USA > New York > Oneida County > Utica > One hundred years of Trinity Church : Utica, New York > Part 9
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Dr. Elizur Mosely came to Whitesboro in 1790, and was the first physician, the first merchant and the first postmaster of that village. When he resigned the office in 1825, and was suc- ceeded by William G. Tracey, he was the oldest postmaster in the United States, having served since 1795.
Among the most active and useful in building up the infant Parish may be mentioned Morris S. Miller, a young lawyer, who made the journey here from Lowville with his wife and six weeks old baby on horse back; the only possible way to
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accomplish the journey at that time. He immediately identi- fied himself with all the interests of the place, and became an active member of Trinity Church. His name appears as Ves- tryman in 1806, and in that capacity he served until his death in 1824. A graduate of Union College, and its second vale- dictorian, he most fully appreciated the value of education, of both the mind and the spirit, and gave liberally of his time and talents to build up the Parish Church, often serving as lay reader in the absence of a clergyman.| By his friendly cordial manner towards the new comers he induced many to join him in church work. It was mainly through his efforts and let- ters that Dr. Anthon was persuaded to come to Utica, where he left an honored name and memory. In 1808, Mr. Miller was president of the village; in 1810 he was made first Judge of Oneida County, and was reappointed three successive terms until his death, filling the office with credit and public ap- proval. In 1813 and 1815 he represented the district in the 13th Congress.
As agent of his father-in-law, Rutger Bleecker of Albany, one of the four proprietors of Cosby's Manor, Judge Miller was actively engaged in laying out streets, building bridges, planting trees, and doing a hundred different things to pro- mote the growth of the village, and to make it attractive to the emigrants from New England who were coming over to this Western wilderness in large numbers, attracted by the rich soil of our valleys as compared with the rocky, stony fields of Connecticut and Massachusetts. He is described as having many gifts of appearance and manner; a slight but compact figure, a large beaming blue eye, a merry laugh, a warm heart which atoned for his quick temper, not always controlled, and which frequently brought him into temporary difficulties. To his credit be it said he was always the first to confess the fault which injured him more than his fellow-man. He died in 1824, leaving an honored name in the village and County, and
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although only forty-four years of age, he left the impress of his taste and ability on our city. The beautiful wide avenues of Broad Street and Park Avenue were laid out by him; while the last work of his life was the planning and arranging of Rutger Place, with its broad paths, extensive lawns, and grace- ful shrubberies, with a massive stone house in the center, which his mortal eyes were not destined to see completed. His life was spent in the old Kip house on Main Street, where the Bishops and Clergy were always most welcome guests during their visits to Utica and on their journeyings through the State. His remains now rest in Forest Hill, but were taken to Albany at his death. As a token of respect, a mournful company of the vestry and pall bearers walked with the funeral procession as far as the city line.
In 1819, Henry Seymour, recently appointed Commissioner for building the Erie Canal, moved his family in covered wagons and vans from Pompey Hill in Onondaga County to Utica, and from thenceforth thoroughly identified himself with the place. His life tells the story of what active young men at that time accomplished in this Western world. His father, Major Moses Seymour of Connecticut came out of the Revolu- tionary War a poor man, and his five sons entered vigorously into the battle of life. Henry Seymour decided to come up into New York State, and opened a country store on Pompey Hill, where he displayed very marked energy and ability. From 1816 to 1819 he represented the Western District in the State Senate. He served as Canal Commissioner from 1819 until 1831, when he resigned to become President of the Far- mer's Loan and Trust Company in New York City. After coming to Utica he was elected to the Assembly in 1819. In 1822 he went for the second time to the Senate. In 1833 he was appointed Mayor of Utica. He served as Vestryman in Trinity Church from 1829 to 1836. His son, Horatio Sey- mour, followed his footsteps in his loyalty to the Church, as
