USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1698-1821 > Part 15
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Voted : that the Revised Book of Common Prayer be used by this congregation as soon as they can be procured ; previous notice of one Sunday being given.
November 21, 1790. The delegates appointed on the 17th of October, to represent us in Convention, having reported that they had met the churches of Providence and Bristol in Convention, and having furnished the Vestry with a copy of their proceedings, it was voted : that the Rev. Mr. Smith be requested to give notice next Sunday forenoon, in church, that the congregation are desired to remain in the church in the afternoon, after divine service, to take the same into consideration.
November 23, 1790. At a meeting of the congregation it was unanimously resolved, that the thanks of this congregation be given to the Rev. Mr. Smith, John Handy and R. N. Auchmuty, our del- egates to the late Convention ; and the Clerk of the Vestry is de- sired to insert the whole of the proceedings on the records of this Church, as a testimony of our approbation.
" At a Convention held in Newport, November 18, 1790,
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
" The Churches of Newport, Providence and Bristol in represen- tation :
" Newport : represented by the Rev. William Smith, Rector of Trinity Church.
" Lay delegates : John Handy207 and Robt. N. Auchmuty.
" Providence : The Rev. Moses Badger, Rector of King's Church.
" Lay delegates : Jera F. Jenkins, John Mumford.
" Bristol : John Usher, Lay delegate from St. Michael's.
" After authoritative testimonials from the different representatives and approved of, the Rev. Moses Badger was chosen President, and Robt. N. Auchmuty, Secretary.
" After having read and duly considered the seventeen canons adopted by the General Convention, held in the city of Philadelphia, from the 29th of September to the 16th of October, 1789, it was unanimously
" Voted: that this Convention will adhere to and obey the above mentioned canons, and recommend to their Standing Committee the strict observance of them.
" Voted : that the following be added as an addition to the sixth canon, to be observed in this State :
"' That no person shall be received by the Standing Committee of the Church in this State, as a candidate for Holy Orders, unless he shall produce testimonials that he hath been a regular communi-
207
Handy
Major John Handy was one of many patriots in the Rev- olution, who sacrificed pri- vate interest to the public good. In the effort to drive the British from Rhode Isl- and, he served under Sullivan and Spencer. On the Fourth of July, 1776, he read the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Court House in Newport ; and fifty years from that day he read it again, July 4, 1826, from the same place. Major Handy, who was the eldest son of Captain Charles Handy, died March 2, 1828, aged 72 years. His widow, who was Frances Stewart, of New London, attained to the age of 92 years, and died March 8, 1854.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
cant for the two years last past, certified by two clergymen, with one or both of whom he has communicated; or, by three or more other communicants, in case of the vacancy of the Church or Churches of which the candidate is a member.'
" Voted : that this Convention approve of and will recommend to their respective Churches the use of the revised Book of Common Prayer, adopted by the late General Convention.
" Voted: by this Convention, that the Churches in this State be immediately united under a bishop.
" Voted : that the Right Rev. Father in God, Samuel Seabury, D.D., Bishop of the Church in Connecticut, be, and he is hereby declared the Bishop of the Church in this State. That the Rev. Moses Badger and William Smith be requested to write to and address him on the subject, and that the letter of recognition and Episcopal acceptance, be entered upon the journals of this Conven- tion ; and, further, that copies of the said letters be transmitted to the respective Churches of this State, to be entered on their records.
" Voted : that the Rev. Mr. Badger, the Rev. Mr. Smith, and Mr. John Usher, be the Standing Committee of this Convention.
" Voted : that the Rev. Mr. Smith208 be requested to write to the
208 The following is a copy of the letter addressed to Bishop Seabury : Right Honored Father in God.
Appointed by an Ecclesiastical Convention, held in this place, the 18th ult., wherein Trinity Church, in Newport, King's Church, in Providence, and St. Michael's Church, in Bristol, were duly represented, as from minutes of the Convention, herewith transmitted, will appear, we take the earliest opportunity of addressing your Reverence.
Confiding in your moderation and prudence, and beholding the decency and propriety with which you conduct your Episcopal administration in your diocese of Connecticut, as also esteeming you an able defender, as well an avowed patron and propagator of Apostolic faith and practice, the aforesaid Convention has nominated and unanimously voted your Rev- erence, the Bishop and Ecclesiastical Superior of the Churches so repre- sented ; and of such others in this State as may in future accede to and become parts of the established Episcopacy of the United States ; and in consideration of the many advantages which will naturally result from your superintendance, as well as to manifest our desire to promote and
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Churches of Bristol and Narragansett, representing to them the dis- advantages resulting from the want of a regular ordained minister.
