USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Christ church, Hartford, Volume I > Part 17
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Fely 12. Copy of a letter from the Rev. Philander Chase to the Wardens & Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford, Feby 12, 1817.
Gentlemen,
It is my wish that you join with me in procuring a canonical dissolution of the connexion which now subsists between the parish and myself. The reasons which have led me to the step of making this request, I have already ex- plained to you. They are of an extraneous nature, taking their rise from diocesan, not from parochial relations. With sentiments of unfeigned gratitude for the manifold instances of your kindness & liberality to me both in your official & private characters,
I am Gentlemen,
Your sincere friend & Humble Serv .. PHILANDER CHASE.
The Rev. Philander Chase intending soon to leave this place for the western country, requests those to whom he is
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indebted in any pecuniary concerns to present their demands for payment, and those who have borrowed books of him to return them. His furniture, a milch cow, and several shares of bank stock in Phoenix, Hartford, and Middletown banks are offered for sale. - Courant, Feb. 18, 1817.
On the same day he addressed a letter to the Standing Committee of the Diocese, as follows : -
To the Members of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Connecticut,
GENTLEMEN.
It is my wish to obtain, as soon as may be, a canonical dissolution of the connexion now subsisting between me, & the parish of Christ Church, Hartford.
The reasons which have led me to this determination are not founded in any disagreement with the people of whom I have the parochial charge. On the contrary, I take this opportunity to testify my entire satisfaction with them as a parish, and my gratitude for the many kindnesses I have rec'd from them as individuals. My reasons for leaving them are couched in this one sentence, - I am persuaded that I can be more useful to the Church of Christ and more happy in my own person elsewhere than in the Diocese of Connecticut.
An early attention to this subject will greatly oblige,
Gentlemen,
Your Most obt. Serv. ·
PHILANDER CHASE.
HARTFORD, Feb: 12, 1817.
Feby. 26. Copy of the letter of recommendation given by the Wardens & Vestry of Christ Church, to the Reverend Philander Chase at his departure :
To all who may see these presents. GREETING :
The Subscribers are the Wardens & Vestry of the Parish of Christ Church, in the City of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut.
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
When, in the course of Divine Providence, this Parish formed its temporal connexion with their Pastor, the Revd. Philander Chase, the Wardens & Vestry thereof congratulated themselves upon an event, which they esteemed one of the most happy, which had ever befallen this Parish. No cir- cumstance has since transpired to impair in the least, the attachment which has subsisted between them, or to lessen the respect and esteem which the subscribers must continue to feel towards their Pastor. They can truly say, that in parting with him, they feel a degree of regret & sorrow, difficult for them to express ; of regret that they are to be deprived of the services of a Clergyman, which have been eminently useful among them, & which certainly have been followed by the blessing of God; of sorrow that he removes to a part of the Country, so distant, that it is not probable, they will meet again on this side the grave. Viewing as they do, the events of this world, as under the Superintendance of a wise Providence, they are compelled to acquiesce in his re- moval, and cannot doubt that all is designed for the best. And while they add their sincere & fervent wishes for the health & the temporal welfare of himself & his family, they would express their opinion, that his zeal and piety are eminently adapted to raise up the Church, and extend the influence of religion, & their hope & belief that his exertions may be as successful in the Western Country as they have been in this.
City of Hartford, Connt., Feby, 26, 1817.
(signed) John Morgan Wardens Michael Olcott S
Samuel Tudor
James Ward
Charles Sigourney
Eliakim Hitchcock
Cyprian Nichols
Roswell Bartholomew
Vestry
Jeremy Hoadley James M. Goodwin Philo Hillyer Simeon Griswold
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
Feb. 27. Copy of the reply of the Wardens & Vestry of Christ Church, to the letter of the Revª Philander Chase.
The Wardens & Vestry of Christ Church, Hartford, while they sincerely regret that any circumstances should have rendered necessary a separation between the Parish & its respected Pastor, the Revª Philander Chase, do not withhold their consent to a canonical dissolution of the connexion which subsists between them, and which has been solicited by the Revd. Philander Chase.
Hartford, Connt,
feby 27, 1819.
Signed by the Wardens & Vestry.
March 2. V. Voted, That Mr. J. M. Goodwin have the privilege of erecting a pew on each side of the Altar, of such form & plan as shall be agreed upon ; said pews to be built free of expense to the parish, for the privilege of occupying them one year from Easter Monday next.
