C O-.
 
 ST. PAUI/S CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT, MASS. 
 ( From an old print )
 
 TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 NEWBURYPORT, MASS. 
 
 Commemorattoe 
 
 WITH 
 
 HISTORICAL ADDRESSES 
 
 PRINTED FOR ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 NEWBURYPORT, MASS.
 
 Copyright 1912 
 by M. S. Thompson 
 
 The Southgate Press T. W. Ripley Co. 
 Boston
 
 PREFACE 
 
 When the parishioners and friends of St. Paul's Church were asked 
 to. contribute to a fund to be used for erecting the Memorial Cross and for 
 defraying the expenses of the Two Hundredth Anniversary Celebration, 
 the response was spontaneous and generous, subscriptions being received 
 from nearly every family in the Parish, and from many out-of-town 
 friends and former parishioners. The amount received was more than 
 was asked for, and after all expenses of the Celebration were paid there 
 was a surplus, which has been used as a nucleus for publishing this 
 little volume. It is designed that every family in the Parish, and every 
 other contributor to the memorial fund, shall have a copy. 
 
 ft has been no easy task to collect the subjects and reproductions 
 for the illustrations, and a word of explanation seems necessary about 
 the picture of Queen Anne's Chapel. No picture was known to be in 
 existence ; but so many references to the Chapel are found in the Records, 
 and in various documents available, (including John Bridger's agreement 
 to build the Chapel), giving details of the structure, that these were 
 collected and studied, and a sketch made based on these descriptions. 
 Shortly afterwards, Mr. Joshua Hale, in looking over some of the 
 ancient diaries which have been kept by his family for many genera- 
 tions, discovered a rough pencil sketch of Queen Anne's Chapel, made 
 many years ago, which, when compared with the sketch made from 
 the written descriptions, was found to be identical, except in small details. 
 
 We, who have the privilege of worshiping in old St. Paul's Church, 
 should realize, with pride, that ours is the oldest Protestant Episcopal 
 Parish in Massachusetts, that the first Bishop of Massachusetts spent 
 his entire ministry at St. Paul's, and that we possess practically complete 
 records of the Parish from the foundation of Queen Anne's Chapel in 
 1711, to the present day an unusual circumstance. 
 
 It seems almost impossible that any one, with a spark of sentiment, 
 who has attended the old church and knows its history, or who has had 
 any connection with its associations, can do otherwise than have some 
 feeling of respect and love for it, and take some interest in its preserva- 
 tion and usefulness. 
 
 If this publication helps to deepen the interest and affection of any 
 of its readers for the old church, it will not have been issued in vain. 
 
 MILTON S. THOMPSON, 
 For the Committee on Publication.
 
 Special Committees' 
 
 APPOINTED FOR THE 
 
 TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 Finance 
 CHARLES W. MOSELEY ALLEN M. BREWSTER JOHN F. PEARSON 
 
 Invitation 
 THE RECTOR BRAINERD P. EMERY JOHN F. PEARSON 
 
 Public Services 
 THE RECTOR SENIOR AND JUNIOR WARDENS 
 
 Hospitality 
 MOSES BROWN ALLEN M. BREWSTER 
 
 Press and Printing 
 BRAINERD P. EMERY WILLIAM F. HOUSTON 
 
 Memorial Publication 
 MILTON S. THOMPSON THE RECTOR CHARLES W. MOSELEY 
 
 The Memorial 
 THE RECTOR MILTON S. THOMPSON
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PREFACE 5 
 
 SPECIAL COMMITTEES 6 
 
 MEMORIAL SERVICES 13 
 
 BY THE RECTOR 
 
 CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN NEWBURY 21 
 
 BY REV. DR. RUFUS EMERY 
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT 35 
 
 BY HON. JOHN J. CURRIER 
 
 QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL 57 
 
 BY REV. DR. RUFUS EMERY 
 
 ORGANIZATION ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, 1911 66 
 
 MINISTERS' AND RECTORS' AUTOGRAPHS 68 
 
 A LAST WORD 69
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 St. Paul's Church (from old print) Frontispiece 
 
 Rev. A. H. Wright, Rector of St. Paul's Church 12 
 
 Grave of Bishop Bass 14 
 
 At Dedication of Memorial Cross, Procession 15 
 
 Right Rev. Win. Lawrence, I). D 16 
 
 At Dedication of Memorial Cross, The Choir Singing ... 17 
 
 Dedication of Memorial Cross by Bishop Lawrence 18 
 
 Flagon 19 
 
 At Dedication of Memorial Cross, Bishop Speaking .... 20 
 
 Rev. Rufus Emery, D. D 22 
 
 John Bridger's Agreement to Build Queen Anne's Chapel ... 25 
 
 Governor Dudley's Letter 27 
 
 Rev. Matthias Plant's License, 1721, from John, Bishop of London 29 
 
 Handwriting of John Lambton 32 
 
 Signatures to By-Laws, Queen Anne's Chapel, 1722 .... 33 
 
 J. Bridger's Seal and Signature, 1711 34 
 
 Hon. John J. Currier 36 
 
 Edward Bass' Declaration, 1752, Signed by Thomas, Bishop of 
 
 London 42 
 
 Brattle Organ 43 
 
 Old Prayer-Book of St. Paul's Church, Showing Changes made by 
 
 Bishop Bass during the Revolution 44 
 
 Right Rev. Edward Bass, D. D 46 
 
 Corner Stone St. Paul's Church 48 
 
 The Paul Revere Bell 49 
 
 St. Paul's Church, 1911 50 
 
 Tablet to Memory of Bishop Bass 53 
 
 Interior of St. Paul's Church, 1911 55 
 
 9
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Queen Anne's Chapel 58 
 
 Grave of Rev. Matthias Plant 61 
 
 Grave of Mr. Samuel Bartlett 61 
 
 Grave of Mrs. Sarah Bartlett 62 
 
 Grave of John Bayley, "Clark" . . . 62 
 
 Weather-vane, Queen Anne's Chapel 64 
 
 Old Silver of St. Paul's Church 65 
 
 Grave of Mrs. Sarah Bartlet, "A Maiden Gentlewoman" ... 67 
 
 Facsimiles of Signatures of Rectors 68 
 
 A Little Grave 70 
 
 10
 
 MEMORIAL SERVICES
 
 RECTOR or ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
 
 MEMORIAL SERVICES 
 
 THE two hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the services 
 of the Church of England in Newbury and the erection of Queen Anne's 
 Chapel (of which St. Paul's Church, Xewburyport, is the continuation) 
 was celebrated, with appropriate services, on Sunday and Monday, 
 June 4 and 5, 1911. Invitations had been extended to the Bishop and 
 all the clergy of the Diocese, ministers of the local churches, former 
 parishioners and friends, and goodly congregations were present. The 
 weather was delightful, and nothing marred the successful carrying out 
 of the careful and complete arrangements made by the Rector and 
 Vestry. On Sunday, June 4 (Whitsunday), the Holy Communion was 
 celebrated at 7.30 A.M., and Morning Prayer was read at 9.30 A.M. A 
 second celebration of the Holy Communion took place at 10.30 A.M., 
 when the Rev. Rufus Emery, D.D., delivered an address, recounting the 
 circumstances attending the beginning of the services of the Church of 
 England in this neighborhood, with an interesting description of the first 
 church building and its early history. Evening Prayer was read at 4.30 
 P.M., and the Hon. John James Currier, Historian of Newbury and Xew- 
 buryport, traced the later history of the Parish from the founding of 
 St. Paul's Church to the present. 
 
 The Rector was assisted in the services by the Rev. Dr. Rufus 
 Emery, the Rev. Glenn Tilley Morse, of West Xewbury, the Rev. George 
 F, Degen, of Dummer Academy, Byfield, the Rev. Henry W. Foote, of 
 South Groveland, and Mr. Walworth Tyng, lay reader. 
 
 At the close of the afternoon service, the clergy, choir, and con- 
 gregation gathered about the grave of Bishop Bass in the churchyard, 
 where a brief memorial service was held, and a cross of yellow lilies 
 laid upon his tomb, a picturesque and touching conclusion to the services 
 of the day. 
 
 Monday, the day appointed for the unveiling of a Memorial Cross 
 to mark the site of Queen Anne's Chapel, was ideal, the sky being over- 
 cast and the temperature cool and comfortable. The Holy Communion 
 
 13
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 THE GRAVE OF BISHOP BASS ix ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD 
 
 was celebrated at 7.30 A. M. At 11 A. M. a large company gathered at 
 the site of the original Queen Anne's Chapel, in what is now a part of 
 Belleville Cemetery, where a Celtic Cross, of Westerly granite, ten feet 
 high, had been erected as a permanent memorial of the ancient church. 
 
