USA > New York > Westchester County > History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853 > Part 37
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1 10 0
The Reverend Mr. Bridge,
200
The Reverend Mr. Thomas,
100
The Reverend Mr. Henry Boys,
1 0 0
The Reverend Mr. Thomas Barclay,
. 10 3
The Reverend Mr. Holyday,
100
The Reverend Mr. Bartow,
100
Coll. Bayard,
2 0
Mr. Elias Romain,
1 2 0
Mad. Mackham, 3 dolars,
0 16
6
Mr. Jeremiah Colert 3 dolars,
0 16 6
Mrs. Mary Laurens
0 2 9
Mr. Nathaniel Marston,
0 13 2
Mr. Mosent,
0 15
Mr. John Meklany,
02 7
Mr. John Bayley, one dolar,
5 6
Doctor Letrice,
017
Mad. Wenham,
120
Mr. Suire, payed,
090
Cap. Thomas,
1 0
Coll. Moris,
3 5 0
Mr. Mastin,
200
Mr. Bartholemy LeRoux,
2 0
Mr. Reignier,
100
Mr. Thomas Dutey,
160
Mr. James Neau,
1 10 0
Coll. Graham,
120
Alexander More,
2 0
Mr. Elias Nean,
100
Mr. Peak, purser, of the Kingsale, 2 dolars,
0 11 0
Mr. William Hacking,
100
Mr. George Clark,
100
Mr. John Creok,
100
Cap. Davis, commander of the Maidstone,
300
Master May Vickley,
120
AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE.
417
Mr. Lawrence Read, 3 dolars,
0 16 0
Mr. Remison, 1 2 0
Mr. George Nethew, 2 dolars, 0 10 0
Cap. Cleyton, commander of the Kingsale,
1 6 0
Mr. Christopher Rougby,
100
Capt. Wilson, mayor of the city,
120
Cap. Lancaster Simes,
200
Mr. Andrew Bornet,
100
Lieutenant Tathem,
140
Mr. Collector Bayesly,
2 0 0 0 0
Daniel Rouet,
The Commander of the Feversham,
1 6 0
Mr. Daniel Airauld,
1 4 0
Capt. Hamilton,
12 0
Mr. Robert, of Boston, Merchant,
200
Mr. John Read,
100
Capt. Gordon,
170
Coll. Partridge,
02 0
Cap. A. Chalwell,
030
Coll. Heathcote,
3 10 0
Dan. Cromelin,
3 12 0
On Board of the Ship Feversham's Company,
110
From the master of the Feversham's ship,
0 11 0
From the Purser of the same ship,
0 11 0
From the Cap. Mostenan, 3 dolars,
0 16 6
From Mr. Lisau,
050
From Mr. Livingston, a mayor of Albany,
096
From Lieutenant Jay,
0 6 74
From Leftenant More,
0 12 4
Mr. Watts,
0 16
6
Mr. Sharpes,
0 11
0
Mr. Reggs,
0 5 6
Mad. Hamilton
0 11 0
The Col. Morris,
0 0
Mr. George Willack,
200
By a Legacy from Mr. Zamain,
500
By Cap. Wims,
1 60
By Mr. Broeck, one dolar,
0 5 6
?
The subscriptions, though not very large, must be regarded in reference to the relative value of money at that period and the present. The new church which was begun in the 'Au- tumn of 1710, and completed by November of the same year, stood a little east of the present Episcopal church, at the entrance of the lane leading to Mr. Elias Guion's former resi:
27
418
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
-
dence. The building, which was constructed of stone, form- ed nearly a square, being perfectly plain within and with- ont. So anxious were all to contribute something towards its completion, that even females carried stones in their hands, and mortar in their aprons, to complete the sacred work.
Upon the erection of the church, measures were immedi- ately taken to secure a Royal Patent for the same, as appears from the following :-
PETITION FOR A PATENT FOR THE CHURCH AT NEW ROCHELLE.
":To his Excellency Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governeur in Chief of her Majesties Provinces of new-yorck, New Jersey, and Territories Depending thereon in aMerica, &c., vice admiral of the same, &c.
The Petition of Daniel Bondet, minister, olmer Besley, and other Inhabitants of New Rochelle, of the communion of the Church of England, in behalf of themselves and others,
HUMBLY SHEWETH :
That whereas they have been favoured with your Excellency's license Bearing date the 2d of August, 1710, Empowering them to collect and Receive the chari- table contributions of piously disposed christians and apply them towards build- ing a house for the worship and service of God, according to the form and man- ner of the Church of England as by Law established, and further Granting unto them the priviledge to build and Erect such church in such place of the publick Street as to them should seem most convenient and proper. That by virtue of the said Licence and Encouragement and the contributions Thereby collected,
419
AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE.
