Carey, Arthur

(June 26, 1822-Apr. 4, 1844). Controversial figure in the Oxford Movement. He was born in the vicinity of London, England. When he was eight years old, his father moved the family to New York City. In 1839 he graduated from Columbia College. Carey was considered “the most brilliant student in the [General] Seminary” in the early 1840s. He was profoundly influenced by the Oxford Movement. While at General Seminary, Carey was associated with St. Peter's Church, New York City. Carey taught in the Sunday School. The Rev. Hugh Smith was the rector of St. Peter's. When Carey's ordination to the diaconate approached, Smith refused to sign the canonical testimonies because he thought Carey was too sympathetic to Roman Catholicism. Carey then received the necessary testimonials from the Rev. William Berrian, rector of Trinity Church, New York. Meanwhile, Smith convinced the Rev. Henry Anthon, rector of St. Mark's Church, to join him in opposing Carey's ordination. Bishop Benjamin T. Onderdonk of New York arranged for Smith and Anthon to assist at an examination of Carey before him and six other presbyters of the diocese. After the examination, Smith and Anthon were still dissatisfied, but the other six said that Carey's answers were satisfactory. Carey was ordained deacon on July 2, 1843. Smith and Anthon read a formal protest at the ordination. Carey became an assistant at the Church of the Annunciation, New York. He died of tuberculosis soon thereafter on a voyage to Havana, where he was going in hope of recuperation. His memorial tablet is on the wall of the outer sacristy at the Chapel of the Good Shepherd of General Seminary.