USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 1 > Part 20
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1 Records, i, 214. The Records give the name of this person as Clemm, but his full and correct name seems to have been John Gottlob Klemm. He was born in Dresden, Germany, 1690, coming to this country and residing in Philadelphia in 1736. In 1745 he removed to New York, though, in 1757, he joined the United Brethren at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He made organs for that Society. He died at Bethlehem in 1762. The author is indebted to Dr. Gilbert, organist of Trinity Chapel, for this and other related information on the subject of organs.
2 Ibid., i., 215.
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223
Death of Lady Clarke
1740]
Mr. Charlton the Society's Catechist in order to be by him given and distributed to such Catechumens as he shall think proper."1
May 13, 1740. Ordered
" that the Organs be placed in the West Gallery of the Church and that the committee take care to have the same placed and put up in the best manner." ª
On the 19th of May, an event occurred which moved the social circles of the city ; the death of
"the Lady of the honourable George Clarke, Esq. : His Majesty's Lieutenant Governour of this Province : She was the eldest Daughter of the late honourable Edward Hyde, Esq. ; who descended from one of the most ancient Families in England : They were originally of the Principality of Wales, but settled at Hyde in Cheshire about one hundred years before William the Conquorer came into England, which has ever since been the Seat of the Family." The remains were laid in "a Vault in Trinity Church with the Remains of her Mother and the late Lady Cornbury." Minute guns were fired "from the fort and sundry Vessels in the Harbour "; and the chronicler adds, that "on the day of her Funeral a Loaf of Bread, was given to every Poor Person who would receive it." 3
The work of adorning and beautifying the church edifice proceeded in a commendable manner.
July 1, 1740.
"Mr. Robert Elliston produced to this Board the plan of the Alter piece for the Church and at the same time proposed to give twenty pounds towards it, whereupon It was ordered that the said Mr. Elliston be Desired and Impowered to agree for and have such Alter piece made and completed after the best and most reasonable manner he can."
October 1, 1741. "It is the opinion of the Vestry that the Organ pipes be gilded with gold Leaf in such manner as the Committee shall think proper."
1 Records, i., 215. A copy of this Bradford Catechism is in possession of the present rector of the parish.
? Ibid., 216.
3 New York Gazette, May 26, 1740, and N. Y. Col. Docs., iv., 1069.
224
History of Trinity Church
[1741
This year, 1741, New York was visited with another "Negro Plot." The story is a humiliating one ; but it need not be given here; fortunately, no allusion to it appears in the " Records" of the parish. The narrative of the Plot by Judge Horsmanden is of special interest to us as he was one of the wardens of Trinity Church.1 " July 27, "the Church Wardens agreed with Mr. John Clemm, Junr. for one year to come : as Organist."
August 8. Mr. John Clemm announced that he had "completed the Organ : in Trinity Church : according to his agreement," whereupon it was voted to pay him the remainder of the sum due him, £520.
At this time it was voted that the wardens " be de- sired to send to England by the first opportunity for a new Sett of Furniture for the Communion Table, Pulpit and Reading Desk : of the best English Crimson Flower Damask : with a plain silk ffringe Lining and Tassels." ?
The next entry to be quoted is that of April 28, 1742, when the damask ordered had arrived with the exquisite " Fringe : Lining and Tassells : for the same," which " cost forty-two pounds Eleven shillings and three pence sterling." Also it appeared that Captain Farmer had "agreed with a workman in London : for Three branches for Trinity Church for the sum of Eighty pounds sterling without gilding." The contract was confirmed, and it was also agreed to "send for a small branch for the Pulpitt and another for the Reading Desk: and that he give Directions to have all the Branches Gilt."
' See Horsmanden's History of the Negro Plot.
See also Dr. John Gilmary Shea's account of the Negro Plot, in the Corpora- tion Manual, 1870 pp., 760-771, in which he treats the Roman Catholic side of the case showing how Mr. Hildreth, the teacher of the Charity School, was used to secure Ury's condemnation.
The Negro Plot was followed by a disease resembling the yellow fever, which cost the lives of 217 persons, out of a population of 11,000.
' At this period we find this peculiar punctuation in the Records.
225
Additions to the Church
1742]
A fresh addition to the church was resolved upon July 20, 1742, when it was ordered "that a new gallery be built on the North side the Church, and that the Pulpit be Removed near the Chancell." To please the aesthetic taste of the congregation it was further ordered that "upon the pillars under the galleries there be a Crown and Cherub alternately instead of all Cherubs.1
1 Records, 224, 225.
CHAPTER XV.
