USA > New York > New York City > History of Trinity Church and its grave yard > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Gc 974.702 N422po 1510683
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
3
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01150 3189
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyoftrinity00poll_0
TRINITY CHURCH AND MARTYR'S MONUMENT.
HISTORY
OF
TRINITY CHURCH
AND ITS
-
(
GRAVE YARD.
1
-
F
ILLUSTRATED.
-
BY
ALLAN POLLOCK.
-
NEW YORK :
PUBLISHED BY ALLAN POLLOCK. 1880.
0
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, by ALLAN POLLOCK, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C.
P. ECKLER, Printer, 35 Fulton St., N. Y.
1510683
HISTORY OF
Trinity Church and Church Ward.
TRINITY CHURCH.
IN 1674 New York was conveyed by Holland to Great Britain by treaty, and the Episcopalians resumed their worship, which had been temporarily suspended, in the old Dutch Church within the Battery.
In 1695 the Legislature, upon the petition of the Wardens and Vestrymen of the City of New York, declared it to be their opinion that the Church Wardens and Vestrymen have power to call a dis- senting Protestant minister, and that he is to be paid and maintained as the law directs.
In 1696 Governor Fletcher arrived in New York, and among the first acts of his administration was the erection of Trinity Church. This was com- menced in 1696.
In 1697 the Legislature granted to Trinity Church the Church and steeple lately built, together with a piece or parcel of ground adjoining thereto and bordering upon Broadway. The title given to it
4
TRINITY CHURCH.
by charter was the same as that borne by the Church at this period, viz .: "The Parish of Trinity Church."
As soon as the Church had obtained its charter, active measures were adopted for the completion of the Church. The Church Wardens and other authorities of the Church were directed to cause an estimate to be made of the cost of finishing the Church and steeple, and procuring a clock, and one or more bells, with other requisites, and a conven- ient house for the rector. A tax was to be levied, payable in seven years, in twenty-eight quarterly installments. The amount collected up to May Ist, 1701, was £312, 13S. 7d., together with £5, 12S. 3d., a contribution received from the Jews. This amount was raised to build the steeple; funds had been furnished previously for the completion of the Church. This amount was obtained by free gifts. The first Church was originally a small square building. It was somewhat in the Gothic style of architecture. The tower was at the western end and faced the Hudson or North River, overlooking the expanse of that beautiful stream. In it the Governor and royal dignitaries attended divine worship. It was completed, dedicated, and the first sermon de- livered in it by the Rev. Dr. Vesey, on the 6th of February, 1697.
Trinity Church at that period had a long cemetery on each side, enclosed on the front by a painted paling fence. Before it a long walk was railed off from Broadway. The building was about 148 feet long, including the tower and chancel, and 22 feet
5
TRINITY CHURCH.
in breadth. The steeple was 175 feet in height, and over the door facing the river was the following inscription :
PER ANGUSTAM
Hoc Trinitatis Templum fundatum est anno regni illustrissimi, Supremi, Domini Gulielmi, tertii, Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotia, Franciæ et Hibernia Regis, Fidei Defensoris, etc. Octavo Annoq: Domini, 1696.
Ac voluntariâ quorundam contributione et Donis Aedificicatum maximè autem, dilecti Regis Chili- archæ Benjamini Fletcher hujus Provinciæ strategi et Imperatoris Munificentia animatum et auctum, cujus tempore moderaminis hujus Civitatis incolæ, Religionem protestantem Ecclesia Anglicanæ, ut secundum Legem nunc stabilitæ profitentes quodam Diplomate sub Sigillo Provincia incorporati sunt, atque alias Plurimas ex Re sua familiari, Dona- tiones notabiles eidem dedit.
This being Anglicised reads as follows :
" This Trinity Church was founded in the eighth year of the reign of the Most Illustrious Sovereign Lord William the Third, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc., and in the year of our Lord, 1696; and built by the voluntary contributions and gifts of some persons, and chiefly encouraged and promoted by the bounty of his Excellency, Col. Benjamin Fletcher, Captain General and Governor-in-chief of this Province," etc.
