USA > New York > New York City > An historical sketch of Trinity Church, New-York > Part 21
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On the 23d of March, 1836, the Rev. Jonathan M. Wainwright, D. D., was appointed an Assistant Min- ister of Trinity Church, on the supposition that the appointment would be agreeable to him, but which unexpected circumstances, however, prevented him from accepting. In the following year the invitation was repeated and accepted, and he still continues in the Parish in the discharge of his duties.
On the 13th of June, 1836, the Rev. Edward Y. Higbee was also appointed an Assistant Minister of Trinity Church. Deep domestic affliction, however, prevented Dr. Higbee from entering upon the duties of his office until the following autumn, in which he con- tinues to be engaged at the present time.
In 1836, the Episcopal Fund having reached the point which was deemed requisite for the support of the Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Onderdonk's connec- tion with Trinity Church was consequently dissolved. The deep humiliation to which he has since been re- duced, and the obloquy, the scorn, and contempt with which he has been loaded, will not prevent me from exhibiting him as he was in the estimation of his friends and in his relations to this Parish.
I had been at that time in habits of the closest and dearest intimacy with him for thirty years. I became acquainted with him at College in early life, he was
20
314
HISTORY OF
my fellow student in Divinity, and as soon as he was ordained, he was associated with me in the same Pa- rish, from opening manhood till he had considerably passed the period of middle age. From our common duties and our mutual regard, we were brought into constant intercourse with each other, so that all his in- firmities and faults, as well as his virtues and graces, were laid open before me.
In his very youth he was grave, sedate and thought- ful, to a degree which is seldom seen ; correct in his prin- ciples ; pure in heart, and unspotted in life. In his academic pursuits and in his preparation for the min- istry, he was so unwearied in his diligence and so lau- dable in his ambition as to have distinguished himself greatly in both. And when he at length entered upon the exercise of his office, it was with such a devout temper of mind, such a conscientious view of his du- ties, and such a fixed determination to discharge them as within the range of my observation, at least, has ne- ver been surpassed. These duties, in the very outset of his course in this extensive Parish, were exceedingly heavy. But he never shrunk from any labour, he never tired in his own work, nor hesitated in an emer- gency to help his brethren.
He had at once the physical strength which enabled him to bear the utmost degree of labour, and the ready will to perform it with cheerfulness.
But he was not only indefatigable in the perform- ance of his public duties, but most assiduous and faith- ful as a pastor, going about continually doing good, and especially among the sick and the needy, the afflicted and distressed.
315
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
This pastoral attention to the members of the Parish, was a duty to which I had always attached the great- est importance myself, and which, according to my ability, I had endeavoured to discharge. I was con- stantly among the people, where he was held in the ut- most respect and affection, and where, until several years after his entrance into the Episcopate, the breath of reproach had never reached him.
They are witnesses with me how holily and unbla- mably he behaved himself among us. I doubt not that "we may depart from grace given," yet still I have great confidence in the general truth of that pro- mise of God, "The Lord ordereth a good man's going and maketh his way acceptable to himself." And I can never be brought to believe, except on more con- vincing testimony than I have yet met with, that one, who in early life and in riper years delighted in His ways, and who so highly adorned the vocation where- with he was called, has fallen into such " wretchlessness of living" as is ascribed to him, on the very verge of old age.
During the vacancies which had occurred in the Parish, by the Bishop's separation from it, and the re- signation of Dr. Anthon and Dr. Schroeder, the Rector was authorized, on each of these occasions to select suit- able persons to fill them for a time, and the Rev. Hewlet R. Peters, the Rev. Dr. Seabury, and the Rev. Dr. Ogilby, were successively appointed.
In 1839, it was discovered that the roof of Trinity Church, in consequence of some defect in the plan of the building or want of skill in the construction of it, had yielded to the pressure of the mass of snow with
316
HISTORY OF
which it had been sometimes covered, and that the co- lumns which were supposed to sustain it, had swerved from their place. A temporary expedient was resort- ed to in the first instance to correct the evil, but this only serving to keep apprehension alive, and rather in- deed, to increase it, the Vestry, at length, determined to remove the old roof and build a new one. In the progress of this work it was found, that the whole edi- fice was so slight and unsubstantial, that it would be needless to repair it and unsafe to leave it. The final conclusion, therefore, of the Corporation was, to pull it down and raise a third one on the spot, of a more mass- ive and enduring character. Various plans were pro- posed and estimates made, with no intention originally of erecting a grand and costly edifice, but the concep- tions of the projector and architect* being gradually enlarged, and the objections of the Building Commit- tee and the Vestry reluctantly indeed, but constantly giving way, it resulted in the construction of a magni- ficent temple, which in this country has no equal, and which, since the Reformation at least, has been seldom, if ever, surpassed in any other.
