USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > Annals of Trinity church, Newport, Rhode Island, 1821-1892 > Part 8
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Voted: that the Vestry unanimously recommend the Corpora- ation to appropriate $550 from the funds of the Church, to re- build the organ.
[Note by the Secretary: that the following vote, passed April 16, 1844, was omitted in place.]
Voted: that the Treasurer be authorized to give deeds of the pews lately fitted in the gallery, and that the committee for fitting them receive the proceeds.
May 18, 1844. Special Meeting of the Corporation: the Rec- tor and 18 Corporators being present; the Rector in the chair.
The following letter, presented by the Senior Warden, was read.
New York, May 6th, 1844.
J. H. Gilliat, Esq.,
Dear Sir:
I returned to this city early on Saturday morning.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
This is the first opportunity I have had to fulfil my promise to write to you. The proposition I made you for a new organ is as follows. To make you a new organ according to descrip- tion No. I, to make use of the old case, with the exception of the gilt front pipes, which are too much injured to be put into a new organ. I will put in new ones and gild them. I will also re-gild the ornaments and scrape the case and re-varnish it. I will add to the stops in addition to what will be contained in No. 1, the Open Diapason and Flute of your organ. I will pack up the organ and send a man to put it up, you paying the freight of it from New York to Newport. The price includ- ing pedal pipes, $1, 150; without the pedal pipes, $950. But in that case the pedal keys and pedal couple will remain. It is decidedly my opinion it would be throwing away money to re- pair the organ. I expressed the same opinion ten or twelve years ago, to the late Bishop Griswold. Should you accept my proposition, please have the organ taken apart and send me the case, the open diapason, and the two flutes. My object in hav- ing the two flutes is, to pick out the best pipes in both stops, to make one good stop. You perceive by this arrangement the old organ will still remain in Newport. The bellows, action, machinery, and all the stops but three, can be put in a common pine case by some of your mechanics. I suggest that you sell it before it is taken apart, reserving the case, the gilt pipes, the ornaments, the two flutes and open diapason treble, and have them packed up and shipped to me in New York.
Yours Respectfully.
HENRY ERBEN.
P. S. Dr. Wainwright has just left my office. I read to him this letter. He is much pleased with the proposition I make you.
The following pledge from Mr. Gilliat, which was appended to the letter, was also read.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, Newport:
I am authorized to pledge six hundred dollars, for the re- building of the organ by Mr. Erben in the manner specified in
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
his letter above-on the conditions following: that Mr. Erben is to be the builder; that the organ is to be in all respects equal and similar to the one proposed by Mr. Erben, and entitled No. I in his list, and that the present organ is to be given up to the persons who pledge the $600, that it may be transferred to the lecture room.
J. H. GILLIAT.
Newport, May 16th, 1844.
Voted: that this Corporation do concur in the recommenda- tion of the Vestry, and do request them to decide upon a plan for rebuilding the organ.
Voted; that this Corporation do request the Vestry to appoint proper persons, and make necessary appropriations to carry the above measures into immediate effect.
May 18, 1844. Voted: that the proposition contained in Mr. Erben's letter, and the pledge by Mr. Gilliat, be unanimously accepted.
Voted: that an amount not exceeding $600 necessary to carry the above vote into effect, be appropriated from funds of the Church.
Voted: that the Senior Warden, Mr. Whitehorne and Mr. Gardner be a committee to contract for the organ, and to carry into effect the vote of this Vestry.
Voted: that George Hall and Isaiah Crooker be a committee to clean the Church thoroughly, and if necessary, to strengthen the floor for the new organ.
The Rector stated that while the Church was being cleaned he should be absent, considering that as part of the vacation stipulated by him.
The meeting was closed with the Apostolic benediction.
June 13, 1844. A special meeting of the Corporation, to re- ceive and act upon a communication from the Rector, resigning his charge; Mr. Gilliat in the chair.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Newport, June 13th, 1844.
To the Wardens, Vestry and Congregation of Trinity Church:
To the unanimous call of Emmanuel Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., to become their Rector, I have, after the most serious de- liberation, given my acceptance, subject to the consent of Trinity Church, Newport. Accordingly I now tender to the meeting of this Corporation, here duly convened, the resignation of my office of Rector of Trinity Church, to take effect on and after the 5th Sunday of Trinity, 7th July proximo.