CLOSING YEARS AND DEATH OF MR. VESEY.
Arrival of Governor Clinton-Address to him by the Vestry-Death of William Brad- ford, 1742-Restoration of his Tombstone in Trinity Churchyard 1863-Proceedings of the New York Historical Society-A Richly Laden Prize in the Harbor-Mr. Vesey's Failing Strength-Review of his Administration-Death, July 11, 1746- Contemporaneous Records of his Character and Work.
A S early as the 24th of August, 1741, it was known in New York that George Clinton had been appointed Governor of the Province. He did not arrive, however, until Sept. 20, 1743. On the 28th an address was voted to his Excellency, in reply to which the Governor, receiv- ing a committee of the Vestry at his house, said : " Your Church in particular may be assured of my countenance and protection, in the secure Enjoyment of all your Re- ligious Rights and Privileges." 1
In the year 1742, William Bradford, the famous printer died. He served as a member of the Vestry of Trinity Church from 1703 to 1710. He was buried in the church- yard, on the north side, not far from Broadway. The stone erected on his grave having become shattered, was replaced at the expense of the Corporation of Trinity, with a new one, a precise reproduction of the original, but of better material .? On the occasion of the restora- tion of this tombstone, May 20, 1863, a special service was held in the churchyard ; and, the day being the 200th
1 Records, i., 227.
" The original stone is now in the possession of the New York Historical Society.
226
227
Commemorative of William Bradford
1742]
anniversary of Bradford's birth, an address was delivered in the evening, before the Historical Society, by John William Wallace of Philadelphia.1 Referring to the cere- monies at the Church Mr. Wallace says :
" Bradford's remains were interred beside those of his wife, on the Monday following his death, in the grounds of Trinity Church. A monument erected by the piety of surviving friends in that day has consecrated the spot till our times. Ancient and perishing however, it was irreparably injured in the erection of the noble pile which now stands beside the grave.
" The Church Corporation, as many of you have witnessed, has this day done honour to itself and Bradford, by placing there a new one of better workmanship and more enduring strength.
"Few who witnessed the ceremony there this day, Trinity Church assembled in her corporate grandeur to do honour to her long departed son-the current of a mighty city's thoroughfare arrested for the better reverence-while choirs, as if of heaven, were chaunting hymns around that ancient grave-will soon forget the august and touching scene. William Bradford, by the honours which Trinity has this day paid his memory, is made the earliest in that line of her worthies-God's ser- vants departed this life in His Faith and Fear-which Hugh Gaine, James Oram, and Thomas Swords, Printers and Publishers of New York, have brought in uninterrupted honour, even to this our day."2
December 15, 1743. Ordered that Colonel Moore write to his brother, Doctor Moore,
"to procure for the Church a Good Sober Organist ; but not to exceed forty pounds Sterling per annum, nor to agree for a longer term than three years : but that the Church will pay his Passage over and pay five Guineas for ffurnishing him with Necessarys for his passage." 3
January 5, 1744. "Forty pounds in full of gratuity promised him by the Board," was voted to Mr. Clemm, builder of the organ. It was also agreed by him
1 The N. Y. Historical Society still further commemorated the history and ser- vices of Bradford, by the erection of a bronze tablet on the site where his first print- ing press was set up. Appropriate exercises were held at the unveiling of the tablet in the building of the New York Cotton Exchange, April 8, 1893.
2 Address on the Two Hundredth Birthday of Mr. William Bradford by John William Wallace 90. 8 Records, i., 228.
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228
History of Trinity Church
[1744-
"that when a good organist comes here and finds any real fault with the organ : that he will come here and amend it; the Vestry paying the charge of his comeing here and Returning, and also that he will change three Treble Stops that are now in wood for Pewter if Required for the sum of ffifteen pounds ; and will also change the Trumpet stops for a Double Cornett for the sum of fifteen pounds and will make a Pedell compleat for the organ for the sum of twelve pounds if Re- quired." 1
Also ordered "that the Alter Piece be raised in such manner as Mr. Elleston shall direct" ; while, July 4, it was voted that " the Pulpit and Canopy be Painted a Mahog- any Colour"; and the " square pew opposite the Reading Desk be and is hereby Appointed the Rector's Pew."
