USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 1 > Part 37
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October 29. The matter of the Charity Sermons once more appears, and it is "resolved that the Charity Ser- mons for this season (weather permitting) be preached on the 21st and 28th Day of next month." The report shows the school was still in a fair condition.
In the Records, October 29, 1779, we come upon an interesting entry :
" It being represented to this Corporation by one of its members, that the Old Dutch Church in this City is at Present used as a Hospital for His Majesty's Troops. The Board Impressed with a grateful Remem- brance of the former kindness of the Members of that Antient Church in permitting the use of their Church to the Members of the Church of England, when they had no proper edifice of their own for that pur- pose, offer to the Members of the Antient Dutch Church the use of St. George's Chapel for celebrating their worship on Sundays and such other times as they shall choose to perform Divine service. They hope from nine to eleven o'clock in the morning and from one to three o'clock in the afternoon will be convenient to the Members of the Dutch Church. If these hours should be very inconvenient the Vestry will endeavor to meet their wishes as far as they can consistent with the duty they owe to their own congregation." 1
The Rev. Mr. Inglis, writing to the Venerable Society on this subject, November 26, 1779, says that " The mem- bers of the Dutch Church in this city had always lived in the utmost harmony with the members of our Church," and that
"the Loyal Dutch continued in the City after it was reduced by the 1 Records, i., 410.
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History of Trinity Church [1779
King's Troops ; & a loyal Minister officiated for them. But the Com- mandant was under the necessity of taking their Church lately for an Hospital; and the Dutch Congregation signified their inclination that we should assist them. I immediately called my Vestry, & after maturely considering all circumstances we judged it adviseable for many reasons to let them have the use of one of our Churches. Ac- cordingly their minister now Officiates for them early in the morning, & between our Services in St. George's Chapel, without any interruption to my Congregation. I believe we did right in this, & think you would have been of the same opinion, were you acquainted with our situation." 1
This year there was published in London and New York in pamphlet form letters which had already appeared in The Royal Gazette and The New- York Gazette in 1779, the Letters of Papinian, addressed to Laurens and John Jay, strongly opposing the aims of the American Con- gress. This work has been attributed to Dr. Inglis.2 He objects that nearly all the members of Congress are men of " desperate fortune."
Judge Jones, a Royalist, gives a distinct intimation of the immoralities of the British officers at this time,3 when, though multitudes of American prisoners were dying of starvation and ill-treatment in the prison houses and hulks of New York, society was pursuing a ceaseless round of gayety and frivolity. The social life of the city is pictured by Madame De Riedesel, the wife of the German gen- eral who was captured at Saratoga with Burgoyne. The Baroness spent large portions of the years 1779 and 1780 in New York, where upon her arrival she was conducted to " a very beautiful and spacious house," where she and the
I N. Y. MSS., ii., 637.
9 The N. Y. Hist. Society's copy of this pamphlet has written on the title-page in pencil " By Dr. Auchmuty," and in ink, "By the Revd Dr. Charles Inglis." Sabin in his Dictionary of Books, vol. ix., 106, attributes the work to Inglis and men- tions a London edition. The author says that he had " access to original papers " and "availed himself of the Records of both Houses of Parliament."
3 History of New York, i., 341.
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1779]
Memoirs of Madame De Riedesel
429
general found everything prepared for their reception, supposing that she was in a public house. She writes :
"On the next morning, a servant came to ask me what I should wish for my dinner, and how many guests I expected to have every day. I replied that as my husband dined seldom at home, three dishes would be sufficient, and that we were six persons ; myself, my children, my female attendants, and the Rev. Mr. Mylius, the chaplain of my husband's regiment, and now the only instructor we had for our children. He was a most worthy gentleman, and, at the same time, of such a cheerful temper, that we all, including the children, loved him. I was told that orders had been given to furnish my table with six principal courses, and three smaller services ; and still supposing that I was in a public hotel, I strongly objected against such profusion, for fear of excessive expense. But I soon discovered my error. The house was that of the Governor, General Tryon, who apprehending that I might refuse to take my abode with him, had given orders that I should not be informed where the soldier had conducted me ; and such was his generosity, that in order to leave me more at ease, and to avoid my thanks, he went to Long Island, under the pretence of attending to some affairs connected with the provisional command he held there. All my wishes were fully gratified, but I was constantly apprehensive lest I should abuse so much kindness." 1
General Clinton also offered her the use of a country- seat,
"Where I might have my children innoculated there, on account of the danger of that operation in the city, where the small-pox was then making sad ravages.""
