Benjamin Moore (bishop)
| Benjamin Moore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The Right Reverend Benjamin Moore | |
| Acting President of Columbia University | |
| In office 1775–1776 | |
| Preceded by | Myles Cooper |
| Succeeded by | George Clinton (acting) |
| President of Columbia University | |
| In office 1801–1810 | |
| Preceded by | Charles Henry Wharton |
| Succeeded by | William Harris |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 5, 1748 Newtown, New York |
| Died | February 27, 1816 (aged 67) Greenwich Village, New York |
| Signature |  |
Benjamin Moore (October 5, 1748 – February 27, 1816) was the second Episcopal bishop of New York.
Early life and family
Moore was born in Newtown, New York, in 1748, the son of Samuel Moore and Sarah Fish Moore and the great-grandson of John Moore, the first Independent minister allowed in New England.[1] He attended King's College (now Columbia University), graduating in 1768 with a degree of A.B..[2] Moore returned to King's College for a master's degree in 1771.[1] He traveled to England and was ordained deacon by Bishop Richard Terrick in Fulham Palace on June 24, 1774.[1] He was advanced to the priesthood the next day.[2]
Ministry
On returning to America in 1775, Moore was made assistant rector at Trinity Church in New York City.[3] In 1779, he married Charity Clarke, with whom he had one child, Clement Clarke Moore. While at Trinity Church, Moore earned a degree of doctor of sacred theology from his alma mater in 1789.[3]
Moore kept neutral on the political questions surrounding the American Revolution and continued in his duties as assistant rector under Samuel Provoost until 1800 when, Provoost having resigned, Moore was elected rector.[1]
Bishop of New York
Moore was elected coadjutor bishop of New York in 1801 to assist Provoost, who wished to retire.[3] He was the 9th bishop in the ECUSA, and was consecrated in St. Michael's Church, Trenton, New Jersey by Bishops William White, Thomas John Claggett, and Abraham Jarvis.[4] That same year, Moore was elected President of Columbia College, a position he held for ten years.[4] In 1811, Moore had a stroke and asked for the election of an additional coadjutor bishop to assist him, and John Henry Hobart was elected bishop that year.[1] In 1815, Bishop Provoost died and Moore succeeded to become the second bishop of New York. He died the following year in Greenwich Village, New York and was buried at Trinity Church.
Hamilton-Burr duel
On 11 July 1804, Moore was summoned to the deathbed of Alexander Hamilton, who had been fatally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr; Hamilton asked to receive holy communion. Moore made two objections: that to participate in a duel was a mortal sin, and that Hamilton, although he was undoubtedly a sincere Christian in his later years, was not an Episcopalian. Moore withdrew, but was persuaded by the urgent pleas of Hamilton's friends to return. On receiving Hamilton's solemn assurance that he repented for his part in the duel, Moore gave him communion.[5]
Notes
References
- Batterson, Hermon Griswold (1878). A Sketch-book of the American Episcopate. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippencott & Co. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
- Brown, John Howard, ed. (1903). Lamb's Biographical Dictionary of the United States 5. Boston: Federal Book Company of Boston. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
- Perry, William Stevens (1895). The Episcopate in America. New York: The Christian Literature Company. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
External links
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Myles Cooper |
President of King's College 1775–1776 |
Succeeded by George Clinton |
| Preceded by Charles Henry Wharton |
President of Columbia College 1801–1810 |
Succeeded by William Harris |
| Episcopal Church (USA) titles | ||
| Preceded by Samuel Provoost |
2nd Bishop of New York 1815–1816 |
Succeeded by John Henry Hobart |
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