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 > Part 23
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In 1832, Mr. Reed was greatly afflicted by the loss of the compan- ion of his youth, who lived and died the true pattern of the wife of the Christian clergyman. Within a few years his health began to fail, but his declining years were cheered by the love and esteem of his numerous flock, the society of a most excellent companion, as his second wife, and the comforts arising from his two children : the one, the Rev. Thomos C. Reed, Professor in Union College, and the
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other, the pious and accomplished lady of Thomas L. Davis, of Poughkeepsie.
In the commencement of the year 1845, Dr. Reed's constitution had become so seriously impaired, that a sermon he had prepared to be delivered on the third Sunday in Lent, in consequence of his se- vere illness was read by the assistant minister.
On the 15th of February, 1845, he addressed the following commu- nication :
" To the Wardens and Vestry of Christ Church, Poughkeepsie,
" BRETHREN-Such are my bodily infirmities that I can at present, at least, hope to perform no service in the Church. I must therefore beg you to make such arrangements for the public services, as your good judgment shall suggest ; and in order thereto, I relinquish all claims to my salary from the first of the present year. Be assured that whatever of council, or of labor God shall give me abilities to perform, I shall ever most cheerfully render.
I am, most affectionately, Your brother in Christ, JOHN REED, Rector."
"February 26, 1845. The Vestry met pursuant to adjournment. Present, James Emott, Hubert Van Wagenen, Wardens, &c.
The Committee to whom was referred a communication from the Rev. Dr. Reed, dated 15th, was referred at the last meeting of the Vestry, report-
That they can but speak in general terms of Doctor Reed's devo- tedness to the Church, and his readiness on all occasions to sacrifice his own comfort and convenience to the calls of charity, and to labor zealously in every measure which has had the Church for its guide and the good of man and the glory of God for its end, for a period of more than thirty-four years. In his long course of usefulness among us as our Rector, he has uniformly shown his just appreciation of the privilege of being permitted to devote himself to the service of his Master, under the guidance of his Church, by judicious counsels, his pious instructions, and charities. The good offices which he has rendered to all, though grateful in themselves, have been much more so, because they have been the spontaneous tokens and outpourings of a generous Christian spirit. Ever cheerful and ready to partake
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as a Christian may of all innocent and proper enjoyments, he has always been equally ready, at all suitable times and occasions, frankly to avow and firmly defend the principles of the Church, whose doctrines he well understood, and whose spirit he fully exem- plified by his manly and consistent, yet humble and unobtrusive de- votion.
As a brief tribute of respect to this faithful son of the Church, your committee submit the following resolutions :
Resolved, That this Vestry, in behalf of the congregation, whom they represent, acknowledge with deep gratitude to Almighty God, the signal blessings which they have derived through the instrumen- tality of our venerable and much respected Rector. From the infan- cy of this congregation he has been its steadfast, devoted, and self- denying friend, and although now past the meridian of life, we can but indulge the hope, in the Providence of God, that in the evening of his days, the congregation may still be blessed with the continuance of his wise counsel and pious example, and with his occasional per- sonal services as our Rector.
Resolved, That this Vestry, with the assurance to the Rev. Rector of the warm affections of its individual members, hereby tender him its grateful thanks as a body, for the kindness, care, and fidelity with which he has watched over the interests of the Church during the great length of time he has officiated as its Rector.
On motion of the Hon. James Emott, it was unanimously accepted, with a request of a copy of Dr. Reed's discourse for the press ; which was furnished and published by the society. The sermon is entitled ' The Peace of Jerusalem.' "
On the 6th of July, 1845, Dr. Reed died at Poughkeepsie, aged 68 years. For thirty-seven years, he had filled the office of Pastor, and during all that period he was not only devoutly attached to the flock over which he was placed, but as warmly beloved by them and all with whom he had intercourse.
" On the first Sunday of November, 1761, Mr. Fayer- weather baptized a son of Mr. Lodowick Updike, by the name of Daniel, at eight months old, in St. Paul's Church."
