USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 5
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The present Pastor of the Society is the Rev. Mahlon Van Horne.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
mittee, viz: Robert Johnston, George Irish, Christopher Fry, 25 Henry Bull, Thomas W. Brown, John Sterne, Robinson Potter, George Hall, Benjamin Finch, George C. Mason, Edward N. Cox, Christopher G. Perry, John W. Davis, Stephen A. Robin- son, Joshua Sayre, Henry Wood, S. Fowler Gardner, Isaiah Crooker, Charles Collins, Stephen Deblois, Samuel Allen, Sam- · uel Carr, John Vars, William C. Gibbs, Lloyd Minturn, Andrew A. Harwood, David Coggeshall, John Pitman, John Barker, Edward Stanhope, John N. Potter, William Norris, David Mel- ville, Benjamin Fry, T. K. Gardiner, John W. Davis, Jr., David King, Fones Havens, John Dennis, Joseph Bailey, Moses Nor- man; Henry Bull, Jr., Secretary of the Committee.
[The above names comprised all the male Corporators at that time. ]
Voted: that the present officers of the Church continue to hold their stations until the adjourned meeting of the Corpora- tion.
[The reader cannot have failed to see that the Church, with all its prestige and venerable history, was in a bad way: that it was embarrassed for means to pay the salaries, small as they were, and current expenses (the latter brought down to a mini- mum); that frequent resort was had to loans, significant in amount, to meet demands that could only be provided for in this way after other efforts to pay such debts had been unsuc- cessful. This was irritating to persons whose means were al- ready so restricted that they could hardly meet personal obliga- tions. Abandoned pews were frequently offered for sale without buyers. The number of Corporators had been greatly reduced by the defection that had resulted in the organization of Zion
25 CHRISTOPHER FRY was the son of John Fry and Mary Tillinghast, his wife, and the brother of Captain Benjamin Fry. He died in Newport, July 24, 1851, in his 95th year.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Church. . The Rector, who had grown old in the service of the Church, had not for years asked for an advance on his small salary, knowing it would be of no avail; or even for needed repairs on the parsonage. Discouraged, he plodded on, hoping in vain that the cloud that had settled down on the Parish would pass over. Had the Church, in recognition of his long service, eased his burden by giving him an assistant, it would have been a move in the right direction; but the Corporation could only see that such a course would add to their embarrassment, as they supposed, and so they adopted measures, as will be seen by what follows, of a wholly different character.]
April 29, 1839. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation.
Voted: that Henry Bull be the Moderator of the meeting.
The committee appointed to examine the state of the finances, &c., made report, as follows, viz:
" That whereas most of the Religious Congregations in Rhode Island, in conformity to the principles and practice of the founders of the State, have adopted the plan of supporting their Pastors, in part or in whole, by annual contributions; and whereas, in the opinion of this Committee, the relations between the Pastor and his congregation are best maintained by their mutual depend- ence on each other; and whereas the Congregation of Trinity Church, like all other collective bodies of people, embraces those of various pecuniary means, it is therefore just and expedient that their common burdens should be so laid, as to allow such as are possessed of much, to contribute in some proportion to their worldly means, to that which is wanted by the whole association.
"Therefore the Committee recommend that for the future, the Corporation, as such, will make no further provision for the Rector or Minister of said Church, beyond the dividend to be annually received from what is called the Permanent Fund, to- gether with the use of a certain lot of land, situated on the Hill, and heretofore assigned for the use and benefit of the Minister for thé time being, containing about two acres.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
"The aforesaid Permanent Fund consists of seventy-eight shares in the stock of the Rhode Island Union Bank, in New- port, fourteen shares in the Newport Bank, and ten shares in the Bank of Rhode Island. That all further provision for the support of the present, or any future Minister of Trinity Church, be by voluntary contributions, to be made by private persons in or out of said Congregation or Society.
"And whereas this Corporation are now considerably indebted, therefore the Committee recommend that, an order pass in the meeting of the Corporation, to sell or dispose of the parsonage house, and lot on which it stands, and the house occupied by the sexton and the lot on which it stands, and also so much of the School House lot as is not wanted as an appendage to said School House. The said houses to be disposed of between this time and the last of August, next, either at public or private sale, and the proceeds arising from said sales to be applied to the payment of the debts of the Corporation; and that the ex- ecution of the Resolution or Act of the Corporation for selling as aforesaid, be especially confided to and charged upon the Wardens and Vestry.