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well as in filling offices of trust; confirmed by Bishop Onder- donk in 1831, he was continuously a Vestryman and Warden over fifty years, until 1882, when he resigned on account of ill health. He was for many years a delegate to the Diocesan Conventions of both Western and Central New York, and deputy to the General Convention, where his wise counsels and effective speeches made him a conspicuous member. By no one has his character been more perfectly epitomized than by Judge Calvin in his address before the Alumni of Hobart College. "Horatio Seymour was more than an eminent states- man, an accomplished and faithful public officer, a famous and effective orator, a trusted leader, an earnest and incorrupt- ible patriot; he was the highest type of man, a sincere intel- ligent devoted Christian gentleman. He cherished and re- vered the Stars and Stripes, and all the majestic facts and grand possibilities which they typified, but his supreme affec- tion and devout adoration were reserved for and bestowed upon the banner of the Cross and the sublime facts it pro- claimed, and the ineffable hopes it signified and announced. As deputy to the General Convention in 1862, during the Civil War, and in 1865 (the first one held after the war), he was foremost in counsel and advocacy of such measures of con- ciliation and Christian charity as closed no doors and imposed no obstacles to the return of those Bishops and Deputies then absent by force, or seeking their accustomed place in the coun- cils of the Church. It would be difficult to estimate the value and influence of such an example in the effort to restore har- mony between the sections, an example so appreciated by his warm friend, Bishop DeLancey, that after expressing his ad- miration for his whole course he said: "In the grand defence he made of the principles and doctrines of the Church, layman as he is, he puts to blush the clergy by his manly way of hold- ing forth the truth, rejoicing in it with deep reverence for the holy faith, and in the beautiful spirit of charity which
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vaunteth not itself, thinketh no evil, and hopeth all things. We may justly lay to heart and value the counsels of such a noble man."
The striking figure of Roscoe Conkling was a familiar one in Trinity Church during the early years of his life, when as a young lawyer in Utica he laid the foundation of his fame and political prominence which was to make his name known all over the country.
Trinity Church is the oldest public building existing in Utica to-day. As it stands under the noble over-shadowing elms, it presents externally much the same appearance as in the days of our forefathers. When additions were made at different times, the front of the building, with the steeple, was carefully removed, and as carefully replaced, thus leaving it practically unchanged. Internally, many changes have been made. There was at first no recess chancel; the end of the Church was slightly curved to hold the communion table, and the two storied pulpit stood outside, with a door at the rear opening into the vestry room. Many of us can recollect the surprise and mystery when a clergyman after disappearing through a low door in the chancel wearing his white surplice, suddenly reappeared at the back of the high pulpit in a black silk robe and white muslin bands. To some of the children of that time this occurrence was the event of the service always eagerly watched for. The Church was furnished in white with green cushions and brass nails; heavy green moreen curtains with fringe to match hung down from the pulpit. The congrega- tion came from far and near. Colonel and Mrs. Walker rolled up in a stately coach from East Utica, Colonel Inman with equal state from far out on the Whitesboro road. The Greens came faithfully down from Oriskany, Miss Mary Green played the organ year after year, often coming on horse back when the roads were impassable, and staying through the afternoon service.
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In looking over the long list of Wardens and Vestrymen, it is pleasant to note how many of them were willing to serve for long periods, and how often the office descended from fa- ther to son. Nor does this list of officers at all comprise the sum total of the faithful workers, so many of whom have gone long since to their reward, and who were too humbly unos- tentatious to let their good works and deeds be known. But the fruits of their labors we can all see and recognize. This Church begun in a spirit so liberal, in proportion to the number of its members, was destined to grow and prosper through all the years of the century, and to be instrumental, directly and indirectly in forming the strong Parishes of Grace, Calvary, St. George, St. Luke and Holy Cross, with the active mis- sions of St. Andrew and St. Paul's in Deerfield.
It is almost impossible to over-rate the power and influence of such an attractive church building as Old Trinity; stand- ing practically unchanged at the end of the century amid the general change, it forms a connecting link with the past; a past eloquent with the hopes and fears, the trials and successes of a by-gone generation. As the descendants of the first mem- bers of this Parish kneel here at the altar they are surrounded with memories of those long gone before. They realize that this was the Church of their fathers, and that the paths they are treading, their fathers have trod; they utter the same peti- tions from her Litanies, they breathe the same fervent prayers for strength, comfort and guidance as in days of yore, and on such a marked day of remembrance as this in the annuls of Old Trinity we may well believe the spirits of those gone before us into life everlasting are joining with ours in the full com- munion of saints.
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"THE WORK AND CHARACTERISTICS OF TRIN- ITY'S RECTORS."
BY REV. JOHN RAVENSCROFT HARDING.
