USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections, Vol. I > Part 15
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The trade of Canada, it appears, was principally with the city of Rochelle in France.
In the account of the government of Canada, given by La
* See Snow's History of Boston, pp. 233-237 and 246-247.
t See vol. II, 3d series, Mass. Hist. Collections, p. 51. Mr. J. Gilmary Shea, referring to La Ilautan's history of his voyages, says, in his translation of Charlevoix's New France: " It is a curious fact that no other writer of the French history of Canada refers to La Hautan; and Charlevoix but barely mentions him. He represents that he was sent out to Canada with three companies of troops, sent to De la Barre in the autumn of 1683, and returned to France in 1602." See Translation, vol. III, p. 286.
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Hantan in the history of his voyages, he remarks upon the narrow and bigoted policy of Louis XIV :
"I wonder that, instead of banishing the Protestants out of France- who, in removing to the countries of our enemies, have done so much damage to the kingdom by carrying their money along with them, and setting up manufactories in those countries-I wonder the Court did not think it more proper to transport them to Canada. I am convinced that if they had received positive assurance of enjoying liberty of con- science, a great many of them would have made no scruple to go thither.
" If the Council of State had followed my scheme, in the space of thirty or forty years New France would have become a finer and more flourishing kingdom than several others in Europe."
There is much wisdom and good sense in these remarks; and had they been adopted, the strength of Canada would have been such that it is not improbable that Canada to-day would have been a powerful French, instead of an English colony, as it now is. And instead of Romanism prevailing among the French, they now would have the advantage of the prosperity that follows where people think for themselves, which is the foundation principle of Protestantism, and pre- vention of bigotry.
Believing it important, as a part of the history of this French plantation, to preserve all that relates to any party concerned therein, the following letters are quoted, showing the standing and character of Mr. Bernon. This first is a letter addressed by Lord Bellamont to Mr. Bernon, dated, "New York, 23d November, 1698:"
"SIR: I am sorry to learn that you have left New England for the purpose of residing in Rhode Island. Mr. Campbell told me the news, which afflicts me much, since I had desired to cultivate all possible friendship with you when I shall arrive at Boston.
"I am ashamed for not having written you sooner, but, I assure you, it has not been for want of esteem, but solely from having been con- tinally occupied by the affairs of my government. If you find occasion to come and establish yourself here in this town, I shall do all I possibly can for your encouragement. I shall not forget the recommendation of
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you by the Count of Galway; and I am truly and strongly disposed to respond to it by all good offices.
"I shall be very glad to see you here, for the purpose of conversing with you upon certain affairs which relate to the service of the king.
" I am, with true esteem and friendship,
" Your very humble servant, " BELLAMONT.
" For Mr. BERNON, a French merchant, Rhode Island."
As was solicited by Lord Bellamont, Mr. Bernon visited New York the following spring, as appears by a letter of his preserved in the history of the Huguenots of France and America, by Mrs. Lee, who is a descendant of one of these exiles, dated, "25th of March 1699, at New York," in which he counsels his friends there as follows :
"I, like you, have abandoned property and our country for the sake of religion ; and so have many of our refugee brothers in various parts of the world. We should all of us submit to the government under which we have placed ourselves. It is for us a great happiness and a great honor to be able to call ourselves good subjects of our sovereign, King William ; that, since God commands us to submit to the royal power, we can not have too much veneration for so great and illus- trious a prince, nor too much respect for the governor who represents him.
"I have, with pain, seen some persons depart from the duty which we owe to my lord, the Count of Bellamont. Do not think that I am bold enough to erect myself into a censor, or to prescribe anything to you ; but I thought it my duty, as a brother, to let you know my true sentiments.
"This difference of tastes, of constitution, prevents people from agreeing perfectly. You are for Mississippi; I am for Rhode Island. I offer you my services there and everywhere else."
The works of Mrs. Lee, from which this and other letters are taken, possess much interest to such as desire to become acquainted with the character and doings of this worthy class of colonists called the Huguenot exiles, or persecuted French Protestants.
It appears that Mr. Bernon changed his religious forms
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from that of the usage of the Reformed church in France to a conformity with the English church.
