification to them and 
 advantage to himself. 
 
 In the fall of 1822, as has been before observed, 
 Bishop Hobart had an attack of bilious intermittent 
 fever at his country-seat in New-Jersey, which was 
 the precursor of that series of attacks which gradu- 
 ally impaired his constitution and finally occasioned 
 his death. 
 
 Though he soon appeared to have recovered, in a 
 great measure, from this severe illness, yet towards the 
 close of the following summer, being still feeble, and 
 feeling the need of relaxation, he proposed to make an 
 excursion to Quebec, and wished me to accompany 
 him. The weather was remarkably fine, the scenery, 
 throughout a great part of the route, though familiar 
 to us both, was too varied and beautiful to be seen 
 again with indifference, and the latter portion of the 
 journey had all the freshness and charm of novelty.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 301 
 
 But the pleasure of the first part of our excursion, 
 was a singular contrast with the pain and suffering of 
 our return. We set out by land, and before the close 
 of the first day the Bishop was seized with a most vio- 
 lent bilious attack, which filled me with anxiety and 
 alarm. We travelled in wretched cabriolets, which 
 were sufficiently uneasy vehicles for those who were 
 well, but which were agonizing to one who was deadly 
 sick. We had to stop frequently on the road 5 but, 
 upon the slightest intermission of suffering, the Bishop 
 was impatient to proceed, and he came back to his 
 home much worse than when he left it. It was this 
 attack, from which he did not entirely recover after 
 his return, that suggested the thought of his visit to 
 Europe. 
 
 His constitution was now so much impaired, that 
 there seemed to be no prospect of the renovation of 
 his health, except from a thorough change of scene, 
 and a long and complete recreation from his laborious 
 duties and distracting cares, and arrangements were 
 accordingly made for his immediate departure. 
 
 He set sail on the 24th of September, 1823, in the 
 ship Meteor, Captain Gardiner, and arrived at Liver- 
 pool on the 29th of October. He was every where 
 received, in his journey through England, with cordial- 
 ity and kindness ; and in the month of December he 
 made a visit to Scotland. 
 
 The similarity of the Scotch Episcopal Church to 
 our own, in its separation from the State, and in its 
 claims to regard from its spiritual character alone, 
 together with the interesting fact, that the first bishop 
 of our Church received his consecration from the 
 Episcopal Church of Scotland, had created a very
 
 302 HISTORY OF 
 
 peculiar and endearing relation between them. The 
 greeting of Bishop Hobart, therefore, in that country, 
 though it could not be more cordial than it had been 
 in England, was more universal. He was not only 
 heartily welcomed by those with whom he had cor- 
 responded, but with the same demonstrations of joy 
 by all. 
 
 It will doubtless be no less a matter of surprise to 
 the public than of unfeigned regret, that a portion of 
 Bishop Hobart's life, so replete with interest to himself 
 as that which he passed in Europe, must in a great 
 measure be a blank to others. He made notes, in- 
 deed, of the objects on the route with which he was 
 struck, in every country which he visited, but they 
 were, with a few exceptions, naked and unfinished 
 sketches. While his recollections were fresh and 
 vivid, he himself might have filled them up in such a 
 way as to form many a delightful picture, but he never 
 found time for it, and they are now, therefore, lost for 
 ever. These notes were for the most part written with 
 a pencil, and were very often faded and illegible 5 and 
 even where they could be read with ease, they were 
 too broken and imperfect for publication. They were 
 chiefly confined to the general aspect of the country 
 through which he was passing, to its beautiful and 
 romantic scenery, and to those varieties in its modes 
 of agriculture, in the style of its buildings, and the cos- 
 tume and manners of its inhabitants, in which it was 
 distinguished from our own. He was a passionate 
 admirer of nature, in all her diversified and changing 
 orms. He was enthusiastically fond of rural pursuits. 
 That he dwelt so much, then, on these things in the 
 notes which he took, is not surprising to those who
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 303 
 
 knew him. The rural charms, the tasteful improve- 
 ments and perfect cultivation of England, the rugged 
 grandeur of Switzerland, and the blending of all beau- 
 ty and glory in the enchanting scenes of Italy, were a 
 source of exquisite enjoyment to him 5 and many a 
 delightful recollection of these countries have we call- 
 ed up together, which had been so pleasant to us both. 
 But it is somewhat remarkable that he made no 
 memoranda of those things in which he was still more 
 interested than in nature itself. The business of life, 
 the study of mankind, and the great interests of reli- 
 gion, were the objects which were always uppermost 
 in his mind. But though he mingled with the most 
 eminent personages, contemplated society under forms 
 so different from our own, observed such a variety of 
 characters, and heard so many things which were 
 worthy of note, yet he neither drew the portraits of 
 those whom he saw, nor left any record of their opin- 
 ions. Whether he was influenced in this by motives 
 of delicacy, or whether it arose out of neglect, it is 
 impossible to determine. Among his personal friends 
 these things were the frequent and delightful theme of 
 his conversation. 
 
 During his visit to England, he published two volumes 
 of his sermons, which were also soon after re-printed 
 in this country. They were his ordinary parochial 
 discourses, which were designed merely for the pulpit, 
 without the slightest view to publication. From the 
 multitude of his avocations and cares, but little time 
 was left to him for the preparation of his sermons ; and 
 even when he happened to have more leisure, from the 
 mere force of habit, and his remarkable facility in this 
 species of composition, they were generally written in
 
 304 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 the same haste. They are by no means, therefore, 
 the best specimen either of his style or of his powers. 
 Besides, many of them were composed when he was 
 comparatively young, before the first had attained its 
 final form, or the last their full maturity and vigour. 
 
 His charges and pastoral letters, which were writ- 
 ten with greater care, and sometimes under stronger 
 excitement, are among the most chaste and forcible of 
 his writings 5 and some of his controversial pieces are 
 the fairest exhibition of his theological learning and 
 intellectual powers. 
 
 When the health of Bishop Hobart had been im- 
 paired by excessive labours both of body and mind, 
 and a temporary relaxation from his duties having 
 been found unavailing, it was thought indispensable to 
 his restoration that he should travel abroad, there was 
 such a general manifestation of sympathy and concern, 
 as was never perhaps exhibited among us on any simi- 
 lar occasion. 
 
 An address from the clergy was put into his hands 
 on the eve of his embarkation, expressing, with no Jess 
 sincerity than warmth, their affection for his person, 
 their respect for his character, their prayers for his 
 safety during his journey, for the restoration of his 
 health, and for his return to the useful, zealous, and 
 faithful labours by which his Diocese had been so sig- 
 nally blessed ; offering up, likewise, prayers for them- 
 selves, that they might have grace to preserve the 
 Church in his absence from declining from that degree 
 of unity, prosperity, and purity to which it had been 
 raised under his administration. A throng of parish- 
 oners and friends pressed around him at the moment 
 of his departure, with anxious and sorrowing hearts,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 305 
 
 to bid him farewell ; and some felt but little less than 
 the Ephesian converts in parting with St. Paul, from 
 the painful apprehension that they might see his face 
 no more. The most of his clergy who were resident 
 in the city accompanied him many miles, and then 
 watched with fond and lingering regret the last glimpse 
 of the sails which bore him hence. During the first 
 few months they waited for news from him with eager 
 impatience 5 and through the whole course of his jour- 
 ney and protracted absence, they were by turns both 
 cheered and depressed. But when he came back 
 renovated in constitution, buoyant in spirits, and over- 
 flowing with kindness towards all whom he met, he 
 was hailed with universal joy. A more deep and heart- 
 felt welcome was never given to any one on his return 
 to his native land. 
 
 The Annual Convention of the Diocese was held 
 shortly after his return. The feelings of the clergy and 
 laity from all parts of the State were in unison with 
 those which prevailed in the city, and there was, there- 
 fore, a general desire to make a public demonstration 
 of them on this interesting occasion. But though there 
 were none who did not wish to unite in this testimony 
 of gratitude for the happy return of the Bishop, yet 
 there were a few who, not agreeing with him in some 
 of his opinions, and in the main points of his policy, 
 were anxious that the resolutions should be so framed 
 as merely to express their sentiments of personal at- 
 tachment and respect, and their high sense of his use- 
 fulness, piety and worth. With a view, therefore, to 
 render it an unanimous act, some of his friends who 
 agreed with him in all points, unhappily yielded to this 
 'consideration, and in a spirit of accommodation, as
 
 306 HISTORY OF 
 
 unusual as it was unwise, drew them up in such a 
 vague and general form as deprived them of all the 
 force, character, and value which could make them 
 worthy of his acceptance. 
 
 The Bishop had met his clergy and people with a 
 generous warmth, which was most cordially recipro- 
 cated. He knew that, with very few exceptions, they 
 were of one heart and one soul. He knew on what ac- 
 counts he was particularly distinguished and esteemed. 
 Any good and amiable prelate, however weak, irreso- 
 lute and wavering, might have received this praise, and, 
 therefore, on the day after the resolutions were adopt- 
 ed, he rose in his place, and in the bitterness of a 
 jealous and wounded affection, rejected it with scorn. 
 Never did I hear any person, in voice, manner, or ex- 
 pression, so eloquent. It was all nature, feeling, and 
 passion, wrought up to the highest pitch. He repre- 
 sented this proceeding as a crafty device of his oppo- 
 sers, and an act of weak compliance on the part of his 
 friends. Under the appearance of congratulation and 
 praise, it left out all those notices of the characteristic 
 and prominent points of his principles and policy, 
 which it had been the labour of his life to extend, 
 through good and evil report, and in which he placed 
 his glory and pride. It neither exhibited him as he 
 was known at home, nor as he was valued abroad. 
 It was not agreeable to the just and affectionate trib- 
 ute which had been presented to him on his departure, 
 nor was it the kind of commendation which he coveted 
 on his return. It was a diluted and weakened praise, 
 which was in no way applicable to one who had always 
 stemmed the current of popular opinion, and he there-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 307 
 
 fore requested that the resolutions should be expunged 
 from the minutes. 
 
 This is the mere faint and imperfect recollection of 
 a speech which was so bold and powerful as to bow 
 the hearts of the whole assembly as of one man. The 
 justness and force of it were in the main universally 
 felt. The particular friends of the Bishop were grieved 
 at the pain which they had given him, and mortified 
 by the error inlo which they had fallen. The reso- 
 lutions were modified in such a way as to give 
 them, an appropriate character 5 and this fearless 
 vindication of his fame, so far from being regarded as 
 a display of arrogance and pride was only considered 
 as a proof of that elevation of mind which glories in an 
 honourable course rather than in undistinguishing and 
 popular applause. 
 
 The remainder of Bishop Hcbart's life was spent in 
 the active and unwearied discharge of his important 
 duties ; from the rapid growth of the church his la- 
 bours were constantly increasing, but with renewed 
 health, with buoyant spirits, and greater energy than 
 ever, both of body and mind, he went through them 
 with such ease and cheerfulness as led us all to hope 
 that they might long be continued, when, in the inscru- 
 table providence of God they were about to be closed 
 for ever. 
 
 On a visitation of a portion of his Diocese, in the 
 western part of the State, he was seized with a bilious 
 fever and died at Auburn, the 12th of September, 1830. 
 Melancholy as was his separation from his family and 
 so many of his dearest friends at the time of his death, 
 yet it would seem as if God had so ordered it that he 
 should die in the discharge of his duty, as a beautifu 1
 
 308 HISTORY OF 
 
 and appropriate close to a life which had been spent 
 in his service. 
 
 God in his providence, seemed to have endued him 
 with all the qualities, both mental and physical, which 
 fitted him for his exalted station, and which, in a spirit 
 of piety and faith he consecrated entirely to his glory 5 
 quickness of perception, vigour and manliness of 
 thought, the most tenacious memory in connection 
 with the soundest judgment, a keen and almost uner- 
 ring penetration into the character of others, and very 
 often a remarkable ascendancy over their conduct 5 
 promptness in action, wisdom in counsel, skill and elo- 
 quence in debate; an energy of character which 
 nothing could repress $ an activity of mind and body 
 which was never suspended 5 a perseverance which 
 rested only when its object was attained j a noble and 
 insatiable desire of doing things more excellent than 
 those which he had already accomplished. 
 
 But there was one trait in his character which shines 
 out with peculiar glory — it was his moral courage. 
 Nervous in the temperament of his body, his mind was 
 as firm as a rock. He feared none but God. It was 
 this which marked his course in the Church, with a 
 track of light which, we trust, will grow brighter and 
 brighter unto the perfect day. He saw the true grounds 
 upon which the Church rested, and he had firmness 
 enough to avow his opinions without qualification or 
 disguise. He saw the true policy by which she was to 
 be sustained, and he pursued it without regard to the 
 anxious fears of her temporizing friends, or the cla- 
 mours of her secret or open foes. He kept the prin- 
 ciples of Apostolic order in connexion with Evangeli-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 309 
 
 cal truth perpetually in view, explaining them in his 
 writings, inculcating them in his discourses, enforcing 
 them in his conversation, and fortifying them by a stea- 
 dy and unalterable adherence in practice. He pressed 
 upon his people the uncompromising and exclusive 
 claims of the Church, and left the consequences of 
 their rejection to others, not without pity indeed for 
 their errors, nor charity for their motives, but with a 
 desire that was stronger than any other feeling, that all 
 should come to the knowledge of what he deemed the 
 truth. 
 
 In contending for Episcopacy as the primitive pat- 
 tern of the Church and the appointment of God, in en- 
 forcing her order and discipline, in guarding against all 
 direct violation of her principles and usages, and dis- 
 couraging all amalgamation with other denominations 
 for religious purposes, which might even remotely en- 
 danger the interests of truth j it is almost incredible to 
 relate with what contumely, scorn, and reproach he 
 was assailed, from the very outset of his course till its 
 triumphant close. But none of these things moved 
 him. He lived long enough to see what, in the begin- 
 ning, he was convinced of, that a just cause, when 
 manfully defended, would never want supporters 5 that 
 truth would gradually prevail over prejudice and error ; 
 and that a bold and honest policy would be ultimately 
 crowned with success. The impress of his mind was 
 stamped upon thousands ; a new tone was given to the 
 church at large $ and we may confidently hope, that 
 his opinions will be extended, and his labours be blessed, 
 for generations to come. 
 
 Bishop Hobart died in the fifty-fifth year of his age,
 
 310 HISTORY OF 
 
 leaving behind him a widow, three sons, and four 
 daughters. His remains were brought from Auburn, 
 and deposited beneath the chancel of Trinity Church. 
 In a recess behind it, a large and splendid monument 
 was erected to his memory, which was beautifully and 
 tastefully adorned in basso relievo, with an emblemati- 
 cal representation of the hopes and consolations of 
 religion, on which there is the following inscription : 
 
 BENEATH THIS CHANCEL KEST THE MORTAL REMAINS OF 
 
 JOHN HENRY HOBART, 
 
 RECTOR OF TRINITY CHURCH, IN THIS CITY : 
 
 BISHOP OF TnE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OP 
 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 BORN IN PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER XIV. MDCCLXXV. 
 
 DIED, DURING A VISITATION TO THE WESTERN PARTS OF HIS 
 DIOCESE, IN AUBURN, SEPTEMBER XII. MDCCCXXX. 
 
 THE VESTRY, IN BEHALF OF THE ASSOCIATED CONGREGATIONS OF 
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, 
 
 HAVE CAUSED THIS MONUMENT TO BE ERECTED 
 
 IN MEMORY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES, PRIVATE VIRTUES, AND 
 
 CHRISTIAN GRACES OF THEIR BELOVED AND LAMENTED 
 
 PASTOR; 
 
 IN TESTIMONY OF THEIR RESPECT FOR THE WISDOM, ENERGY, 
 AND PIETY OF THEIR REVERED 
 
 DIOCESAN; 
 IN HONOUR OF THE FAITHFUL AND VALIANT 
 
 U SOLDIER OF CHRIST j " 
 
 WHO ON ALL OCCASIONS STOOD FORTH, THE ABLE AND INTREPID 
 
 CHAMPION OF THE CHURCH OF GOD.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 311 
 
 The Rectory having become vacant by the death of 
 Bishop Hobart, it was resolved on the 11th of Oct., 
 1830, that the Church Wardens and Vestrymen 
 should proceed to supply the said vacancy by the elec- 
 tion of a Rector, and the ballots having been counted 
 and canvassed, it was found that I was unanimously 
 elected. Messrs. Johnson and Lorillard were appoint- 
 ed a committee to notify me of the fact, with whom I 
 returned, and having been introduced to the Vestry, and 
 signified my acceptance of the office, I took my seat 
 accordingly. 
 
 On the following day I was duly inducted into Tri- 
 nity Church, by the deliverance to me of the keys of 
 the said Church, and of St. Paul's and St. John's Cha- 
 pels, such delivery being made to me by the Church 
 Wardens in the presence of the Vestrymen, and also 
 of Edward Coates, Richard Slack, and Albert Wun- 
 nenburgh, the Sextons of the said Church and Chapels 
 respectively, as witnesses. 
 
 The Vestry of Trinity Church having at all times in 
 view not merely the interests of the Congregation they 
 represent, but of the Diocese at large, so early as the 
 1st of June, 1812, resolved that the sum of $ 15,000 
 should with all convenient speed be raised and paid to 
 the Treasurer of the Episcopal fund in aid of the same. 
 This was in consequence of a resolution of the Con- 
 vention that as soon as the fund should amount to 
 $ 100,000 the Bishop should receive his support out of 
 the income thereof, and be no longer connected with 
 a Parish. In 1830, the Vestry resolved to increase 
 the amount proposed in 1812 to $30,000, whenever 
 the said fund, from collections in the Diocese, should
 
 312 HISTORY OF 
 
 amount to $70,000 and as soon as it had reached this 
 point , which was not until 1835, this liberal grant was 
 formally made. 
 
 The division of the Diocese however, in 1838, in- 
 volved with it also, in some measure a division of the 
 Fund. Such a portion of the capital of it was neces- 
 sarily withdrawn for the support of the Bishop of Wes- 
 tern New-York, as left a considerable deficiency in the 
 interest of the remainder to meet the engagements 
 which had previously been made by the Convention 
 with the Bishop of New-York. 
 
 The Vestry again stepped in with their accustomed 
 liberality to supply this deficiency, amounting to $1600 
 per annum, on the express condition, that the several 
 Parishes in the Diocese should make the regular col- 
 lections for the fund provided by the Canon, which by 
 a careful calculation would have restored it, as was sup- 
 posed, in thirteen years to the amount originally pro- 
 posed. 
 
 With a most discreditable want of good faith, on the 
 part of a majority of them at least, this condition was 
 never fulfilled, till the patience of the Vestry being en- 
 tirely exhausted, the annual allowance was at length 
 withdrawn. Towards the object itself, however, they 
 were never indifferent, for in addition to the ample 
 grant of $30,000, they purchased a large and commo- 
 dious house for the Episcopal residence, which, with 
 a portion of the furniture designed for the permanent 
 use of those who should successively inhabit it, and 
 with extensive alterations and improvements, cost the 
 Vestry $20,000 more. 
 
 On the 10th of Jan., 1831, the Rector having nomi-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. .313 
 
 nated the Rev. Henry Anthon an Assistant Minister of 
 this Church, the nomination was approved. Dr. An- 
 thon continued his connection with the Parish until 
 his election as Rector of St. Mark's Church, New- 
 York, when he sent in his resignation, on the 23d of 
 December, 1836. 
 
 On the 23d of March, 1836, the Rev. Jonathan M. 
 Wainwright, D. D., was appointed an Assistant Min- 
 ister of Trinity Church, on the supposition that the 
 appointment would be agreeable to him, but which 
 unexpected circumstances, however, prevented him 
 from accepting. In the following year the invitation 
 was repeated and accepted, and he still continues in 
 the Parish in the discharge of his duties. 
 
 On the 13th of June, 1836, the Rev. Edward Y. 
 Higbee was also appointed an Assistant Minister of 
 Trinity Church. Deep domestic affliction, however, 
 prevented Dr. Higbee from entering upon the duties of 
 his office until the following autumn, in which he con- 
 tinues to be engaged at the present time. 
 
 In 1836, the Episcopal Fund having reached the 
 point which was deemed requisite for the support of 
 the Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Onderdonk's connec- 
 tion with Trinity Church was consequently dissolved. 
 The deep humiliation to which he has since been re- 
 duced, and the obloquy, the scorn, and contempt with 
 which he has been loaded, will not prevent me from 
 exhibiting him as he was in the estimation of his friends 
 and in his relations to this Parish. 
 
 I had been at that time in habits of the closest and 
 
 dearest intimacy with him for thirty years. I became 
 
 acquainted with him at College in early life, he was 
 20
 
 314 HISTORY OF 
 
 my fellow student in Divinity, and as soon as he was 
 ordained, he was associated with me in the same Pa- 
 rish, from opening manhood till he had considerably 
 passed the period of middle age. From our common 
 duties and our mutual regard, we were brought into 
 constant intercourse with each other, so that all his in- 
 firmities end faults, as well as his virtues and graces, 
 were laid open before me. 
 
 In his very youth he was grave, sedate and thought- 
 ful, to a degree which is seldom seen ,* correct in his prin- 
 ciples 5 pure in heart, and unspotted in life. In his 
 academic pursuits and in his preparation for the min- 
 istry, he was so unwearied in his diligence and so lau- 
 dable in his ambition as to have distinguished himself 
 greatly in both. And when he at length entered upon 
 the exercise of his office, it was with such a devout 
 temper of mind, such a conscientious view of his du- 
 ties, and such a fixed determination to discharge them 
 as within the range of my observation, at least, has ne- 
 ver been surpassed. These duties, in the very outset 
 of his course in this extensive Parish, were exceedingly 
 heavy. But he never shrunk from any labour, he 
 never tired in his own work, nor hesitated in an emer- 
 gency to help his brethren. 
 
 He had at once the physical strength which enabled 
 him to bear the utmost degree of labour, and the ready 
 will to perform it with cheerfulness. 
 
 But he was not only indefatigable in the perform- 
 ance of his public duties, but most assiduous and faith- 
 ful as a pastor, going about continually doing good, and 
 especially among the sick and the needy, the afflicted 
 and distressed.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 315 
 
 This pastoral attention to the members of the Parish, 
 was a duty to which I had always attached the great- 
 est importance mysolf, and which, according to my 
 ability, I had endeavoured to discharge. 1 was con- 
 stantly among the people, where he was held in the ut- 
 most respect and affection, and where, until several 
 years after his entrance into the Episcopate, the breath 
 of reproach had never reached him. 
 
 They are witnesses with me how holily and unbla- 
 mably he behaved himself among us. I doubt not 
 that " we may depart from grace given," yet still I 
 have great confidence in the general truth of that pro- 
 mise of God, "The Lord ordereth a good man's going 
 and maketh his way acceptable to himself." And I 
 can never be brought to believe, except on more con- 
 vincing testimony than I have yet met with, that one, 
 who in early life and in riper years delighted in His 
 ways, and who so highly adorned the vocation where- 
 with he was called, has fallen into such " wretchlessness 
 of living" as is ascribed to him, on the very verge of old 
 age. 
 
 During the vacancies which had occurred in the 
 Parish, by the Bishop's separation from it, and the re- 
 signation of Dr. Anthon and Dr. Schroeder, the Rector 
 was authorized, on each of these occasions to select suit- 
 able persons to fill them for a time, and the Rev. Hewlet 
 R. Peters, the Rev. Dr. Seabury, and the Rev. Dr. 
 Ogilby, were successively appointed. 
 
