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29 HISTORY OF LEEDS AND GRENVILLE. the Gospel, a few years before the Revolution, both ordain a missionary for the exclusive service of the Mohawks, John Stuart, who was selected for this purpose, was born at Harrisburg, Pa., in 1730. In 1770, he proceeded to England for ordination, and received Holy Orders, being, at the same time, appointed missionary to the Mohawks of Fort Hunter.” In consequence of his loyalty tothe British Crown, Mr. Stuart was driven to Canada in 1781. In 1784, he proceeded from Montreal to Kingston, stopping on the way at the place afterwards call New Johnstown, which he was instrumental in naming after the Johnstown settlement on the Mohawk. He was undoubtedly the first English Clergyman to hold services in the United Counties. He was dealt with inthe most liberal manner by the government, and at the first session of parliament in 1792, was named Chaplain of the Upper House of Assembly. He died August 15, 1811, in the seventy-first year of his age, and was buried at Kingston. At an early date attempts were made to establish an English Church in Elizabethtown ; service was held in private houses, and, after its erection, in the old Court House. From a mutilated record of the proceedings of St. Peter’s Church, Brockville, we learn that marriages were celebrated by a clergyman having charge of the spiritual welfare of the people in 1811. The clergyman, at that time, was not a resident, so far as we have been able to ascerftain. The first marriage on the record bears the date September 25th, 1811, and chronicles the union of George Manhard and Jenny Korison. The first clergyman in charge of St. Peters Church (according to the Church books), was the Rev. John Bethune, who, on the 12th day of January, 1816, married Andrew Jackson to Sarah Blodget. On the 7th of November, of the same year, he joined in wedlock the Rev. William Smart to Philena Jones. Mr. Bethune appears to have taken charge of Elizabethtown, Yonge, and Augusta, and to have severed his connection with the parish in the latter part of 1818, removing to Montreal, where he was known as Dean Bethune, having succeeded the Rev. Mr. Atkinson, who removed to Upper Canada. In January, 1819, the Rev. John Leeds took 1817, previous to that time, the date being Elizaas " Officiating Minister,” but subsequently as “ Minister.” 2: by Sir William Johnston and the Rev. Mr. Inglis, of | bethtown. The last record in the Parish Register, a New York, the last of whom also laid the subject | in the handwriting of Mr. Leeds, was penned z before the Government of England, in the form of | February 28th, 1825; Mr. Leeds being succeeded ; a memorial. In 1770, the Society consented to | by C. Stewart, who at first signed all documents He appears to have commenced his duties in April, 1825, relinquishing them the same month —probably officiating until the vacancy was filled by a regular appointment. In July, 1825, the name of John Wenham appears as Minister, and continues until July, 25th, 1830. The baptisms were at that time mostly performed privately, but in some instances the ceremony took place in the Court House or school house. Mr. Wenham was rather a remarkable character , wearing a cocked hat, and a coat embellished with brass buttons. He was a brother of the manager, at that time, of the Brockville Branch of the Bank of Upper Canada. Mr. Wenham subsequently returned to England, where his eldest son became a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. The next clergyman was the Rev. W. H. Gunning, who remained in charge until the middle of July, 1833, when he was appointed Kector of the New Dublin Parish. On the Sixth Sunday after Trinity, E. Dunroches assumed charge of the parish. During the years 1826 and 1827, St. Peter’s Church was erected, but was not dedicated until 1834, as the following minute in the Parish Register shows: “On the Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, in the year of our Lord, 1834, and on the 31st day of August, the Church of this Parish was consecrated to the service of Almighty God, by Charles James, by Divine permission, Lord Bishop of Quebec, and was then entitled ‘Saint Peters Church.’ The Honorable Charles Jones presented and gave into the hand of the Right Reverend the Bishop the title deed, and also the key of the Church, at the same time.” The original site chosen for the Church was the plot now occupied by the Canada Methodist Church, Court House Square; the land having been tendered to the congregation by the late William Buell. Mr. Charles Jones also offered the site actually chosen, and, after considerable discussion, his proposal was accepted. Mr. Dunroches was succeeded by the following clergymen: Dr. Lewis, now Bishop of Ontario, ie. ah charge of the Church, celebrating a marriage on residing at Ottawa; Mr. David, Curate; Dr. Lauder, s Stt the 14th of that month. It is worthy of notice, | who removed to Ireland, where he died ; Mr. Tane, & ey . that the records first bear the date of Brockville in ! and Canon Mul@ch.
