USA > New York > New York City > An historical sketch of Trinity Church, New-York > Part 2
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* Hawkins's Missions of the Church of England, p. 275.
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HISTORY OF
Trinity Church was originally a small square edifice, but it was afterwards enlarged in 1737. "It stands," as was remarked by an early writer of the history of New York, "very pleasantly upon the banks of Hudson's river, and has a large cemetery on each side, enclosed in the front by a painted paled fence. Before it a long walk is railed off from the Broadway, the pleasantest street of any in the whole town. This building is about one hundred and forty-eight feet long, including the tower and chancel, and seventy-two feet in breadth. The steeple is one hundred and seventy-five feet in height, and over the door facing the river, is the following inscription :
PER ANGUSTAM.
Hoc Trinitatis Templum fundatum est anno regni illustrissimi, Supremi, Domini Gulielmi tertii, Dei gratia Anglia, Scotia, Francia, et Hibernia Regis, Fidei Defensoris, &c. Octavo, Annoq; Domini 1696.
Ac voluntaria quorundam contributione et Donis ÆEdificatum, maxime autem, dilecti Regis Chiliarchæ Benjamini Fletcher, hujus Provincia strategi et Imperatoris, Munificentia animatum et auctum, cujus tempore moderaminis hujus Civitatis incolæ, Religionem protestantem Ecclesia Anglicana, ut secundum Legem nunc stabilitæ profitentes quodam Diplomate, sub Sigillo Provincia incorporati sunt, atque alias Plurimas, ex Re sua familiari, Donationes notabiles eidem dedit .- Smith's History of New York, Vol. i. pp. 302, 303.
Which being Englished, is,
This Trinity Church was founded in the eighth year of the reign of the Most Illustrious Sovereign Lord William the Third, by the grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the faith, &c., and in the year of our Lord 1696 ; and built by the voluntary contributions and gifts of some persons, and
G & W. ENDICOTT LITH. N.Y.
J. EVERS DEL.
TRINITY CHURCH AS ENLARGED.
1737.
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
chiefly encouraged and promoted by the bounty of his Excellency Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, Captain General and Governor-in-chief of this Province ; in the time of whose government the inhabitants of this city of the Protestant Religion of the Church of England as now established by law, were incorporated by a charter under the seal of the Province, and many other valuable gifts he gave to it of his private fortune .*
"The church is within ornamented beyond any other place of public worship among us. The head of the chancel is adorned with an altar-piece, and opposite to it, at the other end of the building, is the organ. The tops of the pillars which support the galleries are decked with the gilt busts of angels, winged. From the ceiling are suspended two glass branches, and on the walls hang the arms of some of its principal benefactors." Among these, a con- spicuous place was given to Governor Fletcher's, and the same inscription was placed under them as that which has already been noticed over the door of the church.
From a due sense likewise of all his Excellency's favors, it was
Ordered, That Mr. James Evets do lay out the ground for his pew in the East part of the Church next to the chancell, to remaine forever to the aforesaid use, or the use of others, as his Excel. shall think fit to direct.
It was likewise
Ordered, That the Gallery designed to be built on ye South side of Trinity Church, at ye charge of ye Govermt, for ye use of ye Govr
* Entry on the minutes of the Vestry.
2
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HISTORY OF
and Council of this Province, have a part added to it at ye charge of this Corporation, to run towards ye West end of ye Church, and those persons that will have pews therein do in proportion pay ye charge thereof.
The following is the Form of Assignment of Pews in Trinity Church :
The Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New-York, in Com- munion of the Church of England as by Law Established : To all to whom it doth and may concern-Greeting. Know ye, that for a valuable consideration to us in hand paid by A. B. of the said City, we have given and granted, and by these presents do give and Grant unto the said A. B., and the heirs of his body, all the one-half part of the Pew in Trinity Church in NYork marked No. (10) ; whereof the other part doth belong to C. D. : To use & enjoy the same forever ; He the said A.B. and his heirs cleansing, maintaining, and keeping the same in good repair at their own proper charge, saving and reserving always unto the said Rector & Inhabitants, and their successors forever, not only the reversion thereof, failing the heirs of the said A.B, but also upon his or their removal from the said City of New-York to Inhabit in other parts, the free use and disposition thereof for the benefit and profit of the said Church during their absence. In testimony whereof, the said Rector and Inhabitants have caused their seal to be hereunto affixed: Witnessed, John Crooke and David Jamison, the present Church Wardens at New-York, the day of Anno Dom: 1709.
