USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Narragansett > A history of the Episcopal Church in Narragansett, Rhode Island, including a history of other Episcopal churches in the state, Volume III > Part 8
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1755. Mr. Pollen, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Mr. Leaming, catechist at Newport, in Rhode Island, £20; Alr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. Mac- Sparran, missionary at Narragansett, £70; Mr. MacSparran,
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for officiating at Warwick, £30; Alr. John Graves, mission- ary at Providence, £50; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Provi- dence, £10.
By a letter of thanks to the Society, from the church-war- dens and vestry of the church of Newport, in Rhode Island, bearing date the 28th of May, 1754, for the appointment of the Rev. Mr. Pollen to that mission (as mentioned in the abstract of the Society's proceedings in the year 1753), it ap- pears that Mr. Pollen arrived safe there in the beginning of that month, and was very acceptable to them; not only from his general good character, but also from his good behaviour and abilities in his pastoral duties, as far as they had yet ex- perienced them; and they made no doubt but he would an- swer the pious and charitable design of the Society in send- ing him to them. And Mr. Pollen, by his letter of June the 7th, 1754, gives an account of his kind reception, and that he hath great hopes of propagating the true Christian faith, and doing much good among them, towards which he pro- mises his best endeavours shall not be wanting. The church of Providence, in Providence Plantation, having become va- cant by the death of the Rev. Mr. Checkley, and the church- wardens and vestry of that church having very earnestly pe- titioned the Society to supply that loss by the appointment of a new missionary, the Society hath thought it proper to appoint the Rev. Mr. John Graves, Vicar of Clapham in Yorkshire, in the Diocese of Chester, a most pious and worthy clergy- man, brother to the Rev. Mr. Matthew Graves, the Soci- ety's worthy missionary at New London, in the Colony of Connecticut, and animated with the same holy zeal to propa- gate the Gospel in foreign parts, to be their missionary to the church of Providence; and it is to be hoped Mr. John Grayes, he having before his departure resigned the vicarage of Clap- ham, is happily arrived at that mission.
1756. Mr. Pollen, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Mr. Leaming, catechist at Newport, in Rhode Island, £20; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. MacSpar- ran, missionary at Narragansett, £70; Mr. MacSparran, for officiating at Warwick, £30; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £60; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Provi- dence, £10.
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Mr. Pollen, and all the other worthy missionaries, send favourable accounts.
1757. Mr. Pollen, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; AIr. Leaming, catechist at Newport, in Rhode Island, £20; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. MacSpar- run, missionary at Narragansett, 670; Mr. MacSparran, for officiating at Warwick, £30; Alr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £50; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Provi- dence, £10.
The Rev. Mr. John Graves, the Society's missionary in the church of Providence, appears to be most acceptable to that congregation, which, by their letter of June 14, 1756, humbly thanks the Society for their goodness in sending so very worthy a person to administer to them, whose behaviour makes him to be beloved by all, and their church is crowded; and they humbly hope that God will make him instrumental in stirring them heartily to their duty. And he labours much therein, administering the Holy Communion, and preaching both morning and afternoon, and catechising the children, not only at Providence, but at Taunton also, where he monthly officiates.
1758. Mr. Pollen, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £70; Mr. Leaming, catechist at Newport, in Rhode Island, £20; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, f60; Mr. MacSpar- ran, missionary at Narragansett, £70; Mr. MacSparran, for officiating at Warwick, £30; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £50; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Provi- dence, £10.
