USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 20
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November 4, 1863. At a meeting of the Vestry, the com- mittee appointed at the last meeting to make a change in the lease of land held by William B. Wilson, reported, that having taken legal advice, they deemed it necessary to pass the follow- ing vote:
Voted: that the report of the committee be accepted.
Voted: that our Treasurer be, and he is hereby, authorized
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
and directed to make, sign, and fully execute, in behalf of the Corporation, the following described instruments, namely: A lease for nine hundred and ninety-nine years, at an annual rent of thirty dollars, to William B. Wilson, of the eastern portion of the land leased by the Corporation to said Wilson, by indent- ure bearing date the second day of November, A. D. 1850. And a lease to Sallie Cresson Lawrence, of the western portion of the same land.
Provided that the dividing line between said portion of said land be so located as to cut the said land into two nearly equal halves; and that such lease shall be made in substantially the same terms as those of the lease above referred to, heretofore made by this Corporation to said Wilson; and that said Wilson shall first surrender to this Corporation all his interest under said last mentioned lease.
March 21, 1864. Meeting of the Vestry.
Voted: whereas, at a meeting of the Vestry, holden Novem- ber 4, 1863, the Treasurer was authorized to cancel the lease of a lot of land owned by Trinity Church, and called the "Church Lot," given to William B. Wilson by this Vestry, and to sub- stitute in place of said lease two new leases of the property, for the same term of years and jointly for the same annual rent, one to said Wilson and one to Sallie Cresson Lawrence (the first to take the eastern portion of the lot and the latter to take the western portion), it is voted: that the Treasurer be, and he is hereby authorized to substitute the name of George C. Mason for that of William B. Wilson, and William B. Wilson for that of Sallie Cresson Lawrence, and to date the new leases from the thirty-first day of March, 1864, instead of the 14th day of November last; the expense of said transfer to be borne by said Wilson.
March 31, 1864. - Meeting of the Corporation; present, the Rector, Rev. J. H. Black, and 15 corporators.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The report of the committee to consider the expediency of revising the Charter, as follows, was received:
"The Committee appointed at the last Annual Meeting of the Corporation, to report on the expediency of revising the Charter of the Church respectfully report: that inasmuch as the present mode of voting by proxy has not only been the direct cause of many of the troubles that have marked the history of the Church during the past few years, and has exerted the most unfavorable influence on the morals and Christian character of the Parish, operating as it does opp: essively on members of the Congregation not owning pews, but who have an equal interest in the government of the Church, by allowing non-resident mem- bers of other parishes to have a large, if not always a control- ling, influence, on the strength of a property qualification in the Church edifice: therefore your committee recommend the ap-, pointing of a committee, with power to petition the Legislature of the State, at the next session, for a repeal of the amendment of the Charter of June, 1842, on the last amendment."
Voted: that the report of the committee be adopted, and the same committee be authorized to petition the Legislature for amendment of Charter, as per their report.
December 31, 1864. Voted by the Vestry: that the Senior Warden be a committee to make search for the missing litho- graph of the tombstones41 in the Churchyard, also to find all books and papers now missing, and return them to their proper places.
March 14, 1865. Voted: that the Rector and Senior Warden be a committee to purchase a suitable musical instrument, for use at the School House, not to exceed the sum of three hundred dollars.
41 The plot of the graveyard is in the safe in the Chapel.
27I
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
April 17, 1865. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; 18 cor- porators present. George C. Mason chosen Chairman.
Voted: that the interest on the Kay Fund be deposited to the credit of that fund in the Savings Bank, provided that the total deposits do not exceed the amount of the original fund.
The following officers were elected:
George C. Mason, Senior Warden.
Samuel Engs, Junior Warden.
David King, Henry Bull, M. C. Slocum, Edward King, Charles Hunter, Benjamin Finch, Job T. Langley, William Cor- nell, John H. Cozzens, William G. Seabury and James Birck- head, Vestrymen.
Job T. Langley, Secretary.
William Cornell, Treasurer.
Samuel Engs, John H. Cozzens, George C. Mason and M. C. Slocum, Delegates to the State Convention.
The salary of the Rector was fixed at $2000, and that of the Sexton, $200. J. G. Spingler was elected Sexton. The sum of $615 was appropriated for music.
The Treasurer was directed to pay the Church's proportion of the Bishop's salary.