The head of the chancel was adorned with an altar-piece, and opposite to it, at the other end of the building, was the organ. The tops of the pillars which supported the galleries, was decked with the gilt busts of winged angels. From the ceiling were
6
TRINITY CHURCH.
suspended two glass branches, and on the walls hung the arms of some of the principal benefactors ; among these a conspicuous place was given to Governor Fletcher, and the same inscription was placed under them as that which has been noticed above the door of the Church.
0
FIRST TRINITY CHURCH, 1740.
This building was enlarged in 1735, and again in 1737. It was destroyed by fire during the great conflagration, September 21st, 1776.
Trinity Church was rebuilt in 1788, and con- secrated in 1791 by Bishop Provost. It was quite a handsome building-was built of stone and had a steeple on the eastern end. The entrance was
7
TRINITY CHURCH.
also on the east, which was ornamented with a neat circular portico. Over the top of the door- way a tablet was placed, containing the following inscription :
" D. O. M.
TRINITY CHURCH
WAS FIRST FOUNDED IN THE YEAR 1696, ENLARGED AND BEAUTIFIED IN 1737,
AND ENTIRELY DESTROYED IN THE GREAT CONFLAGRATION OF THE CITY, SEPT. 21, 1776. THIS BUILDING WAS
ERECTED ON THE SITE OF THE FORMER CHURCH, IN THE YEAR 1788.
RIGHT REV, SAMUEL PROVOST, D. D., RECTOR. JAMES DUANE AND JOHN JAY, CHURCH WARDENS.
This building being considered as insecure, it was demolished during the spring and autumn of 1839, to make room for the present magnificent structure. The new Church was commenced in the autumn of the same year, and was completed and consecrated on the 21st of May, 1846.
8
TRINITY CHURCH.
The present structure is built entirely of New Jersey brown stone ; the roof only excepted. It is 190 feet long, 80 feet wide, and, with its spire, is 284 feet in height. That part of the tower to which visitors are permitted to climb, is 198 feet or 308 steps, and commands one of the finest views in New York. The architect of the building was Richard Upjohn.
The cost of the present structure, including the organ, additional bells, etc., was $358,629.94. The chimes of Trinity are not surpassed by any in this country, if in the world. It consists of eight bells, all of which were cast in London. There is also a larger one, cast by Mennely, of Troy, N. Y., which was cast in 1846. It weight is said to be 8,200 lbs., and is large enough for five ordinary sized men to stand inside of the bell.
In 1703 Trinity Church was enriched by Queen Anne, of England, by a donation of that portion of land bordered by Rector Street, Broadway, Fulton Street, and the shores of the Hudson River. The same year the corporation of New York conveyed to the Church the old grave-yard situated where the Church was built, on condition that the Church should keep the fence in repair, and charge no more for interments than 3s. for adults, and Is. 6d. for all persons under 12 years of age.
In 1705 an additional donation was received from Queen Anne, of that large tract of land lying be- tween Fulton Street, Broadway, Skinner's road, (now Christopher Street,) and the shores of the Hudson River.
9
TRINITY CHURCH.
In 1813 all burials were prohibited below Canal Street. In 1851 the corporation of New York passed an ordinance prohibiting any burials in the city, south of 86th Street, except in private vaults and cemeteries. Notwithstanding these restrictions, it is said that there are several interments in Trinity Church-yard every year.
In early days every church in New York had a grave-yard connected with the church building. In 1822 there were 23 grave-yards south of the City Hall.
The following is a list of the Bishops of the Dio- cese of New York :
RIGHT REV. SAMUEL PROVOST, D. D., conse- crated February 8th, 1787, died September 6th, 1815.
RIGHT REV. BENJAMIN MOORE, D. D., conse- crated September 11th, 1801, died February 27th, 1816.
RIGHT REV. J. HENRY HOBART, D. D., conse- crated May 29th, 1811, died May 29th, 1830.
RIGHT REV. BENJAMIN T. ONDERDONK, D. D., consecrated November 26th, 1830, died April 30th, 1861.