They have proceeded to build, and have now finished a convenient building for use forsaid according to the directions, limitations, and Restrictions Therein mentioned.
May it Therefore please your Excellency to grant them a patent for the said Church, and the ground whereon it stands, that it may be secured for the use of the Church of England to them and their posterity for Ever, against all attempts, claims, and pretensions that hereafter may be made, and your petitioners as in duty bound, shall Ever pray, &c.
DANIEL BONDET, F. ALLEAU, BESLEY, P. VALLEAU, ELIE DEBONREPOS."
New Rochelle, the 11th of November.
REPORT THEREON.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,
" In obedience to your Excellencie's order in Councill, of ye nineteenth day of November last, made on ye petition of Daniel Bondet, and others, for a Patent for a Church, lately Erected in the Street of New Rochelle, and for the Ground whereon it stands, wee have fully Examined into ye matter of the said petition, and are humbly of Opinion that her Majesty may Grant such Patent for the said Church and Ground, according to ye prayer of the said petition. All which is nevertheless submitted to your Excellency, by
Your Excellencie's Most Obedient, humble Servants,
A. D. PEYSTER, S. STAATS, RIP VAN DAM, CALEB HEATHCOTE, T. BYERLEY."
Read 31st July, 1711-12."
For his commendable zeal in Church affairs, Colonel Hunter was reviled and misrepresented by those from whom a different course might have been reasonably expected. The two follow- ing extracts speak for themselves :-_ b
* Documentary Hist. of N. Y., vol. iii. p. 948.
৳ " Governor Hunter was as devoted a member of the Church of England as any of the early Governors."-Macdonald's Hist. of the Presbyterian Church in Jamai- ca, Long Island, p. 51.
420
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
COLONEL HEATHCOTE TO THE SECRETARY.
[EXTRACT.] " New- York, January 30th, 1711.
The more I consider of Colonel Hunter's being represented as an enemy to the Church, the more I am amazed at it ; because no Governor in this Province, that I ever knew, besides Col. Fletch- er, did ever as heartily espouse her interest, if we are to judge of men by their actions. I think Mr. Bondet and I was about 7 years in endeavouring to settle the Church at New Rochelle, but never could thoroughly effect it until he was our Governor, who, without giving us the least stop or delay, did every thing we desired of him."a
COL. LEWIS MORRIS TO THE SECRETARY.
" New- York, 20th February, 1711.
Because the Governor (Col. Hunter) would not go all the length they desired, he was industriously represented to the peo- ple as no churchman, I can't see what end this could serve, be- sides gratifying too much ill nature, except it were the discour- aging the Church and encouraging the Dissenters, (if either of them should believe the person at the head of affairs here was a dissenter,) or really making the Governor what they pretended he was. But it was not in the power of some men that wear the Church's livery, by an imprudent conduct to make the Gov- ernor an enemy to the Church,b for no sooner was application made to him in behalf of the church of New Rochelle, the building of which had been a long time opposed, but he gave an order to Col. Heathcote and myself to appoint a place
* New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 356. (Hawks.)
b In an address of the New-York Clergy to Governor Hunter, May 14, 1712, " they thank him for his favor to Daniel Bondet, and his congregation of French Refugees, and generous bounty towards erecting of a new church, and granting a Patent for the same to the Church of England, and that the utmost gratitude is due for the same." This was signed by D. Bondet and 8 others .- Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol. iii. p. 199.
1)
421
AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE.
for it in the High Street, which we did; saw the founda- tion laid, and it is now finished, or very nigh it, being a good stone building, and his purse, as well as power, has contributed to make it what it is." «
In the year 1711-12, the Venerable Propagation Society pre" sented to Mr. Daniel Bondet, "for the use of the inhabi- tants of New Rochelle, (who, under the influential ministry of the Rev. Mr. Bondet, have built them a new church of stone, for the worship of God, and are, many of them, reconciled to the ways of the Church of England) one hundred French pray- er books of the small sort, and twenty of a larger impression." In consideration of the great learning and piety of Monsieur Bondet, at New Rochelle, and his long and faithful discharge of his office, they have augmented his salary from £30 to £50 per annum.b Mr. Neau, writing to the Secretary from New- York, on the 5th of July, 1710, bears the following testimony in regard to Mr. Bondet's character, " most Honored Sir :- Mr. Bondet is a good old man, near sixty years of age, sober, just and religious."c
Another supply of one hundred prayer books in French, oc- curs in 1713, to the Rev. Monsieur Bondet, minister of the Re- formed Congregation at New Rochelle. Upon this, he remarks, " The books came very seasonably, and is much to the comfort of that people, as to engage their thanks to the Society, for their charity in the care of them, when their enemies reported they were derelicted."