Voted: that the pew tax be at the rate of nine per cent.
The following report from the committee to petition the. General Assembly for an amendment of the Charter, was read and accepted :
Easter Monday, 1865.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen :
Your Committee, appointed at the last annual meet- ing, to petition the Legislature to repeal the amendment of the Charter, of June, 1842, respectfully report: that the Legislature granted so much of the petition as relates to proxy voting; and
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
by the Act of that body the right of voting is continued to every owner of a pew; male or female, who shall be present at any meeting of the Corporation; as will be seen by the ac- companying certified copy of the Act of the Legislature.
WILLIAM CORNELL,
SAMUEL ENGS, GEO. C. MASON, Committee.
[The Act has been published with the Charter, in the First Series of the Annals.]
Voted: that George C. Mason and Duncan C. Pell be a com- mittee to have new gravestones put to the graves of Rev. James Honyman and his family, and that of Nathaniel Kay; also to put all tombs and stones of families having no living represent- atives, in order.
June 27, 1865. Meeting of the Vestry. Present, the Rector and Wardens, and Messrs. Cornell, Finch, Birckhead, Seabury and Cozzens.
Voted: that the music be referred to the Rector.
Voted: that the Senior Warden have the coverings of the pulpit and reading desk put in good order. He was also in- structed to have 250 copies of the Charter printed and distributed to pew holders.
Voted: that the Junior Warden notify all pew holders whose pew tax remained unpaid: that unless the taxes were paid within sixty days from July Ist their pews would be sold.
The thanks of the Vestry were voted to the committee who had purchased an organ for the school house.
July 17, 1865. Meeting of the Vestry. Present, the Rector, Wardens and five Vestrymen.
The following communication was read and received :
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
To the Vestry of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: I have been notified by the Administrator, that the late Russell Coggeshall, in his will, has bequeathed to Trinity Church, sixteen shares in the Newport Bank, to be added to the corporate fund, and which is ready to be trans- ferred to the Church, with the last two dividends, subject to a legacy tax of 6 per cent., provided the Church will give him a bond in the person of the Treasurer and one surety; to indem- nify him in case of any demand before the expiration of his administratorship.
WM. CORNELL, Treas.
Voted: that the bequest of the late Russell Coggeshall be received with the thanks of the Vestry; and that the Treas- urer and Wardens be authorized to give bond of indemnity to the Executor of the late Russell Coggeshall, for payment of legacy.
Voted: that a committee be appointed to obtain funds by subscription, for the purchase of a house and lot for a parsonage; or to purchase a lot and erect a parsonage.
Voted: that the chair appoint the committee, and the follow- ing gentlemen were named: George C. Mason, Edward King and Sidney Brooks.
Voted: that the Rector be added to the committee.
November 3, 1865. Meeting of the Vestry; seven members being present. George C. Mason in the Chair.
One hundred and fifty dollars were appropriated for dressing the Church under the direction of the Wardens.
Voted: that the old melodeon be repaired, at an expense not exceeding five dollars, and presented to the Newport Asylum, by John H. Cozzens.
January 2, 1866. Meeting of the Vestry; the Rector, Ward- ens, and five Vestrymen present. Meeting opened with prayer.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The committee on the melodeon reported that he had had it repaired without expense to the Church, and that it had been accepted by the Commissioners of the Newport Asylum, as ap- pears by the following communication:
At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Newport Asylum, November 24th, 1865, it was
Resolved: that the thanks of this Board be, and they are hereby, extended to John H. Cozzens, Esq., et al., Vestrymen of Trinity Church, for the present of a melodeon to the New- port Asylum, and that the Secretary be directed to transmit a copy of this vote to said Vestrymen.
Attest,
BENJAMIN MARSH, 2D, Secy.
The following sums were reported, subject to distribution to the poor of the Church:
From the Rector: Christmas offerings,
$61.18
Dividends on Poor Fund, 116.96
$178.14
Of the above, $90 were distributed, and the balance was placed in the hands of the Rector, to be disposed of as he saw fit.
Voted: that the Senior Warden be authorized to repair the tombs of the Ayrault and Malbone families.
March 27, 1866. Meeting of the Vestry. On motion of Dr. King,
Resolved: that a committee of three be appointed, to devise a plan for improving the condition of the graveyard and burial ground.
