USA > Connecticut > The records of convocation, 1790-1848 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
The Rev H. Croswell & the Rev. N. S. Wheaton were ap- pointed on this Committee.
Teusday 2. O'clock P. M.
Public Service was attended in Trinity Church
Prayers were Read by the Rev George Shelton & a Sermon delivered by the Rev E Rutledge.
The Convocation afsembled after Divine Service in the Tower of the church.
The Committee on the subject of the Churchman's Magazine reported verbally that the Rev B G Noble had generously vol- unteered to conduct the magazine through the remaining six Nos of the present volume, with the afsistance of the Clergy, & to publish two numbers a month, in order to complete the volume by the first of January, that the way may be opened for a new paper, & that the family of the late Editor may be saved from lofs. The Committee also reported that they deemed its continuance in some shape expedient & that they concurred in the expediency of a weekly paper under a new title. In con- sequence of a correspondence between the Editor of the Gos. Advocate & the Rev B G Noble in relation to a union of the publications in which they were respectfully concerned, no decisive measure was adopted.
A Letter from the Bishop was received & read.
Resolved that the Letter be referred to blank Committee.
The Rev H. Croswell & Rev N. S Wheaton were appointed on this Committee
The Convocation adjourned to meet at the Lecture room at half past six O'clock.
The Committee on the subjects of the Bishop's Letter to the Convocation submitted the following Report, which was adopted.
Resolved, That the Bishop of the Diocese be requested with the aid & advice of such of his Presbyters as he may see fit to consult on the subject, to concert measures for establishing a periodical publication devoted to the interests of the Church either in Connection with, or independently of the Eastern
-109-
Diocese, & that such publication Commence on the discontin- uance of the Churchman's Magazine, or as soon after as may be practicable.
The Committee on the Subject of a General Sunday School [Society] submitted the following Report which was adopted.
Whereas this Convocation have understood from a Circular ifsued in Philadelphia that one of the objects which will occupy the attention of the next General Convention is the establish- ment of a General Sunday [School] Society, Therefore
Resolved, that the Delegates from this State be requested to give afsurance of the hearty approval of such an object on the part of this meeting & to aid in accomplishing it.
The Committee on the Subject of tracts submitted the fol- lowing report which was adopted.
Resolved that the Bishop with [ ], be a committee to select & prepare for Publication such tracts as they may deem useful to the Church, & that they be & hereby are authorized to contract with some bookseller for the publication of said Tracts, on his own responsibility, in the same manner & at the same rate as the tracts of the American tract Society.37
Resolved that we will use our endeavours to promote the circulation of said Tracts in our respective Parishes.
The Rev M' Croswell & the Rev M' Doane were appointed with the Bishop on this Committee.
The Rev B G Noble introduced the subject of Washington College & stated the interest which in our individual & collective capacity we were bound to feel in the Prosperity of that Institu- tion. And in consequence of the discusion which took place the following resolution offered by Mr. Doane was adopted.
Resolved that the Bishop & the clerical delegates to the next General Convention be a committee to devise a plan for afsisting indigent & deserving young men members of the Protestant Episcopal Church in obtaining a Collegiate Education at Institu- tions under the control of that Church
Birdsey G. Noble Secretary of Convocation.
Copy of the Letter addressed to the family of the Rev T. Bronson D. D. late a member of the Convocation
37 Note XXXVII.
-IIO-
Middletown Nov. 1826
To the Children
of the Late Dr. T. Bronson
Beloved :
The absence of your late venerable & excellent Father from the Convocation of the Clergy of this Diocese afsembled at New Haven Oct. 3ª. could not but excite in the breast of38
[The rest of this page is blank.]
[1827]
Hartford June 5th. 1827
Agreeably to appointment by the Bishop, the Convocation afsembled at his house in the afternoon, & without coming [to] order agreed to meet on Wednesday morning at eight O'clock June 6 .. 1827-
Wednesday June 6th. 8 O'clock P. M. [A. M.]
