USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1698-1821 > Part 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26
305
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
CHAPTER XX.
1817-182I.
EASTER MONDAY, April II, 1814. Wm. C. Gardner elected Senior Warden and Henry Shaw Junior Warden.
Vestrymen : Francis Brinley, Benj. Gardiner, William Crooke, Wm. Littlefield, Benj. B. Mumford, Simeon Martin, John Wood, Edward Brinley, Samuel Whitehorne, Stephen T. Northam, Edw. Easton, Robert Robinson, John G. Whitehorne, Silas Dean and Edw. Martin.
Benj. B. Mumford, Clerk of the Vestry, and John Springer, Sexton.
Charles Manchester was continued as organist, with a salary of $75 per annum.
Delegates to the Convention : Francis Brinley, S. Martin, Benj. Gardiner, Stephen T. Northam, and William C. Gardner.
Voted : that whereas, Miss Ruth Gibbs, in behalf of her family, has prayed by letter, permission to erect a monument in the Church- yard, that the prayer of said letter be, and is hereby referred to the consideration of the next Vestry, and that their opinion and de- cision thereon shall be binding upon the Congregation, as if voted this day.
Voted : that whereas, the Revd Mr. Wheaton, the Rector of this Church, has requested an increase of salary, and that the letter of the Committee, dated August 24, 1810, who were authorized by this Congregation to invite him to take charge of this Church, be laid before the Congregation, which being done, after duly considering the premises and knowing the limited circumstances of the Church
306
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
revenue and the impracticability of augmenting the taxes on the pews, that it is at the present moment inexpedient to raise his salary.
Voted: that the grateful thanks of this Congregation be made Col. Henry Sherburne, for twenty-one years of faithful services as a vestryman of this Church.
May 2, 1814. Voted : that the Senior Warden be requested to furnish the Rector with $100, to meet his expenses, to attend the General Episcopal Convention, to be convened in the city of Phila- delphia.
June 6, 1814. Voted : that the thanks, of this Vestry be, and they are hereby made to Benj. Gardiner, Esq., for his attending the General Convention, and for his correct report of its proceed- ings.
June 21, 1814. Voted : that the application of Major-Gen. Shel- don for permission to ring the bell, and to suspend several lighted lamps in the lantern, in case of an alarm, under the immediate direc- tion of the Church Sexton, be and is hereby granted, provided that Maj .- Gen. Sheldon shall cause one or more discreet persons to be stationed in the Church lantern, there to remain so long as the lighted lamps shall continue burning, to prevent the steeple from taking fire.
July 4, 1814. Voted: that whereas Mrs. Mary Gibbs having re- quested this Vestry for liberty to dig a vault in the west end of the Church-yard, for the purpose of interring her family therein, be and is hereby permitted and authorized to dig a vault 16 feet by 12 feet, she paying for the same $100, and that the ground covered by said vault remain to her, her heirs and assigns forever, in fee simple.
September 5, 1814. Voted : that the sum of $30 be paid by the Senior Warden to the Revª Mr. Wheaton, for his attendance at the convention of the Diocese, to be holden at Portsmouth.
307
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
October 17, 1814. Voted : that the Senior Warden be authorized to hire a sum of money sufficient to purchase ten cords of wood, in- cluding the cost of sawing and piling, and present the same to Mr. Wheaton, the Rector of the Church.
Voted : that the Wardens be requested to take around the box every Sunday afternoon, immediately after the sermon, to collect such donations and pew rents as may be given and paid to them.
March 13, 1815. Voted : that in consequence of the application of the Revd Mr. Wheaton, stating his pressing necessities, the Senior Warden be, and he is hereby authorized to advance him $50, and that this Vestry will lay the same before the Congregation on Easter Monday next, for their approval.
