Home / O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1850. / Passage

Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1850. 325 words

Chandler also kindly informed me, that the Society transmitted a large sum to Boston, to pay tlie Missionaries in Massachusetts and New Hampshire ; but I imagine General Howe left Boston before the money could get there ; and I have not been able to learn who the person was to whom the money was delivered, nor what is become of it. The Missions of New Windsor (or Newburgh, as it was latterly called) and of Albany are still vacant. Mr. Stuart^ continues at Fort Hunter, and

"considering his ecclesiastic character, which, perhaps, is venerated by many "friends to liberty, the severity that has been used towards him may be sub- <«ject to misconstructions, prejudicial to the common cause." Mr. Seabury was accordingly set at liberty (o) and returned to his parish; but being subject to occasional visits from armed parties, who would offer 100 dollars for the discovery of "that vilest of miscreants, A Farmer," and Independence being declared, he considered it his most prudent course to close his church, " as there would be neither prayers nor sermon till he could pray for the King." On the retreat of the American Army, after the battle of L. Island, Mr. S. withdrew within the British lines where (Hawkins says) he was very useful to Gen'l Clinton, whom he furnished with plans and maps of the roads and rivers in the county of Westchester which could not but be highly serviceable. He continued to reside in N. Y. until the peace, and served as chaplain of the King's American regiment commanded by Col. Fanning. He went to England in 1784 to obtain consecration, but meeting with some difficulties at the hands of the English dignitaries, he proceeded to Scotland where he was consecrated oy some non juring bishops. He discharged the duties of his high office in an exemplary manner for many years, and died Feb. 25, 1796, in the 68th year of his age.