USA > New York > New York City > An historical sketch of Trinity Church, New-York > Part 5
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connection with it on the part of his family after the lapse of a hundred years.
In announcing the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Barclay to the Society, the Vestry of Trinity Church take occasion to remark, that though they are well satisfied with his qualifications, and have a great esteem for him, they should not have presumed to have made any advances for his removal, had they not been well informed of the many and great discouragements he had met with in his mission since the war with France, which rendered his best endeav- ours fruitless, and the safety of his person precarious among the Indians during the continuance of the war.
The devotedness, acceptableness, and success of his labours amongst this unhappy race, though not immediately connected with our present subject, seem nevertheless worthy of some hasty notice. He was appointed Catechist to the Mohawk Indians in 1736, ten years before his election to the Rectorship of Trinity Church. At that time, in the very outset of his labours, he represents to the Society that the prospect of converting these Indians was truly great ; that, as far as he could learn, they were desirous of being instructed in the Gospel, and very willing to embrace Christianity ; and that, in the short time he had been among them, he had met with great success. Having performed his duties as Catechist among them very satisfactorily, in the following year he was recommended by the President of the Council of New-York, by the Commissioners of Indian Affairs, by the missionaries and inhabitants of the province,
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and by the Rev. Commissary Vesey, as a person of good morals and learning, who had many years applied himself with great diligence to attain their language, and had made such progress as actually to ยท instruct and catechise them and their children in the Mohawk tongue. The Society read their petitions with great pleasure, and sent for Mr. Barclay to England, who, on his appearance, fully answering the good character transmitted of him, was ordained both deacon and priest. On his return to his mission he was gladly received by his congregation at Albany, and even with tears of joy by the poor Indians, with whom he purposed to reside half of his time, in great hopes of being serviceable among them; and these hopes, by the blessing of God, were happily fulfilled. For Mr. Barclay informed the Society, by a letter of November 10th, 1738, that there grew a daily refor- mation of manners among the Mohawks, and an increase in virtue proportionable to their knowledge, insomuch, that they composed a regular sober congre- gation of five hundred Christian Indians, of whom fifty were very serious communicants. This happy state of things not only continued for many years, but the moral and spiritual condition of the Indians was constantly and gradually improving, until, in 1744 and 1745, the machinations of the French led them to disaffection towards their rulers, and in some measure alienated their minds from their pastor himself. In this melancholy situation, he received the news of his being elected Rector of Trinity Church. He remained nearly three months in suspense, out of a sincere regard for the interest of religion, among
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the native Indians, when, seeing no prospect of being further serviceable to them at present, and being no longer able to abide with safety among them, he accepted of that church, and was inducted into it.
Upon the election of Mr. Barclay, the two Church- wardens, Mr. Horsmanden and Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Nicholls, were appointed a Committee to write to the Bishop of London and the Society, acquainting them with the death of their late Rector, and the choice of the new, and to lay the drafts of such letters before the next Vestry.
The Committee appointed the third Instant, to prepare letters to the Right Reverend Father in God the Lord Bishop of London, and the Venerable Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts, produced to this Board letters to the Bishop of London and the Society : that to the Bishop of London in the words following, vizt :
NEW-YORK, December 6th, 1746.