 In 1839, it was discovered that the roof of Trinity 
 Church, in consequence of some defect in the plan of 
 the building or want of skill in the construction of it, 
 had yielded to the pressure of the mass of snow with
 
 316 HISTORY OF 
 
 which it had been sometimes covered, and that the co- 
 lumns which were supposed to sustain it, had swerved 
 from their place. A temporary expedient was resort- 
 ed to in the first instance to correct the evil, but this 
 only serving to keep apprehension alive, and rather in- 
 deed, to increase it, the Yestry, at length, determined 
 to remove the old roof and build a new one. In the 
 progress of this work it was found, that the whole edi- 
 fice was so slight and unsubstantial, that it Avould be 
 needless to repair it and unsafe to leave it. The final 
 conclusion, therefore, of the Corporation was, to pull it 
 down and raise a third one on the spot, of a more mass- 
 ive and enduring character. Various plans were pro- 
 posed and estimates made, with no intention originally 
 of erecting a grand and costly edifice, but the concep- 
 tions of the projector and architect* being gradually 
 enlarged, and the objections of the Building Commit- 
 tee and the Vestry reluctantly indeed, but constantly 
 giving way, it resulted in the construction of a magni- 
 ficent temple, which in this country has no equal, and 
 which, since the Reformation at least, has been seldom, 
 if ever, surpassed in any other. 
 
 The old church was pulled down in the spring and 
 summer of 1839. The new one was begun in the au- 
 tumn of the same year, and it was not completed and 
 made ready for consecration until the 21st of May, 
 
 1846.t 
 
 The consecration of Trinity Church awakened a 
 more general curiosity, and excited a deeper interest 
 
 * Mr. Richard Upjohn. 
 
 ■\ For the report ot the Building Committee, see Appendix I.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 317 
 
 than any thing of the kind I have ever known. In 
 some, indeed, whose families had been for generations 
 connected with it, and some who had been connected 
 with it for generations themselves, but who still surviv- 
 ing, remained as scattered monuments of the past, this 
 interest was intense. I have already noticed the pres- 
 ence on the occasion of one of the former clerks of the 
 Parish, the late Mr. John P. Groshon, who attended 
 the opening of St. Paul's, in 1766. And I have since 
 learned, that Mrs. Ann Livingston, a family connection 
 of Dr. John Charlton, was also present at the conse- 
 cration of this third edifice, who had attended the con- 
 secration of the second, and who had been baptized in 
 the first. 
 
 To indulge in any reasonable degree this wide-spread 
 curiosity, and to gratify the deeper interest of those 
 who were attached to the Parish, was one of the most 
 difficult tasks that could well be imagined. The com- 
 mittee who were charged with the business, took un- 
 wearied pains to do so, with reference to the capacity 
 of the building and the order and decorum becoming 
 the solemnity of the occasion. In this last point they 
 succeeded with universal admiration, but in the firm 
 and rigid observance of the rules they had laid down in 
 order to secure it, they gave deep and lasting offence, 
 to many, at least, who were thus necessarily excluded. 
 
 As it may be interesting, perhaps, to those who fol- 
 low us to be furnished with the details in regard to the 
 order of the procession, and the names of the persons 
 who took a part in the service, they will be found in 
 the Appendix.* 
 
 * Appendix K.
 
 318 HISTORY OF 
 
 I have thus brought to a close the history of the 
 Parish in which, with a brief exception, I commenced 
 my professional life, and in which, with God's permis- 
 sion and blessing, I hope to end it. The interest which 
 I feel in all that concerns its honour, its welfare, and 
 peace, may readily be conceived. It is very possible, 
 therefore, that in the intensity of this feeling, I may 
 have given an undue prominence to things which in 
 themselves were comparatively unimportant, and that 
 I have swelled a work into a volume, which might have 
 been very well compressed, as it had been before for a 
 hundred and fifty years, within a very few pages. It 
 may all be true, but with the most careful exercise of 
 the faculties which God has given me, I could make 
 it nothing else than it is. Of one thing, however, I am 
 entirely persuaded, that this history of Trinity Church 
 will be read by no one, however prejudiced against it, 
 but of a fair and honest mind, who will not lay it down 
 with some change in his opinions, and that it will height- 
 en the attachment and reverence for this ancient and 
 munificent Corporation, of all those who have been 
 accustomed to respect it. 
 
 The clergy connected with the Parish at the present 
 The Rev. Wm. Berrian, D. D., 
 
 time, are 
 
 Rector. 
 
 Jonathan M. Wainwright, D. D., Edward Y. Higbee, D. D., 
 Martin P. Parks, 
 
 Assistant Ministers. 
 
 Cornelius R. Duffie, Francis I. Clerc, 
 
 Deacons.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 319 
 
 CHURCH WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN. 
 Adam Tredwell, Edward W. Laigiit, 
 
 Church Wardens. 
 Teunis Quick, William Moore, 
 
 Peter A. Mesier, William H. Hobart, 
 
 Anthony L. Underhill, Henry Youngs, 
 
 William Johnson, Alexander L. McDonald, 
 
 Philip Hone, Sl. G. Raymond, 
 
 William E. Dunscomb, Clerk, Gulian C. Verplanck, 
 William H. B.Ajaso^,Comptroller, Philip Henry, 
 Robert Hyslop, John I. Morgan, 
 
 Henry Cotheal, David B. Ogden, 
 
 Thomas L. Clark, Anthony J. Bleecker, 
 
 Vestrymen. 
 
 For a full list of the Wardens and Vestrymen of 
 Trinity Church, from its foundation to the present 
 time, see Appendix, L. 
 
 And for a detailed account of its gifts and grants, 
 see Appendix, M.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 A. 
 
 SUBSCRIPTIONS TOWARDS BUILDING THE STEEPLE. 
 
 We, whose names are hereunder written, doe freely severally give the 
 following respective sums towards the finishing the Steeple of Trinity 
 Church, in New- York, , in America. Witness our hands, this first 
 day of May, Anno Domini 1711. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 £ s. 
 
 His Excell. Robert 
 
 
 
 Samuel Bayard 
 
 2 15 
 
 Hunter, Esq. 
 
 10 
 
 
 Robt. Watts 
 
 1 7 ( 
 
 Coll. Richd. Ingoldesby 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 Bart Lefourt 
 
 1 10 
 
 John Barberie 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Elias Jamain 
 
 3 
 
 Capt. Robert Paston 
 
 5 
 
 
 Lawrence Reade 
 
 4 
 
 Cha. Pinkethman 5, 
 
 
 
 John Cruger 
 
 1 1 
 
 but £3 rec'd, 
 
 3 
 
 
 Johanna Markham 
 
 1 10 
 
 Will Vesey 
 
 5 
 
 
 Capt. Nich. Smith 
 
 5 
 
 John Read 
 
 3 
 
 
 Saml. Staats 
 
 1 7 < 
 
 Henry Beekman 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Benja. Fanevil 
 
 1 2 
 
 John Jekyll 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 Nathaniel Freu 
 
 5 
 
 Steph. DeLancy 
 
 3 
 
 
 Elias Boudinot 
 
 11 
 
 John Merit 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Charles Tellis 
 
 11 
 
 Gualtherus DuBois 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Cazalet 
 
 5 
 
 Jno. Bown 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Nath. Milner 
 
 1 2 
 
 Tho. Farmar 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Coll. Gorkin 
 
 5 
 
 Henry Lane 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Danl. Cromline 
 
 1 10 
 
 G. Turbervil 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Lewis Caree 
 
 11 
 
 Simeon Soumaine 
 
 1 
 
 
 Wm. Sharpas 
 
 1 10 
 
 Wm. Glencross 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Robt. Nisbet 
 
 1 
 
 Jno. Maclenan 
 
 1 
 
 
 Wm. Smith 
 
 2 5 
 
 Jno. Cholwell 
 
 1 
 
 7 6 
 
 Barent Rynders 
 
 1 
 
 Walter Thouy 
 
 1 
 
 2 6 
 
 John Auboyneau 
 
 11
 
 322 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 Abraham Joneau 
 James Neau 
 Peter Morine 
 John Finch 
 Tho. Walbank 
 Fra. Harison 
 George Clarke 
 Barth. LeRoux 
 Robert Dark ins 
 Jacob Van Cortland 
 And. Fresneau 
 Joh'es Cuyler 
 Jos. Aspinwall 
 Jno. Struckey 
 Henry Cuyler 
 Wm. Ball 
 Peter Soumaine 
 Henry Swift 
 Steph. Thomas 
 Henry Wileman 
 Geo. Norton 
 Rich. Harris 
 Robert Elliston 
 Elias Pelletreau 
 Tho. Davenport 
 Cha. Cromeline 
 Robert Crannell 
 
 Pintard 
 Wm. Bradford 
 Gabl. Ludlow 
 Christopher Rouxley 
 John Sloss 
 Tho. Tarpy 
 Jno. Williams 
 Wm. Walton 
 Garret Van Laer 
 Wm. White 
 
 £ s. 
 11 
 1 
 1 10 
 
 d. 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 
 12 
 
 2 
 
 1G 
 
 16 
 
 5 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 12 
 1 6 
 
 1 2 
 6 
 
 2 10 
 18 
 11 
 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 11 
 
 5 
 
 1 10 
 
 6 
 
 11 
 
 John Carbile 
 Saml. Clowes 
 Tho. Jones 
 7. cob Berlin 
 Allen Jarrat 
 Thomas Rudden 
 Gideon Mossman 
 Cornelius Clopper 
 Oliver Schuyler 
 Rutger Waldron 
 Peter Brested 
 Saml. Raynor 
 Mrs. Coddington 
 Philip Wilkinson 
 Capt. Garlington 
 Benja. Wynkoop 
 Madm. Wilson 
 Christopher Ball 
 Josiah Ogden 
 Ml. Bartow 
 John Walter 
 John Gordon 
 Patrick McKnight 
 Edward Foy 
 Wm. Jones 
 Wm. Hawkins 
 Lancaster Symes 
 Wm. Pickering 
 John Cox 
 David Tynes 
 John Roland 
 Mich. Basset 
 Alexand. Steward 
 Abraham Kettletas 
 Col. Rednap 
 Jno. Wynderse 
 Gilbert Livingston 
 
 £ s. 
 5 
 
 1 10 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 11 
 16 
 11 
 
 d. 
 6 
 
 16 10 
 15 
 
 11 
 18 
 15 
 11 
 15 
 10 
 
 1 10 
 10 
 
 1 10 
 
 2 15 
 11 
 
 1 2 
 3 
 
 2 
 11 
 12 
 11 
 11 
 6 
 11 
 
 2 5 
 1 2 
 
 5
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 323 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. d. 
 
 Philip Schuyler 
 
 
 6 
 
 John Lawience 
 
 1 
 
 
 Robt. Livingston Jun. 
 
 1 
 
 
 John Waldron 
 
 
 11 
 
 Cornelius Van Brunt 
 
 
 11 
 
 John De Peyster 
 
 1 
 
 
 Lewis Morris 
 
 1 
 
 
 Jeremiah Caluit 
 
 1 
 
 7 6 
 
 Henry Van Bael 
 
 
 11 
 
 William Provoost 
 
 
 10 
 
 John Troup 
 
 
 11 
 
 Octave Coenaets 
 
 
 17 
 
 John Oatman 
 
 1 
 
 
 Benj. D'Harriot 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Mrs. Shepherd 
 
 
 7 
 
 Nath'l. Lynn 
 
 
 15 
 
 David Lyell 
 
 1 
 
 
 M. Coden 
 
 
 12 
 
 John Cooper 
 
 
 11 
 
 Peter Negel 
 
 
 12 
 
 Leonard Namock 
 
 1 
 
 
 John Shorter 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Mrs. Hughes 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Tobias Stoutenburg 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Mrs. Lc vreer 
 
 
 8 
 
 John Stevens 
 
 1 
 
 
 Mrs. Hamilton 
 
 2 
 
 15 
 
 Rich. Wiltshire 
 
 
 10 
 
 Danl. Philipse 
 
 1 
 
 
 Henry Prince 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Gilbert Ash 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Jacob Regnier 
 
 3 
 
 
 James Norwood 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Rip Van Dam 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Henry Tucker 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Abraham Wendall 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 John Vincent 
 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Thomas Braine 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Thos. Lea 
 
 1 
 
 
 M. Birchfield 
 
 5 
 
 
 Thomas Kearney 
 
 2 
 
 15 
 
 Jno. Tatham 
 
 1 
 
 6 6 
 
 Jeremiah Pemiston 
 
 
 10 
 
 Rowland Dee 
 
 2 
 
 
 Anthony White 
 
 
 9 
 
 John Moore 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Peter Van Dyck 
 
 
 7 G 
 
 Law Smith 
 
 1 
 
 
 Thomas HaUiday 
 
 
 15 
 
 Benjamin Bill 
 
 
 11 
 
 Nathanl. Marston 
 
 1 
 
 
 James Harpendink 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Mrs. Leaver 
 
 
 10 
 
 Andrew Strukey 
 
 
 11 
 
 Jno. Marshall 
 
 3 
 
 
 Thomas Roberts 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Ralph Thurman 
 
 
 11 
 
 John Dongan 
 
 1 
 
 7 3 
 
 Sam'l Sands 
 
 
 5 6 
 
 Peter Famonier 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Anna Maria Burck 
 
 
 12 
 
 Paul Droilliot 
 
 
 11 6 
 
 Robt. Drummond 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 Wm. Davis 
 
 1 
 
 7 6 
 
 William Barkly 
 
 1 
 
 
 Benj. Hildreth 
 
 
 11 
 
 Thomas Dawson 
 
 
 11 
 
 Cornelius Sebering 
 
 1 
 
 
 Thomas Pope 
 
 
 5 
 
 Thos. Fell 
 
 
 11 
 
 James Elenes 
 
 
 11 
 
 Thos. Child 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 Isaac Anderson 
 
 
 11 
 
 Thos. Adams 
 
 
 11
 
 324 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 Nich. Tueden 
 John King 
 Dirck Benson 
 Jacob Brat 
 Robt. L Hooper 
 Augt. Graham 
 John Corbet 
 James Harding 
 Mart Clock 
 Nicho. Rosevelt 
 Wm. Clertse 
 Hend. Vanderheul 
 John Reynolds 
 Jos. Spencer 
 Ml. Parker 
 Jos. Forous 
 Jno. Hamilton 
 Alexander Junes 
 Abra. Schallinger 
 Jacob Morne 
 Wm. Sell 
 Ml. Carrell 
 Albert Clock 
 Jos. Bevey 
 Ml. Tudor 
 Alexander Moore 
 Jno. Webb 
 David Le Telier 
 Hend Van Renselaer 
 Daniel Schrogham 
 
 s. d. 
 
 2 
 18 
 11 
 
 6 
 J 
 11 
 11 
 1 2 
 11 
 10 
 
 5 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 
 8 3 
 10 
 
 4 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 6 
 
 11 
 
 5 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 16 
 
 11 
 
 Robert Rivers 
 Jno. Schuyler 
 Alexander Harper 
 Thos. Statham 
 Jos. Wickham 
 Thos. Button 
 Jno. Graham 
 Jos. Robinson 
 Jno. Sprat 
 Thos. Laurence 
 Ml. Taylor 
 Dr. Jno. Johnston 
 Obadiah Hunt 
 John Theobalds 
 Mr. Nicoll 
 Ml. Hett 
 Mr. Whitney 
 Adolphe Philipse 
 Peter Barberie 
 Nicholas Everts 
 Jno. Halls 
 Ml. Mead 
 Saml. Richardson 
 Elias Clarke 
 Abraham Brock 
 May Bickley 
 John Chabot 
 Mary Smith 
 Collo. Willet 
 
 16 
 16 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 11 
 
 5 
 11 
 
 2 
 2 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 10 
 11 
 18 
 16 
 5 
 10 
 
 d. 
 
 6 
 
 New- York, October 30th, 1711. 
 
 £312 13 7 
 
 Then rec'd of Mr. Wm. Vesey, the several sums annexed to 
 the several names above written, amounting to the sum of three hun- 
 dred and twelve pounds, thirteen shillings and seven pence, by us. 
 
 David Jamison 
 John Crooke. 
 
 C. Wardens.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 325 
 
 THE JEWS' CONTRIBUTIONS. 
 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Lewis Gomez 1 2 Jacob Franks 
 
 1 
 
 Abm. D'Laiena 1 Moses Michael 
 
 8 3 
 
 Rodrigo Pacheco 1 
 
 
 
 Moses Levy 11 
 
 £5 12 3 
 
 Mordecai Nathan 11 
 
 
 New- York, Oct. 30, 1711. 
 
 Then rec'd of Mr. William Vesey the several sums annext to 
 the several names above written, amounting to the sum of Five pounds 
 twelve shillings and three pence. 
 
 David Jamison. 
 Jno. Ckooke, 
 
 Church Wardens.
 
 326 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 B. 
 
 SEXTONS OF TRINITY CHURCH. 
 
 Appointed. 
 Nicholas Fielding 1697 
 
 William Welch 1698 
 
 James Welch (his son) 1705 
 Wm. Dobbs 1709 
 
 Thomas Craven 1716 
 
 James Welsh 1721 
 
 John Welsh (brother of 
 
 James) 1726 
 
 Wm. Cook, Assistant Sex- 
 ton to John Welsh 1744 
 Wm. Cooke (Sexton) 
 
 Appointed, 
 Thomas Whaley Ass't., died 
 
 about 1780 
 
 Thomas Collister (Ass't.) 1788 
 Thomas Collister (Sexton) 1790 
 Mr. Coutant 1816 
 
 Edward CoateJs 1821 
 
 Thomas Dugan 1834 
 
 David Lyon 1846 
 
 Wm. Maslin (Ass't. Sexton 
 
 and Chimer) 1846 
 
 SEXTONS OF ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL. 
 
 Appointed. 
 Thomas Whaley (Sexton) 
 Thomas Collister, Jr. 1790 
 
 John Needham 1793 
 
 William Needham 
 John Purely 
 
 Appointed. 
 1801 
 
 SEXTONS OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL 
 
 Appointed. 
 
 David Mitchell (at a salary 
 
 of £10 per annum) 1766 
 
 Viner Mitchell 
 
 Mr. Thomas 1781 
 
 William Brown 1788 
 
 Appointed 
 
 Richard Slack 1817 
 
 John Stevens (Asst. Sexton)l840 
 John Stevens (Sexton) 1843 
 
 David Lyon 1843 
 
 James Martin 1846 
 
 SEXTONS OF ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL. 
 
 Richard Wenman 
 Albert Wunnenburgh 
 
 Appointed. 
 
 1807 
 
 Thomas Dugan 
 John Morison 
 
 Appointed. 
 1834 
 1834
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 327 
 
 c. 
 
 CLERKS IN TRINITY CHURCH 
 
 William Huddlestone 1697 Mr. Hildreth 
 
 Thomas Huddlestone 1723 
 
 William Tuckey 
 
 Mr. Eldridgc (to officiate 
 
 jointly at the Church and 
 
 Chapel) 1753 
 
 Mr. Parks 1753 
 
 John Wood 1790 
 
 Mr. Sibley (as joint Clerk 
 
 with Mr. Hildreth) 
 John P. Groshon 1804 
 
 " " resigned 1809 
 
 Edward Coates 
 
 Samuel Earle 1822 
 
 Mr. Franklin 
 
 CLERKS IN ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL. 
 
 Mr. Eldridge 1753 William Roach 
 
 Mr. Parks 1753 George Young 
 
 Mr. Sibley (at a salary of Thomas Wilson 
 
 £30 per ann.) Mr. Webb 
 
 Mr. Man [Clerk; Jacob Leonard 
 Thomas Warren, Assistant 
 
 CLERKS IN ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL. 
 
 Benjamin Englis (at a sala- Robert Spears 
 
 ry of £40 per annum) 1766 James Weight 
 
 Peter McLean John Phebus 
 John Wood 1786 
 Mr. Jarvis 1790 
 Gilbert Ritter 1813 
 
 James O. Smith 
 George Newcombe 
 James A. Sparks 
 
 CLERKS IN ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL. 
 
 James L. Bell 
 Uri K. Hill 
 John I. Cregier 
 
 1809 
 1812 
 
 Mr. Ditchett 
 John Earle 
 Mr. Maynard 
 
 1783 
 
 1787 
 1789 
 
 1801 
 
 1816 
 
 1835 
 1839 
 
 1843
 
 328 HISTORY OF 
 
 E. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Vesey acquainted the Vestry that he had obtained 
 his Majesty's Gracious Letter to his Excellency Coll. Hunter, to cause 
 the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the City of New-York, to 
 issue their warrant to the Church Wardens of the City to pay his salary, 
 a copy of which was read in the words following : 
 
 To our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter. Esq., our Capt. Generall 
 and Govourner -in-Chief of our Province of New-York, in America, 
 and in his absence, to the Commander-in-Chief or io the President 
 of our Council! of our said Province for the time being : 
 
 (George ft. 
 
 Trusty and Avell beloved, we greet you well. Whereas our truly 
 and well beloved William Vesey, Rector of Trinity Church, in that 
 our Province of New-York, hath by his petition humbly presented unto 
 us, that being obliged about a year ago to come to this our Kingdom 
 of Great Britain in order to settle the affairs of his Church, and having 
 by a long sickness and other incidents been prevented from returning 
 so soon as he intended, the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of our 
 said City of New-York have refused to direct their warrants to the 
 Church Wardens, to issue the moneys levied and paid into their hands 
 for the use of the petitioner, pursuant to two acts of Assembly of our 
 said Province made for that purpose, upon a pretence of his not offici- 
 ating, and leaving his cure Avithout liberty, though by his particular 
 care and by the approbation and appointment of the Right Reverend 
 Father in God, John, Bishop of London, it hath been duly supply'd 
 during his absence : and praying us to grant him our Letter to you, 
 enjoining the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of New-York afore- 
 said, to issue their warrants to the Church Wardens of our said City, 
 to pay the petitioner such part of his salary as has been levied and 
 paid into the hands of the said Church Wardens, and that his settled 
 salary be hereafter levied and paid into the hands of the said Church 
 Wardens, and as it becomes due issued by order of the Justices of the 
 Peace and Vestrymen of our said City for the maintenance of the peti- 
 tioner, according to the purposes of the two aforementioned acts of 
 Assembly. We, taking the premises into our Royal consideration,
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 329 
 
 have thought fit hereby to signify our will and pleasure unto you, and 
 accordingly our will and pleasure is, that immediately upon receipt 
 hereof, you give directions and take effectual care that the Justices of 
 the Peace and Vestrymen of our said City of New- York do issue their 
 warrants to the Church Wardens of our said City, for paying to the 
 petitioner such part of his salary as has been levied for his use and 
 paid into their hands ; and that his settled salary be hereafter levied 
 and paid into the hands of the said Church Wardens, and as it becomes 
 due issued by order of the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the 
 said City for the maintenance of the petitioner, pursuant to the two 
 above s'd Acts, and for so doing this shall be your warrant. And so 
 we bid you farewell. Given at our Court at St. James's the Nine- 
 teenth day of August, 1715, in the Second Year of our Reign. 
 
 By his Majesty's Command, 
 
 James Stanhope. 
 This Ave affirm to be a true copy taken from 
 and compared with the original, By us. 
 
 Caleb Heathcote, 
 
 Robert Wa, 
 
 Will Anderson. 
 The Reverend Mr. Vesey, at the request of this Board, having 
 communicated a copy of his Majesty's letter to his Excellency our 
 Governour, for causing his salary to be issued by the Justices of the 
 Peace and Vestrymen of this City of New- York, informed this Board 
 he had delivered the same to his Excellency the 7th of November last, 
 and the same being read, 
 
 It was thereupon Ordered, That one of the Church Wardens, with 
 any three of the Vestrymen of Trinity Church, doe wait on the Mayor, 
 Recorder, and Justices of the Peace, and Vestrymen of this said City, to 
 know if his Excellency hath been pleased to communicate unto them 
 His Majesty's Royall command to him signified by the said Letter, or 
 given any directions to them for Issueing out their warrants, directed 
 to the Church Wardens of the said City for the payment of the Rector's 
 Mr. Vesey's salary, pursuant to two Acts of the General Assembly of 
 this Province, the one entitled an Act for settling a Ministry and rais- 
 ing a maintenance for them in the City of New- York, &c, and also 
 one other entitled an Act for the better establishment of the mainten- 
 ance for the Minister of the City of New- York, and according to his 
 
 21
 
 330 HISTORY OF 
 
 said Majesty's commands ; and that whether any such warrants have 
 been by them issued, and if no such warrants have been issued, that 
 they bee desired to take effectual care to Issue the same, so as the 
 moneys levyed for the use of the said Rector by virtue of the said Acts 
 and according to an order made at a Meeting of the said Justices of 
 the Peace and Vestrymen of this said City the fourth of February last, 
 be to him the said Rector Speedily paid as the Law directs : and that, 
 likewise, Mr. William Sharpas, the Clerk of the Vestry of the said 
 City, be desired to prepare warrants, and to communicate the Request 
 of this Board at the next Meeting of the said Justices of the Peace and 
 Vestrymen of the said City. 
 
