Note 201 — MEMOIR OF THE LIFE OF DAVID RITTENHOUSE; CONTINUED, FROM THE TIME OF HIS SETTLEMENT IN PHILADELPHIA.
Reading edition
As Mr. Barton’s deportment and services, very early in life, evinced his devotion to the happiness of his adopted country, the writer hopes he may be permitted, without being chargeable with great impropriety, to adduce the following evidences, among many which might be exhibited, of the usefulness and public spirit of a person, who was, during a long course of years, intimately connected with, and a confidential friend of David Rittenhouse.
Annexed to a printed copy of “A letter, concerning the office and duty of Protestant ministers, especially in times of public danger, written to a clergyman on the frontiers of Pennsylvania, on general Braddock’s defeat,”[201a] there is the following note:
“The gentleman to whom this was addressed,[201b] as well as some ministers of other denominations, did, a few months after this, find it necessary to appear at the head of their people, and were signally instrumental in preventing some of the frontier counties from being totally abandoned by their inhabitants.” See the Appendix to “Discourses on public occasions in America: By William Smith, D. D. Provost,” &c. who was the writer of the letter. It is dated, “Philadelphia, August 21, 1755.”
Extract of a letter, dated London, January 10th, 1759, from the Hon. Thomas Penn, Esq. to the Rev. Thomas Barton:—
“Since I received your last letter, I paid a visit to the present Archbishop,[201c] and mentioned to him what you wished me to do. I found he did not approve of your contemplated removal; but he proposed, that twenty pounds sterling per annum should be added to your salary: for, his grace observed, that a person so capable as you are, to advise and assist the people in your neighbourhood,[201d] could not be spared for any other mission: And, on that consideration, the society[201e] had agreed to this augmentation of your salary.”
On the 17th of June, 1767, Mr. Penn again wrote to Mr. Barton, from London; as follows:
“I am much concerned to find, that the missionaries have suffered so much, and that you are so uneasy in your situation as to have asked leave to move into Maryland. The society has offered, or intend to offer, an addition to your salary, or some other encouragement, if you stay in Pennsylvania: and I have desired Mr. Hamilton,[201f] who is upon his return, to talk to you on this affair, before you take your resolution; as I hope and intend to make you a present from me,[201g] if you do not put that design into execution.”