Life of Bishop Provoost, of New York

Front matter

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LIFE

Preface

The authorities from which the writer has derived his information, in preparing this work, are generally noted at the foot of the pages. But after having gathered his materials, most faithfully, from every printed source, the volume would hardly have been written, but for the kindness of an old and valued friend, Mr. Thomas N. Stanford, who suggested a way in which some of the private papers of Bishop Provoost might be obtained, and, of the Rev. S. H. Weston, of Trinity Parish, New York, who took the trouble to make application for them.

Although the first Bishop of New York will not rank with the most zealous champions of the Church, and his name can never arouse such emotions as that of Hobart, or Griswold, or Ravenscroft, or Chase must excite, he certainly occupies no mean place in the Church's history ; and the times in which he lived, and the scenes in which he mingled, render his life most interesting.

" Then shall Religion to America flee ; They have their times of Gospel, e^n as we. My God, thou dost prepare for them a way, By carrying first their gold from them away ; For gold and grace did never yet agree ; Religion always sides with poverty. ******

As the sun still goes both west and east,

So also did the Church, by going west,

Still eastward go ; because it drew more near

To time and place where judgment shall appear."

George Herbert.

Chapter I

Dr. Francis' historical discourse — Some items about Bishop Provoost — What our readers may expect — Birth and parentage — The Huguenots and their sufferings — New Amsterdam and the Dutch — Bowling Green and the Fort, and cabbage-gardens — The English and Dutch engaged in war — New Amsterdam is called by another name — More wars and bloodshed — Lake St. Sacrement 15

Chapter II

No mean progress made in study — Enters King's College — Its first president, and the influence he exerted for the Church — Samuel Provoost' s early religious training — The Dutch Reformed Church — Something more about King's College — Laying the corner-stone — The first commencement — Young Provoost graduates— Influences which led him to the Episcopal Church — Political affairs — The fortunes of war changing again — Mr. Provoost goes to England, and becomes a fellow-commoner at Cambridge — Various explanations given — Resisting temptations — Dr. Jebb 21

Chapter III

Thoughts turned to the ministry — Unbiassed choice — Right views of a most important subject — Ripe scholarship — Ordination— Chapel Royal of St. James' Palace — Historical associations— A solemn question — Why Mr. Provoost was so soon advanced to the Priesthood— Romantic incident — Benjamin Bousfield — His mother and sister pay him a visit, and important consequences thereof— Mr. Provoost' s marriage— Return to America — Chosen assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York 29

Chapter IV

Very little pulpit eloquence — Style of English preaching in those days — John Wesley's advice — " The finest wheat from the desk" — Dr. Franklin's opinion of the Church service— The effect produced by the Litany — The clergy of Trinity Church — Mr. Provoost as a preacher — Visit to Ireland — Difficulties which met him upon his return to New York — Different ways of accounting for them — Mr. Provoost retires to his farm — New York city surrenders to the English — The great fire — Trinity Church destroyed — Due credit to Mr. Inglis . 35

Chapter V

Why East Camp was chosen as a place of refuge — How Mr. Provoost passed his time — Various honorable appointments offered to him — His reasons given for declining them — Calls to several parishes — Endurance of poverty and privation — Selling furniture and other expedients — Anecdote of the Revolution— Almost a fighting parson — End of the war — The British troops leave New York — Rejoicings upon the return of the American forces — Gleams of hope for Mr. Provoost. . . 42

Chapter VI

Trinity Church during the Revolution — Dr. Inglis resigns the Rectorship — The Rev. Benjamin Moore appointed his successor— A new scene opens — Vexed questions, and difficulties not a few — tt Council" appointed by the Legislature — Changes effected in the affairs of Trinity Church — The election of Mr. Moore declared null and void — Mr. Provoost chosen Rector — His return to the city — Recovers his property — Exercise of hospitality — Appointed Regent of the State University — Removal of Congress to New York city — Mr. Provoost elected Chaplain — The authority of Congress in those days — Adoption of our present Constitution 49

Chapter VII

No Church organization as yet— Efforts towards securing this desirable end— Bishop Seabury's consecration— The action of Churchmen in the several States outside of Connecticut — Our Federal government considered as a model— The Episcopal Church shown to be in strictest harmony with our civil institutions — John Adams, and his exertions to secure the Episcopate for the Church in America — Applications to various countries — Satisfactory arrangements made at last — Mr. Provoost chosen Bishop — Sails for England 54

CHAPTEK VIII.

