USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Annals of King's Chapel from the Puritan age of New England to the present day > Part 16
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At a meeting of the Deacons and Wardens of eighteen of the Churches in Boston on Monday 11th March, 1822 -
This meeting having taken into consideration the great annoyance which many of the churches in this City experience from the unlawful driving of carriages with rapidity during Divine Service on the Sabbath, it was therefore Voted to refer the consideration of this subject to the several Societies, and to recommend to them to adopt measures to enforce the Law which prohibits unlawful driving on the Lord's day, so that this evil may be effectually prevented in future.
Attest : PETER O. THACHER, Secretary.
Again, on the 9th of August, 1824, it was voted by the Proprie- tors of King's Chapel -
that the Wardens be and they hereby are requested to prosecute any person who shall drive any Carriage in School Street or Tremont Street during the time of divine service on the Lord's Day, contrary to Law.
And again, on the 29th of May, 1828, that -
Mr. Davis [be] a Committee to apply to the Legislature for authority , to close School and Common [Tremont] Streets, both or either, against the passing of carriages during divine Service, on Sundays. ..
that ancient pew ; and some persons may con- sidler it an ornament. No such reasons oper- - ate with me. The reason for having such a pew has been gone almost half a century ; and I do not perceive why any individual should occupy more space than others do in the republic of a church."
The late Hon. Josiah Quincy (II. C. IS21) held a very different view. He said : -
" It is a great pity that the pew of the royal governors in the King's Chapel was removed, in order that two plebeian pews [Nos. 31 and 32] might be constructed upon its ample site. I used greatly to value this interesting relic, which was just opposite the pew that I occupied [No. 22]. It stood handsomely out, with ornamented pillars at the corners. . . . I came too late into the world to see a royal governor enter this august pew; though the ghosts of some of them would occasionally seem to steal up the aisle
and creep into it during the drowsier pass- ages of the afternoon sermon; but the flesh- and-blood personage who occupied the pew in my day was, so to speak, as good a governor as the best of them. Ile was the son of a Massachusetts governor, too; and, surely, there could be no better ideal of those royal qualities which should characterize the ruler of a State than was presented in the Federal leader, William Sullivan. llow that pew of royal dignity used fairly to blossom with the large and lovely family of which he was the head ! There was a noble poise about them all; and then they were so handsome that it seemed quite proper that they should sit a foot or two nearer heaven than the rest of us."
It is not too much to hope that the pew may yet be restored hereafter by some generation anxious to preserve all the historical links which bind America to the past.
473
THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
To which the answer was, "leave to withdraw his petition." The sequel is seen in the consent of the city authorities to grant the desired relief, as appears by the following record : -
CITY OF BOSTON. In the Board of Aldermen, June 23"! 1828.
Memorial of the Wardens and Vestry of King's Chapel praying that they may have liberty to place temporary bars in School street, and Common street, near to the Church, which shall extend from one side walk almost over to the other, leaving sufficient space for a carriage to pass at a moderate foot-pace. These bars to rest at each end on a crutch, or a machine like a wood-sawyer's horse, to be forthwith removed by the sexton when Divine service shall be ended.
Read, and the prayer thereof granted.
And on the 18th of the ensuing December we find the Church Treasurer -
authorized to pay the Constable's bill for services in attending the front of the church on Sundays during the past summer for the purpose of enforcing the law against fast driving of horses in the time of Divine service.
The subjoined correspondence is of historic interest, as show- ing the grounds on which the Wardens of this Chapel declined to open its doors to the discussion of the secular questions of the day : -
BOSTON, April 20, 1837.
Gentlemen, - The New England Anti-Slavery Convention will be held in this city on the 30th of May next.
Judge Jay and Gerritt Smith of New York, Hon. J. G. Birney of Ohio, and other eminent men have been invited and are expected to be present, and we have reason to believe that the Convention will be numer- ously attended from all parts of New England. We are anxious, therefore, to procure for their accommodation a large and convenient room.
Will you permit us to occupy the King's Chapel on that occasion, on the same conditions as you prescribe to other benevolent associations ?
Respectfully yours,
FRANCIS JACKSON. ELLIS GRAY LORING. S. E. SEWALL. HENRY CHAPMAN. WENDELL PHILLIPS. EDMUND JACKSON. GEORGE JACKSON. HENRY G. CHAPMAN.
To the Wardens 1 or the Standing Committee,
King's Chapel.
1 Francis Johonnot Oliver and William Minot.
474
ANNALS OF KING'S CHAPEL.