"Resolved: that the Committee recommend that a contribu- tion be taken up once in each month, and the proceeds be appro- priated to the incidental expenses of the Church and Corporation; and that the tax on the pews, on the lower floor of the Church, be reduced to six dollars for the present year.
"And it is further recommended, that the election of all offi- cers of the Church, not appointed at the adjourned meeting to be held on the 29th of April, instant, be referred to the Wardens and Vestry, and that they appoint and fix the salaries of the same, provided the whole sum shall not exceed the amount paid the past year for like services.
All of which is respectfully submitted by HENRY BULL, Chairman."
Said Report having been read, it was unanimously resolved that it be received.
On motion made and seconded, it was unanimously resolved
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
that said report be adopted, and that the same be an Act of this Corporation.
The following communication was received from the Rector.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church,
Gentlemen :
From the autumn of the year 1810, when by unani- mous request, I assumed the pastoral charge of this Parish, until the spring of 1833, a period of more than twenty-two years, I had the satisfaction of seeing it prosperous and flourish- ing. Not a single family, who had once attached themselves to the Church, is remembered to have ever wholly left it; while it frequently received large and respectful accessions from other denominations of Christians. And in all the intermarriages that took place, with but few exceptions, both parties invariably at- tended Church. During that time, the Church was thoroughly repaired, as were also the Parsonage house, and the Sunday School house. And I was the humble means of establishing a Permanent Fund, of more than ten thousand dollars.
In the spring of 1833, when the Congregation had much in- creased in numbers, contrary to my judgment, extraordinary efforts were made to found a second Episcopal Church in New- port, which in the course of a year or two, drew from the old Church nearly thirty families, and a still larger number of Com- municants. This was followed by the establishment of other new places of worship, which deprived the Congregation of about ten families more. And almost as many old Episcopal families have since removed from Newport, making in all nearly fifty families.
The loss of so many valuable members from the Congrega- tion, has had the effect, not unforseen by the Rector, to create uneasiness in the Church, and depress the energies of the people: though the pews formerly occupied by those who have since left have been generally taken; some families have returned, and the Congregation is still numerous-more so, it is believed, than when I first took charge of it. The Communion is known to be at least one-third larger.
Serious pecuniary difficulties have been likewise experienced
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
by the Corporation, in consequence of not receiving the usual bank dividends, for a number of years; and yet the funds of the Church are now more than double what they were when I became Rector.
Although I have now passed nearly thirty years of the best part of my life among you, exclusively devoted to the duties of my sacred office, and had once expected here to "finish my course," and that here "my flesh would rest in hope," I have, after much reflection, and prayer for the Divine guidance, deemed it advisable, under existing circumstances, to retire from my present situation; and I hereby signify my intention to resign the Rectorship of Trinity Church, on Easter Monday, in the year of our Lord, 1840; stipulating only for the continuance of my salary as it now is, the use of the Parsonage house, and all other privileges usually belonging to the Rector, until the next Easter; and leaving it to your liberal and generous feelings to make such further provision for the support of myself and family, as may be needed for our future respectability and com- fort.
In adopting this measure I am gratified in knowing that I shall leave your Church in excellent repair, and well endowed, with a congregation large and fully able to sustain it; and that at the last celebration of the Lord's Supper, I witnessed the largest Communion ever recollected at the Easter festival. And most earnestly shall I ever pray for the continued harmony and prosperity of the Church.
With sentiments of esteem and regard, I am, Gentlemen, Your affectionate Pastor, S. WHEATON.
Newport, April 29, 1839.
The said communication having been read, the following reso- lution was unanimously passed by the Corporation:
Whereas this Corporation has this day received from the Rev. Dr. Salmon Wheaton, a communication giving notice of his resig- nation of the Rectorship of Trinity Church, prospectively, to take effect from and after Easter next, therefore:
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Resolved: that the said communication be received, and ac- cepted, and that the Wardens and Vestry, be, and they are hereby requested, to draw up and present to our Reverend Pas- tor, a suitable answer, expressive of the affection and regard entertained for, and justly due to the man who has so long and so faithfully presided over this Church and Congregation; assur- ing him that the respect, affection and best wishes of this Church and Congregation, towards him, remain unimpaired, and will follow him in his contemplated retirement.