In thus asking your consent to the severance of the sacred official relations between us, I am obeying, I believe, the will of God our Saviour, as indicated by His Providence, and His secret inspirations to my conscience. Permit me, however, to assure you that I have reached this decision at the cost of rend- ing many official attachments and in spite of deep and abiding personal affections to the Church and Congregation of my pres- ent charge. To the convictions of duty to the whole Church, however, strengthened by the hope of augmented usefulness, urging me to change the sphere of my ministry, as they are motives of paramount obligation; so they have proved to be of superior force to the persuasions of friendship and the ties of social and religious intimacy, which unite to retain me under our existing relationships. In the hope that your sense of duty and expediency will accord with my own, and in the fervent desire that our mutual love may be unimpaired and perpetuated : I ask you to accept my resignation, and believe me always to be your devoted brother and servant in the bond of Christ.
FRANCIS VINTON, Rector of Trinity Church.
Voted: that the letter from the Rector be received and entered on the Journal.
Voted: that the resignation of the Rector be accepted.
Voted: that a committee of three, William C. Gibbs, Benja- min Finch and John H. Gilliat, be appointed to prepare an answer to the letter received by this meeting.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
Voted: that the above committee shall acquaint the Vestry with their proceedings, and that their answer be recorded in the book of the Corporation.
Voted: that the duty of supplying the pulpit during the va- cancy, and of selecting a suitable person for Rector, be referred to the Vestry, who shall have power to appoint a committee from themselves, or the Corporation, for that purpose.
July 3, 1844. Voted: that the following letter to the Rector be recorded, in compliance with the vote of the Corporation:
Newport, June 15th, 1844.
Rev. and Dear Sir:
It has been committed to the undersigned, to signify the acceptance of the resignation tendered by you as Rector to the Wardens, Vestry and Congregation of Trinity Church, Newport.
Your earnest appeal, based upon solemn convictions of duty, has left to that Body no other course.
Called to a more enlarged sphere of usefulness, the prayers of your late people will arise that your ministry may be marked by the same abundant success that has hitherto attended it. The fact that at each celebration of the Holy Communion, partakers have been added at the table of our Lord, until their number is increased by more than one hundred, is the testimony that the Great Head of the Church has given to your labors.
We would also add our testimony, that to the poor you have ever been a most kind friend, to the rich a faithful adviser; and that your public services have uniformly been in strict ac- cordance with the Doctrines, Discipline, Liturgy and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country.
These facts, reverend and dear sir, will speak from our rec- ords, to generations following, of your faithful ministry among us, and of the pain of many hearts at your departure. When we are all gathered to our Father, awaiting that dread account for the privileges of His Church, which must be rendered by each of us, at the Judgment seat of Christ, may our joyful sen- tence then be, "Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Our painful task is ended; it only remains to offer you our sincere respect and best wishes for your future happiness.
J. H. GILLIAT, BENJ. FINCH.
To the Revd. Francis Vinton.
Voted: that a committee of five, three from the Vestry and two from the Corporation, be appointed to supply the pulpit, during the vacancy, and to select a suitable person for Rector of this Church.
Voted: that John Sterne, David King and Christopher G. Perry, from the Vestry, and William C. Gibbs and Benjamin Finch, from the Corporation, be that committee.
Voted: that the Junior Warden, George Hall and Benjamin Finch be a committee to fix a price for such a lot [in the Church- yard] as is proposed by Mr. [George] Jones, and that they give their answer to him.
Voted: that the Treasurer should keep the papers of the Corporation.
August 13, 1844. Voted: that a collection be taken up on Sunday morning, August 18, for the Bishop's salary; and on the Sunday morning following, one for the Sunday School.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
CHAPTER IV.
1844-1846.
August 29, 1844. Special meeting of the Corporation, Chris- topher G. Perry in the chair.
Mr. John Sterne, of the committee appointed by the Vestry to supply the pulpit during the vacancy and to select a suitable person for Rector, reported verbally, that the Rev. Frederick I. Goodwin had accepted the invitation of the committee, to preach for this Church till a minister should be called, and would be here the next Sunday. He also reported that the Rev. Patrick H. Greenleaf had been highly recommended by Bishop Henshaw, and others, as a suitable person for Rector; and that the committee had called the Corporation together, not for the purpose of making any motion with respect to Mr. Green- leaf, but to submit to them a statement of the fact for their consideration.
Voted: that said report be received.
September 3, 1844. Voted: that a collection be taken on Sunday morning, September 15, for the Bishop's salary; notice of which shall be given the previous Sunday; the first collection for that purpose having been insufficient.
