USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > The history of Saint Luke's Church, Marietta, Ohio > Part 3
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Resolved, That two lay delegates be appointed to represent this par- ish in the Convention of the P. E. Church in this Diocese, to be held at Gambier on the first Wednesday of Septr.
Arius Nve & were appointed said delegates.
Mansfield French
1
Resolved, That, Whereas it is desirable to obtain the services of a clergyman in this parish and neighborhood, (for such time and in such mode as circumstances will justify. the delegates from this parish be re- quested to make such inquiries & arrangements in relation thereto as to them may appear expedient, in reference to the previous communica- tions on that subject.
BILLY TODD, Chairman.
The above elected delegates were present at the Convention. Arius Nve was on the Committee "appointed to take into consideration that part of the Bishop's address which relates to the present difficulties and necessities of Kenyon College" ; and also on "a Committee to present a constitution of an Educational Society at the next Convention."
This Parish was assessed $1.000 towards the Convention expenses.
At this Convention Bishop Chase resigned the Episcopate of Ohio and the Rev. Charles P. Mellvaine was unanimously elected as his suc- cessor, and he was consecrated in St. Paul's Chapel, New York, October 31, 1832.
The names of Messrs. Nye and French are among those attached to the Testimonial for the Bishop-elert.
Mr. Nve continues as one of the Vice Presidents of the Pr. Bk., S. S., and Tract. Soc. of the Diocese.
In the month of February, 1 32, occurred "the great food". From the twelfth until the seventeenth of the month, the waters of the Ohio
27
FIRST VISIT OF THE REV. J. T. WHEAT.
andd Muskingum continued to rise until their height was fifty feet above low-water mark, about nine feet deep on Front street and in the second -tories of many houses in the town.
It was at this time that the Parish was visited by the Rev. John Thomas Wheat of Wheeling, W. Va., who afterwards became its first Rector. Letters have been received from him recently, which will be quoted from. He says :
My first visit to Marietta was in February, 1832, at the time of the great flood. It must have been about the 19th of the month, for I had to be in Wheeling on the 22d, to deliver the address at the Public Cele- bration of Washington's Birth-day, and it had to be given up, because all the lower part of the city was under water, and the entire population was drawn to visit the novel scene, and assist in saving much valuable property; not only the smaller out-houses with hay-stacks and cattle went swiftly by on the swollen stream, but small dwelling houses, in one of which were an entire family, parents and children. The flood had not reached this height when I arrived at Marietta, but the steamer had to go up the Muskingum to land us, (Mr. Swearingen and myself.) We got out at the elder Mr. Nye's back yard, between the river and Mr. Arius Nye's, whose dwelling was a part of the original "Stockade."
"All the lower part of the town was submerged, and we were unable to hold any Church service. We went in a skiff from Mr. Todd's house, just at the foot of the hill, where Mr. Swearingen's house stood, to the hotel, whose entrance was through a second story window, and from which we got into the steamer that took us back to Wheeling."
In April, 1832, the Rev. John P. Robinson, who, until April 3rd, had been Rector of St. James' Church, Zanesville, held services in Mari- etta and preached several times, through the kindness of the Congrega- tionalists in their house of worship. A plan was formed by which he and Mr. Delafield were to undertake a journey to New York for the pur- pose of obtaining funds for the aid of the Parish.
Easter Monday, April 23d, 1832.
Pursuant to publie notice a meeting of those interested in the Prot. Epis. Ch. was held at the residence of the Misses Stone, and adjourned over until the Friday evening next succeeding, postponing the usual du- ties until that time.
J. DELAFIELD, Sec. p. t.
Friday evening, April 27th, 1832.
Pursuant to previous adjournment, those interested in the Prot. Epis. C'h. met at the residence of the Misses Stone at which meeting
The Rev. J. P. Robinson was appointed Chairman; John Delafield, Jr., Secretary.