RIGHT REV. J. M. WAINWRIGHT, D. D., conse- crated November 10th, 1850, died December 2nd, 1858.
RIGHT REV. HORATIO POTTER, D. D., conse- crated November 12th, 1854.
IO
TRINITY CHURCH.
Rectors of Trinity Church.
REV. WILLIAM VESEY.
REV. HENRY BARCLAY.
REV. CHARLES INGLIS. REV. NATHANIEL AUCHNUTY.
REV. BENJAMIN MOORE.
REV. SAMUEL PROVOST.
REV. JOHN HENRY HOBART.
REV. WILLIAM BERRIEN.
REV. MORGAN DIX.
After the Revolutionary war the salary of the Rector was fixed at £100 per annum, but at the present it is $12,000, with a costly and splendid Rectory.
The Church charges were :
For Funeral services in the Church, I3S. For Funeral services in the Church-yard, 9s. For Marriage in the Parish, I3S. CLERK'S FEES. For attending a Funeral, 5s. 6d. For attending at a Marriage, 6s. 6d. For registering a Christening, 9d. SEXTON'S FEES.
For opening the Church for Marriages, 3s. 6d. Strangers were charged double these rates.
For ringing the bell for a Funeral, 3s.
For every Marriage, 3s. 3d. Strangers to pay double. For making a grave, 6s.
The increase of the income of the Church is now very rapid. In 1847 it was $58,000, but a late report of the Comptroller of the Corporation gives the amount as $500,000 per annum.
II
TRINITY CHURCH.
A curious privilege of former days was that of Burial in the Chancel, which could only be obtained by the payment of a heavy fee. It cost £5 to bury the body of an adult in this sacred precinct; chil- dren above ten years of age, half that price, while all under ten years were allowed admittance at 5s. This was a relic of the old superstition concerning the sanctity of certain spots, and the benefits con- ferred to the souls by such a disposal of the body.
The Grave-yard connected with Trinity Church should not be neglected by the sight-seer. Here is the last resting place of many of the most prominent citizens of New York in its early days-many that have filled high positions in both Church and State. Here are interred the remains of many of the Huguenots or Walloons, that fled (to save their lives) from France on Saint Bartholomew's day, when every Protestant was massacred that could be apprehended.
For convenience, we will divide the yard into an upper and lower portion in our description of the attractive points.
We will first describe that portion lying north of the Church.
Trinity Graue Dard.
PROMINENT POINTS-WHERE LOCATED-AND HOW TO FIND THEM.
The first object that attracts our notice on the north side is the
MARTYRS' MONUMENT.
This splendid piece of sculpture is in the corner, near Broadway and Trinity building. It is of brown stone, and is one of the prominent objects of the Church-yard. Under it are the bones of many of those prisoners that suffered and died in the old prison-ships, the old sugar-houses, the Provost Prison, (now the Hall of Record,) and many other points in New York during the Revolutionary war.
Close to this is a singular grave-stone of a dis- tinguished Free Mason. On the head of the stone there are thirteen Masonic cyphers, and below,
" Sacred to the Memory JAMES LESTON. Died 28th September, 1794."
Immediately back of the Leston grave-stone is a very old one with the following inscriptions :*
"Here lyes ye body of Philip Minthorn, aged 78 years, decd Dec. ye 25th, 1722."
" Here lyes ye body of Hedegon, wife of Philip Minthorn, aged 55 years, decd Dec. ye 19th, 1725."
* All inscriptions are literal copies from the original tomb or grave stones.
14
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
FIREMEN'S MONUMENT.
This is only a few steps from the grave of James Leston, and was erected by some of the Active Members of Engine Company No. 42, to the mem- ory of six of their companions who were killed (in a great fire) in the performance of their duties.
Following the path on the Broadway side, we come to an old brown stone with the following inscription :
" HERE LYES BENJAMIN GRANT."
A short distance further we see another brown stone with the following inscription-a portion of the name has scaled off.
