USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1698-1821 > Part 22
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[Mr. Samuel Whitehorne had heard of Mr. N'Pau in Philadel- phia, as a person who might fill the position of organist, and who, on learning that the Vestry were disposed to give him a trial, wrote to the Senior Warden, as follows. For some reason, proba- bly a want of proper qualifications, he was never appointed as or- ganist. The letter is without date :]
Sir : I thank you for your kind advice of becoming an organist in the Trinity Church at next Easter. I resolved therefore to ac- cept the kind offer of the Vestry of the Trinity Church, if those gentlemen find me qualified for it.
I therefore request you, sir, to inform those gentlemen that I wish very much that they would be very strict in their vote. And should any person of this town be better qualified to it than I, that I should rather prefer to give to real merit the preference, than to take my own advantage.
I am with respect your Obt. Servt,
FRED. N'PAU.
April 1, 1811. Voted : That the custom of carrying around the box every Sunday, immediately after the sermon, be discontinued, and in lieu thereof it be carried round on the last Sunday in every quarter.
29I
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
CHAPTER XIX.
1811-1817.
EASTER MONDAY, April 15, 181I.
Samuel Whitehorne elected Senior Warden, and Edward Easton, Junior Warden.
Vestrymen : Francis Brinley, Saunders Malbone, Benj. Gardiner, Henry Sherburne, Wm. Crooke, William Littlefield, Robt. N. Auch- muty, Benj. B. Mumford, Simeon Martin, John P. Mann, John Wood, Edward Brinley, Samuel Whitehorne, Stephen T. Northam, Edward Easton.
Benj. B. Mumford, Clerk of the Vestry, Uriah Gorton, Sexton.
Voted : that the salary of the clerk be fifty dollars per annum, and that of the sexton be thirty-nine dollars.
Voted : that Messrs. Brinley, Auchmuty, Gardiner, Crooke, Mar- tin and Whitehorne be delegates to the State Convention. The tax was to continue the same.
The Vestry were authorized and empowered to select and ap- point a clerk for the ensuing year.
Voted: that Messrs. Mumford, Thos. Handy and John G. Whitehorne be a committee to inquire whether ten scholars can be obtained, and if attainable, the committee to write to Mrs. Clarke, at New York, and propose to her to be the organist of the Church, stating to her the amount of salary (being one hundred and ten dollars) the Church is willing to give.
Voted : that the grateful thanks of this congregation be made to Levi Tower and Samuel O. Auchmuty, Esquires, for their services under the Church, the past year, and that they be requested to con-
292
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
tinue the same until the committee hear from Mrs. Clarke, at New York.
At this meeting the following note from Mr. John Bours,258 a member of the Vestry, was read :
" Mr. Bours presents his best and most affectionate regards to the Rev. Mr. Wheaton, Rector, and to the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, and requests that he may not be re-elected at the choice of Church officers, on Easter Monday next, as the in- firmities incident to his period of life, added to very ill health, ren- der him utterly unable longer to discharge his duty as a member of the Vestry.
Newport, April 13, 1811."
June II, 18II. Voted : that Thomas H. Mumford be and he is hereby appointed clerk of the Church for the remaining part of the year, at the rate of $50 per annum.
July 2, 1811. Voted : that Mr. Manchester be instructed one quarter, by Miss Towle, at the expense of the Church, and that the Wardens pay the same.
258 There had been no more prominent and efficient layman in the Church, for a period of forty-six years, than Mr. Bours ; and there is abundant evidence in the records that he was an exemplary Christian. It has been said that he was the leader of those who were opposed to Rev. James Sayre. The writer at one time entertained the same views, but he is now constrained to say there is no warrant for it. From what has since been brought to light in regard to the character of Rev. Mr. Sayre, it is evident that his mind was then diseased, and it is known that he was insane at the time of his death.
At the time of these troubles in the Church, Mr. Bours was clerk of the Vestry, and it is to his credit that there does not appear on the records any evidence of any misunderstanding between the pastor and the people.