The same year, the Society forwarded to the Rev. Daniel Bondet, "minister of the French Calvinistic congregation at New Rochelle, £10, in consideration of his diligence and care in performing English service every third Sunday, for the edi-
a New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. p. 327. (Hawks.)
b The Society's Abstracts say :- " That Mr. Bondet's congregation at New Rochelle has a competent number of communicants, and meets for divine ser- vice, not only on Sabbath days, but all others appointed by the Church."
New York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol i. pp. 216, 217. (Hawks.) . ..
422
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
fication of the French youth who have learnt so much of that language as to join with him therein."
Upon the 7th of February, 1714, Queen Anne, in answer to the petition, was pleased to grant and confirm the new church or chapel, and the ground whereon it stood, to the minister and members in the following manner :-
ROYAL PATENT FOR THE CHURCH AND GROUND AT NEW ROCHELLE.
" Anne, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c., &c., to all whom these presents may come or in any wise concerne, sendeth greeting : Whereas. the inhabitants of New Rochelle, in the County of Westchester, &c., with the leave and lycense of our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governor in chief of our province of New-York, and territories depending thereon in America, and Vice Admiral of the same, have, by the voluntary contributions of well disposed Christians, erected and built in the High street of the said town of New Ro- chelle-to wit., on the north side thereof, a church or chapel for the worship and service of Almighty God, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England as by law established ; and whereas Daniel Bondet, now minister at New Rochelle aforesaid, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau, Elie De- bonrepos, in behalf of themselves and other the inhabitants of New Rochelle aforesaid, of the Communion of the Church of England, by their petition pre- sented to our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain General and Governor in chief as aforesaid in Council, have prayed our grant and confirma- tion of the said church or chapel and ground whereon the same is erected and built, to and for the use of the service aforesaid, the which petition we being willing to grant-Know ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, we have given, granted, released, ratified, and confirmed, and by these presents, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, do give, grant, release and con- firm unto the said Daniel Bondet, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau and Elias Debonrepos, and to their heirs and assignees, all that church or chap- el aforesaid, and all and singular the ground whereon the same now stands, be- ing 40 feet in length and 30 feet in breadth ; the which said church or chapel and ground is situate, standing and being in the north side of the High street of the said town of New Rochelle, in the County of Westchester aforesaid, between the dwelling houses of Johannes Le Conte and Zachary Anjouvaine, together with all and singular the ways, easements, emoluments, profits, benefits, privileges, libertyes, advantages, hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging, or in any wise of right appertaining, to the estate, right, title, in- terest, benefits, advantages, claims and demands in any way of, in, or to the said church or chapel, ground and premises, with appurtenances or any part or par- cel thereof, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders thereof,
AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE. 423
to have and to hold the said church or chapel ground and premises with the ap- purtenances hereby granted, released and confirmed, or meant, mentioned, or in- tended to be hereby granted, released, and confirmed, unto the said Daniel Bon- det, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau and Elie Debonrepos, their heirs and assignees for ever, to the only proper use and behoof of them, the said Daniel Bondet, Isaias Valleau, Oliver Besley, Peter Valleau and Elie Debonrepos, their heirs and assignees, for ever in trust, nevertheless and to the intent, the aforesaid church or chapel with the appurtenances, may and shall forever hereafter, con- tinue, remain, and be unto all and singalar the inhabitants, residents of the said town of New Rochelle for the time being, in communion of the Church of Eng- land, a free church or chapel for the performing of the worship and services of Almighty God, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, as by law established, to and for no other service, use, intent or purpose whatso- ever, to be holden of us, our heirs and successors, in free and common soccage, as of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of Kent, within our kingdom, of Great Britain, yielding and paying therefor yearly and every year from hence- forth, unto us, our heirs and successors, at or upon the feast of the Nativity of our Lord, commonly called Christmas, the yearly rent of one pepper corne only, (if the same shall be lawfully demanded,) in lieu and stead of all other rents, dues, duties, services, and demands whatsoever ; provided nevertheless, that nothing herein contained shall be construed, deemed, or taken in any manner to exempt the said inhabitants of New Rochelle aforesaid, or any of them, of and from the payment of any rate, sum or sums of money now due or hereafter to be due from them or any of them to the parish church of Westchester, in the county afore- said, or for or in respect thereof, or of and from the performances or execution of any parochial office or duty in the same parish, or to prejudice, or in giving any the rights, privileges, emoluments and authorities of the present rector of the said parish