November 6, 1744. Voted to pay Colonel Moore the five guineas " advanced by Doctor More to Mr. John Rice to come over here as Organist ; also to pay the passage of the said Mr. John Rice from London to this place "; Mr. Joseph Hildreth was to officiate as Clerk until further notice. William Cook was also appointed " Joint Sexton of Trinity Church together with John Welch." ?
Ordered that the Wardens pay Captain Exter twenty pounds current money for the passage of Mr. Rice " from England hither, and that they advance to him Mr. Rice what money they think necessary." 3
The local news found in the Evening Post at this period relates largely to privateering, England then being at war with Spain. The Post of January 28th, gives the account of an arrival that must have made a great impression upon the town, though the people, long addicted to oblique en- terprise were, no doubt, accustomed to the appearance of successful commanders at this port. The account referred to is that of the arrival of "the brave and active Thomas
1 Records, i., 228.
9 Ibid., i., 230.
' Ibid. Later he was to make " three or four new bellows," to be stowed in the belfry.
229
Failing Strength of Mr. Vesey
1745]
Frankland," who brought one of the richest prizes yet taken during the war with Spain. It was a French ship of 400 tons and 20 guns,
" having on board Soo serons of Cocoa, in each of which 'tis said is de- posited as customary a Bar of Gold, 68 Chests of Silver Coins (already found) containing 310,000 Pieces of Eight, private Adventures in Gold and Silver Coins, and wrought Plate of equivalent Value, besides which there has been also found a compleat Set of Church Plate, a large Quan- tity of Gold Buckles and Snuff-boxes, a curious Two-wheeled Chaise of Silver, th Wheels, and Axle &c all of th same Metal, a large Quantity of Diamonds, Pearl and other precious Stones, upwards of 600 Weight of Gold &c and fresh Discoveries are daily made of more Treasure."
In fact the writer continues,
"'Tis impossible to give an exact Account of What is on board this Prize, some Gold have been secreted even in th Knees, Barricados, &c the Heels of the Prisoners Shoes hav- ing been made hollow, were also full of Gold." There follows a graphic account of the deadly engagement off the west end of Cuba. Among Frankland's prisoners was a nephew of the Viceroy of Mexico. Probably no such richly laden ship had ever before passed the Narrows.
July 26, 1745. The Wardens of St. Andrews, at Rich- mond, Staten Island, wrote about the need of discipline in connection with that parish and said, "Mr. Vesey is grown Antient, Infirm, and unable to travel," and that therefore he had declined to visit St. Andrews.1
We have reached the year in which the long pastorate of the first rector of Trinity came to an end. The reader is now in a measure familiar with his character and acts. His days, as priest and pastor, were marked by the usual alternations of storm and clear weather, with stirring acci- dents and moving occurrences. Much might have been added to enlarge this narrative had space been at command
1 N. Y. Gen. Conv. MSS., ii., 161.
230
History of Trinity Church
[1745-
for that purpose. During his administration, great changes occurred in the city and the province ; party spirit took new forms ; old watchwords were dropped and others were adopted ; Church people, no longer a little handful in the midst of a generally adverse population, had increased in numbers and influence, and many converts had been made among those who were attracted by a love of the conservative and a dread of the radical in politics and religion. Once, during Mr. Vesey's rectorship, there came over the land, like a conflagration, the Methodist move- ment, so little comprehended by our fathers, though it seems so plain to us ; and when Whitfield arrived in New York, he and the Commissary had rough words and ex- changed sharp shots, of which the Methodist brother has left a somewhat angry record ; but we cannot blame the staunch old Churchman for holding out as he did against what he deemed the special perils of the time, whether embodied in the acts of dictatorial governors, the votes of hostile senates, the howling of street-rioters, or the im- passioned utterances of a new sect. The Church, mean- while, throve and prospered, until at the time of Mr. Vesey's death, twenty-two congregations were flourishing under his jurisdiction as rector and Commissary. About a year before his death he wrote home to the Secretary of the Venerable Society regarding the growth of the Church in New York. From his letter, dated November 27, 1745, this extract is taken :
" Revd. Sir, here I must beg leave to observe to you that in the year of Our Lord 1697 I was ordained by Dr. Compton the then Bishop of London, and sent here by his Lordship to officiate at Trinity Church in the City of New York ; at which time, besides this Church and Chapel in the port, one church in Philadelphia, and one other in Boston, I don't remember to have heard of one building erected to the public worship of God on this northern continent of America, from Maryland, where the Church was established by a law of the Provinces,
>
231
Death of Mr. Vesey
1746]
to the east-most bounds of Nova Scotia, which I believe in length is 800 miles. And now most of these provinces or colonies have many churches, which, against all opposition, increase and flourish, under miraculous influence of Heaven. I make no doubt it will give a vast pleasure to the Honble Society to observe the wonderful blessing of God on their pious cares and endeavours to promote the Christian Religion in these remote and dark corners of the world ; and the great success that by the concomitant power of the Holy Ghost has attended the faithful labours of their Missionaries in the conversion of so many from vile errors and wicked practices to the faith of Christ and the obedience of his Gospel."
