USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1698-1821 > Part 18
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
mittee to inform Mr. Merriam, in reply thereto, that they received with concern his so sudden and unexpected notice of a determina- tion to leave us, at a time when our Rector was providentially absent; and to inform him also that it is impracticable for the Church to comply with the terms since personally proposed by him for continuing with us, and therefore, however reluctantly, must accept of his resignation, leaving it entirely to himself to per- form whatever part of the service of the Church he may think proper, until his departure, or the return of our Rector.
October 4, 1802. Voted: that Mr. Bours, with the Wardens, be a committee to endeavor to obtain an Assistant and School-master, in the room of Mr. Merriam, by such means as they may judge most advisable.
October 11, 1802. Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Merriam hath again signified to the Vestry, that in consequence of ill health he is unable to attend to the duties of the Church and the care also of his school, during the absence of our Rector, and is desirous of having an assistant in his school; it is therefore voted : that an allowance be made of $25.00 per month, to any proper person he may procure as an assistant, or usher, during the remaining part of the term he has consented to remain with us, agreeably to his note of the 20th of July last.
Meeting of the congregation, December 14, 1802. Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Dehon, our Rector, who has been long indisposed, hath signified to the congregation now assembled for the purpose, by his note of yesterday's date, " that the progress towards a confirmed state of health is so slow and unsteady as to afford but little hope of his performing public service during the cold weather, and being advised by all the medical gentlemen who he has consulted, to try the efficacy of a warmer climate, and is therefore induced, with great reluctance, and after much hesitation, to ask leave of absence during the winter season."
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
It is voted and resolved : that the so reasonable request of our Rector be granted in its fullest extent, and that his salary be con- tinued and paid as tho' he was present, during his absence, most earnestly praying Almighty God to preserve his life, and to restore him again, in his own good time, in perfect health to his anxious flock.
December 26, 1802. Whereas, the office of School-master and Assistant Minister will become vacant after the 25th day of January next, by the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Merriam, voted : that Mr. Bours be requested to write, by the first opportunity, to Mr. John Reed, Preceptor in the Academy in Plainfield, Connecticut, informing him of the nature of this office, and inviting him to enter on the discharge of its duties immediately after the said 25th day of Janu- ary, with the view to settlement in said office, provided it shall be found agreeable to both parties ; the terms of contract to be settled after conferring with Mr. Reed, and arranging matters relative to his receiving Holy Orders.
Meeting of the congregation, February 1, 1803. Whereas, the time for which the Rev. Mr. Merriam contracted with the Rector, Wardens and Vestry to execute the office of School-master and Assistant Minister expired the 25th ult., and the Church is now des- titute of both Rector and Assistant, the Rev. Mr. Dehon, in conse- quence of ill health, having obtained leave of absence from the con- gregation and gone on a voyage to the southward; and whereas we conceive it would prove greatly injurious to the welfare and interest of the Church to be deprived altogether of a pastor ; therefore voted and resolved : that the Wardens wait upon Mr. Merriam, and invite him to remain with us three months longer, in order to keep the congregation together (independent of the school) by reading the Prayers and performing the other duties of his office, as Deacon, and in a way the most easy and agreeable to himself; and that he be allowed and paid for his services the sum of one hundred and
237
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
twenty-five dollars, at the expiration of said term of three months ; and the Clerk of the Vestry be desired to furnish the Wardens with a copy of this vote, to be delivered to Mr. Merriam.
February 2, 1803. The following answer was this day received from the Rev. Mr. Merriam :
To the Vestry and Wardens of Trinity Church.
Gentlemen.
The resolution of the congregation, whom you represent, was re- ceived with mingled emotions of gratitude and respect-of gratitude for their indulgence towards my past services, and kind invitation to continue longer with them in a more eligible capacity ; of regret that their present embarrassment will not permit them to do justice to their feelings in offering a greater pecuniary satisfaction ; for I have a higher opinion of their generosity than to suppose they deem the sum which they have offered me an equivalent for discharging the duties of my profession. Impressed with these sentiments, and conceiving with them that it would prove greatly injurious to the welfare and interest of the Church to be deprived altogether of a Pastor, I cheerfully accept the terms proposed: lamenting not that my recompence is small, if it can be paid with the same pleasure with which my duties shall be performed.