" HERE LYES THE BODY OF SIDNEY B-,
WHO DIED IN 1767.
MADE BY HIS OWN HAND. HA, SIDNEY, SIDNEY, LYEST THOU HERE?
I, HERE I LYE, TILL TIME IS FLOWN."
Here are also the three oldest grave-stones in the yard.
" Here lyest the bodey of RICHARD CHURCHER, the son of Wm. Churcher, who died 5th day of Aug. 1681, aged 5 years."
There is a very singular piece of sculpture on the back of this stone.
" Here lyeth the body of ANNY CHURCHER, decd May the 14th, 1691, buryed May the 16th, 1691.
Here lyesth the bodey of CHRISTIAN PEL, the wife of Wm. Pel, aged 23, and departed this life the 23d of October, 1692.
15
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
Crossing the path, and near to Broadway, is a large brown tomb-stone, lying upon the surface of the ground. Near the head is an open cavity where originally was a marble tablet with an inscription. This was stolen, and another was substituted made of brass and bolted down to the stone. This was also stolen, and the cavity has since remained open. Below the cavity is cut the name of
CHARLOTTE TEMPLE.
16
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
This unfortunate young lady, who has been known as Charlotte Temple, was descended from the no- bility of G. B., her grandfather being the Duke or Earl of B -. Mrs. Susanna Rowson, in her life of Charlotte and Lucy Temple, has given the lead- ing events connected with her life, which she says were given to her by an aged lady who professed to have been well acquainted with Charlotte, and said they could be relied on. The names as given by Mrs. Rowson are fictitious, for the purpose of saving the feelings of relatives.
The grandfather of Charlotte is called Captain Eldridge, of the British navy, who was married and had a son George, who was killed in a duel, and a daughter named Lucy, (the mother of Charlotte.) She was married to a son of the Earl or Duke of B., and is called W. Temple. They resided near Chichester, and Charlotte attended school in Chi- chester, England. Here she became acquainted with Captain John Montraville, of the British army. He persuaded her to accompany him in his trip to America in 1774, under the promise of marriage, which promise was never fulfilled. After having lived with Captain Montraville in New York for a considerable time, he became acquainted with a Miss Julia Franklin, and they got married. Prior to his marriage he wrote to Charlotte and urged her to return to her parents, telling her he could not comply with his promise as to a marriage. He gave this letter to a Captain Belcour, who kept the money and destroyed the letter. Thus being left destitute, she was turned out of the house with
17
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
nothing on her but her thin clothes, in a severe snow storm. Shelter was given to her by a poor man, whose wife earned her living by taking in washing. Here her daughter Lucy was born, and a few days after, her father, having come on in search of her, found her just as she was on her death-bed. He saw that her remains were interred in Trinity Church-yard, and left for England, taking little Lucy with him. Montraville was passing the grave-yard as the interment was taking place, and hearing how Belcour had treated Charlotte, hunted him up. They fought a duel and Belcour was killed.
The house which Charlotte occupied with Mon- traville, and from which she was driven in a storm, stood at the corner of the Bowery and Pell Street, now No. 20 Bowery. It was afterwards called the " Tree House," from the fact that the last of the forest trees that formerly were on the Bowery was immediately in front of the house. The building, after the publication of the life of Charlotte by Mrs. Rowson, was called the "Temple House." The old building was demolished in 1836, and the present one was erected. This was remodeled and thoroughly repaired in 1879.
Across the path from the grave of Charlotte Temple, are four of the finest executed grave-stones in the yard. That erected to the memory of THOMAS PETTATE is unusually fine, (all but the lettering.)
There is also an old brown grave-stone "erected to the memory of JOHN WOOD, who died Jan. ye 14th, 1733, aged 67 years." !
18
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
Close to the side entrance of the Church, on the northern side, is an old shattered tomb-stone with the following inscription :
"Here lyeth the body of HELEN FOLLEN, who died 23d Dec. 1703, aged 31 years. And 3 boys and 4 girls, children of WM. and MARY SHARPE."
