The origin and history of Grace church, Jamaica, New York, Part 11

Author: Ladd, Horatio Oliver, 1839-1932
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: New York, The Shakespeare press
Number of Pages: 498


USA > New York > Queens County > Jamaica > The origin and history of Grace church, Jamaica, New York > Part 11


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175


OF GRACE CHURCH


This part of the churchyard contains pathetic inscrip- tions on its stones, such as are found elsewhere in old graveyards, but all are dignified in their expressions of sorrow.


One reads under the name of a wife who departed this life "ye 13 January, 1767, aged 26 years":


O, Cruel Death, why wast thou so severe To rob me of a tender Wife so dear?


Another who had been "the wife of one husband 50 1/2 years" received this epitaph :


At length ye Christian's race is run : A glorius prize she now has won: With ye angelic host she's fixed, In joys Celestial and unmixed.


An appreciative visitor to another early grave in his account of Grace Church published in the Brooklyn Eagle April 18, 1908, says of it:


"The eternal struggle during the ages to substitute the sense of grief at the loss of one dear, by the gladness of the thought of the life of bliss enjoyed by the free spirit, is voiced in this bit of poetry on the monument of John Rowland:


Dear as thou wast, and still is dear, We will not weep for thee. One thought shall check the starting tear, It is that thou art free. And then shall this consoling power The tears of love restrain. Oh, who that saw thy parting hour Could wish thee here again.


At the east side of the church are plots of families of the second one hundred years of the life of Grace Church. Among these is the marble monument to the Rev. William


176


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


Lupton Johnson, D. D., and his wife and children, whose graves extended to the fence, and marble slabs to Rev. George H. Sayres, D. D., with several children. These are the only two rectors of Grace Church buried in this churchyard. But a number of clergymen have here made their last resting places. Among these are Rev. Sabura S. Stocking, D. D., whose stately monument, a high granite cross, with its elaborate Latin inscription, stands near the north boundary; Rev. Beverley R. Betts, under massive granite stone, formed and polished like a sar- cophagus; Rev. Lewis E. A. Eigenbrodt, L. L. D., and his son, Rev. William Ernest Eigenbrodt, D. D., each with the same distinguished memorials. Of later interments are the stone crosses over the remains of Rev. Canon James A. Smith, John M. Crane and Harriet Seabury Crane.


The later monuments have far excelled in graceful form or costly material the earlier ones. The stones over the graves of the King family of several generations are plain white marble slabs; so are those of the Cogswells, Dentons, Duers and Wellings, Oldfields, Betts and Ogdens.


There are other well-known names, borne by Wardens or Vestrymen of the Church or prominent citizens of Jamaica and Long Island-Van Brunt, Skidmore, Van Nostrand, Higbie, Thatford, Napier, Seabury, Carpenter, Kissam, Crossman, Damon, Pettit, Stoothoff, Robinson, Meynen, Remsen, Canfield, Jackson, Seabury, Brenton, Clowes, Snediker, Hunter, Brooks, Butler, Hoyt, Ander- son, Ichenbrock, Carpenter, Clark, Sayre, Simonson and Troup.


Some of these have splendid monuments. The whole aspect of the churchyard is that of the living of departed ones in the memories of those who survive them.


Two VIEWS OF THE SANCTUARY AND CHURCHYARD OF GRACE CHURCH, JAMAICA.


(Photograph by Dexter Walker.)


177


OF GRACE CHURCH


There was no more beautiful gift ever bestowed upon Grace Church than that which is recorded in the parch- ment deed of Martha Heathecote, for this "God's acre." Here lie the patriots of three wars, who died for their nation's defence and perpetuation. Here rest the valiant soldiers of the Church. Here every human relationship has been hallowed by loving gifts upon graves covered by flowers, wet with tears, gilded with the rays of the sun of righteousness, and lightened by the hope of life eternal.


The frosts of Christmas blight the fresh garlands spread upon these mounds, the warm airs of Easter morn are fragrant with the multitude of flowers spread over them in the early twilight. The flags of our Union wave over the graves of soldiers in the hot rays of July suns, the ivies creep all the year over mouldering forms below, the roses shed their petals all through the summer days upon the grass.


