USA > Rhode Island > Washington County > Narragansett > South county studies of some eighteenth century persons, places & conditions in that portion of Rhode Island called Narragansett > Part 9
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The Parson's journeys, after his settlement in Nar- ragansett, though frequent, were not extensive. His missionary work called him to all parts of the Colony, but he seldom passed its southern boundary, and Ports- mouth, New Hampshire, appears to have been his ex- treme northern limit. He always attended the annual
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convention of Episcopal clergy in Boston, often preach- ing before them at King's Chapel, and once, at least, "in the presence of His Excellency Governor Bernard." A certain mysteriously worded (but remarkably trans- parent) paragraph shows him to have delivered a dis- course in Boston, June 24, 1772, "before an ancient and truly honorable society, ... the most numerous, brilliant and splendid assembly, . .. the grand officers, adorned with robes and jewels to illustrate the splendor and magnificence of the day, and do honor to John the Baptist."
As a pastor he was especially assiduous in visiting and relieving "all who were distressed in mind, body or estate."
"Jan. 9, 1767. Mr. F. performed the funeral service for the consort of the Reverend Mr. Browne, in Trinity church, Newport. - An exceedingly large concourse of people attended, but no sermon, as both the lady her- self and her husband too, had an utter aversion to pomp and show on these occasions and utterly against all parading."
"April 16, 1769. Mr. F. visited old Mrs. Willett, who was taken ill with an apoplexy, and prayed with her, soon after which she died, on the 18th. She was buried, and a funeral sermon preached by Mr. F. at Esquire's house."
"Feb. 15, 1771. Dr. Robert Hazard was buried and a funeral sermon preached, and on Sunday, 24th, preached at the house of mourning of the late Dr. Hazard, on mor- tality-a large congregation present. The Honorable James Honeyman was present, who came from Little Rest, where the court had been sitting the whole week."
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Many similar notices could be taken from the rec- ords. The following scattered extracts possess partic- ular interest :
"April 16, 1772. Mr. F. officiated at the marriage of one of the descendants of old Colonel Whalley, who came from Great Britain, being one of the regicides of King Charles I., of ever blessed memory, who sat in the mock court before which that excellent Prince, that blessed martyr, was arraigned, tried and condemned, and who was called proverbially (in the day of it) one of King Charles' judges."
"July 18. Sat out from Boston .. . and at Taun- ton administered the sacred rite of baptism to a male child of Mr. James Hill, ... and grandchild of the Reverend Dr. Sewall, an independent teacher in Bos- ton, whose zeal was always remarkably distinguished against the Church of England, ... her forms and ceremonies, ... in special the rite of baptism. The sponsors were the child's natural parents and aunt, and the name of the little infantile was James, after its father's name."
"Sept. 10, 1773. Mr. F. preached in Portsmouth Church, which he found to be a small but a gay and shining congregation in ... dress and appearance."
The circumstances detailed in the next year's entries are highly significant:
"Sept. 14, 1774. Mr. F. met the Reverend Conven- tion of the Episcopal Clergy in Boston. General Gage present, and dined with the clergy at Dr. Caner's. 18. Mr. F. preached in King's Chapel for the King's Chap- lain, the Reverend Mr. Frontbeck, before General Gage and his officers, ... and a very numerous and polite
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assembly, from these words: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love."
Sunday, November 6, 1774, is the date of Mr. Fayer- weather's last contribution to the parish record. Dark days of trouble and anxiety were fast succeeding to the long sunny season of Colonial tranquillity. Narragan- sett was divided in opinion, but patriotic sentiment was in the ascendant and the services at St. Paul's ceased. The church was used as a barrack for various com- panies of Continental soldiery. The rector occasionally read prayers, by request, at the houses of those among the gentry who sympathized with the royal cause. It is easy to imagine those scenes. Perhaps the loyal parson is summoned to Exeter, then the stronghold of Tory refugees from Newport and Narragansett. The Squire, his lady and family, and the little circle of earnest adherents to the Crown, who make up the congrega- tion, are all present, while the most faithful of the gray- headed slaves are trusted to guard the doors against the sudden surprise of Republican indignation. We may hear the grave voice of the clergyman offering the ancient petitions of his Church, and praying with almost defiant fervor for the King, that he may be vic- torious over all his enemies: or note the more sacred and softened emotion that steals into the good man's mood as, in broken and trembing tones, he ejaculates: "From battle and murder, from all sedition, privy con- spiracy and rebellion, Good Lord, deliver us!" We, whose hearts through four terrible years of strife thrilled to the sound of the self-same words-shall we not be slow to blame the clinging affection, the rever- ential loyalty of pious age for its long-cherished sym- 5 118 ]
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bols of all that is sublime in human faith and devo- tion ? Since our civil contest we have gained a personal knowledge of the slight and arbitrary causes that de- termine the balance of opinion in so many honest minds. Have we not also insensibly learned to look in a gen- tler spirit upon the trials of our earlier national life? Let us hope that the Continental troops did not invade that simple sanctuary.
