USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 1 > Part 31
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44
The same day a party under orders from the Vestry proceeded to knock down and burn one of the fences which had been actually constructed to set off the land filched from the Corporation.2
The assault on the Church property was renewed in the month of September following, as the Records show ;
1 The New- York Journal, July 1, 1773. º N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1870, p. 355.
355
The Bogardus Claimants
1774]
and again, on the 23d of that month, the attorney of the Church, duly armed with legal papers, tore down, broke up, and burnt other fences, producing asw arrant for the act the papers commissioning him to take those measures. All was done in legal form, and although these singular proceedings on the part of Bogardus continued some time longer, in the month of October he finally desisted, having, as he knew, no standing in law, and not daring to risk the consequences of resisting the Church authorities in the protection of their property and rights. The " heirs " would, in fact, have come within the provisions of the Riot Act had they interfered with the agents of the Church in their summary proceedings.1 And so for some time there was peace.
The Journal of January 6, 1774, contains a notice of the decease of a prominent Churchman :
"Friday last died at his Seat in the Bowery, in the Out Ward of this City, in the 54th Year of his Age, ROBERT LEAKE, Esq ; Commis- sary General of North America.
"He was long a faithful servant to the Crown ; a loving Husband,- tender Parent,-one of the best of Masters, and a Friend to all Tradesmen.
"His Remains were interred in the Family Vault, in Trinity Church Yard, last Sunday Evening, attended by a great Concourse of the In- habitants of this place and the Military." ?
The new year 1774 was opened in Trinity parish with an appeal at each of the several places of worship in be- half of " the distressed Highlanders lately arrived at this Port, in the Brig Nancy from Scotland." Even the editor of the Journal broke out in the language of Scripture, declaring, " Blessed be the Man that provideth for the
1 See Records, September 17, 23, October 2, 1773, and N. Y. Hist. Soc. Collec- tions, 1870, p. 354.
' The New- York Journal, Jan. 6, 1774.
356
History of Trinity Church
[1774
Sick and Needy." The times were indeed hard, yet a hundred and twenty pounds were raised in aid of the distressed immigrants.1
In this year we come on a notice of an attempt to or- ganize a congregation of the Church of England without reference to the parish. As little is known of the begin- ning of this schismatical business as of its ending. A number of people gathered together in a room in Horse and Cart Street, now William Street, and decided on a lot- tery to raise money for the purchase of a site and the erec- tion of a church. It does not appear that the lottery was ever drawn, and the congregation presently vanished. It consisted probably of dissentient members of the parish church or of St. George's Chapel, who desired to obliterate the distinction between the Establishment and the Noncon- formists, and may have been imbued with the revolution- ary spirit of the times, which was now growing rapidly day by day.
1 " The minds of the inhabitants were never known to be more tenderly affected than by the case of the unfortunate people lately landed here from the brigantine Nancy, Capt. Smith, from the Highlands of Scotland. When they embarked, their numbers were about 280 ; their allowance was to have been one pound of meal each day, and half a pound of beef each week : But, strange to relate, the whole store of beef amounted only to six barrels for the voyage, in which sixteen weeks were ex- pended. During the whole passage their principal sustenance was pea meal, mixed with beer meal ; for they were denied their favourite aliment (oatmeal) and there was a stock of it on board. Their water was put into foul wine casks, which turned it sour, and occasioned a violent dysentery ; About eighty of their number died of this disease ; and, incredible to say it, there was sixpence sterling exacted from the living for the liberty of lifting each lifeless corpse over the side, and depositing it in a watery grave. In short, there appear circumstances uncommonly savage and brutal in the treatment of these wretched passengers. The contractors in Scotland are very highly censured ; but their miserable manner of victualling the vessel could hardly be accompanied with orders to treat the poor folks with cruelty and insupportable insolence, which they loudly complain of.
" When their forlorn condition was communicated to the Rev. Dr. Auchmuty, Rec- tor of Trinity, and to the other Clergy of the Church of England ; they, last Sunday, very pathetically recommended it to their three several congregations, from whose cor- dial beneficence resulted contributions amounting to upwards of 120l."-Rivington's New- York Gazetteer, Jan. 13, 1774.