In addition to what has been said yesterday and to-day, the history of Trinity Parish as a corporation has been told on several previous occasions. In 1871 the Rev. Samuel Hanson Coxe, S. T. D., then rector of the parish, delivered in this church an historical address, covering the prominent facts in our earliest history.
On September 5, 1881, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the church's consecration was celebrated here. There was a ser- mon then, partly historical, by the Bishop of the Diocese, Right Rev. F. D. Huntington, LL.D., and an historical paper by the then Rector, Rev. Charles H. Gardner. There were also congratulatory addresses of the same nature as those on Wednesday evening last. Beside these I draw attention to an article which appeared in the Utica Daily "Observer," September 30th, 1887, containing a short sketch of the par- ish's organization in 1798, the names of the original sub- scribers, and a full list of Rectors, Wardens and Vestrymen from the beginning to that time.
This valuable paper was carefully prepared by Mr. D. Walter Perkins of this parish. Other letters of reminiscence have appeared from time to time in the papers of this city, from former parishioners or friends in the olden days.
This history is then an oft told tale, and one which will not in the present paper need repetition. Surely in these various addresses and letters I have mentioned, and in all that has been said during this celebration, there would seem but little left for me to say .; It appeared to our committee that whatever may have been said in the past, perhaps not
The Rev. Charles H. Gardner. Rector from 1878 to 1886.
The Rev. William D. Maxon, D. D. Rector from 1887 to 1894.
The Rev. John R. Harding. Rector from 1894.
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quite enough had been told of those godly men, pastors and laymen upon whom during the century had fallen the spiritual and material welfare of the parish. The mere facts in our history have been told and retold, but we thought hardly enough about the characters, the strong manly lives, the saintly souls, whose labors and prayers have made Trinity parish all that it has been these hundred years, and whose good deeds, let it be hoped, were the fruitage of what the church had to give them in return. The story of the laity to which you have just listened, written by a former member and friend of this parish, has proved no less interesting than all else which comes from her facile pen. We close this cele- bration with a similar tale of those faithful clergymen who through all the years have served at this altar, and given themselves faithfully here to the glory of God.
It is well known that the original founder of the parish in the winter of 1798 was the Rev. Philander Chase, a deacon and missionary, who on his journey from Albany to the western part of the State, held the first services of our church here, gathered together the few communicants, and organ- ized a parish named, "The Rector, Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, Utica."
His venerable and honored son, the Rev. Dudley Chase, now a retired army chaplain living in Philadelphia, is under God's blessing able to be with us here to-day, and has already given us some reminiscences of his father, the first Bishop of Ohio and Illinois. On his return eastward Mr. Chase stopped again at Utica to encourage the few gathered together on his first visit. I can find no record of any ministrations here from that winter until 1803. It is probable, as suggested by Dr. Bagg, in his "Memorial History of Utica," that although regular services were discontinued after the departure of Mr.
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Chase, that during the five intervening years to 1803, "Ser- vices were imperfectly maintained by lay reading."
On the 24th of May, 1803, a meeting of laymen was called to erect and establish an Episcopal Church. On the Ist June, 1803, the subscribers decided to build. In the conven- tion journal of the Diocese of New York, 1804, it is stated that the "Rev. Gamaliel Thatcher organized a church at Utica, August 14, same year, by the name of Trinity Church." The Rev. Mr. Thatcher was a missionary ministering to the small congregations scattered through the State from Schenectady westward, including Utica in his field. The first clergyman regularly in charge of the parish was the Rev. Jonathan Judd, who officiated alternately here and at Paris Hill from the fall of 1804 to the fall of 1806. Mr. Judd prob- ably lived in Utica, but left no record of his work in the par- ish register. He was a native of Connecticut, and reared in the Church. On February 8th, 1804, he was ordained deacon in New York by Bishop Benjamin Moore, and was sent out in this part of the State as a general missionary, having min- istered here occasionally before he was called to the parish. In his first report to the convention he states that "at Utica they are building a church." He went from here on Novem- ber 3rd, 1806, to St. John's Church, Johnstown, and St. Ann's, Fort Hunter. There is no record of his ordination to the priesthood. He remained at Johnstown until 1812. In 1813 he was rector of St. John's Church, Stamford, Connec- ticut, and in charge of the churches at New Canaan and Greenwich. In 1822 he went to Maryland, and from 1823 until his death in 1838 was rector of Great Choptank parish. Dorchester County, Maryland. On his tomb in the old cemetery of that parish is the following inscription:
"Faith, Hope and Charity,
But the greatest of these is Charity."
