USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 7
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This could be accomplished by private subscription, or by a box contribution, but a more dignified, as well as more just method (in my judgment) is to defray our expenses from the Treasury. This is the usage of the Church, founded on right principles, and is, besides, expedient under our present circum- stances. I desire an expression of opinion on the subject from the Corporation, and will thank you (if it can be done legally at a special meeting) to obtain an order, by which I shall be able to shape my plans for the edification of the Church.
I remain, dear sir, your affectionate friend and Pastor, FRANCIS VINTON.
Voted: that the above letter be referred to the Vestry. At a special meeting of the Vestry, held the same evening,
27 THOMAS BREESE, son of Major John Breese, British Vice Consul at Newport, shipped when a lad with Commodore O. H. Perry, as Captain's Clerk, went with him to Lake Erie, assisted in firing the last gun on board the Lawrence, and passed unhurt through that memorable battle. July 8, 1815, he was appointed Purser in the navy, and retained the office through life. He married, May 25, 1825, Lucy Maria Randolph, daughter of Richard K. Randolph, and died at Cambridge, Mass., October 12, 1846. He was a member of the Vestry in 1835.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
the letter of the Rev. Francis Vinton, referred to the Vestry by the Corporation having been read, it was
Voted: that the Senior Warden inform Mr. Vinton, that any course he may deem best to pursue, in regard to the services he speaks of, in said letter, will meet with the approbation of this Vestry; and it is also voted: that the Senior Warden pro- cure the lights and fuel that may be necessary.
February 19, 1841. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation.
The Rev. Mr. Vinton having given notice to the Corporation on Sunday last, that at this meeting a Vestryman was to be appointed in the place of Thomas Breese, removed from town, it was unanimously voted: that John H. Gilliat be a Vestryman until Easter next.
The committee appointed at the last meeting, to inform Rev. Francis Vinton of the call of this Corporation, for him to be Rector of Trinity Church, from Easter next, reported that they had performed that duty, and had received a letter from Mr. Vinton on the subject, as follows:
Newport, 18th February, 1841.
Messrs. George Hall, Samuel F. Gardner, C. G. Perry, Committee; Gentlemen:
I have the satisfaction to acknowledge the receipt of the Resolution of the Corporation of Trinity Church, calling me by an unanimous vote, to be the Rector of Trinity Church, from Easter next, and providing for my canonical institution, in case of my acceptance of said call.
I would not disguise the sincere gratification, Gentlemen, which this testimony of the confidence of Trinity Church has afforded me. I do most cordially reciprocate their good will. When I look back on our intercourse for nearly a year, I see nothing to regret, except the conscious ill-desert of the many blessings with which it has pleased God to crown us. I desire to bear witness, however, to the deference, to the steady kind-
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
ness and to the sympathy, with which the Church, in both their Corporate and individual capacity, have extended towards me, under trials and afflictions. And I will frankly say, that if it be possible, without unreasonable sacrifices, for me to accept their call to be the Rector, I shall feel it a duty and a pleasure to return an affirmative answer to their invitation. Yet the an- swer must necessarily be deferred until the further action of the Corporation, proposing the conditions and terms of our connec- tion, with such definiteness as will preclude future mistakes and misunderstandings.
After our late free interchange of sentiment, and the knowl- edge which you obtained at our interview, you will be prepared to state to the Corporation, that on the one hand, my Living, named by myself last year, has proved to be so inadequate, as to leave me in arrears, and to compel me to draw on slender private resources for the current expenditures, which my position and contingencies have rendered unavoidable. Judging from the past respecting the future, it would be imprudent to incur the liabilities, which the present amount of my Living will impose, and thus jeopard my independence, my peace of mind and my respectability. And on the other hand, you will please repeat to the Corporation, the fixed determination with which I com- menced and shall continue my ministry: not to be a burden to the Parish, and to receive no more for my maintenance as a householder and Rector, than is cheerfully and without hardship contributed.
Accept, Gentlemen, my thankful acknowledgments of the politeness and consideration, with which you convey to me the Resolutions of the Corporation, and conferred with me on the several topics connected with them.
I remain your affectionate Minister and Friend,
FRANCIS VINTON.
Said letter having been read it was
Voted: that the Corporation pay to the Rev. Mr. Vinton, as a salary for the next year, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars,
9I
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
with the understanding that he also have the same liberty of absence as the last year; and it was also
Voted: that the same committee appointed at the last meet- ing, to inform Mr. Vinton of his call, be a committee to inform him of this vote, and to report to the Vestry what his determi- nation shall be relative to the same.
