USA > New York > Westchester County > History of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the county of Westchester, from its foundation, 1693, to 1853 > Part 5
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AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
on foot, and hope it will be blessed with its desired effect. I am told it is with a great deal of difficulty that any gentlemen are prevailed upon from any of the colleges to come over to these parts, and it is no wonder to me that it is so, for those who are ingenious men and regular in their lives, and qualified for doing any service here, cannot want preferment at home, that for a remedy therein, if it could be so ordered that such of the New England ministers as should be willing to conform, could be ore- dained here, it would not be by much so great a charge, and one of them would do as much or more service in bringing home the people to the church, as the best divine which could be sent from home. If I am not misinformed, the society allow those gentle- men which come over £60 sterling per annum, and her Majesty is pleased to give every one of 'em £20 to buy necessarys for their voyage. Now, was there only £20 laid out in proper goods for these parts, it would make £50 this country money, and pay for the extraordinary charge of insurance to prevent any risque in permitting it that way, which, with the allowance of the parishes here, would amount to £100 per annum, and would be a handsome benefice, enough for any who has had their educa- tion in Boston College, by which means these ministers might be supported, with the charge of one as it is now ; nor do I be- lieve there can be a more effectual way to do the work than by that method.
"Since writing the above, and whilst it was waiting for a pas- sage, Mr. Pritchard is arrived, whom my Lord of London has directed to officiate in Rye parish ; he is a promising young gent and I question not but will, with God's assistance, do great ser- vice to the church : he shall not want anything I can do for him to make his pilgrimage easy, nor any advice which I can give him to answer the end of his coming, and be pleased to present my most humble duty to the society, and most hearty thanks for their favours, and may assure themthat so long as it shall please God to spare my life, 1 won't cease my best endeavours for the service of the church, and should with the greatest satisfaction imaginable, receive any commands from them on that account.
-
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
I fear I have been already too troublesome, so shall not enlarge further at present, but remain Sir,
Your most obedient
humble servant, CALEB HEATHCOTE."a
The following extracts from the town records, relate to the twenty acres of land given by Westchester division for a glebe.
" At a meeting held by the Trustees, and the freeholders and commonality of the town of Westchester, the 3rd of August, 1703, &c."
A Present,
Josiah Hunt, senr.,
John Ferris, junr.,
John Ferris,,
Miles Oakley,
John Hunt,
Daniel Turner,
Thomas Baxter, senr.,
Thos. Haden,
Joseph Hunt, junr.,
John Oakley,
Joseph Haviland,
Robt. Heustis, junr.
"Whereas motion being made to the trustees, that it would be very necessary that some land near the town should be laid out for parsonage lands ; and be for the use and behoof of such minister as from time to time should be settled amongst us ; it is therefore voted and agreed upon, by the major part of the trustees aforesaid, that there shall be laid out for the use aforesaid, sixteen acres of land, that is to say, four acres where Edward Collier's old lott was, and that twelve acre division which was laid out to Samuel Palmer and exchanged with the town by Israel Honeywell, and that John Hunt, Miles Oakley, and Joseph Hunt, junr., shall lay it out."b
At a subsequent meeting of the trustees, &c., held the 3rd day of November 1703, the minutes are as follows :-
" Whereas at a meeting of the trustees, held the 3rd of August last past, it was voted, that four acres of Edward Collier's old lott should be laid out in part of the parsonage lands ; and the trustees at this meeting, having considered the inconve- niency at distance from the other part of the land intended for yt purpose ; it is therefore voted and agreed upon by the major part of the trustees aforesaid, that the eight acre division of land in the lott fronting to the sheep pasture, formerly adjoining to that lott of twelve acres which was Sam P -- , and did belong to Miles Oakley's orphants, and the aforesaid twenty acres of land shall be counted, deemed, and taken for Parsonage lands for ever, any vote, agreement, or record of the trustees to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding, &c."c
a Hawks' New York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 33 to 39.
b Town Rec. of Westchester, Liber. vi. 17.
· Ibid. Liber. vi. 18.
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AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
At a meeting held by the Trustees of the Freehold and Commonality of the Town of Westchester, the 3rd of May, Annoq Dom. 1704.
Present,
John Ferris, senr., Thomas Baxter, senr.,
John Bayly, John Oakley,
Robt. Huestis, Junr.,
Thomas Haden,
Miles Oakley.
