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Gc 974.702 N422diy pt.2 1808891
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 1520
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofparisho02dixm 0
-
E Distory
of the
parish of Trinity Church in the City of new York V. 2
Compiled by order of the Corporation
and Edited by Morgan Dit, S.T.D., D.C.I. Aintb Rector
Part 11 To the close of the Rectorsbip of Dr. Moore, A. D. 1816
Rew Dork G. D. Putnam's Sons The Minicherbocher press 1901
93
1808891
Of this Letter=press Edition 750 Copies have been printed for Sale
G .. Petranas Sous
Appointed Rector April 2 nd, 1984.Consecrated Bishop of Your Work, 1787. Resigned the Rectorship . November 1st. 1810.
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE TRANSITION PERIOD
PAGE I Election of Mr. Benjamin Moore-Dissatisfaction of the Whig Episco- palians and their Proceedings to Annul the Election-Request for a Con- ference-Its Result-Proposals Decided by the Vestry-The Council for the Temporary Government of the Southern Part of the State-The Petition of the Whig Members-Extraordinary Action of the Vestry- Coalition Proposed-Rectorship to be Abolished-Proposal Declined by the Whigs-Property of Corporation Vested in Trustees by Act of Council-Arrival of Samuel Provoost-Appointed Rector by Trustees- Notification to Mr. Moore-Mr. Moore's Reply.
CHAPTER II.
THE SETTLEMENT OF THE PARISH . 20
A Great Danger Averted-Results of the Proposal to Abolish the Rec- torship -- Ordinance of January 12, 1784-Act of February 17, 1784- Petition for Confirmation of Wardens and Vestrymen-Names of Pe- titioners-Election and Induction of Mr. Samuel Provoost-Strong Oppo- sition to Legislative Action-Attempt at Secession-Petition for the Separate Use of One of the Chapels of the Parish - Failure of the Movement.
iii
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Contents
Resolution of the House of Assembly to Examine into the Title of the King's Farm-Report of Committee-Resolutions of the House Adverse to the Corporation of Trinity Church-Resolution of the Corporation- Letter of the Rector to the President of the Senate-Memorial and Re- monstrance from the Vestry to House of Assembly-Presented to the Senate and Lower House-Report of Committee of House of Assembly on the Memorial - Vote of the House - " Some Remarks on the Memorial."
CHAPTER IX.
THE BOGARDUS CLAIMANTS
93
Brief Review of the Position of the Claimants-Their Petition to the Council for the Government of the Southern Part of New York State- Petition Rejected - Attempt to Intimidate Lessees - Formal Notice Issued by Trustees of Trinity Corporation-Counter-Statement of Claim- ants-Special Committee Appointed by Corporation -- Notice Issued by Bogardus Heirs-Corporation Employ Counsel-Claimants Invade and Erect Fence on Church Lands - Protest of Claimants against Sale of Church Lands-Balthazer de Hart-His Discovery and its Effect- Summary by Mr. Nash-Discomfiture of the Claimants.
CHAPTER X.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN CHURCH · IO2
Convention of Clergy and Lay Delegates in 1784-Action of Trinity Vestry -- Convention in New York, 1786-Convention in Philadelphia, 1786 - Motions Relating to Bishop Seabury's Ordinations - Rcasons for Provoost's Opposition to Seabury's Standing-Ordination by Bishop Seabury in New York, and by Bishop Provoost in Rhode Island-Elec- tion of Dr. Provoost to the See of New York-His Passage Monies Voted by the Corporation-Departure for England-Comments of the English Press- Provoost's Letter to his Wife - His Presentation to George III .- His Consecration-Letter from Dr. Inglis-Return to
PAGE
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Contents
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America - Bishop Provoost's Serious Illness - Reasons for Believing
PAGE Bishop Provoost to have been First Consecrated Examined.
CHAPTER XI.