As that disease continued to rage violently, his offer was gratefully accepted.
" I gave the cook ten guineas to buy provisions for that journey ; but he soon returned to ask for more money, saying that what I had given him would not pay for two days' provision, such was the scarcity and high price of everything. For instance, a pound of meat cost twelve groschen ; a pound of butter, eighteen groschen ; a turkey, four dollars ; a fowl, twenty groschen ; an egg, four groschen ; a quart of
1 Letters and Memoirs by Madame De Riedesel, 232.
9 Ibid., 233.
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History of Trinity Church
[1779
milk, six groschen ; a hamper of potatoes, two dollars ; half a hamper of turnips, one dollar and a half ; ten oysters, eight groschen ; and half a dozen onions, one dollar. There was nothing to do but to bear . it with patience." 1
One day a general was announced, and in the course of conversation he asked how she liked her quarters, when the thankful Baroness desired to know the name of her generous benefactor. Thereupon the visitor laughed, and at that moment General Riedesel entering said, " You are speaking to him who has shown you so much kind- ness." It was General Tryon. In December a terrible storm came, and Clinton's residence where they were then staying seemed on the point of being blown away ; in fact a portion of the building actually fell with a terrible crash. In the morning they were buried in five feet of level snow, and egress was impossible.
" An old white fowl which had fortunately escaped the cook's notice, furnished us with a broth, which with a few potatoes the gardener gave us served for the dinner of more than fourteen persons." ?
Returning to New York she was amazed to find her dwelling " fitted up with mahogany, and was really alarmed at the expense." She was, however, relieved on being in- formed that it had been purchased at the Governor's cost.
As the Queen's birthday approached, a great fête was arranged, and the Baroness was selected to represent the Queen, being driven to the ball, attended by Generals Tryon and Patterson, amid the reverberation of kettle- drums and trumpets. At the supper she sat under a canopy while the revel went on. But in time the picture changes, and the river being half frozen, one can imagine what must have been the condition of the American pris- oners, dying in the sugar-houses, when in the winter wood
1 Letters and Memoirs by Madame De Riedesel, 234. 2 Ibid., 236.
1
431
Helpless Condition of New York
1780]
became so scarce that the whole garrison suffered from want of firewood.
When the summer of 1780 came a malignant fever pre- vailed and both her husband and daughter were prostrated.
"In the midst of such convulsions, the patients generally expired. Every day I heard of fifty or sixty burials ; and such tidings were not calculated to strengthen my courage." 1
She remained the entire summer on General Clinton's estate, where the two Misses Robinson spent a fortnight with her previous to the return of the party to town, where they hastened to see the new fashions.
"On our next meeting, I hardly recognized them in the extravagant and ridiculous attire, with which a very beautiful woman, who had ar- rived from England, had cheated them, as well as all the other fash- ionable belles of New-York." ?
All, indeed, suffered in the winter of 1779-80. Wash- ington writes from Morristown on January 22, 1780 :
"I have been at my present headquarters since the first day of December, and have not a kitchen to cook a dinner in, although the logs have been put together some considerable time by my own guard. Nor is there a place at this moment in which a servant can lodge, with the smallest degree of comfort.
" Eighteen belonging to my family and all Mrs. Ford's, are crowded together in her kitchen, and scarce one of them able to speak for the colds they have caught." '
Under the circumstances Washington was not prepared to take advantage of the condition of New York, though he knew its helpless condition : the half-frozen rivers on either side and the ships jammed in the ice.
Relations like these enable us to appreciate the con- dition of things and the state of society, in the midst of which the parish was making a struggle for life. The
1 Letters and Memoirs by Madame De Riedesel, 245.
' Ibid., 248.
8 Sparks's Writings of George Washington, vi., 449.
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History of Trinity Church [1780
scanty and imperturbable Records make no special refer- ence to the general distress that prevailed, but run on in an impartial and business like way ; the statement that the rector retired from the Board to enable the members to consider the finances, taken in connection with the story of the German Baroness, show that the pressure upon all classes was very severe. The Records of Jan- uary 25, 1780, state that the Vestry were chiefly employed with matters relating to street improvements, and the re- mittal of rents, which could not be collected. Dr. Inglis withdrew from the meeting to allow those present an op- portunity of considering the fact that his salary was also inadequate " for the support of his family." It was, therefore, voted
" that in consideration of the heavy expenses attending the support of a family at this time, Doctor Inglis should be allowed the sum of one hundred pounds over and above his Annual allowance,"
whereupon, " Dr. Inglis was called in and made acquainted with the resolution." The same amount was also voted to Mr. Moore.1
January 30. Dr. Inglis preached a discourse on honor- ing the king, the occasion being the anniversary of the martyrdom of Charles I .?