Short and safe passage — Arrival at London — Kindness of Mr. Adams — Tedious delay — Letter from Dr. Provoost —Makes the acquaintance of several Bishops — Meeting some old friends — Kind attentions — The widow Jebb — The old Bishop of Carlisle — " Cold, fat goose-pie" — Glimpse of the king — All arrangements ended — Bird's-eye view of Lambeth — Solemn ceremonial — Signing the certificates — What the reader will hardly believe 62

Chapter IX

A great object accomplished — Preparations for returning to America — Dr. Inglis in London — A kind letter — Departure from Falmouth — Long and boisterous passage — Sea-sickness — Arrival at New York on Easter-day — Bishop Provoost welcomed by his Convention — Address of the Eev. Abraham Beach— the Bishop's reply— God's blessing invoked 72

Chapter X

Early history of the Church in New York — Services in the old fort — Increase of the congregation — Colonel Fletcher's zealous efforts — Eoyal grant for the benefit of the Church — Honored names — Queen Anne's gift — The " Queen's farm," then and now — " The finest church in North America" — Choice of a clergyman — Mr. Vesey — Interesting particulars concerning him — The various rectors of Trinity Parish, to the days of Bishop Provoost — Prosperous condition of the Church. . . 80

Chapter XI

The progress of the Church beyond the limits of New York city — Westchester county — A church built and a minister called — The Eev. John Bartow, and his labors — Many persons brought over to the Church — Preaching in a barn — Petty annoyances at Jamaica — The Presbyterian preacher takes possession of the pulpit — Disgraceful scene in the aftern00n — Lord Cornbury, the governor, interferes— Death of the missionary — His successor, and some account of what he did for the Church — Primitive specimens of architecture — Six months cold and six months hot weather — Condition of the negro slaves in Westchester — Death of Mr. Standard — Mr. Milner and Mr. Seabury 87

Chapter XII

New Kochelle— The Eev. Daniel Bondet — His history in a few words — The first French Church and minister in New Eochelle — Mr. Bondet becomes a missionary of the Society — Gradual transformation of his congregation — Their final adoption of the English Prayer-book — New church built — Mr. Pelham's gift — Death of the missionary — The Eev. Mr. Stouppe — His troubles as recited by himself — The Eev. Michael Houdin — A romantic history — Guide for General Wolfe— Becomes the guide of the flock at New Eochelle — Charter from George III. — Mr. Houdin' s death 97

Chapter XIII

An omission which would be unpardonable — Devoted laymen — Colonel Heathcote — Curious cause of emigration — Becomes a prominent man in the province of New York — Various honorable offices which he held — Services rendered to the Church — The stately manor-house — Eeverenced by the poor — Sudden death — Last will and testament — Some account of his descendants— Colonel Lewis Morris — His character and habits — Influence in the political world — Devotion to the Church — Dutch Prayer-books — Timber for Trinity Church — Stopping short, for want of space to say more 105

Chapter XIV

Missions among the Indians of New York — Memorial of the Earl of Bellamont — The Eev. Thoroughgood Moor — Is there any virtue in a name ? — The Mohawks' castle — Indian deceit — The mission fails — Lord Cornbury's outrageous acts — Imprisonment of Mr. Moor — Lost at sea — Four chiefs go to England — New mission to the Indians — The Eev. William Andrews — First view of the Indian country — Customs of the tribes — Hopes of doing good — Eepeated discouragements — Withdraws from the field — Other laborers succeed him — The fruits of long and patient waiting — Honored names 112

Chapter XV

Religious instruction of the blacks — A school opened for them in New York in 1704 — Elias Neau — His sacrifices and labors — Reliance in God's promises — Prayers of the Church — Two hours' teaching — Public catechizing — Unmerited reproach to be borne — Negro plot for burning New York city — Loud and angry clamor against the teacher — W ho were guilty ? — Jealousies and suspicions — Action of the Common Council — Governor Hunter quiets the alarmists — Neau's death — His work carried on by others 120

