RECORD of Transactions of the Vestry &c. of Trinity Church in Boston begining from the first choosing of a Vestry there 1739.

1739 April 24th. Being Easter Tewsday The proprietors of Pews in said Church made choice of the following Officers for the Year insuing.

Att a meeting of the Vestry April 30 1739 at Mr. Verdys.

present Wm Speakman & Joseph Dowse

They toke into concideration the message delivered yesterday (being the 29th) in the Church by the Revd Mr Davenport from the Revd Mr Commissary Price concerning a promise made by the Late Comittee of this Church of paying in behalf of said Church Six pounds per week for the two ministers (he & Mr. Davenport) service there & that he will not nor suffer Mr. Davenport to performe Service any longer with out haveing said Six pounds per week.

Resolved haveing asked the Necessary Questions of Mess. Peter Luce Thomas Child Wm Price & Thos Greene the said late Comittee concerning any promise by them made in behalf of said Church about paying said Six pounds per week its our oppinion that they never made any such promise.

Voted that the Church Wardens with Messrs. John Arbuthnott Jno Merrett and Thomas Child and Thomas Aston as joined in a Committee do waite on the Revd Mr Commissary Price to accqt him of this our resolve and that as we have been disapointed in our Expectations of being provided with a Minister by this time The Church has now embodied its self for the more Easy and speedy proccuring a Minister that untill they are so provided they cannot consistent to the Intrest of said Church raise money suficient to pay more then four pound per week as formerly Voted by the proprietors & Therefore do Beg & intreat the said Revd Mr. Price that he with Mr Davenport may continue to perform Divine Service in said Church untill they do provide themselves with a Ministr wch they will do with the Uttmost Expedition.

Voted That the same Comittee Wait on the Revd Mr Davenport and desire to know of him Wether he continue in the same mind he was sometime ago (as he accquainted the Late Comittee upon their application to him in behalf of the Church) of being Minister of Trinity Church upon securing to him One Hundreed pounds a Yeare Sterling money.

Voted that the meeting be adjourned ’till Thursday Night May 3d at same place.

May 3d Att an ajournment of Vestry Meeting at Luke Verdy.

Present Both Church Wardens

The Committee appointed last Monday made report as follows—That they had waited on the Revd Mr. Commissary Price & accqtd him with the Resolve and vote of the Vestry who gave for Answer he would Preach in sd Church according to their request untill we could be supplyed. That they had waited on the Revd Mr. Davenport & accqtd him with their Message who gave for Answer he continued of the same mind of being our Minister upon the conditions as told the late Comitte & as is mentioned in the Message. But that at the same time he had told the Comittee [it] should be with the following restrictions which he still Insisted on for the preserving a good Harmony between him and the Congregation vizt: 1st That the Clerk of the Church might be chosen by them or him but not without joint consent of Both parties.

Voted that the foregoing report be refered to the Proprietors & the Saxon warn each proprietor of a Pew to be at the Church Next Sunday that after Service they may consider what may be Necessary relating to a Minister.

May 6th At a Meeting of the proprietors of Trinity Church at said Church Sunday May 6th 1739.

Then was communicated the report of the Comitee to the Vestry May 3 and allso how farr the Trustees for building the Church had proceeded in relation to the Revd Mr Adington Davenports being Minister of this Church as is mentioned before & the same was Unanimously Approved.

Voted That a Tax of Two shilling a week be laid on the proprietors for Each Pew to commence upon the setlement of a Minister & to continue till the Meeting of the Proprietors at Easter following, unanimous

Whereas the above tax with our reasonable expectations from the Society from Application already made & [furder?] the Church may make We aprehend may not be sufficient to make up what may be wanting for the Suport of a Minister & the annual Charges Voted that the Church Wardens and Mr. Thos Greene do take such Subscribtions of the several proprietors and other well disposed persons as they shall be willing to make for said Use.

Voted. That the Church Wardens & Vestry with the Trustees for Building the Church are impowred to treat with the Revd Mr Adington Davenport about taking such Measure for fixing him our Minister upon the proposall afoot & consistent with former votes, pasd Unanimous Voted that the Church Wardens Vestry & sd Trustees be a Comtee to write such Letters as they see needfull to procure the Revd Mr Davenport our Minister & getting assistance from the Society towards his Support. passd Unanimous

Messrs. Th: Child Benj Fanueil & Jos Dowse are desired to prepare the needful Letters for the Vestry.

May 7 Att a meeting of the Vestry May 7 1739 at Luke Verdys

present: Wm Speakman. Jos: Dowse Church Wardens.

The following Letters viz to the Lord Bishop of London to the Secretary to the Society for Propagation of the Gospell to Captain John Tomlinson to Mr. Thos Sandford & to Mr John Merrett are approved of & ordered to be signed & delivered to Mr. John Merrett who is bound to London & who has generously promised the Church his best endeavours to serve them.

Boston May 8th 1739

To the Right Revd Father in God Edmund Lord Bishop of London

May it please your Lordship

The Trustees for building of Trinity Church have some time since accqtd your Lordship of the same. And as the Proprietors have thought fitt to choose Church Wardens & Vestry for the more speedy setling a Minister they think it a duty incumbant on them to address your Lordship as their Diocessan & to Begg your favour & Blessing. Mr John Merrett the bearer of this being one of our Brethren has undertaken to Sollicit the Honble the Society for Propagating the Gospell in foreign Parts for their aid & assistance. He likewise will deliver your Lordship a letter from the Revd Mr Davenport signifying his good will towards Trinity Church & his designe of removal there unless your Lordship forbid. We implore your favourable Indulgence.

May the Allmighty continue you a blessing to the Church under your care is the hearty Prayer of

May it please your Lordship Your Lordships Most

Dutyfull Sons & Servts

sigd by Ch. Ward

Vestry & Trustees.

Boston May 8 1739

To the Revd Dr Davd Humphries

Secrety to the Society for Propagating the Gospell in foreign parts

Revd Sr: The Trustees for Building Trinity Church had the Honr of yours of the 6th of Mar: 1737 wch did come to hand till Aug and was ansd a few days after. As we are uncertain wether it ever came to your hand the Church Wardns & Vestry now presume to Beg the Society would condecend to reconsider the prayer of our former Petition. The true state of our Church the bearer & one of our Brethn Mr. Jno Merrett (to whome for perticulars we refer) is very capable of relating. But in General our Number being so small for want of a setled Ministr with us our Expenses have been so great already & will be so conciderably augmented in finishing the building that at present the tolerable suport of a Minister will be a burthen too heavy for us. We therefore most earnestly implore the Honble Societys aid & relief undr our pressing Difficulty’s & if it would not be judged too great a presumption we would with all Humility request that an allowance of 15£ per Ann: hertofore made to one Mr Grangier a School Mastr in this town (long since absentd) with the like sum in addition to it (if such a favour might be granted) would enable us to furnish our Minister with a decent maintenance tho even then we should not give equal to what other Ministers of this Town receive upon the Success of this adress depend in a great Measure the prosperity of this Church & all our designs for it. God Almighty give us favour before the Society.

We are

Revd Sr the Societys most

Obd Servts

Ch: Wd

Vestry

& Trustees

Captain John Thomlinson

May 8

Sr We being well assured of the Esteem you have for the Church of Engd. puts us on accqting you with one lately built in this Town wch is Named Trinity Church flattering ourselves with yr kind aid & Assistance. Mr. Jno Merrett the bearer of this & one of our Brethn has been so good as to take upon him to apply to the Hon: Society for Propagating the Gospell for their Charitable releif to enable us to suport a Minister for sometime. Your kind advice & assistance to him as it will be a Service to the Church so it will be a great Obligation on Sir

Your Most Obd Hum. Servts

Ch: Wd. Vestry & Trustees

Mr Thos Sandford

Your letr of same tenour as the above to Capt Thomlinson with this adittion. You have already laid us under obligation by your care of the Trustees letters & as you have been at some charge on ’em we have desired our freind Mr J Merrett to repay you. Yor gratefing our request will much serve the church & Oblidge

Sr Yr&c.

May 8

Mr Jno Merrett

Sr: Your Buisness calling you to London, we cheerfully embraced the opportunity to desire your good offer for us. We have wrote by you to the Bishop of London to the Hon: the Society for propagating the Gospell to Captain Jno Thomlinson & to Mr Th: Sandford wch leters we pray your Care of. We have asked for the assistance of 30£ per anm for a few Years, but as we have refered to you for perticulars if it lies in your power to move them to money we doubt not of your endeavour. You know we have made choice of the Revd Mr Davenport for our Minister & if we could be so happy as to obtain that favr before the Society we should be enabled to give him a decent Maintenance. He has wrote the Lord Bishop of London that if we do succed with the Society & his Lordship do not forbid he’l remove to Trinity Church. We desire youl use your indeavours that he be not forbid the circumstans of our Church you well know but we would just remind you of a few perticulars & in order to that refer you to the Minuetts & votes herin inclosed. We have sold 50 pews they are taxed at 20/sterl. per an: wch will raise abt £50 & as their will be neare 40 more on the floor when they are sold & the Church finished we may be able to ease the Society of the Charge. Their is an allowance of 15£ per an: to a School in this Town the last that enjoyd it was one Grangier who has been more then a Yeare absent. Beside this Town is very well supplied with 5 or 6 free schools to wch we all pay & the Masters have handsome suports.

We are aprehensive if we have been misrepresented & some Cloggs laid to our afairs we therefore Beg you’l endeavour to obviate any such in order to which you have the Copy of the Trustees leters to the Bishop of London wherein the Constitution of the Church is fully sett forth & as we never heard from his Lordship we take his Silence as aprobation. We need not mention that should any oppty present for getting any other Benefactions to our Church you would embrace it. Mr Sandford has been at some charge for the Trustees letters we will take it as a favr if youl please to pay him the same we heartily wish you a good Voyage & safe retturn to

Sir, Your most Humbl Servts

the Ch: Wdn Vestry & Trustees

Memm: all the aforesd Leters was signed by the persons present May 7th as per page 4 as before

a Copy of the Minits refered to in Mr Merretts letter.

The Kings Chapell being very full that many could not gett Seats & the accesion to the Church daily increasing & likly to do so could they be accomodated. To incourage this growing prospect many well disposd persons cheifly such as where themselves well accomodated purposed to build a new Church in this Town. Lenard Vassall Esq by their desire purchased a conveinient peice of Land at the So end in Sumer Street & gave his Bond Sep 11: 1728 that if in two years he was repayd the sum he pd for the purchase with Charges &c he would Convey to sundry persons there namd to build a Church. Accordingly

Apr 30 sd Vassall by a deed this day conveyd the same for the sum of 514:7/2d to sundry persons in Trust on Condition that within 5 yrs & 5 months a Church should be built and apropriated to the Worship of God according to the Rubric of the Church of England, on default to return to sd Vassall Sundry persons who gave & lent money to make said purchase & to forward the Building &c October 17 1733 made Choice of Messrs Lenard Vassall Peter Luce Thos Child Wm Price & Thos Greene Trustees to Build said Church & a Deed of Conveyance was made to them in Trust that when Church Wardens & Vestry should be chosen they the Trustees should reconvey the same to them & their Succesors for Ever for sd purposes aforesd.

April 15 The Corner stone was laid wheron was wrote TRINITY CHURCH. This corner stone was laid by the Revd. Mr Commisary Price Apr 15 1734.

Aug: 15th The Church was opened by the Revd Mr Commisary Price preaching there.

Mar: 5th The proprietors & Benefactors duly warned and mett passed a Vote that Hereafter only such persons who where owner’s of Pews should be intitled to Vote for Minister, Officers, & all afairs in the Church.

Oct 16 The Revd Mr Commissary Price & the Revd Mr Davenport began to perform Divine Service alternatly each Sunday by desire of the proprietors of Pews untill they could be supplied with a Minister.

Apr 24th the proprietors of Pews chose Church Wardens & Vestry Men thinking it the most likly means to setle a Minister.

May 6th The proprietors layd a Tax of 2/ per week on each pew to commence upon the setling a Minister.

The proprietors aprovd of the Invitation made the Revd Mr Davenport to be their Minister and impowred the Church Wardens Vestry & Trustees to treat with him in ordr to setle him so consistent with former votes.

May 8th Extracted from the Church Book Examd Jos: Dowse CW Memd. to Mr Merrett. The Church are under Bond & Obligation for large sums of money for which they pay Intrest.

The Church wants a Tower spire Bell besides insides work. There not a Bell in either of the Churchs (Except a very small one at the Chapell) so that we are mostly oblidged to the Meeting House Bells wch are many Handsome ones.

At a Meeting of the Trustees at Mr. Luke Vardy’s on Fryday June 1st 1739

Voted that Mr. John Indicott be desired to make a Table for the Alter of Pine, to be five foot long & three foot Broad.

Voted that Mr. James Varney’s bill for Lime amounting too Eleven Pounds Nineteen Shillings be Allowed & that he be paid assoon as Conveniently may be.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry June 1st 1739 at Mr Verdy.

Voted that the Church Wardens receive from Captain Davise the pew No 54 offered to them for the price of 55£ & that the same be sold for £70.

That they receive from Bartho Balard the pew No 62 & pay him 50£ & the same be sold for 65£.

That as the Church have borowed Money from the Charitable Society & others that the Vestry become bound for the same in the Churchs Name & that the Church be oblidged to Answer such obligations as the vestry are bound for.

That the Revd Mr Price be desired to administer the Sacrements of the Lords super in Trinity Church on Trinity Sunday.

Boston June 2nd 1739

To the Revd Mr. Roger Price

Revd Sr Last Night the Vestry of Trinity Church wth several others desired that the Holy Communion might be administred there on Trinity Sunday. We therefore earnstly desire you’l be so good as to performe the same wch with your answer per the bearer will very much oblige Rev Sr

Your most Hum. Servt.

Gentlemen

As the time of my officiating at Trinity Church will be but short I am unwilling to deviate from my accustom’d duty and beg the gentlemen will excuse my not complying with their request

I am your obediant Humble Servant

Rogr Price

Boston June 2

NB Mr Price desired by a line to be excused from the service above desired. Whereupon wrote to the Revd Mr Ading: Davenport.

Revd Sr The Vestry & others of Trinity Church desire you will administer the Holy Communion there on Trinity Sunday. We think it proper to informe you we first applyed to the Rev Mr Commissary Price from wch he desired to be Excused. Your compliance will be very pleasing to many as well as to

Revd Sr Your most Ob: H.S.

Boston June 7^th 1739

Sunday June 17th being Trinity Sunday the Holy Communion or Sacrement of the Lords Super was administred in Trinity Church (being the first time) by the Revd Mr Adington Davenport. The Revd Mr. Saml Seabury assisted. [From Vol. 2 TR] About forty Communicants.

To The Church Wardens of Trinity Church

Gentlemen

Your proceeding in opposition to my declard resolution is not in my opinion consistent with that regard which is due to me as minister of that Congregation in which you act as officers, and confirms me in the suspision that you are setting out upon principles not agreeable to the government of the Church of England. This irregularity together with the loss the Kings Chapel sustains by my officiating in your Church has convincd me of the necesity I am under of declining for the future that part of Duty. I therefore give you this notice of it that you may act accordingly. And am

Your Most Humble Servant

Rogr. Price

Boston July the 8 1739.

July 8 Mr. Commissary Price sent a line to the Church Wardens accqtg them the proceeding was displeasing to him so that he would not performe Service any longer in the Church. Upon which they sent the following Answer.

Revd Sr We recd your leter to us dated the 8th inst. & are much concerned & very uneasy that you should think we have proceeded in any thing in opposition to your declared resolution or that we have not payd the regard due to you. If we have been guilty of such a Slight we are very Sorry But assure you we are ignorant of any such thing therefore we pray youl be so kind as to explaine your thoughts. What we have done to cause (much less to confirme) a Suspicion of setting out disagreeable to the Government of the Church of England is unknown to us & pray youl informe us in what it is & assure you we will take your advice very kind. We think in promoting Trinity Church we have no other intention than the Church of England according to the Rubrick to the very best of our knowledge.

We pray & beseach that the Enimies of the Church of Engld may have no cause to boast in any division but that youl be so kind as to continue your service in our Church. We pray your answer & that youl be assured we are with the Greatest regard—

Revd Sr Your most Ob: Hum Servt

Boston July 10 1739

To The Church Wardens of Trinity Church

Gentlemen

I shall say no more upon this Subject but that I shall continue in my resolution not to officiate any longer in Trinity Church and leave it to you to guess the reasons. I am

Your Most obedient Humble Servant

Rog: Price

Boston July the 13 1739

July 13th Mr. Price answd he would continue his resolution not to officiate any more in Trinity Church and Accordingly Sunday July 15th No service was performed there.

At a Meeting of the Trustees at Mr. Luke Vardy’s On Tuesday July 10th 1739

Voted That Mr. Ebenezer Messinger be paid Twenty two Pounds in full for his Bill.

Voted That Mr. Samll. Davis his Bill of Seven Pounds Seven Shillings & Seven Pence be Allowed & that he be paid the Same.

Voted that the following Persons be made Debtors in the Church Books five Pounds for each of their Pews they have had Inlarged in Trinity Church

The following Persons have paid five Pounds for Inlargeing each of their Pews which money was paid to Mr. Joseph Dowse & The Church has Credit for the Same the 9th of July 1739 he haveing paid it to the Trustees

Att a Meeting of the Vestry July 17 1739 att Mr Wm Patins present Wm Speakman Joseph Dowse Church Wardens

Peter Luce Thos Child & Wm Price of the Trustees

Communicated the leters passed between the Revd Mr. Price & the Wardens.

Voted that in order to keep the Church open the Revd Mr. Davenport be desired to performe Divine Service on Sundays after his Duty is over at the Kings Chapell.

Voted that Mr. Jno Merrett have liberty to change his pew No 63 for No 62 formerly Barw Ballard. The consideration moveing the Vestry is Mr Merretts Service for the Church now he is in England.

Voted that Mr. Speakman & Cap Child be desired to ask of the Vestry of Kings Chapell their Intrest to obtain the Communion plates in the hand of Gov. Shute this Church paying all Charges.

To Messrs Wm Speakman & Joseph Dowse Wardens of Trinity Church in Boston,

Gentl. In compliance with your & your Vestrys desire, these are to acquaint you, that when my duty is over in Kings Chappel on Sunday, I will perform Divine Service at Trinity Church in the afternoon about four of the Clock.

I am, Gentl.

Your most humb Servt

Addington Davenport

Boston July 20th 1739

Att a meeting of the Vestry October 21, 1739 in the Church

present both the Church Wardens

Peter Luce Thos Child & Thos Greene Trustees

Communicated the Leters recd from Messrs Jno Merrett & Jno Thomlinson.

Voted that letters be prepared to be wrote to London & laid before the vestry too morrow at Luke Verdys.

October 23d the Vestry mett and agreed the following Six letters be sent per Cap. Homans which was signed by the Ch. Wardns Vestry & Trustees.

To: Capt John Thomlinson

Boston Octbr 26 1739

Sr: We have the pleasure of yrs 20 of Augt full of kind expressions to our infant Church. We are exceedingly oblidged to you for your endeavours to serve us and for your generous tenders of further assistance & according to your advice we now repeate our Petione to that Venerable Society for help to maintaine our Minister not doubting but that could we be so happy as to succede with them & gett the Revd Mr Davenport our Minister in a few Years great Accesions would be made to the Church of England in this Town (upon wch the state of the Church thro the Country in a great measure depends) especialy from amongst our Desenting Brethren wch was one of the principall Aims of the first concerned in Erecting this Church & which we Bless God for we begin to see the benefitt. Mr Arnold whome you mentione is not at present in Town but we are informed he has by this same vessell wrote for leave to remove to Marblehead & the people there have desired him their Minister if he succeeds in this their will be his Sallary he recd as an Itenerant Missionary saved to the Society which might give room for the Society to asist us. We would beg your kind interposition wch will much promote the Groth of the Church of Eng. in these parts & greatly oblidge

Sr Your most Obd H:S.

