USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 11
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 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
I44
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that a committee, the Wardens, ascertain if the own- ers of pews on the lower floor, will have slips fitted instead of the present square pews: if it can be done without expense to themselves.
been noticed on page 177. In the United States Senate, December 16, 1873, Hon. Henry B. Anthony, from' Rhode Island, introduced the following bill:
" Be it enacted, &c., That the sum of $800, or so much thereof as shall be necessary, is hereby appropriated out of any money not otherwise ap- propriated, to defray the expense of repairing and protecting from decay the monument at Newport, Rhode Island, to the memory of the Chevalier de Ternay, the Commander of the French naval forces in aid of the Amer- ican Revolution, in 1780, the money hereby appropriated to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy."
In support of the bill Mr. Anthony made an eloquent speech, closing with the remark: "It has been suggested to me, and I think myself it would be most gracious, if the bill which I introduce, appropriating $800, for the repair and preservation of the monument of the Chevalier de Ter- nay, should be passed without a reference. I am quite sure no one will object to it." The bill was passed.
The following letter upon the subject was addressed to Mr. Anthony by the French Minister at Washington,
Washington, December 20th, 1873.
My dear Senator:
I have read with a deep feeling of gratitude, the bill passed on the 16th of December by the Senate, concerning the sepulchral monument of the Chevalier de Ternay. . If anything could add to the value of such a manifestation of the most delicate sentiment, it would be the courteous manner in which this bill has been passed and adopted by unanimous con- sent. The French Government and the French people will certainly be ex- tremely sensible of such a proof of the pious recollection which the present generation preserves of what has been done in former times; and it be- comes my pleasant duty to remark that in American hearts, if I may use here a metaphor which does not seem foreign to the subject, the memory of the aid given by France to the young Republic, has been more lasting than the Egyptian marble erected in the tomb of De Ternay.
The assistance which your people in their infancy received from the old world, you have since amply repaid by what you have done to the cause of humanity, in extending civilization and the true principles of liberty from ocean to ocean over the immensity of the new American continent.
So far as I am concerned, I feel it a great honor that my name should have been mentioned before so illustrious a body as the Senate of the United States. * *
I remain, my dear Senator, Very sincerely yours,
MARQUIS DE NOAILLES.
145
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
April 25, 1849. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation. Dr. King in the chair; 19 Corporators being present.
Dr. King held 16 proxies; William C. Gibbs, 3; Walter Nichols, 1; William V. Taylor, I.
"The Committee to consult the owners of pews on the lower floor, in regard to the altering of pews, reported:
"That the change is feasible, without any expense to the Cor- poration, as several individuals have liberally offered to under- take the same, viz .: to remove the present pews, alter the pulpit, reading desk and chancel, if necessary; also to lay a new floor. put up slips, to correspond with the finish of other parts of the house-Provided you will grant them the right to dispose of, or let the additional number of pews gained by the alteration, also those not having individual owners, but standing in the name of the Church, for a period of time, until they have re- imbursed themselves for the outlay; when they shall be made over to the Corporation.
"The Committee further report, that as far as practicable, they have conferred with the owners and the representatives of the pews; and that a large majority advocate the proposed al- teration, viewing it as desirable for the accommodation of an enlarged congregation, and that all may, in due reverence, face the Altar with more convenience and comfort. They deem also the present time as the most suitable, while the building is under- going the necessary repairs and painting: but there are several pew holders who venerate the present arrangement of the pews for their antiquity, and as being in accordance with the other architectural parts of the House, and are strenuously opposed to any change.
In consideration of the rights of even the minority, and in a Christian spirit endeavoring to avoid any altercation, or to generate any disunion of feeling, the Committee respectfully re- port the proposed change in the pews inexpedient at this time, and recommend the matter to be indefinitely postponed."
MARSHALL C. SLOCUM,
J. H. COZZENS,
Committee.
146
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the report be accepted; and that the vote of April 14, 1849, appointing a committee to solicit subscriptions for repairing the Church, be repealed.
Voted: that the vote passed April 14, 1849, authorizing the painting the Church inside, be repealed, and that the outside alone be painted.
May 17, 1849. Special meeting of the Corporation.
Voted: that M. C. Slocum be a committee to solicit sub- scriptions for repairing the Church.
Voted: that $100 be appropriated for cleaning and painting the Church inside, and that the Senior Warden be a committee for that purpose, and that any previous vote inconsistent with the above be repealed.