That Mr. Bours led a godly life we may reasonably believe, for had it been otherwise the congregation would not have urged him to take orders and become their settled minister. He died July 26, 1815, in his 8Ist year.
293
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
August 5, 1811. Voted : that the Wardens wait upon Samuel O. Auchmuty, Esq., and make him the grateful thanks of this Vestry for his past favors, and request him as a particular favor conferred upon them, to officiate upon the organ until a permanent organist can be obtained, and that he be requested to accept the salary assigned to the organist.
August 19, 1811. Voted : that the resignation of Thomas H. Mumford be accepted as clerk of the Vestry.
Voted : that Captain Easton be authorized to wait upon Levi Tower, and request him to set the psalms until an organist can be procured.
September 2, 18II. Voted: that Mr. Tower be requested to set the psalms in his pew, and that he be allowed and paid at the rate of $55 per annum for the time he may serve.
October 13, 1811. Married, at Trinity Church, by Rev. Dr. Dehon, Thomas William Moore. [His Britannic Majesty's Vice Consul at Philadelphia, to Mary, daughter of George Gibbs. She died October 14, 1813.]
November II, 18II. Whereas, Mr. Mallet, an organist from Boston, has been recommended to the Vestry as a gentleman well qualified to officiate in the Church, and whereas, the Easter meet- ing restricted the salary of the organist to $110, voted : that Colonel Sherburne, be, and he is hereby authorized, to write to Mr. Mallet and acquaint him that the salary cannot be exceeded by the Vestry, but a number of gentlemen will make up that salary to $133, equal to £30 sterling.
Voted : that notice be given in the next Newport Mercury, by the Senior Warden, to the proprietors or owners of pews in the Church, unless they pay up the taxes and assessments now due, they [the pews] will be sold by public auction, agreeably to the law in such cases made and provided.
At a meeting of the congregation, held at the Church, December
294
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
16, 18II. Voted : that the report of the committee appointed for the purpose of obtaining subscribers for the fund of the Church be received, and that the subscription paper, with the report, be re- corded verbatim in the Church record book.
Voted : that the congregation present to the Bishop of the Dio- cese $100, and that a collection be made in Church on Sunday next for that purpose; and if the above sum is not collected, that the balance be raised by subscription.
REPORT.
We, the undersigned, being appointed a committee by the con- gregation of Trinity Church, on the 9th of December, 1810, for the purpose of raising by subscription the sum of $6000, to be appro- priated for a permanent fund, beg leave to report : that we have by our united endeavors accomplished the desirable end proposed, and are happy to state that the sum of six thousand and fifty dollars is now subscribed for the aforesaid, and that the subscription was completed on the 5th day of December, instant. All of which is respectfully submitted by
SIMEON MARTIN, BENJ. GARDINER, THOMAS HANDY, STEPHEN T. NORTHAM, SAML WHITEHORNE, Committee.
Newport, 16th December, 1811.
Whereas, it appears by the report of Benjamin Gardiner, Simeon Martin, Thomas Handy and Stephen T. Northam, a committee ap- pointed by the congregation, December 9th, 1810, to solicit sub- scriptions for raising a permanent fund for the better support of the Church, that they have accomplished that desirable object, by ob- taining subscriptions to the amount of $6050, being the amount
295
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
stipulated by the conditions of said subscriptions, in order to make it obligatory on the subscribers, in order to carry this laudable means into full effect. . Voted: that the Vestry of the Church be, and they are hereby authorized and empowered to take such meas- ures as they may think best for the collection of said monies, and for vesting the same whenever collected in such way and manner as they in their best judgment may think most promotive of the interest of the Church, agreeably to the conditions of the subscrip- tion ; said subscription being completed on the fifth day of Decem- ber instant.