Resolved: that Dr. King, George C. Mason and Samuel Engs be said committee, and that they be requested to report to the Vestry as soon as may be; not only a suitable plan, but also the probable cost of carrying it into execution.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Dr. King informed the Vestry that he had received a monu- ment to the memory of the late Rev. Dr. Wheaton, and moved that a committee be appointed to select a suitable place in the Church for the same.
Voted: that M. C. Slocum and the Wardens be a committee to confer with Mr. Pell, and select a suitable place for the monument of the late Dr. Wheaton.
April 2, 1866. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; the Rec- tor and 17 corporators being present. Dr. King was chosen Chairman.
Voted: that the interest on the Kay Fund be deposited to the credit of that fund in the Savings Bank.
No change was made in the Vestry, other than the election of William E. Dennis in the place of Charles Hunter, and Julius Sayer in place of Henry Bull.
Voted: that Benjamin Finch, Thomas R. Hunter, Henry Bull and M. C. Slocum be a committee to confer with the Rector in regard to his salary, and to report at an adjourned meeting. .
April 9, 1866. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation; 16 corporators being present.
The following communication from the Rector was read:
Newport, R. I., April 9th, 1866.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church, Newport;
Gentlemen:
Before accepting your call to the rectorship of this Parish, I objected to the smallness of the salary offered, though the necessaries of life were at a moderate price as compared with what they are now, but I had then, and after entering on my duties here, reason to believe that my salary would be in- creased, if I should find it inadequate to my support. Recently, however, it has come to my knowledge that the salary will probably not be increased according to my expectations. For
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
this, therefore, and other reasons already known to you, and which it is not necessary here to state, I beg leave to resign my charge as Rector of Trinity Church.
I take this opportunity to express to all who have done me any kindness my grateful appreciation, assuring them, that they have not done it merely to me, but to the Great Shepherd of the Sheep. And doubtless He will not fail to give them a reward; for He has promised to regard what is done to His ministering servants, as done personally to Himself.
With the wish that you may soon find a Pastor on whom you will all unite in loving and supporting, I am
Respectfully yours, J. H. BLACK.
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Resolved: that the resignation of the Rector, the Rev. Mr. Black, presented this day to the Corporation, be accepted.
Resolved: that the thanks of this Corporation be presented to the Rev. Mr. Black for his upright, manly and Christian deportment, and for the sincere devotion which he has uniformly exhibited in promoting the interest of this Church, during his Rectorship.
Resolved: that one thousand dollars be presented by this Corporation to the Rev. Mr. Black, as a token of their respect and regard.
Voted: that the Senior Warden be instructed to furnish the Rector with a copy of these Resolutions.
In compliance with the above the Senior Warden addressed the following letter to Rev. Mr. Black :
Newport, April 9th, 1866.
Rev. J. H. Black,
Rev. and Dear Sir:
At a meeting of the Corporation of Trinity Church
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
holden this day, on the presentation of your resignation of the Rectorship of this Parish, the following resolutions were unani- mously adopted :
[Here follows the above resolutions.]
It is understood that the above sum is to be paid to you by the Treasurer, over and above the quarter's salary that will be due to you in May next.
With many regrets that your connection with the Church has been of so short duration, and with cherished memories of the happiness I have so often derived from your ministry, I re- main, dear Sir, with great respect,
Your obedient servant, GEO. C. MASON, Senior Warden.
Voted: that David King, Edward King and Thomas R. Hunter be a committee to select candidates, to be presented to the Corporation as Rectors.
Voted: that Dr. King, William Cornell and John H. Cozzens, be a committee to make a new valuation of pews, and to advise as to the best plan for raising a larger sum of money.
April 9, 1866. Voted by the Vestry: that the committee on the burying ground be authorized to see if the Crandall Estate can be purchased, and on what terms.
Voted: that the Treasurer be authorized to hire one thousand dollars to meet the vote of the Corporation.