BOSTON, 1 May, 1837.
Gentlemen, - Absence from town has prevented my replying earlier to your communication of 20th ult. requesting the use of King's Chapel for the purpose of holding a meeting of the New England Anti-Slavery Convention therein, on the 30th inst.
For many years past the Vestry have declined granting the use of the Chapel for public purposes other than the usual Sunday exercises, and must therefore decline acceding to your request.
Respectfully, Your obedient servants,1
As a fit close to this chapter, we add a few memorial notices of men prominently connected with the history of King's Chapel in the later years of Dr. Freeman's, or during Dr. Greenwood's, ministry.
The last Memorial Tablet placed upon our walls is in memory of one who filled honorably and well his place in the commer- cial world, and who served the Parish as a Vestryman from 1796 till his death, which occurred in January, 1817. The beautiful bronze bears this inscription : -
IN MEMORY OF KIRK BOOTT 2 BORN IN DERBY ENGLAND 1750 DIED IN BOSTON NEW-ENGLAND 1817 OF MARY HIS WIFE AND OF THOSE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY WHO HAVE WORSHIPED IN THIS CHVRCH THIS TABLET IS PLACED HERE BY HIS GRANDSON
FRANCIS BROOKS MDCCCLXXXIX
1 We copy from the unsigned origi- nal draft of this letter preserved in the Church files.
2 Mr Boott was naturalized by the Legislature, Nov. 16, 1787. His man- sion-house in Bowdoin Square occupied the site of the Revere House. Ilis son of the same name, also a member of this Church, was prominently identified with Nathan Appleton and Patrick T. Jack- son in founding the city of Lowell. William Pratt, described, like Mr. Boott,
as a "Merchant from London," was naturalized the same day. He, too, was a Vestryman of this Church, 1812-1813, aud died May 10, 1844, on the sixtieth anniversary of his landing in Boston. ITis residence in Pearl Street was after- wards transformed into the " Pearl Street Ilouse." These gentlemen constituted the noted firm of Boott and Pratt, mer- chants, importers of dry goods. See Mass. Ilist. Soc. Proceedings, iv. 361 and note ; v. 268-271.
475
THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
The following is taken from an obituary discourse occasioned by the death of JOSEPH COOLIDGE,1 an eminent Boston mer- chant and a Vestryman from 1786 till 1820, who was born July 27, 1747, and died October 6, 1820 :2 -
The character which I have thus exhibited to your view is a portrait of our deceased friend. He was eminently a just man. The largest portion of his life was devoted to the pursuits of commerce, in which he was actively and profitably engaged ; and one great source of his profits was the habit of appearing at his place of business at an early hour in the morning, whilst others were still immersed in sleep. In a town where the character of a fair and honorable merchant is with justice so highly prized, he attained a reputation among the first. His punctuality and strict integrity are still remembered by all who ever did business with him.
Having retired from the more active scenes of business, the latter part of his life was chiefly employed in the care of his estate, in visits to the most interesting parts of our country, in attention and kindness to his family and friends, in promoting works of publick utility, to which he was always a liberal contributor, and in deeds of charity.
The discreet economy with which he conducted himself enabled him to be thus liberal without impairing his property. He was industrious and prudent in the former part of life, and at every period moderate in his own expenses. In his dress, manners, and habits in general he was simple and plain. The wealth which so many others heedlessly waste in extravagance and dissipation, he devoted to better purposes.
The relative duties of life he discharged with affection. He loved his family and friends ; and they loved him. Where the character of a good man is peculiarly displayed, there did he shine, - in the situations of a son, a husband, a father, and a brother.
His manners were cheerful and open; in speech he was cautious, never suffering a word of censure or slander to escape from his lips; in
1 Ilis son of the same name was also prominently identified with this Church, of which he was a Vestryman from 1802 till 1834. He died Nov. 19, 1840, and was buried in one of the tombs under the Chapel. A Memoir of him is in the Mass. Hist. Soc. Proceedings for April, IS41, ii. 209, 210. ITis son - the fourth Joseph -also a Vestryman (1830-1833, 1848-1853), married a granddaughter of President Jefferson, who gave to him the desk on which the Declaration of Independence was written. He died Dec. 14, 1879. Ilis descendants are still members of this Church.
2 The text of the discourse cited is, "The memory of the just is blessed "
(Prov. x. 7). It was printed (pp. 51-68) in a pamphlet, which also contains two sermons commemorative of Madam Bulfinch, and one occasioned by the death of Rev. Sammel Cary, with obit- uary notices. The title of the pamphlet is " Funera! Sermons preached at King's Chapel, Boston. By James Freeman and Samuel Cary." Boston, 1820.
