USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 2 > Part 5
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" Charlotte Davies. Charlotte, only daughter of the Reverend Thomas Davies and Mary Hervey, his wife, was born at New Milford, Conn., February 12th 1765, and on March 27th 1783, was married to Jonathan Burrall, of Canaan, Conn., at which place she died on June 23rd 1785 leaving two sons surviving her, one named Thomas Davies Burrall, hereafter mentioned, and another whose name is not known, and who died young leaving no issue."
The Reverend Thomas Davies, Charlotte's father, graduated at Yale in 1758, was ordained Priest in 1761 at Lambeth by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and sent as a missionary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gos- pel in Foreign Parts to the county of Litchfield, Conn. He died in 1766. His children, William and Charlotte, were sent to their relatives at Amenia at an early age.
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Amenia is not far from East Camp. The Davieses had also relatives at Poughkeepsie where Provoost occasionally preached. As the handwriting on the sermons is that of a child of six to nine years of age, it is most probable that the above " Charlotte Davies" was the one for whom Provoost set the writing copy and whose childish autograph appears on his sermons.
The present honored Bishop of Michigan, Dr. Davies, is a descendant of Thomas Davies, the S. P. G. Missionary.1
II. Samuel Provoost to his Brother.
"Dr Brother
"I received the books you sent me by Lawrence they afforded me the most agreeable amusement in my Country retirement. D'Alrimple has set the period he treats off in a clearer light than any body before him and made some interesting discourses unknown to former histori- ans- Lord Chesterfield had always the character of one the politest writers and best bred persons of the age, his letters shew him to have been at the same time the tenderest of fathers and most amiable of men. I suppose you interest yourself a little in the fate of this Country and am therefore sorry that my distance from town and the uncertainty
1 John Davies. First American Ancestor. Died Nov. 22, 1758.
John Davies 1711-1797 Married
Elizabeth Brown
Mary Powell
John Davies
Rev. Thomas Davies
Thomas Davies, M.D.
1737-1766 1
1766-IS31
1
Charlotte Davies
Thomas Frederick Davies 1793-1865 1
1765-1785 1 Thomas Davies Burrall
Bishop Davies 1831-
1 No issue
43
1783]
Samuel Provoost to his Brother
of opportunities for Ireland puts it out of my power to write any that you will not be acquainted with before you receive my letters. The late iniquitous acts of Parliament and the sanguinary measures taken to enforce them have induced the different Provinces to unite firmly for their common defence, each Province has its separate Provincial con- gress intended to enforce its resolves, and to be subject to the controul of the grand Continental congress which sits at Philadelphia. An association has been formed and signed by an incredible number of people to support the measures of these Congresses never to submit to slavery, but to venture our lives and property in the defence of our Liberty and Country. Gentlemen of approved abilities are appointed to take the command of our forces, as Col. Hall has I think served in America and may be able to give you their characters I shall send a few of them. Col. Washington, a Virginian gentleman of considerable property, most respectable and who behaved very gallantly in many engagements last war is appointed Commander in chief of our Army. Col. Lee has given up his half pay and accepted of a Commission of Major General in the American Service. Horatio Gates formerly, I think, a Major in the English pay is appointed adjutant general. Captain Montgomery, an Irishman, and Brother to the Countess of Rane and our neighbor in the country is brigadier general of the New York forces and Fleming for- merly adjutant to the 16th Regt. which was quartered a few years ago at Corke, is a Lieut. Col., the other general officers are mostly of this country. There are so many thousands in this wide extended Conti- nent determined not to survive the loss of the Liberties that there is little probability the English will get the better in this impolitic contest the event of which I think they have greater reason to fear than the Americans, for our numbers increase so fast, that the country must naturally rise superior in the end to any present difficulties. Whereas if England once sinks she will find it difficult to emerge again. General Gage has had two engagements with the people of New England in which his men have been so roughly handled that they have thought it proper to remain quiet for some weeks past - it is reported that there was about a thousand officers and soldiers killed in the last engagement in which the loss of the provincials was but inconsiderable. Col. Peter Livingston aquaints us that he is to set off for town ToMorrow - I am going to the Manour to trouble him with a few lines to let you know that we have received the Articles you sent by the Judge's sloop and to return Basford Abbey for the use of which I am much obliged to your son David - you cant expect much news from our Situation - the
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weather continues still very moderate tho' the country begins to look a little gloomy as the fields have lost their verdure and the trees their leaves. I have been prevented as yet from going to the nine pastures by an ugly wound that my Right hand Master Hamlet gave himself in the foot with the axe as he was cutting wood -it has confined him a
. fortnight. . If the farm is not yet advertised I really think it would be advisable to mention it for sale as well to be let - possibly a good price may be offered for it ; it would be better to sell it for a moderate one than to be continually pestered for the want of cash. I still leave it to you to do as you think best. Mr. Livingston without doubt will be able to put you in a way to send up the money you are to receive for me, a disappointment in this Article would put me to the greatest inconvenience. I shall be glad to hear how you are like to succeed in your two Law suits. Maria joins in presenting love & compliments to Mrs. James etc. etc."