The Convocation afsembled in Christ Church
Prayers by the Rev. B G Noble.
The Bishop took the chair.
The list of the clergy was called over.
[A blank space is left here.]
An enquiry was made concerning the publication of Tracts. A statement was made concerning the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union.
The Bishop presented for consideration the subject of a General Education Society.
The subject of Cheshire Academy was introduced & was dis- cussed at some length.
The Rev A Baldwin in the chair in the absence of the Bishop.
On motion the Convocation adjourned to half past 6 O'clock in the afternoon.
half past 6 O'clock P. M.
The Convocation afsembled pursuant to adjournment-
On motion the Convocation adjourned Sine Die
B G Noble
Secretary.
38 Note XXXVIII.
-III-
Convocation at Stratford.
The Rev G. W. Doane, was appointed Secretary pro tem .-
[The rest of this page and three following pages are left blank.]
[1828]
Norwalk June 5th. 1828
The Convocation afsembled agreeably to appointment at the house of the Rev. R. Sherwood. Present the Bishop and several of the Clergy. Prayers by the Secretary.
Adjourned to 8 oclock on the 6th.
June 6th 8 oclock A. M.
The Convocation afsembled in the Academy.
Moved that a committee be appointed to take into considera- tion the state of the Parishes & to report to this Convocation such measures as they may deem expedient.
The Committee were
The Rev D. Burhans H. Croswell N. S. Wheaton
Moved that a society be formed for the relief of the widows & orphans of Clergyman.
Moved that a Committee be appointed to report a plan for the formation of such a Society to the next convocation.
The Committee were
The Rev. Mr. Rutledge 66 Sherwood
The Rev. Ashbel Baldwin in the chair
On motion the Convocation adjourned subject to the order of the Bishop .-
[End of the records in the first volume.]
-II2-
[The following records are from the second volume.]
[1829]
Cheshire Oct .. 14 .. 1829.
The Convocation afsembled agreeably to appointment by the Bishop, & at half past 10 O'clock attended Divine Service in St. Peter's Church.
Prayers were read by the Rev. M. Hull, & a sermon delivered by the Rev. H. Potter.
The Convocation adjourned to meet at the Episcopal Acad- emy at 3 O'clock this afternoon.
The Convocation met according to adjournment. Prayers by the Bishop.
Present. The Rt Rev. T. C. Brownell D.D.L.L.D.
The Rev. Ashbel Baldwin The Rev. Rodney Rofsiter
David Baldwin
66 Wm. Barlow
Nathaniel S Wheaton
66 Daniel Burhans The Rev. Mr. Adams from
Peter G. Clarke the Diocese of New York
66
Asa Cornwall was invited to attend the Harry Croswell sittings of the Convoca- tion.
66
66 C. F. Crusé
66
Alpheus Geer
6
" Frederick Holcomb
66 Lemuel B. Hull
66 Hector Humphreys
66 Reuben Ives.
66 66 Wm. Jarvis
66 James Keeler
66 Horatio Potter
66 Wm. T. Potter
The subject of the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge was introduced by the Rev. Mr. Wheaton, & after some discufsion as to the best mode of increasing its funds, The following resolution was on motion adopted.
Resolved that a Committee be appointed to take into consid- eration the propriety of revising the constitution of the "Society
-113-
for p[r]omoting Christian Knowledge," with power to make such alterations as may be deemed expedient, & to report the same to the next Convention. The Standing Committee were appointed to perform that duty.
The subject of a contemplated mifsion to Western & South- western States by the Rt. Rev. Bp. Brownell agreeably to a request of the Board of Directors of the Domestic & Foreign Mifsionary Society was brought before the Convocation. On motion, Resolved, that a Committee of three be appointed to frame a report in relation to the measure proposed above. The Rev. M. Croswell, the Rev. Mr. Burhans & the Rev. M. Wheaton were appointed.