I am gent™ with the greatest respect, Your Most devoted Servt, Element Perram.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER XVI.
1803-1806.
EASTER MONDAY, April 11, 1803. Samuel Whitehorne and Wil- liam Littlefield were chosen Wardens. The Vestrymen were the same, with the addition of Simeon Martin.
Messrs. Champlin, Brinley, Gibbs, Auchmuty, Handy, Bours, Gardiner and Martin be continued delegates to the next State Con- vention.
Voted: that the Wardens be requested to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Merriam and invite him to officiate for us for two months longer, on the terms allowed him by the congregation on the Ist of February last.
May 1, 1803. William R. Robinson and W“ Crooke were chosen Wardens, in place of Messrs. Whitehorne and Littlefield, who de- clined serving.
June 27, 1803. Voted : that the Wardens be requested to settle with the Rev. Mr. Merriam, he having notified the congregation that he should leave them this week, and that the money be raised by subscription. Eighty dollars were paid Mr. Merriam, to pay Mr. Jabez Whitaker, as an assistant three months.
Meeting of the congregation, August 7, 1803. Whereas, Daniel Vernon, sexton of the Church, hath resigned said office, voted : that Uriah Gorton be sexton for the remaining part of the year, to Easter Monday, and that he receive the same salary and all other privileges allowed to said Vernon.
September 27, 1803. Voted: that a lot of land, of two acres,
239
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
situated on the Hill, in Newport, and which is now offered for sale to the Church for $460, be purchased with the money for which the lot in the Church lane was sold to Simeon Martin ; the balance of 560 to be made up by subscription, and that the rents and profits be appropriated to the sole use and benefit of the Rector for the time being, agreeably to the will of Nathaniel Norton.
October 19, 1803. Rev. Clement Merriam was married to Eliza- beth Hastie.
November 2, 1803. Be it remembered that whereas the lot of land of two acres, purchased by Mr. Francis Brinley at public auction, has been generously given up to the Church for the same money he paid for it, in order to accommodate them ; it is to be understood, and it is the intent and meaning of the Vestry, that no buildings may be erected on said lot, whereby his rope-walk, or the adjoining buildings, may be endangered by fire, or in any other way or manner, injured thereby.
Voted : that the Revd Mr. Dehon be requested to write to Mr. John Ward, at present residing in the town of Harrinton, Ct., who, we are informed, is a candidate for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church, and inform him of the situation of our Church, and invite him to come to Newport, as soon as may be, in order that we may have a conference with him upon the subject of settling him as our Assistant Minister and School-master.
November 20, 1803. John Bernard Gilpin237 was married to Mary E. Miller.
December 5, 1803. Voted : that the Wardens wait upon Mr.
237 The President of the United States issued his exequatur, acknowledg- ing Mr. Gilpin as British Vice Consul for Rhode Island and Connecticut. Mrs. Gilpin died in 1814, and was buried in the church-yard, June 27th of that year. Mr. Gilpin died in Nova Scotia. Mrs. Gilpin was a daugh- ter of Capt. John Miller.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
John Ward, who has come to Newport, in consequence of the in- vitation lately given him, and inform him that the Vestry have agreed to pay him at the rate of $25 per month, being the same sum allowed the Revª Mr. Brunson and the Revª Mr. Merriam for their services during the absence of the Rector, and until it is ascertained whether a permanent settlement takes place with us, on Mr. Kay's foundation.
February 6, 1804. . Whereas, Mr. John Ward, who has officiated in the Church as a Lay Reader, since the absence of the Revª Mr. Dehon, has signified to the Vestry that he is under the necessity of returning home within a few days, and that he will soon after arriv- ing there and consulting his friends, resolve whether he will accept of our invitation given him some time past, to a permanent settle- ment, as School-master and Assistant Minister, on Mr. Kay's dona- tion, voted : that he be paid $100 for his services since he has been with us, including his travelling expenses to and from Newport, out of the rent due from Richard Harrison, Esq., and that he be requested to tarry with us two Sundays more, before he sets out on his journey.
Voted : that Mr. Bours, with the Wardens, furnish Mr. Ward with letters of presentation to Bishop Jarvis,238 in order to enable him to obtain Deacon's Orders, upon his acceptance of the permanent set- tlement of School-master and Assistant Minister, which has been offered him.
