USA > New York > New York City > A history of the parish of Trinity Church in the city of New York, pt 2 > Part 7
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A memorial was also presented to the General Con- vention of that year, "stating that a very unhappy differ- ence, which appears to threaten the very existence of their Church, subsists between the Rector and the Con- gregation of said Church and praying the Convention to devise some means for their relief." The memorial was referred to a committee who reported that, as that Con- vention had passed a canon providing for such cases, the House ought not to go into the matter. The report was agreed to. In December of the same year, 1804, a special
1 Page 22S of the reprint of the Journals of General Conventions, vol. i., edited by William Stevens Perry, D.D.
67
Character of Ogden
1822]
convention of New Jersey was held, when it was decided to suspend Dr. Ogden unless he should resign. Just before this Dr. Ogden withdrew from the Protestant Epis- copal Church in the United States, declaring, however, that he should continue to officiate in Trinity Church, Newark, as a priest of the Church of England. This being, of course, inadmissible, the Standing Committee, with the consent of Bishop Moore, suspended Dr. Ogden from duty in the State of New Jersey, May 9, 1805.
On the 16th of October following, Dr. Ogden was formally received as a member of the Presbyterian body.
From that date till his death, on November 4, 1822, he preached at different places, but exercised his ministry al- ways at his own charges. He was the author of many publications, the principal one being Antidote to Deism, a work in two volumes and an elaborate refutation of Paine's Age of Reason, of which the Corporation of Trinity Church thought so highly that they circulated it at their own expense. It is but fair to his memory to say that the differences between him and his Vestry did not in any way reflect upon his character.
He is described by his contemporaries as being learned, courteous, dignified in his bearing, and full of zeal and ardor in his ministrations.1
1 For further information as to the career of this man, the reader is referred to a valuable work recently published, entitled, Journals of the Conventions of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church of the State of New Jersey, 1785-1816. Reprinted, New York, IS90 : John Polhemus, 102 Nassau Street. This compilation was made by Messrs. James Parker and Francis Many.
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CHAPTER VII.
REGULAR WORK OF PARISH RESUMED.
First Day of Public Thanksgiving-Sermon by Mr. Moore-Generous Policy of Cor- poration in Matter of Leases-Crowded State of Churchyards-Rule as to Further Burials-Permission Granted for Erection of Fire-Engine-House-Clerk's Table of Fees-Large Loss by Debts-Sale of Lots-Bequest of Elias Desbrosses for Main- tenance of a French Clergyman-The Huguenot Congregation-It Conforms to the Anglican Liturgy-The Church du Saint Esprit-Liberality of Corporation to French Ministers-Legacy from Elias Desbrosses for Poor Children-Legacy from Margaret Todd-Annuity Granted to Mrs. Barclay-Death of Mrs. Barclay-Resignation of Mr. Tucker-Plans for a Rectory-Appointments of Presidents to Each Committee -Reports of Committees -- A Foreigner's Lament-Grant of Lots to Presbyterians for Residences for their Senior Pastors-Subscription Lists for the Assistant Minis- ters-Taking Down Ruins of Old Trinity-Rebuilding of Trinity Church Decided on-Change of Title of Corporation Resolved on-Granted by Legislature.
T is now proposed in our history to note the gradual resumption of the regular work of the Parish, upon the termination of the War of Independence, and to show the methods adopted in the business proceedings of the period.
A day of public thanksgiving for the final establishment of American independence was observed in the month of December, 1783. It is of record that a sermon was preached on that occasion by the Rev. Mr. Moore, from the text :
"For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast ; neither was there any peace to him that went out or came in be- cause of the affliction : for I set all men every one against his neighbor.
"But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the for- mer days, saith the Lord of hosts.