" Voted : that the thanks of this Convention be given to the Rev. Mr. Smith, for his excellent discourse, delivered this day, and that he be requested to furnish us with a copy for the press.2019
" The Convention adjourned sine die."
strengthen the unity of Christ's Apostolic Church. as far as in us lieth, the aforesaid Churches promise to pay to your Reverence all due and Christian respect and canonical obedience.
And our prayers to God are, that the most perfect unity may pervade all the Churches in those States. that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. who brought again from the dead that great Shepherd of the sheep, the Supreme Bishop of our souls. and head of his Church, may shed abroad more and more of his divine light and love upon our Episco- pacy and Priesthood, and on all the Churches of our communion ; that every one in his several vocations and ministry, may by a life of Faith upon, and obedience to, the Son of God, glorify him in " time, and be numbered with the Saints of the most High," when time shall be no more.
With the most affectionate regard for your person and family, and praying with all fervency that the pleasure of the Lord may prosper in your hands :
We have the honor and felicity to be,
Right Reverend Father in God, your Reverence's Most Obedient and Very Humble Servt WILL. SMITH. Rect of Trinity Ch., Newport. M. BADGER, Rector of King's Church, Providence.
Newport, 20th Nov., 1790.
The Right Revª Father in God, Samuel. by Divine Providence Bishop of the Church in Connecticut.
The sermon was printed, with the following title :
" A Discourse at the Opening of the Convention of Clerical and Lay Delegates of the Church, in the State of Rhode Island, delivered in Trinity Church, Newport, Thursday, the 18th of November. 1790. Psalm cxxii., 7-9. By William Smith, A.M., Rector of Trinity Church, Newport."
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER XIII.
1790-1797.
AT a meeting of the congregation of Trinity Church, on Sunday, December 9, 1790, a letter from the Right Revd Samuel Seabury, in answer to the letter of the convention, being received and read, was ordered first to be copied on the records, and then filed among the papers of the Church.
New London, Decb. 1, 1790.
Reverend Gentlemen :
Your letter of the 20th of November came to me in due time. I feel myself much obliged by the confidence the Ecclesiastical Convention held at Newport, the 18th of the last month, have placed in me ; and by the manner you, gentlemen, have notified me that that convention had " nominated and unanimously voted " me the Bishop and Ecclesiastical Superior of Trinity Church, in Newport, of King's Church, in Providence, and of St. Michael's Church, in Bristol and of such other churches in the State of Rhode Island " as may in future accede to and become parts of the established Episcopacy of the United States."
Had I a high opinion of my own abilities, it is probable I should accept this instance of the good opinion your convention are pleased to entertain of me, with more confidence; next, however, to doing as well as we wish, is to do as well as we can.
Confiding then in the assistance and protection of Almighty God, and hoping, gentlemen, for your advice and support, and for the support of all good men, I do, in the fear of God, and under a sense of duty to the great Redeemer and Head of the Church, accept the charge your convention have thought proper to commit to me ; and will exert my best efforts that their expectations from me may not be entirely disappointed.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
By the divine permission I will visit your churches as soon as the spring season shall permit, and hope then for a happy opportunity of personally settling with you such matters as may be thought necessary or useful to their general interest.
I most heartily join in your devout prayers for the unity and prosperity of the church in the United States. May it ever continue a sound and flourishing part of the Catholic Church of Christ.
Commending you and your Churches to the blessing and protec- tion of Almighty God ; requesting your prayers for me to the same all-sufficient Being, by whose power the weakest abilities are some- times made the instrument of his glory, and of prosperity to His Church, I remain, Reverend Gentlemen, your affectionate Brother and very humble servant,
SAMUEL BP., Connect.
February 4, 1791. Voted : that the Rector is desired to request the attendance of the congregation in the Church on Sunday next, after Divine Service, to consider of the expediency of applying to the Hon'ble General Assembly, for liberty to raise a sum of money by lottery, sufficient to pay the debts and to repair the Church ; which proposition was unanimously agreed to by the congregation the following Sunday, and the Wardens, with Messrs. Gibbs, Wick- ham, Mumford, and Crooke as managers.210
Easter Monday, April 5, 1791. The officers of the Church were re-elected.
