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 4
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The said Isaac du Tuffeau being arrived at Boston, with letters of credit from Major Thompson and your humble petitioner, delivered them to his late Excellency Joseph Dudley, Esq., and the Hon. William Stoughton, Esq., deceased, who did grant to the said Du Tuffeau seven hundred and fifty acres of land for the said petitioner at New Oxford, where he laid out or spent the abovesaid money. Furthermore, the said Du Tuffeau did allure your excellency's and honor's petitioner, by exciting of him by letters to come to Boston, as he can show.
The said Du Tuffeau being (through poverty) forced to abandon the said plantation, sold his cattle and other moveables for his own particular use, went to London, and there died in an hospital.
Your excellency's and honor's petitioner being excited by letters of the said Tuffeau's, shipped himself, his family and servants, with some other families, as can be made to appear ; and paid to Captain Foyle, and Captain Ware, passage for above forty persons. Your excellency's and honor's petitioner being arrived at Boston, present- ed letters from 'Major Thompson, afore-mentioned, to the above said Dudley and Stoughton, Esqrs., who were pleased (besides the seven hundred and fifty acres that were granted to Bertrand du Tuffeau and your humble petitioner,) to grant to your petitioner one thousand seven hundred and fifty acres of land more ; and for a more au- thentic security, his late excellency and honor was pleased to ac-
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company me to New Oxford, to put me in possession of the said two thousand five hundred acres of land, which I have' peaceably en- joyed for better than these thirty years last past, having spent above two thousand pounds to defend the same from the Indians, who at divers times have ruined the said plantation, and have murdered men, women, and children.
Your excellency's and honor's petitioner does now most humbly represent, that the inhabitants of New Oxford, do now dispute my right and title, in order to hinder me from the sale of the said plan- tation, which would put me to the utmost extremity, being now near eighty years of age, and having several children by my first wife, and so seeing children of my children-I have since married an English woman, by whom also I have several children, all which have dependence (under God) for a subsistence on me, after I have spent more than ten thousand pounds towards the benefit of the country ; in building ships, making nails, and promoting the mak- ing of stuffs, hats, and rosin, &c.
Your petitioner, therefore, doth most humbly beg your excellency and honor's compassion ; and that you would graciously be pleased to grant me such titles as may confirm to me and mine the said two thousand five hundred acres of land without any misunderstanding, clear and free from any molestation either from the inhabitants of the said New Oxford, or any pretensions of the above said Bertrand du Tuffeau, so that I and mine may either dispose of, or peaceably and quietly live upon, the said plantation of New Oxford ; and your petitioner shall ever pray for, and devote himself to your govern- ment, begging leave to assure you, that he is,
May it please your Excellency's and Honors,
Your most Dutiful and Obedient Servant, GABRIEL BERNON.
The zeal for the cause of religion still continued, and we find him earnestly endeavoring to establish an Episcopal Church in Provi- dence. Some delays occurred that gave rise to the following cor- respondence between Mr. Bernon, the Rev. Mr. Honeyman, of Newport, and the Rev. Mr. McSparran, of Narragansett.
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HISTORY OF THE NARRAGANSETT CHURCH.
KINGSTOWN, July 2d, 1721.
MR. BERNON :
Pursuant to your request and my appointment with Collector Ray, I've determined to be at your house the 10th of this month, and to preach and baptize your children on Tuesday, so that you may notify as many as you please, particularly Mr. Nathaniel Brown, of Kittlepoint, your messenger to me. I had your favor of the last post, which I shall have opportunity to discourse with you of at your house. I have enclosed two European letters to a friend of mine which I hope you'll carefully forward. This, in haste, accept from, sir,
Your very humble servant,
JAMES. McSPARRAN.
To GABRIEL BERNON.
[LETTER FROM THE REV. JAMES HONEYMAN TO GABRIEL BERNON, AT PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.]