A circumstance is recorded on the completion of the Church, which is very characteristic of the uniform liberality and kindness which have always marked the proceedings of the Vestry.
This day the board accounted with Mr. Derrick Vanderburgh, and there appears due to him, by balance, the sum of £294 9s. 7d. current money of New-York for workmen, labourers, and money &c. by him expended for the building of Trinity Church and the
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
Steeple ; and in consideration that he hath been long out of his money and no interest for the same : It is resolved and ordered by this Board, nemine contradicente, that a silver tankard of the value of Twelve pounds be presented unto, and to be paid out of the public stock of Trinity Church, and that till the said sum of £294 9s. 7d. be paid, he be allowed from this day interest for such sum, as shall be behind and not paid, at the rate of seven pounds per cent. per ann.
About this period several valuable gifts were made to Trinity Church, the acknowledgments whereof were entered on the minutes.
Mr. David Jamison reports, that his Excel ye Govr Col. Fletcher, has given a Bible and some other Books to this Corporation for ye use of Trinity Church, wch are supposed to be in the hands of Mr. Lymon Smith. Ordered Capt. Wilson and Wm. Sharpas do waite upon Mr. Smith and ask for ye same.
Mr. Vesey informed the Board, that he has recd from his Excely Rich. Earl of Bellamont a parcell of books of Divinity, sent over by the Right Reverend Henry, Lord Bishop of London, for ye use of Trinity Church, for which he hath given a receipt to his Excely, a list whereof is produced.
Mr. Hawdon and Mr. Ives were ordered to oversee the getting of the paving stones from the Pink blossome, and lodging them in the Steeple, being the Gift of ye Lord Bishop of Bristoll to Trinity Church.
Mr. Huddleston inform'd this Board, that his Excell the Lord Viscount Cornbury had given to the Church a black cloth Pall, on condition no person dying and belonging to Forte Anne should be deny'd the use thereof, Gratis.
Mr. Vesey acquainted this Board, the Lord Cornbury had presented to the Church, two Common Prayer Books, and the Library with the Lord Clarendon's first part of the history of the Civil wars of the kingdome of England.
Mr. Vesey presented to this Board a letter from the Bishop of London, relating to Communion Plate and furniture for the Church,
-
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HISTORY OF
desiring the Church to appoint their Solicitor for getting the same, and he hath promised his assistance.
Ordered, That the Church Wardens write to Col. Lodwick, to desire him to sollicite for the said plate and furniture ; and that they take care to remit a Bill of Thirty pounds sterling to him, to be Imploy'd for that service, and buying of two surplices and two Common Prayer Books for Trinity Church.
Ordered, That the Church Wardens get an address drawn, to be presented to his Excellency, to grant the Queen's Farme and the Queen's garden to Trinity Church, and that the Vestry present the same.
Mr. Jamison produc'd his Excells Patent for the King's Farme, now called the Queen's Farme, and the Queen's garden, wch was read, and acquainted the Vestry that his Excell, Mr. Attorney Gen1 Bickley and Mr. Secretary Clark, gave their fees for passing thereof.
Ordered, That this Vestry do return his Lordp thanks for his many great favors to the Church, particularly for his Excell Patent for the Queen's Farme, the Queen's garden, and Bill of Store for the goods that came from England ; and that Mr. Jamison, Mr. Attorney General Bickley, and Mr. Emmet, draw up an address to his Lordp accordingly.
Previously, however, to the reception of Lord Cornbury's patent, notice had been given
That ye Kings Farme was to be lett, and that the Church War- dens were appointed a Committee to farme the same, and report to this Board.
It was shortly after let on the following conditions, which are singularly strange in relation to an estate on which a city has risen :
It is agreed by this Board, that George Ryerse have the farme the remaining part of the year, till the first of May next; that he shall have liberty to take off his winter and summer grain, provided he plant no Indian Corne next spring therein ; that he sew no more
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
summer grain next spring than winter grain ; that he committ not any waste, leave the fences in repair and good order, he paying for the same the sum of Thirty five pounds to the Church Wardens for the use of the Church, in manner following : that is to say, Twenty pounds the first of Novembr, and fifteen pounds the first of May next ensuing.