[June 27, 1791, St. John's day. A discourse was delivered in the
210 The right to have such a lottery was granted, and March 12th the scheme was offered to the public. Five thousand tickets were put upon the market, at two dollars each. The prizes, 1701 in all, ran from one of $1000,down to 1598 at four dollars each, subject to a deduction of fifteen per cent.
In a note appended to the printed scheme, the managers stated that " from the encouragement they have already met with, they are determined to draw the lottery by the last of May." (See page 200.)
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Newport Trinity Church LOTTERY.
TO T "THE General Affembly, at their laft Seffions, having granted Permiffion to the Congregation of Trinity Church, in Newport, to raife by Lottery, the Sum of Fif- teen Hundred Dollars, to difcharge the Debts they unavoid- ably contracted during the War, and to repair the Church and Lane, commonly called Church Lane, the Subfcribers (who have given Bond to the General Treafurer) beg Leave to prefent the following Scheme for the Patronage of the Public.
S C H E
E.
NOT TWO
BLANKS TO A PRIZE.
Prizes
Dollars
Dollars
1
of
1000
15
1000
1
500
500
200
400
5
100
500
7
50
350
4
30
120
20
200
15
10
150
20
8
1.60
38
6
228
1598
A
6392
1701 Prizes.
10000
3299 Blanks.
5000 Tickets at 2 Dollars.
Subject to a Deduction of Fifteen per Cent.
* Tickets may be had of the Managers, who will pay the Prizes on Demand, and who, from the Encouragement they have already met with, are determined to draw the Lot- tery by the laft of May.
GEORGE GIBBS, THOMAS WICKHAM, EDWARD MUMFORD, JOHN HANDY, ROBERT N. AUCHMUTY, WILLIAM CROOKE,
Mange
NEWPORT. March 12, 179 !.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Church before the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Rhode Island, by the Rector, Rev. William Smith, from the text : " He who built all things is God." Christopher Champlin was that year installed First Grand Master. The same day George Gibbs, Benjamin Bourne and Robert N. Auchmuty were appointed a committee of the Grand Lodge to wait on the Rev. Mr. Smith, with the thanks of the fraternity for his discourse, and ask for a copy for the press.
The discourse was printed in Providence by Bennett Wheeler.]
February 2, 1792. Voted: that Mr. Champlin and Mr. Brinley be a committee to view the school-house lot, and the lot proposed for an exchange by Mr. Channing, and to report on the expediency thereof.
February 6, 1792. Voted : that Mr. Christopher Champlin and Mr. Wickham be a committee to converse with Mr. Tilley respect- ing the sum he will give annually for the lot on which his [rope] walk stands, and that the Wardens be authorized to grant him a lease for a term of years, not exceeding seven, on such terms as said committee shall agree with him.211
Voted : that Mr. Champlin and Mr. Wickham be a committee to consult with Mr. Meunscher respecting the repairs that are wanting in the house he occupies ; that they inquire into the grievances he complains of, and that they inform themselves what Mr. Carr will demand for a passage-way to the well of water, and report to the next meeting.212
211 The rope-walk stood on land acquired of George Scott in exchange for some of the Kay land ; which negotiation is referred to under date of May 2, 1785. It had its eastern bounds on the Jewish cemetery, and made a part of what is now Kay Street. The remains of the rope-walk that stood there were burnt by some mischievous person during the excitement of the Dorr rebellion, in 1842.
212 The house occupied by Meunscher was a small story-and-a-half gambrel roof building in the rear of the school-house (now the Shiloh Bap-
14
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The Wardens, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Malbone and Mr. Edward Mumford, were to be a standing committee to adjust the whole busi- ness of the Vestry, and that they report their proceedings at each monthly meeting.
Voted : that the Vestry meet the Monday evening after the monthly communion Sunday, alternately at each others' houses, beginning with Mr. Champlin.
March 19, 1792. Voted : that the Wardens give Mr. Tilley a lease for the land on which his rope-walk now stands, for seven, or as many more years as he may choose, at the rate of fifteen dollars a year.
Easter Monday, April 9, 1792. John Handy and Robert N. Auchmuty were elected Wardens ; Robert N. Auchmuty, Clerk of the Vestry ; John Meunscher, organist ; Daniel Vernon, sexton.
Vestrymen : Francis Brinley, Charles Handy, Christopher Cham- plin, George Gibbs, Henry Hunter, John Mawdsley, Thomas Wick- ham, John Malbone, Francis Malbone, Benjamin Brenton, Stephen DeBlois, Edward Mumford and Peter Mumford.