April 12, 1866. On motion of Dr. King it was
Voted: Whereas Nathaniel Kay, Esq., the King's Collector of Customs for Rhode Island, bequeathed, about the year 1734, to the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, a valu- able estate in trust, for the purpose of maintaining a school in connection with Trinity Parish, and for educating ten poor boys, the schoolmaster, if possible, to be in Orders, and qualified to be an Assistant to the Rector of Trinity Church;
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
And whereas, the said trust, after having been through a long course of years faithfully administered in accordance with the will of the testator, failed subsequently to receive from the Vestry of the Church the attention due to its importance, the object of the testator being unappreciated, and the fund itself in consequence being greatly impaired;
And whereas, the Corporation of Trinity Church, within a few years past, desiring to restore the fund of Mr. Kay, set apart a considerable sum of money, and denominated the said sum the "Kay Fund," which fund amounts now to about three thousand dollars ($3000) the annual income being from $180 to $200.
And whereås, it is for the interest and honor of the Church, and, in fact, its duty, to continue to carry out the intentions of Mr. Kay as far as possible. Therefore
Be it resolved: that the income of the Kay Fund for the ensuing year be given to the Rev. John Anketell, A. M., who proposes to keep a classical school in Newport, and who, for the said income, is willing to educate four boys of the Parish, and to assist the Rector of Trinity Church in some of his duties.
Voted: that a committee be appointed, with power, to select four of the most meritorious boys for the school; and that David King, Samuel Engs and George C. Mason be that committee.
The committee appointed to see if the Crandall estate could be purchased, reported that Robert Crandall's price for the estate was $2000, and that he could not give a good title to more than one-half of the estate.
Voted: that the committee be authorized to purchase such portion of the Crandall estate as they can get with a clear title.
June 14, 1866. Special meeting of the Corporation. The following report from the Treasurer was read:
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Newport, June 14th, 1866.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen:
The Treasurer respectfully presents the following esti- mate of the sum necessary to support the Church until July, 1867:
Amount of present indebtedness, including note
for $1200 at Rhode Island Union Bank,
$1560
For Ministers,
2000
Bishop's Salary,
125
Sexton,
200
Choir,
615
Fuel, Gas and Stoves,
I75
City tax, IIO
Incidentals,
400
$5185
Probable income from Permanent Fund,
$ 932
Amount to be raised by tax,
4253
$5185
13 per cent. on the present valuation of pews will produce about $4300.
WILLIAM CORNELL, Treasurer.
Voted: that the tax be at the rate of 13 per cent. on the pew valuation; and that 10 per cent. be added to all bills not paid within sixty days from date.
Voted: that a committee of three, Dr. King, Sidney Brooks and P. A. Stockton, report on the expediency of altering the pews into slips, with a plan and the probable expense.
July 19, 1866. Special meeting of the Corporation; 25 cor- porators present.
The committee to report on the expediency of altering the pews into slips, presented a plan, at a probable expense of $4000, and recommended that it be adopted.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the report of the committee be laid on the table.
July 25, 1866. The committee appointed at the last meeting of the Vestry to purchase the Crandall estate, were requested to purchase at once; and the Treasurer was instructed to pay to the order of the committee, $1000.
REV. ISAAC P. WHITE, D.D.
28I
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
CHAPTER X.
1866-1870.
August 30, 1866. Special meeting of the Corporation.
The committee appointed to nominate a Rector presented a majority and a minority report. The majority recommended Rev. Mr. Rylance, of Cleveland, Ohio; the minority offered the name of Canon White, of Montreal.
On motion an informal ballot was taken: Rev. Mr. Rylance, Io; Rev. Canon White, 6; Rev. Mr. Field, I.
Voted: that the Rev. Mr. Rylance be called as Rector, with a salary of $2500, and an additional sum of $500 for house rent.
Voted: that the committee be authorized to communicate this vote to the Rev. Mr. Rylance, and request his acceptance.
September 20, 1866. Special meeting of the Corporation.
The committee to notify the Rev. Mr. Rylance of his elec- tion as Rector, and request his acceptance, reported that he had declined the call.
On motion of Edward King, Canon White, of Montreal, was unanimously called as Rector, with the same salary that was offered Rev. Mr. Rylance. The same committee were author- ized to communicate this vote to the Rev. Canon White, and request his acceptance. 4 1
Newport, R. I., Oct. 29, 1866.
41 Rev. I. P. White, " Montreal,
Rev. and Dear Sir:
We are in receipt of your letter, advising us that we may ex- pect you to take charge of Trinity Parish the first of December. The
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
November 1, 1866. Special meeting of the Corporation. The following letter from Rev. I. P. White was read:
Montreal, October 19, 1866.