Voted: that the Vestry be authorized to appoint such persons as they shall deem proper, to take into consideration the finan- cial concerns of the Corporation, and to report to the Vestry such ways and means as they shall. deem best for the Corpora- tion to adopt, to pay the expenses of the coming year.
February 19, 1841. Special meeting of the Church Wardens and Vestrymen.
Voted: that Samuel F. Gardner, George C. Mason, John Sterne, Henry Bull, Benjamin Finch, John H. Gilliat and George Hall be a Committee of Finance, to take into consider- ation what cause it will be most advisable to adopt, in order to enable this Corporation to pay the expenses of the coming year, and that said committee report to the Vestry the ways and means they consider will be best to accomplish this end.
March 9, 1841. Voted: that Christopher G. Perry, George Hall and John Sterne be a committee to ascertain what pews belong to the Corporation, and fix a value on them.
March II, 1841. Voted: that no persons be allowed to oc- cupy the front pews in the north gallery, except owners or lessees.
Voted: that John Sterne and George C. Mason be a commit- tee to report to the Corporation, on Easter Monday, upon the financial affairs of the Church.
The committee appointed by the Vestry, to ascertain what pews are owned by the Church, and to make a valuation of said pews, would report as follows:
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
On the lower floor:
Pew No. I, valued at $10. Pew No. 56, valued at $25. 66
2,
20.
30.
I7,
2I,
25. 20.
70,
71,
66
30.
33,
66
IO.
66
83,
66
25.
40,
66
20.
66
85,
20.
66 41,
25.
87,
30.
42,
30.
66
97, 98,
25.
53,
25.
Whole valuation $505.
Pews in the North Gallery:
No. 8, valued at $10.
IO.
8.
66
4,
66
8.
66
17, 18,
8.
60
5, 6,
IO.
5.
Valuation of Gallery pews, $90.
Total valuation, $595.
The Church also owns four pews in which at present the stoves are placed. Two pews are appropriated for strangers, and two for the Rector; all of which are on the lower floor. There are also in the north gallery, five upper or back pews, Nos. 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, and twelve of the same kind in the south gallery, Nos. 30, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58, which said twelve are occupied by the Blacks, and have not been valued although they belong to the Church.
Said report having been read, it was voted that it be received and recorded.
Voted: that all the pews belonging to the Corporation be valued, and the lessee to pay in addition to the tax, a rent equal to the interest on the valuation. The pews are to be leased on the condition that they be given up at any time when they can
30.
43,
35.
99, 68, ,69,
66
25.
25.
32,
20.
. No. I, valued at $8. 2, 3, 8.
IO. 5.
14, 16,
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
be sold at the valuation; but any lessee shall have the privilege of purchasing the pew he may hire, provided he pays the value set upon it, within seven days from the time he receives notice that another person is ready to purchase it.
The committee appointed by the Corporation, February 19, 1841, to inform the Rev. Mr. Vinton of their doings in regard to his salary, made the following report:
The Committee appointed by the Corporation of Trinity Church, at a meeting held on the 9th day of February, 1841, to wait upon the Rev. Francis Vinton and tender him the vote of the Corporation, calling him to preside over said Church, as their Rector, and to request his acceptance of the same, beg leave to report, that in compliance with their instructions they waited upon the Rev. Mr. Vinton, presenting him the vote, and stating the wishes of the Corporation. After a full interchange of opinions, Mr. Vinton stated he would make a written reply, which was done, and was by this Committee laid before the adjourned meeting of the Corporation, held on the 19th of February inst., when the Committee were again instructed to see Mr. Vinton, and inform him of the vote then passed, calling him to the Rectorship, with a salary of fifteen hundred dollars per year. This was done, and we had the pleasure of receiving his verbal acceptance of the same. Since which we have re- ceived a written communication from him, addressed to the Cor- poration, in which, for the reason therein stated, and in compli- ance with the sentiments expressed in his first communication to the Corporation, of the 18th of February, he declined to receive the extra sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, as will more fully appear, upon reference to said letter on file, and on the records of the Corporation. The Committee were instructed to make report of their doings to the Vestry of Trinity Church at their first meeting.
GEORGE HALL,
Chairman of the Committee.
Newport, Feby., 184I.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that unless all back dues on the following pews, viz. : Nos. 15, 20, 23, 45, 59, 79 and 100 are settled to the satisfaction of the Junior Warden, previous to Easter next, they shall be advertised and sold, according to the provision of the Charter, any former vote of this Vestry to the contrary notwithstanding.