[A search for a copy of the letter which, no doubt, the Ves- try addressed to the Rector, in compliance with the above reso- lution, has not been successful. ]
Resolved: that the Rev. Dr. Wheaton be requested, during the remainder of his Rectorship, to assist the Church and Con- gregation, in selecting a suitable candidate as his successor.
Resolved: that the aforesaid communication from the Rector, be recorded in the proceedings of this meeting: and as we are now without the personal attendance of our said Rector, the Secretary is hereby directed to furnish him with a copy of these resolutions.
The following officers were elected for the year ensuing :
George C. Mason, Senior Warden.
Christopher G. Perry, Junior Warden.
Henry Bull, Edward N. Cox, Samuel F. Gardner, Isaiah Crooker, George Hall, Benjamin Finch, Henry Wood, John Sterne, Lloyd Minturn, John Vars, Joseph Bailey, Vestrymen.
John Sterne, Treasurer.
Benjamin A. Mason, Secretary.
Edward N. Cox and Christopher Fry, Delegates to the Dioc- esan Convention.
The tax on the gallery pews was fixed at $2.
April 29, 1839. Voted by the Vestry: that Mrs. Mary Moore be continued as organist, with a salary of $130 per annum; but in case no chorister is employed, and Mrs. Moore shall perform
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
the duties of organist and also lead in singing, her salary shall be at the rate of $150 per annum.
Voted: that the Wardens and Mr. Benjamin Finch be a com- mittee to superintend the stoves, and generally all that apper- tains to the warming of the Church; and also to cause the Church to be thoroughly cleaned, and to keep the same in good order.
Voted: that Henry Bull, George Hall, and Samuel F. Gard- ner, be a committee to procure a subscription for the purpose of paying the balance of the Rector's salary, after applying the dividends arising from the Permanent Fund, agreeably to the vote of the Corporation.
Voted: that Pew No. 28 be sold to John B. Atkinson for $32.
Voted: that the Treasurer give bonds to this Corporation for $500 with or without sureties.
[The following is a copy of the subscription paper referred to above.]
Whereas the Corporation of Trinity Church, at their annual meeting, voted: that the interest on the Permanent Fund be paid to the Rector, and did not make further provision for his support; and whereas said interest is not sufficient to pay his usual salary, therefore the subscribers do agree to pay the sums affixed to their names, to make up the deficiency.
Henry Bull, $20 Elizabeth C. Perry, $10
George Hall, IO Margaret Mason, 26 IO
Samuel F. Gardner, IO Sarah Bailey, IO
George C. Mason, IO Samuel Allen, IO
Edward N. Cox, IO Samuel Carr, 5
Benjamin Finch, IO C. G. Perry, 5
26 MRS. MARGARET MASON was the daughter of Christopher Champlin, and Margaret Grant, of Sueton and Temperance; born September 11, 1764, married to Dr. Benjamin Mason, November 8, 1788, and died February 5, 1841. Her accomplishments, grace and beauty brought her into much no- tice, and her name is pleasantly associated with many of the leading social events of her day.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
John R. Stanhope, $10 Nancy Stewart, $5
R. Coggeshall,
IO
Thomas W. Brown, 5
Lloyd Minturn, IO John Vars, 5
Charles Collins,
IO Henry Bull, Jr., 5
Nathaniel Amory, IO
Mrs. Wm. V. Taylor,
3
George Irish,
IO Henry Oman,
3
Samuel Engs,
5 John Sterne, 5
Isaiah Crooker,
5
William J. Roberts, 5
Thomas Breese,
IO
$236
Nathaniel Amory $10, and Lloyd Minturn $10, not paid.
May 7, 1839. Mr. John Sterne offered his own bond, for $500, for the faithful discharge of his duties as Treasurer, and it was voted that said bond be received.
June 4, 1839. The committee appointed to determine the line between the school house and the lot to be sold with the Sexton's house, reported that it was expedient that the lot should be rated to have twenty-five feet on Mary street, and forty-eight feet or there about from front to rear; and a committee was appointed to sell the house and lot "as soon as may be," at either public or private sale, and that the Treasurer be author- ized to give a deed to the purchaser.
July 2, 1839. The following notice was given of the sale of the Parsonage:
"The house and lot of land owned by the Corporation of Trinity Church, and now occupied by the Rev. Dr. Wheaton; said lot is bounded on all sides by public streets, and the house and fences are in good repair.