And yet, beyond the tall iron fence which encloses this sacred spot, the streams of human activities are flowing swiftly by, reminding us that the solemn words of the burial service which is always said in this churchyard, are too sadly true :


"In the midst of life we are in death.


Of whom may we seek for succor, but of thee,


O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?"


178


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


CHAPTER XX.


Early Gifts to the Church of England in Jamaica-Later Gifts to Grace Church-Donations to Grace Church Funds.


On the 17th of April, 1704, representations made to the Society as to the needs of their missions led to a resolution that a sum not exceeding £15 be allowed the Church in Jamaica for vestments and for vessels for the communion table. As the Lord Bishop of London reported, in 1706, that Queen Anne had given a large Bible, Common Prayer Books, and Book of Homilies, cloths for pulpit and com- munion table, silver chalices and patens, for the churches in Hempstead and Jamaica, the source of the donation made by the Society in 1704 is thus, according to tradition, from the royal bounty.


The chalice and paten that Grace Church still treasures and has in use are among the oldest relics of ecclesiastical use in America. Around the chalice is a Latin inscription "Ex dono Societatis promovendo Evangelis in partis transmarinis 1704 A. D."


It is 10 1/2 inches high, 5 1/2 inches in diameter at the brim, and holds three pints. It bears the mark of sterling silver, and is the oldest sacramental cup in Long Island. This chalice was once broken by the fall of a stovepipe upon it during service, which of necessity was discon- tinued. The break was so neatly mended by a silversmith that it cannot now be discovered. It was used in the con- secration of the Cathedral at Garden City, with the silver


179


OF GRACE CHURCH


communion vessels of St. George's, Hempstead, which were of later make.


The title page of the Prayer Book presented by Lord Cornbury in 1703 for the reading desk, reads thus:


"The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments" &c.


with the inscription written in spaces on each side of the printed words:


"Given to the Church of Jamaica by his Excellencie Ed wd Viscount Cornbury Oct 1703."


This prayer book is in the possession of Mr. William Perry, of Newtown, L. I.


The Royal Arms, which were first set up in the churches of England by order of Queen Elizabeth in 1550, was also given to Grace Church by Queen Anne, with an altar of oak. The Royal Arms is still a well preserved painting, inclosed in a black frame, but the altar was destroyed in the burning of Grace Church in 1860. No description of this altar can be found, except that it was marked with a plate indicating its gift by the Society and was of graceful pattern. The Ten Commandments first ordered to be placed in the churches by Queen Elizabeth, in 1564, were probably not part of the chancel appointments of Grace Church till the new church was erected, 1822, during the rectorship of Rev. Gilbert Sayres. There was also in con- nection with the Decalogue tablets one containing the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, in this and the following church building erected in 1861.


In 1761 a handsome silver collection plate was given by Mr. John Troup, to which all other collection plates given in later years conformed in pattern and value.


180


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


There is no list of subscriptions for building the first Episcopal church in Jamaica in 1734.


There was a sale of pews and lots on Feb. 23, 1737, with the following conditions:


I. Each pew lot to be struck off to the highest bidder.


II. Every purchaser to build (his pew) in such season that the work be not hindered.


III. Every purchaser to make use of his pew, or the Church shall let it out to another.


IV. On the purchaser leaving the parish the pew or lot is to revert to the Church.


Purchasers' Names.


No. S.


d. No.


1. Daniel Whitehead 20.


2. Robert Howell 16.


Smelt 10.


3. George Reynolds 12.


18. Benjamin Taylor 9.


4. William Steed 12. 19. Sarah Payer, gratis.


5 Rector for time being. 20. Benjamin Thorne 14.


6. Anthony Waters 12.


21.


Samuel Clowes 14. 6


7. Richard Betts Jr. 11.


6 22. Thomas Colgan .21. 6


8. Richard Betts 16.


10 23. William Welling 18.


9. Samuel Clowes 16. 10 24. Timothy Bridges 15.


10. Samuel Clowes Jr. 11.


11. Gabriel Luff 12.


26


Isaac Van Hook. 11.