Mr. Vesey's last attendance at a Vestry meeting was on the 3d of April, 1746. From that time his strength grew daily less, and the end drew on. He died at his residence, July 11th, having held the office of Rector forty-nine years.
Order was taken for supplying the services at the church until the election of a successor to the deceased, and then follows an insertion in another hand, entitled a "Character of the Revd. Mr. Vesey Taken out of the News- paper, vizt, New York, July 14th." This states that on
" Fryday Morning Last (after a lingering Indisposition) Departed this Life, in the 72d year of his age the Revd Mr. Commissary Vesey who was Rector of Trinity Church in this City from its first Building in the year 1697 to the day of his death. During which time he conscien- tiously performed the great Dutys of his office with Unwearied Dili- gence And Uncommon Abilities to the Generall Satisfaction and applause of all ; and as he had been a great Instrument in promoting the Building and Settlement of the Church (when there were but few of the Established Religion here) so by the Blessing of God upon his pious and Earnest Endeavors he had the satisfaction to see the Congregation from time to time Increase, the Building enlarged and Beautified ; and now at last the inward pleasure of leaving in peace and order one of the largest and finest Churches in America, with a very considerable con- gregation, who justly lament their almost Irreparable loss in him, who in his private life also was truly a good liver, of a grave, thoughtful, prudent and Discreet Disposition, yet very affable chearfull and Good
232
History of Trinity Church
[1746-
Nature in his Conversation. A most Tender Affectionate Husband, a good indulgent Master, a faithfull steady friend and Beneficient to all. His Corps was last Saturday Decently Interred in the Family Vault attended by several gentlemen of his Majesty's Councill, most of the principal Magistrates, and Chieftest of all the Inhabitants, and as he always lived a faithful Soldier and Servant to his great Lord and Master so he in his sickness with great Patience, Resolution and Constancy of Mind, and in his last moments (sensible) Chearfully Resigned his soul into his hand who summoned him hence to receive the eulogy mentioned in the Gospell, 'Well done thou good and faithfull servant enter thou into the joy of thy lord.' " 1
' Records, i., 234. Mr. Barclay under cover of his letter of December 9, 1746, to the Secretary of the Venerable Society forwarded copies of "two characters given of my late worthy predecessor in the publick prints " the first of which is the one here reproduced. See N. Y. Gen. Conv. Mss. ii., 180.
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CHAPTER XVI.
THE REV. HENRY BARCLAY, D. D.
North American Indians-Missions among them-The Five Nations-Rev. Thorough- good Moor-Rev. Thomas Barclay, Missionary and Catechist-Henry Barclay, Birth, Education, Ordination, and Early Labors among the Mohawks-Called to Trinity Church-Induction-Claimants to Church Property-Rev. Richard Charlton- Samuel Auchmuty, Birthplace, Ordination-Elected Assistant to Dr. Barclay-Erect- ing of New Chapel-Kalm's Description of New York-Charity School-Two Wed- dings-School-house Destroyed by Fire-Auchmuty's Sermons-Grant of Land to King's College-Organ for the Parish Church-Opening of St. George's Chapel- Description of the Edifice.
A CLOUD of mystery, which the science of ethnology has not yet removed, overhangs the American con- tinent. We are assured by the learned that this is the oldest part of the habitable globe ; and there is ground for believing that certain parts of it were inhabited at a very distant period by races much more advanced in arts and knowledge than the savages who were found here by the European discoverers in the 15th and 16th centuries. The vestiges of an extinct and long-buried splendor are still visible in Central America and Mexico ; and the Valley of the Mississippi presents objects apt to convince us of the great abilities of those who left them in their places long ago. The inferences drawn from these phenomena may have been too highly colored by fancy, yet they seem to leave us a choice between two theories : Either that a higher and nobler race once dwelt here, yielding at last to the inroad of fierce barbarians, or else that de- terioration and not elevation and improvement has been the law of that aboriginal life.