March 8. To the Right Reverend John Henry Hobart, Bishop of the Diocess of New York, & Bishop protempore of the Diocess of Connecticut
Revd. & Dear Sir,
The subscribers being the Wardens of Christ Church Hartford in Connecticut, beg leave to enclose to you the copies of a letter addressed by the Revd. Philander Chase, to the Wardens & Vestry of this Church, soliciting their concur- rence in obtaining a canonical dissolution of the connexion which subsisted between them, and of their' declaration, in reply, consenting thereto. And they would request of you as the head protempore of the Church in this Diocess, an official & canonical dissolution of the connexion which existed between this parish, and its Pastor aforesaid, the Revd. Philander Chase.
They would further ask of you, the favour, if in your view it be proper, of a general license for the Wardens of this Church to employ a respectable & suitable person, to read the prayers of the Church, on Sundays, rather than to have the Church shut up, while the parish continues without a settled minister. It is the determination of this parish, of
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course, to procure a clergyman to take the Charge thereof, as soon as they shall find one to suit. In the mean time the Wardens would be grateful for your friendly counsel & for your assistance if it be in your power to afford them any, by directing to them any clergyman, who may find it convenient to travel this way. They beg leave to subscribe themselves with great regard, and very respectfully
Revd. & dear Sir,
Hartford, Conn',
March 8, 1817.
Your friends, & Ob Servts. John Morgan Michael Olcott Wardens
April 8, P. Voted that the thanks of this meeting be pre- sented to Charles Sigourney for his faithful services in per- forming the duties of Clerk of this Parish.
I cannot better begin an account of Charles Sigourney than by quoting what is said of him by his wife, in her " Letters of Life."
" He was a native of Boston, and of a family of the highest respectability. To me it was a source both of gratulation and pride, that he should have descended from that pious race of Huguenots, who left their fair clime of birth for conscience sake, and emigrated to this New World soon after the revoca- tion of the Edict of Nantes. His father Mr. Charles Sigour- ney, of Boston, was the third in descent from Mr. Andrew Sigourney, who with his son Andrew came to this country from France in 1686. His mother, whose name was Frazer, was of Scottish ancestry, and dying while he was yet a child, his father took him to England and placed him at an excellent school at Hampstead. Here under a strictness of discipline that would not be tolerated in Young America, he was inured to habits of obedience, order, and application. His acquaint- ance with the studies that he pursued was eminently thorough and accurate. Particularly was the grammatical construction of the Latin and French so well required, that though he left school at a very early age, their knowledge remained with him unimpaired, to the close of his life."
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
He remained in his father's mercantile employment until he came to Hartford in 1799. I use the words of Mr. William Francis, who was long his faithful and con- fidential clerk.
" At the age of twenty-one he opened a store for the sale of hardware & other goods on the east side of Main street, near the present Exchange corner. He had a large acquaint- ance among the manufacturers of Birmingham & Sheffield, from whom he imported direct, such goods as he could find a market for here. His business gradually increased, doing business alone, until 1825, when he formed a co-partnership with Charles Munn, & built the block of stores 343 to 349 Main street. Their business was then removed to No. 343, the same premises now occupied by Francis & Co. In 1830 Mr. Munn retired, and at about the same time he formed a partnership with Henry C. Porter. In 1837 Mr. Porter retired, & he took as a partner his son Charles H. Sigourney, which continued until his death in 1854.
" He was an erect, medium sized man, with a piercing eye, and an intellectual countenance. He was fond of litera- ture, could read fluently in Latin, Greek, & French; was full of quotations from distinguished authors; could converse on almost every subject, was decided in his opinions, republican in politics, & was proud of his ancestry. In personal appear- ance there was something of a reminder of aristocratic antecedents, but in reasoning he was purely democratic. He was active in town affairs, & in the Church was a leading man; a Trustee of Washington, now Trinity College, Presi- dent of the Phoenix Bank, a man of sound judgment & strict integrity."