12. John Willett 12.


27. William Wiggins 12.


6


13. Andrew Clarke 12.


28. Daniel Sawyer 14.


6


14. Robert Freeman


29. Sias Wiggins 15.


15. Common Pew


30 Benjamin Whitehead .. 20.


16 Henry Wright 10.


17. Edw. Willett to Samuel S. d.


6 Guy Young 14.


Six persons in above list defaulted payment.


181


OF GRACE CHURCH


The Subscriptions towards the Rebuilding of Grace Church, March 28, 1821:


Cornelius I. Bogert $150


Silas Roe


$550


Mary Codwise


5


Joseph Roe


40


L. E. A. Eigenbrodt


300


Gilbert Roe


35


Nancie Gracie


500


Benjamin Rowland 50


Mrs Harvey


20


John Skidmore 50


Mrs. Hyler


20


Gilbert H. Sayres


25


Rufus King


500


Joseph Thatford 10


John A. King


200


Ann Vandervoort 25


B. T. Kissam


100


John Van Nostrand


25


Timothy Nostrand


300


Adrian Van Sinderen


20


Nathaniel Prime


50


Samuel Ward Sr.


50


Prime, Ward & Sands


100


Hannah Wickham


25


Abiathar Rhodes


55


William Puntine


10


Lawrence Roe


100


Besides the above there were the following persons who were pewholders from July 3, 1823, to 1825:


Mrs. Brewer


John B. Roe


John B. Codwise


Lawrence Roe


Lawrence Denton


Ida Rowland


Cornelius Duryea


James Smith


Miss Dawson


Jeremiah Simonson


Mrs. Dyson


Mrs. Bowe


Mrs. Forbes


Joseph Sealy


Samuel Greenoak


John Sproull


Smith Hicks


John Thatford


John Hoagland


John Titus


Mrs. Hicks


Mrs. Tapp


Mrs. Jackson


Thomas S. Townsend


John T. Jones


Mrs. Troup


James Brooks


Jeremia Valentine


Benjamin Kissam


Henry Kneeland


James Valentine Jr. Samuel Ward Jr.


Charles McNeill


Nancy Welling


William McKay


Samuel Welling


Andrew Napier


John Welling


Frederick Polhemus


Mrs. Brasher


William Puntine


James Valentine Sr.


Mr. Lyde


182


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


Subscriptions for Rebuilding a Church of Free Brown Stone, May 8, 1861.


John A. King $1,000


Andrew Napier $ 50


William J. Cogswell


250


Martha and Devine Hewlett


100


Dr. George H. Kissam


250


Mrs. Adela Bell


5


Hendrick Brinckerhoff 250


Sarah Maria Van Wyck 100


John C. Stoothoff 100


Martha Kingsberry


5


George Nostrand 100


Mrs. M. G. Johnson


100


Thomas Welling


100


Alexander Hagner


50


John L. Denton


250


Miss Harriet Cornwell


10


Jeremiah Valentine


125


John A. King, Jr.


100


John Skidmore . 100


Cornelius Duryea


100


David W. Skidmore


100


William Betts, L.L.D. William J. Sayres


250


Peggy and Ann Kissam


100


Daniel Smith


100


Nathaniel Vanderverg


50


J. J. Brenton and Sons


75


Robert Ray 50


Ann Ely


50


Miss Elizabeth Gelston


25


James T. Lewis


25


Benjamin Curtis


10


Misses Valentine


100


Mrs. Job Jackson


50


James Ashby


25


George N. Codwise


50


Joseph H. Skillman


100


James Weeden


25


Mrs. Catherine Napier


50


$4,455


Gifts from 1849 to 1894.


GIFTS.


DONATORS.


Ladies of the parish 1849


Miss Rachel Valentine 1861


Baptismal font


Mrs. Sarah Rogers King 1862


Eagle lectern, memorial to Mary King, 1873


Miss Cornelia King 1878


1881


Silver and gold alms basin, me- morial to Catherine L. Eigenbrodt Saint Cecilia window, memorial to Theodora Brenton Gardiner. . Altar book rest


1885


Mrs. Adelia Gale


1888


Silver paten


Miss Cornelia King 1892


Silver and gold baptismal bowl


Miss Cornelia King 1892


Altar cross


Mrs. Harriet Seabury Crane . . 1894


50


Charles R. King


25


Silver communion tankard


Silver collection plate


V


183


OF GRACE CHURCH


Gifts for the Building of the New Sanctuary, 1901-1902. (From Treasurer's Report)


Mary Rhinelander King


memorial to John A.


