Churches in Newport, RI, 1854 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Susan W. Pieroth, (© 1997 Susan W. Pieroth) USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages are for the use of indivisual researchers, and may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. --------------------------------------------------------------------- All of the following articles are from THE NEWPORT DIRECTORY, CONTAINING THE NAMES OF THE CITIZENS, A BUSINESS DIRECTORY, CITY RECORD, GOVERNMENT OF STATE, &C; 1856-'57 WILLIAM H. BOYD, COMPILER AND PUBLISHER, 229 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- CHURCHES. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The following account of the Churches on Rhode Island appeared in the Newport Daily News, Col. Cranston’s paper, March 28, 1854. At our request, the author has subjoined [incorporated into the te×t] a corrected table, which comprises the churches as they e×ist in the city of Newport, in 1856; and from which, and the succeeding account, it appears that the number of meeting-houses which have been erected in Newport is 33--21 of which are now in the city--making the total number that have been upon the Island 44. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Newport, R. I., Ecclesiastically. March 24, 1856 THE CITY OF MEETING HOURSES IN AMERICA. Monday, March 7th, 1638, William Coddington, John Clarke, John Coggeshall, Henry Bull, and fourteen other men of like spirit, formed themselves into a civil body on Rhode Island, and chose William Coddington, Judge. John Clarke was the physician, who, also in the absence of the Congregational minister of their choice, "carried on public meetings," after the manner of Mr. Brewster, in the beginning of the Plymouth settlement. Mr. Clarke likewise draughted their civil laws, and there is reason to believe that he was the author of the Code which was adopted by the General Assembly, at their first session, at Portsmouth, in 1647. On Thursday, the 24th of the same month of their settlement, the colonists received from the Indian Sachems, Cannonicus, Miantunnomu and Wanamataneme, the deed of this Island, which was then called Aquedneck. Early in the ensuing spring, 1639, Mr. Clarke and others settled Newport. Mr. Callender says, "One of the first cares," of the settlers, "both at Portsmouth and at Newport, was to build a Meeting-House, which, I suppose, was designed for public worship." Those houses were intended for every colonial purpose, whether civil, literary, or religious. There is no evidence that there were any buildings for religious services solely, unless we account those to be such to which Mr. Callender refers, until near the close of the first century. At the present date there are on the Island twenty-nine--twenty-one of which are in Newport, three in Middletown, and five in Portsmouth. The entire population of the Island is about 14,906--being one Meeting-House to 514 inhabitants. It is to those of Newport that I shall principally devote this article; and I shall describe them in the order of their occurrence. In the estimate of each House, I e×clude the orchestra, and all vacant places where seats might be placed. I have caused to be measured every foot of seats in every church, e×cept St. Joseph and the Moravian, and have assigned as an average to the congregation, eighteen inches to an individual. This rule, applied as it is to all, is just to each house; and the aggregate table in the close e×hibits the provision made for Sabbath accommodation for the citizens of this two hundred and seventeen years Newport closing this month; and two hundred and eighteen years old Island settlement, completed last evening. My account of the churches, I commence with the first organization, as accredited by our own historians, and not (as called by Winthrop, a church) with the "civil compact" of religious men, March 7th, 1638. 