233
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234
History of Trinity Church
[1700-
But whatever may be the genesis and history of the North American savages who encountered the voyagers from Europe four hundred years ago, their conversion to the faith of the Gospel was the dream and inspiration of many of the promoters of emigration to North America. The priests of the Roman Church, and especially those of the Religious Orders, applied themselves with enthusiasm to that work, and the clergy of the Church of England emulated their example. It is not to be denied that there was mixed motive in the actions of men in those days, and that political and selfish considerations influenced them to some extent ; but side by side ran a tide of sincere devo- tion to the interests of the souls of men. The annals of the Missions of the Christian priesthood among the Indians of North America are annals of romance and heroism, glorious and honorable to all time. The highest courage matched itself against incredible obstacles for the love of God, for the extension of the Catholic Church and for the salvation of the Gentiles ; and the stars in the crowns of the martyrs shine gloriously in the dark and troubled skies.
The Indians who bordered on the Colony of New York were known as the Iroquois, or Five Nations, the most renowned and ingenious of the savages of the North.
These tribes formed a confederation, and acted together under a system which immensely increased their power and enabled them to achieve great results. The terror of all the tribes to the north of them, they lay like a great bulwark between New York and Canada. It was natural that the attention of the English Church should be ear- nestly fixed on them, and that great efforts should be made to convert them to Christianity. Civil and religious motives in fact combined to urge on the work of their evangelization, for trade with them was active, and they
1704]
Missions to the Indians 235
guarded the frontier between New England and New York on the one side, and the French at Quebec with the Canadian Indians their allies on the other.
As early as the year 1700, Lord Bellomont memorialized the Lords of Trade and Plantations on the want of some Ministers of the Church of England to instruct the Five Nations of Indians, and prevent them from the approaches of French priests and Jesuits. The subject was referred to the Queen, and on the 3d of April, 1700, an order of Council was made authorizing the appointment of two clergymen as missionaries, and referring it to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury to take order for the due fulfilment of the service.1
A similar memorial was received by the Venerable Society in 1703, from Robert Livingstone, Secretary for the Indian Affairs in the Province of New York, asking for the appointment of six men, of youth, learning, and orthodoxy, to go as missionaries to the Indians, and sug- gesting that each should have a couple of youths with him to learn the language and assist in the work, and that a house should be built for each minister at each of the Indian castles.2
Leaving the Government to act as it might, the Venera- ble Society proceeded to do what it could, and the Rev. Thoroughgood Moor was sent out to New York, on this service, in the year 1704. His instructions were to take up his residence among the Indians, learn their language, and endeavor by all possible means to win them to the faith in Christ. He was kindly received by Lord Corn- bury and sent to Albany, where he met and conferred with some sachems and other Indians, and thence proceeded
1 Humphreys, IOS ; Historical Notices by Hawkins, 264.
' Ilawkins, 264 ; N. Y. Gen. Conv. MSS., i., 24 ; N. Y. Col. Docs., iv., 1074- 1077."
236
History of Trinity Church
[1709-
to the Mohawk castles. For some cause or other his work proved a failure ; he withdrew from the field and went to New Jersey. There he fell under the displeasure of Lord Cornbury, who summoned him to New York and, on his declining to obey, arrested and imprisoned him. Some three years after his arrival in America he embarked for England, but the vessel on which he sailed was never heard of again.1
The failure of this first attempt is ascribed, by writers of that day, to the intrigues of the Jesuits with the Indians. However that may be, efforts were resumed in the year 1709, and with better success. A delegation of sachems crossed the sea and went to London, where they ratified a treaty that had been made with their people by the Governor of New York, and asked for clergy and teachers. These were sent; a fort, chapel, and mission-house were built, and the work of evangelization was resumed and carried forward with some appearance of success. But the difficulties in the way of the conversion of those bar- barians were immense. Their nomadic habits, brutal tastes and dislike of industry, their rivalries and wars, their treachery and cruelty, their jealousy of the whites and their restless, roving temper, made it exceedingly difficult to acquire influence over them and all but impos- sible to maintain it. Insults, threats, and personal danger were the lot of the unfortunate missionaries, whose labors might be compared to the "grass growing on the house top which withereth afore it be plucked up."?
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