 The Humble Representation of the Rector, Church Wardens, and 
 Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the City of New- York in America, to 
 his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Capt. General and Governour of 
 the Provinces of New- York, &c, was presented to the Board and read 
 and signed by all present, and ordered to be entered, and is as follows. 
 To his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Capt. Generall 4* Governour 
 
 of the Provinces of New- York, 6fc. 
 The humble Representation of the Rector, Church Wardens, and Ves- 
 trymen of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in America. 
 May it please your Excellency. 
 
 We the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, 
 in the city of New- York, beg leave, humbly to represent to your Ex- 
 cellency, that about a year and a half ago our Reverend Rector, Mr. 
 Wm. Vesey, with the consent of the then Church Wardens, and major 
 part of the Vestry of the said Trinity Church, did undertake a voyage 
 to Great Britain, to wait on our Diocessan, the Rt. Reverend Father 
 in God, John, Lord Bishop of London, about the affairs of our Church r 
 and being, by a long sickness and other incidents, detained there lon- 
 ger than he intended, the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of this 
 city, contrary to several acts of Assembly, that have long since obtain- 
 ed the Royal assent, did put a stop to the payment of his salary settled 
 and directed to be paid by those acts, on pretence of his not officiating 
 and leaving his Cure without liberty, as appears by their own minutes 
 of the fourth of February last, although by his own particular care, and 
 the appointment of his Rt. Reverend Diocesan, our Church has been 
 duly and regularly supplied during all his absence, two Sundays only 
 excepted, in the extremity of winter. By reason of which hardships
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 331 
 
 our Rector was reduced to great difficulties, and being then in Eng- 
 land, was constrained to implore his Majesty's most gracious letter to 
 your Excellency, to enjoin the said Justices and Vestrymen to issue 
 out their warrants to the Church Wardens of the said city, to pay him 
 his salary, according to the direction of the two several acts of Assem- 
 bly, aforesaid. All which matters and suggestions being certified to 
 his Majesty by the Bishop of London, and appearing from the minutes 
 of the Justices and Vestry aforesaid, which by them were transmitted 
 to his Lordship ; His Majesty was graciously pleased to grant his 
 Royal letter to your Excellency, dated at St. James's the 19th day of 
 August last, thereby signifying his will and pleasure that your Excel- 
 lency should give directions and take effectual care, that the Justices 
 of the Peace and Vestrymen of the said city should issue out their war- 
 rants for paying our Rector his salary then due, and hereafter as it 
 should become due, pursuant to the two aforesaid acts, which said let- 
 ter (as we are informed by Mr. Vesey) was delivered to your Excellen- 
 cy the seventh of November last. 
 
 We beg leave further to represent to your Excellency, that although 
 it appears your Excellency was pleased on the eighth of November, 
 aforesaid, to direct your letter and send the king's commands to the 
 said Justices and Vestrymen pursuant to his Majesty's Royal will and 
 pleasure, yet no meeting of the said Justices and Vestrymen was had 
 thereon till the 16th of this instant, December, the minutes of which 
 meeting, with their former proceedings in this affair we have hereunto 
 annexed, and humbly offer to your Excellency's consideration some ob- 
 servations on those proceedings. 
 
 That by the minutes of the Justices' and Vestry on the 4th of Fe- 
 bruary last, they assumed power to themselves to stop our Rector's 
 salary at what time soever he shall not personally officiate in his cure, 
 though he take3 care to have it duly supplied by others lawfully qua- 
 lified, whereby one quarter's salary of last year and three quarter's 
 salary of this are now stopped, which is a power, we cannot appre- 
 hend, that they are in any wise vested with by the aforesaid Acts of 
 Assembly, which, in this case, are the only authority by which they 
 should or can act, and those Acts, as to Mr. Vesey's salary, are man- 
 datory and positive, and not subjected to their discretion to be dispens- 
 ed with, and they, themselves, seem to be so far of that opinion, that 
 when they stopt the payment of the salary of our Rector, the Incum- 
 bent, and when being absent he officiated by others, at the same time
 
 332 HISTORY OF 
 
 they ordered the raising of the annual salary of one hundred and sixty 
 pounds for the ensuing year, pursuant to the directions of those two 
 Acts of General Assembly, which they could not have done by the said 
 Acts if Mr. Vesey's not officiating personally had determined that sa- 
 lary, which moneys have been levied on his Majesty's subjects here for 
 that use, and collected and paid into the hands of the Church Wardens 
 of this city, and cannot by them be applied to any other purpose by the 
 express words of the Acts, and therefore, we doubt not but your Ex- 
 cellency will be of opinion, that their detaining from Mr. Vesey the 
 money levied by virtue of the said Acts, is in no wise warranted by 
 law, and consequently is a great injury and an oppression. 
 
 Their opinion of the 16th of December, is of so extraordinary a na- 
 ture, that we cannot but observe to your Excellency, that the sugges- 
 tions recited in his Majesty's letter are contained in their own minutes 
 of the 4th of February last, which is the foundation of Mr. Vesey's 
 complaint and of his Majesty's letter thereupon granted, and which mi- 
 nutes the Justices' and Vestry sent to the Lord Bishop of London, 
 who certified the same, as also every other matter suggested by that 
 petition to his Majesty before the granting of that letter. And all 
 which suggestions (excepting the affairs of the Church that called Mr. 
 Vesey to Great Britain) we persuade ourselves they cannot pretend 
 ignorance of, they being to every body, and particularly to themselves, 
 very notorious. And as for those Ministers that have duly officiated 
 by Mr. Vesey's care and the Bishop of London's appointment, we as- 
 sure your Excellency they have had all reasonable satisfaction, (ex- 
 cepting one) who officiated one or two Sunday's, and he shall be fully 
 satisfied in due time. However, this last opinion of their's serves to 
 inform your Excellency that they have relinquished their first preten- 
 ces for stopping the payment of our Minister's salary, entered in their 
 minutes of the 4th of February, and have shifted them into an examina- 
 tion of the truth of Mr. Vesey's suggestions on which the King's letter 
 was granted, though all within their own knowledge (except the affairs 
 of our Church which called Mr. Vesey to wait on our Diocesan) so 
 *hat upon other reasons (of equal weight) we may be justly apprehen- 
 sive, they may put a stop to the payment of any salary for the future. 
 By all which we hope it sufficiently appears to your Excellency, that 
 the proceedings of that Board in this affair are groundless and frivo- 
 ous. Nor is their request to our Rector, Mr. Vesey, less unreasonable
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 333 
 
 to lay before their Board the affairs of the Church that called him home, 
 the consequence of which, would be the submitting her affairs to the 
 Judgment of persons that are not of her communion. 
 
 And it would be as unjust in Mr. Vesey or us, to divulge those affairs 
 with which we are intrusted, to such persons, as it is unreasonable and 
 unwarrantable in them to desire it. Though it has appeared to all that 
 our Rector has obtained the favour of an Assistant, with an annual allow- 
 ance of £50 from the venerable Society, and what other affairs of the 
 Church he went about, he has given a satisfactory account of to his 
 Diocesan, ihe Lord Bishop of London, who under our Dread Sovereign 
 King George, is the only proper judge of them in these cases, as we 
 humbly conceive, and it will be a mighty prejudice to the interest of 
 our Church should he by any means make those affairs publick. 
 
 Had his Majesty commanded any thing extraordinary or contrary to 
 the laws of this Province, the truth of suggestions might then perhaps' 
 with some colour of reason, have been enquired into, least his Majesty, 
 (who in law is said to doe no wrong,) might have been deceived. But 
 when a Prince only commands the law to be put in execution there is no 
 occasion for his assigning any reason for the same, the law itself doing 
 it, and the neglect thereof appearing (as in this case) by the minutes 
 of the Board, with their reasons for such, their neglect and refusal, we 
 conceive a ready obedience to the Royal commands is indisputably 
 due. 
 
 We will will not take upon us to determine what power those gen- 
 tlemen have to make rules and orders as a Board, but we humbly con- 
 ceive such rules and orders ought to be for the due execution of those 
 Acts of Assembly and not otherwise, so that those proceedings of that 
 Board, in our humble opinion, arc assuming a power (by their order 
 only) to dispense with two Acts of Assembly at once, by which means the 
 maintenance of our Rector, established by law, becomes precarious, 
 and at the will of the Justices and Vestrymen of the city of New-York, 
 who at present (two or three only excepted) are not of the Communion 
 of the Church of England, and (we arc concerned that we arc obliged 
 to say) over whom, neither our laws that have established our Rector's 
 salary, nor his Majesty's commands to put those laws in Execution, 
 signified by your Excellency to them, have yet had any effectual in- 
 fluence, and from communicating the affairs of our Church to persons
 
 334 HISTORY OF 
 
 thus disposed, what good effect may be expected, we are not able to 
 conceive. 
 
 We beg your Excellency's patience, while we express our most 
 grateful sense of his Majesty's gracious and paternal care of the 
 Church of England, as by Law Established in his frequent Declara- 
 tions from his Throne, and particularly in sending one of his first com* 
 mands into this Province for the due execution of those laws that have 
 been made for her support ; and we are truly sensible of your Excel- 
 lency's early diligence in communicating those commands to such 
 as are under your Excellency's administration and are entrusted with 
 the execution of those laws, on the due observance whereof, depends 
 not only the maintenance of our Rector, but of all the Ministers of the 
 Church of England established by law within this Province. 
 
 And therefore, we doubt not but your Excellency will take effectual 
 care, that the just dues and maintenance of our Minister may be paid 
 pursuant to the laws and his Majesty's royal commands, and that the 
 Established Church may be preserved in all her other religious rights 
 and privileges, according to law. 
 
 All which is nevertheless, humbly submitted to your Excellency's 
 consideration, by may it please your Excellency, your most dutiful hum- 
 ble servants. Wm. Vesey, Rector. 
 
 May Bickly j Ch w d 
 Tho. Clakke. ( Cn> Wardens - 
 
 Compared and examined with 
 the original by us. 
 
 Will Vesey, 
 
 May Bickley, 
 
 Tho. Clarke. 
 Jno. Moore, Junr.. Henry Vernon, 
 
 Jos. Reade, Jno. Reade, 
 
 Sim Soumaine, Will Anderson, 
 
 Alex. Moore, Nathnl. Marston, 
 
 And. Loran, Petr. Barberie, 
 
 Jos. Wright, Tho. Noxon, 
 
 Cornelius Lodge, Jno. Walter, 
 
 George Cocke, Robt. Elliston, 
 
 Rich. Willet, Vestrymen.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 335 
 
 City of New-York, ss. 
 
 At a meeting of the Justices and Vestry Men at the City Hall of 
 the said City on Friday the fourth day of February Anno Dom. 1714. 
 
 John Johnston. John Roosevelt. 
 
 David Jamison. Oliver Teller. 
 
 Johan 8 . Janson. Cornelius Clopper. 
 
 Jacobus Kip. Cornelius Lodge. 
 
 John Cruger. Gerret Keteltas. 
 
 Jacobus Bayard. Stephen Buckenhoven. 
 
 Abraham Wendell. Jacob Bennet. 
 
 Isaac Decker. John Meyer. 
 
 Henry Vanderspiegel. Anthony Rutgers. 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Talbott, Mr. Halliday, and the Church Wardens 
 of Trinity Church, having signified to this Board that they had some- 
 thing to offer were accordingly called in, and thereupon they Com- 
 municated a letter from the Bishop of London to Mr. Poyer, and a 
 scheme for supplying Trinity Church during Mr. Vesey's absence, 
 and left a copy of the said letter and also of the said scheme, which 
 letter was in the following words, vizt. 
 
 S r . Mr Vesey hath desired me to write to some of our Brethren 
 in the Neighbourhood of New York and Intreat them to take care of 
 his Church during his necessary absence from it. I do accordingly 
 recommend the supply of the Church of New York to yourself, 
 Mr. Talbot, Mr. Halliday, Mr. Thomas Mr. M c Kouse & Mr. Bartow, 
 and I do desire upon the communication of this to them that you 
 would agree among yourselves how to supply it in the best and most 
 convenient manner. You will acquaint the Church Wardens of 
 Trinity Church and of the City of New York w th the contents hereof, 
 that this affair may be managed without any disturbance. I pray 
 God to bless you and the rest of our Brethren in the discharge of 
 your office, and remain S r . Your most assured friend and Brother — 
 John London — Summerset House Sep tr . 6 th . 1714. To the Reverend 
 Mr. Poyer, Rector of Jamaica in Long Island, in the province of 
 New York. 
 
 It is the opinion of this Board that the Warrant for the last Quar- 
 ters Salary to Mr. Vesey be not signed by the Justices till further 
 order, by reason of his not officiating and having left his cure without
 
 336 HISTORY OF 
 
 liberty, and Ordered that the Board write a letter to the Bishop of 
 London in answer to the foregoing letter, so as to return the thanks of 
 this Board to his Lordship for his care of the Church in this City. 
 
 Order'd that all warrants for the future be signed as the Law directs 
 and not otherwise, pursuant to two acts of the Generall Assembly of 
 this Province, one entitled an act for the setling a Ministry and raising 
 a maintenance for them in the City of New York, and also one other 
 entitled an act for the better Establishment of the Maintenance for 
 the Minister of the City of New York. It is hereby ordered that 
 the sum of four hundred Pounds current money of New York be 
 assessed, Levyed, collected, and paid by the freeholders Residents 
 and Inhabitants of the said City for the maintenance of the Minister 
 and poor of the said City, from the second tuesday in January last 
 to the second Monday in January next ensuing, and that the same be 
 paid into the hands of the Church Wardens of the said City on or 
 before the five and twentieth day of March next ensuing, the date 
 hereof, and for the more effectual raising of the said sum of four 
 hundred pounds for the Minister and poor aforesaid, It is hereby 
 ordered that Mr. Vanderspiegel and Mr. Roosevelt for the Eastward, 
 Mr. Teller and Mr. Clopper for the Dockward, Mr. Rutgers and 
 Mr. Myor for the southward, Mr. Lodge and Mr. Ketletas for the 
 Westward, Mr. Bennet and Mr. Buckenhoeven for the Northward, 
 and Alderman De Riemer for the outward, doe goe through the respec- 
 tive wards aforesaid and make an estimate of the estates of all and 
 every the freeholders Residents and Inhabitants of this City, and make 
 Rolls thereof, and compleat the same on or before the twelfth Instant 
 in order to be examined, that the Justices may issue their warrants 
 for collecting the same accordingly. 
 
 City of New York, ss. 
 
 At a meeting of the Justices and Vestrymen at the City Hall of 
 the said City, on the 16th of Dec, 1715, His Excellency the Gover- 
 nors Letter and his Majestys Most Gracious Letter hereafter following 
 were read, and it being put to the vote whether this Board should 
 immediately proceed to the payment of the money mentioned in his 
 Majesty's letter, or first examine into the truth of the suggestions of 
 Mr. Veseys Petition, on which his Majesty's Lre was granted. It ia 
 the opinion of this Board (Mr. Cornelius Lodge only excepted) that
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 337 
 
 they first examine into the truth of those suggestions of Mr. Vesey's 
 petition upon which the said Petition was granted, and that Mr. Vesey 
 be pleased to acquaint this Board of those affairs of the Church that 
 called him home, and that he be forthwith served with a copy hereof. 
 P r order of the Justices and vestrymen — 
 
 Will Sharpas, Ck. 
 
 Mr. Elliston according to order was called in to set forth the alle- 
 gations of his Petition, and being heard Ordered, the same be referred 
 to the Committee appointed to audit Mr. Jamisons accounts. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church, held on the 25th of 
 August, 1716, Mr. Vesey acquainted this Board that the Justices & 
 Church Wardens of the City Vestry had at his Excellencys desire 
 signed warrants for all his salary that was due to him ; on which it 
 was unanimously resolved by this Board to address his Excellency 
 thereon, and accordingly an address was presented to the Board, read 
 and signed by all present, who forthwith attended his Excellency with 
 their address ; which being read was approved of, & c .
 
 338 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 F. 
 
 Mr. Robinson delivered a List of Patents for pews in Trinity Church, 
 sold by the Church Wardens for the time being, since the tenth of 
 June, 1724, to the twelfth of June, 1729, which was ordered to be 
 entered in the Churche's Book, and is as followeth (vizt.) : 
 
 List of patents delivered for pews sold at vendue 11th June, 1724, 
 and since, vizt. : 
 
 Nam.ee of Patentee). 
 
 
 
 Bo, 
 
 Date. 
 
 8 *« 
 
 £ s. 
 
 ft 5- ^ 
 £ s. 
 
 ft, 
 
 s:0 
 
 e o 
 
 3 ft. 
 
 e» Co 
 
 ft. 
 
 £ 8. *.. 
 
 Ill 
 
 £ s. d. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Reade 
 
 half a: 
 
 Pew 
 
 80 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 54 00 
 
 20 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 7 00 00 
 
 John Moore 
 
 whole 
 
 do 
 
 96 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 43 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 33 00 00 
 
 Stephen DeLancey 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 79 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 50 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 50 00 00 
 
 William Dugdale 
 
 do 
 
 do 101 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 26 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 19 9 1 
 
 26 00 00 
 
 John Reade 
 
 half 
 
 do 
 
 80 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 54 00 
 
 15 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 12 00 00 
 
 Mrs. Anne Harison 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 82 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 37 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 18 10 00 
 
 Mrs. Elizabeth Thody 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 82 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 37 00 
 
 3 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 15 10 00 
 
 Mr. Thomas Lynch 
 
 one-third 
 
 do 
 
 77 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 44 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 4 13 4 
 
 Robert Livingston, Jr. 
 
 half 
 
 do 
 
 104 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 30 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 14 00 6 
 
 15 00 00 
 
 Thomas Clarke 
 
 whole 
 
 do 
 
 83 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 23 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 23 00 00 
 
 John Waldron 
 
 half 
 
 do 
 
 UM 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 30 00 
 
 3 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 12 00 00 
 
 John Searle 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 75 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 40 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 14 15 8 
 
 20 00 00 
 
 James Searle 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 75 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 40 00 
 
 3 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 17 00 00 
 
 Henry Wroe 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 92 
 
 13 July 1724 
 
 25 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 12 10 00 
 
 Andrew Marschalck 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 92 
 
 13 July 1724 
 
 25 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 12 10 00 
 
 Elias Grasilier 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 103 
 
 17 July 1724 
 
 30 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 5 00 00 
 
 Peter Morgat 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 103 
 
 17 July 1724 
 
 30 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 15 00 00 
 
 Henry Lane 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 81 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 45 00 
 
 6 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 16 10 00 
 
 Anthony Duane 
 
 whole 
 
 do 
 
 94 
 
 20 July 1724 
 
 27 00 
 
 11 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 17 00 00 
 
 Walter Thong 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 105 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 40 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 40 00 00 
 
 Mrs. Mary Vesey 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 97 
 
 18 June 1724 
 
 35 00 
 
 30 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 5 00 00 
 
 Mr. Joseph Robinson 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 93 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 2G 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 16 00 00 
 
 John McEvers 
 
 one-third 
 
 do 
 
 77 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 44 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 4 13 4 
 
 Peter Simmons 
 
 half 
 
 do 
 
 109 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 25 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 7 10 00 
 
 John Auboyneau 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 98 
 
 17 June 1724 
 
 34 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 17 00 00 
 
 Cadwallader Colden 
 
 do 
 
 do 106 
 
 7 1724 
 
 25 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 25 00 00 
 
 Enoch Stephenson 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 74 
 
 20 Jany 1724 
 
 40 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 20 00 00 
 
 James Henderson 
 
 whole 
 
 do 
 
 
 25 M'ch 1725 
 
 25 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 09 00 
 
 15 00 00 
 
 John Walter [Schuyler] half 
 
 do 
 
 107 
 
 22 May do 
 
 25 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 12 10 00 
 
 Mrs. Mary Schuyler, wife of Ar. do. 
 
 do 107 
 
 22 May do 
 
 25 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 2 10 00 
 
 John Woodside 
 
 one-third 
 
 do 
 
 84 
 
 1 July do 
 
 20 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 6 13 4 
 
 Mrs. Margret Peers, wife of Edmd. P. 
 
 do 
 
 90 
 
 17 July do 
 
 20 00 
 
 1 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 20 00 00 
 
 Andrew Bissett 
 
 one-third 
 
 do 
 
 84 
 
 1 July do 
 
 20 00 
 
 2 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 4 13 4 
 
 Mathew Wolfe 
 
 half 
 
 do 
 
 61 
 
 1 July do 
 
 20 00 
 
 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 
 
 6 13 4
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Names of Patentees. 
 
 James Alexander 
 Francis Sylvester 
 Joseph Haines 
 John Browuo 
 
 No. 
 
 whole do 95 
 half do 109 
 one-third do 77 
 whole do 91 
 Nathl. John McCarston do do 100 
 
 Augustus Jay half do 7 
 
 Thomas Bayeaux half pew in new building 74 
 Thos. Hopkins do do old building 81 
 Obdiah Hunt whole do do 86 
 
 Thomas Braine half do do 98 
 
 Robert Crooke do do do 76 
 
 Charles Crooke do do do 76 
 
 John Pintard do do do 24 
 
 Christopher Fell do do uew building 112 
 Benjamin Pell do do do do 36 
 
 Lawrence Garner do do do do 36 
 
 Simeon Soumaine whole do do 110 
 
 Georgo Talbott half do do 99 
 
 John Balme do do do 99 
 
 Elizabeth Bickley do do do 78 
 
 Benjamin D'Harriote do old do 26 
 
 Samuel Heath whole new do 87 
 
 Isaac Johnson half old do 2 
 
 Daniel Seymour do do do 1 
 
 John Kelly do do do 1 
 
 John Dupuy whole do do 37 
 
 David Clarkson do do do 6 
 
 John Chambers half do do 5 
 
 Peter Vallete do in South Gallery 73 
 
 Henry Wileman whole new buildiug 108 
 Peter Barberie half do do 78 
 
 William Kirton do old do 38 
 
 Date. 
 
 8 >s 
 
 g"*J2. 
 
 •e as 
 
 5? o» G 
 
 C3 O 
 
 2 »* 
 
 339 
 
 § 5 2 
 
 8 
 
 13Aprl.l725 28 00 
 17 June 1724 25 00 
 17 June 1724 44 00 
 2 July 1725 24 10 
 2 July 1725 29 00 
 23 Aug. 1726 18 00 
 
 10 Sep. 1726 
 17 June 1724 
 17 Juno 1724 
 17 Juno 1724 
 17 June 1724 
 17 June 1724 
 26 Aprl. 1727 00 00 
 
 2 May 1726 10 00 
 
 11 May 1727 
 11 May 1727 
 30 June 1727 
 
 26 July 1727 
 
 27 July 1727 
 27 July 1727 Given 
 14 Aug. 1727 20 00 
 11 1727 10 00 
 
 9 May. 1728 10 00 
 10 May 1728 10 00 
 10 May 1728 10 00 
 24 May 1723 20 00 
 24 June 1728 00 00 
 
 2 Aug. 1728 00 00 
 19 Aug. 1728 21 00 
 24 Jan. 1728-9 25 00 
 16 June 1724 23 00 
 K June 1729 10 00 
 
 22 10 
 22 10 
 10 00 
 34 00 
 19 00 
 19 00 
 
 10 00 
 10 00 
 28 00 
 15 00 
 15 00 
 
 10 00 00 00 00 18 00 00 
 
 2 00 00 00 00 10 10 00 
 
 10 00 00 00 00 4 13 00 
 
 10 00 00 00 00 14 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 00 00 29 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 00 00 18 00 00 
 
 2 10 00 00 00 20 00 00 
 
 10 00 00 00 00 12 10 00 
 
 5 00 00 00 00 5 00 00 
 00 00 00 00 00 17 00 00 
 
 6 00 00 00 00 13 00 00 
 00 00 00 19 00 00 
 
 00 00 
 00 00 
 3 4 
 2 10 
 10 00 
 
 00 00 00 20 00 00 
 00 00 00 6 16 00 
 
 00 00 00 7 10 00 
 00 00 00 00 00 00 
 
 1 00 00 00 00 27 00 00 
 
 10 00 00 00 00 5 00 00 
 
 10 00 00 00 00 5 00 00 
 
 to her by the Vestry, gratis. 
 