The committee upon a burial lot for Mr. Jones reported that they had fixed on $200, as the price of such a lot as required by him, and that he had agreed to give that price; which report was received, and the Treasurer was authorized to give a proper deed. The committee were continued to mark the bounds of said lot.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
Voted: that the Treasurer be authorized to hire $550 to pay the balance due on the organ.
Voted: that the Vestry have heard with feelings of deep regret, of the death of Rev. Salmon Wheaton, D. D., who, for more than thirty years, was the faithful and beloved pastor of this congregation.
Voted: that as a mark of respect for his memory, the Wardens be directed to hang the pulpit and desk in mourning thirty days.
Voted: that the Junior Warden and Mr. Sterne be a com- mittee to forward a copy of these resolutions to the family of the deceased, and assure them of the condolence and sincere sympathy of the Vestry with them, in this trying dispensation of God's Providence.
Voted: that Mr. Hall be a committee to look at the north- east corner of the Church lot and instruct the Street Commis- sioner how much of said corner he might take off.
October 15, 1844. Whereas, upon examination there appears to be a grave upon the land recently sold to Mr. Jones:
Voted: that the Wardens be directed to have such grave removed.
Voted: that the Treasurer pay to clergymen supplying the pulpit, such sums as the committee appointed to fill the pulpit shall direct.
Mr. Hall was authorized to purchase a carpet for the organ loft.
November 5, 1844. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation, to elect a Minister.
Present: Christopher G. Perry, George Hall, William V. Taylor, John H. Gilliat, John G. Whitehorne, Christopher Fry, Samuel Westcott, Elliot Boss, John Weeden, D. M. Coggeshall, Benjamin Finch, Edward Stanhope, R. Bluck, Russell Cogge- shall, Moses Norman, John Vars, Daniel Goff, David King, John Sterne, Samuel Engs, Isaiah Crooker, Samuel F. Gardner,
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
William C. Gibbs, Walter Nichols, Henry Bull, Thomas W. Brown, and - Roach.
Christopher G. Perry in the chair.
Voted: that this meeting now proceed to ballot for a Minister.
Two ballots were then taken, with the following result. Ist ballot. 2d ballot.
Rev. Mr. Greenleaf, 3. Rev. Mr. Greenleaf, II.
Rev. Mr. Hall, 5. Rev. Mr. Hall, 7.
Rev. Mr. Goodwin, 3. Rev. Mr. McGilton, 3.
Rev. Dr. Smith, 3. Rev. Dr. Smith, 2.
Rev. Mr. McGilton, 3. Rev. Mr. Goodwin, I.
Rev. Mr. Carmichael, I.
Rev. Mr. Carmichael, I.
Voted: that this meeting adjourn to Tuesday evening, Novem- ber 19, at 6.30 o'clock. .
November 8, 1844. The Wardens, to whom was assigned the removal of certain remains from the plot of land appropriated to George Jones, Esq., declined serving, for reasons given ; whereupon the whole matter was referred to the original com- mittee, with power to act.
November 16, 1844. The above committee reported that they had adjusted the matter to the satisfaction of both parties, and had agreed to sell Mr. Jones - by -. feet of ground for $100; and the Treasurer was authorized to convey to Mr. Jones the exclusive right to use the above-named lot as a private bur- ial place, and for no other purpose; with the right to fence said lot, erect monuments and build vaults thereon, and to do thereon whatever is incidental to depositions of the dead, without let or hindrance by or from any person or persons whatever. And the Treasurer is further authorized, for himself and his succes- sors, to secure to Mr. Jones and his heirs, all these rights and privileges forever.
November 19, 1844. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation. Voted: that this meeting proceed to elect a Minister.
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
A vote was then taken, which resulted as follows:
Rev. Mr. Goodwin, 18. Rev. Mr. Hall. 16. Voted: that the salary of the Minister be fixed at $1000.
Voted: that the election of Rev. Mr. Goodwin be reconsid- ered.
Voted: that a committee of six-Messrs. John H. Gilliat, S. Fowler Gardner, Christopher G. Perry, John Sterne, George Hall and William C. Gibbs-be appointed to nominate a candi- date at the next meeting.
Voted: that. Hon. William Hunter be added as chairman.
The Senior Warden [Mr. John H. Gilliat] then offered his resignation, which was not received.
November 26, 1844. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation.
Hon. William Hunter, as chairman of the committee to whom was referred the nomination of a Minister for the Church, reported the name of Rev. Robert B. Hall, which report was received.