BISHOP PROVOOST'S EPISCOPATE . 117 ·
Regrettable Absence of Diocesan Records-Disappearance of Bishop Provoost's Books and MSS .- Julien Xavier Chabert-Bishop's Book- plate and Seal-First Convention of Diocese of New York-Address to the Bishop -- His Reply-His First Ordination-Joseph Grove John Bend and Richard Channing Moore-The Bishop's First Confirmation-First Or- dination in State of New Jersey-Resolution of the Vestry Relating to the Incorporation of Connecticut in the General Convention-Vetoed by the Bishop as not Safeguarding Rights of Laity-Instruction to New York Delegates-General Convention in Philadelphia, 1789-Seabury Admitted-Lay Representation Guarantecd-Address to Washington- His Reply-Inauguration of Washington as President-Gencral Con- vention in New York, 1792-Provoost Unites in Consecration of Bishops Claggett, Smith, Bass, Jarvis, and Hobart.
CHAPTER XII.
THE REBUILDING OF TRINITY CHURCH .
133
Rebuilding Decided on- Lots to be Sold - Suggestion to Raise Funds by Way of Annuity-Proposals for Rebuilding Advertised-Laying of Foundation Stone - Inscription on Stone-Comments of the Press- Description of the Church-Pews set Aside-Sale of Pews-Terms of Purchase - Permission to Transfer Pews - Purchase of Font, Prayer- Books, Bell, and Organ-Consecration of Trinity Church-Erection of Commemorative Slab-Gift of Lustres-Gift of Sounding-Board to St. Peter's, Westchester-Clock and Bells Ordered-Their Arrival.
CHAPTER XIII.
GLEANINGS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE CORPORATION AND CON- TEMPORARY NEWSPAPERS
141
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Contents
Monument to General Montgomery-Alterations in St. Paul's Gallery - Subscription for Payment of Assistant Clergy-Clerk at St. George's Deficient in Psalmody-Naming New Streets-Proposal from S. P. G. to Convey Lands at Fort Hunter to Corporation-Cost of Sinking a Well-Copies of Ogden's Antidote to Deism and Watson's Apology for the Bible Purchased for Distribution - Arrival of the Church Bells- Forbidden to be Rung-Gift of Small Bell to St. Mark's-Fire on St. Paul's Steeple-Reward for Extinguishing it-Ways and Means against Fire-Regulation of Clocks in the City - Minutes of the Vestry on Washington's Death-Charity Sermons-Corporation for Relief of Widows and Children of the Clergy - Marriage Notices - Notable Funerals-Subscription for New Organ for St. Paul's-Parade at the Burnt Church-Musical Performance by Mr. Blagrove-Yellow Fever in New York-Discovery of Vault at Fort Hunter-Anniversary of Inde- pendence, 1790-Arrival of Bishop Madison -Ordination by Bishop Provoost-Medical Graduation, Columbia College -- Marriage of Dr. Pilmore-Dr. Provoost Appointed Chaplain of the House-Georgite Bishops Criticised-Buonaparte a Connecticut Man.
PAGE
CHAPTER XIV.
DR. PROVOOST'S RECTORSHIP
155
Increase of Salaries of all the Clergy-Grants to Needy Clergy Else- where-Aid to Promotion of Religion throughout the State-Grants to Parishes and Congregations-Cases of Flushing and Hudson-Total of Grants in 1798-Grants to be Considered as Endowments-Wisdom of Corporation-Grants to Roman Catholic Church-Offer from Mr. Stuyvesant for Building a Church-Response by Corporation-Erection of St. Mark's Parish-Consecration of St. Mark's-Further Grants to it from Trinity-Centennial of St. Mark's-in-the-Bowery.
. CHAPTER XV.
CLOSE OF DR. PROVOOST'S RECTORSHIP .
· 162
Petition in Favor of Rev. Joseph Pilmore-His Popularity-His Ante-
1
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Contents
cedents-Opposition of the Vestry-Their Election of Rev. John Bisset- Dissatisfaction of Mr. Pilmore's Friends-Erection of Christ Church- Displeasure of Trinity Corporation-Their Resolution-Reason for their Displeasure-Election of Delegates by Christ Church-Not Admitted at Conventions-Settlement of the Controversy-Resignation of Mr. Bisset -Election of John Henry Ilobart-His Letter of Acceptance-Ratifica- tion of this Election-Resignation of Rectorship by Dr. Provoost- Action of Corporation-Annuity Voted-Deed of Resignation-Election of Dr. Moore-Death of Mrs. Provoost-Resignation by Dr. Provoost of his Bishopric-Letter of Resignation-Action of the House of Bishops -Assertion of Canonical Right to Jurisdiction by Dr. Provoost-Action of New York Convention-IIis Death-Comments of the Press-ITis Funeral-Terms of his Will-His Character-Attainments and Influence -Portrait of-Memorials to.
