USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 25
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
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: The Marquis de Noailles authorizes me to ap- ply to you for permission, at his expense, to place a new stone over the grave of Admiral de Ternay, and to remove the pres- ent monumental stone from its temporary shelter to some place inside the Church, to be selected by Dr. White, Dr. King and Mr. Brooks, subject to the approval of the Vestry.
I remain very respectfully, Your ob't servant, SIDNEY EVERETT.
Newport, Sept. 30, 1872.
Voted: that permission be granted, the consent of the pew owners, over whose pews the Committee propose placing the monument, being first obtained, subject to the approval of the Vestry.
340
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
October 22, 1872. The following letter was read and received:
Brooklyn Heights, 27 Grace Court, Oct. 8, 1872.
To the Vestry of Trinity Church, Job. T. Langley, Esq., Sec'y, and others;
Gentlemen: I have received the resolution passed by the Vestry of Trinity Church, Newport, respecting the decease of my dear Father, and in behalf of my mother, brothers and sis- ters must thank you for the kind sympathy conveyed to them. Coming from those friends at Newport who remember the early ministrations of my father, and from "Old Trinity," endeared by many recollections to us all, it is doubly precious at this season.
We desire to convey to the Vestry our thanks for their kind attendance as pall bearers at the funeral ceremony, and also to the members of the Choir, who gratuitously gave their services on that occasion.
With the respect of the members of our family, believe me, Gentlemen, with the highest consideration and respect,
Respectfully yours, FRANCIS VINTON.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church;
Gentlemen: The Committee on the De Ternay monument request your permission to remove the monument from its pres- ent position, and to place it in the vestibule of the Church; likewise to make such renovation of it as in their opinion may seem proper.
Very respectfully, Your ob't servant, For the committee, SIDNEY BROOKS.
Newport, Oct. 21, 1872.
Voted: that the request of the committee be granted.
341
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
April 14, 1873. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; 17 cor- porators being present. George C. Mason chosen chairman.
The officers of the Church were re-elected without change.
The Treasurer's estimate of expenses for the ensuing year was $6000, and a tax of 15 per cent. was voted.
Voted: that the Rector's salary be at the rate of $3500 per annum.
J. G. Spingler was elected Sexton, at a salary of $500. Mr. Horace Hill, Organist, declined a re-election.
Voted: that the sum of $100 be presented to Mr. Hill, as a testimonial of the respect and esteem of the Corporation, and that the Senior Warden present him the thanks of the Corpora- tion for his past services.
Voted: that Aug. Ulman be elected organist, at a salary of $500.
Voted: that $1000 be appropriated for music, and after pay- ing the salary of organist and hired singers, the balance be subject to the order of the Rector, for choir purposes.
September 18, 1873. Voted: that the Wardens and Treasurer be a committee to purchase the undivided half of the Crandall lot.
December 8, 1873. Voted: that the Senior Warden be au- thorized to have the ceiling of the Church painted according to his judgment, to be completed by Easter.
Voted: that the Chairman, Senior Warden and Dr. S. W. Francis, be a committee to offer proper resolutions in relation to the death of our late associate, Charles Hunter, and report at an adjourned meeting.
December 9, 1873. Adjourned meeting of the Vestry, at which the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved: Whereas in the Providence of God, our late asso- ciate, Captain Charles Hunter, was taken suddenly from us in the awful catastrophe, the sinking of the Ville de Havre, with
342
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
his wife and one daughter-all members of this Church -we bow in meek submission to the will of Him who holdeth the waters in His hand, and who in His wisdom has seen fit to bring distress upon us.
For many years Captain Hunter served as a Vestryman of this Church, to which he was strongly attached, and entered warmly into all discussions connected with its welfare; never severing from what he believed to be right in its government, or deemed best for its interest; Therefore
Resolved: that we deeply sympathize with the surviving mem- bers of his family, and that the Secretary be instructed to furnish them with a copy of this resolution.
Newport, R. I., December 10, 1873. To Mrs. Thomas Dunn and Misses Hunter:
At a meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church, on the evening of the 7th inst., the following preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted, and in accordance with the instruc- tion of the Vestry, I herewith place a copy of them in your hands. Words are inadequate to express our sense of the loss we have sustained, but all hearts are alive to the sorrow of those who are suddenly called to mourn the loss of Father, Mother and Sister by this terrible disaster.