Voted: that the election be made by a call of the house. Ayes, 14; excused, 12; nays, 6.
Voted: that a committee of three, Messrs. Hunter, Gardner and Gibbs, inform Rev. R. B. Hall of his election.
Voted: that the vote of the last Corporation meeting, fixing the salary of the Minister of this Church at $1000 per annum, be reconsidered.
Voted: that the salary of the Minister of this Church be at the rate of $1250 per annum.
Voted: that the committee be instructed to inform Rev. R. B. Hall, that it is required by the 6th article of our Charter, that the Minister of this Church shall be instituted Rector, as soon as may be after his election; and therefore it is requested by this Corporation to appoint an early day for his institution.
Voted: that the payment of his salary commence on the day that Mr. Hall arrived to supply the pulpit.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
November 27, 1844. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation. Mr. Hunter, chairman of the committee to inform Rev. R. B. Hall of his election, reported that he had been so informed.
Voted: that Rev. R. B. Hall be informed that this Corpora- tion agrees to his taking a vacation of four weeks during the year, and that during this vacation the pulpit shall be supplied by the Corporation.
December 12, 1844. Adjourned meeting of the Corporation.
Governor Gibbs, for the committee appointed to wait on Rev. R. B. Hall, reported that they had received a communication, which was read, received and ordered to be recorded.
To the Hon. Wm. Hunter, Hon. Wm. C. Gibbs, and Samuel F. Gardner, Esq., Committee of Trinity Church, Newport:
Gentlemen: I beg leave respectfully to announce to you my acceptance of the invitation of the Corporation of Trinity Church, to become their Minister, presented to me through you, on the conditions proposed; and shall hold myself in readiness to be instituted Rector of the same at the earliest day consistent with Canonical usage.
I have endeavored to give to this subject that full and serious consideration which its importance demands, and in forming a decision as to the personal duty, I have not failed to implore Divine illumination and aid.
I have sought also the counsel of the Right Reverend, the Bishop of the Diocese, of my own Diocesan, and of the friends, both clerical and lay, in whom I am accustomed to confide, and have been influenced in no small degree by their advice to the course which I now pursue.
Guided by these lights, I now throw myself on the indul- gence of my flock, and solicit the union of their earnest prayers, with mine, that the connection now formed in humble dependence on the Divine benediction, may result in the promotion of the best interest of themselves, and of that mystical body of Christ, which is the blessed company of all faithful people.
Allow me, through you, Gentlemen, to present my Christian
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
salutations to all the members of your ancient Corporation, and to assure you how sensible I am of the obliging manner in which you have been pleased to communicate their present ac- tion.
I am, Gentlemen, with great respect, Your friend and servant in the Gospel,
R. B. HALL.
Plymouth, Mass., December 6th, 1844.
January 8, 1845. Meeting of the Vestry.
Voted: that the collection taken on Christmas Day, amount- ing to $74, together with the interest of the Poor Fund, $72, be placed in the hands of the Minister, to be distributed by him as follows. [Here is inserted the names of the recipients, and the several amounts they were to receive, as apportioned by the Vestry. ] And that the balance, $54, be given by him to the poor of this Church the ensuing year, at his discretion .*
Voted: that the Treasurer pay that portion of the Bishop's salary due from this Church, whenever called upon by the per- son authorized to receive it.
The following communication from Mr. Gilliat was read:
Gentlemen: It will be recollected that the remains of the old organ were given to me with the understanding that it was to be repaired and placed in the lecture room. I feel that this understanding morally binds me to place it there, unless released by your vote.
I therefore request that I may be so released, for the reason that the expense to be incurred is greater than any advantage to be derived by the fulfillment of the obligation. The sum proposed by Mr. Erben as an equivalent for the part given by me was, I believe, $25, and that sum I should of course pay
* THIS custom was followed regularly every year, immediately after New Years, from the time that it was instituted [see page 16]; but as the pro- ceedings were exactly the same from year to year, it has not been thought necessary to insert them.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
to the Treasurer of the Corporation, should you comply with my request.
I remain respectfully yours,
J. H. GILLIAT.
Voted: that the communication be received, and that he be released from the promise.
Voted: that the Vestry request the Right Reverend Bishop of this Diocese to admit the Rev. R. B. Hall to Priest's orders and to institute him Rector, as soon as convenient.
February 13, 1845. Meeting of the Vestry.