CHAPTER XVI.
DR. MOORE'S RECTORSHIP .
178
Benjamin Moore's Birth and Ancestry-Graduates at King's College- Proceeds to England for Ordination-Ordained Deacon and Priest- Elected Assistant Minister-His Marriage-President of Columbia Col- lege-Regent of University of New York-Elected Rector 1783-Con- secrated Bishop-Doors of Church to be Closed during Elections-Mr. Cave Jones Elected Assistant Minister-Institution of Society for Ad- vancement of Religion and Learning-Election of Trustees for it and Grant of Lots - Benefactions to Rev. R. G. Whitmore- Grants to Assistant Ministers-Distribution of Hobart's Companion to the Altar - Parochial Statistics for 1803-4-Election of Rev. N. Bowen as Assistant -and of Rev. Thomas Y. How-Donation to Miss Seabury-Bishop Moore Struck by Paralysis-Appoints Dr. Beach as his Assistant.
CHAPTER XVII.
TRINITY THE MOTHER OF CHURCHES . . . 186 Policy of Dr. Provoost Continued - Beginnings of St. John's Chapel
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Contents
1
-- Room ncar Brannon Street-Location in Hudson Street Selected- Plans for New Church Adopted-Work Stopped Owing to Insecure Foundation-Site Changed to that on Hudson Square-Description of Site-Church Consecrated-Cost of Church-Beginnings of Grace Church -Committee Appointed to Select a Site-Purchase of Property from Luthcrans-Deputation from Grace Church - Gift of an Organ-St. George's Chapel Set off as a Parish-Questions Propounded by St. George's Congregation-Assurance Given by Corporation-Endowed by Trinity-Destroyed by Fire-Rebuilt by the Corporation-Cost of Re- building-Endowment of St. Stephen's Church-Application from the Romanists-From the Frce School-Endowment of Christ Church --- Grant to Miss Scabury-To the New York Society Library-Expendi- tures for 1809-10.
PAGE
CHAPTER XVIII.
JOHN HENRY HOBART. . . ·
. 197
Continuation of Provoost's Policy by Dr. Beach-Evidences of a New Policy-John Henry Hobart-His Birth and Ancestry-Early Education -Graduates at Princeton-Becomes Tutor-Ordained Deacon-Takes Charge of Christ Church, Oxford, and All Saints', Perkiomen-Called as Assistant Minister, St. Paul's, Philadelphia-Declines the Call -- Accepts Christ Church, New Brunswick-Resigns and Accepts St. George's, Hempstead-His Marriage-Called as Assistant Minister, Trinity Parisli -Moves to New York-The Hobart MSS .- Letter to Motlicr-Love of Declamation-Delivers Oration at Princeton-Expenses at Princeton -Warm Friendships Formed-His Character and Disposition at College -Death of Abraham Skinner-Character of his Mother's Letters- Restlessness of Young Hobart - Announces his Engagement to his Mother-Moves to Hempstead-Is Dissatisfied-Prudent Advice from his Mother-Hobart's Straitened Circumstances-Call to Trinity Parish -Letter from Dr. Moore-Has Confidence of Bishop Provoost-Moves to New York-Early Character and Disposition.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE CAVE JONES CONTROVERSY .
209
Contents
Bishop Moore asks for a Coadjutor-Mr. Cave Jones Issues his Solemn Appeal-Character of Mr. Jones-Estimation of by Trinity Corporation -Title of Appeal-Apologies from Dr. Hobart-Disagreement between Dr. Hobart and Mr. Jones-In Regard to Duties of Standing Committee -Publication of Books-Reconciliation between them-Fresh Dis- agreements-Smallness of Charges Made in the Appeal-Mr. Cave Jones Debarred from Holy Communion-Just Summary of Controversy in A Word in Season-Succession of Pamphlets-Blame on Both Sides- Action of the Corporation-Their Resolutions-Matter Left to Arbitra- tion-Report of Committee on State of Church-Its Recommendations -Terms of Award-Agreed to by Both Sides-Appointment by the President of Mr. Jones as Chaplain-His Death.