 Although the original chapel had long been destroyed, and nothing 
 remained above ground to mark the location, the site was determined 
 by measurements based on old records, and by a survey made by a civil 
 engineer, through the courtesy of Mr. Charles W. Moseley, one of the 
 vestrymen of the parish. In excavating for the foundation of the 
 Memorial Cross, what is believed to have been a part of the old founda- 
 tion of the Chapel was discovered. 
 
 Promptly at the appointed hour the procession entered the church- 
 yard, singing " The Church's One Foundation." Seats had been 
 arranged about the cross, which was veiled by a large American flag, 
 and the sight was most picturesque as the procession, consisting of 
 
 14
 
 s 
 
 o 
 
 - a 
 
 x * 
 
 S a
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 crucifer, musicians, vested choir, clergy, and Bishop, wended its way 
 to its appointed place. The service, conducted by the Rector, was 
 heartily joined in by the congregation, and was most inspiring, the 
 order being as follows: Processional, "The Church's One Founda- 
 tion" ; the Lord's Prayer and Versicles ; Psalms 84 and 122 ; Hymn 196, 
 "Our Father's God, -to Thee"; Creed and Prayers; Hymn 176, " For 
 
 RIGHT REV. WILLIAM LAWBEXCE, D. D. 
 
 Bishop of Massachusetts 
 
 All the Saints"; Address by the Rev. Rufus Emery, D.D. ; Hymn 359, 
 "In the Cross of Christ I Glory"; Unveiling and Dedication of the 
 Cross ; Address by the Right Rev. William Lawrence, D.D., Bishop of 
 Massachusetts ; Hymn 460, " From all that dwell below the skies " ; 
 Benediction; Recessional, "O God, our help in ages past." 
 
 The cross was unveiled by Mr. H. Paine Bartlet, of New York, 
 assisted by Master Haydn Page Sawyer, of Newburyport, both being 
 descendants of vestrymen of the original Queen Anne's Chapel, Bishop 
 Lawrence dedicating it with appropriate prayers. The cross was pur- 
 
 16
 
 X 
 
 f 
 
 s 
 
 i 
 
 H
 
 MEMORIAL SERVICES 
 
 chased with funds contributed by more than two hundred persons, a 
 most pleasing indication of the widespread interest in the past history 
 of the parish and a happy augury of unceasing interest in its future 
 welfare. 
 
 The cross is located at a spot which is believed to be about where 
 the altar stood in the original chapel, and probably not far from the 
 grave of the Rev. Henry Lucas, who was buried under the altar. The 
 inscription, carved in raised letters, reads as follows : 
 
 " This cross is raised A.D. 1911, to mark the site of Queen Anne's 
 Chapel, erected A.D. 1711, in which were held the first services 
 of the Church of England in Newbury." 
 
 Immediately in front of the Cross there has been placed a large flat 
 stone, formerly the doorstone of the Rev. Matthias Plant's house. In 
 the pictures of the Cross the Bishop is seen standing on this stone. 
 
 At the close of the services the company returned to the Parish 
 House of St. Paul's Church, where a general reunion of past and present 
 parishioners and friends took place, and a bountiful luncheon was served. 
 
 In connection with these anniversary services a most appropriate 
 and valuable gift was received from Miss Margaret Woodbridge Gush- 
 ing, of Newburyport, who gave an exact reproduction of the original 
 flagon, which had been presented by King William and Queen Mary 
 "to their Maj'ties Chappel in New England 1694," and which, after 
 having been in possession of St. Paul's Church for many years, was 
 stolen in 1887. This beautiful reproduction, so interesting a reminder 
 of the olden times, was used for the first time at the morning service 
 on June 4, 1911. ARTHUR H. WRIGHT.
 
 ee 
 
 O 3 
 
 _o 
 
 < 
 
 5 
 
 f tt 
 C 
 
 u a
 
 THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND 
 IN NEWBURY 
 
 From the Founding of Queen Anne s Chapel, Newbury 
 
 to the Establishment of St. Paul's 
 
 Church, Newburyport

 
 THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND 
 IN NEWBURY 
 
 AN ADDRESS BY THE REV. RUFUS EMERY, D.D. 
 
 IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH, NEWBURYPORT 
 
 SUNDAY MORNING, JUNE 4, 1911 
 
 FIFTY years after the settlement of Newbury at Parker River, the 
 population had extended northward along the Merrimack River and 
 westward to and beyond the Artichoke. This part of the town was 
 called the West End, and also the New Town. The distance of the new 
 town from the old, was such, that it proved a great hindrance in attend- 
 ing public worship at the old town. 
 
 For this reason, in 1685 some inhabitants of the West End asked 
 of the town consent and assistance in getting some help in the ministry 
 among them, " as they lived so remote from the means." Receiving no 
 consent nor assistance, sixteen persons built, in 1689, at their own 
 charge, a house thirty feet square on the Plains in the vicinity of Saw- 
 yer's Hill. In 1690, divers inhabitants of the West End made several 
 propositions to the town in regard to their calling a minister. 
 
 The proposals not being accepted by the town the inhabitants 
 secured for themselves a minister, Mr. Edward Tompson, a school 
 teacher in the town. 
 
 The old town remonstrated at this action as irregular and an 
 intrusion, and chose another minister for the new town in place of 
 Mr. Tompson. The new town refused to receive him, as they already 
 had one, and asked to be separated from the old town. 
 
 From these circumstances there arose much discussion and dissat- 
 isfaction, and probably bad feeling between the old town and church 
 and the new town, and legal means were used in the contest ; some per- 
 sons were imprisoned and some fined. At this time the inhabitants of 
 the new town asked the General Court to interpose in their concerns 
 and take effectual care for their relief, for the sake of the quiet of the 
 
 whole town. 
 
 23
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 Soon after this the town by vote set off the West Precinct as a 
 separate Parish and established a dividing line, fixed the place for the 
 meeting-house for the new town, and authorized them to choose a min- 
 ister for themselves; and gave authority to the majority to remove the 
 old house when they should see cause. 
 
 From this time for ten years there was a constant struggle between 
 the two parties, one for the new house in a convenient locality, and the 
 other to retain the old house in its position. 
 
 In 1705, the majority voted to build a new house on Pipe Stave 
 Hill, to be done in five years. This resulted in opposition, difficulties 
 and petitions to the General Court from both parties. 
 
 After five years the General Court confirmed the vote of the town 
 that Pipe Stave Hill was the place for the meeting-house, and when all 
 things were ready the minister was to remove there. 
 
 In the following year, 1711, it was voted to sell the buildings and 
 land on the Plains for the benefit of the Pipe Stave Hill location, and to 
 take the seats, boards, and glass out of the old house to be improved in 
 the new house, and in a convenient time to remove the old house, to be 
 set up as a barn for the minister on Pipe Stave Hill. 
 
 In July, 1711, the majority went to the Plains by night, tore down 
 the old house and removed it to Pipe Stave Hill. This roused the 
 minority. They at once prepared the material for a new house and 
 proceeded to raise and cover it in opposition to the protest of the Gen- 
 eral Court. Later all work on the new house was stopped by a positive 
 order from the Court. At the time of raising the new building, the 
 builders in the hearing of a great company declared it to be the Queen's 
 Chapel. 
 
 About this time, Mr. John Bridger, officer of the Queen, a zealous 
 Churchman and a Vestryman of King's Chapel, Boston, hearing of their 
 difficulties, wrote to them, commending their good affection, zeal, and 
 resolution towards the Established Church of Great Britain, and prom- 
 ising to defend them from all damage, to procure them a minister, and 
 to show them how to get aid from the Society for Propagating the 
 Gospel. Under his direction they petitioned the Bishop of London, who 
 gave them encouragement. 
 
 Mr. Bridger assisted them by buying the land, and gave his bond 
 to finish the Chapel, they furnishing the men and means. When the 
 
 24
 
 
 
 
 
 FACSIMILE OF JOHN BRIDGER'S AGREEMENT TO BUILD QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 building was finished Mr. Bridger procured the Rev. Henry Harris, of 
 Boston, to visit them and instruct them in the ways of the Church. 
 Mr. Harris could not have Church of England services every Sunday. 
 On the days when Mr. Harris was not at the Chapel, the records show 
 the house was " improved " in a dissenting way. 
 
 This circumstance did not escape the notice of Cotton Mather, 
 who, in a letter to Wait Winthrop, says : " Our Newbury faction are 
 coming off and putting themselves under the conduct of one of our 
 ministers." 
 
 About this time twenty-two freeholders of the town of Newbury 
 petition Governor Dudley for protection and encouragement, stating 
 that they are declared members of the Episcopal Church of England as 
 by law established, and that they have raised a building for the service 
 of God according to the manner prescrioed in the said Church. 
 
 The Governor recommended that they be peaceably allowed in their 
 lawful proceedings and not to be taxed for the support of any other 
 public worship in the town. 
 