Voted : that whereas, the Revª Mr. Wheaton having made a verbal communication to this Vestry, stating, in purport, that an in- crease of salary is desirable, that Benj. Gardiner, Esq., W™ C. Gard- ner, Senior Warden, Henry Shaw, Junior Warden, and Benj. B. Mumford, Clerk of the Vestry, be a committee to wait upon him, and receive his request in writing, stating fully his views upon that subject, for the purpose of laying the same before the congregation on Easter Monday next.
March 20, 1815. The Vestry having taken into consideration the communication of the Revª Mr. Wheaton, of the 6th inst., did present him with $50, are obliged from various circumstances, candidly to inform him, that they can do no more, and that they cannot pledge themselves to supply him with his wood for the en- suing winter.
Easter Monday, March 27, 1815. The officers of the Church and the Vestrymen were re-elected, and Henry Shaw and Levi Tower were added to the Vestry.
Voted : that seven members of the Vestry shall form a quorum.
Voted: that the Trustee of the permanent fund shall make a
308
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
statement of all outstanding notes and subscriptions due to said permanent fund, together with the amount collected and funded, Easter Monday next.
Voted : that the tax due from Mr. Levi Tower,265 on his pew, No. II, in consideration of his service, by directing the organist and setting the psalms, be remitted; but the amount thus remitted ex- tends to the claims the Church has upon Mr. Tower since his occupancy of said pew, but does not extend to any demands against said pew previous to that time.
May 1, 1815. Mr. Manchester was elected organist on a salary of $75 per annum; but on the 5th of June the Wardens were in- structed "to pay off Mr. Manchester, and acquaint him that the Church has no further need of his services as an organist."
Baptized, May 4, 1815, William and Mary, both the property of Charles Baring, Esq. Sponsors, Joseph, Thomas and Nancy Bar- ing, and Nancy, a free woman of color.
June 12. Voted: that the Wardens, with Wm Crooke, Esq., wait upon Miss Mary Towle and thank her for her polite and kind offer to officiate upon the Church organ, and request she would be pleased to accept $100 per annum for the same.
Voted : that the Wardens, with Samuel Whitehorne, William Crooke, Edw. Brinley, Benj. Gardiner and Simeon Martin, Esquires, be a committee to devise ways and means for the better maintain- ance and support of the Church, and that they report in writing at our next meeting.
265 Levi Tower graduated at Brown University in 1800, and found em- ployment as assistant in Robert Rogers's school, in which school he be- came the successor of Mr. Rogers. For many years he was a prominent and successful instructor, until the infirmities of years made it necessary for him to give up teaching. He died June 4, 1854, aged 78 years.
309
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
June 27, 1815. Voted: that the report of the committee ap- pointed at our last meeting, be accepted.
Voted : that S. T. Northam and J. G. Whitehorne be a commit- tee to call upon each owner of a pew in the Church, and procure their consent in writing, to relinquish the use and occupation of their pew or pews to the Church, for the sole and exclusive purpose of having them hired out yearly at public auction, for five succes- sive years, on each Easter Monday, from Easter Monday, A.D., 1816, to the highest bidder, and the rent that may accrue by their hire, shall be applied for the support of the Church and its officers, and at the expiration of the said five years, the pews shall revert to their present owners, or their heirs or assigns, free of all incum- brance whatsoever, that may accrue within that period, and that said committee report as soon as may be convenient.
October 2, 1815. Voted : that a committee be appointed to re- pair all the damage to the Church and steeple, occasioned by the recent violent gale of wind, and that the Wardens be requested to hire $200 to meet these necessary expenses.
November 6, 1815. Voted : that ten cords of oak wood be pur- chased by the Senior Warden, and presented to the Revd Mr. Wheaton, and that he pay for the carting, sawing and piling, charg- ing the whole expense to the Church.
December 6, 1815. Voted: that all accounts against the Church, that shall or may hereafter lay dormant and unclaimed for six suc- cessive years, agreeable to the statute of limitation, of this State, shall not be allowed or paid, but be considered as given to the Church.