The first person who was appointed Sexton in Trinity Church was,
Nich. Fielding, a person reputed of honest behaviour and conver- sation, who offered his service gratis, till the Corporation of the Church should be formally established, and a salary allow'd for it .* This was on the 25th of October, 1697.
He continued in office but a very short time, for in the next year another appointment was made, as may be inferred from the following entry in the minutes :
Mr. Welch appeared before the board, and being informed that this Church wanted a Sexton, told them that he was ready to execute that office, and that for his wages or salary for the same, he be allowed six shillings per ann. of every pew for the cleaning and looking after the same ; and that the persons that have a right to the said pews pay the same quarterly, in equall portions. He also remained but a short time in office, and was succeeded in 1705 by his son James.t
Ordered, That the said James Welsh be appointed Sexton of Trinity Church, in the City and Province of New-York, and to receive and take the fees and Perquisites thereof, on his giving security to
* There is the following curious entry in the minutes with respect to his assistant :
Ordered, That Mr. Tothill do provide the Sexton's boy a waistcoat, col'd breeches, shoes and stockings, hat and neckcloths.
+ For as complete a list of the Sextons of Trinity Church, during the existence of the Parish, as can be made out, see Appendix B.
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HISTORY OF
accot with, and pay unto the Church Wardens, for the time being, (when required,) the fees and profits due, and from time to time that shall or may grow due, to Trinity Church. And also pay unto the Church Wardens, for the time being, the fees and benefits of the Sexton of the said Church, to be disposed of towards the support of his Mother, himself, and Brother, unto the 1st of Aprill, 1707.
Mr. Welch, late Sexton of Trinity Church, being dedd, his son James made applycation to the Vestry to succeed his father in the office of Sexton.
In 1697 it appears also that a clerk was appointed :
The Board having considered the necessity there is for a Clark, to execute that office for the service of the Congregation of Trinity Church, and being sensible of the good services Mr. William Hud- dleston hath done in that office for some years, and his readiness still to officiate in that office, have nominated and appointed the said William Huddleston, Clark of the said Church, for the year ensuing, to commence from the 11th day of this Instant month of January, (1697,) and that for his encouragement for the due execution of the said office, he have a salary of Twenty pounds current money of New-York, and that the said be paid quarterly .*
In the following year, however, it appears that he sent in his resignation, but shortly after resumed his office :
Mr. William Huddleston, late Clarke of Trinity Church, informed this Board, that by reason of great business and affairs that called him abroad, he cannot attend to that service, and desires this board will appoint some other person to execute that office. It is therefore ordered, that Mr. Nath. Marston be Clarke of Trinity Church during his well behaviour in ye said office, and that he have a sallary of Twenty Pounds per ann. for ye said service, to be paid quarterly out of ye Public Stock of ye Church, to commence from the ninth day of this Instant month of April, (1698.)
* For a full list of the Clerks of Trinity Church, see Appendix C.
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
The salaries both of the Clerks and Sextons were at that day exceedingly small, the principal part of their emoluments arising from fees.
The following are the rates at which these were fixed :
The Clerk's fees.
For attending at a funeral, Five shillings and sixpence.
For his attendance at a marriage, Six shillings and sixpence.
For the registering a christening, Ninepence. +
The Sexton's fees.
For ringing the bell for a funeral, Three shillings.
For making a grave, Six shillings.
For every marriage, Three shillings and threepence.
Ordered, That every stranger pay double fees.
The income of the Rector was made up as it would seem, in a great measure at least, from the same source; for his stated salary was only £100 per annum, with an allowance of £26 to be paid by : government towards the rent of his house, until one could be built for him on the Queen's Farm.
The fees which were appropriated to the Rector's . use, were established by the Vestry as follows : :
For Burials in the Church.
For burying a man or woman in the Chancel, £5.
For the same ground for a child above ten years, and not exceeding sixteen, £2 10s.
For a child under ten years, £1 5s.
And at a later period, the following additional charges were authorized :
. For performing the Funeral Service in the Church, 13s. For performing the Funeral Service in the Churchyard, 9s. For a marriage in the Parish, 13s.
