chiefly encouraged and promoted by the bounty of his Excellency Colonel Benjamin Fletcher, Captain General and Governor-in-chief of this Province; in the time of whose government the inhabitants of this city of the Protestant Religion of the Church of England as now established by law, were incorporated by a charter under the seal of the Province, and many other valuable gifts he gave to it of his private fortune.*

"The church is within ornamented beyond any other place of public worship among us. The head of the chancel is adorned with an altar-piece, and opposite to it, at the other end of the building, is the organ. The tops of the pillars which support the galleries are decked with the gilt busts of angels, winged. From the ceiling are suspended two glass branches, and on the walls hang the arms of some of its principal benefactors." Among these, a conspicuous place was given to Governor Fletcher's, and the same inscription was placed under them as that which has already been noticed over the door of the church.

From a due sense likewise of all his Excellency's favors, it was

Ordered, That Mr. James Evets do lay out the ground for his pew in the East part of the Church next to the chancell, to remaine forever to the aforesaid use, or the use of others, as his Excel. shal think fit to direct.

It was likewise

Ordered, That the Gallery designed to be built on ye South side of Trinity Church, at ye charge of ye Govermt, for ye use of ye Gov

* Entry on the minutes of the Vestry.

and Council of this Province, have a part added to it at ye charge of this Corporation, to run towards ye West end of ye Church, and those persons that will have pews therein do in proportion pay ye charge thereof.

The following is the Form of Assignment of Pews in Trinity Church:

The Rector and Inhabitants of the City of New-York, in Communion of the Church of England as by Law Established: To all to whom it doth and may concern-Greeting. Know ye, that for a valuable consideration to us in hand paid by A. B. of the said City, we have given and granted, and by these presents do give and Grant unto the said A. B., and the heirs of his body, all the one-half part of the Pew in Trinity Church in NYork marked No. (10); whereof the other part doth belong to C. D.: To use & enjoy the same forever; He the said A.B. and his heirs cleansing, maintaining, and keeping the same in good repair at their own proper charge, saving and reserving always unto the said Rector & Inhabitants, and their successors forever, not only the reversion thereof, failing the heirs of the said A.B, but also upon his or their removal from the said City of New-York to Inhabit in other parts, the free use and disposition thereof for the benefit and profit of the said Church during their absence. In testimony whereof, the said Rector and Inhabitants have caused their seal to be hereunto affixed: Witnessed, John Crooke and David Jamison, the present Church Wardens at New-York, the day of Anno Dom: 1709.

A circumstance is recorded on the completion of the Church, which is very characteristic of the uniform liberality and kindness which have always marked the proceedings of the Vestry.

This day the board accounted with Mr. Derrick Vanderburgh, and there appears due to him, by balance, the sum of £294 9s. 7d. current money of New-York for workmen, labourers, and money &c. by him expended for the building of Trinity Church and the

Steeple; and in consideration that he hath been long out of his money and no interest for the same: It is resolved and ordered by this Board, nemine contradicente, that a silver tankard of the value of Twelve pounds be presented unto, and to be paid out of the public stock of Trinity Church, and that till the said sum of £294 9s. 7d. be paid, he be allowed from this day interest for such sum, as shall be behind and not paid, at the rate of seven pounds per cent. per ann.

About this period several valuable gifts were made to Trinity Church, the acknowledgments whereof were entered on the minutes.

Mr. David Jamison reports, that his Excel ye Govr Col. Fletcher, has given a Bible and some other Books to this Corporation for ye use of Trinity Church, wch are supposed to be in the hands of Mr. Lymon Smith. Ordered Capt. Wilson and Wm. Sharpas do waite upon Mr. Smith and ask for ye same.

Mr. Vesey informed the Board, that he has recd from his Excely Rich. Earl of Bellamont a parcell of books of Divinity, sent over by the Right Reverend Henry, Lord Bishop of London, for ye use of Trinity Church, for which he hath given a receipt to his Excely, a list whereof is produced.