On Motion the following resolution was passed unanimously. Resolved by the Convocation, that the clergy will present with their Parochial reports to the next Annual Convention, a particu- lar account of their respective Sunday Schools, which shall indi- cate the number of Teachers employed, & of the children instructed; & especially the course of instruction pursued, & the date, wherever such shall be the fact, of their connexion with the Protestant Episcopal Sunday School Union.
On motion adjourned till 7 O'clock this evening .-
7 O'clock P. M.
The Convocation met pursuant to adjournmt .-
The committee appointed on the subject of the Rt. Rev. Bp. Brownell's contemplated tour, reported the following Preamble & Resolution, which were unanimously adopted, & ordered to be published in the Episcopal Watchman :-
Whereas the Rt. Rev. Bishop of this Diocese has been re- quested by the Board of Directors of the Domestic & Foreign Mifsionary Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church to "visit that portion of our Country which lies West & South of the Alleghany Mountains, to perform Episcopal services wher- ever they may be desired, to examine into the condition of the Mifsions established by the Board, & to take a general survey of the country, for the purpose of designating such Mifsionary Stations as may hereafter be usefully established:" & whereas the Executive Committee of the said Society have expressed a "hope that the Clergy of this Diocese, now afsembled in Convo- cation may be induced to grant to their Bishop a free release from his Diocesan duties, in consideration of the great good which may be done by him to our scattered and destitute breth-
8
-I14-
ren, in the performance of the duties of this mifsion :"-There- fore, Resolved unanimously, that the clergy of Connecticut in Convocation afsembled, do highly approve of the proposed visi- tation, & cheerfully comply with the wishes of the Executive Committee of the Domestic & Foreign Mifsionary Society in granting a free release from his Diocesan duties during the said Visitation-humbly & affectionately commending him, & the cause in which he is engaged, to the great Head of the Church .- 39
It was moved and seconded that a new Committee be appointed on the subject of forming a Constitution for the relief of destitute Widows & Orphans of deceased Clergymen. Accordingly the Rev. Mr. Sherwood, the Rev. Mr. Hull, & the Rev. Mr. Burhans were appointed.
On Motion the Convocation adjourned after the customary devotional exercises.
William Jarvis Secretary.
[1830]
Middletown November 17th. 1830.
Agreeably to appointment by the Bishop, the Convocation afsembled in Christ Church in this city at half past 10 O'Clock A. M.
Divine service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Sherwood, & a sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. Croswell. After the Con- gregation was dismifsed, the Convocation was called to order by the Bishop, & on motion, was adjourned to meet at the house of Mr. Francis, at 3 O'Clock this afternoon.
The Convocation met pursuant to adjournment, & the roll being called, the following persons answered to their names.
The Rt. Rev. T. C. Brownell, D.D. LL.D.
The Rev. David Baldwin, The Rev. Horatio Potter,
Nathan B. Burgefs, 66 Smith Pyne,
Joseph T. Clark, 66 Rodney Rofsiter,
Harry Croswell,
Reuben Sherwood,
Alpheus Geer,
66 Ashbel Steele,
66 Hector Humphreys,
Ransom Warner,
66 William Jarvis, 66 N. S. Wheaton,
The Rev. Henry S. Attwater,
Chs. Wm. Bradley.
39 Note XXXIX.
-II5-
The following resolution was offered by the Rev. Mr. Croswell.
"The Bishop & Clergy of the Diocese"
"of Connecticut in Convocation, Nov. 17, 1830."
On motion, resolved, that the book of "Chants adapted to the service of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States" compiled by Mr. John H. Phoebus, of New Haven, is recom- mended by this Convocation to the churches throughout the Diocese, as a work well calculated to effect the objects proposed by the compiler, by promoting a correct & tasteful execution of the chants, & aiding the congregations generally in this portion of the devotions of the church.40
On motion, it was resolved that the above resolution should be referred to a Committee of three, to report to morrow morning.