68
69
Renewal of Leases
1784]
"For the seed shall be prosperous ; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew ; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things." 1
The question of the renewal of the leases of the Church farm came up for consideration at this period, as soon as public affairs had become settled. Many of the holders of these leases had been in the American army, and con- sequently lapses had occurred in the payment of rents ; others of the tenants had fallen in the war, killed in battle or succumbing to privation and disease, so that it was uncer- tain to whom renewals should be granted. The policy of the Corporation on this subject is shown in the resolutions adopted May 18th and July 29th, 1784, as follows :
" Resolved : That when any Person who has taken a Lease from the late Managers of the Church Estate during the war, makes it appear to the Committee on Leases that he is better entitled to a Lease on such Lot than any other person ; that then the Committee on Leases report the same to the Board in order that a New Lease be granted to Such Person for the same term of years and at the Same Rate as was formerly agreed for. ª
" Resolved : That those persons who have received such leases during the war and who have not assigned the same shall have it in their option either to receive new Leases for the remainder of their term at the ex- pense of the Corporation or to receive a lease for the same length of time and at the same rate as those they now have at their own expense."
Burials in Trinity churchyard had increased to such an extent, during the war, that new graves could with difficulty be dug, and in many cases interments had been made within only three feet of the surface of the earth. As this was a manifest menace to the health of the city, the Vestry passed a resolution, May 27, 1784 :
1 Zech. viii., 10-12. See Rivington's Gazette, Dec. 13, 1783.
? Records, liber i., folio 444.
3 Ibid., folio 463.
70
History of Trinity Church
[1784
" Resolved : That no Funerals be permitted in future in the Bury- ing Ground of Trinity Church, except where families have used par- ticular Burial Places therein for this some time past and except in the different vaults already built.
" Resolved : That the Sexton of Trinity Church deliver within six weeks to this Board a list of the different Vaults and also of the Burial Places used by particular families, and who wish still to retain them, in order that they may be registered and; the families permitted to use them in future.
" Ordered : That the Sexton notify the Members of the Congrega- tion of the above Resolution in order that they may inform him of the different Burial Places and Vaults. .
"That Mr. Duane inform the Corporation of this City of the present State of Trinity Church Burying Ground and of the intention of this Cor- poration with respect to it, and to request their approbation thereof." 1
Six years later a resolution was passed still further re- stricting the use of the churchyards of Trinity and St. Paul's, by forbidding the indiscriminate burial of the ne- groes in them. In the future, only such of them as had been communicants were to have the privilege of inter- ment in St. Paul's churchyard .?
The necessity of an engine-house being much felt at that time, the Vestry granted Mr. Elsworth, the Fire Engineer of the city, permission to build a house for a fire-engine on a portion of St. Paul's burying ground.3 The place selected was in the north and west part of the ground on what is now the corner of Church and Vesey Streets. That site was occupied by a fire-engine-house until the year 1862, when the lease to the Columbian Fire- Engine Co., No. 14, expired, and the Vestry declined to grant a new lease, the entire front from Vesey Street to Fulton being needed for church purposes and the work at St. Paul's Chapel. A full account of the occupancy of the lot from 1784 until 1862, is given in the Year Book and
? Ibid., folio 529.
1 Records, liber i., folio 447.
3 Ibid., folio 447.
71
Parish Finances
1784]
Register of the Parish of Trinity Church for the year 1887, with an illustrated description of the building which now closes the ancient churchyard of St. Paul's upon the west.
Questions of finance occupied much of the attention of the Corporation during the year 1784. Action had previously been taken as to the support of the Rector and his assistants. It was ordered that the compensation to be allowed the clerk of the Parish, who was at the same time Master of the Charity School, be fixed at one hun- dred and fifty pounds per annum, together with five cords of oak and five of walnut wood, and a dwelling-house for himself and family. A table of fees allowable to be charged by the clerk of the Parish was drawn up :
" For attending a funeral when invited
Five shillings and sixpence.
For attending a marriage at a church or private house if asked Six shillings and sixpence.
For Registering a marriage, two shillings. For Publishing at Church, three shillings. For a Certificate of the Publication, two shillings.
For Registering a Christening, two shillings and sixpence." 1
The losses of the Parish, for some years prior to the close of the war, were heavy. From the minutes of June 8, 1784, it appears that a sum of upwards of £18,000 was then owing to the Corporation ; and to this must be added the losses incurred by the destruction of the Parish Church, the Rector's house, the Charity School, and the fence of the burying-ground, in 1776. The only method by which money could be raised to meet the heavy strain of rebuilding and re-establishing their property, was to sell part of the real estate. Consequently it was resolved :
"That a number of lots of ground belonging to this Corporation sit- uate to the Southward of Chambers Street, be forthwith sold at auction in 'ffee.' " ?
