USA > New York > New York City > An historical sketch of Trinity Church, New-York > Part 6
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all in his power in his new station, to keep alive and cherish that good seed which he had so happily sown among them.
It may well be supposed that one who had been so laborious, so self-denying, and successful in the difficult attempt to convert and reform the Indians, would not be lacking in fidelity and diligence to those who were already of the household of faith. At this distance of time, however, it is almost impossible to follow him in the even tenour of his course in a set- tled and well established parish, and to ascertain either the extent or the fruits of his labours. But still we have some indications both of their abundance and success.
In a few years after his induction into the office of Rector of Trinity Church, the congregation had so far increased as to stand in need of further accom- modation, and to require the erection of a chapel. Partly by the arrival of strangers from Europe, but principally by proselytes from the Dutch churches, it had become so numerous, that, though the old building would contain two thousand hearers, a new one was needed. If the statement of Smith, the historian of New-York, that the proportion of Epis- copalians to the dissenters in the colony was scarcely as one to fifteen, this was a most remarkable circum- stance, and spoke well for the zeal and diligence of the ministers of Trinity Church. For there were at that time only eight places of worship belonging to the dissenters in the city of New-York, some of which were small, so that the proportion of Episcopalians had risen here at least as one to five.
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The first step which was taken in this matter, was at a meeting of the Vestry on the 12th of April, 1748 :
This Board being of opinion that it has become absolutely neces- sary to build a chapel of Ease to Trinity Church, and being desirous to build the same where it will be most commodious and convenient to the congregation in generall ; Ordered, 'That the Church Wardens, Coll Moore, Mr. Watts, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Reade, and Mr. Lodge, or any four of them, (one of the Church Wardens always to be one,) be a committee to consider where will be the most proper place for building the said chapel, and to hear the sentiments of the congregation, with their several reasons, and to make their report to this Board with all convenient expedition.
Ordered, That the Church Wardens, Mr. Reade and Mr. Chambers, be a committee to purchase six lotts of gronnd fronting Nassau street and Fair street, from David Clarkson, Esq., upon such terms as they shall think reasonable, in order to build a chapel of Ease to Trinity Church thereon.
At a subsequent meeting, held on the 11th of July, in the same year,
Col' Robinson, from the committee appointed to purchase the lotts of ground from Mr. Clarkson, to build a chapel of Ease on, Reported, that the committee had agreed with Mr. Clarkson for the said lotts for £500, to be paid in a Year ; and several persons residing in Montgomerie Ward appearing, and alledging that the lots of Coll Beekman, fronting Beekman's street and Van Cliff's street, would be more commodious for building the said chapel on, proposed, that, if the Vestry would agree to the building the chapel there, the Inhabitants of Montgomerie Ward would raise money among themselves sufficient to purchase the ground, and that if Mr. Clarkson insisted on the performance of the agreement with him for his lots, they would take a conveyance for them, and pay the purchase money ; which proposal being considered by the Vestry, was agreed to.
Mr. Reade, Mr. Livingston, Mr. Holland, Mr. Grant, and Mr. Henry Ludlow, or any three of them, were appointed a committee to
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procure plans for a chapel of Ease to Trinity Church, not exceeding ninety feet in length, and to make their report to the Board with all convenient expedition ; and Mr. Murray, Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Chambers, Mr. Lodge, and Mr. Nicholls, a committee to examine into the title of Coll Henry Beekman to the Lands near Beekman's Swamp, proposed to be purchased for the building a chapel of Ease.
Power also was given to the committee appointed, to inspect into the title of Coll Beekman to the land near the swamp, to agree with Coll Beekman for the purchase thereof, for such sum as they should think fitt, and to prepare deeds to be by him executed for the convey- ing the same to the Rector and inhabitants of Trinity Church ; and when such purchase should be so made, to agree also with James Burling for exchanging part of the said ground for a lott of ground which belonged to him adjoining thereto, or such part thereof as they could agree with him to exchange for the same, on such terms and for such consideration as to them should seem meet.