The Rev. Messrs. Humphreys, Wheaton, & Pyne were ap- pointed that Committee .-
On motion, the Rev. Mefsrs. Sherwood & Humphreys, & MT. Samuel Huntington, were appointed a Committee to draft the Constitution of "a society for the relief of destitute widows & orphans of deceased clergymen."
The subject of the agency of the Rev. Mefsrs. Pyne & Hawks, in behalf of Washington College, was introduced & discufsed at some length. The interests of that institution were shown to be intimately connected with those of the Church, & the conse- quent duty of every Episcopalian, & especially of every Clergy- man, in the Diocese, to extend to it his most efficient patronage, was ably enforced .- On motion, the Convocation adjourned to meet the same place at 9 O'clock tomorrow morning.
Middletown November 18th. 1830.
The Convocation met pursuant to adjournment.
The Report of the Committee to whom was referred the Resolution of the Rev. Mr. Croswell approving and recom- mending the Book of Chants, compiled by Mr. John H. Phoebus, was in favor of adopting that resolution, & on motion, was unani- mously accepted .-
The Convocation adjourned.
40 Note XL,
William Jarvis, Secretary
-II6-
[1837]
New Haven June 12th. 1837.
The Convocation assembled in the basement room of St. Paul's Chapel, when after being called to order by the Bishop, and after prayers, by the Secretary, the Bishop took the Chair.
A communication was read from A. B. Chapin Esqr. Editor of the Chronicle of the Church, whereupon a Committee was appointed to take the communication into consideration con- sisting of
Rev. Dr Croswell Rev Messrs. Beach Watson Burges & Holcomb,
and they were directed to report to the Convention, to com- mence its sittings to-morrow.41
The Rev. Dr. Jarvis made a statement in regard to the Chris- tian Knowledge Society, which was laid over for consideration.
After which the Convocation adjourned leaving the time and place for calling another to the discretion of the Bishop.
Attest A. C. Morgan, Secry.
[1847]
Hartford, June 8th, 1847.
A Convocation of the Clergy was held on the evening of this day in the Chapel of Christ Church Hartford. After having been called to order by the Bishop, the Secretary by direction of the chair read prayers.
The Rubrics in the Baptismal Service, & especially the proper postures of the officiating minister, formed the subject of con- sideration & discussion.
The Secretary was ordered not to make a record of the par- ticulars.
Attest
Wm. Payne,
Secretary.
41 Note XLI.
-II7-
[1848]
New Haven, June 13th 1848
The Bishop called a Convocation on the evening of this day in St. Paul's Church. In his absence the Rev. Dr. Fuller in the Chair, who opened the meeting with Prayer.
The affairs of the Christian Knowledge society formed the subject of deliberations.42
A committee was appointed to bring the business discussed before Convention on the following day.
Attest, Wm. Payne Secretary.
42 Note XLII.
-118-
Newtown. June 6th. 1826
The Convocation met at the house of the Rev. Daniel Burhans at half past seven O'clock by appointment.
The secretary opened the meeting with prayers.
On motion by the Rev. M" Hull the meeting was adjourned to seven o'clock to morrow morning.
Wednesday June 7th.
The Convocation met at the town house agreeably to ad- journment at 7 O'clock A. M.
Present.
Rt. Rev. T. C. Brownell
Rev. A. Baldwin
D: Burhans Prindle
T. Marsh
D. Baldwin
B. G. Noble B. Judd H Croswell
P. G. Clark
O. P. Holcomb
F Holcomb
A- Gear Hull
Beach
Rev Mr. Barlow
Andrews
Johnson
A. Todd
Mª Coit
Wm Jarvis
Mr. Wells
Potter
The Bishop read the following communication from the Rev. Dr. Jarvis.
Upon which the following resolution was unanimously adopted.
Resolved that the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brownell be requested to express to the Rev Dr. Jarvis the regret of this convocation that he was unable to attend the present meeting when they might have personally taken leave of him previous to his departure for Europe, & to afsure of the affectionate interest which they take in his welfare.