1 Records, i., 410. " " JUST PUBLISHED. The Duty of Honouring the KING, explained and recommended : IN A SERMON, Preached in ST. GEORGE's and ST. PAUL'S CHAPELS NEW YORK, On Sunday January 30, 1780. Being the Anniversary of the Martyrdom of KING CHARLES I. By CHARLES INGLIS, D. D., Rector of Trinity Church New- York. To be had of H. GAINE." -The New- York Gazette, March 6, 1780.
433
1780]
Trinity Church and the Reformed Dutch
March 28. The Records show that the only business transacted related to lots. In April the Vestry received the report of an auditing committee, who stated that there was a balance in the hands of the Warden of 6673, 15s.
April 11. The rector communicated a letter received by him "from several of the members of the Antient Re- formed Dutch Congregation," which, being read, was or- dered on file. The letter is as follows :
"New York, April 8, 1780, Major General Pattison, having taken the earliest opportunity, (the Recovery of the sick and wounded soldiers would permit) of returning to the old Dutch Church of which we now have possession. Permit us, sir, thro' you, to return our most grateful thanks to the Vestry of Trinity Church for their kind offer of St. George's Chapple, with the use of which we were so happily accommo- dated during the time our Church was occupied by his Majesty's troops. The Christian like behaviour and kind attention shown them in our dis- tress by members of the Church of England will make a lasting impres- sion on the mind of the antient Reformed Dutch Congregation, who have always considered the interest of the two churches inseparable, and hope that this Instance of Brotherly Love, will evince to posterity the cordial and happy union subsisting between us. We are, with great Regard, Dear Sir, Your most faithful and obedient servants." 1
This was signed by Garrit Sydekker, V. D. M., Abel Hardenbrook, John Alstyne, William Ellis, Henry Bre- voort, Barnardus Smith, Jeronimus Alstyne, Abel Harden Crook, Jr., Isaac Kip.
The capture of Charleston, South Carolina, May 12th, caused great rejoicings in New York, and inspired hope for the future. In June, however, reverses came, General Knyphausen being driven back from New Jersey by Wash- ington and his militia, in confusion and disgrace. Clinton returning from the South, commenced new movements, which led Washington to strengthen his position at West Point and the Highlands; and soon after this occurred the memorable episode of Arnold's treason, and the cap-
1 Records, i., 413.
28
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History of Trinity Church
[1780
ture and execution of the unfortunate André, who died in the flower of his youth, a victim and not a criminal, la- mented by both armies, and without a blot on his fame.
"Heu, miserande puer !"
Poor Mr. Inglis, hopeful still while the end came nearer and nearer, writes, May 20, 1780, " The rebellion declines daily and is near its last gasp." (N. Y. MSS., ii., 643.)
" The cruizer Sir George Rodney, of 14 guns, commanded by Cap- tain Daniel Moore, (formerly the Brig Active of Philadelphia, Captain Mesnard, master) on Sunday last returned into our harbour, after a fierce and long continued engagement with the Brig Holker ; many were killed on both sides. The Rebel was superior in force to the Loyalist, yet the Holker was so far beaten as to owe her escape to the outsailing the Rodney in keen pursuit of her.
" The slaughter and wounds on the Rodney side will be given when collected. The fate of the gallant Captain DANIEL MOORE, (mortally wounded in the action and since dead) is deplored by thousands. His re- mains were on Monday evening attended by a very numerous procession of Gentlemen to the family Burial Ground, in Trinity Church Yard." 1
July 4. The Wardens and Vestry met, but probably not to recognize the anniversary of the Declaration of American Independence. They simply refused to abate the rent of John Livingston, and requested Warden Des- brosses to pay the debts of the Church " from time to time as cash shall come into his hands," while, on September 3d, thought was given to the charity sermons to be preached on the 19th and 26th of the month following, the stipula- tion again being given, "Weather permitting."?