Voted : that the Vestry recommend to the congregation to give on each Sunday one cent to each individual of their families attend- ing Church, to be deposited in the contribution box ; and that this laudable practice commence the first Sunday in January next.
310
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
AT A VESTRY MEETING,
Holden on the 6th day of December, A. D. 1815.
Voted, Unanimously, That the Vestry recommend to the Congrega- tion to give One Cent on each Sunday, to each individual of their Family attending Church, to be deposited in the Contribution-box, when the same shall be brought round immediately after the Sermon, and that this laudable practice commence the first Sunday in January next.
Voted, That the above Vote be printed, and a Copy placed in each Pew of the Church.
A true Copy, as extracted from the Records :-
Attest,
BENJAMIN B. MUMFORD, Clerk of the Vestry.
February 5, 1816. Voted: that the Vestry recommend to the Rector, to cause the bell in future to ring but ten minutes, and to toll but ten minutes.
Voted : that pews No. 6, 10, 24, 55, 56 and 60 be disposed of at auction to the highest bidder, on the third Monday of May next, unless the amount due on them be paid previous to that day.
Easter Monday, April 17, 1816. Edward Brinley elected Senior Warden and Stephen T. Northam, Junior Warden. The Vestry- men were re-elected, with the exception of Henry Shaw.
Voted : that a tax of ten dollars be assessed on the pews below, and that a tax of two dollars be assessed on the pews above stairs.
Voted : that Levi Tower be clerk of the Church, at a salary of $50.
Voted : that no money belonging to Trinity Church, in Newport, shall be hereafter expended by the Vestry, for any other purpose
311
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
than to comply with the appropriation made on the previous Easter Monday ; for such necessary expenses as may occur for the Rec- tor's attendance on Convention and for all necessary repairs to the Church property.
May 6, 1816. Voted unanimously : that the proceedings of this Vestry forever hereafter be kept a profound secret, and that no communication whatever shall be made known, either of opinions, arguments or form of vote, to any one out of the Vestry ; except it be to a member of this body who may happen not to be present at a Vestry meeting.
Voted unanimously : that this Vestry accepts with sentiments of real pleasure and esteem, the kind and generous offer of Miss Catharine Tweedy, of placing the portrait of our late venerable pastor, the Revd Mr. Honyman,266 in the Vestry room; and that the Clerk of the Vestry furnish Miss Tweedy with a copy of this vote, as a mark of our sincere attachment to so amiable a character, and to her for her politeness and attention.
May 26, 1816. A copy of the Constitution for the Church in this State being submitted and compared, article by article, with the old Constitution now in force; thereupon voted : that Articles Nos. I and 2 be approved.
Voted : that the 3d Article be and the same is hereby approved, with this amendment, that the words "not exceeding four " be added after the word " delegates."
Voted : that Articles 4th, 5th and 6th be approved.
Voted : that Article 7th be approved, with the amendment, that the words "by any two members " be added, and the words "two votes " be stricken out.
266 This picture is the one referred to in a notice of Rev. James Hony- man, page 95, where the gift is erroneously credited to Mrs. Malbone.
312
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted : that Article 8th be approved.
July 1, 1816. Voted : that the Rector, with Messrs. Brinley and Samuel Whitehorne, be a committee to attend quarterly the ex- amination of Mr. Rodman's school, and see that the charity scholars are taught those rudiments of learning as prescribed by the will of the late Mr. Kay, and that they report quarterly to the Vestry the progress of said children in their learning.
October 2, 1816. Voted unanimously: that the thanks of this Vestry be presented to the Revª Mr. Morrice A. Lance, for officiat- ing in our church during the absence of our Rector, and that the Clerk of the Vestry be directed to transmit to him a copy of this vote, as a testimony of our gratitude and esteem.
October 2, 1816. Buried Godfrey Wainwood, aged 77 years.