Mr Thos Sandford. Sr: Our freind Mr Merrett has informed us he delivd our leter to you & that you had been very serviceable in your advice to him & very generous in tenders of Service to us for wch we take this oppertunity to retturn our Thanks & beg thee Continuance of your kind office. We now repeate our Petition &c.

(wrote the same as to Capt Thomlinson in a foregoing leter)

Mr John Merrett

Octbr 26 1739

Sr We are to acknowledge the receipt of two of yours Augt 10 & 21 & are much oblidged for your Care & pains in our afairs and wish they had been attended with beter success but are fully sensible of both your & Cap Thomlinson endeavours. According to Cap Thomlinsons advice we now renew our Petition to the Society and as we are informd Mr Arnold has wrote for leave to remove to Marblehead & that people have desired him for their Minister we hope their may be room for the Society to smile on us which we beg youl continue to endeavour. We are surprised to hear any can be so wicked as to sugest this Charitable undertaken of ours to our prejudice. We don’t Doubt Youl endeavour to learn who can be the Author & what the Matter of such representation that we may justifie our selves. We fear the Lord Bishop of London may take amiss our not writing to him (as you inform us you have not delivered our Leter). We pray youl take the trouble to wait on him least the same sugestions should have posesed him and as we doubt not our actings in building a Church must be agreeable to him so we should be glad to have his countenance. Our Church has grown but litle since you left us by reason of Discouragemt we are under not haveing a setled Minister & being liable to be shutt up in evry Mr. Commissary’s Humours as we have already Experienced & wrote you per Capt Jones & are again Threatned. We pray the Care of the inclosed letter left open for your perusal & are with much Esteem Sr

Your M. Ob: H.S.

& Vestry by name

P[eter] L[uce] & Trustees

Boston Oct 26 1739

To the Honerble Collenel Richd Phillips

Hon Sr: Our freind Cap Peter Kenwood accqtd us with a letter he recd from you wherin you had promised to give us your assistance with the Honble Society for propa the Gospell for a small aid to support a Minister in our Church. We are very much oblidged to you for your offers & as we have not petioned that Venerable Society we begg your kind offices for us. The sum were asking is but 30£ per anm & for a few years till our Church could be finished & filled wch we have great reason to expect from such a help your gratefing our request will much promote the church of England & serve Hon Sr.

Your Hon most O bd H. S.

Octo 26 1739

To the Right Revd. Father in God Stepn: Lord Bishop of Exeter.

May it please your Lordship. Our freind Capta Peter Kenwood informed us that when he was in Exon he had the favour of severall Benefactions perticularly from your Lordship towards our Church called Trinity Church lately built in this Town with conciderable Expence, the several sums as is mentioned below. We have recd & take this opportunity to retturn our hearty Thanks to your Lordship & the other Good Benefactors. We have petitioned the Hon Society for Propa the Gospell in foreign pts for a small assistance of 30£ per anm: for a few years untill we are able to finish the Church & support it our selves, which we have great reason to expect from Accesions dayly Making from our Desenting Brethreen amongst us. If you could interpose in our behalf to that venerable Society wch is the fountain (under God) wch suports the Church of Engld in these parts it would be a great Service. We are may it please Your Lordship

Yr Ld. M.O.Servt & Sons

Boston Oct 26. 1739

To The Revd Doct: Beaucroft Secret: to the Honb Society for Propa: the Gospell in forn: parts.

Revd Sr:

We did presume by our Humble petition datd May 8 last to the Honble the Society for propa the Gospel in fr ps to request an aid of 30£ p anm: for a few yrs towards the maintenance of the Revd Mr Davenport for minister of Trinity Church lately built in this Town & if we could have obtained that favour we should be able & would make up for him (sd Mr Davenport) a decent suport who had generously offered to accept of our pressing instances for that end provided we could obtain this favour & the Lord Bishop of London did not forbid.

This petition we are informed was not granted by reason of a vote of the Society not to grant any New Missions under their then Circumstances. Now hopeing Providence may have smilled on the Socty & that they may see cause to revoke that vote we would again in all Humlty repeat our request the same reasons still subsisting for not haveing a setled Ministr. Members or proprietors do not increase & the Charge of Building & suporting lays on a very few. And we have now this to add: we are threatned by the Revd Mr Price that hel not performe service any longer in said Church & so it must be shutt up which will much hinder the designs of the persons first concerned in Building the Church wch was to have room for the accesions from amongst the Desenters & we Bless God we in some good measure see the Effects & have great reason to expect funds could we be able to setle the Revd Mr Davenport Min: & hope could we be so happy as to find favour before the Society in a few years be able to finish the building & Suport it. May our Petition be acceptable & may God Allmighty Bless that fountain the Venerable Society which under God is the Suport of the Church of Engd in this part of the World is the Hearty prayer of Revd Sr The Societys. . . . Most Obd H. S.

& Vestry & Trustees

The proprietors of Pews mett in the Church & being informed that the Revd. Mr. Commissary Price had acquainted the Church Wardens that unless they would pay him Three pounds per week he would not permitt the Service to be continued in the Church in the Manner he had permitted it but if they would Comply with his demmand he would consent to have the Church Suplyed as now till May next.

Voted That Three pounds a week be payd to each that is to Mr. Price & to Mr. Davenport untill Easter next. By writen vote.

November 11 1739 being Sunday. The proprietors mett in the Church and being informd of Mr Commisory Price had accqtd the Church Wardens that unless they would pay him Three pound per Week he would not permitt Service to be performed any longer here & that if they would comply with this the Church should Continue to have services as now untill May Next.

Voted that Three pounds p week be paid each Minister till Easter—By written votes.

At a Meeting of the Trustees at Mr. Willm. Pattins on Wednesday November 21 1739

Voted that five Pounds be paid to John Houcker the Saxton for his Extraordinary Trouble in Attending the Workmen when the Pews were Inlarged & the Alter Finished & for levelling the Dirt round the Church. It must not be forgotten that Mr. Willm. Griffith late of Boston deceased, did before his Death give unto this Church Twenty three Pair of Pew dore Hinges.

Boston Nov 27 1739

Mr Thos Sandford Sr: On the other side is Copy of a letter from the Church Wardns & Vestry of Trinity Church per Cap Homans wch I hope you rec. It was undr cover to Mr Jno Merrett expecting to have mett him at London but now hearing he is come away & fearing said Letter may miscarry or bee delayed by his absence would beg youl enquire after the same & see ’em delivered as directed, the letters & the Petition, & pray your Good offices for us. I have wrote the Same to Capta Thomlinson not knowing how Mr Merrett may have left his directions. Pray Excuse this Trouble. I am in behalf of Trinity Church

Sr Yo Ob. H. S.   JD one of the Wardens

same date & same tenour to Capta Thomlinson      Both per Capt Hall

Copy of Papers given to Severall to get Subscriptions: vizt one to Cap Kenwood one to Mr Wm Coffin one to Mr Arbuthnott & one to Mr Rob Thomlinson.

Whereas Trinity Church in Boston remains unflnised and Stands in Need of Help and assistance The Vestry of said Church earnestly desire all well disposed Persons to give what Sums they shall think proper to the Bearer of this in order to enable them to finish the same, which sums Shall be thankfully received & accordingly applyed. Each paper directed to the care of one of the persons above

1739

Decr 2d The Church Wardens wrote a letter to Capt Andw Woodbury who was bound to the Bay of Honduras to desire him to make Intrest with the Gentelman there to give something towards Trinity Church.

Janry 17 Att a Meeting of the Vestry at Luke Verdy Jan 17 1739 present Joseph Dowse Church Warden

the Church Wardns & Vestry signed a Bond of Indemnifica: to the Family who have made over the Church &c. to them & Successors for Ever.

Voted that the Church Wardens with Mr Willm Price be a Comittee to build a Pulpit & a vestry room in the Church and the money given to Capn Kenwood & that may be given by voluntary Subscriptions be applyed therfor as farr as it will go.

Janury 30 1739 the Comittee aforesd agreed with Messrs Jno Endicott & Willm Moore Thomas Carpenter to frame build & finish a vestry room 16 feet long 10 wide 10 stud to find all Materials & Stuff. Carpenter Masson Glazeir work & paint for 110£. to make pulpit reading Desk Clerks Desk & Sounding Board agreeable to adraft given them, to find all Matterials & Stuff of all kind (Except Tinners work Carvers work & an Iron to hang the board) for the sum of £145.00.0 and signed Articles for the performance of the Same.

J:D: WP for Trinity Church Jno Endicot Wm More

At a Meeting of the Trustees at Capt. Thomas Childs On Fryday February 8 1739

Mr. Luce haveing Lent to Trinity Church £25 the 15th of December 1733 which Sum was Carried to the Credit of Mr. Edward Tothill and Said Luce haveing given the Trustees his Word the Said money is Now Oweing to him Therefore Voted That Said Twenty five Pounds be Transfered from Said Tothills Credit to Said Luce’s Credit.

Voted That Mr. William Price have Credit in his Account for five Pounds he haveing been Charged with Said Sum for Inlargeing his Pew which wee give him he being Intirely Against the Alteration.

Whereas Capt. Thomas Child Lent to Trinity Church Twenty five pounds towards purchaseing the Land which Sum the Trustees thought had been given to Said Church & gave Credit for it Accordingly but Said Child Says he had not given it Therefore

Voted That Capt. Thos. Child have Credit in his Account for Said Sum.

Boston Feb 8 1739/40

Capta McNeal

Sr: As you are bound to the Bay of Honduras we would Begg you would undertake to ask for us of the Good Gentelmeen there their kind assistance towards finishing a New Church lately built in this Town called Trinity Church (where we have often the pleasure to see you). The kind Gentelmn: of the Bay have been very liberall towards Christ Church at the North End of this Town & We doubt not they will be pleased to have the Credit of Contributing towards ours & to have their Names enrolled amongst the Benefactors and to have a Seatt sett apart for them. It certainly will be a Charitable Act. Our Church is large & costly & the undertakers very few. Its likly to be a growing Church. Could we gett some asistance to enable us to finish it it would be a very commodous handsome one. Pray use your best Intrest for us and in our Name assure the Good Gentelmen (who shall be so charitably disposed as to give us any help) our hearty Thanks & uttmost wishes for their prosperity. We wish you a good voyage & safe retturn & are in behalf of Trinity Church

Sr Yr Hum Servt

Should you be so prosperious as to gett any thing for us we pray you take care to have it sent us in the best manner you can. Please to take the Names of such Gentelmen who may be disposed to serve us that they be enrolled in Our Book as Bennefactors.

Boston Mar 8 1739 Mr. Peter Baynton Sr: Mr Gooch informed us you had desired him to give in your Name to Trinity Church fifty pounds for wch we take this opportunity to retturn the Thanks of sd Church. We expected to have heard from you relating to an organ wether it could be gott & the Cost & should be oblidged to you yet to favour us with a line concerning the same. As it may be some time before we can accomplish such a work we will with your permission make use of the same on our present work of building & adorning a pulpit &c. & when are enabld to go on with the other repay said Sum towards your desired Use. We are with great regard.

Sr Yr Most Obed: H:S:

April 8 1740 At a Meeting of the proprietors of Pews in Trinity Church on Easter Tewsday April 8 1740 the following Officers where duly Ellected for the Yeare insuing.

William Speakman & Joseph Dowse for Church Wardens

Noted that their be Thirteen Vestry men five of which at least to make a Vestry vizt:

Mr John Crosby Clerk & his Salary to be Ten shilling per week.

John Oucker Sexton his Salary to be Ten shilling per week.

May 8 1740 Boston May 8 1740. To the proprietors of Trinity Church vizt (all mentioned by Name as they stand in the Church Book) You are desired and warned to meet this day at Trinity Church this afternoon at Three o Clock to concider what may be needfull relating to a Minister for said Church and to lay a proper assesment &c to support the same. dated at Boston May 8 1740

The Sexton retturned he had warned evry proprietor According to the above Warning. In the afternoon The proprietors met at said Church ther was then present

Severall other proprietors sent mesages they where desireous & willing to abide by what the proprietors present did. viz Rob Thomlinson. Charles Apthorpe Johnson Jackson Edwd Dumersque George Whiteclock. Mr. Merrett for Jno Merrett Jonathan Finas Wm Patin.

The proprietors pressent voted unanimously the following votes vizt Whereas Overtures has been made to the Revd Mr Addington Davenport (of this Town) by the proprietors of pews in this Church to be our Minister who had accepted the same on certain Conditions as Mentioned in the Church Book May 3d 1739 which are as follows That the parish Clerk might be chosen by the Minister or proprietors as they pleased but not without joint Consent of Both parties.

That no alteration be made at any time by the Congregation to the altar or pulpitt without the Consent of the Minister.

That in Caise hereafter any Assistant should be thought conveinent to said Church that such assistant should be chosen by joint aprobation of the Incumbant Minister & proprietors & in Caise the said Minister should at any time think fitt to procure at his own Charge an Assistant that he has liberty to do it. Nevertheless the Assistant to be with joint consent and aprobation of the proprietors.

That at any time when the minister desired a Vestry meeting the Church Wardens be oblidged to call one and when a Vestry was called the Minister (if in Town) should have notice to be present if he pleased. And whereas aplication has been made to the Honble Society for the propogation of the Gospell in foreign parts for their assistance which hath not yet been obtained and as the Revd Mr Commissary Price refuses to admitt the Service being performed in this Church as it has hertofore been Therefore it being absolutly Necesary to exert our selves that this Church be not shutt up Voted That the sd Revd Mr Adington Davenport be Minister of this Church agreeable to said proposalls as above mentioned in this vote and that his Salary be One Hundreed pounds Sterling a Yeare to be setled according to Exchange at the Yearly Meetings of the proprietors in Easter week.

Voted That a Tax be laid on the proprietors of Each pew of Two shilling & Six pence per week for the Yeare insuing and that every person putt his Name or the Number of his pew on his Money to enable the Church Warden to give him due Credit.

Voted That Messrs Peter Kenwood Benja Fanueil & Thos Greene be a Comittee to wait on the Revd Mr Davenport and accquaint him of our vote and desire he would come to the Church. The Revd Mr Addington Davenport accordingly came with the said Comittee and accepted the Invitation and thereupon by the proprietors was presented and Inducted into this Church and invested in all the benefits and perquisits of the same and accordingly put into possession (wch is the maner of a donative Church. (vizt Clergymans vade mecum page 83 Vol: 1).

Voted a Copy of this vote and agreements be signed by the Church Wardens & delivered the Revd Mr Davenport.

The following is Copy of a paper proposed & signed in the Church.

Whereas The pews in Trinity Church are not all disposed of which should suport the charge of the same and the proprietors being about setting a Minister in said Church in order to suport the said Charge We the underwritten do promise to pay to the Church Wardens for the time being the severall sums affixed to our Names over and above the assessment laid on the Pews untill the remainder of the pews are disposed of or the Contribution arise Sufficent to suport the same.

March the 30th 1741: The persons above who have this Mark + promise to continue their Subscribtion the Year Insuing make £90

April 19 1742 those marked ++ promise to continue annother yeare about 80£

1740

July 4th At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church on Friday July 4 at Mr. Luke Verdys Present

Voted that the Church Wardens receive from Jno Hamock the Pew No 35 offered to them paying him 55£ & That Geor Tilley have the same for said Sum of £55.

That they allso receive from Wm Hazlup the Pew No 40 offered to them and that Willm Speakman have the same paying sd Hazlup £55.

That Henry Laughtons Pew No 42 be received (as offered) & Thos Aston have the Same for 55£ to satisfaction of sd Laughton.

That William Coffin have the Pew No 8 for £55, to be discounted.

That Henry Standbridge have Pew No 82 for £55, to be discounted.

That Peter Pelham have the Pew No 88 for £50 (having a post) to be discounted with Thos Phillips Esq.

That Mrs Anna Wroe have the Pew No 9 for 55£.

That Will Huntstable have the Pew No 84 for £50 (having a Post). if Memo sd H. had not that pew Rol paying for it.

That Mr Jas Bouteneau will have the Pew No 51 he may for 70£ notwithstanding the Vote of the Trustees that it be not sold under 75£ (other Book following 54).

That John Crosby have the Pew No 16 for £55 the present year Salary (as Clerk) be allowed towards payment the remainder to be paid at Easter next

That we retturn our Thanks to Peter Fanuiel Esq for his Generous offer of £100 towards an Organ. Also to Mr. Petr. Baynton of Philadelphia for his 50£ towards the same.

That if any person or Persons will give or Lend Money or Effects to build the Gallerys the Church Wardens may undertake it in such manner as the Vestry shall direct.

That we meet too morow on the Church land in order to direct the building of a fence.

July 4 1740 The Church Wardens signed Titles of pews agreeable to the above. Vote: for Geor Tilley: for Wm Speakman: for: Thos Aston: for Will Coffin: for Henry Stanbridge: for Anna Wroe all this Date. That for Peter Pelham being dated March 3d past.

Jas Bouteneau title dated July 23d and discounted the said Sum of 70£ with Thos Child who is a Creditor on the Church Books.

Capt John Thomlinson

Boston Jan 18 1740

Sr: Your several letters to the Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church came safe to hand and they are very much oblidged to you for your Indeavours and kind expressions for their service in soliciting the Society and I am ordered in their Name to retturn their hearty thanks and allso to begg your continuance to sollicitt in their behalf. We where oblidged to leave the church unfinished in order to support a minister hopeing as soon as the Societys circumstances would permitt we should experience their Bounty and then be enabled to pay of our Debts & finish the Church. Pray be so good as to keep us on your thoughts.

I subscribe in behalf of said Church Sr Your most Humble Serv

Jos Dowse one of the Wardens

Mr Thos Sandford

Boston Janu 18 1740

Sr Your letter to the Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church came to their hands. They are much pleased to hear that his Lordship of London consents to & likes their choice of the Revd Mr Davenport. They are allso much oblidged to you for your kind expresions of doing all the service you can to Trinity Ch & I hereby in their Name retturn you their hearty thanks & earnstly intreat your continuance to sollicitt for them to the Honble Society for propogating of the Gospell. The charge of Finishing & supporting the Church & Minister &c is more then our present Infant circumstances can comply with so are oblidged to remaine unfinished, but could we be so happy as to gett a small assistance as we petioned & for a few years we should be able to do very well. Doubt not youl use your best indeavours for us. I subscribe in behalf of Trinity Church Sr Your

Most Humble Servt

Jos Dowse Ch. Warden

Majr John Murray

Boston Jan 81740

Sr Your generious Benefaction to Trinity Church in this Town was payd into my hands per Mr Jno Jones sometime ago amounting to 47:1.9d and I am ordered by the Vestry of said Church to retturn their hearty Thanks for the Same and to express their ardent wishes for you and your family’s prosperity hopeing the Smiles of Heaven will attend your undertakings. I Subscribe in the behalf of sd Church and allso for my Self.

Sir Your most Obed most Humble Servant

Jos Dowse one of the Wardens of T:C.

February 7th 1740 Aplication being made to the Revd Ministers by the Justices Selectmen & Overseers of the Poor of this Town that in the present Disstresing time a Collection for the poor thro the Town was proposed. The Revd Mr Davenport communicated the same to the Wardens who toke the oppinion of the Vestry the designe of the Collection being for the poor of the Town in Generall the same was to be put into the hands of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town. The Vestry of this Church redily came into a Complyance with the Motion: which being notified to the Minister the Ministers of the three Churches mett & with the Wardens agreed on the following paper to be Read at the Church’s tomorrow Morning. Whereas the Justices Selectmen & Overseers of the Poor from other knowledge of the great wants and distress of the Town in this Severe Season have proposed a Collection to be made for the Releif of the poor & Needy which being concidered by the Ministers Church Wardens & Vestry they have agreed to recommend the same. Its therefore earnesly desired that this Congregation will come prepared this afternoon for such a Contribution which Doubtless will be a Sacrifice acceptable & well pleasing to God. The money collected is to be put into the hands of the Overseers of Poor for the Releif of the poor in Generall.

