mittee to inform Mr. Merriam, in reply thereto, that they received with concern his so sudden and unexpected notice of a determination to leave us, at a time when our Rector was providentially absent; and to inform him also that it is impracticable for the Church to comply with the terms since personally proposed by him for continuing with us, and therefore, however reluctantly, must accept of his resignation, leaving it entirely to himself to perform whatever part of the service of the Church he may think proper, until his departure, or the return of our Rector.

October 4, 1802. Voted: that Mr. Bours, with the Wardens, be a committee to endeavor to obtain an Assistant and School-master, in the room of Mr. Merriam, by such means as they may judge most advisable.

October 11, 1802. Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Merriam hath again signified to the Vestry, that in consequence of ill health he is unable to attend to the duties of the Church and the care also of his school, during the absence of our Rector, and is desirous of having an assistant in his school; it is therefore voted: that an allowance be made of $25.00 per month, to any proper person he may procure as an assistant, or usher, during the remaining part of the term he has consented to remain with us, agreeably to his note of the 20th of July last.

Meeting of the congregation, December 14, 1802. Whereas, the Rev. Mr. Dehon, our Rector, who has been long indisposed, hath signified to the congregation now assembled for the purpose, by his note of yesterday's date, "that the progress towards a confirmed state of health is so slow and unsteady as to afford but little hope of his performing public service during the cold weather, and being advised by all the medical gentlemen who he has consulted, to try the efficacy of a warmer climate, and is therefore induced, with great reluctance, and after much hesitation, to ask leave of absence. during the winter season."

It is voted and resolved: that the so reasonable request of our Rector be granted in its fullest extent, and that his salary be continued and paid as tho' he was present, during his absence, most earnestly praying Almighty God to preserve his life, and to restore him again, in his own good time, in perfect health to his anxious flock.

December 26, 1802. Whereas, the office of School-master and Assistant Minister will become vacant after the 25th day of January next, by the resignation of the Rev. Mr. Merriam, voted: that Mr. Bours be requested to write, by the first opportunity, to Mr. John Reed, Preceptor in the Academy in Plainfield, Connecticut, informing him of the nature of this office, and inviting him to enter on the discharge of its duties immediately after the said 25th day of January, with the view to settlement in said office, provided it shall be found agreeable to both parties; the terms of contract to be settled after conferring with Mr. Reed, and arranging matters relative to his receiving Holy Orders.

Meeting of the congregation, February 1, 1803. Whereas, the time for which the Rev. Mr. Merriam contracted with the Rector, Wardens and Vestry to execute the office of School-master and Assistant Minister expired the 25th ult., and the Church is now destitute of both Rector and Assistant, the Rev. Mr. Dehon, in consequence of ill health, having obtained leave of absence from the congregation and gone on a voyage to the southward; and whereas we conceive it would prove greatly injurious to the welfare and interest of the Church to be deprived altogether of a pastor; therefore voted and resolved: that the Wardens wait upon Mr. Merriam, and invite him to remain with us three months longer, in order to keep the congregation together (independent of the school) by reading the Prayers and performing the other duties of his office, as Deacon, and in a way the most easy and agreeable to himself; and that he be allowed and paid for his services the sum of one hundred and

twenty-five dollars, at the expiration of said term of three months; and the Clerk of the Vestry be desired to furnish the Wardens with a copy of this vote, to be delivered to Mr. Merriam.

February 2, 1803. The following answer was this day received from the Rev. Mr. Merriam :

To the Vestry and Wardens of Trinity Church.

Gentlemen.

The resolution of the congregation, whom you represent, was received with mingled emotions of gratitude and respect-of gratitude for their indulgence towards my past services, and kind invitation to continue longer with them in a more eligible capacity; of regret that their present embarrassment will not permit them to do justice to their feelings in offering a greater pecuniary satisfaction; for I have a higher opinion of their generosity than to suppose they deem the sum which they have offered me an equivalent for discharging the duties of my profession. Impressed with these sentiments, and conceiving with them that it would prove greatly injurious to the welfare and interest of the Church to be deprived altogether of a Pastor, I cheerfully accept the terms proposed: lamenting not that my recompence is small, if it can be paid with the same pleasure with which my duties shall be performed.

I am gent" with the greatest respect,

Your Most devoted Serv*,

Clement Merriam.

CHAPTER XVI.

1803-1806.

EASTER MONDAY, April 11, 1803. Samuel Whitehorne and William Littlefield were chosen Wardens. The Vestrymen were the same, with the addition of Simeon Martin.

Messrs. Champlin, Brinley, Gibbs, Auchmuty, Handy, Bours, Gardiner and Martin be continued delegates to the next State Convention.

Voted that the Wardens be requested to wait upon the Rev. Mr. Merriam and invite him to officiate for us for two months longer, on the terms allowed him by the congregation on the 1st of February last.

May 1, 1803. William R. Robinson and WTM Crooke were chosen Wardens, in place of Messrs. Whitehorne and Littlefield, who declined serving.

June 27, 1803. Voted: that the Wardens be requested to settle with the Rev. Mr. Merriam, he having notified the congregation that he should leave them this week, and that the money be raised by subscription. Eighty dollars were paid Mr. Merriam, to pay Mr. Jabez Whitaker, as an assistant three months.

Meeting of the congregation, August 7, 1803. Whereas, Daniel Vernon, sexton of the Church, hath resigned said office, voted: that Uriah Gorton be sexton for the remaining part of the year, to Easter Monday, and that he receive the same salary and all other privileges allowed to said Vernon.

September 27, 1803. Voted: that a lot of land, of two acres,

situated on the Hill, in Newport, and which is now offered for sale to the Church for $460, be purchased with the money for which the lot in the Church lane was sold to Simeon Martin; the balance of $60 to be made up by subscription, and that the rents and profits be appropriated to the sole use and benefit of the Rector for the time being, agreeably to the will of Nathaniel Norton.

October 19, 1803. beth Hastie.

Rev. Clement Merriam was married to Eliza

November 2, 1803. Be it remembered that whereas the lot of land of two acres, purchased by Mr. Francis Brinley at public auction, has been generously given up to the Church for the same money he paid for it, in order to accommodate them; it is to be understood, and it is the intent and meaning of the Vestry, that no buildings may be erected on said lot, whereby his rope-walk, or the adjoining buildings, may be endangered by fire, or in any other way or manner, injured thereby.

Voted that the Rev Mr. Dehon be requested to write to Mr. John Ward, at present residing in the town of Harrinton, Ct., who, we are informed, is a candidate for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church, and inform him of the situation of our Church, and invite him to come to Newport, as soon as may be, in order that we may have a conference with him upon the subject of settling him as our Assistant Minister and School-master.

November 20, 1803.

Mary E. Miller.

237

John Bernard Gilpin was married to

December 5, 1803. Voted: that the Wardens wait upon Mr.

257 The President of the United States issued his exequatur, acknowledging Mr. Gilpin as British Vice Consul for Rhode Island and Connecticut. Mrs. Gilpin died in 1814, and was buried in the church-yard, June 27th of that year. Mr. Gilpin died in Nova Scotia. Mrs. Gilpin was a daughter of Capt. John Miller.