SIR :- I am favored with yours of the 21st instant, and am very glad to find therein your zealous concern for settling the Church of England in your town. You, no doubt, remember, that, at our first discourse on that subject, I frankly and gener- ously offered my service to go there, and preach and baptize any persons or children that wanted to be admitted to that sacra- ment ; which offer, you know, was rejected. However, if there be any still that desire me to go thither upon that design, I shall be always ready to comply with any motions that may advance the interests of religion, according to the doctrine and discipline of our church. I am very sensible the Presbyterians are very forward and earnest in their applications and endeavors of having their way of worship established among the people of your town, but then, if the people are not willing to receive it, I wish they would testify their dissent under their hands, as also their desires to have a church settled among them. As for Colonel Whipple, I am a stranger to him, and by consequence can have no influence over him. And, indeed, the season is so far advanced for this year, that there can be hardly any essays made before the spring, and then, if there be any prsopect of encouragement, I hope I shall not be
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wanting to my duty. As for what relates to Mr. Powel, you can- not be insensible of the pains I took to procure a reconciliation. I shall, therefore, now only observe unto you, that the most of the duties of mankind are reciprocal ; for instance, there are mutual good offices between ministers and hearers, parents and children, and therefore, as we expect our children should treat us with duty and observance, we must also consider that there is due from us to them affection, maintenance, and what else belongs to the paternal relation. I shall now conclude by assuring you that I am,
1
,Your very humble servant, Signed, JAMES HONEYMAN.
NEWPORT, in Rhode Island, Sept. 25th, 1821.
To MR. GABRIEL BERNON :
Kind Sir-I received your's of the 29th September, unsealed. I rejoice you continue zealous and forward to promote a Church of England in your town, wherein if there were any motions made, I assure you, I should not be the last nor most inactive, in promoting, according to my small interest and influence, that great and good work.
Mr. Honeyman never mentioned anything to me about it, nor is it practicable for me to begin such an affair ; considering I am be- come the mock of malice by the the steps I have taken in the like affair at Bristol.
However, if you'll sound your people's inclinations and purposes respecting the same, and this I conceive as it is a critical, so in my mind it is a proper juncture for such a motion, considering the pro- gress the Presbyterians (as they are called) are making among you ; I say if you sound your neighbors inclinations and see what they would rather, or rather what they will do, and acquaint me there- with, I shall be more capable of giving my poor advice and concur- rence.
When I go to Swanzey, your way, I have not determined, but whenever it is, if nothing prevents, will do myself the honor to wait on you. In the mean time, I recommend activity to you in the lau- dable affair, the memory whereof will be savory, and reflect honor upon your posterity, as well as contribute to make your latter end more deservedly famous than your beginning could possibly be.
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HISTORY OF THE NARRAGANSETT CHURCH.
I am, with prayers to God for the settlement of a church at Pro- vidence, and the welfare of you and yours, with all due respect for yourself, and lady and family, kind sir,
Your most obedient and humble Servant, in all I may,
JAMES McSPARRAN.
NARRAGANSETT, October 5th, 1721.
NEWPORT, in Rhode Island, June 1st, 1722.
SIR :- I propose, by divine assistance, to preach in your town upon the seventeenth day of this instant, being the third Sunday of the month; whereof I desire you to inform the people, especially those that wish well to our church, that they may then give their at- tendance.
I also design to take my turn with some of the brethren to come and preach unto you, until you have a more constant supply, and use' my utmost endeavors that you may have a church settled among you.
My humble service to your lady. I also desire you will give my respects to Colonel Whipple, though unknown, and in my name de- sire his countenance to our good design.
I am, sir, Your most humble Servant,
JAMES HONEYMAN.
To MR. GABRIEL BERNON, in Providence.
ANSWER TO THE ABOVE LETTER.
SIR :- Your proposal, by the Divine assistance, to preach to us the seventeenth day of this instant, will be very acceptable to the people, especially to those that wish well to our church ; they pro- mise to give their attendance.
Lieutenant Whipple, son of Colonel Whipple, hath taken upon him to find a convenient place to preach. I have presented your respects to Colonel Whipple in presence of Mr. Jenks, our Lieuten- ant Governor, and I have showed your letter to Judge Waterman, a man of very good parts, and a sober and religious man ; these I reckon the three chief men of our town.
I hope and desire, with passion, that your honor should be better
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accommodated with those three gentlemen for settling the Church in our town of Providence, that I look to be for the glory of God, the honor of the English Nation, the good and advantage of the town, and the greatest satisfaction to our august King George, to bring his people to serve God according to the Reformation, under Edward the VI. and the Queen Elizabeth, &c.
The gentlemen, Minister and Presbytery of the government of Boston and Connecticut, are very busy to promote and advance their cause, and preferred to build their meeting in our said town. If they are for the glory of God in Heaven, peace in earth, good will amongst men, they should agree with the Church of England, or give as good reason for their separation from the Church of England, as the Church of England gives for their separation from Popery.
