Vesey, William

(c. Aug. 10 or Oct. 10, 1674-July 11, 1746). Early leader of New York Anglicanism. He was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, and graduated from Harvard College in 1693. He served as lay reader at Hempstead, New York, 1695-1696, and studied for ordained ministry. Merton College, Oxford, awarded him the M.A. on July 8, 1697. The Bishop of London ordained him deacon on July 25, 1697, and priest on Aug. 2, 1697. Upon his return to New York, he was inducted as rector of Trinity Church on Dec. 25, 1697, and served in that position until his death. Around 1715 the Bishop of London named him Commissary for New York. Vesey worked with the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and helped the Church of England grow in New York. He died in New York City.