The Countess of " Rane " mentioned in the above letter is evidently meant to be the Countess of " Ranelagh," as Sarah, the sister of Richard Montgomery, married Charles, fourth Viscount Ranelagh. Richard Montgomery married Janet, daughter of Judge Robert R. Livingston, of Cler- mont. He was killed at the storming of Quebec, December 31, 1775.
This letter must have been written between June 22 and December 9, 1775.
III. Draft of Letter in Provoost's Handwriting to Mrs. Provoost's Mother.
" My Dr Mother can easily form an Idea of the vast pleasure I had in hearing of the health of her, my brother & Sister by a letter which I re- ceived from my Sister Purefoy dated last June which is the only one I have had since the beginning of the war - I wrote by Mrs Schuyler and again last December but have not had another opportunity until now - my Sister begs I would be particular - if I had her talent for writing I would venture to be so - but as this is not the case and my letters are to go open, I must be content with telling you as usual that Mr Provoost myself and children are well and that I have a young daughter of a fortnight old which indeed is the only pleasing news I can send you. I make no doubt but that it would afford you great satisfaction to hear
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Provoost to Ronzone
1783]
my little Ben. Bousfield as plain as I do, singing with his sisters Betty and Maria. I should, I think, feel myself more happy if they were all under your tender care during the present troubles, tho' I should be, I am sure, at times very lonesome unless I had their little pratling con- versations. Permit me to request my sister to find out every convey- ance to write to me. It has ever been one of my greatest satisfactions since I have lived in this Country to hear from home, and since this Melancholy war I have been greatly debarred from that Pleasure. I heard with great concern of the Death of Mrs Oliver. My Aunt New- man how I feel for her ! but her own amiable mind and good under- standing will supply her with great consolation.
" Mr Provoost joins with me &c &c &c."
IV. Draft of Letter to his Brother.
" Dr James
"Since he escaped so well in the end I am not sorry for the difficul- ties he met with, the pleasure he will have in recollecting and reciting his adventure, will more than compensate for his fatigue. I am glad to find that you and Lord Sterling have exerted yourselves so nobly in putting New York in a proper posture of defence, I wish D was arrived that he might cooperate with you. I am very sorry my Mother has been so unlucky in her houses, and long to hear if my place has had better success. At any rate we must be prepared to bear our part of the General Calamity, if we live another year or two I am confident we shall have happier times and see America more flurishing than ever.
. If you can be spared from the City we shall expect you &c, &c, by the return of the sloop, your Military abilities will not live idle here for we have Company of men who dont want for spirit and who only require some of your assistance to bring them under proper discipline."
V. Draft of Letter to Count Claudio Ronzone.1
"To Count Claudio Ronzone ?
" Your Lordship does wrong to the love I have always born you from your infancy and of which all my actions since your arrival to years of Discretion ought to have convinced you, beseeching me to do what you
1 At the end of a sermon by Dr. Provoost, on I Peter iii : 13. The notes state that the sermon was preached March 29, 1767. St. George's, Morning ; Trinity, Afternoon, 1789. April 5, Morning, St. Paul's.