The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers, whereupon the following gentlemen were chosen :
Arius Nye, Esq. I were un'an'ly elected Wardens. Billy Todd, Esq. j
Dan'l Greene, Esq. Caleb Emerson, Esq.
were elected Vestrymen.
E. B. Swearingen, Esq.
28
THE REV. J. P. ROBINSON.
John Delafield, Jr., was elected Secretary of the Parish and also agent thereof in respect to the Ministerial Fund.
After some preliminary remarks Mr. Nve read 2 drafts for a paper to be furnished to Mr. Robinson and Mr. Delafield for their mission to the East.
On motion of J. Delafield, Jr., it was
Resolved, that we proceed to the organization of a Sunday School Society auxiliary to the Prot. Epis. Sunday School Union.
Resolved, that Mr. A. Nye and Mr. C. Emerson be a Committee to draft a Constitution therefor, and report at a subsequent meeting.
On motion the Society proceeded to election of officers, whereupon,
the Rev. J. P. Robinson was elected President of the Society, and Superintendent of the School.
Mrs. Daniel Greene was elected Treasurer. Arius S. Nye 61 Secretary. Jas. H. Greene 66 Librarian.
Arius Nye, Esqr., then offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously passed.
Resolved, that the Rev. John P. Robinson and Mr. J. Delafield, Jr., be appointed and authorized to solicit and receive, for the use of this Parish, donations in money, or other property, from our Christian friends and brethren at the Eastward ; for the purpose of erecting a Church in and for this Parish of the Prot. Epis. Church, and the procurement of a parsonage or accomodation for a Clergyman and the founding of a Par- ish Library. [This appointment not to supersede the authority of J. Delafield, Senr.]
Resolved, further, that the said agents be allowed their necessary and reasonable expenses, while engaged in the duties assigned by the preceding resolution, to be paid out the funds collected, as the occasion shall require.
Resolved, further, that the Wardens & Vestry furnish the gentlemen appointed above with the requisite authority and statements ;- and that they be requested to deposit the funds collected by them in the Phenix Bank, N. Y., or other convenient place of deposit, to the credit of Arius Nye, for the use of the parish, and advise him from time to time of such deposits.
Resolved, that the Rev. John P. Robinson be requested and. ap- pointed to officiate in the Parish as its minister; and that the Wardens and Vestry make such arrangements as circumstances shall enable, for raising the means of support ; that they agree with Mr. Robinson for the time to be appropriated by him, and the application of the means raised for that purpose; and that they take measures to draw from the Treasury of the Diocesan Missionary Society the $100 appropriated to this Parish towards the support of a Clergyman.
.
On motion the meeting proceeded to the election of delegates to the next State Convention, whereupon
Arius Nye ?
Billy Toda { were elected Delegates
and John Delafield, Junr., in place of cither who may be unable to attend.
On motion the meeting proceeded to the election of a Committee of Arrangements respecting the construction of the Parochial Buildings,
29
VISIT OF THE REV. J. T. WHEAT.
Arius Nye 1 . Were chosen as this Committee.
C. Emerson
E. B. Swearingen )
On motion the meeting adjourned sine die.
JOHN P. ROBINSON, Ch.
JOHN DELAFIELD, JR., Secretary of the Parish.
Mr. Nye alone attended the Convention.
In the American Friend and Marietta Gazette of July 14, 1832, is the following notice :
"We are requested to state that Divine Service, according to the ritual of the Protestant Episcopal Church, will be performed on Sunday morning and afternoon, at the Hall of the Lyceum. The Rev. Mr. Wheat will officiate."
The Hall, here mentioned and now known as Library Hall, 182 Front street, was the second story of a building erected in 1831, for the Lyceum, which was a literary organization, formed through the ef- forts of Messrs. Delafield, Nye, Emerson and others. It was used as a place for Divine Service by the Parish until the Church was built.