1 Records, liber i., folio 405.
2 Ibid., folio 452.
72
History of Trinity Church [1784
The New- York Packet and American Advertiser of August 5, 1784, contains an advertisement of the sale of the lease of six lots on which are an excellent oil-mill and a small dwelling-house. The issue of the same paper for August 12th has a long advertisement of the sale by auc- tion, of a number of lots.
" The greater part of the lots " are described as " elegantly situated and afford indisputably the most eligible situation for gentlemen's houses, of any in the City, being remote from the noise and bustle of the town, and having a spacious square in front."
The terms of payment were liberal : one third of the purchase money was to be paid within ten days, another third at the end of one year, and the remainder at the end of two years.
In 1787 another sale of lots was made : they are thus described :
"The streets on which most of the above lots are situated, are the widest and most regular of any in the city ; being, according to the late regulations, from 58 to 90 feet each in width, perfectly straight, and nearly at right angles with the Broadway and Hudson River. The as- cent from the river to the Broadway is more easy and gradual than in any other part of the town, and from the improvements making on the Water Lots, that part of the city will soon be a very eligible situation for every kind of business." 1
In May, 1784, the Vestry were informed by Mr. James Desbrosses that his late uncle, Elias Desbrosses, had be- queathed one thousand pounds in trust to the Corporation. This amount was to be placed at interest by the Vestry for the maintenance of a French clergyman who should perform divine service, in New York, in the French lan- guage, and according to the "Liturgy of the Church of England, as by law established," and,
1 The Independent Journal, May 30, 1787.
73
The Desbrosses Legacy
1784]
"In case any considerable time should elapse before it was possible to organize such a French congregation, then the interest arising from the sum bequeathed was to be added to the principal." 1
Several years passed by, and the prospect of organizing a French congregation under the terms of the will of Mr. Desbrosses appeared to be so remote that the Corporation decided to ask to be relieved from the responsibility im- posed by the trust. Accordingly, a petition was addressed to the Chancellor, August 8, 1791,
" praying to be discharged from the Trust reposed in this Corporation by the Will of Elias Desbrosses Esqr. deceased respecting a Legacy for the Benefit of the reformed French Church in the City of New York upon the contingency in the said Will mentioned." ?
On January 13, 1794, a Committee was appointed to carry into effect the purpose of the above resolution,3 and on December 12, 1796, Mr. Harison was appointed at- torney to make application to the Chancellor for the same purpose.+ On the 9th of January, 1797, Mr. Harison informed the Board that the Chancellor had ordered
" That the Trust monies should be accounted for and placed at in - terest upon real Security under the Direction of one of the Masters of the Court." 5
On folios 76 and 77 the report of the Master in Chancery on the Trust monies held by the Corporation under the legacy of Elias Desbrosses is given in full. It shows that the Corporation originally received £1000 from the executors, but at this date, July 14, 1798, the total of principal and interest amounted to £185 88. 11.
In the former volume of this history mention was made of the French as forming an important element among the
1 Records, liber i., folio 446. ? Ibid., liber ii., folio 3.
3 Ibid., folio 24. 4 Ibid., folio 5S. 5 Ibid., folio 59.
74
History of Trinity Church [1784
early settlers on Manhattan Island.1 It appears that a French Protestant Church had existed for a considerable time in the city of New York. The congregation referred to had, however, diminished in numbers during the war and the cessation of immigration, and the Church was in a very depressed condition. In the year IS02, its Trustees conceived the idea of obtaining the money left under the Desbrosses will and decided to take steps to that end, and, as a necessary condition to success, to change their ecclesiastical status and adopt the form of worship of the Church of England. We find in the Collections of the Huguenot Society a reference to these proceedings :
" One of the trustees, after having explained to the congregation the unfavorable condition in which the Church found itself financially, said that under these unfortunate circumstances the trustees had resolved, after ample deliberation, to take the necessary measures to put the Church in possession of the legacy left to it by the late Elias Des- brosses of one thousand pounds ; that in order to conform themselves to the will of the testator, they had further resolved that in the future the Anglican liturgy should be used in the service of this Church," etc .?