These arrangements were all completed, as appears from an entry on the minutes in the following spring :
Mr. Murray, from the committee appointed to agree with Coll Henry Beekman for six lots of land to build a chapel of Ease on, Reported, that the said Coll Beekman and his wife had executed Deeds for the said lots, and that Capt. Aspinwall, on behalf of the Inhabitants of Montgomerie Ward, had paid £645 for the same. Whereupon it was ordered, that the said Deeds be delivered to Mr. Lodge, to be by him entered on the records of this city.
It would seem that the Church lands were still very unproductive,* and the resources of the Vestry
* For, at a meeting of the Vestry on the 26th of April, 1750, Adam Vandenburgh, the tenant of the Churches farm, appeared at this Board, and agreed that the Church might lease out any of the farm to the southward of the stockadoes for any purposes notwithstanding his lease had not expired ; and thereupon, this Board agreed to lease
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exceedingly limited .* For in 1750, it was ordered that the committee appointed to manage the building of the chapel of Ease, should have power to take up any sum on interest, not exceeding one thousand pounds; and it was subsequently
Ordered, That the seal of this Coroporation should be affixed to Bonds for any sums of money that the Church Wardens might want, for carrying on the building of the chappel of Ease, not exceeding one thousand pounds more than the sum of one thousand pounds, already ordered to be borrowed.
the said Adam Vandenburgh four lots of twenty-five feet in breadth and one hundred feet in length each, where he then lived, for the term of twenty-one years, at the rent of forty shillings per annum for each lot. And in consideration of his having secured the ground at his own expense near the Bowling Green from washing away, it was ordered, that the said Adam Vandenburgh have the house where he then lived, to make use of as he should think convenient.
* In the spring of the following year, these entries are found on the minutes.
Adam Vandenburgh, the present Tennant of the churches farm, appeared at this Board, and agreed to rent the said Farm for a Year longer, from the twenty-fifth of March next, at the former rent of Forty pounds ; that all the Land to the southward of the stockadoes, and the four acres agreed to be leased to William Burnham at the north end of the Farm, are excepted out of this lease ; but that the said Adam Vandenburgh may use any of the Land to the southward of the stockadoes, while it lies open and unleased ; that he is to cut no timber or wood off the Farm, and at the end of the term to leave eleven hundred and ninety pannells of sufficient Fence on the farm.
Adam Vandenburgh appeared at this Board, and agreed to lease the old Bowling Green for twenty-one Years, from the 25th of March next, at the rent of fifteen pounds per annum, the part of it already let to Elias Gruchie to be excepted.
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The following presents, towards the building of the chapel, are noticed in the minutes :
Coll Robinson acquainted the Board, that Mr. Oliver DeLancey, by order of Sir Peter Warren, had this day paid him ten pounds ster- ling, (eighteen pounds this currency,) being the donation of His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, towards the building of the chappell of Ease, for which this Board are very thankful ; and it was ordered, that the Rector and Church Wardens return his Grace their humble thanks accordingly.
Mr. Oliver DeLancey acquainted this Board, that he had received a letter from Sir Peter Warren, directing him to pay one hundred pounds sterling towards the building of St. George's Chappell, and desiring, if it was not inconsistent with the Rules of the Church, that a Pew might be appropriated for Sir Peter and his family, in case they should come to this country ; and Mr. DeLancey also acquainted this Board, that he was ready to pay the said money as this Board should order.
And this Board having a gratefull sense of Sir Peter's generous gift, ordered that the draught of a letter of thanks to Sir Peter Warren be prepared by Mr. Horsmanden, Mr. Chambers, and Mr. Nicholls, and that he be assured therein that this Board will take proper care to accommodate him and his family with a convenient Pew, whenever they shall come to this country, and that the said draft be laid before this Board at their next meeting. And ordered, that Mr. Oliver DeLancey be desired to pay the said hundred pounds sterling to Coll Robinson.
A committee was appointed to let the Pews in the chappell of Ease, who were authorized to let them in such manner and upon such terms as they should think most proper; and it was ordered that the same committee should have power to assign a Pew for Sir Peter Warren, another for the Church Wardens and Vestry, a third for the severall ministers and their familys, and another for strangers ; and that they also should assign such pews as they should think convenient to be Free pews, and have the word free painted on the door of each of the said free pews ; and that the committee should acquaint all persons that might be desirous to hire a pew in the chappell that had a pew in the Church, that they should be at liberty upon hiring a pew in the
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chappell, to lett their pew in the Church, or permitt the Church to lett the same, and what such pew should let for should be deducted out of the Rent of the Pew they might hire in the chappell.