1740

Feb 8 This Day agreeable to the Notification on the other side a Collection of One Hundred Thirty three pound 3/2d was made in Trinity Church & payd into the Overseers of the Poor.

Easter Sunday March 29 1741 The following paper per order of the Church Wardens was read by the Clerk. The Proprietors of the Pews in this Church are hereby Warned to meet here to Morrow Morning at ten a Clock. That after devine Service ended thay choose the Officers, lay proper Assesment, on the pews, and do what is Needfull for the Church for the Yeare Insuing.

At the Anual Meeting of the Proprietors on Monday in Easter Week March 30 1741 the following officers was chosen according to the Constitution of the Church by written votes for the yeare insuing.

for Church Wardens: Joseph Dowse & Peter Kenwood

for Vestry Men: 12: five of which at least be a Vestry.

for a Clerk John Crosby his Salary to be 10/ Ten shillings a Week. The Minister aproved.

for Sexton John Oucker his Salary to be 10/ a Week Ten shillings.

The Exchange from Sterling by which the Minister is to be payd the Yeare Insuing to be reckoned Ten pounds Ten shillings per week this Currancy Equal to 446 per [?].

April the 5th the proprietors Mett and Voted that a Tax of Two shillings & Sixpence a Week be Assessd & layd on the proprietors for Each pew for the Yeare Insuing and evry proprietor put his Name or the Number of his pew with his Money. 2/6 a week

1741

Mar: 31st At a Vestry Meeting at the Church March 31st 1741

present Jos Dowse Petr Kenwood Ch Wardns

the Church Warden reported that the two pews wch bellong to the Estate of Lenoard Vassall Esq deed where both defficient in the Taxes the Whole yeare past that he had waited on Sam Sewall Esq the Executr to sd Estate who told him he would not pay the Tax but desired the said pews might be sold & the Church pay themselves & deliver him the Remdr upon which Report the Vestry voted that they would receive said pews and one of them should be sold directly fifty pounds of the money be pd sd Sam Sewal Exec as aforesd the other the Wardens were desired to ask of Majr Vassall Sons if either would incline to buy sd pew & make report to the Vestry.

Voted that Mr Thos Perkins have the aforesd pew reed from Majr Vassall Estate vizt Number Ninty & Six for the Sum of Seventy pounds. Accordingly the same day made out a Title & reed the Money & payd said Saml Sewal Esq Executor as aforesd Fifty pound & as the title given Majr Vassall was not to be found sd Saml Sewall gave a discharge for sd Vassall’s heirs for 50£.

April 5th. The Proprietors Mett (by ordr of the Ch Wardens) and Voted that a Tax of Two shillings & Six pence a Week be Assesed & layd on the Proprietors for each pew for the yeare insuing and that evry person be oblidged to put his Name or the Number of his pew with his Money to enable the Ch: Warden to give him due Credit.

April

28      At a Meeting of the Vestry at the Vestry Room April 28 1741

Present Joseph Dowse & Petr Kenwood Ch: Wardens

The Church Warden report that agreeable to a vote of March 31 he had waited on Mr. Lewise Vassall who absolutly refused to buy the pew No 95. He then asked Mr Willm Vassall who was willing & desired he might have sold him said Pew No 95. Accordingly the Vestry Voted that Mr William Vassall have sold to him the Pew Number Ninty & five for the same Sum his Father gave for it viz Fifty pounds on the Concideration of his being the Son of Leonard Vassall Esq & that the Executrs of said Leonard Vassall Esq be paid said Sum of Fifty pounds. They giving a discharge. The deficiency for last Years Contribution to be deducted therefrom.

Voted That the Pew No 37 be recd of Captain Jno Hamock (as offered) & he be payd the Sum he gave for the same viz fifty & five pounds.

Voted that the sd Pew No 37 be sold to Mr Joseph Gerrish for the Sum of Sixty pounds.

Voted That the Pew No 15 be recd of Mr Petr Luce (as offered) & he be pd Fifty pounds for the same the price he gave.

Voted Mr Anthony Davise have sold him the sd Pew No 15 for Fifty and five pounds.

Voted That the Pew No 17 be sold Mrs Eliza Monk for the Sum of Fifty & five pounds.

Voted that the Pew No 81 be sold Mrs Ann Foot for the sum of Fifty & five pounds.

Voted that the Pew No 100 be sold Mrs Marshall for the Sum of Fifty pounds.

Voted That The Pew No 34 be sold Mr Fredrick Hamilton for fifty pounds when he pays the same. Memordm: he did not pay & so the same was after sold to another.

The Wardens acquaintd the Vestry that Jno Gerratt is deficient the whole year past for the Tax on his pew No 7 or that he hath neglected to put his Name with his money tho often put in mind to do it & that said Gerratt told him he would not submitt so to do. Therefore Voted That unless he emediatly comply with the rules of the Church & put his Name or the Number of his Pew with his money the said Pew be sold & he be payd back £50. This vote to be a precedent.

April 29. Mrs Gerratt wife to the abovesaid John Gerratt brought the Title she had for the sd Pew Number Seven and Joseph Dowse payd her Fifty pounds being the mony she gave for the same.

Memorandum Made out & signed Title (by the Ch: Wardens) September 7th 1741 for pew No 17 to Mrs Monk No 37 to Mr Gerrish No 81 to Mrs Lacrosse [crossed out] No 100 to Mr Marshall as voted above in this page.

Memo: Mr W. Vassalls title not given till April 14 1742 not haveing a discharge from Major Vassalls Executor till the 13th.

At a Meeting of the Vestry at the Church Aug 13 1741.

present Joseph Dowse Ch Warden

Voted that the pews in the Gallerys be sold at the following price via Number: 102 & 129 at 30£ each. No 103 104 105 & 126 127 128 be at 35£ each. Number 106 107 & 124 125 be at 37:10/ each & Number 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 & 117 118 119 121 122 123 be at 40£ each & Number 115 116 be at 50£ each & Number 130 & 131 be at 50£ each as marked in the plan, pased Unanimous

Voted that Thos Stevens have leave to Erect at his own charge a pew at the East Corner of the Church at the end of the back sects in the Gallery he enjoying the same during pleasure & paying such assessment or Tax as shall be yearly laid on the same, pasd Unanimous

Voted that John Hooker have leave to Erect a Seat on the North Corner in the Gallery on the same condittion that Stevens have in the foregoing Vote, pasd Unanimous.

Voted that Cap Thos Child have sold to him the pew Number 14 for the Sum of Fifty pounds and he have leave to remove the end partition between that & his other pew Number 45 to the pillar which is in sd pew No. 14.

Negative only J Arbuthnott Th Greene [This vote is crossed out]

Voted That the Church Wardens be desired to accompany the Minister to Congratulate the New Governour William Sherley Esq (in the Name of this Church) when he is Governour.

Boston Oct 6 1741

Mr Thos Sandford

Sr: The Wardens of Trinity Church in behalf of sd Ch wrote you Jan 8th last retturning you their hearty thanks for your good offices for them and we now take this oppertunity (by the bearer who is a Member with us of sd Ch) to repeate the same.

His Excelcy our Govr who is by his Majty royal favour advanced to the sheaf seat of Government here, to the great pleasure of all of the Ch: of Engld, & we doubt not will tend to its prosperity, he has pleased to say he would write for a Sett of plate & other furniture of a Chappel the usual Bounty of his Majesty to his Governours which when obtained he designed for the use of Trinity Church which afair he committs to the care of Mr Christr Kelby to Sollicitt with the Duke of Grafton the Ld Chamberln of the Houshd. He would presume to ask of you your assistance in this afair. The Charge arrising from this affair Mr Simpson will furnish in our Behalf. We have only to add at present our hearty Wishes for your health & prosperity and are on behalf of Trinity Church Sr Yr most Obed Most Huml Servants

The same Date & the same Tennor

wrote to Capta John Thomlinson.

Boston Octr 7 1741

Mr Jona Simpson

Sr: You being bound to London we take the liberty to trouble you in behalf of Trinity Church the Intrest of which we know you have equaly at heart with us. You have with you letters from his Excelcy the Govr from the Revd Mr Davenport our Minister & from us relating to a Sett of plate & furniture for a Church which by his Excelcys Intrest we hope to obtain. We have taken the freedom to write Mr. Chrs Kelby who by his Exclys appointment has the conduct of this afair that you will furnish him with mony for the Charges which if you’l please to do we will take care shall be remitted speedily we hope per Capt Jones at which time we will furder write to you. We pray youl give your Assistance in this afair & put the Gentelman in mind to have the afair perfected. Mr. Sandford & Mr Thomlinson will allso give any needfull assistance. We desire you to assure both these Gentelmen of the gratefull sence our Church has of their good Offices and esteem ourselves highly oblidged to them. Their is annother affair we recommend to your trouble that is for figures for to put into the Neches of the Pulpit. You know we have long depended on Capta Surrey who undertooke to gett them & carried an exact Modell of the Neches but never heard a Word from him. It may be youl find where he left the Modell. If not Inclosed you have a pattern and its our desire youl get them made & sent per first oppertunity. We mentioned to Capta Surrey we supposed they might be gott for half a Gunea a peice. If we are Mistaken and the cost should be something more we would not begrudge a small Matter but at the same time would not be extravagant, You know our circumstances & so need say no more. We do with all our hearts give you our very best Wishes for your prosperity & safe retturn & are

Sr Yr sincere freinds & most Humb Servts

Mr Christo Kelby

Boston October 8th 1741

Sr: His Excelcy the Govr just now acqtd us that he designed to give you the Trouble of Soliciting the Duke of Grafton as Lord Chamberlan of his Majtys Houshold for the usual present of plate & Linnen for the Communion Table, a Bible & prayr Books & Vestments allways granted from the Crown to the Govrs predecessors and His Excelcy intending them when obtained for the use of Trinity Church which at present being very much under our imediate care we earnestly desire that you would use your best Intrest & endeavours for the speedy procurring them which will ever be esteemed as a perticular favour by us and all our Brethren. And as we have the pleasure of hearing you had no small share in the greate but very agreeable Revolution that has lately happned amongst us we make no Doubt you will in this instance be very zealous that our present Govr as he deserves so that he shall want no mark of Royal favour which others have received. Mr. Simpson our Worthy Brother will redily expend what is needfull for this business and as they pass thro the hands of various officers who for the sake of the fees will be glad to dispatch it. We take the liberty to add that if you would condecend to take some litle knowledge of them the matter would be soone concluded. However we intirely submitt the whole to your prudent conduct as much better accqtd with these afairs then we can pretend to. We wish you all possible prosperity & are Sr

Your most Humbl Servts

A Davenport

Novr 3d 1741 At a Meeting of the Vestry at the Church.

present Jos Dowse Pr Kenwood Wardens.

Voted that the Pew No 62 be received of Mr John Merrett & he be payd for the same the sum of 55£ that the said Pew No 62 be sold to Mr John Vassall for the sum of Seventy pounds.

That the Pew No 18 be sold to Morris for the Sum of fifty pounds the same having a pillar in it.

Whereas Mr Thos Johnson junr has offered to lend his Organ to this Church untill they are otherwaise provided or he has an oppertunity to sell the same to his advantage

Voted That Mr Thos Johnson junr have leave to remove his Organ now in posesition of Mr Debloise at his own charge into the Church there to stand till further orders of the Church. Made out Title for Jno Vassall pew No 62 & delivered.

Boston Nov. 28 1741

To Mr Nicholas Weber at Exceter

Sr: The Revd Mr Gay wrote to Capta Kenwood adviseing him that you had Collected for the use of Trinity Church here Six Guneas which lay redy for his receiving upon advice of which Capta Kenwood advanced & payd the same to the Church. On which we (who have the present care of the said Church) take this oppertunity to express our hearty thanks to you & the other good Benefactors for this & former Bountys to our Infant Church in a part of the World where the Glorious Established Ch: of England is in so low esteem & pray youl take the Trouble to let our Thanks be made known to our Benefactors. May the rich Blessings of Almighty God rest upon you all both in this life & the next is the earnest desire of

Sr: Your most Humble Servt

A Davenport Ministr

J Dowse Pr Kenwood Ch.W.

Novr 28 1741

Mr Christr Kelby at London

Sr. The foregoing letter from the Minister & Wardens of Trinity Church was sent you by Mr Simpson who sailed abt 6 weeks ago in the Terible BombKetch who I hope is safe with you. But it[f] should it otherwaise by any Accedent his Excelency has promised to write you a Duplicate relating to the foregoing affair & I have by this same opportunity remitted to Mr Simpson a small Bill of Exchange to defrey the charge thereof which if Mr Simpson should not be arived I desire may be delivred to you for this afair & should it fall short of the Charge, Ill take care you be Honourably repayd. I supose its known at the offices what perticulars are accustomed to be delivred for in the foregoing letter we omitted to mentione amongst other things Pulpit Cushions Carpets & Covring. I subscribe in behalf of Trinity Ch: with much Esteem

Sr Your most Humb Servt

Jos Dowse

same date wrote Mr Jona Simpson inclosed a Bill of Excha drawn by Chas Apthorp on Silas Hooper for 16£ Sterling & wrote should Mr Simpson be absent Mr Kelby to have the Bill.

Decr 11 1741 Made out Titles for pew No 15 to Antho Davise

Ditto for No 19 to Capt John Croister

No 100 Received from Mrs Mary Marshall for the sum of £50:0:0

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church March 31 1742 at Mr

Saml Wetherheads — present

Voted That Messrs Indicott & More be allowed their Account of Eighty pounds for Work &c about the Gallerys over and above the 970£ at first contracted for.

Voted That whereas the Treasurer of the Episcopall Charitable Society has in possesition the title of the pew No 66 sold to Mr Edwd Carter wch title he has tendred to the Wardens according to the Rules (allso said Carter has & is deficent in his Contribution more than a Yeare)

Now Voted that assoon as any person apears to the aprobation of the Wardens to purchase said Pew they sell it for 65£ pay the said Treasurer £55 first deducting the Tax due on the same.

Voted that pew No 43 be received from the Executors or Adminrs of Robt Thomlinson decd & he be pd £55 for the same & that sd pew No 43 be sold to Mr Robt Oliver upon his paying 62:10/ for the same. Memo: this pew is esteemed worth 70£ but as Mr Oliver purchased half thereof in Mr Thomlinson’s life time the Church take the Advantage but on one half.

Voted that the pew No 89 formerly the property of Cap Phillip Dumersq decd & by him assigned to Jos Gooch be received from sd Jos Gooch & he pd £55 for the same deducting Tax due & that the said Pew No 89 be sold to Nathaniel Dowse for the sum of £70:0:0. pd.

Voted that pew No 7 be sold Mrs Mary Marshall for £55:0:0.

Voted that pew No 19 is sold Capt Jno Croister his title was dated Decr 11th past £55.

Voted that pew No 33 be sold Mr John Hutchinson upon his paying £50:0:0 for the same.

Voted That pew No 101 be sold to Thos Powell upon his paying 35£ for the same it being small.

Voted That pew No 103 in the Gallery be sold to Mr John Burroughs on his paying £50:0: for the same.

Voted That pew No 104 be sold to Richd Colyar for the sum of £35.

Voted That pew No 105 be sold to Peace Cazneau upon paying for the same 35£.

Voted That pew No 107 be sold to Mr Gregory Hobbs for £37:10/.

Voted That pew No 108 be sold to Nathan Brown for £37:10s.

That pew No 109 be sold to Capt Lewis Turner paying £40:0.

That pew No 110 be sold to      Cutler on payg £40.

That pew No 112 be sold to Thos Wharton for £40.

That pew No 117 being a Back Corner seat be sold to Thos Stevens he being at the whole charge of building the same & further paying for the property Ten pounds £10.

Is the Sexton during pleasure. No 118 as per sale Aug 13 1741.

That pew No 119 be sold to Mr Cross he paying £50 being large.

That pew No 121 be sold to Caleb Jos Gray he paying £40.

That pew No 122 be sold to Capta John Snow he paying £40:0:0.

That pew No 123 be sold to Capta Andrew Mcneal for £40.

That pew No 124 be sold ditto

That pew No 125 be sold to J Richardson he payg £40.

That pew No 3 bellow be sold to James Clark he payg £40.

That pew No 126 be sold to Wilfret Fisher he payg fourty pd £40.

That pew No 133 be sold to John Waghorne for £50:0:0.

Voted That John Oucker the Sexton be allowed five pounds for his Extraordinary Service the yeare past while the Workmen have been about the Church.

Att this meeting it was agreed that all the Bonds due from this Church to the Episcopall Charitable Society which are to the amount of £765 should be changed & Brought to one date viz the first day of December past to which time the Intrest was payd up & New Bonds for said Sums should be given by the Church Wardns & Vestry asscertaining the Mony according to the Rules of that Society. Accordingly Bonds where Executed for sd Sum asscertained at 29/per oz of Silver. 3 Bonds viz one for 265 wch is 182 ounces 15 dw .06 gram Executd by Jos Dowse Pr Kenwood Rufs Greene & Jas Bouteneau.

Another Executed by Benja Fanuiel Will Coffin Henry Laughton & Thos Aston for 250£ that is 172 oz 8 dwt 6 gr Silver. And annother Executed by Wm Speakman Jno Arbuthnott Thos Child & Thos Greene for £250 that is for 172:8:6 gr Silver. All to Charles Apthorp who is Treasurer of the sd Society. Wholle Amt is 527oz 11:dw 18 gr Silver & the former Bonds all Cancelled.

April 13. Majr Saml Sewall Execr to the Estate of Lenoard Vassall Esq decd gave an order to the Wardens to Transfer the title of said Vassall pew to Mr Will Vassall wch should be a discharge from Lend. Vassalls Executor.

Att the Yearly Meeting of the proprietors of pews (duely Warned) Munday in Easter Week April 19 1742 where chosen for the Yeare insuieng

Joseph Dowse and Peter Kenwood Church Wardens

Twelve Vestry men five of which to make a Vestry

John Crosby to be Clerk his Salary ten shilling a Week whome the Minister approved.

John Oucker to be Sexton his Sallary to be ten shillings a Week.

Voted The Minnister Sallary setled this Yeare at Ten pound Ten shilling per week being about 447 per exchange.

Voted The pews below stairs be Taxed at two shilling & Sixpence a Week those in the Gallery four being larger then the others @ 2/6 pence the others in the front at Two shilling per week & the Back corner ones at One shilling per week & That every person be oblidged to put his name or the Number of his pew with his money to enable the Warden to give due Credit.

Voted That the Wardens are Impowred to lease to Mr James Griffen a passage way of twelve foot wide in the No E. part of the Church land to his Barn. Agreeable to the Vote of the proprietors Jan 26 1738 as Recorded Church Book folio 52 the power to lease the same being then given to the Trustees who omitted to do the same.

Memo he is to fence it & pay 2 oz Silvr per anm for 21 years fr Nov 7 1738. Memo May 4 setled acco with Indicott & More and allowed them for Extraordinary Work on the Gallery &c (having done more then first agreement.) 87:0:0: which makes a Ballance will be due them 40:2/9 when they have finished their being much to do viz 2 pillars undr organ loft, Making & fixing All the Capito[ls] & lining the floor at the stair head, and if required a freize pannell on the top of the Gallery wholle length as first agreed, present at Setling Jos Dowse Pr Kenwood, Wm Price Th Greene Rufs Greene.

1742 August 20 K. George 2d gift to Gov. Shirley.

His Excelency Gov. Shirley delivred to the Wardens for the use of this Church the Bounty he had procured of his Majesty King George the 2d this church paying the fees &c. at the Several Offices which has accordingly been done. The present consists of:

Whereas the Cushons for the Desk where too small & the Carpett over large tooke out a Breadth of the Carpett made a proper Cushone for Reading Desk & placed the two small Cushons in the Governours Seat. The Church caused to be inscribed on the plate thus Procured of his Majesty King George 2d by his Excellency Governor Shirley 1742 & the Vestry Voted August 27 that a pew be prepared to accomodate his Excellency when he pleaseth to come to this Church and sent him Three follo. Common Prayer Books he saying he would se them retturned Here followeth a copy of an Instrument given to Gov. Shirley by the Wardens upon receipt of the above.