The chairman [the Junior Warden] reported that in accord- ance with the vote passed at the last meeting of the Vestry, he had forwarded to the Bishop of the Diocese a copy of the vote passed at that meeting, requesting the Bishop to admit the Rev. R. B. Hall to Priest's orders, and to institute him Rector of this Church, at as early a period as convenient, and that he had received no communication from the Bishop.
The following resolution was passed:
Whereas, no answer to the letter enclosing the vote passed at the last Vestry meeting, in relation to the ordination and institution of the Rev. R. B. Hall, has been received by the chairman from the Bishop, it is probable said letter has miscar- ried; therefore
Voted: that the chairman be directed to forward to the Bishop another copy of said vote.
Voted: that the Vestry sign the testimonials for the Rev. R. B. Hall, required by the 2d section of the 15th Canon of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Providence, Feby. 26, 1845.
To the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, Newport; Gentlemen:
Having received the canonical testimonials in favor
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NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND.
of the Rev. Robert B. Hall, and your certificate of his having been duly elected your Rector, I hereby notify you that, in compliance with your request, it is my intention (D. V.) to ad- mit Mr. Hall to the order of Presbyters, on Wednesday, 12th of March next, and to institute him into the Rectorship of the Parish of Trinity Church, on Thursday, 13th of the same month.
Yours very respectfully, J. P. K. HENSHAW, Bp. of Rhode Island.
March 8, 1845. The Senior Warden stated to the Vestry, that he should be absent from town at the institution of the Rev. Mr. Hall, and that it would be necessary to appoint some- one to serve in his place.
Voted: that Dr. King and S. Fowler Gardner be a committee to make arrangements for the institution of the Rector.
March 24, 1845. Annual Meeting; Christopher G. Perry in the chair.
The following officers were elected:
S. Fowler Gardner, 30 Senior Warden.
Christopher G. Perry, Junior Warden.
George Hall, John Sterne, William V. Taylor, David King, Henry Bull, John Vars, John H. Gilliat, George Jones, Samuel Wescott, Edward Stanhope and Walter Nichols, Vestrymen.
30 SAMUEL FOWLER GARDNER, who at the time of his death held the office of Senior Warden, lost his life at the burning of the Ocean House, in August, 1845. With others, he was assisting in removing the furniture and the baggage of guests, when a portion of the building fell in, carry- ing him with it. He was a man of inestimable worth in the community, which was greatly shocked by his terrible death. He was President of the Bank of Rhode Island, of which institution he had formerly been Cashier, and was largely engaged in the manufacture of cotton,-in fact, had the management of all the cotton factories, and there were a number of them at the time in Newport. His wife was Harriet Fowler, daughter of Chris- topher Fowler, to whom he was married June 20, 1816. Of his children but one, a daughter, is now living. Mrs. Gardner died in August, 1867.
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ANNALS OF TRINITY CHURCH,
John Sterne, 31 Treasurer.
Walter Nichols, Secretary.
George Taylor, Organist.
S. Gladding, Sexton.
June 2, 1845. Meeting of the Vestry.
Voted: that the bell now in the cupola of the School House be given to the new church [Holy Cross] in Middletown.
Voted: that the Sunday School have permission to alter the small room in the School House, they meeting the expense.
Voted: that the recommendation of the Bishop, in relation to weekly contributions, be complied with; and that the time for carrying the same into effect be left to the discretion of the Rector.
Voted: that a committee of two, the Senior Warden and Mr. Gilliat, be appointed from the Vestry, to act with the Rector in distributing the funds so collected.
July 31, 1845. Voted: that the Treasurer be a committee to ascertain when the organ was taken down, where it was re- placed; and that he pay at the rate of $5 per month for the piano while it was in use.
Voted: that the Treasurer be authorized to hire a sum not exceeding $300, for present contingencies, and that he dispose of the mortgage held by the Church, as soon as may be, at his discretion, to pay the same.
The Treasurer was to pay the Church's proportion of the expenses of the State Convention; and the Wardens were to
31 JOHN STERNE, born December 16, 1788, married Maria Thurston, daughter of John, December II, 1811, and died October II, 1853. He was General Treasurer of this State from 1832 to 1840, with the exception of one year; was also Cashier of the Newport Exchange Bank for several years, and was the faithful and trusted Treasurer of Trinity Church; a good and worthy man, who died respected and honored by all who knew him.
Mrs. Sterne, born January 5, 1790, died October 9, 1849.
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