My wife returns her service unto you, and offers such poor lodg- ing as we have. My respects to your lady.
I am your most humble servant,
GABRIEL BERNON.
PROVIDENCE, June 4, 1722.
MR. BERNON :
I wrote the 11th instant, on my return from Bristol, I would preach for you, but hearing that Mr. Honeyman will be with you next Sunday, and that Mr. Orem is gone to Boston, I have put off my journey ; therefore, I pray you excuse me from my promise at this time. I should be glad at any time to render your town any service. I am now in haste, and have only time to assure you that I am, with all due respects, sir,
Your very humble servant,
JAMES McSPARRAN. .
NARRAGANSETT, June 15th, 1722.
PROVIDENCE, July 4th, 1722.
SIR :- Since my return from New York I have received your let- ter. I shall be glad at any time to have the honor to have you and Mr. Dickman call upon me. I have also your's of the 15th to an- swer, and give me leave to tell your honor that Mr. Honeyman hath 6A
1
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HISTORY OF THE NARRAGANSETT CHURCH.
promised next Sunday, 8th July, to exchange with Mr. Orem, Min- ister of Bristol, and the Sunday following, 15th instant, to come to our town of Providence to preach to us.
And if your honor, to take your turn, and come on Sunday after, the 22d July, let us know it ; and I shall warn the people to submit our duty to you. Pray excuse my liberty. I remain, with respect, Your most humble servant,
GABRIEL BERNON.
Last Sunday, first July, Mr. Picket did preach in our town of Providence to the edification of the people, and Sunday, the 8th. We have some hope to see you on Sunday, the 22d.
PROVIDENCE, 5th July, 1722.
SIR :- Your fervent affection for the church is to be imitated. Wherefore I have inclosed a copy of my letter to Mr. McSparran, and I do not know what his honor will be pleased to do, and I hope you will tell me ; and also if we may expect, Sunday the 15th in- stant, to see you according to your promise. My great inclination is to follow your fervency, and to be, with respect,
Your most humble servant,
GABRIEL BERNON.
PROVIDENCE, the 5th July, 1722.
SIR :- I return my thanks for the favor of your's of the fifth in- stant. Mr. Orem, of Bristol, has promised to be with you next Sun- day, the 15th of this month ; and the Sunday fortnight after that, namely, the 29th of this month, you may, with God's help, depend upon my preaching in your town. As for Mr. McSparran, you may invite him as you think fit, providing he don't interfere on those days, nor such as we may for the future appoint in coming unto you. My service to Colonel Whipple, and tell him I shall be glad, when I come to Providence, to see the success of his zeal and your's, in getting subscriptions for building your church, in which, I hopes you have, with him, already made some considerable progress. My respects to your good lady, whom I heartily thank for her great
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civilities to me when I was last at Providence. I am, with very great esteem, sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
JAMES HONEYMAN,
NEWPORT, in Rhode Island, July 10th, 1722.
Pray, sir, observe that next Sunday Mr. Orem is to be with you, and that on the 29th instant I fully design, life and health permitting, to be at Providence.
MR. BERNON :
Sir-1 this day received your's of the 4th of this current July, and for answer, you may depend upon my coming to assist you at Providence on Sunday, the 22d of this month, if God in His Provi- dence permit. Mr. Orem told me he purposed to be with you on the 15th. As for my part, none shall be readier to serve the inter- ests of the church in your town than I shall be, according to my capacity and opportunity. I pray God to succeed your undertaking in this affair, and pour his blessing upon you and your family-to whom remember me. I am in haste, and have only time to assure you I remain, with due regard, sir,
Your most humble and obedient servant,
JAMES McSPARRAN.
KINGSTOWN, in Narragansett, July 12th 1722.
P. S .- Give your people notice to meet at the usual time and place.
J. M. S.
NEWPORT, September 6th, 1722.
SIR :- I return"you my hearty thanks for your's of the 4th instant, so full of expressions of kindness and civility. I earnestly desire you will be pleased to testify your respects for me by showing your favored countenance to this young gentleman, Mr. Usher, the bearer ; who, I doubt not, by his virtuous life and agreeable con- versation, will deserve it. If he gives full content and satisfaction, so that your people think him a proper person to be settled in your town, as I verily do, I shall readily concur with them in recom- mending him, and representing your state and condition to the Honorable Society and the Bishop of London. My praying your
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care of this gentleman, together with my respects for yourself, lady, and family, concludes me
Your most obedient and humble servant,
JAMES HONEYMAN.