? The Ronzoni are one of the most illustrious and ancient Italian families. Like most of the great Italian nobles they claim to trace their pedigree back to pre-
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might have freely commanded me - and what if I had known it was for your service I was bound to do without any command. I will do it with all possible diligence and sincerity - for the confidence you put in me I return infinite thanks, in no time or situation shall you ever have occa- sion to think it misplaced - the councel you desire you might certainly have asked from a more prudent but not from a more faithful breast than mine - and I will give you such as the love I bear you and the confidence you place in me deserves. If I pass the bounds of modesty blame your own humane and my free and ingennous temper which im- pels me to it. I cannot and will not flatter-and particularly in an affair of so much moment to you, what a species of treachery would it be not to speak my sentiments. My Lord to desire (now without any reasons given you) to depart from the service of that excellent Republic which you have served so much to your own honour and their satisfac- tion, to deprive her of the hope she promises herself from your bravery, and for you to lose what her usual gratitude gives you reason to expect appears to me rather to merit reprehension than applause- and I fear that urged on by your impetuous desires of glory you may quit the substance for the shadow, which desires tho' they may proceed from a generous mind they never do from a prudent one - if you believe the contrary - I must not only greatly blame your opinion but also myself for the judgment I had formed of you, neither am I willing that hope of greater reward, or greater reputation should persuade you. The Count Guido your father, considering the love and reverence you have for him is a good example tho' with large steps you attempt if not to sur- pass at least to equal in fame yet he is still a good way before you.
" Perhaps you may think it would be better to serve a King than a Republic, particularly a King so liberal, so magnanimous, and so much a friend to virtue as this is, and it certainly would be better if the State of the world allowed of it, and if he was possessed of all those qualities which are proper and necessary for a perfect Prince. Nobody doubts but that more may be hoped for from one than many, if that one is able by himself to bestow upon you the benefits and the reputation that many together can. Who knows not that it is easier to acquire by virtuous actions the love of one than of many, for it being impossible that many should be all virtuous, all prudent, all knowers of good, not love the vitious - not know virtue and consequently the merit of the
Christian times. At any rate it is authentic that the Ronzoni were influential in the twelfth century. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Milan, which antedates the foundation of the great Cathedral, was erected about the year InIO by Benedetto Ronzone, a Crusader.
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Provoost to Ronzone
1783]
virtuous, and consequently not knowing, not loving it how can they possibly concur with the others in rewarding and dignifying according to its worth !- infinite other reasons might be produced in favour of this opinion which are rather superfluous than necessary. I shall only mention those which occur to me on the contrary, reasons rather pro- duced by accidents of the world and the conditions of the Times than from the Quality of the thing, and I will tell you why, it is more proper, more useful and more for your reputation to serve that illustrious Senate. You must have heard and known by experience that the service of Italian Noblemen is not very agreeable, I will not say to the most Christian King but to his ministers who have the management of affairs, and that they employ them more thro' necessity than love and more to deprive others of their services than to avail themselves of their assistance - if this, if it was caused by the little faith, or little merit, or bad management of our Predecessors who served them, or thro' the envy, the designs and the ambition of those that govern I am not a proper person to form a judgment and so much the less as the grand master appears to me a person of great genius, of great pru- dence, of infinite valour and desert - the effect is seen - the causes are concealed - what then can you expect from a Prince who employs you through necessity not choice. Don't you perceive, that the more your merit the greater will be the envy of the governors who will strive to crush and abase your promotion and reputation - and your expectation will be cut short when you 'r just entering into the road to glory ? What end can you propose worthy of yourself and of your bravery. Can you hope for greater rank than your Uncle ? surely no ! no gentle- man of Italy ever arrived at greater and this is the utmost bounds to which your valour can arrive. Have you not the same promotion in this famous state, that you can expect from the king? if the stipend is greater - your expenses will also increase - and you will spend as much in a single visit when your duty calls you to that court as you would in many to this Republic (which in the judgment of good men) every Italian Prince should serve. Is she not the ornament and the lustre of Italian dignity? does she not seem an Image of the authority and grandeur of the Roman State ? In this obscure and tempestuous age, what other light or splendor does there remain to miserable Italy ? Are we not all slaves, all tributaries, I say not to Barbarous - but to foreign Nations-those very nations which the ancient and brave Italians led burthened with chains and bound before their chariots in their glorious Triumphs. This only has preserved its ancient liberty. This only renders obedience to none but God and its own well