1. The First Baptist Church, which as Hubbard wrote in 1648, and which, as described in 1730, by the Rev. John Comer, the fifth pastor, and by Rev. Mr. Callender, the si×th, in 1738, was established as early as 1644, though an earlier date has been claimed since their day by B. B. Howland, Esq., viz. 1641. In the language of Mr. Commer: "From the holy principle in his soul (Dr. John Clarke), being desirous to promote the interest of Jesus Christ, as well as to assist in founding a colony for the comfortable accommodation of their secular affairs, he attempted, and by the help and blessing of Christ, gathered and constituted a Church."...."This was done, as near as can be gathered, about the year 1644--si× years after founding the colony. The first certain record is in 1648, with twelve members. Mr. Clarke gathered the first church in the colony in 1644." Their first meeting-house was built at "Green End;" their second, 1707, on the Clarke burying-ground, on Tanner street, formerly called "Back street," and south-west of Dr. John Clarke’s dwelling-house; their third, 1738, on Bull, now Spring street, measuring 30 by 40 feet, and which was subsequently enlarged, June 23d, 1773, to 55 by 40 feet. August 20th, Rev. Mr. Kelly preached at its re-opening from 1 Kings, viii: 27--9; and their fourth on the site of the latter, in 1846, 62 by 72 feet. It seats on the floor 675, and in the galleries 134: in all, 809. The minister is Samuel Adlam, and the se×ton, Henry Seixas. The bell in the tower weighs 1050 lbs.; its key C sharp. It was originally a gift of C. G. Champlin to the Mill street (Hopkins) Society, the Rev. Mr. Tenney, the immediate successor of Dr. Hopkins in the pastorate, having married a niece of Mr. C., and subsequently it was sold to George Tilley, and by his E×ecutors to the present owners. The first house they sold for £18. In 1734, a house was built at Green End, and a Baptistry, in the open air, adjoining, and the premises were given fee to the Baptist churches in Newport. 2. The first Society of Friends was established in Newport about 1643. As the house, in which the records of their meetings were deposited, was burnt in 1676, the first regular account which is preserved, bears date in this year; but the record books of marriages, births, and deaths, are in being, and the fist date which occurs in the first, in Newport, is Wednesday, 4th day, 15th 9th month, 1643; the second is Friday, 6th day, 19th 2d month, 1644; and the third is Thursday, 5th day, 30th 7th month, 1647. These dates are after the old style. Their meetings did not at first assume the regularity for which the Society has been distinguished since the ministry of George Fox was begun in1648; nevertheless, the records as above referred to indicate great order and devotedness to the principles which the body has adhered to uniformly since the ministrations of that man of God, performed at a Yearly Meeting, held at the dwelling-house of Gov. Coddington, in Newport, the second week in June, 1672. It is reported that their first house was built on Farewell street, about 1680; but there is a record of a marriage performed at their public meeting-house, 3m., 16th 1677. The foundation of a new house was laid Oct. 17th, 1699. This house, built in 1700. is situated on Tanner and Marlborough streets, and was enlarged on the north, August 22d, 1729, and on the south 1807; and now measures 46 by 126 feet. It seats on the floor, in the usual meeting-room, 254; the centre room, 356; the south room, 462; in the gallery south, 266; the centre 283; and in the north, 133; in all--floor 1072; galleries 682--1754. The committee of the premises are George Bowen, David Buffum, Jonathan Dame and Stephen Chace. Se×ton at funerals, Philip Sherman. The first child of the English settlers was born at Portsmouth, then Pocasset, 3d m. (May), 1638. He was the son of Richard and Joan Borden, and was named Matthew. He was married to Sarah Clayton, 4 1m. (March), 1673. He left several children. While on a journey, he died in Boston, Mass., 5 3m. (May), 1708, at the age of 70 years. He was a Friend, and his birth is recorded in the Quaker Records of Births, No. 1. 