1759. Mr. Pollen, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Mr. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; AIr. John Graves, mis- sionary at Providence, £50; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
The Rev. Dr. MacSparran, the Society's missionary at Nar- ragansett, died there on the Ist of December, 1757, and by his last will, dated May 23, 1753, he hath given a conven- ient spot of ground for a church and burying place, on the northwest corner of his land, to build a church upon, if need should hereafter so require. He likewise, after his wife's de-
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cease, hath bequeathed his farm in that parish, as a conven- ient dwelling-house, to such Bishop of the Church of England and his successors, forever, as shall be regularly sent, and set over that part of His Majesty's Plantations where the said farm lies, with this proviso: that at least the three first bishops in direct succession be born or educated in Great Britain or Ireland; also, that the said bishop be sent at farthest within seven years after his wife's decease (she died in England, of the small-pox, in the year 1755). And to supply the loss of Dr. MacSparran to his congregation, the Society hath ap- pointed the Rev. Mr. Fayerweather, a native of New Eng- land, of so very good a character, and so well recommended when he came to England for holy orders in the year 1756, that the University of Oxford was pleased to honour him with the degree of Master of Arts, to succeed Dr. MacSparran as their missionary to the Church of Narragansett.
1760. Mr. Pollen, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Ar. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, mis- sionary at Providence, £50; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
1761. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Mr. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; AIr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £50; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
The Rev. Mr. Pollen, late the Society's missionary to the church of Newport, in Rhode Island, by a letter dated there July the 10th, 1760, acquainted the Society, that he had re- ceived an invitation to a parish in Jamaica, and he hoped the Society would not take amiss his acceptance of it, as he should always retain the utmost veneration for them; and, whether in or out of their service, gladly embrace every opportunity of promoting it; that he was pressed immediately to embark for Jamaica, but he would stay and officiate in Newport till the beginning of the winter. And the church of Newport entreat the Society by a petition, dated September 23, 1760, to grant them another missionary in the room of Mr. Pollen, then about to leave them; and they take the liberty to mention Mr. Marmaduke Browne,705 the Society's itinerant missionary in
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New Hampshire, as a clergyman of a very good character, who had lately officiated to them to the great satisfaction of the congregation, and they hoped to be quite happy under his pas- toral care, would the Society be so good as to appoint him to that mission. This the Society have granted, Mr. Marmaduke Browne joining in the request, together with his father, the Society's missionary at Portsmouth, in New Hampshire.
1762. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Mr. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; MIr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £50; AIr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
The Rev. Mr. Fayerweather, the Society's missionary at Narragansett, by his letter dated December 1, 1760, which was laid before the Board April 17, 1761, acquaints the Society that, after officiating a few Sundays in the parish church of St. Paul in his new mission, he had the misfortune of spraining his right ankle, which till that time had confined him in great pain, but promises upon his recovery to be dili- gent in the Society's service and obey their injunctions, and to exert himself to the utmost of his strength and capacity, to the honour of God and the propagation of the Gospel of our Great Redeemer. By another letter, dated March 20, 1761, we learn that he is so far restored as to go out again, and promises to do his utmost to redeem the lost time. He complains that Quakers, Baptists, Fanatics, Ranters, Deists, and Infidels swarm in that part of the world. But in another letter, dated August 1, 1761, he writes, that his own flock, to his unspeakable comfort, increase in number, and, as he judges by their fruits, grow in the grace and virtues of the Christian life. He adds, that many good books are wanted in the Narragansett country, for the suppressing of Deism, In- fidelity, and Quakerism, which, if sent to his care and dis- posal, he promises shall be distributed in a manner beneficial to his own people, and to those who dissent from our Es- tablishment. Which request the Society have complied with; and besides Bibles, Common Prayer Books, and many pious small tracts, have sent twelve copies of West on the Resur- rection, and Littleton on the Conversion of Saint Paul, and twelve of Leslie's Short and Easy Method with the Deists.
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The Rev. Mr. John Graves, the Society's missionary at Providence, in a letter dated May 5, 1761, writes, that his constant communicants are almost double, and his stated hearers more than proportionally increased, with persons who practise as well as profess religion. As to his particular charge he never leaves it, except when he visits his relations, spring and fall, at New London. He has kept together, the three last years, the little church of Warwick, ten miles from Providence, and given them constant attendance, preaching, administering the Lord's Supper; taking into the church both infants and adults; catechising their children, visiting their sick, and burying their dead. For this extraordinary attend- ance on the church of Warwick, the Society have ordered Mr. John Graves a gratuity.