Mr. Sigourney, as known to most of us in later years, was of medium size, rather thin, and somewhat stooping ; in cold weather he was clad in a blue camlet cloak, to which he seemed to be extremely partial. His manner was exceedingly polite and cordial ; his face beamed with intelligence ; he expressed himself clearly and distinctly ;
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he never appeared to be in a hurry ; if a thing was to be done or said, he took his own time for it. It was not obstinacy which made him decided in his opinions, for decision came from close examination and calm judg- ment. So when he subscribed three hundred and sixty dollars towards a new church, "on condition the Parish Fund be not invested in the Church Stock," the subscription was not paid, because the stipulation was violated. It was from no unwillingness to part with his money, for he was strongly in favor of the new building, and was, and ever had been, a generous contributor. It was an exempli- fication of that point in his character which led him to look at principles existing in a matter, probe it to the bottom, and stand by his answer. Such a man is firm on his foundation ; he is not moved by every idle word, or blown about by every wind of doctrine. He is safe as a counselor, and firm as a friend ; he has not part either with flattery or dissimulation; you may know where to find him always. He was so methodical that a man with- out method might term him a pedant ; he was so plain and concise in his speech, that a fickle one might have called him unnecessarily particular and direct, but a wise one would say, he is good, honest, conscientious, and reliable.
The "piercing eye " of which Mr. Francis speaks, was a marked feature in his face ; it was brilliant in expression and looked at you when the mouth spoke. Lydia Huntley, who had vowed to be " a maiden all forlorn," and never to leave her school or its pupils, was pierced through and through by the blind archer. With a frankness which is charming, and a minuteness which is delightful, she thus describes her conversion. "Nevertheless, as I plodded my way to and from my school house, a pair of deep-set and most expressive black eyes sometimes encountered mine, and spoke unutterable things. They were the property of a gentleman of striking physiognomy, and the elegant manners of the olden school." It is not necessary to quote
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IMPORTANT VOTES AND COMMENTS.
farther. Lydia Huntley in due time gave up her school, and became Lydia Huntley Sigourney, and made him a most estimable wife.
But it is chiefly in connection with our parish that Mr. Sigourney becomes most interesting to us.
He was probably connected with it soon after coming to Hartford, and was in 1803 chosen as its Clerk. This duty was most faithfully performed by him until 1817, when he retired, and the resolution at the beginning of this sketch was passed. It was a well-deserved testimonial to a mnost faithful and painstaking officer. The records bear evidence of his great care, precision, and neatness ; his chirography was admirable. If all the clerks of the parish had been as careful in filing and preserving the manuscripts which came into their hands, the task of the historian in telling his story would have been rendered easier.
He was chosen as Warden for a number of years, and was frequently appointed upon committees, and ever maintained a lively interest in the parish ; he may be classed among its most valuable members. He was a true Connecticut Churchman and Christian gentleman, devoted to the Episcopal Church, perfectly satisfied with its doc- trines, its liturgy, its noble, pleasant ways. He was learned in its defense, more learned perhaps than any other layman of the parish ; but he was not offensively conten- tious, nor did he consider it to be his duty to berate all who differed from him in opinion; his ways were the ways of pleasantness and peace. He possessed, as may well be expected, a delicate sense of the beauties of Nature, and the charms of Art. The elegant mansion which was built after his own designs, the tasteful layout of the grounds, the abundant gardens with their fruits and flowers, the trees and shrubs, all gave evidence of a skill which was natural, and which had been increased by study. The description by his wife of their manner of life in this place,
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
including the domestic details, is exceedingly interesting, and moreover is quite valuable, as showing how at this comparatively late period, the mistress of the house was concerned in its management. A sympathetic feeling made his married life a beautiful and happy one. The minute, though somewhat sentimental account which she gives of their lives, shows us how much of enjoyment and pure pleasure there may be in this world ; they both had their trials, but they had their comforts and blessings also.
"One day the store was cold,"- this is the story of Mr. Francis,-"and he walked home in the afternoon before the usual time ; he was chilled, and a few minutes later, in front of his fireplace, he suddenly expired from apoplexy."
Charles Sigourney, b. July 21, 1778 : m. (1) Jane Carter, May 25, 1803 : She d. Jan. 24, 1818 : m. (2) Lydia Huntley, June 16, 1819. He d. Dec. 30, 1854. She d. June 10, 1865.
May 28. V. Voted, That Charles Sigourney be empow- ered to make such an arrangment with Mr. Clerc for the accomodation of the Deaf & Dumb in this city as he may judge proper.