"It is voted and agreed upon by the trustees aforesaid, that for a further encou- ragement given to Mr. John Bartow, Rector of Westchester, and his successors, besides the 20 acres of land within the town, already laid out for a Parsonage land for ever, yet, nevertheless, for the better establishing of the Church of Eng- land, and benefit of the said Mr. John Bartow and his successors, the trustees aforesaid do give and grant three acres of salt meadow, be it more or less, lying situate in the town aforesaid, and is butted and bounded as followeth :- that is to say, on the west side of the great creek between Robt. Huestis' meadow and Ed- ward Harden's meadow. Together with a twenty-five pound privilege of com- monage on the east side of Brunks's River, of all the land which hereafter shall be laid out, which said land has been for many years past known by the name of the Long Reach. Done in the behalf of the rest of the trustees, and signed by us." THOMAS BAXTER, JOHN BAYLY, MILES OAKLEY.ª
The following extract is taken from "a summary account of the state of the church, in the Province, as it was laid before the clergy, Oct. 5th, 1704, at New-York, &c.
WESTCHESTER, MR. BARTOW, RECTOR.
"Here is a church built, but not finished, being neither glazed nor ceiled. The parish of Westchester is divided into four seve- ral districts, viz. Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham.
There is £50 settled on the ministers by act of Assembly.
There is twenty acres of land given by Westchester division for a glebe.
There is one Independent Congregation at Hastchester, whose
· Westchester Town Rec. Lib. vi. p. 44.
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
minister designs to leave there, whose congregation upon his departure, are resolved to join with the church."a
Mr. Bartow, writing to the Secretary upon the 24th of May, 1704, says :- " The affairs of the church in this province (thank God) are very prosperous, which are greatly owing to the influ- ence of my Lord Cornbury. I have received yours, together with the opinion upon the case of the land escheated to the Crown, but can give no answer till I have directions from the Governor. Mr. Lockier is dead and much lamented. The town of Hampstead, upon Long Island, have long expected a mission- ary from the society, I hope they will soon be answered. I beg you would give my most bounden duty and thanks to that Revd. and Honorable body, and excuse my abrupt subscription of myself, Sir,
Your most humble and obliged servant, JOHN BARTOW."b
On the 4th of August, 1705, another act of General Assembly was passed, entitled :- "An act for the better explaining and more effectual putting in execution, an act of General Assembly, entitled, an act for settling a ministry and raising a mainte- nance for them, in city of New-York, Counties of Richmond, Westchester and Queens' County." This act, which was rati- fied by Queen Anne, on the 11th of April, 1706,c fully confirmed Mr. Bartow in all the rights appertaining to his own benefice.
The following extract, from a letter of Mr. Bartow to the Secretary, shows what kind of difficulties the former had to con tend with, in the discharge of his duties.
a Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham.
b Hawks' M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 29. On the 19th of April. 1704, the trustees of Westchester voted Mr. John Barlow, as a free gift of the town, "a certain piece of land at the rear of his house lot, from the corner of his lot next to John Williams, his lot on the south-west, and straight upon a line un- til it comes to the west corner." Lib. vi. Town Rec. p. 22.
L° Laws of N. Y. Ed. by Hugh Gaines, vol. i. 64.
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AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
Westchester, in New- York, in America, Aug. 14, 1706.
SIR :
" My great business is to plant the church of England amongst prejudiced poor and irreligious people, who are more apt to re- ceive than to give, who think it a hardship to pay their dues ; and we dare not use the law for fear of bringing an odium on the church, and on all occasions expect to be civilly treated by the minister. My task is greater than I can bear; I will hold out as long as I can with submission to the divine will, who feedeth the fowls of the air : trusting he will still feed me, by your means, when you come to be sensible of our wants.
Worthy Sir,
Your most devoted and obliged servant,
JOHN BARTOW." a
The following items are taken from the vestry minutes :- "At a meeting of the justices of the vestry, the 6th of March, 1704-5, John Williams, late constable for the year 1703, appeared with a receipt from Mr. John Bartow, bearing date the 5th of March, 1704, for the sum of £26.10, which is the full quota for the minister's rate in Westchester."
" At a meeting of the justices, churchwardens, and vestry of the parish of Westchester, Eastchester, Yonkers, and the Manor of Pelham, this 12th of December, 1706, in obedience to his Excellency the Governor's order, &c :-
It is voted and agreed upon by the justices and vestry afore- said, that the parish church in Westchester shall be finished, that is to say, to seal the sides up to the wall plates, and lay a board floor, and make two new door cases, with doors and win- dow shuts for the windows in said church, the upper windows excepted : and whereas, Jeremiah Fowler and Isaac Underhill,
· Hawks' New-York, M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 126.