Mr. Stephen Ayrault, from old age and deafness, having resigned his place in the Vestry, it was unanimously
Voted : that the thanks of the congregation be given him for his long and faithful services, and that the Clerk of the Vestry furnish him with a copy of this vote.
Voted : that the Wardens, Mr. Thomas Wickham, Mr. Francis Malbone, and Mr. Edward Mumford be a standing committee to adjust the whole business of the Vestry, and that they report their proceedings at each monthly meeting.
tist Church). There was no well on the premises, and an arrangement was made whereby the occupant of the house could have access to the well on the premises next west of it. The house was occupied for many years by John Springer, into whose possession it finally came, and he died there. Old and past repair, it was razed not many years ago.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
August 6, 1792. Voted : that Mr. Francis Malbone be requested to represent this Church, as a lay delegate, at the State Convention, to be holden in Providence.
At the Easter meeting, Edward Mumford retired from the Vestry, and Henry Sherburne and David Olyphant213 were elected Vestry- men. No other changes were made.
Easter Monday, April 1, 1794. Joseph Dyer was elected Clerk of the Church, and Samuel Whitehorne and John Handy were added to the Vestry, Handy still serving as Junior Warden.
Voted: that the Wardens, with Henry Sherburne and William Littlefield, be the Standing Committee of the Church.
214 January 13, 1795. Oliver Hazard, Raymond Henry Jones, Sarah Wallace and Matthew James Calbreth, children of Christo- pher Raymond Perry and Sarah, his wife, were baptized by Rev. Mr. Smith.
February 21, 1795. John Mawdsley was buried by Rev. Mr. Smith.
213 Dr. David Olyphant was born in Scotland ; for many years he re- sided in Newport, and died here, in the home of his adoption, April 2, 1805, at an advanced age. Previous to his coming to Newport, he had practiced in Charleston, South Carolina. He was eminent in his profes: sion, and " lived universally respected and revered." October 23, 1785, he was married to Ann Vernon, daughter of Samuel Vernon, by Timothy Waterhouse (father of Dr. Benj. Waterhouse), one of the Justices of the Court of Common Pleas. Witnesses, Major Daniel Lyman and Mrs. Lyman. Trinity Church at that time was without a Rector.
214 Capt. Christ. Raymond Perrry, then in the merchant service, re- sided in Narragansett. In 1798 he received a commission as captain in the navy, and his two sons, Oliver and Matthew, both of whom rose to the rank of commodore, and became distinguished officers, entered the navy as midshipmen. Oliver was born in South Kensington, and Mat- thew in Newport.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
March 4, 1795. Died: Governor John Collins,215 son of Governor Samuel Collins, and Hannah his wife, in his 78th year.
Easter Monday, April 6, 1795. William Crooke and William Littlefield were added to the Vestry. Standing Committee, Messrs. Sherburne and Littlefield.
Voted : that the thanks of the congregation be given to Mr. Porea,216 for his kindness in performing on the organ, and that the Rector be requested to inform him of this vote.
June 30, 1795. Mr. Auchmuty informed the Vestry, that Richard Harrison, Esq., of New York, had desired him to make the follow- ing proposal-" That he would take a lease of the house and grounds on the hill [the Kay estate] for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and would pay for the same yearly, and every year during the same time, the sum of three hundred dollars; and that on the execution of the lease he would make the Vestry a present of three hundred dollars, for the express purpose of new shingling the Church ; where- upon, after mature deliberation, it was " voted and resolved, that Mr. Harrison's offer be accepted, and that a lease be drafted and for- warded to him, for his approbation."
October 7, 1795. Major Anthony Singleton217 was buried in the church-yard.
215 Governor John Collins was engaged in business in Newport prior to the Revolution. In 1774 he was elected an Assistant. In 1778 he was a delegate to the Continental Congress, and in 1786 he was taken up by the paper money party, and elected Governor in opposition to Governor Greene ; but in 1790, having given offence to his party by casting his vote in favor of the Federal Constitution, he was dropped by those who had previously supported him.
216 This is the only mention made of Mr. Porea (of whom nothing more is known) and we are left in the dark as to why or when Meunscher, the organist, retired.
217 Major Singleton came to Newport from Richmond, Va., the pre- vious August, with his family ; but already stricken with disease, he died in a few weeks. While here he had won the esteem of many persons.