Mr. Hawdon and Mr. Ives were ordered to oversee the getting of the paving stones from the Pink blossome, and lodging them in the Steeple, being the Gift of ye Lord Bishop of Bristoll to Trinity Church.

Mr. Huddleston inform'd this Board, that his Excell the Lord Viscount Cornbury had given to the Church a black cloth Pall, on condition no person dying and belonging to Forte Anne should be deny'd the use thereof, Gratis.

Mr. Vesey acquainted this Board, the Lord Cornbury had presented to the Church, two Common Prayer Books, and the Library with the Lord Clarendon's first part of the history of the Civil wars of the kingdome of England.

Mr. Vesey presented to this Board a letter from the Bishop of London, relating to Communion Plate and furniture for the Church,

desiring the Church to appoint their Solicitor for getting the same, and he hath promised his assistance.

Ordered, That the Church Wardens write to Col. Lodwick, to desire him to sollicite for the said plate and furniture; and that they take care to remit a Bill of Thirty pounds sterling to him, to be Imploy'd for that service, and buying of two surplices and two Common Prayer Books for Trinity Church.

Ordered, That the Church Wardens get an address drawn, to be presented to his Excellency, to grant the Queen's Farme and the Queen's garden to Trinity Church, and that the Vestry present the

same.

Mr. Jamison produc'd his Excells Patent for the King's Farme, now called the Queen's Farme, and the Queen's garden, wch was read, and acquainted the Vestry that his Excell, Mr. Attorney Gen1 Bickley and Mr. Secretary Clark, gave their fees for passing thereof.

Ordered, That this Vestry do return his Lord thanks for his many great favors to the Church, particularly for his Excell Patent for the Queen's Farme, the Queen's garden, and Bill of Store for the goods that came from England; and that Mr. Jamison, Mr. Attorney General Bickley, and Mr. Emmet, draw up an address to his Lordp accordingly.

Previously, however, to the reception of Lord Cornbury's patent, notice had been given

That ye Kings Farme was to be lett, and that the Church Wardens were appointed a Committee to farme the same, and report to this Board.

It was shortly after let on the following conditions, which are singularly strange in relation to an estate on which a city has risen:

It is agreed by this Board, that George Ryerse have the farme the remaining part of the year, till the first of May next; that he shall have liberty to take off his winter and summer grain, provided he plant no Indian Corne next spring therein; that he sew no more

summer grain next spring than winter grain; that he committ not any waste, leave the fences in repair and good order, he paying for the same the sum of Thirty five pounds to the Church Wardens for the use of the Church, in manner following: that is to say, Twenty pounds the first of NovembTM, and fifteen pounds the first of May next ensuing.

The first person who was appointed Sexton in Trinity Church was,

Nich. Fielding, a person reputed of honest behaviour and conversation, who offered his service gratis, till the Corporation of the Church should be formally established, and a salary allow'd for it.* This was on the 25th of October, 1697.

He continued in office but a very short time, for in the next year another appointment was made, as may be inferred from the following entry in the minutes :

Mr. Welch appeared before the board, and being informed that this Church wanted a Sexton, told them that he was ready to execute that office, and that for his wages or salary for the same, he be allowed six shillings per ann. of every pew for the cleaning and looking after the same; and that the persons that have a right to the said pews pay the same quarterly, in equall portions. He also remained but a short time in office, and was succeeded in 1705 by his son James.†

Ordered, That the said James Welsh be appointed Sexton of Trinity Church, in the City and Province of New-York, and to receive and take the fees and Perquisites thereof, on his giving security to

* There is the following curious entry in the minutes with respect to his assistant:

Ordered, That Mr. Tothill do provide the Sexton's boy a waistcoat, col'd breeches, shoes and stockings, hat and neckcloths.

For as complete a list of the Sextons of Trinity Church, during the existence of the Parish, as can be made out, see Appendix B.