He may be regarded as one of the principal men who founded the Episcopal church in Rhode Island, as the follow- ing will show :
FOUNDING OF TRINITY CHURCHI, NEWPORT.
" To his Excellency, Richard, Earl of Bellamont, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief in and over the Provinces of the Massachusetts Bay, New York, and New Hampshire, and the Territories thereon depending in America, and Vice-Admiral of the same :
"The humble petition of the people of the Church of England now resident in Rhode Island,
" SHEWETH, -
" That your petitioners, and others inhabiting within this island, having agreed and concluded to erect a church for the worship of God, according to the discipline of the Church of England; and though we are disposed and ready to give all the encouragement we possibly can to a pious and learned minister to settle and abide amongst us, yet by reason we are not in a capacity to contribute to such an honorable main- tenance as may be requisite and expedient.
" Your petitioners, therefore, humbly pray that your lordship will be pleased so far to favor our undertakings as to intercede with his majesty for his gracious letters to this government on our behalf, to protect and encourage us ; and that some assistance towards the present maintenance of a minister among us may be granted, as your excellency, in your great wisdom, shall think most meet; and that your excellency will also be pleased to write in our behalf and favor to the Lords of the Council of Trade and Plantations, or such ministers of state as your excellency shall judge convenient in and about the premises.
" And your petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
" Gabriel Bernon,
William Brinley,
Pierre Ayroukl,
Isaac Martindale,
Thomas Fox, Robert Gardiner,
George Cuttler,
Thomas Paine,
William Pease,
Thomas Mallett,
Edwin Carter, Robert Wrightington,
Franklin Pope, Anthony Blount,
Richard Newland, Thomas Lillibridge."
This petition was delivered at Newport, 26th September,
EARLY HISTORY OF OXFORD. 169
1699, and forwarded to the Board of Trade by Lord Bella- mont on 24th October. It was received and read on 5th January following. In his letter, inclosing it to the Board, Bellamont says :
"I send your lordships the petition of several persons in Rhode Island for a Church of England minister, and a yearly settled maintenance for one. I hope your lordships will please to patronize so good a design, and will obtain his majesty's allowance of a competent maintenance for such a minister. It will be a means, I hope, to reform the lives of the people in that island, and make good Christians of them, who at present are all in darkness."
The petition was sent by the Board of Trade to the Bishop of London, who presented it to the king, by whom it was re- ferred back to the board, April 16, for their opinion upon what was proper to be done in the matter.
Other petitions for promoting the Gospel among the Indians were pending at the same time. From these movements originated the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, incorporated in 1701, by whom, two years later, the Rev. James Honeyman was sent out as a missionary to this station, npon the petition of the wardens of Trinity church to that society for aid. Meanwhile, Rev. Mr. Lockyer, who had gathered the church early in 1699, new style, served as its rector, and their first meeting-house was completed in 1702. The present venerable Trinity church, at Newport, around which sleep many distinguished persons of that early period, was erected in the year 1726.
Their first meeting-house, as above, proving too small for the number who worshipped there, it was removed, and the present edifice erected on its site .*
* In this church was often heard the voice of the celebrated George Berkeley, Dean of Derry, who resided in Newport about two and a half years. He arrived in that town, January 23, 1729, with his family, and soon after purchased a country-seat and farm about three miles from the city, and there erected a house which he named "Whitehall." He was admitted a freeman of the colony in May following. His labors and influence while in this country resulted in much good in imparting an impulse to the literature of the country.
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The length of time in which Gabriel Bernon resided in Newport has not been ascertained, but it is known that he removed from this place to Narragansett (North Kingston),
He visited Cambridge in 1731, and, during his residence here, contributed many valuable Greek and Latin classics to Harvard college. To Yale college he presented 880 volumes, and. on his departure from Newport, he gave the Whitehall estate, consisting of his mansion, and one hundred acres of land, to that institution, for the support of three scholarships there, in Latin and Greek.
After his return to England, in 1733, he sent a magnificent organ, as a donation to Trinity church in Newport, which is still in constant use, and bears an inscription which perpetuates the generosity of the donor.
