USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1698-1821 > Part 21
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252 Alexander. V.Griswold. Rt. Revª Bishop Griswold, born at Simsbury, Ct., April 22, 1766, was ordained priest, October Ist,
I799. After his ordination he had charge of several small parishes in his native State. In 1804 he was settled at Bristol, R. I., as Rector of St. Michael's. He was consecrated in Trinity Church, New York, in May, 18II, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop White; but his connection with St. Michael's did not terminate till 1835, when he gave his whole attention to the Episcopate.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
him on his safe return to this place, to acknowledge the receipt of the above communication, and to thank him for his kind and benevolent offer of continuing with us till the ensuing autumn, assuring him that it is with pleasure that we accept thereof, expect- ing within that time we shall be so fortunate as to settle a Rector in our Church.
[The committee addressed a letter to Bishop Jarvis, of New Haven, asking him to recommend a clergyman to take charge of the parish. A little later Revd Salmon Wheaton came to Newport bearing a letter from Revª Bela Hubbard, of New Haven.]
Dear Sir :
New Haven, July 11, 1810.
The bearer is the Revª S. Wheaton, A.M., of Yale College, of handsome talents, and of much literary accomplishment for his age ; a close student, and who bids fair to make a useful member of society in general, and of the Church of God in particular. For some months past he has been assisting me in my church, to uni- versal satisfaction. He makes an exchange with Mr. Seabury, of New London, and contemplates going to Newport, and would spend a Sunday in your Church, and, attached, as I know you are, to our most excellent Church, I presume to solicit your attention so far to my young friend, as to give him an introductory letter to such person or persons of that Church as you shall think proper. I am, dear sir, with sentiments of esteem, your old and affectionate friend,
Bela Hubbard
John Bours, Esq., Mr. Wheaton is in Priests' Orders.
[Mr. Bours was at that time in New London, and on the receipt of the above letter he wrote to the Wardens :]
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
New London, July 16, 1810.
Gentlemen :
You will be sensible of the propriety of my forwarding to you the enclosed letter by the bearer of this, the Revª Mr. Wheaton, from its contents. To add to a recommendation from so respect- able and good a character as Doct" Hubbard, were I able to do it, might, perhaps, be judged superfluous; shall, therefore, only ob- serve, that Mr. Wheaton officiated in the Church here, all the day yesterday, the Revª Mr. Seabury being absent on a journey, to uni- versal approbation.
I am extremely anxious to return to my native town once more, and to reunite with you in public worship, in that Church, in whose courts it has been the most fervent wish of my soul to dwell, but the delicate situation of my health is such that I greatly fear it is otherwise ordered.
That the congregation may be united in the choice of a Rector, and our Church again prosper and flourish, and thereby the cause of our holy religion promoted, is the ardent prayer to heaven of,
Gent" your old brother, affectionate friend and Obedt humble servant
J. BOURS.
Messrs. Littlefield and Mumford,
Wardens of Trinity Church, Newport.
[With the above there was the following letter from Rev. Mr. Hubbard to the Wardens of Trinity Church :]
New Haven, July 12, 1810.
Gentlemen :
In consequence of your letter to me, under date of the 21st ult., the Reverend Salmon Wheaton makes you a visit, conformably to the wishes you expressed. The testimonials it will be proper for him to submit to your inspection, will inform you of his orders. This letter may serve to certify, as far as I know, that his life and
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
behavior have been agreeable to the tenor and requirements specified in the general canons of our Church. For the relief of the Rector of Trinity Church in New Haven [Rev. Bela Hubbard] the vestry engaged him to officiate in said Church, which he has done for some months past I believe to the approbation of the congregation. I have no cause to doubt the correctness of his principles, and therefore think him deserving of confidence, in regard to soundness in faith, as it may relate to doctrines, government and discipline of the Church.
Commending you and your Church to the protection and bless- ing of Almighty God,
I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient humble Servant in Christ, BELA HUBBARD.253
[Revª John Ward, who had been school-master and assistant minister, and for a short time filled the pulpit after the resignation of Revd Mr. Dehon, having closed his connection with the Church at this time, and left the town, the following letter was addressed to him by Mr. Samuel Whitehorne, the Senior Warden. ]
Newport, July 26, 1810.
Revª John Ward.