CHAPTER XX.
CLOSE OF DR. MOORE'S RECTORSHIP .
Rapid Advancement of Dr. Hobart-Elected Secretary to Dioccsan Convention-Deputy to General Convention-Secretary to the House of Deputies -- Doctor of Divinity - Trustee of Columbia College - Consecrated Bishop-Coadjutor -- Circumstances Attending his Conse- cration -- Resignation of Dr. Beach-Nomination of Dr. Hobart as Assistant Rector-Terms of Engagement of Assistant Ministers Altered -Election of William Berrian and Benjamin T. Onderdonk-Appli- cation for Increase of Salaries from the Clergy - Resolution of the Board-Voting for Wardens and Vestrymen-Action of Christ Church- Letters from Zion Church and St. Mark's Church-Act to Alter Name of Corporation Passed-Literary Activities of Dr. Hobart-List of Works Published - Controversies with Dr. Linn and Dr. Mason - Edits Churchman's Magazine-Establishes the New York Bible and Prayer Book Society - The Protestant Episcopal Tract Society - Preaches at the Consecration of Trinity Church, Newark - Character of Hobart's Correspondence, 1800-1816 - Precis of the Minutes of the Corporation-Death of Bishop Provoost-Death of Bishop Moore- Resolutions of the Vestry-Character and Appearance of Bishop Moore
xi PAGE
228
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Contents
-Clement C. Moore-Election of Dr. Hobart as Seventh Rector-
PAGE Conclusion.
APPENDIX.
I .- THE CONTEST FOR TIIE RECTORSHIP . 245
II .- PETITION FOR CONFIRMATION OF CERTAIN WARDENS · 254
AND VESTRYMEN ·
.
·
III .- PETITION OF THE OLD VESTRY AND THEIR FRIENDS FOR THE ENDOWMENT OF A SEPARATE CHURCH . 257 .
IV .- ORDINATION OF SAMUEL PROVOOST TO THE DIACONATE 265
V .- ORDINATION OF SAMUEL PROVOOST TO THE PRIESTHOOD 265
VI .- RELATING TO DR. PROVOOST'S RESIDENCE AT EAST · 266 . . .
CAMP · .
VII .- A LIST OF THE MS. SERMONS BY DR. PROVOOST KNOWN TO BE IN EXISTENCE . . . ·
. 268
VIII .- RESOLUTION AND REPORT OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY ON TITLE TO KING'S FARM . 285
IX .- A HISTORY OF THE TITLE TO KING'S FARM AND THE LITIGATION THEREON .
· .- 293
. X .- DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE CONSECRATION OF DR. PROVOOST AS FIRST BISHOP OF NEW YORK . 3II
XI .- NOTES ON THE BOOKS FORMERLY IN THE POSSESSION OF BISHOP PROVOOST, BUT NOW BELONGING TO GEN- ERAL JAMES GRANT WILSON · 317
. XII .- ORDINATION OF BENJAMIN MOORE TO THE DIACONATE AND PRIESTHOOD . . 319
XIII .- PAMPHLETS IN THE CAVE JONES CONTROVERSY · . 320 XIV .- A CONTEMPORARY ACCOUNT OF THE CONSECRATION OF GRACE CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK 323
Contents
xiii -Xiv
PAGE
XV .- BISHOP SEABURY'S "INTRUSION " AT HEMPSTEAD, N. Y.,
A.D. 1785, AND BISHOP PROVOOST'S "INTRUSION "
AT NARRAGANSETT, R. I., A. D. 1792 . . 325
XVI .- LIST OF WORKS REFERRED TO IN PART II. 333
XVII .- INDEX ·
. 337
The List of Churches and Parishes aided by Trinity Corpora- tion, referred to on page 160 of the text, will be given in Part III. of this History ; it being thought more desirable to bring the list down to a later date than that of Dr. Provoost's rectorship.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
THE RT. REV. SAMUEL PROVOOST, D.D. . Frontispiece
SIGNATURES TO THE PETITION OF THE OLD VESTRY AND THEIR
FRIENDS FOR THE ENDOWMENT OF A SEPARATE CHURCH 28
BOOK PLATES OF DR. PROVOOST ·
I 20
THE SECOND TRINITY CHURCH, BUILT IN 1788 138 ·
THE RT. REV. BENJAMIN MOORE, D.D.