While at Newport. he formed a society for the purpose of discussing philosophical questions and of collecting books. From this source originated the Redwood Library, of which all lovers of books, who visit Newport to spend the summer, have a knowledge. and highly appreciate its value as a place of instruction as well as social amusement. His country-seat, Whitehall, and the natural alcove in the elevation called the "Hanging Rocks " (roofed and open to the south, presenting a beautiful view of the ocean and adjacent island, which, it is said, he used to frequent to study, about half a mile southerly from his residence), have become noted places of resort for visitors.
Here he wrote his " Aleiphron; or, Minute Philosopher," an ingenious defense of the Christian religion, and that celebrated ode, a monument to his genius, on the prospect of planting the arts and sciences in America. The first was printed at Newport, by James Franklin, the first printer in Rhode Island, who established the first printing-press here in 1732. See Thomas' History of Printing, vol. I, p. 419; also, S. G. Arnold's History of Rhode Island, vol. II, p. 100. The ode is as follows:
" ODE.
" The muse, disgusted at an age and clime, Barren of every glorious theme, In distant lands now waits a better time, Producing subjects worthy fame.
In happy climes, where, from the genial sun And virgin carth fresh scenes ensue, The force of art by nature seems outdonc. And fancied beauties by the true.
In happy climes, the seat of innocence, Where nature guides and virtuc rules- Where men shall not impose for truth and sense The pedantry of courts and schools-
There shall be sung another golden age, The rise of empire and of arts, The good and great inspiring epic rage, The wisest heads and noblest hearts.
Not such as Europe breeds in her decay, Such as she bred when fresh and young, When heavenly fame did animate the clay, By future ages shall be sung.
Westward the course of empire takes its way; The four first acts already past, A fifth shall close the drama with the day; Time's noblest offspring is the last."
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and engaged there in establishing the second Episcopal church in Rhode Island, in 1707.
Ile was ardently engaged in the propagation of the Episco- pal church in this colony, and was a correspondent of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. The Rev. David Humphries, of London, Secretary of that Society, gave an historical account of its operations in Amer- ica in 1730. This society, which was established in 1701, had for its object the dissemination of religion, according to the forms of the English church. He was also in correspond- ence with Bishop Berkeley and the Earl of Bellamont, on the subject of establishing the Episcopal church at Provi- ‹lence.
Mr. Bernon removed from Narragansett to Providence, and there was instrumental in establishing the third Episcopal church in Rhode Island. The Rev. James Honeyman and Dr. James McSparron were his principal co-operators in this object. The church edifice was commenced there in 1722, and completed, and the Rev. George Pigot, who had been a
Although Bishop Berkeley failed in accomplishing the design of his visit to America- the establishing a college at the Bermudas for the purpose of training pastors for the colonial churches, and missionaries to the Indians-yet, he united his name with America, which will remain in perpetual remembrance; and it is not a little remarkable that a large portion of the funds which were raised to aid him in carrying out the object of his visit to America, should fall into the hands of his estcemed friend, General James Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, to be there used for similar benevolent designs, in the colony of his own planting, which he lived to see become one of the tree and independent United States of America. General Oglethorpe was born, December 21, 1688, and died, June 30, 1785, aged ninety-seven.
In 1734 Dean Berkeley was raised to the Bishopric of Cloyne, and retired to Oxford in 1752, and died there, January 14, 1753, aged seventy-three.
See vol. IV, Rhode Island Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 13 and 30-36, by Romeo Elton ; also sce S. G. Arnold's History of Rhode Island, vol. II, pp. 17, 99, 100, and 169; and Stevens' History of Georgia, vol. I, pp. 78, 209, and 212.
Dean Berkeley brought with him, in pursuance of his contemplated objeet in visiting America, a corps of literary men and artists, among whom was John Smibert, a Scotch painter, born in Edinburgh about 1685; died at Boston, Massachusetts, in 1728. He had arrived at a respectable position as a painter in London, and was induced, in 1758, to accompany Dean Berkeley to America, and, on the failure of the benevolent scheme of the latter, he settled in Boston. He painted many distinguished persons of that day in New England and Middle States, and was the principal pattern after whom Copley and Trumbull emulated. The large painting of Berkeley and family and himself, on their first landing in America. now in the possession of Yale college, is his most celebrated work.