F. T. Martin. 5.00


and Mary C. King .$7,857.58


Mrs. F. T. Martin .


5.00


Mr. P. K. Meynen 50.00


C. G. Smyth


5.00


Miss J. Gertrude Ward. . 10.00


Mr. Alden S. Crane 25.00


Mrs. Helen L. Hicks. ... 50.00


Mrs. Emily H. Betts ....


25.00


Mrs. Annie S. Hunt. 5.00


Mrs. Geo. W. Damon. . . .


15.00


Mr. F. D. Andreu 10.00


Miss Virginia Cogswell. .


4.00


Rev. H. O. Ladd. 25.00


Miss Eirene Ladd.


3.00


Mr. Lovatt


5.00


Miss C. O. Aymar


5.00


Mr. C. Blondel 15.00


Mr. J. A. Lodge.


10.00


Mrs. Goodman 10.00


Mrs. W. D. Llewellyn.


26.64


Mr. John S. Denton. 200.00


Mr. H. A. Johnson. 40.00


Mr. B. J. Brenton.


250.00


Cash


5.00


Miss Gould


2.00


Mrs. Julia E. Napier. .


50.00


R. E. Pond.


5.00


Mrs. R. E. Pond


5.00


C. W. Burtis.


10.00


Mrs. Johnson


10.00


Miss C. C. Lyon


10.00


Mr. John Alvin Young. . 250.00


Cash


3.00


For Decorating Walls.


Mrs. Emily H. Betts $ 20.00


50.00


Gifts for Memorials in New Chancel and Sanctuary.


Mr. John M. Crane, organ, memorial to Harriet Seabury Crane $2,500.00 Mrs. N. M. and Charles Belden, carved seats, memorial to Rev. S. S. Stocking 258.50


Mrs. S. S. Stocking, chancel window, memorial to Rev. S. S. Stocking


Mr. C. C. Napier, communion rail, memorial to his parents, brothers and sisters 360.50


Mr. James L., John S., and George Denton, pulpit, memorial to ancestors.


Mr. Theodore Johnson, marble altar and steps, memor- ial to Rev. William Lupton Johnson, D. D., 400.00


Mr. W. D. Llewellyn.


73.36


Cash


10.00


Mr. C. C. Napier 150.00


Mr. and Mrs. Charles M. Kirby


25.00


Mr. W. S. Cogswell, me- morial . 250.00


Mrs. S. S. Stocking


Cash $ 1.00


Mr. Frank D. Denton 50.00


Mr. F. J. Cogswell 25.00


Mr. Charles M. Hunt .. 5.00


184


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


William D. Wood, M. D., memorial processional cross. Mrs. Jane Fleury and Charles J. Stewart, two candle- sticks, memorial to James Fleury Stewart.


Mrs. Jane H. Horan, two altar vases.


Col. William S. and Mr. Francis J. Cogswell, carved oak reredos, memorial to William J. and Alma Sterling Cogswell.


Rev. Charles M. Belden, rector's prayer desk, memorial Rev. S. S. Stocking.


Altar Guild, credence table.


Miss Hester J. Boyd, red vestments for altar and pulpit. Mrs. Hortense Campbell Lee, violet vestments for altar and pulpit.


Miss J. Eirene Ladd and Miss H. Virginia Cogswell, two brass vases for the altar.


Mrs. George C. Damon, a fair linen cloth for the altar. The Altar Guild, a red dossal and a linen surplice for the crucifix.


Later Gifts from 1896 to 1910.


Altar Linen, from members of the Altar Guild, . .. . 1896 to 1902 Private Communion Service, given by Mr. and Mrs. Philip K. Meynen, . 1899


Mrs. R. C. McCormick, St. Paul window, memorial to Richard C. McCormick, . 1903 Mrs. Mary Sheaff Glover Mills, portrait of Rev. Thomas Colgan, memorial to Mary C. J. S. Hoyt, . 1903 Mr. Michael Pette, Annunciation window, memorial to Lydia Euler Pette, 1908 Memorial to Mrs. Anna Duer Breck, rugs for vestry room, 1908 Mrs. William Unwin, quartered oak settle with cushions,


furniture for vestry room, memorial to Mr. William Unwin,


Mr. William D. Llewellyn, silver collection plate, . 1910 Mrs. Mary Wilcockson Llewellyn, silver collection plate, memorial to Mabel Brenton Skidmore, . 1910


185


OF GRACE CHURCH


Donations to Grace Church Funds, since 1867.