It is further voted : that the first instalment, of twenty-five per cent. be paid on the 5th of March next, the second on the 5th of June next, the third on the 5th of September next, and the fourth and last, on the 5th of December next, and that the Vestry report their proceedings to this congregation on the first Tuesday in January, 1813.
The committee appointed by the Vestry of Trinity Church in the Town of Newport, in the State of Rhode Island, on the 21st of August, 1809, to report a plan for raising a permanent fund for the better support of Trinity Church, did respectfully offer the fol- lowing, viz :
That a subscription be opened under the direction of the congre- gation for raising the sum of six thousand dollars, payable in one year, by quarterly instalments of 25 per cent., after the aforesaid sum is subscribed; and that the first payment be made in three months after the said sum of six thousand dollars shall be sub- scribed.
That an annual contribution be solicited for raising such further sums as, in addition to the sum subscribed for (with the interest that may accrue thereon) will amount to Ten Thousand Dollars, which contribution might perhaps be made in Church, by having a
296
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
day, or part of a day, annually set apart for that purpose. That all money raised by subscription, contribution or donation, be put to interest, or vested in some description of permanent stock, under the direction of a committee to be appointed by the congregation for that purpose ; and that none of the money raised as aforesaid, or the interest arising thereon, be appropriated or used for any pur- pose whatever, until the same amount to the aforesaid sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ; after which the annual profit of said fund shall be at the disposal of the Corporation of Trinity Church, and that the subscription shall not be obligatory on any person until the amount of six thousand dollars shall be raised.
Now we, whose names are underwritten, being appointed the said committee, respectfully solicit the aid of all who have at heart the prosperity of the REDEEMER'S KINGDOM, and are desirous of pro- moting the immortal interest of man. We ask the assistance of all for the support of that religion which deeply affects the happiness [of] individuals, and on which the welfare of civil society greatly depends, that religion whose divine Author was ushered into the world by the acclamation of the heavenly hosts, proclaiming " Peace on earth and good will towards men."
Our brethren of the congregation of Trinity Church, and others who are disposed to support the gospel, are confidently invited to co-operate with us for the establishment of the proposed fund. Its sole object is the support of our excellent Church, a Church built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Him- self being the chief corner-stone. According to our ancient Liturgy many of our fathers have here worshipped. They have left an in- heritance which we cannot be so insensible as not highly to appre- ciate. Shall we not, then, exert ourselves to transmit to our chil- dren the blessings which we have the happiness to enjoy? Shall we not cheerfully contribute, according to the ability which God has given us, towards the accomplishment of what would doubtless very much tend to promote the prosperity of our Zion ? We trust there are none who do not feel the propriety and justice of providing liberally for such as may labor among us, in the Lord, even so hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel should live of the
297
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
gospel. Let us, then, enter with* earnestness upon so important an undertaking. Let us accomplish an object whose beneficial effects will happily be felt by many in our own time and to prosperity.
SIMEON MARTIN, BENJ. GARDINER,
STEPHEN T. NORTHAM,
THOMAS HANDY,
SAMUEL WHITEHORNE, Committee.
For the purpose of raising a permanent fund for the better sup- port of Trinity Church, in the town of Newport, we, the subscribers, agree and voluntarily bind ourselves and our heirs to pay the sum annexed to our respective names, by quarterly instalments of twenty- five per cent. The first payment to be made within three months after the subscription shall be completed. This subscription not to be binding, unless the sum of six thousand dollars shall be sub- scribed within two years from this date. Newport, 2Ist January, A.D., 18II. Witness our hands.
Simeon Martin, . $300 Benj. Gardiner, eight shares of the Newport Insurance Com-
pany, 400
Stephen T. Northam, .
. 300
Edward Easton, .
. 200
Samuel Whitehorne,
200
Francis Brinley, .
200
Robert N. Auchmuty, .
100
Samuel A. Auchmuty,
. 100
John G. Whitehorne, .
. 300
Robert Robinson,
. 200
S. T. Northam, for Thomas Dennis,
200
Benj. B. Mumford,
100
Jnº R. Sherman, .