Happier destinies have replaced the sad fates of those old days. There are nobler rulers of men than poor Farmer George, whose misfortune it was to inherit a throne. Shall we not strengthen their hands by infus- ing all our duties with the spirit of loyalty, though the word, in its restricted sense, may perish with the fad- ing traditions of an outworn past?
Parson Fayerweather did not live to see the close of the war, dying in the summer of 1781. He was buried beneath the communion table of the parish, beside the remains of his predecessor. Their names are united in the inscription upon the monument which now marks the site of the ancient church. They survived all family ties; and each of them, in death, belonged solely to the people who followed him to the grave with heartfelt mourning, as for a departed father and friend.
He appointed Matthew Robinson, Esquire, of Little Rest, executor of his will, from which this interesting article is extracted:
"I give all my library to King's College, New York, and ten pounds sterling and my large picture of my- self. And my desire is that the Corporation may suffer said picture to be hung up in the library of said College forever. Also my silver framed square picture of myself
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to my sister, Hannah Winthrop, of Cambridge. My wife's picture of herself to her niece, the wife of John Channing. My oval picture of myself framed with silver, to my nephew, John Winthrop, of Boston, mer- chant."
Not one of these bequests was ever executed. Mr. Robinson was then greatly oppressed, not only by the infirmities of advanced age, but by the pecuniary em- barrassments in which a member of the family had in- volved him. Dying insolvent not long after, Mr. Fayer- weather's effects were publicly sold with those of his late executor. Nearly all of the books are lost, and but one or two of the portraits can be found.
It was a characteristic and touching desire of the lonely scholar, whose sequestered life as the priest of a rural parish had isolated him from the great centre of intelligence, that the painted semblance of his youth should find a congenial home among the quiet alcoves of classic lore. It was fitting that he should thus "for- ever" look down in calm scholastic peace and dignity upon the restless and changeful course of the life he once shared-with its ambitions and disappointments; its radiant hopes that dissolve in mists; its beckoning visions that vanish into heartless vacancy. Should not the dying wishes of one whose mild and gentle min- istrations had soothed the last hours of so many of his fellow-creatures have been met by a faithful and grate- ful acknowledgment?
But there are higher honors than even those of the intellectual life, and better memorials than such as are inscribed upon marble. The praise of the good and kindly pastor is still fresh in the places which once [ 120
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knew him so well, and his name is a familiar word on the lips of those whose fathers never looked upon his living face. Our suffering humanity can claim no title more noble, more sacred, than his, for his mission was that of a consoler in adversity, and he was not un- worthy of the high office. Lighter and inferior traits of character might mingle with the genuine qualities of his nature, and might deceive those who sought for conspicuous professions of sanctity, or affectations of ascetic gloom. But these were the mere externals of the man. They fell from him in the dread presence of the higher realities. With the sick and suffering and af- flicted, in the time of tribulation, in the hour of death, he was the simple, sincere Christian, the tender-hearted, sympathetic friend, whose words of affectionate con- solation are not forgotten by the people among whom he once lived and labored; for the wealth of a gener- ous nature is never poured out in vain, and the graces of the heart are immortal. Their grateful memory is revered by man, is treasured by the Recording Angel, is acknowledged and rewarded by the Most High.
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PARSON FAYERWEATHER'S WILL
T HE testator, Samuel Fayerweather, clerk, of South Kingstown, county of Kings, State of Rhode Island, being advanced in years, and laboring under bodily diseases, and thereby warned the more ear- nestly to consider the great uncertainty of life, and to settle his temporal affairs before it be too late, enjoy- ing a sound state of mind though suffering under an ill state of body, makes and ordains this, his last will and testament. His soul he commits into the hands of his Heavenly Father, and his body to be decently buried; and he hopes for a glorious resurrection at the last day, through the merits of his blessed Saviour.