MY LORD :
We, the Church Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, under the greatest concern, beg leave to acquaint Your Lordship, that it hath pleased God to take unto himself the Reverend Mr. Vesey, Your Lordship's Commissary, and our faithfull pastor, by whose death the churches in general over which, by Your Lordship's favor, he had the Inspection, have sustained a very great, and our own in particular, an almost irreparable loss ; tho', by the blessing of Almighty God upon his pious endeavours and unwearied diligence for the space of near fifty years past, he had the inward pleasure of leaving in peace and good order one of the largest and finest churches in America, with a considerable congregation, who, almost with one voice, named the Rev. Mr. Barclay to succeed Mr. Vesey as Rector. And although we were well satisfied of his qualifications in all respects, yet, as he was in the service of the Honourable Society, and had been instru- mentall in doing a vast deal of good among the Heathen, we should not, upon any terms, have presumed to have countenanced the calling
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of him, had we not been well satisfied that, since the war with France, he had met with insupportable discouragement, which rendered his mission and best endeavours fruitless, as well as the safety of his person precarious among those savages in the Mohawks' Country-which, with many other parts of the County of Albany, being the frontiers of the province, is now deserted by the Christian Inhabitants, and almost laid waste by Barbarians and French ; all which, with what Mr. Barclay will have the honour of writing to Your Lordship upon this head, we humbly hope will be sufficient, in Your Lordship's opinion and Judgment, to justifie our conduct and proceedings upon this important occasion ; and that Your Lordship (who by Divine Providence is appointed the great shepherd and Bishop of these American Churches) will approve of our choice, and give us leave humbly to recommend our Rector as a Gentle- man, worthy of Your Lordship's favour and countenance ; And that Your Lordship will be pleased to continue your paternall care and good offices to our Infant Church, which we shall always endeavour to meritt, and remain with the most profound respect, My Lord, Your Lordship's much obliged, and most obedient humble servts.
And that to the Society, in the words following, to witt :
NEW-YORK, December the 5th, 1746.
REVEREND SIR ---
We, the Church Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, begg leave to acquaint the Honourable Society, that it hath pleased Almighty God to take unto himself the Revd Mr. Vesey, our late worthy Rector, by whose death the Church Wardens, under his Inspection as Commissary, have sustained a con- siderable, and our own an almost irreparable loss. And as we have made choice of the Revd Mr. Barclay to succeed him, we hope our proceeding therein will not be disagreeable to that Venerable Body, we having endeavoured to act upon this important occasion with all the care and precaution becoming so weighty an affair. And although we have a great esteem for Mr. Barclay, and were all satisfied, with his qualifications in all respects, yet we should not have presumed to make any advances for his removall, had we not been well satisfied of the many and great discouragements he hath mett with in his mission since the war with France, which rendered his best endeav.
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ours fruitless, and the safety of his person precarious among the savages in the Mohawks' Country, at least during the continuance of the war; which, with what further accounts he shall give the Honourable Society about this matter, we trust will be satisfactory, and justifie his conduct and removall from the seat of War, and a country greatly deserted by the Inhabitants, and almost laid waste by Barbarians.
Reverend Sir, we begg our humble duty may be presented to the Honourable Society, and that you will, upon all occasions, be pleased to interpose your good offices for the continuance of their favour and bounty towards us, which, by the blessing of God, and the care and diligence of the Revd Mr. Charlton, their Catechist, prove success- full, and greatly tend to promote their pious designs to the Glory of God, and the Interest of our Holy Church and Religion in this populous city, amidst the many different sects and persuasions of its inhabitants. So heartily recommending the Honourable Society to the favour and protection of Almighty God, and praying for their health and happi- ness, we remain, with the greatest regard, both their and Your Most obedient humble servants.
Which Letters were approved off, and signed by this Board.
The following proceedings took place upon the election and induction of Mr. Barclay :
At a meeting of the Vestry, held the 17th day of October, 1746, it was resolved and ordered, that the Reverend Mr. Henry Barclay be, and the said Mr. Henry Barclay is, hereby called as Rector of Trinity Church in this city, and that this Board present the said Mr. Barclay to his Excellency the Governour, and desire he may be admitted and instituted as Rector of, and Inducted into the said Church. That Mr. Horsmanden and Mr. Chambers being desired to wait on Mr. Barclay, and acquaint him with the Resolution of this Board, and know whether he would accept of the call, waited on him accordingly, who returned and introduced Mr. Barclay into the Vestry, where he accepted of the call. And thereupon it is ordered, that Mr. Murray, Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Lodge, and Mr. Nicholls, be a Committee to prepare a presentation of the said Mr. Barclay to his Excellency the Governour.