. 200
Francis Robinson,
100
John Wood,
. 100
Mary Gibbs,
300
John Banister, .
. 100
.
20
·
298
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Christopher G. Champlin,259
. $100
Margaret Champlin,
. 200
Robinson Potter,
. 100
Edward Martin, .
. 100
John H. Wheelwright,
·
100
Henry Sherburne,
. 50
William Littlefield,
· 100
John P. Mann,
. 100
Mary Scott,
.
Edward Brinley, .
50
Edmund Thos. Waring,
50
John Bours,
100
Joseph Wood,
50
George W. Martin,
50
Benj. Gardiner, for Wm. Britton,
100
William Shaw, .
20
Polly Miller, a pew in the Church,
20
Benj. W. Wood, .
20
Jeremiah Lawton,
20
259
Chris . I. Champlin
attended the Con- gregational Church. He was the
son of Christopher Champlin, was born in Newport, April 12, 1768, graduated at Harvard, travelled in Europe after completing his studies, and April 14, 1793, married Martha Redwood Ellery, daughter of Ben- jamin Ellery, and granddaughter of Abraham Redwood. In 1796 he was elected a Representative to Congress from Rhode Island, but resigned before he had completed his second term. In 1809 he was elected U. S. Senator, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Francis Malbone, but an affliction that befel him in 1811 (the death of his son) led him to retire from public life. In 1808 he joined the Artillery Company, served in the ranks, then as Lieutenant, and finally as Colonel. March 28, 1840, full of years and respected by all who knew him, he passed from earth, dying in his own house in Newport. Mrs. Champlin, who was born March 13, 1772, died February 22, 1847.
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
299
John C. Phillips, .
$50
Daniel W. Barker,
20
Henry Shaw,
20
George Wanton, .
20
Chas. Baring, Jr.,. Samuel F. Gardner,
200
Jonathan Almy, .
5
William Crooke, .
. IOO
Silas Dean, .
. 50
John L. Boss,
50
William Hunter,.
50
Benj. Hazard,
25
S. Malbone,
20
Wm. C. Gardner, .
20
Miss Nancy Stewart, .
20
Francis Brinley, 2d subscription, .
20
Simeon Martin, do do
20
Stephen T. Northam, 2d subscription, .
20
Edward Easton,
20
William Littlefield,
IO
Henry Sherburne,
66
5
Samuel Whitehorne,
IO
Cash, .
IO
William Crooke, 2d subscription,
5
George W. Martin,
5
John R. Sherman, 66
20
John H. Mumford,
4
James Mumford, .
4
Edwª Brinley, 2d subscription,
12
Edwª Martin,
IO
John P. Mann, for Mary Scott, 2d subscription,
IO
John C. Phillips, 66
IO
Katharine Skinner,
50
John H. Wheelwright, 2d subscription, .
5
.
$6050
.
20
John P. Mann, 66
.
Mrs. Jane Stewart,
100
300
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
February 3, 1812. William Littlefield and William Crooke, ap- pointed to collect the first instalment of the above subscription, and they are directed to deposit the money in the Rhode Island Union Bank, to the credit of Trinity Church.
Easter Monday, March 30, 1812. Samuel Whitehorne elected Senior Warden, and Robert Robinson Junior Warden.
Vestrymen: Francis Brinley, Benj. Gardiner, Henry Sherburne, William Crooke, William Littlefield, Robert N. Auchmuty, Benj. B. Mumford, Simeon Martin, John P. Mann, John Wood, Edward Brinley, Sam1 Whitehorne, Stephen T. Northam, Edward Easton, Robert Robinson, John G. Whitehorne, Silas Dean.
Benj. B. Mumford, Clerk of the Vestry. John Springer,260 Sex- ton, with a salary of $50 per annum.
The selection of an organist was left with the Vestry.