20
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
October 15, 1795. John Malbone218 was buried in the church- yard.
October 19, 1795. William Miller, of Turk's Island, died here, and was buried in the church-yard.
February, 1796. Thomas Hadley, late of the Island of Jamaica, died here in his 35th year, and was decently interred in the church- yard.
March 20, 1796. Felix, son of Citizen Arcambal,219 Vice Consul of France, and Elizabeth Charles la Suganier, his wife, was baptized. March 29, 1796.220 Baptized Ann Isabella, daughter of Cleland and Harriet Kinlock.
[Following the death of Bishop Seabury, the Standing Committee of Rhode Island addressed this letter to the Standing Committee of Connecticut :]
Newport, March 29, 1796.
To the Standing Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Connecticut :
Gentlemen : Duly impressed with a grateful sense of the bless-
218 John Malbone an eminent merchant, was Brigadier-General of the State militia at the time of
his death. His remains, attended by the Marine Society, of which he was an honorary member, were interred in the church-yard. He was the father of Edward G. Malbone, the distinguished miniature painter. On his tombstone there is this inscription :
"A gentleman whose sense of honor, liberality of sentiment, philan- thropy and benevolence, reflected lustre on his character as a merchant, citizen and friend, and justly gained him universal esteem."
219 L. Arcambal succeeded M. Augustus Berhard Monpellier, as Vice Consul. M. Monpellier removed to Bristol, and died there.
220 Cleland Kinlock was from South Carolina. He spent his summers here, with his family, for a number of years, and died at his country seat, at Statesburg, S. C., September 12, 1823, aged 64 years. At one time, while residing in Newport, he occupied the Kay estate.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
ings enjoyed by the Protestant Episcopal Church in Rhode Island, in common with those of the State of Connecticut, during the Episcopal Regency of our departed Rt. Rev. Diocesan, we conceive it our duty at this time to join with you in paying our tribute of Regard to the memory of our worthy Bishop, and to call upon you for a continuance of our common ecclesiastical interest and diocesanal unity. And as it has pleased the adorable Head of the Church to call hence our visible centre of unity, we have to request you to use your best endeavors and influence with the churches which you represent, that they lose no time in making choice of a suitable person to watch over the Doctrines, Discipline and Institu- tions of our faith and common salvation.
From the paucity of our congregations, we pretend not to any share in your election ; only to be admitted, so far do we request as to homologate your choice, and to give an adjunct suffrage and recommendation in favor of the elect, whom ye, under the direction of Almighty God, may judge worthy of filling the Episcopal chair.
And may God, of his infinite goodness and love for this Church, direct us in all things for the good of the same ; that His Name may be glorified, and the number of the faithful daily increased and re- joice in the salvation of Jesus.
We are, Gentlemen, with every sentiment of love and esteem, and with prayers for your temporal and eternal happiness, your most affectionate and very humble servants, the Standing Committee of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Rhode Island,
WM SMITH, Rect. Tr. C., N. Port,
ROBT. N. AUCHMUTY,
ABRAM L. CLARKE, Rect" St. John's Ch'h, Providence, JOHN J. CLARKE.
To the above the following answer was returned. The copy is without date or signatures.
To the Protestant Episcopal Church in the State of Rhode Island : Gentlemen :
Your polite and friendly letter of the 29th of March, last, was received by us in due time. The occasion of your address was truly
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
a melancholy one. The sudden departure of our late worthy dio- cesan cast a gloom upon the minds of his numerous acquaintances, and especially upon the members of his care. We were happy in being favored with so good a man to fill the Episcopal chair ; and we sincerely lament the great loss we have sustained.
The delay in answering your Letter until this time did not arise from any inattention to the subject. But we concluded we should be better able to comply with your request after the meeting of our Convention than before. At that meeting your letter was read, the members unanimously expressing their wish that the union between the Churches of Rhode Island and Connecticut, which had taken place under the regency of our late Rt. Rev. Diocesan, might still be continued. The event of our meeting must, ere this, have been made known to you by the Rev. Mr. Smith. We trust that our unanimous choice of the Rev. Mr. Bowden will meet the approba- tion of our sister Churches of Rhode Island. Mr. Bowden's well- known abilities and integrity, if he accepts the appointment, will, we trust, in some measure repair the loss we have sustained, and be a means of continuing and firmly establishing that Diocesanal unity which has been so happily begun between us. That God would preserve, bless and direct his Church in all things, and finally receive us into everlasting glory, is the earnest prayer of
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