. 178
ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL 188 .
GRACE CHURCH, BROADWAY 192
INTERIOR OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL
.
222
THE RT. REV. JOHN HENRY HOBART, D.D.
·
230
MAP SHOWING LOTS IN EAST CAMP .
· 266
XV - Xvi
INTRODUCTORY.
N taking in hand to write a history of the great and ancient Parish of Trinity Church, in the City of New York, I decided to cast my work into separate parts as might be needed ; of these, Part First was completed and published in the year 1898. It embraced the Pre-Revolu- tionary period, from the date of the Charter, May 6, 1697, to that of the end of the Rectorship of the Rev. Charles Inglis, D.D., fourth in the line of Rectors, who resigned that office at the close of the war, when the British forces evacuated the city, in 1783. I now proceed to Part Second, which will constitute the second volume. It be- gins with the year 1783, and ends with 1816, including the Rectorships of Bishop Provoost and Bishop Moore, and ending with the date on which Bishop Hobart was elected to the office. Part Third, when completed, will cover the rectorial terms of Bishop Hobart and Dr. Wil- liam Berrian, my immediate predecessor ; and there my labors as historian of the Parish will end.
The period now before us is interesting on many accounts, and particularly because of the character, policy, and methods of the chief actors on the stage of events. They were three of the most eminent men of their time ; I say three, for although this volume ends when the Rec-
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Introductory
torship of Hobart begins, he had been Assistant Minister and Assistant Rector during the last sixteen of the years included in the narrative ; this volume will, therefore, con- tain an anticipative sketch of his preparation for what was to follow. Provoost, Moore, and Hobart, each Bishop of the Diocese as well as Rector of Trinity, have left their imprint on the annals of the Church, although they dif- fered greatly in character, policy, and aims. Each had a - special work to do; and each was called of God at the time when he was needed in a large design.
In one of the sacristies at the northwest corner of Trinity Church there is a Memorial, consisting of an altar tomb, and a window above it in colored glass, commemo- rating the first four Bishops of the Diocese of New York. On the altar slab below lies the effigy of the fourth Bishop, Benjamin Tredwell Onderdonk ; the window back of the niche has three compartments, in which appear the figures of the first, second, and third of the line. The painter has conveyed, with skill and happy effect, some general ideas suggested by the life and acts of the three prelates. Bishop Provoost bears in the left hand a little image of a ship, reminding us of his voyages across the stormy sea to obtain the grace of the Apostolic Episcopate in England. His right feebly holds the pastoral staff, slanting as though about to fall from the tired hand; for long before his death he had lost, by illness and weakness, the power to rule his diocese, and was compelled to spend his closing years in retirement from the scene of public affairs. Bishop Moore, mild of countenance, raises the right hand in the act of benediction ; an appropriate gesture in one remarkable for sanctity of life and the calming influences exerted on the age and the Church. The third, Bishop Hobart, challenges attention by an air of resolution and a piercing gaze forward ; moreover, he handles his episcopal
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Introductory
staff as a warrior would a weapon, holding it firmly if his grasp, and seeming to strike the ground therewith, as if to bruise the head of God's enemies and rule them with a rod of iron. Such are the idealized pictures of the three men whose actions we are about to note; each correct as a portrait, and true to life, if we may judge by compari- son with the authentic representations of them in an interesting collection of paintings in the sacristy of Trinity Chapel, from which the limner in colored glass probably copied them ; and each thoroughly characteristic of the manners and disposition of the men.
The period covered in this portion of my work pre- sents material for careful study by those who have time and a mind for more full investigation. The fortunes of the Parish are intimately connected with those of the gen- eral Church throughout the United States. The transi- tion from the old colonial existence to that of freedom from foreign rule, and the independence of a sovereign na- tion ; the dangerous passage through a tideway abounding with rocks on which the ship of the Church might easily have been wrecked ; the consolidation of isolated Dioceses under a general Constitution ; the frequent battles for right and undisturbed possession of the Estate and Endowments of the Corporation ; the erection of new churches as the parish grew; the call of priests to offices in the cleri- cal staff, and their conduct in their several positions ; the management of a great and sacred trust by the Vestry ; the histories of the several Rectors, with such memoranda of their forbears as might serve for illustration ; questions involving the rights of parishioners and the status of con- gregations forming one by one under the wing of the Mother of Churches ; contentions of more or less impor- tance, some ephemeral, and some running into prolonged and pernicious controversy ; the manners of citizens, the
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Introductory
progress of the town from a little place to proportions never dreamed of by the founders or the public ; these are among the matters to be treated of in our ensuing chap- ters. And I venture to say that he who, in a Christian habit of mind, and with candor, will peruse the narrative of those thirty-three years, must acknowledge that the Hand of an overruling Providence is distinctly seen at work for the defence of His Church and the benefit of His people.