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The following notice containing a memoir, drawn by William G. Goddard, Esq., is extracted from the Providence Journal :
"The late Daniel Updike, Esquire, who died at his residence in East Greenwich, on the 15th of June, 1842. at the advanced age of eighty-one years, was extensively known to the people of this State. He was the eldest son of the late Lodowick Updike, one of the most ac- complished gentlemen of the times in which he lived, and grandson of Daniel Updike, many years Attorney General under the Colonial Government. According to a somewhat prevalent fashion of that day, his early education was superintended by skilful private tutors, . who resided in the family, and were, at the same time, the instruc- tors and companions of their pupils. Mr. Updike was bred to the bar, and at the time of his death was the oldest lawyer in Rhode Island, all his professional cotemporaries having long since departed this life, with the exception of Mr. Ray Greene, who was admitted after him. Both Mr. Updike and Mr. Ray Greene studied law with James Mitchell Varnum, probably the most eminent man that ever practis- ed in Rhode Island. In 1784, he was admitted to the bar, and com- menced in Washington county the practice of his profession, which, however, he did not continue after the year 1795."
"Mr. Updike was repeatedly honored with public trusts. For many years he was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives, and he was likewise chosen for several terms to represent North Kingstown, his native town, in the General Assembly. In 1790, he was Secretary of the Convention, which, on the part of the people of Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution of the United States. In the same year, he was elected the Attorney General of this State. To this office, he declined a re-election. In 1796, he was appointed by the Electoral College of this State to carry its vote to Philadelphia, then the Seat of the National Government. Since that time it is not known to the writer, that Mr. Updike has sustained any public of- fice "
Mr. Updike was a gentleman of the old school, both in manners and dress. His urbane and courteous deportment was on all occa- sions remarkable, and he left upon every mind, the most grateful impression in regard to his character. It is no mean praise to add, that in politics, he was a federalist of the old school.
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" He possessed a good library, and he found in books both a solace and companionship. His memory uncommonly accurate and reten- tive, was well stored with facts in relation to events long since past, as to personages known to the present generation, only through the means of tradition. With all the old lawyers of his day he was well acquainted. He preserved distinct recollections of Honeyman, Mat- thew Robinson, Aplin, Augustus Johnson, Oliver Arnold, and Henry Marchant. At the bar, he was associated with Bradford, with Bourne, with Goodwin, and with Channing. A pupil of General Varnum, frequently his companion on his circuit, and for three years an inmate of his family, he had an intimate knowledge of the habits and character of that remarkable man. Having listened to all his great efforts at the bar, and before the Legislature, he was better qualified than any other man to estimate his powers as an orator."
" Among the interesting relics of the past, in the possession of Mr Updike at the time of his death, is a well-wrought silver coffee-pot, which was presented by Bishop Berkeley to Daniel Updike, who was for twenty-seven years Attorney General of the Colony of Rhode Island. This coffee-pot, being intended as a mark of the personal friendship of the Bishop for their ancestor, is likely to be preserved, as a sort of heir-loom in the family of the Updikes."
" The longevity of Mr. Updike and his family speaks well for the salubrity of the Narragansett country. His father and mother died at advanced ages. His surviving brothers and sisters are eight in number. The youngest of them, has seen more than fifty years, and the eldest is an octogenarian, whose natural force seems hardly abated."
" Nov. 30, 1761. Mr. Fayerweather set out for Bos- ton. Preached at King's Chapel, Dec. 2nd. His Ex- cellency Governor Bernard present."
Francis Bernard succeeded Governor Pownall as Governor of Massachusetts, in 1760. . He continued head of the government nine years. His administration was during one of the most interesting periods of American history. The first part of his administration was very agreeable to the General Court and much harmony pre-
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vailed for two or three years. There had long been two parties in the State-the advocates of the crown, and the defenders of the rights of the people. Gov. Bernard was soon classed with those, who were desirous of strengthening the royal authority in America ; the Sons of Liberty, therefore stood forth uniformly in opposition to him. His indiscretion in appointing Mr. Hutchinson Chief Justice, instead of giving that office to Colonel Otis, to whom it had been promised by Shirley, proved very injurious to him. In consequence of this appoint- men he lost the influence of Col. Otis, and by yielding himself to Mr. Hutchinson, he drew upon him the hostility of James Otis, the son, a man of great talents, who soon became the leader on the popular side. The causes, which finally brought on the American Revolu-
tion, were then operating. Gov. Bernard possessed no talent for conciliation ; he was for accomplishing ministerial purposes by force, and the spirit of freedom gained strength from the open man- ner in which he attempted to crush it. He was the principal means of bringing the troops to Boston, that he might overawe the people, and it was owing to him that they were/continued in the town. He endeavored to obtain an alteration of the charter, to transfer the right of electing from the General Court, to the crown. This attempt, though it drew upon him the indignation of the Province, was so pleasing to the ministry, that he was created a Baronet in 1769. One of his last public measures was to prorogue the General Court in consequence of their refusing to make provision for the support of the troops. It was found necessary to recall him. He died in Eng- land in June, 1779 .- Blake's Biography.