Voted: that the vote of April 25, 1849, authorizing the paint- ing of the outside of the Church be repealed; and that the committee on repairs be authorized to paint the steeple; and have discretionary power to paint other parts of the building outside, if the funds raised are found sufficient for that purpose.
August 6, 1849. Voted by the Vestry: that Dr. King and the Senior Warden carry into effect the vote of the Corporation, in relation to the Kay fund, passed April 14, 1849.
April 1, 1850. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; 16 Cor- porators being present. Henry Bull in the chair.
The following officers were elected:
Marshall C. Slocum, Senior Warden.
John H. Cozzens, Junior Warden.
Benjamin Finch, David King, Henry Bull, Thomas W. Brown, William Cornell, Walter Nichols, George C. Mason, John N. Potter, Thomas R. Hunter, Joseph I. Bailey, William Gardner, Vestrymen.
William Cornell, Treasurer.
Walter Nichols, Secretary.
George Taylor, Organist.
1
147
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Samuel Gladding, Sexton.
John Sterne, David King, John H. Cozzens and William Cor- nell, delegates to the State Convention.
Voted: that the Minister have a vacation of six weeks during the year.
Voted: that the subject of weekly offerings be referred to the Vestry.
Voted: that a committee, John H. Gilliat and Dr. King, investigate the present state of the trust funds of this Church, and report at the next annual meeting.
Voted: that the Treasurer pay over to the Minister, at his order, at any time before Christmas, $48 for the poor of this Church.
Voted: that William C. Gibbs, John H. Cozzens, and Walter Nichols, make a new apportionment of pew tax, and that they report at the next annual meeting.
July 11, 1850. Voted: that a collection be taken in the Church, for the benefit of the Corporation, on the second Sun- day in August, and that the Rector be requested to give notice of the same, on the Sunday preceding.
Voted: that the question of a collection for the Sunday School be postponed till the next meeting.
August 8, 1850. Voted by the Vestry: that a collection be taken in the Church, on Sunday, August 18, for the benefit of the Sunday School, and that notice of the same be given from the pulpit on the Sunday previous.
Voted: that the Treasurer be directed to pay the Church's proportion of the Bishop's salary.
September 30, 1850. The Senior Warden reported to the Vestry that he had leased the Church lot, in conformity to a vote November 6, 1848, to William B. Wilson, for 999 years, at a rent of $120 per year.
148
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The application of William Beach Lawrence, 33 for liberty to place the remains of his son in the graveyard was granted.
David King and Thomas R. Hunter were appointed a com- mittee to examine the Church yard, and ascertain whether there is room for more graves, to report at the next meeting of the Corporation.
October 14, 1850. Voted: that the Treasurer give a lease of one-half of the Church lot to William B. Wilson, and a lease of the remainder to Henry Hazard on the same terms as first agreed with Mr. Wilson.
April 21, 1851. Annual Meeting; sixteen Corporators being present.
Marshall C. Slocum was elected Senior Warden.
John H. Cozzens, Junior Warden.
Benjamin Finch, George C. Mason, David King, Thomas Riddell, Henry Bull, Thomas R. Hunter, Thomas W. Brown, Robert P. Berry, William Cornell, William Gardner, Samuel Engs, Vestrymen.
William Cornell, Treasurer.
George C. Mason, Secretary, in place of Walter Nichols, re- signed.
July 2, 1851. A communication from Miss Phebe C. Bull, Miss Charlotte S. Tew and Miss Elizabeth Wormeley, soliciting a collection in Trinity Church in behalf of the Mission Church (Emmanuel) at the south part of the town, was read and re- ceived: the Minister was instructed to take up a collection on Sunday, September 14, for and in behalf of the Mission.
33 ARCHIBALD GRACIE LAWRENCE, son of William Beach Lawrence and Esther Rogers Lawrence, his wife, was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun, September 9, 1850. By his side rest the remains of his mother, who was the daughter of Archibald Gracie, of New York, died November 19, 1857, and of his brother, William B. Lawrence, Jr., who died April 28, 1870.
149
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
April 12, 1852. Annual Meeting; fifteen Corporators being present.
Rev. D. R. Brewer was elected Minister for the year, at a salary of $1000.
The following resolution was adopted.
