USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1698-1821 > Part 14
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Voted : that Mr. Bours be requested to officiate until the arrival of Mr. Sayre.
October 1, 1786. Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Sayre hath this day arrived from Fairfield, with his family, and taken charge of our Church, voted: that a sum sufficient to defray the expenses of his
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Newport, August 2d, 1786.
Rev. Sir :
The Right Rev. Bishop Seabury, having, in consequence of an applica- tion made to him by the congregation of Trinity Church, in this city, to- become their Rector himself, or to recommend a proper person to them, mentioned you as well qualified in all respects to undertake the impor- tant charge. At a meeting of the Church on Monday last, a unanimous vote was passed empowering and requesting us to write you upon the sub- ject, and to propose to you the taking a ride to Newport and officiating a few Sundays, that the congregation may have an opportunity of hearing you and making proposals for a settlement.
We would just observe that we gave our late Minister, the Rev. Mr. Bisset, f100 sterling, per annum, and the improvement of a house and garden. We cannot promise more than that sum at this time, when this city is laboring under some peculiar difficulties, but so far we may possibly go again with proper exertions.
We shall be glad to hear from, or see you, as soon as convenient, and are very respectfully,
Revd. Sir,
Your most Obed Servts,
Rev. Mr. James Sayre.
The above is from an unsigned copy of the letter, in the hand-writing of John Bours,
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removal, together with his late journey to Newport, be collected by subscription, and paid him by the Wardens.
Voted : that Mr. Sayre be requested to notify the congregation to meet after divine worship on Sunday next, that they may be de- sired to pay the taxes of the pews by the possessors of them; by putting the same into the box on the Sunday, marked with the name of the proprietor, or occupier. or number of the pew, so that the War- dens may give credit for the same.
Voted : that the lease given to Dr. Baker be for eight years.
October 8, 1786. The congregation, having a grateful sense of the services rendered to the Church by Mr. Bours, in his officiating for them for the last five years, as a lay reader, do unanimously vote him their sincere thanks.
Entered by order of the congregation,
FRAS MALBONE, Warden.200
Easter Monday, April 9, 1787. Samuel Freebody and Francis Malbone were elected Church Wardens ; John Bours, clerk of the Vestry ; James Gibbs, clerk : John Meunscher, organist: Daniel Vernon, sexton.
Voted : that the sexton's salary be augmented to thirty dollars per annum.
Whereas, the shutting up of the aisles, at the west end of the Church, is found to be very inconvenient to several of the congrega- tion, voted . that the same be laid open, and that the proprietors of the four pews built therein be accommodated with pews by the Church, whenever they apply for that purpose.
Voted : that the thanks of the congregation be presented by the
2nn Mr. Bours, who kept the records of the Church, was naturally disin- clined to make this entry himself, and the duty was assigned to the Warden.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Wardens to Mrs. Jonas Redwood,201 for her present of a large prayer-book to the Church.
September 4, 1787. Voted: that the Rev. Mr. Sayre202 be re- quested to give notice to the congregation, that as provision is made by the Vestry, for the schooling of ten poor boys, upon Mr. Kay's donation, they are desired to make return to him of such names as
201 It does not appear whether this was the wife of Jonas Langford Red- wood, second son of Abraham, or of his son of the same name. The first married Abigail Godfrey, of Newport, and the latter married a Miss Hol- man, of Virginia.
James Sayre 202 This was the last meeting of the Vestry at which Rev. Mr. Sayre was present, and the marriage ceremonies, from this date to the close of Mr. Sayre's connec- tion with the Church, were performed by Rev. William Smith, of St. Paul's, Narragansett, to which place persons wishing to be united went for that purpose. There was trouble in the Church, and the breach between the minister and the congregation was not closed till the Rev. Mr. Sayre's connection with the Church was severed. While he was cordially received at the outset, there seems to have been a want of harmony in the Church soon after his entering upon his duties. There was probably blame on both sides. Mr. Sayre was far from conciliatory (was often arbitrary), and the congregation, frustrated in some of their designs, particularly in their wish to enter into cordial relations with some of the churches of the neighboring States, were severe in their remarks against him. They charged him with "refusing to put a vote in the Vestry which he had previously agreed to do." They apprehended, from conversation had with him, " that he would never be brought to conform to any form which might be agreed upon for the establishment of union in the Episcopal Church of America, and which was then supposed to be in agitation, if it differed in any manner from the forms of England, excepting the prayer for the King." That on being asked "if the Church in Pennsylvania had been consecrated, he replied that there were no churchmen there," etc.
