REV. JAMES MAC SPARRAN, IRISHMAN, SCHOLAR, PREACHER AND PHILOSOPHER, 1680‒1757.
Reading edition
BY THOMAS HAMILTON MURRAY.[4]
Rev. James MacSparran was one of the great men given by Ireland to Rhode Island in the early half of the eighteenth century. For nearly forty years he was rector of St. Paul’s church,[5] in Narragansett, R. I., and forms one of the grand figures in Rhode Island history.
He was born in or near Dungiven, Londonderry, Ireland, about the year 1680. He received the degree of M. A. from Glasgow University in 1709, and that of D. D., from Oxford in 1731. He belonged to a Presbyterian family. His first visit within the present territory of Rhode Island was made about 1718.
He came from Boston to Bristol, then a part of Massachusetts, and stopped during his visit at the house of a relative, the Widow Pompelion, who resided at the corner of Hope and State streets. Possessing credentials as a licentiate, he preached in Bristol and was favorably received. Munro thus narrates[6] the incident:
“The pulpit was vacant, and the young Irishman was invited to preach in the meeting house on the Sunday after he reached Bristol. Mr. McSparran possessed, in an unusual degree, the remarkable eloquence with which so many of the children of Ireland have been endowed, and his wonderful oratory made such a deep impression upon the minds of his hearers that at a church meeting held on the 5316th of December, 1718, he was invited to settle in the town as its pastor. On the 22d of December the town concurred in the church’s choice, 73 votes being cast for Mr. McSparran and but three against him.”
It was voted that his salary be £100 per year, and £100 was appropriated toward the expense of his settlement. Thus far matters had gone along smoothly. Trouble now arose, however. A date had been fixed for his ordination, but the ministers who were expected to officiate refused to do so.
MacSparran[7] being desirous of a settlement, offered to submit to lay ordination. In the meantime, Rev. Dr. Mather of Massachusetts had instituted charges against him. One of these was “Unguarded conversation.” The matter came before a town-meeting in May, 1719, and MacSparran was exonerated. Angered by their defeat, his opponents then questioned the genuineness of his credentials. In order to give him an opportunity to establish his standing, the town:
“Voted, That leave be granted to Mr. James MacSparran, our present minister, to take a voyage to Ireland, in order to procure a confirmation of his credentials, the truth of which being by some questioned; and that he return to us again some time in June next ensuing and proceed in the work of the ministry with us, if he procure the confirmation of the aforesaid credentials.”
MacSparran departed, but never returned to that church or denomination. The harsh and illiberal treatment he had received from Mather and other zealots displeased him, and soon after he entered the Church of England, in which he remained until his death.
MacSparran came to these parts again in 1721, this time as a Church of England missionary. He began his ministerial labors at St. Paul’s church in Narragansett (Kingstown, R. I.), and had charge of that colonial parish until his death in 1757. The settlers in that neighborhood had been visited by two ministers previous to Dr. MacSparran’s coming, but, as he declares, “they lacked resolution to grapple with the difficulties of the mission above a year apiece.”
MacSparran married Miss Hannah Gardiner, daughter of William Gardiner, on May 22, 1722. The ceremony was performed in St. Paul’s church, Narragansett, by Rev. Samuel Honeyman, who had 54gone from Newport for the purpose. Dr. MacSparran was proud to be known as an Irishman. He could write and speak the Irish language, and always had a great affection for his native land. He was a kindly, noble-hearted man, and could, when occasion required, eloquently defend his Roman Catholic fellow-countrymen.
His very interesting work, “America Dissected,” was published at Dublin in 1753. It gives us a good idea of the extent of Irish immigration and of other matters in the colonies at that time. The work comprises letters addressed by Dr. MacSparran from Narragansett “in the colony of Rhode Island” to friends in Ireland. Here are extracts from one written by him to Col. Henry Cary, under date of August, 1752:
“There has lately been made, upon and behind the mountains of Virginia, a new Irish settlement, by a transmigration of sundry of those that, within these thirty years past, went from the north of Ireland to Pennsylvania. As the soil in that new Irish settlement is natural and friendly to grass, they will for many years to come raise great quantities of neat cattle.”
Writing of Maryland he says: “As the late Lord Baltimore was the first Protestant peer of the Calvert family, his predecessors (as it was natural they should) first peopled this province with a colony of Irish Catholics.... There are some Quakers here, in consequence of its bordering on Pennsylvania, and some Irish Presbyterians, owing to the swarms that, for many years past, have winged their way westward out of the great Hibernian hive.”
