231 The procession after passing through the principal streets of the Town, was received at Trinity Church with the appropriate tune, Washington's March.' Rev. Mr. Patten, of the Second Congregational Church, opened the exercises, with prayer. The oration, prepared at the request of the Society of the Cincinnati, was delivered by Mr. William Hunter," after which an ode,23 232 Rev. Dr. Patten, born at Halifax, Mass., took his degree at Dartmouth College, in 1783, and, at the suggestion of Rev. Dr. Stiles, was placed in charge of the Second Congregational Church, in Newport, over which he was settled in 1786. In 1833 he retired from the church and removed to Hartford, Ct., where he died in 1839, aged 77 years. He was a Fellow of Brown University, which institution conferred upon him the degree of D.D. For a list of his published works, see Hammett's "Bibliography of Newport." 232 William Hunter died here December 3, 1849. son of Dr. William Hunter, was born at He graduated at Brown University in 1791, went to England and began the study of medicine under Dr. John Hunter, but not liking the profession, he turned to the law, and became the pupil of Arthur Murphy. On his return to America, at the age of 21 years, he was admitted to the bar. His public career commenced in 1799, when he was elected a Representative to the General Assembly of his native State, which office he filled at various times till 1811, when he was elected United States Senator. In 1834 he was appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to Brazil, from which position he retired in 1844, and returned to Newport, where he passed the remainder of his days. Mr. Hunter married the beautiful Mary Robinson, of New York. Of their numerous family, but one survives, Mr. Thomas R. Hunter, of Newport. Written by William Ellery, a signer of the Declaration of Independ written by a young gentleman of Newport-a musical address to the Cincinnati-was sung to the tune, 'God Save Great Washington.' The dinner, served in the Representative Room in the State ence, and dedicated to the Rhode Island State Society of Cincinnati, for the dinner at Newport, 4th July, 1801: Hark! Freedom's silver horn, The festive lay; Ye sons of bold emprise, From peaceful slumber rise, Ye peers of Washington, Like him and Rome's best son, The plough or falchion wield, The Senate or the field No tumults here will thrive, To guard the State; In Empire great. Alas! Columbia weeps, In Vernon's grave; Yet still his spirit guides, High o'er our State presides, And on the thunder rides With power to save. House, was presided over by Col. Jeremiah Olney, who had that day been re-elected President of the Society." September 7, 1801. Voted: that the Wardens, with Captain Littlefield, be a committee to endeavor to ascertain the true bounds of the land whereon the Church stands, to the westward of said land, adjoining a lot of land late belonging to the heirs of Samuel Rhodes, and now belonging to Miss Searing. September, 1801. church-yard. Dr. Benjamin Mason234 was buried in the November 2, 1801. Whereas, no day has been set apart this autumn by the civil rulers of the State, as a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer to Almighty God, and whereas in the confident expectation of such an appointment the day has elapsed appropriate for that purpose, by the standing order of our Church, in case of no such appointment by the civil authorities, therefore voted and resolved unanimously: That it be recommended to the congregation of Trinity Church, to observe Thursday, the 26th day of this month, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to the Most High, for the spiritual and temporal, 234 Bery: Mason Dr. Benjamin Mason, eldest son of he was married at Narragansett, by Rev. William Smith, to Margaret Champlin, of Christopher. After studying in the office of Dr. Isaac Senter, he completed his medical education in London. At the death of Dr. Senter, who held the appointment at the time, he was made Director and Purveyor-General of the Military Hospital of Rhode Island. He was an honorary member of the Massachusetts Medical Society. His career in Newport was as short as it was brilliant, for he died at the early age of forty years. public and private blessings of the year past, and of devout supplication for a continuance of His many and unmerited favors. December 7, 1801. Voted: that the Rev. Mr. Brunson be requested to write to Mr. Merriam, at present residing at Brookline, on Long Island, who has been recommended to the Vestry as a suitable person to succeed him as Assistant Minister and schoolmaster, on Mr. Kay's donation, and recommend to him coming on to Newport, as soon as convenient to him, that the Vestry may treat with him with regard to his undertaking the charge. March 8, 1802. Voted: that Mr. Clement Merriam be invited to take charge of the Episcopal school and perform the duties of the Assistant Minister in Trinity Church, upon the conditions on which the Rev. Mr. Brunson was engaged; and that the Clerk of the Vestry, with Mr. Brunson, be requested to transmit to him a copy of this vote, and explain to him what the said conditions are. April 6, 1802. Whereas, the committee appointed at Easter last, to dispose of the lot on the Church lane, have reported that they have sold said lot to Simeon Martin,235 for the sum of $400. Voted: that William R. Robinson, Senior Warden, be requested to purchase a lot of four acres of land on the hill, offered for sale by Samuel Gardiner for $600, provided the said Gardiner will consent to receive in payment for the same the $400 paid by said Martin and a note for the remaining $200, to be signed by the Wardens in behalf 235 was a merchant. In Simeon Martin the Revolution he en tered the service of the State, was appointed a captain in Col. Lippett's regiment, and was in the battle at Trenton. After the war he was appointed adjutant-general and major-general of the State militia, and repeatedly represented the Town in the General Assembly. In 1811 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, and held the office till 1316, when he declined a re-election. In 1817 he removed to Seekonk, where he died September 30, 1819. of the congregation, payable at some distant period, say four or six months, with interest thereon. At the Annual Meeting, Easter Monday, April 19, 1802, the officers and vestry of the Church were re-elected. Voted: That Simeon Martin be added to the number of delegates to represent the Church at the next State Convention, and to the committee for ascertaining the bounds of the land between the Church and Miss Searing. The Rev. Mr. Brunson having been paid his salary to the 25th day of April, and given up his charge, as Assistant Minister and School-master, the Rev. Mr. Clement Merriam is admitted in his room, and his salary of $300, to commence from said 25th day of April, 180. [June 21, 1802: St. John's Day, the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was held at the State House; after which the members marched to Trinity Church, where divine service was conducted by Rev. Mr. Merriam, followed by an oration delivered by Hon. William Hunter.] 236 July 4, 1802. Richard Kidder Randolph was married to Ann Maria Lyman. August 12, 1802. Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Merriam hath signified to the Vestry, by his note of July 20th, that it is, his intention to resign his charge of the school and office of Assistant Minister of our Church, at the expiration of six months from the date thereof. Voted: that the Clerk of the Vestry, with the Wardens, be a com 236 Mr. Randolph was born in Virginia, October 19, 1781, and was the son of Payton and Lucy Randolph. He graduated at Harvard, and took up his residence in Newport in 1810. He had a seat in the General Assembly, as Representative from Newport, for several years, and died in Newport, in March, 1849. Mrs. Randolph was the daughter of Major Daniel Lyman, and was distinguished for her beauty. |