Messrs. Francis Brinley, Auchmuty, Gardiner, Northam, Martin and Sam1 Whitehorne, delegates to the convention.
The thanks of the Congregation were extended to Levi Tower and Samuel O. Auchmuty for their respective services during the past year.
April 1, 1812. Samuel O. Auchmuty was elected organist, with a salary of $150 per annum.
260 From the time of his election as above, Mr. Springer performed the duties of sexton of the Church down to Easter, 1840, without interruption. At that time he addressed the following note to the Vestry. He was born March, 1770, and died November 4, 1850.
To the Wardens and Vestrymen of Trinity Church, Newport. Gentlemen :
I have served as Sexton of Trinity Church for the past thirty years, and have endeavored faithfully to perform the duties of said office, and would most cheerfully continue so to do, did not my age prevent it. I am now seventy-one years old, and feel that I ought to withdraw, and I there- fore respectfully request that you will not consider me a candidate for said situation.
May 12th, 1840.
301
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
May 20, 1812. Voted: that John G. Whitehorne and Capt. Northam have the trees around the Church-yard trimmed and cut agreeably to their judgment.
August 3, 1812. Voted : that $20 be presented to Mr. Levi Tower, for his services while Clerk of the Church.
December 21, 1812. Baptized Richard, the property of Margaret Nowell.261 Sponsors, Cudgo Gibbs, Harry Vaughn and Margaret Bours. Also Sarah Wilson, daughter of James and Sarah Danzell ; Sponsors, Cudgo Gibbs, Catharine Nowell and Margaret Bours.
February 8, 1813. Voted : that in future no person shall be al- lowed to order the sexton to dig any grave in the church-yard, nor shall the sexton dig any grave in the church-yard without the di- rection of the Wardens, and in their absence, by the order and di- rection of the Clerk of the Vestry.
April 12, 1813. The Senior Warden laid before the Vestry Mr. Wheaton's, the Rector's, letter, praying for an increase of salary, and it being addressed to the congregation as well as to the Vestry, Voted : that the Rector be requested to request the gentlemen of the Congregation to remain after divine service in the afternoon of Sunday next, to take into consideration the subject-matter of the Rector's letter. 262
261 The Nowells, of South Carolina, were much in Newport, Elizabeth Warden Nowell "lovely in person and amiable in manners," daughter of Edward Brown Nowell, and granddaughter of Dr. Lionel Chalmer, of Charleston, died here in 1820, at the age of 19 years. Her oldest brother, Edward Saville Nowell, lieutenant of marines, U. S. N., also died here. They were both buried in the church-yard.
262
Newport, 12th April, 1813.
To the Wardens, Vestrymen and Congregation of Trinity Church in Newport, in the State of Rhode Island.
After a residence among you of two years and nearly six months, it is with pleasure I can say, that the utmost harmony has continually pre- vailed in the Church; that much attention and kindness have been shown
302
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
April 18, 1813. At a meeting of the congregation, the Rector's letter was read, and after mature deliberation it was
Voted and resolved : that it is inexpedient to raise the Rector's salary during the present year.
Easter Monday, April 19, 1813. The Wardens, Vestry and other officers of the Church were re-elected.
me, and that my salary has ever been paid with scrupulous punctuality. Exertions, too, have not been wanting to perpetuate the temporal inte- rests of the Church by the establishment of a permanent fund. While I congratulate you on those pleasant events, it is with pain I behold the gloomy state of our political affairs, and the consequent distresses and calamities with which this town is visited.
Under all these circumstances, it is not without much reluctance I feel myself obliged to make further demands upon your goodness, in order that according to divine appointment, I may live of the gospel.
You will no doubt recollect the conditions on which I accepted the rectorship of your Church were : that if on trial my present salary should be found insufficient for a decent and competent support, the congrega- tion, on a fair representation, would not fail to make it such.
I find, since I have been at housekeeping, that my expenditures have exceeded my income, which obliges me, at this difficult time, to make this statement to you, that it may "stir up your minds by way of remem- brance."