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missionary at Stratford, Connecticut, was called to this place, and established as its first rector, in 1723 .*
There were many other colonies of these French Protest- ants that were planted about this time in other parts of the country, which it is not the purpose here to describe.
Of the colony which settled on the shore of Long Island sound, and founded the town of New Rochelle, in New York, it is said they purchased of John Pell 6,000 acres of land. Although forced to leave their native land where they had suffered, yet the love of country continued to be strongly manifested. It is stated that here :
"One venerable Huguenot would go daily to the shore, when, direct- ing his eyes towards the direction where he supposed France was situated, would sing one of Marot'st hymns, and send to Heaven his early morning devotions. Others joined him in these praises of their God, and re- membranees of their beloved native clime, from which they had been banished by the merciless forces of persecution."#
These Huguenots bought their lands here by a release from Jacob Leisler, who purchased of John Pell, in their behalf, September 20, 1689. The release bears date, "31st May, 1690." It, however, appears, by the charter of Trinity church, at New Rochelle (wherein they specify), that " they fled from France in 1681."$
There was another colony of Huguenots who settled in Ulster county in the year 1677, at which time they purchased a large tract of country of the Indians, on the west side of
* See S. G. Arnold's History of Rhode Island, vol. JI, pp. 76-77; also, vol. III, Rhode Island Hist. Soc. Collections, pp. 131-135; and see vol. iv, Rhode Island Hist. Collections, pp. 265-267
t Clement Marot was born at Cahers, in 1495, and died in 1544 ; he was the first poet of his day ; his hymns in France were like Dr. Isaac Watts' in England, who was born at South- ampton, 1674, died in 1748.
# Sce Weiss' History of French Protestant Refugees, vol. II, p. 304.
See Bolton's History of Westchester County, vol. i. pp. 375-382. Their first church was erected here in 1692-93. David Bonrepose, D. D., who accompanied the Huguenots in their Hight to this land, was their first pastor. The Rev. Daniel Bondet was their second minister. See Huguenols in America, by Samuel Smiles. Appendix by G. P. Disos- way, p. 432.
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Hudson river, about seventy miles from New York. The location is in the mountain region along the valley of the beautiful stream called the Wallkill.
Many of these first settlers were of those who fled from France to the Palatinate, in Germany. The name of their settlement, called "New Paltz," is derived from Palatinate. The names of these first planters were Louis Dubois, Abraham Dubois, Abraham Hasbrouck, Andries Lefevre, Isaac Dubois, Jean Hasbronek, Peter Deyo, Louis Bevier, Antonie Crispell, Hugo Freer, and Simeon Lefevre. These, the first purchasers, took the name of patentees.
It is related that on their arrival here, on the banks of the Wallkill, as soon as they had unharnessed their teams and unpacked their goods, they assembled together, opened their Bibles, read Psalm xxIn, and then engaged in solemn acts of religious worship. A fitting and appropriate commence- ment of a new settlement by those who had, through persecu- tion, sacrificed property, home, and their native country, that they might enjoy the worship of God, according to the dic- tates of conscience.
Here, on the eastern bank of this stream, they erected, among their first buildings, a meeting-house, used for the pur- poses both of religions worship and school for their children. This house was built of logs. In this rnde structure they first enjoyed that sacred right-religions liberty-for which they had made so great a sacrifice.
Their determination to possess freedom in matters of faith, is beautifully expressed in " The Hugnenot's Farewell," by Mrs. Hemans, quoted by Mr. Stitt :
" And I obey-I leave their towers Unto the stranger's tread ;
Unto the creeping grass and flowers, Unto the fading pictures of the dead.
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I leave their shields to slow decay, Their banners to the dust ; I go, and only bear away Their old majestic name-a solenm trust.
I go up to the ancient hills Where chains may never be ; Where leap in joy the torrent rills, Where man may worship God, alone and free.
There shall an altar and a camp, Impregnably arise ; There shall be lit a quenchless lamp, To shine unwavering through the open skies.
And song shall 'midst the rocks be heard, And fearless prayer ascend ; While thrilling to God's most Holy word, The mountain pines in adoration bend.
And there the burning heart no more, Its deep thought shall suppress ; But the long buried truth shall pour Free currents thence amidst the wilderness.