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HISTORY OF
Whether there were any regulation or custom in regard to these matters in Mr. Vesey's time, is uncer- tain ; but it is evident from the following entries on the minutes, that both his salary and perquisites were insufficient for his comfortable support :
Ordered, That the Easter Offerings at the Communion on Easter Sunday, be to the use of the Rector. And that
For the better support of our Minister, Mr. Vesey, he be allowed and paid weekly out of ye contribution made in the Church, the sum of 24 shillings, money of New-York ; any former order for the dispo- sition of the money arising by that means, notwithstanding.
It appears, that in 1713, there was some difficulty in regard to the payment of his salary, the real causes of which are not fully explained. It probably arose out of sectarian prejudice and ill will towards the Church. By the provisions of the Charter and an Act of Assembly, this salary was once in every year to be levied, assessed, and collected by the Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, for the sole and proper use of the Rector and his successors forever ; and it was the duty of the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the city of New-York, to direct their warrants to the Church Wardens to issue the monies thus levied and paid into the hands of the Rector. Upon some frivolous pretext of his absence from the Parish without leave, though having the approbation of his Diocesan, the Bishop of London, and though urged to the same both by private and public reasons, they obstinately withheld his salary, until they were compelled to pay it by the express mandate of the crown. The principle at issue was of
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
so much importance, that all the documents on the subject were recorded in the minutes, and they will be found in the Appendix by those who may have the curiosity to read them .*
Before this matter was so happily settled, it was
Ordered, Nemine contradicente, that a letter be wrote to His Lord- ship to thank him for his care in supporting the rights of our Church, particularly in appointing the Reverend Mr. Vesey his Commissary in this & the Neighbouring Province, and other his favours, and that Mr. Bickley, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Barberie, Mr. John Reade, and Mr. Wil- liam Anderson, or any three of them, do draw up the said letter.
Ordered, Nemine contradicente, that this Vestry do congratulate the Reverend Mr. Vesey's being appointed Commissary, and return him their Hearty thanks for his particular services done for this Church and doing this Board justice against the misrepresentations sent home against them, and that the Church Wardens do the same.
Ordered, Nemine contradicente, that this Board doe return their humble thanks to the Venerable Society for their great Kindness, particularly in presenting the sum of Forty Pounds sterling to our Rector, the Reverend Mr. Vesey, when in England, and the sending to us the Reverend Mr. Jenny as his Assistant, and all other their favours.
With the two-fold duties of Rector of the Parish and Commissary of the Province, the life of Mr. Vesey must have been one continued scene of labour, dis- traction, and care. Even when he was confined to the former only, it seems to have been found neces- sary, as it is with the Rector at the present day, to fly to a retreat, in order to escape from constant interruptions. For the purpose, therefore, of securing
* Appendix E.
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HISTORY OF
the retirement which he needed for his correspond- ence and study, it was ordered by the Vestry, that a convenient place should be fitted up for him in the lowest floor of the steeple.
The Rector, however, was greatly relieved in one part of his pastoral labours, by the humble aid of a long succession of intelligent schoolmasters and faith- ful catechists. So early as the year 1710, it was suggested to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, by Colonel Heathcote, of New-York, that they should send out a great many more Schoolmasters to instruct, not only the servants and slaves who had hitherto lived without God in the world, but also the children of the planters, in reading, writing, and the principles of the Christian religion as taught and professed in the Church of England.
The Society at once acted upon this suggestion, and sent out Mr. Wm. Huddlestone as Schoolmaster, who, with Mr. Neau, who had already been appointed as Catechist, in a subordinate capacity assisted the Rector, instructed the children in the Catechism, and fitted them for the Holy Communion. It appears also, that the Rev. Mr. Barclay, who had officiated seven years at Albany, during his stay at New-York had more directly assisted him, and satisfactorily per- formed all the offices of his ministerial function in Trinity Church; and that the Rev. Robert Jenny in the following year was sent by the Society to New-York, for the more regular and stated assistance of Mr. Vesey. "Mr. Neau, who had been appointed
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK. ,
Catechist a few years before, was a trader in this city, and a Frenchman by birth. In consequence of his having embraced the Reformed religion, he had suffered several years' confinement in prison and in the galleys. During this time, he had learned, he says, part of the Liturgy by heart in his dungeons, and that ever since, he had entertained both an affec- tion and esteem for the Divine Service, as it is used in the Church of England."* For a long course of years he manifested the sincerity of his attachment, by the most devoted and faithful discharge of his humble duties among the Indians and slaves, of whom there were at that time about 1500 in the city.