------
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regulated laws. Let us preserve these reliques - this pattern of ancient Dignity. Are you not an Italian and born under the same climate ? is she not your sister ? in serving her, don't you at the same time serve yourself - your country - your liberty -your safety - your reputa- tion -your sons - your Posterity -your eternal fame? Will you bear those arms that may shed the blood of your sons - your brothers -your friends - your parents ? Will you light a fire that may burn your country - your house and your estate ? What Italian Noble- man do you see advanced by the Most Christian King to the first offices in his army -dont you perceive that the riches and commis- sions bestowed upon them are infinitely inferior to what they might have acquired in the Service of their country ? On the contrary what rank-what reward may you expect from that excellent Republick ? have you not numberless examples of her gratitude before your eyes ? is not that wonderful city crowded with memorials of her worthy com- manders who live, and will always live in these testimonies of their bravery ? have you not in view the many families that are exalted - the many that are enriched by the rewards which the grateful Republic bestows upon the well deserving. Kings are mortal - and though their sons are heirs to their kingdoms and Paternal Inheritance, they are not heirs to their love and obligations - the Republic is perpetual, is al- ways alive - is always mindful of benefits received - but why do I labour to demonstrate this, you may see it much better than I can in the mirror of your own Prudence. I entreat you that you will not suffer the designs of others to drag you from the path of wisdom. In your own affairs let your own reason be your guide - no one can give you better counsel than yourself - consider then the Quality of the times, the variableness of things, and the instability of the wills of man. "My love towards you - my wishes for your honour and the Duty which I owe to you have induced me to say thus much. May you have the same opinion of my good offices that I have of your virtue." 1
His letter to his Italian friend is but another testimony to Provoost's strong republican tendencies. The well- known incident of Provoost's preparing to resist a British attack on his farm, October, 1777, belongs to this period.
1 The reader must bear in mind that this is only a rough draft or copy hurriedly written out. This accounts for the omission of some words, and the lack of proper punctuation in this and the other letters.
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Incident at Esopus
1783]
"When the British fleet ascended the Hudson River, and burnt Esopus,1 after they had set fire to Judge Livingston's house, which was but a little way below Mr. Provoost's farm, a detachment of soldiers from the fleet was observed approaching the shore not far from Mr. Provoost's dwelling. He and a number of his neighbors armed them- selves, with a hope that they might defend their property. The soldiers were seen to land and leave their boat in charge of a guard of two or three men. It was immediately proposed by the armed citizens to surprise the guard and destroy the boat, which would insure, with the fever that could soon be raised in the country, the capture of the whole detachment. With this design, Mr. Provoost and his party crept along the river, concealed by the rocks and bushes till they got so near the boat as to bear the fruit of executing their design, when to their great disappointment, the soldiers who had left the shore met with something which hastened their return, and the reverend gen- tleman and his associates were glad to keep themselves hid, not without fear that they would be discovered." ?
Mr. Provoost's patient endurance of poverty and pri- vation, and his readiness to defend his convictions, won for him the regard and admiration of the Americans. In the election for delegates to the Provincial Congress, the name of Samuel Provoost headed the list. He declined, however, to accept the position.
The Convention of 1776 requested Mr. Provoost to preach to them. He returned the following reply :
" CAMP, MANOR OF LIVINGSTON, August 11th, 1776.
“ SIR,
" I lately received the resolve of the Honourable Convention, in which I am requested to preach before them on the 27th day of this month.
"As I am convinced of the justice of the cause they are engaged in, and duly sensible of the honour intended me by their appointment, if I follow my own inclinations, I shall very readily comply with their request ; but so many things occur which would render it highly incon- venient for me to officiate upon this occasion, that I must rely upon their goodness to excuse me.
