HOBART, JOHN HENRY (1775-1830). A Protestant Episcopal bishop of New York. He was born in Philadelphia. Pa., and was the descendant in the fifth generation of a Puritan family of New England. originally established by Joshua Hobart at Hingham, Mass. He was left fatherless in his first year and was carefully trained by his mother. He graduated at Prince ton in 1793, and was tutor from 1795 to 179S, when he took orders in the Episcopal ministry. His first charges were in Philadelphia, New Brunswick, N. J., and Hempstead. L. I. In 1500 he was appointed curate of Trinity Church, New York; in 1801 was ordained priest, and after showing marked ability in parish work, in va rious official capacities. and as the author of several ecclesiastical manuals, was elected As sistant Bishop of New York in ISM and assist ant rector of Trinity Parish in the following year. In 1816 he became rector of Trinity and Bishop of the diocese. In 1821 he was appointed professor of pastoral theology and oratory in the New York General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which in stitution lie was one of the founders. ill health caused a suspension of his labors, and he spent the years 1824-25 in Europe, studying social, moral, and religious conditions. His return in
1S26 was marked by renewed literary and pas toral activity, and on his annual visitation he traveled 3000 miles, heedless of the scanty trans portation facilities, in his anxious watchfulness. over the growing institutions of his ever-increas ing diocese. The labors of his visitations. how ever, at length proved too much for his declining health, and a sudden failure of his powers was followed by his death at Auburn, N. Y.. Septem ber 12, 1830. His writings. which went through 111:1 fly editions include: Companion for the Altar (1804); Festivals and Fasts (1504); Clergy man's Companion (IROS) Controversial Essays. Apology for A postolic Order (1507) ; The Christian's Manual (1q141: 7'he State of the Departed (1S141 : and .t Comparison of the United Rtotes With England (18261. He also edited D'Oyley and Slant's "Family Bible" (2 vols.. ISI8-20). Consult : Berrian. "Alemoir," at tached to the Posthumous 11"orioi of Bishop Ho bart (New York. 1833) ; AleVickar. The Early ProRssional and Closing rears of Bishop Hobart New York, 1830).