1763. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, £50; Mr. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; AIr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £50; Mr. "John Graves, for official- ing at Warwick, £15; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Provi- dence, £10.
The Rev. Mr. Fayerweather, the Society's missionary at Narragansett, in his letter dated August 10, 1762, writes, that he has his dwelling in the midst of persons who take too many occasions of expressing great bitterness against the Church of England. Thus situated, he finds it best to be mild and gentle, peaceable and forbearing, which the Society earnestly recommends to him and all their missionaries. In consequence of this behaviour, Mr. Fayerweather says, sev- eral have lately conformed to the Church from the Ana- baptists and other persuasions. He has baptized five adults and eight infants within the year. In this part of America he finds immersion preferred, among persons in adult years, to sprinkling, and whenever it is required, administers Baptism that way, as the Church directs. When he first opened his mission his congregation consisted of a very small num- ber, but is since enlarged, and in the summer season appears numerous. His communicants have increased from twelve to twenty and upwards; and with those from Warwick, where he frequently officiates, and where there is a great appear- ance of piety and seriousness, make upwards of thirty-five.
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The Society have received a petition from the church of Warwick, dated June 17, 1762, praying that they may have the benefit of Mr. Fayerweather's ministry, and that of Mr. John Graves, of Providence, who has been exceeding kind to them.
The Rev. Mr. John Graves, the Society's missionary at Providence, in a letter dated July 13, 1762, writes, that he should have seconded the church of Warwick's petition, but that he would avoid everything that looks like covetousness in things sacred; however, he thinks it his duty to observe that, till that people enjoy the blessing of a resident minister, they cannot hope to reap the same advantages by being an- nexed to any other mission as to that of Providence. They lie within ten miles of Providence, and twenty from the near- est other Episcopal minister, and therefore often partake of the Word and Sacraments of this Church, from whence arises a spiritual friendship and union between them. But, if the Society can more effectually provide for the spiritual welfare of that people, he is far from desiring the additional and aweful charge.
The Society, taking the case of the church of Warwick into their consideration, have agreed to desire Mr. John Graves to officiate at the church of Warwick once a month on Sundays, and as often as he can conveniently on week days, and to make an addition of £15 to his salary for his services at Warwick.
1764. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, £50; Mr. Fayer- weather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, mis- sionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Pro- vidence, £50; Mr. John Graves, for officiating at Warwick, £15; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
The Rev. Mr. Marmaduke Browne, the Society's mission- ary at Newport, in the Colony of Rhode Island, in his letter dated January 9, 1763, with pleasure informs the Society, that his mission is in so flourishing a way, that several gentlemen have come to a resolution to enlarge the church very con- siderably, at the expense of at least £500 sterling. He adds, that at the instance of the associates of the late Dr. Bray, and with the hearty concurrence of the Society, he has opened a school for the instruction of negro children, to consist of fif-
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teen of each sex, which is to be under his inspection, and which he trusts will answer the intentions of the charitable persons concerned in it. In the preceding half year he had baptized one black and fourteen white children, one white and one black adult, and had an addition of five communicants, mak- ing, in the whole, one hundred and nine.
The Rev. Mr. Fayerweather, the Society's missionary at Narragansett, in the Colony of Rhode Island, in his letter dated March 10, 1763, writes that his parish church is well filled in the warm and moderate seasons of the year, but in the win- ter his congregations are small on account of the extreme cold. To remedy this inconvenience, he has been urged, in imitation of his predecessor, to officiate in his own house in the severe weather; but has refused to comply till he has ob- tained the Society's leave. In answer to which, he was desired, if possible, to make his church warm and comfortable in the severest weather; but, if that cannot be done, and his house is large enough for the reception of all who are willing to at- tend, the poor as well as those of better rank, he may have leave to perform divine service in his own house when it is absolutely necessary, and not otherwise.