It was also 1
Ordered, That Wednesday, the first day of July, 1752, should be appointed for opening St. George's Chappell of this city, and that notice be given thereof in Trinity Church the two preceding Sun- days ; and ordered, that the Rector, Coll Robinson, and Mr. Mayor be a committee to wait upon His Excellency the Governour, and inform him thereof some time before notice be given in the Church.
St. George's Chapel was a very neat edifice, built after the plan of Robert Crommelin, a member of the Vestry, and an architect of considerable taste and skill. It was faced with hewn stone, and tiled .* It was ninety-two feet in length, exclusive of the chancel, and seventy-two feet in breadth. The steeple, which was lofty, but irregular, was one hun- dred and seventy-five feet in height.t The chapel was situated in a new, crowded, and ill-built part of the town, and in its spaciousness, solidity, and beauty,
* It being some time after represented to the Vestry, that the Pantiles on the roofe of St. George's Chappell were too weighty for the roofe and walls of the said chappell, it was resolved, that the said Tiles be removed and sold, and the roofe shingled ; and that Mr. Reade, Mr. Marston, Mr. Cromelin, Mr. Mann, and Mr. Desbrosses, or any three or more of them, be a committee to agree with the Workmen and purchase materials for that purpose, and see the same done with all convenient speed, and that the Church Wardens pay the expense attending the same.
+ It was furnished with a fine large bell, which cost £88 3s. 2d. sterling.
HH
TH7
J EVERS
HOWLAND Se
ST. GEORGE'S CHAPEL, PEEKMAN STREET, N. Y,
ERECTED 1752
*
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was only one of the evidences of the liberal spirit and thoughtful forecast of the Vestry of Trinity Church, in anticipating and preparing for the future growth and improvement of the city. This venerable edifice, in which I worshipped for several years in early life, and in which I was confirmed, and which consequently was greatly endeared to me, was unhappily destroyed by fire, with the exception of the walls, in the month of January, 1814, but was rebuilt and restored in the following year.
The increase of the congregation to such a degree, as to require the building of a chapel for its accom- modation, was not the only proof of the diligence and faithfulness of its worthy Rector. There were other indications of both, at a period somewhat later, of a still more certain character. According to the Parish Register and other accounts, it appears that the calls on its ministers for some of their pastoral duties were even much more frequent than at the present day. From 1763 to 1764, one hundred and thirty-seven couples were married, and during the same time four hundred and thirty-one adults and children were baptized. There has been nothing comparable to this, even in the most flourishing state of the Parish, during my long connection with it.
In the year 1747, on the removal of the Rev. Mr. Charlton to the Church of St. Andrew, Staten Island, a committee was raised to prepare a letter to the Venerable Society to appoint a proper person to succeed him ; which letter was prepared accordingly, and was in the words following, to wit :
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NEW-YORK, Novr 30th, 1749.
REVEREND SIR :
Mr. Barclay communicated to us in Vestry, a letter he was honored with by you of the 13th of Aprill last, advising him of the removall of the Revd Mr. Charlton from our Church to that of Staten Island, and at the same time hinting to him, to look out for a proper person amongst the Candidates for Holy Orders, educated at New Haven, to recommend to the Honorable Society to succeed in the office of Catechist and Assistant to this Church. We esteemed this a particular favour, and accordingly desired Mr. Barclay to consult the Reverend Doctor Johnson, and endeavour to find a gentleman duly qualified for this purpose. But in the meantime Mr. Barclay was honoured with a second letter, ordering him to desist, the Society designing a younge Gentleman of New-England, lately ordained, for this place.