As to his worldly affairs, he ordains his body to be buried in a decent and Christian-like way, and his just debts to be paid by his executor as soon as may be after his decease.
His library he bequeaths to the Corporation of King's College, in the city of New York, in America; and ten pounds sterling, to be paid by his executor out of the salary of the parish, when he shall have received it; and his large portrait of himself; and his desire is that said Corporation may suffer said picture to be hung up in the library-room of said College forever.
To the poor of the parish whereof he is minister, he bequeaths sixty Spanish milled dollars, to be dis- tributed among them by the executor of this instru- ment, as he shall find objects of charity.
To his sister Hannah Winthrop, of Cambridge, in the Massachusetts Bay, New England, he leaves his negro girl called Phillis; also ten pounds sterling; his
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silver-framed square portrait of himself; one silver cream-pot; a red-stone ring set in gold; a silver toilet case; and a piece of blue silk, to be to her own use.
To his sister Anne Mason, wife of Thaddeus Mason, Esq., of Cambridge, in the Province aforesaid, he de- vises his negro boy called Caesar; his gold watch; and all his household plate; to be to her use and that of her children, as she shall think proper to distribute it among them.
His late dear wife's portrait he gives to her niece, the wife of Mr. John Channing.
His silver-framed oval portrait of himself he gives to his nephew, John Winthrop, of Boston, merchant.
He leaves to the Rev. Mr. Bass, minister of the Church of England, at Newburyport, in the Massa- chusetts Bay, a suit of black Padusoy, also a "Guiney- bag," sent him by Parson Quague from the coast of "Guiney."
To the Rev. Mather Byles, senior, of Boston, he bequeaths his silver watch and a black coat; also fif- teen pounds sterling.
The Rev. John Graves, of Providence, receives the testator's black horse, with his sulky, or chair for one man, and the harness belonging to it; besides some specified articles of wearing apparel, and fifteen pounds sterling.
His negro man called George, he gives to his friend Matthew Robinson, and to him and his heirs, forever, all his undivided lands, situate in the town of Tops- ham, in the State of Massachusetts Bay; with those lands lying in common with his sister's lands, or those of their grantees; being in the whole a large tract that
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belonged to our late honored father, Thomas Fayer- weather, of Boston, merchant; and it is to be noted that said lands lie near to lands of Dr. Noyes.
The residue of his estate, real and personal, he de- vises to his sister Mason, and her three daughters, to be by her distributed to them. And he nominates his friend Matthew Robinson to be sole executor of this his last will and testament, revoking all others what- ever. In witness whereof he sets his hand and seal, at South Kingstown, in the year of our Lord, 1781.
Proved and recorded, September 13, 1781.
To those who can read between the lines, there is a distinct shade of regret in the thought that these care- fully planned bequests were not to be executed. The Parson's legacy to his friend Matthew Robinson (a well-known lawyer of Colonial Rhode Island) did not redeem him from insolvency. After the death of Mr. Robinson, in 1795, at "Hopewell," his Kingstown es- tate, Mr. Fayerweather's effects were sold with those of his executor, at auction. Thus the Parson's books were scattered, and his portraits were sent out on a wandering career. One has found a home in the Red- wood Library, Newport. Another (the same which he intended for King's College) is in the possession of a Rhode Island family. It is by Copley, and represents him in his academical robes.
It is creditable to the Parson that he devotes a share of his small store of Spanish dollars to a charitable be- quest "for the poor of the parish." Rich relatives and well-to-do brother clergymen are to receive their lega- cies out of his arrears of salary, when these shall have been paid, a doubtful contingency, in the depressed
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financial condition of the parish during the Revolution- ary period. It is much to be feared that his clerical friends never received anything more than the homely tokens of remembrance which are bestowed with the unquestioning freedom marking the manners of those simple times. The Rev. John Graves, who receives the most valuable bequest, was, like the testator, one of the royalist clergy, and had resigned his parochial charge early in July, 1776. The Rev. Mather Byles, though a Congregational minister, was a favorite intimate of the Parson's, owing to his Tory principles, and the wit with which he seasoned his quaint discourse. The Nar- ragansett rector, too, was guilty of a taste for punning, and was somewhat given to a choice of odd texts, which were in no way related to the decorous manner of his sermons. Mr. Bass, the third legatee, afterwards Bishop Bass, sacrificed his loyal sentiments in conformity to the preferences of his parish.