MR. GABRIEL BERNON.
[THE ANSWER TO THE ABOVE LETTER, WITH THE APPROBATION OF THE GENTLEMEN OF OUR TOWN OF PROVIDENCE, IN THE " BEGINNING AND BIRTH OF THE CHURCH OF PROVIDENCE, 21st SEPTEM- BER, 1722.
OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
SIR :- I have your's of the 6th instant before me. Give me leave, sir, without any compliments, to tell you that I do not deserve nor desire thanks for my expression of kindness and civility, or for any- thing I can do for the church, and I may say, that the veneration I have for the Church of England is so great, that all I can do, cer- tainly my duty will fall short to the church. Excuse me for wait- ing to this day, 21st of September, to return my respects to you, for I could not do it without communicating with the gentlemen of our town and our neighbors, concerning the young gentleman, the bearer of your letter ; he may be as you say, of a very virtuous life, and very agreeable, and good conversation, to give full content and satisfaction to the people of our town. As you say, you believe him to be a proper person to be a settled minister of our town, and that you will verily and readily be glad to concur with our town in recommending him, and representing our state and condition to the Honorable Society and the Bishop of London. For answer, I have great respect for Governor Usher and his lady, his father and mo- ther, and I was glad to receive the young man in my house for a month or six weeks at your request, and for the great consideration I have for his father, and mother, and himself.
But, sir, the consideration of the church and the consideration of our friend are two things, and if the gentleman was my own son, with all the proper virtues your honor recommends in Mr. Usher, it would be against my conscience to propose him for minister of our town of Providence, and you know as well as we, that a great build- ing and a young gentleman don't make a church. And you are, sir, as sensible as we, that self-love, partiality, and consideration of
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persons' pride, are the antipathy of the true Church, reformed from Rome, and chiefly in this occurrence of time, when our town is without any settlement, and we must have no partiality in the set- tling of a true Church.
And, sir, to be plain with you, we did not think that the coming of the gentleman, Mr. Usher, would hinder you, Mr. Orem, and Mr. McSparran from coming to administer the sacrament, and pro- moting the church in our town, as you did promise to take your turn.
And besides, it is necessary to consider, with all wisdom, that we have, in our town, learned men. Let them be Popish Churchmen, Presbyterians, Protestant Quakers, or Antinomians-and if there be some Profanes, that hold no religion at all -- we have a great many worthy gentlemen that apply themselves to read the Holy Scriptures, and are very well able to give an account of their faith; as for in- stance :
Mr. Jenks, our Lieutenant Governor, by his answer to William Wilkinson, the greatest preacher among the Quakers, and Mr. Samuel Wilkinson, the old man, deserves respect for his erudition in divine and civil law, historical narrative, natural and politic ; and you may see by the letters of Mr. Jonathan Sprague, Richard Waterman, Harris, and several gentlemen, by their answers to Mr. John Danforth, Peter Tacher, Joseph Belcher, ministers commis- sioned by the Association of Presbyterian Ministry, gentlemen of New England.
We have also Mr. Winsor, Mr. James Brown, Mr. Hawkins, of the Anabaptists Church, and great preachers ; and their auditors, Mr. Outram, mathematician, Mr. Tillingart, Power, and Harris, merchants-all sober men, that can learn and teach things by true demonstration, that may come to the Church of England, as already Mr. Joseph Brown, captain experimented, and well known by his good service to the country of Massachusetts and all New England, that hath bought already the rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, and a great many other gentlemen, very willing and affectioned to the Church of England. Mr. Nathaniel Brown and his brethren, that hath given and favored us the ground to set this church upon.
Sir, we can't well settle the Church of Old England in our town
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of Providence without one learned minister of good erudition ; and we desire that he should be an Old England gentleman minister, with probity to reconcile worthies, good neighbors, and fellow- citizens, in love and respect one for another, by a right charity and right understanding, &c.