 00 00 00 00 00 20 00 00 
 
 3 00 00 00 00 
 
 3 00 00 00 00 
 00 00 00 00 00 
 00 00 00 00 00 
 00 00 
 00 00 
 00 00 00 00 00 22 00 00 
 
 3 00 00 00 00 
 
 5 00 00 00 00 
 10 00 00 00 00 
 00 00 1 15 6 
 
 7 00 00 
 
 7 00 00 
 10 00 00 
 10 00 00 
 
 00 00 00 20 00 00 
 00 00 00 9 00 00 
 
 18 00 00 
 20 00 00 
 13 00 00 
 
 8 4 6 
 
 Ordered, That the price for erecting a Tombstone on any part of 
 the New Ground in the Church Yard be six pounds.
 
 340 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 G. 56 H. 
 
 SUBSCRIPTION TOWARDS ENLARGING THE CHURCH. 
 
 To all to whom these presents shall come. Whereas, the Rector, 
 Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the City of 
 New-York, have for the Glory of Almighty God, and the advancement 
 of his Holy religion, unanimously proposed, and agreed to enlarge the 
 said Church by carrying out the old building on the North and South 
 sides, and making and completing the same conformable to the new 
 building or addition lately made on the East end thereof: Therefore, 
 in order to encourage and further the carrying on of so useful and pious 
 a work, We, whose names are hereunto subscribed do respectively 
 promise and oblige ourselves, to pay unto Messrs. Joseph Robinson 
 and Joseph Murray, the present Wardens of the said Church or their 
 order, the respective sums of money by us respectively subscribed and 
 inserted in the column against our respective names, as witness our 
 hands this second day of July, Anno Domini, 1736. 
 
 
 £ 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 £ s. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Vesey 
 
 50 
 
 00 00 
 
 Lewis Johnston 
 
 5 
 
 Joseph Robinson 
 
 10 
 
 
 Peter Jay 
 
 3 
 
 Joseph Murray 
 
 10 
 
 
 Richard Charlton 
 
 1 10 
 
 John Moore 
 
 5 
 
 
 Robert Jenney 
 
 1 10 
 
 Jno. Chambers 
 
 10 
 
 
 Nathl. Marston, Jr. 
 
 4 4 
 
 Jno. McEvers 
 
 5 
 
 
 Will. Sharpas 
 
 3 
 
 Jos. Reade 
 
 10 
 
 
 John Walter 
 
 10 
 
 Augustus Jay 
 
 10 
 
 
 Mrs. Thomas Bayeux 
 
 
 Simeon Soumaine 
 
 1 
 
 
 by the hands of Mr. 
 
 
 Daniel Horsmanden 
 
 5 
 
 
 Charlton to Will, 
 
 
 Anth. Duane 
 
 5 
 
 
 "Vesey. 
 
 5 
 
 Will. Hamersley 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 Mrs. Schuyler 
 
 5 
 
 Robert EUiston 
 
 8 
 
 
 Harmanus Rutgers 
 
 5 
 
 John Auboyneau 
 
 2 
 
 
 Willm. Walton 
 
 4 
 
 Henry Row 
 
 2 
 
 
 Jacob Walton 
 
 1 10 
 
 Richd. Nichols 
 
 1 
 
 10 
 
 William Smith 
 
 4 
 
 Stephen DeLancey 
 
 25 
 
 
 Edward Hicks 
 
 1 8 
 
 Geo. Clarke 
 
 10 
 
 
 Peter Vallete 
 
 3 
 
 James DeLancey 
 
 15 
 
 
 Robert Watts 
 
 10
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 341 
 
 d. 
 
 Mrs. Heathcote 
 
 5 
 
 
 Mich. Thodey 
 
 1 10 
 
 James Faviere 
 
 2 
 
 
 Thos. Day 
 
 2 
 
 Abrah. Ketletas 
 
 2 
 
 
 Peter Schuyler 
 
 10 
 
 Richd. Durham 
 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 Peter Depeyster 
 
 2 10 
 
 Charles Williams 
 
 2 
 
 16 
 
 Adoniah Schuyler 
 
 5 
 
 Petrus Rutgers 
 
 1 
 
 
 Richd. Annely 
 
 15 
 
 Fredk. Morris 
 
 3 
 
 
 John Hunt 
 
 6 
 
 Frances Sylvester 
 
 2 
 
 
 Wiilm. Jamison 
 
 10 
 
 John Pintard 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Simon Johnson 
 
 1 8 
 
 John Sayre 
 
 
 10 
 
 Joseph Willson 
 
 1 8 
 
 Joseph Leddel 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Willm. Chambers 
 
 1 8 
 
 George Burnet 
 
 
 6 
 
 John Johnson 
 
 10 
 
 Jacob Golet 
 
 1 
 
 
 David Galatian 
 
 15 
 
 Margaret Dunck 
 
 
 10 
 
 John Thurman 
 
 10 
 
 Benj. Peck 
 
 1 
 
 
 Richd. Go'le 
 
 6 
 
 Mrs. Ricket 
 
 5 
 
 
 Abrm. Skinner 
 
 5 
 
 David Jamison 
 
 10 
 
 
 John Hilliard 
 
 6 
 
 David Clarkson 
 
 5 
 
 
 Lydia Brasier 
 
 10 
 
 Ma. Clarkson 
 
 3 
 
 
 Anne Avery 
 
 10 
 
 Capt. Andw. Nicholls 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Francis Brasier 
 
 6 
 
 Jere. Dunbar 
 
 2 
 
 
 David Cox 
 
 6 
 
 Obd. Hunt 
 
 1 
 
 
 Daniel Ebbets 
 
 3 
 
 William English 
 
 1 
 
 
 Rd Schuckburgh 
 
 1 8 
 
 Isaac & Abraham De 
 
 - 
 
 
 Debrah Shareman 
 
 10 
 
 peyster 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Andw. Mansfield 
 
 15 
 
 Humphrey Jones 
 
 1 
 
 
 Benj. Thomas 
 
 7 
 
 James Darcy 
 
 1 
 
 
 John Bond 
 
 10 
 
 Benjamin D'Harriott 
 
 1 
 
 
 Elizabeth Carpenter 
 
 1 
 
 Thomas Niblett 
 
 
 10 
 
 Benj. Moor 
 
 10 
 
 Thomas Hall 
 
 
 10 
 
 Robert Moral 
 
 5 
 
 John Cassall 
 
 
 14 
 
 Richard Baker 
 
 5 
 
 Isaac Twentyman 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Patrick Nealson 
 
 15 
 
 Jas Roossevelt 
 
 1 
 
 
 George Lurting 
 
 1 
 
 Abram. Van Wyck 
 
 
 14 
 
 John Smith 
 
 1 10 
 
 Joseph Cowley 
 
 1 
 
 8 
 
 Gabriel Crooke 
 
 1 
 
 J. Browne 
 
 5 
 
 
 Christopher Cod wise 
 
 14 
 
 John Waldron 
 
 1 
 
 
 George Ingoldesby 
 
 1 8
 
 342 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 Paul Richard 
 Tim Bagly 
 H. Cuisman 
 Henry Nedham 
 Peter Low 
 John Stephens 
 John Taylor 
 Thomas Lynch 
 John Greetbeek 
 J. Royall 
 Saml. Lawrence 
 Thomas Hunk 
 Henry Cuyler 
 Wm. Smith 
 Phillip Cortland 
 Ab. Depeyster 
 Robert Livingston 
 Jno. Fred 
 Christopher Fell 
 nos. Brinckerhoff 
 R. Hot 
 
 Antho. Rutgers 
 Rip Van Dam 
 Robt. Livingston, Jr. 
 Moise Gombexuto 
 Catharine Searle 
 Mrs. FlorindaPaintard 
 John Dyer 
 Charles Le Roux 
 Cadwallader Williams 
 John Kelly 
 Abraham Boelen 
 Joseph Sackett 
 John Bries 
 Saml. Bourdet 
 Benj. Hildreth 
 John Troup 
 J. Dupuy 
 
 14 
 
 £ 
 5 
 5 
 2 
 5 
 
 1 8 
 
 I 8 
 
 2 
 
 1 8 
 10 
 14 
 2 
 
 1 10 
 10 
 
 2 10 
 5 
 
 5 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 6 
 10 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 14 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 1 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 2 4 
 2 
 
 12 
 
 14 
 2 
 5 
 
 14 
 3 
 
 10 
 
 James Henderson 
 Chrisp Banker 
 Abraham Lodge 
 Elizabeth Deane 
 James Lyne 
 Robert Todd 
 Ja. Alexander 
 Geor. Duncan 
 Mr. John Roosevelt 
 Mr. Vanderheul 
 Thomas Vatar 
 Archd. Fisher 
 R. Bradley 
 Mr. Degrave 
 Thos. Behenna 
 Catrena Golet 
 Phuchas Eyers 
 John Turner 
 Edward Man 
 Thomas Hodgins 
 T. Braine 
 
 Capt. Peter Warren 
 Euph. Norris 
 Jacob Bloom 
 Mrs. Vetch 
 Gulian V3rplanck 
 Richd. Fowle 
 John Poulton 
 Edw. Burows 
 John Reade 
 William Leaycraft 
 John Perrenchicf 
 Joseph Hinson 
 Joseph Haynes 
 Thomas Freeman 
 Mrs. Stephenson 
 
 8 
 10 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 £ 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 3 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 1 
 2 
 
 2 
 
 1 10 
 1 
 
 1 8 
 6 
 
 10 
 1 
 10 
 10 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 10 
 10 
 10 
 
 4 
 
 1 8 
 5 
 7 
 14 
 15 
 5 
 14 
 14 
 10 
 3 
 10 
 3 
 
 d. 
 
 £517 9 6
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW- YORK. 343 
 
 I. 
 
 REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. 
 
 The Committee' for superintending the building of the new edifice of 
 Trinity Church, having completed the trust committed to them, beg 
 leave to submit to the Vestry the following Report of their proceed- 
 ings, and of the expenditures in the erection and completion of the 
 Church with its appendages : 
 
 The roof of the late Trinity Church, having been considered in an 
 unsafe condition, and the expedients adopted to strengthen it having 
 failed to allay apprehension, the Vestry determined on the 6th of May, 
 1839, to have a new roof, and to make other repairs and improve- 
 ments : and for that purpose appointed a Committee, consisting of 
 
 Messrs. Wm. H. Harison, ) ^ ,i ^ ... c 
 
 -.XT r> r\ s ( Composing the Committee ot 
 
 Wm. E. Dunscomb & > a v a t> 
 
 t, TT ( bupplies and Repairs. 
 
 Robert Hyslop. ; 
 
 To whom were added : 
 
 Messrs. Thomas L. Ogden, 
 
 Jonathan H. Lawrence, and 
 
 Adam Tredwell. 
 
 Mr. Ogden was appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee, and 
 Richard Upjohn Draughtsman and Superintendent of repairs and alter- 
 ations. After taking off the old roof and taking down part of the side 
 walls, which had sprung out, the architect discovered the spire, which 
 was of wood, much decayed, and the- stone tower in an unsafe condi- 
 tion. 
 
 This was unexpected by the Committee, and if truly represented, it 
 appeared to them to be useless and bad economy to go on with the re- 
 pairs. Being unwilling however, to abandon the intended repairing 
 of the old building, the Committee directed a survey to be made by se- 
 veral builders, who reported the tower unfit to stand. Their certifi- 
 cates were laid before the Vestry, and they determined to take down 
 the old church and erect a new one. The same Committee was con- 
 tinued, and directed by the Vestry to build a new church edifice, 
 agreeably to the plan furnished by Mr. Upjohn, the Architect. The 
 old building was thereupon taken down and removed, and the founda- 
 tion walls of the new edifice were commenced laying on the 17th of
 
 344 HISTORY OF 
 
 October, in the year 1839. The Committee considering the indispen- 
 sable importance of constructing the foundations in the most secure 
 manner, resolved to lay them by day's work, and they were so laid 
 under the direction of Messrs. J. and J. A. Harriott. The Commit- 
 tee found it impracticable to contract for the whole building to advan- 
 tage ; but the principal part, that of preparing the materials to be put 
 together, has been executed under contracts at various times and with 
 different parties. The materials have all been procured by the Com- 
 mittee, and are of the first quality. The Committee made every in- 
 quiry as to the fitness, quality and cost of the various kinds of stone for 
 the proposed edifice, and of the supplies that could be had, from the 
 different quarries within a convenient distance from the city, and se- 
 lected the brown stone from Little Falls, New-Jersey, as the most 
 suitable in colour and durability ; and the same was recommended to 
 and adopted by the Vestry : — and the stone from Little Falls was 
 thereupon furnished by contract ; and the whole exterior of the Church? 
 tower and spire, the large cut stone columns to support the Clere story, 
 and other fine work of the interior, were constructed of this stone. 
 The Committee very early provided themselves with a quantity of the 
 best oak timber, for the pews, wainscotting, screen, &c, and had it 
 sawed and properly exposed to undergo the seasoning process. And 
 also, to facilitate operations, procured a Steam Engine and machinery 
 for hoisting stone and other materials, which answered a very good 
 purpose ; also, a large iron chest, now in the Sexton's room at Trinity 
 Church, for the more safe-keeping of the drawings and designs of the 
 Architect, and the books and papers of the Committee. 
 
 The whole of the Mason's work has been done by the day, under 
 the charge of James Vandenburgh, an experienced workman ; the 
 Carpenter's work has also been done principally by the day. All un- 
 der the direction and inspection of Mr. Upjohn, the Architect. The 
 Committee's regular day of meeting, was every Tuesday. Two o 
 the Committee, viz. : Messrs. Treadwell and Hyslop, were appointed 
 a sub-Committee to audit and examine all accounts, to be reported and 
 passed on by the Committee. Pay day was once in two weeks, the 
 bills and claims presented were particularly examined by the auditors, 
 then passed by the Committee, with an order on the Comptroller, or 
 certificate of the passing of the bill signed by the Chairman for pay- 
 ment. The Committee have met for the transaction of business three
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 345 
 
 hundred and eighty-nine times, and have taken regular minutes 
 thereof. 
 
 0:i Monday, the 3d of June, 1841, a leaden hox, with suitable in- 
 ssripticm, and containing the varion mammals heretofore reported to 
 the Ve3try, was deposited in the place male for the purpose, in the 
 large corner-stone of the North East buttress of the tower. All the 
 monuments and mural tablets, formerly in the old Church, have been 
 removed and placed in the rear apartments of the edifice, as directed by 
 the Vestry. The stained glass window., were executed and put up by 
 Mr. Aimer Stephenson, and cellars have been excavated in front and rear, 
 and the Church heated by hot air furnaces, according to Fox's patent, 
 patent. 
 
 The Organ and case have been built and erected by Mr. Henry 
 Erben, according to the specifications and plan, and under the super- 
 vision of Doctor Edward Hodges, and the instrument has given very 
 general satisfaction.* 
 
 Specifications were issued for the Church c'ock, and various c sti- 
 matcs obtained, and the contract for the same was finally made with 
 Mr. James Rodgers ; the clock was required to be of the best materials 
 and workmanship, and warranted to keep accurate time. The clock 
 has been placed in the tower, and is in operation, and the appendages 
 and striking part are nearly completed. 
 
 * The following is a list of the Organists of Trinly Parish : — 
 ORGANISTS OF TRINITY CHURCH. 
 Mr. Clemm, Jr., 1741 Mr. Wilson, 1804 
 
 Thomas Harison, Peter Erben, 1820 
 
 John Rice, Edward Hodge3, Doctor of Music, 
 
 Mr. Muller, 1795 from the University of Cambridge, 
 
 Dr. Jackson, 1802 England, 1846 
 
 ORGANIST OF ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL. 
 Mr. Hewitt, 1794 Peter Erben, 1807 
 
 Dr. Jackson 
 
 ORGANISTS OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL. 
 Mr. Ransch, 1802 Geo. Dodges, 
 
 Thomas Brown, 1806 Mr. Huntington, 
 
 S. B. Taylor, 1^34 Henry W. Greatorex, 1846 
 
 ORGANISTS OF ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL. 
 Peter Erben, 1813 Dr. Edward Hodges, 1839 
 
 P. K. Moran, Mr. Rolph, 1846 
 
 Charles Wilson, 
 
 22
 
 346 HISTORY OF 
 
 The Committee have to report, with regret, the decease of two of 
 their members. It appears from their minutes, that the last time Mr. 
 Lawrence attended the Committee was on the second of January, 1844. 
 His health had been previously failing for some time, and on the 4th of 
 June, following, the minutes record his death. During his continu- 
 ance, he paid all that attention to the business of the Committee, which 
 his age and impaired health would permit. 
 
 The last time that Mr. Ogden appears to have attended the Commit- 
 tee, was on the 12th of November, 1844, and it is remarkable, that the 
 only business then transacted, was the presentation by him of the spe- 
 cification and contract for the Tower Clock, thus being engaged with 
 the rest of the Committee in preparing an instrument, to note the rapid 
 flight of time, which for him was to be so short, for he departed this 
 life on the 17th day of December following. Mr. Ogden, from the 
 commencement to the close of his connection with the Committee, was 
 constant and indefatigable in the duties devolving upon him, as he was 
 in other matters entrusted to his care and management. But, alas, his 
 eyes were not permitted to see the edifice in its beauteous, perfect and 
 finished state, which he had long desired. It is to be hoped however, 
 that he, as well as other deceased fellow- members, having finished 
 their multiplied labours here, have gone to the rest reserved for the 
 people of God, in that glorious temple not made with hands, eternal in 
 the heavens. 
 
 After the decease of Mr. Ogden, Mr. Treadwell was appointed Chair- 
 man of the Committee, and Mr. Dunscomb Secretary. And from and 
 after the eleventh day of February, one thousand eight hundred and 
 forty-five, Messrs. William Moore and Henry Youngs, according to 
 the resolution of the Vestry, also acted as members of the Committee. 
 The Committee have now to report the Church as completed, and that 
 it was duly consecrated on Ascension Day, the twenty-first of May last, 
 and that all the payments made, have been by directions of the Com- 
 mittee. It is a subject of congratulation, that in the erection of a build- 
 ing of such magnitude and elevation, no serious accident or loss of life 
 has occurred among the workmen employed. 
 
 The whole payments for the Church, Tower and Spire, including 
 compensation to vault holders, and the cost of new vaults, supplied to 
 the owners of those rendered useless by the new buildmg, and includ- 
 ing the expense of taking down the old Church edifice, the steam en-
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 347 
 
 gine and boiler, derricks and cordage, croton water pipes, workshops 
 office, the Church Organ and case, the clock, four bells to complete 
 the chime, the iron railing in front, and the flagging in the front of and 
 around the Church, amount in the whole to the sum of $356,285 94 
 There is yet to be paid to Mr. Rodgers a balance of 
 $1600, due for the clock, and payable in nine month's 
 after it is in successful operation 1,600 00 
 
 And also for additional work on clock, as stated below 744 00 
 
 $358,629 94 
 
 Henry Erben — organ — per contract $6,300 00 
 
 " " organ case do 2,000 00 
 " extra work on organ case 431 72 
 " " For loss occasioned by inter- 
 ruption of his work 270 00 
 " " For loss sustained by him on 
 
 his contract for organ 1,500 00 
 
 Dr. Hodges — superintending its construction 
 
 and other services 750 00 
 
 $11,251 72 
 
 Clock per contract 3,600 00 
 
 " Additional work per contract 744 00 
 
 $4,344 00 
 Four Bells imported 1,509 95 
 
 Taking down, moving out, altering and re- 
 erecting the iron railing in front, and other 
 work 1,033 93 
 
 Flagging in front and around the Church by 
 
 contract 1,896 30 
 
 Paid for vaults in lieu of those covered by the 
 
 new Church 600 00 
 
 $5040 18 20,635 90 
 Cost of Church edifice, including furniture for 
 the chancel and all other expenses, except 
 the organ, clock, &c, as stated above 337,994 04 
 
 $358,629 94
 
 348 HISTORY OF 
 
 The only claims against the Church, which have not been passed 
 by the Committee, are for the clock, viz. : $744 for additional contract 
 and $1600 to be paid in nine months. The Committee ask to be dis- 
 charged, and that the Committee of supplies and repairs be authorized 
 to audit, and order payment of same when due. 
 
 The Committee have kept a book, in which the several contracts 
 made by them from time to time have been recorded, and to which 
 they beg leave to refer for all the particulars thereof. 
 
 The Committee also present and submit to the Vestry, a book 
 containing the minutes of its proceedings at each day of its meeting ; 
 and would respectfully recommend it to be preserved with the other 
 books and papers of the Committee in the Comptroller's offioe. Also, 
 a book containing a fair copy thereof, commencing 18th Sept., 1839. 
 All which is respectfully submitted. 
 Dated, January Wth, 1847. 
 
 Adam Tredwell, 
 Robert Hyslop, 
 Wm. E. Dunscomb, 
 Wm. H. Harison, 
 Henry Youngs, 
 Willm. Moore. 
 Building Committee of Trinity Church.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 349 
 
 K. 
 
 At a meeting of the Vestry, held on the 25th of May, 1846, the 
 Committee of Arrangements for the Consecration of Trinity Cliurch 
 made their report in the following words : — 
 
 That since their appointment they have met twice a week, and for a 
 few days previous to the consecration, daily. That special invitations 
 were issued to the Right Rev. Dr. Delancey, of the Diocese of Western 
 New- York, to all the Clergy of this Diocese, to the Rectors, Wardens, 
 and Vestrymen of the Churches in this City, and to every Clergyman 
 of the Protestant Episcopal Church who manifested, pursuant to a 
 published request, an inclination to be present, and to a number of 
 Laymen in this and other States, holding offices or appointments in 
 the Church and its institutions ; * * * and that cards of admission 
 were issued to the following persons, viz. : to all the Corporators, the 
 families of the Clergy of this City, and to many others; that the indi- 
 viduals composing the procession met at the house of Mr. William I. 
 Bunker. No. 39 Broadway, which was kindly offered by him for the 
 purpose, where the procession was formed, and walked to the new 
 Parish Church, as prescribed in the printed order of procession mark- 
 ed A, hereto annexed. The procession having arrived at Trinity 
 
 A. 
 
 ORDER OF PROCESSION. 
 
 1. The Sextons and their Assistants, with staves. 
 
 2. The Rector, Teachers, and Scholars of Trinity School founded 
 in 1709, and from that time continued without interruption. 
 
 3. The Architect, his Assistants, and Master-workmen. 
 
 4. The Vestry of Trinity Church, with the officers of the Corpo- 
 ration. 
 
 The following part to reverse order, before arriving at the Church. 
 
 5. The Vestries of the City Churches, (in reverse order of dates of 
 organization, viz., the last organized to be first in the line.) 
 
 6. Students in the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church in the United States.
 
 350 HISTORY OF 
 
 Church, the printed order of services in the Church was proceeded in, 
 and the new Church Edifice and Steeple called Trinity Church, front- 
 ing on Broadway, opposite Wall-street in the City of New-York, was 
 thereupon, on Thursday the twenty-first of May instant, being the Feast 
 of the Ascension of our Blessed Lord, duly consecrated in the presence 
 of a large assemblage of the Clergy and Laity, by the Right Revd. 
 Samuel A. McCoskry, Bishop of the Diocese of Michigan, according 
 to the General and Diocesan Canons, and to the rites and cere- 
 monies of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of 
 America.* 
 
 The Sentence of Consecration, duly signed, accompanies this report, 
 which your Committee desire may be taken as a part thereof and en- 
 tered on the minutes. 
 