A sworn inventory of the testator's personal estate, taken September 29, 1781, comprises some curious en- tries. They really afford a sort of Dutch picture of the manners of the time. Beginning with the "parlour," we find "a large black walnut table, left by the Rev. Dr. MacSparran," with other tables, from mahogany to maple. Two looking-glasses, one gilt-framed, are valued at £3 12s. A green screen, lined with blue, and six prints, also adorn the Parson's parlor. The humbler compan- ions of these splendors are "six black leather-bottomed chairs, mahogany frames," and two "elbow chairs," one "half-mooned," the other "oaken," -let us hope, not also "broken," like Dr. Swift's, as he sets forth in his rhymed inventory of a parson's goods and chattels.
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In the "northeast bedroom, below stairs," we note, in addition to the solid wealth of the feather-beds, the finer elegances of a "Windsor chair" (held at £4 6s.), a mahogany case of drawers, and a desk, concerning which the appraisers candidly add that it is "very old." These, with sundry tables of pine and maple, a "small Dutch looking-glass," and the somewhat sin- gular ornaments of "two pieces of old painting, one of a pair of pistols, the other of a fiddle," make up the furniture of a room which we may suppose to have been commonly occupied by the Parson.
In the "great chamber," or guest-room, the bedding, including "fine quilted cover-lids," is appraised at £13 10s. A "high case of drawers" is elegantly "phinered." Some "needle-worked chairs" are estimated at £11 14s., but, alas! the work is "moth-eaten." An inventory is as merciless as a photograph. One almost fancies aquiver of apprehension among the staid respectabilities of the Parson's belongings, as the dread appraiser appears, bearing the measure and the note-book that are tocrush the pretensions of many a dignified piece of furniture that has stoutly held its own, in spite of age and in- firmities. A "maple couch, with a red damask settee and squab," is still able to pass muster. We hear noth- ing against the character of the dressing-table, or the frame for a twigh light (French of the period) having a "patch-work silk cover." But the two looking-glasses are broken, and of an old writing-case we are told, with the unimaginative coldness of an appraiser, that it is " without implements." A stand and screen, both of ma- hogany, with eleven "Mezetinto prints," also minister to the comfort and luxury of the Parson's guests. This
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room boasts a square of carpet and a rug, and is bright- ened by a red silk quilted "cover-lid." One who sleeps here is indeed magnificently lodged. But the inventory maker has somewhere found "two yards of chexed flan- nel, very poor," and will insist on inserting this item in his ruthless list, where it appears opposite the sum of three shillings. He also insults the venerable age of a chest and trunk by reducing them to some quite pitiful denomination.
Among the articles of " closet furniture " are pewter plates, platters, and "basons," a good supply of glass and "queensware," earthen pipkins, stone ware, cop- per kettles, and "dimmy Johns." The Parson is pro- vided with brass candlesticks and brass "chaffing- dishes." In his character of host, he can offer his guests their choice of "flowered wine-glasses, ale, and cyder glasses." They are served from decanters, and their ser- vants are doubtless regaled from the honest earthen- ware mugs of which the closet affords good store. Fruit- dishes and cream-pots help out the household repasts, tin bake pans and paste pans are in diligent use, and the whole array is presided over by an emblematic "Corna Copia." Some fine table-linen, and more home- spun, is carefully laid by, with sundry yards of blue silk, and blue worsted damask. The Parson's especial personal belongings include, among the articles of his wardrobe, one "morning-gownd," in which we may imagine him examining the "wig-case," or possibly the "lead tobacco-box," or the "saddle-bags," the "battle- dores," the "glass lanthorn," the "writing-desk," or even the three cases of bottles, which, with other miscella- neous property, the legal Asmodeus attributes to him.
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The "store-room, northwest chamber," contains a quantity of uninteresting old rubbish, which indeed seems to have become stranded all over the house, during the Parson's absence at Esquire Robinson's, leaving household matters to the unrestrained tastes of Caesar, Phillis, George, and the rest.
The "great chamber closet" shows seven good Geneva jugs, with " phials " by way of antidote, a store of spermaceti candles, a side-saddle, and a spinning- wheel.