Boston August 20, 1742

Whereas we have this day received of his Excellency Willm. Shirley Esq. Governor of his Majesty Provence of the Massachusetts Bay in New England One hundred eighty & one ounces Eighteen peny weight of white plate for the use of Trinity Church in Boston being two flagons one Chalice a Patten a Cup & a Receiver which where delivered to his Excellency Wm. Shirley by the Right Honorable William Lord Abergaveny Master & Treasurer of his Majesty Jewells & Plate & his said Excellcy. hath Covenanted to return the same to the said Lord Abergaveny or his Assignes when he or they shall require the same Now we the Subscribers for our Selves our Heirs Executors & Administrators in the Office of Wardens of Trinity Church aforesaid promise & Covenant to and with the said Willm. Shirley his heirs Executors & Administrators to deliver the plate aforesaid to his said Excelency his Heirs Executors or Administrators on their order when the same shall be required of him or them as is before Mentioned.

Joseph Dowse (seal)      Peter Kenwood (seal)

Witness Addington Davenport to JD

Eliz Whillmott to both

William Shirley junr. to PK

Att a Meeting of the Vestry at the Church August 27 1742. Present Joseph Dowse & Pr Kenwood, Wardens

The Wardens reportd that his Excelency Govr Shirley had delivred to them for the use of this Church a Sett of plate & furniture he recd from his Majty K George 2d

viz Plate 2 flaggons a Chalice a patten & a reiceiver

of Linnen 2 pieces, abt 20 yds Tabling Dyaper & 2 Surplices

of Books a large & Royall Bibble 2 Royall Common prayer Books & 12 follo Common prayer Books an Altar Cloath a Table Carpett pulpit Cloath pulpitt Cushon 2 Desk Cushons of Crimson Damask.

Voted that the Wardens retturn the thanks of this Vestry to his Excelcy for his procuring the aforesaid from his Majty.

Voted that a pew be fitted up for his Excelcys accomodation when he pleases to come to this Church that the two pews No 69 & No 70 be made into two square pews one for to accomodate his Excelcy the other for the Wardens. Voted that Danl Rea have the pew No 100 for £55:0.

September 20 1742 sent home the Surplice we had borrowed of the Kings Chapell.

Lent his Excelency Govr Shirley three follio Common prayer Books for his own use at the Chapell he saying he would be accountable for the same. Retturned to Christ Church The things we had borrowed of them viz Two Velvet Cushons & covers 2 follio prayer Books a Bible 2 Dyaper Table Cloaths 2 Napkins borrowd October 1737 per receipt recorded foll 42. Church Book.

Which Receipt not being to be found Mr Robert Jenkins Warden of sd Church gave a Receipt for aforesaid articles.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry in Vestry room Nov 22d 1742 present Joseph Dowse Pr Kenwood—Wardens.

Thos Aston Thos Greene James Bouteneau Rufs Greene Benja Fanuiel

The Wardens accquainted the Vestry that Mr Jona Simpson informed them that when he left London Captain John Thomlinson of London said to him that if the Vestry of this Church thought proper to improve him again to ask on their behalf assistance from the Society for Propa the Gospell in foreign parts he beleived he could now obtain it agreeable to wch offer said Mr Thomlinson had allso wrote Mr Benja Fanuiel upon the concideration of which it was Voted that the following petition to the Society be transmited to Mr Thomlinson & that the Wardens write in behalf of themselves & Vestry unto sd Mr Jno Thomlinson & Mr Thos Sandford to desire their good offices in said afair.

Voted that pew No 40 be received from Mr Will Speakman as given up the 20 of last Month for £55 & that sd Pew No 40 be the Property of Petr Fanuiel Esq agreeable to title given by the Wardens the 20 of Octobr last for £70. Voted that the pew No 66 formerly Edwd Carter be now No 66 the property of Will Speakman for £55 the sum he sold the other pew for No 40 which he sold or exchanged to accomodate the sd Mr Fanuiel by desire of the Church.

Memo afterward Mr Speakman Chose No 11 instead of

Copy of the Letters & Petition mentioned in above Vote.

Boston Novr 22 1742

Mr Thos Sandford

Sr: You have by several letters to the Ch Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Ch in this Town given incouragement to ask your assistance in any thing that laid in your power. Perticularly in one of your letters you say you have entered into the Society for Propa the Gospell in forn pts on designe to serve the Churches in these parts agreeable to which incouragement the Wardens & Vestry of said Tr Church have appointed me to write yo in their behalf desireing you would be so kind as to assist in getting their petition (they now again repeat to the Venerable Society) answered. It is inclosed to Captain Jno Thomlinson with whome we beg youl please to consult. We only ask (now as we did formerly) for a small matter & for a few years in order that we may be enabled to go thro our designes to finish this Church. The setling the Revd Mr Davenport for our Minr as we wrote you formerly has been a greate service & could we obtain this to enable us to keep our agreement with him and allso to finish our building it would be a great Credit to the Episcopal Cause in these parts. Your Complying with this request will greatly oblidge them on whose behalf as well as my own I subscribe

Sr:Yr M Obd Hum Servt

Joseph Dowse Ch W

[We] did not presume to mention any sum to the Society but could we obtain 20 or 25£ per anm. it would answr our expectation.

Boston Novr 22 1742

Mr John Thomlinson

Sr: You have been several times troubled by the Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church in this Town to appeare & act on their behalf with the Society for Propa the Gospell to sollicitt from them some assistance to which you have generously answered that you would use your endeavours for them and you informed that the request was so reasonable that you did not doubt it would be answered when the Society was in Circumstances. This answer togather with the incouragment given to Mr J Simpson & to Mr Fanuiel for us to renew our aplication occasions this which now covers a petition to that Venerable Society repeating our request for a Small aid and for a few years. We do not presume to direct to them any certain Sum but if it could be obtained 20 or 25£ per anm. would answer our Expectation. We are a young Church burdned with considerable charge & such a help would enable us to gett thro in a few years. We need not mentione to you (who have been in this Country) how pleasing to many it would be to see us stick by the way & not gett thro with our designe to finish and adorne this Church. We are happyly povided with a very sutable Minister and a great prospect under his conduct to make considerable Accestions from the Deserters. We pray your continuance in seeking our Welfare and perticularly in forwarding this petition which will greatly oblidge that Church in whose behalf and by desire of the Vestry of the same I subscribe for them as well as for my self.

Sr Your most Obd H. S. Jos Dowse

CW

Boston Novr 20 1742

To the Revd Doctor Bearcroft

Secretary to the Society for Propa the Gospell in foreign parts

Revd Sr: We have by petition frequently applyed to the Honble the Society for Propa the Gospell in foreign parts That they would be pleased to lend some small aid to Trinity Church in this Town towards maintaining their Minister that they might be enabled to go on to finish & adorne the Church aggreeable to their first intentione. That all addresses of this kind had hetherto proved inefectual the Society have been pleased to declare must be imputed to their Inability.

When this obstruction is removed as we hope it now may be we would again Humbly remind the Society of our Circumstances (which our former petitions have more fully sett forth) nothing doubting but upon consideration of them they will affoard us some litle releife for a few years at least that so we may perfect our designes with relation to this Church for wch we have already Expended and are now indebted large sums which require constant Intrest; Besides the Anual charge of 100£ Sterling to the Revd Mr Davenport our Minister which we have payd for two years past & ’tho we have the pleasure to accqt the Society that the increase of our Church hath equaled if not Exceeded our Expectations yet our load of Debt hath been but litle eased thereby & our only prospect of a tottall deliverance must be from the Goodness of that Society which under God is the life of the Episcopall Church in these provinces. To this Common Sanctuary we now apply & the least will be gratefully accepted by the Society & Revd Sr

Your Most Obd Humb Servts

Att a Meeting of the Vestry (duely warned) at Mr Samuel Wetherheads

January 14 1742 present

The Wardens report that they have a very conciderable Subscription made by a Number of Gentelmen for an Organ for this Church which Subscribers are desirious that the Church would receive & forward the same in the manner they shall see fit.

Its therefore Voted that the Church Wardens togather with Mr Jas Bouteneau & Mr Jonth Simpson be a Committee to Negotiate the same and it is the desire of this Vestry that John Thomlinson Esqr be employed in London to gett the same purchased & sent in such manner and according to such directions as the Commitee aforesd shall direct to whom this afair is now left.

The said Comittee wrote the following letter per Captain Phillips.

Boston Jan 26 1742

To John Thomlinson Esq

Sr: A number of Gentlemn who have been so liberall as to make a Subscriptn towards an Organ for Trinity Ch in this Town have desired the Vestry to receive & forward the same Which Vestry have appointed us to undertake it in their behalf aggreeable thereto & by this desire we now beg the favour of you to transact this bisiness for us and that as soon as conveiniently may be youl please to procure for us as good an Organ as can be purchased for Three hundred pounds Sterling (which sum is the most we can attain too unless we should have the good fortune to find some kind Bennefactors in England) the same to be compleately finnished and fitting for such a Church wch is of the following dementions vizt 90 feet in length 60 in width 28 feet high in the Stud besides an Arch 10 feet high & 28 broad which makes the wholle hight from the floor to the top of the Arch 38 feet. The Organ Gallery is 12 feet from the floor & from the Gallery floor to the top of the Arch is 25 feet. The front of the Organ Gallery is 15 feet & 12 foot deep. This is mentioned to regulate the Size. As to Quality we desire it to be as good as our money will possibly purchase especialy all things need full in Ch: Musick with the Swell & Echo. As to the Case & Ornaments that we are contented be neet & frugall that so the Inside may affoard to be so much the better. The fashione let be according to what is most Modern & your own Judgment in which we put an intire confidence. We would add our desire that you have leave to have the same approved by good Judges before you are oblidged to receive because at this distance we can’t be able to correct any Error or help our Selves. Dr Berkley (now Bp of Cloyne) presented the Ch in Rhode Island an Organ which has mett with great approbation. We are informed he gave 300£ Sterling for it. If it be so we are fully assured you who we know to be so much better accqt with Tradesmen & making purchases (then he can be supposed to be) can have as good a penny worth as any person & that we & all concerned in this shall find our Expectations fully answered. We pray it may [be] dispatched with all conveinient speed & by the first opportunity Shiped here the Value Insured & that youl please to cause such proper directions to come with it as may make it as plain & Easy to put up as may be we would desire it to be so finnished as to have nothing to do to it when it comes but to put it up.

We shall be as Quick as may be in making remittance to pay for this & Charges. If we should delay any part longer than you are oblidged to pay we will willingly allow Intrest but we beleive shall not be backward. We are promised £190 of Mr Bastido the Engoner at Annapolis wch by first oppty we will remitt, & Mr Apthorp has given some incouragment to supply us with Bills if he should draw upon the wholle. You may depend on us for payment as we do on your Judgement & care of this Affair & are with much Respect Sr Yor Most Humbl Servt

Boston Jan 26 1742 Wrote a letter to Collonel Jno Vassall hopeing for his Assistance to Mr Thomlinson towards the Organ & puting him in mind that he was a Subscriber & desired he would please to pay Mr Thomlinson the same. Sent Mr Thomlinson a Copy of the Directions that came with the Rd Island Organ the maker of which we heard was Mr Bridge or Mr Robinson.

April 6 1743 Inclosed to Jno Thomlinson Esq Mr J H Bastido Exchange of 4 [?] 1 [?] for 150£ Ster on the Rt. Honorable and Honorable Principall officers of his Majty Board of Ordnance Tower Londo payable to Jos Dowse 30 days sight & Indorsed to J Thoomlinson towards the Organ.

At the Yearly Meeting of the Proprietors of the Pews on Easter Monday April 4th 1743. The following offecers where chosen for the Insuing Yeare aggreable to the Rules of the Church viz. Joseph Dowse—Peter Kenwood—Church Wardens. Twelve Vestry Men five of which at least to make a Vestry viz.

John Crosby Clerk & his Salary Ten shilling per week.

John Oucker Sexton his Salary Twelve shilling per week & his pew Tax.

Voted that the pews be Taxed, the same price as last yeare. That the Exchange be setled for paying the Minister the same as last Yeare viz. £10.10/ per week. NB The Minister approved the choice of the Clerk.

To The Revd Doer Philip Bearecraft

Secrty to the Society for Propagation of the Gospell in foreign parts.

Charter House Londo

A Letter of Acknowledgt from the Ward & Vestry to the Society for Propa the Gospell &c for a Benefaction in answr to their petition

Revd Sr:

Boston July 4th 1743

Your Letter of Apr 23d brought us the agreeable News of the Societys generous benefaction to our Church here, a favour that challanges our grate full acknowledgements. The only return we are capable of making for the kind Instance of their regard to our well meant Endeavour for promoting the Service of God Which we Humbly beg they would now please to accept of. And we take leave to assure the Society that their Donation shall be religiously applyd to the good use for which it was granted by

Revd Sr The Societys & Your

Most Oblid. Humb Servts

P.S. The Ch Wardens have this day agreable to your Directions Drawn on the Treasurer for their sd Donation of 50£.

Copy of the Bill

Boston July 4 1743

1st Excha for 50£ Ster

Sr: Thirty days after sight of this our first per Exchange our seccond of same Tenor & date not payd please to pay or cause to be payd to John Thomlinson Esq or his ordr Fifty pounds Sterling & charge the same as per Advice of this date from

Sr Your most Obd most Hum Servs

To Thos Tryon Esq Treasr to the Society for Propa the Gospell in foreign parts

Crutched Fryar’s London

Letter of advice to sd Thos Tryon Esq      same day

Sr: By a letter from the Revd Doctor Bearcraft dated April 23 last from the Charter House London to the Church Wardens & Vestry of Trty Church in Boston they are directed to draw on you for 50£ Sterling towards the finnishing sd Church it being the Society’s bounty for the same.

Agreable therto we have this day draun in favour of John Thomlinson Esq wch doubt not will be complyd with we are for our Selves & the Vestry of sd Church

Sr Your &c

To John Thomlinson Esq

Boston July 6 1743

Sr: Yr agreable favrs of Mar 28 past to the Comtte of Trinity Church came to hand per Capta Darling & Capta Foster & was ackordingly communicated. They are very much oblidged to you for your care & success in their behalf with the Society in obtaining for them the donation you mention which was confirmed by a letter from the Secrety by the same opportunity giving directions to draw on their Treasurer for 50£ which now is done payable to you on 30 day sight which please to present & receive. You have allso inclossd a letter of acknowledgement to the Secrty & a letter of advice to the Treasr both of wch pray your care of. Your proceeding relating to the organ is likewise very Satisfactory & hope shall soon see it & doubt not in the least but it will be well pleasing. What you mention about an Organist can’t at present be perticularly answered. There is a person here said to be well skilled in Musick that offers and perhaps when an Organ comes he may be Satisfactory but as this is uncertain you would further much oblidge the Church if youl please to informe the easyest Terms they could be supplyd with a proper person frm London. The Bill of 150£ on the Board of Ordnance its hoped will meet with due Honr. Allso Mr Vassall 20£. This of 50£ now drawn you are desired to make use of the which shall be accounted for here and bestowed according to the designe of the Worthy Society. What you intimate relating to Scituate & Warwick we have caused to be made known. The former have with the Charitable Asistance of our Worthy Minnister pursued the Societys directions and it will be a great pleasure to the lovers of the Ch of Engd here if they succede and get the renewal of the Societys favours.

With great respect in behalf of the Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church I am Sr Yr &c

J Dowse

Att a Meeting of the Vestry at Cap Petr Kenwoods House Decr 10 1743 present Jos Dowse & Pr Kenwood Wardens

Voted That the pews No 32 & 33 being long pews be altered to two Square pews & that the same be sold unto vizt.

That Pew No 32 Be sold Mr Jno Merrett

Ditto No 33 be sold Gillm Phillips Esq for the Sum of £70.

Voted that pew No 21 be sold John Savell for 55£ to discount with Pr Luce

that Do No 49 (next the Reading Desk) be sold Jno Ranchon for £40

that Do No 116 be sold Jonth Simpson for £50:0:0 being a large Gallery pew

That Do No 120 be sold John Durdsen for 40£

that Do No 133 wch was recd from Jno Waghorne be sold to Philip Mortimore for £50:0:0 the same pd Waghorne

that Do No 82 recd from Henry Standbridge be sold Jno Roe he havg pd sd Standbridge

Titles for No 33 49 82 116 Made Jan 10 after 21 120 & 133 made before

A Meeting of the Vestry in the Vestry Room on the 21 of March 1743 present

Voted That the pew No 11 formerly Voted to Mr Samuel Banister during his life upon condition he improvd & payd the assessment of the same, as per Church Book foil, may appear, which (by reason he has left the Province) he hath not done for 3 or 4 years past therefore now its Voted said Pew be sold Mr Willm Speakman & that the pew No 66 formerly Voted Mr Speakman be recd by the Wardens in Exchange therefor.

Voted Pew No 66 be sold Mr Jos Gerrish for £65 what is due to Messr Gerrish & Barrell to be discounted.

Voted Pew No 78 be sold Capta Jas Collingwood for £55 to be discountd with Mr John Jones.

Pew No 86 be sold Thos Greene for £65.

Att the Annual Meeting of the Proprietors of Pews Easter Monday March 25th, 1744. The following persons Chosen (agreeable to the Rules of the Church) for the Insuing Yeare viz for Church Wardens

for Vestry Men 12 five of which to be a Quorum.

NB Mr William Speakman desired to be excused by reason he was this yeare chosen in the same office at the Kings Chappell where he acceptd.

for Clerk John Crosby his Salary Twelve shillg per week.

Sexton John Oucker his Salary Twelve shillg per week.

Voted The Minister be payd Eleven pounds per week being about 472 per Exchange for the Yeare to come.

Voted The Tax on the pews to be continued the same as Yeare past viz all bellow @ 2/6 a Week the Gallery 2/ except 4 viz No 102 No 118 119 & 133 these @ 2/6 & the back corners 1/. Evry man to put his Name or the Number of his pew with his Mony.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church (duly warned) at Mr Saml Witherheads November 2d 1744 Present

The Warden reported that in pursuance to the Vote of the Vestry Jan 14 1742 The Organ is now arrived.

Voted That the same Committee then apointed be desired & hereby impowred to see & gott the same fixed and put up in the Church in the best Manner they see fitt. To whome this buissness is now left in behalf of this Vestry & Church.

Att a Vestry Meeting of Trinity Church Vestry in said Church November 21st 1744 (being duly Warned) Present

Voted That Mr Peter Pelham Junior be Organist of this Church from this time untill the Meeting of the Proprietors att Easter Next. His demmand as Salary being £100 per anm but in Concideration that the Church hath been at conciderable charge at this time to purchase & fix the Organ Therfore Voted for his Salary to commence from this time to be Eighty pound per anm old Tenor & at that rate to be payd for the part of the yeare untill said Easter Meeting. Which he accepted.

Voted that the Wardens may cause the Corner pews in the lower part of both the back Isles viz No 26 & 27 in the North & No 75 & 76 in South being all very small be made into Two square pews & sold to Mr Henry Vassall one for one hundrd pound. For £80:0:0 Each.

Voted That Mr John Merrett have the pew No 32 for £70:0:0 old Tenr.

NB Novr 22d 1744 being the Annual publick Thanksgiving The Organ was opened and after Sermon a Collectione was made towards the charge of the Organ & gathered £128:15/ old Tenor.

At a Vestry Meeting of Trinity Church Vestry at Mr Saml Witherhead Feb 14, 1744 present

A Letter from the Revd Mr Davenport Minister of this Church dated the 12th Instant was read in the Vestry & thereupon Voted that the said Letter should be recorded in the Church Book. Voted that the Wardens be desired to waite on the Revd Mr A Davenport & informe him we have received his letter of the 12th are sorry their is a Neccesity for his absence from us. But do accept of his proposalls in said letter and therefore have ordered the same to be recorded. Do heartily wish him a good voyage & safe & soon retturn to us again.