Dear Sir :
I am directed by the Vestry of Trinity Church to pay you for your kind services in officiating in said Church, from the
252 Revª Bela Hubbard died in 1812. "The faithful missionary, the pious priest, the watchful pastor, after a life spent in the service of his Master, was called to his reward on the 6th day of December, 1812. His name is yet green among the children of those who knew and loved him, and enjoyed his ministrations, and is never mentioned by them but with affection and veneration .- His. of Trinity Church, New Haven.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
resignation of Mr. Dehon until your departure, at the same rate of salary paid him, say seven hundred dollars per annum. After deduct- ing for one month and five days paid you as an Assistant Minister during the time which, as per statement enclosed, you will find a balance in your favor of two hundred and twenty-three 616 dollars, which my brother will hand you, by whom I send this.
The reversed account inclosed, annexing a receipt for the balance, you will please sign and hand him.
I have taken this mode of remitting you the money, not knowing when I should have the pleasure of seeing you in Newport.
I am, Revª Sir, Your respectful friend,
SAM. WHITEHORNE, Senior Warden.
[The following letters at this time passed between Rev. Salmon Wheaton and a committee of the Vestry :]
New Haven, Aug. 21, 1810.
Gentlemen :
The importance of the subject and my not returning to New Haven quite as soon as was expected, must be my apology for delaying to write to you.
When I consider the pleasant local situation of Newport, the kind- ness and hospitality of its inhabitants, the state of your Church, and, above all, the perfect unanimity with which I was elected your Rec- tor, I am strongly inclined, I am very desirous, to accept your invi- tation. My friends also, and the friends of our Church, are solicitous that I should.
But on the other hand, there is some difficulty in my own mind, and in the minds of my friends, with regard to the salary. I am sensible it would be abundantly sufficient for my support were I to remain a single man. How long that will be I can't say. Like other young men, I am liable to have a family. From a statement of your late worthy Rector, Dr. Dehon, and from the result of many other inquiries, I am inclined to believe that the salary proposed will hardly be sufficient for the support of a clergyman at housekeeping. If I know my own heart, money is not the object for which I entered
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
into the sacred ministry. I wish nothing unreasonable, but I do wish to be in comfortable circumstances, and I am confident your Church have it in their power to place me in such. May we not then adopt some expedient which will accommodate both the con- gregation and myself?
I think I should be well satisfied to accept what you have pro- posed, so long as I might remain unmarried, provided you will agree to raise the salary in case I should marry. How much it ought then to be raised you who have families are better judges than myself. Relying, therefore, wholly on your candor and good- ness, I respectfully submit it to you to say whether or not such a conditional addition to the salary shall be made and, if so, what that addition shall be.
That God may bless our excellent Church, and especially that part to which you belong, is the sincere prayer of
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient and humble Servt
Salmon Wheaton
Messrs. Gentlemen of the Committee.
Newport, Augst 24, 1810.
Reverend Sir:
In consequence of your letter of the 21st inst., received last evening, a vestry has been called this day, who consider us a com- mittee appointed by the congregation to invite you to become the Rector of our Church, and to make a specific offer of emoluments to you, in case you accept the office, which they have no power to alter.
The letter from the Bishop of Connecticut to a former committee, and that from Dr. Hubbard to Mr. Bours, both forwarded by you, together with your performance, have hitherto commanded unanimity in our Church; should a congregation be assembled and a majority consent to the terms proposed by you, we know of no compulsory means to bind the minority, and it might tend to discord in the Church. It is our wish, and we believe it to be the
19
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
general wish, that our Rector should have a decent and competent support, and if, on trial, our present offer should be found insuffi- cient for that end, we trust the congregation, on a fair representa- tion, would not fail to make it such.
The time is now short that we can expect the voluntary benevo- lence of Doctor Dehon, to keep our Church open ; we therefore wish that, as soon as your decision is made, it may be communicated to Your Obedient Humble Servants,
FRANCIS BRINLEY, EDWARD EASTON, SAM. WHITEHORNE, Committee.
Revª Salmon Wheaton, New Haven.
New Haven, September 4, 1810.