Very respectfully,
JOB T. LANGLEY, Sec'y.
Explanatory note entered by the Secretary :
The Ville de Havre was a French steamer of the largest class, built of iron and running between New York and Havre. At 2 a. m. on the 23d of November, A. D. 1873, when in mid- ocean, she was run into by an English ship, the Lock Earn of about 1200 tons, also built of iron, and was so badly shattered that in twelve minutes she went down, carrying with her the greater part of her passengers and crew. There were 306 souls
343
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
on board, and of these 85 were saved, 25 being passengers, and the remaining 60 were of the officers and crew.
March 31, 1874. The Senior Warden reported that the paint- ing of the ceiling and woodwork of the Church had been done, at an expense of about $1500.
Voted: that the unanimous thanks of the Vestry be tendered Mr. Mason, for the thorough and tasteful manner in which he had decorated Trinity Church, and that they fully endorse all that he has done.
April 6, 1874. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; 15 cor- porators being present. George C. Mason was chosen chairman.
The Treasurer made report:
The tax of 15 per cent. is just sufficient for our ordinary ex- penses; but during the past year our extraordinary expenditures, including the purchase of the Crandall lot, amount to about $3000, which takes from the Treasury the balance which we should have at Easter, and leaves us in debt $660. To restore the treasury to its former good condition will require an extra tax of 5 per cent.
The sum of $265, from Sunday offerings during the year, have been added to the sinking fund for the school house debt; making the fund at the present time $525.
Voted: that the tax be at the rate of 20 per cent. on the valuation.
The officers of the Church were all re-elected.
The Fire Department of the City having asked permission to use the bell of the Church at alarms of fire, such permit was granted, provided the key of the belfry be under the control of some responsible officer of the City.
May 4, 1874. The Senior Warden reported he had on hand 200 yards of cotton cloth, used to cover the pews while the Church was being painted, and recommended that it be given
344
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
to the Dorcas Society, which met with the approval of the Vestry.
October 8, 1874. The Senior Warden tendered to the Vestry an attested "Copy of the will of Mr. Kay."
Voted: that it be accepted, and the thanks of the Vestry be tendered Mr. Mason for the same.
Voted: that said copy of the will be placed in the hands of the Treasurer, and he be requested to allow no one to have it.
The Treasurer presented a certified copy, abstract from will of Martha Littlefield, deceased, bequeathing to the Church the sum of two thousand dollars ..
Voted: that the bequest of Mrs. Littlefield be accepted, and the copy of the will be recorded; and that the Treasurer be requested to deposit the same [the sum of $2000] in the Sav- ings Bank of Newport, under the title of "The Littlefield Fund."
[Abstract from will of Martha Littlefield, deceased.]
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, in Newport, I give and bequeath pew number twenty-seven ( 27) south aisle of said Church, for the permanent use of said Corporation, and the sum of two thousand dollars, to be by them safely invested as a permanent fund, the income of which shall be by them applied, from time to time, or so much thereof as shall be nec- essary for that purpose, to the keeping of Trinity Church Yard, and the monuments therein, clean and in order; commending to the especial attention of said trustees the monuments erected for the Brinleys, Malbones, Littlefields, Sands, and the monu- ment erected for Collector Kay and the renewal of the inscrip- tion thereon; upon the side of which monument is also an in- scription, showing that a child of Bishop Berkeley is there buried; and the excess of the income of said fund, if any there be, after doing what I require herein, shall be invested and be permitted to accumulate. And if at any time hereafter the Corporation of said Church shall decide to erect a stone church edifice, said trustees may apply any portion of said permanent fund, with the
345
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
accumulated interest thereon, not needed for keeping in repair the monuments and yard aforesaid, in aid of the erection of such Church edifice.
The above is a true abstract from the will of Mrs. Martha Littlefield, late of Newport, deceased, which will was proved by the Probate Court of Newport, June 24, 1874, and of record in Probate Record, No. 28, pages 643 and 644.
Attest : BENJAMIN B. HOWLAND, Probate Clerk.
Note by the Secretary. The pew No. 27, bequeathed to Trinity Church in the above copy of will, had been deeded sev- eral years ago, by Mrs. Littlefield to Harry· Ingersol.
December 8, 1874. Voted: that the old carpets in the attic of the Church be placed at the disposal of the Dorcas Society.