Voted That the Wardens do agree in the best manner they can to have Rails made & fixed upon the top of the Church the wholle length.

Voted That The same Committee who have been employed in Negotiating the afair of the Organ be desired to return the thanks of this Church to John Thomlinson Esq for his peculiar care & pains in providing so fine an Organ for us.

The Letter mentioned in the above vote is as follows.

To Messr Joseph Dowse & Petr Kenwood Wardens & To the Vestry & Prop of Trinity Church Boston.

Gentelmen. The neare relation subsisting between us renders it an incumbent duty upon me to accquaint you that the present [state] of my Affairs invites or rather demmands my personall attendance for a litle while in England. I have therefore with the advice of some of my freinds (and not without imploring the Divine directione) determined to embark in one of the Mast Ships now at Piscatiqua & with Gods leave purpose to return again at farthest early next fall. Tn the Mean time I have ingadged the Revd Mr Peden & most of the Neighbouring Clergy to officiate in my room who’s Service doubt not will be very acceptable. Or if you think you can more agreeably provide for your Selves it will still be more satisfactory to me for be assured their is no Intrest I have or ought to have more at heart then the prosperity of Trinity Church. I can truly say with the Great apostile my Hearts desire & prayer to God for you & yours is that you may all be saved. This is and allways will be a main article in the daily devotions of

Gentelmen

Yr faithfull & affectionate

Minister & Servant

Addington Davenport

Boston Feb 12th 1744

At the Yearly Meeting of the Proprietors of Pews duly Warned On Easter Monday April 15 1745 at Trinity Church by written Vote was Chosen the following Officers for the Yeare Insuing

Voted Twelve Vestry men five of which to be a Vestry

John Crosby for Clerk his Sallary 12/ per week old Tenor.

John Oucker Sexton his Sallary 12/ per week old Tenor.

Peter Pelham, Jr. Organist his Salary One hundred pounds, old tenor per year & £5 per year for a person to assist him blowing &c. the Exchange to pay the Minister by the Same as last yeare.

Voted the pewss be Taxed Six pence each pew per week addittonall to the last years Tax & each person put his Name or Number with his Mony.

Att this Meeting was Communicated a letter from the Revd. Mr. Davenport our Minster dated February 12 past directed to the Wardens Vestry & Proprietors of Trinity Church with the Vote of the Sd Vestry February 14 following: As reccorded in the Vestry Book page 43 which Vote is thus a Letter from the Revd. Mr. Davenported dated February 12 being read thereupon the Vestry Voted that the said Letter should be reccorded in the Church Book & the Warden be desired to informe Mr. Davenport they have received his letter are Sorry their is a Neccesity for his Absence But do accept his proposalls in said letter & therefore have ordered the same be reccorded & heartily Wish him a good Voyage & Safe & soon retturn to us again.

Upon which the proprietors Unanimously Voted That they Approve of & Consent to the afore recited Vote of the Vestry.

Memo: the Letter is reccorded in the Vestry Book page 43 & 44.

The Substance of which is that his Affairs demmanding his Personal apearance in England he had taken his pasage & hoped by Gods blessing to retturn in the Fall (next) in the Mean time had engadged the Revd. Mr. Peden & most of the Neighbouring Clergy to officiate in his Room whos Service he hoped would be acceptable. But if they could more agreeably provide for themselves it would still be more satisfactory to him. Nothing being nor ought to be more at his Heart than their peace & Wellfare.

At the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of the Pews in Trinity Church duly Warned Mett at said Church Easter Monday March 31 1746.

The following officers chosen for the insuing Yeare by written Vote Joseph Dowse & Willm. Price Church Wardens.

Voted their be 12 Vestry Men five of whome may make a Vestry.

Peter Pelham Jr. Organist his Sallary One hundred pounds old tenor per annum to five pounds old tenor for an Assistant.

John Crosby Clerk his Salary Twelve shilling old tenor per week.

John Oucker Sexton his Salary Twelve shilling per week old tenor.

Voted Taxes on the pews to continue as last yeare. As to Exchange the Revd. Mr. Davenport being absent the concideration of that postponed ’till his return.

November 18 1746 haveing heard the Mallancholy tidings of the Death of our very Worthy & faithfull Minister the Revd. Mr. Addington Davenport at London September 8 past.

The Wardens signed & caused to be printed the following Notification

The proprietors of the pews in Trinity Church are desired to Meet at said Church to Morrow precisly at 11 o’Clock to consider about and to choose a Minister for said Church in the Room of the Revd. Mr. Davenport Deceased.

Boston November 18 1746

Joseph Dowse

William Price Wardens

At a Meeting of the Proprietors of the pews in Trinity Church to whome (only) bellongs the right of Presentation of a Minister beeing duly Warned by Leaving a printed Notification at each of their houses.

Mett at said Church on Wednesday the 19 Day of November 1746.

Present both the Church Wardens & Ten of the Vestry.

The Occassion of the Meeting beeing Maturely debated and concidered it was then proposed to be put to Vote whether the proprietors would now proceede to the choice of a Minister for said Church or Not and being put to vote it was carried in the afermative Nemane Contradi[cte] and then the proprietors where desired by written Vote (agreeable to the Established rules of the Church) to proceed to a Choice.

proprietors present

is 33 pews [sic]

sent their proxy Mary Marshall 1 Ann Wroe 1 Na. Dowse 1 J. Dowse Atturney for Peter Kenwood 2 is 5 more

The Church Wardens & Vestry allmost the wholle being present are the proprietors of all pews unsold which are 33. Makes in all 71 pews.

NB four Other proprietors was at the beginning of the Meeting but withdrew before came to vote viz. J. Griffen 2 pews. Will. Vassall 1 pew.

Henry Vassall 1 pew. Jno. Roe 1 pew.

Upon the Consideration of the Loss this Church hath Sustained by the Death of their late Worthy and faithfull Minister the Revd. Mr. Addington Davenport Deceased the proprietors aforesaid proceeded by Written Vote to the Choice of a Succesor as Incumbent Minister of this Church and Upon examining the Votes it appeared that Mr. William Hooper was Unanimously chosen who upon the Bishop of London our Diocesan or some other Bishop granting Him Ordination according to the Rules of the Church of England is Minister of Trinity Church. Voted His Salary to be One Hundred & Ten pounds Sterling money per annum to be payd in Current New England mony at the General Exchange amongst Merchants to be setled Yearly at Easter the Salary to commence from the present time altho He must go to England for Episcopal Ordination and the Church is to undertake to Supply the Vacancy untill His return.

Voted that the Wardens do in the Name & behalf of the proprietors of the pews Sign a Copy of these Votes & upon Mr. William Hooper signifieng His consent to this Choice the same is to be delivered to Him for His Assurance of this Agreement.

Agreeable to the said votes above a Copy was signed by the Wardens Joseph Dowse, Willm. Price dated November 19. 1746. & the same day delivered Mr. Willm. Hooper who signified His consent by Writting in these words “I Accept of this choice and shall God willing fullfill the Intent of it with all conveiniant Speed. Will. Hooper

Voted, Mr. Jonth. Simpson be desired with Collo. Benj. Pollard to gett a Subscription & Collect the same for the Support of Mr. Hooper, and to defrey His Charges of the voyage &c. Memo, as the Day was very Stormy (by Mr. Hoopers desire) No Committee to wait on Mr. Hooper was appointed but the Wardens. The Wardens when they waited on Mr. Hooper with the foregoing votes of Choice &c. before His acceptance they read to Him the perticular restrictions & Condittions the Late Revd. Mr. Davenport had made with the Church for Himself &c. as are recorded in This Book: folio: 63—which Mr. Hooper declared He was well Satisfied with to be a Rule with Him likewise. Said Rules are recorded in the next page viz. 75.

Attr. Jos. Dowse, Warden

Boston Nov. 22 1746.

To the Right Reverend Father in God

Edmund Lord Bishop of London

May it please Your Lordship

It haveing pleased Almighty God to bereave us of our Worthy Minister the Rev. Mr. Davenport by whome we raised our Expectations of haveing your Lordship good Wishes Communicated to us

Our Church have maturely concidered of Supplying the vacancy and have ellected Mr. William Hooper of this Town to be the Succesor as Incumbent Minister—a Gentelman of approved Conduct, prudence, & piety, upon your Lordship our Diocesan granting him Ordination. Wherefore we the Wardens & Vestry of said Trinity Church in Boston do present the said Mr. William Hooper to the said Living it being One hundred & ten pound Sterling per annum Engaged to him and we hope Your Lordship will approve of him, as he hath lived many years amongst us and behaved unexeptional in his Life & practice. We earnestly entreat your Lordship’s Blessing on our Church & us & beg leave to add we are with the profoundest respect & Duty may it please Your Lordship.

Boston Nov. 22 1746

John Thomlinson Esq.

Sir: As in several instances you have appeared as a patron to Trinity Church we beg leave to reccomend the bearer Mr. William Hooper, a Gentelman we have ellected to succed the very Worthy Mr. Davenport deceased. This Gentelman for the course of many Years has Maintained a Stedy prudent conduct in the Desenting Way of a Preacher has been highly Esteemed by them, lived an unexceptionable Religious Life and hath left a good living & a favourite congregation for we doubt not the Sincere preference of the Church of England. He now comes home to receive Episcopal Ordination & we shall be highly oblidged for any favours youl please to shew him. We are confident he will give great Satisfaction to the Generality of the Church of England & will be very Instrumental to the groth of it. We flatter our Selves youl excuse this freedom haveing so often experienced your readines to Serve us We take leave to Subscribe with our Sincere respects.

Sir Your Most Obedient Most Humble Servants

Wrote a letter of same Effect to Mr. Thos. Sandforth

both by desire of the Vestry.

Att a Meeting of the vestry of Trinity Church at the Church on Good Fryday Evening after Service April 17 1747

present both Wardens.

B. Faneuil J. Bouteneau Th: Greene Ruf: Greene Th: Aston Jno. Arbuthnott Will Coffin Jonth. Simpson.

It was reported that Mrs. Dumeresque was going with her family to England & that as she held a pew in this Church No. 48 as Heir to Geo. Whitlock it was therefore proposed & voted that the Wardens should desire Mrs. Dumeresqu to resign said pew to the said Church & not presume to sell & dispose thereof to any person being contrary to the rules of this church. Agreeable to which vote Jos. Dowse one of the Wardens did accquaint Mrs. Dumeresq thereof & that they were ready to pay the Sum the pew first cost & that after she was gone a yeare the pew would be forfeited to the Church if not tendred.

At the Yearly Meeting of the proprietors of the pews Easter Monday April 20 1747 at said Church, the proprietors duly Warned made Choice of the following Officers for the Yeare Insuing by written vote viz.

Joseph Dowse—William Price Wardens

12 Vestry Men five of which to make a Vestry

viz.

John Crosby, Clerk, His Sallary to be 12/ per week old Tenor.

Petr. Pelham Jr. Organist. His Salary One hundred & five pound Old Tenor per Annum, he finding all assistance.

John Oucker Sexton. His Salary 14/ per week Old Tenor.

The Taxes of the pews to be those bellow 4/ per week

old Tenor &

every person to mark their money

in the Gallerys 3/ per week

The Exchange setled at £17:10/ per week Old Tenor to pay the Minister.

Att a Meeting of the Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church present both the Wardens. Tho. Greene Hen. Laughton Jonth. Simpson Tho. Aston Davis. James Boutineau. Several letters being read informing that Mr. Hooper who this Church hath presented to the Bishop of London for Holy Orders has been opposed by Mr. Commissary Price by representations directly contradicting the Testimonals the Church & many other persons have given The Vestry taking into concideration this unjust behaviour look upon it highly injurious to this Church who are intirely satisfied of the good Character of Mr. Hooper and that this opposition can be designed for no other end then the detriment (as far as laith in his power) of this church. Its is therefore unanimously voted that as a token of this Churchs just resentment of such unchristian usage said Mr. Price be notified that the vestry desire no more of His Service in this Church as they have of late kindly Invited & employed Him to perform and of this discharge the Wardens are desired to give Him Notice.

Voted that the Wardens Apply to the Rev. Mr. Canner & Mr. Brockwell Minister of the Kings Chappel to desire them to Officiate in Trinity Church untill the said Church is Supplyed. To pay them as paid Mr. Price & Mr. Brockwell.

The Wardens went to the Rev. Mr. Prices House he not being at Home & Saturday Night left a letter there as followeth.

Reverend Sir: We are desired & ordered by the Vestry of Trinity Church to informe you that they have received letters accquainting them that you have unjustly & in an unfair Manner opposed the Rev. Mr. Hooper who this Church hath presented to the Lord Bishop of London for Holy Orders by representing him directly contradictory to their representations which this Church looks upon as highly injurious. They have therefore Unanimously Voted that they desire no further Service from you in said Church. We sign in behalf of an injured Church Reverend Sir:

To the Reverend Mr. Price May:21:

The Sunday following Mr. Canner & Mr. Brockwell had promised to comply with the desire of the vestry, but when the Congregation were mett Mr. Brockwell not coming as expected was sent for. He returned answer Mr. Price as the Bishop Commissary had forbid His & Mr. Canner officiating in Trinity Church, so the Congregation dismisted & no Service that Day. The Sunday following Mr. Canner & Mr. Brockwell entered upon the care of Trinity Church & continued so till the arrival of the Reverend Mr. Hooper which was on the 24th of August following.

Upon the News of Mr. Hoopers disapointment in England the Wardens & Vestry of the Kings Chappel sent the following letter to the Bishop of London.

Boston N. E. June 5. 1747.

May it please Your Lordship

Our Bretheren of Trinity Church being under great Dificultys & Discouragements by reason of Mr. William Hoopers Ordination being put off on account as we heare of some representations made of Him to your Lordship as a person whome Common Fame reports to be of bad Morals & Haveing desired Us to acquaint your Lordship of Mr. Hoopers Character so farr as we are able Since His first Setelment in Boston to his Departure last Fall We the Church Wardens & vestry of the Kings Chapell do Solemnly declare that we know not of any Imoralitys he has been charged with since he had been a Dissenting Teacher in this Town but that he has Maintained a very fair Character here, and from His constantly taking his Turn with the rest of the Teachers in this Town in the Weekly Lecture and the Great Love & Esteem His people had for Him till he left them must be of oppinion that He is a Gentelman of Good Morals—all which is Humbly Submitted to your Lordship by your Lordships most Dutyfull Sons &c

The Wardens & vestry of Trinity Church wrote to His Lordship of London Insisting upon their presentation of Mr. Hooper and that they found no cause to alter their said Choice & complained of Mr. Prices conduct to Trinity Church &c. They wrote to John Thomlinson Esq. desiring His assistance & promise of repaying all charges he shall be at for our packetts of postage & delivery &c.

Wrote also to Mr. Hooper promising to Stand by the choice we had made of Him &c. Sent the Letters by the Mairmaid Man of War & via Liverpool Captain Jones.

August 24th 1747. The Revd. Mr. William Hooper arrived in Health & Safety from England. Blessed be God.

Att a Meeting at Trinity Church of the Wardens and Vestry present Jos Dowse William Price Wardens

Thos. Greene, John Merrett, Will Coffin, Thos. Aston, Rufus Greene, Jas. Boutineau, Jonth. Simpson Vestry

Agreeable to the Votes & Choice of the Proprietors of the pews November 19 past The Revd. Mr. Hooper hath proceeded to England and on the 24 Inst. returned & arrived here Haveing Obtained Holy orders. Has now Mett the Vestry and produced a certificate signed Martyn Gloucester dated London June 9 1747 seting forth that on said Day He the said Lord Bishop of Gloucester by Express desire of the Lord Bishop of London did Ordain Mr. William Hooper into Preist Orders.

Also a Certificate signed by Edmund Lord Bishop of London dated London June 10 1747 Licencing said Mr. Willm. Hooper to Preach and Officiate in New England.

Also a Certificate that said Mr. Willm. Hooper had taken the Oaths and Subscribed the Declaration &c. as Needfull after which papers being read &c. the said Wardens & Vestry did in the Name and behalf of the proprietors of the pews who are the patrons of this Church Induct the Revd. Mr. William Hooper into the said Church and envest Him with all the priveledges and perquisetts bellonging thereto as Incumbent Minister of Trinity Church agreeable to the rules of said Church as made with the Revd. Mr. Davenport the first Incumbent as in folio. 63 and again inserted beneath the Revd. Mr. Hooper haveing consented to the same. And the said Revd. Mr. William Hooper is Accordingly put into possesion as in the manner of a Donative Church.

Many other persons of the Congregation being present The Revd. Mr. Hooper performed Divine Service according to the Rubrick & Liturgy of the Church of England.

Fryday August 28, 1747.      Attest Joseph Dowse

Rules & conditions agreed on between the Incumbant of Trinity Church & the proprietors to which the Revd. Mr. Hooper consented.

viz. That the parish Clerk be chosen by the proprietors but that the Incumbants approbation or consent be neccesary.

That no alteration at any time be made to the Altar or the pulpit without the consent of the Incumbent.

That if at any time an Assistant be thought conveinient such Assistant should be chosen by joint consent of the Incumbent and proprietors & in case the Incumbent should see fit to procure at his own charge an Assistant he hath leave so to do Nevertheless such Assistant be by the consent of the proprietors.

That at any time when the Incumbent desires the meeting of a Vestry the Warden, or Wardens shall summon a Meeting & at all times when a Vestry meeting is called the Incumbent have notice (if in Town) to be present if he please.

A Vestry Meeting of Trinity Church on Good Fryday P.M. april 9, 1748. present Both Wardens

proposed that upon concideration of the conciderable deficency of the last years Contribution particular mentione be made in the Notification for the Easter Meeting of the proprietors that they are to make provision for the payment of the same that the proprietors may more Generaly attend.

The Notification to be given by order of the Church Wardens on Easter Sunday at Church be as follows.

The proprietors of the pews in this Church are hereby Notified that they Meet here next Tewsday morn at Ten o Clo: then to choose the officers to Tax the pews & to do what else may be needfull for the Yeare Insuing.

And furthur as the Circumstances of the Church lately has caused conciderable dificency more then the last years assesment will pay off therefore the proprietors are at the said Meeting to provide for payment of the same and its desired they will give their attendance.

The Wardens accquainted the Vestry that Mr. John Merrett had desired to inform that he was removing out of Town & desired his Pew might be kept for him upon the Condition the Church may place in the same whome they please & he will moreover pay the Tax himself, which the Vestry consented too and directed to be recorded.

Voted that the pew No. 98 be received from Captain Peter Kenwood (as offered by his agent Jos. Dowse) & he payd £50. Voted the pew No. 98 be sold Mr. John Gooch for One Hundred pound Old Tenor.

At a Yearly meeting of the Proprietors of pews on Teusday in Easter week April 12 1748 the following officers were chosen by written Vote.

Voted that the Vestry consist of Eleven five to be a Quorum. The following were chosen

Voted Peter Pelham Jr. Orgainist his Salary to be One Hundred & fifteen pound Old tenor per annum he to provide the Bellows Blower.

John Crosby Clerk salary to be sixteen shilling per week.

[John Oucker] the Sexton Salary to be sixteen shilling per week.

The Exchange for the Minister Salary Twenty One pound Ten shilling per week old tenor.

That there be allowed the Revd. Mr. Hooper for defficency for the yeare past One Hundred & fifty pound Old tenor.

That the pews be taxed the yeare insuing five shilling per week bellow & three shilling per week the Gallery each person to mark his money with his Name or the Number of his pew.

That to make good the Defficency of the past yeare Each pew bellow pay Three pound & in the Gallery Two pound Old Tenor.

At a Meeting of the Vestry at Trinity Church on Thursday Nov. 24:1748.

Whereas Mrs. Susanah Dumersqu who claimes Heir To Geo. Whitlock deceased the proprietor to pew No. 48 said Mrs. Dumersque hath left the Country more then twelve months & no offer of said pew No. 48 made to the Wardens & Vestry agreeable to the rules of the Constitution of this Church therefore

Voted That the pew No. 48 is forfeited to the Church.