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"In these words and in this spirit preached and lived the Rev. Jonathan Judd, whose remains are buried here. For many years he was rector of Great Choptank parish. Mr. Judd was born in Watertown, Conn., 1782, and died on the 5th day of April, 1838."
He is described as a high-toned, conscientious and earnest worker, in appearance a very handsome man, about five feet ten inches in height, of light complexion, with remarkably fine prominent features, but rather delicate in figure. He served on the standing committee of Maryland for many years.
The Rev. Amos Glover Baldwin came to the parish imme- diately after Mr. Judd's departure. His acceptance of the rectorship began with September 22, 1807, and he served un- til May 12, 1818. This period of II years lifted us from the condition of a weak, struggling body, to one of the strong and important parishes of this part of the diocese. There were 201 baptisms, and at his resignation about 100 com- municants. Though the journey in those days to New York City was long and expensive, Mr. Baldwin represented us nearly every year at the annual convention.
Through funds obtained largely in New York, he estab- lished in 1810 the Trinity Church Theological Library for students of divinity in the western part of the Diocese of New York. It has been stated, though our records show no proof, that he constructed with his own hands the first organ used in this church in 1811. The records do state that an organ was built at that time by William Whately & Co.
A minute of the vestry at his resignation testifies to his "zeal and fidelity" in the performance of his duties. After leaving here Mr. Baldwin continued his labors as follows: Most of the time as a missionary; St. Lawrence County, N. Y., 1819; in the Western States under the Board of Missions, 1823; Rector of St. Paul and St. Mary, Charlton, N. Y., 1824;
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Zanesville and Newark, Ohio, 1826; Ovid and Watkins, N. Y., 1829; Constableville, N. Y., 1831; Aurora, N. Y., 1835; Mayville and Jamestown, N. Y., 1837; Montezuma and Cayuga, 1839. From 1840 until his death on Christmas Day, 1844, he lived in Auburn, New York. He was buried in St. Peter's churchyard of that city. The Rev. Samuel Hanson Coxe, rector of St. Peter's at that time, visited Mr. Baldwin ,
in his last sickness, officiated at his funeral, and preached a memorial sermon. In his convention address of 1845 Bishop DeLancey said of Mr. Baldwin: "He was contemporary with the early efforts to establish and extend the church in West- ern New York, and long labored in this diocese and else- where with a heart and mind devoted to her interests."
The parish was without a rector for more than a year until August 23, 1819, when the Rev. Henry M. Shaw accepted the invitation of the vestry. He served until May 22, 1821. His only report to the convention while here, that of 1820, gives baptisms 42, and communicants 65.
In the paper of Mrs. Elizabeth Brown of Denver, read to- day, occurs the only recollection of Mr. Shaw by any mem- ber of this parish. She says that he was a young man of more than ordinary ability, distinguished for kindness of heart, and particularly acceptable to the younger members of the con- gregation. He was a native of Ireland. While a teacher in the academy at Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1819, he was ordered deacon on April 19 of that year, by Right Rev. Rich- ard Channing Moore of Virginia.
He came to Utica from North Carolina, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Hobart in Trinity Church September 3rd, 1820. From here he went to Sacketts Harbor, then to Queen Anne Parish, Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1822. In 1823 he went to Vincennes, Indiana, then to Louisville, Ken- tucky, and back to Vincennes, where it seems that he died about 1839.
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Among those to whom a call to the parish was unsuccess- fully given between Mr. Baldwin's and Mr. Shaw's rector- ships, was the Rev. Henry Anthon. The call was renewed after Mr. Shaw's resignation, and this time accepted, taking effect May 29, 1821. He labored here until January 19, 1829, when he became rector of St. Stephens Church, New York. He had a year before declined a call to St. Thomas Church, New York. In 1831 he was appointed an assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York, and was elected to the rector- ship of St. Mark's in the Bowery in 1836. He served there nearly 24 years, until shortly before his death on January 5, 1861.