 A few months later Col. Francis Nicholson, being authorized by the 
 Society for Propagating the Gospel to settle a missionary at Newbury, 
 got Captain Blacket of Her Majesty's ship Phenix to let his Chap- 
 lain, the Rev. John Lambton, go to Newbury to officiate there till further 
 orders from the Society. Mr. Lambton came to Newbury November 14, 
 1712; he found a handsome building raised and finished at the sole 
 expense of the inhabitants. 
 
 During the ministry of Mr. Lambton the first election for Wardens 
 and Vestrymen for the Chapel was held, and a petition sent the Society 
 asking that Mr. Lambton may have the salary given by the Society. 
 The congregation during Mr. Lambton's stay numbered more than 
 two hundred. Mr. Lambton was obliged by ill health to resign his 
 charge. 
 
 A year after the leaving of Mr. Lambton the Rev. Henry Lucas 
 was transferred from Braintree to Newbury. He came in 1715. The 
 absence of a missionary for a year produced the impression that the 
 mission was neglected, or perhaps had been abandoned by the Society. 
 In consequence of this idea, some of the inhabitants took possession of 
 the Chapel and established their own mode of worship, removing the 
 vestments, ornaments, and books. 
 
 36
 
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 fujM^afab Wam&KaAL>&CL/Uj trfavr9i 
 *f$&.fiiifa. (%-wfiuk y^tfoiadLh&rf/mJ 
 
 j>~- ' w. 5^:-\ ,.' _ f * a 
 
 FACSIMILE OF GOVERKOR DUDLEY'S LETTER 
 (See Rev. Dr. Emery's address, page 2(5)
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 When Mr. Lucas came and showed his credentials, the Chapel was 
 given up to him, and the articles removed were restored. A division of 
 the attendants occurred. A part with their minister set up services in 
 a house near by. Another part remained and attended the Church ser- 
 vices. This division caused Mr. Lucas much trouble. He succeeded in 
 restoring peace in some degree, though the effects lasted through his 
 ministry. Mr. Lucas was of influence among the people as a physician. 
 The ministry under Mr. Lucas has been described as a " thorny cure." 
 The minister and people seem to have been unsuited to each other. Both 
 were disappointed in their expectations, and but little sympathy existed 
 between them. He died August 23, 1720, and was buried on the 25th 
 of August under the altar of the Chapel by the Rev. David Mossom, of 
 Marblehead. 
 
 After the death of Mr. Lucas till the coming of the Rev. Matthias 
 Plant, in 1722, there was a vacancy of more than a year, during which 
 time Mr. Mossom officiated occasionally in the mission. 
 
 In 1718, during Mr. Lucas's ministry, a bell was given to the Chapel 
 by the Bishop of London and placed in the steeple, where it remained 
 till 1770, when during a severe storm the front of the Chapel was blown 
 down and the bell thrown into the road. It was taken care of by 
 Mr. David Whitmore and preserved by Mr. Josiah Little till a school- 
 house was built on High Street, Belleville, when it was put in the belfry 
 of that building, where it served to call pupils to school and the congre- 
 gation of Belleville to public worship. 
 
 In 1837 the schoolhouse was removed from High Street, Belleville, 
 to Pilsbury's Lane (now Ashland Street), the bell remaining in the 
 belfry. It was used there till Christmas Eve, 1839, when it was removed 
 in the night and secretly disposed of. 
 
 In 1721, Rev. Matthias Plant, a graduate of Jesus College, Cam- 
 bridge, 1712, was appointed by the Society as missionary for Newbury. 
 He came to Newbury April 24, 1722, and lodged at Samuel Bartlett's. 
 He preached his first sermon in the Chapel April 29, 1722, and was 
 married in the Chapel by Mr. Mossom to Lydia, daughter of Samuel 
 Bartlett, December 27, 1722. 
 
 Mr. Plant at once reorganized the mission, preparing standing 
 orders for the good regulation and ordering of the affairs of the Church 
 relating to officers and their duties. By these rules the minister had the 
 
 28
 
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 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 right to choose one of the Wardens and three of the Vestrymen. The 
 Wardens and Vestrymen to be members of the Church. A majority of 
 the parishioners to decide all matters relating to the Church. 
 
 Soon after Mr. Plant's coming to the Chapel, Samuel Shute, Gov- 
 ernor of the Province, visited the Church in Newbury and spent a 
 Sunday. He reported to the Society that Mr. Plant seemed a sober 
 and ingenious man. He also says that there were with him Lieutenant- 
 Governor Wentworth and other gentlemen, which he hopes will give 
 him a good countenance, and that Mr. Plant shall want no due encour- 
 agement from him. 
 
 The Governor made good his promise, for in a few weeks he issued 
 a mandamus freeing all members of the mission from taxation for all 
 other bodies. 
 
 For twenty years, from 1722 to 1742, Mr. Plant served every 
 Sunday at the Chapel. When a church was built at the Waterside 
 (Xewburyport) he for a time officiated alternately at the Chapel and 
 at the Church (St. Paul's). 
 
 Later, a difficulty having arisen between Mr. Plant and the Water- 
 side people, his services were confined to the Chapel for about three 
 years. After which, by order of the Society, he resumed services at the 
 Waterside, holding alternate services, and continued them till his death 
 in 1753, as his health would allow. Owing to his infirmities there were 
 many times when there were no services at either place. 
 
 In 1751, the difficulties having been amicably settled according to 
 the directions of the Society, Mr. Plant was inducted into St. Paul's 
 Church. He was to secure an assistant and allow him twenty pounds 
 per annum. In the same year Mr. Plant chose Rev. Edward Bass as his 
 assistant. Mr. Bass being acceptable to Mr. Plant and St. Paul's 
 Church, went to England for orders and received ordination as deacon, 
 from Bishop Sherlock, in Fulham Chapel, May 17, 1752, and Priest 
 May 24, 1752. He returned to Newbury in the autumn of the same year 
 and entered on his work at St. Paul's. 
 
 In 1753, the Society being informed of the death of Mr. Plant, 
 appointed Mr. Bass (at the request of the Church Wardens) as Mis- 
 sionary in Newbury, directing him to officiate once a month at Queen 
 Anne's Chapel, which he did till 1766, when services there were discon- 
 tinued, as much the greater part of the worshipers resided nearer the 
 
 30
 
 THE CHURCH IN NEWBURY 
 
 Church at the Waterside, and as the Chapel was out of repair it was 
 agreed by the worshipers at both churches, without opposition, to 
 assemble altogether in St. Paul's Church. 
 
 Mr. Plant was zealous in his profession, taking a fatherly care of 
 his people, regulating his affairs with wisdom and prudence. He was a 
 man of strict integrity and a high sense of decorum. He was a success- 
 ful farmer, a land owner, and a careful observer of men and events. He 
 records in his parish register unusual events, as storms, floods, excessive 
 cold, and earthquakes. He was liberal in his donations. He gave fifty 
 pounds for the new Church, paid eighty pounds for the glass and sixty 
 pounds for arrearages, besides many smaller sums outside of his mission. 
 
 Mr. Plant died April 2 and was buried April 4, 1753, the Rev. 
 Dr. Cutler of Christ Church, Boston, preaching his funeral sermon. 
 
 In 1760, some of the attendants at the Chapel, by reason of the 
 omission of services three Sundays in the month, joined with others in 
 forming a new Parish and used the Chapel by permission for their ser- 
 vices, till they could build a meeting-house of their own. It is prob- 
 able that from 1760 to 1766 there was Congregational worship three 
 Sundays in the month and Church of England service every fourth 
 Sunday. 
 
 The establishment of a mission of the Church of England in New- 
 bury was not a subject of " mere local concern." It attracted wide 
 attention. 
 
 King's Chapel in Boston existed from political necessity, not by 
 the permission of the ruling powers. It was looked upon as an unwel- 
 come and intrusive body. It had existed for a quarter of a century 
 and had increased in numbers and influence. 
 
 During this time missions of the Church had been formed north and 
 south of Massachusetts Bay, but King's Chapel remained the only place 
 in the Province where the services of the English Church were publicly 
 celebrated. 
 
 Scattered Churchmen read the service in the privacy of their homes 
 and went occasionally to the Chapel in Boston on some great festival 
 like Christmas or Easter. To the watchful observers there were no 
 signs of the extension of the Church, and they no doubt earnestly hoped 
 that there would be none, and that the Prayer Book service had been 
 restrained and effectually limited. 
 
 31
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 This feeling of security was suddenly broken when twenty persons 
 of the West Precinct of Newbury (not known as favorers of the Church 
 of England) delivered to Governor Dudley a petition saying that they 
 were of " the pure Episcopal Church of England," and that they had 
 sent to the Bishop of London for a minister and that they desired protec- 
 tion. 
 
 This action was of importance as showing a distinct gain in open- 
 ing the way for greater freedom in religious liberty. For this reason 
 it was an occasion of grief and fear to the opponents of the Chapel and 
 of encouragement and joy to those who believed in and favored it. 
 