3
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
presenting themselves to do said work ; the justices and vestry have agreed with them to do said worke for £17, in good cur- rent money of New-York, provided, that as soon as they have laid the under floor and made the doors, and door cases and window shuts, they shall be paid to the value of said work, and the remainder of said £17, at the finishing thereof : the jus- tices and vestry to find boards, and nails and hinges.
EDWARD COLLIER, Clerk."
" At a subsequent meeting held by ye justices, church wardens and vestry, &c. this 23rd day of December, 1707, they found it necessary to raise ye sumes, which followeth, viz. :-
To ye minister's rate and collecting, . £52 10 0
To ye poor, &c. 29 8 0
To boards for Eastchester church, 5 0 0
To ye clerk of ye vestry, 1 00
To ye bell ringer, 1 0 0
To ye collecting of, 11 0 0
To ye belfry roof of Westchester church, 090
To ye sacrament and collection, a
3 8 0
At this period of Mr. Bartow's labors, the Society appear to have withdrawn their annual salary of £50 ; whereupon, we find the clergy of the Province addressing the Secretary in his be- half :-
DIVERS MINISTERS OF NEW-YORK TO THE SEC- RETARY.
SIR :
"We are informed that the Honorable Society have withdrawn their allowance from our Reverend brother, Mr. Bartow, at which we are heartily concerned, and think ourselves obliged
a Westchester Vestry Book.
35
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER. ·
to recommend him to your favor, as a person truly deserving the continuance of your bounty. He has, in short, behaved himself soberly and prudently to the satisfaction of all his people, dili- gent for the good of his church, and pious and exemplary in his life and conversation : we hope his piety and goodness will merit your allowance, especially when you have considered the necessity ; it being impossible to subsist in the discharge of his office, without an established salary from the Corporation. We shall not offer any further trouble at present, only pray, you look upon our worthy brother to be a sincere good man, and therein you shall oblige,
Sir, yours, &c., EVAN EVANS, WILLIAM VESEY,
WM. URQUHART, ELIAS NEAU,
JOHN THOMAS, GEORGE MUIRSON."
New- York, 17 April, 1707.
The next annual report of Mr. Bartow to the Society, shows that he was still laboring with great diligence and success.
MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.
[EXTRACT.]
From Westchester, in New- York, in America, 10th June, 1709.
SIR :
" I have 'paid my visits in the Jerseys, and preached there three Sundays : 1st. at Topenamus : 2nd. at Shrewsbury : 3rd. at Amboy : and Mr. Sharp preached for me once at Westches- ter. Mr. Evans was at York one Sunday, in my absence, and designed to go up and preach for me, at Westchester, but the arrival of the Kinsale from cruising, obliged him to preach on board, so that my parish was two Sundays without any eccle- siastical ministration, which they never were, so near together, since I came. In my way home, I had the honour to be in the company of Col. Nicholson, and to receive of him a letter from
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury : and the same had all the other missionaries, of which I shall always retain a grateful sense, as well for the subject matter therein contained as for his Grace's great condescention in casting so favourable an eye upon us. I have likewise to tell you that . I have this day received yours, dated 1st Feby., 1708-9, with some enclosed rules of the Society, for which I return you thanks.
I find there might be a great many congregations made in the Jerseys, if there were Episcopal ministers, but find no inclination to contribute towards their maintenance : however, I hope you will not leave them destitute of your assistance. I know when those who are of the church can be most prevalent in their as- semblies, (or if I may so say, Parliament,) they will make some legal provision for ministers ; but at present the number of the Quakers, Anabaptists, Libertines, &c. is so great that it cannot be obtained: but good missionaries will increase the number of the one and lessen the other.
Friday next we have an appointed fast, to supplicate God's blessing on the expedition to Canada, which, with preparation for Sunday following, when I am to administer the sacrament, will not suffer me to add, but that I shall always pray for the success and prosperity of the Society, and remain,
Sir, your most devoted and obliged servant,
JOHN BARTOW. "a
" At the end of two years" Mr. Bartow speaks with thankful- ness, of having, " by the blessing of Almighty God, been instru- mental in making many proselytes to our holy religion, who are very constant and devout in and at their attendance on divine service ; and, those who were enemies at my first coming, are now zealous professors of the ordinances of our church. The inhabitants of our parish live scattered and dispersed up and down in the woods, so that many cannot repair constantly to the church, by reason of their great distance from it." Mr. Bartow appears, by his letters, to have been in the habit of making col-
· Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 193 to 195.