-II9-
On motion by the Rev. Truman Marsh the resolution passed at the last meeting concerning the alteration of the Constitution was reconsidered.
The resolution was indefinitely posponed.
The Rev. Mr. Barlow from the Diocese of South Carolina had leave to bring his plan for the publication of Books before the Convocation.
Some desultory conversation took place on the subject of a Society for the relief of the widows and orphans, of Clergymen- the constitution was called up & again laid upon the table.
The Society for the promotion of Christian Knowledge was proposed for consideration-& some desultory conversation took place & the subject referred to the Convention.
The subject of Sunday Schools was taken up &
On motion by the Rev. Mr. Judd-
Resolved that a Committee of three be appointed on the sub- ject of Sunday Schools.
The Rev. Mr Judd
- Croswell
- Noble.
The Convocation adjourned to meet at 7 o'clock on Thursday morning.
Notes
Note I SKETCHES OF MEMBERS OF THE CONVOCATION
THE RIGHT REVEREND SAMUEL SEABURY, D.D.
Samuel, the second son of Samuel and Abigail (Mumford) Seabury, was born at North Groton (now Ledyard), Connecticut, on November 30, 1729. His father was then officiating as a licentiate of the "Standing Order" in the meeting house of the Second Ecclesiastical Society of Groton located in North Groton, but soon after conformed to the Church of England, was ordained in England and became the first incumbent of St. James' Church, New London. The future bishop was educated by his father and in the common schools of the town until his father's removal to Hempstead, Long Island, in 1742. He entered Yale College in 1744, and graduated with honor in 1748. Mr. Seabury was sent by his father to Huntington, Long Island, as "catechist" in 1748, in which position he was confirmed by the Venerable Society with a salary of ten pounds sterling per annum. He commenced the study of medicine while at Huntington and in 1752 went to Edinburgh to continue his medical course until of age to present himself to the Bishop of London for ordination.
He was made deacon in the Chapel of Fulham Palace on St. Thomas' Day, December 21, 1753, by the Rt. Rev. John Thomas, Bishop of Lincoln, acting for the infirm Bishop of London, Dr. Thomas Sherlock. He was ordained priest in the same chapel on Sunday, December 23, 1753, by the Rt. Rev. Richard Osbaldiston, Bishop of Carlisle.
He was immediately appointed by the Propagation Society to the mission of Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey. In 1757 he went to Grace Church, Jamaica, from which he removed in 1766 to the Rectorship of St. Peter's Church, Westchester County, New York. To add to his small income he opened while at Westchester a classical school.
As the Revolution approached, with his friends Dr. Chandler, Dr. Inglis, and the Hon. Isaac Wilkins, he allied himself with the cause of the united British Empire, which to his mind included the welfare of the Church of England, and wrote strongly in its favor. His "Letters of a Westchester Farmer" are an excellent specimen of his style in political controversy. He was also for several years the Secretary of the Voluntary Conventions of the Clergy of New York and New Jersey which some from Connecticut occasionally attended.
-124 ---
He was roughly treated by the patriots in his neighborhood, compelled at various times to conceal himself and on one occasion was taken to New Haven and treated with much indignity. Upon his release from confinement he returned to Westchester, but was soon obliged, early in 1776, to close the churches in his parish and join the numerous loyalists in the city of New York. After the departure of General Washington from Manhattan Island in September, 1776, he officiated, in turn with other clergymen who had left their parishes, for the refugees in the old City Hall on Wall Street. In 1778 he was appointed to the charge of St. Andrew's Church, Staten Island, but found it unsafe to take up his residence there.