2 Negative marked √

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at said Church Thursday March 23 1748.

Voted that the pew No. 48 (voted by the Vestry Nov. 23 last as forfeited to the Church) shall be sold.

Voted that Mr. Ebenr. Holmes have the pew No. 48 paying One Hundred pound for the same old tenor.

Voted Mr. Stepn. Greenleaf have pew No. 11 for £100 old Tenor.

At a Yearly Meeting of the proprietors of the pews in Trinity Church on Easter Monday March 27 1749. The following Officers chosen agreeable to Constitution & rules of the Church.

Joseph Dowse & William Price Wardens.

Voted the Vestry to Consist of Eleven 5 to be a Quorum.

for Organist Peter Pelham Jr. Salary One Hundred & fifteen pounds per anum.

Clerk John Crosby. Salary Twenty shiling per week.

Sexton John Oucker Twenty shill per week.

Voted The Exchange for the Minister for the year insuing Twenty Two Pounds four shilling per week.

Voted The pews Taxed as last Yeare and the proprietors to Mark their Money with their Names or the Number of pew.

Voted Thirty five pounds be payd the Minister for defficency yeare past.

As the Neccesarys of Life, House rent, & fire Wood have been extraordinary high the Yeare past which hath occasioned the Ministers Salary to be short of His Expences

Therefore Voted That a Colection be made on Whitsunday Next intirely for the Bennefits of the Reverend Mr. Hooper.

Memo: raised £300: Old Tenor & paid accordingly.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Church on Thursday the 15 of June 1749.

upon information that Mrs. Susa. Dumeresque had by her Attorny Doctor Silvester Gardiner commenced a Law Suit with the Church by a Writt of Ejectmont against Ebonr. Holmes for the pew No. 48 the Church Vestry sold him 23 March past.

Voted that the Church Wardens & Mr. Thomas Greene be a Comittee to defend said Suit in behalf of the Church & to see the same flnaly Isued.

Voted the pew No. 32 be received of Mr. Jno. Merrett (who has resigned) & he payd therfor £70.

Voted that the pew No. 32 be offered & sold to Col. Benja. Pollard for One hundred pound Old Tenor.

Att a Meeting of the Proprietors of the Pews in Trinity Church on Easter Monday April 16th, 1750, Duly Warned. The following Officers chosen for the Insuing Year.

Voted That the Vestery cosist of Eleven Five to be Quorum. The Following were chosen

Voted John Crosby Clerk Salary two shillings & Eight pence per Week L. Money.

John Oucker, Sexton, his Salary 2/8 per Week. Lawful money Exchange the Year insuing to be paid 900 per Cent is £21.3/ a Week Old Tennor.

Voted That the Tax of the Pews to Continue as last Year.

Att a Vesstry Meeting of Trinity Church Vesstry at said Church April 5 1751.

The Wardens report to the Vesstry—that the action between Mrs. Dumeresq & the Church for the pew No. 48 is finished by said Mrs. Dumeresque being defaulted in Court. Wherby the Church is left in quiet possession of said pew.

Wheras the pew No. 39 the property of Geo. Clark Esq. is many years behind in the Taxes due therfore

Voted that said pew No. 39 is forfeited to the Church agreeable to the rules and that said pew No. 39 be sold to Mr. Thos. Goldthwait for the Sum of One hundred pounds Old tenor.

Voted the thanks of the Vestry be given Mr. William Price for a gift of Fifty pounds old Tenor to be applyed towards the painting of the inside of said Church.

Att a yearly Meeting of the proprietors of the pews (duly Warned) at Trinity Church on Easter Monday April 8. 1751.

Chose the following officers for the yeare insuing.

Voted there be twelve Vestry men

John Crosby Clerk his Sallary 2/8 per week L Money

John Oucker, Sexton Sallary 2/8d per week L. M.

Voted the Taxes of the pews continue as last yeare.

Voted that One Dollar be assesed on Each pew bellow & half a Dollar Each pew in the Gallary toward repairing the Turrett of the Church & other parts and likewise to paint the Outsides of the wholle church which the Wardens are desired to gett done in the best manner they can.

Voted That the Thanks of the Church be given to Mr. Addington Davenport, son of our late Revd. Minister, for his voluntary service to the Church by performing on the organ since Mr. Pelham left us November 1749.

Voted That a Contribution be made next Whit Sunday for the Bennifit of the Revd Mr. Hooper and the wholle then gathered be for him.

Note on whit Sunday a contribution was made & the sum of £266.5/Old Tenor was gathered & paid accordingly.

March 30 1752 Easter Munday. At a Yearly Meeting of the proprietors of the pews of Trinity Church being duly Notified.

Voted that this Meeting be adjourned to Munday in Whitsunweek next to Meet at the Church at 11 o Clock & accordingly it was adjourned.

May 18 1752 being WhitsunMonday at the adjournment of the Anual Meeting of the proprietors duly Notified the following officers chosen by written votes agreeable to the rules.

Vote 11 Vestry Men five to be Quorum.

Anual Meeting continued.

Voted John Crosby Clerk Salary 2/8d Lawful Money per week.

John Oucker Sexton Salary 2/8 L. M. per week.

Voted the Taxes of the pews be continued as last year.

Voted the Exchange be continued as formerly viz. 133 1/3 L. M. for 100£ Sterling or 900 per Cent. OT.

Whereas the last yeare vote of a dollar a pew for repairs &c. proved insuficent the acct amounting much more Therefore voted that One Dollar a pew below stairs & half a dollar Each pew in the Gallery be further assesed upon the proprietors towards making good the said Insufficency.

At a meeting of the Vesstry of Trinity Church at the House of the Reverend Mr William Hooper’s on Wednesday March 25th 1753.

The Reverend Mr. Hooper communicated to the Vestry a letter dated the 19th Instant directed to the Minister, Wardens & Vestry of Kings Chapell in this Town informing that the Proprietors of said Kings Chapell had determined to take down their Church and had directed them to [A large part of this page in Vol. 2 TR is obliterated by an ink spill and the entry has been continued from the Minutes of the Proprietors in Vol. 1 TR and partly duplicated by further minutes in Vol. 2 TR as will appear] [Vol. 1 TR] apply for the use of Trinity Church to assemble in during the performing the same and likewise the Votes of the Vestry of Trinity Church was communicated that were passed relating to said request. Wherby it appears that it was the unanimous oppinion of the Vestry to comply with the desire of said Kings Chappel for liberty for them to meet in Trinity Church & further that in order to accomodate both Congregations it is the oppinion of the said Vestry that the usual time of Service be altered that is for the insuing Summer season until the 1st of October Trinity Church Congregation meat at Eleven Clock a.m. & at four P. M. giving liberty for the Congregation of Kings Chappel to meet as they see fitt so that they order the same to have half an hour at least between the service of the two congregations. And as to the other Six months from October I to April I the meeting of Trinity Church be at Ten a.m. & at Three P. M. that Kings Chappel Congregation may meet in the intermision of the two Services. Voted That the aforementioned Vote of the Vestry be & is approved & Confirmed.

Further Voted that the proprietors of the Pews in Trinity Church be Notified on Sunday Next to meet after Service in the afternoon in order to concider of this desire of the Kings Chapell Proprietors & that the preeceding Votes be laid before them.

Voted That the Thanks of this Vestry be given to Mr. Addington Davenport for his greate good Service to this Church by havving performed the Church Musick on the Organ for more then three years past gratis. passed Unanimous.

And that Mr. Davenport be prefered when any Vacant pew falls to the Church that he likes.

Voted the pews No. 4 resigned by the Executor of David Evans deceased for the Sum of £55 old Tenor be now sold to Mr. Rufus Greene for Ten pound Lawful.

And the pew No. 36 resigned by the Admt. of Peter deJersey deceased for the like Sum of £55 old Tenor be now Sold to Mr. Belshazr. Bayard for Thirteen pound 6/8 Lawful Money.

At a Meeting of the proprietors of the pews of Trinity Church on Sunday March 25 1753 in the said Church duly Notified. The letter from the Minister Wardens & Vesstry of Kings Chapel examd.

The votes of the Vestry passed on Wednesday last relating to the request of the proprietors of Kings Chappel where distincly read & upon due and mature concideration the proprietors Voted that the mind of the Minister Wardens and Vestry of this Church as expressed in their votes of the 21st Instant relating to the meeting of this Church & also the liberty granted for the Kings Chappel Congregation to assemble is now by the proprietors aproved & confirmed.

Voted That any further prudentials relating to the accomodating Kings Chappel Congregation not repugnant to foregoing votes be left with the Minister Wardens & Vestry.

Voted that the Reverend Mr. Hooper with the Wardens be desired to return an answer to the Kings Chapel proprietors with the foregoing votes.

Voted That a Colection be made on Easter Sunday Next in the afternoon intirely for the Bennefit of the Reverend Mr. Hooper exclusive of his Salary. Memo, gathered £239 Old Tenor. 3:7.6 more.

At a Meeting of the proprietors of Trinity Church on Easter Monday April 23d 1753. Duly warned.

The following Officers chose for the Yeare Insuing by written Vote.

Joseph Dowse Rufus Greene Wardens.

Voted Eleven Vesstry men 5 to be a Quorum vizt.

John Crosby Clerk Salary Eight pounds per anum.

John Hooker Sexton Salary 2/8d per week.

The Exchange to pay the Minister continue the Same as last yeare viz. 133 1/3 £ Lawful Mony for £100 Ster. The pews to be Taxed for the yeare Insuing viz. those bellow @ One shilling per week. In the Gallery Six pence per week. Except bellow the following Numbers that have pillars vizt. No. 1: 10: [18?]: [22?]: 24: 80: 84: 88: 92: & also 49 & 101 & evry person put his Name or the Number of the pew with his Money.

Voted to Choose a Comittee to Obtain an Organst for this Church and that the Church will allow Twenty pounds Sterling per Annum for five years for the Organst. Sallary—the Salary to commence from time of Contracting.

Voted that Mr. James Boutineau

Memo at this Meeting a Subscription was Opened to paint the Inside of the Church.

Memorandum the Comitte above have contracted with Mr. John Rice to be organist agreeable to the above Vote.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the said Church on the 17th July 1753 present both the Wardens & Eight vesstry Men viz. Thos. Aston, Thos. Greene James Boutineau, Ben Greene Antho. Davis B. Pollard, Jno. Gooch & Jonth. Simpson.

Voted that we proceed on painting the Inside of the Church of Mohogany Collur the pillars Marble the Capatalls Guilt & the altar decorated as farr as the Money Subscribed will go at the discretion of the Comittee to be chose.

Voted that the Wardens with Mr. James Boutineau be the Comittee.

Voted that the pew No. 66 the property of Mr. Jos. Gerrish be forfeited on account he hath left the Country more thin a yeare & more Tax due theron than the purchase Money for the same.

Voted that the pew No 66 be sold to Mr. Addington Davenport for £100 old Tenor if he like it as per vote of vestry Mar. 21 past.

Memo as pew No. 48 fell to the Church after Mr. Davenport was accomodated with that in the room of the above.

At the Yearly Meeting of the proprietors (duly Warned) on Monday April 15th 1754 the following officers chosen for the Yeare insuing by written vote.

Voted Eleven Vestry Men five to be a Quorum viz.

Clerk John Crosby Salary £Eight pounds Lawful money per annum.

The apointment of a Sexton be left with the Minister & Wardens.

The salary to be allowed is 2/8d per week.

Voted the Tax of the pews the same as last yeare.

No. 4 pew be sold Mr. Rufus Green for I [smudge] £

36 Ditto      to Balsh Bayard      13: 6/8

The Tax continued the same as last yeare.

Exchange the same.

At a Yearly Meeting of the proprietors of Pews (duly Warned) at the Church Monday in Easter week Mar. 31. 1755. The following Officers by written Vote chosen for Yeare Insuing.

Voted that the Vestry consist of Ten five to be a Quoram.

Clerk John Crosby Salary Eight Pounds Lawful Money per annum.

Sexton Salary to be Two shillings & eight pence Lawful Money per week.

Tax of pews the same as last yeare.

Exchange for Minister Salary the same as last yeare.

Wheras Mr. John Cutler has served the Church several times in the Vacancy of an Organist Voted the Church allow him for the same Twenty pounds Old Tenor, pd.

Voted that a Collection for the Reverend Mr. Hooper be made next Whitsunday.

Voted that the Wardens build a Tomb for the Burial of Strangers each

Corps that is Burried to pay £25 old Tenor.

N.B. on Whitsunday May 18. Collected for the Minister agreeable to the above vote £200: 13/3 Old Tenor.

Copy of Notification given out by the Clerk by order of the Wardens Sunday April 18 1756 (Easter Sunday). The proprietors of the pews in this Church are hereby Notified to Meet here tomorrow at 11 o Clock in the morning to transact the Needfull Business for the yeare insuing.

At the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of the Pews at & in Trinity Church (duly warned) on Monday in Easter Week April 19 1756. The following Officers were chosen by written Vote.

Voted their be Ten Vesstry men five to be a Quorum.

Clerk John Crosby . . . salary per annum Eight Pounds.

Sexton’s Salary to be Eight Pounds for the Year 1756.

Tax of the pews the same as the last Year.

Ministers Salary that is Exchange to be at the same as last year.

Voted What the Painting cost more then is or shall be gathered for that end shall be charged to the Church.

At an Annual Meeting of the Proprietors of Pews at & in Trinity Church (duly Warned) on Easter Monday April 11th 1757 the following offercers were chosen by Written Vote.

Voted that Nine be the Number of Vestry Men.

Mr. John Crosbe Clerk, his Salary £8:13:4 a Year.

The Saxtons Sallary continued at £8 a year.

The Tax of the Pews the same as last year.

Exchange as the last year.

Att an Annual Meeting of the proprietors of Pews (duly warned) on Easter Monday March 27. 1758 the following Officers chosen by written Votes.

Voted that Nine be the Number of Vestery men.

Mr. John Crosby Clark his Salary £8:13:4 a year.

The Saxton’s Sallary £8 a year.

The Tax of the Pews the same as last year.

Exchange as the last year.

At a Meeting of the Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church at Mr. Joseph Ballards, on Fryday Even. January 12: 1759. present Joseph Dowse Warden.

The Vestry taking into concideration the distresed curcumstances of the Reverend Mr. Hooper’s family. Mrs. Hooper scarsly recovered from a Wounded hand which she had like to have lost till there Son was seized with a fever which after the most distresing pain and languisment came came to the cuting off a leg & thy & still remains in a grevious condition. Unanimously Voted that a Collection be recommended to the Congregation next Sunday to be gathered the Sunday following the whole collection to be for that use.

The following Notification to be given at Church next Sunday in consequence of the foregoing vote of Vestry. The Congregation are desired to take Notice that the Wardens & Vestry of this Church haveing concidered the Expences of the Reverend Mr. Hooper occasioned by long & grevious Sickness in several of his Family and as many of the congregation have expresed a desire of an oppertunity to contribute to his releif They have unanimously agreed to reccomend a free Collection to be made next Sunday when the whole that is then gathered will be applyd to that use.

January 21 a Collection was made a very full congregation gathered in gold £208. in Silver £266.4/. in Coper. 4:8/ in the wholle £478/12

At a Vestry meeting at the Church Sunday Evening April 8 1759.

agreed to recomend to the Annual Meeting that from the Concideration of the Minister’s greater Expences then when first setled with us that an augmentation be made to his standing Salary or Setlement. The Vestry are unanimously of oppinion that the Tax of each pew be inlarged next yeare to a pistareen or One fifth of a Dollar for those pews without pillars & half a pistareen for the Gallary pews which may enable the Church to augment the Salary to four pence weekly Lawful that is 26/2d Lawful per week additional. Likewise agreed that the proprietors be warned on Easter Sunday especially Mentioning that an additianal Tax is proposed therfore desire there general attendance. All to be reported to the proprietors at there Meeting.

Notification given out by the Clerk by order of the Wardens Easter Sunday Ap: 15. The proprietors of the pews in this Church are to Meet here to Morrow at 11 o Clock to transact the usual buisiness for the year. It is desired especialy that a general attendance may given for as much as the Vestry propose as Needfull an Additional Tax on the pews in order to augment the Minister’s salary.

At an Annual Meeting of the proprietors of the Pews (duly Warned) on Monday April 16 1759 being Easter Week at Trinity Church.

Voted the following Officers for the Insuing Yeare by written vote.

Nine Vesstry Men vizt:

John Crosby to be Clerk his Salary to be Eight pounds 13/4 per annum.

Sexton’s Salary Eight pounds per annum.

Voted the pews Taxed for the Insuing Yeare vizt. all bellow stairs (except the pillar 10 pews & 4 Small Ones) at a pistareen per week. Those with pillars @ One shilling per week Lawfull. Gallary Pews half a per week.

Wheras the Reverend Mr. Hoopers family is large his Children grown up & so more chargeable then formerly Fireing & Provisions much advanced in price it is Therefore Voted (& Unanimously) that for the Yeare Insuing the Reverend Mr. William Hooper shall have Eight pounds Sixteen Shilling old tenor added to his Sallary. (which will be four pounds Lawful) per week this yeare.

Voted that the Wardens have leave and are impowered to lease to James Griffon for Seven years the peice of Land bellonging to the Church as it is now fenced off for a pasage way to his Barn being 12 feet wide on Bishop Ally adjoining to Land of Joseph Gooch & — feet Deep from said ally allong by said Gooch’s land to his said Griffen’s Barn, he paying One pound Lawful per annum Rent. He also to maintain the fence & not to build on the same.

At a Vestry Meeting at the Vestry room on Sunday October 21 1759 present both the Wardens & James Boutineau Thos. Greene Stepn. Greenleaf Thos. Aston Jonth. Simpson Jno. Gooch Benj. Greene it being represented that Mr. Crosby is incapacitated for the Office of Clerk by Indisposition supposed irrecoverable the Vestry toke into concideration to think of a Sutable person to succeed. Proposed to defer it to Next Meeting.

Voted that the pew No. 57 the property of Charles Apthorp Esq. Deceased by received from his Heirs & the same be Sold to Stepn. Greenleaf Esq.

The meeting adjourned to the 25th being Next Thursday at this place.

At a Vestry Meeting October 25 present the Same as above. Agreed to adjourn to Sunday Nov. 4 to meet after Service & proceed to Supply the Parish Clerk.

At a Vestry Meeting at the Vestry room on Sunday Nov. 4. 1759 present minister both Wardens & James Boutineau, Step. Greenleaf, Thos. Greene, Thos. Aston, John Gooch, Jona. Simpson, Wm. Coffin, B. Greene.

Voted Joseph Millar to be Clerk untill the Yearly Meeting of the proprietors & he be desired to Wait on the Minister for his direction.

Memo. the Minister aproved.

Memo. Nov. 14. 1759. A fire hapening in this Town neare Oliver Dock wherby neare 12 houses was burnt & more then 30 familys it was proposed by the Selectmen of the Town to all the Congregations to make a Collection for the Sufferers to be distributed amongst them by Trustees Named by the Select Men which proposal being Notified by the Reverend Mr. Hooper to the Wardens & they to the Vestry the Congregation were accordingly Notified in the Morning of the 18 November & in the afternoon was Generously Collected the Sum of £555 old tenor & payd to said Trustees accordingly. The Trustees Named were Thos. Hamock Esq. Thos. Hubbard Esq. John Phillips Esq. Joseph Dowse Esq. Malatiah Bourn Esq. Sam Grant Esq. & Doctor Silvester Gardner.

The Wholle Sum Gathered thro the Town was £5294:0/5 Old Tenor.

At a Vestry Meeting in Vestry Room Trinity Church December 11: 1759. Present Both Wardens & all the Vestry Men.