 To the eminent diarist, Judge Samuel Sewall, it was a grievance 
 that the Church of England had been set up in his family town of 
 Newbury. 
 
 To Col. Francis Nicholson and John Bridger it brought satisfac- 
 tion as showing that the services which they loved and venerated, and 
 for which they zealously labored, had gained a new station in Massa- 
 chusetts Bay and was a sign of further extension. 
 
 Queen Anne's Chapel stands in the history of Massachusetts Bay 
 as a significant sign of the exercise of the right of Liberty of Conscience 
 and of the inherent right of worshiping God according to the dictates 
 of one's conscience. As such it is worthy of commemoration and remem- 
 brance and of thanks to God for its founding and preservation. 
 
 m i/Pu_> <utUY i 
 
 nL 
 
 FACSIMILE OF HANDWRITING OF THE 
 
 REV. JOHN LAMBTON 
 From the records of Queen Anne's Chapel
 
 vawK^faad&fc 
 
 SlGXATUUES TO THE Bv-I,AWS OF QuEEX ANNE'S ClIAPEL, 
 
 XOVEMHER 22, \~-22 
 From Queen Anne's Chapel Records
 
 
 
 FACSIMILE OF J. BRIDGER'S SEAL AND SIGNATURE 
 From letter in St. Paul's Church records, dated January 20, 1711
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 NEWBURYPORT 
 
 From its Establishment in 1738 
 to the present time
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 NEWBURYPORT 
 
 ADDRESS BY HON. JOHN J. CURRIER IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JUNE 4, 1911 
 
 When Queen Anne's Chapel was built in 1711, Newbury was an 
 agricultural town, and the inhabitants, interested in maintaining relig- 
 ious worship at the " Plains," were practical and prosperous farmers. 
 A few years later ship-building was established, in favorable locations, 
 at the Waterside between Chandler's Lane, now Federal Street, and 
 Ordway's Lane, now Market Street, Newburyport, and trade with 
 Barbadoes and other West India Islands was carried on quite exten- 
 sively. In 1738, Joseph Atkins, Patrick Tracy, Michael Dalton, An- 
 thony Gwynn, and other merchants and sea captains, suggested the 
 building of a new church for the accommodation of the inhabitants living 
 near the centre of the town. 
 
 To this suggestion Rev. Matthias Plant gave his assent and sub- 
 scribed the sum of fifty pounds to be expended in the purchase of mate- 
 rials for the proposed new edifice. 
 
 May 13, 1738, Joseph Atkins purchased, of Moses Ordway, land 
 on the corner of Ordway's Lane, now Market Street, and the country 
 road, now High Street, and February 3, 1741, conveyed this land, with 
 a building erected thereon, to the Wardens and Vestrymen of St. Paul's 
 Church. At that date the building was unfinished, and although con- 
 venient and comfortable was evidently devoid of architectural grace 
 or beauty. 
 
 At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen, held May 1, 1744, 
 a contract was made with Eben and Nathan Little to build the pulpit 
 and pews in the body of the Church for one hundred pounds, and with 
 Ephraim Blaisdell to plaster the walls and ceiling for eighty pounds. 
 
 Four of the pews built at that date were assigned to Joseph Atkins, 
 three to Thomas Tannatt, two to Patrick Tracy, three to Joseph Cottle, 
 
 37
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 two to Michael Dalton, two to Benjamin Harris, one to John Crocker, 
 one to William Atkins, one to Thomas Woodbridge, one to Ambrose 
 Davis, and one to Daniel Marquand. Other pews were assigned to 
 William Jaques, Joseph Greenleaf, and others, including one to the 
 Wardens and one to strangers. 
 
 The men prominent in the early history of St. Paul's Church were 
 evidently merchants of broad and liberal views ; sea captains familiar 
 with the worship and ritual of the Church of England in foreign lands, 
 or mechanics and artisans of recognized skill and ability. 
 
 JOSEPH ATKINS, for many years one of the Wardens and Vestry- 
 men of the Church, was the son of Andrew and Sara Atkins. He was 
 baptized November 4, 1680, in St. Clement's Church in the town of 
 Sandwich, County of Kent, England, and probably came with his wife 
 and two sons to Newbury, Mass., in 1724. A few years later his wife 
 died, and April 7, 1730, he married Mary, widow of Francis Wain- 
 wright, of Boston, daughter of Joseph Dudley, Governor of the Province 
 of Massachusetts Bay, and sister of Katharine, wife of Lieut. -Governor 
 William Dummer. He owned and occupied a spacious dwelling-house 
 on what is now Strong Street, Newburyport, with an attractive garden 
 extending to the Merrimack River. He died January 21, 1773, and 
 was buried in St. Paul's churchyard. The inscription on his tombstone 
 reads as follows : 
 
 This Stone 
 Is erected to the Memory 
 
 of 
 
 Joseph Atkins, Esquire, 
 One of the Founders and a Generous 
 
 Benefactor 
 
 of this Church. 
 
 Formerly an Eminent Merchant 
 
 In this town 
 And highly esteemed by those who knew him. 
 
 He departed this life 
 January 21, 1773, jEtat 92 
 
 and of 
 
 Mrs. Mary Atkins, 
 
 The virtuous and amiable Relict 
 
 of Joseph Atkins, Esquire, 
 
 and daughter of 
 
 His Excellency Joseph Dudley. 
 
 She died November 19, 1774, jEtat 82. 
 
 38
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 PATRICK TRACY, elected Vestryman in 1743, served in that capacity 
 for several years. He was probably born in Wexford County, Ireland, 
 but came to Newbury at a very early age, and soon became a promi- 
 nent shipmaster and ship-owner. He married, first, Hannah Carter, of 
 Hampton, N. H. ; second, Hannah Gookin of the same town ; and third, 
 Mary, widow of Michael Dalton. His sons by the second marriage, 
 Nathaniel and John Tracy, and his daughter, Hannah, who married 
 Jonathan Jackson, were conspicuous in the commercial and social life 
 of Newbury and Newburyport previous to the Revolution. He died 
 February 28, 1789, and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard. 
 
 BENJAMIN HARRIS was one of the Wardens of St. Paul's Church 
 in 1743, and afterwards served as Vestryman for ten or fifteen years. 
 He was the son of Rev. Henry Harris, and was born in Boston in 1718. 
 He came to Newbury in 1738, and was one of the subscribers to the 
 fund raised to defray the cost of building St. Paul's Church. He mar- 
 ried in October, 1740, Lucy Whitman, of Stowe, by whom he had two 
 daughters, Elizabeth, born November 8, 1741, and Mary, born No- 
 vember 9, 1746. For many years he owned and occupied a dwelling-house 
 on Greenleaf Lane, now State Street, and through land on the easterly 
 side of this house Harris Street was laid out in 1796. He died March 
 8, 1773, and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard. 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN CROCKER was a member of Christ Church, Boston, 
 and married, April 12, 1727, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Mehitable 
 Savage. He removed to Newbury in 1737, probably, and was one of 
 the Wardens of Queen Anne's Chapel in 1739 and served as Vestryman 
 in 1740. When the new church building on the corner of Ordway's 
 Lane, now Market Street, and the Country Road, now High Street, was 
 completed he was elected Vestryman and afterwards held the office of 
 Warden until 1753 and perhaps later. He had a ropewalk on the 
 easterly side of Frog Pond, on land now known as Bartlet Mall, where 
 he manufactured cordage for ship-owners and ship-builders. He died 
 March 19, 1763, and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard. 
 
 THOMAS TANNATT was one of the Vestrymen of St. Paul's Church 
 in 1743 and was subsequently reelected to that office or to that of 
 
 39
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 Warden for ten or fifteen years. He was a sea captain and died in 
 Newbury July 21, 1759, leaving a widow, Mary, and one son, Thomas 
 Tannatt. After the death of his father Thomas Tannatt, Junior, 
 learned the trade of a baker and established himself in business in 
 Newburyport. In 1793 he sold his dwelling-house, bakeshop and land 
 and removed to Boston. 
 
 MICHAEL DAI/TON, son of Philemon and Abigail (Gove) Dalton 
 was born in Hampton, N. H., February 22, 1709, and came to Newbury 
 when only seventeen or eighteen years of age, looking for employment. 
 After several successful voyages to the West Indies he was placed in 
 command of a ship, and, February 3, 1733-4, married Mary, daughter 
 of Tristram Little. A few years later he purchased a house on the 
 northwesterly side of Market Square, where he lived until 1746, when 
 he built and afterwards occupied the house on State Street, now the 
 property of the Dalton Club. He was one of the Vestrymen of St. 
 Paul's Church in 1743, and afterwards served in that capacity or as 
 Warden for more than twenty-five years. He died March 1, 1770, and 
 was buried in the southeasterly corner of the churchyard, near the 
 grave of Patrick Tracy. 
 