Chapter XVI

The personal history of Bishop Provoost resumed — Letters of friendly congratulation— The Rev. Uzal Ogden, and his present of Newark cider — Long before the days of Church newspapers— Gleanings from the past — The first Ordination held by the Bishop — Columbia College sends a good representation to Church on that day — Non-Episcopal Clergymen invited to attend — Mr. Wright's strong Church sermon, and the sensation which it produced — The dry question which Dr. Rodgers asked — The first Confirmation in New York — Mrs. Owen's Reminiscences — Old and young confessing Christ — Colored servants, and the part they took — The Clergy who were present — Letter from Bishop White — Crowds attending Ordinations 128

Chapter XVII

Statistics not accurately kept — The first Confirmations in the Diocese — An old soiled paper, and its contents — Old families well represented — No union of Church and State — Great national pageants in which the Episcopal Church has borne a conspicuous part — Inauguration of President Washington — The procession and the speeches — Services in St. Paul's Chapel — Bishop Provoost officiates — Mr. Boardman's recollections of Washington — Waiting to see the President enter the church — His dress and bearing — Diligent in the use of his Prayer-book — The two pews with canopies, in St. Paul's Chapel — Pictures with antique frames 137

Chapter XVIII

The first Ordination ever held in New Jersey — Bishop and Rector — An anonymous letter — Stabbing in the dark — Complaints about the preaching in Trinity — General Convention of 1789 — Adoption of the Constitution of the Church — Letter from Albany — An introduction to the Eev. Thomas Ellison — "A portly gentleman in black" — Kind reception given to a stranger, and the consequence thereof — A journey of a hundred ana twelve miles, and what missionary work was done — Prejudices 147

Chapter XIX

The first published list of the Clergy of New York — An important point which is established by a reference to these fifteen names — Noble gift to the church at Duanesburgh — General Convention or 1792 — Bishop Provoost presides — A Bishop consecrated for Maryland — Three other General Conventions briefly noticed — Death of Washington — Some interesting things in a note — Funeral services in St. Paul's Chapel — The grand procession — Funeral urn — Gouverneur Morris's oration — The Bishop's prayer 156

Chapter XX

What natural inclination would have led Bishop Provoost to do — The effects of bereavement upon his troubled mind — Kind letter of condolence — Dr. Stanford and his son — Bishop Provoost retires to private life — Election of his successor — A most important act somewhat unfolded at large — Chosen to one office, and consecrated to another — Years pass away before the evils of the legislation were felt — The new Bishop enters upon his work 165

Chapter XXI

Bishop Provoost in retirement — Bishop Moore's illness — An assistant chosen — Hindrances in the way of his Consecration -—All difficulties arranged — An immense assembly held in suspense—'4 He's come !" " Thank God !" — Something about wigs — Bitter opposition to Bishop Hobart's election— Bishop Provoost persuaded to do a very inconsistent thing — Difficulties in Maryland— Firm and resolute once more— Sudden death — Funeral — Extract from Bishop Hobart's Convention address — Traits of character— A trying case— Conclusion. 173

LIFE

OF

BISHOP PROVOOST.

Chapter First

Dr. Francis' historical discourse — Some items about Bishop Provoost — What our readers may expect — Birth and parentage — The Huguenots and their sufferings — New Amsterdam and the Dutch — Bowling Green and the fort, and cabbage-gardens — The English and Dutch engaged in war — New Amsterdam is called by another name — More wars and bloodshed — Lake St. Sacrement.

HE venerable Dr. Francis, in his discourse before the New York Historical Society in 1857, remarks concerning Bishop Provoost, that "his learning, his liberality, and his patriotism have been too much overlooked. He had the bearing of a well-stalled Bishop, was of pleasing address, and of refined manners. He imbibed his first classical taste at King's College, and was graduated at Peter House, Cambridge. He became skilled in the Hebrew, Greek, Latin, French, German, and Italian languages, and we have been assured he made an English poetical version of Tasso. He was quite a proficient in botanical knowledge, and was among the earliest in England who studied the Linnsean classification."*

From this little sketch of the first Bishop of New York, we are prepared to find many things in his history which will repay us for the trouble of collecting and arranging them in due order. Our readers, however, must not be disappointed if the subject of this memoir does not prove to have been as full of missionary zeal as some with whose lives we are familiar ; but they will have no cause to regret that they have made the acquaintance of Bishop Provoost. The times in which he lived will lead us to speak of many interesting and important matters.