"I cannot presume to take up your time with so inconsiderable a
1 October 13, 1777.
2 Evergreen, vol. I., 195. VOL. II .- 4
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subject, therefore shall mention my reason for deserving their indul- gence to James Duane, Esq. and Col. Hoffman, two worthy members of the Convention, and flatter myself they will prove satisfactory to that respectable assembly.
"I am, Sir, your most humble servant " SAMUEL PROVOOST. "Brigadier General Woodhull." 1
The following year he was elected Chaplain by the Committe of Safety, who framed the following resolution :
" Resolved That the Revd. Mr. Samuel Provost be appointed Chaplain to the Convention of this State, and that he be requested to attend to perform prayers every morning and divine service every Sunday before the Convention or Committee of Safety at this place.
" Ordered That a Committee appointed to prepare a resolution for a day of fasting and prayer, be directed to wait on Mr. Provost with a copy of the aforegoing resolve." "
On February 28th the Committee reported,
" that Mr. Provoost, for sundry good reasons offered to the Committee (and by them verbally mentioned to the House) is under the necessity of declining the honour of serving as Chaplain to the Convention : Thereupon,
" Resolved, That the reasons assigned by Mr. Provoost are satisfactory to the Committee of Safety." 3
Though refusing to act as Chaplain to the Convention he nevertheless drew up its prayers. Among the sermons in the possession of Gen. James Grant Wilson, is a loose sheet of MS. containing a transcript of the Orders of Congress for a day of " Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer" for Friday, May 17th. This resolution of Congress may be found, word for word, on page 286 of Journals of Con- gress, 1776. In the copy before us the resolution has appended to it these words :
1 P. 248 of Journals of the Provincial Congress, vol. ii.
? Resolution of the Com. of Safety, Feb. 22, 1777, Journals of the Provincial Congress, vol. i.
3 Ibid., p. 818.
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State Prayers
1783]
" May that Being who is powerful to save, and in whose hand is the fate of nations, look down with an eye of tender pity and compassion upon the whole of the United Colonies, may he continue to smile upon their councils and arms, and crown them with success, whilst employed in the cause of Virtue and of mankind. May every part of this wide extended continent thro' his divine favour, be restored to more than their former lustre and once happy state, and have peace, liberty, and safety, secured upon a solid, permanent and lasting foundation."
While on the subject of State Prayers it may be well to refer to a little-known action of the New York Pro- vincial Convention. At a session held at White Plains, July 11, 1776, in a letter addressed to the Continental Congress, the following very wise suggestion was made :
"We take the liberty of suggesting to your consideration also, the propriety of taking some measures for expunging from the Book of Common Prayer, such parts, and discontinuing in the congregation of all other denominations, all such prayers as interfere with the interest of the American cause. It is a subject we are afraid to meddle with, the Enemies of America having taken great pains to insinuate into the minds of the Episcopalians that the Church was in danger.
"We would wish this Congress now pass some resolve to quiet their fears, and we are confident it would do essential service to the cause of America, at least in this State." 1
In the year 1777, Mr. Provoost was honored by a call from the Vestry of St. Michael's, Charleston, S. C., to the Rectorship of that parish. In their records, under date of April, 1777, there appears a draft of a letter from the Vestry to Mr. George Abbott Hall, a fellow-member of the Vestry, as follows :
"CHARLES TOWN 23 April 1777.
" SIR :-
"We shall be much obliged upon your arrival at Philadelphia you will endeavour to procure a minister for St. Michael's Parish. We
' Letter from the Provincial Convention held at White Plains, July 11, 1776, to the Honorable John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress. P. 521 of Journals.
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have been informed a Mr. Provoost would come out on proper applica- tion. Should you see that gentleman you will please to inform him of the situation of St. Michael's and of the sallery and purquesits he may receive. We need not relate to you any particulars as you are well acquainted with our circumstances and the minister that may be agree- able to the Parish.
" We are Sir, "Yours etc.
" George Abbott Hall Esq."
On the back of the sermons, delivered October 16 and and 23, 1768, is found a draft of the letter of declination :
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