 ANTHONY GWYNN, born in Bristol, England, married, October 26, 
 1738, Mary Gerrish, of Newbury, Mass., and two years later purchased 
 one-half a dwelling-house, with the land under and adjoining the same, 
 near the meeting-house then standing in what is now Market Square, 
 Newburyport. He was Warden of St. Paul's Church in 1745 and 1746, 
 and Vestryman from 1747 to 1753. In the early deeds of conveyance 
 to and from him he was sometimes called Mariner, but more frequently 
 Merchant. During the last years of his life he owned and occupied a 
 house on Water Street, near the foot of Federal Street, with the wharf 
 adjoining, now the property of Cashman Brothers. He died leaving 
 no children, and by his will, dated February 21, 1772, and proved 
 February 6, 1777, he gave the whole of his estate, real and personal, 
 to his wife, Mary, who survived him. 
 
 DANIEL MARQUAND was Warden of St. Paul's Church in 1745 and 
 Vestryman in 1746, 1748, and 1749. He married Mary Brown, of 
 
 40
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 Newbury, and lived for many years in a house on Water Street, at the 
 head of what is now Commercial Wharf. He died May 31, 1789, when 
 eighty-nine years of age. The house that he owned and occupied at the 
 time of his death, with several warehouses adjoining, was destroyed in 
 the great fire of 1811. 
 
 THOMAS WOODBRIDGE, a Vestryman of St. Paul's Church in 1743 
 and annually elected to that office until chosen Warden in 1749, was 
 born in Newbury January 31, 1708-9; a lineal descendant of Rev. John 
 Woodbridge, and son of Benjamin and Sarah Woodbridge. He married 
 Dorothy Titcomb June 10, 1735, and by this marriage had several 
 children ; Sarah, a daughter, baptized by Rev. Mr. Plant, of Queen 
 Anne's Chapel, June 16, 1738, and a son (name not recorded) baptized 
 by the same clergyman, October 7, 1739. 
 
 He purchased a dwelling-house on the northwesterly corner of 
 State Street and Market Square in 1746, with land under and adjoin- 
 ing the same, and lived there for many years. 
 
 After the death of his first wife, Dorothy (Titcomb) Woodbridge, 
 he married Sarah Greenleaf, November 21, 1749. He was one of the 
 subscribers to the fund raised by members of St. Paul's Church in 1756 
 for the purchase of an organ, imported by Thomas Brattle, and by him 
 bequeathed to the proprietors of King's Chapel in Boston. 
 
 In 1763 he was one of the petitioners to the General Court for the 
 incorporation of the town of Newburyport, and was at that time an 
 active and enterprising ship-builder and part owner in several small 
 vessels. 
 
 In 1768 his brothers, Benjamin and Joseph Woodbridge, conveyed 
 to him land with the buildings thereon at the foot of State Street, after- 
 wards known as the Ferry Wharf property, and at or about the same 
 time he leased for a term of ten years land in the rear of the present 
 Police Station, then known by the name of the Middle shipyard. 
 
 The date of his death is uncertain, but he was buried January 21, 
 1774, by Rev. Edward Bass. 
 
 Other merchants and men of prominence in Newbury were interested 
 in the effort to establish and maintain public worship in the new church 
 and contributed liberally to the fund raised for that purpose. In 1743 
 
 41
 
 5 g 
 
 ~ 
 
 H w 
 
 I- - 
 
 < fc> 
 
 - H 
 
 5 * 
 
 w 2 
 
 Q c/5 
 
 .- S 
 
 s - 
 
 3 * 
 
 jjj 
 
 i i 
 
 6 Q 
 
 ? 
 
 
 H 
 
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 N 
 
 
 
 -<
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 an agreement was made with Rev. Matthias Plant to supply the pulpit 
 and read the service every other Sunday until otherwise ordered. This 
 arrangement, however, did not prove satisfactory and led to complica- 
 tions that left St. Paul's Church without a settled minister for nearly 
 nine years. 
 
 In the meantime Rev. Mr. Plant remained in charge of Queen Anne's 
 Chapel and devoted his whole time to its temporal and spiritual affairs. 
 
 After several unsuccessful attempts to reconcile the conflicting 
 views and opinions of Rev. Mr. Plant and the Wardens and Vestrymen of 
 St. Paul's Church, a settlement was finally agreed upon June 24, 1751, 
 and Edward Bass was sent to England to be ordained to the priesthood. 
 On his return to Massachusetts in October or November, 1752, he was 
 appointed assistant to Rev. Mr. Plant, who was then in charge of both 
 the Episcopal churches in Newbury. 
 
 Although Queen Anne's Chapel and St. Paul's Church had separate 
 organizations and were to a certain extent independent of each other, 
 they were subject to the same ecclesiastical authority, were located in 
 the same town, and constituted one parish that still retains its ancient 
 rights and privileges in the Diocese of Massachusetts. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Plant died April 2, 1753. After that date Rev. Edward 
 Bass officiated in the chapel on the Plains until 1765, when, owing to 
 the death of many of the older parishion- 
 ers, and the dilapidated condition of the 
 building, services were discontinued. 
 
 The church at the Waterside, also 
 under the care of Rev. Mr. Bass, was more 
 vigorous and prosperous, and arrange- 
 ments were made to build additional pews 
 for the accommodation of the increased 
 number of worshipers. 
 
 In January, 1753, a committee was 
 appointed to agree with some suitable per- 
 son to build a porch and front gallery to 
 the church, and in 1756 an organ was pur- 
 chased of the treasurer of King's Chapel, 
 in Boston, and was probably the first one 
 set up in the town of Newbury. It was 
 
 43 
 
 THE BRATTLE ORGAN PURCHASED 
 IN 1756 BY ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 FOR 500.
 
 Name, and the benefit ot thy 
 
 holy Church, through Jefus 
 Chrift our Lord. Amen. 
 
 h Court of 
 their 
 
 MOST gracious God, we 
 humbjyjbgjpech thee, as 
 tor this aaHMbtt in general, fo 
 
 this time arlembled; Thatthou 
 wouldcft be pleafed to direct 
 and profper all their Confulta- 
 tions to the advancement of 
 thy Glory, the good of thy 
 Church, the fafety.^honour, 
 
 d\ r r '"ft A &4+* A L* . * 
 
 welfare, of 
 
 things may be fo ordered and 
 fettled by their endeavours, 
 upon the beft and fureft foun- 
 dations, that peace and happi- 
 nefs, truth and juftice, religion 
 and piety, may be eflabliihed 
 among us for all generations. 
 Thefe, and all other necefla- 
 rics, for them, for us, and thy 
 whole Church, we humbly beg 
 HI the Name and mediation of 
 Jefus Chrift, our moft blelfed 
 Lord and Saviour. Amen. 
 
 f A Collect, or 'Pitr^r for all Con- 
 '///, to he ujcd at jnch 
 Titne^ when tbe I Maty is not ap- 
 .tedtobe [aid. 
 
 OGod, the creator and pre- 
 ferverofall mankind, we 
 
 tnat tnou woi 
 to make thy \ 
 them; thy 'ft* 
 all Nations. M 
 pray for the gc 
 Catholick Chu 
 be fo guided a 
 thy good Spir 
 profefs and 
 Chrillians, ma 
 way of truth, : 
 in unity of Ipi 
 of peace, and 
 of life. Final! 
 to thy Fatha 
 thofe who are 
 ed or diitreHet 
 or eftate f * c/p 
 thofe Jot si-hut 
 pniycrs arc <k 
 that it may 
 thee to comf 
 them accordir 
 ral neceffities ; 
 tience under 
 and a happy 
 their affli&ion 
 beg for Jefus 
 Amen. 
 
 ^ si 'Prayer tin, 
 any of ti 
 
 OGod, v, 1 
 property 
 mercy and to 
 our humble 
 though we be 
 with the chair 
 let the pitifuln 
 mercy loofe u 
 
 PAGE FROM PRAYER BOOK OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 SHOWING CHANGES MADE BY BISHOP BASS DURING THE REVOLUTION 
 
 Kingdom " changed to " Commonwealth." 
 
 High Court of Parliament under our most religious and gracious King " changed 
 to " General Court." 
 
 Our sovereign and his kingdom," changed to " this People."
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 afterwards sold to St. John's Church, Portsmouth, N. H., and although 
 more than a hundred and fifty years old is still in use at the chapel 
 services in that church. 
 
 At the regular Easter Meeting held April 1, 1771, the proprietors 
 of St. Paul's Church voted to petition His Excellency Thomas Hutchin- 
 son, governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, and humbly request 
 that the communion plate recently taken from King's Chapel, Boston, 
 in exchange for a more elaborate service from King George the Third, 
 " be given, granted and assigned " to the Church at Newburyport. 
 