Again referring to Pennsylvania, Dr. MacSparran writes: “The Irish are numerous in this province, who, besides their interspersions among the English and others, have peopled a whole county by themselves, called the county of Donnegal, with many other new out-towns and districts. In one of these frontiers, on the forks of Delaware, I assisted my brother (who left Ireland against my advice) in purchasing a large tract of land, which by his wife’s demise, above a year ago, descends to his children. The exportations from this province are principally wheaten flour, which they send abroad in great quantities; and by the accessions and industry of the Irish and Germans, they threaten, in a few years, to lessen the American demands for Irish and other European linens.”
Alluding to New Hampshire he continues: “In this province lies that town called London-Derry, all Irish, and famed for industry and riches.”
55Then, leaving New Hampshire, he continues: “Next you enter Main,[8] which in its civilized government, is annexed to the Massachusetts, as Sagadahock also is; and both rather by use than right. In these two eastern provinces many Irish are settled, and many have been ruined by the French Indians and drove from their homes. It is pretty true to observe of the Irish,[9] that those who come here with any wealth, are the worse for their removal; though, doubtless, the next generation will not suffer so much as their fathers; but those who, when they came, had nothing to lose, have throve greatly by their labour.”
Dr. MacSparran’s reference to Rhode Island is of particular interest. He writes of it as follows: “... the little colony of Rhode Island, etc., where Providence has fixed me, and where I have resided in quality of missionary thirty-one years last April.... This little district extends itself no more than forty miles in length, and thirty in breadth, or it may be forty [for I write to you, sir, from memory]. It contains 1,024,000 acres, and is peopled with about 30,000 inhabitants, young and old, white and black.... In 1700, after Quakerism and other heresies had, in their turn, ruled and tinged all the inhabitants for the space of forty-six years, the Church of England, that had been lost here through the neglect of the crown, entered, as it were, unobserved and unseen, and yet not without some success.
“A little church was built in Newport, the metropolis of the colony, in 1702, and that in which I officiate in Narragansett, in 1707.... I entered on this mission in 1721, and found the people not a ... clean sheet of paper, upon which I might make any impressions I pleased; but a field full of briars and thorns, and noxious weeds, that were all to be eradicated, before I could implant in them the simplicity of truth. By my excursions and out labours, a church is built 25 miles to the westward of me, but not now under my care; another 16 miles to the northward of me, where I officiate once a month; and at a place six miles further off, on the Saturday before that monthly Sunday. I gathered a congregation at a place called New Bristol, where now officiates a missionary from the Society, and I was the first Episcopal minister that 56ever preached at Providence, where, for a long time, I used to go four times a year, but that church has now a fixed missionary of its own.”
In another place he tells us: “There are above three hundred vessels, such as sloops, schooners, brigantines, and ships, from sixty tons and upwards, that belong to this colony, and they are carriers for other colonies.”
The church of St. Paul was built in 1707. When Kingstown was divided, in 1722, into the towns of North and South Kingstown, the church became located about a mile over the line in the former place. In 1791 it was incorporated as St. Paul’s church in North Kingstown. In 1800 the building was removed to Wickford and the parish divided.
Dr. MacSparran was for nearly four decades closely identified with the highest social and intellectual life of the colony. His scholarly attainments made him the centre of a group[10] of cultivated minds. As pastor of St. Paul’s church, he ministered to many of the leading families in Rhode Island. He officiated at their weddings, administered baptism, preached the gospel according to his convictions, and when loved ones died uttered sweet words of condolence, sympathy and hope.
The church records contain such leading names as Updike, Arnold, Lippitt, Gardiner, Helme, Wilkinson, Potter, Robinson and a large number of others.
But “Parson” MacSparran, as he was lovingly called, was not alone the friend and associate of the well-to-do. His love for the poor and lowly was unbounded, and this sympathy found ample reciprocation in the hearts of the humble.
In order to understand the general character of Narragansett society at that period a few words may be necessary. Amos Perry[11] says: “The honor of being, par excellence, the Narragansett country is generally conceded to Charlestown and the original ‘Kings Towne,’ whose united area is 19.8 per cent. of that of the entire state.” To make it plainer, it should be said that the “Narragansett country” comprised that portion of the state of Rhode Island now known as Washington county. It was so called 57because it was the seat of the Narragansett Indians.[12] In 1654 it was named King’s Province, which in 1729 was changed to King’s county. In 1781 that monarchical designation was dropped and the name Washington substituted.