March 29, 1875. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; 15 cor- porators being present. Marshall C. Slocum was chosen chair- man.
The following was received from the Treasurer:
The Treasurer submits for your consideration the following estimate of expenses for the ensuing year, including $1200 for the school house debt.
I call the attention of the Corporation to this debt, and earn- estly recommend that it be paid during the present year, as the time has arrived when we can easily do it without any increase of tax. Although it is impossible to tell just what our expenses will be, my estimate will show that the tax can be reduced three per cent., if it is thought expedient to do so.
Estimated expenses (given in detail ),
$7505
Income from Permanent Fund,
$1100
Land rents,
I20
Taxes at 17 per cent.,
6400
$7650
346
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the Treasurer be authorized to pay the Chapel debt, whenever he may be in funds.
The following communication from the Senior Warden was read, received and ordered to be recorded :
Easter Monday, March 29, 1875.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church :
Gentlemen: A severe cold has prevented my attending the Corporation meeting today, greatly to my regret, for I have wished to ask at your hand an increase of salary for the Rec- tor of this Parish; but not being permitted to do so in person I beg to bring to your notice a few facts which seem to me worthy of your attention.
And first, let me say that I have not conferred with the Rector on this subject; that he has not mentioned it to me, nor, that I am aware of, to any other member of the Corporation, and that what I know of his wants and needs is wholly the result of my own observations.
You are cognizant of the fact, that the wants of the Church at large are made known in great part through travelling agents, usually clergymen, who pass from town to town on their mission, and who, on their arrival in a place, expect to be received and cared for by their brother clergy; and that Newport, particularly in the summer months, is thought to be a fruitful field that should be well tilled. Trinity Church is the representative Church in Newport, and visiting clergymen go at once to its Rector, and expect to be cared for by him during their stay. They are not always permitted to make their mission known to the Parish, for it does not always meet with the approval of the Rector; but in every case the advocate has to be entertained during his stay, and you would probably be surprised at the number of applica- tions of this sort in the course of a year.
Again; a large part of the congregation during a portion of the year is made up of non-residents, who, on their arrival, make known to the Rector that they are here for the season, that they wish to be identified with the Parish, and would have him visit them the same as he visits his own people. The wish
347
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
is reasonable, and he endeavors to comply with it; but it can only be done at considerable expense to him; for they reside in cottages widely scattered, and at long distances - altogether too long for him to walk with the pressing demands on his time -- we all know what it costs to ride in Newport in summer.
Now all these demands must be met out of the Rector's liv- ing, and they have so taxed his resources, that he found it out of his power to reduce the debt on his house, and with no pros- pect of making it less, and feeling the burden too heavy to bear, he was constrained to sell his property. Knowing these facts, and feeling confident that they have but to be made known to the Corporation to be met promptly, I would respectfully suggest that the Rector's salary be raised to Three Thousand dollars, and that a further sum of one thousand dollars be allowed him for a house.
Very respectfully, GEORGE C. MASON.
Voted: that the Rector's salary be at the rate of three thou- sand dollars, with an additional sum of one thousand dollars for a house.
Voted: that the tax be at the rate of 20 per cent. on the valuation.
The following officers were elected:
George C. Mason, Senior Warden.
Samuel Engs, Junior Warden.
M. C. Slocum, 49 Benjamin Finch, Job T. Langley, William Cornell, John H. Cozzens, William G. Seabury, William E. Dennis, Samuel W. Francis, William H. Ashhurst, John S. De- Blois, William Edgar, Vestrymen.
49 MARSHALL CHRISTOPHER SLOCUM was one of the useful working mem- bers of the Church, was prominent in the Vestry, and was Senior Warden from 1849 to 1855. He was born May 1, 1807, and died June 25, 1875. He was married, October 6, 1842, to Catharine Dennis Bull, daughter of the late Henry Bull. She died May 11, 1874.
348
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Job T. Langley, Secretary.
William Cornell, Treasurer.
William H. Ashhurst, Samuel Engs, John H. Cozzens, M. C. Slocum, Delegates to State Convention.
Aug. Ulman, Organist.
J. G. Spingler, Sexton.
May 13, 1875. Voted: that the Wardens be a committee for keeping the Churchyard and the monuments in it clean and in order, as provided for in the will of Mrs. Martha Littlefield.