 The instrument of Donation was duly executed, and presented and 
 
 7. Lay Trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Society for Promoting 
 Religion and Learning in the State of New-York. 
 
 8. Trustees of Columbia College. 
 
 9. Lay Members of the Standing Committee of the Diocese, and Lay 
 Delegates and Supernumerary Delegates to the General Convention. 
 
 10. Strangers specially invited. 
 
 11. Clergy in surplices not of the degree of D. D. 
 
 12. Doctors in Divinity in surplices. ( Of whom, together, more 
 than one hundred and fifty thus robed were in attendance, besides 
 several others in their gowns.) 
 
 13. The Bishop. 
 
 * The sentence of Consecration was read by the Rev. Thomas House 
 Taylor, D. D. ; 
 
 Morning Prayer by the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, D. D., and 
 the Rev. Dr. Higbee; 
 
 The Lessons by the Rev. Dr. Haight and the Rev. Samuel L. 
 Southard ; 
 
 The Ante-Communion Service by the Rev. Dr. Lyell, with the ex- 
 ception of the Epistle, which was read by the Rector, and the Gospel, 
 which was read by the Rev. Dr. Whitehouse. 
 
 And the Sermon was preached and the Communion administered 
 by the Bishop, with the assistance of several of the Clergy.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 351 
 
 delivered by the Senior Warden in behalf of this Corporation, as au- 
 thorized and directed at a meeting of the Vestry held on the day of 
 Consecration. * * * 
 
 William Berrian, 
 Adam Tree-well, 
 Philip Hone, 
 William E. Dunscomb, 
 Wm. H. Harison.
 
 352 HISTORY OF 
 
 L. 
 
 WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN OF TRINITY CHURCH, 
 
 FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE TARISH TO THE PRESENT TIME. 
 
 Thomas Wenham,* Warden from 1697 to 1704. Vestryman from 
 1704 to 1706. Warden again from 1706 to 1709. Vestryman again 
 in 1709. 
 
 Coin. Robert Lurting f Warden 1697. Vestryman from 1698 to 
 1706. Warden again in 1706. Vestryman again from 1707 to 1714. 
 
 Coin. Caleb Heathcote^ Vestryman from 1697 to 1690 ; and also 
 from 1711 to 1714. 
 
 William Merret § Vestryman from 1697 to 1700. 
 
 John Tudor || " in 1697, and also from 1700 to 1703, 
 
 and re-elected again in 1705. 
 
 James Emott, Vestryman from 1697 to 1711, and re-elected in 1719. 
 
 William Morris,1F " from 1697 to 1704. 
 
 Thomas Clarke,* * Vestryman in 1697. Warden from 1698 to 
 1700. 
 
 Ebenezer Wilson, Vestryman from 1697 to 1705. 
 
 Samuel Burt, " in 1697. 
 
 James Evets, " from 1697 to 1700. 
 
 Nathaniel Marston, " in 1697, in 1705, from 1708 to 1718, 
 
 in 1724, and from 1727 to 1731. 
 
 Michael Howden, Vestryman from 1797 to 1702, and from 1704 
 to 1710. 
 
 John Crooke, Vestryman frcm 1697 to 1703, and agnin from 1705 
 to 1708. Warden from 1708 to 1713. Vestryman again in 1713. 
 
 * Member of his Majesty's Council. 
 
 + Many years Alderman of Dock Ward, first Ward of the City, and Mayor of 
 New-York from 1722 to 1735. 
 
 t Member of Council and Mayor of the City from 1711 to 1714. 
 
 § Member of Council, and Member of Assembly for several years for the City 
 of New-York, and Mayor of :he same from 1 71)4 to 1709. 
 
 || Recorder of New- York from 1704 to 1709. 
 
 TT Chief Justice of the Province. 
 
 * * Member of Council.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 353 
 
 William Sharpas,* Vestryman from 1G97 to 1699, from 17 II to 
 1700, and again in 1710. 
 
 Lawrence Read, Vestryman in 1G97, and in 1709. 
 
 David Jamison f " from 1097 to 1704. Warden fiom 
 
 1704 to 1700. Vestryman again from 1700 to 1709, and Warden 
 again from 1709 to 1714. 
 
 William Huddleston, Vestryman from 1097 to 1714. 
 
 Gabriel Ludlow, « in 1097, from 1700 to 1702, and 
 
 in 1704. 
 
 Thomas Burroughs, Vestryman from 1097 to 170*2. 
 
 William Janeway, " in 1697, and from 1702 to 1704. 
 
 John Merrct, " in 1097. 
 
 Jeremiah Tothill, " from 1098 to 170."). 
 
 Matthew Clarkson.^ " from 1098 to 1700, and in 1702. 
 
 William Nicoll § " from 1098 to 1702. 
 
 William Anderson, " from 1098 to 1717. 
 
 Richard Willet, " from 1698 to 1700. Warden from 
 
 1700 to 1704. Vestryman again from 1704 to 1707. Warden again 
 in 1707, and Vestryman again from 1708 to 1721. 
 
 Robert Walters, Vestryman in 1098. 
 
 Giles GaudineaU) " in 1098. 
 
 Jonathan Hutchins, " from 1099 to 1702. 
 
 Jonathan Guest, " from 1GJ9 to 1701. 
 
 Thomas Ives, " from 1699 to 170o, and from 17J3 to 
 
 1708. 
 
 Lancaster Syms, Vestryman from 1699 to 1704, and in 1705. 
 
 Roger Baker, " (rem 1700 to 1702. 
 
 Robert Skelton, " from 1700 to 1703. 
 
 Peter Mathews, " in 1701. and in 1705. 
 
 Jonathan Corbet, " from 1702 to 1705. 
 
 William Rear ree j| " Com 1702 to 1704. Warden from 1704 
 to 1701. Vestryman again from 171)6 to 1710 an;l again in 1711. 
 
 * Member of Council. 
 
 + Recorder of the City from 1712 to 172;"), and Attorney-General of the Province. 
 t Secretary of tlie Province, 1698. 
 
 § Associate Judge, Member o' Assembly from Suffolk County, and repeatedly 
 Speaker of the House of Assembly. 
 
 || Mayor of the C.ty from 1703 lo 1708.
 
 354 HISTORY OF 
 
 William Smith,* Vestryman from 1702 to 1704. 
 
 Robert Lettice Hooper,f Vestryman in 1702, and from 1719 to 
 1725. 
 
 Jon. Theobalds, Vestryman from 1702 to 1704. 
 
 Jon. Burrow, " from 1703 to 1705. 
 
 Thomas Davenport " from 1703 to 1710, and from 1711 to 
 1717. 
 
 Richard Harris,:}: Vestryman in 1703, from 1706 to 1709, and from 
 1710 to 1715. 
 
 Matth. Ling, Vestryman in 1703. 
 
 Barth. Le Reux,§ " in 1703, and from 1709 to 1714. 
 
 William Bradford, " from 1703 to 1710. 
 
 Sampson Shelton Broughton,|| Vestryman in 1704, from 1706 to 
 1708, and from 1709 to 1712. 
 
 Daniel Honan, Vestryman from 1704 to 1706. 
 
 John Hutchins,1T " in 1704. 
 
 Patrick Crawford " in 1704. 
 
 Thomas Clarke,* * " from 1705 to 1715. Warden in 1715. 
 Vestryman again from 1716 to 1718. Warden again in 1718. Ves- 
 tryman again from 1720 to 1726, and again from 1727 to 1735. 
 
 Col. Bayard,ff Vestryman from 1705 to 1712. 
 
 Elias Neau, " from 1705 to 1714. 
 
 May Bickley4$ " from 1705 to 1714. Warden from 
 
 1714 to 1719. Vestryman again from 1719 to 1721, and Warden 
 again from 1721 to 1724. 
 
 Mr. Bret, Vestryman from 1706 to 1709. 
 
 Mr. Regnier, " from 1706 to 1709, from 1710 to 1712, and 
 in 1713. 
 
 * Alderman of the West Ward for several years, 
 t Colonel in the British Army. 
 t Assistant Alderman of the East Ward. 
 § Assistant Alderman of the West Ward. 
 
 || Recorder of the City from 1702 to 1704, and Attorney-General of the Province. 
 IT Alderman of the West Ward. 
 ** Secretary of the Province, 1705. 
 t+ Alderman of Dock Ward. 
 
 tX Attorney-General of the Province, 1705, and Recorder of the City from 1708 
 to 1712.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 355 
 
 Mr. Leathes, Vestryman from 1706 to 1708. 
 
 Thomas Byerly " in 1708, and in 1710. 
 
 Cornelius Lodge, " from 1708 to 1720. 
 
 Abraham Moore, " from 1709 to 1715. 
 
 William White, " from 1710 to 1712. 
 
 Peter Barberie, Jr., " in 1710, and again in 1712. Warden 
 from 1713 to 1715. Vestryman again from 1715 to 1722. Warden 
 again from 1722 to 1726. Vestryman again from 1726 to 1728. 
 
 Andrew Loran, Vestryman in 1710, and again from 1715 to 1717. 
 
 Jos. Wright, " from 1710 to 1712, and again from 1713 
 
 to 1727. 
 
 John Reade, Vestryman in 1711, and again from 1713 to 1719. 
 Warden from 1719 to 1721. Vestryman again from 1721 to 1733, 
 and from 1738 to 1740. 
 
 Mr. Jamain, Vestryman in 1711. 
 
 John Stephens, from 1710 to 1715. 
 
 Henry Vernon, from 1712 to 1731. 
 
 John Walter, in 1712, 1714 to 1716, and 1717 to 1722. 
 
 Simeon Soumaine, from 1712 to 1750. 
 
 Robert Elliston,* from 1713 to 1726, in 1736, and from 1740 to 
 1756. 
 
 Thomas Noxon, from 1713 to 1732. 
 
 William Howard, from 1713 to 1715, and from 1718 to 1720. 
 
 Gilbert Ash, from 1714 to 1718. 
 
 Mr. Birchfield, in 1714. 
 
 William Davis, from 1714 to 1716. 
 
 George Cocke, from 1715 to 1718. 
 
 Joseph Reade, Vestryman from 1715 to 1717, and again from 1718 
 to 1721. Warden in 1721. Vestryman again from 1722 to 1756. 
 Warden again from 1756 to 1770. Vestryman again in 1770. 
 
 John Moore,f Vestryman from 1715 to 1719. Warden from 1719 
 to 1721. Vestryman again from 1721 to 1728. 
 
 George Clarke, Warden from 1716 to 1718. 
 
 John Hamilton, Vestryman from 1716 to 1719. 
 
 Richard Worsom, Vestryman from 1716 to 1718. 
 
 * Collector of his Majesty's Customs. 
 
 t Alderman of the South Ward for eight years.
 
 356 history or 
 
 Alexander Moore, Vestryman from 1716 to 1718, from 1719 to 1725, 
 and f:oml726 to 1729. 
 
 Benjamin Hildreth, Vestryman from 1717 to 1727. 
 
 James Dixon, Vestryman in 1718. 
 
 Jno. Auboyneau, " in 1718 and from 1725 to 1745. 
 
 Jno. Balme, " from 1718 to 1724, in 1726, and in 1728. 
 
 Edward Man, " from 1718 to 1720. 
 
 Henry Wileman, " from 1719 to 1727. 
 
 George Talbot, " from 1720 to 1724. 
 
 Robert Crotke, " fion 1723 to 1727. 
 
 Joseph Murray,* " irom 1720 to 1726. Warden from 1726 to 
 1758. 
 
 William Dug laic, Vestryman from 1721 to 1725. 
 
 Robert Livingston, Jr. t Vestryman from 1721 to 1761. 
 
 Jos Robinson, Vestryman .from 1722 to 1724. Warden from 1724 
 to 1756. Vestryman again from 175x3 to 1759. 
 
 John Crooke, Senr., Vestryman in 1724, and from 1727 to 1731. 
 
 Edward Antill, Vestryman from 1724 to 1723. 
 
 Thomas Hopkins, Vestryman in 1725. 
 
 Jno. Searle, Vestryman i'rom 1725 to 1727, and from 1728 to 1735. 
 
 James Searle, " from 1725 to 1748. 
 
 John Waldron, " from 172") to 1732. 
 
 John Movers, " from 172S to 1752. 
 
 John Chamber, " from 1723 to 1757, and Warden from 1757 
 to 1765. 
 
 Stephen DeLancey t Vestryman from 1727 to 1742. 
 
 Augu?tu3 Jay § Vestryman from 1727 to 1746. 
 
 John Moore, Jr., " from 1728 to 1750. 
 
 Peter Vallete, " from 1729 to 1731. 
 
 John Brown, " f r0 m 1729 to 1739. 
 
 William Rickotts, '■ f om 1731 to 1736. 
 
 William Ham-rsley " from 1731 to 1753. 
 
 Charles Crooke " Com 1731 to 1764. 
 
 * Mr. Murray was a lawyer of great eminence in the city of New- York, about the 
 middle of the last cent try. Ha w is we o 'the t 'ouncil, and Attorney-General of the 
 Province, and was mi.ch celebrated in his day as a constitutional lawyer. 
 
 t Speaker of the Ho lse of Assembly.' 
 
 J Alderman of the West Ward and Member of Assembly for several years. 
 
 § Assistant Alderman of the South Ward.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 357 
 
 Nathaniel Marston, Jr., Vestryman in 1731, and from 1735 to 1770, 
 and Warden from 1770 to 1779. 
 
 Anthony Duane, Vestryman from 1732 to 1748. 
 
 Peter Jay, " from 1732 to 1740. 
 
 Richard Nicholls, " from 1732 to 1760. 
 
 Ralph Barker, " from 1733 to 1730. 
 
 Daniel Horsmanden,* Vestryman from 1734 to 1765. Warden from 
 1705 to 1709, and Vestryman again from 1709 to 1772. 
 
 Henry Roe, Vestryman from 1735 to 1748. 
 
 Robert Watts, Vestryman from 1739 to 1751. 
 
 Gabriel Ludlow, " from 1742 to 1769. 
 
 Edward Holland, " from 1745 to 1757. 
 
 Abraham Lodge, " frbm 1749 to 1759. 
 
 Archibald Fisher, " in 1740. 
 
 Ebenezer Grant, " from 1740 to 1700. 
 
 Charles Williams, " from 1747 to 1774. 
 
 Henry Ludlow, " from 1748 to 1709. 
 
 Thomas Duncan, " from 1748 to 1759. 
 
 Robert Crommeline, " from 1753 to 1781. 
 
 Thomas Moore, " from 1750 to 1762. 
 
 Benjamin Nicoll, " from 1751 to 1701. 
 
 George Harison, " from 1752 to 1765. 
 
 Edward Mann, " from 1753 to 1770. 
 
 John Aspinwall " from 1750 to 1760. 
 
 David Clarkson, " from 1757 to 1769. Warden in 1770, 
 and Vestryman again from 1771 to 1777. 
 
 Andrew Barclay, Vestryman from 1758 to 1777. 
 John Troup, " from 1758 to 1702. 
 
 Elias Desbrosses,+ " from 1759 to 1773. Warden from 
 1770 to 1778. 
 
 Robert Morrell, Vestryman from 17 33 to 1731. 
 
 Nicholas William Stuyvesant, Vestryman from 1763 to 1773. 
 
 * Recorder of the city from 1735 to 1747. O.i? of the Judges of the Supreme 
 Court and of the Colony, and afterwards Chief Justice. 
 
 t Alderman of the East Ward for several years, a.id gratefully remembered for 
 his legacies towards the establishment of a French Protestant Episcopal Church in 
 this city, aad towards the support of the Charity School.
 
 358 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 Theophylact Bache,* Vestryman from 1760 to 1784, in 1788, and 
 from 1792 to 1800. 
 
 Adrian Renaudet, Vestryman from 1760 to 1779. 
 
 in 1761. 
 
 from 1761 to 1775. 
 
 from 1761 to 1764. 
 
 from 1762 to 1779. 
 
 from 1762 to 1784. 
 
 from 1762 to 1783. 
 
 from 1764 to 1775, and Warden from 
 
 John Ludlow, " 
 
 Alexander C olden, " 
 
 Joseph Sackett, " 
 
 Thomas Hill, " 
 
 Edward Laight, " 
 
 Anthony Van Dam, " 
 
 Robert R. Livingston,f " 
 1784 to 1785. 
 
 John Charlton, Vestryman from 1764 to 1784 
 to 1806. 
 
 Humphrey Jones, Vestryman from 1764 to 1772. 
 
 Matthew Clarkson, " from 1765 to 1769. 
 
 Benjamin Kissam, " from 1766 to 1783. 
 
 John Tabor Kempe4 " from 1769 to 1778. 
 1779 to 1783. 
 
 Miles Sherbrooke, Vestryman from 1769 to 1784. 
 
 W 
 
 arden from 1794 
 
 Warden from 
 
 in 1770. 
 
 from 1771 to 1782. 
 from 1771 to 1784. 
 from 1772 to 1777. 
 
 Mr. Smith, 
 
 John Griffith, " 
 
 Gabriel H. Ludlow, " 
 James Duane,§ " 
 
 lT84tol794. 
 Peter Goelet, Vestryman from 1772 to 1782. 
 Grove Bend, " from 1773 to 1778. 
 
 Charles Shaw, " from 1774 to 1784. 
 
 Christopher Smith, " from 1774 to 1781. 
 
 Warden from 
 
 * For many years a Governor and President of the New- York Hospital. 
 
 + Recorder of the City ; Judge of the Supreme Court of the Colony ; one of the 
 signers of the Declaration of Independence ; Chancellor of the State, and Minister 
 to Paris under the Consulate and Empire. 
 
 t Attorney General of the Province. 
 
 § Member of the old Congress ; first Mayor of the City under the government of 
 the State of New-York, ; first Judge of the United States District Court upon the 
 organization of the Judiciary under the present Constitution of the United States; 
 receiving the appointment from Washington.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 359 
 
 James Desbrosses, Vestryman from 1775 to 1779. Warden from 
 1779 to 1784. 
 
 Peter Van Schaick,* L.L.D., Vestryman from 1776 to 1779, and in 
 1780. 
 
 William Laight, Vestryman from 1777 to 1784, and from 1788 to 
 1802. 
 
 David Seabury, Vestryman from 1777 to 1784. 
 
 F. Phillippse, " from 1779 to 1782. 
 
 Thomas Moore, " from 1779 to 1784. 
 
 Robert Watts, " from 1778 to 1783. Warden in 1783. 
 
 Warden from 1790 to 1804. 
 
 William Ustick, Vestryman from 1778 to 1784. 
 
 Augustus Van Cortlandt, Vestryman from 1779 to 1784. 
 
 John Smith, Vestryman from 1781 to 1784. 
 
 Thomas Ellison, Vestryman from 1781 to 1784. 
 
 Abraham Walton, " from 1782 to 1784. 
 
 Cadwallader Colden, " from 1782 to 1784. 
 
 Richard Harison,f L.L.D., Vestryman in 1783, from 1788 to 1811, 
 and Warden from 1811 to 1827. 
 
 Stephen Skinner, Vestryman in 1783. 
 
 Richard Morris,} " from 1784 to 1785. 
 
 Francis Lewis,§ " from 1784 to 1786. 
 
 Col. Lewis Morris, " from 1784 to 1785. 
 
 Isaac Sears,|| " from 1784 to 1786. 
 
 Wm. Duer,1T " from 1784 to 1787. 
 
 Wm. Bedlow, " from 1784 to 1787. 
 
 * An eminent Lawyer and accomplished scholar. 
 
 t Recorder of the City from 1797 to 1801 ; a distinguished Lawyer ; a fine class- 
 ical scholar, and District Attorney of the United States, appointed by Washing- 
 ton. 
 
 t Eminent in the civil affairs of the State, and the organization of the State 
 Government ; preceded John Jay as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New 
 York, 1779, which office he held until his retirement from public life, in 1791. 
 
 § One of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and a Member of the 
 old Congress. He lived to the age of 93. 
 
 || Sheriff of London — famous for his eloquence and popular talent — active in pro- 
 moting the Declaration of Independence, his name frequently occurring in the po- 
 litical history of the times, and a wealthy merchant. 
 
 IT Member of the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1778.
 
 360 HISTORY OF 
 
 Daniel Diriscomb, Vestryman from 1734 to 1739. 
 
 Anthony Lispenard, " from 1734 to 1737. 
 
 Thomas Tillotston* " in 1734. 
 
 Col. John Stevens f " from 17 34 to 1787. 
 
 Marinus Wi'.let $ " from 1784 to 1735. 
 
 Robert Troup § " in 1781, and from 1312 to 1817. 
 
 Joshua Sands || " from 1734 to 1787. 
 
 Anthony Griffith, " from 17 34 to 1737. 
 
 Christopher Miller, " from 1734 to 1785. 
 
 Thomas Tucker, " in. 1734. 
 
 Hercules Mulligan, " from 1784 to 1787. 
 
 Thomas Grinneil, " in 17 34. 
 
 William Mercier, " from 1734 to 1738. 
 
 John Rutherfurd.H " from 1734 to 1737. 
 
 John Lawrence,* * " in 1734. 
 
 James Farquhar, « from 1784 to 1801. 
 
 John Alsop, " from 1784 to 1738, 
 
 John Hunt, " in 1784. 
 
 John Jay,ft Warden in 1785, and again from 1788 to 1791. 
 
 * Member of the Legislature and Senate of this State, and Secretary of the 
 Bame. 
 
 t First practical projector of Steamboats. 
 
 t Colonel in the Revolutionary war— filled many honourable civil stations, and 
 finally that of Mayor of the city in 1807 and 181)8. 
 
 § Colonel in the Revolutionary army— repeatedly in the Legislature — Judge of 
 the District Court, and an eminent lawyer. 
 
 || Member of the Legislature and Representative in Congress. 
 
 If Colonel in the Revolutionary army, and Senator of the United States from 
 New-Jersey. 
 
 ** Judge Advocate in the army of the Revolution — member of the Continental 
 Congress from 1785 to 1787, and represented the City of New York in Congress, 
 from 1789 to 1793. 
 
 tt Signer of the Declaration of Independence — Delegate to the old Congress 
 and President of the same — Secretary for Foreign affairs under the old Confedera- 
 tion—Minister Plenipotentiary to Spain during the Revolution — first Chief Justice 
 of the State — Commissioner with Adams and Franklin to negotiate a peace with 
 
 England Special Envoy to Great Britain for establishing a Commercial treaty in 
 
 1793— Chief Justice of the United States from 1789 to 1794, and Governor of the 
 State of New-York from 179oto 1801.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 361 
 
 Thomas Randall,* Vestryman from 1785 to 1791. 
 Anthony L. Bleecker, Vestryman from 1785 to 1807. Warden 
 from 1807 to 1811. 
 
 Paschal N. Smith, Vestryman in 1785. 
 
 Robert C. Livingston, " from 1785 to 1795. 
 
 James Giles.f " from 1786 to 1789. 
 
 Morgan Lewis,$ " in 1786. 
 
 Andrew Hamersley, " from 1787 to 1807. 
 
 Hubert Van Wagenen, " from 1787 to 1806. 
 
 Nicholas Carmer, " from 1787 to 1808. 
 
 John Lewis, « from 1787 to 1795. 
 
 Alexander Ogsbury, " from 1787 to 1800. 
 
 Moses Rogers, " from 1787 to 1811. 
 
 George Dominick, " from 1787 to 1792. 
 
 Nicholas Kortright, " from 1787 to 1792. 
 
 Wra. Bush, " from 1787 to 1789. 
 
 Matthew M. Clarkson,§ " from 1788 to 1792. 
 
 Samuel Bard,|| " in 1788. 
 
 Wm. Samuel Johnson,1T " from 1788 to 1801. 
 