Samuel Pkovoost was the son of John and Eve (Rutgers) Provoost, and was born in the city of New York, on the 26th of February (O. S.), 1742. It is curious to observe, as an instance of the superstitions of the times, that his father was not only very particular to record in the large family Bible the exact hour and minute when his children were born, but he also set down the appearance of the heavens.

* " Old New York," p. 52.

THE HUGUENOTS. 17

Bishop Provoost's father was a descendant of William Provoost, of a Huguenot family, who made his escape from France at the time of the cruel massacre of St. Bartholomew,* and came to New York (then called New Amsterdam) in 1634. At the time of the birth of our hero, the famous city in which he first saw the light was nothing like what it is in our day. It was then only a hundred and twenty-eight years since the Dutch had landed upon Manhattan Island, and established a town, which they called New Amsterdam. The population

* As we endeavor always to keep our younger readers in mind, we will here explain that the Huguenots were French Protestants — a sect which had its birth during the reign of Francis the First. In doctrine and dsicipline there was little to distinguish them from the disciples of John Calvin. Notwithstanding the opposition of the Bornish Church, the new sect spread and multiplied, until at length Francis, and Henry II., who succeeded him on the throne, deprived the Huguenots of many of their privileges as citizens.

The winding up of a long series of persecutions was the terrible massacre of St. Bartholomew's day, August 24, 1572. Charles IX. had invited many of the principal Protestants to Paris to attend a royal wedding, a solemn oath being given of their safety. At daybreak, on the festival of St. Bartholomew, the barbarous massacre began ; the city of Paris was ravaged, and ten thousand persons were put to death. The same cruel proceedings extended throughout the kingdom — the Pope and the authorities of the Eomish Church sanctioning what was done.

It was in consequence of the persecutions of Eome, that the Provoosts, and hundreds of other Huguenot families, sought refuge in America.

2* of New York at the time of Samuel Provoost's birth was about twelve thousand. But this was a wonderful improvement, since the honest Dutch had built their little fort and tradinghouse on what is now known as the Bowling Green. The march of civilization at first was gradual. " Around this fort a progeny of little Dutch-built houses, with tiled roofs and weather-cocks, soon sprang up, nestling themselves under its wall for protection, as a brood of half-fledged chickens nestle under the wings of the mother hen. The whole was surrounded by an inclosure of strong palisadoes, to guard against any sudden irruption of the savages. Outside of these extended the corn-fields and cabbage-gardens of the community, with here and there an attempt at a tobacco plantation ; all covering those tracts of country at present called Broadway, Wall-street, "William-street, and Pearl street."*

With the exception of occasional difficulties with the Indians, the Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam went on very quietly, until they had some misunderstanding with their English neighbors. King Charles declared that the

* Knickerbacker's New York, chap. viii. I hope that all of my readers will make the acquaintance of this charming book of Washington Irving' s.

ENGLISH AND DUTCH WAR. 19

lands occupied by the Dutch, within the territory of New York, belonged to him, and he accordingly gave them to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany. James (for this was the duke's name) appeared before the little fort at New Amsterdam with three ships, in 1664, and obliged the people to surrender. The name of the place was then changed to New York. In 1673 the town wras retaken by the Dutch, but the next year, wThen peace was concluded between England and Holland, it was restored to the English. The first pavements were laid there in 1676, and so the city went on improving, until the strip of land which wTas bought of the Indians for twenty-four dollars, was covered by the largest city of the New "World.

The little boy, whose birth we have mentioned at the opening of the chapter, was a subject of the King of England, and will continue so for some years to come. He was only a year old when George Clinton came over as governor of the colony, who was warmly welcomed by the people.

In 1744, England and France were involved in strife, and George the Second being then upon the English throne, the contest is known, in history as King George's War. During its

20 LIFE OF BISHOP PEOVOOST.

continuance Saratoga was destroyed, and various parts of the colony of New York suffered much. Some Indian braves came to Albany, and concealing themselves in the neighborhood, they lay in wait for prisoners ; and one, more daring than the rest, ventured within the city itself, and carried off people by night. But Samuel Provoost was too young as yet to take much interest in these exciting scenes.