March 19, 1804. Mr. John Ward having declined the offer made
238
Right Revª Bishop Jarvis was born at Nor- walk, Ct., in 1739, and
died in 1813. He graduated at Yale College in 1761, and was elected Bishop of Connecticut in 1797. He preached the funeral sermon of Bishop Seabury, and became his successor as Bishop.
24I
NEWPORT. RHODE ISLAND.
him, voted : that Mr. Bours be requested to write to Mr. John Reed, at - and inquire of him whether he is disengaged, and will, upon receiving a proper and regular invitation, enter into Holy Orders, and become our Assistant Minister and School-master.
Easter Monday, April 2, 1804. Wm Littlefield and W" Wood elected Wardens. Mr. George Gibbs was added to the Vestry. April 30, 1804. Voted : that the Wardens, with Mr. Champlin and Mr. Bours, be a committee to make inquiry relative to the pro- curing a new bell for the Church, in the room of the one which has hung therein and in use for sixty-three years, and now appears of a sudden to be cracked, and is become useless.
The committee appointed on the 5th of December last, to inquire into the state and situation of the lots at the south end of Thames Street, part of Mr. Kay's donation, having verbally reported to the Vestry that they had performed said duty, and are clearly of the opinion that it would be greatly to the advantage of said donation, and much better to answer the design of the pious and benevolent donor, to dispose of said lots and purchase with the proceeds a lot of land, or other real estate, in the Town of Newport; it is, there- fore, voted and resolved : that Wm. Hunter, Esq., be requested to draft a petition to the General Assembly, in the name of the Rector, Wardens and Vestry, to be presented at the next session, for per- mission to dispose of said lots for the most they will sell for, and to purchase other real estate with the proceeds, and that General Martin be desired to present the same.
May 31, 1804. Whereas, the committee chosen at our last meet- ing, to make inquiry relative to the procuring a new bell, have now made report that they have attended to said duty, by applying to the several bell founders in Boston, and the State of Connecticut, to know the lowest terms on which they would undertake to recast the old bell, and whereas it appears from the documents, now laid before us by the committee, that the most eligible terms are re-
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
ceived from John Morgan, Esq., at Hartford ; therefore voted and resolved ; that the said committee be requested to ship the bell by the first conveyance to Hartford, by water, first having her weighed ; and that they use their endeavors to have her recast, and returned to us as soon as possible. And the Wardens are further requested to take out a subscription, in order to raise money to pay the expense.
A letter wrote by the committee to Mr. Morgan, at Hartford, requesting his further assistance with regard to the bell, being read, was approved of, and the committee desired to forward the same by the first mail.239
July 2, 1804. Whereas, the petition from the Vestry to the Gen- eral Assembly, for permission to dispose of the lots at the south end of Thames Street, has not been granted, therefore voted : that the Wardens, with Messrs. Sherburne, Bours and Francis Malbone, be a committee to make particular inquiry into the state and situa- tion of said lots, and report as soon as may be to the Vestry their opinion what ought to be done with them, to promote in the best manner the charitable design of the donor.
August 6, 1804. The committee appointed at the last meeting reported that they had caused the lots to be surveyed and a plat
239 In June, 1804, the committee accepted the bid of Fenner & Crocker, bell founders, at Hartford ; the work of moulding and casting a new bell to be done by Mr. Doolittle, who had a good reputation in that line. The old bell was to be used as far as it would go, and the new metal to bring it up to the required weight, was to be furnished by the contractors.
In giving their orders, the committee wrote to the contractors: " We are extremely anxious to have another [bell] as near as possible like her ; we must, therefore, enjoin it upon the founder that she be recast in the same mould and form, of the same metal and thickness, and in every particular as exactly as may be like her; it being the opinion of several persons, who are supposed to be good judges, that its shape in a great measure contributed to its loud and melodious tone."
The bell, when cast, weighed twelve hundred pounds.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
made thereof. Voted: that the said committee ascertain what, in their opinion, may be the value of each and every lot to be disposed of for the money, on a lease to be given by the Vestry for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years ; and that Tate's estate be included likewise in said estimate, and report their doings to the Vestry at their next meeting for their concurrence.
August 14, 1804. Voted : that the thanks of the Vestry be pre- sented to Mr. Jabez Dennison for his obliging attention to our re- quest to take a survey of the Church lots at the south end of Thames street, and presenting us with a plat of the same, without any com- pensation for his trouble; and that the clerk present him with a copy of this vote.