Mr. Laurent Clerc came from France, and was em- ployed as a teacher in the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. He probably was a Roman Catholic, and as there were no churches of that faith in the town, and because many of the supporters of the Asylum belonged to the Episcopal Church, he naturally affiliated with them. The vote was evidently intended to provide seats for Mr. Clerc and such pupils as might attend a religious service. Though they might not understand what was said and done elsewhere, yet they could follow the different parts of the service in the prayer-book, in an Episcopal Church.
This sketch of the City Hotel building, and of the one south of it, was found amongst the rubbish left by the Hartford Graphic Company, after removal from its rooms over the store occupied by Nichols & Humphrey. It had
OLD CITY HOTEL BUILDING
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been carefully preserved by Mrs. Toucey and was loaned me by Mr. George Beach.
It is stated by Mr. Weld* that for the first year the little school "was kept in the south part of a building, now, 1848, forming a portion of the well-known establish- ment called the City Hotel, where also the family of the Asylum resided, At the commencement of the second year the school was removed to apartments at No. 15 Prospect Street."
This fine drawing of the building has never been used, to my knowledge, nor do I know why it was made; but it was probably the work of Elkanah Tisdale,+ or Mr. Basset, who were workmen, or co-partners in the company, and was designed perhaps for some of their operations. The hotel is supposed to have been built early in the century. The small building next to it on the left was occupied by Noah Webster, when he wrote his famous Spelling Book, it is said.
" The designer of the establishment was Elkanah Tis- dale, a fat, facetious gentleman -a miniature painter by profession, but a man of some literary taste, and admirable humor in anecdote. He illustrated with great cleverness, the handsome edition of the Echo, published by Isaac Riley, brother-in-law of Dwight and Alsop, two of the principal authors-though it professes to be from the Porcupine Press, and by Pasquin Petronius." .
CONCERNING A NEW RECTOR.
May 28. P. Voted, That the Wardens & Charles Sig- ourney be a Committee to wait on the Revd. Jona. M. Wain- wright, to converse with him respecting his disposition to settle with this Parish and make report to the next Vestry meeting.
* Am. Annals for Deaf & Dumb.
+ Goodrich's Recollections of a Life Time, Vol. 2, p. II. * Ib.
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CHRIST CHURCH, HARTFORD.
Mr. George Brinley of Boston, in a letter to Mr. Sigourney of March 13th, had brought to his attention the name of Mr. Jonathan M. Wainwright, as a candidate for the parish, and writes : -
" You no doubt are now seeking a candidate to supply Mr. C's place, & the object of this communication, is to bring to your notice Mr. Jona. M. Wainwright at present an instructor in Rhetorick in Harvard University - officiates at the Churches vacant in this vicinity - principally at the Episcopal Church in Cambridge. He is a young gentleman of respectability ; of the most unexceptionable character, ardent & sincere in the performance of his duties, & is much beloved as a man, & reads to great satisfaction."
On the 24th, he again writes : -
"I duly rec'd your favor of recent date, & went immedi- ately to Cambridge, & had an interview with Mr. Wainwright. I think he appeared pleased with the invitation, but seemed to think it difficult to visit you so early as you expressed a wish. I thought it most advisable to put your letter to me in his hands, requesting him to open a correspondence directly with you on the subject, which he said he would do, I have not seen him since, but hope he will soon be with you."
Mr. Benjamin Greene, of March 15th, says : ---
"I have seen Mr. Jonª. Wainwright. He is not in Deacons Orders, but can be ordained, he says, at any time. He will take your proposal into contemplation, & give an answer next week, which I will transmit you."
MR. WAINWRIGHT TO MR. SIGOURNEY.
Sir :- Mr. Brinley did me the favor to call upon me yes- terday, for the purpose of communicating the substance of a letter which he had just received from you. Before this, however, I had seen Mr. Greene, & had requested him to say in reply to your letter to him, that I would take the subject of it into immediate consideration. As I am now acquainted
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with the wishes of your church, Mr. Brinley thinks I had better reply myself, rather than to do it by his assistance, or that of Mr. Greene. I therefore take the liberty of address- ing you. I must request you to say to the Wardens & Vestry, that I will with pleasure officiate in your church during the spring & summer months, or such a portion of them as they shall think proper. But I am sorry to say that it will be en- tirely out of my power to be with you as early as they request. I am at present connected with the University, & I learn from the President that my duties cannot conveniently be dis- pensed with sooner than the first week in Easter. One of our college quarter-days falls this year in passion week, & the only tutor who, with such short notice, could take my place at that time, is about to leave college. I regret very much that it happens so, for it would afford me sincere grati- fication to unite with your church in the solemn services of passion week. I can engage to be with you, God willing, on the second Sunday after Easter. Will you be so good as to write to me, & let me know whether this arrangement meets the wishes of the Wardens & Vestry. I am not at present in Orders, but that will cause no delay. I have been ready for some time, & the Bishop has informed me that he will ordain me at any time with the previous notice of a day or two. If, therefore, it shall be concluded that I visit you, I will write to the Bishop, & take Bristol in my way to Hart- ford.