DATE.


OBJECT. AMOUNT.


Walter Nichols 1879


Estate of Keziah Griffin. . 1885


For the Sunday School .. $ 300 Churchyard and poor of parish 6,500


Sunday School 500


Woman's Missionary Ass'n 500


Poor of parish 500


Churchyard 1,000


Churchyard


200


Church 600


Chimes 1,000


Parish house fund. 200


Churchyard 1,000


Churchyard sales of plots 3,723.51


son 1873


Estate of J. Bancroft Davis. . 1895


Mary E. Rowland. . 1899


Susan Pettit . 1901


Caroline King .


1901


Rachel Ann Speed-


Churchyard 50


Churchyard 1,000


Churchyard 100


Churchyard 100


Churchyard 400


Church fund 600


King


Church endowment


3,000


Trinity Church, New York, proceeds from sale of lot 68, Trinity Place, specified use . 1910


Trinity Church, balance of pro- ceeds from sale of 58 Reade Street . 1910


Church endowment


... 38,052.57


9,771.84


Unconditional Gifts to Churchyard Endowment Fund.


Estate of Josephine Rowland. 1911 Churchyard 400


Foster Hendrickson


" Benjamin J. Brenton 1912


Margaret Thompson 1913


Dr. F. Delafield.


$100


Mrs. Horan 10


J. Augustus Lodge 10


Francis J. Cogswell 25


Mrs. Susan Johnson


100


Eliza Suydam


25


C. E. Butler


50


Churchyard 250


Churchyard endowment .. 1,000


Churchyard .


500


Mrs. Beverley Robinson 25


Mrs. Mary E. Green 26


Mrs. J. W. Smith 150


Mrs. C. L. Underhill 150


Miss E. J. Suydam


25


$846


" John Napier 1868


Cornelia King 1897


1897


1897


Sarah Valentine 1899


1899


- John A. King and family . . 1896


Estate of Mary McFarland. . . . 1897


Estate of John Alsop King. .. 1867 Heirs of John Alsop King. .. . 1873 Estate of Ann Augusta Simon-


Churchyard 500


Churchyard 250


Churchyard 300


Churchyard 1,000


Churchyard 1,000


ing . 1901


Deborah J. Rhodes. 1904


James Gore King. . 1909


Jenny Cook . . 1910


Charles C. Napier . . 1910 - 1910


Mary Rhinelander 1910


186


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


Gifts to Churchyard Endowment Fund with covenanted conditions, in perpetuity, 1911.


Mrs. Alice Davis


$2,000


Mr. Denning Duer. 100


Miss Ellen King


2,000


Mrs. Nora King Buckley . 25


Mrs. James Gore King 1,000 Mr. Charles King.


25


H. Van Rensselaer 1,000


Mrs. Anna V. R. Duer. .


25


Mrs. Elizabeth G. Hardy


800


Mrs. Charles King. . ..


25


Mrs. Elizabeth F. King


400


Mrs. Alice Bayard Edgar.


500


Mrs. J. Bancroft Davis


250


Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher King.


300


Miss Sarah Grace Duer ..


250


Mrs. Frances King Duer ....


50


Miss Amy H. Duer.


250


Mrs. Rebecca Gore Davis ...


250


Miss Isabella C. King.


200


Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher King. .


300


Mrs. Eugene Schuyler


160


Mrs. Frances K. Ward. ..


50


Mrs. Elizabeth V. R. Ells- worth


100


Mr. John Alsop King


500


187


OF GRACE CHURCH


CHAPTER XXI.


Wardens and Vestrymen of Grace Church, Elected Under the Charter.


Elected.


Died.