Resolved: that the Corporation of Trinity Church, feeling a deep interest in the bereavement which has recently befallen their Pastor, Rev. D. R. Brewer, by the death of his wife, ex- press to him their sympathy and offer their condolence in his affliction: also, that a respite from his duties in the Church be tendered him.
May 15, 1852. The following communication from the Min- ister was read and received:
To the Vestry of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: If agreeable to you, I desire that there may be three collections in the course of the summer, viz. : one for the Sunday School, one for the Mission at the south part of the town, and one for missions in the Diocese of Rhode Island.
Respectfully yours,
D. R. BREWER.
On motion it was voted: that but two of the specified col- lections be taken up: one for the Mission at the south part of the town, and one for the State Mission.
January 5, 1852. At a Vestry meeting the following resolu- tions, called forth by the death of Thomas W. Brown, a mem- ber of the Vestry, were adopted:
Resolved: that in the death of the late amiable and zealous Thomas W. Brown, Esq., Trinity Church has lost a member whose sincerity and faithfulness was an example to the com- munity and an honor to the Church.
Resolved: that we deeply deplore his loss as a member of this Board, having officiated for the space of twenty-seven years
150
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
as Vestryman, and having discharged the duties attached to the office ably and faithfully.
Resolved: that we deeply sympathize with his family in this severe dispensation, which has removed from them one so worthy of their best affections.
Resolved: that these resolutions be communicated to the family of the deceased.
February 10, 1854. At a special meeting of the Corporation, the following communication from Rev. D. R. Brewer was read and received :
Newport, R. I., Feb. 10th, 1854. To the Corporation of Trinity Church ;
Gentlemen: I have felt under a necessity of calling you together at this time, for the purpose of asking from you leave of absence for a period of about six months, that I may recruit my health by a voyage to Europe.
I have suffered for some time past from nervous debility, and from an inflammation in the eyes, and both of these difficulties are a serious hindrance to my studies. For the latter of them I am still under medical treatment. But I believe that entire rest, for a season, from study and pastoral care, would be of more service to me than any other remedy.
I would have postponed this request until the Easter meet- ing, had I not thought it unwise and unsafe for me to attempt to go on until that time. I feel it my duty to ask to be released at the end of my present quarter, March Ist.
I relinquish my salary during the time of my absence, for the payment of substitutes; and if you desire it, I will do what I can to aid you in obtaining them.
Hoping I may return to my labors with renewed energy of body and mind, I remain
Your Friend and Pastor,
D. R. BREWER.
The following resolutions were offered by Mr. John H. Gil- liat:
15I
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Whereas a letter from our friend and pastor is received, from which we learn that he requires rest, and change of scene and climate-and whereas we recognize duty as the sole measure of ability, and know that we can do what we ought to do; and whereas, we are convinced that it is our duty, and his due for seven years of faithful service; therefore,
Resolved: that leave of absence be granted to the Rev. D. R. Brewer, from the first of March unto the Ist of November, 1854.
Resolved: that his salary be continued during his absence, and that the Treasurer is hereby authorized to pay it to the Rev. D. R. Brewer in such manner as may suit his convenience and promote his comfort.
Resolved: that the members of this Corporation do sympa- thize with the cause of our Pastor's absence, and hopefully look forward to his restoration to health, and to his continued use- fulness among us, his friends and people.
Voted: that the above resolutions be taken up in sections.
The first resolution, that leave of absence be granted to Rev. D. R. Brewer, from March Ist to November Ist, 1854, was unanimously adopted.
On the reading of the second resolution, that his salary be continued during his absence, the house was called:
Ayes. William C. Gibbs [with proxies] 12; John H. Gilliat, 8; William S. Wetmore, 4; Theo. C. Dunn, 1; George H. Calvert, 1; Thomas R. Hunter, I; Robert P. Berry, I; Jethro Carr, I; David King, 1; George C. Mason, I; Total, 31.
Noes. George Hall, 1; John N. Potter, 1; Moses Norman, 2; Isaiah Crooker, 2; William Gardner, 2; Thomas Breese, 3; Henry Bull, 2; William Cornell, 1; Samuel Engs, 3; Job T. Langley, 1; Russell Coggeshall, 1; Marshall C. Slocum, 2; William Chase, I; Joseph H. Bailey, 2; William G. Bailey, 2;
152
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
John H. Cozzens, I; George C. Munroe, I; Theodore Helme,
I ;. Total, 29.
It was declared an affirmative vote.
The third section was approved.