Gentlemen :
I have again to apologize for delaying to write you. To leave my friends and near connections, and take the oversight of the Church of God in a land where, but a few weeks since, they were all strangers, you must be sensible is no small undertaking. I have taken time to deliberate on the subject and weigh the contents of your letter. My opinion is still the same, that the salary is quite too small ; but I confess there appears to be much propriety in your remarks, as respects calling another meeting of the congregation. I have been in Newport but two Sundays; of course it cannot be expected that I have the confidence of the people to any very great extent ; and to press at this time an addition to the salary might, as you very justly observe, tend to discord in the Church, especi- ally as you have no law, as in Connecticut, to bind the minority. On the whole I have thought it advisable to come to Newport upon the terms that you have proposed ; and if after being there a suffi- cient time to become acquainted with the people, I see no reason to alter my mind, shall expect to be instituted your Rector according to the office prescribed by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.
My time to remain here according to contract will expire on the 23d of next month, when I shall be at liberty to be with you. To
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
be sure, I have a right to leave N. Haven at any time ; but it will be more convenient for me, and for the people of this Church, to have me stay my time out ; and if it is not very material with you, I should by all means wish it. My engagement was with the Ves- try, and a conditional one, as I told you; but I find it to be the general expectation among the congregation, that I am to remain until the time I have mentioned. It will give them an opportunity to do something about procuring another assistant for Dr. Hubbard. I shall also be able in the mean season to visit my friends and make arrangements for my removal.
With sentiments of respect and esteem I am,
Gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,
SALMON WHEATON. 25
Messrs. Brinley & Co., Committee of the Episcopal Church, Newport, Rhode Island.
254 In 1808, at the request of Rev. Bela Hubbard, Rev. Mr. Wheaton was engaged as Assistant Minister of Trinity Church, New Haven, where he remained in the active performance of his duties till called to Newport, in October, 1810, as Rector of Trinity Church, which office he held till 1840, when he resigned his charge, removed to Johnstone, New York, be- came the Rector of St. Michael's Church in that town, and there remained up to the time of his death, in 1844. September 24, 1812, Rev. Dr. Wheaton was married to Miss Ann Dehon, sister of Rt. Rev. Bishop Dehon, by Rev. Dr. Gardiner, in Trinity Church, Boston.
On the right of the chancel in the Church, there is a monument cor- responding in details to that on the left, to the Rev. Marmaduke Browne, bearing this inscription :
To the Memory of SALMON WHEATON, D.D. An Eminent Christian. For thirty years the Faithful Rector of this Church, Who died December 24th, 1844, aged 62 years. Also to ANN DEHON, his Wife, Who died December 8th, 1855, aged 73 years. Their mortal Remains rest in a tomb under St. Paul's Church, Boston, Mass. Behold the spirits of the Just, Whose faith is changed to sight.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The committee replied :
Newport, September 11, 1810.
Rev. Sir: Your esteemed favor, under date 4th inst., was duly received, and was laid before the Vestry, who were much pleased with your determination to come among us.
We shall be happy to see you as early as you can make it con- venient, but consider that you cannot, consistent with propriety and sense of duty, leave the Church at New Haven, before the expira- tion of the time you agreed on, unless a successor to you should in the mean time be appointed.
With sentiments of esteem and respect, we are,
Revª Sir, Your Obed. and h'ble servt's,
EDWARD EASTON, SAML. WHITEHORNE, Committee.
For themselves and Francis Brinley, absent.
July 30, 1810. The Wardens were instructed to borrow two hundred dollars to pay the balance due Rev. Mr. Dehon and Rev. Mr. John Ward. Captain Littlefield was to engage Miss Towle as organist, and to employ Mr. Berkenhead to give her two lessons a week, for one quarter, at the expense of the Church.
October 1, 1810. Voted: that Benj. Gardiner's account for his expenses in attending the convention of the Eastern Diocese, at Boston, Sept. 24th, as a delegate, being $15.91, be paid by the Wardens.
Voted : that the thanks of the Vestry be given Benj. Gardiner,
The use of the pew under the monument was given to Miss Ann Wheaton, youngest daughter of Rev. Dr. Wheaton, during her life, and is still known as "the Wheaton pew."
The eldest daughter, Sarah Gibbs Wheaton, became the wife of Dr. David King, a physician prominent in his profession, distinguished for his many sterling qualities of heart and mind, and a devoted friend of the Church. He died March 7th, 1882, and in August of the same year his widow also expired.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Esq., for his faithful service rendered to the Church in his attend- ance upon the convention of the Eastern Diocese, at their two last meetings, and that the Clerk of the Vestry present him with a copy of the above.