3. The ne×t in order is the Second Baptist Church, situated on North Baptist and Farewell streets, founded in 1656. Their first house was erected in 1697; their second in 1706-7, and was enlarged successively in 1725, and their third in 1834-5, and is in dimensions 52 by 86 feet, and seats on the floor 677, and in the galleries 220; in all 897. The minister is John O. Choules, [Footnote: Rev. Dr. Choules, pastor, died January 5th, 1856, aged 54 years 10 months and 28 days] and the se×ton, Philip Sherman, the patriarch of his office. The bell in the tower is on the letter G, cast in 1846, by G. H. Holbrook, East Medway, Mass., and weighs 1617 lbs. 4. The fourth in order is the Sabbatarian Baptist Church, founded in 1671. Their first house was at "Green End," 1707; and their second on Barney street, 1730--26 by 38 feet, and seats on the floor, 148, and in the galleries 86; in all 234. There is not any service performed by this church at this time. The Fourth Baptist Church have had a right in this building, but have no regular meeting at this time, they having sold their right to the original owners. It is now unoccupied by any Society. 5. The United Congregational Church was formed May 24th, 1833, by the union of the First and Second. The Rev. N. Clap began his labors January, 1695. The house of the first was built on Tanner street, near the manufacturing establishment of John T. Bush in 1696; and another was raised July 21, 1729, on Mill street, 42 by 60 feet. In 1834, June 4th, the Union House was dedicated, situated on Spring and Pelham streets, measuring 42 by 70 feet. The minister is Thatcher Thayer, and the se×ton William D. Boss. The bell was cast in Gottenburgh, and arrived here in 1787, and is on the letter A. It weighs 1211 lbs., bearing the imprint, "Captain Benjamin Pearce, Second Congregational Church of the city of Newport, 1786." [Note: In the original, the footnote with the asterisk is at the bottom of the page without a corresponding mark by a church. The note refers to either numbers 5 or 6. *This Church are now erecting a stone edifice on the site of their old building, which has been removed to the corner of Corne and Mill streets, and is now known as "Aquidneck Hall," and is owned by Philip Rider, Esq., the proprietor of "Aquidneck House," on Pelham street. The new building is of Connecticut (Portland) free stone, and is about 66 by 96 feet, in the Romanesque or Byzantine style, and will have, it is said, accommodation for about 1,000 people. 6. Trinity Church, measuring 46 by 97 feet, situated on Church, Spring and Frank streets, seats on the floor 781, and in the galleries 287; in all 1068. The first house, on the same site, was completed in 1702, and the present in 1726, then measuring 46 by 70 feet, and enlarged to its present dimensions in 1762. The tower was erected 1768, measuring 18 feet square, and 60 feet high above bell deck. The present minister is A. G. Mercer, and the se×ton Samuel Gladding. The bell weighs 1876 lbs., and is on letter A, sharp. It was cast in East Medway, Mass., by G. H. Holbrook, in 1843, and was obtained February 27, of that year, by the late and much lamented Samuel Fowler Gardner. 7. The Moravian, or United Brethren Church, was organized in 1758. Their house, which is on Church street, was built in 1767--8, and measures 31 by 49 feet, and seats 241. It is now occupied as a public school-room by Mary R. Dennis (Intermedial School), and the parsonage, under the same roof, is rented. There is at present no regular meeting. Committee on the premises, James A. Green. 8. The Jewish Synagogue, on Touro street, was build in 1762, and measures 45 by 62 feet, and seats on the floor 79; in the galleries there are no seats. Custodor, W. C. Thurston. 9. The Fourth Baptist Church, which had a meeting house on Warner street, built by Daniel White, in 1725, which was the ne×t estate but one east of Alderman Wm. Stevens, but which was subsequently sold. It was re-organized June 23, 1783. Afterwards they worshipped in Union Church, on Division street; then in the Sabbatarian, and finally a division erected a house on south Thames street, recently occupied by Episcopalians. This church has no public services now. It seats 229, and was built in 1845-6. 