To make matters worse, the controversy got into print, and letter fol- lowed letter in the newspapers of the day. Then a pamphlet was put into circulation by Mr. Sayre, and was answered by Mr. Bours (who was the leader of the opposition), as he had answered some of his letters.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
are proper objects of that charity, to be laid before the Vestry at their next meeting.
Voted : that the Vestry meet on the first Monday of every month, at 10 o'clock, A.M., at the parsonage.
It was represented to Mr. Bours at this stage that if he would retire from his offices, as Vestryman and Clerk of the Vestry, peace would probably be restored. To bring about this result, Mr. Bours sent in the following letter :
Newport, April 10, 1789.
Gentlemen : Having been informed that an objection is raised by some persons unfriendly to me, that my holding the office of Clerk, and being a member of the Vestry, is an obstacle to the re-establishment of peace and harmony in the congregation, and having the true interest of the Church at heart, I had long since determined that every consideration, on my part, should give way to any object so desirable, and therefore beg leave to assure you that I do, with the greatest cheerfulness, resign both these offices, sin- cerely wishing that it may answer the end proposed, and am, with senti- ments of regard,
Gentlemen, your most obedt Servant,
J. BOURS.
The Gentlemen, Wardens and Vestry and Congregation of Trinity Church, Newport.
But the breach was now far too wide to be closed easily, and the congre- gation, in a letter to Mr. Sayre, thus addressed him :
" Reverend Sir : The two last meetings of the Vestry, having ended only in an adjournment, and the disagreeable consequences that must attend the continuance of the present division in our Church have induced a free conversation among us, the result of which we beg leave, briefly, to com- municate to you.
" It was once the hope and expectation of us all, that under your minis- try we should be happy and united ; but being unfortunately disappointed in that hope, and seeing no prospect of the wished for happiness, either to you or us, and flattering ourselves that your sentiments and the religion you profess, will not permit you to obstruct our happiness, especially where you cannot yourself, in our opinion, expect to enjoy any by remain- ing longer our minister, we also wishing to continue on the same friendly
13
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
October 1, 1787. Voted by the congregation, that Mr. Stephen De Blois be a vestryman in the room of Mr. Charles Wickham, deceased.
Voted : that £10 sterling be added to the Rev. Mr. Sayre's salary for the year ensuing.
Voted : that the Wardens have a floor laid over the ceiling of the new part of the Church as soon as possible.
and neighborly terms we have been on with each other ; for these con- siderations, and others unnecessary to mention, we are induced to wish that you could so far join in opinion with us, as to be willing to fix a time for putting an end to your ministry here. And as we do not desire that you should suffer any inconvenience by a sudden removal, if it should be more agreeable to you to remain till Easter next, we shall freely agree to it, and shall be happy, if every disagreeable circumstance that has lately taken place among us, may be buried in oblivion, if that is as much your wish as ours."
The above is from a draft of a letter, and is without date ; if answered, the answer has been lost.
The appeal to Rev. Mr. Sayre not meeting with a favorable response, a letter was addressed to Bishop Seabury, as appears by a draft, also with- out date.
" As the Reverend Mr. Sayre was introduced here, and cordially received as Minister of Trinity Church, on your recommendation, he then being an entire stranger, and, as we believe, that many parts of his character were then unknown to you; ' though few of us have the honor of a per- sonal acquaintance with you, yet from the circumstances just mentioned, and from our knowledge of your rank in the Church, and of the character you sustain, we beg leave to lay before you the enclosed state of the dis- pute at present subsisting between Mr. Sayre and a part of the congregation, and of our firm purpose in consequence of it, omitting the breach between him and Mr. Bours, of which we suppose you are already perfectly informed.
" We declare to you, Sir, that we have used all the means in our power, to prevail on Mr. Sayre to leave us, without coming to an open rupture ; in confirmation of which we take the liberty also, to enclose a copy of an address, which was delivered to him after he refused to put a vote to the
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
November 5, 1787. Voted : that the sexton be directed by the Wardens to go to all the owners and occupiers of pews, and inform them that they are earnestly requested to put the tax on their pews into the box, on the Sunday, to prevent great and unnecessary trouble to the Wardens.