Your obd' servant,
JONA M. WAINWRIGHT. Harvard Coll, Cambridge. March 20th, 1817.
P. S. Will you be so good as to mention the probable expense of living in Hartford.
April 16. Mr. Wainwright to Mr. Sigourney, explaining the cause of the delay.
CAMBRIDGE, April 16th 1817. DEAR SIR.
I am very sorry that I shall be unable to fulfil my en- gagement, & be with you next Sunday. I should have
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been able had I not been disappointed in my plans. I wrote to the Bishop requesting him to ordain me tomorrow at Bristol : in this case I should have proceeded immediately to Hartford the next day, & have arrived there before the 20th. But the Bishop returned me an answer just before I received your letter, saying that he could not ordain me on Thursday, on account of a convention to be held in R. I. but that he would ordain me in Providence the sunday be- fore (that was last Sunday). I accordingly left my business in Cambridge & immediately set off for Providence, from whence I returned last night. In this way I have been put back five days. I shall finish what I have to do at Cam- bridge by the end of this week, I shall visit my friends at the beginning of next, & be in Hartford by friday, at the latest. I have been thus particular, that you may see that the circumstances which have delayed me, were without my control.
Your obd' servt JONA M. WAINWRIGHT.
There is written on the back of the letter in pencil, by Mr. S. and sent to some one whose opinion he doubt- less was anxious to obtain, "I hope you will come and see Mr. Wainwright when he arrives. He will stay for the present with me. Will you sit with us next Sunday."
He was the first person ordained as Priest in the old church, the only previous ordination being that of Bird- sey G. Noble as Deacon, June 2, 1812. He was paid four hundred dollars for services to Jan. 1, 1818, and Mr. Tudor was directed to " be paid five dollars pr week for his board and lodging up to ist Jany." In the Treasur- er's book there is credited as paid Jan. 5, 1818, $400 to Rev. Mr. Wainwright for services to Ist inst., and $173.32 to S. Tudor for board of Mr. W.
-
Jonas Wainwright.
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Oct. 18. A parish meeting was held this day, "to take into consideration the subject of settling the Rev. J. M. Wainwright * as Pastor & Rector," and it was,
Voted, That the Wardens and Vestry of this Parish be en- powered to engage the Rev. Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, to officiate as the Rector of this Parish.
Voted, That the Parish agree to pay the Rev. J. M. Wain- wright for his services, One Thousand dollars per annum, to be paid in quarterly payments, to commence on the Ist of January next, so long as he shall continue their rector.
1818.
March 23. Voted, That the thanks of this Parish be pre- sented James Ward for his long and faithful services as a Vestryman.
The name of James Ward first appears as one of the signers to an agreement forming "themselves into a Religious Society by the stile and title of the Episcopal Society of the City of Hartford." in Sept., 1796. He soon became an active member, and was chosen one of the Vestry in 1799. He was elected Treasurer in 1801, being apparently the first Treasurer of the Society : it appears that the financial matters had previously been adminis- tered by committees of the Vestry. He continued in office until 1804. He was a frequent and generous con- tributor to the numerous subscriptions which were made in the early days of the parish.
Col. Ward was born in Guilford, Feb. 2, 1768, and probably came to Hartford early in life, as is indicated by the following advertisement in the Connecticut Courant.
* " Dr Wainwright was born at Liverpool in 1792, of parents who were citizens of the United States, but who at that date were on a visit to England. He came to this country at the age of eleven, was edu- cated at Cambridge, and was instituted rector of Christ Church in 1815." [1817.]- Goodrich's Recollections of a Life Time, Vol. 2, p. 109.
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