 In answer to this petition a flagon inscribed with the words " The 
 gift of K. William and Q. Mary to ye Rev'd Sam'l Myles for the use of 
 their Maj'ties Chappel in New England 1694 " and a chalice bearing 
 the inscription " Ex dono Johannis Milles 1693 " were sent to Mr. Bass 
 and remained in possession of the parish until stolen, with other com- 
 munion plate, in 1887. 
 
 At the beginning of the Revolutionary War the inhabitants of New- 
 bury and Newburyport were thoroughly aroused to the importance of 
 the impending struggle, and fearing that the use of certain collects 
 and prayers would seriously interfere with the work and influence of 
 St. Paul's Church and possibly lead to serious results, the Wardens and 
 Vestrymen, in a letter addressed to Rev. Mr. Bass, requested him to 
 omit, at morning and evening service, all prayers, collects, or suffrages 
 relating to the King, Royal Family, or Government of Great Britain. 
 
 Deeply impressed with the difficulties of the situation, and anxious 
 to avoid criticism, Mr. Bass, after consultation with prominent members 
 of the parish, considered it wise and prudent to comply with the request. 
 The proposed changes were promptly made and the Book of Common 
 Prayer, amended and temporarily revised, continued in uninterrupted 
 use in the parish until long after the close of the war. 
 
 These alterations in the Prayer Book and the observance of days 
 appointed by Congress for fasting and thanksgiving, ultimately led the 
 Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts to drop the 
 name of Mr. Bass from the list of missionaries in its service in New Eng- 
 land. Accused of giving aid and encouragement to the rebellious sub- 
 jects of the King, he replied that in the discharge of his duties as 
 minister he had only made such concessions as the exigencies of the 
 
 case demanded. 
 
 45
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 It is not unreasonable to suppose that Mr. Bass, like many other 
 clergymen, merchants, lawyers, and statesmen, living in the Province of 
 Massachusetts Bay, was impressed with the idea that separation from 
 England was undesirable, and he may have contemplated its possible 
 accomplishment with considerable apprehension and anxiety, but there 
 is no evidence that he sought by word or deed, in the pulpit or out of 
 it, to oppose the wishes or restrict the rights and privileges of the ardent 
 and zealous supporters of the Continental Congress. He abstained from 
 personal controversy, resolutely refused to preach upon political topics, 
 and was evidently undisturbed by troublesome dissensions in his parish, 
 although Tristram Dalton, afterwards Senator to Congress from Massa- 
 chusetts ; Rufus King, twice Minister plenipotentiary to the Court of 
 St. James ; Patrick Tracy, an eminent merchant, zealous and patriotic ; 
 Captain Thomas Thomas and Captain Nicholas Tracy, owners and 
 commanders of successful privateers ; and many others who contributed 
 in various ways to the support of the Colonial Government, were members 
 of his congregation. 
 
 After the commencement of hostilities he was occasionally mis- 
 represented and some times treated with indignity, but he was seldom 
 irritated or annoyed by criticism or comment on his conduct and con- 
 tinued his parochial work all through the war. 
 
 August 30, 1789, a letter signed by the Wardens and Vestrymen of 
 St. Paul's Church was sent to the Episcopal churches in Massachusetts 
 and New Hampshire requesting their cooperation in an effort to obtain 
 a representation of the laity in the councils of the Church and asking 
 them to elect lay delegates to attend the convention to be held in Phila- 
 delphia September 29, 1789. This suggestion was not favorably received 
 and most of the churches declined to take any action in regard to it, 
 but the members of St. Paul's Church elected Hon. Tristram Dalton 
 and Hon. Elbridge Gerry delegates to the convention, instructing them 
 to insist on the proposed amendment of the Constitution and Canons 
 of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America. Since that date the 
 laity as well as the clergy have been represented in the General Con- 
 vention and taken part in its deliberations. 
 
 At a meeting held in Salem, Mass., June 4, 1789, the clergymen 
 having charge of Episcopal churches in Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
 shire elected Rev. Edward Bass bishop, " to be received as such when 
 
 47
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 canonically consecrated and invested with the Apostolic office." Owing 
 to the difficulty of securing the cooperation of the Right Rev. William 
 White, Bishop of Pennsylvania, the Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, 
 Bishop of New York, and the Right Rev. Samuel Seabury, Bishop of 
 Connecticut, the consecration of Rev. Mr. Bass was delayed several years. 
 
 In the summer of 1791 Bishop Seabury, of Connecticut, preached 
 in St. Paul's Church and confirmed a hundred and thirty or forty per- 
 sons. This was probably the first time that a Bishop of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church had visited Newburyport, officially, and administered 
 the rite of confirmation. 
 
 May 24, 1796, Rev. Mr. Bass was re-elected Bishop of Massa- 
 chusetts and Rhode Island, and May 7, 1797, he was consecrated in 
 Christ Church, Philadelphia, Right Rev. William White, Bishop of 
 Pennsylvania, Right Rev. Samuel Provoost, Bishop of New York, and 
 Right Rev. Thomas J. Clagget, Bishop of Maryland, officiating. 
 
 CORNER STONE OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 48
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 Proposals for a new church building were discussed and finally 
 agreed to previous to the beginning of the year 1800, and on the 
 twenty-fifth of March of that year a committee appointed by the pro- 
 prietors of St. Paul's Church agreed with Stephen Toppan to remove 
 the old building and erect a new one on the same spot with a vestry 
 room in the rear and " a piazza of the Truscan order in front supported 
 by twelve pillars." The Pulpit, Reading Desk and Clerk's Pew to be 
 similar in style of finish and workmanship to those in Trinity Church, 
 Boston. The bell, organ, and reredos, or altar piece, were to be taken 
 down and set up again in the new church ; everything to be finished and 
 completed in a workmanlike manner previous to October 15, 1800. 
 
 If an architect was employed to make the plans and draw up the 
 specifications for the new building his name does not appear in the 
 proprietors' book of records, and probably the contractor, Stephen 
 Toppan, was well qualified and able to furnish all that were needed. 
 At all events he was a skilful and experienced mechanic, thoroughly 
 familiar with the details of his work as carpenter and house-builder. 
 
 While the new church was being built services were held in the 
 Second Presbyterian Meeting House on Harris Street, and there on 
 the twenty-second day of May the 
 Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 
 Free and Accepted Masons as- 
 sembled to assist in laying the cor- 
 ner stone of the new edifice. After 
 prayers had been offered, the 
 Apostles' Creed said, and the Te 
 Deum sung, Rev. William Bently, 
 D.D., a Congregational clergyman 
 of Salem, Mass., delivered an ad- 
 dress suitable to the occasion. At 
 the close of these exercises a pro- 
 cession, escorted by the officers 
 and members of the Grand Lodge, 
 proceeded to the corner of High 
 and Market Streets where under a 
 triumphal arch, on which was in- Tm; pu . r RKV];RK RI;II 
 
 scribed, in letters of gold, " Holi- rs ,, d iu S t. Paul's church from isn to 1899 
 
 49
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 ness to the Lord " the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Bass, assisted 
 by his Masonic brethren. 
 
 The church was consecrated October 8, 1800, and since that date 
 has been devoted to the development of the Christian religion and the 
 public worship of God. 
 
 Bishop Bass died suddenly September 10, 1803, and was buried 
 in St. Paul's churchyard. On the nineteenth day of October following 
 Mr. James Morss was invited to take charge of the parish, and early in 
 the month of November accepted the invitation. He was born in New- 
 buryport, October 26, 1779, graduated at Harvard in 1800, ordained 
 deacon July 3, 1803, and served as assistant to Bishop Bass for two 
 or three months. June 11, 1804, he was admitted to the priesthood by 
 Bishop Moore of the French Church du St. Esprit in the city of New 
 York and for nearly thirty-nine years devoted himself to the work of 
 the ministry in Newburyport. One of his sermons, preached in 1837, 
 and published in pamphlet form, contains many interesting facts relat- 
 ing to the early history of the church in this community. He died 
 April 26, 1842, and was buried in St. Paul's churchyard. 
 
 The reredos, or altar piece, taken from the old church was placed 
 in its present position in the church when the new building was erected. 
 Some changes were made at that time, and the panel containing the Ten 
 Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed was added. 
 The letters on this panel are said to have been drawn by William Woart 
 and painted by Edward Bass, nephew of Bishop Bass. 
 
 The old bell, broken while being rung for evening service December 
 23, 1810, was replaced February 14, 1811, by a new one cast in 1809 
 by Revere & Son, of Boston. This bell, having met with a similar mis- 
 hap, was rung for the last time October 1, 1899, and afterwards taken 
 down and placed in an alcove in the tower of the church, where it still 
 remains. A third bell, from the foundry of Meneely & Co., West Troy, 
 N. Y., bearing the inscription, " To the glory of God and in loving 
 memory of Rev. James Morss, D.D., Rector of St. Paul's Church, 
 Newburyport, Mass., 1803-1842 " was purchased in December, 1899, 
 and now hangs in the belfry. It was rung for the first time Sunday, 
 January 7, 1900. 
 