37
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
lections in his church for any very urgent cases of distress. Thus, we have the following notices :- " Sept. 5th, 170S, cam ea distressed woman, widow of Maynard, through Westchester, who had nine children murdered by the Indians. Collected for her in the church, eleven shillings and six pence. The fol- lowing Sunday he made a similar collection for a poor man."
Upon the 30th of October, 1709, he thus writes :- " we want very much a fixed school at Westchester : if Mr. Daniel Clark, my neighbour, now in England, should wait upon you, desirous of that employment ; I recommend him as a person worthy of it, being of good report, a constant communicant, and being a cler- gyman's son, has had a pious and learned education. I pray you would accept my most bounden thanks for your constant favors to me and your other missionaries ; we know you expect no returns but our constant labours in the church, which that God would give us ability to perform, and you to support, shall be ever the prayer of
Sir, yours &c., JOHN BARTOW. "a
" At a meeting of ye churchwardens, vestrymen, freeholders, and parishioners of the borough of Westchester, held the 10th day of January, A. D. 1709 :- present,
Justices,
Joseph Hunt,
Thomas Pinckney,
Major William Willett, John Hunt.
Churchwardens
Were chosen and appointed.
Joseph Hunt, junr., and Jeremiah Fowler.
"Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol i. 207.
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
Vestrymen.
For the borough of Westchester. Miles Oakley,
For Eastchester.
Isaac Taylor,
Thomas Baxter, senr.,
John Lancaster.
Thomas Hunt,
Nathaniel Tompkins,
For Yonckers Precinct.
For the manor of Pelham.
John Archer,
Thomas Pell,
Noah Bartow.
For New Rochelle.
Anthony Lispenard.
Collected for the minister, £50 : for the clerk of vestry, £5: for collecting, £2 13. The quotas for the different precincts were :-
Westchester, £25 0 0
New Rochelle, £8 15 0
Eastchester, 900
Pelham, 3 00
Yonckers, 8 00
Morrisania, a 3 00
Mr. Bartow writing to the Secretary on the 5th of July, 1710, says :-
SIR :-
" Our church at Westchester increases ; that at Eastchester con- tinues constant ; we have sometimes Negroes and Indians come to our assembly, and behave themselves orderly; but the slight and contempt of baptism by Quakers and many others, I am persuaded keeps them from it: for when they see so many that call themselves christians, allowed in the disuse of it, and the
* Westchester vestry book. "Att a meeting held by ye Justices, vestrymen, and churchwardens on ye 18th of Jany., 1708-9: it was ordered, yt the two churchwardens for this ensueing year, shall goe to Mr. Morris to know if yt he will pay his arrearidges, or other wayes to knowe if yt he will joyne issue with ye parrish to try ye title whether his mannor be in ye parrish or not, and make re- turn att ye next meeting."
39
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
immorality of many that are baptized, they contentedly remaine unbaptized. I have baptized in the year 1709, 42, 14 of which were grown persons. I have received a parcel of books writ by the late Rev. Dr. Beveridge, on public prayer, and the commu- nion, &c., and though there is no advice from whom, I suppose they come from that fountain of picty and charity, the renown- ed Society, for whose gracious assistance in the works of Christ's ministry I' remain their debtor, and can only desire that God would abundantly reward their pious labours in his church, who am,
Sir, yours &c., JOHN BARTOW. "& Westchester, New- York, 5th July, 1710."
Mr. Elias Neau, a vestryman of Trinity Church, N. Y., wri- ting the same day to the Secretary, bears the following testimony to Mr. Bartow's services :- " Most honored sir-Mr. Bartow has done a great deal of good here these six years, for he preaches about in places where there are no ministers, &c."b
The following is Mr. Bartow's second report for this year :-
MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.
Westchester, 30th Nov., 1710.
SIR :
" The Reverend Mr. Bondett's conformity has been of good ef- fect ; a new church is built in New Rochelle for the service of the Church of England, by voluntary contributions: there is some of that place do yet dissent, but the major and better part do conform and are zealous.
I want very much some Common Prayer books, and church catechisms : if the society will be pleased to bestow any upon us ; I pray they may be directed to me.