It was proposed by Mr. Wetmore that a subscription be raised, to defray the expense of supplying the pulpit during the absence of the Minister, and voted in the affirmative. The following named gentlemen then offered the sums affixed to their names: William S. Wetmore, $100; John H. Gilliat, $100; George H. Calvert, $50; Thomas R. Hunter, $50.
Mr. Wetmore also offered $100 towards defraying the expenses of the Minister during his absence.
April II, 1854. A letter was received by the Vestry from a committee appointed by the Diocesan Convention for the pur- pose of raising the sum of $5000 for the benefit of the widow of the late Bishop Henshaw; also a letter from a committee appointed by the Convention, relating to the erection of a monu- ment to the late Bishop of the Diocese: both of which were referred to the next meeting of the Corporation.
April 17, 1854. Annual Meeting.
Voted: that Rev. D. R. Brewer be elected Minister for the ensuing year, and that he receive at the rate of $1000 per an- num while officiating as Pastor, and that he be allowed his usual vacation.
The following letter from Rev. Mr. Brewer was read:
Newport, Feb. 11th, 1854.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen:
I thank you for so readily and unanimously granting me the leave of absence, which I requested, and for extending the time beyond my request.
But I must respectfully decline to accept my salary during
I53
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
the time of my absence. If this unasked gift had been offered to me by the vote of a large majority, it would have been ac- cepted with great satisfaction: not merely for its practical advan- tages, but more especially as a recorded evidence of the good will of the Corporation. But as nearly one-half of the whole number of votes were against it, I cannot consent to receive it.
With kind feelings and good wishes for all the members of the Parish, I remain
Your Friend and Pastor, D. R. BREWER.
Voted: that the communication be received.
Voted: that the Wardens be authorized to hand round the contribution box every Sunday morning, in Trinity Church, from June Ist to October Ist (except on days when the collection is otherwise appropriated) and that the Minister at such times give notice that the proceeds are in aid of the erection of a Church in the south part of the town; the proceeds to be handed over to Samuel Powel, Marshall C. Slocum and Edward King, the building committee. 34
34 EMMANUEL CHURCH. In the south part of Newport there was former- ly a building that had been used by the Free Will Baptists, as a place of worship, with the hope of drawing to it the mill hands living in that part of the town. The operatives, who were in great part of English extraction, were not drawn to it: but when a number of ladies of Trinity Church- Misses Phebe C. Bull, Charlotte F. Tew and Elizabeth Wormeley, -went among the people, there was a response that induced these worthy women to ex-
ertion in their behalf. The unoccupied building was taken, a mission known as Emmanuel Church was set on foot, and on October 27, 1850, Rev. D. R. Brewer, of Trinity Church, began work there, in connection with his own parish. The following year, Rev. Mr. Gay was engaged by Mr. Brewer, to labor there for three months. He was followed by Rev. Kensey J. Stewart, September 14, 1851, on a salary of $500, raised by sub- scription. In 1855 Mr. Stewart resigned his charge, and Rev. Mr. Brewer, with that devoted zeal that characterized his life, gave up his comfortable living in Trinity Church, went down there and labored with such success as to put the Church upon a self-supporting basis in 1858. In July of that
I54
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
A communication was read from the committee appointed by the Diocesan Convention to raise funds to erect a monument to the memory of the late Bishop Henshaw. Voted: that the Sen- ior Warden be directed to reply on the part of the Corporation, and enclose $50 for the above purpose.
Voted: that the Wardens be instructed to apply to the City Council for leave to put a chain across Church street, on Sun- days, to prevent vehicles passing during the hours of service.
Voted: that the Charter of the Church, with the amendments, and a sketch of the history of the Church, be published, and that a copy be furnished each owner of a pew; that 500 copies
year he retired, his resignation to take effect on the first of September. His successor was Rev. Daniel Leach, who supplied the pulpit for Septem- ber, and Rev. Mr. Foxcroft officiated during the following three months. December 28, 1858, Rev. Charles Wingate, who had just before been or- dained, was called to the Church, and remained till October, 1861. Rev. Dr. Balch was the next Rector, and he remained till the last of Decem- ber, 1865.
The Parish is now in a most prosperous state, under Rev. Emery H. Porter. It has grown and expanded, its influence for good has steadily in- creased, its Church edifice has been enlarged, to afford greater accommo- dation, and provision has been made commensurate with the growth of the Parish. Its sittings are free, and the confidence in the willingness of the friends of the Church to sustain it, has not been misplaced.