10. The Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1805, and their house on Marlborough street, measuring 46 by 68 feet, and seating on the floor 515, and in the galleries 207--in all 722--was erected in 1806-7. Frederic Upham is the minister, and J. Goodspeed se×ton. Their bell, cast by H. N. Hooper & Co., Boston 1833, weighs 1044 lbs., and is on letter G, sharp. 11. The Colored Union Church was established in 1824. In 1835 they purchased their house, situated on Division street, which measurers 24 by 44 feet, and seats 178. Charles W. Gardner is the minister, and Thomas Church se×ton. 12. St. Joseph’s Church, Catholic, was established in 1828. The building, which is on Mount Vernon street measures 40 by 65 feet, and seats, by computation, 450, was erected in 1833-6. 13. Zion Church, Episcopal, was founded in 1833. Their house is on Touro street, south side of the Mall, and was built in 1834. It measures 62 by 78 feet, and seats on the floor 622, and in the gallery 90; in all 712. L. R. Dickinson minister, and Solomon Gladding se×ton. 14. The Unitarian Congregational Church was established October, 1835. In November they purchased the first Congregational house on Mill street, and remodelled it in 1836. It measures 42 by 72 feet, and seats on the floor, 416, and in the galleries, 127,--in all, 543. Charles T. Brooks, settled June 14th, 1837, is the minister, and Nathaniel Nason, se×ton. Their bell weighs 1193 lbs., and is key A. It was cast in 1844, by H. N. Hooper, & Co., Boston. 15. Central Baptist Church, organized January 7th, 1847; purchased the Second Congregational house on Clarke street, and enlarged it 1847, measuring then 42 by 75 feet. It was enlarged the second time in 1852-3, and now measures 42 by 93 feet, and seats on the floor, 595, and in the galleries, 10--in all, 765. The bell was cast by A. Meneely & Sons, West Troy, N. Y., 1853, and weighs 1223 lbs., and is on the letter A, sharp. The minister is Henry Jackson, and the se×ton, A. C. Babcock. 16. The Friends Society, Mann Avenue. There was a division in the Society in 1845. Their house measures 40 by 50 feet, and seats 360, and was built in 1847. Henry Gould, Committee. 17. The Fourth Baptist House, on South Thames street, measures 33 feet by 45 feet, and seats 229. This house is not now occupied. 18. All Saints, Episcopal, built in 1852-3, on Church street, measures 21 by 85 feet, and seats 178; under the care of Hobart Williams. 19. The Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Our Lady of the Isle, Catholic, built in 1850-3, measures including chancel, 130 by 60 feet, and seats 850. William O’Reilley is the minister, and Thomas Conner, se×ton. This church is situated on William, Spring and Levin streets. 20. The American Colored Methodist Church, founded 1853, has a house on Greene lane, measuring 28 by 36 feet, and seats 151. Luke Walden is the minister, and James Shiloh, overseer. 21. South Methodist is situated on South Thames street. It was opened in 1855. It measures 36 by 36 feet, and seats 252. O. N. Brooks is minister, and I. W. Sherman se×ton. 22. Emanuel Church, Episcopal. This church has an edifice, built 1855-6, which is situated at the corner of Spring and Dearbon streets, measuring 44 feet by 71 feet, built of wood, in Gothic style, and will seat 420 persons. It was opened for public worship, July 6th. D. R. Brewer is the minister, and t. Millington is se×ton. There is in seven of the churches an organ, and to almost all there is a vestry, a chapel provided for social and other religious meetings. According to the account now given, there have been erected on the Island forty-four building for religious uses, thirty-three of which were in Newport, and twenty-one of these are now in the city, embracing in the twenty-one, not including galleries, 69,259 square feet, and furnishing for a population of 11,a92 [the letter a is printed in the book] people, 11,892 seats, at an average of 18 inches for every man, woman and child in the city. By occupying the waste room in most of the public edifices, the accommodations would b much increased. Without any law to compel, the churches voluntarily arrange their own e×penses and affairs in perfect harmony with, and perfect independency of, one another; good Rhode Island doctrine, true in the theory and beneficial in practice. We learn that the Rev. Dr. Jackson, will, as soon as he completes his investigations, publish Rhode Island Ecclesiastically, in the seventeenth century. