The Biographical Dictionary of America/Addison, Walter Dulany

ADDISON, Walter Dulany, clergyman, was born in Annapolis, Md., Jan. 1, 1769; son of Thomas and Rebecca (Dulany) Addison. He studied at Greenwich, England, 1784-'87, with his uncle, rector at Epsom, and in London under Dr. Barrow, 1787-'89. He returned to America, where he studied theology, 1789-'92, and was ordained a priest in 1793, the first candidate to receive orders in the Protestant Episcopal church at the hands of a bishop (Claggett) consecrated in America. He was rector of Queen Anne's parish, Md., 1793-'96, and held services in various denominational churches in Maryland and in the Presbyterian church, Washington, D.C., 1793-1801, which resulted in the foundation of the "Old Church" (St. John's), Washington, D.C., erected in 1804. He was rector of Broad Creek parish, 1801-'09, of St. John's parish, Georgetown, 1809-'26, and of Rock Creek from 1826. He became blind in 1827. He married in June, 1792, Elizabeth D. Hesselius. He died in Baltimore, Jan. 31, 1848.