The old church was pulled down in the spring and summer of 1839. The new one was begun in the au- tumn of the same year, and it was not completed and made ready for consecration until the 21st of May, 1846.1
The consecration of Trinity Church awakened a more general curiosity, and excited a deeper interest
* Mr. Richard Upjohn.
For the report of the Building Committee, see Appendix I.
J.F.E.Prudhomme
N.Bayley
317
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
than any thing of the kind I have ever known. In some, indeed, whose families had been for generations connected with it, and some who had been connected with it for generations themselves, but who still surviv- ing, remained as scattered monuments of the past, this interest was intense. I have already noticed the pres- ence on the occasion of one of the former clerks of the Parish, the late Mr. John P. Groshon, who attended the opening of St. Paul's, in 1766. And I have since learned, that Mrs. Ann Livingston, a family connection of Dr. John Charlton, was also present at the conse- cration of this third edifice, who had attended the con- secration of the second, and who had been baptized in the first.
To indulge in any reasonable degree this wide-spread curiosity, and to gratify the deeper interest of those who were attached to the Parish, was one of the most difficult tasks that could well be imagined. The com- mittee who were charged with the business, took un- wearied pains to do so, with reference to the capacity of the building and the order and decorum becoming the solemnity of the occasion. In this last point they succeeded with universal admiration, but in the firm and rigid observance of the rules they had laid down in order to secure it, they gave deep and lasting offence, to many, at least, who were thus necessarily excluded.
As it may be interesting, perhaps, to those who fol- low us to be furnished with the details in regard to the order of the procession, and the names of the persons who took a part in the service, they will be found in the Appendix .*
* Appendix K.
318
HISTORY OF
I have thus brought to a close the history of the Parish in which, with a brief exception, I commenced my professional life, and in which, with God's permis- sion and blessing, I hope to end it. The interest which I feel in all that concerns its honour, its welfare, and peace, may readily be conceived. It is very possible, therefore, that in the intensity of this feeling, I may have given an undue prominence to things which in themselves were comparatively unimportant, and that I have swelled a work into a volume, which might have been very well compressed, as it had been before for a hundred and fifty years, within a very few pages. It may all be true, but with the most careful exercise of the faculties which God has given me, I could make it nothing else than it is. Of one thing, however, I am entirely persuaded, that this history of Trinity Church will be read by no one, however prejudiced against it, but of a fair and honest mind, who will not lay it down with some change in his opinions, and that it will height- en the attachment and reverence for this ancient and munificent Corporation, of all those who have been accustomed to respect it.
The clergy connected with the Parish at the present time, are
The Rev. WM. BERRIAN, D. D.,
Rector.
JONATHAN M. WAINWRIGHT, D. D., EDWARD Y. HIGBEE, D. D., MARTIN P. PARKS,
Assistant Ministers.
CORNELIUS R. DUFFIE, FRANCIS I. CLERC,
Deacons.
319
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
CHURCH WARDENS AND VESTRYMEN.
ADAM TREDWELL, EDWARD W. LAIGHT, Church Wardens.
TEUNIS QUICK,
WILLIAM MOORE,
PETER A. MESIER,
WILLIAM H. HOBART,
ANTHONY L. UNDERHILL, WILLIAM JOHNSON,
HENRY YOUNGS,
ALEXANDER L. MCDONALD,
PHILIP HONE,
SL. G. RAYMOND,
WILLIAM E. DUNSCOMB, Clerk,
GULIAN C. VERPLANCK,
WILLIAM H. HARISON, Comptroller, PHILIP HENRY,
ROBERT HYSLOP,
JOHN I. MORGAN,
HENRY COTHEAL,
DAVID B. OGDEN,
THOMAS L. CLARK,
ANTHONY J. BLEECKER,
Vestrymen.
For a full list of the Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, from its foundation to the present time, see Appendix, L.
And for a detailed account of its gifts and grants, see Appendix, M.
APPENDIX.
A.
SUBSCRIPTIONS TOWARDS BUILDING THE STEEPLE.