 John Jones, " from 1788 to 1800. 
 
 Charles Startin, " from 1788 to 1800. 
 
 * Founder of the Sailors' Snug Harbour. 
 
 + Major in the Revolutionary Army — Commissary General of the State, after- 
 wards Major General. 
 
 J Major in the Revolutionary army, afterwards Judge of the Supreme Court and 
 Chief Justice of the State — Governor of the State of New York, and for many 
 years, and until his death, President of the Cincinnati Society. 
 
 § Colonel in the Revolutionary Army, and President of the New-York Hospital, 
 and of various other benevolent institutions. 
 
 || An eminent Physician — a Medical and Scientific author — a Professor for 
 many years, and finally President in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 
 New-York. 
 
 IT Member of Council and Judge of the Supreme Court in Connecticut — Delegate 
 to the Congress of the old confederation — Senator from Connecticut to the Con- 
 gress of the United States — Doctor of Laws from the University of Oxford, and 
 President of Columbia College. He was also a member of the Convention for 
 forming the present Constitution of the United States, and took an active part in 
 the earlier councils of our Church, and in the organization of the General Conven- 
 tion. 
 
 23
 
 362 HISTORY OF 
 
 George Warner,* Vestryman from 1789 to 1793. 
 
 Alexander Hamersley, " from 1789 to 1791. 
 
 Thomas Barrow, " from 1790 to 1820. 
 
 David M. Clarkson, " from 1791 to 1812. Warden from 
 
 1812 to 1815. 
 
 Augustus Van Home, Vestryman from 1792 to 1797. 
 
 Hugh Gaine,f " from 1792 to 1808. 
 
 Peter Stuyvesant, " from 1793 to 1799. 
 
 Jacob Le Roy, " from 1795 to 1815. 
 
 Francis Dominick, " from 1795 to 1812. 
 
 John Clark, " from 1797 to 1812. 
 
 Frederick De Peyster, " from 1800 to 1812. 
 
 Andrew Smith, " from 1800 to 1814. 
 
 George Stanton, " in 1800. 
 
 Charles McEvers, jr., " from 1800 to 1828. Warden 
 
 from 1828 to 1839. 
 
 Joshua Jones, " from 1801 to 1821. 
 
 John Onderdonk,! " from 1801 to 1832. 
 
 William Bayard, " from 1S01 to 1821. 
 
 John McVickar, " from 1801 to 1812. 
 
 James Clark, " from 1802 to 1808. 
 
 RufusKing,§ Warden from 1805 to 1812. 
 
 Thomas Farmer, Vestryman in 1806. 
 
 Wynant Van Zandt, jr.,|| Vestryman from 1806 to 1811. 
 
 Thomas L. Ogden,1T Vestryman from 1807 to 1839. Warden from 
 1839 to 1844. 
 
 Nehemiah Rogers, Vestryman from 1807 to 1816. Warden from 
 1816 to 1842. 
 
 * Member of the Legislature from this city. 
 
 + Printer and Bookseller of this city, respected in his own day and remembered 
 with honour in this. 
 
 t President of the Medical Society. 
 
 § Member of the old Congress and of the Legislature of New -York — three times 
 elected Senator of the United States — Minister to England under General Wash- 
 ington, and again under John Quincy Adams. 
 
 || Alderman for many years of the First Ward. 
 
 V An eminent Chamber Counsellor, a prominent member of many of our literary 
 and ecclesiastical institutions, and an able and judicious delegate for a long course 
 of years both in the local and General Councils of the Church.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 363 
 
 John Lagear, Vestryman from 1808 to 1811. 
 
 Garrit H. Van Wagenen, Vestryman from 1808 to 1812. 
 
 Andrew Raymond, " from 1808 to 1818. 
 
 Peter A. Jay, L. L. D.,* " from 1811 to 1816, and again 
 
 from 1842 to 1844. 
 
 William Newton, Vestryman in 1811. 
 
 Anthony L. Underhill, " from 1811 to 1825, and from 1826 
 to 1846. 
 
 Edward W. Laight, Vestryman from 1811 to 1812, and again from 
 1818 to 1845. Warden from 1845 to 1846. 
 
 William Hill, Vestryman from 1812 to 1818. 
 
 Francis B. Winthrop, " from 1812 to 1818'. 
 
 Jacob Sherred,f " from 1812 to 1821. 
 
 Peter Mackie, " from 1812 to 1823. 
 
 Edward Dunscomb, ^ " from 1812 to 1814. 
 
 Charles Ludlow, " from 1812 to 1815. 
 
 Thomas Skinner, " from 1812 to 1816. 
 
 James Bleecker, " from 1814 to 1842. 
 
 William Moore, § " from 1814 to 1824.' 
 
 Teunis Quick, " from 1815 to 1846. 
 
 Henry McFarlan, " from 1815 to 1831. 
 
 Jonathan Ogden, " from 1816 to 1833. 
 
 Jonathan H.Lawrence, || " from 1817 to 1845. 
 
 Thomas Swords, " from 1817 to 1843. 
 
 Cornelius R. Duffie,H " from 1817 to 1823. 
 
 Edward N. Cox, " from 1818 to 1822. 
 
 Peter A. Mesier, " from 1818 to 1846. 
 
 * Recorder of the City for several years, a distinguished counsellor, President of 
 the New-York Hospital, and filling with credit many other honourable and public 
 stations. 
 
 t A noble Benefactor of the General Theological Seminary, to which lie be- 
 queathed about $60,000, the half of his fortune. 
 
 I A Revolutionary officer, Sheriff of this City, and repeatedly a member of the 
 Legislature. 
 
 § A distinguished Physician, and Professor in the Medical Faculty of Columbia 
 College. 
 
 || A Revolutionary officer ; in after life a man of business and an accomplished 
 merchant, and for many years President of the Pacific Insurance Company, 
 f Afterwards founder and Rector of St. Thomas's Church.
 
 364 HISTORY OF 
 
 Benjamin W. Rogers, Vestryman from 1821 to 1826. 
 
 Gabriel Furman,* " from 1821 to 1836. 
 
 William Johnson, L.L.D. " from 1821 to 1846. 
 
 Ezra Weeks, " from 1822 to 1834. 
 
 John Watts,f " from 1822 to 1830. 
 
 Charles N. S. Rowland, " from 1823 to 1825. 
 
 Robert Thomas, " from 1823 to 1832. 
 
 Beverly Robinson, " from 1824 to 1827. 
 
 John T. Irving, t " from l^ 25 to 1838 « 
 
 Charles Graham, " from 1825 to 1826, and from 1832 
 
 to 1838. 
 
 Jacob Lorillard, Vestryman from 1826 to 1839. 
 
 George Jones, " from 1827 to 1837. 
 
 Philip Hone, " from 1828 to 1846. 
 
 William E. Dunscomb, " from 1830 to 1846. 
 
 Benjamin M. Brown, " from 1831 to 1839. 
 
 William H. Harison, " from 1833 to 1846. 
 
 Adam Tredwell, ' ; from 1833 to 1843. Warden from 
 
 1843 to 1846. 
 Robert Hyslop, Vestryman from 1834 to 1846. 
 
 Henry Cotheal, " from 1837 to 1846. 
 
 John D. Wolfe, " from 1837 to 1845. 
 
 Thomas W.Ludlow, " in 1838. 
 
 Thomas L. Clarke, " from 1838 to 1846. 
 
 William Moore, " from 1839 to 1846. 
 
 William H. Hobart, " from 1839 to 1846. 
 
 Henry Youngs, " from 1839 to 1846. 
 
 Alexander L. McDonald, " from 1839 to 1846. 
 
 Samuel G. Raymond, " from 1843 to 1846. 
 
 John Q. Jones, " in 1843. 
 
 Gulian C. Verplanck, " from 1844 to 1846. 
 
 Philip Henry, " from 1844 to 1846. 
 
 * Alderman of the City, member of the Legislature, and President for many 
 years of the Mutual Insurance Company. 
 
 t President of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. 
 
 t Member of the Legislature of New-York, for many years First Judge of the 
 Court of Common Pleas of the City of New-York, and a conspicuous member of 
 various literary and benevolent institutions.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 365 
 
 John I. Morgan, " from 1845 to 1846. 
 
 David B. Ogden, " from 1845 to 1846. 
 
 Anthony J. Bleecker, " in 1846. 
 
 Who that is at all familiar with our local history and feels any in- 
 terest in it, can look back upon the names of these respected and ve- 
 nerated men, without a feeling of reverence for that ancient Corpora- 
 tion, whose concerns they have managed with so much prudence, 
 whose wealth they have dispensed with so much liberality, and whose 
 rights and privileges they have at all times so conscientiously and man- 
 fully defended ? Who that now belongs to this Parish, or who that was 
 ever connected with it, can help feeling some honest pride in being 
 a member of a body which associates him with those who in past ge- 
 nerations adorned the age in which they lived, and with those who in 
 the present day are held in honour and respect? 
 
 But though there were at all times among the Wardens and Vestry- 
 men of Trinity Church, many who were eminent in the learned pro- 
 fessions, distinguished as scholars, and exalted in rank and station ; 
 yet the selection was by no means confined to them, but extended to 
 persons in all the various classes and callings in life. There was, 
 however, on every occasion, an uniform reference to the fitness, intelli- 
 gence, and probity of those who were chosen for the discharge of these 
 high and responsible duties ; and I doubt whether there ever was a 
 Corporation in this or any other country, who during the long course 
 of one hundred and fifty years administered their affairs with stricter 
 integrity, or who, in their personal characters, were more free from 
 reproach.
 
 366 HISTORY OF 
 
 M. 
 
 GRANTS, GIFTS, AND LOANS OF TRINITY CHURCH. 
 
 In the early part of the history of this Parish, it stood in need of 
 assistance itself, and was, therefore, altogether unable to attend to the 
 wants of others. The first instance of its bounty towards a neigh- 
 bouring church, recorded in the minutes, was in the gift of the com- 
 munion cloth, pulpit cloth, and cloth for the desk, to Mr. Peter Jay, 
 for the church at Rye, in the year 1745. Since that time, in every 
 alteration and improvement of Trinity Church and its Chapels, its 
 gifts to needy congregations of articles of all kinds have been innu- 
 merable ; baptismal fonts, communion plate, chandeliers, lustres, 
 pulpits, desks, stoves, bells, iron gates, iron railing and other fences, 
 flagging stones, carpets for chancel and aisles, and almost every thing 
 which can enter into the construction and serve for the decoration of 
 the Sanctuary. These, however, though a seasonable relief to parishes 
 which were limited in their resources, are scarcely worthy of being 
 noticed in connection with its lavish bounties and munificent grants 
 to most of the churches throughout the State. There is hardly a form 
 in which their liberality could promote the interests of religion, that 
 it has not assumed. "When unable to contribute largely, they did it 
 judiciously, and according to their ability. 
 
 Thus we find at a time * when infidelity was very prevalent 
 here, that 200 copies of a work entitled the Antidote to Deism were 
 purchased by the Vestry, and committed to the Rector and Assistant 
 Ministers for distribution, and shortly after 500 copies of Watson's 
 Apology. 
 
 As there was no Bible and Common Prayer Book Society in that 
 day, the Vestry, in consideration of the great feebleness and urgent 
 wants of the Church, in some slight degree anticipated the establish- 
 ment of such an institution. 
 
 In 1797, they gave to the committee of the Convention for propa- 
 gating the Gospel 150 copies of the Book of Common Prayer, and 100 
 copies to Christ Church, Duanesburgh. In the following year 50 
 
 *1797.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 367 
 
 copies to Christ Church, Ballston. 500 copies were afterwards given 
 to the Rector for distribution, together with 200 copies of Hobart's 
 Companion (or the Altar. And in 1807, 200 copies of Fowler's Ex- 
 position of the Book of Common Prayer. On another occasion an 
 appropriation was made of £100, which the Rector was to expend in 
 Prayer Books. 
 
 The Vestry also committed to the Rector, for the promotion of reli- 
 gion upon the frontiers of this State, £150, $375 
 In 1799, They gave to the Committee for the Propagation of the 
 
 Gospel, $412 
 
 1805, do do do 250 
 
 1807, do do do 250 
 
 At one time they appropriated £200 towards furnishing land 
 for a Negro Burial-Ground, $500 
 
 And at another, they entrusted to Mr. Ellison <£100 for defend- 
 ing the rights of the Church at Johnstown, ' $250 
 
 Grants for General and Public purposes. 
 
 1786, 3 lots of ground for the use of the Senior Pastors of the Pres- 
 byterian Congregations in this City.* 
 
 1765, An order was passed relative to the establishing a ferry from 
 Roosevelt's Dock to Paulus Hook, with conveyances of 2 lots 
 to the Corporation for the purpose. f 
 
 * Lots No. 255, 256, and 257 of the Church Estate, in Robinson-street, now 
 Park Place. 
 
 t It being represented to the Board, that Alderman Roosevelt intended to pro- 
 pose to the corporation of the City of New-York to grant and convey to them two 
 water lots belonging to him, adjoining the water lots of this corporation, upon con- 
 dition that the ferry across Hudson River between this City and Powles Hook 
 should be established and fixed from his said lots, but inasmuch as the said two 
 lots will not be sufficient to accommodate the said ferry without the addition of so 
 much of the water lots belonging to this corporation adjoining the said two lots and 
 of equal dimensions therewith, and this Board considering the conveniences and 
 advantage arising to the public from the said ferry, Thereupon Resolved, That 
 they will also grant and convey to the said City corporation two of their lots ad- 
 joining the said two water lots of Alderman Roosevelt, and of equal dimensions, 
 for the use of the said ferry, but for no other use or purpose whatsoever, upon 
 condition that the said ferry is to be established and fixed there forever ; but if the
 
 368 HISTORY OF 
 
 1771, Contribution towards building a market on Hudson's 
 
 river,* -■» 
 1775, Appropriation of two lots on the North side of Vesey 
 
 street for a pier and slip. 
 1800, Towards building a- market in Brannon-street, $250 
 
 Land appropriated for the same purpose in Duane -street. 
 
 And also for a Market in Christopher-street, between Greenwich 
 
 and Washington streets. 
 1810, 2 lots of ground for a free school, in Hudson-street. 
 1815, A further grant of lots of ground for the Free School Society. 
 
 Donations and allowances to aged and infirm Clergymen, and to others, 
 whose incomes were inadequate to their support. 
 
 1795, The Rev. George H. Speerin, - - ., $375 
 
 1796, Rev. Wm. Hammel, paralyzed at an early period in his min- 
 istry and rendered incapable of self-support, who received an 
 allowance of £100 per annum for 30 years, - $7500 
 
 1796, The Rev. Dr. Dibble, 375 
 
 1798, do do ..... 150 
 
 1799, do do 100 
 
 1796, The Rev. Wm. Ayres, $175 per annum for 3 years, 562 50 
 An additional allowance of £25, - - - 62 50 
 The Rev. Dr. Bowden, 500 
 
 1797, Mr. A. Lile, 185 
 
 said ferry shall be removed from thence, that then the said two water lots so 
 granted by this corporation for the use aforesaid, shall again revert and be in this 
 corporation. 
 
 * Whereas, The Oswego Market, now standing in the Broadway, is ordered to 
 be removed, and it is proposed that a new one be erected on part of the lands upon 
 Hudson's River belonging to this corporation, for which purpose a subscription 
 paper has been exhibited as well by a number of the Church Tenants as others 
 northward of Partition street, who have engaged to raise about three hundred 
 Pounds towards erecting the said Market ; Thereupon it is resolved and agreed, 
 that this corporation will also contribute the sum of two hundred Pounds towards 
 building the said Market, and will release their right and claim to the ground on 
 which the same is proposed to be built for the use of a Market forever, upon 
 condition that the Mayor, Alderman, and Commonalty of this City will grant and 
 confirm to them the water lots agreeable to the prayer of the petition now before 
 the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty for that purpose.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 369 
 
 1801, Rev. Daniel Nash, $250 
 
 1806, do do 250 
 
 1812, do do 400 
 
 1814, do do 250 
 
 1801, Rev. R. G. Whitmore, 250 
 
 do do 200 
 
 Rev. Henry Van Dyke, 150 
 
 1802, do do 250 
 
 1803, do do 250 
 
 1804, do do 125 
 
 do do 250 
 
 1801, The Rev. Philander Chase, (now Bishop of Illinois,) 250 
 
 1803, The Rev. Peter A. Albert, ... * - - 250 
 
 1804, do do 250 
 
 1805, do do ...... 250 
 
 1806, do do ...... 250 
 
 1803, The Rev. Edmund D. Barry, .... 250 
 
 1804, do do ..... 250 
 
 1805, do do ...... 250 
 
 1806, do do 250 
 
 1807, do do ... w . 250 
 
 1809, Rev. John Reed, 200 
 
 1810, Rev. William Harris, Rector of St. Mark's Church, 500 
 
 do do 500 
 
 Rev. Wm. Smith, D.D., - - - - 500 
 
 1811, Rev. Elias Coo} r, Yonkers, .... 250 
 
 1812, do do ..... 250 
 
 1813, do do 250 
 
 1812, Rev. William Powell, of Coldenham, - - 250 
 
 1813, do do do .... 250 
 
 1812, Rev. Cyrus Stebbins, 250 
 
 1813, do do 300 
 
 do do 250 
 
 1814, do do 250 
 
 1812, Joseph Perry, 250 
 
 do do 200 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Judd, .... - 250 
 
 Rev. John Brady, 125
 
 370 HISTORY OF 
 
 1812, Rev. Asa Cornwall, - - - - -100 
 Rev. Ralph Williston, 250 
 
 1813 to 1816, inclusive, Rev. R. Williston, $500 per ann., 2000 
 
 1813, Mr. Prentiss, 500 
 
 David Butler, - - - - - 150 
 
 1814, do do - - 250 
 
 1813, Rev. N. B. Burgess, Clergyman at Setauket, - 250 
 
 1814, do do 250 
 
 Rev. John Urquhart, ..... 150 
 Rev. H. I. Feltus, i 250 
 
 1826, Bishop Croes, - 250 
 
 1832, Rev. Moses Burt, - - - - - - 150 
 
 1834, Rev. Wm. R. Whittingham $500 on two occasions, being 
 spontaneous gifts of the Vestry to him, on his going to Europe 
 for the recovery of his health,* - - - $1000 
 
 1835, Rev. Eleazer Williams, 250 
 
 Rev.Dr. Hawks, as an agent of the General Convention to collect 
 materials in England for the history of the Church, $1500 
 
 1835 to 1846, Rev. Dr. Rudd, a faithful and valued servant of the 
 Church, an annuity of $250, - ' - - - $2750 
 
 1838, Rev. G. Mills, 250 
 
 Rev. Dr. Seabury, for his highly acceptable services in the 
 Parish during a vacancy, (in addition to his salary,) $1000 
 
 1843 — 1847, Donations at different times to the Rector of Christ's 
 Church, $1000 
 
 1846, Rev. John Grigg, 300 
 
 Annuities to those who had in a great measure spent their lives in the 
 Parish, and retired from infirmity and old age. 
 
 Annuity of £400 to Bishop Provoost from 1801 to 1816, $15,000 
 
 of £500 to Bishop Moore from 1811 to 1816, 6,250 
 
 of £600 to Dr. Beach from 1813 to 1829, 24,000 
 
 And to the families of those who had died in its service, 36,900 
 
 * Five hundred of which being unexpended on his return, he, -with characteristic 
 disinterestedness, sent back to the Vestry, which they as generously declined.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 371 
 
 Gifts to officers of the Church, tyc, <SfC.,for their faithful services in 
 addition to their salary. 
 
 1837 To N. Andrews, porter of the Vestry office, - $150 
 
 1838 do do - 200 
 
 1839 To the Collector, .... 200 
 
 1840 do do ----- - 200 
 
 1841 do do - - - - - - 200 
 
 1839 Peter Erben, organist, . - - - 300 
 
 1839 R. Slack, Sexton, '- - - - 150 
 
 1841 To the widow of R. Slack, - -- - - 250 
 
 To a labourer at Trinity Church who had broken his arm, 50 
 
 King's, ?:ow Columbia College. 
 1752 Grant of land in the centre of the city between Murray 
 and Barclay streets, and extending from Church-street to 
 the river,* the present value of which is perhaps $400,000 
 
 Grants and gifts to Institutions for the promotion of Religion and 
 Learning. 
 
 CHAKITY" SCHOOL. 
 
 In the early history of the School occasional gratui- 
 ties were made to it by Trinity Church, towards 
 the support of the schoolmasters. - - . - 
 In 1748 ground was given for the site of the school, 
 and the deficiencies in the subscriptions for the 
 building of a school-house made up by the Vestry. 
 In 1748 for the re-building of the same after it was 
 
 burnt, 1,000 
 
 1800 A debt assigned to it of - - - 5,276 87 1-2 
 
 Seven lots of land bounded by Lumber, Rector 
 and Greenwich streets, worth at present not 
 less than .... 35,000 
 
 Donation of - - - - - 1,000 
 
 * A great portion of this however, being used for mere college purposes and the 
 residue having been for the most part leased out on comparatively low rents by the 
 State when it took charge of the College immediately after the revolution ; the 
 income of the property bears no kind of proportion to its value, and is entirely inade- 
 quate to the support of the institution.
 
 372 HISTORY OF 
 
 1800 Donation of - - - 7,500 
 
 1808 "of .... 1000 
 
 50,776 87 1-2 
 1832 Grant of 5 lots on Canal, Varick and Grand streets at a mere 
 nominal rent. 
 
 Society for the Promotion of Religion and Learning. 
 1802 ....... $1,000 
 
 8,500 
 32 lots of land in Barclay, Warren, Greenwich, Hud- 
 son, Beach and North Moore streets, worth at the 
 present time, perhaps, .... 120,000 
 
 129,500 
 
 Rent paid for the African Catechetical Institute. 
 
 $262 
 1808 Appropriation towards the same. - - 3,000 
 
 1819 to 1826, Ground rent assumed by the Vestry, at 
 
 $330 per year, - - - -2210 
 
 Additional sum guaranteed to it of - 2500 
 
 7972 
 
 General Theological Seminary. 
 1825 or 1826, Appropriation towards the building ,- $1,000 
 $3393 17, the amount received under God- 
 frey Coon's Will paid to the Seminary 
 and $750 interest, - - 4,143 17 
 
 1835, Grant towards its library of J . . 4,000 
 
 9143 17 
 
 Education and Missionary Society. 
 1833, Missionary branch .... 
 
 Ann. allowance of $600 from Dec. 1839 to 1843, 2,400 
 1844, Missionary fund of the Diocese. - - 250
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 373 
 
 1842, Education Branch - - - .600 
 
 1843, ...... 600 
 
 4150 
 Washington College — Hartford, Connecticut. 
 1833 - .... 5000 
 
 Episcopal Fund of the Diocese. 
 1836, ...... $30,000 
 
 1838, House for the Episcopal residence - 20,000 
 
 An allowance to the Bishop of $1600 from 1839 to 
 
 1843. - . - - 6,400 
 
 Donations of $1200 on two occasions - 2,400 
 
 58,800 
 
 City Mission Society. 
 
 1832, Ann. allowance of $600 from 1832 to 1834 - $1,200 
 
 1834 to 1837, do of $1100 - - 3,300 
 
 1837 to 1846, do of $1800 •- - 12,600 
 
 1845, Donation ..... 600 
 
 1847, do - - - ... - 1,200 
 
 18,900 
 
 St. Mark's Church, New-York. 
 
 1795 $12,500 
 
 1798 ..... * 5,088 81 1-4 
 
 181 87 
 500 
 Two annual donations to the Rectorj- 1,000 
 
 To which sums the following endowment in land on 
 the Church farm was added, 
 5 lots in Warren street, 
 
 * There are no means of ascertaining, from the minutes of the Vestry, whether 
 this was an additional grant, or a part of the former one. 
 \ Noticed before, under another head.
 