 In 1833 an organ built in Newburyport to take the place of one 
 purchased of the proprietors of King's Chapel, in Boston, in 1756, was 
 
 51
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 set up in the front gallery of the church, opposite the chancel, where it 
 remained until the summer of 1866, when it was removed and a larger 
 instrument from the factory of S. S. Hamill, of East Cambridge, was 
 purchased and placed on the northwesterly side of the chancel on a 
 level with the church floor. This organ was subsequently sold, and a 
 new one, built by the Austin Organ Company, of Hartford, Conn., 
 was completed and placed in its present position in February, 1905. 
 
 In the summer of 1843 the interior of the church was remodeled 
 and new pews were built. The eagle that occupied a conspicuous place 
 above the altar, at that date, was taken down and mysteriously disap- 
 peared. Nearly forty years later, through the personal efforts of 
 Major Ben Perley Poore and Mr. Charles W. Moseley, it was restored 
 to its former position in the church. While these and other changes 
 were being made services were held, on Sundays and holydays, in the 
 Court House on Bartlet Mall. 
 
 The stone chapel on the westerly side of the church was the gift 
 of Rev. William Horton, D.D., rector of St. Paul's Church from 1853 
 to 1863. It was consecrated by the Right Reverend Manton Eastburn, 
 Bishop of Massachusetts, May 23, 1863. 
 
 A choir of men and boys, organized in 1885 by George H. Pearson, 
 remained under his care and supervision until March, 1895, when he 
 resigned, and Hazard Perry Craig, of New York City, accepting the 
 vacant position, had charge of the choir for a few months. September 
 29, 1895, Victor A. Nicholson was appointed organist, and since that 
 date St. Paul's Church has been indebted to him and to the members 
 of the choir for a musical service of great excellence. 
 
 Christ Chapel, on Merrimack Street, between Jefferson and New 
 streets was conveyed to the proprietors of St. Paul's Church in 190-1, 
 and religious services are held there at the usual hours on Sundays and 
 holydays throughout the year. 
 
 It would be impossible, in the limited time at my disposal, to give 
 even a brief summary of the gifts and memorials that have been pre- 
 sented to St. Paul's Church since its organization in 1738, but I will 
 call your attention to a few of the donations and bequests that deserve 
 honorable mention on this anniversary occasion: 
 
 In September, 1874, George W. A. Williams, of Boston, gave in 
 memory of his wife, Susan Lydia (Moody) Williams, a former com- 
 
 52
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 municant of the church, a baptismal font, cut from a solid block of 
 Cleveland stone; and in 1887 his brother, John Q. A. Williams, provided 
 
 TABLET TO THE MEMORY OF BISHOP BASS 
 
 in his will for the purchase of a marble tablet, in memory of Right Rev. 
 Edward Bass, D.D., Bishop of Massachusetts and Rhode Island; a solid 
 silver communion service " in memory of his honored parents, Abraham 
 
 53
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 and Ann Williams " ; and a clock of superior workmanship to be placed 
 in the tower of the church. These memorial gifts, purchased by a com- 
 mittee appointed for that purpose, have an appropriate place and use 
 in the service of the church and for nearly twenty-five years have been 
 identified with its history. 
 
 In 1896 the parish house in the rear of the church, built with funds 
 raised by the ladies of St. Monica's Chapter, was presented to the parish 
 and has since been used for special meetings of the Wardens and Vestry- 
 men, for the accommodation of the choir, for social gatherings, and for 
 other purposes. 
 
 In 1902 the sum of five thousand dollars was deposited with the 
 Trustees of Donations for the Protestant Episcopal Church in the 
 Diocese of Massachusetts, by Samuel Eliphalet Emery, Sarah Noyes 
 Emery, Mary Elizabeth Emery, Louisa J. Emery, Frances J. Emery 
 and Georgiana Emery, children of Rev. Samuel M. and Mary Hale 
 Emery, in memory of their father and mother, the principal and interest 
 to be applied, under certain restrictions, to the payment of rent, or to 
 the purchase of a parsonage for the use of the Rector. 
 
 At or about the same date a baptismal ewer, of polished brass, 
 presented to the church by Mrs. David A. Andrews, in memory of her 
 grandson, David Allen Andrews, Jr., was received and consecrated to 
 its use in the service of baptism as provided for in the Book of Common 
 Prayer. 
 
 In 1904 an elegant set of altar hangings, with two elaborate 
 dossals, embroidered with silk and gold, a small communion service for 
 special use in the visitation of the sick, and a fire-proof safe in which to 
 keep the communion silver, were presented by Henry H. Crapo, Esq., 
 of New Bedford, Mass., in memory of his wife, Caroline (Caldwell) 
 Crapo, a former resident of Newburyport and for many years a com- 
 municant of St. Paul's Church. 
 
 In 1905 Mary Elizabeth, Louisa J., Frances J., and Georgiana 
 Emery purchased several estates on Market and Summer streets, 
 in order to provide space for the future enlargement and improve- 
 ment of the church building whenever it should become necessary or 
 advisable. 
 
 In 1907 the pulpit, choir stalls and brass chandelier were given by 
 Frederick S. Moseley, who also contributed liberally for the purchase of 
 
 54
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 the new organ and for the improvements made in the interior of the 
 church during that year. 
 
 In addition to the above named gifts, a bronze tablet in memory of 
 Nathaniel Foster, for nearly fifty years Senior Warden ; a stained glass 
 window, in the chancel, in memory of David P. Page ; a marble tablet 
 in memory of Rev. George Thomas Chapman, D.I). ; and a prayer 
 desk for use on Sundays and holydays, have been presented by 
 loving friends and communicants of the church. 
 
 The events and incidents that have occurred in the history of 
 St. Paul's Church since the death of Rev. James Morss, in 1842, are 
 comparatively well known and do not require any special comment 
 or detailed description at this time. 
 
 Rev. JOHN S. DAVENPORT was rector from December, 1843, to November, 1814. 
 
 Rev. EDWARD A. WASHBURN from October, 1845, to August, 1851. 
 
 Rev. WILLIAM HOUTON from September, 1853, to October, 1863. 
 
 Rev. JOHN C. WHITE from October, 1863, to April, 1870. 
 
 Rev. GEORGE D. JOHNSON from November, 1870, to October, 1875. 
 
 Rev. EDWARD L. DROWN from May, 1876, to December, 1883. 
 
 Rev. JAMES H. VAX BUREN from November, 1884, to July, 1890. 
 
 Rev. WILLIAM C. RICHARDSON from September, 1890, to July, 1897. 
 
 REV. ARTHUR H. WRIGHT, faithful and efficient rector of the 
 church from March 5, 1899 to the present time, has held the office longer 
 than any of his predecessors except Bishop Bass and Rev. James Morss. 
 Under his pastoral care and supervision the Church has prospered, and 
 is now financially strong and vigorous ; better able to do its work in this 
 community than at any previous time in its history. 
 
 It owes its existence and spiritual development to the Society for 
 the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts and to the ministers 
 of Queen Anne's Chapel, who founded, two centuries ago, the oldest 
 parish that still adheres to the faith and principles of the Protestant 
 Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Massachusetts. 
 
 To those who still love the old parish and this ancient church 
 building I commend the comforting words of the Psalter in the Book 
 of Common Prayer: 
 
 " THEY SHALL PROSPER THAT LOVE THEE. PEACE BE WITHIN THY 
 WALLS AND PLENTEOUSNESS WITHIN THY PALACES. FOR MY BRETHREN 
 AND COMPANIONS' SAKE I WILL WISH THEE PROSPERITY. YEA BECAUSE 
 
 OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, OUR GOD, I WILL SEEK TO DO THEE GOOD." 
 
 56
 
 QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL 
 
 An Address by the Rev. Rufus Emery, D. D., at the 
 Dedication of a Memorial Cross marking the site 
 of the Chapel, Monday, June 5,
 
 QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL 
 
 BY REV. RUFUS EMERY, D.D. 
 
 THE building known in the General Court Records as " the in- 
 tended meeting house " and later by the inhabitants of the West Pre- 
 cinct as the Queen's Chapel, was raised in 1711. At the time of raising 
 the building, the builders, in the hearing of a great number of people, 
 declared it to be the Queen's Chapel. The builders went on with their 
 work, although forbidden to do so by the General Court, until all work 
 ceased by a positive mandate from the General Court. 
 
 After all work on the building had ceased, Mr. John Bridger, an 
 officer of the Queen, came to their aid. He bought the land and gave 
 his bond to finish the building, the inhabitants furnishing the men 
 and means. 
 