We, whose names are hereunder written, doe freely severally give the following respective sums towards the finishing the Steeple of Trinity Church, in New-York, in America. Witness our hands, this first day of May, Anno Domini 1711.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
His Excell. Robert
Samuel Bayard 2 15
Hunter, Esq. 10
Robt. Watts
1 7 6
Coll. Richd. Ingoldesby 5 10
Bart Lefourt
1 10
John Barberie
1 10
Elias Jamain 3
Capt. Robert Paston
5
Cha. Pinkethman 5,
but £3 rec'd, 3
Will Vesey
5
John Read 3
Saml. Staats 1
7 6
Henry Beekman 1 10
Benja. Fanevil 1
2
John Jekyll
3 4
Nathaniel Freu 5
Steph. DeLancy 3
Elias Boudinot 11
John Merit
5
6 Charles Tellis 11
Gualtherus DuBois 1 10
Cazalet 5
6
Jno. Bown 1 10
Nath. Milner 1
2
Tho. Farmar 1 2
Coll. Gorkin 5
Henry Lane 1 10
Danl. Cromline 1 10
G. Turbervil
5
6 Lewis Caree
11
Simeon Soumaine 1
Wm. Sharpas 1 10
Wm. Glencross
1 10
Robt. Nisbet 1
Jno. Maclenan 1
Wm. Smith 2 5
Jno. Cholwell
1
7
6 Barent Rynders 1
Walter Thouy
1
2
6 John Auboyneau 11
Lawrence Reade 4
John Cruger 1
1
Johanna Markham 1
Capt. Nich. Smith 5
322
HISTORY OF
€ s. d.
Abraham Joneau
11
John Carbile
£ s. d. 5 6
James Neau
1
Saml. Clowes
1 10
Peter Morine
1 10
Tho. Jones
2
John Finch 1
2
Jacob Berlin
1
Tho. Walbank
3 4
Allen Jarrat
1
Fra. Harison
1 12
Thomas Rudden
11
George Clarke
5
Gideon Mossman
16
6
Barth. LeRoux
1
Cornelius Clopper
11
Robert Darkins
1
Oliver Schuyler
1
Jacob Van Cortland 1
2
Rutger Waldron
16 10
And. Fresneau
16
6
Peter Brested
15
Joh'es Cuyler
1
Saml. Raynor
1
2
Jos. Aspinwall
1
2
Mrs. Coddington Philip Wilkinson
11
Henry Cuyler
16
6
Capt. Garlington
3 18
Wm. Ball
5
6
Benja. Wynkoop
15
Peter Soumaine
1 10
Madm. Wilson
11
Henry Swift
3
Christopher Ball
1 15
Steph. Thomas
2
Josiah Ogden
10
Henry Wileman
1 10
MI. Bartow
1
Geo. Norton
3
John Walter
1 10
Rich. Harris
2
John Gordon
10
Robert Elliston
1
Patrick McKnight
1 10
Elias Pelletreau
12
Edward Foy
2 15
Tho. Davenport
1
6
Wm. Jones
11
Cha. Cromeline
1
2
Wm. Hawkins
1
2
Robert Crannell
6
Lancaster Symes
3
Pintard
2 10
Wm. Pickering
2
Wm. Bradford
18
John Cox
11
Gabl. Ludlow
11
David Tynes
12
Christopher Rouxley
3
John Roland
11
John Sloss
10
Mich. Basset
11
Tho. Tarpy
11
Alexand. Steward
6
Jno. Williams
5
Abraham Kettletas
11
Wm. Walton
1 10
Col. Rednap 2
5
Garret Van Laer
6
Jno. Wynderse
1 2
Wm. White
11
Gilbert Livingston
5 6
2
Jno. Struckey
1
323
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
Philip Schuyler
6
John Lawrence 1
Robt. Livingston Jun. 1
John Waldron 11
Cornelius Van Brunt 11 John De Peyster 1
Lewis Morris 1
Jeremiah Caluit
1 7 6
Henry Van Bael
11
William Provoost
10
John Troup
11
Octave Coenaets
17
John Oatman
1
2
Benj. D'Harriot
1 10
Mrs. Shepherd
7
Nath'l. Lynn
15
David Lyell
1
M. Coden
12
John Cooper
11
Peter Negel
12
Leonard Namock
1
John Shorter
5
6
Mrs. Hughes
5
6
Tobias Stoutenburg 1
2
Mrs. Lowreer
8
John Stevens 1
Mrs. Hamilton
2 15
Rich. Wiltshire
10
Danl. Philipse