 374 
 
 4 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 1 
 
 in Church-street, 
 
 9 
 
 in Reade " 
 
 3 
 
 in Harison " 
 
 6 
 
 in North Moore street 
 
 6 
 
 in Provoost " 
 
 30 Worth probably at the present time not less than 131,500 
 
 8150,770 681-4 
 
 Grace Church, New-York. 
 
 1804, - $3,750 
 
 1,000 
 - 15,000 
 
 1805, ...... 1,500 
 
 1810, For the organ - 5,000 
 
 1811, Assignment of a mortgage for • - 7,320 50 
 Grace Church was also built at the expense of this Cor- 
 poration, for which the latter received no reimbursement 
 
 except in the sum arising out of the sales of pews, amount- 
 ing to $30,000 
 
 In return for this, Trinity church made a still further 
 grant to Grace Church of several lots of land. 
 7 of which were on Rector street, 
 
 2 on Vesey " 
 
 3 on Barclay " 
 2 on Warren " 
 5 on Chambers " 
 
 2 on Church " and 
 
 4 on Read " 
 
 25 in all. 
 In referring to the minutes of the Vestry for the prices at which lots 
 sold in 1810, the twelve of these which were on Chambers, Warren, 
 Barclay and Vesey streets, were worth $40,000 at the time, and the 
 thirteen on Rector, Church, and Reade streets at least $26,000. The 
 value of the whole number at the present time cannot be less than 
 
 $120 000.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 375 
 
 St. George's Church, New-York. 
 1812 & 1813, Grant of the following lots of land : 
 
 8 on Reade-street and Church-street, 
 4 on Greenwich-street, 
 
 6 on Murray " 
 
 9 on Chambers " 
 4 on Warren " 
 
 1 on Barclay " and 
 
 1 on Beekman " 
 
 33 in all, the present value of which cannot be less than $170,000 00 
 Further grants for communion plate, iron railing, &c, 5,104 62 
 
 14,000 00 
 184 25 
 
 30,946 83 
 
 $220,235 70 
 
 Grants, Donations and Loans to other Churches. 
 
 1795, St. Peter's, Westchester - - ■ $750 
 
 1796, do do - - - - 500 
 1809, 5 lots of ground on Reade, Chambers and Warren 
 
 street. The present value of which is about - 22,500 
 
 24,750 
 
 1796, Christ Church, Hudson, Columbia Co. ■ 2,000 
 
 J 802, do do 1,500 
 
 1796, St. Peter's, Albany - - - 6,250 
 1801, do do 300 
 
 1797, St. George's, Flushing, L. I. - - 1,250 
 1820, do do ... 1,000 
 1809, 3 lots of ground, in Wan-en-street and 2 in Cham- 
 bers-street, worth about - - - 19,500 
 
 21,750 
 1797, Grace, Jamaica, L. I. - - - - 1,250 
 
 1809, 3 lots in Lumber st. and 1 in Reade St., worth per- 
 haps at present about - - - - 18,500
 
 376 HISTORY OF 
 
 1820, ...... 1,000 
 
 20,750 
 1792, St. James's, Newtown, L. I. - - 1,250 
 
 1809, 1 lot in Reade st., 1 in Greenwich st., and 2 in 
 
 Lumber st., worth perhaps at present about - - 20,000 
 
 21,250 
 1797, St. Anne's, Brooklyn, L. I. - - - 1,000 
 
 1804, do do ... 2,000 
 
 1809, Two lots of ground in Chamber st., worth perhaps 
 
 at present about .... 13,000 
 
 16,000 
 
 1798, Christ Church, Poughkeepsie - - - 1,250 
 
 1810, do annual allowance of $250 for 5 years 1,250 
 
 1813, do do for the Rector 250 
 
 1797, Trinity Church, New Rochelle - - - 1,250 
 
 Trinity do Fishkill Village, : - 1,000 
 
 1813, ...... 500 
 
 For the Rector - - • - 250 
 
 St. Philips Church, in the Highlands - - 750 
 
 1797, St. Peter's do Peekskill - - 750 
 
 1797, St. James's do Goshen - - - 1,250 
 
 1814, do do do - - - 625 
 1833, do do do - - ■ 1,500 
 1797, To the Church at New Stamford - - 500 
 1802, St. Peter's do Stamford - - 200 
 1808, St. John's do Stamford, Conn. - 300 
 1797, To the Church at Salem or Campden - - 500 
 1797, Constantia, Lake Oneida - - - 625 
 1830, do do - . - - 500 
 1797, To the Church at Ballston - . - 625 
 1797, do do Duanesburgh - - 750 
 1804, do do do 1,000 
 
 1806, do do do 500 
 
 1807, do do do - ' - - 250 
 1800, To the Church on Staten Island, north side - 1,000
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 377 
 
 1802, St. Andrew's, Statcn Island - - - L000 
 
 1800, For parsonage at Yonkers - - - TOO 
 
 1801, do do 200 
 1800, For parsonage at Rye, ..... y.y) 
 1813, Christ Church at Rye, 5 | ) 
 
 St. James's, Milton, Saratoga Co., - - - 248 80 
 
 For the Rector, 150 
 
 1802, Church at Burlington, - - ' - . - 60 
 Church at Otsego, ..... 60 
 
 1803, St. Luke's, Catskill, - -'. • - ... - 2000 
 
 1804, do do 1300 
 
 1811, do do ...... 2800 
 
 1804, St. George's, Schenectady, - - -' 1000 
 
 1808, do do ..." ' . 300 
 
 1809, do do .... 300 
 1804, Church at Phillipsburgh, 300 
 
 Churches at Lansingburgh and Waterford, - 2" 00 
 
 St. Paul's Church at Troy, ..... £000 
 Church at North-Hempstead, .... 2000 
 Churches at Bedford and New-Castle, - - 1000 
 
 1808, do do do l'O 
 
 1804, St. Paul's, Charlton, .'.... 1000 
 1836, do do 100 
 
 1805, St. Stephen's, New- York, -- - - - • 300 
 1807, 2 lots in Warren-street, to do. worth at present about 13,000 
 
 Bonds granted to the same amounting to - - 7194 50 
 
 1813, Donation of 250 
 
 do to the Rector - - - - 2C0 
 
 1829, Annual allowance of $600, from Nov. 1, 1828, to Nov. 1, 
 
 1842, J ; 8400 
 
 Donation - - - - - - - 1~00 
 
 1831, do 500 
 
 1842 to 1846, Annual allowance of $300 - - - 1200 
 1846, Ann. allowance increased to $500 from Nov. 1. 
 
 32,594 50 
 
 1806, Christ Church, Cooperstown, (on conditions which it is pre- 
 sumed were fulfilled ) 1500 
 
 24
 
 378 HISTORY OF 
 
 1806, St. John's, Huntington, L. L, - - . - 300 
 
 1807, do do do ... 250 
 
 1807, St. Michael's, Bloomingdale, N. Y., a donation towards the 
 
 building of 2000 
 
 1809 to 1813, Revenue for St. Michael's and St. James' of 
 
 $500 per annum, ...... 2000 
 
 1809, Grant of 6 lots of ground to do. in Chambers, Vesey, 
 
 and Warren streets, worth perhaps at present, - 39,000 
 1809, St. James', Hamilton Square, N. Y., a donation to- 
 wards the building of 3000 
 
 1813, To satisfy existing debts, 800 
 
 Grant of 4 lots of ground to do. in Chambers and 
 Barclay streets, worth perhaps .... 26,000 
 To these two Churches respectively, if they continued 
 connected, a donation of $700 each, - - 1400 
 
 In June, 1825, by resolution, the allowance to these churches 
 was restricted to the difference between $1700 and the 
 aggregate amount of rents then payable, or thereafter on 
 any renewals of the leases payable on these 10 lots 
 granted ; and as soon as the rents should in the aggregate 
 amount to $1700, the annual allowance was to be wholly 
 discontinued. From 1826 the allowance was gradually re- 
 duced to about $150 per annum, and entirely ceased in 1832 900 
 
 75,100 
 1805, Christ Church, New- York, 4 lots in Barclay-street, worth 
 at present about ...... 24,000 
 
 Communion plate, worth perhaps - - - 100 
 
 1809, $500 per ami. to the Rector, .... 18,500 
 
 1813, $250 towards the support of the Rector, - - 250 
 
 1814, $250 do do do - - 250 
 1827 to 1835, Ann. allowance to Christ Church of $600, 4,800 
 
 1835, Grant of 25,000 
 
 1846, Allowance to Assistant Minister, ... 300 
 
 1843 to 1847, Donations to the Rector,* - - - 1000 
 
 $74,200 
 
 * Noticed before, under another head.
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 379 
 
 1807, Caroline Church, Setauket, .... 800 
 
 Islip, - - -.- -' - - - 500 
 Trinity, Utica, 2000 
 
 1809, 3 lots of ground to do. in Reade-strcet and one in Clark, 
 present value about ... - - 12,500 
 
 1807, To the Church at Portsmouth, N. H., - - - 1000 
 Trinity, Geneva, 1500 
 
 1813, do do for the Rector, - - - - 250 
 
 1807, St. Peter's and St. Philip's, - - - - ' 1250 
 
 1808, Expense of the printing of the proceedings of the General 
 Convention,* 304 21 
 
 1809, St. John's, Johnstown, 400 
 
 1810, Trinity, Newark, N. J. 1000 
 
 1811, Zion Church, N. Y., $900 per annum granted to it for 5 
 
 years, 
 
 1811, 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 1815, 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 1820, 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 1831, 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 1836, 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 1846, 
 
 do 
 
 do 
 
 . 4500 
 
 - - 720 
 
 5000 
 
 • 20000 
 
 8000 
 
 . 1000 
 
 ann. all. of $300 from May 1st, - 150 
 
 ' 39,370 
 
 1811, Trinity, Fairfield, 500 
 
 1813, do do ann. all. for 7 years of $250, 1750 
 
 do do do do for the Rector, 1750 
 
 do do do do further sum of 250, 1750 
 
 1811, Caroline Church, Brookhaven, ... - 500 
 And an annual allowance for 2 years of $125, - 250 
 
 1812, To the Church at Hamilton, St. Lawrence Co., - 3000 
 1812 to 1846, St. James, Hyde Park, ann. all. of $250, 8500 
 
 1813, St. James, North Salem, ... - 1000 
 Trinity Church* Rensselaerville, for the Rector, - 250 
 Christ Church, Hampton, for the Rector, - - 150 
 St. Paul's, Paris, for the Rector, - 250 
 St. Peter's, Aurelius, for the Rector, - - 250 
 
 » For many years the expense of printing the Journal and other documents of 
 both the General and State Conventions was defrayed by Trinity Church.
 
 380 HISTORY OF 
 
 1818, Trinity, Athens, 3000 
 
 St. Matthew's, Unadilla, .... 1400 
 Christ Church, Manlius, 1000 
 
 1818, St. George's, Newburgh, ..... 3000 
 
 1819, St. John's, Canandaigua, 1500 
 
 To the Church at Windham, .... 500 
 
 1830, Du St. Esprit, ann. all. of $250, from 1830 to 1843, 3250 
 
 1830 to 1846, St. Andrew's, Harlaem, $300 per annum, 4800 
 1832, do do grant of ... 4000 
 
 18'0 ; do do do ... 100 
 
 8.900 
 1831, St. Clement's, arm. all. of $600 from Nov. 1, 1830, to Nov. 1, 
 
 1842, 7200 
 
 183", do do grant of 15000 
 
 1844, do do the old Organ of St. John's, N. Y., given to it 
 1342, do do ann. all. of $400 from 1842 to 1846, 1600 
 
 23,800 
 
 1810 St. Luke's, New- York, 3 lots in Hudson-street — 
 
 1827, do 2 lots adjoining — and 
 
 IS !i, do 3 lots more, present value at least 30000 
 
 13:20 do - 5000 
 
 1327 to 1831, Annual allowance of $400, - - -1600 
 
 1831 to 1842, do do increased to $600, - 6600 
 
 183 3, Grant of 10000 
 
 1812 to 1346, Ann. allowance reduced to $400, - 1600 
 
 1813 to 1847, do do increased to $300, - 500 
 1813, Donation, 1500 
 
 $53,800 
 13 27 to 1842, St. Mary's, Manhattanville, ann. all. of $300, 4o00 
 1842 to 1845, Ann. all. reduced to $200, - - - 600 
 1833, --.- 1269 13 
 
 $3389 13 
 13:27, St. Thomas, New- York, ann. all. of $300 from May 1, 1828, 
 to Dec. 12, 1842, $8100
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 381 
 
 1828, do gift of - - - ::000 
 1831, do grant of - - -. - 20000 
 1842, Ann. all. of 300 from Dec. 12, 1842, to same date 1840 If 00 
 
 $3-2,: 00 
 1S27, All Saints, N. Y., ann. all. of $000 from July 30 IS 7 to 
 Dec. 12, 1842, S00O 
 
 1829, do loan of ' - 8000 
 
 1831,. do donation of - - - - - ' r 000 
 
 1838, do grant of C000 
 
 1839, do additional grant of - - - - S000 
 1842, do ann. all. of $300 to May, 1S45, - - -7. r 
 1845, do do of $300, from May, 1, 1845, to 
 
 Nov. 1, 1846, - - -, - - - - 7.-0 
 
 $31 500 
 1829 to 1842, Church of the Ascension, N. Y., $600 per ann. 7 BOO 
 
 1842 to 1846, $300 per annum, ----- 1200 
 1835, 1 lot in Vesey-street, worth about - - - 0500 
 
 $15,500 
 
 1835, St. Philip's Church, New-York, - *. - 9000 
 
 1838, do do, - - - 2000 
 
 1826 to 1S43, annual ground rent of $330 paid by Trinity, 5610 
 1843, Annual allowance of $300, r 301) 
 
 1843 to 1846, Annual allowance of $400, - - -1200 
 
 $18 110 
 
 1831, St. John's, Delhi, - - - - - 950 
 
 1S32, St. Peter's, Greenwich, donation of - - 1000 
 
 Annual all. of $300, from Feb. 4, 1S32, to 1*834. 6< 
 
 1833, Donation of 1 0) 
 
 1834, Aug. 4, ann. all. of $300, from 1S34 to 1S42, - 48 
 
 1837, Grant of 2fO(H) 
 
 1842, Annual allowance of $C00 from 1S42 to 1S40, - 2000 
 
 $34 4 n 
 
 1832, St. Peter's, Auburn, ----- 2S0J 
 St. Luke's, Rochester, $300 per ann. for 2 years, I 00 
 
 1833, St. John's, Brooklyn, grant of - - - -4000
 
 382 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 1833, Christ Church, Ballston, .... 500 
 St. Paul's, Albany, grant of - 5000 
 
 Trinity, Ulster, 1000 
 
 St. John's, Angelica, Alleghany county, - - 800 
 
 St. John's, Monticello, 1500 
 
 St. Andrew's, Walden, 600 
 
 St. Mark's, Hunt's Hollow, .... 500 
 
 St. John's, Sheldon, donation of ... 300 
 
 Trinity, Watertown, grant of ... 1000 
 
 1834, do do do 500 
 
 1833, St. John's, Medina, 1000 
 
 St. Paul's, Musquito Cove, L. I., ... 500 
 
 1834, Calvary, Cairo, Greene co., .... 500 
 St. Mark's, Le Roy, Genessee co., ... 500 
 Trinity, Constantia, Oswego co., ... 500 
 Trinity, Hector, 200 
 
 1833, St. Paul's, Syracuse, * 1000 
 
 1834, do do 800 
 
 Grace, Rochester, 3500 
 
 St. John's, Sodus, Wayne co., .... 450 
 
 St. Peter's, Westfield, Chatauque co., - - 320 
 
 St. Anne's, Fishkill Landing, .... 500 
 
 1837, do do do 250 
 
 1838, do do do .... 500 
 1834, Christ Church, Gilbertsville, Otsego co., - 400 
 
 Trinity Church, Elmira, Chemung county, - - 500 
 
 1836, , do do do - 300 
 
 1834, Zion Church, Greene, Chenango co., - - - 500 
 
 Grace Church, Mount Upton, Livingston co., - 250 
 
 Trinity Church, Seneca Falls, Seneca co., - - 500 
 
 1836, do do do - 500 
 1834, Christ Church, Sherburne, Chenango co., - - 500 
 1833, St. John's, Kingston, Ulster co., - - - 1000 
 
 1837, do do do 500 
 
 1839, do do do 200 
 1833, Zion Church, Greene, Wayne co., ... 500 
 
 Emmanuel Church, Norwich, Chenango co., - 500 
 
 1836, do do do - - 250 
 
 1833, Grace Church, Whiteplains, Westchester co., - 750
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 
 
 383 
 
 1833, St. Mathew's, Jersey City, N. J., - - - 1000 
 
 1834, St. Paul's, Turin, 600 
 
 Church of the Nativity, N. Y., - - - - 4000 
 
 1835, do do .... 1000 
 Annual allowance of $300 for about 10 years, - 3000 
 
 1838, 
 
 1846, 
 
 1000 
 300 
 
 $9,300 
 
 Annual allowance increased $100 from Nov. 1. 
 
 1835, Zion Church, Wappinger's Creek, Dutchess co., 500 
 
 1836, do do do - 250 
 1835, Emmanuel Church, Little Falls, Herkimer co. - 1500 
 
 St. John's, Cohoes, Albany co., - - - 500 
 
 St. Mark's, Jamesville, Onondaga co., - - - 400 
 
 1834, Christ Church, Guilford, Chenango co., - - 500 
 Zion Church, Rome, Oneida co., - - - 500 
 St. James, Catlin, Tioga co., - - - 300 
 St. Michael's Geneseo, Livingston co., - - 500 
 
 1835, Christ Church, Danby, Tompkins co., - - 250 
 St. Paul's, Tompkinsville, Staten Island, - - 2000 
 
 1833, Christ Church, Oswego, - - - - 1000 
 
 Christ Church, Walton, Delaware co., - - 500 
 
 St. Peter's, Oriskany, Oneida co., - - - 500 
 
 The Apostolic Church, Geddes, Onondaga co., - 500 
 
 St. James, Hammond Port, Steuben co., - - 500 
 
 St. Thomas's, Bath, Steuben co., - - - - 500 
 
 St. Paul's, Durham, Greene co., - - - 500 
 
 St. Paul's, Brownville, Jefferson co., - - - 500 
 
 Trinity, Fredonia, Chatauque co., - - - 500 
 
 St. Paul's, Big Flats, Tioga co., - - - - 500 
 
 Calvary, Homer, Cortland co., - - - 500 
 
 Christ Church, Morristown, St. Lawrence co., - 500 
 
 1835, Zion Church, Avon, Livingston co., - - - 500 
 
 Christ Church, Lockport, Niagara co., - -1000 
 
 St. John's Fort Hamilton, Kings co., - - 500 
 
 Trinity Church, Centreville, Ontario co., - - 300 
 
 St. John's, Medina, Orleans co., - - - 1500
 
 3S4 
 
 HISTORY OF 
 
 IS 53, St. John's, Troy, 1000 
 
 St. Thomas', Mamaroneck, .... 300 
 
 1836, do do 500 
 
 Calvary, New-York, 1600 
 
 18 57, do ann. all. of $400 from 1837 to 1842, -2000 
 
 1842, do do $300 from 1842 to 1846, - 1200 
 
 1836, Emmanuel Church at Otsego, Otsego co., - - 750 
 St. Paul's, Holland Patent, Onondaga co., - 750 
 Trinity, Potsdam, St. Lawrence co., ... 1500 
 St. John's, Ellicotsville, Cattaraugus co., - - 600 
 Christ Church, Oyster Bay, L. I., ... 600 
 St. George's, Astoria, - - - - - 1000 
 St. Paul's, Waterloo, Seneca co., ... 250 
 
 1837. do do do ... 400 
 1833, St. Paul's, Sing Sing, Westchester co., - - 2000 
 
 Trinity, rooklyn, L. I., - - - - 1500 
 
 St. Paul's, Lewistown, Niagara co., ... 600 
 St. Paul's, Peekskill, Westchester co., - . 750 
 1837, do do do ... 250 
 
 1833, St, Mirk's, Candor, Tioga co., - . . 400 
 
 St. Luke's, Half Moon, Mechanicsville, Saratoga co., 350 
 St. Paul's, Hoboken, N. J., - - - . 1000 
 
 St. John's, Mount Morris, Livingston co., - - 750 
 St. James', Batavia, Genesee co., - - . 1000 
 St. Peter's, Bainbridge, Chenango co., - - 300 
 
 St. Stephen's, Olean, Cattaraugus co., - - 750 
 Christ Church, Paterson, Putnam co., - - 750 
 
 St. Mark's, Penn Yann, Yates co., ■» 1000 
 
 Trinity, Fayetteville, Onondaga co., - - - 400 
 Zion, Palmyra, Wayne co., .... 500 
 
 1837, St. Paul's, Saratoga, - . - - . 100 
 
 St. Barth lomow's, N. Y., ann. all. ol $600 from 1837 to Dec. 
 
 12, 1S42, - 3,300 
 
 , 20,000 
 
 1812, Am., all. of$300, from Dec. 12, 1842, to May 1,1846, 1,050 
 1843, do of $300 from May 1 to Nov. 1, - - 300 
 
 24,650
 
 TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. 385 
 
 1837, St. George's, Hempstead, .... 500 
 
 St. John's, Cold Spring Harbour, ... 500 
 
 Trinity, West Troy, 800 
 
 200 
 
 St. John's, Johnson's Settlement, Chemung co., - 300 
 Christ Church, Tarry town, Westchester co., - 1000 
 
 1837, St. Anne's, Port Jackson, Montgomery co., - 1500 
 
 1838, do do do - 500 
 St. Paul's, Poughkeepsie, .... 2500 
 
 1839, do do 2500 
 
 St. Paul's, Waterloo, Seneca co., - - - 400 
 St. Peter's, Peekskill, W. C, - - - - 1000 
 St. Paul's, Flatbush, King's co., L. I., - - 1000 
 St. Peter's, Lithgow, Dutchess co., - - - 200 
 Grace, Lyons, Wayne co., .... 2000 
 
 1838, Church of the Messiah, N. Y., ann. all. of $300 to commence 
 Dec. 1, 1837, ....... 300 
 
 1839, $150 paid, - - - - - - 150 
 
 Ann. all. to commence anew from Oct. 1, 1838. 
 
 1838, Church of the Annunciation, N. Y., ann. all. of $600 from 
 
 1838 to 1842, 2400 
 
 1839, 6000 
 
 1842, Ann. all. of $400, from 1842 to 1846, - - 1600 
 
 $9,400 
 
 St. Luke's, Brooklyn, 1500 
 
 1843, Church of the Redemption, N. Y., - - - 375 
 
 1844 to 1846, - - - 800 
 
 1845, St. Mark's, Williamsburgh, L. I., ann. ail. of $300, from May 
 1, 1845, to Nov. 1, 1846, 450 
 
 1845, Prot. Ep. Ch. Miss. Society for seamen, ann. all. of $250, 
 
 from 1844 to 1846, 500 
 
 1846, Additional allowance of $250, from Nov. 1, 1S46. 
 
 1845, St. Simon's, N. Y., 200 
 
 1846, do do 200 
 
 1845, Holy Apostles', N. Y., 300 
 
 1846, do do 5000 
 
 St» George the Martyr, N. Y,, - 250
 
 386 HISTORY OF TRINITY CHURCH. 
 
 1846, Church of the Messiah, N. Y., ... 125 
 St. Luke's, Rossville, Staten Island, - - - 1500 
 
 Christ Church, Troy, 2500 
 
 Chapel for Soldiers, on Governor's Island, appropriation made, 
 but not yet paid, - ... 500 
 
 Christ Church, Sag Harbour, - - - 500 
 
 Christ Church, Marlborough, Ulster co., - - 300 
 Grace, Cherry Valley, Otsego co., - - 300 
 
 St. Thomas', Hamilton, Madison co, - - 300 
 
 St. James', Fort Edward, Washington co., - 300 
 
 St. Mark's, Malone, Franklin co., - - - 400 
 
 Church of the Cross, Ticonderoga, Essex co., - 400 
 St. Paul's, Pleasant Valley, Dutchess co., - - 500 
 
 1847, Church of St. George the Martyr, N. Y., - 250 
 Church of the Good Shepherd, N.Y., - - - 200 
 St. Mark's, Williamsburgh, .... 200 
 
 The aggregate amount of the gifts, loans and grants of Trinity 
 Church, rating the lands at their present prices, considerably exceeds 
 TWO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, a sum more than equal, in the 
 opinion of competent judges, to two-thirds of the value of the estate 
 which remains. 
 