We are extremely obliged to that Venerable body, as for their former, so for this fresh instance of their tender regard for us. But although we do not in the least doubt but the Honourable Board have strictly examined into the character and abilities of the Gentleman designed for us, yet we beg leave humbly to observe, that there is one materiall qualification, (which it is very possible they may not have considered,) a defect whereof will render all his other good qualities as a preacher useless to our congregation : we mean the strength and clearness of his voice, our church being by all accounts one of the largest in America, so that few Gentlemen are perfectly heard in it. We could therefore have wished to have been favoured with the liberty of making our own choice, as we should then have been satis- fied in this point ; but inasmuch as the Venerable Board have already determined, we hope for the best, and beg leave to assure them, that if the Gentleman they designed for us is qualified to answer their pious and charitable views, in appointing a Catechist in Holy Orders, that may at the same time serve as an Assistant to our Church, he shall meet with good encouragement, and never have reason to com- plain. But if it should fall out otherwise, which we hope may not be the case, we doubt not but the gentleman himself will solicit a removal, and the Honourable Board will indulge us in the choice of another. Reverend Sir, please to represent this with our humble duty, and you will oblige, Reverend Sir, your most obedient servants.
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Which was signed by Hen. Barclay, Jos. Robinson, Jos. Murray, Dan. Horsmanden, Jnº Chambers, Richd Nicholls, John Moore, Robt Watts, W. Hamersley, Simeon Soumaine, Abraham Lodge, Robt Livingston, Charles Crooke, Jnº McEvers, Ebenezer Grant, Gab1 Ludlow, Jos. Reade, Nath1 Marston, Charles Williams, Henry Rowe, Robt Elliston, Ed. Holland.
Directed to the Reverend Doctr Bearcroft, Secretary to the Venerable Society for the propagation of the Gospell in foreign parts, at the Charter House, London.
At a meeting of the Vestry on the 8th of March, 1748-
The Rector produced and read to this Board a paragraph of a Letter from the Revd Mr. Bearcroft, Secretary to the Honourable Society, acquainting him that they had been pleased to appoint the Revd Mr. Samuel Auchmuty Catechist here, in the roome of the Revd Mr. Charlton, with directions to him to assist the Rector in his parochial duties as Mr. Charlton had done. And the said Mr. Auch- muty produced to this Board his letters of appointment from the said Venerable Society, dated the 23d of October last, signed by the Revd Phillip Bearcroft, Secretary to the said Society ; and thereupon, this Board desired the Rector to write to the Revd Mr. Bearcroft in answer to his said letter, and to desire Mr. Bearcroft to return the Venerable Society their sincere and hearty thanks for their care of them.
It appears that Mr. Auchmuty received this appoint- ment upon the especial recommendation of the Hon. George Clinton, Esq., Governor of the Province.
He was born at Boston, and educated at Harvard College. The Lord Bishop of London had not long before admitted him into holy orders upon full testi- monials, and with the Bishop's approbation and concurrence, he was appointed both as assistant to Mr. Barclay, and as Catechist to the blacks. In
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the report of the Society in the following year, it appears from his communication to them, that he had baptized twenty-three negro infants, and three adults, after proper instruction. They also stated that a school had been lately built by the generous contribu- tions of the Governor and other worthy persons of New-York, fifty feet in length, and twenty-six in breadth ; in which Mr. Hildreth taught both well and diligently fifty poor children, who attended constantly on the divine service in the Church on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Holidays, and on Mr. Auchmuty's catechetical instructions. The certificate to this effect, from the Rector and Churchwardens of the Parish, likewise added that Mr. Auchmuty had promised to read a catechetical lecture in that school on every Wednesday evening to his negro catechu- mens, detaining, at the same time, the scholars to be a part of his audience.
There is nothing with which I have been so much struck and impressed, in the investigation of the early history of this Parish, as the zeal, the earnestness, and devotedness of the schoolmasters and catechists of that day. The former appear to have been selected from among the laity with great caution and care, and to have been persons of respectability and worth. The latter were occasionally laymen, but more com- monly such as were preparing for holy orders, or who had actually received them. Some of these were men of liberal education, who in the commencement of their professional life were full of promise, and who ended it with respect and honour. But they all seem
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to have entered with the same spirit upon their humble labours, and to have prosecuted them with a patience, an interest, and a blessed result, which put ours to shame at the present day. Intellectual was not then, to the extent that it is now, separated from religious improvement, but both went hand in hand throughout the week. The whole of early life was, in a certain measure, devoted to Christian instruction, and not merely reserved for the scanty intervals between the hours of worship on the Lord's Day.