357
Departure of Governor Tryon
1774]
Governor Tryon wrote to the Earl of Dartmouth, from New York, April 7, 1774 :
"In Obedience to the King's Command to repair to England, I shall embark this Day with my Family on board the Mercury Packet. I have delivered to Lieut. Governor Colden the Great Seal of the Province, with such Publick Papers as remained in my Hands that were necessary for his Conduct." 1
He left with many demonstrations of regard : the Assem- bly voted him {5000 in consideration of his losses when his house was burned ; a public dinner was given to him by some gentlemen of the town, and a ball by the general commanding the forces. Addresses were presented him by divers corporations and societies, and King's College bestowed on him the honorary degree of D.C.L. In reply to the address of the Vestry, Tryon said, among other things :
"The influence of such religious principles as distinguish and adorn the established church must ever be productive of the highest advan- tages to the community-accept therefore, Gentlemen, my most sincere wishes that the Church of England as by law established may continue permanent and flourishing to the end of time." 2
With the year 1 774 came action, decisive and unmasked. Following an example set by other colonies, New York formed a Provincial Congress,3 and further proceeded to appoint delegates to the Continental Congress which had already met in Philadelphia. The Revolution was coming now, à pas de charge. The Continental Congress ordered the province of New York to contribute a quota of men for the general defence, whatever that ominous expression might mean ; while Governor Tryon, thoroughly alarmed
1 N. Y. Col. Docs., viii., 417.
2 Rivington's New- York Gazetteer, March 31, 1774.
' The Rev. Samuel Provoost, ex-assistant minister of Trinity Church and subse- quently rector and first bishop of the diocese of New York, was sought out in his retirement at East Camp, and requested to serve as a delegate, but he declined.
358
History of Trinity Church [1774
at last, sailed for England to report the state of affairs. In his absence the Provincial Congress assumed his pow- ers, though claiming to be still loyal to the crown.
We come again upon the restless Bogardus claimants. Ignoring the fact that the civil court had long before set- tled the whole question, they proposed, with an air of sincerity, to refer the trouble to the Governor, or to the Governor with certain persons whom they suggested as advisers. This proposition to reopen the case was, of course, declined, there being no just ground for such a procedure. It is true that the claimants stated that all of those whom they suggested as advisers to the Governor were, with one exception, members of the Church of Eng- land ; but it is sufficiently clear that they suggested this plan knowing that it could not be entertained by the Cor- poration, or the Governor, or, indeed, by any real member of the Church. What they wished was to gain an oppor- tunity for saying in their "Remonstrance " that the Cor- poration was
"conscious that even the members of their own Church, who were warmly attached to their interest, could not, when acting upon princi- ples of honour, or even of common honesty, decide the matter in favour of the Church." '
The Annual Convention was held this year, in Trinity Church, and the Commencement exercises of the college were held in the same building .? The practice of holding
N. Y. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1870, pp. 359 to 365.
? " On Wednesday the CONVENTION of the EPISCOPAL CLERGY of this Province and New Jersey, Divine Service in TRINITY CHURCH at 11."-The New- York Gazette, May 16, 1774.
" On Tuesday last our Annual Commencement was held in Trinity Church.
"The Celebrity was honoured by the presence of his Excellency GENERAL HALDIMAND, the principal officers of the army, the Clergy, and a very brilliant assem- bly.
"And on Wednesday was held the Annual Convention of the Clergy ; before whom an excellent Sermon was preached by the Rev. William Cutton."-Rivington's New- York Gazetteer, May 19, 1774.
359
Death of Dr. Ogilvie
1774]
the college Commencement in our churches continued till the time of Bishop Hobart, when it was stopped, as unbe- coming the sanctity of a consecrated building ; for scenes of a confused, and sometimes disorderly, character often occurred on those occasions. The college was slowly growing in favor, though no great progress was now being made with reference to church extension, the Church far and wide being disturbed by political events, while the greater portion of the clergy, through their devotion to the crown, were fast becoming unpopular.
Lieut .- Governor Colden did his best to stem the in- coming tide of republican principles ; he was a well-mean- ing man, but a strong loyalist. Writing to Tryon, Aug. 22, 1774, he asks that the draft of a royal charter drawn by the Governors of King's College might have his favorable consideration, and says that the Dissenters
" have the sole education, not only in all the Seminaries of Learning in the New England Colonies, but likewise in New Jersey and other Col- onies. It therefore seems highly requisite that a Seminary on the princi- ples of the Church of England be distinguished in America by particular Priviledges." 1
The year 1774 as it passed away cast a dark shadow upon the parish, which was called to mourn the loss of the Rev. Dr. Ogilvie. On the 18th of November he went to church apparently in his usual health to give the ordinary Friday lecture. After reading prayers and baptizing a child he announced his text : " To shew that the Lord is upright ; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him" (Ps. xcii., 15). Before he could proceed further he sunk under a stroke of apoplexy, and was conveyed from the church, the people being overwhelmed with sorrow and alarm. He recovered sufficiently to give directions about his temporal affairs, but on Saturday morning, November
1 N. Y. Col. Docs., viii., 486.
360
History of Trinity Church
[1774
26th, he died without a struggle and without pain. His loss was mourned by the entire community.