On the opposite side of the path is the following stone,
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM BRADFORD, who was Government Printer for upwards of fifty years.
He was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1660, and came to America in 1680. He died in New York, May 23d, 1752. He published the first newspaper ever published in New York, called "The New York Gazette." He was also an intimate friend of B. Franklin.
The original of this stone is in the possession of the New York Historical Society.
Directly in the rear of Bradford's monument is the tomb of the DEPEYSTER family, dated 1763.
Back of that tomb is the grave-stone of
"ROBERT HARTLEY, STONE CUTTER,
DEPARTED THIS LIFE NOV. 13TH, 1772, AGED 37 YEARS.
At the end of the flag-walk, near the Church, is a handsome brown grave-stone bearing the follow- ing inscription :
"IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL CRESUP,
FIRST CAPTAIN OF THE RIFLE BATALION, AND SON OF COL. THOMAS CRESUP, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE OCTOBER 18TH, 1775."
1
f
f
19
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
This Col. Thomas Cresup is the man that caused the slaughter of the whole family of Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief.
Logan was a distinguished Iroquois (or Mingo) chief, of the Cayuga tribe. It is said that "for magnanimity in war, and greatness of soul in peace, few, if any, ever surpassed Logan." He was uni- formly the friend of the whites until the Spring of 1774, when all his relatives were barbarously mur- dered by them without provocation. He then took up the hatchet, engaged the Shawnees, Delawares and other tribes to act with him, and a bloody war followed. The Indians, however, were defeated in the battle of Point Pleasant, at the mouth of the Great Kanhawa, in October, 1774, and peace soon followed. When the proposals for peace were sub- mitted to Logan, he is said to have made the fol- lowing memorable and well known speech :
Speech of Logan, the Mingo Chief.
" I appeal to any white man to say whether he ever entered Logan's cabin hungry, and he gave him no meat ; if ever he came cold and naked, and he clothed him not.
" During the course of the last long and bloody war, Logan remained idle in his cabin an advocate for peace. Such was my love for the whites that my countrymen pointed as they passed, and said, ' Logan is the friend of the white man.'
" I had even thought to have lived with you, but for the injustice of one man. Col. Cresup, the last
20
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
Spring, in cold blood, and unprovoked, murdered the relations of Logan, not even sparing my women and children.
" There runs not a drop of my blood in the veins of any living creature. This called on me for re- venge. I have sought it; I have killed many; I have fully glutted my vengeance.
"For my country I rejoice at the beam of peace. But do not harbor a thought that mine is the joy of fear. Logan never felt fear. He will not turn on his heel to save life. Who is now to mourn for Logan ?"
Not far from the grave of Cresup there is an old grave-stone, and the name of the occupant of the grave is broken off, but the date is 1767. The fol- lowing epitaph is inscribed on the stone :
" Tho Boreas blasts and boisterous waves Have tossed me to and fro In spite of both by gods decrees I harbour here below. Where I do now at anchor ride With many of our fleet, Yet once again I must set sail My admiral Christ to meet."
In the northwestern portion of the yard, near the back gate, quite a number of Walloons or Hugue- nots were buried. The larger portion were placed in graves, but the following are in vaults or tombs :
21
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
" SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
PIERE TEM. LASSIU, OF LA CHASSEL, FRANCE."
He was a Popish priest, but became a convert to the Protestant faith, and to save his life was obliged to flee from France during the great massacre which took place on Saint Bartholomew's Day, between the 24th and 25th of August, 1572. He died in New York in 1704, aged 60 years.
" Here lyes the remains of ELIAS MEZAREUX, Died 31st March, 1709, Aged about 78 years.
" Here lyes the body of ELIAS JAMAIN, who was Born the 28th day of November, 1668, at Rochelle, in France, and departed this life the 6th day of February, 171I.
Here also lyes interred ye body of MARY JAMAIN, daughter of Elias and Dorothy Jamain, who was born the 23d day of April, 1704, in the Island of Antigua, and departed this life the 11th day of March, 1709."