It is delightful to observe, in the annual reports of the schoolmasters and catechists to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, with what cheerfulness and industry they appear to have laboured in their useful, but lowly employment ; with what particular- ity each addition to the number of the scholars or catechumens, from year to year, is pointed out ; with what pleasure, each change for the better, in the spiritual condition of the negro or Indian slaves, is noticed; with what hopefulness and interest they look forward to their advancement in Christian know- ledge, and how sincerely they rejoice at their growth in grace.
An instance of this is found in the report of Mr. Auchmuty, in his letter of October 2, 1750, which is but one among many. In this he stated that, in the preceding half year, he had baptized thirty-three blacks, of whom eight were adults, whom he had pre- viously instructed. He had likewise observed with pleasure, that the masters of the negroes were becom- ing more desirous than they used to be, of having
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them instructed in the principles of Christianity, inso- much that the number of his black catechumens were increasing daily ; and he therefore hoped, through the divine blessing, to be the means of adding, at least, some few souls to Christ. These hopes were very speedily so far realized, by the good progress which his catechumens had made in the principles of Chris- tianity, and by the increase in their numbers, as that he had been constrained to apply to the Rev. Mr. Barclay, the Rector of the Church, for his kind assistance in his labours.
In his next letter to the Society, he gives a still more encouraging account of his labours, having bap- tized in the previous year twelve negro adults, after having first well instructed them in the principles of Christianity, and fifty infants. He states also, that he had lately begun a catechetical lecture, on every Friday in the afternoon at the new church, St. George's Chapel, for the instruction of both whites and blacks ; that many of both sorts had attended him; that he had divided the blacks into two classes, one of which, at the date of his letter, were learning Lewis's Expo- sition of the Church Catechism, and the other the Church Catechism itself ; and that he was in great hopes, through the blessing of God, that this would have a very good effect, and then, though the labour attending it must be great, he should with pleasure undergo it for the promoting of the religion of our blessed Redeemer.
All in that day relating to the religious instruction of the young and the ignorant, was done in faithful-
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ness and simplicity, according to the teaching of the Church. The Catechism, as the authorized exposition of her views of Gospel truth, was not merely promi- nent in her system of instruction, but seems to have been the ground-work of the whole of it. How far the innovations on this plan in modern times, aiming at greater variety and attractiveness, and ending very often in a mere generalized Christianity, has the advantage over that of our fathers, I leave each one to judge for himself; but for my own part, I regard the change, at least, as of very doubtful utility.
The school which, with its schoolmasters, I have had such frequent occasion to notice in connection with the history of the Parish, and which was founded in 1709, seems to have been conjointly under the fostering care of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, and of Trinity Church. In what degree, in the earlier periods of its history the latter contributed to its support, it is somewhat difficult to determine ; but at a later period it received from this corporation that ample endowment, which, with the contributions of benevolent individuals and the annual collections in our churches, secured for it stability and permanency. The unexpected increase in the value of the property with which it was endowed, has greatly enlarged the usefulness of the school at the present day.
The schoolmasters received from the Venerable Society about £15 sterling per annum, and £15 or £20 New-York currency from this corporation, as clerks of Trinity Church, to which were added occa-
6
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sional gratuities for extraordinary diligence and attention to their duties. Until 1748, the rooms for the use of the teachers and pupils were probably hired. In that year, however, it was ordered by the Vestry, that so much of the ground of the Church adjoining to the Lutheran Church, as the Churchwar- dens should think proper, should be appropriated for building a Charity School. In the meanwhile, until the building was completed, Mr. Hildreth had leave to keep his school in the belfry of the Church. Col. Robinson, one of the Wardens, was ordered to furnish and pay such moneys as should be necessary, over and above the subscriptions, for carrying on and completing the building for the public school. Shortly after the edifice was finished, the following proposal was made, to which the Vestry assented :
The gentlemen who perform at the subscription concert, proposed to this Board, that if they would permitt them to make use of the school- room in the new Charity School, and prepare a platform and closet proper, they would pay ten shillings for each night, and play at a Benefitt concert for the use of the poor children ; which proposal being considered, it was unanimously agreed, that if the said Gentle- men will prepare a proper platform, and have a convenient closet put up in the said room, that they shall have the use of the said room for their concert as they desire, they performing at a benefitt concert for the use of the poor children, and paying so much for the same use as they find they can afford out of their subscription.
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