The Lyceum building, or Library Hall, is shown at the right of the engraving on page 39. At the left is the Congregational meeting house. The building next to the Library Hall was built by Capt. Greene for his son, James H., at the time of his marriage, in 1:41. The Rev. Mr. Winthrop afterwards lived there, and also the Rev. Dr. Boyd. The other house was Capt. Greene's residence.
The hall where the Church services were held occupied the whole of the second floor of the Library building, and was entered by a flight of -toje at the upper end of the building. At the opposite end of the room was a small platform and desk, and behind it, a window. The hall was furnished with long seats similar to the pews in a church. There being no rohing room, Mr. Wheat went in next door, Capt. Greene's, to put on his robes, as did the Bishop when he was present.
In 1831 Mansfield French, idelegate to the Diocesan Convention in that year became associated with the Rev. Mr. Bingham, Congregation- ali-t, in the Institute of Education, afterwards the Marietta Collegiate Institute, with Young Men's Department and Young Ladies' Depart- ment. The former became Marietta College; the latter was called the Marietta Female Seminary, in which several ladies connected with St. Luke's were engaged in teaching. In the catalogues for 1$39 and 1840 are there names of teachers, who were Episcopalians: Miss Sarah Jaquith. Principal of the Advanced Department; Mrs. D. P. Bosworth, Principal of the Preparatory Department and Teacher of Mathematics ; Mrs. F .. Creel, Teacher of Instrumental Music, and Miss Sarah D. Roe.
30
MARIETTA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
The list of pupils includes the children of several Church families.
The two engravings here inserted are printed from electrotypes made from blocks out fifty years ago, for a circular of the Marietta Collegiate Institute, with Young Men's Department and Young Ladies' Depart-
-
ment. The former is shown on this page and is the building created in 1832 by Messrs. French and Bingham, and is now the Dormitory of Marietta College. At the left of the engraving, across Putnam street,
V
31
MARIETTA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE.
may be seen Mr. Swearingen's residence. Below is given a view of the other building at the south corner of Putnam and Second streets. It was burned in 1 ~~ 1. It was in this building that the above named ladies were engaged in teaching. The building at the right, across Sec-
1.
ond street, is intended for the Old Court House. The building at the left was Mr. Nahum Ward's land office: it now stands further up the street, opposite St. Luke's Rectory.
-
.
32
LETTER OF MISS DEBORAH T. WELLS.
In 1832 Miss Deborah T. Wells (afterwards Mrs. D. P. Bosworth) came from New England, as a teacher, having been recommended for that position. She was quite young and in some respects a remarkable woman. She was filled with the spirit of religion, and her every act seemed to be prompted by a sense of duty and a desire to do the will of God, and to please him. Her time was regarded as precious, as not her own, but to be used in the service of God, and it was her aim never to lose a moment. She was a great writer and her letters fill page after page of folio, and the thoughts and sentiments thus recorded give an excel- lent idea of her character. After her arrival in Marietta she wrote a letter to her mother in Portland, Maine, from which these extracts are taken :
DEAR MOTHER
Marietta, August 5th, 1832.