With sentiments of esteem and respect,
I remain your obedient, humble servt., S. WHEATON.
The following letter, in reply to the above, was addressed to the Revd Mr. Wheaton :
Newport, April 23d, 1813.
Revª Sir :
The undersigned, a committee appointed by the Congregation of Trin- ity Church, to communicate to you their determination in relation to your request for an increase of salary, do themselves the honor to enclose the vote of the congregation on that subject.
We did ourselves the pleasure yesterday of waiting on you for the pur-
3º3
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Charles Manchester was elected organist, to be paid at the rate of $55 per annum.
Delegates to the Convention : Francis Brinley, Benj. Gardiner, Stephen T. Northam, Simeon Martin and Samuel Whitehorne.
Voted: that seven members shall form and constitute a quorum, at their meetings, and that they are hereby empowered to transact all business that may or shall come before them, and the business , so done and transacted by them shall be obligatory upon the con- gregation, as if done and transacted by a greater number.
October 5, 1813. Charles Welles,263 of the privateer Dart, a native of St. John's, was buried by Revª Mr. Wheaton.
December 6, 1813. Voted : that the Rector, Revª Mr. Wheaton, be and he is hereby requested to preach a sermon for the benefit of the Church at Greenfield, Massachusetts, after the Holy Days hav- ing expired, agreeable to their letters and the Bishop's recommenda- tion.
January 10, 1814. Voted : that Samuel Whitehorne, Stephen T. Northam and Silas Dean be a committee to investigate the state of the permanent fund, and that they devise some method for complet- ing it as speedily as possible, and also to consider and form a plan for the better support of the Church in the meantime, till the fund can be brought into operation.
pose of announcing and explaining to you the vote, and the views and motives of the Congregation in adopting it. It was a vote passed without a dissenting voice ; and our object in waiting on you was to make you sensible that the distress of the times justified the proceeding on the part of the congregation.
We are, with sentiments of great respect,
Your obedient, humble servants.
The above is from an unsigned draft of a letter.
263 The Dart, a British privateer, was captured off Point Judith by the U. S. Revenue Cutter Vigilant, and brought into Newport. Welles, her first lieutenant, was killed in the action.
304
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
February 7, 1814. Voted : that Mr. Benj. Hazard be requested to draft a petition to the General Assembly of this State, to raise by lottery $8000, clear of all expenses, which sum, when realized, be added to the permanent fund of the Church.
Voted : that Mr. Hazard264 be requested to present and advocate the same in the Legislature.
Voted: that this Vestry cannot approve of the request of the Rector, to call the congregation together, for the purpose of increas- ing the tax on the pews.
March 7, 1814. Voted : that a subscription be opened, and that a sum be raised (more or less) and be presented to the Rector, as a compensation from the subscribers, and that his correspondence will be laid before the congregation and a decision had upon the same.
April 4, 1814. Voted: that Messrs. Northam, S. Martin and S. Dean be a committee to wait upon Benj. Hazard, Esq., and obtain his legal opinion relating to the lease given by Richard Harrison, Esq., of New York, to this Church, and whether Mr. Harrison is not bound to keep the said estate in as good repair, and to prevent it from falling into a yearly decay, as when he received it.
264 B. Hasard Benjamin Hazard, son of Thomas G. Hazard and Mary Easton, his wife, was born in Middletown, September 9, 1774. He graduated at Brown University in 1792, was admitted at the bar in 1796, commenced the practice of law in Newport, and here followed his profession with honor during the rest of his days. As early as 1809 he was elected a Representative to the General Assembly, and only retired from that posi- tion in 1840. His ability was marked, and his integrity was never ques- tioned. He married Harriet Lyman, daughter of Major Daniel Lyman and Mary Wanton (the beautiful daughter of John Wanton) his wife. In the Wanton house on Broad street, now Broadway, he resided, and there died, March 10, 1841, aged 67 years.
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