of Westchester, aforesaid or the rector of the same parish church for the time being, but that the same shall and may continue, remaine and be as fully and amply to all intents and purposes whatsoever, as the same now are, and as if this present grant had never been made, anything herein before contayned to the contrary thereof in any wise notwithstanding. In testimony whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent, and the seale of our said province of New York to our said letters patent to be affixed to the same, to be recorded in ye secretary's office of our said province. Witness our trusty and well beloved Robert Hunter, Esq., captain-general and governor-in-chief, in and over our prov - ince of New York aforesaid, and territories depending thereon in America, and vice-admiral of the same, and in council at our fort at New York aforesaid, the seventh day of February, in the tenth year of our reign, and ;in the year of our Lord God, 1714.">
About this period, " the town gave a house and three acres of
· Alb. Rec. Lib. viii. pp. 1, 2, 3.
.
424
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
land, adjoining the church, for the use of the clergyman forev- er."a
During the year 1714, Mr. Bondet, at the request of the So- ciety, took charge of the Mohegan or River Indians.
The next communication from Mr. Bondet to the Venerable Society is as follows :-
MR. BONDET TO THE SECRETARY.
" New- York, 3d April, 1714.
HONORED SIR,
By my last of the 25th of Nov., 1713, if happily come to your hand, you are informed of the reception of yours of the 28th July, 1712, and of my gratitude to the Honourable Society for their bounty, having brought my salary to the rate of £50. That seasonable relief of their equitable regard hath rescued me from several inconveniencies, who had rendered the mainte- nance of my family difficult and uneasy. I was in a perfect resolution to continue my service, trusting in the Lord, that when my circumstances should come plainly and truly to be known by the Honourable Society, their piety should resolve something for my relief, of which you have been pleased to inform me, as also of one hundred French common prayer books, who came not with your letter, but are come since in very good order. That new token of the pious care of the Honourable Society for our company, hath renewed our thanks and blessings upon their charity and rebuked the temeranious suspicions suggested by our contradiction that our labor and confidence should come to nothing, being abandoned and left to our weakness, but thanks be to God, who hath rebuked the scorns and relieved our simple and sincere endeavours, by the continuation of the Honourable Society's benevolence and charity, as also by the wise and se- rious concurrence of his Excellency, our Governor, Col. Hun-
· Missions of the Church of England, by Ernest Hawkins, B. D., 282.
425
AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE.
ter, who in that affair, as in all others, hath showed the regard of a grave and pious ruler, who, with a philosophic patience hears and considers every thing, and with sound judgment, de- clares his mind among the contending parties, and with a con- stant equity, countenances by his authority the right and law- ful claim of his protection. These favourable junctures of Providence have produced effects answerable, constancy and thankfulness of our people, and a daily increase of consenters to the Church. By my antecedent accounts, the Honourable Society hath been informed of the number of our communicants, which hath been from the beginning of our conformity, four times in the year, between thirty and forty communicants of our town, sometimes above forty, but this last Easter there was fifty communicants ; three families reunited to the flock, which were the most sober and sensible persons of our disturbed inhabi- tants ; those who remain yet backward, showing rather the humour of seditious, obstinate disturbers, than the spirit of sound, religious christians, but I live peaceably and civily with them, knowing that the most forward, may, by the grace of God, turn docile; as I have with patience and moderation waited for others, so shall I continue to do for the few remain- ing back, ready to help them for their own good and the full and perfect gathering of the flock. It remains that I inform the Honourable Society, that as I continue to do the service in English, every third Sunday, as I did from my first entrance in this place, that I have done it till now with a bible of small volume and character, that the Honourable Society be pleased to allow us the benefit of an English bible, with a small quan- tity of English common prayers, because our young people, or some of them, have sufficiently learned to read English for to join in the public service when read in English. Concerning the books I have received from the Society, they are disposed of according to their intention, with an exact memorial of the per- sons who have received them, and that which remain of those or of my own shall be left and conveyed, I hope, to my suc- cessor ; entreating the Honourable Society that he may be a
426
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
missionary fit for to perform the divine service in French and En- glish as I have done, for the edification of our people, and per- petuating the memory of this conformity to the national Church of England, in which we shall continue to pray for the life and prosperity of her Majesty and dominions, for the preservation and welfare of the Church, and as bound by our just acknow- ledgment for the most Honourable and Venerable Society, that they may continue in present and future generations, examples, encouragers, and promoters of true godliness. This premised, I recommend myself to your benevolence, and remain,
Honourable Sir, &c.,
DANIEL BONDET."a
In another letter he thus writes to the same :-
MR. BONDET TO THE SECRETARY.
