PARISH OF FLUVANNA, IN FLUVANNA COUNTY.
These were separated at the same time by an Act of Assembly,
in 1777, from Albemarle county and St. Anne's parish. Just
entering on the war, during which little or nothing was done, even
in the old parishes, it is doubtful whether a vestry was elected or
any steps taken toward building a church. At any rate, there is
no record of it. The following extract, from the letter of a friend
to whom I applied for information, tells nearly all that is known
of this parish:—
"Our annals do not go far back. From 1835 to 1849 we were connected
with St. James parish, Goochland. At the Convention of 1849
we were admitted into union with it, as Rivanna parish.[7]
Our first minister
was the Rev. Mr. Pleasants in 1835, and, I think, the first who ever
preached statedly in the county. He only remained about three months.
The next was the Rev. Mr. Doughen, who remained less than two years
He was followed by the Rev. J. P. B. Wilmer in 1838 and 1839. He
was succeeded by the Rev. R. H. Wilmer in April, 1839, who continued
until the fall of 1843. The Rev. J. P. B. Wilmer returned to the parish
and continued until Easter, 1849. After our separation from Goochland,
the Rev. Lewis P. Clover was with us from October, 1850, to April, 1852.
The Rev. Mr. Bulkley succeeded him, and was with us from July, 1852,
to December, 1855. The only Episcopal Church which has ever been in
the county is St. John's, Columbia, which was consecrated on the 30th
of July, 1850. The only Episcopal families prior to 1835 were the Carys
and General Cocke's.
Since that time the two Mr. Galts, Mr. Archy Harrison's, Mr.
Bryant's, Mr. Brent's, and a goodly number of other families,
have been added.