Then fare-thee-well, my mother's bower, Farewell, my father's hearth ! Perish my home! whence lawless power Hath rent the tie of love to native earth.
Perish! let death-like silence fall, Upon the lone abode ; Spread fast, dark ivy-spread thy pall ! I go up to the mountains, with my God."
The carly history of the church and settlement at New Paltz, recorded as it transpired-the oldest church in the pos- session of the Consistory, and written in the French language, extending from the time of its organization, January 22, 1683, to 1702, nineteen years-has been preserved.
It contains eight different handwritings, including the anto- graphs of Abraham Hasbrouck, Lonis Dubois, and Lonis Bevier.
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The first entry in the record is an account of the organiza- tion, which reads as follows :
" Jannary 22d, 1683.
" Mr. Pierre Daillie, minister of the Word of God, arrived at New Paltz, and preached twice on the Sunday following, and proposed to the families to choose, by a majority of votes of the fathers of families. an elder and deacon, which they did, and chose Louis Dubois for elder, and Hugh Freer for deacon, to aid the minister in the management of the members of the church, who were then confirmed to the said charge of elder and deacon."
Mr. Daillie, while here, divided his time between this church and the French church in the city of New York, up to the time he left to become the pastor of the French church in Bos- ton. He was succeeded in the duties as pastor of this church by Rev. David Bonrepose, who was the first pastor of the church at New Rochelle, where he was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Bondet, in 1699, who came from Boston, where his place as pastor was filled by Mr. Daillie.
Mr. Daillie having left New Paltz in 1696, Mr. David Bon- repose took his place, and preached his first sermon there, May 31, 1696 .*
The Dutch settlement of New Netherlands, now New York, received its first permanent planters early in May, 1623. Pre- vious to this date, from the time of the discovery of this country and its noble river by Henry Hudson, in 1609, it had been the resort of trappers and fur traders.
The first colonists were Walloons, of French origin. They inhabited upon the frontiers, between France and Flanders, extending from the Seheldt to the river Lys. They spoke the old French or Gallic language, and professed the Reformed religion.
* See History of the Huguenot Church and Settlement at New Paltz, by Rev. Charles II. Stitt, D. D.
The foregoing, relating to this settlement and church, is mostly taken from Mr. Stitt's pamphlet, for which the writer is indebted to his kindness in complying with his request for a copy of the same.
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During the thirty years' war between the seven provinces of the Netherlands and Spain, which resulted in the independ- ence of the former, the Walloons distinguished themselves by their valor in battling for freedom and the rights of con- science in union with their Dutch associates.
The Dutch West India Company, who controlled this new colony, subject to the approval of their doing's by the States- General of the United Netherlands, sent out, in the ship Neth- erland, thirty families of these Walloons, under the charge of Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. They sailed from a port in the island of the Texel (near the main-land) in March, 1623, and arrived early in May on the Hudson river. A part of these Walloons located at New Amsterdam (New York), and others were sent up the river to Fort Orange, a trading-post -now Albany-while several of these families planted them- selves on the east side of the Hallegat, or East river, on the borders of a cove, near the present site of the United States Navy- Yard, which took the name of Wahle Bocht (Walloons Bay): but, by a corruption of this name by the English, it is now known as the Wallabout.
These few families were the founders of the city of Breuk- len (Brooklyn). It is said that Sarah Rapelje, daughter of Joris Rapelje and Catelina Trico, born here in 1625, was the first white child, or Christian born, in New Netherlands.
The Dutch government continued in this colony to 1664,* a period of about fifty years, when it became, by conquest, an
* The names of the Dutch directors or governors, were as follows : The first was Cornelius Jacobsen Mey. Served from 1623 to 1624. One year. The second was William Verhulst. Served from 1621 to 1625. One year. The third was Peter Minuit, called governor, from 1625 to 1633. Eight years. The fourth was Wouter Van Iwiller. Served from 1633 to 1638. Five years. The fifth was William Keift. Served from 1638 to 1647. Nine years.
The sixth, and last, was Peter Stuyvesant. Served from 1617 to September 8, 1664. Seventeen years.
Sec E. B. O'Callaghan's History of New Netherlands; also see John Romeyn Brodhead's History of State of New York.
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