April 6, 1841. The Committee appointed March 1I, 1841, to draw up and make a report to the Corporation on Easter Monday, upon the financial concerns of the Church, present for the approval of the Vestry their report, as follows:
To the Vestry and Corporation of Trinity Church:
The undersigned appointed by the Wardens and Vestry, to ascertain what the expenses of this Church for the coming year will be, and to report the ways and means which they shall deem most advisable for the Corporation to adopt, in order to meet the same, respectfully report, that after due consideration of the subject referred to them, they find that the probable ex- penses of the coming year will not vary much from those of the past year, which were as follows:
Minister's salary, $1250.00
Organist, do.,
125.00
Sexton, do., 78.00
Miscellaneous expenses, 300.00
Amounting to $1750.00
The income of the Church for the same time was as follows:
Pew tax received and to be received, $594.00
Contributions on Sundays, 30.41
Dividends on Permanent and Church funds, 593.40
Rent of lot,
28.00
Interest on H. Oman's note for $950, 57.00 1302.81
Leaving a balance due from the Corporation of $450.19 To be paid out of H. Oman's note for $475.
The Committee therefore report that the expenses of the Cor- poration for the coming year will be $1753.00, to be provided
95
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
for by the Corporation, and which the Committee recommend to be raised by a tax of $12 on the pews on the lower floor, a tax of $5 on the pews in the gallery, and an additional sum assessed on all pews belonging to the Corporation, equal to the interest on the valuation of the same, made to the Vestry March IIth, 1841, by a committee for that purpose appointed: which said tax and assesment will produce as follows, viz. :
90 pews on the lower floor, rented at $12, $1080.00
8 do. in the gallery, at $5, 40.00
Interest on valuation of Church pews, 30.05 Making $1150.05. Amount required to be raised, $1110.60, leav- ing an excess of $39.45 to meet incidental expenses which may accrue during the year, not taken into the account.
JOHN STERNE, GEO. C. MASON, Committee.
Newport, April 5th, 1841.
Said report having been read, it was voted that the same be approved.
April 12, 1841. Annual Meeting on Easter Monday.
Voted: that the letter of the Rev. Francis Vinton to this Corporation, dated March 4, 1841, be received and recorded.
To the Corporation of Trinity Church, Gentlemen :
I accept your call to be the Rector of Trinity Church, agreeably to the terms of your resolutions of February 12th and 19th, which have been communicated to me officially by your Committee.
I thank you, Gentlemen, for this expression of your continued confidence, and for your kind and generous provision for the comfort of your Pastor, and the respectability of the Rector of Trinity Church. But I am informed, unofficially, that there are in the congregation, persons who regard the addition of $250 to my present salary as a burden on the Corporation. While this is the case, that addition would only increase my anxieties and impair my usefulness: therefore I beg leave to decline it.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
May the blessing of Almighty God confirm and prosper our connection, and cause it to result to His glory and our ever- lasting joy.
Your devoted friend and Minister,
FRANCIS VINTON.
Newport, March 4, 1841.
Whereas, at a meeting of the Vestry, March 11, 1841, a vote was passed as follows, viz .:
Voted: that all the pews belonging to the Corporation be valued and the lessees to pay in addition to the tax a rent equal to the interest on the valuation: the pews to be leased on the condition that they be given up at any time when they can be sold at the valuation; but any lessee shall have the privilege of purchasing the pew he may hire, provided he pays the value set upon it, within seven days from the time he received notice that another person is ready to purchase it.
The Corporation, approving of said vote of the Vestry, it was unanimously voted that the same become a law of the Corpora- tion.
The following officers were elected:
George C. Mason, Senior Warden.
Christopher G. Perry, Junior Warden.
Samuel F. Gardner, Christopher Fry, Benjamin Finch, John Sterne, John Vars, Joseph Bailey, Thomas W. Brown, John H. Gilliat, Samuel Engs, Moses Norman and Samuel Allen, Vestry- men.
John Sterne, Treasurer.
Benjamin A. Mason, Secretary.
Samuel F. Gardner and John H. Gilliat, delegates to the Diocesan and State Convention.
The election of Organist and Sexton referred to the Vestry.
Tax on the lower floor, $12; on gallery pews, $5.