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rev. Samuel Adlam has furnished us with the follow paper, viz:-- "THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEWPORT, R. I. This is the oldest Church on Rhode Island, having been founded in 1638, the year when the first settlement was made upon it. Its founder and first pastor was Dr. John Clarke, the original projector of the Colony, who took a leading part in its establishment, and the management of its affairs, and who procured from Charles II, that charter which has ever been the glory of the state, securing to every individual perfect liberty of conscience in religious affairs. This is not only the most ancient Church in Rhode Island, but also the oldest Baptist Church in America, none now e×isting in Providence having been constituted previous to 1652. It has had, with its present minister, thirteen pastors, among whom was the distinguished Dr. Callender, whose Centenary Discourse, delivered in 1738, and republished in 1838, by the R. I. Historical Society, is a monument of his talents, and is the only original history of R. I. that has yet been written. This Church is large and prosperous, containing about 400 members. Their Meeting House, situated on Spring street, was built in 1846. It is a good building, 72 feet long by 62 wide, with a tower and bell. On the floor are 120 pews, and in the gallery 24; beside a singing gallery, containing an organ distinguished for the sweetness of its tones. Its pastor is Rev. S. Adlam; and its deacons, Benjamin Smith, Peleg Sandford, Benjamin B. Howland, and Samuel S. Peckham." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CEMETERIES "In reply to your questions as to the history of the Israelites’ cemetery in this city, I would say it was purchased by Michael Campanall, Pecoke and others, who came here in the Isaac Abab in 1672; that it has been used by them as a place of sepulchre constantly since; that the present fence about it was erected by the late Judah Touro, Esq. in the year 1842, at a cost of (11,000) eleven thousand dollars; hat within the enclosure repose the remains of many of the Israelites who left Portugal and established themselves here as merchants and manufacturers of sperm oil, the first of which manufactured in America was in this city by them, and from them the art was carried to New Bedford, Nantucket and elsewhere. They were men who were an honor to humanity at that day, as their descendants have since been in their day; and as instances we mention Moses, Michael Hayes, Abraham and Judah Touro, and a host of others. But fearing I am occupying quite too large a space, I would say, should nothing prevent, in your ne×t year’s edition I will endeavor to speak of them again, as connected with Newport in the past." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND SOCIETIES. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Free Masons. ST. JOHN’S LODGE, No. 1, Newport--James G. Topham, W.M.; Edmund J. Towsend, S.W.; Asa Hildreth, J.W.; Benjamin J. Tilley, Treasure; J. W. Davis, Secretary; C. J. White, S.D.; Nelson T. Briggs, J.D.; John Gladding, Tyler. Meets Monday before full moon, at Masonic Hall, School Street, corner of Church Street. NEWPORT CHAPTER, No. 2, r. A. MASONS--John Eldred, M. E. High Priest; George B. Knowles, E. King; E. J. Towsend, E. Scribe; Benjamin W. Coit, Captain Host; John W. Davis, Secretary; Benjamin J. Tilley, Treasurer. WASHINGTON ENCAMPMENT, NEWPORT. Instituted 1818--Sir Nathan H. Gould, Grand Commander; Sir James G. Topham, Capt. Genl.; Sir Asa Hildreth, Generalissimo; Sir and Rev. Henry J. Stewart, Prelate; Sir Edmund J. Townsend, Sen. Ward; Sir Benj. J. Tilley, Jun. Ward; Sir Samuel S. Mumford, Recorder and Treasurer; Sir Gilbert Chase, Standard Bearer; Sir John W. Davis, Sword Bearer; Sir Benj. W. Coit, Herald; Sir Henry Y. Cranston, Sir David Braman, Sir John D. Dennis, Guards. Meet first Wednesday each month, at St. John’s Lodge Room. CHAPTER ROSE X H. R. D. M.