And ordered, that the Church Wardens, Mr. Horsmanden, Colls
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Moore, Mr. Watts, Mr. Reade, Mr. Livingston, or any three of them, one of the Church Wardens being one, be a Committee to wait on his Excellency the Governour, to know when he will be attended by this Board, to present the said Mr. Henry Barclay for admission, institution and Induction, as Rector of Trinity Church aforesaid, and that they make their report thereof to the next Vestry.
The Committee appointed by this Board the 17th Instant, to wait on his Excellency the Governour to know when he would be attended by this Board, to present the Revd Mr. Henry Barclay for admission, institution and induction as Rector of Trinity Church in this city, Reported to this Board that they had waited on his Excellency accordingly, who appointed five o'clock this afternoon. Then the Committee, appointed the same day to prepare a presentation of the said Mr. Henry Barclay to his Excellency the Governour, presented to this Board the said presentation in the words following, viz :
TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE GEORGE CLINTON, ESQ., CAPTAIN-GENERAL AND GOVERNOUR-IN-CHIEF IN AND OVER THE A PROVINCE OF NEW-YORK, AND TERRITORIES THEREON DEPEND- ING, IN AMERICA, AND VICE-ADMIRALL OF THE SAME, AND VICE- ADMIRAL OF THE RED SQUADRON OF HIS MAJESTY'S FLEET :
We, the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in Communion of the Church of England, as by law established, the true and undoubted patrons of the Rectory of the Parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, within your Govern- ment, in all reverence and obedience to Your Excellency due and suitable, send Greeting, in our Lord God Everlasting, to the said parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, now being vacant by the natural death of William Vesey, Clerk, the last incumbent in the same, and to our Presentation of full right belonging, our beloved in Christ, Henry Barclay, Clerk to Your Excellency, by these presents we do present, humbly praying that you would vouchsafe him, the said Henry Barclay to the same Church, to admitt him into the Rectory of the same Church to institute, and cause to be inducted, with all its rights, members and appurtenances, and that you will, with favour and effect, do and fulfill all and singular those things which in this behalf are proper and fitting for your Excellency to do.
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TRINITY CHURCH, NEW-YORK.
In testimony whereof, we, the Church Wardens and Vestrymen aforesaid, have to these presents put our hands and seals this twenty. second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six.
Which being read was approved off, and was signed and sealed by all the Members present, and also by Edward Holland, Charles Crooke, and Robert Elliston.
Governour Clinton's admission of Mr. Barclay to be Rector of Trinity Church.
I, George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall and Gover- SEAL. nour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and Terri- tories thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall of the same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's fleet, do admitt you, Henry Barclay, Clerk, able to be Rector of the Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York. Given under my hand and the Prerogative Seal of the Province of New. York, this twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six.
G. CLINTON.
Letters of Institution by Governour Clinton to Mr. Henry Barclay.
I, George Clinton, Esq., Captn-Generall and Governour- SEAL. in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and Territories thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall of the same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's fleet, do institute you, Henry Barclay, Clerk, Rector of the Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, to have the care of the souls of the parishioners of the said Trinity Church, and take Your Cure and Mine. Given under my hand and the prerogative seal of the province of New-York, this twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six.
G. CLINTON.
Mandate from Governour Clinton to Induct Mr. Henry Barclay into the Rectory of 'trinity Church.
The Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall
SEAL. and Governor-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and the Territories thereon depending, in America, and
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Vice-Admirall of the same, and Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet : To all and singular, Rectors or Parish Ministers whatsoever in the Province of New-York, or to Joseph Robinson and Joseph Murray, Esqrs, the present Church Wardens of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, and to the Vestry Men of the said Church, and to each and every of you,
Greeting : Whereas I have admitted our beloved in Christ, Henry Barclay, Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, within my Government, vacant as is said by the naturall death of William Vesey, the last Incumbent there, to which he was presented unto me by the Church Wardens and Vestry Men of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in communion of the Church of England, as by law established, patrons of the same : And him I have instituted into the Rectory of the same, with all its rights and appurtenances, (observing the laws and Canons of right, in that behalf required and to be observed :) To you, therefore, jointly and severally, I do committ, and firmly enjoining do command, each and every of you, that in due manner him the same Henry Barclay, or his lawfull Proctor, in his name, or for him, into the reall, actuall, and corporall possession of the said Rectory and Parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, and of all its rights and appurtenances whatsoever, you induct, or cause to be inducted, and him so inducted you do defend, and what you shall have done in the premises thereof you do duly certify unto me, or other competent Judge in that behalf, when thereunto you shall be duly required. Given under my hand and the Prerogative Seal of the Province of New-York, the twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six.
G. CLINTON.
Certificate of Mr. Barclay's Induction, &c., into the Rectory of Trinity Church, S.c.
We, whose names are hereunto written, do certify that Henry Barclay, Rector of Trinity Church in the city of New-York, was, in the presence of us, Inducted into his Church aforesaid, by Joseph Murray and Joseph Robinson, Esqrs, the present Church Wardens, and by the Vestrymen of the said Church, on the twenty-second day
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of October, one thousand seven hundred and forty-six, by virtue of certain Letters of Induction made under the hand of his Excellency the Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall and Gover- nour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, &c., and under the Prerogative Seal of the said Province, within the parish of the city of New-York aforesaid, for that purpose directed in the words following, viz : The Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain- Generall and Governour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and Territories thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall of the same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesty's Fleet : To all and singular, Rectors or Parish Ministers whatsoever in the Province of New-York, or to Joseph Robinson or Joseph Murray, Esqrs, the present Church Wardens of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, and to the Vestrymen of the said Church, and to each and every of you Greeting : Whereas I have admitted our Beloved in Christ, Henry Barclay, Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, within my Government, vacant, as is said, by the naturall death of William Vesey, the last Incumbent there, to which he was presented unto me by the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in Communion of the Church of England, as by law established, patrons of the same, and him I have instituted into the Rectory of the same, with all its rights and appurtenances, (observing the Laws and Canons of Right, in that behalf required and to be observed :) To you, therefore, jointly and severally, I do committ, and firmly enjoining, do command each and every of you that, in due manner, him, the same Henry Barclay, or his lawful Proctor, in his name, or for him, into the real, actuall and corporall possession of the said Rectory and Parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, and of all its rights and appurtenances whatsoever, you Induct, or cause to be inducted, and him so inducted you do defend, and what you shall have done in the premises thereof you do duely certifie unto me, or other competent Judge, in that behalf when thereunto you shall be duely required. Given under my hand and the prerogative Seal of the Province of New-York, the twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six. G. CLINTON.
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Certificate of Mr. Barclay's Induction, &c., into the Rectory of Trinity Church, &c.