1 The Royal Gazette, July 12, 1780.
2"A CHARITY SERMON Will be preached To-Morrow at ST. GEORGE's CHAPEL, For the Benefit of the public Charity School in this City." -Ibid., Nov. 18, 17So.
"Yesterday an excellent Charity Sermon was preached at ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL, by the Rev. Mr. LAMING, when a large Collection was made for the Use of the CHAR-
435
Clerical Stipends
1780]
" The Hand-Writing of Fames Rivington having been FORGED and posted up in the Church Walk and several threatening letters sent to his house, he hereby offers a reward of TEN GUINEAS for the discou- ery of such Forger and Incendiary, to be paid on conviction of the Offender. The Law of England punishes Forgery with DEATH.
"J. RIVINGTON.1 "Sept. 16."
"Saturday last departed this life Mr. JONATHAN CROWE, a loyal Refugee from Massachusetts-Bay ; and on Sunday his remains were ac- companied to Trinity Church Buryial-ground, by the honourable fra- ternity of Ancient York Masons, a number of their brethren and many respectable citizens, with the usual formalities." ?
"On Saturday the 30th of last month, died much lamented Mrs. GRACE BONNEL, the wife of Isaac Bonnel, Esq. ; of Amboy, formerly High Sheriff of Middlesex in New-Jersey, and on Sunday her remains were interred in Trinity church-yard, attended by a numerous and re- spectable company." 3
" Thursday Evening departed this life in the 44th year of her age, Mrs. MARY SEABURY, the wife of Rev. Doctor Seabury of this City." '
On December 22d it was voted to make an allowance of a hundred pounds to each of the clergy, and that in the future three hundred pounds be the salary of the rector and two hundred for the assistant.5
During the year 1781 things looked darker and darker as seen from the loyalist point of view, as all was converg- ing on the crowning victory of the Americans at Yorktown in the autumn of that year. The Records of the parish run on as usual, Dr. Inglis maintaining the services, as- sisted by the Rev. Benjamin Moore.
ITY SCHOOL in this City ; and next Sunday Morning another Charity Sermon will be preached at ST. PAUL'S CHURCH for the like laudable Design."-The New- York Gazette, Nov. 20, 1780.
"Sunday last an excellent Charity Sermon was preached at ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL, by the Reverend Dr. INGLIS, when a large collection was made for the use of the Charity School in this City .- " The Royal Gazette, Nov. 29, 1750.
' Ibid., September 16, 17So.
3 Ibid., October 4, 17So.
3 Ibid., October 11, 1730.
4 Icid., October 14, 17So.
5 Records, i., 415.
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History of Trinity Church [1781
Funerals and weddings in the parish continue to at- tract public attention.
" On Thursday Evening died, Mr. Cornelius Duane : He was de- scended from a very respectable European Family ;- a sensible, pleas- ant Person, and much esteemed by a very extensive Acquaintance. His Remains were interred the next Day in Trinity Church Yard, at- tended by a Number of respectable Citizens." 1
" Last Wednesday se'nnight was married by the Rev. Mr. Moore, Mr. Robert Appleby, of this city, Brewer, to Miss Peggy Moore, a very amiable young lady and of great merit." 2
"On Wednesday was married Colin Campbell, Esq. ; son of the late worthy Rector of Burlington, in West-Jersey, to Miss A. M. Sea- bury, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Seabury, of this City." 3
April 5, 1781. Thomas Collister begs the Vestry
"to take into consideration of allowing me a Salary for Taking care of St. George's Chaple which will be putting me on a Footing with Other Sextons, as it would be an encouragement to me to see that it is kept in Good Order & Clean in which I would take great delight & spare no Pains to accomplish. Believe me Gentlemen," he continues, "you may think my Prequises large by having the Ground of Trinity Church an- nexed to St. George's, yet it is nothing but the cheapness of the Ground that Brings many Poor People to Bury there, of whom I very often Get nothing at all But the price of the Ground and paying the man for dig- ging the Grave." He also says, " I Pay for only Ringing the Bell at the rate of 8 pounds a year Besides giving up my dues at Christenings for assisting me in Cleaning of the Church which falls rather Hard as I am obliged to attend the Church on Sundays Let me have to do what I will att Funerals, which obliges me to Hire a man when I have an In- vitation to do these things considered with the dearness of Provision, Paying a large Rent & Sacrificing my whole time to the services of a Church." ‘
April 5. Twenty pounds were voted as the salary of Sexton Thomas Collister, and it was ordered that a " vel- vet pall be provided for the use of funeralls"; but beyond
1 The New- York Gazette, March 12, 17SI.
9 The Royal Gazette, Aug. 11, 17SI.
3 The New- York Gazette, Dec. 31, 17SI.
' Thomas Collister was appointed sexton of St. George's in 1790.
salater
437
Proposal to Rebuild Trinity Church
1781]
this the action of the Board furnishes no items of interest. April 17.
