USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Historical collections: containing I. The Reformation in France; the rise, progress and destruction of the Huguenot Church. Vol I > Part 15
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" However superior to me, in general knowledge and experience, the respectable body of this house may be, yet I claim to know more of America than most of you, having seen and been conversant in that country.
" The people, I believe, are as truly loyal as any subjects the king has, but a people jealous of their liberties, and who will vindicate them if ever they should be violated. But the subject is too delicate : I will say no more."
Although this speech of Colonel Barre has often been quoted, it is entitled to a place here.
Colonel Barre was an officer in the French war for the con- quest of the Canadas, and was with General James Wolfe at the siege and capture of Quebec in the memorable battle on the Plains of Abraham, on the 14th of August, 1759, and pres- ent at the death of that brave officer at that place, he himself being wounded.
After the surrender of Montreal, September 8, 1760, Colonel Barre was appointed bearer of dispatches from Lord Amherst, announcing the event to Lord Chatham. He occupies a prom- inent position in Benjamin West's great painting of "The Death of Wolfe."
The original building was but half the width of the present one, and but two stories high. The hall could contain but about 1,000 persons. In the memorable fire of Tuesday, January 13, 1761, Faneuil Hall was destroyed, and nothing left standing but the walls. On the 23d of March following, the town voted to rebuild, and the State authorized a lottery to meet the expenses. The lottery tickets were of several classes, bearing date, March, 1767, and had upon them the bold name of John Hancock. Fancuil Hall retained the origi-
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nal size given it by Mr. Faneuil until 1806, when the increase of population required its enlargement ; its width was now in- creased from forty feet, its original width, to eighty, with a third story added, the length being one hundred feet. The grasshopper vane, like that placed upon the spire of the cupola by Mr. Faneuil, is still retained. Peter Faneuil died, March 3, 1743.
At the next meeting of the inhabitants in the hall, March 14, following, a funeral oration was delivered by Mr. John Lovell, master of the South Grammar School.
This oration is inserted in full, in the " History of Boston" by Dr. Snow,* and was the first specimen of eloquence uttered in the hall ; as a tribute due to the memory of Mr. Faneuil, and as a relic of past history, it has thus been preserved.
Gabriel Bernon having filled so conspicuous a position connected with this early French plantation, it seems proper that something further should be related of his character and acts during his after life, while residing in Rhode Island ; also, some further explanation concerning his family connections.
Quoting again from Dr. Holmes, this name is mentioned by Baron La Hautan, as of Rochelle.t
" The merchant that has carried on the greatest trade in Canada, is Sieur Samuel Bernon, of Rochelle. He has great warehouses at Quebec, from which the inhabitants of the other towns are supplied with such commodities as they want."
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 Hautan'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 1692." See Translation, vol. III, p. 286.
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Hautan 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 mueh damage to the kingdom by earrying 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 eonvineed that if they had received positive assurance of enjoying liberty of con- seience, a great many of them would have made no seruple to go thither.
"If the Council of State had followed my seheme, in the space of thirty or forty years New France would have beeome 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 mueh, sinec 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 eon- tinually 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. Lce, 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 CHURCH, 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,
" SHEWETII, -
" 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, Pierre Ayrould, Isaac Martindale,
William Brinley,
Thomas Fox,
Robert Gardiner,
George Cuttler, William Pease, Thomas Mallett,
Thomas Paine,
Edwin Carter, Robert Wrightington,
Franklin Pope, Anthony Blount,
Richard Newland, Thomas Lillibridge."
This petition was delivered at Newport, 26th September,
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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 Honcyman was sent out as a missionary to this station, upon the petition of the wardens of Trinity church to that society for aid. Meanwhile, Rev. Mr. Lockyer, who had gathered the church early in 1690, 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.
12
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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 classies to Harvard eollege. 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 magnifieent 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 ealled 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 residenee), have become noted places of resort for visitors.
Here he wrote his " Alciphron; 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 Janies 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, Produeing subjects worthy fame.
In happy climes, where, from the genial sun And virgin earth fresh scenes ensue, The force of art by nature seems outdone, And fancied beauties by the true.
In happy climes, the seat of innocence, Where nature guides and virtue 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.
He 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- dence.
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 aeeomplishing 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 remembranee; 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 esteemed 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 free 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 see 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 Seotch 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 indueed, in 1758, to accompany Dean Berkeley to America, and, on the failure of the benevolent seheme 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- membrances 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
* Sce S. G. Arnold's History of Rhode Island, vol. II, 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
+ Clement Marot was born at Cahors, 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.
# Sec 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 flight to this land, was their first pastor. The Rev. Daniel Bondet was their second minister. See Huguenots 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 Hasbrouck, 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 religious worship and school for their children. This house was built of logs. In this rude structure they first enjoyed that sacred right-religious liberty-for which they had made so great a sacrifice.
Their determination to possess freedom in matters of faith, is beautifully expressed in " The Huguenot'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 deeay, Their banners to the dust ; I go, and only bear away Their old majestie name-a solemn 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 quenehless lamp, To shine unwavering through the open skies.
And song sliall 'midst the rocks be heard, And fearless prayer aseend ; 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! whenee lawless power Hath rent the tie of love to native earth.
Perish ! let death-like silenee fall, Upon the lone abode ; Spread fast, dark ivy-spread thy pall ! I go up to the mountains, with my God."
The early 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 Louis Bevier.
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The first entry in the record is an account of the organiza- tion, which reads as follows :
" January 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 .*
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