CHAPTER VII.

THE   BUILDING   OF  TRINITY  CHURCH.

Commencement of the Work by the " Managers of the Church of England "—Patent
Granted for Wrecks and Drift Whales—Building Contract—" Managers" become the
Church Vestry—Collections and Supplies for the Work—Slaves in Sallee—Fletcher's
Arras Set up—Appointment of a Sexton—William Huddleston Appointed Clerk—
Opening of the Church for Divine Service, March 13, 169S—Marriage of Mr. Vesey—
Subsequent History of his Wife—Farewell Address to Governor Fletcher—First Elec¬
tion of Parish Officers by the People.

1~*HE Charter of Trinity Church was signed at the
Fort in New York, May 6, 1697, being the 9th year
of King William HI. ; it bears the signature and seal of
Governor Fletcher and the Secretary of the Council. A
brief memorandum of its principal provisions has already
been given.

It will be remembered that the construction of a church
had been commenced by the " Managers of the Affairs of
the Church of England," as they styled themselves, before
the charter was granted; that Mr. Vesey had gone to
England; and that at the time of his ordination and in¬
duction, the church was not yet ready for use. As for the
support of the rector, the law required that " ;^i6o should
be raised by the City Wardens and Vestry by warrant,
and that they should pay him the maintenance aforesaid
at four equal and Quarterly Payments, under the penalty
of Five Pounds current Money aforesaid for every Re¬
fusal, Neglect or Default."

The work of building being now well advanced, the
Governor granted to the " Managers" a patent for wrecks
108