October 7, 1816. Voted : that the Rector, Messrs. Benj. Gardi- ner, Samuel Whitehorne, William Hunter and Wm. Crooke, be a committee to prepare a new charter for the Church, and as soon as it is prepared, to report the same to this Vestry.
October 20, 1816. Voted : that the charter reported by the com- mittee, consisting of ten sections, having been distinctly read over, section by section, be, and the same is hereby adopted.
Voted : that the Rector be requested to notify the Congregation to meet at 12 o'clock, on Monday next, for the purpose of laying before them the aforesaid charter for their approval, amendment or rejection.
Meeting of the Congregation, October 28, 1816; the Rector being absent, Voted: that the Hon. Benj. Gardiner be moderator for this meeting,
Voted unanimously : that the Charter of Incorporation, consist- ing of ten sections, being read over, section by section, be, and the same is hereby received, approved and adopted, and that it be pre- sented to the Honble General Assembly at this, their present Octo- ber Session, for ratification and enactment.
313
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Voted : that the petition addressed to the Honble General Assem- bly, praying for the adoption of the aforesaid charter265 of incorpora- tion, being read over by the Clerk of this Congregation, be, and is hereby approved, and that he, as Clerk of the Vestry and Congre- gation, sign the same, expressive of the sentiments and wishes of this congregation.
Voted unanimously : that the Honble Benj. Gardiner, Wm. C. Gardner and Benj. Hazard, Esquires, be a committee to present the charter and petition to the Honble General Assembly for a new in- corporation, and press its adoption.
To the Honble General Assembly, to be holden at Providence, R I., on the fourth Monday of October, 1816.
The petition of the Minister, Church Wardens, Vestry and Congregation of Trinity Church in Newport, R. I., respectfully sheweth :
That from experience and the occurrence of difficulties and in- conveniences, they find that their present charter of incorporation, granted them in the year 1769, is inadequate in its powers and pro- visions for the proper and beneficial management of their business and concerns ; and they pray that a new Act of Incorporation, sub- stantially in conformity to the draft of the act herewith presented, may be enacted by the General Assembly; and they, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
By order and in behalf of the said Minister, Wardens, Vestry and Congregation of Trinity Church, Newport, R. I.
BENJ. B. MUMFORD, Sect'y of the Vestry and Congregation.
Newport, 28th October, 1816.
November 4, 1816. Voted : that the Secretary of this Vestry
268 See appendix.
21
314
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
be, and is hereby required to procure a large sheet of vellum parch- ment, and have written thereon, in a strong, legible hand, the new charter, and have the same duly authenticated by the Secretary of this State ; the whole expense to be paid by the Senior Warden out of the Church funds.
Voted : that William Hunter, Samuel Whitehorne, Esq'rs, and Benj. B. Mumford be a committee to draw up a code of By-Laws, for the future government of this corporation.
Voted : that Samuel Whitehorne, Esq., and Benj. B. Mumford be a committee to purchase a new set of books for this corporation.
Voted : that the Secretary of this Vestry be requested, and he is hereby authorized to procure a brass seal, of a reasonable size, for this corporation, and have the same handsomely engraved on the outer circle : "Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., Incorporated 1769," in the centre to have a raised cross, the head of the cross to be en- circled with these words: " God Send Grace."
Voted : that the Revd Rector be requested to commence the Evening Service in future, till the spring commences, precisely at half past two o'clock, and that he would be pleased to notify the congregation from the desk next Sunday.
December 2, 1816. Voted : that a note be addressed by the Secretary to the Revª Rector, and request that he would be pleased, should it meet his approbation, to instruct the clerk to omit the afternoon chaunt, at least during the winter season.
January 6, 1817. Voted : that the grateful thanks of this Vestry, in behalf of the congregation, be made to Miss Sarah Freebody, for her present of a large bible to the Church, and that she be furnished with a copy of this vote.