My dear Sir:
The receipt of the document from the members of Trinity Church, expressing the hope that I should accept the call of the Corporation of said Church, to the Rectorship thereof, and prom- ising to co-operate with me in every way in their power in the work to which I am called, has so greatly encouraged me, re- ceived as a pledge of sympathy and earnestness between Pastor and flock, that I am now induced to accept the call.
The matter of rental, referred to in my last communication, will no doubt, if found necessary, be attended to; but I may be in error in regard to charges for rent.
The arrival to a decision has been an anxious period to me, for the severance of a pastoral tie is a painful one. Happily, however, this will be the second only which I have had to experience. The first I feel deeply At the age of 24 years I was ordained Deacon, remained for a year at Quebec, with the late Bishop Montain, residing in his house, and assisting in the Parish duties, and being desired by him to take the temporary charge of the Parish of Chambly, 14 miles from Montreal, wherein trouble had occurred: was afterwards appointed thereto, and remained for the space of fifteen years. During my in-
gratification we feel at the announcement is shared by many who are look- ing forward with pleasure to the time when you will be settled over us as our Pastor and Guide. A more fitting time for a connection of this kind to commence could not have been selected; for you will come among us during the season of Advent, and just in time to unite with us in the Christmas festival, which calls out more of our people than any other ser- . vice of the Church. We are truly sheep without a shepherd. The ser- vices of the Church have been duly administered, but the pastoral tie is missing, and we long to cement the bonds that are to make us one. Hap- pily the day is not distant, and we are looking forward with pleasure to joining with you in the services of the Holy Season so near at hand. We know how well you are fitted for your high calling; God grant that we may be led by His Holy Spirit to do our part in the work of the Church.
GEO. C. MASON, SAMUEL ENGS,
Wardens.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
cumbency a Rectory and school house were built, the Church enlarged and repaired, an organ had, an endowment fund raised; and afterward, at the request of the Bishop of Montreal and Dean, came to assist at the Cathedral or Parish Church of Montreal, where I shall have been four and one-half years at the end of this year; and I have the happiness to say that never have I known one unkind word or distant feeling among those with whom I have resided and ministered to.
And I heartily pray and trust that I may be an instrument · in God's hands for the continued furtherance of His Church and Glory in the sphere of labor to which I have been called, and that the connection commenced may only be severed by death.
In resigning my appointment here I do not consider it can be effected until December 31st, after which I can enter upon my duty at Newport.
Thanking you most sincerely for all your kindness and con- sideration, and feeling that in you it will be my happiness to enjoy a kind friend and counsellor, with much respect I remain Very sincerely yours,
I. P. WHITE.
To David King,
Chairman of Committee of Corporation of Trinity Church.
Voted: Resolved, that the Corporation of Trinity Church legally assembled, receive with pleasure the announcement of the acceptance of the Rectorship of Trinity Church by the Rev. I. P. White, of Montreal.
Resolved: that the Corporation will co-operate with the Rev. Mr. White, in every way in their power, in accomplish- ing the objects of his Rectorship.
Voted: that the chairman of the committee be requested to communicate the above resolutions to the Rev. I. P. White, and also inform him that the Corporation, as a Corporation, cannot guarantee to him a permanency in the Rectorship, or insure a larger salary than that indicated in the call to the
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Church, viz., twenty-five hundred dollars, salary; and an addi- tional five hundred dollars for house rent.
January 4, 1867. Meeting of the Vestry. Present, the Rec- tor, George C. Mason and Samuel Engs, Wardens, and Messrs. Edward King, Benjamin Finch, M. C. Slocum, Job T. Lang- ley, J. H. Cozzens, William E. Dennis, W. G. Seabury, Ves- trymen.
A report from Rev. John Anketell42 was received.
On motion of the Senior Warden, the following resolution was unanimously adopted:
Whereas: Rev. Henry B. Sherman, for several months, dur- ing the time this Church was without a Rector, performed the pastoral duties in an able and acceptable manner, winning alike the confidence, esteem and respect of the whole Church;
Resolved: that the thanks of this Vestry be and are hereby extended to Rev. Mr. Sherman, and that the Secretary be in- structed to furnish him with a copy of this resolution.
Voted: that the Wardens and Treasurer be a committee to propose some plan for the purchase or building of a parsonage, and to report at the next meeting.
42
TRINITY SCHOOL. Christmas Term.
Kay Scholars' average on a scale of 10.
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