" He was for many years a Director of the former United States Branch Bank and Massachusetts Bank, one of the first and most active Directors of the Middle- sex Canal Corporation, and until the time of his death, a Trustee of the Humane Society." - Columbian Centinel, Oct. 14. IS20.
-
476
ANNALS OF KING'S CHAPEL.
his temper he was placable; and I have never known a man who was more ready to overlook an affront and to forgive an injury.
In his religion he was without ostentation ; but we have reason to believe that his benevolence and other virtues flowed from the best source, - the fear and love of God. . He was a Christian, and he thought it his duty to make an open profession of the religion of the gospel. Of the Church to which he belonged he was a beneficent member, and zealous in promoting its interest. But however great his zeal might be, it was exceeded by his candour. Mild and kind, he always treated other denominations of Christians with respect : there was no prejudice and bigotry in his heart ; and he would not vindicate even what he deemed important with heat and bitterness.
The reward of his industry, prudence, and benevolence was a life of distinguished prosperity, and, above all, a cheerful temper. He passed through the world pleasantly, blessing others and blessed himself.
The following account of Hon. CHRISTOPHER GORE- Gov- ernor of Massachusetts in 1809-1810, and a Vestryman of King's Chapel from 1804 till 1826- is taken chiefly from a memorial dis- course preached by Mr. Greenwood, March 11, 1827, which is accom- panied by notes of much historic interest " furnished by a friend who was intimately acquainted with Mr. Gore's char- acter," 1 - the Hon. John Lowell.
Christopher Gore was born in Boston, in the year 1758. His father 2 was a highly respectable mechanic, who by a course of honest and skil- ful industry had acquired a large property. At the breaking out of the troubles between this and the mother country, he went to Halifax, as he was favorably disposed toward the government under which he had always lived. But he afterwards returned to Boston, and died here in the year 1795.3
1 For genealogical notices see Whit- more's " Payne and Gore Families " in Mass. Ilist. Soc. Proceedings for Janu- ary, 1875, xiii. 405 et seq. A heliotype portrait is to be found in the Proceed- ings of the same Society (i. 398), of which Governor Gore was second presi- dent (1806-1818), succeeding Governor Sullivan. We have availed ourselves of a copy of the memorial discourse (of which 500 copies were privately printed for Mrs. Gore), with manuscript annota-
tions by Mr. Greenwood and IIon. John Lowell.
2 John Gore was a painter. He mar- ried Frances, daughter of John Pinckney, May 5, 1743, by whom he had a large family, of which Christopher was the youngest son.
3 This date is erroneous, as will be seen by the following notice copied from the Columbian Centinel of Saturday, Jan. 16, 1796: "In this town, John Gore, Esq., Aet. 77. - His funeral will pro-
ToJ. Trumbuit.
Copyrightut Was Muss. Hist. Son vety
l. GORE
Governor of Massachusetts Ista
477
THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
The son received his early instruction at the public schools of this town. He then entered Harvard University, and was graduated there in 1776, at the early age of seventeen.1 Soon afterwards he commenced the study of law with the late Judge Lowell, and continued with him through his whole period of study, both as a pupil and a member of his family. This was a situation combining moral and intellectual advantages such as are rarely offered to any young man, and Mr. Gore was able to appreciate and improve them. When he entered on the practice of his profession he came to it, not only with a mind prepared by a judicious course of study, but with the enviable recommendation of an uncorrupted youth. He rose rapidly in public esteem as a sound lawyer, as a politician, in the most generous sense of that word, as a true patriot, and as an honest man. He stood among the first at the bar, where his practice was exten- sive and lucrative.2 His fellow-citizens manifested the regard in which they held him, and the confidence which they placed in him, by sending him, with John Hancock and Samuel Adams, to the Convention of this State which considered the adoption of the national Constitution. This was before he had attained the age of . thirty.
In 1789, Mr. Gore was appointed by President Washington United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts. He was the first person who held the office ; and coming to it in times of great trouble and dis- traction, he had many serious difficulties to encounter in discharging its duties. But he encountered them with the manly intrepidity and unbend- ing rectitude for which he was always remarkable, and so he overcame them ; and it was probably his conduct in this critical situation which obtained for him the appointment from the Chief Magistrate to be one of the commissioners, under the fourth article of Jay's treaty, to settle our claims for spoliations. The appointment was made in 1796, and Mr. Gore's colleague was the late celebrated William Pinkney.
