DeCosta, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin), 1831-1904

Benjamin Franklin DeCosta was born 10 July 1831 Charlestown, MA. He graduated from the Biblical Institute, Concord, NH in 1856 and entered the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was rector at North Adams (1857-1858), and Newton Lower Falls (1858-1860). During the Civil War, he was chaplain of the 5th and 18th Mass. Infantry. He was editor of the Christian Times, Episcopalian, the Magazine of American History, one of the founders of the Huguenot Society of America, one of the organizers of the Church Temperance Society, charter member of the Church Association for the Advancement of the interests of labor, and he organized the first American branch of the White Cross Society. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him in 1881 by the College of William and Mary. He was rector of the church of St. John the Evangelist in NYC from 1881 until 1899 when he converted to Catholicism. He died 4 November 1904 in New York City.

From the description of Diary of Benjamin Franklin DeCosta, 1857-1904. (New England Historic Genealogical Society). WorldCat record id: 85844520

American clergyman and historian.

From the description of Autograph letters signed (2) : New York, N.Y., to James Carson Brevoort, [1882] Jan. 17 and [no year] Apr. 7. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270532839

Historian and rector of St. John the Evangelist, New York City.

From the description of Benjamin F. De Costa papers, 1767-1809, ca. 1868-ca. 1896. (New York University, Group Batchload). WorldCat record id: 58781792