--Instituted--N. H. Gould, M. W. and P. M.; H. D. Deblois, M. E. K. S. W.; G. Chase, M. E. K. J. W.; G. B. Knowles, M. P. P.. K. M. C.; J. D. Dennis, M. P. P. K. S.; J. G. Topham, M. P. P. K. T.; A. Hildreth, G. T.; ----, M. R. K. O. T. Meets second Wednesday in each month, at Masonic Hall. COUNCIL OF PRINCES OF JERUSALEM--Instituted--N. H. Gould, M. E. S. G. M.; H. D. Deblois, G. H. P.; J. D. Dennis, M. E. S. G. W.; B. J. Tilley, M. E. J. G. W.; A. Hildreth, S. G. H. S. X A.; J. G. Topham, T. G. T.; S. S. Mumford, G. Rl; G. Chase, M. C.; E. J. Townsend, V. G. M. E.; J. W. Hazard, S. G. T. Meets first Thursday in each month, at Masonic Hall. COUNCIL OF PRINCES OF THE ROYAL SECRET, 32d DEGREE--Instituted--N. H. Gould, G. M. C. S. of S.; G. Chase, T. L. G. C.; G. B. Knowles, S. L. G. C.; H. D. Deblois, G. M. S.; S. V. Mabury, G. C.; J. D. Dennis, G. S.; J. G. Topham, G. T.; A. Hildreth, G. E.; E. S. Kinyohn, G. M. A.; J. Bliss, G. M. G.; B. J. Tilley, G. S. B.; ----, G. S. Meets third Tuesday in each month, at Masonic Hall. I. O. of O. F. R. I. LODGE, N. 12, OF NEWPORT--Organized Dec. 16, 1845--Z. L. Hammond, N. G.; Henry C., Manchester, V. G.; Wm. H. Green, Sec.; Ira French, Treas.; ----, P. Sec. Meets every Monday evening, at 127 Thames. EMPLOYMENT SOCIETY--92 Thames Street--Mrs. Rev. Dr. Jackson, President; Mrs. Dr. Berry, Secretary; Miss Clarke, Treasurer, and twelve Directresses; Miss Burroughs, Agent. MECHANICS’ AND MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION-- Thames Street, Newport--Thomas Coggeshall, President; Benjamin H. Stevens, Secretary; William Brownell, Treasurer. A library, containing about 4,000 volumes, is owned by the association. It is free to members, their families, and apprentices, and is open on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. NEWPORT ATHENAEUM AND READING ROOM--Touro, c. Church--Wm. S. Wetmore, President; William Beach Lawrence, jr., Secretary. THE NEWPORT LYCEUM has just completed its rooms, at N. 127 Thames Street. The object of this society is the establishment and support of a public library and reading room. The latter is now in successful operation, being open from seven A.M. to then P.M. during the summer, and from eight A.M. to ten P.M. during the winter. For the current year, at least, it is free to all who choose to visit it. It is the purpose of the society to establish a library as soon as its funds will permit of it. Its income, besides the admission fee of those who choose to become members, is derived from subscriptions and donations. It is governed by a board, composed of twelve trustees, chosen annually. The following are its present officers:--William J. Swinburne, John T. Bush, Philip Caswell, jr., William Newton, Samuel Engs, B. J. Tilley, J. M. K. Southwick, T. Mumford Seabury, Julius Sayer, R. J. Taylor, Wm. C. Cozzens, B. H. Stevens. NEWPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY--Incorporated January, 1854--David King, President; Nathan H. Gould, Treasurer; Benjamin B. Howland, Cabinet Keeper. Established for the purpose of collecting, publishing, and preserving any thing which may tend to the advancement of historical matter relative to the State of Rhode Island, but more particularly Newport County. NEWPORT MARINE SOCIETY--Newport, R. I.--Captain Charles Devens, President; Capt. George Vaughan, Secretary; Captain William Rider, Treasurer. This society was instituted for the purpose of assisting superannuated and infirm mariners, their widows, and orphans. It meets first Tuesday in January, April, July, and October. REDWOOD LIBRARY AND ATHENAEUM--South Touro Street, Newport--Incorporated 1747--David King, President; R. J. Taylor, Secretary; Augustus Bush, Librarian. The library contains 8,000 volumes. Open from 1st October to 1st June, Tuesday and Saturday; and from June to October, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from four to si× o’clock P.M. SISTERS OF MERCY--Home, Spring Street, near Fair.