Inglis, Charles, Dd

Inglis, Charles, D.D.

was born in Ireland about the year 1733. Emigrating to America, he took charge of the Free School at Lancaster, Pa., previous to 1759, and, having decided to enter the ministry, he went to England for ordination. The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel appointed him their missionary at Dover, Del., his field embracing the whole county of Kent, including three churches. In 1765 he became assistant minister of Trinity, N. Y., and catechist to the Negroes. He received the honorary degree of A.B. from King's College, N.Y., in 1767, and those of A.M. and D.D. from Oxford some years later. 'In the progress of the Revolution he took part with the Tories, and in 1775 replied to Paine's Common Sense by a pamphlet which was so offensive to the "Sons of Liberty" that they committed it to the flames. When preaching before Washington, in the same year, he refused to omit the prayer for the king and the royal family. After the Declaration of Independence he caused his church to be closed, and took refuge in Flushing, then in possession of the Royalists. He was chosen rector of Trinity, N. Y., in 1777. In consequence of many losses during the Revolution and political differences, he found it necessary finally to leave the country. In 1783 he sailed for Nova Scotia, of which province he was appointed- bishop in 1787, as the first colonial bishop of the Church of England. He resided at Halifax till his death, Feb., 1816. He published Two Sermons; and a Letter in "Hawkins's Historical Notices." — Sprague, Annals, 5, 186; Allibone, Dict. of Authors, 1, 932.