While in England Mr. Gore secured by his gentlemanly deportment and amiable qualities the respect and attachment of all who became known to him, - at the same time that, by his assiduous attention to busi- ness, his profound knowledge of commercial law, his labored arguments, and his personal influence, he recovered sums to a vast amount for citizens of the United States.3 He remained abroad in the public service
ceed from the house of Mr. Jonathan Ilunnewell, in South Street, on Monday next, at half-past 4 o'clock P. M., which the friends of the deceased are requested to attend." Mr. Gore's estate went into the Suffolk Probate Court Jan. 19, 1796.
1 Ilarvard College gave him the de- gree of LL.D. in ISog. He was subse- quently (1812-1820) a member of the Corporation.
2 Governor Gore was for a time the legal tutor and adviser of Daniel Webster.
3 " Mr. Gore's and Mr. Pinkney's great exertions during this commission, which lasted nearly eight years, are well known ; but it is not so generally under- stood that to Mr. Gore one large de- scription of sufferers are principally indebted for the recovery of their claims. Mr. Pinkney . . . had great doubts as to that class of captures which were made under the rule of 1756. Mr. Gore made a very elaborate and powerful argument in favor of these claims, .. . and by his per- severance and exertions many hundred
478
ANNALS OF KING'S CHAPEL.
till 1804. When his friend Mr. Rufus King,1 then our Minister at the Court of London, returned to this country in 1803, he left Mr. Gore there as Charge d'Affaires, in which station, it is unnecessary to say, he bore himself honorably and ably. He was welcomed home by the strongest marks of public favor. He was elected to the Senate of our State from the county of Suffolk two successive years, and the next year to the House of Representatives from this town. In 1809 he was chosen Governor of the State.
It is well known by those who remember that turbid time, that if a man's character was ever thoroughly sifted and scrutinized, it was when he consented to appear as a candidate for the office of governor ; and if a spot was to be discovered in it, it would most probably be dis- covered then. It would be highly improper for me to enter into any of the political questions which were so warmly agitated at that period ; nor am I inclined to do so. But I hold it to be my duty to say, that, notwithstanding all the zeal and activity of Mr. Gore's opponents in searching into his life, and amidst all the abuse which was the habit of the day, not one charge of moral delinquency was sustained against him, or even pretended. This fact is of itself a eulogy. The whole amount of the accusations against him was that his father was a royalist, and that he was himself tinctured with the same partialities. The simple truth is, that, though the father was a royalist, he was a good man and had a right to his opinions ; and that the son was at the first, and always continued to be, in principle, in feeling, and in practice, a patriot and a republican.
Mr. Gore was Governor of Massachusetts but one year. At the next annual election the political sentiments of the majority of the people had changed, and the opposing candidate, Mr Elbridge Gerry, was chosen to succeed him. In 1814 Mr. Gore was again brought into public life, by being appointed by Governor Strong, during a recess, Senator to Congress, and afterwards chosen to the same office by the Legislature at their meeting. He served in this capacity about three years, and then with- drew into final retirement.
Mr. Gore's mind was clear, acute, and discriminating. It was of a steady and decided cast, and yet liberal, unprejudiced, and open to con- viction. He had cultivated it with assiduity and care. He kept himself familiarly acquainted with the literature of the day, and was an excellent classical scholar. He has left nothing as the fruit of his studies and his pen but a few political essays in the daily papers, and some unpublished legal opinions and arguments. These are distinguished, I am told, by
thousand dollars were secured to the citizens of the United States." - Note by Hon. John Lowell.
I It is interesting in this connection to note the fact that Mr. King was pres- ent in King's Chapel July 26, 1804, when
Harrison Gray Otis delivered, in the presence of a crowded assembly, his eulogy on Alexander Hamilton. Wil- liam Sullivan's Familiar Letters on Pub- lic Characters, p. 246.
479
THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
justness of thought and entire purity of style. His manners were of the best class of that school generally termed the old school. They were those of a true and a finished gentleman, - dignified without pride, elegant without pretension, and courtly without dissimulation or hollow- ness ; in short, the internal grace and polish externally manifested. The effect of such manners was assisted and completed by the gift of uncom- mon personal beauty.1
I have said that in his youth Mr. Gore was virtuous and uncorrupted ; he was so in manhood, he was so in age. He lived not for himself. By kindness, cheerfulness, and charity he diffused happiness around him. He was remarkably accessible and attentive to young men, discerning talent and merit, and helping them forward.