 The income of this remaining part, however, bears no proportion 
 to its actual value. About one-half of it was leased out at an early 
 period on mere nominal rents, amounting only to 8400 per annum. 
 It is also encumbered with a heavy debt of about 8440,000, the annual 
 interest upon which is $24,802 31-100. And the gross revenue of 
 the Corporation of Trinity Church, from ground rents, pew rents, and 
 every other source, has neA'er, in any one year, reached a higher point 
 than 857,932 37-100, leaving a net income of only $33,130 2-100, 
 (much less than that of several wealthy individuals in this great 
 metropolis,) to meet the ordinary expenses of the Parish, the annual 
 allowances to most of the Churches in this City, and the extravagant 
 expectations of those, both here and elsewhere throughout the State, 
 who seem to think that there is no limit to its means.
 
 THE OLD EPISCOPAL BOOKSTORE. 
 
 CATALOGUE 
 
 EPISCOPAL WORKS, 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 i. 
 
 
 f;VP 
 
 
 * : - ' u 
 
 TRINITY CHURCH 
 
 STANFORD & SWORDS, 
 
 (LATE SWORDS, STANFORD & CO.,) 
 
 NO. 139, BROADWAY, NEW-YORK. 
 
 Qrstctbltsljcit in 17S7.
 
 STANFORD & SWORDS beg leave to inform their 
 friends and the public, that they continue to keep on hand, 
 as in former years, a general assortment of Religious Works, 
 suitable for individuals, for Parish and Family Libraries, and 
 for the Clergy, which they will dispose of on the most rea- 
 sonable terms. Having an agent in London, they offer their 
 services to the public for the importation of books, pam- 
 phlets, &c, which can be obtained through them on as low 
 terms as at any other establishment in the country. The 
 clergy can at all times find upon their shelves a great variety 
 of old books at low prices. 
 
 Bibles and Grayer-Books, 
 
 Of every size and description of binding. Also, the Church Lesson? 
 in convenient forms. Bibles and Common Prayer Books for the Desk. 
 in Folio and Quarto, constantly on hand. Gaines' edition of the Folio 
 Prayer Book, in substantial binding, reduced to $3. 
 
 Among the Books published by them in aid of Christian 
 
 knowledge and piety, are the following : 
 
 GOOD MAN'S LIFE. Records of a Good Man's Life, by Rev. C. B. 
 Taylor. 12mo. 75 cents. A golden book. 
 
 THE NEW MANUAL OF DEVOTIONS. — Edited by the Rt. Rev. 
 Bishop Ives, of North Carolina. 1 vol. 12mo. Price $1. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S MANUAL of Faith and Devotion.— Edited by the 
 late Rt. Rev. Bishop Hobart. 1 vol. 62§ cents. 
 
 THORNTON'S FAMILY PRAYERS, with a Commentary on our Lord's 
 Sermon on the Mount. Edited bv the Rt. Rev. Bishop Eastburn- 
 1 vol. 12mo. Price 75 cents. 
 
 BICKERSTETH'S TREATISE On me Lord's Supper. Enlarged and 
 improved by the author, and edited by the Rev. L. P. W. Balch, 
 Rectci of St. Bartholomew's Church, New York. 1 vol. 12mo. 75cts. 
 
 THE COMPANION FOR THE ALTAR : Or Week's Preparation for 
 the Holy Companion. By the late Right Rev. Bishop Hobart. lveL 
 Price 50 cents. 
 
 THE COMMUNICANT'S MANUAL. By the same. A neat pocket 
 volume. Price lSf cents. Morocco gilt, 37£ cents. 
 
 THE LIFE AND POSTHUMOUS WORKS of the late Right Rev. Bish- 
 op Hobart. Edited by the Rev. Wm. Berrian, D. D. 3 vols. 8va 
 
 $4 5U. 
 
 THE LIFE AND SERMONS of the late Right Rev. Nathaniel Bow- 
 en, D. D. of South Carolina, and formerly o f Grace C'uuruh, New- 
 York. 2 vols. 8vo. $4-
 
 Valuable Works, published by Stanford Sf Swords. 
 
 PALMER'S CHURCH HISTORY. 
 
 A COMPENDIOUS ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 
 
 FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE FRESENT TIME. 
 BY THE REV. WILLIAM PALMER, M. A., 
 
 AUTHOR OF " OBIGINES L1TVRGICJE,'' &C. 
 
 WITH PREFACE AND NOTES BY AN AMERICAN EDITOR. 
 
 In one volume. 12mo. 50c. 
 
 " The truly learned and sound-minded author has set himself honestly to seek out the 
 results of the system devised by Heavenly Wisdom, and set in operation by God himself, 
 when He dwelt among us. He does not puzzle himself and his reader with an attempt at 
 a ' pragmatical ' investigation of the human motives and propensities that have carried on, 
 while they seemed to thwart and vitiate, the divine counsels for man's salvation. Still 
 less does he stocp to natter the poor pride of human reason by lowering a narrative of 
 God's doings with and in his Church io the tone of secular history, and making all plain 
 and easy for the most unspiritual comprehension. He writes as a believer of the facts that 
 he narrates ; but not a believer without investigation. He writes as one whose own be- 
 lief makes him in earnest with his reader, and in consequence leaves the impression ol 
 reality on the mind. Convinced that God did indeed found his Church upon a rock, 
 immoveable and unconquerable, he looks for it, without fear or shrinking, amid the worst 
 of tempests of controversial strife or secular oppression, and under the deepest mists 
 of ignorance and error, and not only finds it, signalized by its unvarying tokens of peace, 
 holiness and joy, but makes it obvious to others. We see, with him, that though times havo 
 changed, and manners varied, the word and promise of God have endured unchanged, and 
 their accomplishment has gone on invariably." — Bishop Uliittingham. 
 
 RECORDS OF A GOOD MAf^'S LIFE 5 
 
 BY THE 
 
 REV. CHARLES B. TAYLER, M. A. 
 One handsome volume. 12mo. 75c 
 
 •• This is, indeed, a ' golden book ' — one that cannot be read without as much profit a* 
 pleasure by all who feel interest in the Ufe of a good country parson. The narrative ex- 
 hibits the character of a man who was distinguished, not for talent or learning, but for 
 bein<* in earnest, and heartily endeavoring to live up to his Christian profession— with 
 whom baptism was not a form, but the commencement of a life of Christian faith." — 
 Banner of the Cross. 
 
 " An elegant reprint of a volume endeared to many a heart by a thousand charms of 
 style, sentiment, and pious meditation. The loveliness of humanity passing through the 
 stages of life under the influence, and illuminated by the divine light of the pure precepts 
 of the Gospel, the surpassing beauty of holiness exhibited in the character of woman as a 
 Christian wife and mother, and the manly dignity and nobleness of the Christian father 
 and husband, are all here exhibited so sweetly, so truthfully, so eloquently, as to touch 
 the soul of the most obdurate. We trust all our readers are so familiar with these pages, 
 as to feel the justice of our praise, and to seize eagerly the opportunity of again meeting 
 an old and beloved companion." — Protestant Churchinan. 
 
 HOBARTS FESTIVALS AND FASTS. 
 
 A Companion to the Festivals and Fasts of the Protestant Episcopal ChurcV 
 
 in the United States of America. Principally selected and altered 
 
 from Nelson's Companion for the Festivals and Fasts of 
 
 the Church of England. 
 
 WITH FORMS OF DEVOTION. 
 BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D., 
 
 BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 One volume. 12mo. 75c. 
 
 " It will prove a useful companion in the exalted exercises of the Christian life; 
 and, while it serves to impress on the members of the Episcopal Communion the excel- 
 lence of their truly Apostolic and Primitive Church, it must excite them to adorn thou 
 profession by corresponding fervor of piety and sanctity of manners."
 
 Devotional Works, published by Stanford, fy Swords. 
 
 WILBERFORCE'S PRAYERS. 
 
 FAMILY PRAYERS, 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 William wilberforce, esq. 
 
 EDITED BY HIS SON, 
 
 ROBERT ISAAC WILBERFORCE, M. A. 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED, 
 
 PRAYERS BY THE REV. JOHN SWETE, D. D. 
 One volume ISmo. cloth. 25c. 
 
 " That the habit of family devotion is not inconsistent with the most zealous and unre- 
 mitted discharge of public duty is evinced by the example which the author of these Pray- 
 ers all'orded. His singular union, indeed, of private religion and public usefulness, may in 
 great measure be attributed to that state of mind of which this custom was at once a cause 
 and a consequence. The Grecian colonists, whose more polished manners, and the sim- 
 plicity of whose native speech, were endangered through the contaminations of barbarian 
 intercourse, by assembling at stated seasons, to confess their degeneracy, and revive the 
 thought of purer times, retained as well the language which was their common bond, as the 
 superiority which was the birth-right of their lace. Amidst the increasing turmoil of our 
 days, the custom of daily worship may be looked to by Christians for a similar result. It 
 has been shown, indeed, that this practice comes commended by the experience of former 
 times. But if it were needed in a period of quiet and repose, how much more amidst the 
 agitation by which our cities are now convulsed, and which shakes even the villages of 
 our land ! In tranquil days, the disciples were comforted by the presence of Christ ; but 
 it was amidst the waves of Gennesaret that they learned to appreciate that power which 
 could hush the stormy elements into rest. It was when neither sun nor stars for many 
 days appeared, and no small tempest lay upon him, that the captive apostle could he 
 of good cheer, because there was with him the augel of that God, whose he was and whom 
 he served." 
 
 THORNTQNS'S PRAYERS. 
 
 FAMILY PRAYERS, 
 
 PRAYERS ON THE TEN COMMANDMENT'S. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED, 
 
 A FAMILY COMMENTARY UPON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 HENRY THORNTON, ESQ., M. P. 
 
 EDITED BY THE 
 
 RIGHT REV. MANTON EASTBURN, D. D., 
 Bishop of Massachusetts. 
 
 One handsome volume. 1 2 m o . 75c. 
 
 " The present volume contains two works, which have been separately published in Eng. 
 land ; the Family Commentary ou the Sermon on the Mount having appeared there, about 
 a year after the lir.st edition of the Family Prayers. The arrangement now adopted wil 
 it is thought, be found convenient for domestic worship ; as combining within the sains 
 volume a Manual of prayer, and portions of scriptural exposition for reading. 
 
 " It may seam presumptuous in the Editor to say any thing by way of introduction to 
 productions bearing on their title-page the name of Thornton : — a name, familiar not to 
 England only, but to the world ; and indissolnbly associated with our thoughts of whatever 
 is enlarged in Christian beneficence, sound in religious views, and beautiful in consistency 
 of daily practice. He will t ike the liberty, however, of simply saying, that in regard to 
 the Family Prayers, that, without at all detracting from the merit of other works of the 
 same description, they appear to him to preserve, in a remarkable degree, the difficult and 
 happy medium between verboseness on the one hand, and a cold conciseness on the other. 
 It is believed that mine can use them, without feeling that they impart a spirit of grati- 
 tude and self-humiliation. They are what prayers should be, — fervent, and yet perfectly 
 simple. 
 
 " The Commentary upon the Sermon on the Mount, is remarkable throughout for 
 the profound insight into human nature which it manifests: for its clear exhibition of the 
 fundamental truths of the gospel : and for the faithfulness, honesty, and at the same tune, 
 the true refiueuieut aud dignity, of the language in which its instructions are conveyed. "*
 
 Devotional Works, published by Stanford iy Swords. 
 
 TREATISE ON THE LORD'S SUPPER, 
 
 DESIGNED AS A GUI DK AM) 
 
 COMPANION TO THE HOLY COMMUNION. 
 BY THE REV. EDWARD BICKERSTETH, 
 
 Edited, and adapted to Ike Service* of the Protestant Episcopal Church 
 
 in the l '" -ted States, 
 
 BY THE REV. LI. WIS P. W. BALCH, 
 
 Rector of Si. Bartholomew's Church, N. Y. 
 
 One handsome volume. Y2mo. 75c. 
 CONTENTS.— Part I.— ChaD. I. The Vppointment'of the Lord's Supper 
 
 —2. The Atonement ma le by tue Death of Christ— 3. Our Faith in Christ's 
 Atonement — 4. On the New Covenaut-r-5. The Design of the Lord's Supper 
 --(i. The Obligation to Receive the Lprd's Supper— 7. Answers to the Ex- 
 cuses commonly made for uol Coming (o the Lord's Supper — 8. On Receiv 
 in» Unworthily— 9. On the Benefits connected with a Due Reception of the 
 Lord's Supper — 10. The Happiness which would follow its General and 
 Devon! Observance — 11. On Communion with Christ and His People on 
 i; ar! li — 12. On the Heavenly Communion to be Hereafter enjoyed with 
 our Lord. Part II.— Chap.' 1. On Preparation for the Lord's Supper— 2. 
 Helps for Self-Examination, and Prayers— 3* Meditations Preparatory to 
 the Lord's Supper.— 4. Hints for the Regulation and Employment of the 
 Mind .luring the Communion Service — 5. On the Communion Service of the 
 Church— fi. On the Remembrance of Christ at the Lord's Table — 7. Medi- 
 tations during the Communion — 8. Texts selected for Meditation, and 
 arranged under dim-rent Heads— 9 Meditations and Prayers after Receiving 
 — 10. Psalms and Hymns suited to the Lord's Supper — 11. The Due Im- 
 provement of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 " It is indeed a cause of devout thankfulness, that hooks liki ' Bickersteth's Treatise 
 on tlie Lord'.- Supper ' are in such demand. And a fervent Prayer is offered to God, that 
 every effort to enlighten tiie hearts of men on the subject of the Holy Communion, may 
 receive His gracious blessing, until the time come when all 'shall be devoutly and reji- 
 giously disposed to receive the most comfortable sacrament of the Body and Blood of 
 Christ, in remembrance of His meritorious Death and Passion, whereby alone we obtain 
 remission of our sins, and are made partakers of the kingdom of heaven.' " 
 
 NEW MANUAL OF DEVOTIONS, 
 
 IN THREE PARTS: 
 Containing Prayersfor Families and Private Persons: Offices of Humiliation 
 — for the Sick — for Women — for the Holy Communion — with Oc- 
 casional Prayers. 
 
 CORRECTED AND ENLARGED BY THE RIGHT REV 
 
 LEVI SILLIMAN IVES, D . D . , 
 
 Bishop of the Diocese of North-Carolina. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED. 
 
 A FRIENDLY VISIT TO TlfE HOUSE OF MOURNING. 
 
 BY THE REV. RICHARD CECIL, M. A. 
 
 One large \2mo. volume. $1.00. 
 
 " The volume hero presented to the public, contains forms suited to all 
 
 conditions in which human beings may bt placed, and almost all conceivable 
 
 variations of their circumstances, in a style well adapted to the simplicity ol 
 
 sincere aud genuine piety."
 
 Valuable Works, published by Stanford Sf Swords. 
 
 MELVILL'S SERMONS. 
 
 SERMONS BY HENRY MELVILL, B. »., 
 
 Minister of Camden Chapel, Camberwell, and late Fellow and Tutor of St. I *r'a College-, 
 Cambridge. 
 
 EDTTED BY THE RT. REV. C. P. M'lLVAINE, D. % 
 
 Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of OIu». 
 
 Fourth edition. One volume , royal 8vo. $2,50. 
 
 This volume contains all the sermons yet published by the author, v>r audor his sanc- 
 tion. .Many others have been published stu-reptitiouslij, which he never prcpured for tho 
 press, anil which ought not to be read as specimens of his preaching. 
 
 A strong attestation of the merit of these discourses is given in the fact, that floodea 4B 
 is the market with the immense variety of pulpit composition which the London press 
 continually pours in, so that a bookseller can scarcely be persuaded to publish a volume 
 of sermons at his own risk, and such a volume seldom reaches beyond a single edition, 
 those of Molvill have passed through several, and do not cease to attract much attention. 
 
 " Heartily do we admire the breathing words, the b"ld figures, the picturesque images, 
 the forcible reasonings, the rapid, vivid, fervid perorat.ons, of these discourses.'"— British 
 Critic. 
 
 COMPANION FOR THE ALTAR, 
 
 WEEK'S PREPARATION 
 HOLY COMMUNION: 
 
 Consisting of a Short Explanation of the Lord's Supper, and Meditations m>J 
 
 Prayers proper to be used Before and During the Receiving of 
 
 the Holy Communion; according to the Form prescribed 
 
 by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
 
 United States of America. 
 
 BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D.. 
 
 Bishop of the Prot. Epis. Church in the State of New- York. 
 In one volume. 12mo. 50c. 
 ' The writer has endeavored to keep in view two principles, which he 
 deems most important and fundamental. These principles are — That we are 
 saved from the guilt and dominion of sin by the divine merits and grace of 
 a crucified Redeemer: and that the merits and grace of this Redeemer are 
 applied to the soul of the believer in the devout and humble participation of 
 the ordinances of the Church, administered by a Priesthood who derive their 
 authority by regular transmission from Christ, the Divine Head of the Church, 
 and the source of all power in it." 
 
 Perhaps no other commendation of this work is needed than the fact, 
 that since its first publication, in 1304, it h;is successfully withstood the 
 competition of all other works on the same subject, has passed through almost 
 countless editions, and is still steadily increasing in the favor of the pious 
 and devout. 
 
 JERRAM ON INFANT BAPTISM. 
 
 CONVERSATIONS ON INFANT BAPTISM. 
 BY CHARLES JFRRAM, VICAR OF CHOBHAM, SURRY. 
 
 One volume. 18//ze». 37c. 
 
 These Conversations furnish a complete view of the whole controversy, and a moat con 
 •iiuive defence of Infant Baptism.
 
 Devotional Works, published by Stanford 6f Swords. 
 
 JENKS' DEVOTIONS, 
 
 ALTERED AND IMPROVED 
 
 BY THE REV. CHARLES SIMEON, M. A., 
 
 FELLOW OF KING'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. 
 
 From the Z3d London edition. One volume. 18mo. 50c. 
 " Its distinguishing excellency is, that far the greater part of the Prayers appear to have 
 been prayed ami not written. There is a spirit of humiliation in them, which is admira- 
 bly suited to express the sentiments and feelings of a contrite heart. There is also a 
 fervor of devotion in them, which can scarcely fail of kindling a corresponding flame ta 
 the breasts of those who use them. But it is needless to pronounce an eulogy on a book, 
 the value of which has been already tested by the sale of many myriads:' 
 
 NELSON ON DEVOTION. 
 
 THE PRACTICE OF TRUE DEVOTION, 
 
 IN RELATION TO THE END, AS WELL AS THE MEANS OF RELIGION* 
 WITH AN OFFICE FOR THE HOLY COMMUNION: 
 
 BY ROBERT NELSON, ESQ. 
 One volume. Y&mo. 50c. 
 
 HOBART'S CHRISTIAN'S MANUAL. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S MANUAL 
 OF FAITH AND DEVOTION, 
 
 Con aining Dialogues and Prayers suited to the Various Exerercises of the 
 Christian Life, and an Exhortation to Ejaculatory Prayer, with 
 Forms of Ejaculatory and Other Prayers. 
 
 BY JOHN HENRY HOBART, D. D., 
 
 BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 One thick IS mo . volume . 63c. 
 " Its object is to exhibit and enforce the various exercises, duties, and 
 privileges of the Christian life, to awaken the careless; to excite the luke- 
 warm ; and to instruct and comfort the penitent believer." 
 
 THE COMMUNICANT'S MANUAL. 
 
 CONTAINING THE ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF 
 
 THE HOLY COMMUNION. 
 BY THE LATE BISHOP HOBART, OF NEW-YORK. 
 
 TO.WH1CH ARE ADDED 
 
 PRAYERS AND MEDITATIONS, 
 BY BISHOPS TAYLOR, BEVERIDGE, AND OTHERS. 
 
 A beautiful miniature edition. 31c. 
 
 PASSION WEEK: 
 
 THREE SERMONS OF LANCELOT ANDREWES, 
 
 BISHOP OF WINCHESTER, 
 
 ON THE PASSION OF OUR LORD. 
 
 TO WHICH ARE ADDED 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM HIS DEVOTIONS. 
 
 One volume. Y&mo. 38c. 
 
 ■* The author was a man of prayer, 'full of faith and of the Holy Ghost;' his thought! 
 were often of the things of God, and his life was of as high an order as his thoughts. Ii 
 to style is somewhat old, yet it is full of life and point, and the matter rich ; and to bilk 
 who feels aright, his theme is ever new, and though common always stirring."
 
 SECKER'S LECTURES on the Church Catechism. 1 vol. l2mo. R? 
 its. Also Five Sermons Against Popery, bj the same Author 2& cu. 
 
 LEARN TO LIVE, also Learn to Die. By Christopher Sutton-, 
 O.D. 12mo. $1. eacn. 
 
 PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN, or the Devout Penitent; A book of De- 
 votion, containing the whole Duty of a Christian, on all occasions and 
 necessities; fitted to the main use of a Holy Life. By R. Sherlock, D. D 
 12mo $1. 
 
 HAPPY OLD AGE, Exemplified in the Life of Mrs. Bolton. 1 vol 
 32mo. IS* 
 
 CHURCHMAN'S HEAVENLY HOURS: or Daily Approacnes to 
 God : in a series of Meditations and Hymns, selected by the most emi 
 lent Writers. 1 vol. 32mo. gilt. 37£ cts. 
 
 THE PORTRAITURE OF A CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN. By 
 W. Roberts, Author of Life of Hannah More. 1 vol. l2mo. 37* cts 
 
 MEMOIRS OF REV. JOHN STANFORD, D. D. By Rev. Charles 
 G. Sommers, together with an Appendix; comprising Brief Memoirs 61 
 the Rev. John Williams, the Rev. Thomas Baldwin, D D. and the 
 Rev. Richard Sherman, D. D., wit'., a portrait of Dr. Stanford. 1 vol 
 12mo. 75 cts. 
 
 SIMEON'S SERMONS. The Offices of the Holy Spirit. Four Ser- 
 mons preached before the University of Cambridge. By Rev. Charles 
 Simeon, M. A. i vol. 12mo. 37 £ cts. 
 
 THE DOUBLE WITNESS OF THE CHURCH. By the Rev. Wwt 
 Ingram Kip, M. A. 12mo. Also, The Lenten Fast. By the 
 
 same Author. 
 
 MEMORIAL OF REV. DR. BAYARD, late Rector of St. Clement 
 Church, New. York. 1 vol. 12mo. 
 
 MY SAVIOUR: or Devotional Meditations on the Name and Titles 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ. By the Rev. John East ISmo. 50. cts. 
 
 HOBART'S EDITION OF D'OYLY & MANT'S BIBLE, 
 
 according to the Authorised Version: with Notes, Explanatory and Prac- 
 tical; taken principally from the most eminent writers of the United 
 Churches of England and Ireland : together with Appropriate Introduc- 
 tion, Tables and Index. Prepared and arranged by the Rev. George 
 D'Ovly, B. D. and the Rev. Richard Mant, D. D. : under the direc- 
 tion of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; for the use of 
 Families; with a large number of Additional Notes ; selected and arrang- 
 ed by John Henry Hobart, D. D., late Bishop of the Plot. Epi9. 
 ""lurch in the State of New- York — buind in 2 and 3 vols. Also the 
 t* 2W Testament separately. 1 vol. !$2 50. This work should be in every 
 L.Uirch family. It embodies within itself a complete Library of Prac- 
 tical divinity, furnishing the opinion on sacred subjects of nea/lj 2U0 
 Divines of the Church of England and America. 
 
 U30
 
 L 006 176 141 7 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000 796 897 7