Aymar, Samuel Swift,


1851


1897


Baker, Byron D.,


19II


Barden, Edward,


1794


Barker, Dr. Charles H.,


1877


1893


Belden, Dr. Clinton A.,


1883


1898


Betts, Richard,


1761


Betts, Thomas,


1761


1776


Betts, Richard,


1808


Betts, William, LL. D.,


1840


Blondel, Charles,


1894


Braine, Thomas,


1761


Brenton, James J.,


1854


Brenton, Benjamin J.,


18II


1884


Brinckerhoff, Hendrick,


1842


1865


Brown, Josiah,


1799


1814


Clarkson, Levinus, Capt.,


1795


1812


Codwise, George, Jr.,


1799


1816


Codwise, George Nelson,


1865


1873


Cogswell, William J.,


1842


1885


Cogswell, William S., Col.,


1874


Comes, John,


176I


1770


Cornwell, Daniel,


1825


1842


Cortelyou, Peter, Col.,


1808


1820


Crane, John M.,


1873


1904


Crane, Alden S.,


1905


Denton, Lawrence,


182I


1836


Denton, John L.,


1830


1870


Denton, James L.,


1872


Denton, John S.,


1874


Depeyster, James,


1788


1799


188


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


Elected.


Died.


Eigenbrodt, L. E. A.,


1817


1828


French, James B.,


1904


Gracie, W. R.,


1840


1873


Griswold, Thomas,


1806


1808


Hagner, Henry I.,


1842


1849


Hagner, Alexander,


1861


1880


Hewlett, John, Sr.,


1804


1812


Hewlett, Isaac,


1815


1838


Hicks, George A.,


1877


1893


Hinchman, Thomas,


1761


1782


Hinchman, John,


1793


1805


Hicks, Stephen,


1810


1820


Hitchcock, Daniel M.,


1815


Hoogland, John,


1810


1851


Howell, Robert,


1764


1776


Johnson, Martin G.,


1867


Johnson, Henry N.,


1893


King, John Alsop,


1836


1867


King, Richard,


1872


1892


Kissam, Daniel, lawyer,


1793


1812


Kissam, Daniel,


1803


1848


Kissam, Dr. Geo. H.,


1849


1865


Llewellyn, William D.,


1902


Lott, Francis,


1886


1896


Mackrel, James, Sr.,


1793


1812


McNeill, Charles, Sr.,


1798


1825


Martin, James,


1798


1831


Martin, James G.,


1842


Meynen, George K.,


1892


Meynen, Philip K.,


1908


Morrell, James,


1796


1813


Motley, John, Capt.,


1799


Napier, Andrew,


1808


1857


Napier, John B.,


1865


Napier, Charles C.,


1896


1910


Nichols, Walter,


1833


1879


Nostrand, Timothy,


1806


183I


Nostrand, George,


1842


Oborne, Ernest A.,


1909


189


OF GRACE CHURCH


Elected.


Died.


Oldfield, Joseph,


1812


Ogden, Dr. Jacob,


1761


1802


Puntine, William,


1798


1833


Robinson, Henry B.,


1868


1874


Rhodes, Abiathar,


1813


1850


Roe, Joseph, Captain,


1814


1829


Roe, Lawrence,


1816


Roe, Silas,


1816


1831


Rowland, David,


1802


I821


Rowland, Jonathan,


1826


1875


Sale, William A.,


1808


1856


Sayres, Gilbert B.,


1903


Sayres, William J.,


1869


Scholey, William


1913


Sealey, Joseph,


1810


1831


Sherlock, William,


1761


Skidmore, John,


1804


1863


Skillman, Joseph H.,


1867


Skinner, Abraham,


1793


1826


Smith, Samuel, Jr.,


1761


Smith, Christopher,


1788


1805


Smith, John C.,


1832


1859


Smith, Daniel,


1860


1865


Smith, William Wood,


19II


Stoughtenberg, Gilbert B.,


1912


Stout, William C., Captain,


1832


Simonson, Jeremiah,


1824


1835


Thatford, Joseph,


1809


1827


Thatford, John, Jr.,


1800


1833


Titford, Isaac,


1799


Troup, John,


1761


1775


Valentine, Jeremiah,


1813


1850


Valentine, Jeremiah, Jr.,


1850


1875


Valentine, James,


1829


1865


Valentine, John,


1831


Valentine, John H.,


1842


1843


Valentine, Thomas,


1849


1872


Vandeverg, George,


1857


1860


Vandeverg, Nathaniel,


1866


190


ORIGIN AND HISTORY


Elected.