Of the pioneers in this work something more should be said. Miss Phebe C. Bull was a woman with a large heart, whose life was given to works of benevolence. Her means were constantly drawn upon for the relief of others, and it was chiefly through her instrumentality, in that she supplied in great part the necessary funds, that the chapel now known as "All Saints" was built. She was the daughter of the late Henry Bull, and died October 31, 1855.
Miss Charlotte Tew, also of Newport, was another zealous worker. She became the wife of Rev. D. R. Brewer, and lives to mourn him, and her only son, who had entered the ministry.
Miss Elizabeth Wormeley was the daughter of Rear Admiral Ralph Randolph Wormeley, R. N., who had made his home in Newport, and died here June 26, 1852. She was married to Randolph Latimer, of Baltimore, June 14, 1856. She now resides in Europe. Through her writings she is known to the literary world.
I55
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
be printed, and that David King, John H. Gilliat and George C. Mason be a committee to carry the resolution into effect.
May 30, 1854. Special meeting of the Corporation ; fifteen Corporators being present.
The following communication from the Treasurer, William Cornell, was read and received, and his resignation was accepted.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen:
Having to give up my pew in Trinity Church, and being unable to obtain another, I must consequently connect myself with another Parish. As it would be improper in that case for me to hold an office in Trinity Parish, I hereby resign the office of Treasurer, Vestryman, and delegate to the Diocesan Convention. Grateful for the kindness and confidence which you have been pleased to extend to me,
I am, very respectfully, Your Ob't S'v't, WM. CORNELL.
Newport, May 9th, 1854.
On motion John N. Potter was elected Treasurer for the ensuing year.
November 4, 1854. The following letter was laid before the Vestry :
Newport, Oct. 27th, 1854.
M. C. Slocum, Esq.,
Dear Sir: I apply to you as a Warden of Trinity Church, in this city. As you know, I have bought myself a house here, and a pew in Trinity Church, and mean to make a residence here, and will probably here finish my days.
I am very anxious to place a tablet to the memory of my only daughter, who died in London some three years since. I have gone to great expense in its preparation, and if I do not deceive myself, you and your brother Vestrymen will admit that it is a great ornament to the Church, when erected.
I56
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
I hope to receive a favorable answer from you, and am, with much respect,
Yours faithfully, DUNCAN C. PELL, 35
The above application was granted, provided the work was done without injury to the building, and under the direction of the Senior Warden and Mr. D. C. Pell.
Marshall C. Slocum and George C. Mason were appointed a committee to express to Rev. D. C. Millett the thanks of the Vestry for the faithful discharge of the duties of Pastor during the absence of Rev. D. R. Brewer, and to present him an addi- tional compensation of one hundred dollars.
March 1, 1855. The following communication was read, re- ceived, and ordered to be recorded :
At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Newport Em- ployment Society, it was voted: that the thanks of this Society are due to the Vestry of Trinity Church, for permitting them to occupy the School House for the sewing school, during the past year.
In behalf of the Society, M. T. BERRY, 351/2 Secy.
35 PERMISSION had been given Mr. Duncan C. Pell [p. 162] to place a tablet to the memory of a deceased daughter, on the wall space in the Church on the right of the chancel, with the understanding that if the space should at any time be wanted for a monument to a deceased Rector, it should be given up. When a request was made, as above, for the place, for a monu- ment to Rev. Dr. Wheaton, the committee gave Mr. Pell wall space over his own pew, on the north aisle.
Mr. Pell took an active part in the affairs of the Church, as a member of the Vestry, in which body he had a seat for a number of years. He was born in New York, January 23, 1807, and died in Newport, January 16, 1874.
351/2 MRS. MARY T. BERRY, the daughter of the late William Thurston, was married to the late R. P. Berry, July 18, 1847, and died October 9, 1889, leaving no issue. Her husband had died before her.
157
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
At a special meeting of the Corporation, March 19, 1855, the following communication from the Minister was read:
Newport, March Ist, 1855.
My dear Sir:
It is my intention to resign my charge, as Minister of Trinity Church, on Easter Monday next, April 9th. As I shall state my reasons for this step, in the communication to the Corporation, at that time, it will not be necessary to enumerate them now. Indeed, they are already known to yourself and others, with whom I have spoken on the subject.
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.