At last you are to receive a letter dated Marietta, Ohio, and I am quite as impatient to give you an account of my short sojourn in this hospitable village, as you are, doubtless, to hear from me. To-day is Saturday. On Wednesday evening at nine o'clock, the steamboat Mount Vernon of Wheeling, Virginia, stopped at a floating wharf opposite Marietta. None of the passengers pre- pared to depart excepting a lady and gentleman and three little boys. They, with sundry articles of baggage, were soon seated in a yawl, and a moment after the boatmen commenced to ply their oars, which was the only sound that broke upon the stillness. The moon shone brightly upon the white buildings of the opposite village, toward which all eyes were turned, and the contemplation of which seemed to have locked every lip. One of the party (Mr. Bingham ) as he gazed upon the scene, remembered his home, re- membered all the dear ones whom he had left behind, of whom for a long time he had not heard, and his heart beat high-with hope and fear and expectation : another ( herself ) looked around upon a land which presented her destined sphere of usefulness, her future home, and as she gazed, she remembered with more than usual sadness, the home that she had left, the friends from whom she had parted, perhaps forever, and felt in that hour the blessedness of having one Friend, who, though all others should forget, would never forsake her; that though a stranger in a strange land she was not alone. The younger members of the party- in dreamy insensibility watched the nearing of the boat to land, and when their feet first pressed the soil of Ohio and they realized that they had reached the scene of their future studies and sports, their childish joys and sorrows, they speedily aroused and gazed around with youthful enriosity. - [ Mr. French and others, she says, came to meet them.]- Enough of my entree -- Marietta is a delightful place, high and dry, filled with neat pleas- ant dwellings, surrounded by beautiful trees. It is laid out in squares; the streets are broad but without sidewalks, and the dwellings are not very near, but sufficiently so, The town is about a mile in extent and is more like the country than city. It is a very neat place and the buildings, without being elegant, are generally very good and in good repair. The Atheneum, the Bank and Mr. Bingham's church are handsome buildings, and
33
LETTER OF MISS DEBORAH T. WELLS.
also the Seminary. The church would not be handsome for N. E., but there are so many beautiful trees here that every place looks pleasant. Houses here are very scarce indeed ; rent has been so low that none would build, and persons have left the town for want of them ; two blocks however are going up and it is thought many will be built next summer. Mrs. Meigs occupies one of the largest and handsomest houses, about three doors from here; two stories of brick and elegantly furnished. That I expect is to be my future residence. - Miss Spaulding boards there at present and wishes very much to have me with her ; she is agree- able, religious, learned, and writes beautifully - A literary lecture is delivered weekly to the school by Mr. French, which is ofteu written by her. I have already received calls from half the town. I am met by all with a warm grasp of the band and a hearty "welcome to Marietta." Some are quite genteel in their manners and some rather countrified. Last night I returned Dr. and Mrs. Hildreth's call. They live in an elegant brick house opposite the Institute, surrounded by trees; after sitting some time, we were invited into their spacious garden, where we passed nearly an hour; it is filled with peach, quince, pear and apple trees loaded with fruit, a great profusion of grapes, of ten different kinds, flow- ers of indigenous and exotic origin, comprising a variety of two hundred, and under the shade of the grape vines, a number of bee hives. Loaded with flowers and invitations to come again and attended with their second son, we bade them good night, very much pleased with our call. -
The only dandy here is Mr. Delafield, an elegant young man from New York, and an Episcopalian. He is studying law here and is teacher of Music in the Institute, though at present there are no scholars. I have three classes in the Institute which I am to review and examine, and am obliged to study, as I feel some anxiety about it. The Episcopal Minister does not come until next month and on Sunday I went to Mr. Bingham's.
Tell Miss B., I wish she could see what a beautiful place Ma- rietta is. It is a complete garden of Eden. Marietta is on both sides of the Muskingum river, which winds directly past our door. On the opposite bank are ranged neat dwellings and be- yond them and all around us rise noble hills covered with beauti- ful foliage. There are a great many locust trees here and the broad street that goes to the Seminary is bordered with a double row. The principal streets are numbered in Philadelphia style and the cross streets named. * * The weather has been very warm here and to-day it has rained, but though there are no side walks the streets are not muddy but all nicely graveled. #
The thoughts of home will sometimes intrude and bring a shower from the crystal fountain, but without striving to forget you all I manage to be cheerful. I am determined to be happy and think I shall not find it difficult. I must do the will of God, and I am resolved to do it cheerfully : I am disposed to : there is a duty to be done and my every moment shall be devoted to do- ing it. * * * Oh, if through the goodness of our Heavenly Father, who is daily showering upon us his richest blessings, we should be spared to meet again on earth how charming it would be, but, oh, let us all ensure to ourselves a happy meeting in Heaven.
In the greatest haste, Yours with all affection, D -.
34
THE REV. MR. ROBINSON DECLINES.