This was not the first case in which a French congre- gation had come over to the Church of England. In 1709, the Huguenot congregation at New Rochelle, as has al- ready been stated in our history,3 conformed to the Or- der and Discipline of our Communion. Following that precedent, the French congregation in this city was re- ceived into union with Trinity, and on the 30th of May, 1803, their edifice was consecrated by Bishop Moore under the corporate name of "The French Church du Saint Esprit." The sermon was preached by Mr. Hobart,
1 History of Trinity Church, Part I., p. 8.
2 Collections of the Huguenot Society of America, vol. i., p. 75.
3 Part I., p. 173.
75
Liberality of Corporation
1784]
and on the following June 24th, Mr. Albert, the minister of the congregation, was ordained priest.
In the following July the French Church addressed a communication to the Vestry of Trinity Church, stating that Mr. Albert had been appointed Rector of their Church by the Bishop and that the services were conducted ac- cording to the Liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and that they therefore claimed the legacy under the will of Elias Desbrosses.
The Vestry in return expressed their great pleasure and satisfaction at the receipt of the communication, but regretted to say that as the funds under the legacy had been placed out at interest by order of the Court of Chancery they could not pay the legacy over without a decree of the Court. As it would take some time to secure this they begged the acceptance by Mr. Albert and his Assistant, the Rev. Mr. Barry, of a donation of £100 each.1
Mr. Elias Desbrosses left another bequest to Trinity Church, the sum of five hundred pounds, for the clothing and education of "the poor children of Trinity Church School." 2
About the same time another bequest was paid to the Treasurer, a gift of two hundred pounds from the estate of Margaret Todd, who left that sum for the charity school.3
The following extract from the minutes of May 27, 1784, bears evidence to the constant, generous, and sym- pathetic action of the Vestry in relation to its clergy :
" It being represented that Mrs. Barclay, the Relict of the late worthy and Reverend Doctor Barclay, Rector of Trinity Church, is in indigent
' Records, liber ii., folio 139.
2 Ibid., liber i., folio 446.
3 See New- York Packet and American Advertiser, May 20, 1784.
76
History of Trinity Church [1784
circumstances, and this Corporation having a most lively Sense of Grat- itude for Mr. Barclay's Services, and an Earnest desire to assist in making the remainder of the life of his widow comfortable, it is therefore
"Resolved : That the Rector, Mr. Duane and Mr. Willets be a special Committee to Enquire into Mrs. Barclay's real situation and circum- stances and to report thereon to this Board." 1
Upon a report by the Committee it was
"Resolved unanimously : That Mrs. Barclay the relict of the late Rev- erend and Worthy Dr. Henry Barclay, Rector of Trinity Church, be allowed one hundred pounds per annum to be paid in quarterly pay- ments of twenty-five pounds each during her widowhood.
"Resolved unanimously : That the Salary commence from this day and that the first quarterly payment be advanced." ?
Mrs. Barclay did not live long to enjoy her pension ; she passed away on June 8, 17SS.3
On the Wednesday following her death this notice appeared in the Daily Advertiser :
"Panegyrics on departed friends are generally said to be 'gilding their dust,' but the hearts of all who knew Mrs. Barclay will testify to her worth. From a long and intimate acquaintance with the precepts of Christianity, she fulfilled its duties with uniformity and zeal, the reward of which she is now reaping, while her children must deplore the loss of a most tender parent, the poor a chearful contributor, and all her acquaintances a pleasing friend."
Mr. Tucker, one of the Vestrymen, set an example which redounds much to his credit. Being a Presbyterian, he wrote to the Vestry saying that " he esteemed it im- proper in him to attend meetings" of the Corporation, and accordingly tendered his resignation.4
The question of providing a residence for the Rector came up for discussion in the Vestry December 2, 1784.
1 Records, liber i., folio 446.
3 Ibid., folio 505.
2 Ibid., folio 450.
4 Ibid., folio 461 (July 26, 1784).
77
Plans for a Rectory
1784]
A committee, consisting of Messrs. Stevens and Griffiths, was appointed to select a site and present a plan. Their report, made January 7th, was approved, and proposals for the erection of a house were published in the newspapers. An appropriation of two thousand pounds was made for the proposed house, and it was ordered that the contract should be given to "such person or persons as may make the most advantageous proposals." 1
Their circumstances being straitened, the Corporation had to borrow money to complete the house .? A loan of twelve hundred pounds was authorized from the executors of the late Peter Jay ; the executors with admirable judg- ment exacting the condition that the payment of the said twelve hundred pounds with legal interest was to be "in Gold and Silver, and not in any paper money although the same should be made by law a legal tender."