April 12, 1841. Voted: that the Treasurer, after counselling
97
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
with the Rev. Mr. Vinton, pay to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, such sum as he may think proper for his expenses in coming to Newport, to institute the Rev. Mr. Vinton, as Rector of this Church.
October 22, 1841. The following letter addressed to the Sen- ior Warden, was laid before the Vestry:
Mr. Mason, Dear Sir: Please to ascertain from the Vestry, whether the Church Lot is for sale or to be leased on a per- petuity. If for sale, the price and time of payment. If on lease, the amount of annual rent, &c.
Your friend, W. C. GIBBS.
Newport, 22d October, 1841.
The letter was referred to the next meeting.
The Treasurer reported that he had given to the Bishop ten dollars, for his expenses in visiting this Church in August last, and the same was approved by the Vestry.
November 2, 1841. The letter of William C. Gibbs, referred to this meeting, having been read, it was voted: that the Cor- poration will lease the Church lot, on the Hill, for $75 a year, provided the applicant and the Vestry can agree upon the time the lease shall run, and the purpose for which it shall be used.
December 7, 1841. The Senior Warden presented a letter from the Treasurer of the Episcopal Fund, dated November 19, 1841, to the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, relating to a deficiency in the sum annually pledged by the Convention of the Eastern Diocese towards the Bishop's'support, and recom- mending that a collection be taken up in all the churches of said Diocese, to be appropriated to the payment of said deficiency. Said letter having been read and duly considered, it was voted: that the Secretary inform the Treasurer that his letter has been received; that this Church has each year paid more than the
98
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
sum assessed upon her, and that the Wardens and Vestry think that they ought not to call on the congregation to make up the deficiency caused by the neglect of other churches.
March 28, 1842. Annual Meeting on Easter Monday.
The officers of last year were re-elected with the exception of the following changes. George C. Mason retired as Senior Warden, and Samuel F. Gardner was elected in his place. Mr. ' Mason took Mr. Gardner's place, as first Vestryman, and George Hall and John Pitman took the places of Christopher Fry and Samuel Allen in the Vestry.
Voted: that Samuel Gladding be the Sexton so long as the
1 Senior Warden shall deem it for the interest of the Church to employ him.
- Voted: that the thanks of this Vestry be tendered to Mr. - James C. Swan, for his services as organist, and especially for his attendance at Church on Prayer Days.
November 1, 1842. The Rev. Mr. Vinton and other gentle- men requested that the Church school house might again be occupied by a day school, to be under the direction of Mr. Vin- ton; which request was granted.
December 6, 1842. Voted: that the Wardens call a meeting of the Corporation, for the purpose of deciding whether the bell [which had been found to be cracked] should be re-cast; and if so, to provide for the payment of the same.
[A meeting of the Corporation was called, but there being no quorum, the meeting adjourned without day. In the mean- time a subscription had been set on foot, as appears below.]
December 15, 1842. The Senior Warden reported that about $130 had been subscribed for the expense of re-casting the bell; that adding to the weight thereof one hundred and twenty-five pounds, the probable expense would be $150; whereupon it was voted that the Senior Warden have the bell re-cast.
March 7, 1843. The Senior Warden reported the cost of the
99
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
new bell (including hanging) $234. 13, and of subscriptions $212 .- 90, leaving a balance to be paid of $21.23 which he was author- ized to draw from the treasury.
A letter from the Standing Committee of our Diocese, on the subject of electing a Bishop, was read. A special Corpora- tion meeting was ordered to be held at the School House, on Monday evening, March 20, at 7 o'clock, for the purpose of electing delegates to attend a special Convention, to be held at St. Stephen's Church, Providence, April 6, 1843.
March 20, 1843. Meeting of the Corporation.
The letter was read from the Secretary of the Standing Com- mittee, calling a special Convention, to be held in St. Stephen's Church, April 6, 1843, for the election of a Bishop, or for making some other provision for Episcopal supervision of the Diocese.
The Delegates appointed at the meeting held March 28, 1842, tendered their resignations, which were accepted.
Voted: that the delegates be four in number: Messrs. Samuel F. Gardner, John H. Gilliat, Christopher G. Perry and Benjamin Finch.
April 24, 1843. Adjourned Meeting of the Corporation.
Samuel F. Gardner, Christopher G. Perry, George Hall and Benjamin Finch were elected delegates to the State Convention.
The following officers were elected:
John H. Gilliat, Senior Warden (Mr. Gardner having resigned). Christopher G. Perry, Junior Warden.