Saturday evening Dec. 15, 1832.
Pursuant to notice, a meeting of the officers of St. Luke's parish convened at the residence of Mr. Swearingen.
Present B. Todd, Esq., Warden. Vestrymen.
C. Emerson, Esq., E. B. Swearingen, Esq., 1
--
J. Delatiek, Jr., Clerk.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. A letter from the Rev. J. T. Wheat, respecting a visit at Christmas, was read .- Mr. Delafield made a verbal report respecting the visit to New York, deferring a formal account until farther statements and a duplicate of donation book be forwarded by the Rev. Mr. Robinson, absent.
The meeting then proceeded to the transaction of business, where- upon it was
Resolved, that in consequence of information that the Rev. Mr. Robinson had found it expedient to decline a settlement at this place, and has concluded to establish himself in another parish, that the ves- try deem it to be their duty to proceed forthwith to the tilling up the vacaney in this parish by procuring, if practicable, the services of a clergyman.
Resolved, that B. Todd, Esq., and Mr. Delafield be appointed jointly and severally a committee to provide means and to raise contributions, as far as may be practicable, for the support of a clergyman.
Resolved, that the same committee be authorized to confer with the Rev. J. T. Wheat, for the purpose of inviting him to officiate as the clergyman of this parish, and report at the next stated meeting ..
Resolved, that this meeting adjourn to meet on the evening of the twenty-sixth day of December at the residence of Mr. Swearingen.
Resolved that this meeting be adjourned.
J. DELAFIELD, Jr., Fegy. BILLY TODD, Chairman ..
In the American Friend and Marietta Gazette of December 22, 1832, is this announcement :
"We are requested to state that the Rev. J. T. Wheat of the Protest- ant Episcopal Church, will preach on Tuesday next ( Christmas day) in the Library Hall at the usual hours."
And in the same paper of December 29, is this account of the Christ- mas Service :
"On Christmas eve an animating sight presented itself in the Hall of the Marietta Library - the younger members of the Episcopal Church, aided by the kind assistance of their associates of other denon- inations,
'Were twining the spruce and the laurel bands, Were bringing the branches of cedar and pine, And wreathing the pillars with evergreen vine.'
The Library Hall, which is used as a Church, was handsomely decorated with evergreens, and the words . GOD WAS MANIFEST IN THE FLESH,' were inscribed in beauteous letters of spruce pine on the wall over the reading desk, surmounted by a large festoon of pine, cedar and hemlock. Circlets and festoons were also disposed in the piers and over the entrance.
35
CHRISTMAS, 1832.
The services of the Church were performed on Tuesday morning, by the Rev. J. T. WHEAT, and after an impressive sermon from the text, 'God was manifest in the flesh,' the following anthem, or ode, composed for the day, was sung :
Hark ! What singing? Angels bringing Joyous tidings, hail the morn -Time appointed- God's "anointed," CHRIST the Lord, a Saviour's born !
1822027
Young men, maidens, Old men, children, Swell the anthem's loud acclaim ! Join the chorus Pealing o'er us ! Praise the Lord ! extol his name !
See ! that bright Star Of Bethlehem, points where Wise men worship, gifts presenting ; Shepherds list to Angels chanting, "Glory's given "God in Heaven : "On Earth peace, good will to men !"
Blessed Jesus ! O, receive us ! To our grateful hymn attend ! Life eternal, Joys supernal, All our hopes on Thee depend !
Where, O Death, is now thy sting? 'Tis destroy'd by Christ our King! . All the powers of darkness fly ! JESUS sits enthroned on High ! Praise him ! Praise him ! Let ev'ry creature praise ! Hosanna "'
The Rev. Mr. Wheat composed this Christmas Ode. (Tune-"Strike the Cymbals." )
Wednesday evening Dec. 26th, 1832.
Pursuant to a subsequent notice which changed the place of meet- ing, the vestry met at the residence of Arius Nye, Esq.