Mr. Gore's connexion with our religious society was of the most inter- esting and beneficial nature. He joined it not long after the ordination of [Dr. Freeman ], and was for many years a member of our Vestry. It was an encouraging circumstance for us that at a time when our Church was the only avowed Unitarian church in the country, two such men as Mr. Gore and his friend the late Judge Minot, young lawyers of standing and respectability, should have united themselves with us ; and it was an honorable circumstance for them, that, disregarding the unfavorable effect which the declaration of their sentiments might have on their worldlly prospects, they nevertheless openly attached themselves to an excommunicated church, and fearlessly espoused the cause of Unitarian Christianity.
During the last years of his life, Mr. Gore was a martyr to an ex- cruciating disorder [acute rheumatism], which seized violently on his constitution, and defied all remedy, -and like a martyr he endured his sufferings. Faithful, cheerful, and grateful to the end, he gave up his mortal breath on the first of March, 1827, in the 69th year of his age .?
1 " Mr. Gore was rather tall, and in middle age of full person and erect, but began to bend forward at an earlier age than common. He was bald on the whole upper surface of his head at an unusually early period. His hair was tied behind, and dressed with powder. His face was round and florid, his eyes black, his manners courteous and amiable. His eloquence was dignified and impressive. In all his relations and deportment he had the bearing of a polished and well- bred gentleman. With his intimates he was free and social, and had and deserved to have many affectionate friends." - William Sullivan's Familiar Letters on Public Characters, P. 370. See also Ibid. P. 302 et seq.
2 [He died at his winter house in Cambridge Street, Boston, on the day named in the text. The estate, now
numbered 13 on Cambridge Street, is just west of Moss Place. It has been often stated in print - even in the contemporary obituary notice in the Co- lumbian Centinel of March 3 - that Governor Gore died in Waltham, where he resided for a part of several years ; and the Boston Town Records errone- ously give the date of his death as Feb- ruary 28. Shortly after the Governor's decease, the President and Fellows of Harvard College brought a suit in the Supreme Court against his executrix. The case, which turned upon the ques- tion of the testator's domicile, is re- ported in 5 Pickering, 370, and contains an interesting summary of facts which sustains the statements here made. - EDITOR.]
He married (1783) Rebecca Payne, who at her death bequeathed the sum
480
ANNALS OF KING'S CHAPEL.
AARON DEXTER was the son of Richard and Rebecca (Pea- body) Dexter. He was born at Malden Nov. 11, 1750, and died in Cambridge, Feb. 28, 1829, having been a member of the Ves- try from 1796 till 1826. We copy here from a Memoir of Dr. Dexter by Mr. Charles C. Smith : 1 __
His earliest American ancestor was Richard Dexter, admitted a towns- man of Boston in 1642, whose estate in Charlestown, on Mystic side, Ata CD exter descended through five generations. The Honorable Samuel Dexter, of Dedham, a Senator from Massachu- setts in the Congress of the United States, Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury in the administration of John Adams, was from the same stock. Aaron Dexter entered Harvard College, where he graduated in 1776. After leaving College, he studied medicine, and during the Revo- lution made several voyages as ship's surgeon. In one of these he was captured by the British and carried into Halifax, suffering great hard- ships while a prisoner, but was finally exchanged ; and, near the close of the war, he established himself as a physician in Boston, where he soon gained a distinguished rank in his profession. In 1783 he was appointed Professor of Chemistry and Materia Medica in Harvard College, which office he held until 1816, when he resigned, and the duties of the pro- fessorship were divided. In 1787 he was married to Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Amory, of Boston. He was a member of the Historical Society, of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Agricultural Society, and the Humane Society, and for many years an officer of the Massachusetts Medical Society. He was, besides, one of the early advo- cates for the construction of the Middlesex Canal and Craigie's Bridge, and President of the Canal Corporation. At the time of Shays's rebellion he was an active supporter of the government, and went on the winter campaign which crushed that insurrection. He had an inherited taste for agriculture, and owned an extensive farm in Chelsea, which was afterwards sold to the United States for the erection of a Marine Hospital. His social habits are shown by his connection with the Wednesday Evening Club, of which he was one of the earliest members, and with the Anthol- ogy Club, to whose active interest in literature the foundation of the Boston Athenaeum and the establishment of the " North American Re- view " are traced. He was honored alike as a chemist, a physician, and a citizen. His only known publications are two papers contributed by him to the transactions of the Massachusetts Medical Society. 2
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