George C. Mason, Samuel F. Gardner, Benjamin Finch, John Sterne, John Vars, Thomas W. Brown, Samuel Engs, Moses Norman, Russell Coggeshall, John Pitman and Edward N. Cox, Vestrymen.
John Sterne, Treasurer.
Benjamin A. Mason, Secretary.
George Taylor, Organist.
Samuel Gladding, Sexton.
IOO
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
The tax remained unchanged.
Voted: that the consideration of the question of making such alterations in the south gallery, as will make the pews produc- tive to the Church, be referred to the Vestry, with full power to act in the matter, provided no expense be incurred by the Corporation.
October 3, 1843. A letter was received by the Vestry, from the Rector, relating to Mrs. Jones'28 donation of Plate, and was read and received.
Voted: that the Treasurer return to J. H. Gilliat the amount paid by him to the Convention, and for the Bishop's expenses in attending confirmation.
Voted: that the south side of the organ loft be filled with suitable seats, for the use of the Sunday School, and that John Sterne be a committee for that purpose.
Voted: that the Bishop's salary be paid by collection and that the money so collected be paid to the Treasurer, who is to keep a separate account of the same.
November 28, 1843. A letter was read, from the Rector, transmitting a letter from the Bishop, in regard to Sunday offer- ings.
Voted: that the Vestry decline giving their consent to the proposal contained in the Bishop's letter.
28 MENTION is made of the gift in the list of "Silver belonging to Trinity Church," first series, page 340.
Mrs. Sarah Jones was the widow of Noble W. Jones, of Savannah, Georgia. Her son, George Jones, bought a lot of land on the corner of Bellevue Avenue and Bowery street, in the Autumn of 1839, and erected upon it a cottage,-the first of a class of Summer cottages built in Newport. Mrs. Jones resided with her son's family and died there July 1, 1843. Mr. Jones continued to reside in Newport. Like his mother and other members of the family, he took an interest in the Church, and at one time was a member of the Vestry. He purchased a burial lot in the churchyard, and there rest the remains of his mother and sister.
IOI
NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
April 8, 1844. Annual Meeting of the Corporation; the Rec- tor in the chair.
The annual account of the Treasurer having been read, it was voted: that the same be received and accepted.
In consequence of an alarm of fire, the meeting adjourned till April 9.
April 9, 1844. Adjourned Meeting of the Corporation.
Voted: that the delegates elected to attend the State and Diocesan Conventions be instructed to use their best endeavors to have the vote passed by the Convention, admitting black dele- gates, repealed.
Voted: that Samuel F. Gardner, John H. Gilliat, Christopher G. Perry and Joshua Sayre, be the delegates to the Convention. The following officers were elected :
John H. Gilliat, Senior Warden.
Christopher G. Perry, Junior Warden.
Samuel F. Gardner, George Hall, John Sterne, Thomas W. Brown, Samuel Engs, William V. Taylor, John Pitman, David King, Daniel Goff, Henry Bull and John G. Whitehorne, Ves- trymen.
Walter Nichols, 29 Secretary.
Other officers re-elected. The tax remained unchanged.
Voted: that the black part of the congregation be allowed to occupy the seats on the north side of the gallery; provided the consent of those who now occupy the front pews be obtained.
April 16, 1844. Voted: that the family of the late Mrs. Jones have permission to hold five lots [in the churchyard ] for the
29 WALTER NICHOLS, son of William S. Nichols, served the Church as an efficient Junior Warden from 1845 to 1848, and previous to that for a number of years, as Secretary. The records that he kept at that time are the most lucid and satisfactory of any owned by the Church. Not till he left Newport to take up his residence in Brooklyn, N. Y., did he sever his connection with the Church.
I02
ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
purpose of erecting a monument, by paying the usual fee of $25 for each lot.
Voted: that a committee be appointed to inquire into the rights of individuals, to bury in that part of the churchyard east of the walk; and if there is any exclusive privilege secured to any, to ascertain in whom it is vested.
May 7, 1844. The Committee on the Organ reported that Mr. Irving [Erben] from New York, had examined it, and stated as the result, that the whole interior should be rebuilt, and that the front part of the case could be left as it now stands: and that the expense for an organ of the first class, with double banks of keys, and two sub-bass pedals, would be $1150. Without sub-bass pedals, $950. If that part taken out was sold to him, $25 would be allowed; and two of the stops now in the old one he advised to have put in the new.
It having been stated by the Senior Warden that $600 would be raised by subscription for this object, if the balance was paid by the Corporation :
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