Meeting of the corporation at Trinity Church, January 13, 1817. Voted : that the new charter, adopted by the General Assembly of this State, at their October session, 1816, consisting of ten sections, having been carefully read over, section by section, and after mature
315
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
deliberation, the same be and is hereby fully approved and adopted as the charter of this corporation.
Voted : that Samuel Fowler Gardner be and is hereby elected Treasurer of this corporation till Easter next.
January 14, 1817. Voted : that Samuel Fowler Gardner, Esquire, the Treasurer, be and he is hereby authorized and empowered to dispose and to sell the three shares in the [Rhode Island] Union Bank, owned by this corporation, for the most they will command, and apply the proceeds, first, to reduce the note of $400 to $300 and, secondly, the surplus to the discharge of those debts that now exist against the Church.
March 3, 1817. Voted : that Messrs. Benj. Gardiner and Stephen T. Northam be a committee to wait upon Mr. Searl, and obtain his opinion in writing upon the responsibility of Mr. Harrison, arising upon the lease given by this corporation to him, and whether Mr. Harrison is not bound to indemnify the corporation for the destruc- tion of the house, stable, out-houses and fences, that have occurred.
Voted : that the Vestry coincide with Revª Mr. Wheaton in senti- ment, upon the utility of having divine service performed in the Church exclusive of Sundays, and they hope he will open the Church every Sunday evening, and on such other evenings as he may deem it conducive to the interest of the Church and the pro- motion of piety.
March 6, 1817. The committee appointed by the last Vestry, to obtain Mr. Searl's opinion in writing, upon the lease given to Mr. Harrison, of the Kay Estate, having presented and read the same, it is therefore voted : that the report of the committee, and also Mr. Searl's written opinion, be and is hereby received and accepted.
Voted : that the Vestry deem it absolutely expedient to prosecute Mr. Harrison upon his lease, for the waste and destruction made upon the Kay Estate, leased him by the " Minister, Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church."
316
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that Messrs. Benj. Gardiner, Silas Dean, and Steph. T. Northam be a committee to carry into execution the preceding vote, at any time they may deem it most expedient.
Voted : that the committee employ as attorneys, to bring this suit, and defend the same, Messrs. Searl, Hunter and Hazard.
Easter Monday, 7th day of April, 1817. Meeting in the Church.
Present : Edward Brinley, Silas Dean, James Mumford, Levi Tower, Robert Robinson, Wm. C. Gardner, Samuel Whitehorne, Samuel Fowler Gardner, Thomas White, Edward Martin, Henry Shaw, Dr. Charles Cotton, Stephen T. Northam, Benj. B. Mum- ford.
The following officers were elected :
Edward Brinley, Senior Warden.
James Mumford, Junior Warden.
Benj. B. Mumford, Secretary.
Levi Tower, Clerk, to set the psalmody. Salary, $50 per annum. Elizabeth Fowler, Organist. Salary, $100.
John Springer, Sexton. Salary, $40.
Vestrymen : Benj. Gardiner, Benj. B. Mumford, Stephen T. Northam, John Wood, Samuel Whitehorne, Robert Robinson, Jno. G. Whitehorne, Silas Dean, Levi Tower, Samuel Fairweather Gar- diner, Robinson Potter.
Dr. Charles Cotton, Treasurer.
Hon. Simeon Martin, in consequence of his removing from town, declined a re-election as vestryman.
Delegates to the State Convention : Samuel Whitehorne, Steph. T. Northam, and Benj. B. Mumford.
May 8, 1817. Voted : that the committee authorized at a former meeting to prosecute Mr. Harrison for the destruction and waste committed upon the Kay Estate, employ such counsel as they may deem expedient, either in or out of the State.
Voted : that the Sexton be directed, under the direction of Messrs.
317
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Wood and Brinley, to set and erect all the gravestones that have fallen down in the church-yard, and cause such trees to be cut down as they may think proper.