In the "kitchen chamber" appears an assemblage of articles best described as "assorted, various," in the phrase of the character whom Dickens sketches as the presiding spirit at a similar revel of insane old mov- ables. Here the candle-box confronts the watering-pot, the "cullender" balances the coffee-mill, steel-yards are making acquaintance with a Windsor chair, driven into banishment, while the "tobacco-tongs " and the "iron dogs" are meeting with all the fervor of old friends.
The " old kitchen" presents much the same aspect. "Hand irons," with "tongs and slice," are fraternizing with "trammels, skillets and bellows."
In the "south room," farming utensils are gracefully grouped with kitchen furniture. China and tea-canisters are found in close proximity to saddles, whips, ploughs, "iron bars," with "cyder mills, presses and tubs"; also "walking-canes," and a stray "pair of backgammon tables, having two boxes and a set of dies."
"At Mr. Robinson's house," to which the Parson has conveyed his special belongings, we count up "a pair of green spectacles and a reading-glass." Slippers and
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a "double-reined bridle" are coupled by the chaotic- minded appraiser. "One blue broadcloth cloak" would be a very goodly garment were it not sadly moth-eaten. But we hear of a fine red and blue damask morning- gown and other articles of luxury, as linen and even silk handkerchiefs, a toilette box, a pocket book, silver buckles, sundry yards of lawn and of gold thread (val- ued at £18 6s.), suits of broadcloth and of velvet, rings, seals, and fiddles. His plate weighs eighty ounces, “in- cluding the pillow-case," as our appraiser cautiously adds, and is worth £24. The Parson has brought with him plenty of household furnishings of which his host and executor takes account. "Counterpins and Holland napkins" are set down with the shagreen case of sil- ver-handled knives and forks, the tin and glass canis- ters containing a store of the green tea which the Par- son loved, also one mahogany teapot, "contents un- known," as the writer of the list solemnly observes.
The whole amount of the Parson's inventoried prop- erty stands at £241 7s. 82d., and the list has been copied into the town records by James Helme, Clerk of the Council.
In the densely literal mood which assails the weary compiler from much manuscript record of a concrete character, even a hero would assume an air of prosaic reality. Our poor Parson can hardly preserve an atmos- phere of ideality, after the relentless dealings of his legal adversaries. The painstaking fancy, put under antiquarian instructions, insists on placing him among his inventoried surroundings, and laboriously presents him in the somewhat remarkable apparel of his daily wear, as we learn it from the grotesque exactness of the
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authorized list. The red and blue damask dressing- gown and the cloak of deep blue broadcloth must be near connections of the long cape, of cardinal red, in which the benevolent Dr. Hopkins, of Newport, was wont to ride about that town, suggesting, as some critic remarks, an animated vision of the lively Friar Tuck, rather than a sober Puritan divine. Nor did the harm- less vanities of the world appeal in vain to our pastoral lover of little luxuries.
Yet, if he did not live with the severe simplicity of George Herbert's country parson, he was scarcely less faithful in relieving the sick and poor than that ideal personage. "The amiableness of his character," recog- nized by his friends and neighbors, led him to find pleasure in the quiet duties of a rural parish. This sym- pathetic quality of his nature makes the picture of his lonely age the more touching. There is a sad lapse from the fortunes of the young student, passing a bright season in London, receiving the degree of A.M. from Oxford University, and preserving the memory of that flattering honor in his portrait by the famous artist of his time, to the griefs and calamities that pursued the declining years of the old Parson. Losing popularity and influence, while sacrificing his chief means of support in his devotion to the cause of Church and King, he sought a home with a friend- of similar views- whose last days were even more gloomy than his own. His host, having enjoyed great prosperity until the coming of old age, was, through the misconduct of a member of his family, involved in unwonted embar- rassments, and subjected to much suffering. Still, one fancies that the two old friends must have had some
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hours of unbroken comfort together, and that the natu- rally gay and cheerful temperament of the Parson often proved a cordial to the saddened spirits of his com- panion, exclusive of those higher consolations to which he doubtless directed him. It is often the unconscious ministration to the wants of others that is truest and deepest, and the fitness of the kindly rector of old St. Paul's for such an office may be read even in the pre- cise formulas of the legal instrument which so curi- ously reveals the quaint but not unpleasing traits of his simple character.
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