Samuel Auchmuty
Samuel Auchmuty [1]
a missionary of the Church of England, was born in Boston, Mass., in 1721. His father, Robert Auchmuty, a Scotchman, was a lawyer, and for several years a judge in the Court of Admiralty."' Samuel received his education at Harvard College, graduating in 1742. - Five years after he was ordained deacon by the bishop of London, and received an appointment as missionary from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. He became assistant to Dr. Barclay, rector of Trinity Church, New York city; and, also, was catechist to the colored population, entering upon his duties March 8,1748. St. George's Chapel in Beekman Street being opened in 1752, Mr. Auchmuty and the rector supplied the two churches. In August, 1764, he succeeded Dr. Barclay, deceased; and shortly after his induction St. Paul's Chapel was opened for public worship. When the Revolution opened, he espoused the cause of the royal government. The American army having taken possession of the city of New York, April 14,1776, he removed with his family to New Brunswick, N. J., where he remained until the British army, under general Howe, regained possession of New York, ill September following. Being anxious to reach the city, on account of loss of property by a fire, he vainly sought to pass the American lines. Compelled to escape by night, Iis health suffered from the exposure; and this was eventually the cause of his death, which occurred in New York city, March 4, 1777. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, v, 127.