Voted : that the report of the committee appointed at our last meeting to ascertain the value of the lots at the south end of Thames street, be accepted, and that the same gentlemen, with the addition of Mr. Wm. R. Robinson, be continued a committee to dispose of said lots, agreeably to said report, and that they inform the Vestry, from time to time, of their proceedings in the business.
September 3, 1804. Whereas the church bell hath been recast, and is now replaced, as formerly,
Voted : that the sexton ring her as usual, at sunrise, one of the clock, P.M., and at nine in the evening, and that he be permitted to raise money by a general subscription, to reward him for doing the same.
Berkenhead,24 who has officiated on the organ for several years past, having suddenly left the Town and Church,
240 J. L. Berkenhead, who was blind, and who was far from reliable, was admitted to be a very good organist when at his best, but his habits were such that he was elected organist from year to year "on his good behavior," He had no difficulty in securing pupils, when he chose to give them proper attention. He died in October, 1810.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted : that inquiry be made for a suitable person to succeed him.
October 1, 1804. Voted : that the rent of the church lots at the south end of Thames street, if not previously sold at the valuation reported by the committee, be fixed, after the expiration of their present parole leases, at the lawful interest of the sum they were re- spectively rated at ; except lot No. I and half of No 2 together, at $24.
November 5, 1804. Voted : that the Wardens settle the accounts standing between the Church and Mr. Joseph Dyer respecting the house and lot he has occupied for several years past, which was be- queathed to the poor of the Church by William Tate, and that in said settlement they ascertain what is now due to the poor from the Church on account of said estate.
Voted : that the committee take into consideration the circum- stances attending the Tate estate, and make inquiry whether said estate can be also disposed of on a long lease, as well as the lots not yet disposed of in that way.
Voted : that the above committee dispose of one-fourth part of the lot adjoining eastward the lot on which Daniel Ginnedo has a dwelling-house standing, to said Ginnedo, provided he purchase the half lot on which said house stands.
November 26, 1804. Whereas the church bell, which has been lately recast, has again become useless in consequence of a crack, voted: that Mr. Bours write a letter to Mr. Stanley Carter, a bell- founder at Raynham, State of Massachusetts, and invite him to come to Newport, in order that we may confer with him upon the subject of recasting it at his foundry.
December 3, 1804. The committee reported the following val- uation of the lots at the south end of Thames street, to be dis- posed of for the money, on a lease of nine hundred and ninety- nine years, and their report agreed to by the Vestry.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
No. 1.241 At present occupied by John Whitehorne,
$ 335 00
2. One-half,
The other half (No. 2) by Daniel Ginnedo,
.
80 00
160 00 3. Unimproved, .
“
4. Improved by Wm. Gyles' heirs, · 160 00 5. " John Howard, · 140 00
6. & 7. 66 John Price, all 4, . . 258 00
" 8. & 9. Not occupied by any one,
" IO.
66 67 00
$1200 00
January 14, 1805. A communication being received from the Rev. William Patten, conveying in behalf of the committee of the Second Congregational Church and Society, an offer of the use of the bell belonging to said "Church and Society, to the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, till the loss sustained in the fracture of their own may be replaced," resolved unanimously that the thanks of this body be given to the said committee for the very friendly and obliging offer, of which we should gladly avail ourselves, if a previous arrangement had not been made for placing the school-house bell in the belfry of the Church, for the present use of the Society.
Resolved also : that the Rev. Mr. Dehon be requested to trans- mit to the Rev. William Patten a copy of this resolution.
Voted : that the report of the committee, presented at our last
241 Lot No. 1 and half of No. 2 leased to John G. Whitehorne for 999 years, for $335 ; half of lot No. 2 and lot No. 3 leased to Daniel Ginnedo for $240 ; No. 4 leased to Charles Gyles ; No. 5 to William Howard ; Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9 leased to William Wilder ; No. 10 to Arnold Hiscox.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH.
meeting, upon the Tate242 estate, be accepted; the statement made of the account between the Church and said estate be entered in the ledger by the Clerk, and that the sum of ten dollars be paid annually to the poor of the Church, at Christmas, after this year, agreeably to said report.