" Feb. 27, 1763. Mr. Fayerweather was married to Mrs. Abigail Bours, the surviving relict of the late Peter Bours, of Marblehead, in the church at Newport, by the Rev. Marmaduke Broune, and that day (an exceeding cold day,) preached on the occasion from these words, to a large auditory : " Do all to the glory God."
Respecting the Rev. Mr. Bours, the Rev. Mr. Stickney, Rector of St. Michael's, Marblehead, has kindly furnished the following me- moir :
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THE REV. PETER BOURS, A. M.
The Rev. Peter Bours, who was the Rector of St. Michael's Church in Marblehead, from 1753 to 1762, was the son of Peter Bours, Esq., a member of the Council of the government of Rhode Island. He was graduated A. B. at Harvard College, 1747, where he also after- wards received the Master's degree.
For some time before he proceeded to England for Holy Orders, he was employed in reading the service and sermons in several des. titute Churches with universal approbation, "both for his abilities and morals."
His labors in the Parish of St. Michael's were commenced in July, 1753, and appear to have been eminently successful. A cotempo- rary describes him as a man of an excellent temper, good learning, and great piety, whose good character gained more to the Church of England, than all who had preceded him.
During the short period of his ministry in Marblehead, (less than nine years,) he baptized four hundred and fifty-six infants and adults. By the purity of his doctrine, his amiable manners, and his blame- less life, he conciliated the enemies of the Church, and his congrega- tion was much increased.
I have met with none who can speak of him from their own remem- brance of his person. There is no parishioner of mine who received his edifying ministrations ; but a traditionary veneration preserves his memory fresh among us ; and we are happy in having an excel- lent portrait of him from the hand of Blackburne. Mr. Bours is re- presented as sitting, and in his clerical robes. The figure is full, though not large ; and the face, which is fair, has an expression of quite uncommon serenity and sweetness.
This valuable memorial is in the possession of an excellent lady, the widow of Mr. Bours' nephew.
This excellent and amiable gentleman died, after a very short ill- ness, February 24th, 1762, at the early age of 36.
Above his mortal remains, which were buried in the grave-yard contiguous to St. Michael's Church, a monument was erected which bears the following epitaph :
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" UNDER THIS STONE LIES THE BODY
OF THE REV'D PETER BOURS, ONCE MINISTER OF THIS CHURCH : WHICH OFFICE FOR THE SPACE OF NINE YEARS,
HE DISCHARGED WITH FAITHFULNESS,
TEACHING THE DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL WITH PLAINNESS AND FERVENCY ; ILLUSTRATING THE TRUTH AND REALITY OF WHAT HE TAUGHT BY HIS OWN LIFE,
THE GOODNESS OF WHICH JOYNED WITH GREAT CANDOUR AND UNBOUNDED BENEVOLENCE OF MIND, OBTAINED FOR HIM, NOT ONLY
THE MOST SINCERE LOVE OF HIS OWN PEOPLE, BUT ALSO THE ESTEEM OF VIRTUOUS MEN OF EVERY PERSUASION. HE DIED FEB'Y 24th, 1762, AGED 36 YEARS. TO HIS MEMORY,
HIS PEOPLE HAVE ERECTED THIS MONUMENT, IN TESTIMONY
OF HIS GREAT WORTH,
AND THEIR SINCERE REGARDS. Persuasion draws, Example leads the mind : Their double force compels, when meetly joined."
" Feb'y 26, 1764. Mr. Fayerweather journeyed to Marblehead, and preached in St. Michael's Church, and christened a child of the Rev. Mr. Weeks, at the Font there."
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The Rev. Mr. Stickney has also transmitted the following notice :
THE REV. JOSHUA WINGATE WEEKS, A. M.