June 28, 1875. Voted: that J. H. Cozzens and William E. Dennis be a committee to assist the Wardens in seating stran- gers in the Church during the summer.
On motion of the Senior Warden, the following resolution was unanimously passed.
Whereas, our late associate, Marshall C. Slocum, has been taken from us by the hand of death, and whereas he was for many years an officer of this Church, indefatigable in his efforts to promote its interest, strong in his attachments to its rubric, upright in all the relations of life, and a sincere Christian; there- fore
Resolved: that we deeply deplore his loss, while we bow to the will of Him who hath called him to his rest.
Resolved: that the above resolution be entered on the rec- ords of the Vestry, and that a copy be transmitted to the fam- ily of the deceased by the Secretary.
[August 27, 1875. Kay Chapel was dedicated, but no men- tion is made of it in the records. 50 The services were conducted
50 In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
I, Thomas March Clark, D. D., LL.D., by the grace of God, Bishop of Rhode Island, having been duly certified that this Chapel is not encumbered with debt, and that it is to be devoted to the worship of Almighty God, and other sacred uses, have this day, in the use of the Service provided for the
349
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
by Rt. Rev. Thomas M. Clark, Bishop of Rhode Island; as- sisted by Rev. Henry A. Coit, D. D., Rev. John Cotton Smith, D. D., Rev. George J. Magill and Rev. William S. Child, D. D. ] November 30, 1875. -
Meeting of the Vestry .. The Rector in the chair.
Voted: that the sum of one hundred dollars be appropriated for dressing the Church at Easter, under the direction of the Wardens.
On motion of the Junior Warden, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :
It having come to the knowledge of the Vestry that the Sex- ton has charged the families of deceased persons buried from the Church, for opening the Church, incorporating said charge in his bill of funeral expenses;
Resolved: that the Secretary be and he is hereby instructed to notify both Organist and Sexton that in no case, and under no circumstances, will they be allowed to make any charge, or institute any claim, directly or indirectly, for any services
Consecration of a Church or Chapel, and assisted by several of the Clergy of the Diocese of Rhode Island, on this twenty-seventh day of August, the Festival of St. Bartholomew, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, solemnly consecrated this edifice to be hereafter known as Kay Chapel, in the Diocese of Rhode Island, to the service of the Holy and Undivided Trinity the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
And I do by this instrument declare that this edifice is now separated from all unhallowed, worldly or common uses, and is sacredly dedicated to the service of Almighty God, and for the performance of all holy offices in accordance with the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and as prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty- seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hun- dred and seventy-five, the twenty-first year of my consecration.
THOMAS MARCH CLARK, Bishop of Rhode Island.
SEAL
350
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
they may be called upon to render, at weddings or funerals, held in the Church or Chapel.
On motion of the Senior Warden the following resolution was adopted :
It having been represented to this Vestry that a number of well-disposed persons have contributed various sums, for a free Mission Chapel in that part of the city known as "the Point," which sums in the aggregate have amounted to enough to war- rant the Rector of this Parish to contract for the erection of a suitable building, in conformity with the wishes of the donors; and whereas the Rector and Wardens have been solicited to act as trustees of this property, it is therefore
Resolved: that the Rector and Wardens, and their successors in office, have the sanction of this Vestry to act as Trustees of said Mission Chapel, and of all funds raised for the same; it being understood that this Vestry is not to be held responsible, in any way, for the property so held in trust, or for the sup- port, maintenance or management of said Mission Station.
[ This was the last Vestry meeting at which Rev. Dr. White was present. ]
December 27, 1875. At a meeting of the Vestry, at the res- idence of George C. Mason, Senior Warden, Monday evening, December 27, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, our beloved Pastor, Rev. I. P. White, D. D., Rec- tor of Trinity Church-one who, from his earliest connection with this Parish, we have learned to love and respect-has been taken from us by the hand of death ;
Resolved: that we humbly bow to the will of Him who doeth what seemeth good in His sight, and Who, for our transgressions, has brought pain and sorrow and distress upon us;
And whereas: to the good offices of Rev. Dr. White, during the nine years that he was settled over this Parish, we owe our present growth and prosperity ;
35I
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Resolved: that we will keep the memory of our beloved Pas- tor green, by endeavoring to follow more closely the precepts and examples he has set before us; and will strive so to con- duct the affairs of this Parish that it may be brought nearer to that standard to which he aimed to raise it.