October 25, 1810. The Wardens were requested "to have the Congregation convened on Friday morning, at 10 o'clock, for the purpose of receiving a communication from the Rev. Doctor Dehon."
At that meeting the following letter was read :
Newport, 22d Oct., 1810.
Gentlemen :
Being informed that your Rector-elect will be here on the first Sunday of November, and a convenient opportunity offering for me to embark for Charleston next week, I have presumed that next Sunday will be the last of my regularly officiating with you. I ought to observe to you, Gentlemen, that since the date of my res- ignation of the Rectorship of the Church, I have not felt myself entitled to the use of the parsonage-house by any formal arrange- ment. But not having been on the spot at the time, to have re- moved my family, and there not having appeared any necessity to remove them since, we have continued in it. For the rent thereof I will account with the Wardens, or in any other way that you shall direct. You will also indulge me with observing that although no objection was made to the resignation, yet the customary acknowl- edgement of the acceptance of it by the corporation, to whom it was addressed, has not been transmitted to me in their behalf. This acknowledgement I could wish to receive before I take my leave of the congregation.
In making this communication to you, gentlemen, I cannot help looking back upon the series of years in which we have jointly, and with the utmost harmony, superintended the concerns of the Church in this place. It is pleasant to me to find nothing in the retrospect which indicates a want of union and fidelity; and while my most earnest prayers are offered to Heaven, that with equal peace, and
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
greater prosperity, you may continue to manage the same impor- tant interests, I pray you to be assured, that to me, the most pain- ful thing in the review of my connection with the Vestry, arises from the consideration that it is now to be terminated.
I remain, gentlemen, with esteem and best wishes for your wel- fare, your obliged and obedient servant,
THEODORE DEHON.
The Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church.
At a meeting of the Wardens, Vestry and congregation of Trinity Church, held at the Church on Friday, the 26th day of October, 1810,
Resolved unanimously, that this Corporation accept the resigna- tion of the Revª Doctor Theodore Dehon as Rector of this Church, as communicated to this Corporation by his letter of February last, and do the same impressed with sentiments of esteem, respect and affection for him personally ; with gratitude for the favors conferred on us for several months past, and with feelings of real regret at taking leave of a clergyman, whose services during his connection with us, have been highly valuable and acceptable, whose conduct and deportment have been uniformly correct, dignified and scrupu- lously moral, and, as we sincerely trust and believe, influenced by the precepts and example of his and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Newport, October 26, 1810.
The Revª Doct" Theodore Dehon,
Dear Sir :
In reply to your letter of the 22ª inst., we beg leave to observe that your's from Charleston, addressed to the Corporation of Trinity Church, is not now before us; we understand it to be in the posses- sion of Capt. Littlefield, who is absent from town; we must, there- fore, apologize to you for referring to it from recollection only. We believe it to have been dated after the middle of February. The first meeting of the Vestry after that time was on the 13th of March.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
We think you mentioned your intention to be in Newport early in the spring ; it was therefore supposed that any answer to it would not arrive in Charleston until after you had left it, and we did not con- ceive that our acceptance of your resignation at that time was of material consequence to you; we are much concerned that the omission should have occasioned you any embarrassment. We deem the use of the parsonage-house since your resignation a very inadequate compensation for the valuable services you have during that period rendered the Church. We enclose a resolution of the corporation duly accepting your resignation, and have adopted this form, presuming it to be correct and satisfactory to you. In this resolution, sir, as members of the congregation we have already ex- pressed our feelings-gratitude for your services, and sorrow for your departure ; permit us to say, that as members of the Vestry for so many years associated with you in the superintendence of the concerns of the Church in this place, that we sincerely recipro- cate your assurance, " that the most painful thing in the review of our connections arises from the consideration that it is now to be terminated."
With sentiments of the highest esteem and respect, and with best wishes for your welfare, sir, for and in behalf of the Vestry and Wardens of Trinity Church, I remain
Your Obedt Humble Servt B. B. MUMFORD, Clk of the Vestry.
