18 Facts About Samuel Seabury

Samuel Seabury was the first American Episcopal bishop, the second Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, and the first Bishop of Connecticut.

Samuel Seabury was a leading Loyalist in New York City during the American Revolution and a known rival of Alexander Hamilton.

Samuel Seabury was born in North Groton, Connecticut, in 1729 in a home that still stands as a Historic Landmark on the corner of Church Hill Road and Spicer Hill Road in Ledyard, Connecticut.

Samuel Seabury was rector of Christ Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey, from 1754 to 1757, rector in Jamaica, New York, from 1757 to 1766, and of St Peter's, Westchester from 1766 to 1775.

Samuel Seabury grew up in an economy based on slavery, and in a slaveholding family.

Samuel Seabury continued to legally own one slave, Charles, as his property.

Samuel Seabury was prevented from carrying out his ministry; after some time in Long Island, he took refuge in New York City where he was appointed chaplain to the King's American Regiment in 1778.

Samuel Seabury then turned to the Scottish Episcopal Church, although he had approached the surviving non-juring bishops in England, William Cartwright of Shrewsbury and Kenrick Price of Manchester.

Samuel Seabury was consecrated bishop by Robert Kilgour, Bishop of Aberdeen and Primus of Scotland; Arthur Petrie, Bishop of Ross and Moray; and John Skinner, coadjutor bishop of Aberdeen.

Samuel Seabury returned to Connecticut in 1785 and made New London his home, becoming rector of St James Church there.

In 1790, Samuel Seabury took charge of the Diocese of Rhode Island.

Samuel Seabury played a decisive role in the evolution of Anglican liturgy in North America after the Revolution.

Samuel Seabury argued for the restoration of another ancient custom, the weekly celebration of Holy Communion on Sunday rather than the infrequent observance that became customary in most Protestant churches after the Reformation.

Samuel Seabury's printed sermons and essays enjoyed wide readership well after his death.

Samuel Seabury was the first bishop consecrated for the Episcopal Church.

Samuel Seabury's brother David Seabury was a Loyalist who moved to Nova Scotia.

On September 12,1849, the relics of Samuel Seabury were translated to the Church of St James the Great in New London, Connecticut, and buried under the chancel.

Samuel Seabury was portrayed by Thayne Jasperson in the original cast.