In 1708, the number of his catechumens had risen to more than 200, and was increasing every day. He could never get them together till candle light in summer or winter, except on Sundays, when they came after the last service of the Church. It was the practice of Mr. Neau to resort every Sunday afternoon with his catechumens to the Church to be catechised by Mr. Vesey, and to take them to him for baptism from time to time, as he considered them sufficiently prepared to receive that holy sacra- ment. - 1200324
" The useful course of his labours was temporarily interrupted in 1712, by an insurrection of the negroes in the city of New-York. This, though soon put down, created a strong prejudice against the school,
* Hawkins' Missions, p. 270.
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HISTORY OF
which the masters, who were for the most part averse to their being instructed, well knew how to turn to account. There was no ground for it, however, as it appeared on the trial that but one of all Mr. Neau's scholars, and that one unbaptized, had any concern in the plot." * There is not time in this brief sketch, for a minute detail of his useful labours, which were finally closed in 1722.
It is a striking proof of the estimation in which he was held in his day and generation, that, though engaged in a vocation so humble and lowly, he was for many successive years elected a Vestryman of this Corporation. His remains now lie in the burial- ground of Trinity Church, very nearly in a line with its northern porch.
In 1715, the Rev. Mr. Jenny was appointed by the Venerable Society as an Assistant to Mr. Vesey, at the salary of £50 sterling a year. It seems also that the Vestry, on their part, were adopting suitable measures for the increase of his income, and his more comfortable support. For, in a letter to them, dated the 23d of August, 1715, from the Bishop of London, he takes occasion to thank them for their kindness to Mr. Jenny, in designing an augmentation of his salary, and for every other instance of their zeal and endeavours for the service of the Church, which he assures them are very grateful to him.
From the following proceedings, however, in the
* Hawkins' Missions, p. 272.
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
Vestry, it seems to have been the intention of the Society to remove the missionary to another station:
Mr. Jenny having presented to this Board a Letter from the Society, that they had come to a Resolution not to continue him Assistant longer than the 6th of March, 1715-16 :
Ordered, by this Board, an humble address be presented to the Society, begging the continuance of his salary ; and that Mr. Geo. Clarke, Coll Hamilton, Mr. Barberie, Captn Clarke, Mr. John Moore, with the Rector, or any three, do prepare the same, which was done accordingly.
Mr. Vesey presented to this Board a Letter from the Reverend Mr. Jenny, which was read, wherein he Informed him, he had recvd a letter from Mr. Humphreys, that acquainted him the Society for the propa- gation of the Gospell had resolved to dismiss all Assistants from their. service, in the number of which he was included ; and also a Letter from his Lordship, the Bishop of London, who also mentions the Society's having withdrawn the Allowance made by them, as no longer in a condition to furnish it, and had recommended him to the Governour of Virginia, to put him in some vacant parish till the Society could provide for him ; and that he would please to inform this Board, that it was not his intent to leave this Church, provided he could be supported suitable to his function.
A subscription paper was presented to this Board, and being read, was signed by all the Vestry present.
A letter was presented to this Board, directed to the Revd Mr. Vesey, from the Reverend Mr. Robert Jenny, which was read and is 4 as follows, viz.
REVEREND SIR-
I must beg the favor of you once more to meet the Gent. of the Vestry on my account, in order to acquaint them with his Excellency's favour to me of the Chaplain's place of the fort. His Excellency's concern for the Interest of 'Trinity Church, has mov'd him to grant me the Liberty to continue to perform the duty of Assistant to you, which may easily be reconciled with the duty of the fort, which calls upon me only Wednesdays and Fridays, and some times Sunday morning ; so that if I attend the Prayers of the Church Tuesday,
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HISTORY OF
Thursday and Saturday,* and on such Sundays as I officiate in the morning in the fort, read prayers and preach in the afternoon, the offices will be performed to the same effect as formerly, without laying an additional duty on you. However, since I am desirous that whatever subscriptions are raised for me be entirely voluntary, if the Gentlemen shall see it convenient, I shall not scruple to consent that the late subscription paper be torn, and a new one made. But still I must desire them to consider that I am not yet secure of my Chaplain's place ; for Dr. Sharpe resign'd in London, and we cannot tell whether the Government there has it otherwise disposed of already. I am, Reverend Sir, with due respect to yourself and the gentlemen, Your affectionate Brother and servt,
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