In 1755, when the English and French began hostilities again, he was thirteen years of age, and of course the sound of drum and fife, and the gay uniform of soldiers, parading through the streets, excited him somewhat, and no doubt he joined with all loyal subjects of the king in hoping for victory for his country's arms.

Braddock's defeat at Fort Du Quesne was rather a clamper upon them all, and when, about two years later, Montcalm captured Fort William Henry, on the banks of Lake George,* the English had little cause for self-gratulation left.

* Horicon was the Indian name for this beautiful sheet of water. The French missionaries called it St. Sacrement, because they thought its waters too pure for any purpose but the ordinance of Holy Baptism. See a beautiful ballad by the Eev. A. C. Coxe, D.D., entitled "St. Sacrement, a legend of Lake George.' '

Chapter Second

No mean progress made in study — Enters King's College — Its first president, and the influence he exerted for the Church — Samuel Provoost's early religious training — The Dutch Eeformed Church — Something more about King's College — Laying the corner-stone — The first commencement — Young Provoost graduates — Influences which led him to the Episcopal Church — Political affairs — The fortunes of war changing again — Mr. Provoost goes to England, and becomes a fellow-commoner at Cambridge — Various explanations given — Kesisting temptations — Dr. Jebb.

Ssrr

^* H ATEVEE interest Samuel Provoost n If may have felt in the contest between A&A England and France, he was kept steadily at school ; and although his •thoughts must have often wandered when tidings of success or defeat were brought, he made no mean progress with his books. Having completed his preparatory course, he entered as one of the early students of King's (now Columbia) College, then occupying a frame building in Trinity Church-yard. The charter for this institution was granted in 1754, and Dr. Samuel Johnson,* an Episco-

* See Life of Bishop Seabury, p. 16.

pal clergyman from Connecticut, was cliosen the first president. A more admirable selection could not possibly have been made.

It has been thought, and that too with good reason, that young Provoost may have had his mind turned towards the Episcopal Church by President Johnson, who was a very zealous advocate of what he believed to be the truth. Indeed, a man who had sacrificed ease and the prospect of worldly happiness for the sake of religion, could not remain indifferent, so long as it was possible for him to bring others to the light.

Samuel Provoost's ancestors, for several generations past, had belonged to the Reformed Dutch Church,* and his early training was in accordance with the teachings of this body.

When King's College was organized in May, 1755, " Trinity Church conveyed to its governors the land inclosed by Church, Barclay, and Murray streets, to the Hudson River. The only conditions of the gift were, that the president should always be a member of the Church

* The Dutch Kefornied Church in this country is derived from the National Church of Holland, and its history, with us, dates back to the early days of New York and New Jersey. They received as their rule of faith, the Confessions of Faith, &c.j of the Synod of Dort.

king's college. 23

of England, and that its liturgy should be used in the service of the college. Beyond this, there was to be no exclusion for religious opinion. The college seal was adopted from a device prepared by the president.

"Application was made to England for funds. James Jay went over as an applicant, and associated with Dr. Smith, provost of the college in Philadelphia. A large sum was collected for both institutions. On the 23d of August, the first stone of the college building was laid by the governor, Sir Charles Hardy, who had favored the object at the outset, on his first arrival."* On this occasion, President Johnson made a short, elegant Latin address to the governor of the college, to Sir Charles, and to Mr. De Lancy, congratulating them on this happy event.

The earliest commencement was that of 1758, when a class of eight young men received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Samuel Provoost was one of these. He was then seventeen years of age. Two students from the college of New Jersey were admitted to the same honor. " The degree of Master of Arts (says Dr. Chandler, in his interesting life

* Duyckinck's Cyclopaedia of American Literature, vol. i. p. 379.

of President Johnson), was conferred upon others, who had spent some time in the college, and were thought qualified for it ; and several who had taken that degree in other colleges, were admitted ad eundem. The whole number of graduates amounted to upwards of twenty, and made a very respectable appearance."

We have already expressed the opinion that Dr. Johnson had a good deal to do with young Provoost's turning Churchman.

