Henry Barclay

Reverend Henry Barclay (1712 – August 20, 1764) was an American Anglican minister who served as the second rector of Trinity Church in New York City from 1746 until his death eighteen years later.

Early life

Barclay was born in 1712 in Albany, Province of New York, to Reverend Thomas Barclay and Anna Drayer. He graduated from Yale University with a bachelor's degree in 1734 and a master's degree six years later. Ministry In 1735, the year following his graduation from Yale, Barclay was installed as a catechist to the Mohawk Indians at Fort Hunter.

He went to England in 1737, a trip organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and was ordained by the Bishop of London. Upon returning to America, he was appointed rector of Albany's St. Peter's Episcopal Church. He remained in the role for the next eighteen years.

In 1760, Barclay studied at Oxford University, graduating as a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.).

Personal life

In 1749, Barclay married Mary Rutgers, daughter of Anthony Rutgers and Cornelia Roos, with whom he had four children: Cornelia, Thomas, Anna and Anthony. Thomas became a noted lawyer. A fifth child died in infancy.