At a special Vestry meeting Oct. 29, 1810,
Voted : that the Wardens, with Benj. Gardiner, Esquire, be a committee to wait on the Revª Doctor Dehon, and present him the thanks of the Vestry for his excellent sermon delivered yesterday, and request a copy of the same for the press.255
November 5, 1810. Voted unanimously, That the polite and kind offer of Messrs. Levi Tower and Samuel O. Auchmuty to officiate,
255 This was the last sermon that Bishop Dehon preached in Trinity Church.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
the first as Clerk of the Church, and the second as organist, be accepted and acknowledged ; and that they be requested to officiate under the direction of the Rector, in said stations, so long as it may be convenient and agreeable to them; or until a permanent Clerk and Organist can be obtained; and that the Clerk of the Vestry furnish each of them with a copy of this vote.
Voted: That Messrs. S. Whitehorne and Wm. Littlefield be a committee to wait on Miss Towle,256 and acquaint her, that in con- sequence of the death of Mr. Berkenhead, the offer of two young gentlemen to officiate, one as clerk and the other as organist [had been accepted] and as the Church cannot depend upon her services for any length of time in the Church, the Vestry feels grateful for her past favors and tender her with a ten dollar bill.
Voted : That Capt. S. T. Northam be a committee to inquire into the state of the School-house, now in the occupation of Mr. John Rodman,257 and report to the next Vestry.
December 5, 1810. Voted : That the Rector be requested to call the Congregation together on Sunday afternoon next, for the pur- pose of laying before them the report of the committee to whom was referred the plan for raising a permanent fund for the support and maintenance of the Church and Minister, for their approbation and aid.
Voted: That the Clerk of the Vestry have the leases given to
256 Miss Towle was the daughter of the Moravian Minister in Newport. Lacking the necessary qualifications as an organist, but desirous of perfect- ing herself, she became a pupil of Berkenhead, the former organist of the Church, the Vestry paying for such instruction ; but Berkenhead died at this time, and as it was uncertain how long Miss Towle would remain in Newport, apart from any question of her ability to fill the post, the above arrangement was made.
257 John Rodman was a Quaker, who devoted his whole attention to teaching, in which he gained the confidence of the public. He was born in 1785, and died in 1827.
i
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Richard Harrison, Esq., and to Mr. John Yeomans, recorded upon the Town records, agreeable to law, and that he pay for the same and charge it to the Church.
At a meeting of the Congregation of Trinity Church, held at the Church on the 9th of December, 1810:
Voted, unanimously : that the report of the committee to whom it was referred, to report the ways and means to raise a permanent fund, for the better support of the Minister of this Church, dated August 23, 1809, be adopted.
Voted, unanimously : that Benjamin Gardiner, Samuel White- horne, Steph. T. Northam, Thomas Handy, and Simeon Martin, Esqrs., be a committee to carry the object of that report into full effect.
At a Vestry meeting, Jan'y 7, 18II. Voted : that the report of Mr. Stephen T. Northam, relating to the School-house be accepted, and that the amount of his account for repairs on the same, $15.99, be paid by the Wardens.
Voted : That Mr. John Rodman continue in the Church school- house, for the term of one year, from the Ist of January, 18II, on the same conditions that he has heretofore had said house, and that Mr. Stephen T. Northam be requested to desire Mr. Rodman to in- struct the scholars that are under his care by Mr. Kay's donation, to teach them the catechism agreeably to the Episcopal mode, at least once a week, and that the children that are admitted in said school must produce to Mr. Rodman a certificate from the Rector, the Wardens, or one of the Vestry of Trinity Church.
Voted : That the Wardens be directed to pay the instalments as they become due, for the three shares subscribed by F. Brinley, Esq., for the Corporation of Trinity Church, at the Union Bank in this Town, agreeably to the regulations, as directed by said bank, which installments are to be paid from the monies arising from Mr. Kay's donation.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted : That the Rev. Mr. Wheaton be requested to deliver a sermon, as soon as possible, on the subject of the proposed plan for promoting the subscription for raising a permanent fund for the better support of the Church.
February 7, 1811. Voted: That the Wardens be a committee to wait upon Mr. Neupeau and acquaint him that the congrega- tion will employ him as organist on the commencement of Easter, provided he qualifies himself to officiate as such by that time, al- lowing him the same annual compensation as was paid to Mr. Berkenhead.
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