My own labors in the preparation of this volume have been lightened by the aid of the Rev. Arthur Lowndes, D.D., by whom the material was collected, arranged, and prepared for editorial handling. Without such assistance I should have been unable to carry on the plan of compil- ing a complete history of the Parish without very long de- lays; nor then, perhaps, before the arrival of that inevitable hour when no man can work. He has been indefatigable in his researches among our Records in the Church Office ; in the libraries of the City ; in the State Library at Al- bany ; in other American cities, and in England. In put- ting this material into shape for publication, I have been grateful for the intelligence, care, and perseverance ex- hibited by Dr. Lowndes, and sensible of obligations which it gives me pleasure to acknowledge.
And now this volume is given to those whom it may . interest from the press of the Messrs. George P. Putnam's Sons, to whom I am indebted for the admirable manner in which they have done their part of the work ; in the hope that the history of our venerable Parish may justify the claim to the confidence and regard of the Church, and particularly of those in other parishes who look back to her from their own places as we are wont to do, with kindly recollection of friend and father's friend ; as we look to a power which was the stay of the house-
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hold of faith in critical years long since past, and is to-day keeping up the worship of Almighty God and the dignity of religion where every other visible symbol of the Church of Christ has disappeared ; still holding out hands to the dwellers in the desolate places, and still telling of the Love of the Father, the Passion of the Son, and the Life- giving Grace of the Holy Ghost ; to whom be glory and honor evermore.
TRINITY RECTORY, Eve of the Purification,
February 1, 1900.
A HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF TRINITY CHURCH
CHAPTER I.
THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
Election of Mr. Benjamin Moore-Dissatisfaction of the Whig Episcopalians and their Proceedings to Annul the Election-Request for a Conference-Its Result- Proposals Decided by the Vestry-The Council for the Temporary Government of the Southern Part of the State-The Petition of the Whig Members -- Extraordinary Action of the Vestry-Coalition Proposed-Rectorship to be Abolished-Proposal Declined by the Whigs-Property of Corporation Vested in Trustecs by Act of Council-Arrival of Samuel Provoost-Appointed Rector by Trustees-Notification to Mr. Moore-Mr. Moore's Reply.
O period in the history of our venerable Parish was fraught with greater danger than that of the transi- tion from the old to the new, in the years 1783-4. The ship was sailing in a narrow channel with reefs on either hand. Churchmen in the province were arranged in two parties, and these parties were in opposition ; each deeply in earnest, each strongly attached to the Church, but dif- fering entirely as to the course which ought to be taken. A stiff controversy was in progress for many months, happily without breach of Christian courtesy on either side ; and what strikes us forcibly is the fact that the men in sympathy with the Revolution, presumably likely to form a radical party, were actually the more conservative, while the proposition which, if adopted, would have led to VOL. II .- 1
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History of Trinity Church
[1783
the ecclesiastical defacement of the Parish, and, eventually, to a troublesome and pernicious schism, came from those who had been in power during the English domination. The story is a long one, and somewhat involved; but its importance justifies a detail of the circumstances more full than I have noted in any of our church histories to the present day.
On the 3d of November, 1783, the treaty was signed, . in Paris, by which His Britannic Majesty acknowledged the independence of the United States, relinquished all claim to their government, and consented to treat with them as a free and independent people. On the 25th day of November, in the same year, the British forces evacuated the City of New York.
It will be remembered that Dr. Inglis resigned the Rectorship of Trinity Church on the first day of that month, and that the Corporation, deeming it important that no time should be lost in appointing his successor, met the same day, and elected the Rev. Benjamin Moore to fill the vacancy. In the minutes their action is stated as follows :
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