And Whereas, the Sunday School-the little flock that he took such delight in gathering around him, the hope of his life, over which he watched with such untiring care, and for which his prayers daily ascended to Heaven - will feel keenly his ir- reparable loss ;
Resolved: that we will make it an especial duty to sustain the school as he organized it, and to do all in our power to promote its growth and advance it in the knowledge and ways of the Church.
Resolved: that while we deplore our own immediate loss, we will not be unmindful of her, the partner of his life, who has been so suddenly stricken; that our sympathies be extended to her, and that our prayers may ascend on High, that He who is the widow's friend will look upon her with compassion, and give her that support in her hour of trial, of which she so sorely stands in need.
Resolved: that the Vestry take entire charge of the funeral of our deceased Pastor, and that a committee be appointed to carry out the wishes of his family in regard to his interment.
Resolved: that the Secretary be instructed to furnish the fam- ily of the deceased with a copy of these resolutions, and also a copy for the press.
Voted: that the family of Rev. Dr. White be permitted to inter his remains in that portion of the churchyard lying west of the Church, and now unoccupied.
Resolved: that the Wardens be a committee to carry out the wishes of the family of our deceased Rector in regard to his interment.
The Chairman appointed the following committees:
352
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
On Carriages and Guests; William E. Dennis.
On Dressing the Church; John S. DeBlois and William Cornell.
On Seating the Congregation; William G. Seabury, Samuel W. Francis and Job T. Langley.
On Music; Samuel Engs and William Edgar.
On Sunday School; John H. Cozzens.
Voted: that the expenses attending the sickness of our late Rector be met by the Vestry. 5 1
51 CANON WHITE, ordained at the age of 24 years, remained a year at Quebec, with the late Bishop Montain, after which he had charge of the Parish of Chambly, 14 miles from Montreal, where he was settled for 15 years. At the expiration of that time, at the request of the Bishop of Mon- treal, he was transferred to the Cathedral of Montreal, where he had been four and one-half years when called to Newport. He was born at Sunder- land, England, July 17, 1818, graduated at the University, Cambridge, pur- sued his theological studies under the Dean of Peterborough, and had a Parish on the Isle of Jersey, before he came to America. The funeral took place, December 30, 1875. The services were conducted by the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the Diocese, assisted by Rev. A. G. Mercer, D. D., Rev. William S. Child, D. D., Rev. Mr. Hargate, and Rev. Mr. Williams. The bearers were Rev. Messrs. Kettell, Peet, Henshaw, Greer, Richards and Waterman. The Church was draped with mourning over the Christmas greens. When the remains were lowered into the grave the Sunday School children pressed forward and in turn cast flowers upon the casket.
The next spring the Senior Warden received the following note from Mrs. White:
39 Pelham Street, May 19th.
My dear Mr. Mason:
Would you have any objection to my placing a Memorial Cross on the Altar of Trinity Church?
I sent for photographs to Lamb, and enclose the one I like best for your approval. It is three feet high and of polished brass. Although I would like very much to get the Cross, of course I will not do so, if the Rector and Wardens do not entirely approve of it.
With kind regards, Very sincerely yours, CATHERINE WHITE.
The matter was referred to the Rector, who gave it his hearty approval, and the wishes of Mrs. White were carried out. On the base of the cross there is this inscription:
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF REV. I. P. WHITE.
353
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Resolved: that this meeting adjourn to Wednesday afternoon, at I o'clock at this place.
January 3, 1876. Meeting of the Vestry. The Senior Ward- en in the chair.
On motion of Benjamin Finch it was unanimously voted : that the Rev. Dr. Mercer5 2 be invited to fill the pulpit of Trin- ity Church, until such time as a Rector may be permanently called.
January 7, 1876.
5 2 To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, Newport, R. I., through George C. Mason, Esq., Senior Warden;
Gentlemen: Your letter of the 3rd inst., expressing your unani- mous and earnest wish, that I should fill the pulpit of Trinity Church, until the election of a Rector, has been very carefully considered. Under all the circumstances your wish has great weight with me, and I know not how to decline it. If I could be sure that my acceptance would be of much real benefit to the Church, I should allow no personal reasons to be heard, but would have accepted promptly some days since. However, I must hope that it will be so; and presuming my services will be a convenience to the Parish in its bereavement, and may do a little good to us all, hereby I do accept, laying aside all hesitancy.
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.