The Rev. Joshua Wingate Weeks succeeded the Rev. Peter Bours, in the Rectorship of St. Michael's Church, in Marblehead.
He was educated at Harvard College, where he received the Bach- elor's degree in 1758,
Mr. Weeks was appointed by the Venerable Society for the propa- gation of the Gospel to be their Missionary in Marblehead, at the earnest request of the Church Wardens and Vestry, seconded by the testimonials of His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq., Governor of New Hampshire, and the Rev. Arthur Browne of Portsmouth, and many others, to his character and qualifications.
The same cotemporary who has recorded his testimony to the ex- cellent worth of Mr. Bours, speaks of Mr. Weeks as a " virtuous, sweet-tempered, learned gentleman."
The letter of the Vestry to the Venerable Society in London, is dated November 4th, 1762, and Mr. Weeks began his ministry in Marblehead, in July 1763. As a Christian pastor he was diligent, laborious, and faithful. Four hundred and sixty-eight infants and adults were baptized in the Church during his residence. The glebe was enlarged by purchase, the Church repaired and the congrega- tion increased. In 1768 the parish included one-fifth part, at least, of all the inhabitants of the town, then amounting to 6,500 souls.
He lived at peace with dissenters from the Church, yet a steadfast friend of her institutions, and ready to suffer violence and wrong for her sake.
He was assiduous and unwearied in his sacred calling till, in the progress of the American Revolution, the conflict (as he regarded it,) between his new civil duties and his oath of ordination, compelled him to desist from the public services of the Church.
Subsequently the intolerant violence of an over-suspicious or vin- dictive populace obliged this excellent man to leave a distressed wife and family and flee his native land.
Mr. Weeks's own account of his sufferings from political persecu- tion is published in the annual abstract of the report of the doings of the Venerable Society, for the year 1779.
It is as follows :
"That for nearly a twelvemonth after the Declaration of Inde-
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pendence, his people generally attended divine service in the Church, where he used the Liturgy complete, 'till a law passed in the General Assembly against it. That he then satisfied himself with visiting his flock from house to house, instructing and baptising their children, and encouraging them to patience and perseverance in duty under their difficult and trying situation, cautiously avoiding to give any - offence by intermedling with civil affairs. But no innocency of intentions, and no peaceableness of conduct could bring him security from the wild and undistinguishing rage of party. He was not per- mitted to remain in this quiet state, but was summoned, in the month of October, 1777, before the special court at Salem to answer to charges of what he had never done, and of which he "vas necessarily acquit- ted. But about a year after, he was called upon to take the oath of abjuration, a refusal of which was to be followed by imprisonment during pleasure, and afterwards by banishment, perpetual, from the country.
" As the taking this oath would have been a violation of his con- science and duty, he freely declared that he eould not take it ; and then petitioned the General Court, at Boston, to give him leave to re- tire, which was most unjustly and inconsistently refused. Being thus reduced to the sad dilemma of either hurting his conscience by taking the oath, or of being exposed to most dreadful consequences if he did not, he privately endeavored, and happily succeeded in mak- ing his escape, leaving behind him a mournful wife with eight child- ren, relying on the pity and humanity of friends to support them."
After a residence of some time in England, Mr. Weeks was ap- pointed to a field of labor near Halifax, in the British province of Nova Scotia, where he was joined by his wife and family, and where (it is believed,) he labored till the close of his life.
" February 17, 1765. Mr. Fayerweather preached at Newport, and baptized three children, one of Gover- nor Wanton; all with their proper sponsors."
EDWARD WANTON emigrated from London to Boston, before 1658. He assisted in the execution of the Quakers, in 1659. Convinced of the injustice of their persecution, and won by the fortitude and resigna-
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tion with which they suffered, he became a convert to their faith. He removed to Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1661, where he had pre- viously purchased an estate. He became a Quaker preacher, and was a popular propagator of their doctrines. He died at Scituate, aged 85.
His eldest son, Joseph, settled at Tiverton, Rhode Island, in 1688, and both he and his wife were speakers in the Society of Friends.
William Wanton (son of Edward,) left Scituate in 1704, and set- tled in Newport. Before his removal he married Ruth, the daugh- ter of Deacon Bryant ; she was a Congregationalist, and he a Qua- ker. Religious objections were made against the match on both sides. He said, " Friend Ruth, let us break from this unreasonable bondage-I will give up my religion, and thou shalt thine, and we will go over to the Church of England, and go to the devil together." They fulfilled this resolution so far as to go to the Church of Eng- land, and marrying, and adhering to the Church of England during life.