I have lately baptized a free Negro man and three children, and a Negro woman servant, but 'tis very rare that these people
" Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 218, 219. b Ibid. vol. i. 216, 217.
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HISTORY OF THE PARISH
can be brought to have any true sense of the Christian reli- gion.
We have many elderly people that will not be brought to have any concern about the necessity of public worship, and yet not withholding their children from coming to church : we hope they will not follow the example of their parents, many of which have been baptized, and in sobriety and piety do promise zeal and constancy in the church established.
I can say no more at present, but that I pray for the success and prosperity of the Society, and remain,
Worthy Sir, Yours, &c.
JNO. BARTOW."a
In answer to this letter, the Honorable Society sent the next year, " to the Rev. Mr. Bartow, fifty common prayer books, and £5 worth more of small tracts, tending to promote piety and virtue amongst his people." b
Five months later, he thus communicates the state of his parish :-
MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.
EXTRACT.] Westchester, 31st April, 1711.
WORTHY SIR :
"I hope you have had by this time an account of the state of the church at Jamaica, and the troubles Mr. Poyer has met with-all since his coming to that place, from more certain infor- mation than I can give you. The vestry are dissenters from the church, and refuse still to call him, as the act of Assembly directs, and on that pretence still withhold his salary, upon
¿ Hawks' New-York M. S. S. from archives at Fulham, vol. i. 229.
b Printed abstracts. of Ven. Soc.
1
41
AND CHURCH OF WESTCHESTER.
which I only presume to observe, that as long as the inhabitants of the parishes here, have the power of choosing the vestry, the major part of which are Dissente rs(by which the vestrymen are constituted Patrons to elect, call and present a minister) the settlement of our churches here is very precarious, and on every vacancy may occasion a disturbance ; for should a dissent- ing minister appear, whom the people approved, as it has happen- ed now in the case of Jamaica, I question whether any of our par- ishes, excepting York, would not call him and reject the clergy- man. We cannot hope here for a better regulation of the act by our Assemblys, who are also generally Dissenters ; but hope that you will think of some methods to establish the Church of England in this Province.
I thank God my own parish are very well affected to our church at present, but we know not how soon the old leaven may work again ; prejudice and education are mighty tyrants upon mens manners : we have very few but what have been educated Dissenters, and have imbibed prejudices therein, and we cannot be secure when they will be thoroughly worn out ; therefore, should be extremely glad if my Lord Bishop of Lon- don, or the Society, were the patrons of our churches.
I have baptized, in the year 1710, 36 persons. Our church is pretty well finished, with seats and rails, and bannisters about the altar. Our congregation rather increases both in hearers and communicants, but our vestry are the major part Dissenters ; they will part with no money but barely what the Assembly has allowed for the maintenance of the minister and poor, so that we are unprovided of a clerk, none being willing to attend con- stantly without rare allowances ; formerly the vestry would al- low something, but now they wholly refuse it, being encouraged by the success of Jamaica. It would add to the regularity and decency of our worship, if the Society would allow £40 or £50 per annum, to a church clerk, and leave it at the discretion of a minister to choose him, and to have a power to turn one out and choose another, as he saw cause ; and the society order the salary
42
HISTORY OF THE PARISH
to be paid him by the minister, that no opposition may be made when a better may be gottena.
Sir, yours, &c. JOHN BARTOW."
The Venerable Society's abstracts for 1713, say :- " Mr. Char- les Glover is appointed schoolmaster at Westchester, with a salary of £18 per annum, as he is recommended under the character of a person sober and diligent, well affected to the Church of England, and competently skilled in reading, writing, arithmetic, psalmody and the Latin tongue, provided he comply with the society's rules, in sending certificates of the number of his scholars."b
The next year, Mr. Bartow writes as follows :-
MR. BARTOW TO THE SECRETARY.
Westchester, April 14, 1714.
SIR :
" I have sent you enclosed, an account of the building of our churches, and how they have been supplied, signed by those who were yesterday at our vestry meeting, and have not leisure to get more hands : the ship (as we hear) being ready to sail.
I have had some old arrears, £9 6 9, due to me, which I have been often trying to get, but could not, until our present governour, upon my complaint, was pleased to send a threatening letter to our vestry, which made those readily comply to annex it to the church rate for this year, which said sum I have given to the church at Eastchester and Westchester, towards making and rectifying of pews and seats.
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