Voted that a Bell Col. George Williamson of his Majesty’s Regiment of Royal Artillery hath Brought from Quebeck (which he toke at the Reduction of that place last Summer) that it be purchased & Erected on this Church as Soon as may be that a Subscription be made for the payment of the Bell. Accordingly it was bought & Erected & on Christmas Day 1759 first used. Weight 335¼ pound including Claper.

Cost of the Bell vizt. the Bell 335¼ @ 13d Stg . . . £180 old Tenor raised by Subscription which paid for the Bell & more £205

Mr. Wm. Moore work & Stuff framing &hanging the

March 31 1760. Sunday. A Vestery Meeting called at the desire of the Reverend Mr. Hooper to concider of a Breif published by the Governour for a General collection for the Suffers by the Great fire which happnd the 20 Inst. Present the Minister both Wardens & five Vestry men viz. James Boutineau Thos. Greene Step. Greenleaf & Jonth. Simpson Esq. & Mr. Ben Greene. It was agreed that the said Breif be read this afternoon & the Collection be made on Thursday being the Annual Fast & the Money gathered put into the hands of the Overseers of the poor & Select Men agreeable to directions in the Breif. Accordingly April 3d being the General Fast in the morning after Sermon there was Gathered £1040:13.3d Old tenor & delivered to Col. John Phillips the Treasurer to the Overseers &c. Whole sum gathred thro the Town was £—

At the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of Pews (duly Warned) at Trinity Church on Easter Monday April 7 1760 the following Officers were chosen for the yeare insuing by Written Vote.

Whereas some of the late Vestry Men are unlickly to give there attendance the Yeare insuing its agreed to add two more.

Voted that the Vestry consist of Eleven. Five to be a Quorum.

Voted Joseph Millar Clerk Salary £8 13/4 per annum

his Salary to be Eight pounds thirteen Shill & 4d.

Voted the Sexton’s Salary to be £8:0:0 per annum

Eight pounds per annum

Voted the Tax on the pews to be the same as the last yeare.

Voted the additional Sallary to the Minister as voted the last yeare to be continued the yeare insuing.

Voted that the Charge of Fixing the Bell on the Church be carried to the Church account the Bell being purchased by Subscription as per preeceding page.

Copy of Noteification given by the Clerk by order of the Wardens Easter Sunday March 22. 1761. The proprietors of the pews in this Church are hereby Noteafied to meet here on Tewsday next at 11 o Clock in the morning to choose the Officers, Tax the pews, & to transact the other buissiness needfull for the yeare insuing.

At the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of Pews (dully warned) at Trinity Church on Teusday in Easter week being March 24 1761.

The following Officers were chosen for the yeare insuing By written vote.

Voted that Ten vestry men be chosen five to be a Quorum.

Voted Joseph Millar be Clerk his Salary Eight pound 13/4

is £65 old Tenor

Voted that the Sextons Salary be Eight pounds £8.

Voted the Tax on the pews be the same as last yeare.

Voted the additional Sallary to the minister be continued as the last yeare & as by the proprietors vote Easter 1759.

At a Meeting of the Vestry at Mr. Ballards January 29. 1762.

Present both the Wardens.

James Boutineau Esq. Thos. Greene Esq. Jonth. Simpson Esq.

Step. Greenleaf Esq. Mr. Wm. Coffin, Jno. Gooch Benj. Greene & Jno. Rowe Esq.

a proposall was communicated to the Vestry from Kings Chappell Vestry that both Churches should unite in Employing Mr. Dipper as an Organist he providing a person under Him & Each Church be equaly and alternatly served by him & said asistant. The proposall was taken into concideration & the following conclusion agreed on that if Mr. Rice did not return next Spring or Summer as he had liberty so long to be absent in that case we would recommend it to the proprietors to agree with said proposall if Mr. Dipper saw meet to tarry and take that chance.

Att the Anual Meeting of the proprietors of Pews in Trinity Church the following officers where chosen by written Vote being Monday in Easter Week April 12 1762.

Voted 10 Vestry Men 5 to be a Quorum.

Joseph Millar to be Clerk his Salary £8:13/4 per annum.

The Sexton Salary £8:0: per annum.

The Tax of the pews continued the same as last yeare & as setled Easter 1759.

The additional to the Minister Salary to be continued as in 1759 vote at Easter.

A Meeting of the Vestry at the Church on Sunday Evening present the Minister & both Wardens.

being Accquainted that Mr. Millar the Clerk was going to leave the Country on a Voyage some measure was needfull to concider to Supply the place it was agreed to take it under concideration & to adjourn this Meeting to December 5 next.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry at Trinity Church by adjournment present as before the concideration of a Clerk still put of to annother Meeting & adjourned to the 19th Inst.

At a Meeting at the Church by adjournment the 19 December Voted that Daniel Crosby be Clerk untill the Annual Meeting.

Att the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of Pews dully Warned on Monday in Easter week April 4 1763.

The following Officers chosen by written Vote.

Voted the Vestry to consist of Ten persons five to be a Quorum.

Daniel Crosby to be Clerk his Sallary £8:13/4 per annum Eight pound 13/4

The Sexton Sallary to be Eight pound £8:0.0 per annum.

The Tax of the pews continued as last year & as setld 1759.

The additional to the Minister Salary to be continued as at Easter 1759.

Voted that the ground before the Church be paved at the charge of the Church. The Wardens desired to have it done in the best & cheapest manner.

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Vestry Room September 4 1763.

Present the Minister. Both Wardens.

The Heirs of Thomas Greene Esq. lately deceased made known Minister & Wardens to be comunicated to the Vestry that in complyance with a designe he had made they were ready to pay five Hundred pounds Sterling into the hands of the Minister Wardens & Vestry of this Church to be imployd that is the Intrest of it towards an assistant Minister on certain conditions as should be hereafter agreed provided a Sum could be added so as to make provision for such of at least fifty pounds per annum.*

Voted that a Subscription be opened in order to see how farr said proposals would be complyd with.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry in Trinity Church the Warden reported the Subscription was not yet finished. The Vestry adjourned to this day fortnight.

Att a Meeting by adjournment present the same as September 4 it was voted that the Minister with Joseph Dowse & Stepn. Greenleaf Esq. be desired to prepare proper papers for the Vestry to concider of in order to effect the designe of the Heirs of Thos. Greene Esq.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church in Vestry Room present the Minister Wardens & 7 Vestry men viz. those Sep. 4 Except J. Gooch.

Voted that the Wardens Notefie the proprietors to Meet on Wednesday the 26 at 10 Clock A.M. to transact such Matters as shall be laid before them.

Copy of the Noteflecaton given by order of the Wardens October 23 & delivred by the Clerk

The proprietors of the pews in this Church are Notefied to Meet here on Wednesday. next at Ten O Clock in the Morning to concider and transact on such matters as may be thought neccessary.

Adjourned to the afternoon.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church in the Vestry Room of said Church Sunday October 23 P. M. by adjournment from the Morning.

Present the Minister both Wardens &

The Reverend Mr. Hooper comunicated a paper or Instrument from the Heirs of Thomas Greene Esq. deceased which Instrument being read it was Voted Unanimously that they thank fully, accept the Donation designed by Thomas Greene Esq. deceased and compleated by his Heirs & engage hereby for themselves & Successors in Office, that the said donation shall be for ever appropriated as a fund and the Intrest of it constantly apply’d to the use mentioned in the Instrument of Donation and to no other use and that all the other conditions mentioned in said Instrument shall be punctualy comply’d with.

Voted That The Reverend Mr. Hooper the Minister, Joseph Dowse one of the Wardens & Stepn. Greenleaf Esq. of the Vestry be desired to wait on the Heirs of the Late Thos. Greene Esq. with the thanks of the Minister Wardens & Vestry for their ready and generous offer of their Father’s Intended donation and to acquaint them that they have by a Subscribtion of the Gentlemen of Trinity Church raised the Sum of £500 Sterling required on their Part, and that they are ready to receive the Donation as soon as the Heirs conveinanly can pay it to them that they the said Trustees may proceed to apply the wholle according to the attentions of the Donors.

Voted That they also present the Thanks of the same persons to the Widow of said Thos. Greene Esq. for her Zeal in Forwarding said Affair and her chearfull consent in behalf of the Minors.

Voted That the whole Sum of one thousand pounds Sterling when received from the Heirs of Thos. Greene Esq. & the funeral Subscribers a List of whome is to be enter’d in the Church Book, be put out to Intrest on good Security and the Annual Income thereof be applied by the said Minister, Wardens and Vestry for the Time being for the Suport of an assistant Minister as before expressed.

Voted That a Treasurer be chosen & Appointed for the aforesaid purpose to continue in said Office untill another be chosen in his Stead.

Voted That all the aforesaid Votes passed this Day be communicated to the Proprietors at their next Meeting.

Att the Meeting of the Proprietors of the Pews in Trinity Church (regually Warned) Wednesday October 26th 1763 att said Church. The Wardens informed the Proprietors that the Heirs of Thomas Greene Esq. had by an Instrument in Writing made the Minister Wardens and Vestry of this Church Trustees for Receiving and Managing a Donation of Five hundred Pounds Sterling for the Uses and Condittions mentioned therein which Instrument being read and after due Consideration it was Unamously Voted the said Instrument be Recorded in the Proprietors Book. Which Instrument is as followeth.

We the Subscribers being the Children & Heirs of the Late Thos. Greene Esq. of Boston in compliance with a Design formed by him before his Death & in honour to his Memory Do hereby give in Trust to the Present Minister Wardens, & Vestry of Trinity Church in Boston aforesaid, and to their Successors in Office forever, The Sum of Five hundred Pounds Sterling money of Great Britain, to be by them applyed to be the Following Use & no other vizt.

As a perpetual Fund for the Supporting a Clergyman of the Church of England who is to be employed as a Constant Assistant to the Incumbant, or Stated Minister of said Church except when the said Minsiter Wardens & Vestry for the time being shall think it proper that he should be emploied in Supplying any other Episcopal Churches in or about Boston when they may be Vacant by the Death Sickness or otherwise Necessary absence of their Stated Minister the whole Direction of which to be always Vested in said Trustees provided that the said Trustees so procure the like Sum of Five hundred pounds Sterling to be added to this Donation & do Continually appropriate the Intrest of the whole Sum of One thousand pounds Sterling towards providing & Supporting an Assistant Minister as aforesaid, & to no other Use whatsoever. Provided also at the Election or presentation of the First Assistant be in the Minister Wardens & Vestry of said Trinity Church & in Us the said Heirs together with such persons as may Join in Raising the said additional Sum (if they Desire it), But in all after Elections of an Assistant the Right of Voting shall be in the said Trustees for the time being, and in as many of Us the Subscribers Heirs, as shall then Continue to belong to said Church, and after Our Decease the sole Right of Election or presentation shall remain for ever in the Minister Wardens & Vestry of said Trinity Church together with the Eldest Son in the Male Line of the Family of our said Father, who shall then be Living Provided He shall then belong to said Church, But it is to be Understood, agreeable to the Originall constitution of said Church, that any Assistant so chosen shall Always be a person acceptable to & approv’d by the said Incumbant or Stated Minister of the Church.

As to the perticular method of Improving the aforesaid Donation in the Best manner for answering the Design of it, We hereby Submitt it to the present Minister Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church to form such Rules as they shall think convenient or necessary for managing the same & rendering it Effectual & permanent.

Signed

Thos. Greene

John Greene

Dan Hubbard

Nath. Greene

I sign with consent of my Guardian Joseph Greene.

I sign with consent of my Guardian David Greene.

I the Guardian of the Above Minors Do Consent. Martha Greene

Voted unanimously That the proprietors fully agree and consent that the terms and conditions made in the said Instrument be the rule and methoude by which an Assistant Minister for this Church be appointed

Then was read the Votes passed by the Vestry. October 23d Instant after reading of which it was unanimously Voted That the proprietors fully approve of said vestry votes.

Voted (unanimously) That the Thanks of the proprietors be given to the Heirs and to the Widow of said Thomas Greene Esq. on the same occasion and in the same manner as the Minister Wardens & Vestry have done in the said votes. Mr. Dowse & Mr. Greenleaf be desired to present the same. There ends the proprietors Meeting.

At a Meeting of the Minister Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church togather with the Heirs of Thomas Greene Esq. and the Subscribers to Mr. Green’s Establishment for an Assistant Minister for said Church who are by said Establishment the Electors for the first Assistant. All duly Warned by sending the Sexton to each person.

The Reverend Mr. Hooper as Moderator of said Meeting opened the designe of the Meeting by reading the Instrument of Donation from the Heirs of Thomas Greene Esq. and after Mature concideration it was put to vote whither the Electors would now proceed to the choice of an Assistant Minister upon said Establishment. Voted in the afirmative unanimously. Then the Electors proceeded by Written Vote & unanimously made choice of Mr. William Walter. Voted that the Wardens with Messrs. Thos. Greene John Green Nath. Greene and John Rowe Esq. be a Comittee to wait on Mr. Will Walter accquainting him with the unanimous Choice of the Ellectors to be an assistant to the Incumbent Minister of Trinity Church when he shall have obtained Ordination from the Bishop of London or some other Bishop. That his Sallary is to be Sixty pounds [:] Sixty pound Sterling per annum being the income of Intrest of One thousand pound Sterling which is a fund for said Establishment to be payd him by the Minister Wardens & Vestry aforesaid who are the Trustees for the same and have the Sole regulation & direction of this Establishment. The assistant is also upon desire of said Trustees to supply any Church in and about Boston that may be vacant by the death Sickness or other neccessary absence of their stated Minister. Then the Meeting was adjourned to Sunday next the 30 Inst. to meet after Evening Service to receive the report of said Comittee.

At an adjournment of the Minister Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church to gather with the other Electors of an Assistant on Mr. Greene’s Establishment. The Comittee apointed to wait on Mr. William Walter made return that they had been with him & comunicated the Vote of the Electors & received an Answer in writing which was read and is as follows.

Boston October 29th 1763

Pleased with your Unanimity Gentlemen and Sensible by this Act of your affection for me, I chearfully accept your kind Invitation on the Terms specified in you Vote, tho diffident of my Abilities to perform so arduous a Task. The acknowledged Character however of the present worthy Minister & your whole Society gives me confidence therein & bids me to promise my Self I shall want nothing in his or your Power to render my future Life Easy & Happy while it shall be my constant Study by Divine Help to answer the great End of my Settling among You,

Walter

After reading the foregoing Answer Voted That the Minister & Wardens do in the Name & Behalf of this Meeting sign a Coppy of the Electors Votes and that the same be Deliver’d to Mr. W. Walter for his assurance of this agreement.

Att a Meeting of the Minister Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church in the Vestry Room October 30th 1763 present The Minister, both Wardens & seven Vestry Men. Voted John Erving Jr. Esq. To be Treasurer to the Trustees for Mr. Greene’s Establishment.

Voted That the Duty of the Assistant shall be to read prayers & Preach once every Sundy Morning or Evening as shall be most conveniat for the stated Minister, read prayers Alternately on the Holy Day & to perform the whole parochial Service when the Minister shall be sick or otherwise necessary Absent.

Voted That if at any time a diference of opinion shall happen between the Minister and Assistant as to any part of Duty which the former may require the latter the same shall be refeer’d to, & determined by the Wardens & Vestry.

Voted That the Assistant shall not preform any Part of Duty that is Attended with a Perquisett, without the Consent of the Incombant or Stated Minister.

Voted That if the said Assistant should accept of any Envetation to remove from this Service it is expected that he shall repay or cause to be repaid such Sum as shall be Advanced to him for his proceeding to England to obtain Orders.

The four foregoing Votes of the Minister, Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church relating to the Duty and Expectation of and from the Assistant are such as I am fully contented with to be a Rule for me.

W. W.

A Coppy of the Presentation of Mr. Walter to the Lord Bishop of London.

To the Right Reverend Father in God

Richard Lord Bishop of London.

These are to Certifie your Lordship that Mr. Wm. Walter, a young Gentleman well known among us, for his good temper, great Prudence, uncommon Probity sober & pious Conversation, being Unanimously chosen Assistant Minister to the Incombant or Rector of Trinity Church in this town of Boston in the Province of the Massachusetts Bay New England, We the Minister Wardens & Vestry of the Church aforesaid to whome the power belongs Do hereby Nomanate & appoint the aforesaid Mr. Wm. Walter to Preform the said Office of Assistant and do promise to pay him the Yearly sum of Sixty pound Sterling for his Maintenance being the Lawful Intrest of One thousand Pounds, Sterling Settled as a perpetuall Fund for that Purpose & to continue him in said Office untill he shall be otherwise provided of some Exclesiastial Preferment Unless by any Fault by him Commited, he shall be Lawfully Remov’d from the same. Witness Our hands this day of November in year of Our Lord 1763.

Signed

Wm. Hooper Minister

This delivred into the hands of John Erving jr. Esqr Treasurer

to the Minister Wardens & Vestry for this Establishment

Further Nath. Bethune Esqr. has promised to pay on

this Establishment twenty four shilling per an. being

the Intrest of Twenty pound Sterl.

It was agreed by the Minister & Vestry that Mr. Walter should be allowed Eighty pounds Sterling for his Expense going to England & return which Sum was raised viz.

a Number of the congregation such as had not subscribed to the above subscribed to the amount of

old Tenor 145. is in

Sterling £24. 10

The heirs of Thos. Greene Esq. paid 3 months Intrest of the

£500 being from his death to the time of the donation is 7.10/

Att the Annual Meeting of the Proprietors of the Pews in Trinity Church Regually Warned Easter Monday April 23d 1764 the following Officers were Chosen by written Vote for the Year Insuing.

Voted that ten Vestry Men be Chosen. Five to be a Quorum.

Daniel Crosby—Clerk his Sallery Eight pounds thirteen shillings per annum.

The Sextons Sallery Eight pounds per annum.

The Tax of the Pews as Last year.

The Additional to the Ministers Sallery to be Continued as of Easter 1759.

Voted that Eighteen pounds Sterling be taken out of the Churchs Stock being the balance advanced to Mr. Walter besides the Subscriptions for his Expence in going home to be Ordaind.

At a Meeting of the Vesstry of Trinity Church at the Vestry room on Sunday July 22d. present the Reverend Mr. Hooper Minister

Jos. Dowse & Rufus Greene Wardens

James Boutineau Jona. Simpson Wm. Coffin Benja. Greene Jno. Erving Jr. John Rowe John Gooch.

The Reverend Mr. William Walter being returned from England communicated to the Vestry his Certificate for Holy Orders & his License from the Lord Bishop of London to preach in New England. He was received as the Assistant Minister of this Church agreeable to the Institution made by the Heirs of the late Thomas Greene Esq. & this Church as recorded page 90.

Voted that the reading Desk be inlarged so as to accomodate two Ministers. That the pew No. 49 be taken in partly for the Clerk’s Desk & the remainder into the Ministrial pew.

1764 Aug. 2d Altering the Reading Desk fit for two Ministers & Clerk Desk &c.

At a Meeting of the Vesstry of Trinity Church in the Vesstry room August 26.

Present Jos. Dowse & Rufus Greene Wardens

James Boutineau Jona. Simpson John Gooch Stephen Greenleaf Jno.

Erving Jr. William Coffin John Rowe Benj. Greene

Voted that The Treasurer to the Minister Wardens & Vesstry be directed to commence his payment for the Salary to the Assistant Minister from the first of March as his licence from the Bishop being the 29 of February.

The Meeting adjourned to September 2d at the same place.

September 2d Vestry mett & adjourned to the 9th.

September 9 Vesstry mett at the Church Rev. Mr. William Hooper present & Both Wardens & all the Vestry except Thomas Greene.

Voted The Wardens accquaintd the Vestry that Mr. William Millar Book seller of this Town had presented the Church with two follo, common prayer Book for the use of the reading desk. The Vestry unanimously Voted their Thanks to him & desired Mr. Dowse to present the same.

Adjourned to the 16th in the same place.

Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Vestry room on Sunday September 16. Present the Reverend Mr. Hooper one Warden viz. J. Dowse &

Voted that if Mr. John Banister will give a Quit claim for the Church & Land apertaining & will warrant for himself & his heirs that in that case he shall have a pew granted to him & them Submiting to the Rules as other proprietors of pews.