"If the same is not disposed of at private sale before the 28th day of August next, it will on that day (if fair, if not the first fair day after), be sold at public auction on the premises, at II o'clock a. m."
"A condition of the sale will be, that the present occupant
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
continue to hold the same, as tenant, until Easter next, free of rent."
Persons wishing to purchase were to apply to the Senior Ward- en.
Whereas: after Easter next the Church will be without a Minister, unless previous to that time a clergyman shall be en- gaged to take the place of our respected Pastor, and it is therefore necessary that between now and said Easter, such clergymen as are willing to performn the service in said Church, should be invited to do so: it is therefore,
Voted: that whenever the Senior Warden knows of a clergy- man who he thinks that the congregation would be pleased to hear, that he request the Rev. Dr. Wheaton to invite him to preach in said Church: and in case a clergyman shall, by invi- tation of the Minister, or Senior Warden, come from another place, to perform services in this Church, it is also Voted: that the Senior Warden be, and he is hereby, authorized to draw on the Treasurer for such sum as shall be necessary to pay the charges and expenses of said clergyman: and that Rev. Dr. Wheaton is respectfully requested to aid, as much as is in his power, the Senior Warden in the performance of the duty hereby imposed upon him; and it is further Voted: that the Secretary furnish the Rev. Dr. Wheaton with a copy of this vote.
Voted: that the expenses of the Rev. Dr. Wheaton to the State Convention be paid by this Corporation.
September 3, 1839. The committee appointed to sell the Parsonage and Sexton's house reported: that the Sexton's house had been sold at public auction, to John Springer [the Sexton] for $300 cash; and that the Parsonage had been sold at public auction, to Henry Oman, for $1,900, and that the conditions of the sale of the Parsonage were as follows, viz. : one quarter of the purchase money to be paid on the delivery of the deed, one
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
quarter to be secured by an approved endorsed note, payable in nine months, with interest, and for the remaining half, a note to be given, payable in five years, with interest from day of sale, interest payable semi-annually, said last mentioned note to be secured by a mortgage on the premises sold; and the com- mittee further report, that it was also a condition of the sale of the Parsonage that the Rev. Dr. Wheaton occupy the same until Easter Monday, next, free of rent. Whereupon it was voted: that said report be approved and accepted; and it was also voted and resolved, that the Treasurer collect from George Engs the money due from him to the Church (except the amount secured by note and mortgage) to pay the debts of this Corpora- tion.
Voted: that the Senior and Junior Wardens, the Treasurer and Isaiah Crooker, be a committee to collect all the papers and records of this Church, and to deposit such of them as they may deem necessary, in some secure place for safe keeping.
Whereas, in the opinion of this Vestry, it is time that a clergyman should be engaged to officiate in Trinity Church, after Easter next, it is therefore:
Voted: that the Rev. Dr. Wheaton be requested to give no- tice, on Sunday next, that a Corporation meeting will be held in the school house, on Thursday, the 11th day of September, at 3 o'clock p. m., for the purpose of passing such acts and resolutions as may be found necessary, in order to obtain the services of a clergyman after said Easter.
Whereupon the Rev. Dr. Wheaton requested that the con- sideration of said motion might be postponed until some future day and on motion made and seconded, it was Voted: that the Vestry stand adjourned until Friday evening, September 6, 1839, then to meet at the same place, at 7 o'clock p. m.
September 6, 1839. Voted: that at the request of the Rev. Dr. Wheaton, the consideration of the motion made on Tuesday
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
evening last, for calling a Corporation meeting, be postponed until the next regular Vestry meeting.
October 1, 1839. At the regular Meeting of the Vestry;
Voted: that the clergyman who shall officiate in Trinity Church on Sunday next, be requested to give notice that a meeting of the Corporation will be held in the Church School House, on Thursday, October roth, at half-past six p. m., for the purpose of passing such acts and resolutions as shall be found necessary to obtain a clergyman to serve after Easter next, as the Minister of this Church.
Voted: that hereafter all monies received for, or on account of Trinity Church, by any officer or agent thereof, shall be paid to the Treasurer, and that hereafter all demands against Trinity Church shall be paid by the Treasurer; provided no money shall be paid out of the Treasury (except for salaries, which have been previously fixed by the Corporation), unless the claims have been submitted to the Corporation or Vestry, and approved by them; and it is also voted: that hereafter none of the reve- nue of the Church, which has been appropriated for any special purpose, shall be used for any other, except by special vote of the Corporation or Vestry.