Easter Monday, March 31, 1788. Samuel Freebody and John Handy were elected Church Wardens; John Bours, Clerk of the Vestry; James Gibbs, Clerk; John Meunscher, organist ; Daniel Vernon, sexton.
Voted, by the Vestry : that the necessary fencing be made by the Wardens on the lot improved by the organist, late the estate of Wil- liam Tate, deceased.
August 6, 1788. Edward Mumford was chosen one of the Vestry, in the room of George Wright, deceased.
Easter Monday, April 13, 1789. John Handy and Robert N, Auchmuty were chosen Church Wardens; Robert N. Auchmuty, Clerk of the Vestry ; James Gibbs, Clerk; and John Meunscher, organist, with the same salary that he had last year ; Daniel Vernon, sexton. Peter Mumford was elected a Vestryman in place of John Bours.
Voted: that no records of the proceedings of the congregation shall be shown, or copies of them be given to any person, without the consent of the Wardens and Vestry.
Voted : that the new form of worship recommended by the con-
Vestry, which he had previously engaged to do ; to which he has not condescended to return an answer.
" Respect to you, Sir, and to your recommendation, and the hope that, after perusal of the enclosed papers, you will be convinced that it will be for the peace and quiet of the Church, as well as of society, that Mr. Sayre should retire, are the causes of this address ; and we shall suspend the publication until an opportunity offers of hearing from you, and shall be very happy to be enabled by your mediation to suppress it ; as an appeal to the public, on this occasion, has ever been disagreeable to us."
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
vention at Boston, and adopted by the congregation the 31st of July, 1786, be discontinued, and that the service be performed in the manner that it was prior to that vote.
A separation was probably brought about through the mediation of Bishop Seabury, and Mr. Sayre was found a parish at Stratford, Ct. There he published :
" A Candid Narrative of certain matters relating to Trinity Church in Newport, In the State of Rhode Island, By James Sayre, A.M., late Minister of said Church; With a view of correcting the egregious misrepresentations of Mr. John Bours, contained in a let- ter addressed to the Author, in the Newport Herald of October 9th, 1788. Fairfield. Printed by Forgue & Bulkeley, 1788. Audi et Alteram Partem."
He also furnished for the press the copy of
" An Address Presented to the Rev. James Sayre, A.M., Minister of Trinity Church, Newport, Previous to his leaving this Town ; together with his Answer, After his Arrival at Fairfield, in Con- necticut. Published by Request of a Number of Subscribers to the Address. Newport (R. I.) Printed by Henry Barber, 1789."203
Voted : that Messrs. Charles Handy, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Mum- ford and Mr. Auchmuty be a committee to converse with Mr.
203 The "address " was printed by Peter Edes, at the office of the Newe- port Herald, and bore this title :
" An Appeal to the Public; in which the Misrepresentations and Calumnies contained in a Pamphlet entitled ' A Narrative on Certain Matters Relative to Trinity Church, in Newport, in the State of Rhode Island,' by a very extraordinary man, the Rev. James Sayre, A. M., late Minister of said Church, are pointed out and his very strange conduct during the time of his ministration at Newport, faithfully related. By John Bours, Merchant, and one of the Vestry of said Church."
" Honor and shame from no condition rise, Act well your part, there all the honor lies."'
" Worth makes the man, and want of it his fellow, The rest is all but leather or Prunella."-(POPE.)
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Smith, and learn if he has any objection to conforming to the cus- toms and service of our Church.
April 27, 1789. Meeting of the congregation. The report of the committee appointed at the last meeting to wait on the Rev. Mr. Smith, being received, it was voted: that the same committee be continued and requested to converse further with Mr. Smith on the same subject.