It is said of him that
" He was tall and graceful ; and had a dignity in his aspect which commanded respect, whilst his affability gained the affection of those he conversed with. He had an excellent voice ; his elocution was free and easy, his imagination lively, his memory retentive, and his judgment solid. With such qualifications he could not fail of being a popular, admired preacher.
"Piety to God is the foundation of all other virtues ; and this he possessed in a high degree. He felt the power of religion, which gave a tincture to, and animated his whole conduct. He was a most exemplary and laborious Clergyman. Indefatigable in visiting the sick, and other members of his flock : he was as useful to them by his private advice and admonitions, as by his public ministrations, and accordingly was respected by them as a common Father .- His bosom glowed with that warm benevolence, which genuine Christianity inspires, and this natu- rally led him to take part in the distresses of others. He was very lib- eral to the poor ; and the children of affliction in general, who resorted to him, and whom he often sought for, ever found relief from him ; nor did he at any time seem to be so happy as when employed thus in offices of humanity, and doing good to others. He always maintained a friendly intercourse with people of every religious denomination, lived in perfect harmony with them, and on all occasions manifested himself a sincere lover of peace." 1
" An ELEGY on the DEATH of the Reverend JOHN OGILVIE, D. D.,
Who departed this Life the 26th of November, 1774.
By a YOUNG GENTLEMAN of this CITY.
SAY, weeping muse, what means that passing bell ? What breathless coarse demands the solemn knell ? What soul departed moves in sad parade
To death's cold mansions and the gloomy shade ? But ah ! methinks, the fatal news is spread.
And Fame proclaims, that OGILVIE is dead : The pious OGILVIE ! is he no more ?
1 Rivington's New- York Gazetteer, Dec. 1, 1774.
1774]
Death of Dr. Ogilvie 361
Then Zion mourn, thy heavy loss deplore ; In solemn grief command thy tears to flow, And bid each bosom swell with anxious woe ; Let all thy courts in sable robes be hung. And fun'ral dirges sound from ev'ry tongue : Thy faithful pastor from thy bosom torn, His charge to keep, shall never more return. (Yet could our grief, or floods of tears, O ! death, Restore him spirit, and vital breath,
That frame inanimate again should live, And thou, thy victim, to existence give ; But vain is grief when life 's extinct and fled, The sluggish mass returns not from the dead. Nor sorrow, grief, or mourning, can retrieve The clay cold victim from the op'ning grave.) Speak ye, his fav'rite once peculiar care, How vast his worth, how great his virtues were ! Say with what grace his heav'nly accents flow'd, How much he lov'd, how much rever'd his God ! What strong conviction to his precepts join'd, Alarm'd each thoughtless, each unthinking mind ; Whilst harden'd sinners trembled as they sate ; To hear him preach, how awful was their state ; Their past offenses in contrition mourn'd, And sorrowing, sought the God they once had scorn'd ; This happy Saint was here thy great employ, To serve thy God, thy soul, thy only joy : But time and sense are now with thee no more, Past are thy labours and thy cares are o'er.
Thy soul enlarg'd mounts the celestial road, And Seraphs safe conduct thee to thy God. Myriads of Angels thy arrival wait,
And hail thy entrance in Jerus'lem's gate ;
Whilst Heav'n's high arch with shouts of triumph rings And loud Hosanna's to the King of Kings. There full fruition is thy just reward, And thou art happy in thy Saviour Lord.
With saints made perfect, thou thy song shall raise And spend a whole eternity in praise. December the 26th, 1774."1
1 Rivington's New - York Gazetteer, January 5, 1775.
362
History of Trinity Church [1775
The death of Dr. Ogilvie occurred at a time when political excitement was on the increase, but this, however, did not prevent the people from taking a personal interest in Dr. Ogilvie's "extraordinary likeness." In fact two persons were striving to win approval in this particular connection, one party promising to send to England and have the engraving superintended by the celebrated Ben- jamin West. Anthony Lamb, however, announced that he had an engraving in hand which would be finished in a few weeks, and asked the public to encourage American art.1
Dr. Ogilvie by his will bequeathed considerable sums in aid of charitable work .?