He followed a seafaring life, was captain of a privateer, and after- wards became a successful merchant. He sustained many offices. In 1732, he was elected Governor of the State, and was re-elected in 1733. He died in December of that year. Daniel Updike, the At- torney General of the Colony, married his widow. She survived her last husband many years .- Deane's Scituate.
John Wanton, brother of William, from success in trade, had be- come one of the most wealthy citizens of Newport. He adhered to the faith of the Quakers, and travelled much as a religious teacher. To heal party divisions, which ran high at this period, he was induc- ed to permit himself to be voted for, and was elected Governor in 1734, and was successively re-elected for six years. He died in of- fice July 5, 1740.
Gideon Wanton, son of Philip, and nephew of William and John, was an enterprising merchant of Newport, and in addition to other offices, was elected Governor of Rhode Island in 1745 and 1747 .- He died, September 1767, aged 74.
Joseph Wanton was the son of William, who died Governor in 1733, and grandson of the first Edward. He was an opulent merchant in Newport, and was connected by blood and affinity with the wealthiest and most popular families in the Colony. In 1764 and 1767 he was
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elected Lieutenant Governor through the Hopkins influence. In 1769, he succeeded Governor Lyndon, as Governor of the Colony, and was annually re-elected Governor, uutil the political troubles of 1775, when the office was declared vacant.
The following political handbill which was circulated among the people, previous to the election of April 1775, is copied here, as il- lustrating the spirit of the times. The people were beginning to divide, and take sides in relation to the measures of the mother coun- try, which soon after produced the revolution ; but the crisis had not then arrived :
" To the FREEMEN of the Colony of RHODE ISLAND :
" GENTLEMEN-As it has been generally wished and expected, es- pecially in this Part of the Colony, that at the ensuing Election there might not be any Contest respecting General Officers, and as a Prox now appears with some alterations, it is probable you may be desirous to know the true Reasons thereof; in Justice therefore to Governor WANTON, I think it my Duty to lay them before you, and shall be as concise as possible.
" SOME Time last Month, a Gentleman in this Town came to me, with a Request from several Persons in Newport, that I would use my Influence to remove Governor WANTON from the Chair, because they suspected he held Principles unfriendly to the Charter Rights of this Colony ; to which I replied, that what influence I had I should use to establish him in the Chair, as I believed there was no founda- tion for supposing that he was inimical to the Freedom and Welfare of the Colony. About a Week afterwards a Gentleman from New- port made a similar Application : I told him it was my Opinion, the Freemen would discountenance an Opposition : He then said, he would agree Governor WANTON should continue in his Office, pro- vided no Alteration was made in the Prox, by opposing either of the Assistants who were chosen at the last Election. As this Proposal appeared calculated to preserve the Colony from intestine Divisions I gave it as my Sentiment, that Governor WANTON would readily assent thereto, and accordingly wrote him upon the Subject : He re- plied, that for his Part he had no Objection to the Proposal, neither had he Reason to believe any would be made.
" As I supposed this Gentleman was authorized to make this Propo- A37
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sal, I was in Hope that the Colony would have remained in a State of Tranquility, more especially as the present Conjuncture of our public Affairs so loudly calls for Unanimity amongst ourselves ; But contrary to my Expectations, the Prospect I then had of seeing the Colony in a State of Peace, is now blasted, unwearied Pains having been taken to form an Opposition to the Governor, and I have the most undoubted Authority to inform you, that on Thursday last the princi- ple Persons concerned in that Matter proposed to him, that he might remain in Office, if a Majority of their Friends could be put into the Prox with him; which Overture appearing so contracted and un- generous, was inadmissible : But to convince them of his Solicitude to adopt every reasonable conciliating Measure, he replied, he was willing they should nominate five Persons for Magistrates, whose Names he would print in his Prox for the Approbation of the Free- men. Notwithstanding the apparent Candor and Equity of this Of- fer, it was rejected by those Gentlemen, which so plainly indicated their Intention of an Opposition, that he thought it justifiable to print his Prox as it now stands.
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