The exact date of the retirement of Rev. Mr. Sayre cannot now be fixed, but it occurred some time in the winter of 1788-89. In April, 1789, the congregation had under consideration the calling of Rev. William Smith, then settled in Narragansett, as Rector of the Church. Of the subsequent career of Rev. Mr. Sayre we have a brief outline in Hitch- cock's History of the Church in Woodbury :
" At the convocation assembled at Litchfield, June 2ª, 1790, a vote was taken on the adoption, or, rather, approval, of the General Conven- tion at Philadelphia, October 2ª, 1789. It was decided in the affirmative, every one of the fifteen clergymen present voting in favor of it, but the Rev. James Sayre, who entered his protest against the proceedings, and desired that it be recorded. The next day he withdrew from the convocation. He accompanied his opposition to the new prayer-book, and the General Constitution, with bitterness of feeling and personal abuse-the traits of character which he had shown at Newport, Rhode Island, where the dis- pleasure of a divided parish fell upon him before he came to Connecticut. Speedy efforts were made by the Bishop and Clergy to neutralize his in- fluence, and bring the people under his care into harmonious action with the Diocese.
" At a Convocation in East Haddam, February 15, 1792, this per- emptory vote was passed : That unless the Wardens and Vestrymen in Christ Church, in Stratford, shall transmit to the Rt. Rev., the Bishop of Connecticut, within fourteen days after Easter Monday next, a notifica- tion that the congregation of said Church have adopted the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church, as settled by the General Convention, at Philadelphia, in October, 1789, they (the congregation) will be con- sidered as having totally separated themselves from the Church in Con- necticut. The controversy was bitter and Mr. Sayre finally withdrew from his parish at Stratford, and took charge of a church at Woodbury, but with no happier results. His mind was diseased, a fact hitherto unknown, and actual insanity terminated his life, in 1798."
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER XII.
1789-1790.
MAY 25, 1789. Voted, at a meeting of the congregation : that Mr. Christopher Champlin and the Wardens be a committee to write to the Rev. Mr. Smith, and request him to visit us every other week for the present ; and likewise to write to the Wardens, Vestry and congregation of St. Paul's Church, Narragansett, to know if they have any objection to his conforming to our desire.204
Voted : that the same committee provide decent lodgings for Mr. Smith, should he accept our invitation.
Voted : that the Wardens, Mr. Champlin, Mr. Handy, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Peter Mumford, be a com- mittee to inquire after and endeavor to find out a clergyman that may be agreeable to the congregation.
Voted : that a notification be put in each pew requesting the con- gregation to contribute every Sunday, as much as their situation will permit, for the payment of Mr. Smith, the other officers, and unavoidable expenses of the Church.
June 15, 1789. The committee appointed to write to the Rev. Mr. Smith, and the congregation of St. Paul's Church, Narragansett, having reported that the Rev. Mr. Smith, and the congregation at Narragansett, had consented to comply with their request, it was
204 Rev. Mr. Smith had, for some time, been in the habit of occasionally visiting the Church and preaching. In March, 1789, Mrs. Ann Baker, wife of John Baker, of this town, died, and was buried under the Church, at which time a sermon was preached by Mr. Smith.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
voted : that the same committee write to the congregation at Nar- ragansett, and return them thanks for their kindness.
September 10, 1789. A notification having been received from the Rev. Mr. Parker, of Boston, that the convention lately held at the city of Philadelphia, and adjourned to the 29th of this month, had expressed a desire that this Church should be there represented, it was thereupon ordered, that the Wardens request the Rev. Mr. Smith to notify a meeting of the congregation, at the Church, imme- diately after divine service, next Sunday, in the afternoon.
Voted: that the Wardens, Mr. F. Brinley, Mr. C. Handy and Mr. D. Wickham, be a committee to draw up such papers as they may think necessary to lay before the congregation.
September 13, 1789. At a meeting of the Wardens, Vestry and congregation of Trinity Church, in Newport, in the State of Rhode Island, immediately after divine service, it was voted unanimously : that this congregation will, for the future, abide by and maintain such rules and orders, respecting both the doctrine and discipline of our Church as has been determined upon by the General Conven- tion, held in the city of Philadelphia, from the 28th of July to the 8th of August last, or which may be determined upon by the conven- tion which is to be held by adjournment, in Philadelphia, the 29th of the present month ; and that we will apply to some gentleman to represent us in the said convention.
Voted : that the Rev. Samuel Parker, D.D., be requested to rep- resent us in the said convention, and that the Wardens, Messrs. Brinley, Wickham and DeBlois, be a committee to write to him on the subject.205
205 The committee immediately wrote to Rev. Dr. Parker :
" Revª Sir. The extract of the letter from the committee of the conven- tion to the clergy of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, which you favored us with, was immediately laid before the Wardens and Vestry of our Church, and as it was of great moment, the congregation was summoned to meet in
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
December 26, 1789. Voted : that the congregation be desired to meet in the Church, on Sunday next, immediately after divine ser- vice, for the express purpose of choosing a Minister.