 The building was fifty feet long and thirty feet wide. It stood 
 facing the east on the Bradford Road (running in the same direction 
 and not far from what is now Storey Avenue), near the middle of the 
 present Belleville Cemetery. It was a plain wooden building, a simple 
 covered frame. It had a steeple on which was a vane. It had entrances 
 on the front and at the sides. There were two rows of windows. There 
 is no record of the finishing of the interior. It was probably furnished 
 with rough benches or forms for the congregation and a pulpit of 
 simple construction for preaching and reading prayers. Also perhaps 
 a table for the celebration of Holy Communion. 
 
 In 1718, a bell was given by the Bishop of London and placed in 
 the tower, where it remained till 1770, when it was thrown down by a 
 severe storm. 
 
 In 1726 the Chapel was clapboarded at the charge of the attend- 
 ants, aided by subscriptions from Boston. Among the names of the 
 contributors are found the names of the well known merchants John 
 Jekyle and Andrew Fancuil. At the same time galleries were built and 
 pews began to be erected, special ones being provided for the Wardens 
 and for captains of vessels. Later, additional pews were built in various 
 parts of the building for individual members of the Mission. 
 
 59
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 In 1750 the Chapel was repaired at a cost of one hundred and 
 six pounds. 
 
 After this time the Chapel remained unchanged for twenty years, 
 during which time, no repairs having been made on it, it gradually 
 decayed until 1770, when in a severe storm a part of the building, 
 including the steeple, was blown down. The bell was thrown into the 
 road and taken care of by a Mr. Whitmore, and saved. The seats and 
 galleries were preserved. At this time it was voted by the proprietors 
 that the remnant of the Chapel be taken down under the direction of a 
 committee and the stuff arising from the building, with all the materials, 
 be used for some public purpose, the committee to account to the pro- 
 prietors. The persons who saved the bell, seats, and galleries were 
 also to account to the proprietors. There is no record of the various 
 committees being called to account for the remnants of the building 
 put in their care, nor what disposition was made of them. The remains 
 of the Chapel probably remained, gradually decaying, till 1777, when 
 on a Sunday it fell to the ground. 
 
 The first service of the Church of England held in the Chapel was 
 by the Rev. Henry Harris, Assistant Minister of King's Chapel, Boston, 
 and Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford. He was invited by Mr. John 
 Bridger to instruct the people in the ways of the Church. 
 
 In November, 1712, the Rev. John Lambton, Chaplain of Her 
 Majesty's ship Phenix, was sent to Newbury by Col. Francis Nich- 
 olson, to officiate till further orders from the Society for Propagating 
 the Gospel. From ill health he resigned February, 1714. After the 
 resignation of Mr. Lambton, some of the inhabitants, thinking the 
 Mission neglected, used the Chapel, removing the vestments, ornaments, 
 and books. When in 1715, the Rev. Henry Lucas came to Newbury, 
 from Braintree, the Chapel was restored to him and the articles re- 
 moved were replaced. The Mission was a thorny one. Minister and 
 people were dissatisfied with each other. He died August 23, 1720, 
 and was buried under the altar of the Chapel by the Rev. David Mossom, 
 of Marblehead, who held occasional services at the Mission till the com- 
 ing of Rev. Mr. Plant. 
 
 The Rev. Matthias Plant was appointed Missionary in 1721, came 
 to Newbury in April, 1722, and preached his first sermon in the Chapel 
 April 29, 1722. He was a graduate of Jesus College, Cambridge, 1712. 
 
 60
 
 GRAVE OF REV. MATTHIAS PLANT, 1753 
 
 GRAVE OF SAMUEL BARTLETT, 1732
 
 GRAVE OF MRS. SARAH BAHTLETT, 1727 
 Wife of Thomas Bartlett 
 
 GRAVE or JOHN BAYLEY, "CLARK" OF QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL, 1746
 
 QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL 
 
 For twenty years his ministry was at the Chapel, later for a time it was 
 equally divided between the Chapel and the new Church at the Water- 
 side, St. Paul's. After several years, by reason of a misunderstanding, 
 he ceased his services at St. Paul's, but resumed them and continued 
 them the remainder of his life, as his health would allow. He died in 
 1753. After his death his assistant and successor held service in the 
 Chapel once a month till 1766, when all services at the Chapel ceased, 
 as the larger part of the congregation resided at the Waterside. Mr. 
 Plant was a faithful missionary, a farmer, a land owner, well known to 
 the Colonial authorities, often entertaining them at his house. He was 
 liberal to the Church, and joined with his brethren in asking for Bishops 
 for America. 
 
 The erection of a Chapel of the Church of England in the town of 
 Newbury was without doubt a great surprise to the inhabitants of the 
 old town and church and to those in the colony who were opposed to 
 its introduction. Judge Sewall records in his diary his surprise when 
 he saw the certainty of what he could not believe, when twenty-two of 
 the West End declared that they were of the pure Episcopal Church of 
 England, and asking protection from the Governor. Cotton Mather, in 
 a letter to Wait Winthrop, speaks of the Newbury faction as losing 
 their interest in the Mission. 
 
 The Rev. Christopher Toppan, minister of the old parish, calls 
 the Mission a factious proceeding. The favorers of the Church of 
 England looked at it in another light. Colonel Nicholson, who sent 
 Mr. Lambton to serve till a permanent missionary could be secured, 
 says in a letter to the Society : " I fear we might have lost an oppor- 
 tunity of promoting the interest of the Church if we had not found 
 this expedient." 
 
 Mr. Bridger writes of the Newbury Mission : " This is a thing 
 without precedent, I presume, to have a body of people to leave their 
 schism at once." 
 
 About 1732 the Waterside became an important part of the town 
 through ship-building and foreign commerce, and attracted many mer- 
 chants and seafaring men. 
 
 They naturally desired (as the inhabitants of the West End did 
 in 1685) public worship among themselves. This desire led to the 
 
 building of a new church at the Waterside. 
 
 (53
 
 ST. PAUL'S PARISH 
 
 Mr. Plant aided this work by his services and means, for he saw 
 that the Chapel was seated at some disadvantage for ever expecting a 
 very large congregation. 
 
 For a quarter of a century the services of the Church of England 
 were celebrated in two locations in the town, at the Chapel on this spot 
 and at St. Paul's at the Waterside. 
 
 Later, in 1766, services ceased at the Chapel, but continued at 
 St. Paul's, where for over a century and a half petitions of penitence 
 and thanks, of prayer and praise, have ascended to Almighty God 
 through His Son Jesus Christ, from a multitude of contrite and devout 
 worshipers. 
 
 WEATHER VANE OF QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL 
 
 Recently presented to St. Paul's Church by Mr. Joshua Hale and family, 
 in whose possession it has been for more than one hundred years.
 
 ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 
 
 Cor. High and Market Streets, Newburyport, Mass. 
 ORGANIZATION 
 
 Rector 
 
 REV. ARTHUR H. WRIGHT 
 220 High Street 
 
 Assistant 
 
 REV. RUFUS EMERY, D.D. 
 West Newbury 
 
 Lay Reader 
 WALWORTH TYNG 
 
 Wardens 
 
 MOSES BROWN, Senior Warden 
 JOHN F. PEARSON, Junior Warden 
 
 Vestrymen 
 
 ALLEN M. BREWSTER WILLIAM F. HOUSTON 
 
 BRAINERD P. EMERY CHARLES W. MOSELEY 
 
 MILTON S. THOMPSON 
 
 Cleric Treasurer 
 
 MILTON S. THOMPSON WILLIAM F. HOUSTON 
 
 Treasurer Trust Funds Collector 
 
 CHARLES W. MOSELEY Miss MARY T. SPALDINO 
 
 Organist and Choirmaster Sexton 
 
 VICTOR A. NICHOLSON ROBERT J. McKiNNEY 
 
 PARISH SOCIETIES 
 ALTAR SOCIETY GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY 
 
 CHOIR CLUB ST. ANNA'S SOCIETY 
 
 CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB WOMAN'S GUILD 
 
 WOMAN'S AUXILIARY 
 
 CHRIST CHAPEL 
 
 Corner of Merriniac and Moulton Streets 
 ST. AGNES SOCIETY WOMAN'S GUILD
 
 GRAVE OF "MRS. SARAH BARTLET, A MAIDEX GENTLEWOMAN," 1744 
 
 Queen Anne's Chapel Churchyard 
 At this period elderly maiden ladies were addressed as " Mrs."
 
 FACSIMILE SIOXATURES OF MINISTERS OF QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL AND 
 RECTORS OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCH
 
 As we face the future, it seems desirable 
 that the attention of those who love St. Paul's 
 for all it has been in the past should be called 
 to the need of additional endowment, that it 
 may do the work that lies before it effectively 
 and well. 
 
 Gifts and bequests to increase the endow- 
 ment of the parish are among the best forms 
 of memorial, and the attention of all who are 
 interested in the future welfare of the parish 
 is called to this means of assuring the contin- 
 uance of its splendid history.
 
 A LITTLE GRAVE IN 
 QUEEN ANNE'S CHAPEL CHURCHYARD
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
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 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW. 
 
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