The Rev. Mr. John Graves, the Society's missionary at Providence, in the Colony of Rhode Island, in his letter dated March 19, 1763, returns thanks for a gratuity given him for his former services at Warwick. And the Society having since committed the church of Warwick to his care, that people, in a letter dated July 16, 1763, express their grateful sense of the happy provision made for their spiritual welfare, by ap- pointing Mr. Graves to that office, of whose faithful labours they have had so much experience. And Mr. Graves, in his letter dated June 4, 1763, declares his intention, God will- ing, to visit the church of Warwick at least six times a year on Sundays, which is the most he can do, without neglecting his own proper mission; the rest of his visits he purposed to make on week days, statedly and occasionally; and in the whole, pay them double the visits they were used to have from his predecessor in that charge. In the half year preceding his first letter, he had baptized nineteen infants, one white and two black adults. Of the adults the two survivors are in full communion, and walk agreeably to their holy profession. The
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populous and growing town of Providence consists of Pres- byterians, Baptists, New Lights, and Quakers, besides the members of the Church of England, with all of whom he lives in peace and charity; and there are none of them but will, and often do, occasionally come to hear him.
1765. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, £50; Mr. Fayer- weather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, mis- sionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Pro- vidence, £50; Mr. John Graves, for officiating at Warwick, £15; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
The Rev. Marmaduke Browne, the Society's missionary at Newport, in the Colony of Rhode Island, in his letter dated February 29, 1764, writes that, notwithstanding the great enlargement of Trinity Church, there is still room wanting to accommodate all who would willingly attend. In this colony, he observes, a good harmony subsists between Churchmen and dissenters. The Quakers in particular express their re- gard for the Church, from the experience they have had of the mildness and lenity of its administration. And his parish- ioners are constant and decent in their attendance on public worship, and unblamable in their lives. In his letter dated September 19, Mr .. Browne gives a particular account of the rents of the lands and houses left by Mr. Kay, for the use of a grammar-master at Newport, which, from the 1st of April, 1765, will amount to the sum of £64 5s. sterling, from which, deducting fio to keep the house in repair, the estate will produce near £54 sterling per annum, besides a small house for the school-master to reside in, which will rent for £8 sterling per annum. The Society are desired to recon- mend a grammar-master for this school, as soon as a proper person can be procured. Mr. Browne has baptized, in the pre- ceding year, forty-five infants, two white and one black adult, and has from one hundred and twelve to one hundred and twenty communicants.
The Rev. Mr. Usher, the Society's missionary at Bristol, in the Colony of Rhode Island, in his letter dated November 21, 1763, encloses his Notitia Parochialis, by which it ap- pears that there are in Bristol about one hundred and fifty families, fifty of which are of the Church of England, and one hundred dissenters, none of them Baptists. In the preceding
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year he had baptized twelve infants, and had forty-three com- municants; besides the above, he has thirty heads of families in the neighbouring towns, fifteen of whom are communicants. They have been already favoured with a deed of gift of a piece of land for a church and church-yard, in a small flour- ishing town about five miles from Bristol Church; and have likewise, with the assistance of some dissenters, subscribed about 65000, this poor currency, towards building a chapel of ease, hoping to obtain leave for some neighbouring mission- ary to officiate among them once a month, that the aged and children may attend. Mr. Usher has occasionally officiated in these towns to large societies, in private houses, for want of a church.
1766. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, £50; Mr. Fayer- weather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Ar. Usher, mis- sionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Pro- vidence, £50; Mr. John Graves, for officiating at Warwick, £15; AIr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, f10.
1767. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, £50; Mr. Fayer- weather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, mis- sionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Pro- vidence, £50; Mr. John Graves, for officiating at Warwick, £15; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
The Rev. Mr. Marmaduke Browne, the Society's mis- sionary at Newport, in Rhode Island, in his letters dated Jan- uary 2, and July 1, 1766, writes that he is constantly en- gaged in a succession of parochial duty, as much as he is well able to struggle with, and has the comfort to observe, that much good is done here, notwithstanding the many disad- vantages they labour under in this colony. Within the year he baptized forty-three infants, two white and one black adult, and has one hundred and twenty communicants, seven of whom are blacks, who behave in a manner truly exemplary and praiseworthy.