King's College having then but few students, the president was enabled to become more intimately acquainted with them, than he could have done under other circumstances ; and no person could remain long with him, without being more or less influenced by him. Moreover, although Dr. Johnson had no pastoral charge in the city, his popularity as a preacher was so great, that the vestry of Trinity Church employed him as a lecturer in that church, where he officiated in turn with the rector and assistant ministers. No doubt the students of King's College, whether Churchmen or not, would occasionally attend service at Trinity, when their honored preceptor was expected to officiate ; and thus they became familiar with the mode of worship, and other

ENGLISH AND FRENCH WAR. 25

peculiarities of the Church. Few persons of good taste and refinement could fail to be impressed by the solemnity and grandeur of the ancient prayers and anthems, and by the decency and order which distinguished every part.

It is possible that young Provoost did not actually become a member of the Episcopal Church until some years afterwards, when he received Confirmation in England.

About the time he left college, the fortunes of the English in the war with France began to change. William Pitt, a statesman of commanding abilities, was placed at the head of affairs; new officers were appointed to head the armies of the king; and, ere long, the capture of Louisburg, on the island of Cape Breton, Fort Du Quesne, and Frontenac, showed the wisdom of these appointments.

The year 1759 was marked by successes still more brilliant. Quebec, Niagara, Ticonderoga, and Crown Point were taken from the French, and soon the whole of Canada was surrendered to the British.

These items of history have merely been referred to, that our readers may bear in mind what was going on in the country, while young Provoost was preparing to enter upon the active duties of life.

In the summer of 1761, he embarked for England in order that he might enjoy the rare advantages offered to ambitious students, by the celebrated universities which are the crowning glory of our fatherland. He arrived at Falmouth in September, and in November following, he entered Fellow-Commoner of St. Peter's College, Cambridge,

It should be remembered that an English university embraces several colleges, each of which is a distinct body, and bound by its own laws ; while all are controlled, in certain particulars, by the paramount authority of the university. This general government is exercised by a chancellor, a vice-chancellor, and other officers of various ranks.

Cambridge University includes seventeen distinct colleges, and it was as fellow-commoner of one of these that young Provoost entered, as was before stated. This term, fellow-commoner, will be new to many of our readers, and we therefore add, that these are generally young men of fortune, who, in consideration of their paying a larger sum, are allowed to sit at the Fellows' table, to have the first choice of rooms, and various other privileges of the sort.

The main body of the students are called

RESISTING TEMPTATIONS. 27

Pensioners, while the Sizars answer to the beneficiaries of our American colleges.

The&e last are aided by the funds of the college, and dine at the Fellows' table, free of charge, after the regular dinner has been served.* It may readily be supposed that a young man whose rank or wealth enabled him to enter as a fellows-commoner, would be exposed to many temptations, from which one in humbler circumstances would be comparatively safe. Those, therefore, who, while sharing in the innocent enjoyments about them, are kept from the excesses to which even harmless indulgence may naturally lead, should receive some credit for their prudence and selfcontrol. When we say this, of course we do not forget that it is God's grace alone which can enable us to think good thoughts, or perform right actions.

The young IsTew Yorker, while he enjoyed the society of his companions, and joined freely in the prevailing amusements at Cambridge, prosecuted his studies with the most commendable assiduity and zeal.

In English colleges those who are able to afford it engage a private tutor, whose busi-

* For further particulars, see Bristed's Five Years in an English University, vol. i. p. 17.

ness it is to aid them in their preparation for recitations and examinations. Mr. Provoost was peculiarly fortunate in this respect. The celebrated Dr. Jebb became his tutor, a man of distinguished abilities, with whom he formed an ardent friendship, which lasted until the death of Dr. Jebb.

Chapter Third

Thoughts turned to the ministry — Unbiassed choice — Eight views of a most important subject — Eipe scholarship — Ordination— Chapel Koyal of St. James' Palace — Historical associations— A solemn question — Why Mr. Provoost was so soon advanced to the Priesthood — Komantic incident — Benjamin Bousfield — His mother and sister pay him a visit, and important consequences thereof— Mr. Provoost' s marriage — Eeturn to America — Chosen assistant minister of Trinity Church, New York.