Samuel Provoost was born in New York City, New York to John Provoost and Eva Rutgers in 26 February 1742. He was baptized in 28 February 1742. He was a descendant of William Provoost, who was of a Huguenot family. His paternal grandmother was Mary Alexander. Samuel was educated at King's College, which is now known as Columbia University. Provoost graduated from King's College in 1758. In 1761 he arrived in England and continued his studies at Peterhouse, Cambridge. Samuel was fluent in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, and while he was at the College he learned French and Italian gaining the distinction as a linguist. Samuel Provoost also matriculated at the University of Leiden, July 28, 1764.
Career
In February 1766, Provoost was ordained a deacon at the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace in Westminster and a priest in March 1766. In September 1766, Provoost sailed to New York with his wife and in December he became an assistant minister of Trinity parish, a post he retained until 1774 when he withdrew. He declined to serve as delegate to the Continental Congress, though his patriotic impulses led him to join his neighbors in their pursuit of the British after the burning of the town of Esopus. He did not resume the active ministry until the close of the war. In 1784, he became rector of Trinity Church, New York and, in 1785, chaplain of the Continental Congress. Provoost was elected first Bishop of New York at the Diocesan Convention in 1786. A short while later, he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1787, Provoost was consecrated with Dr. William White at Lambeth Place by Dr. John Moore. Provoost was elected Chaplain to the Senate in 1789. Due to health issues, he resigned the rectorship of Trinity in 1800. The following year, Provoost sought to relinquish his episcopal office, but the House of Bishops declined his resignation, instead appointing an Assistant Bishop. Provoost retired in 1801.
Personal life
On June 8, 1766, he married Maria Bousfield who was the daughter of Thomas Bousfield, a rich Irish banker and the sister of Benjamin Bousfield, a Sheriff of Cork City. Their children were:
Maria Provoost, who married Cadwallader D. Colden in 1793.
Benjamin Bousfield Provoost, who married Nellie French in 1803, and had 8 children.
John Provoost, who died young.
Susanna Elizabeth Provoost, who married George Rapalje in 1798. and later Dr. Julian Xavier Charbet.
His wife died in August 1799. Bishop Provoost died in 1815 due to a stroke.