" New Rochelle, Oct. 17th, 1716.
HONORED SIR,
Concerning the present state of our church I have nothing thank God to acquaint you with, which discourage my service nor the favour of the Honorable Society. We stand orderly and peaceably under the protection and favour of our worthy Gover- nor. The number of our first disturbers is decreased, who have increased our congregation. The door of my heart is always open to reconciliation, as the gates of the church for their re- ception. The 2nd of April, Easter Day, we had fifty-two com- municants ; the 7th of July, fifty ; the 7th of October we had forty seven. The Hon. Col. Nicholson being in these parts in the beginning of the Church settlement in this province was pleased at his parting to leave in the hands of the Rev. Mr. Ve- sey, rector of the church of New York, a bill of £20 to be dis- tributed among the ministers of the Province, who being then in convention at New-York, Mr. Vesey declared it to the Assem-
· New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 475, 476. (Hawks.)
427
AND CHURCH OF NEW ROCHELLE.
bly, which was of seven of us, and as they were about calcula- ting how much it was for every one, one of the brethren being generously moved towards me, who had then nothing for my support but the poor contribution of New Rochelle, he said, the Brother Bondet is the poorer of us, let him have the whole, to which all consented, but this disorder of the affairs of the prayer assigned, hath caused the bill to be unpaid, till of late, that Mr. Vesey informed me that he had finally received the money, re- membering also how it was agreed in the before mentioned con- vention. I said to him, that Providence having since relieved and comforted me by the favour of the Honorable Society, that I was remitting my pretension to the gift to procure glass to our church, which Mr. Vesey liked very well."a
The following year Mr. Bondet informs the Society of the death of Jane Bondet his wife. The subjoined was probably his last letter to that Venerable Body, although he continued faith- fully at his post more than three years afterwards.
MR. BONDET TO THE SECRETARY.
" New Rochelle, Nov. 12th, 1717.
HONORED SIR,
That I be not wanting in duty to the Honorable Society and their orders, I inform you that I am alive and thank God in good health, considering my age, having lost this year my wife, God having crowned the hardships of her pilgrimage with a honorable end. I keep and rule my house, as I ought to be ex- emplary in house ruling as in church ministering. My congre- gation continue in the same terms that you have been informed by my precedents, forty, fifty and sixty communicants. I have of late admitted to the communion two negroes to the sat- isfaction of the Church, who heard them often before giving promise of their christian instruction, and having good report among our people. There is nothing wanting in respect of the
· New-York, MSS. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. pp. 512, 513. (Hawks.)
428
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
outward order, but as I have represented before that our town might have the privilege of Church, and enjoy the benefit of the law for to contribute towards the support of the minister who serveth them. I pray not on that point by ambition nor as com- plaining of any indigence, but it does not look well that a min- ister who hath served past twenty years in this province, founded a church and put it in the order where it appears to the public approbation, be left to voluntary contribution, and the contribution raised by law be applied to another place. I leave that to your wise consideration, depending entirely on the favour and approbation of the Honorable Society for which I pray daily, as I am bound in duty, that their good works may continue and prosper, to the confirmation and propagation of ever truth and godliness.
I remain, Reverend Sir, Your very humble servant, DANIEL BONDET."a
The latter period of this good man's ministry, (whose age and infirmities, at least, should have entitled him to some degree of respect,) was embittered by the outrageous conduct of the seceders from their own Church, aided by one Mouli- nars, and the Consistory of the French Church of New- York. It appears that Monsieur Lewis Roux, a man of learning and the lawful pastor of the French Church in New-York, absolutely refused to abet these seceders, at New Rochelle, which ultimately led to his unjust dismissal from the pastoral charge, and the usurpation of the above men- tioned Moulinars. The whole matter is thus represented by Governor Hunter to the Venerable Society :-
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