The county now comprises the towns of Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Richmond, and Westerly. The “Narragansett country” had long existed as an independent jurisdiction. Finally, the king in council promulgated his decision uniting the “King’s Province or Narragansett” to Rhode Island. For long years after, the name “Narragansett country” was still affectionately retained in the nomenclature of that district. In Dr. MacSparran’s time there were numbers of wealthy landholders in Narragansett. Many of these owned thousands of acres each and had great herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. Many, too, were slave owners and slave dealers. As late as 1804, Rhode Island had fifty-nine vessels engaged in the slave trade, notwithstanding an act was passed in 1787 forbidding the traffic.[13]
For a long period the slaves were practically barred out of the church. They were neither instructed, baptized, nor admitted to the communion. To bestow such favors upon them was considered inconsistent by their masters. But MacSparran, the great-hearted Irishman, combated this error. He emphatically protested against this unchristian exclusion of the slaves and ultimately prevailed in their behalf.
The Narragansett landholders and their families lived in princely style on their vast estates. They were a hospitable race, cordial in their welcomes, warm and lasting in their attachments. Fond of horse racing, they raised a breed known as “Narragansett Pacers,” which became famous throughout the country. Fox-hunting was also a favorite sport.
The glebe house occupied by Dr. MacSparran for over thirty years is yet standing. It overlooks the Pettaquamscutt river. This river is really a connected series of pretty lakes. Mr. Hazard once termed them the “Killarneys of New England.” Dr. MacSparran 58taught many pupils at his home, imparting a knowledge of the Greek and Latin classics and various other branches. Writing in 1752, he says: “Mr. Thomas Clap, president of Yale college, was my scholar when I came first to these parts, and on all occasions gratefully acknowledges his receiving the first rudiments of his learning from me, who, by the way, have not but a modicum to boast of myself.” Dr. MacSparran has left this significant entry: “In Bristol, New England, February 5th, 1722, were imprisoned in jail twelve men of the Church of England for refusing to pay for the support of the Presbyterian teacher, viz.: Mr. Nathaniel Cotton.” Others were imprisoned in 1724 for a like offense, and Dr. MacSparran says: “I have inserted this line in the church records, that the age to come may not forget the opposing spirit of New England Presbyterians.” The following extracts from the records of St. Paul’s church may prove of interest:
“July 11, 1721, four children were baptized at Providence, viz.: Mary Bernon, and Eva Bernon, Anna Donnison, and Elizabeth Donnison, by Rev. Mr. McSparran.
“November 8th, 1724. Captain Benoni Sweet was baptized at St. Paul’s, in Narragansett, by the Rev. Mr. McSparran.
“April 22d, 1730. In Westerly, Narragansett, Christopher Champlin and Hannah Hill, daughter of Captain John Hill, were joined together in holy matrimony by the Rev. Mr. McSparran, at the house of the said Captain John Hill.
“May 2d, 1730. Daniel Updike, Attorney-General of the Colony and Lieutenant-Colonel of the militia of the Islands, was baptized by immersion (in Petaquamscut river) by the Rev. Mr. McSparran, in presence of Mr. McSparran, Hannah McSparran, his wife, and Josiah Arnold, church warden, as witnesses.
“December 11th, 1735. Dr. Giles Goddard[14] of Groton, in Connecticut, was married to Miss Sarah Updike, at the house of her father, Captain Lodowick Updike, by Mr. McSparran.
“August 6, 1747. Dr. McSparran baptized Mrs. Elizabeth Wilkinson, wife of Capt. Philip Wilkinson,[15] by immersion in Petaquamscut pond. Witnesses, the Doctor, his wife, and Mrs. Coddington.
“Sept. 6th, Thursday, 1750. The bans of marriage being duly 59published at the church of St. Paul’s, in Narragansett, no objections being made, John Anthony, an Indian man, was married to Sarah George, an Indian woman, the widow and Dowager Queen of Geo. Augustus Ninegret, deceased, by Dr. McSparran.
“Nov. 18, 1750. Sunday, the banns being first duly asked, at St. Paul’s, Dr. McSparran married William Potter, youngest son of Col. John Potter, to Penelope Hazard, eldest daughter of Col. Thomas Hazard, both of South Kingstown, at Col. Thomas Hazard’s house.
“Nov. 7, 1752. Dr. McSparran, at the house of Colonel Thomas Hazard, on Boston Neck,[16] married George Hazard (son of George, the son of old Thomas Hazard) to Sarah Hazard, the third daughter of said Colonel Hazard.