Died.


Van Nostrand, Aaron,


1793


1822


Van Nostrand, John A.,


1803


I828


Van Nostrand, John,


1820


1832


Welling, Thomas,


I793


18II


Welling, Samuel,


1799


1823


Welling, William,


1856


I867


Whitehead, Benjamin,


1761


1780


Witherstine, W. C.,


1914


Wood, Philip M., M. D., .


1913


Wood, William D., M. D.,


1894


1903


Woolley, Samuel T.,


1852


GRACE CHURCH INTERIOR, 1900. (Photograph by C. C. Napier.)


V THE RECTORSHIP OF HORATIO OLIVER LADD, A. M., S. T. D. 1896-1910


193


OF GRACE CHURCH


RECOLLECTIONS OF THE RECTORSHIP OF THE AUTHOR-1896-1910.


Rev. Horatio Oliver Ladd was elected by the Vestry to the rectorship of Grace Church, while rector of Trinity Church, Fishkill, N. Y., July 20th, 1896. The members of the Vestry were Wardens William S. Cogswell and John M. Crane, Vestrymen John S. Denton (secretary), Samuel S. Aymar (treasurer), Benjamin J. Brenton, and Messrs. George K. Meynen, M. D., Henry M. Johnson, William D. Wood, M. D., Charles Blondel and Charles C. Napier.


The salary named in the resolution was $2,000, with the use of the rectory at 62 Clinton Ave. The invitation to the rectorship was accepted, and after the summer weeks had passed, during which the Rev. Canon James H. Smith had charge, the new rector met all the communi- cants who could be gathered, and officiated for them on the first Sunday in October, having brought his family to the rectory in the latter part of September. His first ser- mon was from I Cor., viii, 1, "Charity edifieth," and he took for the type of his ministry to this parish the rector- ship of the Rev. Thos. Colgan, and his words shortly after assuming the same office: "At peace with the sectaries around us I shall be of a loving charitable demeanor to every persuasion."


The officials of Grace Church had explained the two great needs of the parish to be met if possible by the new rector. One was the enlargement of the sanctuary, and the other the erection of a suitable parish house. To ac-


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ORIGIN AND HISTORY


complish these, concerning which there were conflicting opinions as to which was the most urgent, it was necessary to gather the scattered members, to revive the interests of the communicants in the sacraments and worship, and to make the Sunday School a better representation ,in its membership and spirit, of the real but latent strength of the parish.


There had been in the two previous rectorships a great depletion by death, removals, and neglect of worship. The business life of Jamaica was at a standstill. There was no definite record to be found of the communicants, so many had disappeared from those nominally reported to the Convention. There were sixty-two families on the parish list, which was manifestly incomplete, and the Sunday School, six months without a rector or regular Superintendent, could rally but few classes or pupils. A new superintendent, Mr. W. D. Llewellyn, had taken charge and was likely to be an efficient aid to the recuper- ating of the strength of this important part of church nurture, but Mr. Llewellyn did not remain as Superintend- ent, to gather in all the results of the energetic effort he was putting forth for the young.


Cards were issued to be filled out by communicants present and receiving communion. Parishioners were also visited, and by aid of personal inquiries, their names were tabulated. An exact religious census of the town, in which other Christian organizations co-operated, brought remarkable results. About eleven hundred persons in Jamaica were recorded as associated with Grace parish in preference to any other Christian organization. Efforts were made towards more system in the activities of the parish, which was divided into districts, and those who were willing assigned to their respective duties to care for


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OF GRACE CHURCH


the various interests of Grace Church. Guilds one after another were organized for those of different ages.


The districting of the parish was not an entirely success- ful measure, but the guilds performed an important and lasting part in the strengthening of the parish.


The musical part of the services was already inaugu- rated, and the work of the choir made more attractive by special musical services, as well as in the usual offices of the Church liturgy.


In the first year of this rectorship, there passed from the earthly life two parishioners, who had been of the few oldest and most active members-Mr. Samuel Swift Ay- mar, vestryman and treasurer, died May 10, 1897, and Miss Cornelia King the previous year, Dec., 1896.




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