His support for seven years came from the stipend of fifty pounds a year from the Venerable Society, the practice of medicine, and his chaplaincy of the Royal American Regiment of Colonel Edmund Fan- ning. He was made a Doctor in Divinity by Oxford University in 1778. With his election and acceptance of the Bishopric of Connecticut came a new period in Dr. Seabury's life. He went to England in July, 1783, in the flagship of Admiral Digby. His noble and unceasing efforts to induce the Bishops in England to rise above political and traditional precedents and consecrate him under a special act of Parliament, form a chapter of pathetic interest in our annals. In the summer of 1784 he made a formal application to the Bishops of the Church in Scotland to consecrate him. Upon their favorable answer he journeyed to Aberdeen and was consecrated a Bishop in the Church of God, in Bishop Skinner's chapel in Long Acre, Aberdeen on Sunday, November 14, 1784 by the Primus, Dr. Robert Kilgour of Aberdeen, Dr. Arthur Petrie of Moray and Ross, and Dr. John Skinner, Coadjutor Bishop of Aberdeen. He returned to London immediately after and sailed for America in March, 1785. He spent some weeks among relatives in Nova Scotia and arrived at Newport, Rhode Island, on June 20, 1785. It is unnecessary here to trace the events of his Episcopate, some details of which will be found in the introduction and text of these "Records".
Bishop Seabury died suddenly on February 25, 1796 in the sixty- seventh year of his age.
THE REVEREND BELA HUBBARD, D.D.
Bela, a son of Daniel and Diana (Ward) Hubbard, was born in Guil- ford, Connecticut, on August 27, 1739. He was prepared for college in the common schools and at home. In his fourteenth year he entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in 1758. He then enjoyed a year of theological study with his relative by marriage, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson, President of King's College, New York.
In 1761 he became lay reader at Christ Church in his native town, under the oversight of the Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, of New Haven, whose missionary circuit included Guilford.
In the fall of 1763, in company with Abraham Jarvis, his life-long friend, and William Walter of Roxbury, Massachusetts, he went "home" to England for ordination.
-125-
On Sunday, February 5, 1764, in "the Royal Chapel of St. James, Westminster," he was made deacon by the Rt. Rev. Frederick Keppel, Bishop of Exeter, acting for the infirm Bishop of London, Dr. Richard Osbaldiston. On Sunday, February 19, 1764, in "the parish Church of St. James, Westminster," he was ordained priest by the Rt. Rev. Charles Lyttleton, Bishop of Carlisle, acting for the Bishop of London. Upon his return he took charge of Christ Church, Guilford, and St. John's, North Guilford, to which he soon added a congregation in Killingworth, now Clinton, "a seaport Town 10 miles distant."
He occasionally officiated in remoter places, as Saybrook, Branford, New Haven, Litchfield. His work was fruitful and acceptable. His salary came wholly from his parishioners and was only thirty pounds sterling per annum. The Venerable Society at that time did not think it expedient to form any new missions in New England and would not make any appropriation for Guilford. In 1767 he accepted the joint rectorship of Trinity Church, New Haven, and Christ Church, West Haven, at an increased salary.
He was a resident of New Haven in the critical days of the Revolution. Although a pronounced loyalist, he retained the full esteem of the patriots.
His services to the Church in Connecticut at the formative period are great and deserve recognition. His ability as a parish priest and his theological learning were recognized by his alma mater by the degree of Doctor in Divinity in 1804. After an incumbency of forty-five years in one parish Bela Hubbard rested from his earthly labors on Sunday, December 6, 1812, in the seventy-fourth year of his age and the forty- eighth of his ministry.
In the present Trinity Church, New Haven, which his zeal and tact made possible, there is in the chancel an appropriate monument setting forth his excellencies.
THE RIGHT REVEREND ABRAHAM JARVIS, D.D.
Abraham, the sixth son and ninth child of Captain Samuel and Naomi (Brush) Jarvis, was born at Norwalk, Connecticut, on May 5, 1739. He was carefully trained in the district school and at home, and then placed under the tuition of the Rev. Noah Wells, the Congregational minister of Stratford, to be prepared for college. He became a student at Yale when eighteen and graduated with honor in 1761.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.