Upon the death of Dr. Ogilvie two persons were named as suitable for election to his place : the Rev. Benjamin Moore and the Rev. John Bowden. On the first Sunday in December the young Benjamin Moore, who had grad- uated in May, 1771, appeared in the pulpit of St. Paul's Church and preached a charity sermon, which seems to have made a good impression. Benjamin Moore was the son of Samuel and Sarah Moore, his mother's maiden name
1 " TO THE PUBLIC.
" A Mezzotinto Print of the Revd. Doctor OGILVIE, (taken from an extraordinary likeness) is now in hand and will be finished in a few weeks ;- the size of the plate is 15 inches by 11, -As the Subscriber has it done solely at his own risque, and was the first person in this city, who proposed it, and was even promised the portrait, which is now to be sent to England, to take a sketch from : He is in hopes that all those who are inclined to promote arts and ingenuity in America, will make it a point to encour- age the undertaking.
" ANTHONY LAMB.
"N.B. The price will not exceed half a dollar."- The New- York Journal, Jan. 26,
1775. See also for the rival picture Rivington's New - York Gazetteer, Jan. 19, 1775.
? " Doctor Ogilvie, by his last will bequeathed the following legacies, viz., 300l. to the Charity School in this City ; 1007. to King's College ; and rool. to the Corporation for the relief of the widows and children of Clergymen in communion with the Church of England in America, hereby exhibiting an instance of benevolence,-that uniform attention to the happiness and welfare of mankind, which regulated each step of his conduct through life."-Rivington's New- York Gazetteer, Dec. 29, 1774.
Asistent . Minister
,764 1774
363
Benjamin Moore
1775]
being Fish. He was born at Newtown, Long Island, Oc- tober 5, 1748. After a preparatory course pursued at Newtown and New Haven, he passed through King's College and then read theology under the direction of Dr. Auchmuty, doing some service likewise as a teacher of Latin and Greek. In May, 1774, he went to England, and on June 24th was ordained deacon at Fulham by Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London, being advanced to the priest- hood on June 29th, in the same place and by the same bishop. Upon his return he began to officiate in and around New York.1
At a meeting held December 6th :
" Resolved that the Rev. John Vardill (who is now in England) be called as an assistant Minister to officiate in his turn at the several Churches in this city on the Lord's Day, for which service he shall be allowed a salary of one hundred pounds p. annum, and that a Sub- scription be started as a further provision for Mr. Inglis and Mr. Var- dill, it being expected that the latter would receive some support as 'one of the Professors of the College.'" ?
Subsequently, January 3, 1775, the Board
" Resolved that if the sum of six hundred and eighty-three pounds or upwards can be raised by subscription on such security as will be satis- factory to the Rev. Mr. Benjamin Moore and the Rev. John Bowden that in that case the Vestry will call them both as assistant Ministers in this Parish. That the Rev. Mr. Inglis shall be allowed out of the said subscriptions the sum of two hundred pounds annually. The Rev. Mr. Vardill the sum of fifty pounds annually and the two other gentlemen if called shall divide the residue of the said subscription equally between them."
In case sufficient subscriptions were not received it was agreed that only one should be called.3 By the end of
1 Centennial History of the Diocese of New York, 142. According to Sprague in his Annals, v., 299, Mr. Moore was ordained priest the day after he was made deacon.
2 Records, i., 387.
3 Ibid., 37S.
364
History of Trinity Church [1775
the month the requisite sum had not been pledged, and it was agreed to take two weeks more of time.
In February the committee reported pledges to the amount of {691, 2s, whereupon a committee was appointed "to wait on the Reverend Mr. Moore and the Rev. Mr. Bowden to acquaint them with the state of the said sub- scriptions, and of the engagements for their salaries, and to know whether they will accept a call on those terms." 1 Three days later the committee reported that they had made known the condition of the subscription to the gen- tlemen in question, both of whom accepted, it being un- derstood that the Corporation, such being the state of its funds, was not to be held answerable for any deficiency in the subscription. Whereupon they were duly elected assistant ministers.
Of the Rev. John Bowden it may here be said that, according to Sprague,? he was the eldest son of Thomas Bowden, an officer of the Forty-sixth regiment of foot, having been born in Ireland, Jan. 7, 1751. On the open- ing of the French war the father came over with his regi- ment to this country, the son following him under the charge of a clergyman of the Church of England. He studied at Princeton two years, after which he returned with his father to Ireland. In 1770 he was again in New York, and a student at King's College, graduating in 1772. He then read divinity and repaired to England for ordination, where he was made deacon by Dr. Keppel, Bishop of Exeter, and priest by Dr. Terrick, Bishop of London, in 1774. During the summer of this year he re- turned to New York, and was finally elected an assistant minister, as stated.