“April 11th, 1756, being Palm Sunday, Doctor McSparran read prayers, preached, and baptized a child named Gilbert Stewart,[17] son of Gilbert Stewart, the snuff-grinder. Sureties, the Doctor, Mr. Benjamin Mumford, and Mrs. Hannah Mumford.”
In 1741‒2, MacSparran in a letter to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, writes that in the middle arm of the sea, which divides the island of Rhode Island from the Narragansett shore, lies an island called Conanicut, “about eight or nine miles long, and two wide, containing about four or five hundred inhabitants, who had never had Christianity preached to them in any shape than Quakerism,” until he addressed them upon express invitation. He was so pleased with his first visit to the island that he determined to repeat the visit monthly. In the course of his letters he expresses the wish that Ireland was at liberty to send the colonies her woolens instead of her linens, “which will soon cease to be in demand here.”
MacSparran was unalterably opposed, in season and out of season, to all efforts to form a legislative union between England and Ireland. He gives expression to his sentiments on this point, in a letter to Ireland,[18] wherein he declares:
“Our attention has for some time been taken up with the news of measures on foot to unite Ireland to England, as Scotland is. I pray God they may never take effect; for if they do, farewell 60liberty. You are greater slaves already than our negroes, and an union of that kind would make you more underlings than you are now. The accounts of the open irreligion of the greater island inclines me to imagine, that Ireland is on the brink of obtaining (as if these accounts are true, it deserves), its ancient name of Insula Sanctorum. But if ever you come into a closer connection with the more eastern island, corruption will increase.... I suppose those that are sent to rule with you, like those who sometimes are sent here, imagine fleecing to be a better business than feeding the flock. The revolution which happened before you and I were born, might be thought a wise and necessary measure, but we see it has been followed with some bad consequences. To get free from Popery, we have run into infidelity and scepticism.... Except the little revival religion had in Queen Ann’s reign, the church has gained no ground, but in America, since that period.”
Dr. MacSparran, in a letter addressed[19] to a friend in Ireland under date of 1752, again refers to Rhode Island, saying: “There are here, which is no good symptom, a vast many law suits, more in one year than the county of Derry has in twenty ... and Billy McEvers has been so long your father’s and your honor’s constable, that he would make a very good figure on the bench of our courts of sessions and of common pleas, and no contemptible one on those of our courts of assize and general gaol delivery.”
Writing to his friend William Stevenson, in Ireland, Aug. 21, 1752, MacSparran informs him that “My brother and his wife died a year ago last June.... I have to go for England for ten or twelve months, to go to the baths for better health; if I can bring matters to bear to get to England, my next push will be to be seated in Ireland.... I am in the hands of a good God, who has the hearts of men at command; and if he sees that I can serve the interests of Christ’s church, either in the use of the English or Irish language, which you know I can write and read, and upon occasion could preach in, He will raise me up friends, and restore me to my native land, or near it—if not, His will be done.”
Dr. MacSparran’s brother, whom he mentions, Archibald, sailed from Ireland for Rhode Island, but the ship made another port and he settled near New Castle on Delaware bay. He had seven children: Margaret, Eliza, Bridget, John, James, Archibald, and Joseph. Dr. MacSparran, as I have said, had no children. The Doctor and 61his wife went to England sometime before 1755. She died there in the latter year.
The Doctor returned to Rhode Island and made pastoral visits to Providence, Warwick and several other places. In 1757 he died.[20] The manner of his death was a little remarkable. It is thus described in papers in the possession of the Updike family:
“Dr. MacSparran caught his death at father’s. He went to prayer, and had read and was going to kneel, and being a fat, heavy man, and putting his hands on the table to ease himself down, the table split off and his weight came down and he hit the edge of his eyebrow against the sharp edge of the table leg and he bled profusely—but he would have nothing done till he had finished his prayer. They bound it up and he got home and never recovered.”
He was buried under the communion table of St. Paul’s. In 1781 his successor, Rev. Samuel Fayerweather, was laid beside him. It is believed that Dr. MacSparran had written a history of Narragansett, but the manuscript was not found after his death. It may have previously been sent to Ireland. He bequeathed his house and farm to church purposes and the property became a glebe for the rectors of St. Paul’s.
Sometime previous to his death he sent his diplomas as Master and Doctor to Rev. Paul Limrick, a cousin in Ireland, requesting the latter to have them registered in the parish registry of Dungiven. He asked to have this done “not through vanity, but being a pilgrim on earth and not knowing but my carcase may fall in a strange land, it would be pleasing to me that my relations in time to come might be able to speak of me with authority.”
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