" The question being put whether or not it would be prudent at this time to rebuild Trinity Church provided a sufficient sum of money could be raised by subscription for that purpose and it being put to a vote it was carried in the affirmative by a great majority."
It was therefore resolved to appoint a committee on subscription.
The committee was composed of the rector, together with Mr. Desbrosses, Mr. Vandam, Mr. Ludlow, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Kissam, Mr. Goelet, and Mr. Ellison.
Mr. Moore,
"the present clerk to this corporation, informed the Board that he had removed from town with his family, which would render it very incon- venient for him to attend the business of that office. He desired to re- sign, which the Board accepting thereupon resolved that Mr. Robert Auchmuty be and is hereby appointed to succeed Mr. Moore as clerk of this Corporation upon the usual salary and emoluments of office."
May 14. There being £421, 15s. 22d. to the credit of the parish, it was voted to
"paint the east end of St. George's Chapple, to repair the Steeple with the materials they [the Committee] may think most proper & to examine the state of the paint on the said Steeple " ;
while the yard of St. Paul's was to be enclosed with " Ditch and such Temporary fence as they may think proper."
September 17. Vaults left without St. Paul's Church- yard by the widening of Vesey Street were to be exchanged for new vaults in the yard, to be built by the Church.1
At the same session the committee was ordered to carry out the intention of Mrs. Anne Chambers, who left in trust five hundred pounds to the Charity School for the benefit of girls, and to provide premiums, " either money, cloathes,
1 Records, i., 419.
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History of Trinity Church [1782
Apprentice fee or in any other manner," as may come within the meaning of the will. They were also to inquire into the title of the Kykout farm, in Kings County, left in trust by Elizabeth Regnier.'
And now came the end. On the 19th of October, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown ; the event, so glorious to the American arms, virtually terminated the long strife. "Old things passed away, and all things be- came new." With the year 1782 another order took the place of one which had vanished, and the inhabitants of New York had need of all the wisdom, consideration, and mutual forbearance at their command till the exact rela- tions between the two countries, Great Britain and the United States, should be determined, and the rights of all should be settled and secured. What must have been the position of the Church at that time! And what interposi- tion of Divine Providence appeared to be needed to save her from spoliation, destruction, and death ! There is hardly anything more memorable in the history of Angli- can Christianity than the preservation of our institutions, our faith, our Book of Common Prayer, and our ecclesias- tical traditions in that trying period of transition from the monarchical rule and system of the old world to the free- dom and independence of the new. Well have devout men cried out on reading the story : " What hath GOD wrought !" With reverence we trace, in its mysterious ac- tion, the working of a Hand greater than that of man.
In this history of our parish the interest centres, of course, around the figure of its brave and devoted rector. A heavy affliction came to him in the death of his eldest son, Charles, who died on Sunday morning, January 20, 1782, after two days' illness, in the eighth year of his age. The sweetness of disposition and the strength of under-
1 Records, i., 420.
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Financial Condition of the Parish
1782]
standing discovered in this gentle child at that early age had raised the highest expectations of his future merit ; his untimely death was an inexpressible sorrow to his parents. His body was buried in the chancel of St. Paul's Chapel, and his father took up the burden of his duties with a heart which now grew heavier from day to day.
The rumor that the independence of the thirteen prov- inces was to be recognized caused the clergy much sur- prise and perplexity. Under date of August 10, 1782, Mr. Odell writes from New York to the secretary of the Venerable Society :
" The King's Commissioners for restoring peace to these His Maj- esty's Colonies have recently communicated to the public the very un- expected information that Mr. Grenville has been instructed to propose the Independency of the thirteen Provinces at a Congress assembled at Pari .; , a circumstance that has thrown us here into the utmost surprise and consternation and which the Society will doubtless consider as pe- culiarly distressing to their Missionaries in this Country. On this occa- sion it must be supposed that, in the extreme agitation of alarm, we look for the Society's advice and instruction." 1
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