242 William Tate's will was dated June 7, 1758. The following is the clause in which Trinity Church was interested :
" Item. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife, Mary Tate, all my estate, real and personal, for and during the term of her natural life, to her only proper use and behoof.
" And my will further is, that if my said wife shall think it needful to sell and dispose of my messuage, or dwelling house, where I now live at Newport, aforesaid, together with the lot of land whereon the same stands, together with the buildings, improvements and appurtenances to the same belonging, then I give her full power and authority to grant, bargain and sell the same to any person or persons that shall purchase it, and to sign, seal and duly execute a good deed of conveyance thereof in fee simple, which shall be for the maintenance of my said wife during her life ; and after the decease of my said wife, what shall be then remaining of my said estate I give and bequeath the same unto the poor people then be- longing to the Church of England, in Newport, aforesaid, to be dis- tributed to and among them, in equal parts and proportions, by such per- son or persons as my said wife shall nominate and appoint for that purpose."
William Tate was married to Mary Iverson, May 21, 1731. He was a blacksmith. Mrs. Tate died in the autumn of 1780, leaving no instruc- tions as to who should distribute the estate. What disposition was made of the property after her death cannot now be ascertained. The Revo- lution was not closed, and probably the estate was but of little value for some time after that date. April 5, 1798, it was rented to Joseph Dyer at $30 per annum, the Church to keep it in repair. The rent was paid up to December 25, 1804, and after deducting the expense of repairs, the Church realized but $164.72 for the six years and more that it had been so occupied. In 1806 the property was leased to John Yeomans, for 999 years, the consideration being $800, which sum was placed to the credit of the poor fund. But the Church did not realize more than $700 on the notes given by Yeomans, which sum was invested in the " Clarke
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Feb. 19, 1805. Voted : that the terms proposed by Fenton & Cochran, of New Haven, to cast a bell of new materials, be ac- cepted, and that Mr. Bours, with the Wardens, write to them by the next mail, advising them thereof, and that the cracked bell shall be sent on to New York and delivered to their order, as soon as the weather will admit of the packets passing with safety.
Voted : that the several lots of land at the south end of the Town be advertised in the Newport Mercury, to be sold at public auction, on the 25th day of March next, unless previously disposed of at private sale.
Meeting of the congregation, March 3, 1805. The gentlemen of the Vestry having reported that they had made a contract with Messrs. Fenton & Cochran to cast a bell of the same weight of the old one, of entirely new materials, they agreeing to receive the one recast at Hartford in part pay. Voted : that the congregation ap- prove of their doings, and that Messrs. Jacob Smith and Peleg Wood, Jr., be requested to solicit contributions from the congrega- tion to pay for the same.243
lot," so called, on Catharine Street. In April, 1822, the Vestry ordered the sale of the "Clarke lot," at not less than $600 ; but the committee to whom the matter was intrusted, saw fit to lease it to Thomas Harkness, for 999 years, for the sum of $645. The substitution of a lease for a fee simple deed had the tacit approval of the Vestry ; which body subse- quently made good the loss that had been sustained and passed $800 to the credit of the poor fund. This sum is intact to the present day. 243 March, 1805. List of subscribers for the new bell :
Francis Brinley, $10.00
Thos. Dennis, . $8.00
Christ. Champlin,
20.00 Steph. T. Northam, . 5.00 .
J. Bours. .
10.00
Saml. Browne. . 5.00
Caleb Gardner,
10.00
WVm. Crooke,
. 5.00
Sim. Martin, 8.00
J. Bours, Jr., . 5.00
P. Wood, Jr.,
8.00
J. Gilpin, 5.00
Jacob Smith,
10.00
Edw. Easton, . 5.00
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
March 4, 1805. Voted : that the Wardens execute a lease for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, of the house and lot given by William Tate, late of Newport, in his last will and testa- ment, for the benefit of the poor of our Church, to Mr. John Yeo- mans, upon said Yeomans paying the sum of eight hundred dol- lars, by two notes of hand, payable at one of the banks of Newport, one for four hundred dollars, payable with interest, in one year, and the other for the same sum, with interest likewise, in two years from the date of the said lease.
Voted : that the advertising the several lots of land at the south end of the Town, to be sold at public auction on the 25th of this month, agreeably to a resolve of the Vestry at their last meeting, be omitted as unnecessary.
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