" Here lyeth the body of BENJAMIN FANUIL, of the city of Rochelle, in France, Died 31st March, 1719, aged 80 years."
" Here lieth interred ye body of SUSANNA NEAU, wife of Elias Neau. Born in the city of Rochelle, in France, in ye year 1660, who departed this life ye 25th day of Sept. 1726, aged 60 years."
" Here lyeth interred the body of ELIAS NEAU, Catechist, in New York. Born at Subieze, in ye Provence Zantonge, in France, in ye year 1662, who departed this life ye 8th day of Sept., 1722, aged 60 years.
22
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
This inscription was restored by order of their descendant of the 6th generation, Elizabeth Cham- plin Perry, of Newport, R. I., widow of Com. O. H. Perry, U. S. N., May A. D., 1846."
" Here lyeth the remains of BLANCHE, wife of Rena Herr, and daughter of James Dubois, departed this life Jan. ye 31st, 1739."
Close to the spot where the graves of the Hugue- nots are to be found, is the grave of a person of some distinction during the Revolution.
"In memory of DANIEL ROWLS CARPENTER, who departed this life the 23d of April, 1777, aged 44 years-who belonged to the Company of Artificers sent to this place by the Honourable Board of Ordinance, under the direction of Major Dixon, Chief Engineer of America."
There are eight grave-stones in various sections of this side of the yard, that have no other inscrip- tion but initials and dates. They are evidently children.
Among the quaint epitaphs in Trinity Church- yard, are the following :
" They Fled from scienes of Mortal guilt Without Par Taking of the same ;
They left their bodies Sleeping here Till Christ do come the Second time."
"Here Lyes Interred ye Body of BENJAMIN THOMAS, who Departed this lief Aug. ye Ist, 1744, as you ayes no so once Was I In helth and Strength thoe here I lye & I am now so you must be Prepare for Death and follow me."
23
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
The following is at the foot of Wm. Bradford's monument :
"Reader reflect how soon you'll quit this stage ; You'll find but few attain to such an age ;
Life's full of pain, Lo ! here's a Place of Rest ;
Prepare to meet your God, then you are blest."
On the southwest corner of this portion of the yard, near the Church, is the Tomb of the LAIGHT Family. It has a handsome brown stone monu- mental slab.
We will now endeavor to give a description of the prominent points of interest in that portion of the Church-yard lying south of the Church.
For convenience sake, we will divide it into an upper and a lower portion.
The upper being that nearest the Church, and the lower that near to Rector Street.
Upon entering the front yard at the lower gate, the first object that attracts the attention of visitors is the beautiful mausoleum made of the finest New Jersey brown stone, erected to the memory of Captain JAMES LAWRENCE, U. S. N., of the Frigate Chesapeake, and his Lieutenant, A. C. LUDLOW, U. S. N.
They both lost their lives in the naval battle between the Chesapeake and Shannon, May, 1813.
The cannon which surround the monument are trophies captured from the British during the war of 1812-13.
24
TRINITY GRAVE YARD.
In passing around to the Broadway front, we come to the tombs of
L. CLARKSON. MATTHEW L. DAVIS, 1814.
JOHN MASON, 1818.
ROBERT COONS.
MARSTON FAMILY.
SAMUEL NICHOLS.
PETER LISTON, 1818. THOS. ROOKHAD.
The next we come to, was a person of note in early days.
IN MEMORY OF
JOHN SHARPE, commander of His Britanic Majes- ty's Packet, The Leicester. Obt. 26th July, 1803, Aetatis 42 years.
We will now proceed on towards New Church Street, and the first tomb we come to is that of WM BROWN JONES, 1841. The next is the tomb of THE CODDINGTON FAMILY. Near this is a tomb
"IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL JOB, WHO DIED OCT. 30TH, 1777, Aged 56 years and 5 months. Also of EFFIE JOB, who died Oct. 21st, 1801, Aged 80 years and 8 months.
" Our flesh shall slumber in the ground, Till the last trumpets joyful sound, Then burst the bonds with sweet surprise, And in our Saviors image rise."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.