During his charge of this parish, there were 203 baptisms, and at his departure about 100 communicants. The church was repainted and repaired in 1822. The Trinity Church Theological Library, established by the Rev. Mr. Baldwin, was transferred to Hobart College, Geneva, in 1822; the church steeple was repaired in 1823; the first memorial tablet was placed in the church by Mr. Hunt; the old side pews were built, and alterations made in the pulpit and chancel, and the present communion service was purchased in 1824. The trees around the church were set out, and the first rectory was built in 1825; the present offertory plates were bought in 1826. All this shows what was the activity of Dr. Anthon's ministry here.
He belonged to a distinguished family of six sons, his fa- ther being a surgeon general in the British army, and his mother the daughter of a French officer. Among his brothers were the eminent Greek Professor of Columbia College, Charles Anthon, LL.D., and John Anthon, a prominent lawyer of New York. Dr. Anthon was born in New York, March IIth, 1795, he was graduated from Columbia College in 1813, and ordained priest in September, 1819.
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He served the parishes at Red Hook, Ulster County, N. Y., for 3 years, and had worked in South Carolina 2 years be- fore coming here.
Dr. Bagg in his "Pioneers of Utica" describes Dr. Anthon and his character as a man and clergyman as follows: "Slight of figure and youthful of aspect, there was in his manner an open frankness, and in his countenance a grave, thoughtful and determined air which impressed and won the beholder. His sermons were marked by purity, beauty and finish of style, and in both them and his conversation there was a racy * flavor of strength that betokened ability of high order.
He was also inflexible in purpose and fearless in duty. He was an attentive and indefatig- able pastor, and a genial and faithful friend."
In a sermon delivered at the Centennial of St. Mark's Church, New York, by the present rector, occurs the follow- ing significant words: "There came a saintly soul in that year 1836, a type of the Christian pastor, rapidly becoming extinct I suspect, the Rev. Henry Anthon."
In 1843 he drew to himself the attention of the whole church in his successful protest against the ordination of a Mr. Arthur Carey to the ministry. Mr. Carey had espoused the views of the Oxford Movement, which at that time was so obnoxious to the strong protestant sentiment in the church.
Succeeding Dr. Anthon, the Rev. Benjamin Dorr came to Trinity May 15, 1829, and remained here until October 6, 1835. During this time there was 208 baptisms, the com- municants numbering about 150. The unusual number of 80 baptisms in the year 1831 attest the earnestness of his labors here. There were the following changes in the church struc- ture: The galleries were built in 1830, the second organ was purchased in 1832, and the church was lengthened in 1833.
Dr. Dorr was born March 22, 1796, at Salisbury, Massa-
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chusetts, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1817. He at first studied law, but soon abandoned that for the min- istry, and graduated in the first class sent out from the Gen- eral Theological Seminary. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Hobart, June 25, 1820, in Grace Church, Jamaica, N. Y., and priest by the same Bishop, January 15, 1821, in St. John's Chapel, New York. From 1820 until his call to this church he was in charge of the combined parishes of Trinity, Lansingburgh, and Grace, Waterford, N. Y.
After leaving here in 1835, he was General Secretary of the Board of Missions, until his call to Christ Church, Phila- delphia, where he was instituted as rector, Ascension Day, May 4th, 1837. He remained there until his death in 1869. In 1839 he was elected Bishop of Maryland, but declined the office. Both as pastor and preacher, he won the admiration and respect of his Philadelphia flock. The following words written me by a near relative of his now living in Philadelphia, bear witness to the beauty of his character. He says: "I have never known a man who was so universally loved by all, rich and poor, young and old, learned and unlearned. There are old people in this city to-day, who come out to see my little family that they may tell them stories of their dear pastor, 'good old Dr. Dorr.'" Among the productions of his active pen are the following books: "Recognition of Friends in An- other World," "History of a Pocket Prayer Book," and "His- tory of Christ Church, Philadelphia." Some of these passed through nine editions. A clergyman of Pennsylvania wrote of him: "Dr. Dorr was sympathetic. I well remember the encouraging words he uttered to me in Christ Church, com- ing gracefully from an aged clergyman closing his work, to a younger brother with less experience." He was laid to rest at Salisbury, Massachusetts, his birthplace, to which he was always fondly attached. A bas-relief of him adorns the vestry
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