1768. Mr. Browne, missionary at Newport, £50; Mr. Fayer- weather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; AIr. Usher, mis- sionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Pro- vidence, £50; Mr. John Graves, for officiating at Warwick, £15; Mr. Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
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1769. The same Missionaries and salaries. 1770. The same Missionaries and salaries.
1771. The same Missionaries and salaries.
By a letter received from the Rev. Mr. John Graves, mis- sionary at Providence, Rhode Island, New England, of Sep- tember 25, 1770, the Society are informed that in the last half year he had baptized nine infants and one adult, buried five, and married three couples. That he goes on as usual, both at Providence and Warwick, where he had preached twenty times, besides occasional duties, within the year. That his particular friend, Mr. Merritt, is lately deceased, and much lamented, having always supported a very amiable and exemplary character. He was a firm friend to religion and virtue. Among other valuable legacies, he has bequeathed £100 to the Society, and the same sum to the church at Pro- vidence.
1772. Mr. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. Usher, missionary at Bristol, £60; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, 650; Mr. John Graves, for offici- ating at Warwick, £15; Mr. John Taylor, school-master at Providence, £10.
Advice has been received of the death of the Rev. Mr. Mar- maduke Browne, the Society's worthy missionary at Newport, in Rhode Island. The people have chosen Mr. Bisset,70+ who used to assist the missionary, and kept the school founded by Mr. Kay. But the flourishing state and opulent circumstances of that parish having been fully represented, the Society do not think it consistent with their trust to give any longer a salary from hence, as it would prevent their bounty where it is more wanted, to other churches, which cannot be supported without their assistance.
1773. The same Missionaries and salaries.
The Rev. Mr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, Rhode Island, hath baptized five children, buried three adults, and hath forty communicants.
1774. The same Missionaries and salaries.
The Society have received letters from each of their mis- sionaries in Rhode Island. The Rev. Mr. Fayerweather writes that the church of St. Paul's, in North Kingstown,
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is repairing. The Rev. Mr. Usher, though a cripple, con- stantly preaches every Sunday, in the summer season, to a congregation that declines indeed from constant emigration ; though such as are within distance still continue their attend- ance. And the Rev. Mr. Graves within the year ending at Michaelmas, 1773, hath baptized thirteen infants and two adults, married four couples, and buried two adults. His communicants at Providence are about fifty, and at War- wick ten; and he hath the great comfort of living in much peace and love with all his people in both places.
Mr. Taylor, the Society's school-master at Providence, teaches fourteen children, including one negro, on their ac- count; is constant in his attendance, as having no other em- ployment.
1775. The same Missionaries and salaries.
The Rev. Mr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, Rhode Island, administers the Sacrament on the first Sunday of each month throughout the year. On every Sunday dur- ing the summer he catechiseth the children, and in a sermon explains some part of the Church Catechismn, and hath con- tinucd this practice for eighteen years. In the last half year ended at Lady-Day', 1774, he baptized six children, married six couple, and buried five adults. He has about fifty com- municants as before at Providence, and fifteen at Warwick; at which place he hath in the year preached twenty times, and four times administered the Holy Communion.
1776. Mr. Fayerweather, missionary at Narragansett, £50; Mr. John Graves, missionary at Providence, £50; AIr. John Graves, for officiating at Warwick, £15; Mr. Tay- lor, school-master at Providence, £10.
By a letter from the Society's late missionary, Mr. Usher, dated October, 1774, it appears that in the preceding half year he had baptized seven infants, administered the Sacra- ment to thirty communicants, and, though aged, lame, and infirin, had performed the usual service twice on every Sun- day without any assistance. Since that time the Society have lost that venerable and worthy missionary, after a period of fifty years diligently employed in their service. Two letters have been received from the Rev. Mr. John Graves, from which it appears that in the last year ending in March, 1775,
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