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Vestry room the 28 of October 1764. Present Jos. Dowse Rufus Greene Wardens Will Coffin Jonth. Simpson James Boutineau Step. Greenleaf John Gooch Jno. Erving Jr. & John Rowe.

The Vote of the 16 September was taken under concideration & Voted that the Wardens with James Boutineau & Jonth. Simpson Esq. be a comittee to treat with Mr. Banister in conformity to the said Vote of the 16 of September past which accordingly the said Committee Waited on Mr. Banister but he refused to enter into any terms.

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church in the Vestry room December 2d 1764.

Present the Reverend Mr. Hooper Minister

The Wardens accquainted the Vestry that they had been served with a process of Ejectment for this church & land by John Banister to answer at the next Inferiour Court in this County to be held at Boston the first Tewsday in January upon which the Vestry Voted that a Committee be chosen to defend the churches claim against the said suit. Voted that the Wardens with Stepn. Greenleaf Esq. & James Boutineau Esq. be the Comittee.

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church in the Vestry room January 6 1765.

Voted that John Rowe Esq. & Jonathan Simpson Esq. be Aded to the last Committee.

Voted that the Above Committee have full power to enter into terms & agreements with Mr. John Banister relateing to Trinity Church and to defend the Churchs claim against said Banister’s suit.

Att the Annual Meeting of the Proprietors of Pews in Trinity Church duly warned Easter Monday April 8 1765 the following officers were Chosen by Written Vote for the Year Insueing.

Voted Rufus Greene & Stephen Greenleaf Esq. Wardens

Voted that the Vestry to consist of twelve persons 5 to be a Quoram.

Chose Vestrymen

Voted Daniel Crosby to be Clerke his Sallary £8:13:4

The Saxton Sallary to be £8:0:0

Voted John Cutler to be Organist his Sallary £26:13:4

Voted the Addition to the Reverend Mr. Hoopers Sallary be continued as

Voted at Easter Monday 1759.

Voted that the thanks of the Church be giving to Joseph Dowse Esq. for his long Services as Warden of this Church.

The Question being put whether the proprietors will make an Addition to the present Establishment of the Reverend Mr. William Walter’s Sallary of fifty pounds Sterling per annum Voted in the Affirmative.

Voted Unanimously that the Sum of Fifty pounds Sterling per annum be paid to the Reverend Mr. William Walter during his Continuing an Assistant Minister to this Church.

Voted That the Church Wardens be desired to wate on the Reverend Mr. William Walter and inform him of the foregoing Vote & deliver him a Copy thereof Signed by them in behalf of the proprietors for his Security for their payment of the same.

Voted that the pews on the lower floor of the Church which ware formerly taxed Nine Shillings Old tenor be taxed this year at one Shilling & Sixpence lawful money each pew.

Voted that the pillar pews & two smal pews on the lower floor be the same as last year.

Voted that the Gallery pews be taxed this year Eight pence lawful money.

At a meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church in the Vestry room.

Present Rufus Greene & Stephen Greenleaf Wardens

Voted that Mr. James Griffin have liberty to Sett the posts for a fence on the west part of the land belonging to Trinity Church he building the fence and keeping it in good repair.

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church in the Vestry room

Whereas Henry Vassell Esq. has offered to the Church Wardens & Vestry his Pew No. 76 for £13:6:8 & if we will excuse his paying one year’s tax he will give the Curtins and Cushings belonging to said Pew to the Church. Voted that we except of his offer of his Pew No. 76 as above and that the Wardens are desired to pay him for the same.

Att the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of pews in Trinity Church duly warned Monday in Easter week March 31 1766 the under officers ware chosen by written votes for the Insuing year.

Voted Rufus Greene & Stephen Greenleaf Warden’s.

The Vestry to Consist of 12 persons 5 to be a quorum.

Voted Mr. Daniel Crosby Clark his Salary to be £8:13 4

The Saxton Salary to be Eight pounds £8:0:0.

Voted the Addition to the Reverend Mr. William Hooper Salary be Continued as at Easter 1759.

Voted that the pews on the lower floor of the Church be Taxed for the Year Insuing 18d. per week Except eight piller pews & two small ones.

Voted that the 8 piller pews & the 2 Small ones be taxed the year Insuing 12d. per week & the Gallery pews 8d. per week.

Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to next Monday.

April 7 Att an Adjournment of the proprietors meeting this day Voted Mr. John Cutler be the Organist of this Church the Insuing year with a Salary of Twenty pounds Sterling for his Servis upon Condition he Admits of any Other person to play the Volintary whome theb Wardens and Vestry shall think proper to Appoint for that purpose.

At the Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Vestry room December 21 1766.

Voted that we receive of Mr. William Corbett the pew No. 99 & that Mr. Jaber Hatch have the same he paying twenty pounds lawful money for said pew No. Ninety Nine to the Wardens.

At a meeting of the Vestry regularly call’d this day upon the sudden Death of the Reverend Mr. Hooper Aprill 14th 1767.

Present the Wardens & a great Majority of the Vestry.

Voted That a proprietors Meeting be call’d to morrow at 12 o’Clock in order to provide for the Funeral & to advise what may be further necessary to be done on this melancholly Event.

Voted That the Reverend Mr. Walter be desired to preach a Sermon at the funeral, that Expresses be sent off to the neighbouring Ministers to request their attendance on Fryday next and that Messrs. Jonathan Simpson, John Erving & James Perkins be a Committee of the Vestry to wait upon Mrs. Hooper & the family and to assist Them in everything proper to be done till the proprietors can meet to give further orders, and that the Vestry be adjourn’d till tomorrow Twelve oClock 15th. The proprietors having met according to the warning & Voted unanimously to be at the whole Expence of the funeral of their late most worthy & beloved Minister and desired the Wardens & Vestry to prepare everingthing proper and Necessary for the Solemnity—the Vestry met again agreable to Adjournment and

Voted That the pulpit & Reading Desk be decently cover’d with the best black Cloth, and that after the funeral Solemnitys Shall be over, the Cloth shall be given to the Reverend Mr. Walter the Assistant Minister.

N.B. The proceedings of the proprietors at their meeting on Easter Monday the 20th Aprill 1767 (being regularly warn’d) are Enter’d in the proprietors Book fol: 96 [as follows].

At the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of pews in Trinity Church duly Warn’d on Monday in Easter Week April 20th 1767. Before their going upon the Choice of Officers for the year, a Question was mov’d as to the right of representation in voting, and it was determin’d by a Unanimous Vote (at a very full meeting) that each pew always was & now is entituled to one Vote in all matters whatsoever relating to the proprietorship; That in the absence of a proprietor from any Meeting his oldest Son present, or any other person appointed by such proprietor shall be entituled to vote in his room, such other person producing the appointment in writing, also that every person who is seated in a pew by the proprietor & pays the Tax thereof is to be allow’d a Vote in the absence of his Constituent provided he produces his desire in Writing to that purpose.

The following Officers for the year ensuing were then chosen by written votes viz.

Voted That the Vestry consist of Twelve persons, five to be a quorum.

Voted Daniel Crosby Clerk & that his Salary be Eight pounds 13/4d per annum.

Voted Josiah Williams Organist, his Salary to be Twenty Six pounds 13/4d per annum.

Voted That the Sextons Allowance be Eight pounds per annum.

Voted That the Tax on the pews be the same as last year.

Voted That one hundred & ten pounds Sterling (being the annuall Salary originally settled on our late Minister the Revd. Mr. Hooper) be paid the ensuing year to his Widow for the Support of her Family.

Voted That a Collection be made at the Church next Sunday to defray the Expence of the Funeral and that the Surplussage (if there be any) be given to Mrs. Hooper.

Voted That a Vault be built under the Chancel to be appropriated for the use of Mr. Hooper’s Family & the future Ministers of this Church & their familys, and that the Wardens be desired to give orders for the Same when they think best.

Voted That the thanks of the proprietors be given to Mr. Rufus Greene for his long and faithful Services as one of the Wardens of this Church.

Voted That the Thanks of the proprietors be also given to Mr. John Cutler the late Organist for his Service he having now desired to resign. The meeting was then adjourn’d without day.

At a meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Vestry room March 13th 1768.

James Boutineau, Rufus Greene, Gillam Phillips, John Rowe James Perkins, Jonathan Simpson, & John Greene Vestry Men.

Voted That the Wardens be desired to send printed Notifications to all the proprietors of pews to meet at this Church on the 4th of Aprill next being Easter Monday, in order that they may then proceed to the Choice of a Minister of the said Church if they shall think proper.

Voted That the pew No. 121 in the Gallery be sold to Mr. John Bell for Six pounds lawful Money.

Voted That the pew No. 6 on the lower floor be sold to Mr. John Cutler for the Sum of £17:6:0 being the same price with his other pew.

At a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church at the Vestry room April 3d 1768.

Present the Wardens & most of the Vestry.

Voted That Three pounds Six Shillings & Eight pence be paid to Mrs. Mary Hooper being the Sum due to her late Husband for the last Easter Sunday & omitted being paid by Mr. Rufus Greene the then Senior Warden.

At the Annual Meeting of the proprietors of pews in Trinity Church duly warn’d on Monday in Easter Week, April 4th 1768.

Voted That Stephen Greenleaf be the Senior Warden Moderator for the present Meeting. The following Officers were then chosen by Written

Vote for the year insuing viz.

Voted That the Vestry consist of Twelve persons, five of whom to be a quorum.

Voted That the following persons be Vestry Men for the year viz.

Voted That Daniel Crosby be Clerk with a Salary of £8.13.4

Voted That Josiah Williams be Organist with a Salary of £26.13.4

Voted That the Sextons Allowance be Eight pounds.

Voted That the Tax on the pews be the Same as last Year.

The proprietors then took into consideration the expediency of making Choice of a Minister for this Church conformable to a printed notification for that purpose. There being a very full Meeting the question was put, Whether they would now proceed to the Choice & it pass’d in the Affirmative. Also determin’d that it should be done by Written Vote, & that the Sum to be Allow’d for the annual Salary should be inserted at the same time in each vote.

The votes being accordingly brot in it appear’d that the Revd. Mr. William Walter was unanimously chosen to be the Incumbent Minister of this Church, & that his Salary be One hundred & fifty Six pounds Sterling per Annum to commence from this time (being Easter Monday) upon his declaring his Acceptance of the Cure & undertaking to do the whole Duty thereof as was done by the former Incumbents.

Voted That the Thanks of the proprietors be given to the Revd. Mr. Walter for his extraordinary Care & trouble in doing the whole Ministerial Duty of this Church since the decease of their late Incumbent and that forty pounds Sterling be allow’d & paid him out of the Church as a Gratuity for the Same.

Voted That Stephen Greenleaf & William Coffin, the Wardens, with Jonathan Simpson, John Rowe & James Boutineau members of the vestry be a Committee to wait on the Revd. Mr. Walter in behalf of the proprietors with a Copy of the foregoing votes desiring his Acceptance of their invitation & requesting his Answer as soon as may be Convenient, and that at the same time they deliver him a Copy of the Rules & Conditions agreed on between the proprietors & the former Incumbent as recorded in the proprietors Book Fol. 63 & 75 in order to have his consent to the Same.

A Letter from Mrs. Hooper relict of the late Revd. Mr. Hooper then presented to the proprietors by Joseph Dowse as follows.

Gentlemen—I take this first opportunity of gratefully acknowledging your kind & liberal bounty to me at your last yearly meeting, which has been an ample & comfortable Support to me. I return my Sincere & hearty thanks to you who are a Community to which my Deceas’d Husband was most tenderly united. I esteem this remarkable instance of your liberality & kindness as a dispensation of our Gracious & Heavenly Father who has promis’d to be the widow’s God, & pray that He will please to Shower his Blessings on you, both as a Community & every one in particular and as I shall fix my reliance on that Divine Being so I will not doubt the continued kindness of those who have so distinguishly remember’d there deceas’d Minister in his disconsolate Widow.

I am with the tenderest Sense of Gratitude

Gentlemen Your very Obliged Servant

Mary Hooper

To the proprietors of

Trinity Church Assembled

at their Anniversary Meeting

Easter Monday 1768

Voted that the foregoing Letter be enter’d in the proprietors Book.

A Question being mov’d that an Annuity be settled on Mrs. Hooper during her Widowhood. It pass’d in the Negative.

Voted That fifty pounds Sterling be allow’d & paid to Mrs. Mary Hooper the widow of the late Revd. Mr. William Hooper towards the Support of her Family for the ensuing year, and the Wardens are desired to wait on Her and inform her of the Same.

Voted That the Thanks of the proprietors be given to Joseph Dowse Esq. for his long & faithful Service to this Church.

At a meeting of the proprietors this day (after Divine Service was over). The Committee appointed to wait on the Rev. Mr. Walter with a Copy of the votes pass’d on the 4th Inst. relating to him, inform’d the proprietors that they had accordingly waited on him, and had, by the Wardens, receiv’d the following answer.

To the proprietors of Trinity Church

Gentlemen—Your Choice of me after so long an acquaintance, to be the Incumbent Minister of your Church, The ample Support you tender me— Your unanimity—Your vote of Thanks with a Gratuity of Forty pounds Sterling for my extra Service in the year past, are so many Testimonies of your unfeign’d affection as constrain one to Accept with gratitude your Obliging Invitation. I have only to assure you that I entertain a pleasing Sense of your past favours & to ask your prayers for me that my Services among you may be as useful & acceptable in the future as heretofore, and I am now

Gentlemen with most Sincere Attachment

Yours entirely

W. Walter

Boston April 6

1768

To the Copy of the Rules & Conditions presented to him for his Consent He Subscrib’d the following answer viz. The above Rules & Conditions are agreable to me.      W. Walter

The Question being put, whether the answer received from Mr. Walter was acceptable to the proprietors it pass’d in the affirmative, also voted that The Wardens & Vestry be desir’d to give him Induction which was accordingly done in the usual Form in the Body of the Church by the Senior Warden taking him by the hand a quorum of the Vestry being present & declaring that in the name & behalf of the proprietors (who are the patrons) He did Induct him into the Church, Investing him with all the priviledges & Immunities thereof agreable to their Constitution, and to the said Rules & Conditions to which he had Subscribed.

July 31 At a meeting of the Vestry at the Vestryroom this day. The Wardens and most of the Vestry Men present

Voted That it be recommended to the proprietors to have a Collection next Sunday for the poor Sufferers by fire at Montreal agreeable to the Governor’s Brief; and that the Money collected be paid to the provincial treasurer.

At the Annual meeting of the proprietors of pews in Trinity Church duely warn’d on Monday in Easter Week March 27th 1769 the following Officers were chosen for the year ensuing by written votes viz.

Voted That the Vestry consist of Twelve persons, five of whom to be a quorum.

Voted That the following persons be the Vestrymen for this year.

Voted That Daniel Crosby be the Clerk, his Salary to be £8.13.4

Voted That Josiah Williams be Organist, his Salary to be 26.13.4

Voted That the Sextons Allowance be 8.

Voted That the Tax on the pews on the floor be Ten Shillings Old Tenor except the pillar pews, which are to be, as last year, @ 7/6 and that the Gallery pews be, as last year, @ 5/

Voted That there be a Collection for the benefit of Mrs. Hooper & her Children on a proper day to be appointed for the same by the Revd. Mr. Walter.

Voted That the Thanks of this Church be given to Stephen Greenleaf Esq. late Warden for his past Services.

1769

October 22 Att a Meeting of the Church Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church

Voted that John Bell have the Pew No. 112 provided he Gives up his Title to Pew No. 121 and pays Forty Shillings.

1769 Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church October 26 1769.

Present

Voted That Messrs. Faneuill & Bouteneau be paid £23:-:- Lawfull mony being a Debt Due to them from the Church   £23

Voted Mr. John Row be paid £32      pd £32

Voted Wm. Coffin be paid £55 old Tenner an old Debt   7:6:8

Voted Jona. Simpson be paid £26:13:4      £26:13:4

Voted Mr. Joseph Dowse’s Account be Settled & the Ballance paid him by the Church Wardens.

Voted Ralph Inman be paid £13:6:8 for the Pue that was given John Bannister   £13:6:8 paid

Voted Thatt the Church Wardens Borrow the above Sums of John Erving Jr. Esq. as Treasurer to the Fund for an Assistant Minnister.

1770

Aprill 16 Att an Annuall Meeting of the Proprietors of Pews in Trinity Church duly Warned on Monday in Easter Week Aprill 16th 1770.

The following Officers for the Year ensuing were Chosen by Written Votes Vizt.

Voted Daniell Crosby to be Clark with a Salary £8:13:4. per annum

Voted Josiah Williams Organiste      Ditto      £26:13:4

Voted That the Sextons Allowance be      £8

Voted That the Taxes on the Pews on the floor be One Shilling & 4d that

Those with Pillers in them      12d.

Voted that there shall be a Collection for the Bennifitt of Mrs. Hooper

When the Minnister & Wardens shall appointe & give Notice.

November 25 Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church the 25th November 1770.

Voted that Capt. Robert Jarvis have the Pew No. 67 in Exchange for his Pew No. 77 he paying the Difference.

1770

May 6th Att a Meeting of the Church Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church Vizt.

Voted Mr. Jona. Simpson have Liberty to Build a Vault under said Church for his and familys Use paying 10 Dollars.

Voted That there be a Vault built under said Church at the Expence of the Church for the Use of the Present & Future Minnisters of this Church & Familys.

December 6th Att a Meeting of the Vestry of Trinity Church December 6. 1770.

Voted That the Church Warden give Mr. Ben. Faneuill Jr. a Title of the Pew No. 53. He giveing up his Fathers Title.

Voted That the Church Wardens agree with Mr. David Propert to be Organist of this Church untill Easter next at The Rate of Forty pounds Sterling per annum.

December 7th Agreeable to the Vote of Yesterday wee have contracted with Mr. David Propert to be Organist of Trinity Church.

Voted thate Capt. Robert Jarviss have Pew No. 67 he giveing up his Title to Pew No. 77 and paying Four pounds Lawfull.

1770

December 16th Att a Meeting of the Church Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church Vizt:

Voted That John Jones officiate as Sexton untill Easter Next.

1771

March 17 Att a Meeting of the Church Wardens & Vestry of Trinity Church

Voted That the Wardens waite on Governour Hutchinson to congratulate him upon his being appointed Commander in Cheif of this Province and to Acquaint him that the State Pew in Our Church was at his Service when it suted him or any of his family to come to Church.

At an Annuall Meeting of the Proprietors of the Pews in Trinity Church duly warnd on Monday in Easter Week the 1st Aprill 1771.

The following officers for the year Ensuing were Chosen by Written Votes.

Voted 12 Vestry men whereof 5 to make a Quorum.

Voted Daniel Crosby to be Clerk for the Ensuing year and his Salary for the year £8:13:4

Voted That the Church Wardens pay Mr. David Propert at the Rate of forty Pounds Sterling per annum as Organist of this Church to this Time.

Voted That David proport be Organist for the Year Ensueing & his Salary per Annum 53:6:8.

Voted John Jones Sexton & his Allowance this Year 8:.

Voted That the Thanks of this Society be given to Mr. William Coffin for his Good Services as Church Warden, passed Unanimously.

Voted That the Pews on the Lower Floor pay 1/4 per Week.

That the Pews with Pillows pay 12d. per Week.

That the Pews in the Gallery pay 8d. per Week.

Voted That there be A Collection for the Benefit of Mrs. Hooper when The Reverend Mr. Walter & Church Wardens think most Convenient.

Voted That the Pew No. 52 which is at present Occupied by the Reverend Mr. Walter & Family Should be free from Taxation.

At An Annuall Meeting of the Proprietors of Pews in Trinity Church dully Warn’d on Monday in Easter Week the 20th Aprill 1772.

The Following officers for the Year Ensueing were Chosen by written Vote.

Voted Twelve Vestry Men whereof 5 Shall make a Quorum.