For the better despatch of business,
" The Board, considering the business of the Corporation which ought to be transacted by the Several Committees, of Accounts, Leases, Charity School, Pews and Repairs is frequently neglected on account of its being the business of every member, without any particular one being responsible for the neglect,
" Therefore Resolved : That a President be appointed to each Com- mittee who shall take care of the business of the Committee, convene the members thereof whenever he may think proper, and be responsible for any neglect or inattention, either to the business referred to them or to that which properly belongs to their department." 3
From that time the reports of the committees for each department appear on the record. Thus, for example, the Committee on Pews announce that they have allotted " proper seats for the Black, in St. Paul's Chapel, separate from the rest of the congregation."
1 Records, liber i., folio 46S.
3 Ibid., folio 474.
2 Ibid., folio 479.
4 Ibid., folio 48o.
78
History of Trinity Church
[1784
The Committee on Repairs report :
"That they had viewed the Cisterns on the roof of St. Paul's Chappel, agreeable to the directions of the Corporation, and that it was their opinion that they should be taken down and that the space where they now stand should be boarded or shingled in the same manner as the rest of the rooff." 1
The same Committee were directed to view
"the south door of St. Paul's Chappel and report the practicability of shutting up the same, and making in lieu thereof a large elevated pew, with two smaller ones on each side similar to the Governor's and the two pews adjoining, so as to make both sides of the Church uniform. That they likewise report the practicability of converting the South West Window of the Church, into a door for the gallery staircase : of altering the pews in the South Gallery : of having an aisle through the midle of the same, with square pews on each side and of lathing and plastering the lower Belfry : and that they report thereon together with the expence that will be incurred thereby at the next meeting."?
And the same Committee on Repairs were further directed
"to have large Iron Stoves erected in each of the Churches and that they procure a painter to paint the Arms of the United States to be put up in St. Paul's Church."
And here we find a specimen of the aggrieved and sen- sitive church-attendant whose nerves are set on edge by the indifference of the congregation to his entrance and need of a seat. How perfectly does human nature keep in line with itself ! That it was the same in 1784 that it is to-day is clear from a letter to the New- York Packet, which may bear transcription as a character study.
" Mr. LOUDON,
You will oblige a Stranger, who is a friend to humanity by inserting the following CARD in your next paper : C.
1 Records, liber i., folio 473.
' Ibid., folio 4So.
79
A Foreigner's Lament
1786]
A CARD.
A FOREIGNER presents his most respectful compliments to the congregation of ST. PAUL's, and begs leave to observe to them, that he must think, they are devoid of any manner of humanity or common politeness, when they can see genteel strangers come into their Church, and not endeavor to procure them a seat, but sit with mortifying in- difference in their countenance. From his knowledge of the Continent, he is persuaded such unfriendly inattention cannot proceed from influ- ence, as their neighboring city is possessed of good breeding and politeness.1
The Vestry on January 6, 1786, ordered that the money collected in Church on those days when the Holy Communion was administered should be added to the Communion Alms, and that the whole amount should be at the disposal of the Rector for the care of the poor .?
On the same day we find that
"The board considering that their fellow citizens of the two Presby- terian Congregations in this City have not convenient lotts of ground whereon to build dwelling houses for their respective senior pastors,
" Resolved that this Corporation will grant a good lot of ground to each of the Presbyterian Congregations in this City for the use of their respective senior pastors for the time being :
"Ordered : That the Committee on Leases do select two lotts of ground proper to be granted for the above purpose and that they re- port to the board the situation and dimensions of the lotts at a future meeting." 3
On April 6, 1786, the Rector was requested to acquaint the Pastors of the Presbyterian Congregations with the in- tention of the Corporation to grant them Lots 255, 256, and 257 of the Church Estate and to request them to agree on the lots their Corporations will respectively hold so that deeds may be prepared accordingly.4
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