So we intend, as soon as possible, to make our application to the Honorable Society, and to his grace the Lord Bishop of London, and we pray you, sir, and all our friends, whom we must first inform of our circumstances and capability, and our Church of Providence - shall pray for them that will help us. So you must excuse us if we can't make any agreement or condition with the young gentleman, Mr. Usher. We believe that he will do very well to go to Old England, to be ordained minister if he can ; for there will be other towns than ours that will want ministers ; and we want in sincerity and probity to have a good minister from Old England. So we are plain to you, be plain with us ; and, sir, we thank you for what you have done already for our Church of Providence in Newport-we hope you will do the same in Boston, Bristol, Narragansett, and any- where, for the honor and love of the Church of England. My wife and family thank you for your civility, and return theirs. Respects to you and your worthy family from myself. Sir,
Your most humble and most affectioned servant,
GABRIEL BERNON, Providence.
To Rev. JAMES HONEYMAN.
[LETTER TO G. BERNON.]
SIR,-I have just received your's of the 21st inst., whereby I-per- ceive you have misunderstood my zeal to serve you in proposing Mr. Usher's giving you an experiment of his conversation and abilities, for he is as great a stranger to me as he is to you, nor had I any interest in the world to serve him, and it is perfectly equal to me, whether you receive or reject him : only, I must be plain to say, that, though I acknowledge your town wants a minister of great vir- tue, and good erudition, yet I think it a little too soon to insist upon such terms ; whereas it is not certain whether you shall have any one at all or no ; and it seems to me that, unless some more prudent measures be speedily taken, than I find are yet concerted amongst you, you may be without a minister for some considerable time.
/
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I have hitherto done my utmost to express my concern for, and advance the interest of your church ; but if my endeavors have been mistaken, I shall be more cautious and reserved for the future. The distance of the place, and the drawing nigh of winter, make it un- certain when I shall take any more turns to Providence, in the mean time, my respects for yourself, lady and children-conclude me,
Sir, your most humble servant,
JAMES HONEYMAN.
NEWPORT, in Rhode Island, September 28th, 1722.
[ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING.]
7th October, 1722.
SIR-By your's of the 28th inst., we see you have our's of the 21st., whereby you perceive we have misunderstood your zeal to serve us in proposing Mr. Usher for minister of our town. We assure you we have all respect for your zeal to help us, in promoting the build- ing of our church in Providence town, and we pray you to continue the same zeal.
As it is the same to you in proposing Mr. Usher, and it is perfectly equal to you, whether we receive or reject him, as you say posi- tively, why should you be displeased ? Mr. Usher is more free to go to the University of England, at this present, than to be accepted as our minister ; and as he is so young, for time to come he may be able for the ministry. And as you are plain to us to acknowledge that our town wants a minister of great virtue and good erudition, give us leave, good sir, to do our utmost to try to have such an one, and join with us to pray God to send us such one for the glory of God, the honor of the church, and the edification of our town. For, 1 as our town hath been almost a hundred years without a minister, persecuted by the Presbyterian minister, it is better for us to stay six months or one year more, and have a good and able minister, than to have an unable one.
You say it is a little too soon to insist upon such terms, when it is not certain that we shall have any one at all, as no one hath been offered to us beside Mr. Usher ; but we believe it more prudent first to give to the honorable Society our circumstances and capabilities, and depend on them to fit us. They know better than we who shall
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be most proper for us, and as we claim as of the Church of England, we desire to be under the Church of England.
But it seems to you that unless some more prudent means be speedily taken, than you fear are now concerted amongst us, that we may be without a minister for a considerable time. But our Providence town will trust God's good providence, and not be too hasty.
We believe that you have done your utmost for advancing the building of our church, and we shall be glad if you be pleased to concur with us in all the prudent measures. London was not built at once.
But you say, if your endeavors have been mistaken, you shall be more cautious and reserved for the future ; and we may tell you for the future, we hope we shall have a better understanding, but what- ever happens, we will have respect for your honor, for Mr. Orem and for Mr. McSparran. We acknowledge that it is a great deal of trouble for you three gentlemen to supply us of your ministers, and to administer to us the sacraments, and that the winter is coming on. But let nothing discourage us in the undertaking of good works, and if we are unworthy, and not able to reward you, God is the remu- nerator, and requites all them that do good, and the church shall acknowledge and reward your deeds, and be glad to help us, as a good mother her children. So let none of us be discouraged, and let us join together with sincerity, integrity, and with all probity, and nothing can hinder us to go forward. Assuring you of our respect,
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