1
Henry Prince
1
2
Gilbert Ash
1
2
Jacob Regnier 3
James Norwood
1
2
Rip Van Dam 1
2
Henry Tucker
1
2
Abraham Wendall 1
2
John Vincent
0
5
6 Thomas Braine
1
6
Thos. Lea 1
M. Birchfield 5
Thomas Kearney
2 15
Jno. Tatham 1
6 6
Jeremiah Pemiston
10
Rowland Dee
2
Anthony White
9
John Moore
1
2
Peter Van Dyck
7
6
Law Smith
1
Thomas Halliday
15
Benjamin Bill
11
Nathanl. Marston
1
James Harpendink 1 2
Mrs. Leaver
10
Andrew Strukey
11
Jno. Marshall
3
Thomas Roberts
1 10
Ralph Thurman
11
John Dongan
1
3
Sam'l Sands
5
6
Peter Famonier
1 2
Anna Maria Burck
11
Paul Droilliot 11
6
Robt. Drummond
1
6
Wm. Davis
1 7 6
William Barkly
1
Benj. Hildreth
11
Thomas Dawson
11
Cornelius Sebering 1
Thomas Pope
5
Thos. Fell
11
James Elenes
11
Thos. Child
1 2
Isaac Anderson
11
Thos. Adams
11
324
HISTORY OF
£ s. d.
& s. d.
Nich. Tueden
2
6 Robert Rivers 16
6
John King
18
Jno. Schuyler
16 6
Dirck Benson
11 Alexander Harper
1
Jacob Brat
6 Thos. Statham
5
6
Robt. L Hooper
3
Jos. Wickham
1
2
Augt. Graham
11
Thos. Button
5
6
John Corbet
11
Jno. Graham
1
2
James Harding
1
2
Jos. Robinson
1 2
Mart Clock
11
Jno. Sprat
11
Nicho. Rosevelt
10
Thos. Laurence
11
Wm. Clertse
5
6 MI. Taylor
11
Hend. Vanderheul
11
Dr. Jno. Johnston 1
6
John Reynolds
11
Obadiah Hunt
5
6
Jos. Spencer
11
John Theobalds
11
MI. Parker
8
3 Mr. Nicoll
1
Jos. Forous
1 10
Ml. Hett
5
6
Jno. Hamilton
3
4
Mr. Whitney
11
Alexander Junes
11
Adolphe Philipse
1 2
Abra. Schallinger
4
Peter Barberie
2 2
Jacob Morne
11
Nicholas Everts
11
Wm. Sell
1
6
Jno. Halls
11
Ml. Carrell
11
Ml. Mead
11
Albert Clock
5
6 Saml. Richardson
11
Jos. Bevey
11
Elias Clarke
10
MI. Tudor
11
Abraham Brock
11
Alexander Moore
11
May Bickley
3 18
Jno. Webb
6
John Chabot
16
David Le Telier
5
6
Mary Smith
5
6
Hend Van Renselaer
16
6 Collo. Willet
1 10
Daniel Schrogham
11
£312 13 7
New-York, October 30th, 1711.
Then rec'd of Mr. Wm. Vesey, the several sums annexed to the several names above written, amounting to the sum of three hun- dred and twelve pounds, thirteen shillings and seven pence, by us.
DAVID JAMISON JOHN CROOKE.
C. Wardens.
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
325
THE JEWS' CONTRIBUTIONS.
Lewis Gomez
£ s. d.
1
2
£ s. d.
Jacob Franks
1
Abm. D'Luiena
1
Moses Michael
3
Rodrigo Pacheco 1
Moses Levy
11
Mordecai Nathan
11
£5 12 3
New-York, Oct. 30, 1711.
Then rec'd of Mr. William Vesey the several sums annext to the several names above written, amounting to the sum of Five pounds twelve shillings and three pence.
DAVID JAMISON.
JNO. CROOKE,
Church Wardens.
326
HISTORY OF
B.
SEXTONS OF TRINITY CHURCH.
Appointed.
Appointed.
Nicholas Fielding
1697
William Welch
1698
James Welch (his son)
1705
Thomas Collister (Ass't.) 1788
Wm. Dobbs 1709
Thomas Collister (Sexton) 1790 Mr. Coutant 1816
Thomas Craven 1716
James Welsh
1721
Edward Coates 1821
Thomas Dugan 1834
David Lyon 1846
Wm. Maslin (Ass't. Sexton and Chimer) 1846
SEXTONS OF ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL.