December 28, 1789. Voted: that every person who regularly pays his pew tax shall have a right to vote in the choice of a Minister.
Voted : that the Wardens, Mr. Brinley, Mr. Champlin, Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Wickham, and Mr. De Blois, be a committee to wait on the Rev. Mr. William Smith,206 inform him that we have this day chosen
the Church after divine service, last Sunday, in the afternoon, to take it into consideration. Having likewise read the Journal of the convention and duly considered the canons and general constitution, we were appointed a committee, not only to thank you for your communication, but to request of you, as we, unhappily, are at present without a Rector, to represent our Church at the adjourned convention, which is to be held in the city of Philadelphia the 29th of this month; and we likewise enclose you a vote of the congregation, which we hope will be sufficient to convince that respectable body of our determination to abide by any rules or orders that may be formed by them, respecting both the doctrine and discipline of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
We are sorry that from the shortness of time we have not been able to consult our sister churches in this State, and form a convention ; but as by the fifth article of the General Constitution every church may be represented that shall accede to it, we flatter ourselves that your appearing in our behalf at the adjournment of the Convention will be sufficient.
Although we do not presume to dictate, yet we are desired to express a hope that the alterations [in the prayer-book] may be as few as possible.
If we were not fully sensible of your zeal for the Church in general, we should think it necessary to apologize to you for the trouble we give you. 206 William Smith Rev. William Smith was born in S cotland, where he was educated, studied for the university, and was ordained. He came to America. His first parish was in Maryland, but he did not remain there long, for in July, 1787, he was in charge of St. Paul's, Narragansett, where he was settled at the time that he was called to Trinity Church, and remained here
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
him for our Minister, and request his acceptance of the office, and that the said committee offer him such a salary as they may think, from the present situation of our Church, we may be able to punctually pay.
February 25, 1790. At a meeting of the congregation, voted : that provision be made for schooling ten poor children, agreeable to Mr. Kay's will, as soon as possible.
Voted : that Mr. Gibbs, Mr. Brinley and Mr. Wickham be a com- mittee to seek for some person, qualified as the will directs, to edu- cate them.
Voted: that the Rev. Mr. Smith be appointed and requested to undertake the education of the said children for the present; and that public notice be given next Sunday for all persons who have children entitled to the benefit of the said donation, to send in their names and ages to the Rector, prior to Easter next, that the Vestry may select those that are proper objects of charity.
Easter Monday, April 5, 1790. The officers of the Church then holding office were all re-elected.
October 10, 1790. Voted: that notice be given to the congrega- tion to meet next Sunday, after divine service in the Church, to take
till April 12, 1797. He was a man of learning, and was gifted in many ways ; but, unfortunately, he had an infirmity of temper, which frequently brought him into trouble. Rev. Salmon Wheaton, D.D., is quoted in Ross's Century Sermon, as saying : " Had Mr. Smith's prudence been equal to his talents and learning, he might, with the Divine blessing, have been in- strumental in healing the unhappy divisions among his people and restor- ing the Church to its former prosperity." And the Rev. Mr. Beardsley said of him, in an historical discourse : " He possessed a singular ver- satility of talents, and was both a theologian and a scholar, a composer of church music, and a constructor of church organs ; and but for the peculiarity of his temperament, and the infirmity of his constitution, he might have been more useful in his day and generation." He died in New York, April 6, 1821, in his 69th year.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
into consideration the proceedings of the late General Convention, to consider of the propriety of writing to our sister churches in this State, for the purpose of meeting in a State Convention, and for such other matters as shall then be thought proper to lay before them.
October 17, 1790. Meeting of the congregation. Voted : that the congregation write to the sister churches in this State, request- ing them to meet us in Convention at this place, as soon as conve- niently may be, agreeable to the resolve of the last General Conven- tion, held in Philadelphia, September 29, 1790.
Voted : that the Rev. Mr. Smith and the Wardens be a commit- tee to write to our sister churches, and to represent us in Conven- tion.
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