May 12, 1817. The Treasurer was directed to pay to the Junior Warden, and he to the Revª Mr. Wheaton, $40, for the purpose of defraying Mr. Wheaton's expenses to the Episcopal General Con- vention, to be holden in New York on the 20th inst.
Messrs. Robinson and Potter were a committee to have the bell immediately repaired.
June 2, 1817. Voted : that the committee heretofore authorized to prosecute Mr. Harrison, be and is hereby directed to request Mr. Wells, counsellor-at-law, of the city of New York, to effect, if pos- sible, a compromise with Richard Harrison, Esq., of the same city, for the waste and destruction committed upon the Kay Estate; and if no settlement can be effected with him, then to commence a suit against him for damages and reparation for the misimprovement of the estate aforesaid.
July 8, 1817. Voted : that the thanks of this Vestry be made to John Wells, Esq., Counsellor-at-Law, in the city of New York, for his distinguished attention, for his law information, given gratuit- ously to Benjamin Gardiner, Esq., in behalf of this Church; and that the Secretary be and he is hereby directed, to furnish him with a transcript of this vote, as a testimony of the great obligation they feel themselves under for the essential and important services ren- dered this Society.
Voted : that the Secretary be directed to purchase a folio Prayer Book, for the use of the Church, of Messrs. J. & T. Swords, at New York, not exceeding the cost of $20.
August 4, 1817. Benj. B. Mumford, a committee to inquire for and select a suitable person for organist.
Voted : that Miss Towle be paid all that is due to her as organist, previous to her leaving Newport.
318
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted : that whereas Miss Mary Towle being about leaving New- port, and she having been so kind as to officiate for several years past upon the organ of the Church, the Secretary be, and he is hereby directed, to furnish her with a copy of this vote, as a testi- mony of our respect and esteem for her personally, and as appro- batory of her judicious deportment during our acquaintance with her.
August 18, 1817. Whereas, the Revª Samuel Wydown,269 a Bap- tist Minister, having applied to this Vestry for testimonials, for the purpose of obtaining Holy Orders, and we having been acquainted with him for these two years past, it is therefore voted : that we believe him to be a moral and pious character, and that he is attached to the doctrines and discipline of the Episcopal Church.
September II, 1817. Buried at Bristol, R. I., by Revª Mr. Wheaton, Mrs. Elizabeth Griswold, wife of Revª Alexander Viet Griswold, Rector of St. Michael's, Bristol, aged 49 years.
September 17, 1817. Miss Eliza Davis was elected organist, with a salary of $60 per annum.
Voted : that the four first pews, on the west side of the broad aisle, be made into two pews, painted on the inside, and labelled on the outside " For Strangers," and kept for that purpose.
[The usual vote for the purchase of wood for the Rector was passed at this meeting.]
October 6, 1817. Voted: that the Church edifice be given to the members of St. Paul's Lodge, for their installation; and that
269 The Standing Committee rejected the application of the Rev. Mr. Wydown, and the Vestry, on the 2d of February, 1818, realizing that they had been hasty, and had not with sufficient care looked into the character of the applicant, acknowledged their mistake in a vote passed at that time.
319
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Messrs. Northam and Potter be a committee to wait upon Mr. Wheaton, for his approbation.
Voted : that the vote passed the 14th of May, 1797, be so far re- pealed as relates to the collecting the $12 therein mentioned, and that the Senior Warden in future collect that amount for all per- sons interred in the new burial ground.269a
November 24, 1817. Voted unanimously: that the grateful thanks of this Vestry, in behalf of the congregation, be made"to the gentleman who so generously and unsolicited, gave to the Per- manent Fund of this Church Five Hundred Dollars ; and that the Revd Mr. Wheaton be requested to transmit a certified copy of this vote to Wm. Dehon, Esq., of Boston, and by him to the benevolent donor, who requested his name might be kept secret; but if it be consistent with the feelings of the donor, the Vestry would be happy to record his name, for so disinterested and kind act.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.