Voted: that Mr. John Springer [Sexton] be not required to pay the sum of eight dollars, belonging to this Corporation, which was stolen from him, but that the same be given up to him.
Whereas: Miss Sarah Gibbs has expressed a wish to purchase Pew No. 18, in Trinity Church, for the purpose of erecting a monument therein, it is voted: that George Hall, Edward N. Cox, Samuel F. Gardner and Benjamin Finch be a committee to take said subject into consideration, and report thereon.
[It does not appear there was any further action on this sub- ject. ]
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER III.
. 1839-1844.
October 10, 1839. Special Meeting of the Corporation: Henry Bull, Moderator.
The following Resolution was presented by Stephen A. Rob- inson :
Whereas, the Corporation of Trinity Church has now assem- bled for the purpose "of passing such acts and resolutions, as shall be found necessary, to obtain a clergyman to serve after Easter, next, as the Minister of said Church"; and whereas, in the opinion of the Corporation, the end for which they have assembled, can be better accomplished by the appointment of a committee to select and engage a clergyman, from and after Easter next, for a term of time not exceeding one year; and it is therefore
Voted: that the Church Wardens and Vestrymen of this Church be a committee, to select and engage a clergyman to officiate after Easter next, as the Minister of Trinity Church; and the said committee, in the name of this Corporation, are hereby authorized to do what shall be found necessary for that purpose.
The resolution was adopted.
December 3, 1839. Voted: that the Treasurer and Henry Bull be a committee to ascertain what property, real and per- sonal, now belongs to the Church, and make a detailed report.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
March 21, 1840. Voted: that the Treasurer pay to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, ten dollars, to defray his expenses in visiting Trinity Church.
April 7, 1840. Voted: that the Senior Warden, Treasurer, George Hall and S. Fowler Gardner, be a committee to make a final settlement with Rev. Dr. Wheaton, and that a majority of the committee have power to act.
April 17, 1840. Adjourned meeting of the Vestry.
The committee appointed December 3, 1839, to ascertain what property, real and personal, belongs to the Church, beg leave to submit the following:
Real Estate. The Church edifice and lot on which it stands. The School House and lot on which it stands.
The lot on the Hill, containing two acres, purchased with the proceeds of land originally given for and towards the support of the Minister for the time being, by Nathaniel Norton.
Personal Estate. The Permanent Fund: the interest of which only is given for the support of the Church, the principal to remain entire: consists of
78 shares in the Rhode Island Union Bank, purchased at various prices, par value $100, $7,800
14 Shares in Newport Bank, par value $60, 840
Io Shares in Bank of Rhode Island, par value $100, 1,000
Io Shares in the Merchants Bank, par value $100, 1,000
Making, $10,640
The Church Fund consists of the following stocks and notes. 14 Shares Rhode Island Union Bank Stock, $1,400.00
2 Shares Bank of Rhode Island, 200.00
Henry Oman's note, in part payment for Parsonage, 496.61
Henry Oman's note, also in part payment for Parson-
age, with interest semi-annually, secured by Mort- gage, 950.00
Making, $3,046.61
There is also belonging to the Corporation, on the lower floor
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
of the Church, as far as the committee have been able to ascer- tain, thirty pews: Nos. 1, 2, 16, 17, 18, 21, 32, 33, 34, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 53, 54, 55, 56, 68, 69, 70, 71, 83, 85, 87, 97, 98 and 99. Four of said pews are now used for stands for the four stoves.
In the Gallery the Church owns all the pews, except eight, according to the best information the committee could obtain.
The Poor Fund consists of 8 shares in R. I. Union Bank, par value $100.
The Church is indebted to the Poor Fund, as liquidate, $47.00 per annum in full, and we would respectfully suggest the ex- pediency of transferring eight shares of the stock of the R. I. Union Bank, now belonging to the Corporation, to the Poor Fund, in full of that claim.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
HENRY BULL, JOHN STERNE, CHRIST. G. PERRY,
On motion, made and seconded, it was unanimously
Voted: that the above report be received and recorded.
April 20, 1840. Annual Meeting of the Corporation: 23 Cor- porators present. Henry Bull, Moderator.
The officers of the previous year re-elected with the exception of Thomas W. Brown and Thomas Breese, Vestrymen, in place of Henry Wood and Lloyd Minturn.
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