Dr. Berrian says :
I Berrian's Historical Sketch, 138.
9 Annals, v., 304.
365
John Vardill
1775]
" In 1774 the Rev. John Vardill, God-father of Gen. Laight, now a member of the Vestry, was called as an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church. He was then in England, but in consequence of the troubles which were impending over the Colonies, he never entered upon the duties of his office." 1
A correspondent of the Journal, under the pseudonym of " A Real Churchman," writes :
" This gentleman possesses all the qualifications mentioned by Ecclesiastes as requisite in a clergyman, and many others he does not name. I need not enlarge on his abilities, for they are universally known and acknowledged .- Whilst at college, he was noted for his as- siduous application to study, and for his rapid progress in the several branches of science, as well as in the languages. I question whether America ever sent a better scholar, of his age, to England, or one that has done her more honour. His character has been ever clear of even the suspicion of vice or levity : on the contrary, he is, and always has been remarkably grave and serious. He has most engaging sweetness of disposition ; and a devout religious turn of mind, which solely in- duced him to enter into holy orders. He has a clear, strong, manly voice, which thousands can testify, who have frequently heard him speak in our largest church, when crowded at the public commence- ments. He was distinctly heard by all present ; tho' it is well known that on such occasions, it is most difficult to fill a church with the voice, and be understood. Those who have repeatedly heard him speak publickly at college, and at the church of Jamaica, where he read prayers and a sermon each Sunday for near a twelvemonth can attest the same." ?
News was received in New York, Dec. 8, 1774, that the King had founded a professorship of divinity in the college and that the Rev. John Vardill, A.M., had been appointed professor.
1 Berrian's Historical Sketch, 136.
2 The New- York Journal, Dec. 22, 1774.
1
CHAPTER XXII.
THE RECTORSHIP OF DR. AUCHMUTY, CONTINUED.
- The Revolutionary War Begins-Anneke Jans's Heirs Troublesome-Gov. Tryon and Genl. Washington in New York-Assault on Dr. Cooper-Rev. Benjamin Moore in Temporary Charge of the College-Mr. Andrew Barclay-Capt. Michael Cresap-New York Occupied by the American Forces-Rev. Charles Inglis in Charge-Sufferings of the Royalist Clergy-Affair in St. Paul's Chapel-Ebenezer Hazard's Account of it- Churches Closed-Inglis Withdraws to Flushing, L. I .-- Battle of Long Island-Royal Forces Occupy New York-Great Fire-Destruction of Trinity Church-Narrow Es- cape of St. Paul's Chapel-O'Beirne's Sermon in St. Paul's-Return of Dr. Auchmuty- Desecration of Churches in New York-Convention of Clergy in New York-Death of Dr. Auchmuty.
T HE Records of the parish at the opening of the year 1775 present very little of interest. The distracted condition of the times prevented the bestowal of much at- tention on purely ecclesiastical matters. The vast issues of the Revolution were now before the people, who began to see what was close at hand. The winter passed, however, before hostilities were actually begun. The fight at Con- cord was followed by the capture of Ticonderoga, May 10th, and on June 17th the colonies were aroused by the battle of Bunker Hill. In the absence of Tryon, affairs were largely under the control of the New York Provincial Congress. In the midst of all these distractions the Corporation of Trinity Church were compelled to look well to their · interests, as the resources were fast failing. It was found at a regular meeting of the Board, May 9th, that there was a large deficit, a balance of more than two hundred pounds being due to the Warden, Mr. Desbrosses. It was ordered to pay Mr. Inglis one hundred pounds on his bond. This,
366
367
The Heirs of Anneke Jans
1775]
according to the Records, was the only meeting of the Board held during the year.
In St. Paul's Chapel, May 28, 1775, in the midst of much public excitement, Dr. Auchmuty turned to an old dis- course preached in 1763, and repeated it from the text, "Set your affections on things above, not on things on ye Earth " (Coll. iii., 2). In September he preached again from Ephesians i., 10 ; and I Timothy iv., 8. These three sermons are all that we have of his writings in manuscript until we come to his sermon of the following year, preached after the defeat of the Americans, under Washington, at the battle of Long Island.
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.