Appointed.
Thomas Whaley (Sexton)
William Needham
1801
Thomas Collister, Jr. 1790
John Purdy
John Needham 1793
SEXTONS OF ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL.
Appointed.
Appointed
David Mitchell (at a salary
Richard Slack 1817
of £10 per annum) 1766
John Stevens (Asst. Sexton) 1840
Viner Mitchell
John Stevens (Sexton) 1843
Mr. Thomas 1781
David Lyon 1843
William Brown 1788
James Martin 1846
SEXTONS OF ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL.
Appointed.
Appointed.
Richard Wenman
1807
Thomas Dugan
1834
Albert Wunnenburgh
John Morison
1834
John Welsh (brother of James) 1726
Wm. Cook, Assistant Sex-
ton to John Welsh 1744
Wm. Cooke (Sexton)
Thomas Whaley Ass't., died
about 1780
Appointed.
327
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
c.
CLERKS IN TRINITY CHURCH.
William Huddlestone 1697 Mr. Hildreth
Thomas Huddlestone 1723
Mr. Sibley (as joint Clerk with Mr. Hildreth)
William Tuckey
John P. Groshon
1804
Mr. Eldridge (to officiate jointly at the Church and Chapel)
1753
Edward Coates
Mr. Parks
1753
Samuel Earle 1822
John Wood
1790
CLERKS IN ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL.
Mr. Eldridge
1753
William Roach 1783
Mr. Parks
1753
George Young 1787
Mr. Sibley (at a salary of £30 per ann.)
Mr. Webb
Mr. Man
[Clerk,
Jacob Leonard
1801
Thomas Warren, Assistant
CLERKS IN ST. PAUL'S CHAPEL.
Benjamin Englis (at a sala-
Robert Spears 1816
ry of £40 per annum) 1766
James Weight
Peter McLean
John Phebus
1835
John Wood
1786
James O. Smith
1839
Mr. Jarvis
1790
George Newcombe
Gilbert Ritter
1813
James A. Sparks 1843
CLERKS IN ST. JOHN'S CHAPEL.
James L. Bell
1809
Mr. Ditchett
Uri K. Hill
1812
John Earle
John I. Cregier
Mr. Maynard
resigned 1809
Thomas Wilson 1789
328
HISTORY OF
E.
The Reverend Mr. Vesey acquainted the Vestry that he had obtained his Majesty's Gracious Letter to his Excellency Coll. Hunter, to cause the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the City of New-York, to issue their warrant to the Church Wardens of the City to pay his salary, a copy of which was read in the words following :
To our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., our Capt. Generall and Govourner-in-Chief of our Province of New-York, in America, and in his absence, to the Commander-in-Chief, or to the President of our Councill of our said Province for the time being :
George R.
Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well. Whereas our truly and well beloved William Vesey, Rector of Trinity Church, in that our Province of New-York, hath by his petition humbly presented unto us, that being obliged about a year ago to come to this our Kingdom of Great Britain in order to settle the affairs of his Church, and having by a long sickness and other incidents been prevented from returning so soon as he intended, the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of our said City of New-York have refused to direct their warrants to the Church Wardens, to issue the moneys levied and paid into their hands for the use of the petitioner, pursuant to two acts of Assembly of our said Province made for that purpose, upon a pretence of his not offici- ating, and leaving his cure without liberty, though by his particular care and by the approbation and appointment of the Right Reverend Father in God, John, Bishop of London, it hath been duly supply'd during his absence : and praying us to grant him our Letter to you, enjoining the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of New-York afore- said, to issue their warrants to the Church Wardens of our said City, to pay the petitioner such part of his salary as has been levied and paid into the hands of the said Church Wardens, and that his settled salary be hereafter levied and paid into the hands of the said Church Wardens, and as it becomes due issued by order of the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of our said City for the maintenance of the peti- tioner, according to the purposes of the two aforementioned acts of Assembly. We, taking the premises into our Royal consideration,
329
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
have thought fit hereby to signify our will and pleasure unto you, and accordingly our will and pleasure is, that immediately upon receipt hereof, you give directions and take effectual care that the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of our said City of New-York do issue their warrants to the Church Wardens of our said City, for paying to the petitioner such part of his salary as has been levied for his use and paid into their hands ; and that his settled salary be hereafter levied and paid into the hands of the said Church Wardens, and as it becomes due issued by order of the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the said City for the maintenance of the petitioner, pursuant to the two above s'd Acts, and for so doing this shall be your warrant. And so we bid you farewell. Given at our Court at St. James's the Nine- teenth day of August, 1715, in the Second Year of our Reign.