We, whose names are hereunder written, do certify, that Henry Barclay, Rector of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, was, in the presence of us, Inducted into his Church aforesaid, by Joseph Murray and Joseph Robinson, Esqrs, the present Church Wardens, and by the Vestrymen of the said Church, on the twenty-second day of October, one thousand seven hundred and forty-six ; by virtue of certain Letters of Induction, made under the hand of his Excellency, the Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall and Gover- nour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, &c., and under the Prerogative Seal of the said Province, within the Parish of the city of New-York aforesaid, for that purpose directed, in the words follow- ing, viz : The Honorable George Clinton, Esq., Captain-Generall and Governour-in-Chief of the Province of New-York, and Territories thereon depending, in America, and Vice-Admirall of the same, and Vice-Admirall of the Red Squadron of his Majesties fleet : To all and singular, Rectors or Parish Ministers whatsoever in the Province of New-York, or to Joseph Robinson and Joseph Murray, Esqrs, the present Church Wardens of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, and to the Vestrymen of the said Church, and to each and every of you, Greeting : Whereas I have admitted our Beloved in Christ, Henry Barclay, Clerk, to the Rectory of the Parish Church of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, within my Government, vacant, as is said, by the natural death of William Vesey, the last Incumbent there, to which he was presented unto me by the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, in the city of New-York, in Communion of the Church of England as by law established, patrons of the same : and him I have instituted into the Rectory of the same, with all its rights and appurtenances, (observing the Laws and Canons of Right, in that behalf required and to be observed :) To you, therefore, jointly and severally, I do committ, and firmly enjoining, do command each and every of you that, in due manner, him, the said Henry Barclay, or his Lawful Proctor in his name, or for him, into the real, actuall and corporall possession of the said Rectory and Parish Church of Trinity Church aforesaid, and of all its Rights and Appurtenances whatsoever, you Induct, or cause to be Inducted, and
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him so Inducted you do defend, and what you shall have done in the premises thereof, you do duely certifie unto me, or other competent Judge, in that behalf, when thereunto you shall be duly required. Given under my hand and the Prerogative Seal of the Province of New-York, the twenty-second day of October, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six. G. CLINTON.
Also, that the aforesaid Henry Barclay, on the twenty-third day of this Instant November, within the said year, being a Lord's day, did read in his Parish Church aforesaid, openly, publickly, and solemnly, before the congregation there assembled, the Morning and Evening Prayers appointed to be read, by and according to the Book Entitled, (the Book of Common Prayer,) and administration of the Sacraments and rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England, " together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be said or sung in Churches, and the form or manner of making, ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, . and Deacons," at the time thereby appointed ; and after such reading thereof, did, openly and publickly, before the congregation assembled, declare his unfeigned assent and consent to the use of all things therein contained, and prescribed according to this form, viz : I, Henry Barclay, do declare my unfeigned assent and consent to all and every thing and things contained and prescribed in and by the Book Inti- tuled the Book of Common Prayer, and administration of Sacraments and other rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the Church of England, together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be said or sung in Churches, and the form or manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. Also that he did, publickly and openly, in the after- noon of the said day, in his Parish Church aforesaid, in the presence of the congregation there assembled, in the time of Divine Service, read a certificate under the hand and seal of the Right Reverend father in God Edmund, Lord Bishop of London, in these words, viz : This declaration was made and subscribed before me, by the said Henry Barclay, to be licensed to perform the Ministerial office in the Colony of New-York, this 12th day of Decr, in the Year of our Lord 1737, and in the 15th of our Translation. EDMUND LONDON. And at the same time, and in the same place, the congregation being
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present, did read the declaration or acknowledgment contained in the said certificate, viz : I do declare that I will conform to the Liturgy of the Church of England, as it is now by Law Established. And lastly, that on Wednesday, the twenty-sixth day of the Instant Novem- ber, and in the Year aforesaid, he did read the Articles of Religion, commonly called the thirty-nine Articles, agreed upon in Convocation, in the Year 1652, in his Parish Church aforesaid, in the time of Common Prayer there, and did declare his unfeigned assent thereto. And these things we promise to testify upon our Corporall oaths, if at any time we shall be called thereunto. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, in the city of New-York, this twenty-eighth day of November, in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-six.
JAMES EMOTT, LAMBERT MOORE.
On the news of his appointment to the office of Rector of Trinity Church, the acceptance of which, under the circumstances of the case, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel very highly approved, they desired him to dispose of the moneys in his hands for the service of the Mohocks as he should think proper, he having shown himself in all things a good and faithful steward to them. They also made it their earnest request to Mr. Barclay, to continue the Mohock Indians under his care, as far as was consistent with his cure of Trinity Church, and to look out for some proper person to be appointed their Missionary, as soon as with safety he might reside among them. To this he replied, that he was very much afraid it could not be done while the war should continue, and that if he had had the least prospect of it, he trusted in God that no worldly considerations would have prevailed on him to lay down his employ- ment among them ; but that he would nevertheless do
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