Here lie
the ashes of the Rev. Elias Neau, near its northern porch. He was a man
of more than ordinary eminence; his life useful, beneficial, and
religious. Mr. Neau was the paternal ancestor of Mrs. Commodore Oliver
H. Perry, of Rhode-Island.

Previous to his escape from France, he suffered confinement for several
years in the prisons and galleys, and while in his dungeons, learned by
heart the liturgy, and became attached to the English Church service.
When the Rev. Mr. Vesey was rector of Trinity, Mr. Neau was appointed
catechist of that church. For a number of years, he faithfully
discharged the duties of this important appointment among the Indians
and the slaves, of whom some fifteen hundred were catechumens in the
city of New-York. He could only collect them together on Sunday nights,
after the last public services; and when properly prepared, would
present them to Mr. Vesey, for baptism. Mr. Neau may be said to have
founded the Free School of Trinity, an institution so useful and well
known among the noble charities of New-York. Its former tablet is still
preserved among the mementoes of the olden time. This excellent Huguenot
closed his useful life in 1722, resting from his earthly labors
alongside of God's holy temple, where he had so long worshiped and'
served him.

The Rev. Elias Neau, his wife Susannah, and daughter Judith, left
France, for America, with the Huguenots, about 1685. Judith married a
Rabineau in New-York, and their only child, Marie, married Daniel
Ayrault; their issue was six sons and five daughters; and the second
son, Daniel, married Susannah Eargrass, whose children were Daniel and
Mary Ayrault. Mary married Benjamin Mason, and their children were two
sons and two daughters. The eldest son, Benjamin Mason, M.D., was
educated in England, marrying Margaret Champlin, of Newport, R. I., and
their issue was three sons and one daughter. This daughter, Elizabeth
Champlin Mason, became the wife of the patriotic and brave Captain
Oliver Hazard Perry, of the United States Navy. From this last union
were four sons and one daughter, Elizabeth Mason Perry. This daughter
married the Rev. Francis Vinton; and their children, seven sons and
three daughters, make the _eighth_ generation from their venerable,
pious Huguenot ancestor; Mr. Vinton himself serving in holy things at
the same sacred altar of old Trinity, where the Rev. Elias Neau
worshiped, and after a lapse of one hundred and fifty years. How