Present B. Todd, Esq., Warden,
(. Emerson, Esq., Vestrymen.
E. B. Swearingen, Esq., )
J. Delafield, Jr., .. Clerk.
Mr. Delafield read former minutes. Approved.
36
SUBSCRIPTION LISTS.
Mr. Delafield read letter from A. Nye, Esq., approving and encour- aging our endeavor.
The committee on subscriptions made the following report :
"that the gentlemen designated as the committee on Monday, Dee. 17, 1832, commenced applications for donations and the following sub- scription list was presented and the names obtained.
COPY.
Whereas it has been deemed expedient by the vestry of St. Luke's parish, Marietta, Ohio, to secure the services of a elergyman of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, we the undersigned, subscribe our names to this paper, donating the sums thereunto annexed to be appropriated to . the support of a clergyman for the coming year.
Marietta, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1$32.
D. Woodbridge
10
D. T. Wells
H. Bredahl
Jas. A. Frazer
Mary Dodge
I
B. O. Cresap
Reba Palmer
1
A. L. Backus
E. A. Sawtell
1
Cash (unpaid)
H. Hartwig
3
(Abel Vinton)
3
Billy Todd
10
Edw. P. Page
15
Geo. M. Woodbridge
5
Richard Parker
3
N. Holden
3
A. Brooks
i
1
Wm. Holden
C. Bosworth
Shubel Fuller
1
Jas. Withrow
1
John Lewis
J. C. McCabe
I
John Armstrong
Jas. H. Greene
15
J. T. Fog
Robert Johnson
1
50
J. F. Peterson
2
Stephen Daniels
1
C. F. Sivertjen
2
Edw. W. Nye
S. Shipman
3
E. B. Swearingen
20
F. Buck
J. Delafield, Jr.
15
N. L. Wilson
3
D. Greene per J. H. G.
20
M. French
15
A. Nye. per A. S. N.
20
D. H. Buell
Catherine Stone
10 5
A. V. D. Joline
3
C. Stone
3
John Mills
5
Russell Fuller
1
Wm. Spencer
8
Moses MeFarland
10
Ichabod Nye
5
John Brophy
3
Cash (paid )
1
Silas Buck
1
S. P. Hildreth
5
O. Nielssen
R. Prentiss
2
Mrs. Israel Putnam
10
Nahum Ward
4
(Amounting in all to $295.50.)
"The committee also beg leave to report the following subscription raised at Parkersburgh with this preamble :
Whereas the subscribers have been informed that efforts have been, and still are making in Marietta for the purpose of establishing the Rev. Mr. Wheat of the Episcopal Church in that place to labour alternately in Marietta and Parkersburgh, which laudable efforts the subscribers are informed are likely to prove successful, provided a corresponding liberality is manifested in Parkersburgh ; with a view therefore that we may have the benefit of Mr. Wheat's services, and that adequate pro- vision may be made for the support of himself and family, we the sub- scribers do hereby agree to pay to such person as may be authorized to receive the same, by the Vestry hereafter to be appointed for this Parish, for the support of the Revd. Mr. Wheat and his family, the sums by us respectively subscribed, to be paid quarter yearly in advance. It being
3
Mary Stone
-
A. T. Nye
5
37
LETTER OF THE VESTRY TO THE REV. J. T. WHEAT.
understood that Mr. Wheat is to labour alternately at this place and at Marietta at least every other Sabbath and once in the week in which he officiates on the Sabbath in Marietta.
J. J. Jackson
20
Wyatt Hutchison
50.
J. B. Matthews
15
David S. Watt
L. Edzerton
15
A. G. Leonard
50
B. Willard
20
H. H. Dils
Wm. Tefft
10
John Taylor
O. L. Bradford
5
Allen Davis
G. Jones
10
Jesse Pixter
C. E. Orrick
5
J. M. Stephenson
10
Robt. S. Smith
5
J. M. Steed
5
J. A. Hutchison
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