By his Majesty's Command,
JAMES STANHOPE.
This we affirm to be a true copy taken from
and compared with the original, By us.
CALEB HEATHCOTE,
ROBERT WA, WILL ANDERSON.
The Reverend Mr. Vesey, at the request of this Board, having communicated a copy of his Majesty's letter to his Excellency our Governour, for causing his salary to be issued by the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of this City of New-York, informed this Board he had delivered the same to his Excellency the 7th of November last, and the same being read,
It was thereupon Ordered, That one of the Church Wardens, with any three of the Vestrymen of Trinity Church, doe wait on the Mayor, Recorder, and Justices of the Peace, and Vestrymen of this said City, to know if his Excellency hath been pleased to communicate unto them His Majesty's Royall command to him signified by the said Letter, or given any directions to them for Issueing out their warrants, directed to the Church Wardens of the said City for the payment of the Rector's Mr. Vesey's salary, pursuant to two Acts of the General Assembly of this Province, the one entitled an Act for settling a Ministry and rais- ing a maintenance for them in the City of New-York, &c., and also one other entitled an Act for the better establishment of the mainten- ance for the Minister of the City of New-York, and according to his
21
330
HISTORY OF
said Majesty's commands ; and that whether any such warrants have been by them issued, and if no such warrants have been issued, that they bee desired to take effectual care to Issue the same, so as the moneys levyed for the use of the said Rector by virtue of the said Acts and according to an order made at a Meeting of the said Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of this said City the fourth of February last, be to him the said Rector Speedily paid as the Law directs : and that, likewise, Mr. William Sharpas, the Clerk of the Vestry of the said City, be desired to prepare warrants, and to communicate the Request of this Board at the next Meeting of the said Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the said City.
The Humble Representation of the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the City of New-York in America, to his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Capt. General and Governour of the Provinces of New-York, &c., was presented to the Board and read and signed by all present, and ordered to be entered, and is as follows. To his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Capt. Generall & Governour of the Provinces of New- York, &c.
The humble Representation of the Rector, Church Wardens, and Ves- trymen of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in America. May it please your Excellency.
We the Rector, Church Wardens, and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, beg leave, humbly to represent to your Ex- cellency, that about a year and a half ago our Reverend Rector, Mr. Wm. Vesey, with the consent of the then Church Wardens, and major part of the Vestry of the said Trinity Church, did undertake a voyage to Great Britain, to wait on our Diocessan, the Rt. Reverend Father in God, John, Lord Bishop of London, about the affairs of our Church, and being, by a long sickness and other incidents, detained there lon- ger than he intended, the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of this city, contrary to several acts of Assembly, that have long since obtain- ed the Royal assent, did put a stop to the payment of his salary settled and directed to be paid by those acts, on pretence of his not officiating and leaving his Cure without liberty, as appears by their own minutes of the fourth of February last, although by his own particular care, and the appointment of his Rt. Reverend Diocesan, our Church has been duly and regularly supplied during all his absence, two Sundays only excepted, in the extremity of winter. By reason of which hardship,
-
331
TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
our Rector was reduced to great difficulties, and being then in Eng- land, was constrained to implore his Majesty's most gracious letter to your Excellency, to enjoin the said Justices and Vestrymen to issue out their warrants to the Church Wardens of the said city, to pay him his salary, according to the direction of the two several acts of Assem- bly, aforesaid. All which matters and suggestions being certified to his Majesty by the Bishop of London, and appearing from the minutes of the Justices and Vestry aforesaid, which by them were transmitted to his Lordship ; His Majesty was graciously pleased to grant his Royal letter to your Excellency, dated at St. James's the 19th day of August last, thereby signifying his will and pleasure that your Excel- lency should give directions and take effectual care, that the Justices of the Peace and Vestrymen of the said city should issue out their war- rants for paying our Rector his salary then due, and hereafter as it should become due, pursuant to the two aforesaid acts, which said let- ter (as we are informed by Mr. Vesey) was delivered to your Excellen- cy the seventh of November last.
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